Among the thorns

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“I had risen late that day as the patrol the day before had been strenuous, we had encountered a band of orcs. Luckily nobody was killed, only injured. Unluckily we only managed to kill seven of the forty orcs that had attacked.

I awoke to the smell of my mother cooking dinner. I could hear the birds outside and I could smell the fresh breeze as it blew though my room.

My mother has...had, a love of wild flowers and she would always keep some on the table. She asked me to go and pick some more for her and I obliged. The air was clear and the sky was inviting, so I set off. As I walked my dress caught on sticks on twigs, tearing small holes into the hem, so as you can imagine I was not in one of the finest moods.

I was venturing beyond the boarders so I had carried my sword with me, hidden under my cloak.

As the day was coming to an end I found what I had been looking for.

I knelt down beside the patch of flowers and began carefully picking them. My head was bent and I did not see the arrow that was meant for my head. It was only out of luck that it missed.

I had not heard the orcs approaching, I do not understand why. With my training I should have heard them a least a mile away.

My guard had been down and my mind elsewhere. I lifted my head and It myt my heart sink with panic. There were more orcs there than an entire patrol could have handled.

My first instinct was to run, but that was not a viable or sensible option. The boarder guards would not have been able to handle such a number and we could not have orcs roaming freely over our lands; it would be too dangerous.

So despite my fear I stood my ground and waited for them to advance.

From where I was stood I could see the delight and hunger in their eyes. The fierce smell of death and decay followed them and almost made me retch.

The first one attacked, he was easily killed and I moved on to the next one. I could sense them moving into a circle behind me, trapping me and I knew that there would be no way out.

I thought it was better to die fighting than willingly give myself up so I kept fighting.

I nearly vomited when I plunged my sword into their grotesque bodies; their thick black blood ran down my sword and onto my hand making it harder for me to use it.

One of them came up behind me and before I could turn to kill him another struck me in the stomach. It was not deep but it distracted me enough to give them the upper hand in the battle. Taking the opportunity three of them descended upon me and struck me more forcefully, spilling my blood onto the ground.

I didn’t know what was happening and I couldn’t see, my hair had fallen in front of my eyes and I couldn’t see. I could hear them jeering and laughing in the background but thoughts of my mother had father and my friends lingered in the forefront of my thoughts.

I thought I was going to die, I truly did, after all what would they want with me?

I didn’t realize what they wanted; if I had I would have killed myself before they got their chance.

We walked for days, actually they walked- I was dragged. I couldn’t stand up for very long. During the battle they had slashed my stomach, my chest and my legs and the wounds were not healing as they should have done.

My feet were so sore, the shoes that I had worn were not meant for walking long distances in, they were for strolls and picnics and such. My hair was becoming knotted and filthy and my dress was ripped in various indecent places, showing more than I would have liked.

At night when they made camp, they would tie me to a tree for the night, or whip me. I was given one cup of that fetid orc draught per day, there was no food.

I had concocted a plan; they had not found the dagger that I kept strapped to my thigh. I would wait until I was alone with only a few guards. I could easily reach the dagger ad it would only take me a few moments to kill them. Once they were dead I only had to run.

In order for my plan to work I would have to make sure that everything was precisely as I needed it. If only one orc was out of place I would not stand a chance.

There was only one debate in my mind- would I wait for the cover of darkness or take my chances in the sunlight. It would be harder for the orcs to find me in the dark but the sun would give me more time as they did not suspect that a prisoner would attempt an escape in the daylight.

I waited until nightfall a few days later to execute my plan. I had been tied to a tree as normal and there were three guards watching me. Fortunately they were more interested in watching the others so they had their backs to me. I was able to reach the dagger and cut through the rope with ease.

I waited for the opportune moment and then jumped up, swiftly killing the first orc before he had chance to realise what was happening. The other two were just as easy to kill. Without a second look I ran.

What I hadn’t seen was the number of orcs that had spotted me and were after me. I felt dizzy and exhausted and I had to sit down. I could hear my blood pumping in my ears, deafening me and drowning out the telltale sounds of the stampeding orcs.

I barely noticed when thick arms wrapped around me from behind and dragged me onto the floor, pushing me down face first.

