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 are more of the creatures here,” Elrohir whispered to Haldir as they entered the palace through the escape tunnel.

The Lorien warden nodded and turned to Crasthion who was behind them.

“How many creatures does Lastharos keep here?”

“Besides the Dark Force? He has at least a hundred vampires who do his bidding though it is unlikely they are all here at the moment. There are warg in the pit for disposal of bodies and of the other creatures, I do not know. I have not had cause to see them.”

“We must, then, kill everything in our path,” Rumil muttered.

“No; there are some among the guards who may be glad to be rid of Lastharos,” Crasthion said. He could not bear the thought of slaughtering his own people.

“We will spare those who do not fight us,” Legolas assured him though he did not doubt the Khandun guards would do their duty.

Dehlina had insisted on accompanying them so she could lead them through the hidden passages she, Naveradir and Orophin had discovered. Maglor had not been happy, but had seen the wisdom in it and so now he watched beside Erestor, sword in hand, as Dehlina indicated the next turn in their passage.

He was proud his daughter had proven to be brave and a strong warrior. Still, he feared for her safety. He could not help it—he was her father.

Elladan was torn between going after Lastharos and remaining with Allase. She had remained in Maglor’s dwelling with Sui and the large mastiff, Kidur. He was almost certain they would be safe, but he wanted to be sure and the only way to do that was to remain with them. Still, Orophin, Naveradir and Alexandra were still in the madman’s clutches and he could not sit by while they were in danger. He glanced at Legolas and could see his friend’s concern beneath the calm façade.

“What does your heart tell you?” he asked.

Legolas gave a brief smile. “She lives and is very, very angry.”

Elladan nodded. “Then I am afraid Lastharos may be torn to pieces by the time we get there.”

“I do not care,” Rumil murmured. “I will chop the pieces into even smaller ones.”

Dehlina’s sword suddenly pierced the throat of a guard before he could sound an alarm. The elleth pulled the man back into the niche then looked out.

“We left them in Lastharos’ main hall,” she told them. “This way.”

Several more guards were quietly dispatched, but the Elves’ luck could not hold. More guards were encountered at the same time and they had no choice but to openly fight. The sounds of the battle summoned more guards and soon eight Elves and one man fought the forces of Lastharos’ personal guard.

The corridors were cramped and winding and without knowing where one was going, it was easy to become trapped. Dehlina and Crasthion were the only ones who knew their way around the palace and found themselves trying to guide their companions away from dead-ends.

“It is difficult to be merciful when everyone is trying to kill you,” Maglor commented to Erestor as they fought off several guards.

“I have given up on mercy,” Erestor replied, plunging his sword into the chest of the soldier nearest him.

Legolas had but one thought: Alexandra. He forced his way through the crowds in the corridor, his twin knives flashing as he made it to the door Dehlina had indicated. Pushing it open he was met by a hail of arrows. One lodged in his right shoulder and another passed through the outer part of his left thigh.

Swearing, he quickly ducked back around the door, pushing one of the Khandun soldiers into the opening so he was caught by the archers inside. He snapped the arrow off in his leg and pulled the shaft through by the protruding head.

Elladan saw him and fought his way over to his friend.

“Be still; this will hurt,” the dark-haired ellon said, then broke off the arrow in Legolas’ shoulder with a snap. “We need to cut it out.”

“There is no time,” Legolas replied through gritted teeth. “Just push it through.”

Elladan muttered a curse then grasped the shaft and forced the arrow through until it came out of the other side of Legolas’ shoulder. The only sign the prince gave of the pain involved was a tightening of his grip on the hilt of his knife. Once the arrow was clear, Elladan quickly wrapped a piece of cloth torn from a dead guard’s tunic around the wound, tying it tightly.

“You should not try to use that arm,” he said, knowing his advice would be ignored.

“I only need one arm to slit Lastharos’ throat,” Legolas replied.

