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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“Lastharos cannot touch you,” Orophin told Dehlina as he nuzzled her ear, her body held tight between him and Naveradir in the bathing pool.

“If it will serve our purpose then let him,” she hissed.

Naveradir pulled her head back and kissed her. “No,” he murmured against her lips. “He is your grandfather for one thing; and he will not be gentle for another.”

The woman twisted from their arms and sat on the stone ledge under the water so just her shoulders were above the surface.

“He sired my mother and that did not stop him from using her. I do not think he will care about me so why should I? It is not as though he is truly a part of my family.”

The Elves said nothing as they settled in the water as well. To keep up appearances Naveradir began to run his fingers through Orophin’s silky hair and the other ellon turned so he could lean back against him.

“I am the one he wants,” Orophin said and Naveradir nodded.

“He thinks to get to you through Dehlina.”

“Then let him have me without her.”

Naveradir and Dehlina both shook their heads at his words.

“He will rape you and torture you,” she told him. “You would die.”

“But I could kill him before my life slipped away,” Orophin countered. He looked from one to the other. “Truly, I do not fear death. The peace of Mandos will be welcome and we will rid the world of this monster. I think one life is a fair trade, do you not?”

Dehlina forgot her ire and moved over to where the ellyn sat. Climbing onto Orophin’s lap she caressed his cheek.

“Why? What is it you run from that you would rather die than continue living? Does it have something to do with the woman Erestor spoke of in Ada’s dwelling?”

Naveradir felt Orophin tense slightly against him and thought how there was more to Orophin and Alexandra’s friendship than he had noticed. Now that it had been brought to his attention, however, he recognized small gestures between the two that indicated more than just a simple friendship.

“Are you lovers?” he asked the Lorien ellon softly. He could not imagine, from what he had seen of Legolas and Alexandra, the lady would have taken any outside of her marriage bed. Still, there was something there …

Orophin swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry as he heard the question put in blunt terms for the first time.

“No,” he managed to whisper. “I would not dishonor either the lady or her husband by behaving in such an inappropriate manner. She is completely devoted to Legolas and does not harbor any such desires for me.”

Naveradir, recalling the looks and touches that passed between Orophin and the prince’s wife, had a different opinion, but held his tongue. He did not doubt they had not consummated their love for one another as neither held honor or devotion lightly. And it was possible the lady did not even realize her feelings for her dear friend. That she loved, worshipped and adored her husband was plain enough for any to see. He felt great sympathy for the young ellon sitting next to him.

“Do not be so quick to give up your life,” he told Orophin. “You are loved and needed more than you may think. Lastharos can be sated another way. Perhaps I could interest him; it would not be the first time I have been tortured or abused and I managed to survive.”

Dehlina shook her head. “You would have to reveal yourself as an Elf and then he would hold us all prisoner.”

“And I do not think he is attracted to you,” Orophin added. At Naveradir’s look of mock outrage, he laughed. “Besides the fact that he does not know you to be an Elf, you are not subservient to him. I think he finds you a touch intimidating.”

Naveradir smiled. “I suppose I am quite terrifying in the right circumstance.”

Dehlina had been thinking on their dilemma. True, she had no desire to undergo forced joining with the man who sired her mother, but she would do it if such was needed to destroy him. Turning Orophin over to him was completely out of the question. There had to be another way to both satisfy him and give them the chance to kill him without anyone suffering too much.

“What if we gave him what he wanted, but we remained in control?” she asked slowly, her mind sorting out the possibilities. At their quizzical looks, she continued. “He likes very rough, painful things; enjoys humiliating and torturing people.” They nodded. “We could do that for him and could control what he saw or heard or felt.”

“But he would wish to participate,” Orophin pointed out. “Truly, I will endure whatever I must to see him dead.”

“Let us be cruder in our ways tonight and see if he is satisfied or perhaps we will draw him to us and will be able to carry out our mission.” Naveradir had a very good idea of what Lastharos wanted and could not allow the young elleth or Orophin to be placed in danger. He would go to Lastharos himself if need be, to draw his attention from the others. He understood brutality, cruelty, torture and debauchery; after all, he was Goroth’s son.

***

“It is daylight,” Glorfindel murmured as Helcarin began to dress. The younger ellon pulled on his leggings, still damp from his swim the night before, but at least not soaking wet. They were uncomfortable, but he had endured much worse.

“I will go in and see if there is a closer route,” he told Glorfindel, gathering several lengths of Elven rope.

Elladan pulled off his jacket, tunic and boots and accompanied Helcarin into the water.

“I will remain in one spot and hold the rope so that once we find the right place to go under, it can be marked.”

Glorfindel nodded. “A wise move. We will prepare to get the others when we have found a certain way out.”

Elladan caught Allase’s eye and smiled. She blushed and he noticed she tried not to look at him or Helcarin. How charming; for one who had cleaned and sewn wounds and served as a healer, she was inordinately shy about some things. She returned his smile and he nodded acknowledgement before he and Helcarin began to swim out to the far wall of the cavern.

