Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Continuation: Fifteen Years in Lothlorien	By : Ertia Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 5034 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Not my garden, I just play in it. Ah, but isn't it full of such lovely
flowers to play with?
YAY! Things at Adultfanfiction.Net are speeding up and running more smoothly! YAY!

This chapter wasn't rolling the way I wanted it to, so no miraculous rescues yet, just some important exposition. And it's not beta'd. If you see glaring booboos lemme know. Uh...Orophin lovers, don't worry! I'll fix him soon. I promise. Sorry. :(
Fifteen Years

Chapter 25: Tears and Blood
Legolas took his flask from his belt and held it to Orophin's swollen lips, encouraged when the Elf managed to swallow a few drops. "Hold, Orophin. Hold. They are coming. It will be all right."
He wanted to ask questions; to know where R�mil was and what they had done to him. Did he still live, Legolas wondered? But he knew that even could he ask, Orophin could not answer him now. He kept his questions silent, and for the ears of the Valar alone. Tears had begun to fall when he had unwrapped the blanket, and now they still dripped steadily. He could not find it in himself to check them. He murmured reassurances, and did not resist the powerful grip that dug, even half-conscious, into his arm.
The prayers were silent at first, but soon they melded with the reassurances. A wind rustled in the trees, and Legolas turned tear-blinded eyes upwards, through the golden mallorn leaves. "Please, sweet Valar. Lend him grace. See him through this."
Orophin had closed his good eye and, though he still shuddered, seemed quieter. Legolas hoped that was a good sign and not a sign that the tortured elf was weakening. He did not move from his place or still his prayers as he heard a horse gallup up behind him, but continued to hold Orophin's hand, begging for the grace of the Valar to heal him. So engaged was he that he did not realize he was not alone until a hand grabbed his shoulder and threw him bodily aside.
"OROPHIN!" Haldir's anguished voice reached Legolas as he was sprawled on the mossy ground with the force of Haldir's shove.
Legolas heard Celeborn's quiet voice speak behind him as he righted himself. "Haldir, hold. Let the healers in."
"Orophin? Oh, muindor, what have they done to you?"
"Haldir, let the healers have him." Celeborn repeated, stepping close to Haldir, his face unreadable as he gazed upon the two brothers and the tragic tableau of grief and pain that they presented.
Legolas pushed to his feet, coming to stand behind Celeborn to watch in helpless sorrow as Haldir gathered his brother into his arms, calling his name. The healers stood by helplessly. Finally, Celeborn stepped forward, placing his hand on Haldir's shoulder and speaking firmly. "Haldir! You must let the healers save him! This is doing him no good!"
Haldir turned his face upwards. Grief ravaged his features as he met Celeborn's steady gaze. Legolas had to look away. The proud countenance of the March Warden was gone and in it's place was a twisted reflection of the younger brothers tortured features. The healers came forward again, and this time, Haldir gently raised Orophin into their arms.
"Will he be all right?" Haldir's words hung in the suddenly oppressive air of the wood. One of the healers nodded.
"We'll do all we can, MarchWarden. Do not fear."
Orophin was lifted onto a litter and Haldir moved to take one end of it.
"Haldir. I need you here." Celeborn called him back, but Haldir hesitated, his eyes darting from Celeborn's face to Orophin's.
"My lord, I..."
"Haldir, that is an order. They will do all they can for him." Then Celeborn's face softened and he shook his head regretfully as, in a tone that for the first time expressed his distress and sympathy, he reminded him, "You have more than one brother to have concern for."

This seemed to shake Haldir out of his grief. His gaze hardened as he glanced out of the wood, towards the encampment of men, and he squeezed Orophin's hand before standing back from the litter. "I will come to you soon, Oro. I promise."
There was no indication that Orophin heard him as he was borne away. Haldir stepped back to Celeborn, but it was Legolas he faced. "Report, Courtesan. Tell me everything you know."
Legolas opened his mouth to report, then recalled himself, glancing at Celeborn for permission to speak.

The Elf Lord's voice was soft with care and grief, and he dropped a comforting hand to Legolas' shoulder. "Yes, Sarnlass, please. Tell us what you know."
Brushing unashamed tears from his cheeks, Legolas took a deep breath, trying to focus on something other than the image of Orophin's broken body. It was useless- the scene was branded before his eyes, even as he blinked and stammered. As accurately as he could, he detailed what he had seen of the encampment, how many men, how many horses and wains, and the positions of their fires and tents. He swallowed back tears once more as he added, "I'm sorry, My lords, I did not see R�mil amongst them. If he yet lives, I..."
"He lives!" Haldir rejected, his tone carrying his fear for his brothers. "If he did not, I would know."
Legolas felt hope surge for the first time since laying eyes on Orophin. Legolas knew with certainty that he himself would know whether or not his own siblings lived. Haldir would also feel such a bond to R�mil . He nodded reassuringly. "Then we will find him. They may have him hidden in one of the wains, or the larger tents.

