FIVE Things progressed rapidly under the new rule of Celeborn and Galadriel, for all were eager to resume their peaceful way of life. Within a few weeks the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel had personally met with every elf who dwelled in Lorien; and all guard posts were swiftly relocated without incident within the great divide. Rosters were drawn up and assigned on a weekly basis for the balance of the guard, while the Captains and firsts in command from all four contingents had been selected to remain in Caras Galadon, except when overseeing all guard posts on a rotating basis. The calm was briefly interrupted by sorrow when as promised, Celeborn and Galadriel held services for Lord Amroth. The whole of Lorien attended, for Lord Amroth had been very good to his people, and even though it was a bright sunny day, a gloom seemed to hang over them as they both remembered and said a fond farewell to their beloved lost Lord. After the services ended, a shadow stayed with them throughout the remainder of the day and long into the night. Although they were excited and happy with their new rulers, they could not help but feel deeply the loss of their old and trusted one. Lorien was quieter that night than it had been in hundreds of years. ******************** Rumil giggled and slapped his hands hard on the water, making it spray and catch both Haldir and Orophin square in their faces. He burst forth then in fits of giggles and splashed more when he saw the obvious displeasure it brought them. Orophin started to whine, and Haldir lifted the thrashing toddler swiftly out of the water. “That is enough, mischievous one. Every bath I give you results in a bath for us as well.” He scolded. “He does that on purpose, brother.” Orophin groaned, wiping his face. Haldir wrapped Rumil in a cloth and turned to look at his younger sibling. “You did much the same when you were his age. Do not judge him so harshly, *pen-neth* [young one]. As if knowing Orophin was upset, Rumil reached out and touched his face. Haldir smiled. “You see? He was just playing, Oro. He loves you just as I do.” “I suppose.” Haldir shifted Rumil to his other arm. “You need not suppose, for it is so. I know these things- and you would do well to remember that. Now come; gather our belongings from the shore so that we may go and find ourselves something to eat.” ******************** “You are quite a good shot.” Galdor remarked, as he came upon Tinion on the practice field. Tinion turned to him and smiled. “*Hannon lle* [thank you]. “You are most welcome. Please forgive the intrusion. I have been watching you for quite some time. I felt that I should at least advise you of my presence here.” Tinion let loose another arrow that found its mark. “That is very kind, but I knew you were there. I surmised you would speak to me when you chose to.” Galdor laughed heartily. “Is that so?” “It is indeed.” Tinion answered with a wink. Then he turned, walked over to the target and pulled his spent arrows from it. Galdor watched him with growing interest. “I was about to have breakfast. Would you care to join me?” “I certainly would, for I am famished- but we must stop by my talan first so I can rid myself of my weapons if you do not mind.” Galdor looked long into Tinion’s large shimmering blue eyes. “Of course not.” Tinion smiled. “Good.” As they left the practice field, Galdor grinned and stole a glance at the fair, silver haired sentinel. The undertone in his statement was not lost on him. He liked this elf. He liked him a lot. ******************** “Ah, Haldir! Come; join us,” Fereveldir called out when Haldir entered the common with Orophin and Rumil. Haldir nodded to him in acknowledgement and started to make his way over. He stopped once to chat with Orolonn and his wife Aranel before he finally joined them, allowing Orophin to sit first before taking a seat beside him and placing Rumil between them. “*Mae Govannen.*” [well met] Haldir greeted, nodding both to Fereveldir and Siddhir, who sat beside him. Siddhir smiled and nodded in return. “You are looking well, Haldir.” Fereveldir commented. Haldir smiled back at him. “As are you, *mellon.*”[friend] “*Hannon lle.