In the Middle of Middle-Earth

In the Middle of Middle-Earth

Chapter 6

Author: Frosty the Glo-Worm
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Legolas, Boromir, Aragorn, Faramir, Elrond, Eowyn, Elros, Haldir, OC, AU, N/C
Summary: Has evil come to the elves of Lorien? Can Legolas get control over his sister? Is Boromir not the coolest thing ever?!? R&R!
Author's Notes: Taking extreme creative license here: Aragorn and Arwen are married. Faramir and Eowyn are not together. Boromir is alive. Haldir is alive. All the hobbits are alive and well. Takes place after the defeat of Sauron. More notes as I think of them.
Disclaimer: LOTR is not mine! Who knew?!

*

"Why would he take her?!?!" yelled Legolas as Arwen tried to tend to his wound. "She's not worth anything to him!" He pushed Arwen's hand away from his face, touched the bruise on his face and winced. Balling his fists he paced the room, kicking at anything in his way. "I need to go after her," he growled, but before he could get to the door and hand clasped over his shoulder and stopped him.

"I told you already, Legolas, that that is not a good idea." Elrond spoke calmly, but his lips formed a tight, stressful line. "We will gather our forces, and follow in the morning."

"Morning?!?" hissed Legolas, "She could be dead by then!" He felt hopeful when Elrond winced at that.

He hesitated, but stood by his decision. "He won't kill her," he said, and cut off Legolas when he was about to yell again, "We will get her back. I promise you that."

Legolas glared at Elrond and shook the hand off his shoulder, "I don't need your promises," he said, "I just need my sister back."

"You're bleeding again," said Arwen, taking Legolas' hand, "Let me help you." He sighed and gave in, allowing her to take him to the bed.

Boromir, having found Legolas, had been standing by the door listening, crossed his arms and approached Elrond. "How do you know they won't hurt her?" he asked quietly.

Elrond took a deep breath and met Boromir's eyes. "Because they know we want her back."

Legolas winced when Arwen dabbed at his cut. "But why would they take her in the first place?" he asked, "Why not someone of importance?"

"She is important," replied Elrond quietly, walking away from the blonde elf towards the window. "She's an innocent. They were right in thinking we'd go after her."

"But what good will that do?" questioned Boromir, "What is the point of drawing us to Lothlorien?"

Elrond turned his eyes downward in thought. He couldn't answer. There was no point in it; the armies of Gondor and Rohan would most surely win. It then occured to him, like the reason had been there all along. "They aren't drawing us there," he breathed, "They're looking to bargain."

Legolas jumped up from the bed and Arwen frowned. "Bargain? Bargain what?"

Boromir sighed. "They know they won't win against us in a fight," he said, understandingond,ond, "They took her for leverage."

Elrond nodded as Legolas gazed at them, not believing this could be happening.

*

Valawen awoke to the sounds of hoofs and the smell of horses. And she felt herself being shook around a lot.

It took her a second, but she soon caught on. She was on a horse. It was night. Her head really hurt. And her hands were bound.

Around someone.

She stopped moving and sat shock still. The pounding in her brain matched the movements of the horse beneath her. Every once in a while she caught a word or two from the people around her. When she dared open her eyes, she could see nothing through the black.

"I know you're awake, sweetheart," the man she was bound to said, and she stiffened, "Now would you mind not slouching so much? It's kind of annoying."

She slowly sat up so that her chest covered most of the rider's back. She held onto him as the horse made a steep descent, and then took her chance with a question. "Where am I?" she whispered.

"On a horse, my dear," said the rider. Valawen frowned and glanced up over his shoulder. She could make out mountains in the distance, illuminated by the stars. Quickly she twisted her head around to look behind her, hoping to see Rivendell, but there were too many horses following them. She couldn't make out their faces.

Swallowing her fear, she asked another question, "Where are you taking me?"

"Lothlorien," replied the rider, and she immediately realized that the group she was with were the elves that had been in Rivendell. Fleeting images entered her mind, and she recalled noises, and yelling, a blow to the head, and..."Legolas," she breathed. A knot formed in her stomach as she thought of what might have happened to him.

The elf's blonde hair whipped in face as they rode on. Valawen licked her lips, clueless as to what to do. She couldn't even move. Elrond's warning about Elros echoed in her ears, and that knot of worry turned painful. She was very, very scared.

