Elrond had been serious when he said I'd be severely punished if he found out I was up to something. Not only did he take away all of my weapons, but also he took away the last piece of freedom I had. For the following year I was followed around by guards and one of my ladies everywhere I went; during night time Anira would sleep in my chambers as well. I was being watched every waking and sleeping moment. The lack of freedom drove me crazy, the last bit of my fire had been extinguished and I resigned to the idea of ever leaving Rivendell. Until one day as I walked up for dinner I found the door to the armory, if I had to shed blood to get out of this place I would, no more sneaking around it was time to put all of my skills to the test.
*
Today was the day of my last chance at freedom. If I blew it this time who knows what Elrond would do to me. Anira woke me up that morning and everything went as it usually did; I bathed, I got dressed and I headed towards the dinning hall for breakfast. Today the whole of Rivendell was busy planing the party for the last light of summer and the first day of fall. Today would be the perfect day to escape this place once and for all.
During breakfast I made conversation with Lord Ganlas who recently had been showing more interest in me than ever before. This pleased Elrond and I knew that if things kept going the way they were I'd end up married to the man who'd called me a savage.
"Lady Caladhiel you look lovely this morning." Ganlas said as he studied my green silk gown, my snow blond hair was braided so that my face would be shown off.
"Thank you Lord Ganlas, you're very kind." I replied and smiled shyly at him.
Ganlas scooted over closer to me, his blue green eyes bore into me and I felt myself turning bright red. "Would you care to accompany me for a walk?" He asked.
"That sounds lovely my Lord." I bowed my head and couldn't help but notice he had a malicious grin.
"Come on then." He said standing up and taking hold of my hand.
In this very public display of interest all eyes were on us. I noticed Randiriel grinning over at us and her friends stared at me with envy. Lord Ganlas led me down the stairs, over to the courtyard and from there we made our way to the gardens. The day was cloudless, the sun shone brightly above us and the air smelled like flowers and rain. Lord Ganlas didn't let go of my hand the whole time we walked in silence; the man disgusted me but he was better off as an ally rather than an enemy. I leaned into him more and I noticed a pleased smirk grow on his face.
"Today is such a lovely day." I sighted and looked coquettishly over at Ganlas.
His grin turned into a wicked smile and he pressed me against a tree. "You are so beautiful Caladhiel." He said and then the unthinkable happened; his lips crashed into mine, I tried pulling my face away from him but he was far too strong, his hands gripped my hips pressing me to him in order for me to feel all of him. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to do this." He panted and his lips started to trail down my neck, over my colar bone and towards my breasts.
"My Lord this isn't appropriate please." I cried even though I felt a wave of pleasure overpower me. His hands moved over to my behind and he gripped it tight. I let out a scream but he placed his mouth over mine. I tried pushing him off but he had me pinned against a tree.
"I couldn't wait any longer. Elrond will announce our engagement tonight so what I'm doing to you is my right." He gasped against my neck.
Ganlas crouched below me and started lifting up the hem of my skirt, his hand slid up my leg and into my inner thigh, he wrapped my leg around him so he could easily slip a finger inside me. It was painful and I started to cry yet the pleasure was too much for me to scream. "You are enjoying this aren't you'?" He asked even though he noticed the tears staining my cheeks, his skilled fingers went in and out of me until I reached a state of euphoria and screamed loudly both in fear and ecstasy. Ganlas let go on me and once I was free from his grasp I slapped him with all of my strength.
"Don't you ever touch me again!" I screamed.
Ganlas took hold of my arm and pressed his forehead to mine. "Wait until you're mine and you will wish you'd never slapped me you savage." He twisted my arm and I screamed in pain. "Meet me in my quarters after the party, if you don't come I'll find you and it will be much worse for you." With that being said he threw me to the ground and left.
It was clear to me now that I needed to get out of here and killing Lord Ganlas would be the perfect distraction. The plan that brewed in my head consisted of stealing a dagger from the armory, meeting Ganlas in his quartes and killing him, after that everyone would be too busy looking for a killer to notice my absence.
*
Night fell upon us and Anira and Melda were getting me ready for the party. I was dressed in a white silk gown with intricate gold beading along the neckline, the sleeves were made up of lace and the gown fell to the floor.
"You looked flustered this afternoon my lady." Melda pointed out. "Does it have something to do with Lord Ganlas? Did he say something to you?"
Just remembering his attempt in having his way with me and then his looming threat sent chills up my spine. "It has nothing to do with him. It's just that today was such a hot day. The heat makes my skin turn red." I lied.
