Gifts of the Valar.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the Original Characters and their adventures. Everything else belongs to JRR Tolkien, the Tolkien Estate, New Line Cinema/Peter Jackson, et. al. This was done purely for entertainment and as an exercise in creativity.

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After leaving the dining hall, Rumil and Charika returned to his chamber. She had spent the previous night in the women’s quarters, and during the day, Rumil had tried to accustom her to his presence and bring her some sense of comfort and familiarity. Her demeanor had seemed to ease a bit during dinner, especially after Alexandra had suggested she feed her ‘lord’. He had also made certain she drank some of the Rhunian wine. He did not wish to take advantage of her, but did want to see her relax a bit. She seemed ready to shatter at a touch.

“Are you tired, my lady?” he asked as he pulled off his boots and unfastened his tunic.

“I await, your pleasure, my lord,” she said quietly and he glanced over to where she stood near the center of the room. She seemed to be awaiting his command.

He sighed and did not remove his tunic. Walking over to her he took her hand and drew her onto his lap as he sat on one of the comfortable chairs.

“My pleasure is yours,” he said softly. “Tell me what you desire, Charika. I will do all in my power to grant it.”

“My desires are … unimportant,” she said, not meeting his gaze. “I serve my master as you would have me.”

Tilting her chin so he could look into her eyes, he kissed her mouth softly, chastely. “I would have you happy,” he said.

She darted a look at him. “The beast will kill you,” she whispered, as if expecting Lastharos to appear at any minute. “He will not let any stand between him and his punishment of me.”

“No,” Rumil said, his voice calm, as he stroked her arms and pulled her close. “I will kill him. He can do you no harm. I will protect you, my love.”

She laid her head against his shoulder and he held her. “Would that it were so,” she whispered. “I feel … the memory of happiness with you.” Her fingers tentatively reached out and touched his chest.

They sat together without speaking, and he held her close, for a long time. When he felt her relax, he stood and carried her sleeping form to the bed. He removed his tunic and lay next to her, his arms pulling her into the protective shelter of his body, and they slept without dreams.

When she awoke, the Elf was still with her and his arms were around her. She felt safe---safer than she had felt in a long time. Her new masters did not hold her like this. She saw his light blue eyes watching her and a smile touched his beautiful lips. She smiled back, shyly.

“Good morning, my sweet,” he said softly. “Did you sleep well?”

“Aye, my lord. I---no one came to me in my sleep,” she answered.

“No one will hurt you, Charika. I will protect you with my life.”

She studied him. “Why would you do this for me, my lord?”

“Because I love you, Charika. I would not see you hurt for anything.”

She looked away. “Thank you, my lord. I … do not know what to say.”

She had never said she loved him in return, not even when they lived together in Ithilien. But he knew she had cared for him then. It did not change how he felt about her.

“I would like a bath,” he said sitting up, changing the subject. “Where is the bathing pool here?”

She sat up as well. “I will show you, my lord. I … would like one as well.” He smiled and they left the room. He could tell she was still anxious around him, but seemed to be relaxing a bit. Perhaps she felt safe with him since she had spent a peaceful night in his company.

As they wound their way through the early morning quiet of the keep, he entwined his fingers with hers. She glanced up at him with a shy smile and he returned it. They traversed the passageways of the maze and, turning a corner, were mildly surprised to see Legolas and Alexandra locked in an increasingly passionate embrace.

The prince and his wife both looked up, and Alex buried her face against her husband’s chest as Legolas greeted the other couple pleasantly.

“We were looking for the bathing pool and …” his voice trailed of as he kissed Alexandra’s forehead.

“Actually, we are going there ourselves,” Rumil said with a smile. “Charika was showing me the way.” He noticed she moved closer to him, not as if she were drawing away from Legolas so much as simply reassuring herself that Rumil was there. Alexandra raised her face from where she had hidden it and the Elves could see she still had a bit of a blush on her cheeks.