Haldir, having seen Legolas’ unsuccessful attempt to enter the hall, drew his bow and held one of the bodies of a dead Khandun soldier in front of him as a shield. He aimed through the door and took out two of the archers with his Great Bow before Rumil spotted him and knelt behind the body, firing through the dead man’s legs at the archers. Elrohir and Elladan did the same from the other side of the open doorway while Legolas, Maglor, Erestor, Dehlina and Crasthion fought off the soldiers.

“We must get inside this room so we can barricade the door,” Haldir said.

“There are tables that can be used as shields inside if we stay against the walls,” Elrohir told them. “We do not know how many archers there are but we cannot stay out here.”

Using other bodies as shields, the four Elven archers made their way into the room, tossing the bodies aside as they dove for cover behind the dining tables. Turning the heavy wooden pieces on their sides provided a safe place for the Elves to fire at the mortals lining the balcony that encircled the room.

The others, having seen their comrades make it inside, began to back toward the room, Legolas drew his bow, wincing at the pain in his right arm, and turned, taking down two men with two arrows fired simultaneously. He quickly re-armed and fired again as Maglor, Erestor, Dehlina and Crasthion began pulling the doors closed as they made their way into the room.

Dehlina turned as the locks were thrown on the door and gave a cry as an arrow hit her left hip. Crasthion caught her before she could collapse and dragged her to safety behind one of the tables. He pulled her leggings down a bit and examined the wound.

“It is but a flesh wound,” he told her.

“I know,” she said, her voice tight, “but it hurts like I have been sliced with a fiery knife.”

The man noticed the wound was exceedingly red and muttered something under his breath.

“The arrow was poisoned,” he said, almost to himself. “The arrow was poisoned,” he shouted to the others. “Not all will be, but be careful.”

Maglor, who was on the opposite side of the room with Erestor started to go to his daughter, but was driven back by another flight of arrows. He turned on his friend with angry eyes when Erestor pulled him down behind the table.

“My daughter is injured.”

“And she is being cared for. There is nothing to do until we get rid of these bowmen.” The normally quiet advisor recalled some blades Lastharos had used on him. “I believe it is meant to incapacitate the victim, not kill him or her,” he told an anxious Maglor. “If it is the same poison used on me, it is excruciatingly painful, but not fatal.”

A stream of curses in Khandun, Sindarin and Quenya rolled from Dehlina’s tongue as the poison went to work, causing almost unbearable pain to radiate from the wound. Crasthion looked for something to help neutralize it and spotted a bottle of wine lying on its side. Crawling over, he reached for the bottle, snatching it back just as another arrow hit the spot where his hand had been only seconds before.

Making his way back to Dehlina, he poured some of the wine over the slice.

“Manwe’s cock!” she groaned through gritted teeth. “What is that?”

“It will help to wash away some of the poison and begin to neutralize it,” the man told her. He kept a steady, slow stream of the liquid pouring into the cut, irrigating it. After a few moments, Dehlina’s breathing became less labored as the pain decreased and she closed her eyes for a moment before focusing on Crasthion.

“Thank you. It is beginning to ease.”

He smiled slightly. “It is a poison used to help quell any enemies without killing them,” he said. “Usually used for domestic crowd control or with overwhelming enemies.”

“I can see it must be effective,” she replied, refastening her leggings and peering over the table. The number of arrows flying in the room had diminished considerably and the last of the archers collapsed as Haldir’s sure bow brought him down.

“Where are they?” Rumil asked. The room was empty, but the opening to the secret dungeon was open. “What is down there?”

“I do not know,” Dehlina admitted as she stood, grimacing as the residual discomfort from the shot continued to pulse unpleasantly.

“It leads to Lastharos’ private playroom,” Crasthion said quietly. “It is where he goes for complete seclusion and the slaves who accompany him there are never seen again.”

Legolas, Haldir and Rumil sprinted to the opening with blinding speed. Just as Rumil started down the narrow spiral stairs, a loud screeching sound echoed through the vast chamber. Looking up, they saw the shape-shifting vampires slipping through the narrow windows at the top of the vast hall and reforming in their usual forms. The creatures flew straight down toward the Elves and Crasthion, claws and teeth at the ready.

