Gifts of the Valar.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the Original Characters and their adventures. Everything else belongs to JRR Tolkien, the Tolkien Estate, New Line Cinema/Peter Jackson, et. al. This was done purely for entertainment and as an exercise in creativity.
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The next morning, the party making the trip to Goroth’s keep set out through the Rhunian countryside. Besides all of the western Elves, Alexandra and Charika also accompanied the group. The eastern woman had not left the keep since arriving there before the birth of her child and when Rumil asked if she would like to go with them, she bit her lip, then nodded. She wished to venture out of what had become her self-imposed prison, and would accompany her lord wherever he might go.

Durisia was one of the planners of the trip and she rode beside Erestor and Cunion. Pomea surprised Helcarin and Orophin by waking them the morning of the journey already dressed for traveling. Helcarin had not noticed her rising before him and when she knocked on Orophin’s door, the Lorien Elf had not yet awakened. He was careful not to disturb the female who was sleeping soundly beside him until he was dressed and ready to leave. He and Helcarin had raced to get dressed before Pomea could finish her breakfast, and had joined her just in time for some fruit and a quick goblet of juice.

The she-Elf rode between the two of them and they were mildly surprised to see her in the black tunic and leggings the eastern warriors wore, her hair in a single braid down her back and a bow, quiver, sword and tatequalme among her armament. Durisia was similarly dressed and armed. They knew the eastern females were as skilled as the males in fighting, but none of the western Elves had seen the two elleth in anything other than beautiful, exotic, very feminine raiment. To see them dressed as warriors was somewhat of a revelation.

Haldir and Glorfindel rode next to each other and Rumil, who carried Charika before him on his mount. She wore dark leggings and tunic as well, but was not armed. Legolas, Alexandra and Vanurion rode together and the prince and the Lord of the Elves of Rhun talked about potential uses for Goroth’s keep and lands. Sarendir rode in front of the group and several more eastern warriors brought up the rear with the horses bearing supplies.

The day passed pleasantly and Charika, who had at first been a bit tense, gradually relaxed against Rumil as they rode. Though she did not talk to the others much, she did not seem terrified, either. She and Rumil spoke softly with each other and the rest of the party could hear their muted laughter. The couple’s seeming peace made everyone smile, so long had it been since Charika had been seen to be genuinely happy; and with her happiness, Rumil’s was evident as well.

After four days, they arrived at Goroth’s keep. It was early afternoon, but the large, abandoned structure was dark and vaguely menacing. Glorfindel and Helcarin exchanged glances: both sensed something … unsettled in the place. Neither had noticed any threatening presence near Charika since leaving Vanurion’s home, though both had gotten faint impressions on a few occasions of something---as Helcarin had said---‘hovering’ near the woman before their departure.

“I like this place not,” Helcarin told his father.

The golden-haired Elf Lord nodded. “It has seen great evil, pain and suffering. The memories linger here.”

“More than memories linger here,” Helcarin murmured.

All of the Elves felt mild discomfort, but most attributed it to the traces of misfortune which a place that had seen so much suffering would harbor. Even Alexandra felt a vague unease, but she thought it was simply because it was a big, abandoned, somewhat scary building and put it down to an overactive imagination. Charika seemed subdued and did not stray from Rumil’s side as they stabled the horses.

“There are bags of grain still intact for the horses,” Sarendir noted. “No pests or scavengers seem to have disturbed them.”

“That is odd,” Vanurion said with a slight frown. Cunion checked the grain and shook his head.

“I detect nothing wrong with it. Perhaps it was sealed well.”

When they entered the main building of the keep, the doors swung open with the barest of creaks. Alexandra noticed the Elves kept their weapons at the ready, though seemed to have only casually laid their hands on their swords or bows. She glanced at Charika. The other woman had both hands clutching Rumil’s arm, her eyes wide.

Sarendir, Vanurion and some of the others flung open the shutters and light poured into the main hall. Off to the side was the dining hall where Legolas had struggled to return from the call of Mandos when they had last been here and had fought Goroth. Alex’s gaze lingered on the shadowed doorway to the other room and when she looked away she saw Glorfindel watching her with a faint smile. She returned it and they moved on through the building, opening doors and windows as they went.

“There are no cobwebs,” Erestor noted. Vanurion nodded.

“No signs of any rats or other pests.” The leader of the Rhunian Elves looked around. “It is as though time ceased to pass when we last left this place.”

“Then everything should be well-preserved,” the ever-practical Erestor replied. “And we will not have to worry about creatures crawling over us as we sleep.” Charika shuddered at the thought.

