Vales of Sorrow

Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings...It all belongs to the Good Professor J R R Tolkien

VALES OF SORROW

Genre: HET AU ROMANCE starts many years before Fellowship of the Ring ends after Return of the King

Beta: Novedhelion

Pairings: Haldir/OFC, Aragorn/Arwen, Legolas/OFC
All the others....and a few more

Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings... It all belongs to the Good Professor J R R Tolkien

Only two years late..,

Summary: An injured Elleth, rescued by four Noble Elves, has secrets that will have repercussions for Lothlórien, Mirkwood, and Rivendell

Chapter 6

There Can Always Be More

Libraleyne did not know how much longer she could hold out. In spite of Elrohir's care, her back was on fire, her jaw ached, and breathing was getting harder. She also knew that something was not right inside her.

"Crelaine," she whispered. "You should go home now. Please. Tell Carah I love her."

"I can't do that, Mislyn." He couldn't bring himself to call her anything else. "I have to know."

She looked at him, tears trickling down her cheeks. "You have Haldir's word that you will be told of my progress. It is time for you to return to your family and your duties."

Crelaine saw the pain on her face and in the rigidity of how she held herself. It grieved him that she was in such a state and that he had to go back to Roadside without her. "Very well," he said quietly, kissing her forehead. "I place you in the capable hands of these kind Elves."

He turned to Haldir. "I hold you to your promise." Without another word he mounted his horse and did not look back. The other Reeves, leading the prisoners' horses, followed.

"Elrohir," Libraleyne gasped. A spot of blood appeared on the front of her undergarment, then spread out. "Help...me." Haldir caught her before she fell over.

***

Tuomen knelt beside Elladan as the younger Elf was pulling rocks from Janap's grave and grasped his shoulder. "What do you hope to gain by such a childish display?" he demanded tersely. "Must I remind you that I have more reason than you to hate humans? Unless you are ready to tell everyone exactly what happened, you will rein in your emotions and behave as one in your position ought. Will you further shame your brother and uncle? Give them more to worry about? Would you wish for your parents and grandparents to see you like this?"

Elladan stilled. He knew the truth of Tuomen's words, knew that his own hatred of humans could never equal that of Tuomen. The Lothlórien Gamekeeper never spoke of the tragedy that had involved them both more than six years past. "I beg your pardon, Tuomen," he said quietly. "I am haunted, but you are correct in that I should not make more problems for Elrohir and Haldir." He sat, draped his arms over his knees, and drew in deep breaths. "This one should be left for the carrion eaters." He stood up in time to see Haldir catch Libraleyne and ran back to the group.

Unseen by anyone, Tuomen kicked at Janap's uncovered arm and hand. "I hope to witness the annihilation of your kind, human. Maybe then, I will find peace."

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After taking the time to adhere to Celebrian's admonition to eat breakfast, the Lords of Lothlórien, Imladris and Mirkwood were ready to go and meet the returning party of Elves.

"I suppose we should be grateful that our children waited until the last day to find trouble, " Celeborn said wryly as he mounted his horse. He looked at Elrond. "And doubly glad that my grandsons were not the cause."

The dark-haired Elf smiled. "Why is it that Elladan and Elrohir get the most blame when things do not go as planned?"

Thanduil laughed heartily. "Do you really want an answer to that, my friend? Haldir is by the book and Legolas tries to avoid problems. Poor Elrohir usually has to pick up after Elladan has gotten them both into some sort of scrape. That has been the case since they were able to walk."

Celeborn joined in the laughter. He loved all his children and was proud of them. But he had a special fondness for the sons of his beloved Celebrian. That he favored Elladan was a fact he kept to himself, although he was sure Galadriel knew. "We will know the details soon."

The three set off at a canter.

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Elrohir carefully eased Libraleyne upright and she fell weakly against him. "Do not give up now, Libraleyne. Stay with us."

Haldir gasped. He had his right hand on Libraleyne's stomach and felt a sticky wetness. "Elrohir! She's bleeding more." The Marchwarden moved his hand and carefully held her so the dark-haired Ellon could examine her. There was a large bloodstain just below the waist of her drawers and it was getting bigger.

