The Taking of Vanelossë - Part III

Notes and Disclaimer:
Elvish sayings:
Fëa – soul
Hröa - body
Ada – Daddy

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I am going to state the obvious here. I do not stick to canon or adhere to LACE in this story.
I do not own any of JRR Tolkien’s characters, I just borrow them. The following characters
(and the meanings of their names) are mine:

Vanelossë – beautiful, snow-white Séro- peace
Alasse – joy Illisse – all sweet
Anarion – child of sun Calime – bright

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Thank you to my wonderful beta, SpaceWeavil. Thanks for forcing me to do what I didn't want
but needed to do.Thanks, as always, to Space and Thuriniel, the Sindarin Goddesses. Thanks
to Viv, Maram, and my luggage for advice and moral support. And thanks to all of my readers!
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CHAPTER 10
Beginning Anew


Months later, with only a few days before they were to leave for the coronation in Gondor, Vanelossë was resting, having been awake all night attempting to sooth Anarion who was distressed over the arrival of new teeth. Legolas had taken all of the children with him leaving her so she would have some quiet. When he came back without the children and had woken her up, she smiled.

“You have visitors, Vanelossë,” Legolas smiled and held out his hand to her.

Curious, Vanelossë let him lead her to the entrance hall. She followed his gaze and gave a small cry of pleasure seeing Arwen and Lord Elrond sitting in the chairs along the wall. They both rose as she ran to them. Holding Arwen in a tight embrace, Vanelossë pulled back to look at her with a smile.

“I do not understand. I thought you left Middle Earth,” Vanelossë said.

Arwen shook her head and said, “My place is with Aragorn.”

Vanelossë hugged her friend tightly, knowing what she was giving up for his love. Choosing a mortal life was not a decision made easily, but Vanelossë knew that Arwen’s heart had decided it for her long ago. Thinking back to the time they were all together in Imladris, when she first met Legolas, Vanelossë felt a tug on her heart. They had all been so carefree and happy then. They had all sacrificed and suffered through much since then. The love between her and Legolas had been tested and their bond was stronger because of it. She knew that Aragorn understood all that Arwen was sacrificing for her. He had sacrificed much for Middle Earth. They both deserved the years of happiness they would soon enjoy.

“Does he even know you have not left Middle Earth?” Vanelossë asked suddenly.

“No but he will soon,” Arwen laughed.

Looking at her friend, Vanelossë touched Arwen’s beautiful face and said, “It is the best gift he could ever ask for.”

Looking away from her, Vanelossë looked at Lord Elrond. As tears fell upon her face, she allowed him to pull him into his arms. He lightly stroked her hair.

“Vanelossë, my child, are you well?” Lord Elrond asked tenderly.

Vanelossë looked up at him and said, “The nightmares come less often. But the scars will always remind me.”

Vanelossë saw unshed tears in his eyes as Elrond said, “It breaks my heart that this ever happened to you, Vanelossë.”

Choked with emotions, Vanelossë buried her face in his robes unable to look at her father’s close friend without thinking how her father would react if he were here. Elrond had been like a father to her for many years and she felt his torment for what she had suffered. She knew he was concerned for her recovery as well for he had seen the suffering of his wife, Celebrían. She struggled to gather herself and pulled away, wiping her tears.

“Have you seen the children?” Vanelossë asked.

“No. We wished to see you first,” Arwen smiled. “Although, I cannot wait to see the little ones. I have heard from my brothers that the girls have grown even more beautiful.”

Elrond winked at Vanelossë and said, “And that Séro was following in his mother’s footsteps.”

Legolas laughed and Vanelossë playfully smirked at Elrond.

Legolas took Vanelossë’s hand and led them all to the King’s chambers where Séro was tiring the guards, yet again. As soon as the girls saw Arwen, they both came running with high-pitched laughter. They had always adored Arwen, saying that she was the most beautiful woman in all of Arda save their mother, of course.

Arwen gasped seeing the ellith, saying, “You have grown so much since I saw you last summer. And you are so beautiful. You are like little princesses. I have something for each of you in my bags. I will give it to you tonight.”

Knowing that Arwen always gave them beautiful jewelry or dresses, the girls were both ecstatic with the promise of presents. Séro came running over and began tugging on Lord Elrond’s robes until Elrond finally picked him up. Vanelossë did not think Séro remembered him but felt the need to have as much attention as the girls.

As soon as he was up in Elrond’s arms, Séro was bouncing up and down full of energy and the elf lord looked very amused. When Arwen stood back up, Séro lunged at her and threw his arms around her neck trying to claim her attention. When he started burying his hands in her hair, Legolas pulled him away from Arwen and held him, telling him sternly to behave.

