Things Forbidden

Things Forbidden

Chapter 5
Author: Frosty the Squib
Codes: Boromir, Aragorn, Elrond, Faramir, Haldir, Legolas, OC, AU
Rated: NC-17
Summary: The coalition of Men and Elves against Sauron causes a weakness which the Dark Lord exploits.

Author's Plead: What the Hell, people? You think I post this for my health??!!?? Review!

*

Valaina's journey had been long and exhausting. She had rode since Minas Tirith, breaking only so her steed could rest and drink. She herself did not feel the need to sleep. Something within her pushed her forward, insisting on finding what it was she searched for. It gave her strength. It gave her understanding.

Looking up, she knit her brows at the tall, dense trees and stone wall that towered beside the dirt road. Her hunt had brought her here, to a place she had heard much of but never seen. It was the place of her ancestors, of the elves that came before her. It should be home to her, but it was not.

Rivendell's gates were visible in the distance. Valaina rode her horse slowly but with purpose. She never knew what awaited her in these strange places, whether there be friend or foe. And she never knew what she would have to do to accomplish her task. A warm blush rose to her cheeks as she thought of the city in Gondor and what she had experienced there. She was sure they nearly caught her. It scared her to think of what would happen if she was caught.

The gates of Imladris were open and welcoming. Riding in, she took in the large city and frowned. Even before dawn, it was bright in the starlight. Dismounting, she led her horse to a tree several paces into the city and tied him there. Her sharp ears heard the sound of footsteps coming towards them, so she took a deep breath and turned, straightening as two elven guards approached.

She smiled when they stopped and looked her over with suspicion. "Good morning," she said sweetly, nodding in deference.

"State your name and business in Rivendell," spoke one of them, frowning down at her.

"My name is Valaina. I am here to see Lord Elrond Halfelven."

The second guard pursed his lips and looked over her attire while the other guard asked, "Why?"

Valaina grinned. "I believe that is my business and not yours."

The guard arched an eyebrow. "Where are you from?"

"I hail from the Golden Wood." Her sharp eyes moved between them, judging them. She exhaled softly when they relented.

"Very well," replied the guard, "Leave your steed here. He will be cared for." Nodding to the quiet elf by his side, the guard motioned for him to care for the horse. "Come with me. Lord Elrond is not awake yet, so I will escort you to a guest room where you may stay until he asks for you."

"Thank you." She was led up two flights of stairs and through an archway. A hallway open to the dark of night intersected with another that took them into a small building of stone. There were four doors, and the guard led her to the last one on the right. Opening it, he motioned her inside.

"Make yourself comfortable. It may be several hours." She nodded, and he closed the door.

Lowering her hood, Valaina turned and knit her brow. The moon cast a glow into the small room, illuminating the bed and nightstands. There was one door, which she assumed led to the bath. Other than that, it was as any other room might be. Elves always decorated with taste, and this was no exception.

Valaina, though, had no interest in seeing the colours that brightened the walls or lined the furniture. She was here for one purpose only. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she clasped her hands in front of her and stared at the door to the outside, waiting.

*

Boromir crossed his arms and leaned against one of the aged trees that made up the Golden Wood. He watched with pursed lips as Aragorn spoke with Galadriel and Celeborn, then moved his eyes to the archer that stood with them. Haldir was listening attentively, and the Steward felt himself begin to itch with irritation. They had been in Lothlorien for hours. If they were to catch the elf, they needed to move faster.

Looking back to the group, he saw Galadriel's crystal blue eyes upon him. Fidgeting and looking away, he tried hard to stop thinking of the cause of all the concern. The Queen would read his mind, he knew. She would find out what he did not tell the King. Cursing himself, he ventured a look back at her. She smiled softly and moved her attention back to Aragorn.

Pushing himself from the tree, Boromir kicked at the leaf-strewn ground and made his way to the horses. He did not know why, if this elf was indeed dange, La, Lady Galadriel could not verify it. If she was so all-seeing, she should be able to tell them what they needed to know. Adjusting the saddle on his mount, he muttered darkly to himself, annoyed that this had even happened. If he had not been so weak, perhaps the elf would have stayed longer. Then they would never have had to enter this godforsaken forest.

