Possession

Possession

Chapter 8
Author: Frosty the Micro Machine
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Aragorn, Elrond, Faramir, Eowyn, OC, AU, N/C
Summary: After Arwen's death, a visit to Gondor reveals something unexpected. Canon-oriented; takes place after Sauron's defeat.
Author's Notes: Translations are in parenthesis after the Elvish.

Again, thank you for the reviews. Sandra: I have to wait till the 14th to get my EE, so I am very, very jealous! :D To Freya: Who says Aragorn's not going to win? ;)

*

Dusk had fallen. Valawen had taken her time making her way back to her room. She felt tight as wound string after leaving Aragorn and knew that Elrond would notice her acting strangely. So, instead of returning immediately, she had walked around the upper levels of the city, allowing the cool breeze to calm her nerves.

Valawen knew what had to be done. It was necessary, but she still felt saddened by it. When she approached the door to her room, long after the light had fallen, she took a deep breath and slipped the phial into her cloak pocket.

Elrond looked up as she entered. "Valawen," he greeted, rising from his chair by the fire, "Where have you been?"

He took her icy hand and led her to the fire. She allowed him to remove the cloak from her shoulders, but watched carefully as he tossed it to the bed. "I'm sorry. I went for a walk."

"A walk? In this weather?" He eased her to the seat beside him and took her cold hands in his, massaging gently. "You've been acting strange all day. Has something happened?"

"No, nothing," she replied, staring at the fire. Her cold skin tingled from its heat.

Elrond sighed, reaching up and tucking her hair behind her ears. "I should never have brought you here."

Her wide eyes met his as she exclaimed, "No. I wanted to come. I promise, Elrond. All is well."

His dark eyes searched hers, then narrowed when his glance ventured lower. "What is this?" he asked, tracing a finger along her neck.

Valawen froze. "N-Nothing," she answered, covering her marked skin with her hand, "I just burned myself. It was an accident."

His expression was very concerned and it was obvious he did not believe her. "Valawen, what is going on?"

Fear rose within. Standing quickly, she moved to the bed and sat upon it, taking her cloak and clutching it against her. "I'm fine, Elrond."

His eyes flashed in anger as he stood and looked at her. "Did someone hurt you? Is there something you're afraid to tell me?"

"No," she said angrily, staring up at him with livid eyes. A sharp pang of guilt swept through her when his eyes softened. "I'm sorry," she sighed, standing and placing her cloak on a chair, "I did not mean to yell."

His hand found her hair, brushing through it gently. "Things are so uncertain. I only fear for your safety." Kissing her forehead, he added, "You mean everything to me."

"I know." He embraced her, and Valawen found herself yearning for the touch of Aragorn. It sickened her, thinking about what she was about to do. Perhaps there was another way. "Elrond, why is there still so much darkness in this world? Why did it all not die with Sauron?"

"Every being has it within itself to follow a path of darkness. Arda will never be free of such things." He pulled back and looked down, a question in his eyes. "Why do you ask?"

She shook her head, pulling him back against her. "I just wish such things would not exist."

"There is no need to worry. We are safe from the darkness." His hand rubbed her back gently. "I will protect you."

She couldn't help but continue her questions. "Why do we need protection, if darkness is a part of us?" Once again Elrond pulled back to look down into her face. "It is not evil. It is a source of power."

"It has the potential for evil." He knit his brow and asked, "Why are you asking these questions?"

"I'm curious," she stated, "If there is dark within us all, can it not be used for good as well?"

"Valawen," he said, taking her hand and urging her to sit upon the bed, "There is no logic in what you speak of. You're not making any sense."

A flush crept over her skin. Closing her eyes, she tried desperately to think of any way she could explain herself. It seemed impossible, though. He could not understand, having never experienced what she had. She hadn't understood before touching the palantir. Sighing heavily, she opened her eyes and her sorrowed glance fell upon Elrond's concerned features. "I must be tired," she said, her voice choked with emotion. Aragorn had been right. There was no other way. She touched Elrond's face and smiled. "Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive." He took her hand and kissed it, seemingly forgetting her utterances. Valawen could see, though, that there was still a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

She leaned forward, brushing her lips against his. As he captured her mouth in a slow kiss, Valawen felt tears line her eyes. She loved him. She was certain of that.