“You are looking rested,” she told Charika. Reluctantly leaving the warmth of her husband’s arms, she put her arm around Charika and gently pulled her to walk with her. “Tell me about your days here. Do you still sew?” The two women walked ahead, leaving Legolas and Rumil to follow. The Elves exchanged glances.

“She is still quite frightened of Lastharos,” Rumil said. “She keeps referring to the ‘beautiful beast’, convinced he is coming for her.” He explained to his friend about her belief that the one who claimed to be her “true master” came to her when others were asleep, or when she was alone; how she sought solitude for fear that he would kill anyone around her when he finally came to claim her. He also told him of how she seemed a bit out of touch with reality, echoing what Alexandra had told him she had learned from Vanurion.

“Should we seek him out?” Legolas asked his friend. “We are closer to Khand here than we were in Ithilien.” He, personally, wished to find the man and cut him into pieces with his twin knives. However, Rumil had a stake in this venture as well, and he had his lady’s honor and wellbeing to avenge. Legolas understood such imperatives better than most.

“I … would like to do so,” Rumil said slowly. “But I hesitate to drag our friends into this needlessly. Erestor, Glorfindel, Helcarin, Vanurion and his people---it is not really their problem, though they joined us knowing what may happen.”

“I understand,” Legolas said. He, too, did not wish to endanger others needlessly. They could bide their time. But how much time did Charika have? Her fear was so intense, and her torment by the monster so cruel, they could not bear the thought of him living a moment longer to torture her.

As they approached the bathing pool, Legolas changed the subject. “All this talk of darkness has no place on such a beautiful morning. Haldir and I, however, managed to have some fun last night, with Alexandra and her insatiable curiosity …”


Helcarin awoke just as the first light of dawn broke through the window. He looked over at the elleth sleeping next to him and saw that Orophin was also awake, easing from the bed on the other side of her. The Lorien Elf smiled as he gathered his clothes. It occurred to him that this was his room and Orophin was going back to his own.

He returned the other Elf’s smile, then rolled over, draping his arm over the elleth’s warm, soft body, the she-Elf at his back snuggling against him so that he was cocooned between them, closing his eyes and remembering the previous evening. His friend was right; he did find this place relaxing. He allowed himself to drift back into sleep as Orophin left the room silently.

The Lorien Elf had pulled on his leggings, but was carrying his boots and tunic. He wished to bathe before dressing for the day and headed to the bathing pool deep in the manor’s complex. He stripped off his leggings and settled into the water, warmed by a natural spring. He was sitting on a small stone ledge that was hidden from view to any except those already in the pool who may be looking for it, reflecting on the previous evening’s sport, when he heard female voices approaching. He looked around the stone blocking him from view and, to his horror, saw Charika and Alexandra walking to the bathing pool, looking for all the world like they planned to use it.

He moved back into the shadows, cursing Legolas for not keeping his wife in bed, as was their wont. What were they thinking? And Rumil---he had not seen his lady in months. Why had he not kept her abed, enjoying her charms?

Orophin was not shy, and had it been any other females, he would likely have welcomed their approach. But Charika was his brother’s lover, for all intents and purposes, his sister-in-law in all but name. He did not wish to put her in an uncomfortable situation. And Alexandra …

He heard the rustle of clothing and then could feel them enter the water and muttered an Elvish curse. He was about to resign himself to remaining hidden for the duration, when he heard Legolas and Rumil approach, his brother laughing at something the prince was saying. Knowing discovery was inevitable, he pushed himself out of the hidden grotto and greeted the Elves.

“In truth, I was resting from last night’s indulgences and thought I heard someone approach,” he said after they had returned his greeting. Legolas and Rumil stripped and entered the water and came over to where he was. Alex and Charika remained on the far side of the pool. Alex had turned at his voice and he saw her smile in greeting, then glance away. He was grateful for the presence of her husband.

“Legolas was just telling me about an interesting experience with Haldir and Alexandra last night,” Rumil said with a smile, glancing at the lady in question.

