simbelmyne

WARNING: THIS STORY IS RATED NC-17

Not long ago, a group of authors of the Open Scrolls Archive gathered and started a Virtual Village based on the premise of a new world that resembled Middle Earth but wasn't Tolkien's Middle Earth. It was an Alternate Universe, where time and space had little meaning :

IImedhuir: The Valley of the Dark Dreams

A Tale of the Founding of Imedhuir
Authors: Imedhuir Moderators (Andreth, Moralanqua, Sindohte) posted here with their permission.

This is the story of how Thranduil founded the Valley of Dark Dreams.

Chapter 1 - Imedhuir

And so it came to pass that the prophecy was at last fulfilled. Arda's time had come to an end and the time to welcome a new world had arrived. The Music of creation rang out once more across the deeps of Time, the voices of Elves and Men now joined together with those of the Ainur to sing in the chorus. But it was said that in each Age things unforetold and unforeseen would come to pass, and this new Age was no different from those before it.

Morgoth had once been counted among the Valar, powerful beyond all his brethren, though little now remained of that power. Yet it was enough to allow him to cast his song through the Door of Night and join the chorus of the Ainur as he had in the First Music, adding his discord and unrest to what had been a perfect harmony of creation.

Arda remained, its reshaping halted - but it was not alone. What was to have been Arda Unmarred now existed amidst the innumerable stars and it was called Earth, though it too had been scarred by Morgoth's hatred. That hatred burned brightest for those who had helped bring about his downfall, those Mortal and Elven men throughout all the Ages of Middle-earth. They had defeated not only Morgoth, but also his servants who were to have carried on his work and now he wished for revenge. What better way to have vengeance upon your enemy than to take that which is dearest to him…

Those Mortals and Elves, and others who had helped, suddenly found themselves in Arda once again, in the lands of Middle-earth they thought had been forever left behind. But one vital part of their lives had been taken from them…their women. Some had been inadvertently pulled back with the males, but those women were few and scarce. After a time the Mortals among them realized they did not age, and all noticed that the few women among them did not conceive. The Wise understood - Middle-earth should not still exist, but it did and as such it was a harbor untouched by the waves of Time. There would be no death among them and in a place where there was no death, neither could there be new life.

Now fully realizing their situation and lacking companionship, many men wandered here and there, leading an aimless and lonely existence.

Among those wanderers was Thranduil, King of Mirkwood, and during his wanderings he noticed many things. First and foremost among them was the difference in the lands of Middle-earth. The interrupted reshaping had changed many things - all the cities and kingdoms were now gone and only unfamiliar terrain greeted him on his journeys.

His wanderings eventually led him to a mountain valley, well hidden and clearly undisturbed. A meandering river ran through the fertile lands, its clear waters cutting a blue swath between the grasslands to the west and the woodlands to the east. The river waters formed a large lake at the southern end of the valley and at the far end of the lake the waters spilled over the surrounding rocks, forming a large waterfall beyond which the river continued its journey south. Here Thranduil built a dwelling for himself and spent many long days in the peace of the valley, naming it Imedhuir, the Valley of Dark Dreams, for at that time he saw no hope of fulfilling his dreams of companionship. On an afternoon while exploring the northern mountains, Thranduil happened upon a cave and in the gloom there he found hope.

When he first saw the shimmering light his head grew heavy and his sight grew dim. He paused, thinking he had reached a back entrance to the cave but as he drew closer he knew the lands that lay beyond the light were not those of Middle-earth. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and a tingling sensation raced across his skin as he drew nearer to the strange opening, yet he remained undaunted in his curiosity to solve this mystery. He looked into the light for some time before gathering enough courage to touch his hand to it, but his fingers met with no solid substance. They passed through the light as easily as if it were air and he quickly pulled his hand back. Thranduil spent many hours for many days sitting on a rock near the cave wall, studying the vague images he saw within.

One evening as Thranduil sat in the cave, a shuffle of noise behind him caught his attention. He jumped to his feet, casting a fierce glare at the tall being standing nearby and stepped forward to meet him.

"What do you want here?" Thranduil asked in his commanding tone. "Who are you?"

"Annatar is the name I am known by now, and I am here for the same reason as you, Thranduil," he replied, pointing to the light on the wall. "If you will allow me a moment, I will explain."

Thranduil recognized the name of the Maia standing before him, he who had once been Sauron. While Thranduil did not trust Annatar and his first instinct was to send him away, Thranduil reconsidered. Instead, he granted the request of an audience, curious to hear what Annatar had to say. He told Thranduil of Morgoth's vengeance and all that had occurred as a result of Morgoth's interference. As before, Eru Ilúvatar had not changed the Music disrupted by Morgoth, knowing nothing could be done that would not eventually serve the better good of all. But another unforeseen event had come about and this one the Valar deemed it best to resolve.

Though two worlds now existed, they had been one in the beginning and in a few hidden places they were still joined. The Valar sent three Maiar to close these rifts in the Walls of Arda that no one would happen upon them and cause further problems. The three Maiar closed the first of these openings and then had gone their separate ways; Alatar and Pallando taking the task of closing the others, and Annatar had come to find the one Thranduil now stood before. Yet Annatar now said he had no intention of completing that task and wished the gate to remain open.

