Possession

Possession

Chapter 25
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.

*glares at Freya* Yeah, that's right. You know why I'm staring.

*

Valawen had awoke with a start. Her head buzzed as she sat up, straining to see in the pitch black room. Her skin was moistened with sweat, and even with a cool breeze coming through the windows she could feel herself burning. "Valar," she breathed, her throat parched and dry. She swallowed heavily, trying to relieve it, and winced at the pain. Her fingers trembled as she brushed her damp hair away from her face and threw the covers from her body.

"Valawen?"

She gasped and jumped in surprise, nearly falling from the bed. Her eyes widened as she realized who it was. "Legolas," she answered hoarsely, having forgotten he had been there.

She watched as he sat up and blinked his eyes sleepily. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern written on his face. Even in the dark she could see the glint of worry in his eyes.

"I-I don't know," she replied truthfully, turning away from him and placing her bare feet on the cool floor. She touched her throat, then stood quickly and went to the refresher. Valawen heard footsteps behind her as she leaned over the sink, cupping the cool water to her lips. She drank deeply, too unnerved to care that Legolas watched her.

Panting heavily, she looked up into the mirror but avoided his stare. "What happened?" he asked, and it was only then she looked at herself. Her face was pale and her eyes dim. Valawen touched her wet lips, struggling with her appearance. It looked as though she had suffered though years without sunlight or nourishment.

Her mind, though, felt clear. The buzzing had stopped, replaced by peace. She frowned and looked back down at the water. "I don't know."

Legolas came up behind her, turning her by the shoulder. "You're burning up," he said, frowning as he touched her face. Dipping his hand into the water, he brought it back up to her forehead. She closed her eyes at the cool contact.

Droplets fell across her cheekbones. "I'm feeling better," she replied softly. She was no longer sweating, and her skin no longer felt as though it were on fire.

"Why did you wake up?" he asked, drawing her back to the bed. He sat her down on the edge, then retrieved a wet cloth from the refresher. She breathed deeply and carefully and closed her eyes as he moved her hair over the front of her shoulder, then dabbed the moist cloth on the back of her neck. "Did you dream?"

Her eyes opened. "Yes," she whispered, remembering. Her gaze grew distant as the images filtered back into her mind. "There was rain, and thunder. I could hear the sound of thousands of soldiers moving into battle. The clouds were awash with colour, moving as though guided by a hand. The wind spoke to me. It urged me into the darkness." Valawen blinked, then looked up at Legolas. "Then it all vanished, and I woke up."

He sighed, wiping the sweat from her face. "You're cooling down," he said after a moment, touching her cheek with the back of his hand, "How do you feel?"

"Better." She took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes, "Something's not right, though. My heart...feels hollow."

Legolas looked at the door that led outside. "Perhaps they found a way to destroy the palantir."

A painful, sickening feeling swept through her abdomen. "The palantir," she breathed, looking up at him, "Could that be it? Could they really have destroyed it?"

"They may have." He looked back at her, concern in his eyes. "Does that bother you?"

Valawen searched his eyes before responding quietly. "Yes. Very much."

The disappointment in his expression was obvious. "It's better this way," he replied, "You know that, don't you?"

He was trying to reach the person within her, she knew. The elf she left behind after submitting to the forces behind the palantir. She knit her brow, wondering if Legolas would ever find that elf he was looking for. Valawen wasn't sure. "I know," she answered somewhat untruthfully, perhaps for his benefit.

Slivers of sunlight began to fall into the room. He seemed to sense her disillusionment, but did not bring voice to it. "Do you want to go back to sleep?" he asked, glancing at the window.

Even if she wanted to, she wasn't sure she could. "No," she answered, standing, "I think I will bathe, though." After removing a dress from one of the drawers, she looked down at Legolas. "Are you going to wait for me?" she asked, hoping he would.

"Yes," he answered, and she felt a little better. Valawen headed into the refresher, closing the door and her eyes as well. She leaned against the door, her sharp hearing picking up the sounds of Legolas moving about the room. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and pushed herself forward, preparing herself for the day.

*

Lady Galadriel had asked Legolas to leave them. Valawen knew he was right outside the doors, but she still felt very alone. The Queen's eyes watched her without mercy and without aversion. She could feel the Lady seeking the deepest and most truthful feelings within her. It frightened her, but Valawen allowed it. She had decided she would face whatever fate the Valar decided she deserved.

