Vales of Sorrow

Vales of Sorrow
Author: Vi Janaway
Beta: Novedhelion
Rating: R to start...NC-17 later
Genre: HET AU ROMANCE starts about 500 years before Fellowship of the Ring ends after Return of the King
Pairings: Haldir/OFC, Aragorn/Arwen, Legolas/OFC
All the others....and a few more
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings... It all belongs to the Good Professor J R R Tolkien

Summary: An inured Elleth, rescued by four Noble Elves, has secrets that will have repercussions for Lothlórien, Mirkwood, and Rivendell.

Authors Note: *** ****is telepathy. I know there is a lack of written elvish...sorry about that.

Chapter Two

Rescue


Friends for almost a thousand years and traveling companions for the one just past, the four Elves had developed a telepathic link with each other. It had been most convenient for exchanging information at less than hospitable sites during their trip.

***How could you see her from where we were, Legolas?*** Elladan inquired. Like the others, his cloak fanned out behind him in the wind.

***I know not,***" the Prince of Mirkwood returned. **"Mayhap the same way you heard her?***

***However it happened, I am glad you did. Although, perhaps we should have sent someone else to investigate,*** Haldir said. ***It is not our place to become involved in what may be none of our affair.*** He could feel the surge of anger. ***Remember that we are stil on 'official' business for the Lord and Lady. We cannot just overrun the men.***

***And why not?*** Legolas demanded. ***We know they are hurting her...
and there are three of them.***

***Three stupid humans,***Elladan's tone was dark. He had good reason to hate humans. ***I do not think my grandparents would mind. I say we ride over them.***

***I know what you are feeling, Elladan, but we cannot.*** Haldir reiterated. ***We might add to her harm, and we do need to find out the circumstances that led to this. I do not wish any problems with the rulers of all three realms.***

***Always by the book,*** Elladan said tersely. ***She could die, but by all means we must go through proper procedure.***

As Haldir, Legolas, and Elladan continued to argue, Elrohir was quiet. He just wanted to help her.

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All three humans were of stocky build and their trade as stonecutters and masons was evidenced in the thick muscles of their arms, torsos, and wide calloused hands.

Janap, coward and bully that he was, was taking great delight in his abuse of the defenseless Elleth at his feet.

While his cohort bullies held her immobile he continued to pelt her bare shoulders and upper torso with stones, some already splattered with her blood. When he grabbed a handful of hair and yanked her head back, her arms were pulled even more tightly away from her sides.

Mislyn screamed when her left shoulder was dislocated, but a heavy-handed slap from Janap silenced her. Blood had matted the hair at her temples and now a thin line ran from a corner of her mouth. Violent trembling set in when her arms and hair were released at the same time, and the elleth fell backwards, her hair her only cushion, as her broken, bruised flesh met with the stony ground.

"Come on, Janap, enough," said the brute with short, cinnamon-colored, greasy hair. 'Look at that body. Let's have some fun. It's not like she can fight back." He laughed cruelly.

"You stupid or somethin'?" Janap glared at him. "Men don't have fun with animals. Elves are worse'n animals."'

"Don't look like no animal I ever seen." The other companion ripped away the last of Mislyn's dress. "And you already fixed her ears so she don't look like no elf no more." He kicked at the bloody knife Janap had used.

Janap snapped at him. "You are stupid! Don't make no difernse." A few feet away, he saw a much larger stone than the others he had used. He walked over and hefted it up into his hands. "Yeah. This'll do just fine." He turned back to the teacher. "This'll end things right quick."

The two other bullies urged him on. So set were they all on killing the battered elleth, none heard the Elves come up behind them.

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While still several yards from the men, Haldir called a halt and, after dismounting, motioned for silence. They moved swiftly toward the trio so intent on doing further harm to the elleth. Their booted footsteps made no sound.

"I do not think you wish to continue." Haldir's voice startled the three attackers, and Janap dropped the rock.

"What's it to you?" he demanded insolently as the Lórien Elf came to stand in front of him. "None of yer business. We got a score to settle here."

***Hurry up with your interrogation!*** Elrohir yelled at Haldir. ***Why bother with this apalling man spawn when there is an elleth that needs tending?***

With much effort, Haldir remained calm. He was seething at the man's attitude, but had to be cautious. And no matter what his feelings, he couldn't just take matters into his own hands. "What was her crime, and how is it that you are the executioner?"

He hadn't missed the richness of their cloaks and boots and ever the avaricious opportunist, Janap decided to change his tactics by saying placatingly, "It doesn't concern you, young sir. Be on your way."

"Not until we have answers, " Legolas said quietly, ignoring the surprised gazes turned on him. "I'll ask again. What has she done?"

"I tol' ja. It ain't yer concern." The mason's voice lost its false sincerity.

"We are making it our concern." Haldir countered. He fought to keep the urgency out of his voice. Too much time was being lost. "Why do you want to kill her?"

"She's an ELF!!!" Janap took a step back at the blazing anger he saw in Haldir's eyes.

"As are we," the Galadhrim Captain said in an icy tone, and all four lowered their hoods.

Elrohir didn't wait any longer and, medicine kit in hand, rushed to Mislyn's side.

Strangled shouts came from Janap and the other two. "No!" He rushed at Haldir who caught him by the front of his rough-woven tunic. "Let go o' me!" He struggled as the Elf lifted him effortlessly.

"I think not." Haldir put him down in front of Legolas who shoved the man to his knees.