*” [thank you] Fereveldir replied, smiling as he looked at Siddhir, who was quietly watching Haldir feed Rumil. “I do not think you two have been properly introduced. Haldir, this is Siddhir, formerly of the east contingent. Siddhir, this is Haldir, from here in Caras Galadon. The two little ones are Haldir’s brothers, Orophin and Rumil.” “Pleased to meet you.” Haldir greeted. Siddhir’s smile lit up his already strikingly fair features. “And I you. I have heard much about you.” Haldir frowned. “Do not believe all of what you hear.” Fereveldir laughed. “ I have informed him of that already, *mellon* [ friend].” “*Hannon lle.*” “ I rarely pay attention to idle gossip. I much prefer to make my own assessments.” Siddhir remarked. Haldir looked straight into the fair elf’s curiously dark eyes. “Then I would say you are wise indeed.” The comment brought a light chuckle from Siddhir. They all nodded to Tinion and Galdor when they entered and chose a bench not far from them. Fereveldir turned to Siddhir with a smile. “I think Tinion has found other company, friend.” Siddhir laughed. “Well, that is quite all right. I have found other company as well.” Haldir looked at him, and saw something different in his eyes this time. Before he could decipher what it may have been, both Siddhir and Fereveldir abruptly stood. “My Lady,” Fereveldir whispered. Haldir turned sharply to see Galadriel standing behind him and hurriedly got to his feet. “Forgive me, my Lady. I did not see you behind me.” Galadriel giggled and smiled, her bright blue eyes sparkling in the day’s light. “Be seated, all of you. I am just out enjoying this wonderful day.” They sat, and Galadriel kneeled down to play with Rumil. The toddler giggled and offered her a grape he held in his hands. She took it, and put it in her mouth. This delighted Rumil, and he reached out and pulled more from the large platter laid out in front of him on the large table. “Take care, my Lady. You might find your clothing quite soiled if he gets it in his mind to try and feed you as he does me.” Haldir warned. Galadriel grinned. “’Tis only clothing after all, Captain. May I hold him?” Haldir’s eyes widened. “If you wish, my Lady-but I must warn you, he is prone to hair pulling.” “I will be fine.” She answered, lifting Rumil up from the bench. Rumil giggled and immediately reached for her hair. “Ru!” Haldir scolded, rising quickly and catching his small hand. Rumil, puzzled, looked up at Haldir with wide eyes. “Da?” Galadriel smiled. “”Tis all right, Haldir. You may release him.” “But, my Lady…” “Release him.” She repeated in a soft voice. Haldir did as he was told, and to his horror, Rumil promptly shot out his hand again. But the elfling did not pull Galadriel’s hair. Instead he merely stroked it and laughed. Behind him, Fereveldir, Siddhir and even Orophin began to chortle. Haldir stood there in shock as Rumil turned to him and smiled. “Da!” “You see? It is as I told you. I would like to take them off your hands for a time. Is that agreeable with you?” Galadriel asked. Haldir’s features registered the shock he was still feeling. “Ah, y...yes my Lady.” He stammered. “Very well. I shall return them in one hour.” She reached out her hand to Orophin, who took it. They started to walk away, and then she turned back. “Haldir, will you stay here, or will you return to your talan?” “Um, I will stay here, my Lady.” She smiled. “Very well. We will soon return.” Haldir watched open mouthed as Galadriel almost glided out of the common with his brothers. Slowly he turned back around and sat down. Fereveldir laughed hard. “Not to worry, *mellon.* [friend] I do not believe that our Lady will kidnap them.” Haldir blinked. “It is not that. Did you see how *good* Rumil was with her? It was unbelievable! If it were anyone else he would have ripped their hair out the first chance he got.” Siddhir grinned. “He may be an elfling, but he is a *wise* elfling for certain.” Fereveldir laughed and stood. “Well, as I have had my share of entertainment this day, I will be going. I am due to relieve Dinendal’s watch.” “*Namarie, mellonamin.*”[farewell my friend] Haldir and Siddhir chorused in unison. Fereveldir smiled, and winked at Siddhir. “I trust you will keep my good friend Haldir company while he waits for his brothers to return?” “But of course.” Siddhir replied, gazing into Haldir’s eyes. “Good. *Quel re.