Elrohir cursed under his breath, something he seldom did. "I am sorry, Libraleyne, but the rest of your modesty will have to go." He cut away the plain garment and placed a thick pad over the puncture wound. It too was soon dripping. "Too much. Galuon! I need your help!"

Galuon, younger son of Galion, Seneschal of Mirkwood, knelt behind Libraleyne. He was a trained healer also, and had studied with Elrond, but had stayed out of the way until Elrohir asked for his help. He put his hands gently behind her shoulders and eased her back so that Elrohir could better see the newest problem with the Elleth. Galuon kept his hold on her shoulders so her back wouldn't touch the ground as he let her head come to rest on his thighs. "You are very brave, my lady. May I add my pleas to those who wish for you to stay with us?"

"Thank you," she whispered trying to remain still, then jerked as Elrohir tried again to stem the flow of blood. "Haldir..."

"I'm here," Haldir assured her.

Elladan reached them, took one look at Libraleyne and his brother, then hurried to the supply wagon. From the medical chest, he took a pouch of red pepper powder, a jar of clear liquid, and more bandages and cloths. "It is a good thing," he muttered, "that none of us were sick or injured during the past year. Everything may be used on this mysterious Elleth I only hope we do not lose her." He walked back to Elrohir and Libraleyne, set down the jar beside the bandages and cloths, opened the pouch, and handed it to his brother.

"I was about to ask for this," Elrohir said as he poured water into a cup, then shook some of the powder into it. "I need you to drink this, Libraleyne. It is bitter and burns going down, but it should help." He handed the cup to Haldir.

Haldir and Galuon helped the Elleth drink the mixture and she coughed as it all threatened to come back up. Fresh tears, and gasping breaths jarred her slender frame as more blood welled in her wounds.

Elladan locked gazes with his twin, both remembering the same thing, then turned away. "I will help you make the paste. But, you need to give Libraleyne something for her pain. The paste burns like fire...I know that personally. Ada needed both Glorfindel and Erestor to hold me so you could help him." He swallowed hard.

Galuon looked at both of them before saying, "Legolas. Sing to Libraleyne. If she is unconscious, we can work more quickly and get her into the wagon. She has to be out of the sun."

Quietly, Legolas began. "Losto, hen nín, ar sîdh no ah le Trî i dhaw bân," he stopped when he realized that Libraleyne had started singing...in Common.

"Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee," her voice was soft. "All through the night."

They continued together,

Velain diriel Eru le tegitha
Guardian angels God will send thee
Trî i dhaw bân
All through the night
Moe i lui reviar
Soft the drowsy hours are keeping
Emyn ar imlaid ned îdh lostar
Hill and vale in slumber steeping
Im - dirith nín vilui hebin
I, my loving vigil keeping
Trî i dhaw bân
All through the night.

By the beginning of the second verse her words were not quite as pronounced.

Ir Ithil dirith în hêb
While the moon her watch is keeping
Trî i dhaw bân
All through the night
Ir Amar 'ern losta
While the weary world is sleeping
Trî i dhaw bân
All through the night
Or reviar vilui
O'er thy spirit gently stealing
Genaid e galu annol
Visions of delight revealing
Thuiol lind buig ar aer
Breathes a pure and holy feeling
Trî i dhaw bân
All through the night

The song ended and Libraleyne was deeply asleep.

Elladan and Elrohir worked quickly to make enough paste of the pepper powder to put on all of the Elleth's wounds. Even completely unconscious, Libraleyne jerked when the fiery substance was applied to her stomach. They finished off by putting a thick pad over the paste and tied it in place with a wide bandage.

"Now," Elrohir said, "Let us put her in the wagon. There I can tend to her back and we can start for Lothlórien."

He looked at Haldir. "Will you ride with us in case she wakens? She seems to trust you. And Galuon? Will you stay close by?"

Both Ellyn nodded.

In the wagon, sleeping furs had been spread out and a soft blanket over them. An awning was attached to poles that had been fastened to the sides of it and the Athelas braziers were already in place, the cleansing smoke already wafting over the makeshift bed. It would also help keep her asleep. Haldir climbed in first and helped Legolas, Galuon and Elladan lift Libraleyne up and inside to lay her on her stomach being careful with her left shoulder and the left side of her face. When she was safely settled, Elrohir would swab her back with the clear liquid distilled from the witch hazel shrub, apply the pepper paste, then leave it uncovered until he got Elrond's advice on further treatment.

