The Hunting Trip
Chapter 18: Feigning Morality

Cast of additional characters and aliases
Anborn Faramir's alias
Mattias the eldest son of the witch
Gordash the middle son of the witch
Curtik the youngest son of the witch

Bregus the witch, also called Mother, the shuv'ni (another word for witch) and puri dai (tribe elder)
Kattica Mattias' wife, and a shuv'ni apprentice

Bregus laughed to herself as she watched the girl torture the Elf. Kattica was merciless, like a cat with a mouse, taunting him, giving his mind freedom to move, to venture away from her hold, only to snatch him back again when he'd attempt to flee. It was cruel behavior, and Bregus relished every moment of the display. Wicked she can be. How fascinating, the old woman thought. But Bregus knew this could not go on much more though the old woman was loathe to see it come to an end. It had to if she were to safeguard her treasure. Perhaps if the girl were not so strong, Bregus could have allowed her pleasure some time more. But to let this particular situation to go on much more could be disastrous. The girl was enjoying too much what she did and she was unaware of just what damage she might be causing. Bregus did not know if it was possible to kill an Elf with fright as you could with a Man, but she was not about to test such a thing. She needed him too desperately to see that happen. Fortunately for Bregus' sake, the Elf continued to fight and grudgingly she knew she had to admire his fortitude. Many a Man would be a quivering wreck by now, completely driven to madness. But not this creature. It was hard for Bregus, but she realized she found something to admire in the Elf. It gave her the impetus she to act as she did next.

She crept over to where the Elf lay. No longer was there need for others to hold him down. He was lost, completely unaware of his surroundings or that it was the girl's touch that was driving him into his madness. He trembled and flailed hopelessly, without a target, lashing out and cowering from his own inner demons.

She looked to the girl's face. Kattica's eyes were closed and she too was lost in another world, her expression incongruent to the peaceful serenity of the camp.

Bregus smiled wistfully. She knew well what it was like to feel the satisfying allure of power. She envied the girl, but it was merely a twinge of jealousy, nothing lasting. Bregus sighed as she watched the joyous rapture lighting the young woman's face knowing well her own time for such joys would be forthcoming. Bregus would have moments of personal ecstasy soon and the elder had experience enough to know how to wait for it. Her patience could hold, and envy or not, these moments had been made for the girl's sake. They had been done to show the girl the meddle of her own soul and just how appealing the darkness was. They had been done to give the girl reason not to question Bregus' motives. And they had been done to alleviate Bregus of the fears that morality might still find sway in the girl's conscience.

Because Kattica was not watching, not hearing, it was easy for Bregus to do what she did. With cautious fingers, she raced a hand over the Elf's feverish brow, her fingertips lingering at his temple just above the hairline. She bent over him, watching him, admiring his struggle and searching eyes, attracted to his determination. Then she whispered, "I thought you might have more strength than this, Elf. Is there nothing that will make you look past your own fears?" It was a planted suggestion, just a hint to show him where his true light was hidden. She held him and watched him long enough to see the spark of something take hold there. Then quickly, she removed her fingers, grabbing her kosh and stepping back with a groan in the effort to rise as she watched his reaction.

Almost immediately the girl's eyes flared open, a look of panic filling them. Simultaneously she saw the Elf gain a moment of cognizant thought. "Mellyn," he moaned, though Bregus knew not what that meant. His eyes came to focus, looking first to the girl with disdain. Then shaking her hand aside with a butt of his head, he looked directly at Bregus, his eyes aflame. "What have you done to them?" he said with a shaking voice.

Bregus knew exactly what he meant then, and she met his gaze with a cold smile. She knew the response to give to get the reaction she required. It was simple. "I believe that your other friends are living in a world as dark as yours. They too are being carried downward into the pitch of black earth."

With a glance she could see Kattica act, using the Elf's momentary lapse as a prompt to reach out and target another round of fear into his mind. Simultaneously she saw the Elf fight back, no longer so helpless now that he realized the source of his inner strength.