"Boromir." The Steward turned to see Aragorn and Haldir approaching. "We are ready to leave."

"About time," he mumbled, pulling himself up on his horse. He glared at Haldir when the elf smirked. "Tell me, Marchwarden, why doesn't your precious Queen tell us if this chase we go on is even necessary?"

They started out on the path out of Lorien. "Darkness hides behind a veil. It is not always clear what motivates someone. The Lady feels it is necessary that we find this girl."

Boromir snorted. "She feels it necessary? Well, that's encouraging."

"Boromir.." The Steward looked to his left and Aragorn smiled. "Let us not fight with each other."

The Captain grunted and trotted ahead, leading the ot. Th. The reasonable side of him knew he should not act so harshly, but he could not help it. He was angry at himself and that realization made him angry at everything and everyone else. He wondered if Aragorn suspected the extent of his relationship with the elf they seeked.

"I have a difficult time believing an elf would be capable of such treachery," he heard Haldir saying. "Are you sure she was an elf and not in disguise?"

Boromir bit the inside of his cheek to keep from spitting out a reply. "We are sure of nothing, Haldir," sighed Aragorn, "But it is our belief that she was an elf."

The Marchwarden grunted. "If she was, and she is indeed looking for the ring, she must be an agent of Sauron. It pains me to think he had an elf captive and we did not know of it. Who knows how many more he could be assimilating?"

"I thought elves were supposed to be strong enough to resist the Dark Lord," said Boromir acerbicly, looking back at Haldir.

He narrowed his eyes in irritation. "You are right. Elves are not as easily swayed to the darkness as others are. Unfortunately, we all have our breaking points." He looked to Aragorn and frowned. "If this elf has been affected by Sauron, she will be very difficult to contain."

The King knit his brow. "What do you mean?"

With clear, wise eyes, Haldir moved his gaze to the Steward. "Those tainted by the dark have a charm about them that cannot be denied. They are clever and unafraid, pressed on t mis mission by a hand that has molded them to serve no other. As a female, she will be trained in the act of seduction." A knowing smile played at the elf's lips. "She will be a temptation."

Boromir glared angrily, clenching the leather reins in tight fists. "A temptation to you as well, then, I suppose?"

Haldir smiled. "Perhaps, but as I have said before, elves are not as easily swayed as some others are."

The Steward turned away, too infuriated to speak further. "What can we do to protect ourselves?" he heard Aragorn ask.

The elf sighed heavily. "I am not sure. I have never before encountered a dark elf. Not many have. My best advice is to make sure you are never alone with her. She will be skilled in the art of reading those she intends to manipulate. If there are more than one of us with her, it will be more difficult for her to exploit us."

Boromir listened intently as they continued to speak. He frowned when the King asked a question that unnerved him. "Are there any lasting effects if one of us is manipulated by her?"

"I'm not sure. I would be careful, though. I would not trust the judgement of someone who has been so involved with a slave of Sauron." Boromir glanced back at Haldir, whose smile had disappeared completely.

"Enough of this talk," he spat, now more angry at the Marchwarden than at himself, "If you elves are as intuitive as you say you are, it should not matter where this female goes. She will not find the ring if she has to seduce her own kind. I have seen nothing that makes me believe an elf would have any interest in sex."

Aragorn glanced up. "You have not the knowledge to make that assumption, Boromir."

Frowning, he quieted his angry voice. "My apologies, my lord. I did not mean any slur against Arwen."

A small smile graced the King's features. "That's not what I meant. Elves are a quiet and somewhat secretive race, but they have passion just like any other. If this elf we seek tries to seduce her own kind, she will merely have to do it a different way. Elves do not respond to the same things men do."

Nodding, Boromir turned back to look at the path ahead of him. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to trade places with Faramir.

*

TBC