Prince in shadow

[Saeren]

Tar drew his slim fingers down the strong, slender back, over silken skin marked and slick with perspiration.
He lifted one hand to draw it through the flood of glossy hair which swathed the bare back like the softest wild silk, assessing. His eyes, burning the most intense gold, were unblinking, half veiled by the heavy lashes, his golden face a beautiful mask.
He knew he could make this elf explode with every emotion his soul knew, but what he loved was the struggle, more mental than physical, because of course he could feel and read their minds. They might hate what he did to them, but their bodies betrayed them until they begged for it. They said no with their lips and yes with their responses.

'' You will learn to like pain , along with everything else '' his voice was wine-red velvet in the depths of the night


The elfs shoulders below him were strained, dewed with perspiration across pale gold skin, as the mental fight crumbled , the elf moaned and sighed, hands clenching the nails cutting into his palms .
Saeren tossed the black curls from his eyes as he straightened, folding his arms There was fierce satisfaction in his eyes, but also a cool calculation, was that enough, or too much, what to do next, how long to wait, what else to use. But the bond was already formed, the fight, the pain, then the pleasure, created a deep, eternal bond. The torturer and the tortured, the kidnapped and the kidnapper, the victim, and the abuser....Saeren knew people very well. He had been on both sides of the fence.

He leaned over and swept the tumbled hair from the elfs face, whos eyes were closed, face streaked with tears of pain, the long thick lashes spiked with them, on sun-touched high cheeks.
Delicious, smelling of fresh apples, and wine and honey in spring. The greatest ecstasies held an element of pain, the greatest pains, pleasure, he had come to understand that very young, but not many did, it went too deep for them, they did not experience such extremes, and so never came to it. But any who were with him did, and it became an addiction which they needed, pleasure and pain and ecstasy.
He unfolded his arms and walked to the door. '' Oh, you are free to leave the palace tonight, if you wish, enjoy some of the... pleasures of the city, '' he said, leaving the door ajar. It was a risk, but a calculated one. This elf had nowhere else to go now, and Saeren believed they would walk out indeed.... but come back. It was not an uncommon phenomena. He spoke softly to the guards on the door, telling them that the elf was permitted, this night to leave if he wished, then strolled away.

[Legolas]

A hood covering his head, and carrying his own weapons, Legolas moved more silently than a wraith through narrow streets.
At first he had not cared where he was going, but as a paused in the shadows, looking up, feeling the sweat sting in his wounds, and seeing no familiar stars, he took a long breath to steady himself. He could not go down to the harbour, he needed to go north, that was all he knew. How he would accomplish such a journey through burning desert he knew not, but unbelievably, he was free... he had to attempt it, or die trying.
His eyes searched the shadows, and he frowned.