It was perfect. The fight between wills strengthened them both. Her suggestion to the Elf had given him the power to rage on against his fears, while his fight against Kattica reinforced the girl's resolve. Everything was exactly where it should be. With the girl firmly entrenched in the darkness, Bregus knew she had no more to fear from her. She could rest and prepare for the final steps in her plan. She relaxed her stance, sighing relief as she watched the last minutes of battle, enjoying every last bit of it. She was achingly tired and longed very much now to rest. She smiled as all the pieces were laid out in place and the expected turnabout came. "No!" he exclaimed, screaming out haltingly. "This will cease!"

Such finality there was in his voice. It startled even Bregus. But so it must be. Her serpent spell waned. She could almost see it dissipating before her eyes. And although she was truly sad to see it go, she was also happy it had served good purpose for her cause. With a small bit of pride at the strength of both her own evil magic and the Elf's ability to fight it off when it had possessed him so well, she watched him glare at her and Kattica with bared teeth, valiantly hissing out, "It is falsity! This is not real! You use manipulations to make me see what is not there!" At first she thought these might be mere words, but as he went on, she came to see he believed them. "It is not real! I will not believe it! I will not let you take me!" He shook his head as the enchantment broke. "I will not let you control my thoughts like you do so many others!"

And with that he was himself again.

Breathing hard as if he had physically fought a great fight, his eyes became bright and clear. He drew a long slow breath and grimly smiled as he regained his composure. Bregus looked at Kattica. A pleased smile washed over her apprentice's face. The girl was clearly happy with the outcome of her battle, ignoring the fact that she had lost. The young shuv'ni grinned a toothy smile and even Bregus had to laugh for the joy of it. Yes, she is wholly mine now. Then she turned back to the Elf and was surprised to see he no longer focused on the two women. Instead, he was looking past her, his eyes growing wide at something he saw. Bregus suddenly realized she felt eyes at her back. She turned quickly to see who it was and moaned ever so slightly. What she saw could very well ruin everything they had just done. "Mattias" she whispered.

****

Legolas caught the expression in Mattias' eyes and he recognized that the vague listlessness he had seen there earlier was now gone. What had caused it to go, he could not guess, but he was pleased to see now some semblance of recognition in the Man's face. Dreadful acts were occurring before the Romany's very eyes and slowly that reality was sinking in. Horror tinged Mattias' brow and mouth as his eyes were set in shocked disbelief. Then glancing up, Legolas watched as Bregus came to sense her son's presence and she saw Mattias' recognition of her actions. The Romany man was clearly appalled, and with a small amount of glee, Legolas was pleased to see the old woman felt something akin to shame. Her face flushed as she looked away, her brow furrowed. Legolas saw then that Kattica too had realized Mattias' role as a witness, and her actions were far more dramatic. The girl flinched her fingers away from Legolas, as if the touch of his skin bit like acid. She reached up to her throat in shock while her eyes made contact with her husband's. She winced and Legolas could see guilty feelings playing on the girl's mind. Her expression told him everything she felt, and though he wanted to feel pity for her, he found it impossible to do so knowing how much terror she had wreaked upon his soul and how much she had enjoyed it. She looked down at her hands as if in disbelief that they had been so responsible for the torment that had occurred, and then in a lapse of control, the girl fell backwards, her eyes wide in terror, obviously comprehending something of the role she had played. Her jaw dropped and her horrified eyes swept up to meet her husband's again.

Legolas watched as Bregus gasped, panic sweeping her cocky demeanor aside. Stepping around, she reached down and tugged the girl into her arms, roughly at first, then softening into a gentle embrace. It looked completely contrived. She turned the young shuv'ni away from Mattias' gaze while she cooed in a consoling voice, "You did well, child. You did well!"

But then in a flurry of motion, the girl pushed Bregus away, turning and dropping to the ground. Kattica vomited. The old woman simply stared, all compassion gone. Then flipping her head back to look upon her son, she called out to him. "Mattias," she said as she stepped quickly before him.

The Man's posture stiffened momentarily freezing in uncertainty, and then breathing a cleansing breath, Mattias shook his head to negate his own thoughts as the old woman approached him. With the astuteness of sharp Elven ears Legolas could hear their brief conversation as he watched her face turn kind toward her son.

"Mother?" he heard Mattias say, confusion lacing the single word.

