"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."
"I plan to be here unless I am called away...and I will lock the door...I do not want anyone to hurt you.." And the prince stood and walked over to her and knelt beside her, still bare under the robes as well. He cupped her cheek tenderly and stroked the skin. "Cosette..I will do what I can to protect you...I really will." And the prince leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
'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 unconsciously felt herself leaning into the kiss on the forehead and warmth she felt. As he pulled away, she opened her eyes slowly and looked to him. He could never truely love her. He could be infatuated with her, and make false claims....but not really love. He'd baught her, and could pretty much say and do all he wanted. Cosette drew her eyes down before forcing a smile. Perhaps we should find something for you to wear.... She said, standing and going to his closet.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas sighed and stood. He followed her and feeling he would explode if he held it in any longer. Taking hre arm and turning er to face him, Legolas pressed his lips to her and kissed her passionately, pouring his heart into it. When he pulled back slowly, he stroked her face. "That was not because I had to...but because I want to...making love to you was a joy...I joy to me that I thought would never come..it was special to me...because you made it that special.." He sighed and looked into her eyes.
"I mean it...I want to care for you...and not out of pity...but from my heart...I do not know how to say this rightfully without fear of frightening you.."
'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 to him sadly, her eyes welling again. Your sweet.... She said softly, touching his face tentively, before dropping her hand. But I don't believe I should last much longer....I am weak, growing more sick and disheartened. You do not want to love someone who is unable to stay..... She finished quietly.
She looked at his face again, carving his presence, smell, warmth, touch, and beautiful features into her face. Should she die, Cosette wanted to take his memory with her.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas frowned and loooked into her eyes. "Tell what I am to do to make it go away?" He whispered. The thought of her dying made his hear shatter into pieces. Slowly, he backed away from her and nodded. She was dying--fading and there was nothing be could do to save her. Legolas cast his eyes to the window then back to her. "There will be no great moment of the sun when it is highest in the sky." He glanced to her. "No greater moment when you rise and tell the others that you are strong, and not a weakling.."
'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 ~
She looked to him sadly, before brushing past him and sitting back on the bed. Those days are gone... She said softly, a hint of bitterness within her voice. Her eyes rolled slightly to the window. It was there something caught her attention. In the early morn, a small cart was being rolled away from the home quietly. Within it, pale bodies of her kin and friends. Women.
Cosette shuddered and looked down. It has already begun....I am not the first.... She said sadly.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas glanced out the window, and his eyes widened with shock. Already elven maidens were being carted away, dead. Legolas sighed and turned to her, his eyes seemed blank. "It has not yet taken you. I will not let it take you, as long as I stand here. This madness has gone far enough." Walking back over to her, he sat beside her. "You cannot follow the same paths as your kin. I choose not to follow the same road as them. I refuse to take a lady against her will, and beat her for punishment. That is wrong. May I get beat for speaking truth, but I will hap it to my dying days. You have a choice. Do you follow them,"
He gestured to the outside where the chart had passed by. "Or would you make your own path,as have I?"
'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 to him sadly. She took his hand, and was about to say something, before the door was knocked on loudly, and opened by two guards. Thranduil is ordering an emergancy council for all those who possess the outlawed women. Right now. He barked. Leaving, the two exchanged glances. Cosette didn't like the sound of this. Grabbing the rope, she slipped it around her neck and handed Legolas the other end.
As they reached the council room. Cosette was amazed to see, that only four girls remained of her kin. The little one, who had come to she and Legolas....was gone. Her lord standing sulking and angry. Cosette drew her eyes down and her lip quivered.
Because of recent events.... He said, emphasizing the words a bit. The outlawed women have been fading, on their own accord. So, in order to meet demands, I've decided a ruling. The four remaining women shall keep to a schedule, and rotate. One night per five men. Then, she'll repeat, and so on and so forth. We all must share, gentlemen.
The lords still with their women protested, but the greater number of women-less men, agreed and began to walk towards and browse the women. A few came to Cosette, and began touching her hair, and stroking her, and pinching her behind. She yelped out, but then men chuckled and continued to 'inspect' her.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas eyes flashed with anger at his fathers new law. Pulling Cosette behind him he put distance between the elves and her. "You are not dogs! Why do you think the woman faded?! Because you mistreated them. Look at yourselves! Perhaps they would better 'serve' you if you were less abusive!" As Legolas began to back her away towards the door, the other lords fumed with anger at his words.
"Selfish brat! You are not a man yet, boy! You are too much of a coward to strike a man, let alone a woman.!" One spat out.
"It takes courage to resist violence! I will not share her with anyone! Why do you not turn yourselves to slaves and make yourselves whores. You are all better men than th-" But those words were soon met with a hard and swift punch to the jaw, causing the prince to fall to the ground. He felt the blood gather in his mouth, and could feel the crimson blood spill down his lip and over his chin. cupping his cheek he looked up to them, and stood slowly. Again he put himself between them and Cosette as he backed her towards the door. When they came to the door, Legolas pushed her out and ran out behind her, closing it back. The voices of the nobles could be heard. Legolas owuld be in big trouble for this.
