Broken Hearts

Broken Hearts

Chapter 12
Author: Frosty the Kingpin
Codes: Legolas, Haldir, Elrond, Thranduil, OC, AU, N/C, INC
Rated: NC-17
Summary: During talks of combining Mirkwood and Imladris into one force, a relationship takes a downward spiral.

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Valawen sat on the edge of her bed and smoothed her hands down the silk fabric of her gown. The bright glow of her room sparkled in her eyes, and the golden sun outside her window illuminated the silver walls and drew rainbows from the crystal vases. Imladris was a sharp, piercing, beautiful place. Even her clothes shimmered in the delicate glow that rained through her window. This place was warm and comforting, but something did not belong.

Turning slowly, she glanced at the figure sitting in a chair beside the bed. He was dressed in blues and grays, and his flaxen hair rested gently on his shoulders. Valawen knew him. His bright, sapphire eyes fixed her with an intense and unwavering stare. He was there for a reason.

"Why have you come?" As she spoke, a faint wind roused the chimes outside her window. The tinkle of bells rang in her ears.

The elf sat forward and tilted his head. "I serve as a reminder."

Valawen frowned and looked back out the window. It was a brilliant, incandescent day. The sun sent rays of twinkling light through the pane of glass shielding her from the outside elements, and it lit her room fiercely. Blinking slowly, she looked back at the figure by her bed. Surrounded by shadow, he was untouched by the blazing shine.

"You are not here." Her voice carried like a whisper on the air. "I know where you are."

A smile tugged on the elf's lips as his blue eyes swept over her. "This is a dream, my love. I can be anywhere in your dreams."

Knitting her brow, she felt vaguely like she had forgotten something, like perhaps she should know what his place here was. "What are you here to remind me of?"

Even as he cocked his head, the light evaded his eyes. "That of which you were warned. I will not remain hidden in your dreams forever."

"Are you coming for me?"

Flexing his hands, he nodded towards the white glare cascading through the window. "Enjoy your time in the light. The darkness will find you soon."

*

Pursing her lips, sighing irritably, Valawen set down her fork and stared blankly at her breakfast. It was a bright, warm morning, but she still felt the distinct chill that had been in her body the moment she awoke. With her back to the sun, she concentrated on trying to remember the words Legolas spoke to her before she left Mirkwood.

With a slight sigh, Haldir sat down across from her and narrowed his eyes. She looked up briefly, then settled back on her breakfast. "What's wrong?"

Biting her lip, she sat back and met the curious blue eyes staring at her. "I had a dream."

Squinting into the sunlight, the Marchwarden took a bite of an apple and considered. "A bad dream, I assume?"

"Yes, I suppose." Taking a deep breath, she let her gaze wander around the courtyard they sat in. Imladris was open and bright, with gardens lining every ancient stone building. It was new to her, this environment. She knew Haldir felt the same way. They were children of the forest, of starlight and dew. She felt unprotected.

Taking a sip of water, Haldir eyed her. "Is it about being here? We've only been here a few days, it will take time to adjust."

"Nohe she said, distracted, "It is not about here."

He frowned and leaned forward. "Is it about Elrond?"

Valawen jerked her eyes back to Haldir. It had been less than a week since her wedding to Elrond, and while the ceremony itself had been pleasant enough, she found herself quite disappointed by what their union had brought. The Lord of Imladris had been, understandably, quite busy with planning war on Gondor. He and her father met often to discuss the next step, and while shew itw it was necessary to concentrate on this task, she felt unhappy at her status. It felt as though she was waiting in line.

"It's not about Elrond." After the marriage, the move to Imladris had been immediate. There had been no wedding night, no time to even discuss what her place would be. She thanked the Valar for Haldir, for without him she feared she would die of loneliness.

"Then what is it?" When she pursed her lips, he raised his eyebrows. "Unless you do not wish to talk about it?"

It was difficult for her to share, but the need to was strong. "It was about Legolas." When Haldir's face turned grave, she shook head.ead. "Nothing happened in the dream. He only spoke to me." Her eyes grew distant and she thought back. "The last time I had a dream about him, though, it came true."

