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 8

Later that afternoon, the Elves were surprised to be brought out of their room, and escorted back down to the bathing area for another frigid shower. No explanation was given, but Haldir murmured that he surmised that they must be offending Saruman's overly sensitive nose.

"Considering it's size, he could probably smell us a half mile off," he whispered to Legolas as they quickly doffed their clothes in the shower room. Legolas bit back a grin, but his eyes twinkled with laughter.

Once again doused with freezing water, afterwards given fresh jumpsuits to replace the ones they had worn for a couple of days, they dressed, again to the insults of the armed guards. Rumil shot Orophin a look that said how much he was going to enjoy putting a few holes in these men.

Herded back through the workroom where the Elflings toiled, tapping, banging, sawing, and painting, Haldir noticed Elur standing near the back of the room. Catching his eye, she motioned with an almost imperceptible nod of her head toward the Elfling working in front of her. Haldir's keen Elven eyes picked up the glint of metal and the rough shape of a knife on the table before the Elfling. The small one's tiny hands held a heavy mallet gripped tightly in both fists, as he pounded on the metal before him, flattening the blade.

Haldir flicked his eyes toward the Elves' armed escort, but none of the men even glanced in the Elfing's direction. Haldir spared Elur a quick smile and a wink, as they passed out of the workroom into the corridor that led to the sleeping room.

Once locked in, alone again, Haldir told the other three Elves about the Elfling and the knife. "They have begun to make the weapons. It will not be long before the time comes to use them. We need to devise a plan. When next an Elleth brings our food tray, we must instruct her to find out all she can about the guard's habits. We must know where they are at what times, and how many to expect."

"Aye, I spotted two Elflings on the other side of the room carving what appeared to my eyes to be arrows. And still another was stringing a carved bow. It looked very small, though…child-sized. I suppose that if they made an adult sized bow it would be too obvious - it would be taller than the Elfling who made it! Still, I think the small bows will suit our purposes," Legolas said.

Rumil nodded in agreement. "I too noticed an Elfling using a grindstone to sharpen something…I believe it was also a knife."

Orophin was quiet, only occasionally grunting an assent or nodding his head. His mind seemed far from the conversation, and Haldir knew immediately what the problem was.

"Orophin, you must not feel badly about what you must do tonight. Gish knows there is no other way - not if we don't want to risk one of the Elfling's lives," he said to his younger brother, putting a consoling hand on his shoulder.

"I know this, Haldir. Still, I cannot help but feel sorry for her. She has had no opportunity to live free, to find love, and now she will have a child that she does not want by an Elf who is a stranger to her."

"Then become not a stranger. Tell her about yourself…let her tell you about herself. They will not come to let her out until you knock. Better they think you are having trouble with her, or with your Elfhood, than rush her too much."

Orophin nodded, still not comfortable with the situation, but realizing that there simply wasn't anything he could do about it besides what Haldir had suggested.


When the door next opened, it was Saruman who stepped through into the room. His four armed guards trained their weapons on the Elves, who glared at the wizard with undisguised malice.

"Congratulations are in order, March Warden. You're going to be a father!" he said, his voice thick with sarcasm. "You would admit now that the task I entrusted to you was not an unpleasant one? Tell me, did you enjoy her? After all, the elleth was quite beautiful…"

Haldir simply continued to stare at him, refusing to rise to his bait. His silence made Saruman laugh, "Ever the honorable March Warden, eh, Haldir? Well, never mind…your job is done. I only hope your brothers and the Prince perform as perfectly."

Haldir's hands curled into tight fists, his eyes darkening with rage, as did the others, but none said a word. Truly, he would enjoy the moment his knives tasted the wizard's flesh. He pledged to himself that on that day there would not be enough of Saruman left to tempt a vulture.

Saruman looked down his large nose at the quartet of Elves, his eyes still twinkling with undisguised mirth at their situation. "I must tell you that never, in the years I spent withering away in that tower, did I ever think I would have been able to extract revenge on citizens of Arda, other than stealing their children…it has been a most pleasant surprise!" He laughed again, hauling his bulk out of the room, followed by his chuckling guards.




Elur brought their dinner tray that evening. The three Elves once again retreated to the far side of the room to allow she and Haldir a bit of privacy. After embracing him, she told Haldir about the weapons the Elflings were making.

"They understood quickly when I explained what you wished them to make. They are young, but they do not like the way they are treated, Haldir. Some of them remember their families, and remember being loved. They want to go home, Haldir. They are working harder than I have ever seen them work before trying to get the weapons done quickly."

Haldir nodded, smiling. "I saw the knife the young one near where you were standing this afternoon was making. It looked more than adequate to suit our purposes. Please tell him that I said he was doing a very good job. I will tell him so myself when we are free."

Elur smiled up at the big, Silvan, reaching up a hand to stroke his cheek. "I would never have believed that a male could be so sweet and gentle," she said, "until I met you, Haldir."

He dipped his head, softly kissing her, then wrapped his arms around her again. "And my daughter? How does she fare today?"

"Fine. She already thinks the world of you, and misses you. I keep trying to picture you in my mind because the image comforts her. It comforts me, too, Haldir."

His only answer was to strengthen his hold on her, crushing her to his chest, burying his face in her hair.

Sighing, he pulled away from her reluctantly, gesturing for the other three Elves to come closer. He quickly told Elur what information they would need to formulate their plans once the weapons were completed. She agreed to question the other Ellith, and report back to him as soon as possible. She also informed them that she would try to smuggle the first of the weapons to them in the morning.

On her way out the door, she stopped in front of Orophin. "You made an impression on Gish this morning. She has not stopped speaking of you since." She left a dumbstruck Orophin behind, and slipped out the door with a small smile on her lips.