Will of the Valar.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the original characters and their adventures. The Tolkien Estate and New Line Cinema own Middle Earth and its regular denizens.

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Legolas sighted an Easterling and let fly an arrow, whipping another from his quiver before the first had barely cleared the bow. His aim was true and the man fell, an arrow protruding from his chest, directly through his heart. The Elf’s next shot took down the man who appeared just behind his fallen comrade.

The battle had raged all day. There had been a few days of relative quiet, then a large number of Eastern Alliance forces had stormed the positions of Gondor and its allies. If the Elves could keep the battle at a distance with their deadly rain of arrows, there would be fewer casualties among the western allies. There seemed to be a slowing of the attackers and Legolas sent a plea to the Valar that the Haradrim and Easterlings might stop their suicidal actions.

Finally, they stopped coming and the all-clear was sounded down the lines. The Elves and human archers went out to retrieve what useable arrows they could find. With the constant battles, ammunition was valuable. They could have sent for fresh arrows, but this war was costing far too much as it was; if they could reuse arrows, it would cut down on their dependence on long supply lines.

Legolas pulled an arrow free from the body of a young Haradrim with disgust. Haldir saw his friend’s expression and spoke.

“It is indeed a waste of life. They have no hope of defeating us, yet they continue to attack. What drives them?”

“Hatred? Foolishness? I know not,” Glorfindel answered as he helped his kin gather arrows. He preferred up close battles with the sword, but could see the wisdom in keeping the enemy at a distance as long as possible.

“I would say stupidity,” Elladan said from the other side of the group. Saelbeth and Rumil voiced their agreement. “It is either madness or idiocy.”

“Or both,” added Orophin who yanked an arrow free from an Easterling who could not have been old enough to leave his mother’s side.

Elrohir, who was next to him stopped and stood surveying the dead and dying. “Look at them,” he said, a note of revulsion creeping into his voice. “They are not yet old enough to sport their first beards. How noble can this be? We are killing children!”

Legolas looked at his friend sharply. “We are killing children who are armed and are trying to kill us.” Elrohir looked away, but did not retract his statement. Secretly, Legolas agreed with him. He sighed.

“I know, my friends. I never thought I would see the power of the Elves used against mortals so young. But, they chose this battle, not us. They sent their young men onto the field; should we not fire on them simply because they are young? We and our allies will be slaughtered by these children if we treat them any differently than we would any other enemy.”

Glorfindel watched the prince as he spoke. He knew it was difficult for his kinsmen to take any sort of pride in slaughtering such a poorly matched opponent. But Legolas spoke true. These men would kill them and their allies without a second thought. They hated everything about the men of the west, and Gondor’s Elven allies were a source of great fear in the east. Legolas had told them of the lies spread throughout Harad and Rhun about how Elves were the nightmare creatures who stole children and raped women and killed men. Elves were the demons invoked by Eastern parents to caution their children to behave and their daughters to be wary. To the people of the Eastern Alliance, everything about the west was evil. Sauron had given them hope and polluted their minds to the point where they thought they were protecting themselves and their lands from Gondorian aggression.

They continued their work in silence, each keeping his own counsel. Later, as they sat around the fire cleaning and repairing the arrows they had recovered, Elrohir apologized for his outburst.

“I simply abhor the needless waste of life,” the dark-haired Elf said. “I know we must do what is necessary to end this war, but my heart aches when I think of how these people could have lived peacefully rather than be cut down by Elven arrows far from home.”

“You are not alone, my friend,” Haldir replied. “None of us enjoy this. But what other choice do we have?”

“None that is acceptable or honorable,” answered Elladan. ” We do not choose the battles we are called on to fight. We can only try to be merciful when possible.”

They others nodded their agreement and again, the Elves fell silent. Legolas drifted into a meditative state as he picked up arrow after arrow, automatically checking for damage, repairing what could be repaired and setting them in neat stacks. Suddenly, he was interrupted by one of Aragorn’s men who ran into the circle of Elves.

“Lord Legolas, the king requests you come immediately.”

Not bothering to ask the reason, he rose and sprinted through the Elven camp and into the area containing the tents of the Gondorian army. He entered Aragorn’s tent where the king stood with Eomer and Faramir and an unfamiliar man who looked as though he had been riding without respite for days.