Hours had passed, and Valawen had drifted in and out of consciousness, but now dawn was rising. She licked her lips and sat up, looking around. None of the other riders paid her any attention. She gazed around for Elros, half-hoping to see him, knowing full well that it would be best if she didn't. It was almost a relief when he was no where to be seen. But she knew eventually he'd show.

Valawen shifted uncomfortably on the saddle. Scared, but desperate, she leaned over the shoulder of the elf in front of her and whispered, "I have to go to the bathroom."

The elf's face turned slightly, and she could make out his profile against the rising sun. He was wearing an expression of some amusement. "Don't worry, honey, we'll be stopping for a break soon."

She frowned at his smirk and leaned her forehead against his back. She was so tired, and so worried. She had to ask about Legolas. But now was not the time.

They stopped within twenty minutes and allowed her her privacy as she took care of things. She had been surprised by that; obviously they didn't think of her as much of a threat, or one to take off at the first available opportunity. She sighed angrily, hating how they were probably right. She couldn't fight off so many elves, and she had no idea where they were. Boromir's talk of "crazy elves" entered her head, and she wondered what kindcreacreatures lived in the dark forest they had stopped at.

When she made her way back out to the elves, she looked around again for any sign of Elros, but he wasn't with the main group. She was beginning to get anxious; she wanted their meeting over and done with. Looking up at the elf walking with her, a tall blonde who reminded her a little of her brother, she ventured a question, "What happened to Legolas?" she asked, praying that he was alright.

The elf raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. "How would I know?" he shrugged, "I just carry the baggage." He smirked and winked, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the horse. She glared at him. He had called her baggage!

Wiping at her dirty face, she heaved herself up onto the horse and put her hands in front of the elf. He bound her wrists together again, and then the group set off. She found herself actually hoping they got to Lothlorien soon. She was tired and very hungry.

*

Legolas strapped his quiver onto his back and mounted his horse. Before he could turn to leave, though, Aragorn had grabbed onto the bridle.

The elf's eyes flashed. "Let me go," he growled, kicking at the horse. Aragorn held him steady.

"I'm to tell you to come back to the hall," he said, gazing towards the garden, "Elrond's orders."

"Elrond can go to hell," he said, "I'm going to find my sister." He pulled back on the reins, but Aragorn did not let the horse go. Instead, he jerked his gaze over and stared at the elf.

"Do you want Valawen to die?" he asked, gritting his teeth, "Because that's what's going to happen if you go charging in there like an idiot."

Legolas gripped the reins tight. He wanted to hurt Aragorn so badly at that moment, but his conscious told him that the human was right. Riding in alone would surely get his sister killed.

Scowling, he dismounted the horse and didn't even look at Aragorn as he walked passed him heading to where the others were.

Eowyn and Elrond were speaking when Legolas entered the hall. They stopped, and Elrond approached the young elf, "Thank you for coming back."

Legolas stiffened. "I came back only because I don't want my sister hurt, not because you asked me to," he said, then crossed his arms, "What are we going to do to get her back?"

Elrond's eyes softened, "I will wait for word from Elros."

Legolas' eyes flashed. "That's it? Wait for word?" He growled and walked past the elder elf, and roughly sat down on the stone wall, "This is bloody ridiculous."

Aragorn, having followed him in, spoke quietly, "I don't understand why they would have taken her." He frowned and looked to Eowyn, "Why not one of us?"

Eowyn chanced a glance at Elrond, but he didn't see her. She cleared her throat, "I don't know," she answered. When she looked back at Elrond, he was looking at her sadly.

Elrond licked his lips and went to Legolas. "I want you and Boromir to arrange a plan of attack, he said, "Just in case." Legolas looked a little taken aback, but was soon anxious to get started on something to help. He got up immediately and went to find Boromir.

"I want you to send out a couple of riders to trace the path of the elves," he said to Aragorn, "I want to make sure that they are indeed going to Lothlorien." Aragorn nodded and left the hall.

Elrond sighed as he watched Aragorn go. He stood in silence as Eowyn watched him, and she soon made to leave, but his quiet voice stopped her, "You know why they took her," he said, a statement rather than a question.

Eowyn suddenly felt very cold. She swallowed, and stammered out a reply, "I...I don't know what you mean."

He turned to her and smiled weakly. His gaze was not one of fear or anger. "She told you, didn't she?" he said, stepping closer, "About what I did."

