Will of the Valar.
folder
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
17
Views:
1,996
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
17
Views:
1,996
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 17
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.
**************************************
Within another week, Legolas had recovered enough to travel. The ‘negotiating’ party Vanurion had sent to the leadership of Rhun sent a messenger back that, after a few hours of negotiation, the Rhunian leader had agreed to pull his forces from the field of battle. They also reported the Haradrim had suffered a change of heart as well. Saelbeth, who had brought the news to Legolas, shared a laugh with his friend as they thought of how the Elves who had slipped into Harad had likely negotiated.
“Well, Golaradir and Erestor are quite diplomatic,” Alexandra had not left her husband’s side. “They probably talked them into a treaty of some sort.”
The two Elves exchanged knowing glances.
“What?” She looked between the two of them.
“Thandronen is not known for talking. And Golradir and Erestor can be quite … intense when the occasion calls for it.” Saelbeth tilted his head and studied Alexandra. “Your image of Elves is quite charming, my lady.”
Legolas squeezed her hand. “Do not worry, my love. Keep your image of our people.”
She looked at the two Elves before her. They were both incredibly beautiful, serene, with angelic smiles. But she’d also seen both of them eliminate enemies in battle with little effort and no remorse.
“Oh, I don’t think my image is as charming as you might think,” she replied.
She and Saelbeth assisted Legolas to stand, although he insisted he was well and did not need help. “I shall be sitting on my horse alone. Surely, I should be able to walk down the stairs to the courtyard unaided.”
The other Elf shook his head and lifted the pack holding Legolas and Alexandra’s personal belongings. Alexandra kept her arm through her husband’s.
“It will look as though I’m holding on to you for support, my love,” she said. “After all, I’m only human. Heaven knows, I’m too delicate for this sort of thing.”
They walked down the stairs and out into the courtyard where the Elven captains awaited their prince. Vanurion and his kin waited to bid them farewell. Legolas thanked them for their assistance and invited them to visit the Elves of Ithilien.
“I am certain you would also be welcomed by our kin in East Lorien and Eryn Lasgalen. And I know King Elessar and King Eomer would like to thank you personally for your help.”
Vanurion smiled. “Perhaps we will visit with our western kin at some point. We must first decide how we wish to proceed here in Rhun. For the first time in many millennia, we do not have Goroth telling us what we will and will not do. Some of his kin still live and may seek revenge. Once they have been dealt with, we will look to the world beyond our borders.” He looked over to where Gilraen and a few other western Elves stood. “We also appreciate that some of your people have agreed to stay with us and provide some guidance in your ways; the things we have missed in these many years as the vanwe.” Looking directly at Alexandra, he continued, “We hope to return to Eru’s fold.”
Legolas gripped the eastern Elf’s shoulder in a gesture of brotherhood. “May you and your people enjoy the grace of the Valar, my friend.”
Vanurion returned the gesture. “And may they guard you and your people on your journey home.” His green-gold eyes met grey-blue ones. “My heart tells me it was the will of the Valar that you came to Rhun. Although there was loss, much was gained. Thank you, my brother.”
Legolas climbed onto Arod gracefully, only a twinge of discomfort in his side to remind him of his injuries. He watched as Vanurion embraced Alexandra in farewell.
“Thank you for your words of hope, my lady,” he whispered to the woman.
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Remember, you always have friends in the west.”
She mounted her horse and with a final farewell, the western Elves departed.
As they rode to the southwest, Alex watched her companions. Glorfindel rode with the easy elegance of his kind, wearing the mantle of Elf Lord as comfortably as a familiar old cloak; Haldir, Orophin and Rumil had the unmistakable air of command and competence bred from millennia protecting the realm of Galadriel and Celeborn; Elladan and Elrohir seemed to have overcome their recent melancholy and were once again relaxed and mischievous; Saelbeth was his usual serene self, always with a glint in his eye that made one think he was thinking of some secret mirth.
The other Elves of the company were calm and not as quiet as on the ride north. There were soft conversations and laughter could be heard occasionally. Normally, they would have also sung, but out of respect for their Lady, they refrained. It was an open secret that she could not abide the songs of their people without tears and, although she never asked that they not sing, they often refrained in her presence, unless it was one of the more raucous and slightly scandalous songs mostly sung by Legolas’ Mirkwood kin during times of celebration; the songs mortals never heard.
Finally, she looked over at where her husband rode beside her. His fair skin glowed and as he laughed at something Elrohir said, she sent another prayer of thanks to the one who had stood by her and given her the strength to share with Legolas when he needed it the most. It was not yet his time to cross the sea, either on one of the Elven ships, or to the Halls of Mandos.
As if reading her thoughts, Legolas turned to her, smiled and reached across to entwine his fingers with hers as together they rode home to Ithilien.
