In the Middle of Middle-Earth

In the Middle of Middle-Earth

Chapter 10

Author: Frosty the Glo-Worm
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Legolas, Boromir, Aragorn, Faramir, Elrond, Eowyn, Elros, Haldir, OC, AU, N/C
Summary: Has evil come to the elves of Lorien? Can Legolas get control over his sister? Is Boromir not the coolest thing ever?!? R&R!
Author's Notes: Taking extreme creative license here: Aragorn and Arwen are married. Faramir and Eowyn are not together. Boromir is alive. Haldir is alive. All the hobbits are alive and well. Takes place after the defeat of Sauron. More notes as I think of them.
Disclaimer: LOTR is not mine! Who knew?!

*

Valawen left Legolas by the stables and headed towards Elrond's room. She was still agitated by what had just happened, and having to talk to Elrond just made her feel more tense. Not that she didn't want to speak to him, it was just that it was all so much at once.

She licked her lips and knocked on his door, part of her hoping he wouldn't be there. Her heart skipped a beat when he opened the door. "Valawen," he said, motioning for her to come inside, "Thank you for coming."

She stepped in and nodded, feeling herself blush slightly. "No problem," she said, crossing her arms and waiting for what he had to say.

"Please, sit down," he said, sitting himself on the couch. Valawen looked from the sofa to the chairs, trying quickly to decide where to sit. Her legs took her to the couwherwhere she sat so she could look at Elrond.

His gaze was warm and his eyes searched hers, not unlike they had before she had experienced Lothlorien. She watched him and swallowed, her eyes darting uncomfortably from his face to different things around the room. He looked so much like his brother. But being near him didn't invoke any of the fear she had felt with Elros. Valawen was worried about what Elrond had to say, but she felt relaxed in his presence.

She felt safe.

"Valawen," he spoke softly, and she met his eyes. His expression turned from concern to one of amused curiousity. "How is Legolas," he asked, his eyebrow raised, "Is the dining hall still in one piece?"

She couldn't help but laugh. It felt really good, and some of the tension in her shers ers subsided. "Yes," she said, "It's okay now. I talked to him."

Elrond nodded. "Do you want to tell me what happened?" he asked, and Valawen knew he was curious as to why Aragorn and her brother were fighting. Part of her thought he probably already knew.

She sat back on the couch and sighed. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. "Not really," she said, hoping he would be alright with that.

Elrond's eyes left her face briefly. "I don't mean to push," he said, "I just want to make sure that things are...better now."

She swallowed heavily. "You know, don't you?" she whispered.

Elrond smiled lightly and touched her knee. "When I got back here, Arwen came to speak to me. She told me what happened." A bright, hot flush spread over Valawen's body, and she covered her eyes with a hand. "I don't approve, of course, but it's understandable."

She looked up at him and saw that he waslingling. She shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said, "I don't know what happened. I'm sorrdid did that to Arwen," she paused, then continued, "I hope you don't think less of me."

Elrond's smile faded. "Never," he said, "It was a mistake, Valawen, and I know you've learned from it. I could never think less of you." He moved closer to her and stared into her eyes, willing her to understand. "No one here thinks less of you."

She turned her face away, upset that the talk seemed to be turning to Lothlorien. She crossed her arms and held tight, feeling her throat constrict. "I feel so dirty," she whispered, her voice catching. "I wish none of this had happened. Not Aragorn, not Lothlorien...none of it."

Elrond sighed and touched her shoulder, rubbing absently. "I know," he replied, "But it did happen. And it has to be dealt with."

She felt suddenly relieved at being able to talk about things. The words spilled from her mouth as though a dam had broke. "I don't want to deal with it," she said, "I just want to forget it ever happened. God, I thought s gos going to die there. And now I feel like I'm going to die from the memory of it." She let out a shuddering sigh and bit her lip. "I just want to start over."

He sent his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. "You can start over," he said, rubbing her arm, "But you won't be able to just forget what you went through. You have to face it."

A few tears slipped from her eyes. "I don't know if I can," she said, wiping her face.

"I'll help you," he replied, "You don't have to do it alone. But promise me that you'll be strong." He squeezed her arm. "Alright?"

Valawen nodded and licked her lips. "Alright," she breathed,tefuteful for him. It felt so good having someone to talk to, to hold on to.

They sat in silence for several minutes before Elrond spoke again. "If you ever need to talk about anything, please come to me," he said, raising his head and looking her in the eyes.