Legolas and Glorfindel stood watching their efforts while Alexandra perched on a large boulder over the water to wait. She had noticed the woman and Elladan’s exchange and bit back a smile of her own. She had seen the dark-haired ellon and his twin seduce many females, Elven and Mortal, but could honestly say she had never seen Elladan so charming. He seemed to genuinely care for the woman and she wondered if indeed there was more to them than gratitude on his part. Allase seemed to be quite smitten.

“Come sit by me,” she called to the woman softly and reached down to help her up the treacherous rock face.

Allase took the offered hand and pulled herself up then settled next to the prince’s wife. She watched the ellyn in the distance then turned to Alexandra.

“May I ask you something, my lady?”

“Ask anything you like. And it’s Alex or Alexandra. Don’t call me ‘my lady’ if you can help it.”

Allase nodded then bit her lip. “What is it … How did you and the prince …” She frowned in concentration, suddenly at a loss for words. She did not know how to ask Alexandra about the things that preyed on her mind.

Alex looked at her with a slightly amused expression. “What is what? What is it like to love an Elf? How did Legolas and I get together? Ask whatever you want, Allase. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. When I first came here, I didn’t know anything about Elves either and it’s taken me several years to even start to understand them.”

The other woman turned pink as Alexandra’s words set her mind on a definite track. “Yes, that is part of what I want to know. I think … I think I am starting to have feelings for Elladan and he seems to feel something for me and I do not know if it is simply gratitude for my having cared for him when he was injured or if it is something true. Does he have a beloved? Am I simply seeing more than I should?”

Alex thought for a bit. “I think he’s feeling something for you and from my experience, Elves know what their heart tells them. They aren’t fooled by misplaced gratitude or such things. As for a beloved, I’ve never heard of one. He and his brother have always been fairly carefree in that area, from what I’ve heard. I’ve never seen him spend so much time with one female as he has you.”

Allase nodded, a shy smile on her lips. “I feel … I yearn for him.” Her voice dropped to a whisper as if afraid the others would hear. “Last night he put his arms around me and I felt … it was as though I was safer than I ever have been in my life.” She laughed and shook her head. “I know my words make no sense.”

“They make perfect sense,” Alex told her with a smile. “I feel the same way when I’m with Legolas. Actually, though, I feel that way whenever I’m around any of them. Elves have a way of making you feel safe and protected, maybe because that’s what they do.”

“It is strange to think of them as protectors,” Allase mused. “All my life we were told they did not exist except in legend and then they were dark creatures that would kill us or … or worse.”

“Well, you know now that was a lie,” Alex replied. “They are marvelous and when an Elf gives his or her heart, it’s forever.”

Allase studied the woman next to her. “How did you and the prince come to know one another?”

“He found me lost in the woods,” she laughed. “He couldn’t leave me there in good conscience so he took me with him while he went on a mission to find something that was a danger to peace and when we got back to Gondor, we discovered we were in love and he asked me to marry him; so I did.”

“And his people accepted you?” Allase asked curiously. “Forgive me, but I would think they would not wish to mingle with mortals.”

“My thoughts exactly, but they made me feel right at home. Elladan’s sister is married to a mortal, the king of Gondor; and his father’s brother was mortal. He has mortal blood but it’s very dilute.”

“Really?” She looked out to where the ellyn were tying off a part of the rope. “He is so beautiful,” she whispered, almost to herself.

“Yes,” Alex agreed. “But look beyond the physical beauty. He is noble and kind and a fierce warrior. He is a good ellon.”

“Is that what they’re called?” She watched until Helcarin disappeared under the water then noticed Alexandra watching Legolas, a distinct look of longing in her gaze. “You and your husband are very much in love.”

“Yes,” Alex sighed. “He is my life and without him I’d simply shrivel up and die.”

“You are both very … demonstrative,” Allase added with a fierce blush.

Alex laughed and nodded. “You could say that. Our friends tease us endlessly about it, but I just think they’re jealous. I mean, look at him; I can’t keep my hands off of him and he’s too wonderful to resist.”

“Are they …” Allase’s blush grew even redder, if possible. “When I was dressing Elladan’s wound, I … I saw him; and then last night, I saw Helcarin .” She finally met Alexandra’s amused gaze. “They are not inconsiderable.”

“No, they aren’t,” Alex agreed. “And get used to them undressing in front of you. They are not modest though they don’t try to shock you. It took me some time to finally learn that Elves just see bodies as bodies and don’t really think of them the way we do. Only if they are seeking arousal will their attitudes change, but for the most part they think nothing of stripping off their clothes to bathe no matter who’s around.”

Allase was shocked. “You mean they just … Even with others around?” Her people did not do such though she had heard Lastharos was quite decadent in his ways.

“Trust me, they do not embarrass. They’ll do anything … and I do mean ANYTHING when they’re among friends.” Alex smiled as she recalled the night of Cunion’s begetting day celebration and how she had drunk wine from Erestor’s lips and Haldir’s fingers; had made love with Legolas in a room full of Elves … Though she had been mortified after learning of her behavior, she had to admit she now remembered it fondly.

