Possession

Possession

Chapter 22
Author: Frosty the Micro Machine
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Aragorn, Elrond, Faramir, Eowyn, Legolas, OC, AU, N/C, Oral, Anal, M/F, M/M/F, character deaths
Summary: After Arwen's death, a visit to Gondor reveals something unexpected. Canon-oriented; takes place after Sauron's defeat.
Author's Notes: Translations are in parenthesis after the Elvish.

*cough* Did someone say "dream"? ;) I'm so predictable. :D

*

Eowyn's pale face seemed at peace. Valawen wondered if it was so, if the princess dreamed of gardens and horses, in colours of gold and viridian. She touched her fair hair gently, smoothing away the stray locks that covered her alabaster skin. It seemed more likely that the young woman would sleep uneasily, her mind filled with images of black gates and blood-red skies. Valawen's own mind was often plagued with the shades of death.

Morning had come and brought with it expectations for the day. Valawen had attended the service for Aragorn, as had most of the city. It was neither personal nor a means to bid farewell for her, and she found herself standing on the edges of the crowd, wishing she could cry out that this had all been a mistake. That this was not the way it was meant to be. She had remained silent, though, and had thought back on the loss she had suffered. Elrond, Aragorn, and her very being. What would be next?

"How is she?" she asked, looking up at the healer who approached them. He held a small cup, preparing a mixture of herbs for the princess.

The elder man's expression was conflicted. "She lives, but for how long I do not know. If she does not wake soon, I fear we might lose her." He allowed several drops of liquid to drop onto her tongue, then listened to make sure she would not choke. "I can only do so much for her."

"Have you made no progress in a cure?" she asked, curious.

The healer widened his eyes. "A cure for what, milady? I have no idea what ills she suffers from." He looked down on the princess and frowned. "She simly sleeps, and I do not know why."

Faramir would be pleased to hear that news, but it only served to make Valawen feel even more upset. "What evil spreads itself across this land?" she whispered to herself, "What have I done?"

"You have done nothing, milady." Valawen jerked her eyes up to the healer's, who had heard her speak. "You have also suffered in this. As for this evil," he shook his head and regarded Eowyn with sorrow, "I had hoped Sauron's defeat would bring peace to all of Middle-earth. I know not who would wield such power as to cover this strong land in another night."

"No," she breathed, looking down at her former friend, "Nor do I."

Sighing, the healer smiled and touched Valawen's back. "You do not have to stay, milady. There is nothing you can do here."

She nodded. She did not wish to stay, either, so she left the House of Healing and walked out into the midday sunlight. Though spring approached, the chill of winter still lingered in the air. She felt herself longing for the forests and waterfalls of Imladris. She missed her home.

As she turned a corner, Valawen came upon a commotion. People were yelling, though she could not make out what they were upset about. Touching the shoulder of one of the women who stood at the sidelines, she asked, "What has happened?"

The woman seemed quite upset. "Oh, milady, have you not heard? During the King's service, his murderer escaped!"

Valawen felt her stomach drop. "Escape? What do you mean?"

"The elf! He used magicks on the guards and convinced them to turn him free! Then he killed them!"

She shook her head. "No, that's impossible. Legolas...the Sindar elf? He killed the guards?"

"Yes, milady. I don't mean no offense, but an elf is a clever and sneaky creature. The new Steward is furious! Oh, this is terrible news!"

The woman looked back at the group of men who continued to yell amongst themselves. Valawen could make out a few words, mostly cursing the existence of Legolas and wondering what Faramir would do about it. She couldn't believe it, though. He would not kill anyone, she was sure of that.

Turning on her heel, Valawen raced up the levels until she arrived at the citadel. Charging through the doors of the King's Hall, she expected to come upon dozens of soldiers speaking with Faramir, but was surprised when only the Steward was there.

He looked up from his parchment, then back down with acknowleding her. "Is it true?" she asked breathlessly, searching his face. "Did Legolas escape?"

An eyebrow raised, but he did not look at her. "He did."

"Did he kill those guards?"

Faramir looked at her then, his blue eyes calm. "Yes."

"I don't believe it." She was certain in this, as certain as she could be about anything.

"It does not matter what you believe. You are nothing." He looked down at his papers again, reading them over.

His words stung, but she swallowed her anxiety and asked, "Where is everyone?"

"They are searching for the elf."

"They will not find him," she replied, sure of herself. "He will not allow himself to be found."

His eyes met hers briefly. "I know."

"Then why do you even bother searching for him?"

At that he looked up, regarding her with impatience in his expression. "What does it matter to you?"

Valawen frowned, ignoring his question and asking, "Why are you not more concerned about this? Legolas will leave and inform all the elves of what has happened here! They will attack us!"

