Tears of the Valar

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.
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“There is no one left alive in the city,” the captain told Vetoran and Peferio as the members of the Khandun army finished searching the ruins of what was once a thriving metropolis near the Rhunian border. There were horses, livestock and other animals that had lost masters, but no mortals---or Elves---walked the streets.

“To Rhun?” Peferio asked Vetoran who had been quiet, deep in thought for some time and appeared not to hear his fellow general. Peferio repeated his question and Vetoran looked at him blankly for a moment then shook his head.

“No, we passed over a city. Let us backtrack and see what we have missed.” He did not wish to go to Rhun; this entire affair was becoming surreal and something told him the army should remain in Khand. It would be needed though for what, he did not yet know.

Peferio watched him a moment then nodded. He was uneasy but trusted Vetoran implicitly. The older general was wise in the ways of warfare and the fact that Lastharos’ orders did not sit well with him was enough for the younger man to throw his lot behind Vetoran.

“The Dark Force will question our decision,” he finally said quietly.

“No; we will remind them that Lastharos ordered everything destroyed and we have left some cities because of their impatience. They are in no position to defy us for we follow the Leader’s orders to the letter.”

Letter, yes; intent, not exactly. Peferio smiled and bowed in acquiescence. He continued to walk alongside Vetoran as they looked through the city. It was painful to see what had once been the greatest jewel in the crown of Khand reduced to an uninhabitable pile of debris.

“I wonder if any of Crasthion’s family still dwelt here,” he mused quietly. “If he bears any fondness for them or this place, then I am glad he left before we went through it.”

“His parents are dead and his half-sister was killed by his father on Lastharos’ orders,” Vetoran replied. “I do not think he remembers his mother’s family at all.”

“Why did Lastharos order the child killed?” Peferio asked with a slight frown.

“It was his and was the reason Crasthion’s mother died. He sent word for Crasthion’s father to kill it and bring the dead child back to him as proof.” The old general shook his head. “I never expected to see Nephrim, Crasthion’s father, do such a thing for he was always kind and of a good humor. Still, he brought the dead child to Lastharos, a beautiful little girl.”

Peferio watched his friend as he spoke. The man seemed terribly sad and he touched his shoulder.

“Were you there when he brought her? I was away when it happened, in the east.”

Vetoran nodded. “It was the only time I remember Nephrim being somber. After that, he was much quieter than before and shortly thereafter he was killed in the assassination attempt. I was there when that happened as well. He seemed … happy when the sword plunged into his chest. I recall his smile.”

The silence following the man’s words was broken only by the sounds of their footsteps on the rocks and rubble in the street where they walked. Peferio pondered Veteoran’s words. It sounded as though Nephrim …

“I wonder if he stepped between the assassin and Lastharos to save the Leader or to end his own pain.”

Vetoran looked to his friend and smiled slightly. “I have often wondered the same thing myself, on many occasions. Whatever his reason, I hope he found peace in the halls of his fathers.”

“The woman---the female Elf we buried---she reminded me a bit of Crasthion’s father. That same Rhunian look,” Peferio said, changing the subject just a bit.

Vetoran nodded. “Indeed, she resembled Crasthion’s mother greatly. She and Nephrim looked enough alike to be brother and sister though Caresta was only half Rhunian. I think Lastharos enjoyed having a matched pair in his bed.”

“If she bedded both of them, how did Lastharos know her daughter was his child?” Peferio did not understand why the Leader seldom let his children live.

As if reading the other man’s mind Vetoran shook his head. “I do not know, but he had her killed for more than just being the cause of her mother’s demise. I believe he fears any children may try to usurp him. Usually he allows the females to live if only to rape and torture them though I have heard it said in the past he married some of them off to other leaders to solidify alliances. The males, I do not believe, he gives the slightest chance of life.”

The two men continued to walk through the ruined city until one of their captains reported the army was being prepared to return to the cities and villages they had bypassed.

“Very good,” Vetoran acknowledged with a nod. “We leave at dawn.”

***

They traveled for several days before coming to a moderately large lake that flowed into a narrow channel before disappearing into the distance over a series of waterfalls. Crasthion stopped to rest beside the waters and to the surprise of the Elves, he unbound their feet and allowed them to get off of the horses.

Elrohir and Haldir stifled groans of discomfort from being astride their mounts for so long and concentrated on getting their limbs to work efficiently again. Their necks were tethered to tall branches in a large tree by iron shackles and chains and their hands remained bound, secured to a metal belt around their waists. The chains were loose enough they could kneel or sit, but not lie down and could not wander off. They knelt beneath the tree and watched as Crasthion waded into the lake to bathe and gather some fish.

“Well, at least we have shade,” Elrohir said dryly.