The cart was backed into am opening between two houses, and there was a rustle as the leather sheeting was loosened, then the men, together moved away, and up the dark street.
Elves could move like the brush of mist across a valley, and this one did... making no sound, blending in with the black shadows , for these poor quarters were not lit, and people often went to bed with the sun to conserve oil and candles. Up ahead, suddenly, came a scuffle of movement, and a broken off cry. The elfs sight showed him the burly man holding a small figure over one shoulder, and the driver of the cart was whipping a gag over the face of a child no more than four or five, thin and ragged with long, tangled dark hair. They had obviously done this many times before, and if people saw them from their shuttered windows, - unlikely, as the street was so dark, - they knew to keep their mouths shut. He watched the men return to the cart and drop the children in, covering them with the leather sheet. The mule was lead out again, and the driver hoisted himself into the seat.
Something sang in the darkness, and the driver grunted as his chest sprouted a feathered shaft. His hands clutched at it vainly as his eyes bulged and he topped to the cobbles, as his crony swore and whipped a huge blade from his robe.
There was a pale wash of hair in the gloom, as a figure somersaulted down from a flat roof and landed like an alley cat before the man, the blade sheared over his hair as he ducked, almost bouncing on his booted feet, then a knife ripped up from from one of the boots and drove into the mans lower belly. The figure left him bleeding out his life onto the dusty ground as he whipped back the leather and lifted out the children. One was a boy of about seven, the smaller child a girl, perhaps his sister, gaged, they could make no noise, but the boy thrashed and kicked, determined to defend the little girl.
The boy, looking up at him, now switched his eyes to the two dead men, he did not look horrified, if anything relieved , and pleased, the girl was scooped effortlessly up and the boy trotted beside the tall rescuer as they walked down the street. For a moment, a stray glimmer of candlelight, escaping from a chink in a pair of ill fitting shutters, showed the profile like the head of a coin, the pale glitter of hair.
He looked up then, above the palace was lit even at this hour, and his face shook suddenly, a war of emotions within him struggling. The little girls huge dark eyes were raised to his.
He had heard about this. It was common knowledge, how Saeren had taken this city and the aftermath.. what he had found. And such child brokering obviously still went on. What a cess-pool of a place, Legolas thought with a wild lash of anger. He could not speak Haradhrim, and there were, in any case, many different dialects. he could not turn these children loose , to be picked up again, by some-one else. For a horrible moment, he realized, he had considered it, then he swallowed, the pulse beating in his throat. He looked at the boy and jerked his head, the spill of his hair showing pale , as he began walking, steadily, his very soul running in the other direction.
The boy kept close to him, but did not run, he would not, in any case, have left his sister.
The guards on the doorway legolas entered looked dubious, even surprised, but Legolas said merely, '' Lord Saeren. '' Indicating he wished to be taken to him, and one guard detached himself and lead the elf and the rescued children into the palace, to the royal apartments. When the door to them was opened, with a sense of nightmare swirling within him Legolas, the girl n one arm, gave the boy a gentle push inside with the other. The door closed behind them.

[Saeren]

Saeren set down the document he was reading on the marble topped desk, and sat back, his face hsowing no expression of satisfaction, or indeed any emotion at all.
'' Legolas, back already - and I see you have brought some little friends, '' he rose. '' although what you expect me to do with two filthy street urchins I really have no idea, I am not Uwath, '' He put out his hand to a bell rope and a slave slipped through into the room with a low bow.

[Legolas]

The boy pressed closer to Legolas, who laid a long fingered hand on his dark hair. He felt, whenever he looked at Saeren hatred and shame and self loathing which scorched his mind, he saw that his hand shook.
'' They were being taken...as I heard other children were. I could not leave them. I would not, '' He spoke in Sindarin, his voice was firm, belying the tremors that feverishly flashed through him. Saeren looked so calm, so utterly self-possessed and controlled, as if he had never done anything to cause him a moments self doubt, or shame . And Lebennen had said whatever Saeren might do to adults, - with the flick of a knowing smile at Legolas - children were not his prey. Legolas, a stranger here himself, had not known where else to bring them.
Saerens eyes were clear and brilliant and golden on Legolas' blue, his manner holding a mockery under the matter-of-fact tone. The Elfs next words were flatly challenging.
'' I was going to leave. '' He stated, his jaw hardening.

[Saeren]

" But of course you were, " Saerens eyes widened . " don't know much about the cities of mortals, do you, cunneth? . there's always a substratum of people like these, houseless... lost, starving, even in Minas Tirith, I am sure. What do you want me to do, start a damn orphanage for them? '' He stepped across to the trio, and noticed how the small girl clung to the elf and the boy, although defiantly standing his ground , gave of waves of fear. '' Admit it ,blondie , you really came back because you are enjoying our little games. ''

[Legolas]

Legolas eyes blazed silver blue. '' If that is what you wish to think. '' He said, through shut teeth, '' I would not expect the son of Sauron the Accursed to care for such matters, but you will never make me like you. Never. I hope you grasp that fact, I hope you see it in my mind. I will not become your puppet, as your poor damned Lieutenant is, knowing nothing else but you! '' The girls began to whimper and he soothed her. '' I will not just look aside. Ever. Now tell me what I must do to have these children not cast back out into the streets! '' His proud chin lifted in challenge.