She saw his hesitance and she touched him, caressing his cheek much like she had done to the Elf only a few minutes past, only now with far more compassion. Legolas saw her eyes as they read her son and then she answered him without Mattias speaking a question. "They are evil, my son. They will try to destroy us if we do not act."

With dread Legolas watched as Mattias nodded, then hung his head, walking away. The old woman watched him leave and then she turned her stare in the Elf's direction. No longer kindly and gentle, her eyes showed fear and even that was a frightening sight. Involuntarily Legolas found himself pushing away, struggling to be upright and regain his useless legs. He felt weak. His victory against the darkness had taken a great deal of his stamina, and he did not think he had it within himself to fight off another assault on his mind.

But fortunately, the old woman's menace seemed directed elsewhere. Bregus snapped her fingers, drawing immediate attention to Curtik and another man who had previously held Legolas, and through economy of words she gestured for them to remove him to this side of her wagon. In quick order, Legolas felt them twist his arms behind his back, using his body weight in lifting him to lock his arms in place. Legolas did not have the strength to fight them, and knew it was useless to do so without use of his legs. With a small gasp he allowed them to take him as pain radiated from his shoulders and his entire body weight was absorbed in the joints from this awkward position. Fortunately, it was a short distance to reach their destination. Within minutes they had him tied to a large wagon wheel, his wrists bound on either side of the rim. In his transport he had tried to catch sight of Faramir but had not located his friend. However, as soon as the men left him, he heard the hoarse whisper of the Gondor Prince.

"Legolas?"

The Elf thrilled at hearing the voice. It was behind him, on the other side of the wagon. "Anborn!" he answered back softly, careful to use Faramir's alias.

"Are you well? Is it safe to speak?"

Legolas looked over to where Bregus now stooped over the girl. Kattica was curled into a ball, cradling her rounded stomach with her hand inside her deep skirt pocket. She was crying pitiful gulping sobs. Legolas could hear the elder's words. They consisted mostly of platitudes and Legolas thought they sounded terribly false. He noticed too Bregus' hand deep in her own pocket, and he wondered if she fingered her knife as her hand moved restlessly within those recesses. The old witch did not seem to have her attention on him though he felt tension emanating from her. "I am well and it is safe," he answered, keeping his eyes warily focused on the pair.

"We cannot let her know of my identity. I fear for what might happen should she find out."

"You do not think she means to hold us hostage?"

"If that were so this would be a simple matter of waiting the situation out. No, I think it is worse, Legolas. Far worse."

"As do I, but I cannot understand what she wishes to yield from us," Legolas said softly as he watched the younger woman look up at the elder, debating words between them.

"She has dark purpose in both of us. This we know. She killed other Elves for her cause though we could not garner why. And the girl did not seem to know you were a part of the plan," Faramir deduced.

"Aye, but she accepted it quickly enough," Legolas countered shivering with his memory of the girl's actions.

"Are you sure you are well?" Faramir asked with concern, detecting the Elf's lingering fear.

"I will be fine," Legolas said, shaking it off.

After a short pause, Faramir went on, " I have noticed that Bregus answers little when questions are posed. She is slippery. Information seems only to come when she is off her guard. She said when the 'transformation was complete' I would remember little, but only when I rebuffed her advances."

"Those words do not bode fair tidings. And yet I find few clues in them other than knowledge that more sorcery will be at play. I know not yet how we may fight it. My legs still do not move, though I believe I broke the spell she used to confuse my mind earlier. Can you feel it in yourself?"

"I know not for what to look," Faramir answered.

"Neither did I until I realized it. The spell is coy and gangly but if you concentrate you might feel it lurking."

"II do not knowPerhaps."

"Be wary of her powers, my friend. She will try to hurt you with them. And not always for the reason you might observe."

"Aye, like her purposes in hurting you."

"Aye," Legolas said quietly, no longer wishing to reflect on his torment.

"I will be cautious if I can," Faramir said lightly, realizing the memory still lived within the Elf. "Yet we need more information in order to fight her, and we may indeed incur her wrath in gaining it."

"Escape would be a better solution. I think we should focus there. Have you any thoughts?" Legolas said as he continued to watch the women.

"What of the girl? Can we enlist her help?" the Prince suggested.