**************************************
Within another week, Legolas had recovered enough to travel. The ‘negotiating’ party Vanurion had sent to the leadership of Rhun sent a messenger back that, after a few hours of negotiation, the Rhunian leader had agreed to pull his forces from the field of battle. They also reported the Haradrim had suffered a change of heart as well. Saelbeth, who had brought the news to Legolas, shared a laugh with his friend as they thought of how the Elves who had slipped into Harad had likely negotiated.
“Well, Golaradir and Erestor are quite diplomatic,” Alexandra had not left her husband’s side. “They probably talked them into a treaty of some sort.”
The two Elves exchanged knowing glances.
“What?” She looked between the two of them.
“Thandronen is not known for talking. And Golradir and Erestor can be quite … intense when the occasion calls for it.” Saelbeth tilted his head and studied Alexandra. “Your image of Elves is quite charming, my lady.”
Legolas squeezed her hand. “Do not worry, my love. Keep your image of our people.”
She looked at the two Elves before her. They were both incredibly beautiful, serene, with angelic smiles. But she’d also seen both of them eliminate enemies in battle with little effort and no remorse.
“Oh, I don’t think my image is as charming as you might think,” she replied.
She and Saelbeth assisted Legolas to stand, although he insisted he was well and did not need help. “I shall be sitting on my horse alone. Surely, I should be able to walk down the stairs to the courtyard unaided.”
The other Elf shook his head and lifted the pack holding Legolas and Alexandra’s personal belongings. Alexandra kept her arm through her husband’s.
“It will look as though I’m holding on to you for support, my love,” she said. “After all, I’m only human. Heaven knows, I’m too delicate for this sort of thing.”
They walked down the stairs and out into the courtyard where the Elven captains awaited their prince. Vanurion and his kin waited to bid them farewell. Legolas thanked them for their assistance and invited them to visit the Elves of Ithilien.
“I am certain you would also be welcomed by our kin in East Lorien and Eryn Lasgalen. And I know King Elessar and King Eomer would like to thank you personally for your help.”
Vanurion smiled. “Perhaps we will visit with our western kin at some point. We must first decide how we wish to proceed here in Rhun. For the first time in many millennia, we do not have Goroth telling us what we will and will not do. Some of his kin still live and may seek revenge. Once they have been dealt with, we will look to the world beyond our borders.” He looked over to where Gilraen and a few other western Elves stood. “We also appreciate that some of your people have agreed to stay with us and provide some guidance in your ways; the things we have missed in these many years as the vanwe.” Looking directly at Alexandra, he continued, “We hope to return to Eru’s fold.”
Legolas gripped the eastern Elf’s shoulder in a gesture of brotherhood. “May you and your people enjoy the grace of the Valar, my friend.”
Vanurion returned the gesture. “And may they guard you and your people on your journey home.” His green-gold eyes met grey-blue ones. “My heart tells me it was the will of the Valar that you came to Rhun. Although there was loss, much was gained. Thank you, my brother.”
Legolas climbed onto Arod gracefully, only a twinge of discomfort in his side to remind him of his injuries. He watched as Vanurion embraced Alexandra in farewell.
“Thank you for your words of hope, my lady,” he whispered to the woman.
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Remember, you always have friends in the west.”
She mounted her horse and with a final farewell, the western Elves departed.
As they rode to the southwest, Alex watched her companions. Glorfindel rode with the easy elegance of his kind, wearing the mantle of Elf Lord as comfortably as a familiar old cloak; Haldir, Orophin and Rumil had the unmistakable air of command and competence bred from millennia protecting the realm of Galadriel and Celeborn; Elladan and Elrohir seemed to have overcome their recent melancholy and were once again relaxed and mischievous; Saelbeth was his usual serene self, always with a glint in his eye that made one think he was thinking of some secret mirth.
The other Elves of the company were calm and not as quiet as on the ride north. There were soft conversations and laughter could be heard occasionally. Normally, they would have also sung, but out of respect for their Lady, they refrained. It was an open secret that she could not abide the songs of their people without tears and, although she never asked that they not sing, they often refrained in her presence, unless it was one of the more raucous and slightly scandalous songs mostly sung by Legolas’ Mirkwood kin during times of celebration; the songs mortals never heard.
Finally, she looked over at where her husband rode beside her. His fair skin glowed and as he laughed at something Elrohir said, she sent another prayer of thanks to the one who had stood by her and given her the strength to share with Legolas when he needed it the most. It was not yet his time to cross the sea, either on one of the Elven ships, or to the Halls of Mandos.
As if reading her thoughts, Legolas turned to her, smiled and reached across to entwine his fingers with hers as together they rode home to Ithilien.