Will of the Valar

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the original characters and their adventures. The Tolkien Estate and New Line Cinema own Middle Earth and its regular denizens.

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She stood on the balcony of their bedchamber and watched as her husband placed an extra pair of leggings in his pack and tied it closed. He left it on their bed and came out to join her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close.

“Why can’t I come with you, Legolas?” Alexandra hated being left behind. She had been a warrior among her own people, and felt useless and strangely derelict in her duty when she remained behind as her husband led his Elven warriors in support of Gondor and Rohan against the Eastern Alliance. They had been at war, off and on, for over two years and his time spent at their home in Ithilien became more precious every day.

Legolas sighed. He wanted to take her with him, but did not want his wife in the midst of what was turning into a quagmire. He wanted to spend every moment with her: she was mortal; he was an Elf, a race so long-lived as to be immortal. Her time in Middle Earth would be shockingly short, by Elven standards, and he hated missing even one moment with her.

They had been married for a little over three years, but had been together almost five. Their relationship had not lacked for excitement and adventure; they had met as he journeyed to the east of Middle Earth to wrap up some loose ends following the War of the Ring. Alex had accompanied him, being a stranger to Middle Earth herself, and the seed of their love had been planted sometime during their journey. It blossomed in Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor when they returned from the mission successfully, and came to fruition at the Palace in Minas Tirith, home of Legolas’ dear friends Aragorn and his Elven queen, Arwen.

Shortly after their binding, Morgoth, the fallen Valar, pure evil itself, had stirred up the war with the Eastern Alliance. Alex had been kidnapped at the behest of Morgoth’s servant and Legolas and his Elven warriors had rescued her, uncovering a revenge plot against Legolas’ father, King Thranduil of Mirkwood. That matter was finally resolved and they had tried to settle back into a normal life. The Haradhrim and Easterlings, however, had other ideas, and so the war dragged on and on, ebbing and surging over the months.

The Lord of the Elves of Ithilien kissed his wife soundly. “Because you are too precious to me to be thrown into the middle of this war when it is not necessary.” He brushed her hair back from her face and looked into her eyes. “You have suffered enough, my love. You do not need to be around death and war.”

She tried to keep a straight face, but could not help but laugh. “Are you saying, I’m too ‘delicate’, my husband?”
He smiled and nodded, acknowledging her point. “Not at all. But you are too valuable. Besides, you can always visit Eowyn. Her time is drawing near.”

Alex tried to keep her expression neutral, but Legolas could sense her lack of enthusiasm. She and Eowyn had never really become friends. They each sort of tolerated the other because of their husbands’ friendship.

Legolas shook his head. “I do not understand why the two of you do not get along better.”

“We get along fine,” she replied. “We haven’t killed each other yet.”

“On second thought, do not visit Eowyn. I would hate to rush home with Faramir because the two of you have started a civil war in Ithilien.”

“Oh, if we were to start one, I assure you, none of her people would escape to let you know. Remember, I have Elves on my team.”

He laughed and kissed her again. “Come, my love. It is time for me to depart.”

They walked down the stairs and he finished securing his pack to his horse, Arod. The white steed shook his head as if he too resented being dragged back down to the Eastern Alliance battlefields.

Alex held him tightly. She hated being apart from her love. Their bond was some comfort, as they could sense each other in their hearts. But still, she wanted to have him here, with her or be there, with him.

Legolas closed his eyes as he relished the feel of her warmth against his body. He did not know how mortals could stand the rushed pace of their lives. They were over so quickly; they had to get everything done immediately. Even a minute away from Alex was too long for him. He seriously considered taking her with him to southern Gondor. She could certainly take care of herself and may even be helpful. But the thought of deliberately putting her in harm’s way went against his instincts.

“Farewell, my love,” he whispered as he kissed her one last time before departing. “I will send messengers to keep you apprised of our situation. Remember, go to Eowyn or even Arwen if necessary. You will be stronger together should danger present itself. If it is serious enough, go to my father. He will give you aid.”

“I’ll be fine, Legolas,” she assured him. “Just be sure you are careful, so you can come home to me and we can go back to the lazy days of our first meeting.”

He kissed her quickly again, then climbed astride Arod. With a confident smile, he bowed in farewell, and took the lead of the troop of Elven warriors accompanying him. Alex watched them depart and was proud her discipline allowed her to appear serene, although she was bawling like a baby inside.

She smiled at the other members of the household who had been present to see the warriors off. The Elves nodded respectfully as she climbed the stairs to their private chambers. The staff knew she would remain shut up in the rooms for awhile as she mourned the loss of her lord’s companionship. She would mope about for a few days, then begin to take an interest in the mundane details of life again.

The first time they’d witnessed her behavior, they were confused. It was not the way of the Firstborn to take these matters so harshly. However, they soon learned it was necessary for the Lady to “get it out of her system”, as she said, so she could move on. So, they made sure she had water and juice, fruit, some of those sweetened cakes made by the Hobbits that she loved so, and that she was not disturbed.

As he rode away from Ithilien, Legolas considered the way the war had been going. The Eastern Alliance seemed to be determined to drag the conflict out as long as possible. They had no hope of winning---at least, that’s what the Elves and the Men of the western kingdoms believed. But the eastern troops had proven surprisingly resilient, and refused to give up. He knew this war had been precipitated by Maelweth, a demonic servant of Morgoth, to distract Legolas’ mortal friends from aiding him in stopping the demon’s war of revenge against his father. When the evil creature was destroyed by the Elf Lord, Glorfindel, they had thought the war might die down without Maelweth’s influence.

But things seemed to take on a life of their own and the Eastern forces simply continued to harass the Western kingdoms. Perhaps, their hatred for the Unified Kingdoms of the West ran deeper than any had thought. They never did enough to truly damage the Western forces, but it was always just enough to drag them back to the front in order to hold their own territory.

Aragorn had hoped for peace with the Haradrim and Easterlings, but so far all he could manage was to contain them.

“We ride south, yet again,” Rumil, brother of Haldir and Orophin, and one of the Wardens of Lorien, commented.

Legolas glanced at his friend. “So it seems.” Balewith and Morhir were riding just behind them and they heard the Elven smiths chuckle.

“Perhaps we should just build a stronghold in the south,” Morhir suggested. “It would save a lot of wear on the horses.”

“Do you wish to volunteer to staff it?” Rumil asked. “I, for one, do not like the deserts and plains. Each time we go there, I feel as though the Valar are punishing me.”

“Do not mention it to Aragorn or Eomer,” Legolas counseled. “They would probably leap at the idea.”

“Why do they not simply invade the East and put an end to this situation, once and for all?” grumbled Golradir, another of the Elves of Rivendell.

“You know they wish to have peace with these people and an invasion would not be a good start. Besides, that would give Aragorn and Eomer more territory to control and the Haradrim and Easterlings do not want to be under the sovereignty of Gondor or Rohan.” Although he agreed with his friend Aragorn, he, too, wished an expeditious end to this situation could be found.