"I would have said 'yes' only a short while ago, but now I fear my answer must be 'no'. It seems Bregus has somehow turned her mind," Legolas answered. "I dare not try to sway her."

"We have few allies then and little in the way of choices. You must try to break the hold Bregus has on your legs, I think."

"I am not sure I would know how," Legolas answered honestly.

"Surely one of the Eldar race could fight of her meager spell. After all, she is mortal, not Maia," Faramir teased.

"I would call her monster." Legolas retorted then sighed deeply. "Very well, I shall try," he said as he focused his attention on his legs. But after several minutes it was became clear that nothing would happened. Legolas choked out a gasp.

"Keep trying! You said you broke her earlier bewitchment. How?" Faramir ushered encouragingly.

"I thought of you and Strider and Gimli and how you all might need my help," the Elf answered.

Legolas heard the Man's smile in his words as he urged the Elf on. "Use that then. See if there is something in those thoughts to break this current enchantment."

Legolas watched as the older and younger woman appeared locked in dialog, their hands shifting again in their pockets. And then he turned his attention again onto his legs, closing his eyes and thinking only of his friends and finding a way to save them from their plight. He felt something, a tingling sensation. He opened his eyes to see one foot move slightly. Focusing even more intensely, he willed his other foot to inch toward him and with joy, it did!

He was about to call out to Faramir about his success when he heard footsteps charging toward him. So focused had he been on his actions that he had not noticed their approach sooner. He looked up to see who came before him, but not quick enough to avoid the battering blow that met him.

****

Bregus had actually been kind. That was the thought that ran through Kattica's mind as the elder had approached her after seeing to her son. The senior shuv'ni was consoling, sympathetic even. It was completely out of character for her and it most certainly made the girl apprehensive. Not that Kattica needed reason to feel suspicious toward the old woman. The last few days had been whirlpools enough of conflicting behavior to warrant that. Had she opportunity to analyze them more clearly, Kattica might have seen exactly how chaotic her life had become. But since everything thus far had been a series of reactions followed by reactions, she had not the time to really form clear thinking or strategic thought. She still did not have a plan for how to fight the situation, nor did she really know any longer if she wished to fight it. She only knew at the moment that she had seen him that there was recognition in Mattias' face, and far worse, repulsion. That alone made her feel fearful and ashamed. She felt tears wash her face with her dread.

She curled in on herself, digging her hand deep into her pouch, finding comfort in the great pocket by being able to more closely nestle her girth. At least the baby was safe. Her hand slid past the objects there, lightly fingering the Elf-hair amulet she had made and along the sheathed choori. Bregus had relinquished the weapon to her after they had created the traps, somehow deeming Kattica trustworthy again. Was that really true? Was Kattica a reliable accomplice? She had felt pride at being held in trust before, but nowThe girl had to think on that.

The knife made her freeze. Dark thoughts whispered in her mind as she fingered the weapon. A knife was a valuable tool, capable of doing so much for the good. And for now she saw the wealth of it in its power to make this personal torment end. She drew it out of its case, still concealed in her pocket, touching cold steal with her fingertips. A sob gripped her throat as she recalled the look on his face. How she wished she could wipe that away.

Such agony. Tears streamed from her eyes. The knife was sharp, cold, unfeeling. Would that she could, she would will herself into that guise. If she could be like the knife, none of this would matter to her. Her love for Mattias would not make her heart ache. Her soul would be vacant. How welcoming that would be. She wished to stop feeling, to stop trying to find what felt right to her soul. It had been a difficult journey and she had been so torn. She was conflicted. What was wrong? What was right? She could no longer tell. And just when she thought she could finally see it, he appeared before her, once again making her look a different way and see a different light. And yet, it gave her such anguish. She was in torment. Escape from herself is what she wanted most. No more thought. No more feeling. She wanted to rid herself of this pain, to be free of her burden. She could use the knife to do that. And yet she did not want to die. But neither did she want to live if it meant Mattias' disdain.