One look at Faramir’s face and Legolas’ first thought was that something terrible had happened to Eowyn and the babe. He knew many women died in childbirth and his heart went out to his friend.

Retaining his calm, he turned to Aragorn. “You sent for me?”

The Gondorian king nodded. “Men of Rhun infiltrated the palace at Minas Tirith.” Legolas felt a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He had heard from Alex by messenger that she had accompanied Eowyn to the city in anticipation of the lady’s confinement.

“They have taken Faramir’s newborn son as a hostage, demanding we withdraw from the field of battle.” Legolas looked over to where the Steward stood staring at nothing, his face a portrait in misery.

“I am sorry, my friend. What can I do to help? My father and Lord Celeborn can send Elves from Eryn Lasgalen to track them …” He stopped as Aragorn and Eomer fixed him with looks of pain and pity.

“They took Alexandra with them to care for the babe.” Aragorn spoke softly. The message from Arwen had also mentioned the Rhunian leader’s blatant lust and how he had planned for the lady to warm his bed and possibly those of his men as well. However, she urged her husband to keep that information from the Prince---he did not need the added worry.

“She allowed them to take her?” Legolas was surprised that he could speak calmly. He looked at the messenger. “Did you witness this yourself?”

“No, my lord,” the man replied. “They entered the palace and got out without anyone knowing they were there. Their stealth was almost Elf-like.” He looked down in shame. “They killed 23 guards and no one noticed anything amiss until the queen raised the alarm after they had gone.”

Legolas’ mind was racing. What was she thinking? She could have taken down at least some of the intruders, even if she were unarmed. Of course, if they were holding the child hostage or if the other ladies had been threatened, it would likely have stayed her hand. The messenger spoke again.

“The queen said Lady Alexandra volunteered to go with them in order to protect the child.” Of course, she would. “She also said the lady refused to let the Rhunians know she was your wife---she felt it best that they feel confident in taking her over any of the other ladies.” Her husband sought her through their bond and felt her love, just as strong as ever. There was no fear or pain reflected in their connection so he had to presume she was still safe.

“Will you accompany Faramir back to Minas Tirith, old friend?” Aragorn put his hand on Legolas’ shoulder. “He could use your strength right now. And he could use the help of the Elves in searching for his son.” He lowered his voice. “I know your lady will protect the child, and have no doubt she will be able to escape this situation, but she would probably appreciate some assistance.”

“Of course,” Legolas replied. “I will take a small company and we will set out for Minas Tirith immediately.” Turning to Faramir’s Captain, he said, “Please gather a small troop from among your men to ride north as well. We do not know what we will find when we arrive in the capital.” The man nodded and went to make preparations.

Legolas went to stand before Faramir. “Come, my friend. Let us retrieve those we love.” The Steward looked at him with haunted eyes and the prince’s heart went out to him. “Do not worry. Alexandra will not let any harm come to your son.”

Back in the Elven camp, Legolas instructed Rumil and the twins to remain in charge of the Elven forces. Glorfindel, Orophin, Haldir and Saelbeth would accompany him north with a company of 300 Elven warriors. They did not know what they might find in Minas Tirith, and reinforcements may be necessary. The remaining Eldar could easily handle the annoying incursions by the Eastern Alliance.

“Alexandra will likely be back at Minas Tirith by the time you arrive,” Elladan said as he helped Legolas pack for the long ride north.

“And she will probably be quite vexed with you for going after her. You know how self-sufficient she is,” added Balewith, checking the armament the Elves were taking with them. “I hope she still keeps her Blood dagger in her boot.”

“She does,” Orophin said. At Elrohir’s raised brow, he continued, “She always carries it, especially since being caught unarmed the last time.”

Legolas nodded. “But would she have kept it with her in the palace where she felt safe? I do not know, but if she went with the Rhunians without protest, she must feel confident in her ability to survive and protect the babe.”

“You will send word when you find out any information about the lady and the child?” Rumil did not mean it as a question.

“Of course my friend. Thank you.” Legolas nodded to his brethren and mounted Arod, turning northwest toward Minas Tirith.