"The palantir has been destroyed." Valawen felt her heart skip a beat as she looked up at the Queen. "How does that make you feel?"

She clenched her hands in her lap and looked away, unable to keep her gaze on Galadriel. "Grievous. Hopeless. Empty." Valawen licked her dry lips and swallowed hard. "How was it destroyed?"

"The how is not important. What's important is that the object of your lust no longer has a hold on you."

Her voice was weak as she replied, "I know."

"I have seen what has happened to you, Valawen. I know what you've done, and I know what has been done to you." Galadriel blinked softly and reached toward her companion, touching a finger underneath her chin and tilting her face up. "You think I am angry."

Valawen met her eyes. "I think you are disappointed."

Galadriel's eyes flickered. She sat back and regarded the younger elf with uncertainty. "You are right," she replied gently, "But it does not matter what I think. Only you can fix this, Valawen."

She could feel herself growing uncomfortable and even a little angry. "I was under the impression that the destruction of the palantir was supposed to fix everything."

"The removal of the palantir does not change everything back to how it was."

Tears stung at her eyes, but she refused to shed them. "It will never be how it was. Never."

Sorrow flitted across Galadriel's face. "Legolas cares about you." Valawen knit her brow at the change in subject. "Darkness has forever tainted you. It is your choice whether to succumb to it, or fight against it."

Valawen frowned. "Why did you mention Legolas?"

"I mention him because he will be affected by your choices. Deeply affected." Galadriel glanced at the door, smiling faintly. "He has lost much, and aims to save you." She looked back at Valawen, raising an eyebrow. "Will he fail?"

"I don't know," she replied honestly. When the Queen did not respond, Valawen asked, "What will become of Gondor?"

"That is for Gondor to decide."

Valawen clenched her jaw and hands. "What of those who spoke through the palantir? Do you know who they are?"

Galadriel shook her head softly. "No, nor will anything be done to find them. Elves are not long for this world, as you already know. Most will have gone to Valinor before the evil strikes again."

"What about the other races? Have we no duty to help them?"

"Our part has been done. Our time is over."

Valawen could feel her head swimming with angry questions. It seemed all that had happened had been for nothing. "This is madness," she said, shaking her head.

Galadriel seemed indifferent. "This has been long-planned, Valawen. It cannot be changed."

Looking up, she ventured a question that had been bothering her. "What will happen to me? Am I not to face judgement from my people?"

"What happened was not your fault. We are in no place to judge." For the first time, Galadriel averted her eyes. "Elrond's sons are on their way here to see you. They know the truth of what occured, but wish to escort you to Valinor nonetheless. If you will be accepted by the Valar, even I do not know."

Valawen felt herself go cold. "Elrohir and Elladan are coming?" Galadriel's unwavering blue eyes met hers in an affirmative response. "When will they arrive?"

"Tomorrow."

She didn't want to see them. She didn't think she'd be able to face them. "Is there anything else?" she asked tersely, anxious to leave.

"No," she replied, her eyes sad. Galadriel watched Valawen stand. When her hand touched the door handle, the Queen quickly asked, "Do you want to know what has become of Gondor's new King?" Valawen stopped and flinched. Biting her lip, she took a deep breath and turned, waiting. "His mind clouded with waking dreams, much as yours did. When his thoughts cleared, he went to Elessar's room, and then to his wife. When the healers left him alone, he poisoned himself with what was left of the toxin that took both Arwen and Elrond's lives." Galadriel looked down at her hands. "Faramir is dead, and Lady Eowyn will not last. Gondor's leaders will look to Rohan, but despair reaches far and fast. When the King of the Horse Lords becomes aware of what has occured, the world of Men will suffer as it never has before."

"I know the gift of foresight, Lady," breathed Valawen, "There is always more than one possible outcome."

She looked up, smiling faintly. "You are right. From what you have seen of the world of Man, though, can you say that things will be different than I have foretold?"

Valawen did not respond to the question. "Thank you, my lady, for your time." Turning, she opened the door and exited, closing it softly behind her. Distracted, she took a moment before noticing that Legolas was standing in front of her, his eyes inquisitive. "I want to go back to my rooms," she said, wincing inwardly when his face visibly saddened.

He nodded, leading her out the doorway and down the steps.

*

TBC