The look on Haldir's face was grim as he loosened her hair after draping another blanket over her hips. He wished that he could kill Janap again...with his bare hands. He had questions for Elladan or Tuomen. It was time they told him what that symbol was and why they both hated humans so much. But his major concern at the moment was the Elleth he wanted to protect from any more harm. And, much as he trusted Elrohir and Galuon, he would be glad when they got her to Elrond. He was determined that Libraleyne would live.

Elladan exchanged looks with Tuomen as he mounted his horse and made his way to the front of the assembled Elves. "I want the wagon surrounded on all sides. We are half a day's ride from Lothlórien, but we may take longer because of our patient. Her safety is our main responsibility." He watched as Legolas and Galuon tied their horses and those of Haldir and Elrohir behind one of the other wagons before climbing into the driver's seat of the one which carried Libraleyne. As soon as everyone was in place, Elladan raised his hand to begin the rest of their journey. It was good that no one could see his face.

Tuomen brought up the rear. He too had much to ponder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the border of Lothlórien, the three Elven Lords stopped their horses and dismounted. They would wait there for their sons and the other Ellyn who had been gone for the past year.

The Wardens who patrolled this part of the Golden Wood left their posts to pay their respects to the Silver Lord. Rúmil was among them.

"My Lord." He bowed to Celeborn. "They were sighted from the topmost lookout post, and will soon be here. May I ask if there is a special reason you have come to greet Haldir and those under his charge?"

Celeborn rested his hand on Rúmil's shoulder. "Tuomen sent a missive with a messenger hawk. Less than a day from home and they have perhaps run into some trouble. We thought is best to come to the border." He heard the sound of hooves and wheels. "Ah, they are here."

He strode toward Elldan who was leading the way. He was about to welcome him when a scream cut through the late afternoon quiet.

Before Haldir could stop her, Libraleyne was on her knees, heedless of the cuts on them, eyes still closed and screaming. "No! The trees...the trees...danger...too much danger. The trees say...they say...cannot be here." She swayed and Haldir caught her against him, but she fought free, tears running down her cheeks as she focused on him. "Twice I have come this far. Twice the trees warned me not to stay."

The wagon had stopped and Galuon and Legolas were around the sides seconds later. Legolas had heard her remarks about the trees. "Libraleyne, the trees talked to you?"

She could only nod then began to cough.

"How can the trees talk to her?" Galuon asked.

"I do not know," Legolas answered. "But she must not be able to understand them. All I hear from them is a joyful welcome...almost as if they know who she is."

"It is all right for me to be here?" Libraleyne's voice was barely audible. "Why could I not know that? I do not understand."
She crossed her arm s and a keening moan escaped her as she leaned against Haldir, her head against his chest. "Ghia'sui," she said. "Ghia'sui...Ghia'sui." She repeated it several times more.
Haldir, Elrohir, Galuon, and Legolas did not know what she was saying. The two from the Greenwood moved aside as Elrond and
Celeborn came rushing to them in time to hear her.

"Ghia'sui. Ghia'empella...Ghia'empella Libraleyene."

Celeborn had an astonished look on his face. Who was this Elleth? And how did she know a long unused language?

"She is speaking Istaran. She says that she is here and that her name is Libraleyne."

Libraleyne met his gaze, then her eyes rolled back in her head and she was once again unconscious.

tbc

Thank you to Riyalynn for the advice on what will stop bleeding. Thank you Novedhelion for all your help...and for knowing who to ask about what would stop bleeding. Thank you Lady Malinorne for all your wonderful translations. And thank you to all who did not give up on me when I came very close to giving up on myself. And I apologize for jumbling and butchering Latin and French.

http://wilstar.com/jukebox.htm music and lyrics to All Through the Night. I used the first two verses. It is my favorite lullabye.

http://www.contemplator.com/wales/allnight.html a little history of the song.

http://ingeb.org/songs/sleepmyc.html more history...different verses