Into the Woods Part 2
Duo stumbled along in the goblin's wake, cursing mentally. Stupid, stupid, stupid! What had he thought would happen? The goblin would let him go again? He wasn't a child anymore- he should've damn well expected this! And even if the goblin had let him go- how would he ever get Quatre back? He should've bound and gagged his cousin the moment Quatre had suggested this insane scheme! Now Quatre was in the hands of that dryad- and who knew what the dryads did with elves- and he was the prisoner of a goblin.
He shuddered. At least he knew his fate- the mines- or the cooking fires- or both. They'd work him in the mines until he broke- and then they'd roast him. He couldn't hope for anything else. Sister Helen had told them often enough how badly the elves had treated all the other peoples of the forest- especially the goblins. She had warned her charges about what would happen if the goblins caught them.
Cursing again as he tripped over a root and fell into the side of the packbeast, Duo wished again that he'd never listened to Quatre.
"Clumsy," the goblin said and Duo glared at him. "Then again," he said with the faintest glimmer of a smile, "it can't be easy walking when you're bound like that." He stopped the packbeast and Duo took advantage of the break to lean against the beast's warm scaly hide to rest. The goblin rummaged in the packs for a moment before pulling out a flask.
Frowning, he studied Duo for a moment and then sighed. "No help for it," he murmured as if to himself. He reached for Duo's neck and the elf flinched, wondering if the goblin had decided to kill him then and there to save himself the trouble.
But the goblin merely pulled Duo's shirt away from his throat, exposing the mark. He touched his fingertip to it and said something that Duo didn't understand. Warmth flared up at the spot and Duo blinked. The goblin moved his hand to the root covering Duo's mouth. It fell away, crumbling to dust. Before Duo could speak, the goblin shook his head. "Don't talk," he said and lifted the flask to Duo's lips. The cool water was a relief, but the sudden loosening of his other bonds- except for the rope around his neck- was even more of a relief. He shook his arms, trying to bring the feeling back into them.
"Don't try to escape," the goblin moved his flask away. "You can't. I just increased the bindings on you. You have to obey my orders."
Duo opened his mouth to retort- but nothing came out. He blinked, surprised- and then remembered that the goblin had ordered him not to talk.
Or escape. Hell.
The goblin packed the flask away again and nudged the packbeast into moving again. "Follow," he said to Duo and continued down the path.
Duo had no choice. His feet moved despite himself and though he could raise his hands to touch the rope around his neck, he couldn't lift it off. At least it was easier walking this way- and he could keep one hand on the packbeast for support over the rough parts.
When they reached the goblin settlement, Duo drew closer to the packbeast. He'd expected a village- a few homes, maybe a center square. Something like the elves had out on the plains. But this- this was a city! A city carved into the side of the steep cliff that rose above the trees- and even more homes were built among the forest at the base.
They reached a low rock wall and one of the goblins perched on it waved to his captor. "Heero! Back at last! And with riches, I see!"
Heero? Where had Duo heard that name before? He was sure that Heero hadn't told him his name all those years ago in the forest- and yet- it was familiar...
"A few," Heero lifted a shoulder and shrugged. "Lost part to one of the dryads, but all in all, not too badly."
The guard chuckled. "That's how things go." His gaze turned to Duo and the elf shivered. "How much for that one, Heero? He looks tender."
Heero tilted his head. "I'm not sure I am going to sell him- I need help on my trips- and no one else will go with me-"
A sudden surge of hope rose up in Duo's heart- he might not be sent to the mines? Or roasted?
"But- then again- his price could buy another packbeast or two..." Heero continued, and Duo's heart sank.
"Well, if you do decide to sell, let me know." The goblin waved a hand. "Pass through."
Duo moved closer still to the packbeast- and to Heero- as they moved through the city. Studying the goblins under his bangs, Duo was surprised. He'd expected that they'd look like Heero- who didn't really look all that different than the elves- if you ignored his sharp teeth and the greenish tinge to his skin. But the other goblins only seemed to have those things in common- lots of sharp teeth- and greens of every shade! Some were beautiful- even more so than Duo's kin- and some looked like animals- their faces covered in green-tinged fur. Others still looked as if they'd been carved from lichen-covered rock- and some had extra legs and arms that made them skitter along like spiders.
Heero was recognized by many- he stopped several times to greet people or fish something out of his bags that was then exchanged for odd shaped coins. Someone bought the two elven mounts and Duo hoped they weren't being taken off to be eaten. It wasn't their fault that their owners had been stupid.
