"So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought."
~ The Punishments ~
The attack had been a large one. Her outlaw kin believed they could overrun Mirkwood. They had been exiled, for many years now, by Thranduil. They're outward thinking and radical ideas were not to his liking. He banished many....before Cosette was born, and before his youngest son reached a mature age. But all knew the stories. All knew the conflict.
The outcasts grew in population as they survived alone. Cosette was born to them. They hated the ones in Mirkwood, and the ones in Mirkwood hated them right back. As time grew on, the outcasts planned to overrun Mirkwood and get back what was theirs. They had homemade armour, and whatever weapons they could steal.
But on that night, Mirkwood and Thranduil had been ready. Their soldiers were well armed and guarded. Large numbers beat out those of the outcasts -- every last surviving one thrown into the cells. There were not many survivors, but enough to fill two large cells.
Cosette was one of them. She said nothing; still bruised from the battle. Her lip was bleeding and her cheek had a large bruise on it. She hadn't wanted to fight, but all outcasts had been called too. And still they lost.
Finally, Mirkwood soldiers came down, and braught all the women (which were about 20) upstairs to the grand hall. Elven lords, including Thranduil and his sons, were sitting there. The women were placed in the middle of the floor.
One by one, they auctioned off the women -- slaves, wives, or anything. It was up to the one who baught the outcast. To the nobles, this was all good fun. They were rid of the outcasts, and got pleasurable women because of it.
Cosette held her breath as she was dragged forward to stand alone. Her dark eyes glared at those nobles around her.
The other nobles swarmed about the woman like hawks upon prey. Each man held an eye for lust. The king sat upon his grand throne upon the altar, and to his right was his youngest, Legolas, and to his left was Orophin. Both sons were handsome and fair among their kin, though they were brothers by father, their mothers were not the same. Orophin was the son of Thranduil's wife Aduiel, while Legolas was the result of an affair between Thranduil and a servant. The servant died while giving birth to the young prince and he was raised by his father and Aduiel until she passed away from an attack of the orcs in southern Mirkwood.
The youngest, Legolas, was normally the wild shild, hard to control, and yet passionate, as Aduiel taught him. of bot the sons of Thranduil, Legolas was here favourite, becasue like her, he loved the woods and lores. She schooled him well and he became intelligent. It was a different story with the elg Orophin. He was pompous and spoiled, cruel and bitter. He hated his brother Legolas because he was not of noble blood. To him, the young prince was nothing but dirt, and he treated him like that.
Legolas watched unasmused as the men of nobles and lords looked at the girl with hungry eyes. For some reason, he felt pity for her, that such a fair maiden was to be auction off like cattle. He had to do something for her, he wanted to.
'300 silver pieces!' A tall man with raven hair and black tunic said.
'I raise 400!' Another yelled. The prices were booming, until one boy, bare over the age of being considered an elf, he spoke.
'900 silver.' Said the prince, and he resieved a glare from Orophin, and a sly grin on his fathers. Everyone turned in shock to see the prince come forth. 'I will pay 900 silver peices for such a tender blossom among the thorns. Does anyone bid any higher?' He asked as he looked around. 'No? I am suprised. Such wealthy lords, they cannot raise me?' And he chuckled as he recieved many a glare from the other men.
The lead elf drug her down and pushed her towards the prince, who caught her in his arms. 'Hello there, what is your name?'
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Cosette looked up wearily and somewhat darkly to the elf who had caught her. Their prince, the youngest. Cosette... She said, barely audible. Her eyes shifted around. Now she was sold, like some animal. Her tongue gently caressed the wound on her lip as her cheek still burned where a bruise would form.
But none of that mattered. She was sold.....to a prince. His toy. She would have to escape, or at least, try to. Her dark eyes drew up as she watched more of her kin and family be sold.
