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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He watched the Elves from afar. They had found Goroth’s wayside and he allowed himself a small smile. They were sending out scouts to track the Lord of the Eastern Elves and, if their reputations held true, they would find him. Goroth had become arrogant and as a result, had become careless. He had ruled the Eastern Elves for millennia and, although he had kept them powerful, even in the face of threats from Melkor and his puppet, Sauron, his conceit had given way to decadence.

While many followed him without question, there were some who still remembered their earliest past---who remembered being drawn to the west; who still spoke to the Valar. But for the most part, many of his kin had forgotten that which had come before. They caused themselves to forget, for Elves do not lose memories naturally. He knew some even forgot they were Elves. Many had mated with sons and daughters of Men and their offspring were used as the foot soldiers in Goroth’s armies. They were of no use as heirs---what did immortals need with such?

He watched his distant kin with interest and a hint of melancholy. He would have liked to have known them---these beautiful, shining beings who wore brilliantly etched armor and glowed like the stars. But they were here to put an end to the war the mortals of Rhun were fighting against the men of the west, and, more importantly to him, for revenge against Goroth for taking the child and the She-Elf.

When Goroth had returned to his keep, he had been quite eloquent in his description of the pleasure he had taken in humiliating and using the female’s body, and how even now, she was dying slowly under the expert bodies of eight of his executioners, nuruil, in their tongue. He had felt sick, hearing the lord’s words. He knew this was not how things were meant to be. He left immediately and rode to the spot, but upon arrival, found the eight nuruil dead in a most gruesome and bloody manner, and the female and child gone. The horses had been released and he assumed her people had followed her and either taken her body or saved her from the lord’s part-Elven killers.

He found it interesting that Goroth would take others by force---female, male; it made no difference to him if he desired them---but left the killing of his victims to the nuruil. At least, unlike the lord, he did his own killing and did not delegate it to those bound to him by blood.

He faded into the shadows of the trees on the mountainside and made his way back to his family’s keep. There were others who would be interested to know the western Elves had finally gotten Goroth’s scent.


Glorfindel’s eyes searched the far mountains. He reigned Asfaloth and focused on the distant shadows. The others stopped and followed his gaze.

“We are being watched,” he told them. “I do not know by whom.”

“Goroth knows we are here, then,” Elladan said quietly.

“Good. Perhaps he will come to us,” Haldir suggested. “It will certainly save us some time. Let us kill this creature and his minions and be done with this accursed land.”

“Patience, Haldir. There will be bloodshed enough,” Saelbeth chided. He, too, was anxious to stain his sword with the blood of these evil creatures. He had to admit, he was not looking forward to killing Elves. But could these beings even be called Elves as they knew them? Such behavior was evil---they were no more true Elves than the Orcs.

They continued on their way, not stopping to rest; the horses were not being run hard and they did not wish to set themselves up as a stationary target. Alex got her first chance to actually see Elvish sleep. In all her years with Legolas, he had on a very few rare occasions slept with his eyes open; but more often than not, closed them. He had told her Elven warriors could sleep while still walking, although it was not true sleep in the sense mortals understood. She’d always thought he was teasing her, but now discovered it was true. It was also quite eerie and she was struck again by the fact that she was the lone mortal in a company of Elves. When Legolas asked her if she wished to ride in front of him so she could rest, she declined. She was a tiny bit on edge and felt it necessary to remain awake. She knew she would be fatigued, but also knew she would be unable to sleep in her present state.

Legolas could tell his wife was uneasy and it occurred to him she was surrounded by Elves, hunting Elves. He thought back to the conversation in the tent several days ago, when she’d unconsciously used the word “us” when speaking of mortals’ fear of Elves. As someone who had lived her entire life believing there were no such things as Elves, and ending up in Middle Earth as the result of a bizarre accident, she probably felt odd and lonely at times. Yet, she never complained, and always seemed happy with his kin, seeming to prefer them to mortal company. He caught her eye and smiled. She returned his smile and her love washed over him.

Alex sensed danger at the same moment as her companions, for she drew her sword as the Firstborn were drawing their bows. Dark figures which blended into the trees dropped silently, poised with their own swords drawn while their comrades in the trees aimed their arrows at the group in front, including Legolas and his captains.