Vanelossë brought Arwen and Elrond to see Anarion who was finally sleeping peacefully. Having heard of their visitors, Thranduil came back to his chambers and entered the room with a big smile. Kissing Arwen on her cheek, he then grasped Elrond’s shoulder in a familiar embrace.

Arwen watched the baby as Elrond went to speak with Thranduil. When Elrohir and Elladan came in from outside, Vanelossë embraced them both as she smiled at the brothers. As always, Séro started trying to squirm away from Legolas.

Elladan came over and grabbed the boy from his father. Holding him in the air, Elladan laughed saying, “What are you doing wild child?”

After Alasse had welcomed her favorite uncle, Arwen took both girls onto her lap as the girls told her of the recent events in their lives. Vanelossë watched with a smile as her daughters excitedly both spoke at once and Arwen doted on them. Elladan was now dangling Séro upside down while the boy squealed as Legolas and Elrohir spoke over the din. It felt wonderful to see her friends again under much better circumstances than they had last seen her.

At the feast celebrating the visiting Rivendell elves, the lords and ladies of Mirkwood filled the king’s dining room. During dinner, Elrohir and Elladan had an elleth on either side, gazing at them adoringly. Arwen watched the ellith for a while before smiling and looking over at Vanelossë with a wink. They were used to seeing the effect the brothers had on the ellith but it had eventually lessened in Imladris as they all grew up together. In Mirkwood, however, each elleth tried to charm them for their attention and the twins would encourage any attempt by flirting shamelessly. As the night wore on, Calime took the children back to their quarters to put them into bed. As the dishes were cleared, everyone gathered in groups as they stood talking and laughing, drinking the finest wine in King Thranduil’s cellar.

Lord Elrond felt tormented as he watched Vanelossë and Legolas. The couple, who at one time were so carefree and in love, now had an aura of pain and sorrow surrounding them. Legolas looked haunted, both by what he witnessed in the quest and by what happened to his wife. Vanelossë would withdraw from the people around her, frequently looking down at her hands placed elegantly across her lap. He noticed it most when she was alone, without Legolas or the children. It was heart wrenching for Elrond to see her so broken. The radiance that had once surrounded Vanelossë was now dimmed.

Across the room, King Thranduil saw him watching them and came to sit with Elrond. They both watched the couple sadly. Legolas and Vanelossë’s love was still ever present but both seemed so wounded it tore at the hearts of the two older elves.

“Do you think they will ever get past it?” Thranduil said quietly to his old friend.

“What has been taken from them cannot be restored. Vanelossë will never fully recover from what was done to her. Those men, if you can call them that, took more than her hröa. They took part of her fëa,” Elrond said sadly.

Thranduil nodded. “Legolas will never forgive himself for not protecting her. The guilt is always there, haunting his every moment.”

“Time will heal them to some degree. But they will never be who they once were,” Elrond replied sadly. “At least they have each other and the children. If Legolas or Vanelossë had lost the other, I fear the one would be unable to go on. Even through her pain, she still lights up when Legolas is with her. And you only have to look in his eyes to see the love he has for her. And the children bring happiness to both of them merely by their presence. With each other, they will recover some of what was lost.”

“Much like them, I fear the elves of this city are wounded as well. Too much has been lost and while the world of men will enjoy years of peace, the elves will go to Valinor to recover from the weariness of their fëa. One day, elves will no longer walk in Middle Earth,” Thranduil said. “It saddens me that it has come to this. We have built and put so much into this world and now, we are no longer able to spread peace and magic through this ravaged land.”

Elrond said nothing, for no words would comfort the elf lords. While they were fierce and skilled warriors, the elves wanted to live in peace and enjoy the beauty and serenity they had created within each realm. But now the vision was tarnished. When the evil spread into their borders, they had victories in arms. But evil had damaged the very spirit of the Elven community and like Vanelossë and Legolas; those wounds could never heal. Watching Alasse, Illisse, and Séro, there was a glimmer of hope that perhaps one day a new generation of elves could find the peace in their hearts to begin to heal Middle Earth. Elrond and Thranduil’s time had come and they were soon to sail to Valinor. It was the younger elves that must rebuild what once was or leave Middle Earth forever.

Days after the feast, the group departed Mirkwood with many elves from both realms traveling to the coronation of their new King, Elessar. They arrived in Gondor, near the city of Minas Tirith, the day before the ceremony. Wanting to keep their presence secret, they waited before going into the city and, even then, only Gandalf and Gimli knew of their arrival. After they were within the city’s walls, Gandalf had them put in quarters away from the Citadel as well as Aragorn’s eyes.

