Things Forbidden

Things Forbidden

Chapter 9
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.

Rangerlady - Thank you for the reviews. Everyone Else - :p

*

Aragorn knit his brow as he walked through the dark, thick forest. He wasn't sure what drove him to seek out the ring, but was positive it was not because of the elf that had pleaded with him to do so. Never before had he felt so conflicted about the choices he had made and was about to make.

He sighed heavily, pushing branches from his path. His thoughts kept roaming to Arwen. Her face was completely visible in his mind, and the sadness was palpable. If Elrond fell to the dark because of his insistence on keeping the ring, she would never forgive him. Both she and her father had expressed concern at his choice not to destroy it. No, she would never forgive him. Could never.

This was the reason why, he told himself. This was the reason he was going to retrieve the ring. He would never be able to live with himself if those he loved suffered because of a poor choice. He didn't understand how he could have thought he was strong enough to withstand the power that came with the ring. He couldn't understand why rkenrkened elf was the one to convince him of that.

Aragorn abruptly stopped. Bor har had been so vocal in his mistrust of the elf, the King wondered if perhaps he had missed something in her words. Everything within him told him that she had been speaking the truth. And even if she had not - she was imprisoned. She would not be able to get the ring before he destroyed it. It would be a long journey, but Sauron was still weak. The path to Mordor was clear of the enemy. The ring's destruction would be a simple task.

Taking a deep breath, he continued towards his destination. His breathing was ragged in his ears, his throat dry, but he kept going. The fear within grew, but he did not stop. When he finally came to the small clearing, he noticed his fists clenched so tightly his nails had drawn blood. Shaking the tension from his hands, he looked up and around the woods. He could feel eyes upon him. Exhaling heavily, he gathered his courage and stepped into the circle that held the ring.

His heart beat ferociously as he lifted the rock and took the box from its resting place. Standing, looking to the eyes that guarded the band, he felt himself grow in worry. "Do not follow," he said quietly, then looked down at the box. It felt warm in his hands.

Turning on his heel and not looking back, Aragorn left and headed back through the forest. There were no footsteps audible behind him, and he took relief in that. Holding the box firmly in his grasp, he made his way back to Imladris. He was unsure if what he had done was right, but it was too late to return. This had to be done, for the safety of Middle-earth. He hoped they would all understand.

After all, the ring would never leave its vessel.

A small smile graced the King's features. He felt better now, like what he had done was right. Destroying the ring would remove any threat of the Dark Lord for eternity. It's what should have been done in the beginning. Yes, the others would understand. It's what they wanted when the ring first came to them.

He had made the right choice.

*

It did not surprise her when she found the King's rooms dark and empty. Taking time in the bath, she washed the evidence of rape and murder from her skin and found a simple dress in the closet to clothe herself with. She felt weary and her body still ached, but she knew the end was near. It was only a matter of time before the ring was delivered to her.

Dawn was breaking and soon steps could be heard outside the door. Valaina sat upon the unmade bed and waited for the entry. Instead, a knock sounded.

Frowning, she knit her brow and sat silently as there was another knock, this one more urgent. Muffled voices could be heard. Finally, the door opened with a soft creak and Valaina inhaled sharply when Elrond stepped in.

He froze when he saw her. "Elrond?" Valaina blinked when someone behind him spoke. Regaining his composure, he entered the room and she saw who followed him.

Haldir's eyes widened in shock. He was the first to approach, while Elrond and Legolas remained staring at her in uncertainty. "Who are you?" he demanded, looking around the room. "Where is Aragorn?"

"This is Valaina, Haldir," said Elrond quietly. Her eyes moved to his and she felt a wave of shame wash over her. It was quickly replaced by familiar indifference.

"Valaina?" Legolas looked at Elrond in surprise. "This is the elf we seek?"

Haldir grew angry. "If this is her, then she has done something with Aragorn and Boromir!"

She watched them carefully and in silence, content to allow them to grow in fear and fury. Elrond, though, seemed too full of regret to become much more than sorrowful. "She is waiting."

Her eyebrows raised. "You are perceptive," she said, impressed.

They all eyed her in suspicion. "Where are they?" asked Haldir, holding a hand on the dagger in his belt.

She shook her head. "I do not know."

Their exchanged glances told her they were not sure of her intentions. She confused them. Haldir frowned at Elrond. "Should we go look for them?"

Legolas was quick to speak. "No, we should not separate. For all we know, she was able to overcome both Boromir and the King."

She watched their interaction with interest, and took note that Elrond's eyes rarely left her. He did not look pleased, and she surmised he must have woken and realized that their encounters had not been mere dreams. His appreciation of her must have been apparent upon his bedclothes.

Smiling softly, she looked back to Legolas who watched her with urgency. He was concerned for his friends, that much was obvious. With clear eyes, he came forward and sat down on the bed opposite her, and leaned forward. "I ask for your honesty. Tell me, are you a servant of Sauron?"

Her gaze moved over him. She could read people easily, and in this elf she saw no touch of darkness. Valaina decided to be honest. "Yes."

"Have you come here for the ring?"