Duo was sure now that Heero wouldn't keep him as a servant. It didn't seem likely- not at the prices he was hearing offered- and every time a goblin pinched him to see 'how tender' he was or poked him to check his muscle, he knew he was doomed to the mines- or the fires-
Or worse-
"He's really lovely- a dark elf is so rare," the female goblin ran her hand down his braid. "So many of them are blond. And such skin- he'd bruise so beautifully! I know many would pay gold for the chance to take him to bed- I'd even share his take with you instead of paying you a set sum."
Duo tried not to shudder when she touched him again, this time running her pointed nails over his cheek.
"And he tries to hide his flinches..." The goblin lady laughed. "Such a treasure! It would be so fun to break him! Please say yes!"
"I need help, Melli. You know I can't find anyone to go into the forest with me. An extra pair of hands would be more valuable to me in the long run. I have to see if he can work first- if not then I'll consider it."
She pouted a little, but took her hands off Duo. "You just want him yourself! I'm surprised you didn't just toss him in a pile of bracken somewhere- but he doesn't smell like you-"
"I prefer featherbeds to plants."
"I do admire your restraint! Well, when you get tired of him- think of me, please?"
"Of course, Melli."
And they had moved on- but the offers continued- and seemed to grow worse with every step...
"Are you sure? He'd load lots of carts before we had to turn him over to the workers to tenderize him for the fires-"
It was like a nightmare- one he'd never get out of... Why hadn't he ever removed the mark from his neck? Then he'd at least be with his cousin...
If Quatre was still alive. If this is what goblins did to elven prisoners- what did the dryads do?
He was shaking by the time they reached a house on the other side of the city, a little away from the other caves and houses, but still within the rock boundary. It had a small stable beside it, and Heero headed there first.
"Do you know how to tend packbeasts?"
Duo nodded.
"Good. Take all the packs and tack off- settle him in that middle stall, feed him and wipe him down. Meet me in the house when you're finished."
He turned and left. Duo took a deep breath. Safe! Well- as safe as he could be- unless Heero had been lying about needing a servant- and even then who knew how safe that would be? Safer than being with some of the others, he told himself, and got to work.
~*~
Heero sat down in front of the hearth and began to coax the fire to life. The bindings on the elf should ensure that he'd follow Heero's instructions, but once the fire and supper were started, he'd check on Duo to make sure.
He sighed and rubbed his forehead. Hellfires, but he should've gone the long way around today even if he'd sold off half of his merchandise on the way in. He knew elven captives were rare, but he hadn't anticipated half of those offers. Of course, some of them had been merely to frighten Duo- and the elf had been frightened, he was very sure of that.
Heero supposed that he should take some pleasure in it- hadn't the elves delighted in frightening him? But he couldn't. Duo wasn't one of the ones that had made his life hell when he dwelt in elven halls. He didn't even look like that bastard Lord-
He pushed the memory away. That bastard was dead now- there was no point in dwelling on him now. Absentmindedly, he rubbed at his shoulder and frowned. Better to think of Sister Helen- and her charge that had now become his problem.
The fire was now burning merrily, so Heero placed the stewpot that he'd filled on the hook over it and mentally braced himself to go check on the elf.
Before he could get up from the hearth, the door swung open and Duo stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He was carrying the packs over his shoulder and his head was bent, his hair hiding his face.
"Finished already?" Heero had half-expected the elf to drag his feet over the beast tending. He hadn't specified a time after all.
Duo nodded.
"Put the packs down in the corner and come sit down."
The elf did as he was told, putting the packs gently in the corner. He surprised Heero again by sitting down on the floor by Heero's feet, rather than on the smooth rock of the hearth beside him, or even in the single chair in front of it.
Heero glanced around. The windows were closed and shaded, his walls were thick. It was safe enough.
"Idiot elf," he snapped. "What the hell were you thinking? You knew what the forest was like! Why the hell did you come back? And why did you still have my mark? Damn it all! I told you to get Sister Helen to take it off!"
Duo blinked up at him, clearly surprised. His lips opened, but no sound came out.
"Hellfires." Heero swore when he realized why the elf didn't answer. "You can speak, it's safe enough here."
"Sister Helen died before I got back," Duo's eyes darkened. "Hours before as it turned out- before I even left to go get the bark. They just hadn't told us..."
Dead? Heero closed his eyes for a moment. Farewell lady...
"How? What happened? It was just a fever-"
"She was one of the old ones- one of the last ones to survive- and the fever was too much for her-"
"Old ones? She was barely 200-"
"We don't live that long anymore. The elders say it's because we left our magic in the forest- others say it's because of the diseases of the plains."
"What?" It was Heero's turn to be surprised. "But- you were the longest lived of all the peoples-"
"Not anymore." Duo shook his head. "Now we might see 100 summers- if we don't catch one of the illnesses first."
"One of the illnesses? How many are there?"