These new creatures were dressed all in black and for a moment, Alex thought of Goroth and his men---Elves---whatever. But these beings did not make any threatening moves. Their silence was uncanny and their faces were covered, much like the Haradrim, with only their eyes showing. The first word to come to Alex was, “Ninjas.” For some reason the idea of Ninja Elves struck her as hilarious and it was all she could do not to laugh out loud. Instead, she dug her nails into her palms, hoping the pain would stop her from embarrassing herself and those with her.

One of the dark figures reached up slowly and pulled the obscuring cloth from his face. She saw he was beautiful, with fair, golden skin; black hair pulled back in a simple braid; greenish-gold eyes, perfectly shaped and slanted slightly upward; fine bone structure with exquisite cheekbones; and delicately pointed ears. When he spoke, his voice was melodic, but she did not understand the language. It was not westron or Sindarin. Glancing at Legolas and the others, she could see they had maintained their defensive posture and were calmly sighting these new Elves down their arrows. She felt odd, seeing Elves drawing weapons on other Elves and cursed Goroth for bringing this to pass.

Glorfindel was taken aback. This … Elf standing calmly before them had started out in an unknown tongue, but now was speaking Quenya. He was probably the only one in their company who could understand him completely, as most of his brethren regularly spoke Sindarin, the ancient language being used only by High Elves on ceremonial occasions. All Elves knew a little bit of the language but he was probably the only one fluent in it in this company. He smiled at the Elf waiting patiently on the path and spoke to Legolas.

“He says they wish us no harm and ask if we seek Lord Goroth.” At the name of the Eastern lord, the black-clad Elf shifted his gaze to Legolas.

The prince was uncertain of whether to trust this unknown Elf. Still, they had come to find Goroth and it was no secret. He nodded and responded with one of the few words he knew in Quenya, in the affirmative.

The eastern Elf said something to his warriors and they lowered their weapons. Legolas did the same and Alex was quite relieved. As the only mortal in the entire party, she had not been too anxious for the arrows to begin to fly, armor or not. Their new possible ally spoke again in the strange Elvish tongue and Glorfindel responded. They conversed for a few minutes and she gradually began to understand some of what was being said. Apparently, he understood some Sindarin. Finally, he addressed Legolas directly.

“Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilon. I am Vanurion of Rhun. I have longed to meet our Western kin for many seasons.” His voice was soothing and his accent sounded strange but beautiful. Alex was enthralled.

Legolas touched his chest and bowed respectfully. “Mae govannen, Vanurion of Rhun. We did not know we still had brethren in the east. It was only by the actions of Goroth that we learned of your existence. I regret that we must meet under such circumstances.”

Vanurion bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Come, you may rest your horses here. Goroth’s keep is still another day and a half from this spot. He does not think you will pursue him. He believes you took the remains of your female and the child and left. He did not expect you to come back.”

“If he is an Elf-Lord, he should have anticipated our movements; at least, he should sense our presence.” Legolas glanced at Glorfindel, who gave a short nod.

The eastern Elf shook his head. “I sometimes believe Goroth has forgotten what it means to be an Elf. He was easily turned away from the west by the lure of the easy power he could exert over the beings of this land. He convinced many of us to remain with him, promising we would follow the light into the west, but we became accustomed to this place and eventually, we gave up on continuing the journey. The call of the Valar became easy to resist, or ignore. And so we remained here, under Goroth’s rule. But there are some of us who still hear the voices of the Valar and remember what we once were.”

The sadness in his voice affected everyone who heard his words. Alex could only think of how tragic the story sounded. The Elves, however, were stunned. If what Vanurion said was true, then Goroth---and possibly Vanurion and others of his people---may be ancient Elves who first awoke in Cuivienen in the Years of the Trees. They were descendents of---or actually were---the Avari.

For Alex, though, such a revelation would have meant nothing. There were old Elves and older Elves, but in the end, they were all just … Elves. She was, quite frankly, glad to get out of the saddle. She needed to relieve herself, and was hungry and parched. The Elves never seemed to worry about such mundane details. They ate their lembas without complaint whereas she was sick of the slightly sweet, fairly hard bread. She slipped away from the main group so she could have a moment’s privacy and tend to her needs.