But it was clear what had to be done.

"Take your clothes off," she breathed, looking into his dark eyes. "I want to lie with you."

He pulled his tunic off his body, smiling as she began working on her own clothing. "I love you, Valawen," he said, grasping her hand when her bodice had slipped down her arms, "Everything will be right again soon. I promise."

She smiled sadly, wrapping her arms around him so he would not see her weakness. "I love you. Remember that."

Elrond's warm hands travelled her bare back. He caught her lips with his and kissed hungrily as his fingers suck into the waist of her dress and tugged it down her hips. She sat up and allowed the garment to be removed.

Maneuvering so she she laid upon the bed, Valawen brought him along with her and bit at his mouth, sucking tenderly. Every emotion of urgency and need poured through her kiss as he slipped out of his pants. Now, concentrating fully on their exploration, Elrond's naked body laid over hers, warming her skin.

Massaging her breasts, he began to lay kisses along her jawline. Valawen snaked a hand through his hair and arched back as he nipped the sensitive skin of her neck. She moaned softly as his moist lips made a trail to her chest and sucked on her supple breasts.

His warm breath moistened her flesh. Valawen swept a foot along his calf, urging him to quicken his exploration. Rising up, Elrond adjusted his position and gripped her leg, tugging it upward. As he slid inside her, watching her face with an enraptured expression, she lost nearly all thought of what had happened and what was to be done.

Elrond kept his hand tucked under her knee, allowing him better access to the inside of her body as he moved. Shoving deep within, he leaned down to capture her cries with his mouth. His tongue caressed hers as he slowed his movements, causing her to roll her hips upward in want of more.

"Elrond," she breathed when he gasped for air, "Please. Faster."

He was quick to give her what she asked for. Valawen cried out as he drove forward against her pelvis in sharp thrusts, striving for their pleasure. It made her wild with need and she curled her free leg around him as the feelings surged.

Elrond's quiet voiced urged her climax. As he breathed in her ear, Valawen dug her nails into his back and arched back, whimpering as she met her bliss. He continued to slam against her as she bucked beneath, losing herself to all but the aching need within. Soon he groaned heavily, shoving deep in her body and sating his own burning need.

It was long minutes before reality filtered back into her mind. When it did, though, the familiar anxiety replaced the feelings of calm in her abdomen.

"Do you want a drink?" The words were heavy in her dry mouth and she fought to keep her voice steady.

He moaned softly as he pulled from her and settled on the bed. "Yes, thank you."

Valawen got up, taking the empty goblets from the table beside her. The wine sat on a small chest beside the fireplace. Looking up, she noticed him close his eyes and relax. Quickly she slid her hand inside the fabric of her cloak and remove the small phial that laid within. Her heart hammered as she grasped it and made her way to the wine.

She turned her back to Elrond and tugged at the stopper. Her hands shook as she poured the tiny amount of liquid into one of the goblets, then swiftly tossed the phial into the fire. Her body felt as heavy as a mountain as she watched the flames envelop the thin glass jar.

Clenching her jaw, she poured the wine and took them back to the bed.

"Elrond," she said softly, handing him the glass when he opened his eyes. He thanked her and sat up, drinking the red liquid.

She couldn't take it. A sick feeling welled within her and she turned, setting her own glass on the bedside dresser and sitting down, facing away from him. When his warm hand touched her back, she allowed a single tear to fall from her eye.

"Valawen? Is something wrong?"

His hand kneaded her shoulder gently. Wiping the tear from her cheek, she replied, "It will be better soon." She wondered how long it would take. Aragorn had said Arwen's death had been swift. She wanted it over with.