You can't keep her here, Legolas, Thranduil laughed. Hurry up, and take her to your room. Then come back and watch if you wish.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~"Yes father. But I hope you do not mind if I..might not return." And he smirked as the other lords and nobles laughed. Legolas icy and deep eyes looked down to the woman and nodded to her. Taking her by the arm, Legolas began to escourt her off to his quarters. On the way he sighed. Now he could take of the mask of those for his father and Thranduil's fellow men. Legolas could see the loathing in her eyes, and he did not want a black mark upon his record.
Legolas opened the door ro his chambers and led her in. Slowly he closed the door behind him. "Do not try to run, híril nîn. The guards would only throw you back into the cellar or bring you to my father. I do not think you want that. Unless you look for love-making that is. Do not look for it from me, for I do not soil my hands as others seem it right to do so here." He said as he took off the tunic and loose the strings of the thin undershirt.
He was not looking to abuse or mistreat her. "If it will rest your fears and loathing to me, you shall be freed soon." And the prince turned to face her. "Did you honestly think I bought you for pleasure? I did not, if it makes you feel better." And he laid down on his bed with his hands cradling his head. "Make yourself comfortable here until the croward dies down." Legolas himself had snunk out many times, adn he was like an expert at it by now. Slowly and nonchalantly, Legolas closed his eyes.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Quote:".....Unless you look for love-making that is. Do not look for it from me, for I do not soil my hands as others seem it right to do so here."
Cosette gave a small sneer. Soil his hands?...With the dirt of the earth. Her and her kind, no doubt. Normally, she would've struck his down with words, but she was in no place to do so. Not here, around so many nobles.
Quote: "Did you honestly think I bought you for pleasure? I did not, if it makes you feel better."
Of course that was what she thought. That's why the nobles were bidding. But the prince seemed the stuck up type -- too good for her, no doubt. He wouldn't even give himself pleasure through her. Her brow eyes shifted down. Release and free her for what?? To return to an empty village? Burnt and torn?....No family nor friends anymore? To die alone?
She'd rather stay here, sold and used. Slowly, glancing at him occasionally, Cosette slid down the wall and sat in the corner. Around her neck hung a cheap looking necklace. It had been her mother's. She was surprised the guards had not searched and taken it. But she was thankful.
This was her life now, and no good would come of it.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas sat up slightly and looked to her. He would have expected some fiery comment from her, but she was silent. Laying on his stomach now and facing her, Legolas gazed at her. "Are you bitter to me, of are you bitter to the thought of being sold? Understand, that I mean nothing to you, not to use you in anyway. Believe me, I understand you...more than you think." Legoals would dare not tell anyone of his past. Only his brother knew, and he already had humiliated him in the publice before.
"I'm trying to help you. You do not hae to sleep on the floor..." He said to her, trying to at least relax her.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Cosette closed her large brown eyes which had already began to shine with tears. She turned her head from his sight. Please, leave me be... She said softly. She wanted no part of this. It wasn't right. Her friends were all sold as she was, most of them, including herself, had never experienced intimacy. It was for love. Not pleasure. But now things had changed, and it scared her greatly.
A loud knock at the door startled Cosette, as a guard came in. He glanced at her and then Legolas. Breakin' her in?... He laughed, thinking Legolas may have hit her a bit, or was playing with her mind. The guard tossed a rope on the bed. All the lords who've baught a girl are to gather in the common room. Slip it around her neck, and bring her along. He said, pointing to the rope.
