TWENTY SEVEN Several weeks later, Tinion stood in the harbour along with Calaglin and Dinendal as the sleek Elven ship docked. He grinned from ear to ear when Galdor stepped off the boat, accompanied by Haldir and Siddhir. “What a pleasant surprise it is to see you, *melamin.* [my love] I thought I would have to wait until I arrived to gaze upon your fair face,” Tinion whispered, as Galdor approached him. “I did not want to wait,” Galdor replied, winking at him and gently squeezing his shoulder as Haldir walked up to them, followed by Siddhir. “The Havens are absolutely lovely Tinion, so I must bid you aforehand to remember your rank here in Lorien, for once there you might find it hard to return,” Haldir remarked. Then he turned to Calaglin and Dinendal. “The same goes for you two. You are valuable within my guard, so do not have too much fun.” Siddhir laughed, noting the serious expressions on the sentinels’ faces. “He is jesting, my friends. Have a wonderful leave as we did.” The sentinels relaxed visibly and smiled when Haldir’s lips curled into a wide grin. “Forgive me, I could not resist,” Haldir chuckled. “Captain, you have an expression that could turn a calm sea into ice,” Tinion joked. *“Hannon lle,*[thank you] Haldir responded with a wink. “Now begone, all of you. Have a wonderful time.” The sentinels nodded with respect and followed Galdor on to the ship. Haldir and Siddhir stood watching as the ship left the port, waving to their friends as they left. When they were far enough away, Siddhir slipped his hand into Haldir’s and the two slowly strolled away. Siddhir sighed. “I have never been as happy as I am this day.” Haldir glanced at him and smiled, squeezing his hand. “Nor have I, *lirimaer.” *[lovely one] “When will you tell our Lord and Lady?” “I will tell them when I report,” Haldir replied. Siddhir blinked. “So soon? I thought you would wait awhile, as we still do not really know how they feel about our relationship.” Haldir stopped walking and looked at him. “Do you *want* me to wait?” Siddhir blinked. “I did not say *that,* but-” “You are nervous,” Haldir interjected. Siddhir smiled. “Some, yes.” Haldir grinned. “I am stunned that you would be nervous about *anything*- much less *this,* as bold as you are, *nin bain.* [my beauty] Well, don’t be. It is not like it will happen *tomorrow.* I will simply tell them of our desire to bond, and that I asked and you accepted. Of course we must wait until it is convenient for them.” “Very well,” Siddhir returned. Haldir placed a finger under his chin, raising it so that he might gaze into his dark eyes. “You have not changed you mind, have you?” Siddhir smiled. “Of course not. Truth be known, I cannot wait to be bound to you. I *wish* it were to be tomorrow.” Haldir pulled him into a tight embrace. “As do I, *melamin.”* [my love] They continued their stroll, and eventually reached the tree that held the talan they shared. Haldir turned to him again. “I will go now and check the watch, report to our Lord and Lady, and then I will return.” Siddhir nodded and kissed him. “I will be here.” Haldir slapped him gently on the rear as he ascended the ladder, and with a bright grin he continued on through the forest. ************************************ Orophin sighed heavily as he rose from the ground, steeling himself for unyielding, negative diatribe from trainer Lothraenil, but it did not come. Instead, the stern faced elf only nodded for him to continue sparring and moved on down the field. “Looks like we were spared this time,” Legandir whispered. Orophin rolled his eyes. “I have decided not to let him get to me. I *will* be appointed to the Galadhrim, and I will not let the likes of him deter me.” Legandir smiled. “That is a good attitude Oro, and one I share as well.” Orophin raised his blade. “Then let us get on with it *mellon,* [friend] for I shant let you catch me unawares again.” Legandir chuckled and took his stance. “Are you ready?” “Come forth,” Orophin replied. Legandir took the offensive and pushed towards Orophin with swift and sweeping wide arcs that Orophin countered effectively at every pass. Their blades clashed together quickly and repeatedly as they both fought for dominance. Neither of them saw the smile on Haldir’s face as he watched them from the shadow of a nearby Mallorn. After instructing his guard, Haldir decided