[Saeren]

Saeren snapped his fingers at the impassively waiting slave. '' have them taken to the kitchens, and fed, have one of the women watch over them, and put to bed, they are not to be roughly handled, understand? '' the slave nodded, '' go with him, '' Saeren said to the boy, '' you will be fed, and you can see your friend later, ''
Something in his tone was irrefusable, and the children found their fears overwhelmed by the thought of food and beds, their fear stifled as his power pressed on their minds.
When they were gone, Saeren perched on the edge of the desk, and shook his head.
'' Oh, please, Thranduilion, even for you, that is sickeningly noble and self sacrificing. Don't think I do not appreciate it, '' he rose lazily and walked across to the elf , seized his chin in one hand. '' But what fun is there in one who offers himself and all he is to me? '' he bit out. '' where is the enjoyment for me in that? No. I think I enjoy playing with that proud spirit of yours too much to accept your so noble offer. And I tell you now, I would never hold to my end of the bargain, it would be irresistible just to see you loose your temper, '' he laughed and turned away, pouring wine from a flagon.

[Legolas]

'' You do not wish me broken thought, do you? '' he flashed. '' you want me to be like Lebennen! And more, and I tell you I will not mount these women for the purpose of getting sons for you! If I ever begat children it would be from joy and love, and besides, '' he was suddenly all haughty Mirkwood Prince. '' they are not beautiful enough. I would have to be desperate. ''

[Saeren]

Saeren threw back his head and laughed. '' Spoined brat, '' he commented. '' but I agree with you. beggars, as they say, cannot be choosers, so we make do, down here. But I will show you a woman who you will desire, Legolas Thranduilion. Gods, even I cannot resist her, I never could. And she is , like Luthien, half Maia, half Elven, hair like dusk, to her knees, and eyes like new minted gold and passion like the fires of Orodruin... my sister. ''

[Legolas]

'' You have a sister? '' Legolas exclaimed, as if it surprised him that Saeren should , and indeed that he was born in any normal way and not somehow created from dark magic, or otherwise hateched or spawned. '' As I said, I am not desperate, '' the words were scornfully contemptuous.

[Saeren]

'' Ah well, you would have to see her before you make any judgements, '' Saerens voice was amused. '' Ever she flees, every she struggles with herself, but we are twins, you see, not even death would break our bond, ''

[Legolas]

*Poor woman* Legolas thought, knowing that Tar would read his thoughts, lifting a haughty brow. '' I know what you want, you want an army of half elves, or elves, but elves do not breed fast, and even less in these fading years, so you would have me service human women who breed so very quickly. To have half elves , like your Lieutenant.
Well, I cannot make myself perform, Tar Sauronion, you seem to forget that - and I truly doubt your sister would interest me. Saurons daughter? ' his voice held disgust.

[Saeren]

'' Oh come, that is not her fault, '' Saeren teased, '' And raised by Melian, the Maia, Queen of Doriath. when you see her, then you will judge, my Sinda prince. Of the other matter. Yes, that has always been a basic flaw in elvenkind, they do not reproduce fast enough. But Lebennen has been with me since he was a youth. He is half-elf, they are immensly strong, a half-elven army I could live with, if full edhel are denied me, ''

[Legolas]

'' And do what with them? This land is a hotbed of war and strife, you will forever be warring, so what, so, like at Khorsaj, you can break down more opposition, gather more to you, kill their leaders, as you killed this one? '' He laughed, '' it would take you forever, and if you are looking for me to breed you an army, think again. ''

[Saeren]

'' Oh well, it'll keep me amused for a while, I do enjoy war, after all, '' Saeren said, smiling. '' I like breaking these young colts and taking their frail flesh and blood and moulding them into pure iron. You... now you are a different matter, more of a challenge, ''