Always

Chapter 3.

“Go back to camp , Caitlin .” Legolas said softly . “We’ll talk when I get our breakfast .” . He turned away and walked downstream , his head spinning . The man she had killed ? She was barely more than a child , in years of Men , delicate of build , fair of face . What secrets did she keep hidden inside her ? And why should he care ? Better that she should be gone from his life , and the sooner the better . As an Eldar , he was often looked upon with suspicion by Men already ; old prejudices die hard . The last thing he needed was to be in the company of a woman-child killer . Even if the man she had killed deserved it . The memory of his brief glimpse of the scars crisscrossing her creamy flesh angered him … made his blood boil , truth be told , and Legolas realized he would have gladly killed this faceless man himself .

He half expected to return to an empty camp , but Caitlin was sitting on the log with her cloak bundled around her , that beautiful chameleon hair hanging in her face . Without a word , Legolas squatted beside the fire , spitting the two cleaned fish he had speared on an arrow above the low fire . He didn’t look up at her , did not trust himself to , unsure as to just what he might say or do . He dropped to sit on the ground across the fire from her , resting his elbows upon raises knees . “Start from the beginning .” he said quietly .

Caitlin raised her head to look at him . She chewed her upper lip nervously ; how could he possibly understand ? “I was born to Lord Theus and Lady Jessup .” she began hesitantly . “My first twelve years were lived in happiness , with my sister Evaine . We had all that any girls could desire , a beautiful home , our parents’ love , fine horses . Evaine and I were out for a ride one summer’s day , and when we came home …” her voice trailed off , and her eyes glossed with tears unshed . She looked away , into the wooded copse , her eyes seeing another time , another place . “We came home to find our home under siege . Our parents killed , our belongings pillaged , the horses stolen . Evaine and I tried to escape , but a band of the men who did this captured us . We were thrown into a bowtop wagon fitted inside with cages , there were several other girls and women already caged there , and for days we traveled , no idea where we were being taken or why . We were given little food or water , only filthy straw for our beds . When we were finally taken from the cages , one at a time , we were taken to a river I did not recognize and stripped and scrubbed down , then dressed in whore’s clothing and taken into a town , shackled together . “ . She hastily wiped a tear from her cheek , a long , shuddering sigh escaping from her lips . Legolas had to fight the urge to come around the fire to sit beside her ; he wanted to hear the entire story without having his judgment clouded by her nearness . “We were auctioned off as slaves .” she continued , barely above a whisper . “Evaine and I were sold as a ‘pair’ , you see . Sisters are quite the prize . She was two years older , and so lovely , Legolas . It was her beauty that drove our price so high . We thought ourselves lucky , that we were at least to stay together . We were bought by a man named Trogarr , and that first night he owned us was as close to hell on earth as you can imagine . We were both raped , repeatedly , not only by Trogarr , but he passed us around to his friends , as well . I lost track of how many men lay on me that night , forcing their members into any hole it would fit into .” she spat vehemently .

Legolas’ jaw fell slack , and he could stay away no longer , rising gracefully and coming to sit on the log next to her . “You were but a child , titta er . “ he whispered in shock . “How could anyone …”

“It was only the beginning , Legolas .” she shuddered . “We were taken back to his holding , and branded .” . Caitlin pulled the neckline of her blouse down , exposing an ugly burn scar just below her collarbone , a ‘T’ and ‘G’ entwined together . “Wee kee kept for his … entertainment , and the entertainment of his guests . Trogarr was excited by the s of of blood , you see , and he delighted in our pain . It started out with willow switches , and progressed to a riding crop , and worse . Have you had a flail used upon you , Legolas ? Have you any idea what it feels like to have leather strips with tiny metal teeth at their ends biting into your flesh ? He would take turns with us , forcing me to watch while he beat Evaine , then use my body as he pleased , and the next day I would be the beatbeaten while Evaine watc. I. I prayed to the gods for death , for release from this torture , but the gods evidently do not listen to mere slave girls , because it came to no end , each day much like the one before it , unless Trogarr came up with a ‘new’ idea .” . She stopped speaking for a moment , attempting to gather her thoughts , and turned the spit over the fire to allow the fish to cook on the other side . Legolas did not trust himself to speak or move , his jaw muscles tight .

“He went too far one day .” Caitlin continued quietly . “Evaine died while hung by her wrists . And even death did not release her from the torment , for so excited was he , he cut her still warm body down and took her . Not even in the hour of her death was my sister awarded a scrap of dignity .” her voice had taken on a hard , cold edge . “When I was taken back to my quarters , I did not sleep . I knew the gods were not there for me , so I would do what I had to do to end it myself . I was able to break free a splinter of wood a little longer than the length of my hand , and I worked at it , chipping iay uay until it was pointed at one end . Not so sharp or effective as a dagger , but I knew it would do the job . Either he or I would die the next time he came for me . I hid it in my clothing , and I waited .
e nee next night , he came for me , drunk as usual , and he tried to use my body , but his manhood was useless without the pleasure he derived from beating one sister while the other begged him to stop . So he began using the handle of his riding crop on me , forcing it inside me , whispering horrid things to me , his breath on on my face . I pulled my weapon out , and I plunged it into his eye socket . It did not kill him as I had hoped , he fell away screaming , grasping at it , trying to pull it free . I had not thrust in far enough , you see , I had lost my nerve . I pulled his crop out of me , and rose while he thrashed about , writhing on the floor , and I walked to him , put my foot against the butt of the wood , and pushed it into his brain to the hilt . He died instantly , and I was glad , Legolas , so glad . It was the first bit of happiness I had felt since that day we were taken .”

Legolas touched his index finger beneath her chin , tilting her face toward him . “He died too easily , titta er .” he ssoftsoftly . “You and your Evaine suffered atrocities no one should suffer . He should have known the same pain .”

Caitlin pulled away from his gentle touch . “Soan .an . Four months have passed , and still I run . I will be killed if ever I am caught , and yes , there is a price on my head , even the likes of Trogarr has family willing to pay for revenge against his murderer . Turn me in , if you like , Elf , for I am tired of running . Tired of being afraid , tired of being alone , tired of looking over my shoulder , tired of stealing to live . Turn me in and be done with it .” .

Legolas lay his palm flat against her cheek , and she flinched from his touch still half expecting the caress to turn into a strike . “Nay , titta er , I’ll not turn you in . You have earned your freedom a thousand times over , and the respect of this Elf .” . He leaned slowly forward and touched his lips to hers .