Vermin

The Trade

Once I had fallen out of a tree. I was hunting for squirrels, I had climbed to the top where a nest of them were. Damien below, directing me closer and closer. Suddenly, I had lost my footing and fell six meters to the ground. The air had been knocked from me, and I struggled to breath for several moments.
That is how I felt now. Mouth gaping open at my little brothers pleading eyes.
"Not-not fair." I croaked out, still keeping my eyes on Elfie.
"Oh I think it's perfectly fair." Said the King casually. He was picking at his perfectly groom nails, as if he wasn't about to pull a family apart. I looked over at Asha, but she had suddenly become very interested in her pockets. My breathing started to quicken. Elfie was the reason I was living. Elfie was my life force. He was the reason I got up to go into the woods, knowing it was that or see him starve. He was the only reason I decided to continue living, after my father gone I hadn't want to step foot in the woods again. But seeing his face drove me onward.
"Please." I begged, "anything but him." He looked at me long and hard.
"No." I dropped to my knees.
"Please, take my life instead, anything but him."
"No." The King of Tiyrin said coldly. "And anyway, he looks like he'd be a good servant, with proper training of course. Though, he is rather too pretty. I wouldn't want the maids getting any ideas when he grew up. Perhaps a few scars to the cute little face would help." Elfie let out a whimper.
"If you dare lay a finger on him-" Olsen dragged him over to the King.
"What like this?" The King said innocently. Taking Elfie's ear between his thumb and finger. With a sharp pinch, he twisted it back. Elfie's scream rang out in the hall. I lunged forward snarling. But it was useless, the guards had a too tight grip on me. They held me at bay, knifes at my throat.
"Take her away." The King said in a bored voice.
"ELFIE!"
"Stop!" Her voice rang out across the hall. Asha leaped from her chair. I breathed a sigh of relief, perhaps she could convince her father other wise.
"My mirror! That thief tried to steal my mirror!" She ran towards me, pulling Elfie with her. "It's in her pocket look! Your sisters nothing but a thief see?" She said, pulling Elfie closer to me. She made a point of fumbling round for the mirror, which had been tucked into my coat. I stared at Elfie, willing into my eyes the apology, the love, the sorrow all at once. And despite the fact he had only been one in this cruel world for four years, I think he understood every emotion I sent his way.
"Ah! There it is!" And Asha was forced to pull Elfie away. But I was thankful for the last goodbye she gave me. I looked into her beautiful eyes once more. Look after him. She nodded, so slightly the guards missed it. Then as the doors closed behind me, and the realisation hit me. I wasn't going to see Elfie ever again.
"ELFIE!"
"Ani!"
"I promise I'll get you back Elfie!" I called out, desperation taking over. But how could I get him out of this hell hole? I screamed again, kicking out. A large hand clasped round my hair, digging into the roots until the tears welled up in my eyes. A husky, cruel voice sounded in my ear.
"You can try girly, but you'll be slaughtered on sight." I gulped, still panting as he released me.
I didn't stop fighting and cursing until they dumped me over the wall.

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