I heard one of them laugh before plunging his sword into my shoulder. I felt my body shake and I let my mind slip away. I barely remember what happened after that.

I awoke the day after covered in blood. They had whipped me and slashed me with their swords, not caring what they did with me. They had tied my hands and feet together so that I couldn’t move. I was draped over the shoulder of one of them; I could feel my body giving up.

I was hungry tired and confused. I had been in their ‘company’ for fourteen days and not once had they touched me. It was only when one of the lesser ranking orcs killed the leader that they dared to touch me.

That night I was taken by no less than ten orcs.

After that, all thoughts of escape were dismissed, I wished only for death and that it would come swiftly, even painfully; I did not care.

I lost track of the days and the nights. If there was a comfort in everything, it was the moon, every night she would watch over me. I became angry at her. She sat in the sky, as beautiful as ever and yet she watched as night after night I was violated.

It hurt, but I gave up crying. They took pleasure in my pain and my tears and I was not going to give them that.

I don’t know why they left me. I simply woke up staring at the sky. My hands and feet had been untied and they had left me.

They had left me to die.

And I welcomed the prospect with open arms.

Never again would I be able to walk under the trees of my home or train with my friends. My pride and my spirit has been broken.

And then you...you came.

I was so angry at you. I had been their prisoner for so long and then just when I am granted the one wish I had asked for, you came.

In truth Elrohir, I did not wish to be saved, and I am not sure whether I can be.

You looked at me with such pity and concern that it almost broke my heart.

You were so kind, both of you. And although I resented you for helping me; I was thankful to be rescued by you. You showed me so much care and support even though you knew that I did not welcome you.

Thank you”

Elrohir sat still, his eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched.

Thinking he was angered by her, Tanithia moved back from the bed and stood by the fireplace.

The room was silent, except for the crackling of the fire which glowed brightly in the night air.

Both occupants were deep in thought.

Elrohir sat back against the headboard as he thought,

She did not trusm, sm, she told the bare minimum of the story. There was no feeling in it, no deception nor any ploy to try and win his affection through sympathy as some maidens would.

She spoke plainly and simply telling only what she deemed necessary.

It struck him how brave and foolish this maiden was, by her own admission. It was obvious though that her foolishness had been because of her condition at the time. He had no doubt that her malnutrition, fear, and desperation were to blame.

His eyes studied her form intently. She stood with her back towards him, trying to hide her emotions, although her efforts were in vain as he could clearly read her.

Her shoulders were tense and her head bowed in embarrassment.

The feelings that she had stirred within him had finally solved his questions. However he would wait for her.

There were more important things to do before he acknowledged his own feelings.

He had spoken to Elladan about her training and it seemed that he was eager to take up the task. It would be better for her to start before she had a chance to dwell upon anything...unfavourable.

While Elladan was training with her in the sword, Elrohir would be training with the bow. It had been proven that Elrohir was indeed the better archer of the two.

He rose from his seat on her bed and stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. Smiling to himself he looked up at the moon from the archway in her room.

He took her hand and guided her toward the archway.

“Look”

She shook her head but raised her eyes anyway,

“What are we looking at?”

He chuckled softly and stood behind her, placing his cheek next to hers,

“Look at the moon”

Her eyes widened and she closed them tightly. He lent forward and gently wiped away the tear that slowly made its way down her face. She took in a shaky breath and opened her eyes,

“I see...”

“A guardian?”

Elrohir whispered to her, keeping his eyes on hers as she turned to look at him,

“A guardian? What do you mean?”

“I do not profess to know what you have been through nor do I know what you are feeling. But I do not believe that you are angry at the moon”

He smiled at her, making her laugh through her tears,

“No...”

She leaned back into his embrace,

“...No, I am not angry at the moon. I am angry at myself”

Keeping his hands on her waist, Elrohir stepped back and moved so that he stood in front of her.

“So your secret is out my lady”

He jested with a grin, to which she leaned forward and grinned back,

“I would be careful my lord, else I will beat you at your own game”

“And what game would that be?”

She didn’t answer, but instead stepped back and offered her hand,

“I’m hungry, care to join me for dinner?”

He laughed and grabbed her hand before running out of the room with her following on his heals.