The Broken Ones | By : ChaoticReverie Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Hobbit, The Views: 2078 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1 |
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit or any characters affiliated with it. OCs are mine. I am making no profit from this. |
Dunlir was hardly what one might label a 'settlement', the sparse cluster of decrepit buildings that lined the North-South Road more of a traveller's reprieve than a true village. Frederick held a handkerchief to his nose, the smell of rot and piss hanging thick in the damp air. Had it been a more tepid night he'd have insisted on bypassing the place completely, but the wind held a wicked bite, and the horses wouldn't fare well in it, nor would his driver.
He rapped sharply on the roof of the carriage. "This will do, Jedd."
The coachman pulled up to an inn – the only one to be seen. Frederick pushed the door wide, stepping out onto the mud-soaked planks of the threshold and tipping his head back to read the sign that hung just above.
'The Jewel'… hardly an apt name for the place. He tucked his handkerchief into his pocket and turned back to accept his bag as it was handed to him.
"Thank you, my boy! I shall procure a pair of rooms for us while you bring the horses 'round to the stables."
Luggage in hand, he turned and entered, nodding to the gruff looking man who stood behind the bar, toweling out an empty glass. "Might you be the proprietor of this establishment, my good fellow?"
The man nodded and - glancing at his bag - inquired, "You need'n a room?"
"Two, actually. My companion Jedd will be along shortly."
He lifted a bushy brow. "Either one o' you wantin' a girl for the night?"
Frederick blinked in surprise, not having expected an inn of this size to double as a brothel.
The innkeeper nodded toward a girl in the corner, who was currently filling the other patron's mugs. Frederick frowned. 'A barmaid and a whore?'
"Faye!"
The abrupt summons had her spinning quickly around, and Frederick found his distaste replaced with shock and wonderment. Coils of lovely golden hair spilled all around her shoulders, and wide, dark eyes filled with trepidation stared at him from a youthful face. The girl looked to be no older than twenty summers. Before he could wonder how such a beguiling creature had ended up in such a dank and dreary place the innkeeper shouted for her to come closer, and she did so with haste, head tucked low as she approached.
"Ain't she the prettiest thing ya ever seen?" the man leered, reaching out from behind the bar to slap her firmly on the rear.
The girl winced, her face flushing a deep red.
"Young, too. Ya don't find many this fresh."
The innkeeper's crude laughter ended in a fit of coughing, and Frederick took the moment to further assess the girl before him. She was so slight, likely from malnourishment, and her right eye was blackened from abuse. Yet despite all that she was clearly beautiful; a radiant flower growing amid filth. He imagined hers would be a story worth hearing.
"Yes, I think I will partake of some company," he told the innkeeper.
Clearing his throat, the grubby man asked, "Are you wantin' to see the others? We got a few more to choose from if ya prefer 'em broken in."
"No, no, this one will be fine."
"She'll cost ya a bit more," the innkeeper told him, scratching his bearded chin.
Frederick nodded and pulled a stack of coins from his purse. "Will this do?"
Glassy eyes bulging, the man scooped the money from the counter with a vigorous nod. "Let's get you to yer room."
He came out from behind the bar, leading them toward the back of the inn and into a dark hallway. The young girl followed hurriedly after him, not speaking a word as they entered a small room. There was a questionable looking bed on a tottery frame in the center of the room, a chair in one corner and a bucket in the other.
"Here ya are! Will yer friend be wantin' company?" the man inquired.
"No, that will be all. If you could direct him to his own room once he arrives I would be most appreciative."
He nodded. "If ya need anything else - a drink, a meal, another girl – you just give me a holler!"
Shutting the door with a sigh, Frederick turned to address the young lady, startled to find she'd already begun undressing. Laughing softly, he reached out and took hold of her hands. "No need for that, my dear. That's not what I'm after."
She gave him a questioning look.
He strolled around the room and sat in the lone chair, adjusting himself when it creaked a little under his weight. He gestured for her to have a seat on the bed if she so desired. "I merely want to chat."
Faye frowned, pulling the sleeves of her dress back into place. Men never wanted to 'chat'. Then again, this man was rather different than most of the men who stayed at the inn. He was a little older, but appeared clean and – judging by his clothing – wealthy. His smile was pleasant, but she had learned long ago that a charming face could be very misleading. Being sure to keep an eye on him she stepped back toward the bed, settling herself on the dingy mattress.
"Your name is Faye?" he inquired.
She nodded.
"And how is it, Faye, that you came to be here? A lovely girl like you could have easily married." When her gaze fell to the floor in response to his question, he smiled. "You needn't answer. It is your story to tell or to keep after all."
Again he surprised her, and she peered up at him through the part of her hair. He was so kind, this man, but what did he want from her? There was always a price to be paid, after all.
"Forgive my boldness, um… Sir?"
Realising he'd yet to introduce himself, he stood with a horrified gasp, pleading, "No, forgive me, young lady! For me to have so easily forgotten my manners! Seems my time on that rutted road might have jostled my senses!"
He tucked into a little bow, tipping his hat to her. "I am Frederick Thistlewood, but please, call me Frederick."
She composed herself, having been rather startled by his sudden and eccentric reaction. "Frederick… forgive my boldness, but if you do not want my company, might I ask what it is you are seeking?"
Her voice was so soft, but she was well-spoken; obviously not born into this lifestyle. He smiled at her sadly. "Do you wish to leave this place, my dear?"
Her reaction was a mix of surprise and panic, and her eyes darted swiftly to the door, as though she expected someone to burst through at any moment.
"You have my word; nothing you say will leave this room."
She seemed to think on the question for a while but then sighed, her shoulders drooping. "It does not matter what I want. This is my lot in life."
Frederick stepped toward her, noting the way her body seemed to stiffen in preparation. Moving slowly, he knelt before her, taking her trembling hand in his. "It does not have to be. I could take you away from this place."
She looked from his hand to his face, searching it for any traces of deception.
He smiled. "Your uncertainty is understandable, dear girl; life has been unkind to you. But the choice is yours to make, and I do not require an answer just now."
Standing again, he turned and made his way back toward the chair. Easing into it, he instructed her, "Think on it, would you? Give me your answer in the morning."
Faye stood to leave.
"You may stay and rest if you like. I imagine you are in need of a full night's sleep."
She stopped, turning back to look at him. He nodded to her and slid further into the chair, pulling his hat down to rest over his face. She remained there, studying him for some time until the light sounds of his snoring reached her ears. Slowly, carefully, she approached the bed, watching him all the while. When nothing changed she pulled the ratty coverlet back and settled herself on the mattress, resting her head on the thin pillow. She lay there for a short while longer, wondering over his offer.
Did he mean what he said? Could he possibly take her away from this awful place? She tried not to pay too much attention to the fluttering in her gut. Hope had never gotten her anywhere before. But… it was nice to imagine he meant it… and that he could take her away from this horrible place. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before long she was unable to fend off sleep any longer. That night she dreamt that the filthy grey walls of her cage fell away, and the blue sky stretched endlessly overhead.
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