Tolkien reader inserts/one shots

Guilt (Lord Elrond x fem!reader)

You had a secret. A dark secret. One that threatened to come to light every second you spent in Rivendell. And yet, you kept finding yourself drawn back there. You weren't an idiot. You knew why. Lord Elrond. Over the time you spent with him, you found yourself falling in love with him. You knew he felt something too, but that couldn't keep you there for long.

You knew that Elrond's people wondered why you kept running. They knew how you felt about each other. Anyone with eyes could see. So why did you keep pushing it away? Why did you keep running from it? The answer would become clear many, many years after you first meeting with Elrond. When Lady Eowyn let it slip after the battle with the Witch King of Angmar.

That battle would live on in your mind for the rest of your life. You had been standing with Eowyn on the battlefield when he appeared before you. Tall, dark, and menacing, you felt a shiver of fear run down your spine when you laid eyes upon him. His attention first focused on Eowyn for it seemed he deemed her the biggest threat. But after a moment, it shifted to you and he...paused.

"Blood of my blood," he hissed and you fought the urge to cover your ears against the poisonous words. "You betray your people?" You glared, gripping your sword a bit tighter. " You poison the land and the hearts of good men and women. You lead them astray all in the name of a master I will never serve. You are not my people. They are." The Witch King let out a hissing laugh, making you flinch. It was a sound that would replay in your ears over and over again.

"When they discover what you are, they will turn on you and you shall come to my side. Where you were always meant to be." You denied it vehemently. That was when Eowyn decided to step in again. You were grateful and you went back to fighting the Witch King's men. You knew you couldn't kill him. It was part of the curse of your blood. You couldn't kill him, but she could. And when that shriek echoed across the battlefield, you rejoiced with everyone else.

Now, you were seated between Eowyn and Elrond celebrating Aragorn's coronation. Conversation was light and happy, but every time you saw Eowyn looking at you, she looked troubled and confused. "What troubles you, Lady Eowyn?" you asked, taking a sip from your goblet.

"What did he mean?" she asked as she turned to face you more fully. You could feel Elrond's gaze boring in to the side of your head. "Who?" Eowyn took a drink from her own goblet and met your eyes again. "The Witch King. 'Blood of my blood' he called you." You stiffened and froze in your seat. Elrond next to you was frozen too, as if he were on edge waiting for your answer.

You couldn't breathe. The walls were closing in on you. Even though it was only Eowyn and Elrond looking at you, it felt like the eyes of everyone in the room were focused on you. You needed to get out of there as soon as possible. But you knew you couldn't leave Eowyn without an answer.

"I think you know what it means," you whispered to her, "It's the reason I never remain in one place for too long. The reason I have been shunned in so many villages and towns. Once people learn the truth, they tend to fear me. Curse me. Now, if you'll please excuse me." With that, you rose as gracefully as you could without drawing attention to yourself and slipped out of the great room to be alone for a while.

Guilt was a funny thing. Sometimes, it sat in the back of your head and you were able to ignore it. And sometimes, it came suddenly, running in and screeching to a halt at the forefront of every single thought. You felt it quite often. Especially in Rivendell. You felt guilty for your bloodline. And you felt guilty for allowing yourself to feel something for Elrond. You felt guilty for not telling him when you first met him. You hated the guilt, but you knew that, if you had told him, he would have treated you like everyone else had.

"Y/N?" The sound of your name broke you from your thought spiral. You whirled around to find Elrond behind you. "Lord Elrond," you greeted formally, causing his brows to furrow. You hadn't been formal with him for some time. "Something is bothering you, Y/N." You scoffed lightly.

"Clearly. I know you were listening. You know what I am now. You know why I can't-can't stay with you no matter how much I want to. I would only taint the light you bring to the world. To Imladris." Elrond smiled at you. You grew confused. "What?"

"I have known for quite some time, Melamin. Have you forgotten that I have the gift of Sight?" You simply stared at him for several moments while he waited for your reply. He knew? He knew your heritage and never said anything? Not only that but had he just called you his love?! Your mind was racing again so fast you couldn't keep up. It was only when Elrond spoke again that your mind went blank.

"Y/N, your heritage does not matter to me. I admit that I was...wary at first. But as we grew close, I began to understand that we are not our ancestors. King Aragorn has proven that even further. I have not seen where the future will take us, Melamin, but I know that I cannot see it without you in there."

You felt your face heat up. You never imagined such a passionate speech coming from him. While he was always eloquent, he kept his true feelings well hidden, never mentioning the attraction between you. But whenever he did speak, it was the truth. At least with you. So you knew without a doubt in your mind that he meant it.

"I-If that is truly what you see, then I shall be by your side until you bid me to go." Elrond gave you that small smile of his before stepping closer and resting his forehead against yours. "I love you, Elrond." He closed his eyes and whispered his love in return.