Bregus had done this to her! The girl knew where to focus her blame. Her reasons to take the life of the old woman were few, but after all she had recently witnessed and done, she did not need much cause to consider vengeance. Such a drastic thought! She could die, and thus end her plight and the suffering she placed upon others. But if she were to die, she would take Bregus with her. Yes, she would! Again, another sob pushed out as she bowed her head to her pain. The only thing stopping her was the child she carried. I would take her with me should I go, she thought sadly. That would be so terribly cruel! But then she reconsidered. Still, I have proven I am a capable monster. What kind of mother could I be knowing I have this within me? Would taking her on to the Other World now be such a heinous offense given that of which I have already exposed her and will expose her? At least there she will not be judged by my actions.

She felt a hand at her shoulder. Measured weight rested on it as she found it in use as a support for the old woman to stoop and bend. Bregus met her, stroking her back and Kattica flinched at the touch, suspicion nagging at her raw nerves. She needed something to say, something to counter what she knew Bregus would say in defense of the girl's actions. She felt vulnerable and she needed to hold onto her anger long enough to carry out this act.

Looking into the elder's face, she breathed out the words, "It was wrong."

It was wrong. The thought laced through the girl's mind. She hadn't really thought that before, at least not consciously, and hearing it aloud now made her realize exactly how correct the statement was. It was wrong. Funny, she thought, how far she had drifted away. Her guilt had been tied into her own self, into her perception of how Mattias might see her. It had never occurred to her to actually feel true guilt over how she had driven the Elf, that that had been wrong. It had felt so good! But it was wrong, somehow. Something deep within her told her so and her grandmother's charm weighed heavily about her throat as a reminder of such moral thinking.

The response from Bregus was one she might have expected. "Nay, not wrong. You did what was right. It was the natural response, the essence of human nature."

Kattica snarled, realizing with each word the truth that was being clouded. She fought back, her true nature becoming exposed. "I hurt him! That should not be a natural response!"

Bregus seemed to be not hearing Kattica's inner turmoil, more focused on finding an answer to appease the girl's mood. The elder said, "Ah, but it is! Kattica, think! You have lived long enough to see how we are treated outside of our kind. There is venom in the eyes of those who do not know us. They hate us. Look back at the Elf now. He hates us. He hated us before, you just could not see it. No, child, your reaction was normal. Better than normal in fact, for you have the power now to fight their hatred. You are better than he is. Better than all of them."

Kattica thought about this. Bregus had the power to be very convincing at times. This had long held true. But the girl had always been able to fight it. But now with the taste of darkness in her soul, her convictions seemed far less mighty. She knew she needed to battle against this ill-will and the call to arms over prejudice that had always been a rally for her people. She sought to find a means within herself to retain her grip on her own soul. Fresh thoughts came to her mind. The Elf has a name. It is Legolas and she will do harm to him. Why? What will she do to him? Kattica winced, refusing to look at where Legolas sat, now truly ashamed. "I wounded him!" she cried.

Bregus laughed sardonically. "Do you see any sign of lasting damage? I tell you to look at him. Look now. Look hard. Ah, Kattica, you did well. Can you not see that? You did something that will help us all in the end. When my spell is fully unleashed, our people will live a far better life, thanks to you. You will see. This affects not just you, your child and Mattias, but all of us. The entire family."

The family? Kattica stared into Bregus' eyes. What could the old woman mean by that. She longed to know. She longed to find a way to make peace within herself. If she were helping somehow, maybe, just maybe she could accept this situation. But she knew she could not think this. She could not give in. Bregus had done so much to inflict torment on too many that Kattica had trouble believing her. She said, "But I know not what your plan is or your intent. How can I know if what I have done is good if I do not understand the ultimate goal?" She watched as Bregus flinched at the words shattering calm countenance. It reinforced Kattica's suspicions.

Bregus sighed a deep breath, timing her phrasing to collect all her thoughts. Hope tinged the words that answered and the girl read the mastery of manipulation within them, "You will have to trust me in this. My intentions are good, you must believe that. I mean only to bring improvement to our lives. When I am done, we will never need to fear the wrath of outsiders again. I will make our lives well."

That was not good enough in Kattica's mind. Her hand tightened on the hilt of the knife. "But we are taking lives in doing so."

