Something Evil This Way Comes

Disclaimer/Author's Notes: 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.


Some of you may be thinking, "Vampires? Werewolves?" Read the Silmarillion! Or, look online in The Encyclopedia of Arda. I promise, I didn't just pull them out of a bad late-night horror movie.
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“He is unarmed,” Haldir said as Balglin laid Legolas’ twin knives next to his bow on the table in the downstairs receiving room.

“I don’t understand. Did no one see him?” She had heard the reports of the forest patrols. All reported the werewolves---she thought the name absurd, but had no time to think about it at the moment---and even the winged creatures and the undefined shadows. But no one could recall seeing the Elven prince.

“No, my lady.” Balglin was in misery. Legolas had been in their midst, but apparently hidden from them by the darkness and mass of creatures that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

Alexandra seemed about to say something, then closed her mouth. She turned and left the room, walking out back into their private garden, heedless of the rain which even the Elves noticed was growing colder as the day progressed. Those gathered in the room watched her go wordlessly. Saelbeth looked in askance at Orophin, who shook his head. It was best to leave her in her current mood.

“Dinedal and Calaglin have already set out on the trail,” Balglin told Haldir. “We will be ready to follow as soon as the order is given.”

Everyone looked to Haldir who was generally acknowledged as Legolas’ ranking Captain. However, even he knew Alexandra was the one with ultimate decision-making power. So he, in turn, looked to Orophin.

His brother felt the eyes of his kin fall on him and looked up.

“Why me?”

“She is less likely to try to kill you if you speak to her,” Rumil answered.

“True,” said Saelbeth with a nod. “You are the perfect choice.”

“You mean the perfect sacrifice,” Orophin muttered as he headed out into the rain.

He found her in the chapel in their garden. She was kneeling in prayer and he remained at the entrance to the small building watching her. He had observed her at her devotions in the past, and had even joined her and Legolas on occasion. He found the chapel a place for peaceful meditation, and had at times sought refuge in its sheltered environs. He did not understand all of the symbols represented in the small building, but Alexandra seemed to find comfort in them and he had to admit, it was a pretty space.

“How could they not see him?” He could hear the anger in her voice.

“He was hidden from them by the creatures that surrounded him.”

She stood and faced him. “He was in a forest guarded by Elves. Elves, for Heaven’s sake! You people don’t lose anything, don’t miss anything! I thought if we were safe anywhere, it would be here.”

Orophin did not have an answer for her. He just let her vent her fury.

“I know I shouldn’t blame anyone, but I can’t help it. You’re supposed to be able to see further, hear the slightest sound. These are the vaunted Guardians. They’re not supposed to miss something like my husband being attacked by … by werewolves! How the hell do you miss something like that?”

Orophin remained silent as her voice rose. He could feel the anger rolling off of her in waves. She had moved to stand before him, her head down, fingers clenched into fists at her side and her breathing was rapid. When she finally looked at him, he saw unshed tears---of fear, frustration or both---glittering beneath her lashes.

“They await your order, Alexandra.”

“For what? To go look for Legolas? They have to wait for me to tell them to do it?” She was becoming irrational. Orophin grasped her shoulders and forced her to look at him.

“With Legolas away, you are the ultimate authority in the colony. You are the Lady of the Elves of Ithilien. The decision to send warriors away from the colony, leaving its defenses diminished, is one that must be made by you. We can advise you, but you have the final say.” He shook her slightly. “You know this. You held commands and served in your own land. You know how these things are done. Stop indulging in tantrums even an Elfling would be ashamed of, and remember your duty to your people and your husband.”

Alex stared at him. He had never spoken to her in such a manner and she was shocked. But it served its purpose. She nodded.

“You’re right, Orophin. I’m sorry. I just … I … He can’t be lost.”

“What does your heart tell you?” His tone was gentle and his hands released their grip and gently caressed her shoulders.

She sought him through their bond and found him. He was weak, possibly injured, but still with her.

“He lives,” she replied. Orophin’s touch soothed her raw nerves somewhat. Not for the first time, she wondered at the ability the Firstborn seemed to have to almost heal with simple touch. She felt herself beginning to relax a bit and leaned her head against the Elf’s shoulder.

“Tell me everything’s going to be alright, Orophin,” she said softly.

“I promise you, my lo---my lady, we will find Legolas.” Sweet Luthien! He hoped she had missed his slip. But the feel of her in his arms, the scent of her hair, her vulnerability---all were preying on his own yearnings, cravings he was trying very hard to keep under control. Still, he found himself wrapping his arms around her and holding her gently. Her body felt so good, pressed against his. When she looked up and studied his face, he forced himself to maintain a neutral expression. But when her bright, green eyes traveled down to stare at his mouth, and the tip of her tongue appeared oh-so-briefly just inside her slightly parted lips, he thought he would lose all control. His desire had to be completely obvious to her, pressed against him as she was, yet she did not pull away from him. Then, she looked into his eyes and he saw love, understanding, and gratitude, and he found the strength to resist the temptation he held within his embrace.

“Thank you, Orophin,” she whispered, and to his combined horror and delight, she lightly brushed her lips over his. It was a chaste kiss; the kiss of a friend or a sister. Yet he received more pleasure from the brief touch of her lips than he could remember ever having known from the kiss of any lover.

The moment ended and Alexandra stepped back, though she still held both of Orophin’s hands in hers.

“Will you come with me?” she asked.

“Of course.” He offered her his arm and she took it, so when they returned to the Elves gathered in the house, they presented a serene picture.

They were surprised to find Glorfindel had joined the group in their absence. He bowed respectfully to Alexandra and told her of how he had felt great unease, even in East Lorien, and been compelled to ride to Ithilien.

“We are certainly happy to have you here, old friend,” replied Saelbeth once Glorfindel had finished his tale. The others filled him in on what they knew about the creatures and Legolas’ disappearance. Erestor shook his head.

“There is more at work here than just the darkness. Something is trying to drive the Elves from Middle Earth. Perhaps it is a sign from the Valar that it is time for us to leave Men to their fates.”

“I do not believe the Valar would resort to creatures of shadow and werewolves simply to hurry our departure from Middle Earth,” Glorfindel replied. “More likely, it is the Evil One who wishes us to leave this land to him so he may do his best to reclaim the ground lost in the past centuries.”

Alex turned away at their talk of leaving Middle Earth. She knew all of the Elves would likely cross over to the Undying Lands within the next century. She only hoped she would not be around to see it. She could not go with Legolas when he finally answered the call of the sea and took his own ship to Valinor; and he had promised he would never make that journey if it meant leaving her. Still, it was inevitable and the thought of it always made her sad.

“The strength of Men increases,” Golradir said. “If Morgoth wishes to dominate Middle Earth, he would certainly want the Elves out of his way before Men are strong enough to resist him.”

“I don’t care if Morgoth walked into Ithilien last night and hauled Legolas off over his shoulder; I want my husband back. Fu—to hell with Morgoth,” she caught herself just in time. Likely, they wouldn’t have understood the epithet, anyway; but she still wanted to maintain some sort of decorum. Turning to Haldir and Balglin, she continued. “Please, find Legolas and bring him back here. In one piece.”

Both acknowledged her words with slight bows. Balglin left to assemble the search party and Alex started up the stairs. “Don’t go anywhere without me, Haldir. I mean it.”

“I would not dream of such, my lady,” the Marchwarden of Lorien replied.