Once she felt more human, she hesitated to rejoin the group. Instead, she found a comfortable spot and stretched out, working the kinks from her muscles. Looking up at the canopy of trees, she closed her eyes and tried to hear them. Since Legolas had told her of the songs and words of the trees, she had tried to tune in to it herself, but had no success. She supposed one might be able to do it if one began as a child, but she did not possess the ability now. Soon, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep without even realizing it.

Legolas, Glorfindel, Haldir and the twins had many questions of Vanurion, and the eastern Elf had many for them. He told them of Goroth’s rule; how he had somehow protected them from the evil creatures of Melkor---Morgoth, he was now called; how he had fallen into debauchery and bred indiscriminately with mortal and Elf alike so his offspring were bound to him by blood; how he had maintained neutrality during the last War---the War of the Ring, although the mortals of the land had followed Sauron.

“If he is not a friend of the Dark Lord, then why did he attack Minas Tirith and take the Steward of Gondor’s son in order to ensure King Elessar’s compliance with his demands? Why even bother in the Eastern Alliance war against the west?” Legolas could not understand the warlord’s logic.

Vanurion turned his golden gaze on the prince. “He does it because he can. He does not want the influence of the west to intrude on his personal realm. He knows the men of Rhun and Harad cannot, in the end, defeat the kingdoms of the west on their own. Yet he is unwilling to fight for them. Instead, he tried to get the kings of the west to accede to his demands. He wishes no true contact with the Men---and certainly not the Elves---of the west.”

“Why does he avoid his kin? What does he fear in the west?” Glorfindel could not imagine Elves living like this.

The eastern Elf smiled sadly. “He has fallen so far away from the light, from the way things were when we were all simply Quendi, that he no longer feels any kinship with those of our brethren in the West. He believes himself to be a Vala in his own right, master of his realm and his people.”

“And the Elves of the east follow him blindly?” Haldir was appalled.

“Do not be so harsh in your judgment of our kind,” Vanurion said softly. “There are many dangers in this land of which you know nothing. Goroth has protected the Elves and has bred with so many, he is like a father to most---in heart and in blood.”

“But what of you? Why do you seek to aide us?” Legolas could not believe a leader with such an apparently powerful hold on his people would tolerate much dissent.

“I still remember when the Valar walked with us. I was young at the time of the Great Journey, and the memory is clear. But my House chose to remain with Goroth---my father was his brother, my mother awoke under the stars. I believe they remained because they truly loved their home. When Goroth began to use the Secondborn for his pleasure, my father took issue with him. He had my father killed, torn apart by warg Goroth had taken from the Orc who lived in the mountains to the northwest. We are not powerful enough to stand against him alone.”

Legolas and his companions were shocked. Goroth may have ‘protected’ his people against Morgoth, but he was no less evil himself. Each shared a common thought: What if Goroth’s protection was actually the result of collaboration?

“And your mother?” Elladan asked softly.

The pain that flashed in Vanurion’s eyes was heart wrenching. “Goroth had her executed. He had his nuruil rape her until she gave up her life.”

The western Elves were horrified. Legolas thought of how the same fate had awaited Alex and his wrath grew. The twins thought of their own mother and her torture at the hands of Orcs. Their bonds of kinship with this Eastern Elf were strengthened through shared pain.


Orophin watched Alexandra as she slept. He had seen her slip away from the rest of the company and had followed her at a discrete distance. He did not wish her to be unprotected, especially with these unknown Elves in the woods. When he saw she had personal business to attend, he turned away although an insidious voice whispered for him to watch her. He had thought she would return to the group, but, surprisingly, she lay down on the carpet of grass and leaves and soon fell asleep. He settled down to watch over her, in case any danger presented itself while she slept.

He had managed to hold his craving for the woman at bay by regularly visiting with the she-Elves among the warriors. Fortunately, Gilraen was among those in this company, although he doubted he would need to sate himself any time soon. The needs of the mission outweighed the needs of his body.