Vexation came into Bregus' voice and Kattica's eyes flicked open wider at the sudden change in mood. "And how many of the Romany have been lost to their hate? How many of our children have gone hungry when our stores ran bare and they would not sell us their food simply because of our race? How many times have we been forced away from our shelters and chased into the cold of the night because we unknowingly sought refuge on land they claimed as theirs? How many of our women have been raped and our men have been beaten out of fear on their parts when we have done nothing more than pass through their villages? The taking of a few lives is small in comparison to what we have suffered! It is nothing! And when we are done, you and I, our families, will never know fear again. Never. Your daughter will grow up to be safe in this world. Think of it!"

Kattica's eyes gleamed with tears of longing. It is what she had always hoped for. Safety and calming peace for her people had long been the girl's dream. It was a convincing argument. The old woman had her nearly swayed. Bregus leaned in, stroking hair from Kattica's face as she whispered, "You controlled him! And that is not an easy thing to do, especially for a fledgling. In fact, I have been told Elves are the most difficult of creatures to have power over. Look at how long and how well you managed that. You ought well to be proud of your skill!"

And in a way, she did feel proud.

The necklace grew heavier dragging her head down as if forcing her into a posture of shame. Her muscles ached in effort to hold her head up. Pride? No, that was not right. Kattica turned away, her head still down, "But Mattias" she began.

Bregus reached out and touched the girl's face, cupping her chin to force her to look up into the old woman's eyes. She smiled a small smile, then admonished in a comforting voice, "Mattias is a child." Then Bregus gave a slight laugh as if she was sharing a secret and said, "I can say that only because I am his mother. He is easily confused by complex events. He always has been. And mark my words, girl, what occurred today has been quite complex. Do not feel led by his reaction. Mattias will be fine. I will see to that, and all will be well with you. Trust me. Turn your mind away from Mattias for the moment. He does not understand."

Kattica looked hard at the old woman. She wanted to believe this. Her thoughts once again went to the knife in her hand and how she had considered using it. If death were to come, it should be now. But it no longer seemed right to kill the old woman and she no longer craved her own demise. Would it not be easier to just go along with what was to occur and not question it?

The carved figures on the necklace now seemed incredibly heavy. It was uncomfortable. She felt as if it were tearing at her skin and she reached her free hand up to loosen its hold. But as her fingers glanced over it, she heard echoes of her suspicions roll through her mind. Bregus looked different. At least different from how she had been appearing to the girl. Suddenly she saw Bregus just as she had always known her. Not kind, or gentle. Not generous or supportive. What she saw was cold selfishness and greed, insane desire and anger, loneliness and depraved ambition. Revulsion seized Kattica's mind, for both Bregus and for herself. How had she been able to go along with this? She should not be a player in torment of this kind! She turned the knife in her hand. The choori had been given back because Bregus deemed her a trustworthy accomplice and suddenly Kattica realized the thought of that sickened her.

Dread and hatred filled the pit of her stomach, and still she was torn. She had been warned away from black magic, yet she had been forced to perform it. And now that she had, she knew just how wonderful it could feel. She knew in her heart she had to stop, but if the opportunity presented itself again, could she be lured into the evil once more? Meekly she admitted she could. And to make matters worse, she longed for it. She wanted to taste the darkness again.

Given that thought, self-sacrifice seemed not such a horrible thing. Could she do it? Could she give up her life in order to save them all? If so, she should strike now. Do it! she told herself. Now, while she least expects it. But Kattica remained frozen, shaking slightly in indecision. She was not ready for this. Not now. Uncertainty washed over her. No, I cannot. She would be giving even more of herself away if she did follow this course. And in truth, she wanted the best of all worlds. Somehow there had to be a way to enjoy the sweeping power of dark magic without inflicting pain on others. It was a half-way answer and not quite right, but something to hold onto to give herself strength. She would comply with the elder and her wishes, but she would resist causing harm. That was her choice. That was what she would give. And if it became worse she would consider her alternatives later. Grimly she realized that all the dark acts had come from within herself and she knew she had to stop from acting with menace again. She did not like that side of herself. She saw that now. That was the message in Mattias' gaze.

Kattica looked up and smiled at the old woman. It was a falsity really, but convincingly done. Bregus smiled back, relaxing and apparently believing in the girl's compliance. So much had already happened. They could not go backwards. They could only move forward and she decided to refrain from feeling further guilt. She would act with her conscience as they progressed on, taking what she could of the power and leaving the evil behind. Still, remedies had to be made. She yearned to speak with Mattias. Could she reconcile in his mind the actions she had taken? Could she make him see that what she did was for all their good?

