Vales of Sorrow

Vales of Sorrow
Author: Vi Janaway
Beta: Novedhelion
Rating: R to start...NC-17 later
Genre: HET AU ROMANCE starts many years before Fellowship of the Ring ends after Return of the King
Pairings: Haldir/OFC, Aragorn/Arwen, Legolas/OFC
All the others....and a few more
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings... It all belongs to the Good Professor J R R Tolkien

Summary: An injured Elleth who is rescued by four Noble Elves has secrets that will have repercussions on Lothlórien, Mirkwood and Rivendell

Author's Note: *** *** is supposed to indicate Telepathy. Oops...I mean Mindspeak..or is it Farspeak ** **is Elvish around humans

Nove, you are so appreciated...I am grateful to you for all of the feedback...
Special thank yous to Becky, Julie, and Nove for input on one of the aspects of this chapter.

Chapter Three

This Time, I Was Mislyn

The tableau of Elves and Men on the rocky, desolate plain seemed frozen for a short span of time as Haldir locked gazes with Elladan. ***You and I are in accord regarding this human, Elladan. And I will answer to the Lord and Lady for our actions. But we must hear what this Peacekeeper has to say. Patience for a while longer, please.***

***Good of you to come around. You do know that we will both be answering to my grandparents,*** Elladan said drily, then nodded. ***However, I will hold my peace...for now.***

***Wonderful,*** Elrohir cut in. ***You two are in agreement. Now, can we concentrate on the Elleth?***

The younger twin returned his attention to Mislyn. "I need to get your shoulder back in place. Then you can tell us what happened. Do you think you can hold onto Haldir for a bit longer?"

Her back did not feel so on fire, and the drink had made her drowsy. She yawned inelegantly and looked up at Haldir. "Will you help me hold onto you while he works on my arm.? Not my good arm...that is the one I am...that is the one....I am sorry. I do not think I am making any sense." She rested her cheek again on his chest. "You can pull my arm all you want. Why are we sitting on rocks?"

"Elrohir, what did you give her?" Haldir was concerned at her slurred words.

"Yahmongroot. It is a standard pain killer."

Haldir felt her shoulders shake when she giggled.

'That is funny, Mr. El," she drew in a deep breath. "Row... Here. Yahmong..." she yawned again, "root makes me warm and fuzzy. Pull away. You are a nice elf, Hall dear. Here...Dear." She giggled once more. "These are very interesting rocks."

Crelaine had moved away when Elrohir said that Mislyn shouldn't talk. He and his companions now watched as the Healer carefully extended her arm and with one swift movement put her shoulder back in place.

Mislyn screamed. The sudden jolt to her bruised ribs made breathing difficult and her stomach clenched. "Ohhh...I am going to be sick..." she said when Elrohir let her arm rest in her lap.

Haldir quickly eased her to her left and Elrohir held her head. Very little came up, but dry heaves continued, and the Galadhrim kept her secure

"When did you last eat?" Elrohir wiped her mouth then offered her a cup of clear water.

"Supper...three nights ago." She coughed when she finished the water and the heaves subsided. " I am so sorrry to be such trouble." Her speech was still slow and hot tears welled in her green eyes when he carefully cleaned her face. Ugly bruising and swelling on the left side were beginning to show.

***No food, no water, she is assaulted, an adverse reaction to a pain killer...and she apologizes to us.*** Elrohir's mental tone dripped sarcasm.

Haldir looked at his friend. ***And we still have to deal with her assailant.***
"You are no trouble," Haldir assured her. Highlights in her hair reflected the bright rays of the full morning splendor of the sun and he gently stroked the crown of her head. "I only wish we could be of more help."

"You saved me from Janap. He hated me for trying to help his son. And that was before he knew I was an elf." Tears fell as Elrohir cleaned and bandaged the cuts and scrapes on her knees. There was little space on her body that wouldn't be black and blue.

Tuomen and the Elves who had come with him observed the happenings with interest. They had never seen such an outward display of emotion from the blond captain who was best known for his loyalty, fairness, and reserve. Tuomen went to stand in front of him.

