A special boy by chrissystriped

Chapter One

Sharû stood with his men in the cave and watched the slaves. Fresh meat. It was important to show presence so they didn’t get ideas. It were mostly elves of the new kind. Taller than the ones he had known until now and with a light in their eyes that almost hurt if they looked too long at you. Well, soon they would walk as bowed as their kin.

Sharû had heard that they had followed the King, they wanted the jewels from his crown. Hedcould only shake his head at so much unreasonableness. Did they really think they could take it up with King Melkor? He was a God! Sharû saluted Mormirion when he entered the room. Mormirion nodded at him, but he had no smile for him today, his face was hard. He had to get it across to the new slaves what they were now, he couldn’t show friendliness in front of them.

Not all of them would accept it immediately, but in time... Sharû had never met a slave that hadn’t bowed at last. Either they followed the rules or they died. Mormirion told the elves in no uncertain terms what was expected from them and also how any rebellious act would be answered. Sharû watched the new slaves closely, looking for troublemakers. He’d gotten good at reading the signs over the years and those were the ones he'd need to make examples of.

“Take them away and feed them, Captain”, Mormirion finally ordered. Softly he added: “Leave the little brown-haired one. Third row to the left, do you see him? He’s mine.”

Sharû followed the Maia’s gaze. He was smaller than the other elves in the room, maybe as tall as him, but much lighter built. Sharû nodded.

“Understood, sir.”

The boy’s grey eyes were wide with panic when Mormirion approached him. Sharû shrugged and gave his orders. The boy didn’t know it, but to have caught Mormirion’s eye just now was the best that could have happened to him. A Maia was better than several orcs.

“To the main cave”, he said to his soldiers and barked at the slaves: “Go! Hurry, you rats.”

He let his whip crack. It was better to be rough at first. They shouldn’t get wrong ideas. He could turn a blind eye now and then but they had to earn it.

It was late, the cave deserted after mealtime. It was a day’s march from Angband to the mines, if you hurried and pushed the slaves. These poor sods were on their feet since dawn. Sharû unlocked the storeroom and let hand out a piece of bread to everyone. “You won’t get more today. And from tomorrow you’ll get food according to your work. Better try hard!”

Sharû waited until all had eaten. He always paid attention that everyone got what they deserved.

“Follow”, he ordered and distributed the slaves to the different sleeping caves.

It was always crammed, even when they were shorthanded. When all slaves were placed, he let his men muster in the main cave.

“Hashtu, Draug, Merakh, Wormud. Patrol. The rest of you: don’t take it too far. Dismissed!”

There was grumbling from the four guards, they would miss the fun, but it couldn’t be helped. Sharû had already chosen one of the new slaves, but that had to wait for another day, too. He would stand on guard himself for the rest of the night. To make sure that the guard didn’t give in to temptation and to stop anything that went too far. Slaves were here to work. It was allowed to have a little fun with them but he didn’t allow excessive violence.

A while later, he just came back from his round, he met Mormirion coming from one of the caves.

“Was he good?”

Sharû grinned at him. He had only been able to take a glance at the elf.

“Oh, not bad at all. Very compliant.”

Sharû noticed with surprise that Mormirion had a small smile on his lips. Because of the slave?

“Taken by him, are you?”

Mormirion shrugged and winked. “Maybe. I didn’t have him for the last time. But I don’t want this to become common knowledge. I don’t need gossip about it.”

“Of course, sir.” Sharû bowed. “So he’s free to use?”

“As every slave. Let him be a few days. He’s a little rattled.”

“They all are at first.” Sharû shrugged. “Are you becoming soft?”

Mormirion shook his head. “No, but he was obedient. It’s rare for one of them to not need any... persuasion. That can be rewarded.”

Sharû was a little surprised. He hadn’t given him a direct order, but he did understand.

“I’ll make sure that no one touches him the next few days, sir.”

Mormirion nodded. “Quiet watch, Captain.”