Things Forbidden

Things Forbidden

Chapter 6
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 Whine: Why do you people hate me? :(

*

Valaina looked up when there was a knock at her door. Golden sunlight streamed through the windows of the room, lighting all except for the small shadow she sat in. Standing and smoothing her dress, she approached the door and opened it.

A tall, raven-haired elf with sharp blue eyes greeted her. "Lord Elrond," she said, lowering her head in respect, "Thank you for coming to me."

She licked her lips as he looked her over. She could tell by the lines upon his face that he was older and wiser than most. "I was told you have come to meet with me. Do we know each other?"

Valaina smiled broadly. "No, we have never met. My name is Valaina. I visit from Lorien."

"Lorien? Tell me, how is Lady Galadriel?"

She stepped aside and allowed him entry. "She is well, thank you." Closing the door, she clasped her hands in front of her and eyed him. "She worries, some days. It is an unfortunate necessity in these troubled times."

Valaina could tell he was judging her as she spoke. "What does she worry over?"

Looking down at her hands, she walked over to him and sighed. "The ring, mostly. She knows it is only a matter of time before the Dark Lord implements a plan to capture it."

When she looked up, Elrond's expression was still, betraying nothing. "Does she have word on Sauron's plans?"

Valaina shook her head. "Not that I know of, my lord. I am not privy to such information." Smiling shyly, she sat upon the bed and watched as he glanced around the room, then looked down at her. "I know only of the Lady's mood. We are all concerned that Sauron may strike hard and soon."

Frowning, Elrond narrowed his eyes at her. "Why are you here?"

"I have been sent to make sure the ring is safe."

His eyes flashed, and Valaina leaned back with a relaxed smile. "You know of its location?"

Her eyebrows raised, she answered, "Of course. Lord Celeborn told me, and sent me here. Worry not. I shall reveal it to no one."

His confusion and suspicion were obvious. "Pardon my disbelief, but I have heard nothing from Lorien nor Mirkwood about this. If there is indeed worry about the ring, why would Galadriel have not come herself?"

"Sauron is always watching," she replied, blinking as though the answer obvious, "If Galadriel herself visited Imladris, it would arouse suspicion."

Elrond stepped back and shook his head. "The ring's location is a closely guarded secret. Only a handful know where it is being kept. What did Celeborn tell you?"

She stood and stepped towards him. "Lord Celeborn told me it is with you."

His eyes travelled her over, looking for any sign of deceit. "Forgive my hesitation, but this concerns me greatly. The fact that you know this causes worry within me."

"He knew it would. I understand your hesitation, my lord. You need not apologize. I will do what I can to alleviate your worries."

Troubled, he knit his brow and asked, "If I informed you that the ring is safe, what then? Are you to take this information back to Lorien? That seems to me a misuse of resources."

"Eventually I will take the information back with me, but I am to do more than just relay your word. I will stay in Imladris for a while, to make sure no elf here has been affected by the ring's power. Also, I do not wish to do so, but Lord Celeborn has insisted that I see the ring for myself and tell him that I personally know of its safety." Valaina moved back a step and looked down, awaiting his reply.

Elrond's voice was icy. "He wants you to see the ring?"

Slowly she met his gaze. "Yes."

Taking a deep breath, he pursed his lips and shook his head. "I must think on this. Please, make yourself comfortable in the city. I will find you once I speak with my company."

She bowed gently. "Thank you, my lord." With one last look, he quickly exited the room and closed the door behind him. Valaina narrowed her eyes and sat back down upon the bed, thinking on what had just occured. He was suspicious, as was expected.

Sliding a hand into the pocket of her cloak, Valaina pulled out a tiny phial. She held it up and looked at the contents, a miniscule amount of clear liquid stored within. It was time to try something different.

Taking a deep breath, she stood and left her room, weaving her way through the hallways and gardens until she reached a building where the crowds gathered. As she swept by the elves, she took no notice of their curious glances. Instead, she simply concentrated on the task at hand. Squinting against the sunlight, she climbed the stairs and entered the large hall. The smell of bread and papaya invaded her senses.

Most of the elves had already eaten their breakfasts, leaving the dining room quiet. She moved up to the counter and eyed the food before her. Frowning, she unconsciously moved a hand to her stomach. "Are you alright?" came a voice, and she looked up into the eyes of a dark-haired elf. The expression on his face was a mixture of concern and curiousity.

Valaina swallowed and nodded. "I'm fine. Can you tell me where I could find a bottle of wine?"

The elf raised an eyebrow. Turning around, he took a small burgundy bottle from the counter behind him and offered it to her. "Not many here drink wine with their breakfasts."

Taking the bottle, she looked up and knit her brow. "It's not for me," she breathed, clenching it tight in her hand. Her eyes moved back down to the food and she stared for a moment, causing the elf in front of her to ask her again if something was wrong. She shook her head and turned on her heel, exiting the hall and making her way back to the guest rooms. There was no time for food, not with the ring's retrieval so close at hand.