"Yes."

His voice grew soft. "Where is Aragorn?"

"I do not know." Indeed, she had a good idea where he was, but nothing was ever absolute.

Legolas leaned away from her. "How did you come to be a servant of Sauron?"

Valaina's eyes flickered at the question. "Why do you ask?"

"No matter what you have done, I have compassion for any person who is taken by the Dark Lord. I know your acts have not been your choice. I know evil has been forced upon you." She looked away, but he continued speaking. "Do you remember where you came from?"

"Legolas!" She looked up to see Haldir glaring at the archer. "Why are you trying to converse with her? It does not matter where she came from! She is evil!"

"There may still be goodness within." Valaina looked back at him. "I don't believe you feel nothing but hatred."

Her eyes grew sad. "Your friend is right, it does not matter. If anything of my former self remains, Legolas, it will soon diminish. I am for one purpose only."

"And what purpose is that?" The voice was hard, distant. Valaina looked up at Elrond, who had spoken.

"Service to my master." He looked away and she sighed.

She knew Legolas continued to watch her, but he asked no more questions. She was relieved by it. Thinking of what she once was never made her wistful. Instead, it left her with a sick feeling inside.

"I must ask something." She didn't look up as Elrond stepped towards her. "If you were given a choice, sanctuary with us, where you could learn to become yourself aga again, or life back within the darkness of Sauron's care, what would you choose?"

She did not hesitate. Looking up into his hopeful eyes, she answered, "There is no choice in the matter. I would go back to Sauron."

The hope in his eyes vanished. "There will be no more conversation, Legolas. Even if she was salvagable, Sauron's hold is too strong." He moved back to the wall and leaned against it.

"You are wise, Elrond. It is unfortunate that you yourself have been touched by that same dark hand." She blinked softly as the other elves looked up at their Lord.

He did not react. "You know not of what you speak."

"No?" She licked her dry lips and cocked her head. "Then why did you tell me how to find the ring?"

The Marchwarden's eyes widened. "What? What is she talking about, Elrond?"

She could sense fear and defeat forming within him as he watched her. "Without your help, I never would have known where to look."

"Elrond...," started Haldir, his voice urgent. "Tell us she speaks lies."

"Do not blame him, he could not help himself." Valaina clasped her hands in front of her and smiled. "He was weak in too many ways, and hungry. You wanted me, didn't you, Elrond? You needed me."

Elrond's eyes flashed in anger. Legolas knit his brow and looked at her. "You are trying to divide us, aren't you?"

"Even if, that does not change the truth of my words. You look at me for all the evil in Imladris, yet fail to realize the weakness of those around you. Do you really think I could have done all this myself?"

Haldir began to pace. She could see he was angry, and every once in a while his glance would dart to Elrond. "I can't believe this," he growled. Stopping and glaring at Valaina, he pointed in a finger in her face and threatened, "I will kill you before I allow you to touch the ring!"

She shook her head. "I have no intention of touching the ring, so you do not have to worry."

Haldir frowned and crossed his arms. "How do you expect to take it to your master if you do not touch it?"

Her eyes flitted to Elrond. "Is it not housed in a box?"

Turning, Haldir fixed the elder with an angry stare. "Why does she know this, Elrond? Why?"

"Haldir, please." Legolas stood and walked to the window, looking outside at the dawn. "We must not fight with each other."

"What do you expect us to do?" asked Haldir, "We are betraying each other left and right!"

Legolas turned and met the Marchwarden's gaze. "And we continue to do so by setting blame."

He shook his head. "I set no blame. I merely ask for an explanation." Narrowing his eyes at Elrond, he said, "You have been acting odd ever since our arrival. Is it all because of the power this female has over you?"

Elrond's dark eyes slid up to Hals. "s. "You speak of things you do not understand, Haldir."

"Then make me understand!"

"Haldir!" Legolas' voice was hard, and he easily gained the Marchwarden's attention. "That's enough."

The Marchwarden opened his mouth to speak when there was a noise at the door. Everyone turned to see Aragorn enter, grasping something in his hands. His sky-blue eyes looked up and widened in surprise when he saw everyone in his room. Valaina noticed his grip tighten on what he held.

"Aragorn!" exclaimed Legolas, visibly relieved, "Where have you been?"

Valaina smiled to herself as she watched the King look nervously between each of the elves. He moved his gaze to her and it lingered for a moment before he looked back up at his friend and spoke. "I had something I needed to do."

Haldir stepped forward and frowned. "Where is Boromir?"

"Boromir?" Again Aragorn looked at Valaina, and it dawned on him that she wasn't supposed to herehere. "I...I don't know. He was supposed to take her to the cells."

Legolas knit his brow, alarmed. "The cells? You let him go alone with her?"

"Boromir is strong. He would not have allowed her to...escape." The King's voice drew to a mutter when he realized that something must have happened.

Valaina licked her lips and looked up at Aragorn. "Captain Boromir may have been strong in body, my Lord, but he was weak in mind. He learned that in the end."