"Thank you," she said, and her stomach did flip-flops at the gaze he was giving her. It was so full of care, nothing like Elros or Haldir, or even Aragorn. And it was different than the care Legolas gave her. It suddenly occured to Valawen that she had never really been in a relationship that was fueled by that kind of love.

She felt a blush rise to her cheeks as Elrond touched her chin and tilted her face upwards. It almost seemed he knew what she had been thinking. Leaning in, his lips touched hers and Valawen closed her eyes as they pressed gently. She waded in the feeling of being touched by someone who cared. He wasn't taking like the others did; he was doing this for her.

She sighed as their lips parted. His eyes were hooded and dark, but bright as well. "Is that okay?" he asked, breathing heavily.

Valawen stared up at him, her lips tingling. "Yeah," she breathed. Her body felt weak from the closeness of his.

He touched her cheek and rubbed his thumb gently over her soft skin. "You are beautiful, Valawen," he said, staring into her hooded eyes, "I didn't realize what I felt for you...until you were gone."

"What you feel for me?" she asked, frowning. She hadn't been expecting anything more than just two people finding comfort in each other.

He nodded softly. "I care for you," he whispered, before leaning down to capture her lips in his again. She sighed quietly against him as he bit at her mouth, still restrained. Valawen knew he was just being gentle with her, but she was beginning to feel teased.

She bit her lip when he pulled away, wishing she could be closer to him. He tasted so sweet, and she wanted more of that. She had never had something so positive.

Elrond took a deep breath and smiled. "I have a meeting to go to, but I want to see you again. Will you visit me this evening? For dinner?"

Valawen smiled. "Okay," she said, pulling back from him a little. She didn't want to go.

He got up and gave her a hand. Clasping her palm in his, he walked her to the door. "I will see you later," he said, kissing her lightly on the forehead and allowing her to leave.

Valawen bit her lip to keep from grinning as she walked away from his room. This was a good thing that was happening. Her legs felt a little numb as she made her way to the dining hall. It was nearly lunch, and she was starving.

*

Eowyn smiled as Valawen approached the table. "Mind if I join you?" asked the e

"Not at all," she answered, motioning for her to sit. She had wanted to speak to Valawen for some time now, about what had happened. "How are you feeling?"

The elf smiled. "Quite good, actually," she said, taking a drink of her water, "Surprisingly good."

Eowyn raised an eyebrow in curiousity. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, "I gather you've spoken to someone then? About what happened?"

Valawen licked her lips and nodded. "Yeah, yeah I did." She sighed and the smile faded from her lips. "I have a ways to go, you know."

Her eyes were distant as Eowyn looked into them. "I know. Listen, I don't know exactly what went on in Lothlorien, but if you ever need to talk..." she touched Valawen's hand in support.

"Thanks," she replied, smiling again, "It was scary, but...but I'll get through it. I can move past it."

Eowyn removed her hand and grinned. "Good," she said, "So, why are you so happy today?" Her eyes became even more curious when Valawen's cheeks' blushed.

"I had a...talk," she said, then lowered her voice, "With Elrond." She paused, seemingly in thought. "I like him, Eowyn. I like him a lot."

Eowyn folded her arms on the table and leaned closer. "There are no problems, with him looking like Elros?" she asked.

Valawen thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No. I thought there might be, but there isn't. Elros was...cruel. Elrond, he's just the opposite. And if you really look at him, he's so very different from his brother."

The blonde smiled. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, "Because he likes you, too."

Valawen fidgeted with her hands. "I know," she whispered, "I'm going to see him tonight."

"I see," she replied, then hesitated before saying, "Are you sure you're ready for that?"

Valawen looked up, confused. Then understanding set in. "No, I'm only meeting him for dinner," she said quickly, "Nothing else."

Eowyn nodded slowly. "Are you sure," she asked, "Things have a way of...progressing."

The elf frowned. She couldn't say that the thought hadn't occured to her, that something more might happen that night, but she didn't take it very seriously. But what if something did happen? Would she be alright with that?

"I guess I'll just have to wait and see," she replied, "I want to, Eowyn. I really kind of do."

"I know. Just don't take things too fast," she said with a wink, "Slow is often much better, you know."

Valawen returned Eowyn's smile. "I'm starting to realize that."

*

Legolas sat on the edge of the brick wall and watched his sister and Eowyn inside the dining hall. He sighed heavily, thinking, and wondering what to do next.

"She's a strong girl, she'll get through," said the man sitting beside him. Boromir glanced at the elf with curious eyes. "That's what you're worried about, isn't it?"