Allase’s expression was priceless as she realized what Alexandra meant. “You mean you have … with them around?” She could not imagine such behavior.

“Oh, I thought I would die of embarrassment later, but everyone knows we are madly in love and none thought anything of it. I don’t think Elladan would do such a thing to you though, if you truly were embarrassed by it.”

“But what if I wanted---.” Allase cut herself off and shook her head as Alex began to laugh softly. “You think me quite silly, I know.”

“No,” Alex replied, shaking her head. “I think you’re just not as experienced as some others. I’m terribly shy when it comes to doing some things, but Legolas and the others have sort of rubbed off on me. I’ve gotten a little more comfortable with them and myself in the time we’ve been together.”

Allase sighed and looked back to where Elladan was treading water. He was but a small glowing spot far out in the vast underground lake but she could recall every detail from having seen his body when she had bathed and tended him. Without thinking, she slowly ran her tongue over her lips as she thought of the handsome ellon.

Alex saw her actions and bit back a laugh.

“Have you ever had a lover?” she asked the other woman.

Allase tore her gaze away from Elladan in surprise. “No. I … I never … no one ever …” She fumbled for words as the thought of lovers immediately caused her to picture Elladan in such a role.

“May I ask why not? You’re beautiful and I would think men would’ve been after you for years.”

Allase shrugged. “I do not know. Some say I am too tall; others that I just seem different. Elladan asked me the same thing.”

Alex nodded. “Then he’s definitely feeling more for you than simple gratitude. As for what the others said, forget them. I think you’re fine. You’re about the same height as I am and I haven’t heard anyone complain about me.”

The Khandun woman smiled then both returned their attention to the ellyn in the lake.


The waters beneath the surface glowed almost as if out in the sunlight, even within the cave. Helcarin saw the city he and Rumil had discovered the previous evening was vast and seemed to extend far into both sides of the lake, within the cave and on the outside. The large crystal sphere appeared to function as an underwater sun, magnifying the light from the sun overhead and sending it through out the city.

He saw no signs of current habitation but had the feeling he was being watched by something unseen. He did not feel threatened and so presumed if anything did watch, it was not harmful.

When he surfaced on the outer part of the lake he was surprised to see Haldir and Elrohir with Rumil on the shore along with a mortal man. He waved to them and explained to Rumil what they were doing. The ellyn stripped off their clothes, and after a moment, so did the man, and swam out to help look for a safer way through the exit.

Crasthion had been curious when he saw the other Elf in the water. When he heard the three on the shore mention a city he could not resist the temptation to join them.

“Mortals cannot hold their breath underwater as long as we can,” Helcarin told the others when they reached him. “We need to find the shortest way through the exit so they spend the least amount of time under the water.”

“There are more mortals with you?” Crasthion asked curiously. He had not thought there would be a significant number of them.

“Yes. We need to get them out of the cavern so they can return to their lives … or what is left of them.” Helcarin was concerned that the people who had survived the massacre at Naraketh would be hunted down and slaughtered if they did not melt back into Khandun society.

“I understand your concern,” Crasthion told the Elf. “There are villages and towns near here that were not completely decimated and there are other caves along the shores of this lake that may provide shelter for any who need it.”

Rumil regarded him speculatively. “Why would you wish to help them? You led an army sent to kill them all.”

“I do not know these people. They may have come from further east or south. I know nothing to say they did not.”

Elrohir smiled. “Indeed, they do seem to be approaching here from the southern shore of this lake.”

“Exactly,” the man replied then asked what was really on his mind. “You say there is a city below?”

Helcarin smiled. “Indeed there is. It is beautiful. Come; it is directly below us.” He dove under the surface followed by the others, Crasthion hesitating only a moment.

The view beneath the lake was brighter than any expected and the reason became apparent almost immediately. The large crystal globe, now that it was full daylight, caught the diffused rays of light that shone through the surface of the lake, and magnified them, sending out a glow like a duplicate sun deep in the water. The buildings, columns, statues and other structures of the city gleamed white with vague iridescent points on some of the surfaces. Schools of fish reflected gold, silver, and rainbow colors on their glittering scales and the Elves and man were entranced.

It was real. Crasthion felt ready to burst with unexpected joy. What his father had told him was real; what he had thought he saw as a child was real. For a moment, Lastharos and the pain of his land were far away and he simply basked in the warm glow of the underwater sun.

Soon, however, the burning of his lungs, begging for air, forced him to surface. He gasped in the cool morning and began swimming back to shore, somehow reluctant to see more of the city as if afraid it would vanish. What did it mean? Were the stories of people living under the lake true? He had not seen anyone while down there but that did not mean they did not exist.

The Elves surfaced after a few more moments and Helcarin spotted the man walking up to the shore.

“He is burdened heavily,” the golden-haired Elf murmured.

“Indeed he is,” Haldir replied. “He knows what Lastharos has done is wrong. Now,” he continued, smiling at the others, “Let us find a way to help these people escape their underground prison.