Measures of Mercy [M] [Lion]

[GoblinFae]

The lies, the fake tears, the epic sob story were all tricks of Navarre's trade. She excelled in it after years of practice and implementation for her master's sport. Humans were easily lured creatures but elves, especially Avariels were a different sort. They were skittish and wary, far more perceptive than the duller creatures that would later ensnare them.

All the same she toned down on some of her theatrics to the point where she was only sniffling and draped against Theiryk as if she did not have the strength left in er to keep herself upright anymore. "His chief won't know us, Teiryk. We won't be captives long enough for them to know better either. What did he say exactly? I," Navarre sighed, feeling a bit of true embarrassment, "I don't speak elvish."

[Lion]

Theiryk sighed and grunted to right himself.  Those tears were awfully realistic.  But he didn't bother commenting on it.  After all she'd fooled even him before.  "He spoke the old tongue of Wild Elves.  Tiagan, as it's known in some other elven circles," he explained and looked down at her.

"I'm not as unknown as you might think. These clans war often amongst each other and they know the leaders and children of their rivals...  I used to be the son of a rather prominent one...  They will know me.  Even if I hadn't told them my name."

[GoblinFae]

"You didn't tell me that," she replied softly with a tinge of disapproval. "What do they do to each other? What will they do to us?" Navarre pulled away enough to look at him with wide, red-rimmed eyes still wet with tears. Her gaze shifted across his face back and forth as if searching for an unspoken answer that he had yet to give.

[Lion]

What would they do with them?  There were quite a few things they could do. Torture just being one of them.  But there was little they could gain from torturing a fake pregnant woman.  In their situation, a might make a decent pair of servants. 

"Between each other, clans quarrel for territory and resources, trade at times of peace, and kidnap or murder anyone in the way.  As for us, there might be something to gain, bargaining tools against my father and anything he might have of theirs."

[GoblinFae]

Navarre remained still and quiet for a moment as she considered what he had just told her. "So as long as they consider us to have value we will remain alive. Does your father have anything of value to return, Theiryk?" After a pause she added, "they wouldn't murder a pregnant woman, would they?"

[Lion]

"It's likely. But I haven't had contact with him for a number of years.  The feeling is mutual I'm certain.  You have to understand, clan law here is just as dangerous as the ground below.  Truth be told, I don't know if they'll kill you.  They're still weighing what we are worth," he said.

"If they were going to kill us, they would have done so already."

By then another guard came back, clearly not Jirou and instructed them to stand.  "You must be cleaned and bandaged.  Then the elder will see you."

[GoblinFae]

She had but a moment to huff at him and glare before the new guard came to give them orders. In a blink she was once more in the role of a frightened, pregnant wife as she clung to Theiryk and helped him to his feet. "Thank you, sir," Navarre stated meekly, daring to peek up at the new elf with a concerned smile. "May I know your name?"

[Lion]

This elf didn't seem to be buying her semantics.  Instead he grabbed Theiryk by the other arm to escort them properly.  Theiryk didn't have the energy to fend off the unwanted contact. 

"No," the elf answered firmly after a while.  "You will both be cared for.  Do not ask too many questions. The Nani will not answer them."

Theiryk was taken into a large hut, woven easily with twigs, branches and leaves to insulate and block out the sun.  A pair awaited them, a woman that carefully gestured for Theiryk to sit and a male to inspect Navarre of any wounds.

[GoblinFae]

Navarre took it all in stride, not once complaining or fighting their relocation as she genuinely assisted Theiryk and remained glued to his side. In fact it was only after she had assisted Theiryk in sitting for the other female that she realised who was left to treat her and froze. Her fingers tightened on his shoulder as her body began to shake and tears once more formed in her eyes.

As she was motioned forward she found her tongue lame as she could only shake her head vehemently in rejection of the command. "Theiryk," Navarre was finally able to croak out. "I can't. Not after Master," she clarified as she all but spit out the last word. She hoped that her companion would understand. Being touched was already something that the former salve struggled with but contact from a male especially one that could heal just as easily as harm her truly frightened her. Navarre's reactions were no longer meant for show but real. So as the male healer moved to take her by the hand she found herself backing up and tripping over Theiryk to fall just behind him. "Don't hurt me!"

[Lion]

Theiryk watched with shock as Navarre backpedaled hard into him, nearly toppling him over.  Shit!  She was going to get them killed.  The male elf stopped his advance toward her and looked to the other Wild Elf.