After lunch I'd manage to lie to the guard trailing behind me that I needed to use the baths because I was feeling dirty which was half true. I'd sneaked over to the armory which was unlocked and stole a sharp looking dagger; with a piece of leather I strapped it to my thigh and before the ladies came in to dress me I'd hid it underneath my pillow.
"Are you ready to go upstairs my lady?" Anira asked with a smile.
"You can get going I just need to get something first." I ordered. The ladies didn't say anything but they looked at each other suspiciously.
"Vey well." They said in unisone.
Once they were outside I made my way towards my bed, took out the dagger and strapped it around my thigh. I stepped out of my room and caught up with them. Together we made our way down to the courtyard where the party was being held.
*
The night sky was cloudless and filled with starts. During the party I became Elrond's shadow not wanting to be near Ganlas or at least not alone with him. I was debating on whether I should kill him or beg Elrond to send me away. You can't back out now Caladhiel, Ganlas dies tonight I thought to myself.
I tried enjoying the party as much as I could. I mingled with a few other elves and kept my distance from Ganlas; I could feel him staring at me and every time I met his eyes the disgusting memories of him touching me made me want to vomit. I sipped on wine; too much wine but I needed liquid courage in order to complete the task ahead of me. I was standing by myself in the middle of the courtyard when I felt a hand rest just above my behind.
"Meet me in my chambers in ten minutes, tonight will be a night you wont forget." Ganlas said against my ear.
Once he was gone I started to walk out of the party and apparently my absence went unnoticed. I made my way up to his chambers and opened the door. Before going in I checked that I wasn't being followed which surprisingly I wasn't. Once I stepped inside Ganlas took hold of my hand, he was already undressed and I couldn't help but noticed his chiseled torso and broad muscular shoulders.
"Come here." He said as he shut the door behind me. With one hand he grabbed my waist and with the other one he started unbuttoning my dress.
His lips crashed into mine and I tried to pretend I enjoyed it but in reality I couldn't wait to have the dress off to have easy access to my dagger and slit his throat. His hands undid the buttons of my dress fast and it fell to the ground. Ganlas led me to his bed and lay me down. I was naked and at his complete mercy but he didn't seem to notice the dagger strapped to one of my legs. He kissed my neck and my breasts then his hand made its way up my leg but before he could get to the dagger I got to it first.
"What are you doing?" He asked nervously as I slashed his hand. He immediately screamed in searing pain and got off of me.
"No one touches me you understand?" I had the dagger against his throat but before I could do the final motion to end with his pathetic life the door swung open.
"Lord Ganlas." It was Elrond. "Caladhiel?" I let go of the dagger and immediately two guards seized me.
"Let go of me!" I screamed as I tried to wiggle away from their tight grasps.
"Take her to her chambers and when I call for her bring her to me." Elrond ordered and so they followed.
I was taken into my chambers, got dressed and sat down in bed until one of the guards came into my room.
"Lord Elrond will see you now." He said in an authoritarian voice.
I nodded, far to embarrassed to speak. I stood up and followed him all the way to Elrond's study. I opened the door and my eyes landed on Elrond's. He looked furious, far more than he did when he caught me escaping Rivendell and this time I was truly scared.
"Do you think I have time to deal with you Caladhiel?" He asked rhetorically. He came closer to me and I could sense the anger emanating from every part of his being. "An assassination attempt on Ganlas? Are you serious, what were you thinking?" He asked again.
I remained silent and looked down to the floor. Then I felt Elrond's hand slide under my chin and lift my face up to face him.
"I could have you thrown in the dungeon, I could have you executed. But I know you did it on self defense. Nevertheless you can't stay here, Ganlas will plead for your execution and I promised Galadriel and your father I'd keep you safe." His words sounded desperate and true. His eyes became softer and he showed me in that moment that he truly cared. "Times of war are upon us, I have no time to deal with you and your foolishness. Erebor has been attacked and seized by a dragon and the Orcs have returned to Middle Earth. I promised your father I'll keep you safe but I can't do it here."
"What do you mean?" The words came out with difficulty and my voice sounded defeated. "Where are you sending me?"
"Tomorrow morning you'll leave for Mirkwood. I'll notify Thranduil of your arrival. You're in good hands there Caladhiel trust me." His voice sounded defeated as well and he wrapped me into a hug. "Don't get into any trouble child."
With that being said I was sent back to my chambers to pack. I was to leave at the break of dawn for a new place, with new people and a new master to serve.