But now, he was alone with Alexandra, and they were secluded from the rest of their companions. She was quite vulnerable and a tempting morsel as she lay sleeping, unaware of her watcher. He could go to her and hold her in his arms, and she would be none the wiser. He could probably take her and she would believe it a dream---and such a pleasant dream it would be. Her soft lips yielding to his; her tongue wrapping around his; her body, taking his into hers …

He slammed the door on his lascivious thoughts. No! He could not do such a thing. He was appalled that he even had such thoughts. Sweet Elbereth; what was wrong with him? He loved her honorably, and held her husband close as a friend and kinsman. What evil was twisting his thoughts? Still, the memory of how her body felt in his arms, held close to his; her vulnerability; her mortal beauty … all kept creeping back into his mind. He knew he should leave before his body betrayed him; but he could not leave her alone and defenseless. He was a guardian---a Warden of Lorien. He was one who watched over those in his care, and he cared for Alexandra.


Legolas and his companions learned much from their Eastern kin and in turn, told them of the life the Eldar had lived in Middle Earth. Vanurion and his people were saddened to learn many of the Elves had already departed for Valinor. Glorfindel’s description of the Undying Lands brought such longing to their hearts, their western brethren were touched.

“Why have none of your people come to the west?” Saelbeth wondered aloud. “You know you would have been welcomed.”

Vanurion smiled sadly. “We were forbidden by Goroth to leave. Only a few of us were allowed to go into the western parts of Middle Earth, and then only to learn of the political situation. Of course, many of us learned the language of the Elves there, and some learned the language of the men. We came back and taught it to our kin. But we speak the old language amongst ourselves, and the tongue of the mortals of this land. You are the first with whom I’ve been able to practice your language in many years. Any who tried to leave and go to dwell in the west were dealt with harshly. The warg are always hungry and the nuruil always eager.”

“Why did the men of the east start this war with the kingdoms of the west?” Haldir was curious about the apparent self-destructive behavior of the people. “They could not hope to win.”

“There was a … man, I suppose, although I believe him to have been a creature of Mogoth---who stirred the fear of the people. He told them now that the kingdoms of men had been united in the west, they had turned their eyes to the east and craved these lands. He told them the men of the west would enslave them, take their lands and give their women and children to the Elves as slaves.” He shook his head. “The threat of Western Elves is terrifying to the people here. They fear us, but have been told your kind are far worse.” He gave a rueful chuckle. “They believe Goroth is the lesser of the Evils of the Elves.”

“No wonder they fight so desperately,” murmured Elrohir.

“And avoid any close combat with our forces,” added Elladan.

“I am afraid Goroth has done nothing to help your image,” Vanurion said. “His dissolute ways have caused the mortals here to live in terror of him. But he tells them your people are far worse and he is ‘protecting’ them. If they submit to him, they become his concern. Or so he says. Thus, many turn a blind eye to daughters and sons who go missing; some may be returned, the worse for wear, but alive. Others are never seen again. Some of the females return with swollen bellies and when their time comes to deliver, one of Goroth’s household shows up at their door, usually in the dark of the night, and takes the child. Others of our people have bred with the mortals, but none on the scale of Goroth.”

“Why would he do such a thing? Are his desires so perverse that he cannot satisfy himself with a bondmate or join without producing issue?” Rumil had joined them and found such behavior disgusting in the extreme.

“He’s breeding loyalty,” Alex said from the fringes of the group. Legolas turned to his wife with a welcoming smile. He noticed Orophin was also now standing near his brothers. He held out his hand, indicating Alex should sit by him. She entwined her fingers in his and he drew her to his side.

Vanurion bowed respectfully. This must be the bondmate of the prince. She was quite lovely, but did not look the same as her husband and his brethren. He realized she was a woman and was surprised. He did not think his western kin bred with mortals.

“The lady is correct,” he replied.

Alex turned to her husband. “It was the way of some of the great empire-builders among my people. When they conquered a land, they killed all of the men and male children, and bred with the women so any children would then be bound to them by blood. It was how they consolidated their power. It doesn’t work that way now, but during its time, it was quite effective.”

“Apparently, it has worked for Goroth,” Glorfindel said. He found the warlord’s behavior repulsive as well, but it was apparently successful. “Are there others among your people who feel as you do?”

Vanurion nodded. “Actually, quite a few. However, Goroth’s power is great and he has many to fight for him. Plus, there is none to take his place. We would have no lord if Goroth were deposed, and for some, that prospect is worse than leaving him in power.”

“Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t,” Alex murmured. Legolas glanced at her in agreement.

“I have some of my people watching Goroth’s keep. They will know if he seems suspicious of your coming. Here,” he gestured to one of his comrades, who handed him a series of scrolls, “I have brought you drawings of the keep and grounds. It is important that you succeed.”

They were grateful for his help, but Legolas could not help asking, “How do you know we will kill him? Perhaps we only wish to talk with him.”

Vanurion gave a wry smile. “One does not send an army to ‘talk’. He killed the she-elf and the child, did he not? Of course you would seek revenge.”

It took them a moment to realize he did not know Alexandra was the female in question, or that she and the child had escaped.

“He tried to kill me, but it didn’t work out like he planned,” she replied calmly. “And the child has been returned to his mother.”

The eastern Elf bowed his head. “Forgive me, my lady. I did not know you were the one he had taken from Gondor.”

“There’s no way you could’ve known,” she answered, kindly. “There is nothing to forgive.”

Vanurion quickly reassessed the odds of the western Elves’ success against Goroth. The warlord had unknowingly taken and abused the bondmate of a powerful Elven prince. He had apparently made a gross miscalculation and now that prince and his kin were seeking revenge. He noticed the mighty Elf-Lord, Glorfindel, was also supporting the prince’s cause and realized this may be the downfall of the dark Elven Lord of the east. He called one of his brethren over and gave instructions before the other Elf bowed and ran into the darkness. He answered any questions the prince and his friends had about the maps and sent a silent prayer of thanks to the Valar for this turn of events.

Legolas felt a small tremor of jealousy when Vanurion had looked at Alex. Now that he knew more about these eastern Elves, he questioned the wisdom of bringing his wife along. Apparently, Goroth’s actions were well-known among his people and something told him Vanurion and possibly some of his brethren, had been assessing Alex, imagining her body restrained and vulnerable as their Elf-Lord took his pleasure with her. He mentally shook himself. He was allowing evil thoughts again. He turned to Alex and when she looked at him, he leaned over and kissed her gently. She raised a brow in askance, and he simply smiled, then returned his attention to Haldir and Glorfindel’s assessment of the best approach to the keep.

The eastern Elf watched the prince and his lady with some envy. Their bond was pure---he was certain the Elves of the west were closer to the Valar than he and his kin. Under Goroth’s rule, the lines had been blurred and now it was simply a matter of breeding rather than bonding. In fact, he believed his kind had lost the ability to bond with one mate. He had several concubines, but no wife. At least he could not be unfaithful. His children were not as numerous as many of his brethren, and he had only a few who had come from mortal women. He tried not to spread his seed indiscriminately, but after several thousand years, he had accumulated quite a few offspring. Still, he had never taken an unwilling partner, she-Elf or mortal, to his bed, which was more than Goroth or many of his kin could say.

He noticed how protective the prince was of his mate, and how they seemed to communicate without speech. He wondered what it would feel like to have such a bond. He wondered if he were capable of such a thing. Watching the western Elves, Vanurion realized how much his people had missed by not making the journey into the west and remaining so sequestered in their own realm. There was a wisdom and serenity about their western kin that his brethren did not possess. He wondered, though, how they were in battle.

They had certainly responded to the presence of his warriors quickly, and had shown no fear. Most of the warriors seemed to be impassive and were going about their business silently. Some were talking with others of his kin and his heart was gladdened at the sight. Even though the time of the Elves was over in Middle Earth, according to what Glorfindel had said, it was good that his people were finally getting to know their western brethren.

Some of them seemed quite dangerous. Haldir and Glorfindel seemed especially deadly. The ones identified as Haldir’s brothers also had an aura of menace that not all of the Elves shared. The dark-haired twins seemed the type who were quick to laugh and just as quick to respond to a threat. The one called Saelbeth also had an easy air about him, much like the twins. Glorfindel, even to his eastern eyes, was obviously a mighty Elf-Lord in the truest sense of the term. He looked delicate and even younger than his companions, but shone with power and inner strength. The enigma was the prince.

Like Saelbeth and the twins, he had an open, relaxed manner; yet something in his eyes reminded him of the three brothers. He had the look of an assassin. Vanurion knew that Legolas would not rest until he had satisfied his need for vengeance against Goroth.