"*Captain Haldir. I have taken the liberty of sending messengers onto Lorien. I thought it best since we have been delayed."*

Haldir looked up at his second-in-command. *"Thank you, Tuomen. Well-done. I suppose the rest of the troop is not far behind?"* As if on cue, they heard hoofbeats and the sounds of wagon wheels.

***Well, well, well,*** Legolas remarked as the rest of the Elvish Company formed a protective circle around them all and came to a halt. ***Looks like Tuomen is second-guessing Haldir.*** He was still standing near Elladan keeping an eye on Janap and Cinnamon hair.

One of the Mirkwood Elves came toward him and, right hand on his heart, inclined his head respectfully. *"Do you perhaps need assistance?"*

The golden-haired Elven Prince looked at the two men on the ground, then at his guard. "Mayhap. This is a serious situation, Galuon. But, we will have to wait until Elrohir completes his treatment of the elleth before we do anything."

The young human stepped over to them. "There are many things to sort out...but I--I am unsure of the protocol," he said slowly, his nervousness evident. "How should I address you?"

" I am Legolas of Mirkwood. My father is King Thranduil." He held out his hand, and the man shook it firmly. "Well-met, Peacekeeper Crelaine."

A fleeting smile briefly touched his face and Crelaine said, "Well-met, Prince Legolas."

***You are getting too friendly, Legolas.*** Elladan also shook hands with the man. "I am Elladan. My twin, Elrohir and I are the sons of Lord Elrond. Our home is Imladris."

Crelaine's expression changed to wonder. "Rivendell," he whispered. "We often host travellers in our town of Roadside. Many speak highly of the hospitality of Rivendell and her Lord."

***A most polite, informed human.*** Legolas' comment held the barest hint of amusement.

***One...among how many?*** "My father will be pleased to know of this."

"We have all heard many stories....." Crelaine's words trailed off. "But, on to the matter at hand.

"This man, Janap, is a stonemason at Roadside. That one," he indicated Cinnamon-hair, is Ameston. The other is Wilken. They are part of his team. Two days ago, when we discovered that the teacher, Mislyn, was not all she seemed, he wanted to come after her. It was hours later before we found out the three of them were gone. The Reeves and I had to wait even longer before following."

" 'bout time you got here." Janap sat up and glared at the Peacekeeper. "These creatures tried to kill us."

Elladan tensed and gripped the knife he still held. ***Haldir. Let me finish him. At least let me relieve him of his tongue. I can explain everything to my grandparents.***

Haldir, too, had tensed at Janap's words, and Mislyn clutched him more tightly. "Please, let Cralaine try to resolve this. He is a good man." Her words were muffled.

Elrohir and Haldir exchanged glances. ***Let the Peacekeeper have first chance, Elladan***

***As you wish. But I make no promises that I will not take action.***

Elladan looked at Crelaine. "You have jurisdiction, Peacekeeper." He held up the mortar knife. "But you should know that he used this on her ears."

Crelaine took it from the elf and dropped to his haunches beside the man. "You used...this? On Mislyn? She never hurt anyone."

"She lied. She tried to take my son away from me. She's an Elf!"

Crelaine's fist caught him in the jaw and he went sprawling. The Peacekeeper stood up, shaking with fury as he stood over the mason. "She is the reason you were hired to come build the wall at Roadside. She has paid your salary and upkeep for the past six years."

Janap stared up at him. "I..."

"You disgust me. You are a member of a noble profession." The young human picked up a bloodstained rock. "You are a stonemason. One trusted by the community to help and protect. You held a place of honor." He tossed the stone and knife down. "But you abused that trust, Janap. Stones are for building. not injuring an innocent...a Teacher."

He scrubbed his face with his hands, then, clenching his fists, walked back to Mislyn. "I was derelict in my duty toward you. I didn't protect you." His anguish at the situation was plain in his voice.

She looked at him. "How...?"

"When you and Carah didn't show for breakfast, we went looking for you. Carah was sitting at one of the worktables drawing a picture. She said it was you...only your hair wasn't black and you had pointed ears. She also told us that Janap pushed you onto one of the tables and you hit him him with a spindle. Did you sing her to sleep?"

