The marks upon Addiel's wrist have just begun to fade. The wire had not cut deep; her struggles against her bonds during that time had been minimal. Perhaps, she thought, because she had allowed it to happen, and that the physical bindings bore no significance to the struggles within her mind and heart.
Deeply wounded was her memory of the man who had placed her in a deadly embrace to squeeze the light from her eyes; harmful, but comforting...forceful yet tender. The voice which once seemed comforting in calmness now shook with anger and rage, also carried the bitter discord of sadness. The dark face, of which she remembered framed by the red hazy glow of an approaching dawn, pierced by the glint of a silver gaze....now disfigured.
But none of it, would seem to perturb her more than what he spoke of that night; of the deeds committed by the man who she has devoted her life to cherishing, the lord from Gondor...who she has accepted to be bound to - one day; the man who is noble by birthright, who also lives and leads by virtues of an honorable man. Men without honor are capable of horrible deeds, but she also knew that a man who seeks to protect something as precious as family, a lover, a legacy....or ideal would find every means to do so. She found this true, of both her captor and beloved. Perhaps that is also the reason why her allegiances wavered, the lines blurred, twisting and distorting with every encounter. Each man would test his determination, gaging the strength of his purpose and resolve with a spectacular clash.
Those who wield the power to save the world ... also bear the power to destroy it.
A month and some time has passed since her rescue from the trap-laden dwelling, and she has worn a path through the garden of the estate, pacing with a shadow of estate guards wherever she went - to the kitchen, barracks ... privy (which she oft would whisper a word of appreciation for the sole female banner guard on staff). Her days had been spent - with the good intentions of the Lord of the House - in the watchful eyes of trusted staff and bound to the protection of the manor.
She watched the stand off, and the exchange of the prisoner to the arrival of masked vigilantes to accept a treatise of peace from her second story window. It was afterwards that Addiel found her pathways unrestricted, and that footsteps no longer echoed behind her upon her walks. The calm of peace settled in once more as ink upon parchment held each man to accord.
"This will not last" a shadow of doubt whispers in her ear. A familiar voice, one that bears wisdom and malice all at once rings deep in her memory. "The only reason to be subservient to those with power..is so that you can learn to one day take what they have".