He shook his head, saying, "It doesn't matter. We will be prepared for them." His eyes turned faraway as he said, "Now all of Gondor will believe that the elf is a killer. It will not be difficult to convince them that war is our only option."

"You planned this." She didn't know why she was surprised. She knew the depth of lies and betrayal in this city was deep, but it still shocked her.

His eyes turned hard. "You would do well to mind your own business."

She didn't know what was going on any longer. It seemed Faramir had plans that extended far past what she had anticipated. And now it looked like he would successfully convince all of Gondor of the evil of elves.

She felt like a traitor of the worst kind.

Faramir interpreted her silence as a submission. "Go now. If I have time later, I will come to your rooms. I suggest you remain there for the rest of the day."

"Why?" she asked softly, looking up.

"Because the whole of Minas Tirith is on an elf-hunt." Quickly his hand reached up and brushed the tip of her ear. "I would hate for you to be caught in the middle."

Valawen self-consciously pulled her hair over her ears, knowing full well it would not disguise her heritage. She didn't say anything to the new Steward as she turned to leave the hall, nervous in what would occur over the next while. With Legolas gone, the peace between Men and Elves would surely dissolve. And, with so many of the elves gone to the Havens, Gondor would most certainly overpower them in strength.

It made her sick to think of it.

She made her way to her rooms without hesitation. Faramir's words concerned her. It hadn't occured to her that the people of Minas Tirith might turn on her as well.

The warmth of the room weakened her body as she closed the door and locked it. Tired, she shrugged her cloak from her shoulders and collapsed upon the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The leftover heat from the recently dead fire made her drowsy, filling her mind with fuzzy images of her home. She thought back to when things were better, when Imladris was just beginning to feel the chill of autumn. When Elrond asked her to be his wife.

Valawen's eyes closed.

There was a rushing of water, as there always seemed to be. She rarely noticed it anymore, not unless she took the time to stop and listen. Crystal-clear water fell over the rocks that held Imladris to the sky, keeping the forests green and its people healthy. Valawen stood at the edge of the balcony overlooking the waterfall that was situated beside the House of Elrond. There was a bite in the air that chilled her exposed skin. Idly she wondered if she should retrieve a cloak, but made no move to do so. It seemed like an eternity since she had stopped to listen to the water. She wasn't ready to leave it quite yet.

Warm hands pressed down on her bare shoulders. She closed her eyes briefly, reveling the contrast between her cold flesh and the heat that came from the body behind her. "Valawen," said the voice of Elrond, "Thinnale."
(You fade.)

Soft flakes of snow fell from the bright blue sky. "Im garo albach an cuinar an."
(I have nothing to live for.)

He turned her gently. Elrond's dark eyes searched her face as he traced her cheek with a tenderness she could barely recall ever having experienced. "Le garo dannen o calad, nin meleth. Le innas bronio, ind, ae awarthale um."
(You have fallen from light, my love. You will endure, though, if you forsake evil.)

"I balan prestanin, Elrond. Im coll." Tears formed in her eyes.
(The power affects me, Elrond. I am hollow.)

"Le bell." He sighed as his gaze penetrated her own. "Ae le caral peniasen, fuin innas tuilinn i ardhon, a le sui eithel."
(You are strong. If you do not fix this, darkness will swallow the world, and you as well.)

She looked away. The sound of the water rushed through her ears, killing any words that may have raced through her mind. "Im caral garo ist o man lond an pada."
(I do not have knowledge of what path to walk.)

"Pannale hen," he said, tilting her chin up so she would look at him, "I lond innas no lim."
(Open your eyes. The path will be clear.)

She shook her head, not understanding. Gently his fingers pressed to her lips. Elrond's dark eyes met hers and held them as the sound of the waterfall lulled her to close her tired eyes. It began to filter away, turning into the soft sounds of a breathy wind. All became dark behind her eyes. She could still feel the touch of his finger upon her lips.

She could still feel the touch of his finger.

Valawen awoke with a start, jerking upwards as her eyes flew open. The warm fingers that had touched her quickly turned into a full hand, covering her mouth. She tried to jerk away, but a body covered hers, pinning her down to the bed. She couldn't see and she couldn't speak, so she trying screaming out against the hand that blocked her. A muffled cry was all that was heard.

"Quiet!" hissed the voice of the person who held her. Valawen blinked up, trying to identify her assailant, but the shadows were too deep. It was only when he leaned foward, close to her face, that she saw who it was. "I will not hurt you," he said softly, "If you remain silent."

She nodded, and he carefully removed his hand. "Legolas," she breathed, shocked that he had not left Minas Tirith when he had had the chance, "What are you doing here?"