Eowyn looked at him sadly. "She told me you kissed her, yes." He looked down at that and sighed, but he still did not look angry or frightened. He turned and walked towards the stone wall.

"They took her because of me," he said, sounding as though he needed to speak of her, "Elros realized what she meant to me. Elros..." he paused, and Eowyn swore she saw a glint of hatred in his eyes before they once again turned soft, "...he shares many of my...preferences."

She tilted her head, not quite sure of his meaning. She didn't ask him to elaborate. "I'm afraid they will hurt her, Eowyn," he said, wringing his hands, "But not for the reasons our company might think." He turned to face her. "We need to get her back. Quickly."

Eowyn nodded. "Yes," she said, "And we will."

He took a deep breath, and suddenly looked very tired. "I ask of you to keep this a secret," he said, "Between us. I don't want anyone knowing. Not yet." He turned back to stare at the garden. "Especially not Legolas."

*

It was the middle of the day when they took their next break. Every muscle in Valawen's body was sore from the ride, and her wrists burned from the rope. The elf she had ridden with pulled her down from the horse and then left her standing there like she was nothing; he simply walked off on his own.

Valawen knit her eyebrows in confusion and sadness. Looking around, she knew she couldn't go anywhere. The elves looked like they weren't paying her any attention, but she caught their glances every once in a while. She was being watched.

Swallowing, feeling her throat parched, she walked over to where a group of elves were eating. She looked at each of them, willing at least one to understand what she wantbut but they ignored her. So she sat down beside them and glared at one until he turned to face her.

"Can I have some water?" she asked. The elf raised an eyebrow and looked down at her bound wrists. He groaned in annoyance, cut the ropes from her hands, and then handed her a bottle of water. "Thank you," she said, taking it and drinking. The elf simply turned back to his own meal.

She finished off the bottle and dropped it onto the ground. Staring at the pile of lembas bread, she glanced at each of the elves before pointing at the pile, "Can I have some of that, too?"

Most of the group didn't even acknowledge her request. The elf who gave her the water just widened his eyes and shrugged, obviously not caring. So she took two pieces of bread, got up, and walked away from the group. She noticed they watched her go.

Valawen ate a small piece of the bread and tucked the rest into her pocket. Feeling better, she walked along the edge of the forest, knowing full-well she couldn't leave the camp. But she needed to stretch her legs, and the further away from the elves she got, the better she felt.

She had just walked past another group of elves when she found herself facing the person who had haunted her thoughts for the past day. "Oh," she squeaked as he moved in front of her, parting company from the elf he was walking with.

He smiled and she swallowed heavily. "Valawen," he said, bowing his head, "I was hoping I'd run into you." He took her gently by the elbow and pulled her into step beside him. "Do you mind if we had a little talk?"

Valawen tore her eyes from his and looked around. He was leading her down a path into the dark forest, away from the rest of the elves. She suddenly felt very vulnerable, and found herself wishing she had stayed back with the horse.

She turned back to him and looked over his face. She felt so weird, looking at those eyes, that nose, those lips; it was like looking at Elrond. But she never felt this kind of fear in Elrond's presence. "Why have you brought me here?" shked ked as they walked deeper into the forest.

Elros smiled and slid his hand down her arm till it reached hers. He then clasped it, and continued walking with her, hand in hand. Valawen felt a cold shock of fear go through her at his movements. He didn't speak to her. He barely even looked at her. "What do you want from me?" she asked again, her voice deeper and more desperate. They were nearly in the full cover of the forest by now.

She looked behind her, hoping perhaps several elves had followed them in, wondering where she had gone. They were alone. After several quiet minutes they reached a small clearing in the otherwise thick brush. Elros stopped and looked at Valawen, raising a hand to stroke her cheek. "This is a good place to talk," he said, directing her to sit on a tree trunk.

He sat down next to her and clasped her hands in his. "I know you're wondering why you're here," he said, smiling softly and looking her in the eye, "I know you're wondering why you, of all people." The gentle rubbing of his thumb on the back of her hand was distracting. She clenched her jaw as he continued, "You, my dear, are a very special young girl. Not only to me, but to other important people as well. You're going to help us get what we want."

Valawen shivered at tou touch. "What am I going to help you get? What do you want?" Her voice was breathless, laced with fear.