“Yes, we do have that,” Haldir replied. He watched the man and noted his stance, his expressions. “Our captor does not wish to go to Lastharos. Something terrible weighs on him.”

Elrohir nodded. “See how his shoulders are defensive as if he expects a blow to land on him at any moment. I believe he is going to his doom.”

“And taking us with him,” Haldir added.

They fell silent as they watched Crasthion, each pondering their situation. Finally the man came over to them, several fish tied in his shirt. He knelt and began to clean the fish quickly and efficiently then started a small fire over which he began to roast his catch.

Holding a cup of water to each of his prisoners’ lips, he bade them drink the fresh water.

“They say there was once a city beneath this lake,” he told them once they had drunk their fill and he sat down to tend the roasting fish. “Beautiful creatures that looked like … well, like your kind, dwelt in large caves of mithril and precious stones beneath the water. They sang beautiful songs and any mortal who heard them would go into the water and become one of them. My father told me of these people when he brought me here once to teach me how to fish. I asked him if we could look for them and he smiled and took my hand and we swam out into the middle of the lake. I was afraid for the water was deep and I was very young, but my father remained close by and held on to me. He told me to take a deep breath and then dove under the water with me. Down, down we went until I saw these white, sparkling columns and thought I heard singing. Many colors seemed to float around us and I remember turning to my father and the expression on his face was one of such longing. I always wondered what it was he saw down there. I know now I likely saw rock formations that my child’s mind conjured into a great palace, but my father … He seemed to see and hear something meant only for him. When I asked him later he just laughed and said he had been admiring the way the light shone through the water, but I know there was more.”

Neither Elf spoke as the man told his story. His tone was soft and poignant as he recalled that day from long ago. Both wondered why he had chosen to share his tale with them though they were glad he had. Elves were great lovers of stories and legends and the memories of Crasthion’s childhood helped to conjure a mysterious air about their campground.

Finally breaking the silence Elrohir spoke softly.

“What of your mother? Did she ever accompany you here?”

Crasthion looked up as if startled to find he was not alone then smiled faintly.

“No, she died when I was only a year or so old. She was giving birth to Lastharos’ child and he had used her so roughly in the past her womb split and she died as my sister took her first breath.” He stared into the fire. “Lastharos ordered my father to kill the child and bring it to him. I never knew any of this, of course, until I was older and others told me. My father never spoke of how my mother died. He simply told me she had gone to a beautiful place to be with beautiful people who would love her and take away any pain she may have known and that she was waiting for him to join her there someday. I remember crying because I wanted to go too, but he laughed and kissed my tears away and told me I would not go there for a long, long time, but he and my mother would be waiting for me on the shore when it was my time to go to them.”

Elrohir swallowed as he listened to the man speak. The loss of one’s mother and then father resonated with him as he thought how his own mother had gone to Valinor to escape the pain of what had happened to her, and now his father was with her, waiting for him and Elladan to join them in the Blessed Realm. Elladan … He was already there. Elrohir looked away and closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm.

“It sounds like a wonderful future,” Haldir said. “Elves have a similar place where we may go though we do not need to die to do so.”

Crasthion looked at the ellon curiously. “Then how do you get there?”

“There is only one path to Valinor that can be taken without going to Mandos.” At Crasthion’s confused frown, he explained. “Mandos’ Halls are where the dead go to be judged and then when our souls are healed, we may leave the Halls and return to Aman, the Blessed Realm as Valinor is sometimes called. That is where the Valar called the Elves when we first awoke at Cuivienen and most of our people made the Great Journey to dwell with them though some found places along the way and chose to remain in Middle Earth. Now, only the Elves can take the ships that sail to Valinor for only Elves can find the straight road.”

“What of Mortals?” Crasthion asked.

Haldir shook his head. “None know where they go though the belief is that they go to the halls of their fathers.”

The man nodded slowly. “I suppose then my parents are in the place where their fathers dwell. I will join them soon.”

Both ellyn looked at the man sharply.

“Why do you believe you will soon be with them?” Haldir asked.

He looked at them with an expression of such hopelessness both felt their hearts ache.

“Lastharos believes I am a traitor and even now holds my household, my slaves, all who are dear to me, prisoner. We will be executed when I arrive.”

“Then why do you go to him?” Elrohir asked, aghast. “You willingly go to slaughter?”

“I cannot escape my fate and I cannot abandon my slaves and servants to such a death. I had hoped to plead for mercy for them by giving myself up willingly. And as he has expressed a desire for Elves should we capture any …” His voice trailed off and he looked ashamed.