His eyes betrayed that he was uncertain of her. "I could not leave without first speaking with you. Things are very dark here, but I have seen the spark of rebellion in your eyes. You recognize this for what it is."

"I don't understand. You could have informed so many of what has occured here, yet you stay because of me? Why?"

Legolas' eyes hardened. "I am not a fool, Valawen. I know what Faramir would plan. He wants Gondor to follow him, and to achieve that he will need a foe. He targets the elves, does he not?"

She shied away her gaze as she adjusted her seating. "He does."

"How long until his army is prepared?"

"Not long. He was sure he would be ready by the time you arrived in Lorien." Valawen knit her brow, looking up at the worried elf. "Why did you kill those guards?"

His blue eyes glinted in the shadowy moonlight. "I killed no one."

She shook her head, asking, "Then who did?"

"Faramir, I would imagine. The guards were easy to manipulate. They allowed my escape. I do not think the Captain would have appreciated that." He pursed his lips, thinking. "I'm sorry it happened, but I had no choice but to attempt escape."

"I still do not understand why you have remained. Do you think you can change this on your own?" she asked.

He looked her over as his eyes softened. "Not on my own."

Realization dawned on her. "You want me to do something." Valawen shifted uncomfortably, looking away. "I can't. I cannot go against what has begun."

Legolas' hand touched her leg gently. "This is not you speaking. This is the palantir, and the weeks of abuse that speak. Look within yourself. Find who remains." He leaned forward and breathed, "Tell me something of Valawen still exists."

She swallowed hard as she set her jaw. "Even if, how could you ever trust me? I do not trust myself."

"That is a chance I must take," he replied.

Valawen smiled dejectedly. "But you see it, do you not? You see that I might turn on you, that I may not be able to remain honest nor honourable."

He did not mince words. "I see it. But I also see the will to do what's right."

"That will is easily broken," she whispered.

"I have no other option. This must be done."

Her abdomen twisted in knots. Was this the pathway that she was supposed to take? And even if it was, how would she be able to succeed in it when all she wanted was to be in the comfort of the knowledge that what Faramir was doing was right. Unsteadily, she took a deep breath and asked, "What would you have me do?"

"My first thought was to get rid of Faramir, but I know not what would happen if he were to be killed. There may be others he has infected who would simply take his place. What do you know of the palantir's hold? If it was destroyed, would the possession wear off?"

"I-I don't know." Speaking of destroying the palantir made her feel ill, but she took a quick breath and continued, "I remember the last time I held it, though, it did not work as it had before. I am uncertain as to why."

He looked away, thoughtful. "I know the seeing stones are a method of communication. Apart from Sauron, no one has ever used one without leave. Perhaps you used it at a time when those who speak through it were away." Frowning, he shook his head. "I do not know of any other reason why it would not work."

Valawen's voice lowered. "Faramir seemed upset."

The blonde elf's eyes looked over her sadly. "Has he hurt you?" She neither spoke nor met his eyes. He nodded as if understanding. "This can end, Valawen. Can you get me the palantir?"

"I don't know. Perhaps." Weariness came over her as she thought about it. "How will you destroy it?"

"That I do not know. I don't know if it can be destroyed. I will try."

She looked up. "What if you can't?"

"Then I will take it away from here." He didn't seem to like this option, as his eyes shifted in anxiety.

Her hands were cold. Valawen gently rubbed them together as they sat in silence. Her dream echoed through her mind, reminding her of more than just what path she was to take. "I killed Elrond," she whispered. Her voice was barely a breath, but the words seemed sharp as knives in the quiet room. Legolas' gaze moved up to hers. "I was under the influence of Aragorn and the palantir. I am responsible for his death."

Legolas didn't seem surprised. "You will atone."

"How can I ever redeem myself? I am guilty of an act that would have me barred from any Elven city and from Valinor itself. I am already judged, Legolas. I can never atone." Tears wet her eyes but did not fall as she spoke. "You are right not to trust me. Never make the mistake of trusting me."

His expression saddened, but his tone stayed the same. "You will atone, Valawen. You must believe that."

"I will do my best to help you, but I will never believe. I am lost. When this is over, I will accept my fate." She felt certain in that.

"Accept it, then, but do not let it influence the choices you make now. All of Arda depends on the path you take."

Her eyes lowered as her dream flashed through her mind. "My eyes are open," she breathed, "But it is too dark to see."

Sensing the conflict within, Legolas softly pushed her back to the bed. "Rest now. Think no more of this till morning."

Her shining eyes looked up at him as he stood. "Where will you go?"

"I will remain here," he answered, "Close your eyes."

Valawen slowly shut them, allowing the black to enter her mind. "I'm sorry," she muttered, in response to nothing in particular. As sleep took her, she wondered why Legolas didn't reply.

*

TBC