Elros laughed lightly and leaned in, "My dear, do you really think I'm going to bother humouring you? You are merely the property waiting to be traded; you have no rights in this." He lifted one hand, rested it on her knee, and squeezed gently, "Do you understand me?"

His voice had become low and intense, and the smile disappeared from his face. Valawen stared at him with wide eyes; she couldn't look away, but she was terrified. He spoke so coldly of her.

She inhaled sharply when he brought his hand up to her face and grasped her. Holding her still, he leaned in further and pre his his lips to hers. She shut her eyes tightly and trembled as he kissed her and pulled away. She felt the fabric of her dress bunched up in her tight fists.

He ran his thumb along her cheek and stared at her, and she dared open her eyes. His face was flushed and his eyes dark; she swallowed heavily, realizing with a tight pain in her stomach that this was most likely going to go all the way, and she couldn't do anything to put a stop to it.

Elros noticed her expression of dawning comprehension, so he smiled and leaned in again. "You know what's coming, don't you?" he whispered against her cheek, "You have a choice, you know. You can choose to accept your fate, or you can fight it, and risk...harm. Do you underd med me?"

Valawen looked downward and shuddered at that implication. His face felt hot against hers, his breath swift and even, his hands she felt snaking up and down her thigh. This was going to happen. Closing her eyes tightly and willing herself not to scream, she nodded stiffly. He kissed her cheek softly in response.

Grasping at her waist, he moved in quickly and touched his lips to hers again. Valawen sat perfectly still, eyes screwed shut, as his warm lips pressed harder. His hand darted around her neck and held tightly as he forced his mouth over hers. She felt his tongue trace her lips and then push through; she groaned a little at the invasion. His taste was sweet and his tongue rough as he explored her mouth. Valawen inhaled sharply when he broke the kiss.

She couldn't meet his eyes as he pulled her up and walked her to a small patch of grass. He kissed her softly once and then ordered her to sit. She did so, trembling.

He kneeled down beside her and pushed her shoulders gently until she was lying on the ground. Clenching her jaw and swallowing heavily, she willed herself to remain calm while his hands travelled over her body. She could feel every touch, every grasp; when he slid his hand up under her skirt and along her calf she stiffened noticeably. Leaning over her, he watched her face and whispered, "Such a lovely thing," his hand travelled further up her leg, "You shouldn't tremble so."

He trailed kisses along her neck and rested his face near her collarbone as his hand went up along her thigh and traced lightly over her flesh. She tensed her legs automatically and drew them inward, but that only spurred him on. He hummed into her shoulder as his fingers moved along the cotton of her underwear and rubbed gently. Valawen shifted uncomfortably. She was relieved when he drew his hand downward and pulled up from her neck.

"I'll be gentle with you, love," he said, touching her lips, "If you just lie still." He sat up and began pulling at the strings of her dress. She clasped at the material of her skirt, trying so hard not to try to stop him. She knew things would only be worse if she tried to stop him.

She let go of her skirt when he pulled it down off her body. The crisp air of the forest bit at her skin as Elros worked at her top. She held her gaze steady on the sky, not watching him, not watching anything. Her breathing was rhythmic and deep, but her head buzzed with alarms.

Elros pulled her up slightly as he slid her top over her head. Only her underwear covered her now. Her hands rested over her abdomen as she layed back down.

"That's a good girl," he soothed, running his fingers through her hair, "You're doing very well." He kissed her tenderly, then forced his tongue back into her mouth. His movements were rougher this time, and Valawen squirmed as his tongue seared over hers. She gasped for air when he parted the kiss and he smiled.

Valawen could feel tears sting her eyes as Elros nipped at the soft flesh of her jaw. "Please don't do this," she choked, finally voicing her fear, "Please don't hurt me."

He looked up into her eyes, his own hazy. "Don't cry," he said, wiping tears from her cheek, "yet.yet." His smile was patient, but she could see in his eyes that he had much anger there. She worried that speaking may have upset him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered as his free hand rubbed her hip, "I'm sorry..."

"Shhhhh," he said, placing a finger on her lips, "That's enough." He moved his finger and kissed her, then forced his hands behind her back to undo her bra. She closed her eyes tightly when she felt the clothing loosen.

His warm hands travelled over her body and squeezed her breasts appreciatively. She unconsciously arched into his touch, feeling so violated by every movement. After what seemed like an eternity, his hands moved downward and grasped at her underwear, pulling the material down and off her legs. Valawen drew every limb inward and held tight as she felt his eyes sweep over her body.

