Tears 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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Helcarin carried Pomea’s body to the building where they had been staying during their time in the city. She was lighter than he remembered and he did not doubt it was because her soul now dwelt with Mandos. Kicking the door gently closed behind him, he laid her down on the soft hay where they had made their bed and was glad the sounds of the city were far away in this isolated spot.

Looking down, he thought how beautiful she was and how at peace she must be. They had not had a lot of time together, but what time they had spent with one another had been full of laughter and love.

His fingertips gently caressed her cheek and he leaned down, kissing her already cold lips.

“Forgive me, my love. Had I not insisted on this quest, you would not have met your death here. I am sorry I dragged you away from your home.”

He felt he should cry, rage, scream---something; but inside he only felt faint sorrow that she was gone, but even more surprising, he felt joy that she had been the first of her people in a very long time to achieve what the eastern Elves had thought lost to them forever. Had he not drunk from the source of the Sacred Waters, he would likely have been ready to pass with grief; but he had tasted them and now he Knew.

“I will see you again, my love; and there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more danger. We will be together until the end of Arda. I am afraid it will be some time before I join you, but it is of no matter for we are Elves and we have forever. Wait for me, my love.” Once again, he leaned down and kissed her tenderly.

Helcarin remained with Pomea’s body in his arms for quite some time, then the sound of an explosion rumbled through the city and he knew the short respite was over.

“I will go back to the battle now, my precious love.” He kissed her forehead and covered her with his blanket, then, taking his sword and bow, the golden-haired Elf stepped out of the door and once more waded into the fray.

They discovered Saelbeth among a group of bodies on the rocks inside the wall. Several dead vampires lay nearby with arrows protruding from them. Haldir and Glorfindel lifted him from where he lay and carried him over to where the other wounded were being tended. As Cunion set his broken leg, Glorfindel told him of Pomea’s death.

“How is Helcarin?” he asked, not even wincing as Cunion set the leg and Sarendir held it steady as it was bandaged and splinted.

“He seemed to take it surprisingly well,” Glorfindel replied. “He has taken her body back to the building where we are billeted where I have no doubt he will mourn privately.”

Saelbeth nodded. “She was a valiant Elf,” he mused. “No doubt, she was protecting someone when her life was taken.”

The others nodded.

“Have you seen Elladan or Elrohir?” Glorfindel asked.

Saelbeth shook his head. “I was knocked from the wall and have seen nothing but that patch of sky above me. Were they not on the wall with us?”

“Elrohir was, but I have not seen Elladan in some time,” Glorfindel replied. He was concerned for the ellyn. It was not like them to simply disappear under such circumstances unless someone was in dire need.

The Elves who were not wounded or tending the wounded once more began searching, this time for the twin sons of Elrond, finally finding Elrohir searching through bodies further inside the city.

“Elrohir! Where is Elladan?” Haldir could see despair in the ellon’s eyes and his heart felt cold.

“I cannot find him,” Elrohir answered numbly. “I do not feel him. I believe he now dwells with Mandos.” Tears glistened in the grey eyes and the others felt his sorrow. Combined with their own, it was with heavy hearts they started to search through the houses and rubble.

Suddenly, an explosion followed by a great roar reached them and to the horror of Elf and mortal alike, the dark army began pouring into the city through the breach in the northern wall. The people of the city began to run in panic, trying to escape the marauding horde. Those who could fight picked up what weapons they could and began to try to stem the flow of invaders as the Elves once more lent what aid they could.

Alexandra, who was with Saelbeth, pulled the Elf into the shelter of one of the buildings.

“You cannot fight with a broken leg,” she told him.

“You cannot fight with your injury either,” he replied, nocking an arrow. “Help me to stand steady,” he ordered and she reluctantly complied, muttering under her breath.

Saelbeth ignored her protestations and drew the bow, hitting one of the werewolves running down the street in the throat. He quickly fired arrow after arrow, taking down as many attackers as he could before ammunition ran out. Once all the arrows were gone, he took his sword and looked at the woman.

“Find safety,” he told her. “I will remain here.”

“Oh no you won’t,” she retorted, dragging him into the house and bolting the door. “Stay here. Neither of us is going anywhere since you can’t climb to higher ground and I won’t leave you.”

Her husband’s cousin smiled. “Well then, I suppose we should decide what to do in the event we are overrun.”

***

Haldir tore the wings from one of the creatures as it tried to take flight with a child in its arms, then he swung low, cutting off the beast’s legs. The child dropped from its arms and the Lorien Marchwarden managed to catch it just before it hit the stones.

Holding the screaming babe in one arm, sheltering it from the carnage as best he could, he managed to fight his way through to a relatively peaceful place where he found an abandoned house. Putting the child on the floor, he cautioned it to remain still, then closed the door.