*” [good day] He strolled off in the direction that Galadriel had taken, nodding briefly to Tinion and Galdor as he passed. “Do you like it here in Caras Galadon?” Haldir asked. “Yes, I like it very much,” Siddhir answered. Haldir looked at him. “How is it that I have never noticed you before? How long have you been in the east?” Siddhir chuckled. “I have been in the east for *centuries.* I suppose our paths simply have not crossed until now.” Haldir’s brow furrowed. “Still, I find it odd. Where were you before that?” “Rivendell.” Haldir’s eyebrow rose ever so slightly. *That* is what makes him seem odd and yet familiar at the same time, he thought. The elf looked of Lorien… well, almost, if not for the eyes- but he also had an air about him that was distinctly of Imladris. “Penny for your thoughts, Captain.” Siddhir remarked. “Can you not read them?” Siddhir’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Not at the moment, but give me time.” Haldir was about to retort, when Galadriel entered the common again, but alone this time. Haldir’s hear thumped in his chest. Something has happened, he thought, apprehensively. Suddenly he felt Siddhir’s hand lightly tap his shoulder. “There is no need to worry, Haldir. Your brothers are fine. Our Lady just wishes to speak with you. I will take my leave.” Stunned, he turned to face him, but Siddhir was already strolling off in the opposite direction. He turned back just as Galadriel reached him. “Is something wrong, my Lady?” Galadriel smiled. “By the Valar, no. Your brother’s are fine. They are with my husband, and having a lovely time. I have come now for you, Haldir.” “My Lady?” Galadriel sat down on the bench where he stood, and patted the space beside her. “Come; sit down. I wish to speak with you.” Haldir did as he was told, with anxiety building fast within him. Galadriel took his hand. “There is no need to worry, Haldir. Please relax. All I wish to do is ask you something.” “Yes, my Lady?” “I have talked it over with my husband, and he is as excited as I with the idea. Now, I wish to discuss it with you. You see, I am no longer able to bear children. Celebrian, the one child I did have, died in an Orc attack, much like your parents. There has been an empty space in my heart for a very long time, for I had hoped to have many children.” Haldir’s eyes widened in realization. “You wish to adopt my brothers as your own?” “We wish to adopt your brothers- *and* you, Haldir.” Haldir blinked. “But my Lady, I have already reached my majority. Surely you do not mean to include me.” Galadriel smiled. “We *especially* wish to include you, Haldir. Just because you have reached your majority, is no reason for you to be alone.” “Um… I do not know what to say, my Lady.” “I would hope you would say yes.” “Would I still be able to care for them?” Haldir asked. “But of course! I did not mean to imply that you would no longer be able to see them! By the graces, no! We would *help* you to raise them. They love you very much, Haldir. We could not tear them away from you if we *tried*- which we most certainly would not. Think of it this way; instead of having to enlist others in Lorien to assist you when you have to be away, you would have *us* to look after them. We would be your foster parents.” Haldir visibly relaxed. “I understand, but I would wish no special favours because of this, my Lady.” Galadriel chuckled. “Lord Amroth took a shine to you as well. Did he bring upon you any special favours? Did you not get your position because you *earned* it?” “I did, my Lady” Haldir answered. “Well then, there is no reason why we should do different, is there?” “No, my Lady.” Galadriel took his hands in hers. Haldir could feel the warmth of her concern flow through them. He looked into her shining blue eyes. “*Hannon lle, Arwenamin*.” [thank you, my Lady] Galadriel smiled, and bent forward to kiss him on the forehead. “Do we have an accord?” Haldir smiled. “If you are certain, yes, my Lady.” Galadriel’s light laughter surrounded them. She stood, and he rose with her, for she had not yet released his hand. Instead, she looked up at him and smiled. “I am pleased to be able to call you my foster son, Haldir. Come now; let us seek out those wonderful brothers of yours, for they have asked for you.” As they left the common, Siddhir’s smiling eyes followed them.