The Slave Caravan

Blue Covered Wagon

    I let out a long tired moan. I was laying flat on my stomach and my stomach was beginning to tingle because of the position I was in. It had been two days since I had my lashings and three days since I had last been in Pyrite-Coal. We were on the move just like we usually were except for potty breaks and the night time. The cloth above the wagon had a slight tear in it making the sun rays come in, unfortunately the sun was right where my head had been laying. I couldn't move much since I had to lay out in the middle of the wagon and all around me were chained up men, and dwarves. Bofur had been taking good care of me since my lashings and he always helped me out with things such as eating. Bofur sat in front of me. Gimli was there also in the cart, but I didn't know him that well since he was always at home. He was ten years younger than I if I remembered correctly. He sat to my right. His father was dealt with the money, so he went with many caravans, and he brought Gimli everywhere with him. He was our second cousin from our Father's side.

    The doors opened from the back of the wagon. A guard with the name of "Torch" came in. He began to do all of the chains from the wagon wall. All of the chained "property" walked out of the wagon still chained together. I then felt tight fingers wrap around my ankles and being pulled. My bare chest scraped against the rough wood flood. I put my hands on the floor and pushed myself up to a sitting position. Torch was pretty amused by my strength.

"Well look at that, you can pick yourself up today. Do you still need someone to carry you to a nearby tree," Torch asked teasing me a bit. I scootched to the edge of the wagon, I slowly gathered courage to jump off the wagon. I then jumped down and landed on the ground. I landed on my left foot and balanced out my landing with my right foot. I looked up at Torch. He nodded his head as to give me permission to walk. I took a few steps ,and I stopped to recollect my breath. I looked over at a few guards who were watching me. They all knew that I couldn't run away. I began to walk towards an empty tree. I did my business. I turned around to find the large man with red hair.

Form what Bofur told me he was the Master enslaver. His name was Evander. His wife was the one that I had kissed the night at the festival. She was the reason I was in this situation. Also, that's why I received the fifteen lashings

"It looks like you have recovered," Evander told me. I looked down at the floor, afraid that he might give orders to whip me again. It hurt my pride, but I needed to stay quiet and calm. He grabbed my blonde hair and pulled it back, so I looked up at him.

"You make eye contact me when I'm talking to you, boy," he told me as he held my hair firmly. I was frightened by his actions all that I could do was nod to him. He let go of my hair and I let my head fall back into it's normal position which was straight forward.

"Torch, go get this dwarf another shirt. He bled through the last one I gave him," Evander ordered. I looked up at Evander. My pride was hurt, but all I could do was seem thankful to the master.

"Thank you, sir. You have shown me mercy when I have shown you nothing," I thanked him as I bit back my tongue from saying awful things. Evander looked down at me and rolled his eyes. He could probably see right through me. He walked away with nothing better to say. I watched him go to the main wagon. I then turned back to see Bofur and the others headed back towards the wagon. My journey to the wagon would be long, so I had better start walking. Every movement I had it seemed to make my back burn even more, but I wanted everyone to see that I was strong. Torch met me halfway there and gave me a folded shirt. I didn't say anything to him, and he didn't say anything to me.

    I finally got to the wagon after a five minute walk. The guard held out his hand for me, so that I could get into the wagon. I didn't take his offer and heaved myself up into the wagon as best as I could. I landed in the middle of the wagon flat on my stomach. The wagon doors closed behind me and were locked. I turned to Bofu who was watching me carefully. I sat up the best that I could and took off my old shirt. I looked down at my chest and six pack which was covered in dried blood. I then looked at the old shirt to see that I had completely bled through the back. I put the new tan shirt over me and laid back into my place. I used my old shirt as a pillow so I could lay my face down on to it. I put my arms beside me and my legs straight as a board. I could feel that we were back on the move.

"Fili," a voice asked. It wasn't a man's voice, it had a feminine sound to it. I picked myself up and looked around me. Only to find Bronwyn at the small window of the door. The window was too small and wide for one to stick his hand out of. I rolled my eyes and turned away from her. She was the only reason I was here. She was the devil that cursed me. I gave a deep stressful sigh. I closed my eyes to fall asleep and get out of this situation I was in. I don't think she disturbed the wagon anymore.

    The wagon door opened and a guard displayed rolls and mugs of water to all of us, except for me. I picked myself up and turned to the guard who crossed his arms. He already knew what I was going to ask.

"We have a different wagon for royalty, and no worries we are bound to meet up with someone who loves royalty. Do you know who Azog is," the guard asked me. My mouth felt dry all around and I began to sweat. They couldn't be talking about Azog the defiler, he died many years ago from his wounds. I choked back on tears. I looked back at Bofur who held his mouth wide open.

"Well, let's get a move on, your highness," the guard played as he held out his hand for me. I gave the guard an evil look. I was done, I was so done with being treated like a doll. I was the righteous prince of Erebor and they were going to pay for what they had done to me. I scootched to the edge of the wagon and jumped off. I landed just like I planned and followed the guard to my new wagon.

    The wagon was no better than the one I was just in. I laid flat on my stomach and laid my head down on a pile of straw. I was alone in the wagon and I had no one to talk to. I hid my face in the straw as my mind swarmed with raw thoughts.

How the hell did they find out I was a prince? What were they talking about when they talked about Azog? Why was in a "special" wagon? Was Thorin coming to rescue me? Where am I? When was I going to meet Azog?

All of these questions were driving me crazy, and none of them were going to be answered. All I could do was lay here and pout. No, I wasn't going to pout. I needed some answers, and I planned on getting some. But, first I needed to leave a clue for Thorin, if he was coming to rescue me. I tore a piece of my old shirt off. I then undid one of my beads from my hair. Now that I was alone I could pull off this stunt with no one telling the guards. I knew that if Kili was with Thorin than they would identify it was me, since Kili always helped me put bead into my braids. I pulled the bead onto the strip of bloody cloth. I then tied the bead into piece on the cloth. I went over to the small opening. I dropped the bead and cloth. I watched as the guards and wagons crossed over it. I laid back knowing that I was brilliant.