They spent the rest of the day airing out the enormous building, especially the rooms where they would be spending some time, throwing out the old mattresses and pillows, and arranging sleeping pallets in the bedrooms. The wells were still clear and there was a good-sized river near the keep that flowed on toward the inland Sea of Rhun. The place for bathing was located within the fortress’ walls and was fed by a stream that connected to the river. The kitchens were cleaned and Charika surprised everyone by offering to help the Elves who were organizing the food. Rumil accompanied her and Alexandra commented to Legolas that perhaps it helped her to be doing something.

“She seems somewhat disturbed by this place, but then, I believe we all feel a bit of unease,” her husband replied. “Activity should help take her mind off of her fears.”

“And it also gives her a sense of purpose,” his wife added. “That’s got to make her feel better.”

Erestor, Cunion and Durisia found the stores of documents and Glorfindel and Helcarin exchanged amused glances. They would likely not see the three of them for some time. Erestor would need to be reminded to eat on occasion; otherwise, he was in a state of bliss.

The remainder of the Elves surveyed the keep for security. That they should be concerned with the defensibility of their position during a time of peace reminded Alexandra that Middle-Earth was full of dangers, and her husband and his kin were acutely aware of the need to always remain on guard. Again, the comparison to guardian angels came to mind, for they were always watchful and ready to protect.

Alex tagged along with the rest as they inspected the walls. She really had no idea why she had come on this little trip, except that she longed to go anywhere with her husband. Unlike the other places she had traveled in Middle-Earth, this place did not hold fond memories for her. It was here Legolas had almost died at the hands of Goroth and his minions. She had been so wrapped up in the danger to her husband’s life and his struggle to recover, she had not been aware of many of the unsettling discoveries made by the Elves when Goroth’s regime had been overthrown, and they had not shared those discoveries with her. If they had, her memories of the keep would be even more disturbing than those she already harbored. For all of their acceptance of Alexandra as the wife of Legolas and a warrior in her own right, she was still a mortal woman and their sense of … chivalry, one might say, led them to try to protect her from any unnecessary unpleasantness.

Assured that the keep was safe for the night, the group ate a light supper, then retired. Durisia had to drag Erestor away from the cache of documents he had surrounded himself with and almost called on Glorfindel and Helcarin to physically remove him from the library.

“They will be here in the morning, my lord,” she said laughing at the longing gaze he cast toward the desk. “Once you have rested, you will be able to approach the task with renewed strength.” He reluctantly allowed her to lead him to the room she had taken the time to prepare for them and found himself falling asleep surprisingly fast after gathering Durisia into his arms on their comfortable pallet.

Haldir, Orophin and Glorfindel joined Sarendir and a few of the other Elves in taking watch during the night. Legolas, Rumil and Helcarin had offered to share it, but all were in agreement that Rumil should stay with Charika, as the lady was still somewhat fearful at times. Legolas and Helcarin would watch the next night, no doubt with Alexandra and Pomea in attendance. Though Erestor would do it as well, all knew the entire purpose of the trip was so he could immerse himself in the vast stores of documents still in the keep, and none had the heart to tear him away. Besides, once the raven-haired counselor fixed himself to a task, only something of monumental importance could distract him.

The night passed quietly and the next day was spent taking stock of the contents of the keep. Erestor, Durisia and Cunion once again locked themselves away with the documents in the library while the others explored the keep further. As they walked through the empty rooms and halls, and up the winding stairs, the Elves recounted to Helcarin, Pomea and Charika the battle that had taken place when last they were in this place. In the room atop the north tower, the shards of the large urn Alex had thrown across the gaping hole in the floor still lay at the foot of the stairs to the roof.

“And this was the site of a true miracle,” Haldir said, his expression and tone completely serious.

“And what might that be?” Helcarin asked.

“Alexandra fired an arrow at one of three enemies attacking Legolas and managed to not only miss her husband, but actually hit one of his assailants,” Orophin replied. The look Alexandra gave him was met with a raised brow.

“Et tu, Orophin?” she said as the others laughed. He tilted his head quizzically. “I’ll explain the reference later, but it has to do with being betrayed by one’s closest friend.”

“I am afraid Haldir and Orophin are correct, my lady,” Glorfindel said with a smile. “You are a formidable opponent; but your skill with a bow is … notorious for the wrong reasons.”

Alex turned away for a moment, then looked back at her husband and his kin. “Well, then this should really make you happy: I didn’t hit the one I was aiming for.”

Her confession brought a new round of laughter and Legolas shook his head. “Then, indeed it was a miracle wrought by the Valar, that I did not sustain further injury at the time.”

“Laugh it up, Elf-boy,” she muttered under her breath. “Remember, you are bound to me---I can make your life miserable if I so choose.”

Legolas wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tightly as he lowered his lips to her ear. “But you will not; you know you cannot resist me.” The tip of his tongue flicked out and caressed her earlobe before he released her. She chuckled. Her husband knew her well.