The silence was deafening. Legolas fixed his stare upon her for several moments before moving to the King. "I am going to look for him," he said, his voice tight, "Do not allow her to leave."

Aragorn nodded, distracted by what she had said. The door clicked behind him and he grasped the box in his hands even tighter. Haldir, now angered by the King himself, glared at him in contempt. "How could you let this happen?" he asked, his voice rising as he approached, "Of everyone, Aragorn, you should know better!"

His eyes flashed. "Do not dare to judge me, Haldir. You do not understand."

Suspicion rose inside the Marchwarden. "I do not understand," he repeated, narrowing his eyes and looking at Elrond, who stood silently against the wall, "That seems to be a recurring statement." He focused again on the King and asked, "Has she gotten to you as well?"

"No."

Aragorn drew the box closer to him, and it was then that it was noticed. Haldir immediately became on guard. "What is that?" he asked. When Aragorn did not reply, he repeated the question louder. "What is that, Aragorn? Tell me it is not what I think it is!"

Elrond stepped from the wall and came towards them, eyeing the box. Aragorn stood straight and walked around them, placing the box on a small table and standing in front of it, as if protecting it. "I do not have to explain myself to either of you."

Valaina watched with interest as Elrond's expression became sad. "You have taken the ring," he said weakly, "Why?"

"For you! For Arwen!" Aragorn angrily pointed a finger at the dark-haired elf. "I did this because it needs to be destroyed! I took it to save all of us!"

"Did you even think of the consequences?" barked Haldir. "You brought that ring out here while a servant of Sauron waits in the wings! What would possess you to do such an irresponsible thing?"

His eyes betrayed his worry. Valaina clenched her hands as he seemed to second-guess his decision. "I thought it was what you would all want."

"You were wrong." Haldir looked past the King and stared at the box. "Have you worn it?"

"Of course not."

The Marchwarden looked up, skeptical. "Will you?"

Aragorn stepped forward, angry. "Never."

Haldir did not back down from the approach. "You think yourself srongrong? You are arrogant."

The King glared at him as though he wished for Haldir's death. "And you are jealous."

Valaina smiled inwardly. She looked up at Elrond, who was not watching the interaction but the box instead, and stood. Quietly, imperceptible much like a soft breeze, she came towards the elf. "My Lord," she said softly as the King and Marchwarden yelled angrily at each other. Elrond looked at her through hazy and conflicted eyes, and as she spoke all other distractions seemed to melt away. "I can see how much it pains you. I want to take that pain away." Her finger gently trailed his cheek as she leaned forward. "Let me rid you of the temptation. Bring the box to me."

He blinked and looked at the container. "I can feel its pull."

Valaina cupped his face in her hands and turned him to look at her. "It will never end, Elrond, not unless you are strong enough to see it gone. I will help you. Bring it to me."

She released his face and he turned. The yelling was muffled in his ears as he walked to the box and picked it up without hesitation. He did not look at Aragorn nor Haldir as he stepped by them, not once drawing their attention.

Valaina smiled as he came to her. She took the box from his outstretched hands. "Thank you, my Lord," she said, leaning forward and brushing a kiss against his lips. "It is the end, now. You have nothing more to fear."

He nodded. Touching his face once again, she turned and exited the room, never gaining the attention of the others. Elrond's expression turned into a frown as he sat down upon the bed where Valaina had vacated.

Nervously, he entwined his hands together and squeezed. "It is the end," he muttered softly, "It is the end."

His eyes rose as the door to the room opened again. Legolas stepped in, his eyes anxious. Elrond looked away as the prince's gaze moved from the bed to his arguing friends. "What has happened here?" he asked Elrond, "Where is Valaina?"

He only shook his head. Frustrated, Legolas ran to Aragorn and jerked him away from Haldir just as they were about to come to blows. "Let go of me!" he growled as the young elf forced him back.

"Enough! Boromir is dead." Legolas waited until Aragorn looked down at him in confusion. "She killed him."

"What?" The King's voice was breathless as he stepped back. "He's dead?"

By this time, Haldir had settled. "Where is she?"

Legolas, infuriated, turned to look at the Marchwarden. "Was it not you who was supposed to watch her?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but Aragorn interrupted. "It's gone."

Haldir blanched. Legolas frowned in worry and turned to the King. "What is gone?"

Aragorn's fingers traced over the table where the box had sat. "The ring. It's gone."

"The ring?" Legolas looked to each person in the room. "The one ring? You brought it here?"

The King's eyes flashed. "I was going to destroy it!"

Feeling sick with anguish, Legolas stepped back. "She took it."

Haldir shook his head. "How?" Fury rose up in him again as he fixated on Elrond. "Why didn't you stop her?"

He looked up and smiled without mirth. "How could I? One can only fight so long against the inevitable."

Legolas closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath. "We cannot go after her," he said more loudly, "We will succumb."

A loud crash echoed through the room. Haldir glared down at the table he had upturned. "Is this it, then? Has Sauron won?"

"No," breathed Aragorn, "No, I will not allow him to win." He looked up, his eyes bright. "I'm going after her."

*

FINIS. For now. Probably TBC at a later date.