“You thought we would be an added incentive to have him grant mercy to your people,” Haldir finished for him. Taking a deep breath the Marchwarden nodded. “I understand your motives but Lastharos will kill them anyway. He will torture us, kill you and your people and he will remain unchallenged and free to continue his debauched ways.”

“You do not understand; none may stand against him. He controls the beasts.” Crasthion felt such a coward at that moment, but the thought of his servants, his slaves, Sui, being cooked alive … He would do anything to try to spare them such a death.

“The beasts can die,” Haldir replied.

“Lastharos can die,” added Elrohir.

Crasthion looked away. “Your words would give me false hope. None who have defied him have lived.”

“Our friend did.” At Crasthion’s look of surprise, Haldir continued. “He and my brother’s beloved were taken by Lastharos’ creatures yet they escaped. Our friend killed one of the vampires and my brother another and Lastharos barely escaped with his life.”

“He is not invincible,” Elrohir said softly. “Let us help you. We will help you free your household and maybe even find our friend who was taken in the battle by his creatures.”

“Stop! You would lead me into true treason!” Crasthion picked up a dagger and the ellyn thought immediately of how long each might spend in the Halls of Waiting. Instead of killing them, however, the man used it to free their hands so they could eat. He handed them each a stick with a spitted fish and turned away. He had no appetite.

Haldir and Elrohir exchanged looks. It appeared their captor was nearing his breaking point.

***

“Doesn’t this damned river ever end?” Alexandra muttered as she climbed over another pile of rocks following the path of the underground river. Helcarin glanced over his shoulder with a slight smile.

“Most assuredly it will end somewhere,” he replied and almost laughed as he saw Legolas’ wife struggle not to snap at him.

Rumil, who was behind her, shared her frustration. He needed to find his brothers to assure himself they were safe. Orophin was walking directly into Lastharos’ clutches and Haldir was, no doubt, being taken to the same place. Knowing what the monster had done to Charika and Legolas, the young ellon could not abide the thought of his brothers being tortured, raped and killed. He would kill Lastharos even if it meant his own death.

Elladan and Legolas, in the lead, paused, exchanging glances.

“The smell is different here,” the dark-haired ellon murmured and Legolas nodded agreement.

“The river seems to have ended in a lake,” he added as they began to walk around the perimeter of a vast body of water, almost an underground sea. “We must see where the current leads to find any exit.”

Glorfindel and Helcarin came to stand beside them and surveyed the lake silently. Alex, pausing to assist Allase down from the precarious pile of boulders, sent a silent prayer of thanks that they could stop for a bit. She was, quite frankly, sick of following the river.

Rumil, who had walked directly to the shore of the lake, noticed it seemed quite placid.

“There is no tide,” he mused, then took a small piece of mallorn leaf from his belt. It had once wrapped lembas and he carried it to remind him of home. Tossing the piece of leaf onto the surface of the lake he watched, along with the others, to see if it was carried on any current.

The bit of leaf floated serenely for a while then almost imperceptibly began to move further out into the center of the lake and away from the river. It finally disappeared into the darkness at the far side of the water.

“I suppose the only way to find out if it empties anywhere is to swim it,” Legolas sighed, recalling the last creature they had encountered in a body of water. He had grown wary of such places.

“There is still some sunlight coming through the ceiling,” Alex noted, “so it must still be daytime outside. But we don’t know how long it lasts and have no way of seeing what’s below the water. This cave is very dark, you know.”

Allase had been watching them with interest and leaned over to the other woman, speaking quietly.

“Perhaps we should wait until the first light of dawn tomorrow and then we will know how long we have to explore the water.”

Glorfindel, hearing her words, nodded. “An excellent suggestion, my lady. Let us rest for a bit.” He could not keep the amusement from his gaze as he glanced at Alexandra who practically slumped to the ground in relief. “We have been traveling for some time and need a moment’s peace.”

After building a small camp, Legolas went to sit next to his wife in a secluded area behind some rocks.

“How do you feel, my love?” he asked with genuine concern. Indeed she seemed weary and he shared her feelings. They had been far too long in the darkness of the caves and he longed for full sunlight and trees and sky.

“I’m fine,” she replied with a tired smile, nestling into his embrace. “Especially now that you’re holding me.”

“It has been far too long since we have had any private moments,” he agreed, stroking her back as she rested her head against his chest, her fingers idly exploring his warm, smooth flesh inside of his tunic. “When we finally return home, we will lock ourselves into our chambers and will make love for at least a month.”

“Only a month?” she teased as her fingertips found his nipple and began to lightly rub the pebble-like nub.

“I said ‘at least’,” he reminded her with a soft chuckle. “That will be the minimum amount of time. We may simply make love until the end of Arda.”

“I’d like that,” she sighed with a smile, unfastening his tunic and pulling away the material so she could plant soft kisses on the firm muscles of his strong chest.

