Tears of the Valar

Disclaimer: 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.
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It took several days for the survivors to finally reach the underground river. A few of the more severely injured died along the way and their bodies were placed in niches found in the caverns and covered with stones though there seemed to be no predators to disturb them Alexandra and the Elves helped with the burials and each thought of Pomea and Cunion left above, their bodies not given burial.

The woman watched Vanurion and Sarendir with particular interest. They had lost two of their own and Vanurion had been grievously wounded. She could not imagine an Elf unable to use a bow, but the Lord of the Elves of Rhun had been practical about the loss of part of his hand.

“I can still use a sword and the tatequalme; I still have the chance to be of some assistance to someone.” The vivid green eyes sparkled with good humor as he and Alexandra walked together toward the rear of the group of survivors. “At least nothing more valuable was bitten off,” he added, his meaning clear.

Alex could not stop her laugh, drawing an inquiring glance from Legolas, who was several yards ahead of them. She simply smiled at her husband and shook her head.

“Yes, I suppose you are correct,” she told Vanurion.

They noticed the crowd slowing down and then were suddenly in an enormous cavern. Torches had been kept to light the way and to maintain cooking fires though occasional cracks far above allowed some light to enter. The ceiling of this cavern was quite far above their heads and there were several openings where light entered. The river was also wide and long and there was room for everyone to spread out along the banks. Some dove in and swam to the opposite shore so that the hundreds of survivors would have their own spaces.

“We should try to find the exit,” Glorfindel told his fellow ellyn who agreed, especially Rumil. “But we cannot leave these people unprotected while we look.”

“I will remain with them,” Sarendir spoke up. “I feel as though I must protect them though I know that may sound strange.”

“No, it is not strange at all,” his cousin replied. “I also feel responsible for them. I will remain with you.”

“It appears I have no choice but to remain,” Saelbeth added with a laugh. “I still have a few days before my leg is healed enough to be on my feet much.” Indeed, Sarendir and some of the men had helped Saelbeth to walk on the trek through the cave system, even carrying him from time to time to avoid aggravating his injury. “Still, I do not feel comfortable leaving them undefended either.”

“Then we will go,” Legolas said. “Glorfindel, Rumil, Helcarin, and I.”

“Do not forget I am healed,” Elladan interjected, “thanks to my guardian.” His gaze rested on Allase as she directed some of the others in setting up an area for any who were sick or injured. The others hid their smiles---Elladan wore his thoughts openly among his friends.

“Then by all means, come with us,” Rumil told him. He was anxious to find the exit and find Haldir. As much as he wished to be reunited with his brothers he knew Elladan’s desire to find Elrohir was just as strong though it looked as though the grey-eyed ellon’s desire also had another object.

Elladan nodded then left the group to walk over to where Allase knelt beside a basket. Glorfindel watched with a slight smile then turned to the others.

“We should gather what supplies can be spared for we do not know how far it is to this entrance nor what we will find when we reach it. We will meet back here within an hour.” The others agreed and dispersed.

Alex waited until they were alone then looked at her husband with a raised brow.

“You think you’re going to leave me here? You are sorely mistaken, Elf.”

Legolas opened his mouth to respond then closed it. Truly he had not thought she would want to go with them. She had told him several times how glad she would be to finally get someplace and settle down, in her words. He had thought she would be glad to remain with the main group for a bit. Finally he simply nodded.

“It was the furthermost thought in my mind, my love,” he replied with a smile. “When I said ‘I’ I meant us since everyone knows we go together as a pair.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, her tone indicating she knew she had caught him. They began gathering what they thought they would need, pausing every so often to steal kisses away from the eyes of others.


“May I help you?” Elladan asked Allase as he knelt beside her. She was digging through the basket for pins to hold bandages.

Startled she looked over to him with an expression of surprise that quickly became a smile.

“I have found what I sought, but thank you the same, Master Elf.”

“Elladan,” he told her.

“Elladan,” she repeated with a blush. “Forgive me; it seems somehow wrong for me to call you by your name.”

“Why?” he asked, genuinely puzzled.

“You are so fair and so … dignified, you and your kind. It inspires me to feel respectful.”

Elladan burst into laughter as Allase looked somewhat puzzled.

“Did I say something amusing?” she asked, confused.