Their quivers severely depleted, the three at the stairs drew their swords like their brethren and prepared to fight.

The creatures slashed at the people in the room with their long, poisonous claws. Ducking and trying to avoid the appendages, the others fought as best they could. Outnumbered even though Haldir, Elladan and Maglor had killed the first three vampires to reach them, they fought furiously.

“We cannot kill them all,” Elrohir said as he and Erestor each brought down one of the creatures.

The counselor nodded as his sword plunged into the creature’s throat and he severed its head.

“We must take refuge below,” he said, backing toward the opening.

The others continued to fight as they made their way to the stairs. Rumil was the first one to reach them and started down finding a guard on his way up the stairs. He kicked the man in the chest then ran down the steps, thrusting his sword into the man’s chest before he could get up.

There was only one door and it was at the very foot of the stairs. Elrohir, the next one down the stairs, picked up the dead guard’s body and tossed it into a corner so they would have room to all fit into the small space.

“This door is barred,” Rumil said in frustration.

Elrohir and Maglor joined Rumil in trying to pry the door open. Haldir picked up an axe that the guard had kept as he stood his post and ordered the others to stand back. The others remained near the top of the stairs, Elladan and Erestor holding the vampires back with their swords.

With a mighty swing, Haldir struck the door with the axe, aimed directly at the side where the bolts would be. The wood was solid and banded by iron, resisting the blade. Undeterred, Haldir continued to swing at the door, making some headway after about the tenth or eleventh strike.

“They cannot hold much longer,” Legolas said as he could see signs of fatigue in Elladan and Erestor. They had managed to kill several more of the vampires, but the winged creatures were quick and tireless.

“Lastharos!” Haldir called as he swung the axe again. “You cannot escape. Open the door and we will make your death quick.”

“No we will not,” Rumil muttered as Legolas smiled grimly in agreement.

Haldir hit the door again with the axe and prepared to swing again when the door opened. The sight that greeted them was not what they had expected.

***

Lastharos smiled as Naveradir pulled off the jeweled cap and revealed his pointed ears.

“Ah. It is a pity I did not join with you when I had the chance. You would have been a delightful diversion. I do not doubt you could come up with many interesting things to do.” He cast his gaze on Orophin, noting the way the princess remained close to the blond Elf. Understanding dawned and he laughed.

“Your lover?” he asked the woman. “Do not try to deny it. I see much about you, princess, you think to hide.” Turning his gaze to Orophin he continued. “Tell me, did you think of her as you kissed me? I could feel you harden.”

His words were on point and Orophin wondered if Lastharos possessed abilities they had not known of, such as being able to pick up emotions or thoughts. He would not, however, dignify Lastharos’ comments with confirmation.

“I thought of your death and that was enough to arouse me,” the blond ellon replied.

“Why should you care what happens to me or what I do?”

“You tormented my brother’s beloved and my friends. I have longed to see you punished for your crimes not only toward them but to all the innocents you have slaughtered through the years.”

“Call them off,” Alexandra told Lastharos as the sounds of battle came faintly through the door and ceiling. She could hear the screech of the vampires and knew they would have poisoned claws to attack Legolas and the others.

“Call them off? Why?” Lastharos looked at the woman as if she had gone mad. “They do my bidding and are protecting me. Why would I wish to allow your husband and his friends free access to me?” He laughed as he raised the sword he had taken from a fallen guard. “I will not simply hand myself over to revenge-minded Elves.”

Alex swore in frustration as she strode over to the Khandun, striking his sword out of the way, backing him against the wall. Holding her blade to his throat, she stared into his eyes.

“Call them off or I swear I will kill you here and now. I’ll slit your throat and let you drown in your own blood.”

The Khandun leader met her gaze calmly. “Go ahead. Try to kill me; then no one will control my beasts.”