"Let me talk to her," Theiryk said and turned to Navarre to lean in close.  "Try to remain calm.  Would it be acceptable if I underwent it first?  You can just watch me.  These are healers.  They are meant to mend not break.  Would that be acceptable to you?"

[GoblinFae]

She took his hand within her own smaller one and gripped it fiercely as if afraid that he would suddenly disappear if she did not do so. "Promise?" Navarre asked, her voice shaking and child-like. "You won't leave me, Theiryk? They won't hurt me like," her hand balled up into white-knuckled fist at the unspoken name. "Please," she breathed, resting her head against his leg, her eyes pinched closed in fear.

[Lion]

He never saw her in such a state.  Although Theiryk wasn't fond of coddling, he wasn't in any mood to worry about how that might affect her. She needed him and instead gripped her hand rather than rejecting her.  "I promise. If you need, I can inspect you myself."

Theiryk nodded to the healers and after he allowed himself to under go their attention. He kept his whimpers to a minimum as they bound his ribs and rubbed salve on the bruising along his side.  They cleaned him down with cloths and oils and stepped back expectantly.

Theiryk cut eyes to Navarre.  "See it's not so bad."

[GoblinFae]

Taking a deep breath, Navarre attempted to let go of some of her fear. A bit still remained but it was enough that she could use it as a weapon to continue her little act of a scared and worried pregnant woman. She pet Theiryk's hair in a soothing gesture before leaning down and placing a kiss on his brow. "Thank you.

"The baby will be alright?" she questioned the healers, her hand placed over her belly as if to protect her unborn 'child' as she stood and turned to face them. At their encouraging nods, she allowed herself to be examined though her eyes immediately closed again and her hand remained firmly attached to Theiryk's as her sole lifeline during the entire albeit very quick ordeal.

[Lion]

Theiryk couldn't really go anyway until the healers were finished with their inspection of Navarre. He forced a smile, but he remained kind to her and never once let go of her hand.  His side was much alleviated, and he leaned down to kiss her cheek softly when it was over.

"How far along are you?" The male asked.

"Only just," Theiryk answered.  "It's been a long and trying road."

[GoblinFae]

Navarre squeezed her eyes shut as tightly as she squeezed Theiryk's hand. Blessedly it was nowhere near as bad as she feared and she was treated with gentle hands in no time at all. Her wounds were cleaned and treated with such care that she did not even realize that it was all over until Theiryk was placing another one of his kisses to her cheek.

She blinked her eyes open while loosening her grip upon his hand and nodding once to him in thanks for his kindness. Their moment was not to last though as they were quickly ushered away again, this time to the so-called leader of their clan.

[Lion]

He'd been doing a lot of that lately. That simple pressure of lips to her cheek.  And for what?  What did that even mean?  After what she did to him, he should have left her here with these Wildlings and their tentative attachments to their primitive traditions.  He swore to leave that world behind, there had been nothing here to hold him.

And yet here he was watching over this strange elven woman that had betrayed him then betrayed her master for him, and nearly broke in the stress of receiving healing.  Theiryk shook internally, remembering himself. And where they were being dragged off to.

The Chieftain and his council...

They were thrust into the hut none too gently either.  There the shaman that captured them stood before the pair and beside him were four others.  His tribunal, Theiryk thought, and watched them back, unable to control the disdain that was broiling in his eyes. He remembered Navarre was beside him.  She'd be a prize no less, but then again so was he, son of a rival clan.

"Kneel," the shaman instructed and he stood from the briar throne on which he saw, intertwined wood and vine that carried him and his constituents. "Please.  Theiryk Val'keirith and Navarre."  He paused a moment.  "Or should I call you Theiryk the Hunted."

Theiryk was quiet, dropping his head.

"Speak!"

He raised his head and looked to the warrior shaman.  "And say what?  Beg for my life?"

"You are Val'keirith's son, aren't you?" he asked levelly.  "Maybe you don't remember me?  Shirak.  It was long ago when you found a place in my camp. Our clans were at war then, and you were spirited away.  And now here you are again, in rival territory....  And you don't remember, do you?"

"Can't say that I do.  It is a backwards way of life, but life is savagery.  You simply learn to survive."

"At least that we can agree on," he said.  "You are at a disadvantage, however, Theiryk.  Your wife is pregnant, and you are here, a slave yet again.  Both of you would fetch quite a price.  But you're more valuable than you think..."  At this point, Shirak's expression turned grim and he grew angry.  "Two moons ago your clan sacked the eastern region of my territory, killed my warriors...and took my child as tribute.  And now here you are...not solely by providence."