The next day, they all dressed in beautiful clothes and prepared for the coronation. The girls were wearing violet flowing dresses very similar to the violet and silver one that their mother wore. Arwen had given each of them a hairpiece much like hers with a silver butterfly, which hung down the back of their fine hair. Both girls paraded around like princesses proud to be like Arwen for a day. Calime had come to stay with Anarion for fear that the noise and excitement might frighten him.

When they finished dressing themselves and their children in fine clothes, Vanelossë and Legolas, along with three of their children met Arwen and the other elves outside their chambers. Vanelossë started crying when she saw Arwen. She was wearing an incredibly beautiful green gown but it would not have mattered if she have been wearing rags, for she was so happy. She radiated a glow that made Vanelossë lose her breath. She looked like a queen, as she soon would be. The two women embraced for a long time.

“Arwen, I am speechless. I have never seen you look more beautiful than this moment,” Vanelossë said with tears streaming down her face.

Arwen laughed and said, “I am so nervous. I never thought I would be this afraid.”

“It is a frightening feeling when everything you ever wished for is coming true. You have been waiting for this day for decades. I am so glad it is finally here.”

Walking to the citadel in the nearly empty city, Vanelossë held Séro as the girls walked on either side of her. Legolas looked over at her and told her she looked very beautiful. They shared a quick kiss as he took the girls’ hands. They were behind the crowd watching the coronation from afar, wishing to keep their presence secret until the end of the coronation. Séro was being so quiet because Legolas had promised him a present if he behaved. When Gandalf had crowned Aragorn, he moved through the crowd of the citizens of the city. Squeezing Vanelossë’s hand, Legolas moved to walk in front of the elves. Walking in front were elves of Mirkwood with the elves of Imladris and then Arwen, who was carrying a banner of the king’s standard that hid her face from view.

As they walked though the crowd, everyone turned, entranced by the immortal elves with their luminous skin and an aura of ethereal beauty that many had only heard of but not seen. The crowd parted and as everyone beheld them, a silent awe swept through the people. The mortals realized that these apparently otherworldly beings were actually part of their world and how blessed the king was to have so many friends amongst the elves.

The girls were holding hands, standing in between Vanelossë and Mehtar. Legolas walked in front to greet Aragorn. It was as if the children knew how important this moment was because they were very silent. The crowd stared at them, taken aback by the purity of the little beauties, bathed in the radiance that only elvish children are blessed with.

When Aragorn finally reached Legolas, he put his hand on his shoulder and Legolas did the same. Aragorn smiled at Vanelossë then turned to smile at Legolas. Legolas nodded to the elves behind him which made Aragorn look past him. Passing through the elves, with all eyes on him, Aragorn walked towards Arwen. When she peeked from behind the banner, Lord Elrond guided her slightly forward. It seemed as if time stopped as everyone in the crowd watched their king with these elves. When Aragorn realized it was Arwen, he took the banner from her and handed it to Elrohir.

Legolas came to stand with Vanelossë and they both smiled at each other. Arwen bowed her head to Aragorn but he stopped her putting his hand under her chin pulling her face up so he could look at her. To the surprise of everyone there, he grabbed her to him in a deep kiss. Vanelossë dabbed at tears in her eyes. The crowd cheered as they watched their king catch a star that fell from the sky. When he kissed her, the luminosity that shone from within the Undómiel enveloped him as well. Vanelossë could scarcely breathe at the sight of the two of them finally together.

Vanelossë noticed Lord Elrond had tears in his eyes. Aragorn and Arwen continued to kiss as he spun her around and then he nuzzled her face with his own forgetting the world around them. Vanelossë felt Legolas’ arm around her waist and she leaned into him. Aragorn and Arwen were so happy and it was well-deserved happiness. Looking at her husband, Vanelossë felt the same overwhelming love for Legolas that Arwen did for Aragorn.

After Aragorn and Arwen greeted the crowd, the elves followed the king into the citadel, joining his closest friends. Vanelossë met the people that Legolas had spoken of in his tales to the children. Lady Éowyn, the White Lady of Rohan, was beautiful and fair and very happy with Lord Faramir of Gondor, who Legolas had only known a little. Legolas spoke often of his brother, Boromir, one of the nine. Éowyn admired Vanelossë’s children as they were still quietly behaved, even Séro.

Éomer walked over to where they were standing. Séro smiled up at him.

“Ada said if I behaved I would be given a surprise. Did you bring me a horse? Is that my surprise?” Séro asked sweetly.

Laughing, Éomer said, “Not yet Séro. Perhaps it would be best for you to be older and much taller before you are given your own horse. But I have promised you one of the finest in Rohan and you have my word as king, you shall have it when it is time.”