Orophin and Naveradir watched the woman with interest. Would she kill him? They certainly would not try to stop her. Naveradir saw the female slave had drawn the young boy into her arms and held him behind the table, both terrified but watching intently.

Alex could not tell if Lastharos spoke truly or not. Would the vampires be without anyone to hold their leash? Would that make them better or worse enemies? The shrieking grew closer and she could hear pounding at the door. Her sword pressed harder and she saw blood begin to trickle from the Ruler’s throat.

“Make your choice, princess,” he said softly, an amused expression on his beautiful face.

“Go to hell,” she muttered, pulling the sword across his throat, not deep enough to kill, but cutting it significantly, then thrust the blade into his chest, twisting it as she pushed with all her strength, then pulled it out as Naveradir opened the door at the sound of Haldir’s voice.

Lastharos’ expression did not change as Alexandra pulled the sword from his body, the blood gushing out. He put his hand over his chest then raised his gaze to meet hers again, smiling.

“Brave, princess,” he said as the Elves and Crasthion rushed into the room, slamming the door against the vampires. Glancing at the newcomers, Lastharos chuckled as he took his hand away from his chest. “Brave but foolish. You cannot harm me.” He raised the sword still gripped in his hand as he picked up a booted foot, slamming it into her belly followed by the sword plunging to her exposed torso.

Orophin threw his sword, deflecting Lastharos’ blow as Legolas fairly flew across the room to tackle the Khandun leader. His hands immediately went around the man’s throat and began to squeeze as he slammed Lastharos’ head against the stone floor.

“Never. Touch. My. Wife,” he said through clenched teeth with each blow.

Orophin, meanwhile, gathered Alexandra into his arms as she gasped for breath, the wind having been knocked out of her by Lastharos’ surprisingly hard kick. She looked up at him with pain in her eyes before finally catching a breath then promptly turned to her side and gagged.

Haldir and Naveradir each gripped Legolas’ shoulders.

“No, he must stand trial for his actions,” Haldir told his friend, trying to pull him away.

“He deserves no trial,” the prince snapped, not releasing his grip.

“You are not the only one he has wronged,” Naveradir reminded him. “His slaves, his victims, Rumil, Elladan—you all deserve the chance to mete justice.”

Crasthion stared at Lastharos as the Elves managed to calm Legolas and the Elven prince reluctantly stood, looking down at the Khandun leader with an expression of white-hot fury.

“Fine. Let him stand trial. I will kill him when it is done.”

“Legolas,” Orophin called and the prince turned to his friend, seeing Alexandra supported in his arms as she vomited dark red blood onto the stone floor.

“Sweet Eru!” the prince breathed and knelt beside his wife. “What did he do to her?”

“The blow was all,” Orophin said, deciding it was not prudent to mention the other things Lastharos had done—had forced Orophin to do.

Alex looked up at Legolas with pain-filled eyes. “It hurts,” she whispered before retching again.

Elrohir knelt beside the three and gently palpated her stomach. Looking down he frowned as blood began to gush from between her thighs each time she strained.

“Nothing else was done to her?” he asked, looking to Orophin.

The Lorien ellon shook his head. “He did not wish to join with her at present. I believe he was waiting until he had captured Legolas for such sport. Nothing else … entered her.”

“We must get her back to a healer,” Maglor said. “She has been seriously injured and it will take more than simple herbs and ointments to heal her.”

Alex could hear them talking but could not speak. Her entire body hurt from her head to her pubic area. She felt as though something had burst inside of her and dreaded to think what it might have been. Spleen? That would cause severe bleeding. Stomach? She’d likely get peritonitis and die of infection. Same thing if it were the bowel. Dear heaven, she’d never thought she’d die like this. She could feel both Legolas and Orophin’s arms around her as she grew colder by the minute. At least she was surrounded by those who loved her and those she loved though she would have liked to have had her dogs, Dexter and Dita with her as well. They were the closest thing she had to children.

“We cannot leave here—the vampires are outside,” Erestor reminded them as he watched Alexandra with sorrow.

