Sins of the Father

Orophin tried to focus, but a salty sting assaulted his vision,
leaving him only able to squint. Sticky warmth trickled out of the
corner of his swollen lips, the tang of his own blood metallic upon
his tongue as he convulsively swallowed against the putrid cloth that
gagged him. A sharp pain radiated from his temple and he resisted the
urge to move his head as nausea began to crawl up his throat. The Elf
had ceased to struggle and was now bound tightly to a thick wooden
pole, his fingers numb and helpless behind him. He had not given in
so easily though and more than one of his captors bore worse injuries
than he, but all his resistance had earned him was sudden
unconsciousness and tighter bindings.

"Oh look, its awake..." a rasping voice drifted up from his feet and
Orophin strained to pull the owner into view.
"Perhaps you didn't hit him hard enough Corm," spat another voice,
this time from behind. Filthy blood stained hands grabbed Orophins
face roughly and turned him to meet the soot blackened visage of whom
the Elf could assume to be the one called Corm.
Masking the pain Orophin tried hard to hold the large man's eyes with
his own, but soon slumped against his restraints when his head was
shoved back hard against the solid of the post.

"Problem solved," muttered Corm as he went back to stacking wood
around the Elf's feet,
" He won't be any trouble now."

Orophin had no idea how much time had passed, but when unconscious
thought began to merge with the stark pain of reality he jerked
forward and had he not been still secured to the post he would surly
have fallen to his knees. Daylight was quickly fading from the sky
and with it the warmth of the sun. Orophin's body trembled slightly,
though perhaps more from dehydration and pain than actual chill.
Swallowing hard, the Elf tried to ease the parch in his throat, but
his tongue had begun to swell from the gag making him choke with the
effort.

The Galdrhims struggle for air roused the guard from his
contemplation's and he pulled himself away from the small fire he was
tending to get a better look at his captive. He had never really seen
an Elf first hand, though the stories of the Eldar were indeed part
of his learning. Still, his interest was piqued and the closer he got
to the incandescent being, the more interested he became.

"Well, well," he purred lifting Orophins chin with the flat of his
blade. " Look what I have here... " The guard cautiously circled the
bound Elf, noting with a slippery grin the fine curve of the
Galdrhims jaw and the obscenely delicious way in which the gag parted
his perfectly bowed lips.

Brazenly the guard ran the back his hand across the bruised paleness
of Orophin's cheek, trailing the point of his blade down the length
of the Galdrhims body and quite delighting in the tremble it
illicited.

"Ahhhh. will be ashame to waste such a beautiful creature as
yourself, " murmured the guard, pressing so close to Orophins body
that the Elf could barely breath from the odor.
Meaty fingers toyed with the tips of his ears, fingering the points
with perverted dalliance.
The Galadrhim jerked away from the intimate pawing, a low growl
rumbling from behind clenched teeth.

The guard chuckled at the Elf's feral response and leaned closer to
the captive Eldar, nipping the swollen lips with his teeth.

"Come now, " he breathed against Orophins mouth, his free hand coming
to wrap tightly in the tangled silver silk of the Elf's hair.

"I usually have no complaints." The smirking guard moved the pommel
of the sword to stroke against Orophin's groin. " If you play nice, I
might even remove your gag..., " he continued moaning aganist the
Elf's soft neck.

"I certainly think not!" boomed a commanding voice from just outside
the shadows, making the guard stop mid-nuzzle.

Orophin took the opportunity to wrench his head free from the guards
grimy fingers and crack him squarely upon forehead with his own.

The stunned guard gasped and fell away from the seething Galadrhim,
covering the swelling lump upon his head with the palm of his hand.

"And that is precisely why......" Muttered the other, as he warmed
his hands by the small fire.

"You will be sorry for that Elf....." spat the guard ,picking up his
fallen weapon.

Orophin flattened himself against the post determined not to let this
disgusting example of humanity garner any satisfaction from him. Fear
or otherwise.

"Put that away arse for brains", warned the guard at the fire, " They
are approaching with the child, and unless you wish to join the dead
I suggest you leave the Elf alone."

The guard hesitated for a brief moment before moving closer to the
glaring Galadrhim, his fingers tracing the edge of the Elf's jaw.

"Pity......" he whispered softly and then kneed Orophin squarely
between the legs, before striding away to join his comrade by the
fire.

Orophin doubled over, his body begging to slip into the relief of
unconsciousness again. No.. he would not give them the satisfaction.
Panting, he straightened himself as best as he could and rested his
cheek against the cool of the wood.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw them approach; a long procession
of villagers , and in their midst they carried a bier with a small
white wrapped bundle.

Hannath..... Orophin's mind finally pieced together the nightmare
that it so desperately wanted to bury.


xxxxXXXxxxx


It had not taken Haldir long to agree with Rumil that they could not
leave Orophin to deal with the humans on his own and together they
had ridden off after the young Warden.

Orophin was not difficult to track, in fact, his rate of speed and
his obvious burden made him more clumsy and therefore quite easy to
follow. Rumil had wanted immeadiatly to head his brother off, but
Haldir had reminded him that Orophin was acting on blind emotion and
would probably not listen to reason. It would be best to follow him
and hope that he was able to handle the situation himself, but be
closeby if necessary.

A few miles out, the brothers abandoned the horses so as to not alert
Orophin should he feel thier approach. Despite his mindset , he was
still a Galadrhim and the vibration of hoofbeats would surely betray
thier presence.

With silent strides they reached the edge of the village taking care
to keep themselves well hidden within the bramble of the surrounding
wood. Raised jeering voices could be heard coming from the clearing
just beyond the trees and Haldir crouched low and peered from the
cover of the treeline almost afraid as to what he might see.

A large group of human males had massed in the area and seemed very
intent upon something at thier feet, kicking and shoving it without
care.

" Not so pretty now is he?" snorted one of the tormentors as his foot
struck its mark again.
Cheers and hoots of encouragement rumbled up form the gathered
participants.

" Thats enough! Another voice boomed above the rabble, stilling the
assault.

"Let him be....bind him and be on your way"

One of the more vocal participants gave the victim yet another kick
and was soon met by the point of a blade at his throat.

" Unless you would like to join him, I suggest you do as you were
instructed and be on your way," commanded the other stepping between
the crowd and the body on the ground.

" He murdered one of our own," retorted one of the Men, " surely you
cannot deny us this retaliation!"

The man with the sword narrowed his eyes and levelled his weapon at
the other encroaching villagers.

"His fate is not yours to decide....His life or death will be decided
by the child's family alone. That is our custom and you WILL abide by
it or forfeit your life as well.." Reaching down at his feet , the
Man turned Orophins head with the tip of his boot.

" Now bind him...before he wakes and we find ourselves at quite a
disadvantage."

Haldir felt Rumil tense at his back as thier brother's dire situation
was revealled and reached quickly to restrain the reacting Galadrhim.

" No Rumil, " he breathed, holding fast to the Elfs bow arm, " We
must wait., he will surely die if we react..." The Galdrhrim tried to
shift out of his brother's grasp.

" He will surely die if we do NOT" ,countered the Elf , his eyes
widening in panic.

Haldir grabbed the young warden by the shoulders and held him fast.

" He is not dead yet. Rumil...and if we wish to keep him that way we
are going to have to wait for the opportune moment." Haldir released
him when he felt the youngster relax, though somehow his words failed
to convince himself..