She waited, body tense, as he took his time touching every part of her body. He gazed at her face, watching the expression change as he touched parts of her body, his warm fingers playing with her flesh, skimming over her hips and breasts and neck. Every once in a while Valawen would bite her lips or shift her body, and that only increased his exploration.

Soft whimpers escaped her throat as he drew his hand downward and entered her, softly pushing two fingers against her sensitive flesh. Valawen swallowed and gripped the grass, pulling most it from its roots. She heard Elros laugh lightly but didn't open her eyes. She didn't want to see him looking at her with those eyes.

"Do you like that?" he asked, his voice husky, as he pressed into her with teasing thrusts, "How does that feel?"

Tears escaped her closed eyes, but she didn't speak. He slowed his movements and pulled out of her, and she felt cold where his fingers had been. Feeling him lay over her, still clothed, she noticed, she tensed in expectation.

"Open your legs," he growled into her neck. She could feel his hand between their bodies, fumbling with his pants. He placed a knee between her legs and forced them open when she didn't comply, and he gripped her thighs tightly. She was sure she'd be bruised.

"I want you to look at me," he said, and Valawen shook her head. She whimpered when he grabbed her face. "Look at me, or I will give you something to cry about."

His tone was harsh and violent, so she opened her wet eyes and looked at him. His face was flushed and a smile spread over it when she met his eyes. He let her face go. "Good," he said, then she felt him shift and force himself into her. She inhaled sharply and winced as he moved as far in as he could. "Good," he said again, his voice a hiss of breath. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on hers, so she looked upward at the sky and trees, and waited for it to end.

Elros' breathing was laboured as he pulled back slightly and then sent his hips rolling back into hers. His hands held onto her hips and jerked them into his, working to increase his pleasure. Valawen shuddered each time he pushed.

He moaned as he covered her mouth with his and forced his tongue in. His kiss and touch were seeking as one of his hands roamed up her body and cupped a breast. He squeezed as his pace quickened. Valawen held her arms firmly on the ground, steadying herself against his rolling weight.

He tucked his head into her shoulder and bit at her skin as he thrust faster. Valawen knew it would be over soon. She was so scared at what was going to happen when he was done.

She felt him roll into her roughly and groan into her shoulder, and knew that he had reached his climax. Her arms relaxed a little as his movements stopped. "That was perfect," he said, raising his head and looking into her eyes, "You did well." He fingered her lips before pulling out of her and sitting up. "You can get dressed now, my dear," he said, touching her knee.

She didn't want to move. She wanted to die right there, be sucked into the ground beneath her and hide in the dark, but she knew he would get upset if she didn't clothe herself soon. And she didn't want to give him an excuse to touch her again.

Elros watched her as she dressed, and Valawen's embarrassment showed on her pale skin. He merely smiled in what could only be described as dominance, and she did all she could to avoid his stare.

Licking her sainedined lips and wiping her eyes, she walked up to Elros when she had dressed. He placed a hand on her back and led her down the path towards the camp. He rubbed gentle circles, but Valawen wished he would stop touching her.

"We will leave soon, and arrive at Lothlorien by morning," he said almost conversationally, "There you can rest." Her legs felt numb as she walked, but she had a swift feeling of relief when the forest opened onto the field of elves and horses. The sun was low on the horizon.

She stopped and stared out at the mountains, waiting for Elros to leave. He took her face in his hand and held her as he kissed her lips chastely. "I will you see you later, my dear," he said, and then he walked by her. She didn't watch him go, but she waited until she could no longer hear him before she began her own trip in the opposite direction, towards the familiar horse.

*

The ride to Lothlorien was long and tiring. Valawen was exhausted, and her legs ached terribly. She held onto the hips of the rider in front of her; they hadn't even bound her again. When they entered a forest and came upon structures, the tension in her abdomen lessened. They were in Lothlorien. She could finally rest.

The rider pulled her from the horse and handed her to a couple of elves who had emerged from one of the houses. She watched as the entire group she had travelled with went in a different direction than she was being led. She swallowed heavily, hoping they were only taking her to somewhere where she could sleep.

When they pushed her into a small dark room and locked the door behind her, she was almost glad. There was a bed. She laid down and fell asleep almost instantly.

*

TBC