With a nod, he left his prince. Cosette's eyes never left the rope as it was tossed onto the bed. They treated them like animals. Her loathing eyes turned back to the youngest prince.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas scoffed at the rope and rolled his eyes in disgust. "They treat them like barbarians because they are different. I would have no part in their world if I could help it." The prince said more to himself then her. Legoals rose from the bed and stretched his arms before walking ovr to her in the corner, and offering her a hand. "If you promise not to run away yet, I will not hurt you. Ropes are for the uncivilzed. I doubt you are, despite how much you wish me gone."Either way, Legolas would not use the rope on her. She was too beautiful in his mind to bear such as that and be marred for status.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Cosette slid herself up the wall, her eyes still timid and angry like that of an animal trapped and caged, for the fun of men who simply poke it with a stick. That was her. Careful not to get too close, she slid by him and snatched the rope. Pausing for a moment, she slipped the noose around her neck and then looked back to him. Do not do me any favors.... She said, her voice low. If she were to walk in there with his without restrainment, they would simply take her away and give her to another -- or restrain her even more, possibly with chains, or something worse.
Gathering up as much pride as she still had left, she thrusted the end of the rope in his direction. She wanted to get this over with.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas sighed and looked down. He did not want to do such to a woman, a woman who was of his line from his mother's side, for she too was a simple civilian with not royalty what so ever. The only one she had was that she bore the sun of Thranduil. Slowly he took te rope from her grasp and held in his hands, staring at it as if in a daze. One day he feared that he would become this, and his neck would be hanging from a rope.
"I am sorry it came to this, my lady." Was all he said in a flat tone. If she wished not to speak kindly to him, even though he tried to help her relax, he would not bother himself about it...but that was what he thought. Slowly the two walked out of his room and headed for the gathering they were summoned to.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Cosette followed along; the rope tugging on her neck from time to time as she had to keep pace and not lag behind. Upon reaching the common room, she found about eight lords in total, including Thranduil and his other son. The lords had their women like Cosette, but some were already working. Massaging the shoulers of their 'master's, or feeding them, or draping over them. It was a horrible site to her. One she could not bare to believe.
Yet there was a sudden violent pull on her rope, which sent Cosette dragging and falling into the arms of Legolas' older sibling. His arms wrapped tightly around her upon catching her small form; his face inches from hers, breathing heavily on her. So your my undeserving brother's?....Family shares, you know that, right love? He asked with a smirk.
Legolas turned to his brother and frown. Puting his hands on Cosette's shoulders, he glared at Orophin. "If you wanted this maiden, you should have stepped up. Do not rob me of what I have and you do not. If you wanted a woman, you could have gotten one, though none would want you." He bit bit to him, and stared defiently into his brother's eyes,
"You are unfit to even be here, you are a mutt. I do not know hy father even tolerated you." Orophins aid coldly as he turned back to Cosette. "I would not stay with him, my aldy. YYou would much rather come with me."
"Keep to yourself, brother." And with that, he led Cosette away from him, before removing his hands from her shoulders and grip the end of the rope once more. Quietly he raged on within himself over his brother's words.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Cosette looked down as she was dragged away, and Legolas took hold of the rope again. He sat down in one of the plush chairs that was seated circular as the lords talked and laughed, drinking and eating. Cosette stood there, not knowing what to do. Suddenly a foot kicked her leg, causing her to stumble to her knees. You kneel before your master!... The guard snapped. Cosette did not look to him or anyone. The loathing in her eyes would simply get her beaten.
Not wanting to cause herself further embarrassment, Cosette reluctantly drapped herself around Legolas' leg as he sat. The lords then paid no heed to her, and continued to speak. She rested against his leg as she clung to it like the other girls to their lords, feeling weary of the day already passed.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legoals felt guilty for having her do this, having her to suffer this. He hated it as much as she did. Looking around, all the lords seemed not to be bothered with it. Sighing, and remaining just as silent, but when spoken to, Legolas put a gentle hand upon her shoulder, while still carrying himself high, but rarely acted it in private. That was how he had to live. An outer skin and mask for all of Mirkwood to see, and his real inner self for those he knew and trusted.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Cosette closed her eyes for a moment, before openeing them again. It was like she could hear nothing, and make nothing out. Her eyes just wandered. She saw a lord lean over and begin to speak with Legolas. He asked the prince something, laughed and then looked to Cosette.
