Author's Note: Ok. So this is the first chapter of hopefully many to come, and I hope (and pray) that you all like it. If you do please review! If not, please no flames, my temper is hard to control, and I don't want to have to go off on you! -

Disclaimer: Not mine. Never was, never will be. (Except my own characters, whom should be rather easy to spot, considering you probably won't recognize them…)

Enjoy!

Yay for a chapter revamp!

OKAY PEPS! I AM CHANGING ALL THE CRAPPY NAMES AT LAST! NO MORE GRUMBBLES!

Chapter One

Sales and Purchase

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There was an auction today. Every slave was nervous. The man who owned them, who bred them, was cruel. He would walk up and down the rows of stock like some sadistic falcon, seeking out his prey. He would select the fittest for the hard labor, the graceful for services, and the best looking to be sold to the brothels. The creatures he tormented could only stare at their feet, or at the chains that kept them from running.

Some of them could remember the days before men came into power, before they had risen. Their race had lived in peace then, walked in light and learned from the gods themselves what life was. They had had great schools of thought, beautiful cities, and been a magnificent people. But no more. Now they were slaves, at the mercy of their masters' whims.

They could remember, but they could not run… could not escape this horrid fate…

There was an auction today.

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Aragorn awoke that morning with a feeling of restlessness about him. There was to be a slave auction that afternoon, and he was supposed to go and purchase more slaves for the palace. Even though he was allowed to go through and purchase the slaves before the actual auction took place, he hated it, but he knew it was his duty as crown prince to do so.

He sighed resignedly, rubbing his face, and rolled out of bed.

He emerged from his room a few minutes later, and was greeted by the pleasant face of one of his servants, a female he called Aphara.

"Good Morning Your Majesty!" she said, her pale green eyes sparkling. "Did you sleep well?"

He smiled indulgently at her. She, with her beautiful eyes and red-orange hair had fascinated him from the moment he had saw her, and he had felt compelled to keep her as his own. At first she had been shy and quiet, the way the slaves had been trained to be, but after she learned that Aragorn wanted her to be a person, not just a slave, she began to open up to him. Only he gave his slaves names, and treated them decently. He even let his slaves, Aphara included, call him by his name. The other owners treated their slaves like something one of their hounds had trodden in, or worse.

"I slept well enough," he replied smiling.

Aphara gave him one of her dazzling smiles and nodded. "And what would you like for breakfast this fine morning?"

Aragorn sighed slightly. "Why don't you surprise me?"

She nodded again, and then bustled out of the room.

Aragorn pulled the bell rope, ringing in Varin. The tall creature entered, his blond hair pulled back from his face, and his blue eyes looking tired but subservient enough.

"You rang, My Lord?"

"Yes, I need you to fetch my better attire for matters of state, there is an auction today, and I don't want to be out dressed by some slave dealer."

Varin's eyes went wide for a moment; all thoughts of sleep forgotten, then bowed shortly murmuring, "Yes my lord," before turning to leave.

"Oh and Varin?"

He stopped and turned back to Aragorn, an almost urgent look in his eyes. "Yes my lord?"

"Send in Nerin on your way out…"

Varin bowed again and left, almost seeming to be in a rush to get out the door.

Nerin walked in a moment later, her dark hair still slightly mussed from sleep.

"Good morning my lord." She said, her low voice slightly accented with slumber.

"Good morning Nerin," he said, enjoying the sight of her. "Would you be willing to fetch the price limits from my father? There is a rather large sale today, and I will be handling the transaction…"

"Sale?" she questioned, her crystal blue eyes wide, "You mean a slave auction?"

Aragorn smiled inwardly. Her questioning nature was one of the things he thoroughly enjoyed about her. "Yes, a slave auction."

She gasped slightly, her eyes going even wider and becoming very bright. "Are any of us to be sold? Oh please tell me we aren't Aragorn…"

Aragorn laughed outright, and gave her a slight kiss on her forehead. "NO. I would never sell any of you." He turned her towards the door, and gave her a slight push. "Now go get those papers for me!"