Celeborn looked out then, towards the encampment and then drew them back further into the forest. "Haldir, we must plan. We will withdraw to the guard flet and hold council. Santgalas should arrive with the South Border Guard by nightfall, and the Northern Border Guard should be here shortly after."
Legolas glanced back over his shoulder and frowned at the tents in the meadow, speaking his thoughts quietly. "I think they are waiting for something. Perhaps they think to move after sunset. Or they thought that delivering poor Orophin to us in such a state would drive us to attack?"
"Or drive us deeper into the forest to hide." Haldir suggested, seeming not to notice who had spoken. "They are ignorant of our ways. Who knows what lies in the minds of such men." For a moment his expression faltered and his eyes clouded, "Men who could do such harm..."
"Orophin lives yet. There is hope. Our healers are of great skill." Celeborn tried to reassure Haldir, but the MarchWarden just shook his head and kept walking.
Legolas stepped behind Celeborn, trying to force himself to forget Orophin for the moment, and to keep his eyes focused on any danger around, and most definately, behind, them. He had half-turned to scan the edge of the forest again, and thus was startled when Celeborn's arm came around his shoulders and pulled him close.
"Are you well, Sarnlass?" There was tender concern in the crystal eyes, their usual crystaline gaze clouded with concern.
Celeborn squeezed his shoulder and Legolas felt some of the Lord's strength ebb into his body and raised his head to meet his eyes. Swallowing down the lump in his throat, he pressed out his answer, "I had thought last eve that I could not feel worse. That I could be so mistaken comes as something of a shock."
Celeborn turned Legolas towards him, and pulled him to his chest, his embrace strong and powerful. His scent was comforting, helping to erase the smells of Orophin's blood and fear and Legolas felt his breath slowing somewhat as he took in air for what felt like the first time since Orophin had been delivered into his hands. He felt himself relaxing into Celeborn's arms, and the mighty lord responded by dropping a light kiss on the top of his head.
After a moment, when Legolas felt more collected, he released him, giving his shoulders a last squeeze as he did. "Come, we must hold council before the others arrive."
They climbed lightly to the flet, and Legolas could feel the care of the tree in which it was placed, aiding to sooth his heart. This tree was glad of their presence, remembered something of older ways in its spirit, and Legolas's heart strengthened further.
Haldir and two of his commanders where already there and Celeborn seated himself with them, gesturing for Legolas to sit beside him. Lembas was passed around, as well as flagons of cold tea. Legolas picked at his food as the others began discussion of what to do.
"We could wait until nightfall and attack. Our archers can reach into their camp without leaving the forest, and a contingent could make their way around and encircle them." One of Haldir's commanders suggested, but Celeborn rejected it.
"No attack. We wait for them to come to us. As long as they do not enter the forest, I say they are not a threat."
Legolas flushed with anger, somehow holding his tongue.
Haldir kept no such restraint, bridling instantly. "Not a threat?! Did you see what they did to Orophin? I would see them all dead!"
Celeborn raised his hand, quieting Haldir, "I know what they did, but I do not feel that all were responsible. In any effort of this nature there is an instigator. I would not see innocent men slaughtered for the actions of one man."
At the Elf Lord's reasonable tone, Haldir frowned, but calmed himself. "Then we wait for them to attack before slaying them."
"And what of R�mil?" Celeborn asked reasonably. "We cannot risk his life through foolhardy actions."
Haldir's eyes narrowed in fury, then clouded again as his shoulders slumped slightly. "Then what, pray tell, My Lord, do you suggest?"
"My first priority is to this forest and the Elves that dwell within it." Celeborn's smile was grim, reminding Haldir that this priority also belonged to him. "I would see R�mil found and safe. Once that is done, I assume the Men will either attack, or recognize the foolhardiness of their actions and retreat entirely."
Legolas spoke up cautiously, "I had a good look at their encampment, My Lord. I think I can puzzle out where they might hide a prisoner."
He half expected to be reprimanded for speaking out, but Celeborn regarded him for a long moment, "You speak my thoughts, Sarnlass. We need a rescue reconaissance. You've been closest, seen the most. If you are willing to go?"
Legolas was already nodding, a surge of certainty guiding his words, "I would not leave R�mil to their hands any longer!"
"No," Celeborn said quietly, "I know you would rush out there right now, but I say we wait for nightfall before moving." He paused, glancing down at Legolas' lap, "And eat that. It does you no good outside of your stomach."
Legolas looked down at the uneaten Lembas in his hands and frowned. His appetite was gone entirely.
"I'll go with him." Haldir asserted, thankfully drawing attention from Legolas. But Celeborn shook his head.
"I need you here, Haldir. Santgalas will arrive soon. He and Sarnlass will retrieve R�mil ."

"He's my brother." Haldir's voice whispered angrily across the flet, and Legolas felt himself scooting backwards from the quiet ferocity of the MarchWarden.
There was silence from the others as for a long moment, Haldir faced Celeborn.