Another 200 men from Faramir’s troops accompanied the Elves on the journey. They rode fast and hard, arriving in the city quicker than expected. Legolas sent Orophin and Glorfindel to accompany Faramir to the palace to see to his wife, and gather what information they could from Arwen. Although he desperately wanted to go with them, his first duty was to see to the defenses of the city. He, Haldir and Saelbeth, along with one of Faramir’s captains, met with the Gondorian guard to determine what needed to be done. Besides, his heart still told him Alex was, if not exactly safe, still alive and in no acute distress.

Glorfindel and Orophin remained on either side of Faramir as he ran through the palace to the queen’s sitting room. The dread emanating from the Steward fueled their own unease about the safety of Legolas’ wife and Faramir’s child. Reaching the door, he did not wait for the guard to announce them, but burst into the room and ran straight to Eowyn who looked up at him with such misery, the Elves felt almost physical pain.

Arwen saw them enter and went over to her kinsmen. They touched their chests and bowed respectfully to the Queen of Gondor, conscious of the eyes of others in the room. There were still some who feared the influence of the Elves in Gondor’s affairs.

Her worried eyes did not ease their minds.

“What happened, my lady?” Glorfindel did not want Legolas to find out some new atrocity had been committed against his wife.

Arwen gave them a quick description of the events. Both Elves felt the dread build as she described Goroth’s cavalier attitude. Apparently, he did not care that they would be pursued.

Orophin noticed Lothiriel sitting apart from the rest of the people in the room, in a window seat, embroidery abandoned in her lap as she watched Faramir attempt to comfort Eowyn when he could not control his own fear. The Lorien Elf excused himself from Glorfindel and Arwen and walked over to the young queen of Rohan.

“My lady,” he said, bowing respectfully, “I trust you are well?”

She smiled up at the handsome, blonde Elf. Her ancestry included some Elven blood as well, but it was quite diluted by the time it reached her generation. She idly wished she had inherited the beautiful Elven hair.

“I am quite well, Master Elf,” she replied. “I suffered only a bit of outrage, unlike Lady Eowyn.” They both looked to the Prince of Ithilien and his wife and sent silent prayers to Valar that their son be returned safely.

“What did the Rhunians say they wanted?” He had heard Arwen’s version, but sensed she was holding back some details. Lothiriel glanced away and he knew the women were keeping some sort of secret.

“He said he wanted the western forces to withdraw from southern Gondor and leave his people in peace,” she answered, picking up her embroidery and fingering it nervously.

“And Lady Alexandra? Was she injured or forced to accompany the Rhunians?”

“No, she agreed to go to watch over the child. She told them he was her responsibility. I never understood that.”

Orophin, having known Alex longer and better than the Rohirrim queen, did. Legolas’ wife was quite protective of those around her, especially those whom she saw as helpless or victims. Naturally, she would try to stay with the infant to protect him from harm.

“Did he say anything else to her?” Orophin knew the young queen was hiding something. She glanced at Arwen.

“Not really. He just told her she would accompany them and see to the needs … of the child.” The woman was a terrible liar. Orophin thanked her and moved away, joined by Glorfindel who had just completed a quiet but distressing conversation with the Gondorian queen.


Arwen had pulled Glorfindel aside and told him of the Rhunian warlord’s behavior and threats toward Alexandra. He did not know she was the wife of an Elven prince, and Arwen feared he might abuse the woman.

“She would not let us tell him who she was,” the queen said worriedly. “She said something about letting enemies underestimate you. I feel she did it to draw him away from us.”

“He would not harm a queen of Gondor or Rohan, or the wife of the Prince of Ithilien, sister of the King of the Rohirrim,” Glorfindel nodded in understanding. “Not when he had a convenient target like a lady-in-waiting.” The Elf had to admire Legolas’ wife’s courage. And of all the people who could have been taken with the kidnappers to care for the babe, she was probably the best equipped to protect it.

Arwen put her hand on his arm. “I fear for her safety. He looked upon her with lust, and without the fear of her husband’s retribution, he may---.” She left the thought unfinished, but he knew what she was going to say.

For the Elves, being taken by force was unbearable---the unforgivable crime. Elven-kind, both male and female, who had suffered such abuse usually gave up their lives in despair. For the Firstborn, the sharing of one’s body was something to be enjoyed and done only to bring pleasure to those involved. When they became bound, it was a sacred blessing from the Valar; to have the body taken against one’s will was the ultimate insult.