Nerin nodded, and went out, admitting Aphara as she did, who held a tray bearing a bowl of berries in cream, and sweet bread and tea. He smiled at her as she set the tray down then began to eat. He would need his energy if he was going to be dealing with an auctioneer…

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The slave was willful, that was distinct. It refused to do anything for Barater, who had tried to train it into submission. But some of the creatures had to be more severely trained than others, especially those who had been "royalty" in yester year.

"You are a slave, boy," spat Barater, "So you will do as you are instructed!"

The thing just stared at him fiercely, silent still. Barater could see why its previous owner had been so eager to get rid of it. The being was extremely difficult to manage.

"Did you hear me slave!" he hissed, grabbing the boys jaw and lifting its head up roughly. The creature just continued to stare at him defiantly. Barater dropped its jaw, and then backhanded it, causing it to stumble into the slave next to it. It straightened its self up quickly though, and stared defiantly at Barater, even though a bruise was beginning to form along its cheekbone. Barater hit him again, even harder than before.

"That is for your insolence slave! And mind you do what I ask, or next time you won't be getting just a bruise!"

Barater stormed off, his good mood for the morning nearly ruined. But he would not let some slave ruin his morning, he thought, I have a real royal to entertain…

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The Slave would not let an insolent little braggart of a slave dealer get at him. He had lived through much worse beatings, and other things that he cared not to remember, so he knew he could stand a slight bruise. Once the dealer was gone he began to cure him softly, in the native tongue of his people.

The boy next to him laughed slightly then gave him a side-glance.

( "You are either a fool, or very brave, to not do as the humans say.") He said with a slight smile.

("I am neither.")

("Ah, but you must be…and you dare to speak our tongue?")

The "boy" looked at him oddly, then smiled slightly. ("So do you.")

("I have not been through as much as you have, so I dare. But you? You have obviously been through much and seen many things that none of us should ever have to see…")

He snorted, then turned to look his unbruised neighbor fully in the eye. ("I have been through, much, yes,") he began, ("But even through all the brothels and services and labor I have yet to see what the truly brave are willing to face.")

("And what is that?")

He smiled slightly, then sighed. ("Death")

The other appraised him for a moment with raised eyebrows, then turned to face the front again.

("Where ever I am sold to, I pray that you are sold with me.")

The other simply laughed again, and turned to face the front as well, ignoring the bruise on his cheekbone the best he could.

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Aragorn browsed through the rows of slaves occasionally stopping to select one to be added to the working staff of the palace. He did not enjoy the work, but it needed to be done.

"Ah, my lord, this one was a twin, but I was unable to procure the other. He is wonderful working stock, just look at the muscle in those shoulders…"

Aragorn looked up from his papers long enough to eye the creature in front of him, then nodded. Barater shoved the slave out of line, towards the rest of the group that was to be purchased. He looked over the other slaves in the line, then down at the paper, then back up again. He saw startled by what he saw.

There stood, despite the bruise on his face, a picture of perfection. His shirtless torso was slim and well muscled, but it hinted at grace as well as strength. He was obviously proud by the way he held himself, with a straight back, and as if he was above everyone else there. He also posed a great beauty, with long silken blonde hair and blue silver eyes that could cool a fire. Aragorn felt instantly captivated by the slave, and drew near him.

"Ahahaha," Laughed Barater slightly, "My lord, I apologize for my saying so, but this one is not worth it, he is far to stubborn, and is…"

"Put him with the others."

Barater spluttered. "What? My Lord, you cannot be serious…"

"I am. Put him with the others. " Said Aragorn, who was staring the slave in the eye. He could see an inner fire in his eyes, and Aragorn knew he had spirit…

"Yes my lord…" Barater pulled on the chain that held the slaves hands and pushed him towards the direction of the single twin.

Aragorn watched him go interestedly, then turned back to Barater who looked ready to please.

" I believe our business is done for now… this should be plenty until next time…"

"But of course, my lord." Said Barater and he slinked off to arrange his payment.

Aragorn still stared off after the fiery creature. He would most definitely have to be added to his personal entourage…

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