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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“We have found the exit,” Helcarin called as he broke the surface of the underground lake.

Glorfindel stood and watched anxiously as his son swam toward them. He held the vial of Elven light Rumil had left so Helcarin would be able to find them as the sun had completely vanished and even the glow was now gone.

“How did you find your way back?” Legolas asked as he and Elladan grabbed Helcarin’s arms and helped him wade back to shore.

“I remembered the direction and the light lasted just long enough for me to reach a point where I knew I could swim straight up and find this place.” He began peeling off his soaked clothes and giving them to the others to wring out and spread on the rocks to dry.

Allase tried not to look at his body as he removed everything. It was one thing to look at males for healing purposes; quite another to openly admire them simply for their beauty’s sake.

“There is a city beneath this water,” he told the others as Elladan wrapped a blanket over Helcarin’s shoulders. He had noticed Allase trying not to admire Helcarin’s form and took pity on her.

“A city?” Glorfindel’s eyes lit up with anticipation. “What kind? Are there inhabitants?”

“A beautiful city, but Ada, we must consider how we will get the people out of here,” he answered with a laugh. “Rumil will wait for us on the shore because there is no way to see to get out of here at night.”

“How far is it to swim?” Allase asked. “Remember, my people cannot hold their breath for a very long time like you can.”

“She’s right,” Alexandra agreed. “Mortals won’t be able to swim more than a minute if that long, and there may be some who can’t swim.”

“We will test it when the sun comes up tomorrow,” Glorfindel said. “With full light it may be easier to find a shorter route.”

Helcarin nodded. “Where we surfaced was in the middle of another lake. I am certain we might be able to surface even closer to this one if we have light to see.”

The others agreed and soon returned to their separate areas to rest before the task of finding a simple route for the mortals began.

***

“I wish to sample your wife,” Lastharos said as he took a sip of wine.

Naveradir did not allow his expression to change but merely nodded.

“Understandable. She is quite beautiful.” He did not dare look at Dehlina as she lounged on the pile of cushions next to him. Orophin was kneeling beside her, feeding her different delicacies from the table before them. Ever so often she would pull him down for a kiss and push one of the pieces of the exquisite meal between his lips from hers. Lastharos had been watching them without bothering to conceal his desire for both of them.

“Indeed she is,” the Khandun leader replied. “You are most fortunate to possess such a jewel. The lady seems quite satisfied with her life.” He watched the woman and the Elf as they seemed oblivious to the conversation around them. The male wore only leggings and boots and seemed completely enamored of his mistress while she treated him as a delightful pet.

Naveradir reached over to kiss Dehlina’s hand. “I am the most fortunate man in Rhun. It is my intention to keep my beloved happy and well-satisfied for as long as she lives. I can deny her nothing.”

Dehlina looked at him with a languid smile and reached up to caress his cheek as Orophin began to nuzzle her throat, planting soft kisses on her dark-honey flesh, his tongue flicking out as if to taste her.

Lastharos watched for a moment then smiled to Naveradir over the rim of his wine goblet.

“Are they always so … tender?” he asked. He knew the answer; had seen the woman and her husband along with the Elf engage in quite rough sport in the privacy of their room. At times he had thought the woman might not be able to endure their attentions but she always seemed to demand more. He could give her much more; more than she could imagine.

“When it suits them,” Naveradir replied with a smile. “Do you wish something in particular, my lord?”

Lastharos reached out and dragged a finger along Orophin’s back, feeling the powerful muscles, the smooth Elven flesh.

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

***

Crasthion stared at the creature in the lake and was further amazed to see another surface behind it then vanish shortly thereafter. The one that remained began to swim around the lake and suddenly switched directions and headed toward the shore where they had made camp.

For a moment he could not move then began to make his way back over the rocks of the natural jetty until he reached solid ground and ran toward the camp.


“What is Rumil doing in the middle of a lake?” Elrohir wondered aloud as the ellon swam swiftly and smoothly toward them.

“I am certain I do not know,” Haldir replied dryly. “I will, however, ask him the moment he reaches us.”

Rumil reached shallow water and stood, running as fast as possible to the shore. He reached Haldir and Elrohir just as a man came into view. He frowned, noting the shackles around his brother and friend and drew his sword.

“Did he do this to you?” he asked, moving between them and the approaching mortal.

“Yes, but Rumil, do not harm him unnecessarily. He may be of great help to us.” Elrohir knew Rumil’s temper was much less controlled than either of his brothers’ and did not wish to see him kill Crasthion without at least hearing all the mortal knew about their enemy.

“Indeed, brother, he could be a valuable ally,” Haldir added. He made no move to escape and watched Crasthion approach with a calm demeanor.