He nodded. “Yes. My lady, if any of my friends had heard you say that, they would have laughed as well; especially at the thought of me inspiring respect in anyone let alone being described as dignified.”

Her lips twitched at his obvious amusement and she thought how good it was to see him laugh. It was the first time she had seen him appear genuinely happy in the days since they had met. He was obviously concerned about his brother and friends and though she did not understand everything about Elves, she was coming to find they were not the cold, distant creatures they had at first seemed.

“We are going to seek the exit to this cavern by following the river,” he explained to her as they stood. “I did not wish to leave without bidding you … Without letting you know where I was.” Morgoth’s balls! He was stammering like an elfling with his first blush.

“The exit? May I go with you?” Allase whispered, clutching his forearm before she realized she had done so. She removed her hand and looked down. “Forgive me, my lord; I did not mean to be so presumptuous.”

“It was not presumption,” Elladan answered with a smile. He reached out and placed his finger beneath her chin and tilted her face so he could meet her gaze. “Are you certain you would like to accompany us? You have worked tirelessly; surely you would like to rest.”

“I am not tired,” she responded quickly. “I am not really needed now anyway and I would like to---.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “---get away from such a crowd of people for a bit.”

Elladan smiled and nodded in understanding.

“I can think of no reason why you should not accompany us. Gather the things you believe will be needed and,” he paused, surveying her with a critical eye, “you should likely change into something more suitable for climbing around or running.”

“Running?” She frowned. “Do you think it will be dangerous that I would need to run?”

Elladan once again cursed his choice of words though outwardly he smiled and shook his head.

“Forgive me, my lady. I did not mean to alarm you. It is simply my nature to plan for possible danger; it is better to be prepared than have it come upon us unexpectedly and wish we had prepared.”

She nodded, visibly relieved. “I will look through the camp and ask if anyone has something to spare.” She turned and began her search while Elladan watched for a moment then began to make his own preparations.


Glorfindel watched Helcarin as his son refilled his quiver. Helcarin had not said much about Erestor or Pomea and he found himself wondering what was going through the young ellon’s mind. When they were both finished with their preparations he reached over and touched his son’s shoulder.

“You have done a good thing for these people,” he told him with a smile. “Had we not been here they would not have lived through Lastharos’ attack.”

Helcarin looked to his father and nodded. “It is the way it was meant to be and yet I cannot help but feel some doubt plaguing me at times. I know what I was shown at Cuivienen and know that this is Eru’s will but still, the cost seems terribly high. Ada is in the hands of that monster; Haldir and Elrohir will likely be soon as a well; Orophin and Naveradir may have already been captured or killed going after him; Vanurion has lost part of his hand; and Cunion and Pomea …” His voice trembled only slightly at the mention of his beloved’s name. “They are dead. I know they are with Mandos and will be welcomed into the Blessed Realm but there is … an emptiness in my heart and I cannot … I find it difficult to find comfort in my knowledge.”

Helcarin’s dark blue eyes glittered with unshed tears and his voice was rough with emotion; and Glorfindel pulled him into a comforting embrace.

“Loss is never easy, my son; even with knowledge that those we have lost are now in a far better, safer place and that we will see them again. But it is something we all face, especially the Firstborn and especially when we allow our lives to become intertwined with those of mortals. It is our nature to guard and protect and thus are often led into dangerous pursuits which will send many of us to Mandos; but remember, these sacrifices will bring the lost Elves back to the Valar and they will be able to dwell with their kin in Aman.”

Helcarin nodded against his father’s shoulder though he still felt pain. It had taken him several days but he had finally begun to mourn the loss of Pomea. The battle, the sure knowledge had kept his sorrow at bay but he had now been given time to think on her, remembering the things they had spoken of, the plans they had made. There had been so much left for them to do together in Middle-Earth and he had not expected her to be taken so suddenly and though he tried not to allow feelings of sorrow to enter his consciousness, they seemed inevitable.

“But I … I doubt. I cannot be true to what the Valar have revealed to me and still have doubts.” He met his father’s eyes, searching for solace.

Glorfindel felt unfathomably old as he gazed into Helcarin’s pain-filled eyes. The young ellon had become so certain of himself and shown such strength and maturity that he had almost forgotten his child had not likely suffered much true loss or pain in his relatively short life. Giving him an encouraging smile Glorfindel spoke with the wisdom earned over two lifetimes.