She released the knife and let her fingers move freely to round on her womb. There was comfort in reaching to her child. The loosened amulet of the blond Elf tangled into her hand as she closed it over where the baby lie while her other hand touched her grandmother's amulet at her throat. It was still heavy, but not so oppressive now. Perhaps she had not fully found her answers, but some of her reasoning made her feel better about herself. It was a step towards accepting who she was. She said a silent prayer to her grandmother to help give her strength to fight the dark allure. Soon there would be the baby and that would take over where the fear and longing had been. She felt sure of that. Soon this torment to her heart would be gone.

A cry reached her ears and she looked up to see Bregus tugging at the talisman that held the Elf in place. The elder had wrapped it about her wrist like a bracelet and now she was prying at it as if it caused pain. Kattica saw a waft of smoke rise up from the elder's flailing hand and she could smell the slight odor of singed wood. By instinct as a healer Kattica reached out to the woman with both hands, releasing both the amulets she had been touching. She patted the woman's hands and arms to squelch the heat and looked to see if any harm had been done. A red mark circled the elder's wrist where the fine roping had touched her. The skin was mildly burned.

Yanking the talisman from her hand, Bregus looked away. Fury danced in her eyes. Her gaze went directly to the Elf, and innate fear rose up in Kattica for the wrath the elder seemed to bare. She shuddered as she watched the old woman storm away in his direction and she wondered if her new conscience was about to be tested.

****

Something hard and heavy slammed into the side of his head, and he found his body following the swing as he fell downward, his hands pulling against the ropes binding him. All sound became faint. A sharp pain behind his left ear filled his awareness. Flickering lights danced before his eyes as the world turned an ugly shade of red.

Legolas felt a hand grasp fingers roughly into his hair yanking him upward, and though his mind had a wobbly hold on the scene before him, he recognized Bregus' ugly snarl. She weaved in and out of focus, brandishing her walking stick like a club and mouthing insulting words he could not make out. She pushed an object into his face, and vaguely he recognized the pendant to the talisman she had shown him. At first he could not make out the words she said, but his eyes went back to the medallion and he realized there was something wrong with it. It looked charred around the edges. She pushed it against his cheek and it felt hot against his skin.

Had he done this in his fight for recovery of his legs or had someone else done it on his behalf? He did not know. In almost drunken fashion he smiled, laughing that his battle against her will had wielded such an unexpected outcome. He whispered, "I told you I would fight you! I will not stop trying!"

Legolas' head was yanked further back. The old woman's eyes were alive with hate. "Cause and retribution are for those who live in a domesticated world. We do not live like that. All the world is a gift and we need only claim it. I claim you! You will not get away from me so easily!"

"We are not objects to claim!" Legolas spat back with vehemence, his head clearing as his anger grew.

"In my mind, you are gift to my purpose!" Bregus said, releasing her fingers from the Elf's hair. "Both of you!" She held up the talisman again. "You think you may destroy it? You are wrong! It still holds its power and you shall not escape me! You shall not run! I shall hold you and I will kill you and then I will take your heart! You will pay for this! Your friend will pay for this! I will make you see how wrong you are to defy me!"

Legolas shivered a chill of fear. He had seen her anger before, but not like this. He saw in that instance the true depth of her madness. She had power over him, and it was an uncomfortable position. But worse yet, she had power over his friends, and she was not afraid to lord it over him. That frightened him more. She stormed away but there was no relief in her departure for he heard her steps move to where he knew Faramir to be. New horror came alive with that knowledge. What would she do to him? Her anger was tangible and Legolas worried for his friend. "Anborn!" he cried. He reached his senses out to pierce the distance, trying to breech the sounds of her presence.

He heard it. He heard her words, the licking sound of her lascivious voice. There was seduction in her words. And violent anger. "No!" the Man spat out kicking at her with his free legs. Legolas smiled, cheering Faramir on in his mind. Faramir would fight her.

Kattica stepped forward drawing near, rounding to see to the other side of the wagon where Bregus was. Her eyes widened at what she saw.