The man drew his scimitars from his back and advanced cautiously. This new creature---Elf---bore a slight resemblance to the blonde Elf, having the same light-colored hair, though this one’s seemed to hold a touch of reddish gold even wet. He was holding a sword defensively but did not seem about to strike. He appeared, in fact, to be protecting the Elves who stood behind him.

“Who are you?” Crasthion asked, his tone suspicious, “And how did you get here?” He saw no sign of horses or other means of conveyance.

“I am Rumil of Lorien. Put away your weapons and release my brother and our friend.” He spoke with authority and that Elven confidence particular to Lorien Wardens, a complete expectation of obedience.

Crasthion stared at this Rumil person for a moment before shaking his head.

“They are prisoners of the Khandun army and will be taken to my lord to await justice.” Even as he said the words Crasthion knew they would receive no justice from Lastharos. The Leader would simply torture them for his pleasure, likely rape them and eventually kill them. It was the way he dealt with all of his toys.

“You know that is not true,” Rumil said dismissively. “You take them to certain death.”

“As well as your own,” Elrohir added. “Crasthion, it does not have to be like this. Let us help you.”

“You cannot help me,” he snapped, despair clear in his voice. He looked at the three creatures before him and wondered how they had come to be in his life at this very moment, taunting him, trying to change all he had ever known.

“Our friends are here and can help you,” Rumil told him, lowering his sword. He was not afraid of the man---in fact, the mortal seemed to have given up his life already. He had the look of defeat about him.

“Crasthion, put away your weapons. He will not harm you or attempt to free us,” Haldir said in a surprisingly gentle voice. Rumil glanced at him sharply, but the Marchwarden pointedly ignored his youngest brother. “Let us sit and talk of how we can help each other.”

The mortal lowered his scimitars and nodded slowly. He was so weary and longed only for peace. The peace of death would be welcome when he finally arrived in Fwaban.

He indicated the fish remaining and offered it to Rumil. The ellon accepted with grace and sat between his brother and his friend, facing Crasthion after removing his jacket and tunic and spread them out to dry. The man stared into the fire for a moment then sat opposite the Elves.

Though Elrohir and Haldir both were anxious to hear about their friends, they instead asked Crathion to fill Rumil in on the details of how they had come to be his prisoners, on the way to Lastharos.

The man obliged them and told him everything: the prophecy; Lastharos’ belief Crasthion was a traitor---the ‘sun’ referred to in the revelation; how his household was being held awaiting his return for death, and the particularly gruesome fate that awaited traitors; how Lastharos had used his parents---everything came pouring out of him. The pent-up anger, frustration and fear of his life seemed to burst forth and he found himself thinking how these Elves appeared to invite his confessions. They were oddly comforting.

Finally he finished his tale and realized he had been talking for quite some time and yet knew nothing about this new Elf.

“You say there are more of you here?” he asked the newcomer.

Rumil nodded. “We found a cavern and it exits here in this lake.”

“A cavern?” Crasthion considered this revelation. “How did you come to be here?”

“We were in Naraketh when your army attacked,” Rumil answered, “and discovered a place to take cover that led us to this place.” He did not wish to tell of the survivors who were in the caves; the Khandun army had tried to kill them all.

“How many more of you … how many Elves are here?” He wondered if there was an Elven army about to invade their land.

“More will come tomorrow,” Rumil replied. “We do not seek war with Khand; we simply wish to retrieve our friend from Lastharos.”

“You do not wish to extinguish the Light of the East?” the man asked with a bitter smile. He recalled the blonde Elf speaking of Lastharos’ abuse of his brother’s beloved and deduced this one must have a good reason for wishing Lastharos dead.

Rumil allowed himself a slight twitch of his lips. “I will admit I would not mourn him were he to pass from this life nor would I be likely to pass on sending him to the Void should the opportunity arise.”

Crasthion nodded then sighed. “He is all we have known in Khand for thousands of years. He cannot die, they say.”

“He can die; he is mortal. Lastharos has simply stolen long life that was not meant to be his.” Haldir was certain that none deserved immortality less than the Khandun leader.

The man stared at the dying embers of the fire for a long time in silence then gazed wearily at the Elves.

“Do you see any hope for my people?” he asked in a tired voice.

“There is always hope,” Haldir told him with a smile. Turning to Rumil he continued. “Will Glorfindel and Vanurion be here tomorrow? They would be the ones I would turn to for counsel in this matter for they are both wise and Vanurion knows more about the east than we do.”

Rumil nodded. “Glorfindel, Helcarin, Legolas, Alexandra, Elladan and a mortal female of Naraketh are in the cavern that adjoins this lake. They will likely be here tomorrow. Vanurion waits with others for word on how to exit the cavern.”

