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Subject: The boy Author: Aragorn [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 16:50:30 06/19/02 Wed Aragorn nodded grimly and moved past the soldiers trying not to breathe in too deeply. There were no windows and the torch in the king’s hand crackled as it coldly lit the way down dingy pathways. Hands from inside the cells reached out to him and he grasped them firmly, seeing the eyes of what was once a man gleaming at him in the wavering light; “Whatever you have done you did not deserve this.” “This is them, sir.” “Can you let us in please.” The iron key rasped in its lock and the door swung open. Inside two men huddled on a pile of wet straw blinking into this new light. Their skin was pallid and their hair lank and once again Aragorn felt his heart swell with compassion. “Do you know who I am?” he asked gently as the rusty gate clanged shut. They nodded mutely. “So you know why you are in here?” Again they nodded. “Can you tell me who hired you?” Frantic shaking of heads. “You can’t?” Relief tinged their careworn faces. “Sorry your majesty. We swore an oath.” Aragorn turned to fix the speaker with a piercing gaze. “I understand that. But listen I need to know who sent you after me. There have been other attempts on my life and the information you provide might give me a chance to prepare myself. I’m not asking you to do this without reward.” He shuddered internally before speaking again. “If you help me, I might be able to help you. Unless that is you are fond of your new home.” It was blackmail pure and simple and Aragorn’s soul rebelled against its use but his head persisted that he had to know. The younger of the two men opened his mouth and the other hit him sharply across the head and whispered “don’t say anything. You think this man has a shred of honour within him? How do you know he’ll release you after you aid him? Besides you know what will happen.” “I don’t care. I won’t die in this cell.” The youths voice rose high and piercing; the voice of someone who clings onto their last thread of sanity with a grip that is rapidly failing. “I’ll tell you who did it your majesty. It was…” his voice died and his hand flew to his throat. “What’s wrong?” Aragorn asked the other man horrified, as he watched the youth choking. “You killed him that’s what.” The dying man was suddenly silenced. “I didn’t mean too,” the king stammered rising to his feet. “You never said this would happen.” “I said we couldn’t help you. Then you had to go offer the boy your disgusting freedom. He wasn’t a bad lad.” Quickly Aragorn turned and tried to exit. The door was still locked. “Will someone get me out of here!” he yelled panic stricken. He felt the faint touch of claustrophobia as the guard turned the key and almost ran past the cells in the darkness; in his haste he had left the torch in with the prisoners. In the part of his mind that dealt with everyday things he heard Faramir calling for him to slow down. But that part was quickly submerged by the part that was still reeling from the boy’s death. He burst into the sunlight. He felt fear's cold claw release his heart and he breathed deeply in relief. Something had happened down there. The boy's sudden death was one thing but even stranger was how frightened he had been. It reeked of magic. He cast around for Faramir but the steward was no where in sight. A flicker caught his eye and Aragorn gasped as he watched the flames lick over his palace. "Oh my gods! What has happened here?" With out waiting for the steward to emerge he ran. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]