The picture in his mind grew as he watched the story unfold in her eyes. He could hear it. That alone might have been enough to tell Legolas all of what Bregus was doing to Faramir. But Kattica's face confirmed the true horror of the old woman's actions.

He heard Faramir say, "Keep away from me! Do not touch me!" with the sounds of more flaying, but then he heard a soft moan from the Man, followed by more of Bregus' whispered defilement. Faramir's breathing hitched, heightening further by the vile stimulus she offered. Legolas could hear him fight, though the effort seemed to lessen by the second. Another moan was elicited with the word, "No!" but Legolas could tell the Man was losing the struggle. It was in his mind and in her touch. And all the while Kattica's face told of the physical deeds Bregus was inflicting.

Legolas had to do something. He had to help. He called out, "Stop this! Leave him be!"

Bregus' voice rose out to him and the bite of it cut their distance. "Silence, Elf!"

But Legolas would be damned before he would be shut out. "Anborn! Do not listen to her! Hear my voice! Hear me!"

He did not need to see them to know they were coming. Kattica's face turned from side to side, watching the horror unfold in front of her and to her side where Legolas was pinned down. Already riddled with torment, her face grew ever graver as she saw the men approach the Elf. Bregus must have called them in her mind to silence him. Legolas knew his time was shortening and he needed to act. "She is trying to bend you with her words!" he screamed. "Do not listen! Do not let her touch penetrate you! Cast her out! Cast her aside! Think of the others and how we might aid them! Think of those you love. Think of anything but what she may say to you now! Fight her! Fight "

And then fists barreled at Legolas from all sides and he was forced away from the plight of Faramir. Yet he could not stop without further attempts, hoping that even hearing the Elf in distress might pull the man away from the witch's spell. "Stop her! Do not give in to her!"

A clouting blow to the head sent Legolas' mind reeling and the world became awkward and tilted. He could feel his eye swelling after the rain of another few blows and another punch made his lip explode with crimson. His ear stabbed out pain where a closed fist made contact just behind the lobe, and a ringing noise interrupted the song of the trees. The wind in his lungs shot out of him as an unexpected kick to his abdomen made him convulse forward. He would have doubled over to shield himself and protect his vulnerable body, but his restraints kept him exposed and his legs could not curl up to answer his mind's call. More blows fell upon him until a soft whimper of pain escaped him. But only Legolas seemed to hear it for it was lost on those hurting him. There would be no mercy. A punch to his jaw flipped his head in the other direction. The faces of his attackers were a blur, but Legolas knew Gordash and Curtik to be among them. Was Mattias there as well? He tried to look up to them, but facing them seemed only to provoke their anger more. Or was it Bregus' anger? It no longer mattered. A small stone held in a closed fist of one of the younger men drove into his temple, and the blow from that strike made the world strangely silent for a moment. His rapid heartbeat was the only thing he could hear. And then the fight seemed gone in the men and Legolas was left alone with his head limply hanging to his chest.

Short, ragged breaths escaped him and panted air filled his lungs shallowly. He was in pain, and he felt his mind slipping back toward unconsciousness. This was all the mercy he would find and he allowed his body to release itself from its present torment. The world was fading away as the ringing in his ears moved in and droned on louder and louder.

But through the pitch of the persistent tone he heard a noise that all but broke his heart. The sound of soft crying reached his sundered body and he recognized its maker. It was Faramir. Deep, heartfelt sobs came from the Man on the other side of the wagon. Legolas recognized them to be the cry of self-loathing and disgust. Again he heard Bregus' taunting words as the Elf plummeted into a world of relief from his own pain. As he descended though, the knowledge came to him that what he had endured at the hands of Bregus' kin was slight in comparison to what Faramir had experienced to the witch herself. He felt terrible pity as his mind ventured away.

But before he could completely lose himself in the void, he felt fingers once again claw at his hair and his head being raised to a face the evil he could no longer see. Bregus' breath spat upon his cheeks as she loomed into his ear, "See that this teaches you not to test my power, Elf. I am not a simple waif learning my craft. Do not try to flee me again." Then she flung his head away and it fell again to his chest. Everything for Legolas went black.