Elrohir looked up sharply at Rumil’s words and put his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“Elladan? You say Elladan is here?” It could not be; he had felt him dying.

Rumil smiled at the dark-haired ellon’s barely contained excitement.

“Yes. He was injured but the woman who accompanied us tended him and he is now healed. He is anxious to see you.”

Elrohir closed his eyes and murmured a silent prayer of thanks to the Valar. “Whoever this woman is, she deserves all honor for helping him.”

Crasthion watched them curiously. “Is this … Elladan … Is he your son or your mate?”

“No,” Elrohir laughed, “he is my twin brother. During the attack by the beasts on the city, he was gravely wounded and I thought him killed and his soul sent to Mandos.”

The man smiled. “I am glad then that your brother is well.” It pleased him to see some happiness in the midst of this tragedy. He reached into a small pouch on his belt and tossed a key to Rumil. “Release them. I have no stomach for this any longer. I hope your friends arrive with the dawn. I will be on the jetty.” He stood and walked away, vanishing into the darkness.

Rumil unlocked the shackles around Haldir and Elrohir’s waists and the collar from their necks then looked at the mortal fading into the night.

“He is as one already dead.”

“Indeed, there is much pain in his heart,” Haldir agreed. “Tell us now; what happened after the creatures overran the city? We were taken by two of the vampires back to where the Khandun army appeared to be just arriving on the scene. It would seem the creatures had taken matters into their own claws.”

“The city was destroyed,” Rumil stated flatly. “After the creatures withdrew we began searching for survivors and found several. We also learned there were escape tunnels hidden around Naraketh, but not all could be found or used. We located one and sent the survivors into it. The tunnel led to a cave system that eventually led to the cavern connected to this lake.”

“How did Elladan survive?” Elrohir had been certain his brother’s life had faded.

“Apparently he was injured and there was an escape tunnel in the building where he fell. He had defended some of the mortals and they took him into the caverns with them where his wounds were tended by the woman. Allase, I believe is her name.” Rumil did not tell the ellon his brother seemed somewhat smitten by the female; he would leave that to Elladan.

“After Pomea, did we lose any others?” Haldir asked.

Rumil’s expression grew somber. “Cunion was killed defending the wounded and covering their escape through a tunnel. The building was burned and he did not abandon his charges. Vanurion lost part of his hand to a werewolf, but he is well. Saelbeth’s leg is mending; otherwise, all of our people are well.”

“Not all,” Elrohir said and the brothers looked at him in askance. “Erestor remains in Lastharos’ hands and Orophin and Naveradir have gone into the mouth of danger to find him.”

“We will join them as soon as all are out of the caverns. It is time to put an end to this vile man’s life.” Haldir stretched and began to work his limbs in an effort to regain full freedom of movement diminished by being forced to sit and being restrained for so long.

“Yes,” Elrohir agreed as he took a few practice swings with his sword, which he retrieved from the confiscated weapons Crasthion had kept with his belongings. Rumil found their bows and tossed Haldir his sword, gathering their daggers as well.

“Do you think Crasthion will betray the survivors? He is one of the generals in Lastharos’ army---it was his task to kill them.” Rumil did not completely trust the man.

“He is weary and no longer cares for the battle,” Haldir replied. “His household’s lives are forfeit as is his and he has no stomach for Lastharos’ orders any longer.”

“Odd, do you not think, that one who has lived in Khand all his life would find it in his heart to rebel? This life is all he has known; one would expect him to think it normal.” Elrohir felt much better now that he was rearmed.

“His father sounds as though he had a great influence on the man’s life,” Haldir mused. “And he has told us his father was from Rhun. Perhaps he instilled a sense of justice in him.”

“I think even people who have known nothing but Lastharos’ ways can find justice and right and wrong in their hearts,” Rumil declared. “I hope there are others in the army who feel as he does.”

“What of the mortals? Where will they go? This place seems far from any towns or villages.” Elrohir peered into the night. “I suppose there may be more caves here, but the people need shelter once they are out in the light.”

“Perhaps they can go back to their homes,” Haldir suggested.

Rumil shrugged. “There was nothing much left standing in the city when we left. I suppose, however, they could begin to rebuild; but getting them back there would entail a long journey back through the caves and there was some sort of debris fall I was told that blocked part of the entrance. We blocked the one we had used so none could pursue us.”

The ellyn fell silent as they considered the future of the survivors. Finally Haldir sighed.

“It is not up to us to decide their fate. Let them weight their options and make t heir own decision. They undoubtedly know more about this land than we do and will know if there is a safe refuge nearby.”

The others agreed and silently waited on the shores of the lake for dawn to come.