"And why is that?" Thranduil asked, narrowing his eyes as he studied Annatar.

"The world you see on the opposite side of the light is called Earth and in it live many Mortals," Annatar said, "Those on Earth cannot pass through these gates on their own, for the gates originate here, yet we can pass through them and return."

Something sparked in Thranduil's eyes and the corner of his mouth turned up with the hint of a smile. "We can return and bring things back with us?"

"Things such as what?" Annatar asked, his face impassive.

"Things such as women."

Annatar smiled and nodded in agreement and the gesture filled Thranduil with satisfaction and relief beyond imagination. Now he knew the people and places he had seen beyond the light had been real.

"I have heard of your great wisdom, Thranduil, and I see it is true," Annatar said with a measure of respect. "Yes, we can return with things such as women. In fact, the women of Earth far outnumber the men, so perhaps we will be…balancing the scales, as it were."

"Perhaps there are too many because they belong here?" Thranduil said musingly, studying the shifting colors in the circle of light. "Perhaps we will be performing an intended task."

Annatar shrugged one shoulder. "You speak of fate and of that I am uncertain. However, I have found that fate is most effective when we point it in the proper direction."

Thranduil narrowed his eyes at Annatar again. "For what reason do you offer this aid?"

"Do not misinterpret my actions as being selfless, Thranduil," Annatar replied in honesty, "we Maiar may suffer from loneliness as well. I am not at home among my own kind. Many years did I live in Middle-earth and I prefer its lands and its people."

Annatar paused for a moment and added, "Alatar and Pallando will come searching to ensure my task was completed. They do not share my longing for the lands of Middle-earth and they will not hesitate to close this last opening. The Valar do not understand the life to which they will condemn you all: indefinitely long and without companionship. With my powers I can sustain a boundary, keeping others out and keeping this valley hidden."

Thranduil knew of Annatar's past deeds and was wary of any help he had to offer, and his distrust was not unexpected. Annatar walked to the cave wall and studied the blurred images there.

"The images…they are always so indistinct?" Annatar asked, nodding his head toward the circle of light.

Thranduil looked up at the man now standing next to him and said, "No, not always. At times they are clear but those times have been brief and infrequent. This gate will be useless to us if we cannot see where it is we are going."

"You are quite right, Thranduil. It will be of no use to us if we cannot see," Annatar said and held his hand out, stopping it close to the wall of light. He spoke in a loud and commanding tone. "Akašân."

The word spoken in the tongue of the Valar grated in Thranduil's ears but suddenly the air crackled and he heard a low hum emanating from the light. He smiled and his eyes widened as they studied the images in the light, now clear and sharp. Annatar showed him many things: cities filled with buildings that would tower over the tallest trees in Middle-earth and the many people in those cities, living so close and crowded like fish in a small stream. One sight in particular amazed Thranduil; many of those people had their own gates of light to watch, kept in their own homes. Yet theirs were not walls of light but boxes that could be opened and closed. These mortals employed many such strange devices and Thranduil began to wonder whether women from so strange a world could ever be expected to live in Middle-earth.

Then Annatar showed him the countryside between these crowded cities and as Thranduil watched mountains, valleys, rivers and meadows pass by his anxiety eased. Yes, this new world was not so different after all…

"I will help you find your companions and bring them back," Annatar said. "None can control the gates, save myself and the Blue Wizards."

Thranduil studied Annatar closely and said, "So the Valar trusted you enough to send you to perform this task for them. I cannot imagine they will be pleased to discover your disobedience."

"The Valar offered me a chance for redemption. You will forgive me if I do not share the means by which I earned that chance," Annatar said and met Thranduil's gaze. "I will assume responsibility for my actions to the Valar when the time comes."

Though his distrust had not eased, in his wisdom Thranduil could at least perceive that Annatar spoke the truth. Thranduil also knew he had no choice. He could not risk the chance of the other Maiar closing this gate between worlds and taking with it any chance of finding female company. Thranduil agreed to Annatar's proposal on the condition that Annatar would swear loyalty and recognize Thranduil as the ruler of this valley. This Annatar did and afterward they set about building a settlement for they knew it would not be proper to bring women to these empty lands.

But this task required more than just their effort, and Thranduil also wished to share this place and the promise of female companionship with his friends and family. He left the valley long enough to find a few trusted friends and family to carry the message of a new home and new hope. They carried Thranduil's message through the lands and then returned, bringing others with them. Some of these Elves and Mortals Thranduil had no liking or use for, but in fairness deemed them worthy of entrance. All who entered took Thranduil as their ruler and he made each man give their word to remain within the boundaries of those lands. He would not risk having his secret valley discovered. Despite his trust in the strength of Annatar's boundaries, Thranduil's first edict as ruler was for the Elves and Mortals to each take their turn in providing a constant patrol of the valley's borders.