“Oh, thank you for spreading that story, my love,” Alex called.

He laughed. “You know it is too good to keep amongst ourselves, my sweet.”

She had to admit he was right. He recounted it to Orophin, with much embellishment from Alex, and soon they were all laughing---except for Charika. She smiled slightly, but seemed somewhat nervous. She felt something was … off. Though she felt comfortable with her friends---and she was beginning to think of them as such---she felt as though …

“He is here,” she whispered to Alex.

The other woman looked at her. “Who?”

“The dark one,” She gripped Alex’s shoulders tightly. “He has never come to me when others are around.”

“There’s no one here,” Alex said, gathering the other woman into her arms. She could feel the chill of the woman’s bare skin and goosebumps rising on her. She looked to the three Elves, who quickly climbed from the water and began searching the area.

“I do not sense anything,” Legolas said and the brothers shook their heads. Neither did they. Yet Charika was becoming increasingly upset. Alex held her tightly and led her from the water, wrapping her in one of the drying cloths, heedless of the water still beaded on her own body. She sat next to the other woman and reassured her that she was safe.

“No, please,” Charika murmured softly and tears welled in her eyes. “He will kill them … and you.” The gaze she turned to Alex was utterly terrified.

“He will not kill anyone,” Alex said with more confidence than she felt. She had no idea how to fight this man when they could not find him.

Charika finally relaxed, laying her head on Alex’s shoulder. Legolas and the brothers returned from their search of the area.

“There is no one here and we did not feel anything,” Legolas said as Rumil sat on the other side of Charika and gathered her into his arms. Alex stood and shook her head.

“She was genuinely terrified,” she told her husband.

“Perhaps he only speaks to her,” Orophin suggested.

“Or, it could just all be in her mind,” Alex added. They had to face the possibility that Charika had simply gone mad.

In the pause following her words, she suddenly became aware that she was still naked, as were the three Elves. Only Charika had any covering. She was determined not to cause a scene---Legolas and Haldir’s little escapade of the night before had gotten her to thinking: the Elves thought nothing of bodies, so why should she? She casually picked up several drying cloths and tossed them to the three Elves before taking one for herself.

“Surely, someone, somewhere knows about this … man,” she said as she dropped her gown over her head and began tying the laces.

“We will ask Vanurion for counsel,” Legolas said as he and his friends began dressing. “His people have known of him longer than we have.” He watched as Alex helped Charika into her gown; the other woman was terrified, that was obvious. Recalling the horrifying and brutal days they had spent imprisoned by Lastharos, his anger rose, but he kept it under control. He took his wife’s hand and the Elves and the women made their way back through the keep.

They returned to the dining hall and found the morning repast spread on a long table and others coming and going, some sitting on cushions and eating, others just finishing and leaving to go about their daily business. Helcarin and Haldir were just sitting down, their plates laden with fruit and warm bread. When they had obtained their own breakfasts, the Elves and their ladies joined the other two.

Helcarin and Haldir rose as they approached and sat after Alex and Charika had taken their places. They could sense something amiss and Haldir shared a look with his brothers. Legolas gave them a wan smile.

“Have you seen Vanurion this morning?” he asked, taking a bite of the warm bread slathered with sweet butter.

Haldir shook his head. “I have only recently come in, though. Have you had a pleasant morning?” He looked at Alex. “You are up quite early, my lady.”

“I had a bad dream about insufferable Elves, and couldn’t sleep any longer,” she said sweetly. He laughed softly. They noticed Helcarin had remained silent and saw the Elf watching Charika with an odd expression.

He felt their eyes on him and smiled. “Forgive me,” he said. “I was admiring the necklace your lady wore. It reminds me of the stones in Forodwraith that adorned one of the sacred chalices there. It is quite lovely.”

