Filling Santa's shELVES

Disclaimer: I don't own anything even remotely connected to Tolkien's universe, and will not profit from this writing in any way. Seriously - I won't get a single, solitary nickel. Not even a coupon for fifty cents off a diet Coke. It’s pathetic.

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Filling Santa's ShELVES - A Twisted Christmas Story

Chapter 7

Elur was escorted down the hallway by a couple of the armed men, exchanging a backward glance with Haldir. At the point of a rifle, he, along with Legolas, Rumil, and Orophin were once again shepherded into the room and locked in.

"Haldir, brother…" Orophin began, his eyes conveying his sympathy and concern, even though his voice could not finish his thought.

"It is alright, Orophin. I did only what needed to be done, for the sake of the little ones."

"Is she…are you…?" Rumil murmured, his arm on Haldir's, his eyes also showing his compassion for his brother.

"Aye. I have a daughter in the making."

Legolas sat on the nearest cot, looking up at the March Warden. "And Elur?"

"She seemed fine. She says the wee one speaks to her already," Haldir said softly, his eyes wistful and sad. "My daughter speaks to her - my daughter, Legolas." His eyes suddenly turned fiery, firm with resolve. "We must find a way out of this mess, and we must find it soon. I'll not have her born into slavery!"

"Aye, Haldir, aye. We may have a plan, brother," Orophin whispered, his hand on Haldir's arm pulling him closer. The three brothers sat next to Legolas, their heads close together, their voices so soft that only another Elf could possibly hear them speak.

"The Elflings are not watched closely as they make their toys, Haldir. They are barely watched at all," Rumil informed the March Warden.

"We think it may be possible, with Elur's help, and the help of the other Ellith, to have some of the wee ones make weapons instead of toys," Legolas said.

"Weapons? How could Elflings know how to make weapons? It is an art form that takes years of practice - you know that!" Haldir scoffed, frowning at the trio.

"Knives, Haldir, need not be beautiful, nor finely balanced - they need only to be sharp," Legolas replied, his blue eyes darkening as they looked resolutely into Haldir's eyes.

"Arrows need not be works of art…they need only fly straight," Rumil added, a small, crooked smile playing on his lips.

"Bows need not be well crafted…they need only to be strung," Orophin put in, placing his hand on his elder brother's shoulder.

"Besides, if the Elflings can make them, the Ellith can, perhaps, smuggle them to us with our dinner trays, and we can fine tune them," Legolas concluded. "It is our only chance, mellon min"

A look of comprehension swept over Haldir's handsome features, as the truth of their statements hit him. It might work, and Legolas was correct - it was their only chance at freedom.


It was late when Elur was allowed to bring them food. She slipped into the room bearing a large tray that held sandwiches and bottles of water. Standing quietly as Haldir took the heavy tray from her, she said, "Santa confirmed that I am with child. He was most pleased."

Haldir frowned, then took her in his arms, holding her close. "I am sorry to have to put you through this, Elur," he whispered. The other three Elves retreated to the far end of the room to offer them what privacy they could.

"Do not be, Haldir…never did I imagine it could be like that," she whispered back, smiling up into his gray eyes. "Your daughter thanks you also."

"My daughter," he repeated, holding her tightly. He pulled away slightly to kiss her lips softly, before pulling her close again.

He motioned for the others to approach, and they softly, quickly explained their plan to the elleth. Her eyes grew wide as she came to understand, and she nodded. "I believe some of the older Elflings could do as you request, but it will not be easy. They are not watched closely, but they are watched sometimes. Still, I think it could be done. But won't using these weapons be dangerous? Those men have guns, and I have seen what those guns can do, Haldir." She looked up at him, fear and concern filling her wide eyes.

"I will not have my daughter born into slavery, Elur. Her first breath with be free," he replied sternly, leaving no brook for argument.

"Our daughter, Haldir," Elur gently reminded him, a small smile on her lips. "I believe that she is also a part of me."

"Would you have our daughter spend her days slaving away for that bastard, Saruman, only to be taken away from us when she becomes too old to be managed?"

Elur paled, her hand sliding down to hover protectively over the treasure her belly cradled. "Of course not…I would not wish my life on my child."

"Then we must do this, Elur."

She nodded, heaving a sigh, and laying her head on Haldir's strong shoulder. "You speak truly, Haldir. Tell me what you wish me to do."

Haldir called the other Elves over, and the five of them huddled, speaking softly, outlining and firming their plans.


The following morning, a different elleth brought their breakfast tray. Entering the room with sure steps, she did not make eye contact with any of the Elves, rather placing the tray on a cot and standing quietly before them, her hands clasped tightly before her. Hair the color of midnight spilled down her back, her eyes nearly as dark when she flicked them in the Elves' direction. She showed none of the recalcitrance of Elur, but rather turned to face them bravely. "I am called Gish."

It was Orophin who approached her first, entranced by her dark beauty. "I am Orophin, and these are my brothers, Rumil and Haldir. This other is Legolas. Thank you for the tray, Gish."

She nodded, a flush creeping up her neck at the nearness of the Elf. "Are you the one who will give me a child?" she asked, her voice low pitched and pleasing, her blush deepening at the sound of her own words. Elur had been quite frank in her explanation of what had happened, stressing the wonder and beauty of the act. Gish was curious, albeit more than a little frightened, but would rather lay down and die than show that fear. Of all the Ellith of age here, she was the strongest willed. Elur had been correct, though - these Elves were so beautiful it nearly hurt her eyes to look upon them.

Caught off guard by her frankness, Orophin's tongue stumbled over itself. "I…um…I…"

"Gish," Haldir interrupted, saving his brother from having to answer, "Did Elur tell you of our plan?"

"Yes, she did. I think it is dangerous, though…if the little ones are caught, they will be punished harshly," she replied, lifting her chin defiantly, her dark eyes blazing with an inner fire. "Still, I understand that we must take that chance. Elur has already begun to instruct the little ones on what they must do." Turning to Orophin, she met his eyes, saying, "You did not answer my question. Will you be the one?"

Swallowing hard, he straightened, looking back deeply into her black eyes. "Aye…I suppose that I am."

She simply nodded, then turned and slipped quietly out the door. They heard the bolt thrown once again, locking them in. Orophin stood still, his eyes trying to stare holes in the door, not quite believing that she had been so candid throughout the short conversation.

Haldir clamped a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Come, let us eat. We will need to keep our strength up if we are to see our plan to fruition. The weapons the Elflings make will most likely be crude at best, and we will need both our wits and our skills at their sharpest to succeed with them."