“They can be removed,” Haldir said, turning to Lastharos, his sword against the man’s chest. “Call off your vampires so we may take her to a healer.”

“No,” Lastharos said, then, to everyone’s surprise, he stood. There was nothing unsteady about his movement and he appeared perfectly strong. “I enjoy watching her suffer for it causes the rest of you much pain. And why do you care what I do with people in my own realm?”

“You left people buried up to their necks to simply die; left them in their chains, imprisoned behind walls and locked doors once you were done with them, letting them rot. You are despicable and deserve to be punished.” Naveradir was reminded too much of his father.

“And you think you are the ones to punish me? You do not know me at all.”

They stared at the spot on his chest where the sword had been pushed in and on his neck where Alexandra had sliced. The blood had dried and the wounds were gone, his flesh unblemished as if it had never been pierced.

“You cannot harm me.”

“We shall see about that,” Rumil said, breaking the shocked silence and bringing his sword down across Lastharos’ arm in a blow that should have severed it from his body. Instead, it passed as through air and while some blood seemed to pour from the wound, the limb did not release.

“The water,” Naveradir murmured. Looking at the others he sighed. “He has bathed in and drunk of the waters far more than I ever did and, like Goroth’s keep, his body is protected.”

“Meaning he cannot die?” Elladan was completely disgusted at this point.

“He can die,” Maglor said. “We simply must figure out a means that will work.”

“In the meantime we must get Alexandra to a healer,” Orophin reminded them. The woman had ceased to vomit and lay quiet and very pale in his and Legolas’ arms. Her husband had said very little as he concentrated on trying to keep her alive until a healer could be found.

Haldir kicked Lastharos in the crotch then caught the leader by the neck, twisted him around and pushed his sword all the way through from the back so it protruded from the man’s belly. He could see pain in the man’s eyes but Lastharos’ bearing did not change. Turning, he dragged the man to the door.

Dehlina and Erestor opened the door as Haldir stepped out. Lastharos was held before him in full view of the vampires.

“Unless you wish to be ripped apart, call them off,” the Marchwarden told the man in a calm, reasonable tone. “You have been captured and are our prisoner so the only choice you have now is whether to let your remaining time be relatively unpleasant or full of your own pain and agony. Believe me, Lastharos, I will make certain you suffer horrifically.”

“Go ahead and try to kill me,” Lastharos replied. “You cannot do it.”

“Oh, I am certain I will find a way; it may take a very long time and many painful attempts, but you will eventually die.”

The vampires looked at the Elf with the Khandun leader before him. Their green eyes glowed with unearthly hunger though they did not attempt to attack as Haldir came forward

“Your leader now belongs to us,” the Lorien ellon told them. “You are not to attack any of us.”

“We obey only Lastharos,” one of the half-dozen or so creatures hissed.

“You will be the cause of his death, then, if you try to interfere with us,” Haldir shot back. To emphasize his point, he twisted the sword, boring a larger hole in Lastharos’ torso. Blood continued to pour from the wound, but the Khandun seemed not to be affected. His eyes, however, reflected pain from his ordeal.

The creatures hissed and two of them flew directly at Haldir and Lastharos. Maglor and Crasthion, immediately behind him, attacked the beasts as Haldir ducked and dodged the poisonous claws, keeping Lastharos before him as a shield.

Naveradir and Elrohir were next out of the stairwell and joined in the fray as the other creatures attacked. The remainder of the Elves save Orophin and Legolas came up to do battle while Haldir let Lastharos take the brunt of the creatures’ attacks on him. He smiled with satisfaction each time the sharp claws ripped through Lastharos’ flesh. Even though he healed quickly, the Khandun still felt the pain of the attack.

Two of the vampires fell dead through the rest were merciless in their assault. The Elves and Crasthion tried to avoid being caught by the poisoned talons, but could not avoid scratches. Maglor swore as a deep cut was made across his forearm by one of the beasts. In a few moments, he began to feel tired and drowsy and knew he had been poisoned.