Moving to sit beside her, Elrond leaned forward to look into her face. Sniffing, she looked up into his concerned eyes. "What will be better soon?"

She touched his face, memorizing every plane and shadow. "I love you, Elrond. I do. I will never love anyone more than you."

His eyes took on a glint of fear. "Why are you saying this?"

"I wanted you to understand. I desperately wanted you to feel what I feel." She shook her head and removed her hand as tears lined her eyes. "But that's impossible. I'm sorry. I love you and I'm sorry."

Elrond's face paled in renewed fear. He gripped her arms, asking in a tense, urgent voice, "What did you do, Valawen?" Suddenly, his eyes flashed. She recognized the look upon his face as he looked away, seeming to notice something. Slowly, his gaze moved back up to hers. His voice was soft and accusing. "What have you done?"

"It won't hurt," she whispered, "Aragorn promised it wouldn't hurt."

Surprise and anger flickered over his face as realization dawned on him. "Arwen," he breathed.

It was apparent to Valawen that he was weakening. The grip on her arms loosened as his eyelids grew heavy. "It was necessary," she tried to explain as his breathing became laboured, "There was no pain."

He shook his head weakly, trying to stand. "Valawen," he said, falling back down to the bed. She winced at his struggle. "Valawen..."

"Shhhhh," she said, pressing him down to the bed. She pulled his legs up and sat beside him, trying to make him more comfortable. Tears soaked her cheeks as she breathed, "It has to be this way. I had no choice. Please forgive me, Elrond." Leaning down, she pressed a kiss to his forehead. With one last, shuddering breath, his eyes closed and his body lost its life. "I love you."

He was silent. Valawen rose up, wiping away her tears. Standing, dressed his lower body and covered him with the blankets. With a deep sigh, she clothed herself and cleaned up the room. The wine was poured out the window into the dirt below, and the goblets returned to where they originally sat. His garments were folded and placed on the dresser. Once finished, she gathered her cloak and took one last look at Elrond before leaving the room.

Her tears dried quickly in the night's frigid air. Her mind reeled with everything that had happened in such a short amount of time. It felt right, though. It felt like she had done the right thing.

The King's Hall was quiet when she entered. Valawen made her way straight to Aragorn's room and knocked. When he opened the door, his eyes held a question. "It's done," she said, and he smiled.

He motioned her in. "All is not complete," he said, "Lies will have to be told in order to keep this secret ours. You will say you returned to find Elrond dead and came to get me. When I arrived, I could do nothing. From here we will retrieve a healer." He touched her face gently, looking down in earnest. "You must play the part of a weeping maiden. Do not allow the healer to do more than he needs to."

Valawen nodded, her eyes absently scouting the room. "What happens then?"

Aragorn seemed hesitant to reply. "We will discuss that afterwards. Right now this must be our priority."

She agreed and followed him out of the room. They made their way quickly to the healer who was housed not far from her room. Valawen stayed back, holding her head low as to not gain attention. It was easy to appear sorrowed - she felt it strongly - but fear also raced through her. What if they were discovered? It had never occured to her that they might be.

Aragorn was calm as they led the healer to Elrond. The man sighed heavily upon looking him over. "He is dead," he said, "Recently." Looking up to the King, he added, "I would like to do an autopsy."

"No!" Valawen stepped forward, tears in her eyes. "I don't want him touched. Please." She glanced up at Aragorn and breathed, "He would not want it."

The King nodded. "Leave him," he said to the healer, "Do the best visual examination you can, but no more. I will have guards in here when you are finished to make sure there was no foul play." He looked down at Valawen and said, "Go back to my rooms. Remain there and rest. I will take care of this."

She glanced at the still form of Elrond. "I don't want to leave him."

"You are of no use here," he said quietly, "Please, go. Leave things to me."

Valawen licked her lips and nodded, turning and leaving the room. Wrapping her arms around herself, she willed herself to calm. The vision of Elrond's prone form would forever be burned in her memory.

*

TBC