Possession

Possession

Chapter 27
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.

Second-to-last chapter. I hope you all enjoyed the story, and thank you for the reviews.
Beth - Did you get my email? If you didn't, let me know and I'll resend it.

*

The woods were silent. Evening was closing in from the sky above, covering the ground she walked upon with a dusky glow. Most of the elves had gone indoors, preparing for the night. Even if they had been out, though, Lorien would still have felt empty. Her kind were few, most having gone to Valinor after the defeat of Sauron. She didn't mind, though. The silence was welcome. She hadn't been alone in some time, and she found it peaceful. Everything seemed so much more simple now than it had before.

An old building stood nestled in the trees not far from her apartment. Valawen had taken her time getting there, stopping on occasion to listen to the sounds of an ageless forest. For the first time in a long while, she felt like there was no need for her to rush.

The wooden flat seemed outcast from the rest of Lorien. It was neither shiny nore silver, instead reminding her of a man-made house. Climbing the stairs, Valawen hoped it held what she was looking for. She feared facing tomorrow without it.

*

Legolas glanced out the window, moving his eyes over the dark ground below. He listened as the Lady of Lorien spoke. "You cannot help her any more than you have," she said, and he frowned inwardly, "You cannot make up for what has happened."

"I know," he answered softly, lifting his eyes to the Queen. Celeborn stood at her side, his face solemn. "That knowledge does not lessen my concern, however."

"You are leaving her, are you not?"

Galadriel had a way of being blunt that never ceased to make Legolas wonder if he had spent too much time around Men during his life. The Lady of the Wood could look within anyone and see what they had worked so hard to hide. He knew she could see his conflict. He had no doubt she knew what had occured between himself and Valawen. "I am," he replied faintly.

"It's better this way, Legolas." Galadriel regarded him gently, much as a mother would. "You will see her again. Some day."

He knit his brow, but did not ask what she meant. "Will both of you leave tomorrow as well?" he asked instead.

"Yes," responded Celeborn, "Our time here is finished."

Legolas moved away from the window his eyes had found again. Something didn't feel right, but he couldn't say what it was. "I should go back to Valawen," he said, moving past them and to the door.

"Legolas."

He stopped and looked back, hesitant. "Yes, my lady?"

Galadriel's eyes were intense in the dimming light. "Her path is her own. Remember that."

Her words cut him to the bone. Even though she spoke vaguely, Legolas knew there was truth to find in that statement. He nodded once, then left.

*

He seemed unsettled, she noticed. It was difficult not to. Legolas moved about the room as though caged, and watched her with a question in his eyes. She wondered if perhaps he knew something of what she had planned, but suspected he would be vocal if he did. As it was, he seemed haunted by something much more indefinite.

Valawen curled her legs up underneath her, finally deciding to ask him what was wrong. "Legolas," she breathed, and he turned from the window he stood at to look at her, "Are you alright?"

He turned away, and the moonlight lit up his features. She could see worry etched in his expression. "No matter what, Valawen," he said softly, "Know that you're loved."

"What?" she asked, knitting her brow.

Legolas took a deep breath and turned. His face was obscured in shadow until he stepped forward towards the bed. "I have come to understand that this path is your own. I want things for you that I know I can never deliver, and so I leave you to make your own choices. I won't hold your hand any longer." When he sat upon the bed and looked at her with clear, grave eyes, she tensed. "But I want you to never forget that you're loved. I know it's hard to continue through this with the pain you carry, but you will never be alone in it. I am here, and I will always be. I care for you. Elrohir and Elladan care for you. And I know that even in Mandos, Elrond watches over you with love. No matter what you do or decide, that love will never leave."

"Why are you saying this?" she breathed, not understanding.

"Because tomorrow we will part, and I don't know when I will see you again."

She wasn't sure what to say. "You're the reason I'm still here, Legolas," she said softly, "You're the reason I was able to make things right again. Somewhat, anyways." Valawen smiled faintly, reaching across the bed to touch his hand. "You're right. This is my path. What I do from here on in is my choice, but you are the one who gave me the ability to make my own choices. I won't forget that."

"Tell me you're going to be alright, Valawen," he replied, moving closer to her.

"I will be alright."

Something in his eyes told her he didn't believe that, but she said nothing. "You should rest. You have a long journey tomorrow," he answered, choosing not to voice the concern he seemed to be holding onto.

"You do as well," she replied.

"Do you want me to go to my own rooms tonight?" he asked.

"No, I want you to stay." Valawen pulled him down to the bed beside her, comforted by the way he held her. "Thank you, Legolas. For everything you've done."

His response was simply to embrace her tightly. It was enough.

*

TBC