Éomer embraced Vanelossë, thinking to himself that this could not possibly be the same woman they had rescued. This was the woman whose stunning beauty he had heard of.

Gandalf came and greeted Vanelossë.

“Vanelossë, it is wonderful to see you well and safe now. I see you are surrounded by your beautiful children.” The wizard smiled at the twins and Séro.

The three of them stared at him in silent awe, as they had heard many tales of the white wizard. Legolas had once made the mistake of telling the children the story of Mithrandir and the Balrog of Morgoth. For weeks after, Legolas had to contend with all three children sleeping in bed with he and Vanelossë, who was not at all happy that he had scared them so.

Gimli was there and he caused the first sound from Séro, as the ellon squealed in happiness when he saw the dwarf. Squirming free of his mother, Séro ran up to Gimli, as Vanelossë and Gandalf watched, amused. Gimli took all of the children meet the hobbits. Séro was happy to see more people closer to his size. Vanelossë bowed her head to them all and when she was introduced, they told her they were glad for her safe return to Legolas. Alasse and Illisse stared in shock at the hobbits because they were dressed like men but were very small.

“Where are your shoes? Did you forget your shoes?” Alasse asked Merry curiously.

“We do not wear shoes,” Merry said as the children stared at their feet.

“Is it because your feet are so big?” Illisse asked not even drawing her gaze away from Sam’s feet.

Sam grew uncomfortable and looked to Pippin for help. A completely silent and wide-eyed Séro was staring at Pippin.

“Illisse, do not be unkind or I will tell Ada,” Alasse admonished her sister. “And stop staring at their hairy feet.”

Much to the relief of the hobbits, Aragorn came to Vanelossë and the children were excitedly begging to be held by the new king. Vanelossë laughed at the sight of the regal king that Aragorn had become struggling to hold two little girls with a small little boy tugging on his leg. Legolas came to rescue him and took the two girls from him. Séro, of course, would not be denied as he wrapped himself around Aragorn’s leg. Aragorn bent over and picked the elfling up and Séro played with his armor. Aragorn leaned over and kissed Vanelossë on the cheek and told her how happy he was that she was there. She took her son away from him as he continued to greet his guests.

Legolas came over and the two of them stood with Gimli, Gandalf, and the hobbits content to watch the many people from a distance

“Its hard to imagine him king,” Merry said with a mischievously smile. “At least his cleanliness has improved greatly from Strider, the Ranger.”

“Merry. Do not be disrespectful,” Frodo said quietly.

“Frodo, what Merry said is most true, however, and meaning no disrespect. I can remember being led through marshes with that man. His cleanliness has improved greatly,” Pippin replied.

Gimli and Legolas chuckled as Gandalf sighed.

“I cannot imagine we will ever go on quite an adventure like that again, will we, Merry?” Pippin asked.

“Adventure?” Frodo and Sam exclaimed together.

“I do not know which was my favorite part. All of the orcs that tried to kill me, running for three days straight, or being forced to put up with this elf?” Gimli muttered.

“Come now Gimli. We are all well aware of your recent fondness for elves,” Vanelossë smiled. “Or is it only female elves whose company you wish to keep?”

“The female ones are much more rational than this one and also easier on the eye,” Gimli replied.

“Ah, I will greatly miss these intellectual discussions and all of this bantering,” Gandalf said with a wink to Vanelossë.

“I am sure each of you will miss me. Greatly,” Pippin spoke up.

“We will gladly leave him in Gondor. I am sure the Shire could spare a Took,” Sam offered.

The group laughed as they continued to watch everyone.

Legolas and Vanelossë stayed in Gondor for a month due to the royal wedding and festivities. Vanelossë and the girls were Arwen’s attendants. Legolas was at Aragorn’s side as he had ever been. The girls worshipped Arwen even more since she was now a queen. Vanelossë was overjoyed for her friends.

After all of the formal ceremonies and feasts, Vanelossë and Legolas wanted to go home to their more peaceful and private life. At one time Vanelossë would have loved all of the festivities but now she just wanted to be with her family in the serenity of their home. They said farewell to their friends Gandalf, Éomer, Éowyn, and Faramir, with promises to see each other again some day. Gimli had decided to come to Mirkwood with them for a time. Legolas had gone to say goodbye to Aragorn and Arwen and then Vanelossë went to see Arwen by herself. The two women embraced and promised to see each other soon. Vanelossë said her goodbyes to Elrohir and Elladan, as they flirted and teased her like they had always done. She promised to come to Rivendell very soon, missing her former home where she had lived most of her life.