“Then it shall be so,” he pronounced, shifting so he could reach her lips with his own and kissing her tenderly then with increasing passion. Practiced hands quickly unfastened inconvenient clothing and soon Legolas and Alexandra were lost in each other, the rest of the world forgotten.

Allase had noticed the two go off on their own and when Elladan knelt next to her to offer her some of the lembas he carried, she had looked up at him with a smile.

“They are very much in love,” she commented, nodding toward the rocks where the prince and his wife had vanished.

“Yes; and they make certain the world knows it,” he replied with a gentle laugh. At her questioning look he explained. “It is a great source of amusement among our friends how they are so completely devoted to one another that one often feels they are making love even when they are not touching. Simply being within proximity to one another seems enough for them to join mentally, if not physically.”

“I think it terribly romantic,” she said, looking down at the bread curiously then taking a tentative bite. She had seen the Elves and the woman taking bites of the bread daily and wondered that they did not eat more. She had nibbled on some of the dried fruit she had brought though it did not satisfy her completely.

“Truly? Do mortals not feel a connection to their mates in the same way?” He wrapped the remainder of the bread in the oiled parchment and put it away.

“I do not know; I do not think so. Some of the people I know seem to hate their mates. I have never had one and so I do not know what it feels like.” She blushed, thinking how her words must sound.

“You had no husband?” Elladan asked casually.

She shook her head. “No. I have never had a suitor. I am too tall, they say.”

“Who says such things?” he asked with a frown. “You are a perfect height and quite lovely. Any who say otherwise are either blind or fools.”

Her blush deepened though the smile she gave him was genuine. “Thank you for saying so, my lord. Coming from one such as you, your words mean a great deal to me.”

“One such as me?” He found her modesty charming and could not believe she had not been taken to wife by one of the men of the city. Apparently she had not even been courted.

“An Elf,” she replied, looking away, busying herself with the blanket she had for her pallet. “Your people are so beautiful that to be complimented by one who is as exquisite as you are is high praise indeed.”

Elladan reached out and caught her cheek with his fingers, turning her face so he could gaze directly into her eyes. They were mesmerizing, a deep green with barely perceptible flecks of amber giving them a sparkling appearance. Her complexion was flawless and though she had a sun-kissed golden glow, she was still fair, not as dark as the other Khandun he had seen.

“You are beautiful, sweet Allase. Never let anyone say differently for your beauty is not simply in your appearance but in your soul. I am quite blessed to have known you.”

Her heart clutched as she stared into the deep gray eyes of this magnificent man---Elf. Oh, but he was too fair for words and she felt an odd tingling in her lower belly when she looked at him. It was foolish, she knew; but she could not help her reaction. Her lips parted to say something; to refute his comment, but no sound came out. Instead she simply licked them nervously and remained silent.

Ai, Elbereth! She was temptation in the flesh. Elladan could not tear his gaze away from her fair face. When the tip of her pink tongue delicately slid along the lower edge of her upper lip he had to fight the urge to capture it with his mouth and devour her hungrily. He felt tightening throughout his body as he resisted the demands in his mind, whispering to him to pull her into his arms and make love to her as Legolas was no doubt doing with his wife.

But no; she was still an innocent though she was a skilled healer. Her heart had not yet known love or lust and he felt she would yield to him simply because she found him fair. His respect for the lady would not allow him to take advantage of her trust and innocence. Smiling he leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead then released her cheek and sat back. He did not trust himself to touch her any longer.

For a moment, Allase had thought he might kiss her and her stomach had tightened in anticipation. When he chastely kissed her forehead and released her she felt a sinking sensation. What had she been thinking? She was a plain, dull mortal and he was a beautiful, magnificent Elf. He felt gratitude for the care she had given him, nothing more.

Elladan sensed the change in her mood and mentally cursed himself. He had never had such a difficult time with a female before. Usually they yielded to his charms and a grand time was had by all. Why then, did he hesitate with this one? She would not have been the first mortal he had bedded. Still he hesitated. He simply could not see himself dallying with Allase. She deserved better.

“Rest, my lady. We will keep watch and you will be safe.” He wished to stand and walk away, but could not; not yet.

She bowed her head in acknowledgement.

“I will, my lord; thank you for your concern.” To prove she did not care that he was not attracted to her she laid down on her blanket, her back to him and deliberately closed her eyes.

Elladan watched her for a moment then stood. Before he walked away, however, her voice called out softly.

“Will you be nearby?”

He smiled though she could not see it.

“Yes, my lady; I will be right here to watch over you as you rest. Sleep, sweet Allase; I will let nothing harm you.

Unseen by him, she smiled and soon drifted into a comfortable slumber.