"MarchWarden, your position is with your guard right now. They need you." Celeborns voice was soft, but no less powerful, "I need you. You must trust Santgalas in your place. R�mil is his kin as well."
At this reminder, Haldir stood still, eye to eye with Lord Celeborn. Finally, he sighed and nodded. "It pains me, but you speak true, My Lord. We will await Santgalas' arrival."

With that, Haldir and his commanders took their leave, passing Seldayan on the way in. The tall Elf's eyes were reddened, and he still looked pale, but he gave Lord Celeborn a small smile as he bowed before him.
"I did not have chance to greet you properly on my arrival this morning, My Lord."
Celeborn's smile was warm in return in spite of his cares, and he embraced Seldayan briefly as he returned the greeting. "You did well today, Sel. I know how difficult it was for you to see Orophin in such a state."
The Elf did not speak, but blinked his eyes against a fresh onslaught of tears.
"But now, you must try to put it from your mind. Sarnlass must eat and rest, and so must you. I will want your bow at my side this night, whatever happens."
Seldayan straightened, 'Of course, My Lord."
"Sarnlass, while you eat, see if you can sketch out their encampment in your mind."
Celeborn did not say it, but Legolas knew he meant the exercise to figure out where they had hidden R�mil . If they had hidden him. If he still liv...
"Sarnlass!" Celeborn spoke sharply, "Think only of finding him. Do not dwell on what may not be."
As he left the flet, he ordered, "Sel, see that he eats that even if you have to force it down his throat."
Seldayan settled by Legolas' side, his gaze dull with grief. "I would do it, too. Best that you eat."
"And you?"
A half-smirk came over his fair face as he answered, "I couldn't eat now if Manwe himself commanded me."
"You returned from the borders this morning?" Legolas asked, picking once more at the Lembas.
"The Lady sent word that Illiene was injured and that our Lord was running you ragged." The green eyes gave a glittering appraisal of Legolas' body, "You don't look it, though. You look as fresh as a new babe, even with all of the running today. Still, the Lady thought you could use some help."
"Then I thank her!" Legolas spoke more enthusiastically than he'd intended. "Truthfully, I was feelng a bit over-stretched."
Now Seldayan managed to squeek a laugh from his sorrow constricted throat, "I'll take that how you meant it, and not how it sounded. Or is that how you meant it?"
It was Legolas' turn to laugh, and he nodded. "Both, I suppose."
Somehow, he managed to force a piece of Lembas into his mouth. The delicate flavor burst onto his tongue, enervating him. Before he knew it, he'd eaten the whole thing, and had some tea as well.
He rested for a long time, high in the trees of Lothlorien, listening to the murmurs of the forest, and the restlessness of the animals. As the sun shifted far to the west, the whispers of the trees shifted, and he listened as they sang out that new Elves were coming, some Elves that they had not greeted in many years.
The South and Northern Border Guards had arrived.

ta da!

--------------------------
Lessee--

Uhhhh, HI! It's been a long strange couple of weeks, what with Thranduil and Legolas showing up to read and comment and bash. I really appreciate the support from you all. Thranduil and I have exchanged e-mails and have agreed to disagree. I've asked him to keep any reviews to productive input on the story and it's progress, not merely bashing the subject matter, but we shall see. I've wasted enough time rethinking and rewriting and agonizing. Time to just write the story!

Gabby - Thanks for your support! You made me smile when Thranduil had me steaming mad. The bit about Celeborn disconnecting Legolas' dsl had me snickering all day long! I do hope that you haven't been pulling wings off butterflies or kicking kittens just because of my evil corrupting ways. As I mentioned, if you must kick, kick Glorfindel. He likes it! :)
MarzBar - YAY! You're here! All will be revealed about the plan of the evil Men soon. (And ..shh....don't tell the others, but Orophin really WILL be okay. I promise.)

Nim- Long hot threesomes? More het? Hot yummy sweet Haldir/Legolas/Illiene threesomes, maybe? And yes, all of Oro's beautiful yellow hair is gone. :( I'm sorry, it truly pained me to hurt him so much in the name of plot-line. I'll try to make it all better!
Aislynn Crowdaughter- Thank you so much for your invaluable input. You are one of the writers who I admire most on this board, and I'm grateful for your input. THANK YOU! (And Rumil is fine...really...) NOW, go write more "Mael-Gul"...pretty please? With Elves on top?
Setarezan- You can now find Fifteen Years at my Ripway site! It's not clean and it's not pretty, but it's readable.
justso - I agree that I'm walking a fine line with this story, as I do with all my longer works. It's not easy, certainly, and I do hope you'll warn me when you think that I AM crossing that line into Morgoth's lair.
Tuxedo Elf- HI! I've missed you! As for making Oro alright again..hmmm... lets see...what does the Magic 8-Ball say?...
nikkiling- I love you, too! And thanks for your faith in me! I'm having a great time writing this and I promise I won't make you all wait too long before we get rid of the nasssssssssty menses!
(oops, sorry. Smeagol moment. I'll try to contain him.)
Manitou- Manwe bless you for your patience over the past two weeks. You've been a champion and a hero. *big HUG*
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Continuation: Fifteen Years in Lothlorien