Suddenly, she felt a hand sliding over her breast, down to her stomach and resting there. It was Legolas, as he spoke. The other lord laughed heartily. She could near not of what they spoke for she zoned out. She only felt.
She had a suspicion Legolas did this as a sheraud. A game, to make others think he was like them. If they knew he showed her any kind of leniance, they would take Cosette away. She didn't even want to think about what other lords could be like.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas nodded to the man and forced a well practiced fake smile. Once the Lord turned to sleak with another, his hand casually moved aback to her shoulder to rest. He did not like teh idea of doing this to a woman, but if he did not, she would be taken and giving to one of the other dogs of the room, possibly even his brother, and at that thought alone could give shivers of displeasure. Legolas could never have that happen to her while he was around.
They spoke for some time, until thranduil raised hims hands and dismissed them. Each lord would give a sharp smack to the woman's bottom to get them upon, svae Legolas. THAT was something he could not do, and the lords were too wrapped up in their own woman to noice he did not. The prince stopped as well did she, and made their way back to his chambers.
Upon reaching his room and closing the door, Legolas immediately took off the rope and cast it aside. He never wanted to go through that again if he could help it. Guilt came to him as if he were like them, but he had to for both their sakes.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Cosette stepped away as the rope was taken off, her eyes welled to their full extreme, but still, no tears fell down. Her large brown eyes shone with fear and sad hatred. But she had no choice. She would have to learn to endure this if she was going to survive. Slowly, she undid the shabby clasps of her thin dress and slipped it off. She was bare before him, and blushing.
She had never done this. But being ravaged was now part of her lot in life. Cosette began to actually cry as she stood there bare skinned and slender elven grace. This wasn't how she invisioned her first intimacy.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas did a double take. She was now undressed! She would be his undoing one of these days. Sighing, He walked over to her, and tried to hold a face without blushing madly. "Please....we are in teh safety of my chambers....p-put your dress back on. I have no wish to take you like they do. I am not like them...please....put your dress back on.." And reaching down, Legolas picked up her discarded dress and handed it to her.
Already he was begining to like this girl, and now she was stripping before him, asking him he had control over her, and power to take her when he wished. No. He would not be like his father. Sitting down at the end of the bed, he rubbed his temples.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Slowly, Cosette put her dress back on. Relieved, but also confused. He seemed embarrassed as well. Once her dress was back on, she did not do up all the clasps. Only a few, leaving the top ones undone; her breasts slightly covered.
Stepped back, she put hereself against the wall, and sunk back to the floor. Cosette braught her knees up to her chest and hugged them. She stopped herself crying. Her brown eyes watched him curiously and cautiously.
But soon, weariness began to claim her as she rested her head against the wall and began to drift off to sleep.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas glanced back to her, and notied she was asleep. Sighing he stood, and walked over to the fair woman. Slowly and carefully he lifted her up as not to wake her, and laid her down on his bed. He smiled slightly. She was not so much different than he, from what he saw, merely by title. Draping the clovers over her, Legolas walked to the dress her and changed into a sleeping tunic. He draped his robe on and sat down in teh chair before the fire, and stared into it, before drifting on himself late into the night.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
As the night went on, Cosette's sleep was troubled by bad dreams, but she did not waken. Upon waking, it was just the beginning of morning. The sun had not even risen yet, but the sky was growing lighter. Looking to Legolas, she noticed he was sleeping in the chair across from the bed. Now was her chance.
Sliding out, her quiet feet led her out of the room. She shut the door behind her, and without thining, began to run with all speed. Cosette wanted to get out. She had to. Yet as she ran, just before she got to the stairs, suddenly she was tripped. She felt flat on her stomach against the hard, cold stone floor.
Cosette was flipped over and pulled back beneath a guard who began to try to restrain her. She faught back, trying to struggle her way free, but the guard was stronger. He began to beat Cosette about the face; slapping her and even punching on occasion.
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