"What did he speak to you about? Can you describe the dream?"

She nodded softly. "I was in my room. It was bright. Blindingly bright. He was in a chair, covered in shadow. The light would not touch him." Frowning, she bit her lip and continued, "He said he was there to remind me about something. About something he warned me about. He said the darkness would find me."

Haldir's eyes were wide with concern. "What do you think he meant?"

"My first thought was that he was coming for me. But perhaps...perhaps he only means the darkness that had taken Gondor. Maybe we are going to lose the war." Looking up, focusing on her friend, she shook her head. "I don't know. I fear my first thought is the correct one. He can't come for me, can he?"

Looking at her in earnest, the Marchwarden spoke with certainty. "Of course not."

"I know I asked to not be told what becomes of Legolas, what would be dealt to him, but I feel I must know if he is still being kept in Mirkwood. Will you tell me?"

Haldir exhaled slowly. "From last I heard, he was. That was two days ago, however. I know not if he is still there."

Fear crept into her body as she leaned forward. "Can you find out for me?"

"Are you sure you want to know, Valawen? The knowledge may not lead to the relief you wish to feel. A dream is only that. A dream. Do not concentrate on it so." Haldir's eyes pleaded with her to let it go.

"I can't help it," she said weakly, "My instincts tell me there is something to fear. I need to know if it is this war, my brother, or something else."

Nodding in acceptance, Haldir crossed his arms and sat back. "I will find out for you." Smirking softly, he raised an eyebrow and nudged her foot with his. "You are a very stubborn lady. Have I told you that before?"

Valawen laughed softly. She knew he was trying to lighten the mood, and she was grateful. Lately it seemed she too often thought of the dark. "Perhaps. If not you, then someone has, I'm sure." As her expression turned serious, she nudged Haldir's foot in return. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, though I don't look forward to giving you the news, no matter what it may be." Biting the inside of his cheek, he sighed and turned the conversation to someone else. "How are you feeling otherwise? Does Elrond treat you well?"

"Yes, he has been kind to me. When I see him." Fidgeting with her fork, she gazed down at her plate, thinking of how marriage was definitely not what she had been expecting.

Haldir nodded as though he understood. "He is quite busy right now, I know. I'm sure as soon as everything is in place, he will have more time to spend with you."

Arching an eyebrow, she looked up. "How do you know that's what I want? Maybe I'm glad he does not hang around. This marriage wasn't by choice, remember?"

Holding back a smile, he replied, "I remember. I also remember you saying quite a few nice things about Lord Elrond."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

He smiled then. "It means it's obvious that you want to spend time with him. I'm happy for you, Valawen. The man you married has grown into someone you're attracted to."

A slight flush came over her features. She couldn't deny to herself that what Haldir said was true, but she wasn't quite comfortable with it. It seemed odd, finding feelings growing within her for someone she, at the beginning, was quite intent on disliking. With a quiet, somewhat embarrassed voice, she asked, "How did you know?"

"If you disliked him, you would speak of it often." Smirking, he tilted his head and narrowed his eyes, studying her. "You're easy to read. You rarely speak of Elrond, and when you do you choose your words carefully. And you're lonely."

Averting her eyes to the garden, she thought about if she was really that obvious. She supposed if anyone would know, it would be Haldir. "You're right. I am lonely."

"You know he feels for you as well." It was a statement, not a question, for Haldir knew that Elrond had spoke to Valawen about how he cared for her. "You should promise yourself to speak with him next time you see him. Let him know that you want to spend more time with him."

Valawen fixed him with a dubious expression. "I don't know if I can do that. It's so forward."

"The lady I have grown to know has never shied away from speaking her opinion," he responded with a grin, "Feelings are no different."

She sighed and shook her head. "But they are. They are very different."

Finishing his breakfast, Haldir took a sip of his drink and shrugged. "You only wear yourself down worrying. Do yourself a favour, do me a favour, and meet his head-on. Talk to him. This mood is wearing thin." He winked when she glared at him.

Valawen knew he was right. Standing when he did, she shook crumbs of bread from her skirt and relented. "Alright. I will speak with him."

*

TBC