Cinnamon-hair moved slowly, hoping to leave. He did not think anyone was watching when he bent to pick up Mislyn's sewing bag, but Elladan stepped on his hand, trapping him in place. He tried to speak, but no words came as he tried to get free. He squealed in panic when the Rivendell Elf increased his pressure on the hand. The third bully had fainted in fright.

Haldir knelt beside Mislyn and spoke quietly to Elrohir "How serious are her injuries?"

"Bruised ribs...dislocated shoulder...cuts on her knees...I do not know what else I will find," the dark-haired twin answered.

Having closed her eyes against the pain Mislyn had trto rto remain still when gentle fingers probed her ribcage and shoulder. But at the revelation that the newcomers were Elves, she slowly opened then closed them again in embarrassment. The sole claim to modesty left to her was an undergarment which resembled a pair of very short leggings

"My name is Haldir. You are safe now," the blond elf told her then realized that she didn't understand him by the quizzical look she gave him as he looked down at her. He took off his own cloak and draped it over her, careful not to let it touch her knees and repeated what he had said in Westron.

"Thank you, " she said softly, "I am called Mislyn."

***Look at her ears, Haldir.*** Elrohir carefully lifted stray strands of hair from her mangled ears while he tried to hold onto his usually mild temper. ***Barbarians!*** He turned to Haldir. "Help me ease her up," he said so she could understand. "I need to see her back."

Haldir considered the situation, then sat beside her, stretching out his legs in front of him. She was still lying on her back. Gazing steadily into her eyes, Haldir leaned over slightly and laid his right forearm against her chest. "Hold on," he said quietly. She wrapped her good arm around it and held tightly while he pulled her into a sitting position. Short, hissing breaths punctuated with sounds of distress escaped her as fresh pain washed over the elleth. Mislyn clutched at him and leaned her head forward to rest on his upper arm. He stayed very still and steady. "Hold on as much as you need, " he whispered glad she couldn't see his expression when he saw the wounded tips of her ears up close.

Elrohir gasped. "Sweet Elbereth...oh, poor elleth. I will try to be gentle." Refusing to let the memory of another such injury distract him, he laid out the contents of his pack then carefully gathered her hair away from her bloodied back. The thick mass stuck in places and he sucked in his breath when he had to pull it away. Much of it was stained with red streaks and he let most of it fall in Haldir's lap. The kind-hearted healer took up a soft cloth, put it in a basin, and poured water from a large skin. Next, he opened a jar of finely powdered white willow bark and shook in a large amount. The analgesic qualities would help numb the pain while he cleaned her back. After pouring water into a cup, he added something from another container, and handed it to the Lórien Elf.

"Not as good as Ada's, but it will do."

"You are his best apprentice, my friend." Haldir helped the teacher to drink, then handed the cup back to Elrohir.

Legolas had been concentrating on keeping Janap on his knees. When Elrohir pulled the Elleth's hair aside, a coldness settled around him, and he jerked the man's head up. "You did that to her because she is an Elf? You stoned a defenseless female because of prejudice?" He kicked him in the small of the back and the mason went sprawling face down on the rock-strewn ground.

Elladan grabbed Cinnamon-hair by the scruff, dragged him over, and dropped him by Janap. ***This is the one who hurt her shoulder.*** He met Haldir's eyes with a challenge in his own. ***Do you still think we need 'permission' to deal with these Valar-forsaken criminals?*** The sun glinting off metal caught his attention. "Make sure this one stays put," he said aloud to his golden-haired friend making sure the cowering man knew what he said.

The older twin strode to where the third man was still unconscious. By his foot was the knife Janap had used on Mislyn's ears. Elladan picked up the blood-stained tool and let loose a string of curses. Seconds later he was back where Legolas still stood. With the toe of his left boot, he turned the groaning man over on his back. He smiled at the screams of the human.

"That is it, human." His voice was deadly calm and he enunciated each word in Westron. "Scream. Scream for your worthless life. Useless. Reject. From Mordor."

He handed the knife to Legolas who looked at him with stunned disbelief. "It is a mason's mortar knife, Legolas." The words came out in tortured, anguished Elvish. "The edges are dull, and the tip is rounded. He used a mortar knife on her ears. A MORTAR KNIFE!" Elladan kicked Janap and bent over him with the knife.

Only Legolas' restraining hand on his arm made the grey-eyed Elf halt. Compassion in his eyes he said ***I know why you hate humans, Elladan. But we must wait.***

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Tuomen, the Galadhrim Haldir had left in charge, quietly led the Elves he had chosen in the direction the four had taken. The slender blond lieutenant had a grim expression on his face when they halted and dismounted. They had all heard Elladan's words and were ready to help him take the human apart. Hoofbeats coming from behind made them turn.

Five humans on sturdy horses were bearing down on them. The men pulled up short when they saw the Elves, and their leader swung out of his saddle cautiously and walked to the tall Elven warrior.

"My name is Crelaine. I am the Peacekeeper of my town and these are reeves, members of the Council." The young man indicated his companions and tried to swallow his nervousness. "We are following three who mean harm to our teacher."

Something in his brown eyes made Tuomen nod and let him pass.

"He is a friend," the elleth told Haldir but did not let go of his arm. She raised her face to the human when he knelt by her. "Is Carah safe?"

"My little girl is safe. Oh, Mislyn, what have they done to you?" He looked from Haldir to Elrohir.

"She should not talk right now, " Elrohir told the Peacekeeper. He unfolded the cloth in the basin and draped the soaked fabric across her back.

The elleth stiffened and, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, bit back a scream. Blowing out her breath in jerky puffs, she gradually relaxed and Haldir moved closer so she could rest completely against him. Elladan and Legolas were right. They did not need permission to deal with this.

tbc