Charika had listened to them talking of the battle with wide eyes. She had known Alexandra was a strong woman; the memory of her facing down Charika’s abusers in her village had returned to her as her darkness had fallen away. But to actually fight in a war … it was not something the women Charika had known ever did. She watched how Alexandra and Pomea seemed perfectly at ease with the Elves in discussing battles and fighting; how comfortable they were carrying arms. She had never really done so. The most dangerous weapon she had ever carried was a dagger that was more ceremonial in nature than anything else.

Legolas was recounting his struggle with the enemy, who had outnumbered him to the point of absurdity. Charika was filled with wonder as she looked at the narrow hallways where he had been trapped by Goroth’s fighters and tried to understand how he had amazingly survived long enough to kill the despotic and evil leader. Though Alexandra did not say anything, she could see Legolas’ wife’s eyes flash dangerously at the thought of her lord being injured. Charika glanced at Rumil and thought of how she would not be able to help him if caught in such circumstances.

They explored the other towers as well. Some of the rooms were ordinary in the extreme while others had some quite beautiful furnishings. Still others held more disturbing discoveries, though they would have been merely interesting if Goroth’s decadent ways had not been so evil.

In one of the rooms, Orophin took one look as he opened the door and immediately closed it. Turning to Rumil, he smiled. “I believe I saw Charika admiring some of the fabrics in the room across the hall. It is a pity that she did not get to finish her perusal. I am certain Vanurion would not object if the lady wished some of the cloth for gowns.”

“By all means,” the Rhunian Elf said with a smile. “My lady, if you like, pick out anything you wish.” Both he and Orophin gave Rumil looks that the other Elf immediately understood. He laughed softly.

“Come, my sweet. Let us find you something for a new gown,” he said, leading her back to a room they had recently exited, and closing the door.

Alex looked at her friend. “What---?”

“Charika did not need to see this room; and I would spare Rumil as well,” Orophin said in a low voice. Glancing at Legolas, he added, “Actually, neither do you or Legolas, Alexandra. But you are not as … fragile as my brother’s lady.”

Haldir raised a brow and opened the door stepping into the room. Though his expression did not change, he felt a wave of disgust wash over him. The others joined him and all of the Elves shared his distaste to some degree. The Elves of the west found it a reminder of both Alexandra’s treatment at the hands of Goroth and his nuruil and Legolas and Charika’s torment by Lastharos. The Rhunian Elves were more accustomed to such environments, but the memories of Goroth’s victims---and their complicity, willing or not---added guilt to their feelings of repulsion.

At first glance, it appeared to be simply a bedroom. But Elven eyes could quickly discern the manacles strategically placed; various … implements to use on the victims; and a saddle, similar to the one Alexandra had been forced across, on a small platform with sturdy chains and cuffs in obvious locations.

“Goroth’s bedroom?” Glorfindel asked, breaking the silence.

Vanurion and Sarendir glanced at each other and nodded simultaneously. The Elves and Alexandra found themselves revolted, yet unable to look away. Legolas picked up a whip of some sort, almost identical to the one Lastharos had used to beat Charika during the last moments before the Elves had arrived.

“Split bamboo,” Alex said. “It’s supposed to be very painful and damaging. It’s a really strong fiber.”

“Your people use this?” Helcarin asked, surprised.

“Some did in our past. I don’t think my … tribe did.” She could smell the blood still on some of the items in the room and it both sickened and called to her. Very bad things happened here; primal urges were called and satisfied and the memory lingered. Legolas saw her gaze darkening and dropped the whip.

“Come,” he said, taking her arm firmly. “We should leave this room.” He guided her through the door and on down the hallway. Helcarin watched them go and, as on the journey through Mordor, noticed something unspoken pass between the prince and his wife, and again, wondered what secret they shared.

“I will have the contents of the room taken out and burned,” Sarendir said when they had closed the door. “And will seal the room---the windows, the doors. None should ever go in there again.”

“Do so after the lady,” Vanurion nodded toward the room where Rumil was keeping Charika occupied, “has retired for the night. I would not have her disturbed or inadvertently coming across these … things.”

The rest of the rooms they went through were not as unsettling as Goroth’s bedroom. Charika had indeed found some beautiful cloth and the others’ moods were lifted by the animation in her voice when she answered Pomea and Alexandra’s questions about her plans for the fabrics.

Orophin and Haldir spoke quietly to Rumil as Charika talked to the other females, and though he maintained his usual Elven calm, his eyes betrayed his anger. He glanced at Charika, who was chattering away, sounding like she did before Lastharos had taken her and his gaze softened.

“Thank you, brother,” he said softly to Orophin, who simply nodded.