As he turned back to the fight, he saw Elrohir in the middle of a group of dark beasts and it appeared the Noldo was losing the battle. Haldir spied another sword lying on the ground near the body of one of the townsmen, and picked it up, running silently to where the beasts were beginning to draw blood from the son of Elrond.

With two blades flashing, the Lorien Elf quickly dispatched two of the beings, then began drawing off a couple of others, giving Elrohir time to regroup and take the offensive. Between the two Elves, they managed to slay the beasts, but more kept coming.

“It is lost,” Elrohir said, wiping blood from where it dripped into his eye from a cut on his forehead. “They have taken the city.”

“We cannot retreat,” Haldir replied. “There is nowhere to go; no forests to shelter us, no other cities to take in these people. This was the largest and best-fortified city in this part of Khand.”

“It matters not,” Elrohir answered dully. “I will welcome the peace of Mandos.”

Haldir glanced at him sharply.

“It is just such an attitude that will get you killed, my friend.”

“I care not! My brother is dead. How would you feel if you lost Orophin and Rumil?”

“Devastated. But to give in to despair dishonors their memories. Elladan would not do so.”

Elrohir did not reply as another wave of Lastharos’ army moved toward them.

*****

Searing pain jolted him awake and he could not hold back a groan. He tried to sit up but realized he could not move. Opening his eyes he saw a ceiling and wall of stone and from the feel of things, he was lying on stone as well.

Footsteps approached, but when he tried to look to their source, nausea washed over him as he turned his head and he swallowed hard to keep from vomiting. A figure knelt beside him and expressive green eyes with flecks of gold looked down at him from a fair face framed by dark hair which hung in disarray.

“Can you hear me, Master Elf?” a female’s voice spoke.

“Yes,” he croaked, his throat dry and the effort to breathe quite uncomfortable.

“We are beneath the city, in the old cisterns. I do not think Lastharos’ beasts will come here.” She reached over and pulled aside his tunic and examined his side. Seemingly satisfied, she sat back. “What is your name, Master Elf?”

“Elladan,” he replied hoarsely. “May I have some water? My throat …”

“Of course,” she replied, holding a cup to his lips and supporting his head gently with her other hand. He sipped the cool liquid gratefully and closed his eyes from the sheer pleasure the water brought. He had never thought something so simple could be so wonderful.

“What happened?” he asked as his companion let his head lay back down. She did not look familiar at all though her eyes and hair reminded him somewhat of the Rhunian Elves.

“You were injured and when Taleth and her son discovered the escape door hidden in the tower, they told us you were still up there, wounded protecting them from one of the dark beasts. We went up and retrieved you and brought you back so I could see to your injuries.”

“Thank you,” he murmured, pondering all she had told him. “My brother and friends---do you know where they are? If they are safe?”

“The creatures withdrew for a bit but have overrun the city. I … I do not know about your friends; I am sorry. We have been unable to venture to the surface since the second attack began. I fear the city is lost.”

Elladan closed his eyes, praying Elrohir and the others were safe. When he opened them, he saw the female watching him curiously. He gave her a small smile.

“Forgive me. I did not ask the name of my healer.”

She laughed softly. “I am no healer; merely the only one down here who has ever bandaged anyone from a battle. I am Allase.”

“I am honored to meet you, Allase.” He thought for a moment. “In my language, your name means ‘flower’.”

“Really?” She seemed inordinately pleased and smiled. “I am afraid it is simply a name in our language. You speak our language well.”

“My people learn quickly and some of my friends could already speak it. During our journey through your land, they taught the rest of us how to communicate with your people in case it was needed.”

“I am glad, Elladan, for your voice is pleasant.”

“Thank you,” he replied with a chuckle and the lady blushed.

“You should rest some more. I will bring you some broth to drink until you are healed enough to begin to eat soft food.”

“Thank you.” As she rose to leave, he called her name and she turned back to face him. “Allase, your people have always feared and hated mine. Why did you save me?”

“Your people have fought against those who would kill us and you were protecting Taleth and her son. It would not have been right to leave you to the mercy of those creatures.”

“Thank you,” he repeated and she nodded then walked out of his line of sight.

The dark-haired son of Elrond settled and tried to let himself drift into a healing trance. He had thought himself bound for Mandos, but obviously the Valar did not have any use for him today. He fretted over Elrohir, wondering where his twin was and if he was safe. He could not be dead for Elladan could sense him. Still, they and the city’s inhabitants had been vastly outnumbered and he knew the chances of all of his friends having escaped unscathed were quite slim.

Pushing the distressing thoughts from his mind, he concentrated on healing. He needed to be whole so he could search for them.