Gifts of the Valar

Disclaimer: 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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“So, what did I miss last night?” Alexandra asked Legolas over breakfast the next morning. She nibbled a slice of bread with some berry spread and took a sip of juice. Legolas looked up from the morning’s reports and messages.

“Nothing much. We talked of some trade issues---apparently there is quite a demand for Elvish goods in Harad.”

“Of course. You’re exotic and unknown and will be leaving soon. It’s a good investment. Anything Elven will go up in value, especially once you’re all gone because there won’t be any more of it available. It becomes rare, hence it is desirable.”

He nodded. “I suppose you are right.” He looked sad for a moment. He really did not wish to leave Middle-Earth. But the call of the sea was undeniable. When he looked at his wife, however, all thought of leaving faded. He wished he could stop time and preserve this moment forever: just Alex and him, in their home, with their friends, and their dogs, and perfect happiness.

She glanced around. “Where are Haldir, Orophin and Rumil? It’s not like them to miss a meal.” As if on cue, two of the three brothers came through the door to the breakfast room.

“Oh! What a pleasant surprise!” she said, her voice dripping sarcasm. “What brings you out on a day like this?” The weather was the usual pleasant, breezy, warm and sunshine-filled type that was standard for Ithilien.

“Only the craving for your delightful company could drag me from my bed,” Haldir replied picking up a slice of toast and adding a helping of the berry spread. He stretched out on the window seat and munched away contentedly.

“Where is Rumil?” Legolas asked, not looking up from the report of the night’s Watch.

“He and Dinedal are with Balewith and Morhir trying out a new sword design,” Orophin answered, picking a piece of fruit from Alex’s plate. She did not understand why he never fixed a plate of his own; but always ate whatever was on hers. She had no objections, but found it rather humorous.

Legolas and Haldir began a discussion on Elven armament and Alex tuned them out. Now that she had Orophin to herself, as it were, she turned to him and spoke in a low voice.

“So what was the story last night when we were talking about Glorfindel and Erestor and Helcarin’s mother? Nobody seemed to think it really strange but me that Helcarin might have two fathers.”

Orophin swallowed the bite of toast he had almost choked on at her question and thought of how best to answer her. She was amused to see he did not meet her eye.

“Did you not ask Legolas?” he inquired, hopefully. He did not wish to have this conversation with Alexandra.

“No, I forgot. Anyway, why won’t you tell me? What’s so embarrassing?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it, his gaze shifting to Legolas and Haldir, who had ceased their conversation and were watching the two of them.

“What are you whispering about?” Legolas asked, though he had caught their words. He just wanted to see if Alex would ask him the same thing she’d asked Orophin. The Lorien Elf was her closest friend in Middle-Earth---after Legolas, of course---and so she had no qualms about discussing almost anything with him.

His mortal wife sighed. “I wanted to know what you meant last night about neither Glorfindel nor Erestor being first with Helcarin’s mother. Everyone else seemed to know what Saelbeth was talking about except me.”

Legolas smiled. “Think on it, my wife. Neither of them made love to her first.”

“Well, even if they were with her together, someone had to get to the babymaking stage first,” she said. The three Elves exchanged glances and Haldir gave Legolas a look that said, ‘She’s your wife; I’m not touching this.’

“Not necessarily,” Orophin said. “It is quite possible for both to reach their crisis at the same time.” He could not believe he was discussing this with Alexandra, of all people. They were very close friends, but such a delicate topic treaded dangerously close to things on which he kept a tight rein.

Legolas could see consternation in Orophin’s eyes. Taking pity on his friend, he sighed.

“Alex, my love. I am certain you know that sometimes, females will share their bodies with more than one male at a time. It is not a practice peculiar only to the Firstborn.”

“Oh, I know that,” she replied. Actually, she had been a bit surprised that the seemingly dignified and somewhat haughty Elves indulged in so many delightfully decadent behaviors; but they were passionate beings, she had discovered, and so it was not so shocking. Glorfindel---she had no problem picturing him in the midst of pretty much anything; but Erestor was always so sedate and quiet. Then again, there was an old saying about still waters …

“Well, there are many ways in which such joinings may be accomplished,” he continued. “One way is for both males to join with the female at the same time.”

Alex knew that as well. “Yes, well only one of them is in any position to get her pregnant …” her voice trailed off at the look in her husband’s eyes and those of Haldir. She turned to Orophin and saw the same expression.

“No,” her friend said. “Both can have an equal chance.”

“Ah.” It suddenly dawned on her what they were saying. She had, frankly, never considered it before and for a moment, she mused on the logistics involved.