"Too many." The elf hunched over a little. "That's why I came back. My cousin- the one the dryad took- was desperate to find a cure for the plains illness. The stories say our old city had miraculous plants- cures for every ill- ones we can't grow in our new home."
They had been headed towards the old city? "You were insane to try it."
"I know it. Please-" Duo looked up, pleadingly. "What will happen to him?"
"I don't know for sure of course, but they tend to use their elven captives for the same purpose the elves once used them." Heero saw the confusion in Duo's expression and explained: "Bed slaves."
Duo inhaled sharply. "Like that woman in the marketplace who offered to buy me?"
"No, nothing like she was talking about. The dryads aren't cruel- they usually treat their slaves well- unlike my people. Your cousin is better off than you are."
He watched as panic rose up in the elf's expression and braced himself. Duo couldn't hurt him- not with the bindings Heero had placed on him- but he might try. His question was a surprise.
"Are- are you going to sell me?"
"No." Heero took a breath, ready to explain the rest, but before he could, Duo sagged a little, the relief in his face obvious.
"Thank you."
That made Heero pause for a moment in surprise. Why was he...? Oh, right- after hearing all those offers today- no wonder he had been so amenable.
"Don't thank me yet. I haven't figured out a way to get you back home. The dryads know you're with me- that's why I couldn't take you back right away- any sign of you vanishing and word would get back here." His lips curved a little. "And you've seen my people- I don't think I'd have to tell you what they'd do to me if I let someone like you just go-"
Duo's eyes were wide with surprise. "You... you want to let me go?"
"Of course. I just- I can't see how yet." He rubbed his forehead and sighed. "And I don't think I'll be able to get your cousin free at all. The dryads make bad enemies- and as old as I am, I still want to live a little longer."
"I don't understand... Why help me? It makes no sense-"
"It does to me. The why doesn't matter. It's the how that worries me. Until I can figure out how to free you- you'll have to stay bound." Heero reached out and touched the mark on Duo's throat. "I didn't want to increase the power of the mark- but if it had been any less, then it would've been an easy matter for one of my people to snap it and spirit you away while my back was turned."
"Would they have?"
"Some might. You saw how valuable you are."
Duo was silent for a moment, worrying his lower lip between his teeth. "They aren't going to let you just free me..."
"No. But- I work out in the forest often by myself. The rest of my people aren't comfortable far from our city- and I sometimes go to your old city. If somehow you find something there that allows you to break your binding and slip away- well then, I've been careless, but nothing more than that. Or maybe some animal attacked us?" Heero smiled faintly. "I'm sure we can come up with something."
"You truly are serious about this? But- why? You said yourself that I was valuable-"
Hell. The elf wasn't going to really trust him- not that Heero would if their situations were switched.
Sighing, he got to his feet. Quickly, he pulled his tunic off and turned around.
He heard the sudden intake of breath.
"Take a close look," he said and heard the rustle of cloth as Duo got to his feet, felt the warmth of the other's hand as it hovered over the ruin of his back.
"What- Who did this? Why?"
"Names don't matter. It was a punishment." Heero glanced over his shoulder at the stricken-looking elf. "The daughter of the Lord's house that I belonged to had fallen in the garden- scraped her knee. I helped her up- bandaged it."
"And... he did this to you?"
"I touched his daughter without his permission."
"You helped her!"
"Doesn't matter."
A light touch brushed over his scars. "So, he whipped the skin off your back?"
"Not all of it."
"No wonder you hate us all so much."
Heero stepped away, pulling his tunic back over his head. "Not all of you. After it was over, the Lord's sister found me- tended my back. Apologized..." The word caught in his throat. "They never apologized. Not for anything. But she did..."
"Sister Helen?"
Heero nodded, throat tight. Damn it lady... I wanted you to know I helped one of yours... wanted to...
Arms encircled his shoulders, a gentle hold. Like she had done...
"I'm sorry."
"Why? It wasn't you." Heero took a deep breath- and caught the faint scent of honey and cinnamon. He closed his eyes, trying to stop the inevitable reaction. "Step away... please."
"Did I hurt you?" The arms slid away and the scent faded.
"No. It's just... well, that's the other reason I strengthened the mark on you today." Heero shook himself and turned to face Duo. "The goblins- and I daresay the dryads as well- were bred to find elves desirable. Just the smell of your skin..." He stopped and shook himself again. "I'm sure you understand?"
Duo nodded, frowning. "But-"
"But?" Heero prompted.
"Well, until we do figure out a way to get me out of here- if we do- then I'm going to have to be your sl- your servant- just like you told them today."
"Yes. I'm sorry, but-"
"No. It's okay. I see why. But- isn't part of being your servant sharing your bed?"
TBC...
Back to Merula's Fanfictions Page