Possession

Possession

Chapter 24
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.

Thanks for the reviews, guys. Beth - I'm afraid you may be slightly disappointed with my escape plan. Mostly because there really isn't one. ;) Sorry. Freya: Boromir can't be in this AU because he's busy. With me. Not you. Me. Meeeee! ;) This is why Elven must always put Boromir in her stories - because I want him. :D On another note, I have completed this story. There's still much to post before you guys get to see the end, but I thought I'd tell y'all that it's done. I'm pretty proud of it, and I hope you guys liked it (and continue to). :)

*

Valawen stared down into the fire. It crackled and hissed, charring away the flesh of the trees that gave it life. The heat warmed her sweat-moistened skin and burned her unblinking eyes. She could remember a time when she never felt the anger of an overburdened body or the elements of the earth. She was an elf. She used to be beyond that. No longer, though. Now she felt as she assumed a mortal might, weak and cold, frightened and lost.

Legolas sat down beside her as she curled her legs into her chest. "You should sleep," he said, "We won't be here long."

Her mind kept going back to the city. The rush of their escape from Minas Tirith continued to turn in her mind. Images of Legolas fighting past guards, the feel of the stolen horse beneath them as they exited the towering gates of the White City. The touch of the palantir at her leg. It had taken all her strength not to reach into the saddlebag to trace her fingers along it. She had closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around the elf in front of her as they rode. She was sure Legolas had felt her desperation in the way she held him. Her face had buried against his back as he outrode the unprepared guards that had followed. They had lost the soldiers easily, though she suspected they would have made more of an effort if they had known what she had done to Faramir.

It was late now. Darkness had fallen long ago, and they had ridden until their horse demanded rest. Valawen was sure they would have found Faramir by now. They would be following.

"Valawen." He touched her hair, brushing it back from her face so he could look at her. She closed her eyes. "Will you not rest?"

"Sleep is beyond me," she replied, her voice a mere whisper.

"Try. You are exhausted." He tucked her hair behind her ear, caressing it gently. Her breathing calmed at his gentle touch. "Even the horse sleeps. Can you not?"

Valawen turned her head, resting it on her folded arms. "My mind burns with all that has happened. I can feel it, Legolas. The palantir still calls to me." Unconsciously, her eyes slipped to the horse that stood beyond him. "I do not think I will survive its destruction."

"You will survive it and you will flourish," he replied. She looked back at him, meeting his strong gaze. "You have done more than could ever have been expected. You have not failed me yet and I am positive you never will."

She smiled gently, something she had not done in ages. "Your words are strong, but I see the doubt in your eyes. You cannot help it." She sighed and looked back at the fire when he did not respond. "You owe me nothing, Legolas. It is I who owe you. I just don't know if I have the strength to go on."

"You will feel better once we reach Lorien."

"They can do nothing for me. I would only feel shame in their presence." She felt him touch her again, resting a hand on her shoulder. As much as she didn't want it to, it comforted her.

Legolas sat in silence for a few moments before moving closer to her. He moved his hand to her other shoulder, then slowly drew her towards him. "You do not have to feel shame in mine," he whispered, urging her to rest against him.

She was tense at first, but the closeness weakened her resolve. Valawen closed her eyes and relaxed. It had been a long time since someone simply held her. "Thank you," she breathed as he rubbed her arm slowly.

He remained quiet, allowing her to fall into a restless sleep.

*

"They are coming."

Staring out a window into the lush greenery of Lorien, Valawen felt displaced. There was no longer a place for her in this world. She was sure of that. Behind her, Legolas spoke to Galadriel and Celeborn. She had felt their ire when they had arrived. It was obvious in the way they had looked at her. She was responsible for the death of someone very dear to the Lady of the Wood, and something like that would never be forgotten.

"How long do we have?"

Valawen closed her eyes. She knew Legolas held the palantir, for she could feel its pull. She knew the Lady watched her; she could feel Galadriel's eyes upon her. Her mind's eye was awash with different sensations. The urge to take back what comforted her, the need to be free of her burdens, and the fear of what the future held. As Celeborn had said, they were coming.

"A day, perhaps. The palantir must be destroyed." Celeborn spoke calmly, but Valawen knew he was anything but. Opening her eyes, she looked out on the emerald grass and tall, blue skies. She didn't feel like she belonged here.

"What will you do with it?" asked Legolas. There was motion, and Valawen felt the crystal exchange hands. With every moment it got further and further away from her.