“Please do not let Legolas know,” Aragorn’s wife begged her father’s old friend. “Lothiriel and Eowyn agreed not to speak of it. He is already worried. If he thought she was facing possible rape at the hands of the Rhunians …”

“… his wrath would know no bounds.” Glorfindel gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “We will try to find her before anything happens.” Although he tried to sound confident, in his heart he felt sick. He could not get the image of Alexandra at the mercy of the ruthless men out of his mind. She would be unable to defy them for the sake of the child’s safety.

The Elf lord called Orophin over and told him of Arwen’s concerns.

“We must find her before Legolas---perhaps we can mitigate any damage that may already be done.”

“But if the Rhunians have abused her, his vengeance will be justified,” the Lorien Elf pointed out.

“True. And I will be the first to offer my sword in helping him mete out his revenge. But right now, he needs to remain focused on the battle at hand. We cannot be split on more than two fronts.”

Orophin nodded. The war against Harad and the Easterlings was holding their forces in the south. It had dragged on for over two years, intermittently. The Gondorian, Rohirrim and Elven forces would beat the enemy back into their own territory, and things would be quiet for a few weeks or months, then start again, preventing the Western warriors from relaxing their vigilance.

The Rhunian warlord seemed to have his own agenda. He had certainly picked the right time to come into Gondor---he fairly walked into Minas Tirith unchallenged---while the bulk of the army was in the south. With only a few Elven warriors spread along the northern and eastern borders, it was easy for a small force of Rhunians to slip into the city undetected.

They saw Legolas enter the room, his eyes searching for his companions. Haldir and Saelbeth accompanied him. Arwen went up to him and put her arms around him, holding her friend in sympathy. She spoke with him quietly, no doubt telling him of what had transpired with a few notable exceptions.

He asked her some questions and nodded at her answers. She kissed his cheek again and released him. He made his way over to where Glorfindel and Orophin stood, Haldir and Saelbeth at his side.

“With your leave, Legolas, Orophin and I will ride ahead with a small scouting party to track the Rhunians,” Glorfindel told him.

“No, I will go---“

Haldir, seeing an unspoken message in his brother’s eyes, interrupted.

“A small force can move quickly, Legolas. You know Orophin can track anyone---after all, he is my brother.”

“Besides,” Saelbeth added, having picked up the signal from Glorfindel, “you will need to be with Faramir and the main force in order to direct any battle that may be necessary.”

Legolas opened his mouth to protest again, when Haldir spoke softly. “Faramir is distraught. You should be with your friend and give him your strength, since you both share in this unfortunate circumstance.”

The prince looked over to where the Steward of Gondor sat holding his wife. Legolas had never seen Eowyn so broken. She had always been a tower of strength with a beautiful, yet powerful presence. Now, she clung to her husband as if he were all that kept her from drowning in misery. Faramir’s eyes were haunted and Legolas could relate to that feeling of having failed to protect one you loved so dearly.

At least this time, Alex had gone with her captors of her own volition, and was alert and able to defend herself, and Elboron. He knew his wife was not invincible, but also knew she was strong and would do whatever was necessary to keep the young heir of Ithilien safe. What those actions may entail, he did not wish to ponder---he hoped it only involved the slaughter of the Rhunian kidnappers.

He nodded, acquiescing to his friends’ advice.

“Haldir, you and Saelbeth stay here and help get the Minas Tirith defenses back up. We cannot afford to become complacent. Just because they are gone, it does not mean there are no more threats in the absence of the King.” The Elves nodded and went to organize the guard.

Legolas turned to Orophin and Glorfindel. “Find my wife, my friends. Please.”

As his fellow Eldar gave him grim smiles and started to move off, he reached out and grasped Orophin’s arm.

“You know, she cannot use a bow, and I fear she may be unarmed. She …” His voice trailed off and the Lorien Warden saw fear in his friend’s eyes.

“You know we will do all in our power to find her and the babe.” Lowering his voice, he moved close to Legolas’ ear and added, “I love her as your wife and as my friend. I give you my oath, we will find her and bring her safely back to you.”

Legolas nodded wordlessly. He knew Orophin and Alex shared a special kinship. If he had not been certain of her love and Orophin’s honor, he might have been jealous. But, as it was, he was grateful for their bonds of friendship; Orophin would not rest until he had found Alex.