"That is no longer my clan!  And I had nothing to do with your child being taken. I'm sorry for your loss, but I will not be party to it."

"That is not your choice.  You're a captive here in my camp.  And so is your wife, and if given time, your child."  Shirak stepped around the table and knelt beside Navarre.  "She is an interesting specimen.  And so will your progeny.  Perhaps we shall cut her open to find out."

[GoblinFae]

Navarre stood defiantly, her back straight and shoulders back in the face of a chieftain that was not her own and therefore in her mind had yet to earn her respect. She remained silent though and simply listened, not liking a single word that dripped from the poisonous snake's mouth. Theiryk's arguments certainly were not helping matters either. The mention of making her a slave again and even harming her and her "unborn child" was what finally sent her over the proverbial edge.

The she-elf laughed, first a low chuckle that just grew and grew into a loud, dark laughter. She met the eyes of the Chieftain, unafraid of punishment for her actions. "Shall I do it for you then? Cut the babe from my own flesh? Would that please you? You wouldn't even need dirty your own precious hands with such lowly blood as mine. How lucky for you that your slave is so accommodating."

She laughed again bitterly while shaking her head. In her agitation her "wings" twitched and spasmed moving across her back as a bird would stretch and flap their wings in warning. "Threaten me, elf. My life means nothing. Threaten him, it means little more. But my child, do you think it funny? Do you think it is meaningless? You who have lost a child would dare take another innocent's life? You're a fool!"

[Lion]

Shirak could take her defiance, even her laughter.  Her wit certainly brought promise of entertainment if he decided to go back on his plan and keep the pair instead...  Theiryk, however, was useless.  He had a point in the fact that he had nothing to do with the outcome of that raid. Rumors of his presence in the trees had been spread on the wind.

This female however, his mate...  She had promise.

Shirak remained quiet until she mentioned his child and then his hand flew hard across her face.  His expression was stern and the action alone made Theiryk stand up as if about to lunge for the warrior shaman.  "You sorry fuck!" Theiryk spat, hawking mucus down at his feet.

Guards came to hold Theiryk back and hold Navarre firmly.

Shirak maneuvered around the glob and gently pat the Avariel's cheek.  "Maybe I'll take you up on that offer.  You would certainly have value to Theiryk's clan, even if he would not.  If you carry his child, then you have a Wild Elf growing inside of you.  And that has value. Jirou....send a bird to Clan Vanadu. And Trazir take our guests to their accommodations."

Theiryk watched with wide-eyes as they were dragged away, feeling his stomach twist and sicken inside of him. His father, what was his father going to say?  What was he going to do!?  He was sure his father was going to kill him the moment he returned back home.

Home, was that even what it was anymore? He landed with a yelp when he was throw into the briar hut and the door promptly shut behind them.  The briary woven around them glittered in the faint fire of wax candles. The greenery here was treated and proofed against fire, and the light shone the small leather and fur bedrolls out along the sides, as well as the food that had been set out for them.

He supposed even prisoners were due some semblance of hospitality.

[GoblinFae]

Her head wiped to the side as she was nearly knocked right off her feet. While Theiryk raced to her defense, Navarre simply straightened and smiled, completely undeterred by the violence, after all it was a language she knew intimately. "You need only say so," she replied, her head cocking slightly in amused defiance as she continued to chuckle aloud.

She was soon dragged off with Theiryk, though she felt none of the fear nor concern that seemed to be plaguing him so fiercely. Instead she watched the route they were taken on, assessing her surroundings for any potential venues for escape. Sadly she found known and their so-called lodging were even less promising. Only once they were locked within and left relatively alone did she reach up to touch her injured cheek and feel the heat radiating off of it.

"Are you hurt?"

[Lion]

Theiryk was quiet and shifted toward one of the bedrolls, plopping down none too gently and crossing his legs, one over the other.  He looked thoroughly unhappy with what just happened, even with Navarre's cool exterior. It did nothing to assuage the sickness inside. The Wild Elf frowned deeply and when his eyes locked with hers, he shook his head.

"You had to say you that, didn't you?  That we were having a child?!"  he hissed, bitter and feeling the sickness grow.  If there was any of that food in his belly he might have retched then and there.

"Gods, this is a mess, Navarre. This isn't good."