“Well, that sounds … interesting,” she said. Still, even if both of them had been … in position and both had … at the same time, only one … The Elves accepted it as a gift of the Valar, and she had found that more often than not, they were dead-on when it came to mystical matters. So, she took the leap of faith and accepted that, yes, Helcarin had two fathers.

“I can’t believe you didn’t just tell me that last night,” she said. She knew why. Saelbeth had once said her view of Elves was ‘charming’; likely, they all still wanted to preserve that view.

Legolas smiled. He knew his wife would question him later. He picked up the next paper on the stack and frowned at the unfamiliar seal. Opening it, he read it over carefully. It was in Sindarin, but with some phrases of Quenya. He handed it wordlessly to Haldir. Alex and Orophin watched the two Elves as they studied the missive.

“What’s that?” Alex asked. She saw Haldir’s brow furrow with dismay.

“It is from Vanurion. Charika has delivered her child. A son.” Legolas’ tone did not sound all that pleased.

“What’s wrong?” She knew her friend had been expected to have a difficult delivery, but she had hoped things would go smoothly.

Haldir’s eyes met Legolas’. “I will find Rumil and tell him.” He handed the letter to Orophin and he and Alex read it together as Haldir left to find his youngest brother.

She had to ask Orophin a few of the words, but when she finished, she looked to Legolas.

“She was always quite … delicate, I suppose.” She felt like she should cry, but no tears would come. Perhaps it was for the best. Still, Charika had always been such a happy woman. Then, Lastharos had reminded her of her past and seemed to have drained the joy from her soul. Once again, Alex was overwhelmed with desire to kill the man who had done such horrible things to her friend and to Legolas. Even though her husband had not been forced to endure rape at the hands of the Butcher of Khand, he had been abused and made to feel helpless as Lastharos had done terrible, awful things to Charika, causing the Elven prince to doubt his ability to protect those in his care. And she knew Lastharos wished to do more than just beat her husband …

“At least her son was delivered safely,” Orophin said. “I had feared she might die in childbirth as so many mortal women do.”

“And he seems to be healthy,” Legolas added. He tried not to hold the child’s parentage against him. Even though he was the product of Lastharos’ rape of Charika, it was not the babe’s fault.

They remained silent, Legolas going back to his correspondence, Alex and Orophin each pondering the effect of the news on Rumil. When Haldir returned, the youngest of the brothers with him, Legolas simply handed him the message.

The sweet-faced, silver and golden haired Elf read the letter from Vanurion. He frowned in spots and the look in his eyes reflected his sadness when he finished reading.

“I will go to Rhun,” he said without preamble. “I must see her. I owe her that.”

“Of course,” Haldir said, his tone surprisingly understanding. For all his dry wit, sarcasm and arrogance, he was at heart quite tender, especially when it came to his brothers.

Legolas looked at Alexandra and she knew what he was going to say next.

“Would you like company on your journey?”

Rumil looked to his friends and smiled. “Yes, I would. Thank you.”

Legolas returned his smile. Rumil had never hesitated to support Legolas in any of his endeavors, from searching for Alexandra when she became caught up in the snares of those who would do evil, to riding to war in support of the Kingdoms of Men in Middle-Earth. “When would you like to depart? There is no pressing business here.”

“I would leave in two days time. That should be sufficient to make arrangements for my duty in the Watch.” Rumil knew his brothers would accompany him and that Haldir would arrange the schedule with Balglin and Calaglin.

The rest of the day was spent preparing for the journey to Rhun. Legolas and the others held quiet discussions that Alex deliberately ignored. She knew the look of men who had an agenda and it was no different when it came to Elves. If her husband wished to confide in her, he would.

That night, Legolas and Alex rested in bed together, laughing softly and talking of nonsensical things. He lay between her legs, his back to her as she played with his hair. She tried to recreate his braids that she had managed to completely destroy during their earlier lovemaking and the results were less than successful. She had never learned the secret to braiding hair, but she still loved the feel of her husband’s silky locks in her fingers. It was never mussed; even after a battle he always looked neater than she ever could. It was just one more thing the Elves did so much better than her. If she thought about it too much, she might develop an inferiority complex.

But her husband would not allow it. He never failed to tell her how much he loved her and how beautiful she was---every day, several times a day. And when he looked at her, she could see devotion, love and adoration in his eyes, so she did not fear he only said things to be nice to her.

Legolas was enjoying the feeling of resting against his wife’s body. Her fingers in his hair lulled him into a state of deep relaxation. He answered her automatically and when she laughed, he started. What had she asked and what had he said?

“Forgive me, my love. What did you say?”