Celeborn seemed to hesitate. "I'm not sure. We will find something."

He moved toward the door. Valawen turned in her seat, her brow knit as she watched Celeborn touch the handle. Feeling desperate, she opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by a hand to her shoulder. She looked up into Galadriel's unclouded blue eyes. When Valawen looked back, Celeborn had gone.

An icey chill spread through her. "Legolas," she breathed, moving her worried gaze to the elf. He regarded her sadly.

Galadriel sat beside her. Her hand still rested on Valawen's shoulder. "It is gone now. The want for it will not last."

She could feel her hands ball into fists. Everything in her wanted to run after Celeborn, to steal the palantir away from him. "How do you know?" she asked, looking at the Queen.

"I know."

Legolas approached them, kneeling down in front of Valawen. "It has been a long journey," he said, touching her hand. He looked up at Galadriel. "She should rest."

The Queen nodded. Taking Valawen's hand, Legolas pulled her up and walked towards the door. "Olthalo band," said Galadriel. Valawen looked back. "Im innas pedah le ab."
(Dream not of duress. I will speak with you later.)

With a thrill of fear, Valawen nodded and walked out the door.

Legolas kept her hand in his the entire way to their rooms. He was silent, content to listen to the sounds of the forest. Valawen found herself distracted from the beauty around her, instead worried about what Galadriel wanted to talk to her about.

Stopping at one of the apartments, he pushed open a door and entered. It was dim, as the light outside was turning to evening's pale shades of blue. Legolas looked around the room as though inspecting it, then turned back to Valawen. "Do you think you can sleep?"

She approached the bed and sat down, shaking her head. "I don't know." When Legolas bit his lip and sat down in a chair near the window, she frowned. "What are you doing?"

"I am staying with you."

Rubbing her face, Valawen pulled her shoes from her feet and slid back on the mattress. "You don't have to do that. I know you're exhausted."

He regarded her strongly. "I promised I would never leave you, Valawen. Do not think I have forgotten that."

"The palantir is gone," she answered, swallowing, "I have nothing to search for."

Legolas sat back, resting his hands on the arms of the chair. "I'm not leaving. Rest now."

She knew she would not be able to persuade him to leave. As she lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, she again wondered what the Queen would talk to her about later.

Minutes passed, but she still could not stop thinking. "Legolas." Her voice was sharp in the quiet of the room. She wondered if perhaps he had fallen asleep.

"Yes?"

Her heart skipped a beat as her hands clenched at her side. "I'm scared." Biting her lip, she covered her eyes with her hand. Her confession made her feel like she had broken into a thousand pieces.

The bed shifted beside her. Legolas pulled her up into a sitting position, then allowed her to lay back against him. He did not speak as she turned her face into his chest and began to sob.

He let her cry. When the flow of her tears began to quell, he brushed the hair from her wet face and said, "If ever you are frightened, know that I will be here for you."

"I don't know if I can do this," she whispered, "How can I speak with Galadriel when I am responsible for Elrond's death? What is she going to tell me?"

"She's going to help you. That's all we want."

Valawen looked up at him. "What about his sons, Legolas? How can they ever forgive me?"

"They will understand."

He seemed certain, but she knew he could guarantee nothing. "I am without a home," she said, looking away, "How can anyone ever recover from this?"

Legolas adjusted his seating, tilting her face so that she looked up at him. His palm covered her cheek, sliding back into her dark hair. "I know you're desperate, Valawen. I know you want nothing more than to simply cease to be. If you can't do this for yourself, then please do it for me. If you allow yourself to fall into despair, they will have won. Don't let them win."

"Why do you want this? Why will you not let me go?"

He smiled softly. "This world has seen too much loss. Show me that you are stronger than this evil."

"I want to be," she breathed, "I want this hopelessness to be gone."

"Celeborn will destroy the palantir. After that...after that things will be better." His voice betrayed his uncertainty.

Why he tried so hard to comfort her, she didn't know. "Things will be better," she breathed, smiling when he seemed to relax. She had needed to seek solace in another, but now that she had she felt sick at having caused Legolas pain. He looked so desperate to have her happy.

He pulled her back against him, tracing her arm gently. "Sleep now," he said as she closed her eyes, "You need to rest."

Valawen felt exhaustion creeping into her bones. It wasn't long before she fell asleep.

*

TBC