Legolas tore his eyes away from his sister and frowned at Boromir. "I was thinking...that I should take her home," he said, "I know I need to remain here, but she should be where her family is."

Boromir pursed his lips. "You're her family, aren't you?"

The elf crossed his arms and looked back at his sister, who was now laughing. "She's not safe here."

Boromir chuckled, "Ah, Legolas, you know better than that. She's not safe here, of course, but she's no safer elsewhere. If a war is coming, it's going to affect all of Middle-Earth."

He knit his brows in irritation. "They're after Rivendell, Boromir," he said, "Therefore she would be safer in Mirkwood."

The human shrugged. "Maybe for a while," he said, then looked up at the girls, "But something tells me she's not going to want to leave here."

"It's for her own good," he replied, biting his lip. "She needs to heal. This place is no good for her."

Boromir glanced at Legolas for a brief second before staring at his boots. "It looks like she's doing alright," he said, "She has friends here."

He shook his head. "There are people here she shouldn't have to be around," he replied.

Frowning, Boromir let out a deep sigh. "You're a very stubborn little elf, you know that?" he said, and Legolas cast him a baleful look. "Valawen won't want to leave. Do you want to have to drag her out of here?"

"How do you know she won't want to leave? This could be a ruse," he said, gesturing towards the women, "She might be wanting nothing more than to go home."

Crossing his arms, Boromir leaned back against the wall. "A ruuuuse?" he asked, mystified, "Are you serious?"

Legolas shrugged violently. "I don't know!" he said, getting annoyed, "But the point is, you don't know, either!" He poked Boromir in the chest weacheach of these words, then stood back and crossed his arms.

Boromir blinked slowly. "If you say so," he replied, looking back at Valawen and Eowyn. They were getting up from the table. "Looks like your sister's done lunch. Are you going to go talk to her now?"

The elf's gaze became slightly hesitant. "No," he said, leaning back against the wall, "I'll wait."

*

After a long walk with Eowyn, Valawen went to her room and sat down on the bed with a deep sigh. She looked around and wondered what she was going to wear that evening. She was quite excited, but that excitement was mixed with a tinge of worry. What if things don't go well?, she thought.

Brushing her hair behind her ear, she stood and went to the mirror. She looked over herself, noting how tired she looked. The minutes dragged as she stared at herself, her mind running through the past few days. Crossing her arms, she shook herself out of thought. She had to remain busy, or she would start to dwell on what had happened. Taking a dress out of her closet, she was about to start getting ready when there was a knock at her door.

She opened the door and was startled when she came face to face with Arwen. "H-Hello," she said, confused and worried as to why Elrond's daughter would visit her, "Can I help you?"

Arwen looked calm and serene, but there was a steeliness to her voice that bothered Valawen. "May I come in?" she asked.

Valawen stepped back and allowed her entry. She watched as the elder elf looked around the room, then turned back with an expression of foreboding. "I'm not here about Aragorn," she said, and Valawen dropped her eyes in guilt, "I'm here about my father."

Valawen took a seat at her vanity when her stomach became tight with apprehension. "Okay," she said, hoping she would just get on with it.

Arwen clasped her hands in front of her. "I know how he feels about you," she said, and Valawen found herself uncomfortable with her bluntness, "And while I don't approve, I also have no reign over his life. I know what you went through in Lothlorien, Valawen, and I'm sorry. But I need to make sure you aren't using my father's affection for you as a means to forget. He deserves more than that."

Valawen's stomach twisted and turned in pain. She felt cold at having to hear this, like it was all being brought right in front of her, and she had ake ake an immediate decision on everything in her life. Still, a part of her became angry that Arwen would think so low of her.

"I would never hurt your father," she said quietly, "He's been a good friend to me."

Arwen didn't look appeased. "Don't lead him on, if he is only a friend," she said, "He doesn't allow himself to get close to people often. I don't know why he has chosen you, but he has, and I only want what's best for him."

Valawen suddenly felt a weight drop on her shoulders. He had chosen her. Did she now have expectations to live up to? If she did, what were they?

"How do you know," she asked softly, "what he feels for me?"

Her eyes sad, Arwen lowered them to the floor. "It's easy to tell, when it happens so rarely."

The younger elf bit her lip and nodded. "I won't hurt him," she whispered, and locked eyes with Arwen, hoping she'd believe her. To Valawen's relief, Arwen nodded.

She left the room without a word, and closed the door softly behind her. Valawen let out a held breath and found herself almost dreading the coming evening.

*

TBC