Legolas came out of the stairwell, his knives drawn though his arm and leg were growing weak from their injuries. Still, he would protect Orophin and Alexandra as the Lorien ellon carried her to safety. Legolas could not carry her because of his injuries but could not leave her side.

Making his way to the doors they had barred, Legolas prayed no more of the Khandun guards were in the hallway. They had to get Alexandra to a healer. Already he could feel her fading and knew the hopes and dreams he had recently harbored for their future were lost. All he wanted now was his wife to remain with him just a bit longer.

Elladan fought through the fray to help Legolas pull open the doors. If there were more guards then he would not let his friend face them alone. Orophin could not fight because he held Alexandra protectively though Elladan could see she already had the look of mortal death.

There were a few Khandun guards in the hallway but to the dismay of the Elves, there were also dark creatures.

Orophin, Legolas and Elladan exchanged glances, then moved into the hall, the two in front fighting to protect the other as he tried to carry Legolas’ wife to the escape route. If they could get her to Maglor’s dwelling, perhaps Allase would be able to help. It was their only hope.

Though the vampires in the room had been slain, the soldiers and creatures from the hallway poured in to replace them. The Elves each knew they would likely die here as it would be impossible to kill all of those attacking them. Still, they did not give up and continued to fight furiously.

Haldir used Lastharos as a shield and the sword impaling him as a defensive weapon. He cared not what happened to the Khandun leader but hoped he was in agony until the very end.

Maglor fought with all of the fury and skill for which the House of Feanor was known. He had given up killing but in this case, he was not persecuting the innocent but destroying evil. Perhaps when he fell in battle the Valar would take into account his years of repentance and have mercy on him. His one regret was that Dehlina was here and would likely die as well. His beloved daughter deserved a better fate, but it could not be helped now. He pressed forward, determined to die honorably.

Rumil thought of Charika and how he would never see her again. When he passed to Mandos he would forever be separated from the woman who held his heart. Would she mourn for long? If Lastharos were dead, would she be free to love her son? He was glad she had not accompanied them for she was safe; yet he also wished he could see her one last time.

Erestor’s thoughts of Durisia were similar except he could feel her in his heart and tried to let her know how much he loved her. She would know when he passed to Mandos. He only hoped she would not allow herself to fade from sorrow. Too late—they had come to each other too late, but the time they had spent together had been wonderful.

Elrohir and Naveradir did not spare time for thoughts of death; they simply fought to protect their friends and to destroy all that opposed them. The Rhunian ellon found himself trying to protect Dehlina as much as he could. Pretending to be her husband had been a pleasant experience and he was surprised to find he had developed a protective attitude about the elleth. Though she was fighting bravely, he remained close by … just in case.

Crasthion had told the slave and the boy to remain in the sealed room. At least there they were safe for now. He hoped he would be able to return to free them completely though at the moment, it seemed his fellow soldiers and the dark beasts were not going to allow that to happen. He prayed that Sui would find shelter and peace somewhere free, perhaps with the woman Allase though he wished he could have been with her, enjoyed her as a lover, not a master.

Orophin followed close behind Legolas and Elladan, heading toward the secret exits. Alexandra’s limp, cold body was held close to his chest as he tried to shield her and warm her. His arms were covered with her blood and he knew it was unlikely she could survive such blood loss. With all he had done to try to guard her Lastharos had still managed to injure her severely. He also sensed the Khandun had done more than simply damage Alexandra’s body. Holding her close he blocked blows from their assailants with his body to protect his charge.

The numbers were overwhelming and despite their strength and stamina, the Elves were being overcome. No matter how many of the attackers they killed, more came to replace them.

Legolas knew it was hopeless and turned to Orophin. His friend was bloody and the fair flesh bruised and cut from the weapons and claws of their assailants yet he continued to shelter Alexandra’s body from further harm.

The two Elves’ eyes met and each acknowledged that this was likely the end. Legolas stepped close and put his arms around his wife and friend as the roar of the Khandun forces filled their ears and all light was blocked by the sheer number of attackers.