Grabbing her hand he led her back to his rooms and close the door behind him. "While you slept I had a maiden bring a dress for you, it is in the bathing chambers. Put it on, we cannot stay. I have to get you out of here now before the others get to you first." He said as quickly took off his robe and pulled his breeches up. A loud bang on the door was heard as he fastened his breeches. Legolas sighed and walked to the door. "Keep out of sight." And Legolas opened the door and locked it behind him.
Yelling was the only sound coming from the otherside, then a thud. Silence following. The lords had warned him about this being his last night with her, and he lay on the ground in pain. Now only was his jaw bruised, but his ribs stomach, and arms. Legolas just laid there, trying to override the pain that engulfed his body.
'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 heard all as she slipped on the dress and did it up quickly. It was a lovely gown, but she paid no heed to it. All she heard was the shouts, and sickening thump from outside. She stopped moving, and almost breathing as she listened. Not a sound. That frightened her most of all....the silence of the one who loved her. Who'd protected and faught for her.
Slowly, she opened the door to see an empty dark hallway, and a beaten Legolas. She stopped herself from staring, long enough to pull him into the room and shut the door -- locking it quickly once more. With much effort and applied strength, Cosette managed to get Legolas onto the bed.
She caressed his cheek lightly, stroking it, and kissing his shoulder. She whispered words of encouragement as she told him she would be back. Going to the bathing chambers, she grabbed some cloth, material, and a large white bowl. Filling it with water, she braught it back within the chambers to Legolas and knelt by his side.
There, Cosette did the best she could to heal the wounds she saw. Knowing there were some beneath his robe, she slid it off to reveal his slender muscular form, now ugly with bruises. His breeches were on as she pulled them down only a little to get at his side. But she revealed no parts to her eyes at his disgression.
Her large eyes welled with tears as she administered to him. Legolas?... Cosette whispered softly.
Slowly, blue eyes opened to look upon the woman who was tending to him. Slowly he lifted a hand to her cheek and rubbed the skin with his thumb. "Yes...Cosette?" He murmured as he looked up to her. His body ached, but she already made him feel better with her gentle touch. "Thank you..we have to leave tonight...or they will take you away tomorrow..perhaps we can go to Imladris...or Lothlorien..." Legolas took a deep breath as he once more tried to stomach the wounds and not wince in pain. He pulled his hand away from her cheek and back to his side.
'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 nodded slowly, but said nothing. Her welling dark eyes portrayed all she felt. She knew they would probably not be able to leave Mirkwood. Not like this. The lords would be prepared now -- they would have sentinals and guards waiting. Cosette knew there was no escape. She dabbed a few more of his wounds, before setting the cloth down.
Maybe he just wanted to be left alone. Cosette stood and walked over to the window for a moment, but quickly walked away again, for fear of seeing something like she saw before. Her kin being taken away.
Re: ~ The Punishments ~
Legolas looked to her and watched her silently. He dared not to say anything, but do as he was time. Somehow, Legolas knew that his father would not be happy with him. Infact, Thranduil could possibly disown him, after all, it was his foster mother who talked Thranduil into raising him as his son, for hw was. Slowly, Legolas tried to sit up, but slumped back down against the pillows--wincing.
'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 back at Legolas. The pain he was in....almost too much for her to bare. It was her fault, regardless of what the elven prince would argue. She was the cause of his pain -- and he would gain no rest or peace so long as she stayed out of reach of coniving he-elf lords.
This was a good chance. He was injured. Moving to the dresser, she reached into a small bowl, and pulled out a key. She'd seen Legolas use it before, and took note where it was hidden. No longer shall I burden you.... Cosette said softly, mostly to herself, glancing back to Legolas as she stood near the door.
He looked so solmn, and quiet. Soft and caring....why had she not seen it before? His eyes were full of confusion, as her mirrored with hurt and acceptance of her fate. Like that of my kin... She whispered.
Opening the door, she slipped out; closing it behind her, and locking it from the outside with the key. Cosette could faintly hear Legolas' protesting shouts from within, but he could barely stand. He could not stop her.
Her brown eyes gazed at the door, shining with unspilt tears. Tenderly, she touched it and closed her eyes again. This is something I have to do.... She whispered. New love you will find.....new hearts and new strength....
Taking her hand off the flat of the door, she backed up and walked down the long dark hallway; narrow light of the chamber gather of lords at the end. She could hear their talking growing louder as she approached. Cosette would later, be passed around, used and abused -- put to her endurance and survival. It did not last long.
~ * ~
On the eve of October the seventeenth, Cosette's lifeless body was loaded onto a small wagon, with those few dead who remained of her kin. No more were there outside woodland folk. All that remained were the pure-blood Mirkwood heirs and gracers.
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