"Yes," the teacher answered softly.

Crelaine smiled at her. "She said you had a very pretty voice. But she didn't sleep long." He sighed. "Then Janap ploughed his way into the room and snatched up Carah's picture. He started bellowing obscenities and demanded that I go after you at once. Couldn't have someone dangerous like you on the loose."

***An all-'round miscreant.*** Elladan folded his arms across his chest and put his right foot on Janap's chest.

Mislyn lost her tightly held control and began to sob, her body shaking. "So cold." Her stomach clenched again. "Does everyone in Roadside know, Crelaine?"

"I'm sure they do by now. And the tale will spread..."

"...beacuse of the Faire, " she finished. "What happens now? I can never go back. There are many who share his views of elves."

"But not everyone feels that way. Your appearance won't make any difference."

"What would her life be like?" Haldir asked quietly. "Can you guarantee her safety?"

"I think we can protect her."

"As you did this time? I mean no censure, young Human. But, we know the things that are said of elves. Most of our dealings with your kind have been less than pleasant."

Crelaine shook his head. "The circumstances... You are right. I failed. We thought Janap was securely detained. Ameston and Wilken knocked out my guards and helped him obtain horses so the three of them could come after her. So many people were there, yet no one saw them leave."

"And what happens to them? What do you do to a man for attempted murder? What punishement do you give him?"

"Incarceration...or exile is the usual. This case, I think, calls for stronger measures."

"All well and good," Haldir said. "But there is the chance that he would escape again. And, although some criminals do benefit from rehabilitation, Janap won't. And if you exile him, he will have that much more time to make plans and watch for the opportunity to carry them out."

After a long silence Crelaine said defeatedly, "I know you are right. He is the most discontented person I have ever encountered."

He looked sadly at the elleth. "She has been part of our town for ten years."

Eyes fluttering, Mislyn said quietly, "I have been part of Roadside for about fifty years."

Haldir's eyebrows rose and Crelaine sank to the ground.

"Fifty years?" The Peacekeeper voiced the question they all wished to ask.

Mislyn held her breath while Elrohir carefully peeled the blood-soaked cloth from her back. He poured some of the water from the basin into a small bowl and added more of the white birch powder to make a thin paste. He gently spread it over the whole of her back. "If it was not so windy, I would start a fire so I could boil some water for athelas. But this will have to do for now. I am sorry. I will have to wait unit I have better conditions before I can properly treat your ears and feet. Fifty years?"

She let out a halting breath. "I am not still disoriented or fuzzy. More pain...
and throwing up the pain killer...cleared my mind. Yes. Fifty years. I was Vanieme for 15 years. Felisse for 23. This time, I was Mislyn."

Crelaine was stunned. "The older cooks speak of Vanieme. Your recipes are still used. And Felisse was a Midwife." He turned to her incredulously. "Felisse
...it was you...YOU delivered me!"

"Yes, I did." She tried to smile. "And you grew up to be a fine man."

"But....HOW? There are markers in the graveyard. You let them bury you...twice." He shook his head. "I can't believe that. They could have cremated you!"

"It was the only way I could make sure everyone thought I was dead."

Janap struggled to his feet, unwilling to accept or credit what he was hearing about the teacher. The hate in his heart was revealed by the murderous look in his eyes.

Elladan blocked him when he started toward Mislyn. The wind, which had been blowing steadily, had scattered the remains of her clothing and now picked up the elleth's shawl and draped it about the older twin's head hampering his vision.

Janap knocked him down and picked up the big rock he had dropped earlier. With a howl of rage he bore down on the three Elves.

Haldir saw the man heading toward them. With his left hand he pulled a dagger from his boot and threw it with deadly accuracy.

The man's eyes widened and he tried to grasp the hilt of the dagger buried in his throat. Gurgling noises came from him as the last of his breath whistled past a severed windpipe. He slowly toppled sideways and lay still, his head an inch from his rock.

Only the wind made any sound.

tbc