Broken Hearts

Broken Hearts

Chapter 6
Author: Frosty the Kingpin
Codes: Legolas, Haldir, Elrond, Thranduil, OC, AU, N/C, INC
Rated: NC-17
Summary: During talks of combining Mirkwood and Imladris into one force, a relationship takes a downward spiral.

If you don't review, I will cry.

*

Elrond stood on the edge of the cliff facing the valley that led to Mirkwood. He had not been there in several ages, prefering instead to keep to the tranquility that surrounded Imladris. The elves of Mirkwood tended to be...rougher than he liked.

Sighing and pursing his lips, he thought about how much things were changing. The dark of Sauron had enveloped the world of men and taken hold of the south. It was forever moving, forever changing. Elves were not immune. He had seen it, though rarely. The darkness that had touched the elves turned them, voiding the purity that was inherent in all the races of his kind. It had frightened him enough to accept Thranduil as an ally. More than an ally, really. Imladris and Mirkwood would merge. Elrond never thought the day would come where such a thing would happen.

"You must have as much on your mind as I, to be up so late." King Thranduil's voice was quiet as he approached the cliffside. "Morning will be here soon."

"Indeed it will. Too soon, perhaps." The cool breeze swept over them, and Elrond wondered if he would ever see the sea.

"I realize the main concern we have will be our defense against men, but I must speak of something my heart has pain over." Thranduil turned his sharp, blue eyes to Elrond's dark ones and took a breath. "You will wed my daughter and take her to Imladris with you. This I do not dispute. She will, however, be very hurt by this decision. I ask of you, please do not encourage weakness on her part. She is a strong girl, and will learn to accept her duty, but I fear she will give in to despair."

Elrond's eyes were sad. "It is a delicate situation. My Lord, take relief in knowing that my thoughts this evening were of her, and of how I could make things easier on both of us. The union of myself and your daughter is necessary, but even I realize how uncomfortable it will be at first. Believe me when I say I would never do anything to intentionally harm her, nor will I accept a sorrowed bride. I will speak with her beforehand, and do what I can to alleviate her concerns."

"I thank you, Lord Elrond. If I may ask, though, do you also have concerns?"

Looking out upon the valley, he sighed deeply. "I do. I would not have chosen this route, had I the choice."

"I fear my daughter will hate me for this," sighed Thranduil, "I should speak to her before you two meet."

Elrond nodded. "That would be wise." A few seconds pause moved the conversation in another direction. "Once our realms merge, our attack on Gondor should be swift. I fear the darkness becomes stronger with each passing day."

"Do you still believe we may fall to it?"

He thought about the elves who he had seen touched by the darkness. "I do not know. If we are not strong against it, though, all of our kind will suffer. I have seen how it can affect us. It is...disturbing."

Thranduil frowned. "How did you deal with those who were turned?"

Lowering his eyes, Elrond clasped his hands tighter. "Our choices were few. We did what we had to to save others." The air was thick with an incoming storm. Glancing upward, he thought about the friendship that once existed between men and elves. "It is a shame we waited so long to fix the world."

*

Tári had been up before daybreak. Her sleep had been fitful at best, as her mind was consumed with thoughts of the impending arrival of her potential husband. Never did she think such a thing would occur. Love had always been something she eagerly wanted in her life, and now it began to dawn on her that such a thing might never grace her.

She knew Legolas would have heard by now, and would come looking for her for any number of reasons. If she was gone from her rooms, perhaps he might not find her. She considered seeking out Haldir and keeping his company for the day, but facing the questions he would certainly have did not appeal to her. As she left her home, heading down the stairs to the forest floor, she plainly decided to find a quiet corner of Mirkwood and await her fate.

The ground squished beneath her feet, soaked with a midnight rain that caused the greenery to flourish. The forest smelled of pine and dew, and it succeeded in bringing back all the memories of her youth. Imladris was not so peaceful, she knew. While Tári had never visited the city, she knew it was built upon rock, not within the protection of trees.

Footsteps fell behind her. They were a distance away, but the silence of the forest allowed her hearing to turn keen. Her mind told her who it was before she turned to look, and she was not disappointed.

Legolas' face was unreadable as he approached. "If you touch me, I will scream so loud all of Mirkwood will awaken. Don't think I won't." Her words were calm, touched with sorrow, and deliberately honest.

He ignored her. "Where are you going?"

"That's not your concern."

"It is my concern," he said tersely, leaning forward, "I told you, you are under my protection. When you leave your room, I want to know why."

Frowning, Tári stepped back a pace. "Were you watching me?"

His eyes travelled up and down her form. "I always watch you." Sickened, she turned and began walking. He easily fell into step beside her. "Haldir has told me of our father's return, and of wait awaits you. I won't allow it."

The jealousy in his voice was obvious. "What do you mean, you won't allow it? If I don't have a say in it, I quite doubt you do."

He grabbed her arm and swung her around. His eyes were wild with anger. "I will not allow you to be taken away by a Noldor elf!"