Spurred by the thought of feminine company, the men, both Elven and Mortal, worked tirelessly and had soon completed their village. Now their planning began. Thranduil allowed the men to spend time in the cave, where Annatar showed each one the different areas of Earth. Thranduil also instructed the men - first, not to take too many women from any one place so as not to raise suspicion, and second, to make certain of their choice. The journeys to Earth would have to be made with haste and secrecy, and each man would have only one opportunity.

The men took their turns, sitting in the cave and watching the strange world until they found a woman whose appearance and behavior suited their preferences. Some made their choices quickly but others did not. The impatience and eagerness in the men who had chosen soon rose to an almost unbearable level. Thranduil decided it was time to begin their trips to Earth and those who had not yet chosen would be allowed to go when they had found a suitable companion. Thranduil personally oversaw each visit to Earth and all were successful.

Now the men, of course, wanted to take the women directly to their homes, but Thranduil, being a wise leader, thought better of this. He had the women taken to an establishment he owned in the village, known as the Wayward Inn. This seemed fitting, for many of the rooms in the upper floors had served as a temporary home for new arrivals to the village until their homes were prepared and some rooms were also used as places of gathering. The Inn sat atop a large hill near the base of the northern mountains, its large structure visible from most everywhere in the village. Only the servants were allowed in the lower floors of the Inn, which Thranduil referred to as the House of Correction though none knew why. Those rooms he kept locked and rumor had it that somewhere in the lower floors was a secret entrance to an underground tunnel leading to Thranduil's home. The halls of his palace had been delved in the foothills of the mountains that rose behind the Inn for he did dearly miss his underground halls in Mirkwood.

Some of the rooms in the House of Correction were prepared for the women and Thranduil staffed them with the few native women who dwelt in the village. He allowed none but himself and the female servants to have contact with their new visitors, telling the men of the village it would be less frightening that way. There the women from Earth were allowed to grow accustomed to their new surroundings, learning of the languages and the culture of Middle-earth. There many of the women from Earth also discovered a side to Thranduil's nature of which few were aware.

Upon awakening, the women were disoriented and frightened, as would be expected, but Thranduil was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly and readily the women from this new Arda adapted to their new home, particularly after discovering they would not age. They soon felt comfortable there, even forming tight-knit groups they came to refer to as families. His curiosity was piqued when the women first told him of their homes and he soon discovered that, despite the similarities, the world of Earth was far, far different from that of Middle-earth. The women, too, were far different from those of Middle-earth. These women were strong willed, intelligent, and independent: traits that Thranduil admired and found intriguing - and exciting. He was uncertain how the other men of Middle-earth would react to these qualities in their female companions, but for his part he intended to enjoy it to the fullest while he was able.

During those first days spent at the Wayward Inn many women had their turn in Thranduil's bedchambers. Even though the Elven lord was most beguiling, some women still chose not to share his company. But the more fortunate among them were not unwilling; in fact, some were more willing than others and to those women Thranduil revealed the many pleasures of his secret rooms, forbidden yet enjoyable. Regardless of the lessons taught, Thranduil's tutelage had an effect on all the women under his care.

After Thranduil told them of the reasons for their being brought to Middle-earth these women, being highly intelligent and resourceful creatures, soon reasoned out one delightful fact and the more headstrong among them voiced it plainly. The men of the village desperately desired female company - their company - and that desperate desire gave the women power. These men had been lonely for centuries, knowledge the Earth women put to their advantage, some of them even turning the tables on the men who chose them. Many of the women took additional lovers from among the still unattached men, referring to these companions as 'pets', though Thranduil would allow each woman no more than two.

Men now found themselves in the submissive position, forced to share their women with others and to submit to the forbidden pleasures their women had learned at the hands of Thranduil. Though some of the men resisted the changes in the beginning, they found the change of power positions strangely exciting and all eventually accepted these new ways.

More women came to Middle-earth after this initial group and Thranduil instructed all of them during their first days. To them all he gives the same send-off when it is their time to leave the Wayward Inn for their new homes.

After a farewell show of affection ranging from a mere kiss to a more…demonstrative display, whichever is preferred, Thranduil speaks these parting words:

"Imedhuir is now your home and so it shall remain. There are few rules here, but to those few there will be strict adherence. Boundaries exist around these lands and you will know them if you reach them; never cross these boundaries even if by some chance you should find a way. There are many other males in this world lacking companions and they are not all so good at heart as those who reside in this village. Should strangers ever find their way around our boundaries and wander into the valley, tell them nothing of where you came from or by what means you arrived here."

And for those to whom it applies, he adds:

"Lastly, remember that here in Middle-earth it was I who first received what gifts you had to give. Regardless of whose bed you share in the future, I claim my rights to you that you will pleasure me whenever I wish it. I am ruler of this valley and I demand strict obedience from my subjects - my female subjects in particular. Disobey me or displease me and you will receive a punishment of my choosing. Obey me and please me and perhaps you will receive a punishment of your own choosing. Be on your way now, my dear, and I hope you find great pleasure during your new life in my Valley of Dark Dreams."

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