“I knew you would answer me if I just slipped it in,” she chuckled. “I asked you, if you’d ever done the same thing Glorfindel and Erestor did.”

“And what did I say?” He asked, chagrined.

“You said, and I quote, ‘Mmmm-hmmm,’ end quote.”

He had known it would come up again, but with the preparations for the trip to Rhun, it had slipped to the back of his mind.

He closed his eyes and waited. He knew his wife well enough to know it was not the end of the matter. He was correct.

“Who with?”

“What do you mean?” he stalled.

“Do I know anyone else involved?”

Legolas sighed. He could refuse to answer; but really, why? His wife deserved honesty, and what was in his past was past. Just as hers was.

“Yes you know some of the other Elves; no, I do not believe you know any of the females. To the best of my knowledge, at least, most are either gone to the Undying Lands, or, if mortal, have already passed into the halls of their fathers.” He turned to look up at her, his expression mischievous. “What about you? Do I know any of the males you have bedded? Who have shared your body?”

“No, you don’t,” she answered without hesitation. “There has been no one but you since I got to Middle-Earth, except for that time Goroth … and unless you have traveled far, far from here, you would never know anyone I’ve been with.” She was silent for a moment, her fingers drifting down to caress his shoulders. “Who?”

“Who what?”

“Who have you---Oh! You know what I’m asking.”

“Who do you think?” He was not going to give in without at least the appearance of a fight.

“Let’s see. Findecano? I know you’ve known him forever and he seems a reasonable guess.”

Legolas laughed. “You are correct. He has been quite an interesting companion.” She joined his laughter, knowing what the euphemism meant.

“Mmmm. Haldir? Orophin? Rumil? The twins? Saelbeth? Glorfindel?” His laughter continued.

“Not Glorfindel. I have not known him as well or as long as the others. He was always a source of awe when I was an elfling.”

“How does it work?”

“What?”

“You know. You’re the only Elf I’ve known … well, Goroth doesn’t count. But I have … accidentally seen others. How do you …? I mean, it’s got to be uncomfortable.”

Legolas sighed. She was merciless. He rolled over so he could face her and, wrapping his arms around her, pulled her down into his embrace as he turned back onto his side.

“Would you like to try it, my love?”

She was shocked into silence, as he had known she would be.

“Well? You seem curious. I cannot believe you have not done the same with your own lovers at least once in the past. It is not something peculiar to the Eldar.”

“I have never … It is something I never thought to do.”

“And now your curiosity is aroused. Would you like me to tell you what it feels like for me? I cannot speak for the female, but I am sure I could find at least one elleth who would know---probably one of Haldir and Orophin’s lovers---Meriel, perhaps? She could tell you what it feels like to be---.”

“What is it like for you?”

He thought a moment. “It is not something I seek. But it is not something I would seek to avoid, either. Now, it holds no charm for me, for I have you and desire nothing else. The sensation, however, is much like when we join in a less common manner.”

She knew what he meant. She supposed she was really curious about how it was for the female involved. It seemed like it would be … she could think of nothing but ‘uncomfortable’.

“So, my love. You have not answered my question. Is it something you wish to experience?”

“Legolas, I am your wife. I don’t want anyone but you. I may have thought about it before we were married, but not now.” She looked away and her voice dropped, a note of sadness creeping in. “Unless you want me to do it. I will do anything you desire.”

He closed his eyes and kissed her forehead. “No, my love. I would have no one else touch you.” He felt her relax and breathe a soft sigh of relief, and smiled to himself. If he had told her he wished to invite one---or more---of their friends into their bed, she would likely have gone along with it just to please him, even though she did not desire it herself. He did not know what he would have said had she indicated a wish to share her body with others. He was not willing to do so and had no desire for anyone other than his beautiful wife.

“I didn’t think Elves had sex with anyone else once they married,” she said, tracing the muscles of his chest and belly with a gentle finger.

“Not the Elves of the west,” he replied. “Our eastern cousins are apparently not so reserved. And I know many Men have no such qualms.”

“Well, this daughter of Men does,” she said. “I’m sorry I asked you so many questions. It’s really none of my business what you did with whom before we married.”

“It is no great matter, my love,” he replied. “What is in the past stays there. I do not care what you did before we became bound. You are now my wife and will be forever.”

Her answer was to kiss him softly and snuggle closer to him. Forever. It was a nice thought; but she knew she would die long before her husband and, since she was mortal, their bond would be broken and he would be without her for eternity. She forced herself not to weep and drifted off to sleep as she sent silent prayers that she be allowed to remain with her beloved husband for as long as possible.