Jerking her arm away, she hissed, "Why? Because you won't be able to fuck me any longer?"

Eyes softening, Legolas smiled at her fury. "Because I love you, and you belong to me."

"You're sick." She turned on her heel again and made her way back to the city, where she knew she'd be safer. Even though he wasn't intent on her yet, she knew he could very well violate her again, very easily.

"Don't deny you wish to dissolve the arrangement as well," he said, following her, "I know you, and I know you only stand for this because you feel it is your duty."

"At least I have a concept of duty," she replied through clenched teeth.

A hand on her shoulder stopped her movement. As she turned, Tári desperately tried not to show how unnerved his touch made her. "I have always done my duty to you, and I will continue to do it. When our father arrives, I will tell him you will not marry Elrond."

Narrowing her eyes, she stepped forward. "Really? And will you tell him why? Will you tell him I cannot marry Elrond because you will no longer be able to violate me whenever you wish?"

Tári stumbled back in shock when Legolas' hand impacted with her face. "The only violation is your attitude towards me. You should watch your mouth."

Eyes watering from the sting of the slap, Tári stood up straight and came towards him. "I hate you. Remember that."

When she turned and he did not follow her, she thought he would leave her be. A deep, held breath escaped her lungs as she approached the city, and he failed to make a move to come after her. As she neared the Banquet Hall, though, she realized he was not far behind.

She increased her pace, but he was swift. Tári shoved him away when he tried to take her arm, but he was insistent that she stop. When she didn't, he grabbed her forearm and jerked her back, slamming her against a wall.

She froze and stared up at him. "What are you doing?"

Legolas' hand were firmly on her shoulders. His eyes were intense and his breathing heavy. She began to feel frightened. "I...I need you."

Shaking her head, she tried to push him off her. "Are you crazy? There are people around. I won't let you do this to me again."

He grabbed her by the neck, and she quickly stopped struggling. "Be quiet," he hissed, and Tári became even more concerned when his expression took on a look of desperation. His voice was strained as he leaned close. "I can't let you go to Imladris. I won't."

Tears filled her eyes when he looked down on her as though he would rather she die than be parted from him. Misery crept over her. A part of her hated that he looked so pained, so sad. But he was upset not because he loved her, but because he obsessed over her. "I will be happy going with Elrond, if only because I'm no longer around you."

Tári felt her throat choke as his grip tightened. "He will never love you the way I can." Before she could speak, he clamped a hand over her mouth and twisted her around, then began dragging her towards one of the public halls.

Her eyes darted around wildly, looking for anyone who could help. It was still early, very early, and most were still sleeping off the effects of their celebration the night past. Tári's yells were muffled by his hand as he pulled her into the building.

He shoved her forward into the small chamber and closed the door behind him. Tári recognized the room as one of the atriums and looked around for a weapon. There was nothing.

The only door out was blocked by Legolas. A skylight opened up over top of them, but there were no other windows. As Tári moved back, her steps echoed loudly on the marble floor. "Will you still scream for me?" he asked quietly, approaching.

"Your life would be over if people knew what you were doing," she replied, taking a step behind a bench.

His eyes were soft. "Is that why you have not told anyone? You are worried for me?"

"No," she responded, "I haven't told anyone because I've been ashamed. That won't happen again. If you do this, I will tell our father."

He smiled. "No, you won't. The shame will still be there. How do you think he would feel, hearing such terrible lies from his daughter?"

"Lies?" she laughed mirthlessly, "No lies need to be told. The truth is horrible enough."

By now he had stopped on the other side of the bench, mere feet from her. She could tell he was less angry than before, but still held an aura of desperation.

By now he had stopped on the other side of the bench, mere feet from her. She could tell he was less angry than before, but still held an aura of desperation. "And what of your friend, Haldir? Does his life mean nothing to you?"

She shivered thinking of Legolas' previous threats. Standing taller, she gathered her courage. "It does, but Haldir will be the first I warn if you dare touch me."

"What if you can't warn him?" he asked, smiling, "What if I tie you up, keep you hidden away, and kill the Marchwarden in the night? What then?"

She had no answer to that. The thought that he might do such a thing chilled her. "Please just let me leave."

His hand reached out slowly and took ahold of hers. Keeping a tight grasp on it, he walked around the bench until he was in front of her. "I want you to stay."

His thumb brushed her skin gently. Rattled, she pulled her hand away. "But I don't want to stay. I'm going to leave."

She did it slowly, stepping back and hoping he would allow her to leave. He didn't. Reaching out again, this time faster, he grabbed her hand. "You're not leaving."

"I'll scream," she blurted out, her eyes wide as he pulled her closer. Panic began to set in again.

Roughly, a hand clamped down on her mouth as he forced her back. When she hit a wall, he let her hand go, but kept her mouth covered. "Scream as loud as you like," he said low, fidgeting with his pants. Tári struggled, but he had her pinned firmly against the wall.