*

Legolas Greenleaf cocked his head and stared down at the approaching party. He had had no word of their arrival, and he wondered at the company, so he narrowed his eyes and watched them carefully. He could see two of them arguing, but could not yet hear what it was about. The other rode ahead of the two, looking around at the dark forest as though searching for something. Smirking, he hopped down from the rock he stood upon and made his way through the woods towards the path that would lead the King to Mirkwood.

As he maneuvered through the dense brush, silent as a moth on the wind, the young elf looked up at the cloudy sky. He could hear the soft hoofsteps of the horses and the sharpness of angry voices, but more than that he could feel the tension that arrived with his friends. They brought questions and fears with them. He could feel it in his heart.

Emerging from the forest, Legolas waited patiently on the dirt path. When Aragorn rounded the corner, looking unsurprised to see the elf, the prince smiled broadly. Haldir and Boromir followed soon after Aragorn, and stopped arguing when the King spoke. "Legolas," he called as he approached, "I suspected you might be afoot."

"I could hear you coming from Lorien," he joked as Aragorn dismounted. They greeted each other with a clap on the back, but when Legolas looked up at Boromir and Haldir he could tell this would be more than just a friendly visit. The elf moved his eyes back to his friend and his smile faded as the King's eyes looked over him carefully. "What has happened?"

Sighing and stepping back, he shook his head. "We are not quite sure yet. It is a long story."

Boromir dismounted his steed and came to stand beside the King. Legolas frowned at the intense scrutiny he seemed to be under. "Perhaps you should tell it, for I am beginning to wonder at this visit."

"Can you tell?" Legolas' frown grew as Boromir spoke to Aragorn, ignoring the archer's request. "Can you see anything?"

Legolas' eyes were steady on Boromir. "What do you speak of?"

"Do not bother with him, Legolas," grunted Haldir as he slid from his horse and approached, shaking his head, "He is looking for something that is not there."

Boromir turned to glare at the Marchwarden when Aragorn spoke. "I see nothing, Boromir," he replied quietly, "How is your father, Legolas? How is Mirkwood?"

Narrowing his eyes, the prince looked at his kinsman. "They wonder if you have been tainted by Sauron," explained Haldir, answering Legolas' concerned and confused stare.

"Sauron?" he repeated, "Of course not. Why would you even wonder such a thing?"

"Minas Tirith had a visitor," replied Aragorn as they turned to begin their walk towards Mirkwood, "A female elf who said she was from an elven settlement not far from here. She spoke of Sauron and how he has managed to darken Mirkwood."

"An elf?" Legolas shook his head. "There must be a mistake. There are no settlements within a reasonable distance of Mirkwood."

Haldir looked at him. "No? Was there not before?"

"Before, yes, but no longer. After the war, every elvish settlement from around here came to Mirkwood. It seemed more safe." His eyes grew dark as he looked at the King seriously. "This elf that visited your city has lied."

Boromir cursed under his breath and Aragorn sighed. "That is what we thought. Have you had any visitors here within the last few days? Anyone you have not seen before?"

"No, we have had no visitors." As they came over a hill, Mirkwood's homes became visible to them. "Are you saying there is a dark elf roaming through our cities?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. We believe she's looking for the ring."

Legolas stopped and looked at the King gravely. "The ring? Are you sure?" When he nodded, the prince continued quietly, "Then why are you here?"

"We did not know if she knew where the ring was located. We thought perhaps she would try Mirkwood first." Aragorn looked at Boromir in anxiety. "It looks like we were wrong."

Boromir leaned forward. "She could not arrived there yet. It has only been a few days, and we are not far behind her."

"No, she is there." Haldir looked at Legolas and exhaled heavily. "If she is indeed a slave of Sauron, she will not stop for the luxury of sleeping or eating. She will not have the need to rest. No, she is there."

"You are going there now?" asked Legolas. When Aragorn nodded, the elf looked to Mirkwood. "I will go with you. Let me inform my father and retrieve my horse, and I will join you."

Watching Legolas hurry into the city, Boromir grunted. "All this for one elf. I would never have considered a female to be this dangerous."

"And now all of Middle-earth may depend on us finding her before she manages to acquire the ring." Haldir mounted his horse and looked down on Boromir. "Once again, the fate of our world comes down to the weakness of men."

"The weakness of Men will be nothing if Elrond does not see through the girl," snapped Boromir. "Seems as though our fate rests on the weakness of Elves."

Haldir smirked. "I did not realize it was an elf who informed her of the ring's location. Forgive me, Steward."

Clenching his jaw, Boromir made to step towards him, but the King stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. "Haldir, this is not the time. Let us not fault ourselves for what cannot be changed. We must concentrate on the task at hand."

Looking back at Aragorn, Boromir saw Legolas approach on his steed. "Let us leave then," he replied sourly, "I want this over and done with, and that female's life in my hands."

Blinking softly, Legolas watched as the two men climbed upon their horses. Their moods were fearful and angry, especially Boromir's. It was tangible. Watching him and frowning, the archer hoped the Captain of Gondor would not prove a hindrance instead of an ally.

*


TBC