Vanelossë’s goodbye with Lord Elrond was bittersweet. She knew she would never see him again in Middle Earth but she would see him in Valinor when the sea called her as well. She would miss him greatly as she did her own father. Elrond kissed her gently.

“I will tell your father that you have finally settled down with a husband and four beautiful children. I doubt he will ever believe that you have calmed down rather than being his mischievous daughter that he left in my care. Perhaps I will allow him to think it was my doing that you have become so serene, after the shock wears off,” Elrond smiled naughtily.

“He would more likely believe I had sprouted wings than I had calmed down,” Vanelossë said shaking her head. “My poor father. Since Séro was born, I realized what trauma I caused him.”

“But he loved you none the less. He would be very proud of you: of the life you and Legolas have built together, “ Elrond said. “And how you have endured what has happened to you. Thranduil and I love you as if you were our own child and we are both proud of the way you have begun to overcome this. You are stronger than you realize, Vanelossë. Legolas has aided you with this burden, yet you have been strong enough to endure what many could not. Do not doubt your own willpower but accept support of others.”

Vanelossë smiled weakly and looked down at the ground.

“There are times I do not think I can endure it. I love my husband and my children more than anything in this world but there are times I feel like I cannot bear it anymore. I cannot tell Legolas of my fears or he will worry so. He loves me and I know that. At times I feel alone for he could never understand the helplessness I felt or the horror that haunts me at night. The feeling that I can never wash that man’s filthy touch off my skin no matter how hard I try. He can see the physical scars and knows the pain I was in due to that but how could someone so strong understand being helpless?” Vanelossë said softly not meeting his eyes.

Elrond pulled her chin up and said gently, “How can Legolas ever understand and help you through this if you do not tell him these things? You are not being fair to him or yourself to shut him out of this. He loves you. He wants to be there for you but he cannot if you will not allow him in. You do not have to put on this charade of all being well with you. No one expects you to be recovered so soon.”

Vanelossë allowed him to pull her into a comforting embrace as tears slid silently down her face. She knew his words were true. She had to accept his wisdom and confide in Legolas.

Pulling away from him, she smiled sadly, “What will I do without your words of wisdom?”

“You will learn to trust what your heart is telling you,” Elrond smiled. “I am not saying anything that you did not know in your heart to be true.”

“Farewell Lord Elrond. I hope you find your weariness less in Valinor,” she said kissing his cheek. “Middle Earth will be lessened by your departure.”

“It is time, Vanelossë. Middle Earth no longer needs us. Soon you will follow, as will all of the elves. I pray that my sons will follow as well. Until then, you have my love, my child.” Elrond kissed her on the top of head as he hugged her tight.

Vanelossë watched sadly as he walked away.

Finally, she sought out Aragorn, finding him alone in the chambers adjacent to the throne room. She walked into the room quietly and he did not hear her, nor did he turn around.

Smiling, she said as she had said many years before, “Estel, I thought better of your ranger skills. It is good thing that I mean you no harm.”

Aragorn chuckled as he turned around and they embraced for a long time. When he pulled away she was crying from the feelings of love for her friends and the sadness of saying so many farewells.

Clutching his hand, Vanelossë said, “Thank you so much. If it were not for you, I would never have met Legolas, nor would I have forgiven him that night about the bet. If you had not been there to care for me that night I was rescued, I would most likely have died. I cannot imagine how to thank you.”

“Vanelossë, there is no need, for I know that if our positions were reversed, Legolas would have come to my aid. Besides I will always be there for you Vanelossë, you and Legolas both. And your children are very close to my heart as well.”

Vanelossë choked back tears as she smiled at him. Aragorn noticed her looking him over and asked what she was doing.

“I was just thinking how much you have changed from the very forbidden, young, mortal man I once knew,” Vanelossë said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Looking her over in the same manner, he said, “You have changed greatly as well, Vanelossë. You have finally been tamed which most thought could not be done.”

They both laughed and embraced each other. As she turned away from him, Vanelossë heard a familiar squeal as Séro came running by her to say goodbye to Estel. Both girls followed closely behind him. She looked and saw her husband standing there in the door well with a slight smile on his face. Feeling overwhelmed with love, she walked to him and put her arms around his waist and turned her head up for a kiss. Legolas gave her a tender kiss and she smiled. They said farewell and gathered their children. The next morning they left for Mirkwood. Eventually their wounds healed to some extent as they watched their children grow and continued to strive for a peaceful life in Mirkwood. Their love guided them through the trials of their life.

The next challenge was discovering that Séro will never grow out of his wildness and soon exceeded his mother’s exploits.

~~FIN~~