Legolas' hand jerked her skirts up and reached under them, grabbing her lace panties and pulling them till the ties snapped. He was quick and rough, and even as she pushed at his shoulders to keep him away, he managed to hold her steady.

His hand gripped her thigh, yanking it upward. "Feel free to scream my name," he hissed, forcing himself into her body.

Tári groaned out against his hand as he shoved deeply into her. Her legs immediately went weak as he started a needy, rapid pace, pulling out then once again filling her completely. She stopped her struggles as tears filled her eyes. It had happened again, even after she swore it never would. Never before did she feel so weak.

The pleasured sounds he made against her ear did nothing to quell her sadness. Her body began to ache as he continued his assault, slamming upwards as hard as he could. Each time she jerked back against the wall, feeling her stomach swim with sickness.

"You're mine," he whispered as his eyes closed, "Mine!" The hand holding her thigh tightened as he thrust forward, increasing his momentum. Tári stiffened in his hold as he jerked twice and met his release, emptying into her.

A long breath escaped his lips as he gently lowered her leg. When he looked at her and smile, she felt her stomach turn. Legolas released her lips and came forward, pressing his mouth to hers and forcing his tongue past the entrance. She was too tired to fight so she allowed the kiss, but closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at him.

"Next time I will take you someplace far away, where you can scream as loudly as you like." With a gentle laugh he pulled from her and did up his pants. Tári slowly slid to the floor.

She looked downward, avoiding his eyes. Still, though, she could sense his stare. "Go back to your rooms. Clean up. You need to be presentable when Father arrives." Kneeling down and touching her chin, he tilted her face up. "I promise you, I will handle this marriage problem. You have my word."

She glared at him, but did not speak. Smiling, he rose up and walked out of the building, and Tári waited until his footsteps could no longer be heard to stand up. On shaking legs she readjusted her clothing and gathered the torn underwear from the floor. Stuffing it into a pocket, she took a deep breath and exited the atrium.

The sun was higher now. Squinting, she kept her eyes downward and walked steadily towards her rooms. There were people about now, elves smiling and chatting about the imminent arrival of the King. She tried her best to avoid them.

Quickly Tári made her way up the stairs to her room. Once inside, she exhaled deeply and collapsed upon the bed, allowing the tears she had been hiding to fall. The pillow against her muffled her cries as she poured every emotion into her sorrow.

She quieted suddenly when someone knocked at the door. Her cries stilled and she laid unmoving, her eyes wide as she wondered if whoever it was had heard her. Biting her lip and sniffing, she worried it was Legolas coming to check on her.

The person knocked again, this time more insistently. "Tári!" called a voice she recognized as Haldir's, "Tári, let me in. I know you're in there."

She clenched her eyes shut and remained upon the bed. There was no way she would be able to explain her condition to him, and she did not want the company right now. Still, though, he continued to knock.

Haldir's voice grew impatient. "I know you can hear me. Let me in." He knocked again, this time louder, "I'm going to come in, Tári."

Cursing herself for not locking the door, she buried her face in the pillow beneath her and listened as the front door creaked open. Each sound was sharp in her ears, his irritated sigh, the door closing, his leather boots walking towards the bed. When the mattress lowered and his hand fell upon her back, she turned her face away from him, taking in a needed breath and keeping silent.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly. "I followed you here. You looked upset."

"Why are you always watching me?" she questioned, flinching at the anger in her voice.

"Because you concern me. Because I care."

His hand rubbed her gently, trying to calm her, but she grew impatient at the touch. Sitting up, she pulled away and sat with her back towards him. "I could do without those who care."

Closing her eyes, feeling vaguely guilty for lashing out at him, Tári sighed and buried her face in her hands. "Is this about Elrond?" he asked, "Or is this about something else?"

He thought she was upset about the marriage. Whihat hat thought did not help matters, it was not what plagued her. Still, it was a way out of the conversation. "I have no control over my life. That's what it's about."

"Has Legolas spoken to you?"

Her heart dropped at the question. Turning slightly to the look at the Marchwarden, she frowned. "Why?"

Haldir's eyes narrowed at her appearance. Standing, he walked around the bed and sat beside her, touching her face and lifting it. She averted her wet eyes and waited without caring for what he would say. "He was upset when he heard about your engagement," he said quietly, brushing away stray tears, "I think he will speak with your father."

"I wish he wouldn't," she said, pulling away from his hand. Rubbing her face and taking a deep breath, she looked up at her friend. "I don't understand why all of this is happening."

Touching her back, he rubbed comfortingly. Tári felt herself begin to feel grateful for his presence. "I know. I do not envy you right now, but you have my support in this. I want to help you."

"Thank you." Her voice was a whisper, weakened by how tired she felt. "I need to rest. Will you stay with me?"

Nodding, Haldir brought her legs up on the bed and allowed her to lie down. "I will stay here," he said, covering her and clasping her hand with his own. "Close your eyes."

She did, and soon the gentle touch he gave her lulled her into a deep anacefaceful sleep.

*

TBC