“Doubt is not a weakness,” he said quietly. “It is your faith in the face of doubt that will help you to grow stronger. The Valar know that you will have doubts; will question the things that happen in the course of following their will, and there is nothing wrong with questions and fears. Do you still feel it is Eru who leads you, who revealed the truth to you?”

Helcarin thought carefully then nodded. “Yes, ada. I know that what we are doing is right, but it is so difficult. I suppose I never thought doing Eru’s will would cost so dearly.”

“Anything worth having often comes at a price. The more valuable the gift, the greater the sacrifice and I would say salvation for our Rhunian kin is quite valuable.” Glorfindel smiled and squeezed Helcarin’s shoulders. “Many think that by following the Valar in support of Eru’s plan their lives will become easier but the opposite is true. The closer one walks in the light of their will, the greater the trials of faith one must endure.”

He was mindful of the conversation with Legolas from Cuivienen and considered the possibility that Morgoth was speaking to his son; perhaps not in the guise of the Valar, but in the doubts that were plaguing the young ellon. He knew fear, despair and doubt had been the tactics the Evil One had used against Legolas and Alexandra, even Elladan and Elrohir had been plagued with them. Against Orophin, temptation had been his weapon of choice and Glorfindel wondered if Morgoth would try something new with Helcarin.

The Golden Lord watched as his son considered his words then finally nodded.

“I understand. Morgoth would seek to sway my loyalty and try to cause me to abandon Eru and the Valar but I must maintain my devotion. It will not be easy, I know, but I have seen … Ada, I have seen so much!” His eyes, once alight with unshed tears now gleamed with excitement. “The future of Arda is going to be rife with difficulty, but the Elves have the chance to bring Men comfort and guidance. We will become one race through the Elves of Rhun and,” he added in almost a whisper, “the Elves of the west who decide to remain in Middle-Earth. Our children will also become protectors, guides, teachers, caregivers.”

Glorfindel raised a brow in surprise. “But Elves who do not go to Valinor fade and become the Houseless.”

Helcarin shook his head. “The ones who remain will only fade if they do not heed the call of Mandos when their lives end. They will mingle their blood with mortals and, like the Elves of Rhun, their children and grandchildren will continue to join with mortals and eventually they, too, will become a part of the one race, all of Eru’ children together.”

Glorfindel smiled at the excitement in his son’s voice. “I am glad this was revealed to you,” he told him sincerely. “I now have greater hope for the future of Arda.”

Helcarin nodded then glanced up with a welcoming smile as Legolas, Alexandra and Rumil joined them.

“Elladan is not here yet?” Rumil asked with a note of impatience. He wished to get started; the sooner they found the exit, the sooner he could go after Haldir and Orophin.

“Likely he is still bidding the fair Allase farewell,” Glorfindel replied with a slight chuckle. He had known Elladan since his and Elrohir’s birth and it was quite apparent the ellon was enraptured with the woman. He wondered if it was simply a passing fancy or if perhaps Elladan was meant to find her; the sons of Elrond were renowned for their many adventures with the fair sex, both mortal and Elven and it was entirely possible that he might find his true love as a mortal; after all, his sister had.

Helcarin’s words about the Elves mingling their blood with mortals also brought to mind the question: were they even now seeing the beginning of this future? The Rhunian Elves had already bred with mortals for generations but it was not common among the western Elves. Yet Legolas had bound with a mortal even though there would be no issue from their union. Was Elladan, who possessed some mortal blood himself, destined to do the same?

The object of his perusal appeared, Allase in tow. The lady had changed into a pair of ill-fitting leggings and a shirt of mortal design. She carried an oiled skin, one that could withstand submersion in water and he could not help but smile at the picture the two of them made. Change their hair and it could be Legolas and Alexandra only these two were not yet so demonstrative of their affection.

“I thought it might be helpful to have someone who knows the land accompany us,” Elladan explained unnecessarily. “And she has skill healing both mortals and Elves.”

“A wise course,” Glorfindel replied, not letting his amusement at Elladan’s perceived need to justify her presence. “Shall we find our way from this labyrinth?”

Their fellow Elves bid them a safe excursion and the ellyn and two women started along the path of the vast underground river.