They spoke of inconsequential matters and Legolas sent a silent message to Alex who, once she saw Charika had eaten all she was likely to, at least at this meal, stood and firmly, but kindly, led the woman away under the pretense of asking for advice on her wardrobe. The Elves watched them go and the look in Rumil’s eyes was so laden with sadness, his brothers and friends could feel his pain.

“She is a haunted woman,” Helcarin said softly as they watched Rumil’s lady lean close to Alexandra, almost as if seeking her protection, then disappear through the doorway.

Rumil nodded. He recounted the incident in the bathing pool. “We searched everywhere, but there was nothing there, and none of us felt any presence.”

Cunion and Vanurion joined them and caught the end of Rumil’s words.

“She has done this before,” Cunion said. “She would awaken in the night, saying he had come to her, but no one could be found; and no one sensed any intruders, nor was there any evidence of one.” He shook his head. “I fear it is a sickness of her soul in the truest sense of the word.”

“Is there nothing to be done?” Rumil’s voice was calm, but his brothers could see his sorrow.

Cunion looked at him sadly. “I do not know, my friend. It is a prison from which she must find her own way. We can try to show her the door, but only she can make the decision to follow.”

“Is it possible …” Legolas was hesitant, but Alex had raised a point that must be considered. “Is it possible there is nothing there? That she is … haunted, as Helcarin says, by her own fears?” If that were true, they did not know how to help her.

Cunion looked down and nodded slowly. “It is quite possible.” He looked at Rumil. “There is a possibility she may never recover; she may continue to spiral downward into her own fears and …”

“Madness,” Rumil finished. He did not wish to give up on helping her emerge from her darkness. Still, he knew it was something that must be considered.

“I am sorry,” Cunion said. “I have seen it happen to others who have suffered much. Some can overcome it without difficulty; others …” He stood. “Simply let the lady know she is safe. That may help.”

“What else can you tell us about Lastharos?” Legolas asked Vanurion.

The dark-haired Elf thought for a moment. “Not much more than I told you in Minas Tirith, I fear,” he said. “He remains hidden, dealing through emissaries with those outside of his own household. There have been no reports of any unusual activity from his quarter. We have been watching since we learned of his … interest in the Firstborn and in Charika.”

“Has he no vulnerabilities?” Haldir asked.

“None have tested him, to my knowledge,” Vanurion replied. “He does not seek conflict with Rhun or Harad, but continues to expand further east. Few who have first-hand knowledge of him are able to speak of him. In fact,” he looked at Legolas, “you and Charika are the only people I know who have had an actual encounter with the man himself. Otherwise, I only know people who know people who have dealt with people who know his people.”

Glorfindel and Erestor joined them as Vanurion spoke.

“Surely, someone knows where he can be found,” Glorfindel muttered.

“He dwells somewhere deep in Khand,” the Lord of the Rhunian Elves said. “I have only been there a few times, usually on my way to Harad.”

“Could it be possible that he is using the dark powers at his command to torment Charika still?” Rumil asked.

“Anything is possible,” replied Vanurion with a shrug. “But there has been no other tangible evidence of his influence other than her anxieties. No one else has seen, heard or experienced any unrest.”

“He remains beyond our reach,” Legolas sighed. He looked away in disgust.

Erestor, who had remained quiet during the conversation, spoke gently. “He is beyond our reach for now,” he said. “But he has never actually been hunted by the Firstborn. He cannot remain hidden forever. And if he is as egotistical as his descriptions sound, he will not be able to resist seeking us.”

The others thought on his words. He was correct. They did not need to seek Lastharos. He wanted Charika and he wanted Legolas---or, at least, he wanted an Elf. He would seek them out in his own time, most likely in Ithilien.

“For now,” Erestor continued, “Let us enjoy our visit with our eastern brethren and do what we can to ease Charika’s fears. We know to be wary of our enemy; until he is engaged, there is nothing more we can do.”

The other Elves could not help but agree with Erestor’s wisdom. Glorfindel was forced to admit some surprise at Erestor, of all people, counseling others not to worry. He almost laughed; perhaps his old friend had finally taken his advice.