to check in on his brothers before reporting to Celeborn and Galadriel. They were not at home, and knowing that they were most likely on the practice fields, he made a point to stop, as it was on the way to his destination. He gazed further down the field where Rumil was also sparring with an elf he did not know. He seemed to be doing well also. He turned back just in time to see Orophin disarm Legandir, and was about to applaud, when Lothraenil’s loud voice boomed over the din. “Fool! That is *not* what you were taught!” Haldir’s head snapped in the direction of the blatant insult, and the cords in his neck pulsed when he saw Rumil sprawled out on the grass and Lothraenil standing over him scowling with outright contempt. The elf who had been sparring with his brother stood back with a shocked expression, and out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of mithril hair as an enraged Orophin came charging down the field- but he was faster. Before anyone realized it, Haldir had swept in amongst them like a bird of prey, his fury unleashing like a sudden storm as he grabbed Lothraenil by the throat and hurled him to the ground. “How *dare* you mock and impose your trifling prejudices upon my brother? Have you gone *mad?”* Haldir growled. Lothraenil clutched his throat, already red and bruising from the force of Haldir’s grasp, and pulled himself up from the grass. “No, but you have Marchwarden- which is further testament to your unworthiness for the title you carry. How do you think our Lord and Lady will look upon your assault of me?” Haldir was not deterred. Seething, he took a step closer to the haughty elf so that he was right in his face. “Hear me, Lothraenil- and hear me well. You will not use my brothers to injure me. When it comes to them, I would face the wrath of our Lord, Lady and the Valar himself. Feel whatever you may about me, for I care not. But if you ever harm either one of them again in any fashion, you *will* see the business end of my blade. This I promise you.” He turned to see Orophin helping Rumil from the ground and quickly went over to them. “Ru, are you all right?” “I- I think so,” Rumil muttered. “This does not look good,” Orophin commented, holding out Rumil’s arm. The young elf’s sleeve was stained with a seam of bright red blood. Haldir turned and glowered at the trainer, and then returned his attention again to Rumil. “Here, let me see.” He took out his short knife and cut the sleeve away from Rumil’s forearm. A deep gash ran underneath from his elbow almost to his wrist, and it was bleeding profusely. He cut more material from the sleeve and wiped away some of the blood to get a better look, and frowned. “This will need stitches. Oro, get him to the healer. Legandir, accompany them.” “Yes, Captain,” Legandir replied, moving quickly to Rumil’s side. Haldir turned and once again glared at the trainer, who visibly flinched at the fire in his gaze. “He had best been cut by something in his fall and not your blade *‘ksher,* [evil one] or I will risk incurring the wrath of the Valar straight away.” The elf who had been sparring with Rumil kneeled down to the grass where Rumil had fallen and rose with something in his hand. He moved quickly to where Haldir stood glaring at the trainer with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “Captain, I think Rumil may have landed on this,” the young elf offered, holding something unseen out to him. Haldir opened his hand for the elf to drop whatever it was into it. When he did, a jagged fragment of an arrow tip lay there, glistening with Rumil’s blood. He looked at the young elf and nodded. *“Hannon lle.”* [thank you] The elf nodded and backed away. Haldir turned again to the trainer. “A stray arrowhead falls under the realm of negligence on your part, *trainer,”* he spat the word vehemently. “Hear me, Lothraenil; If you wish to challenge me for my position, then by all means do so. But I meant what I said; do not ever do anything untoward against either of my brothers again, because you will live to regret it.” With that, Haldir spun on his heel and walked away. ********************************* “What is it, *melamin?”* [my love] Celeborn asked, as he watched a concerned expression suddenly contorted Galadriel’s soft features. “Something is amiss,” she whispered. “Haldir light is so strong now. He is angry, *very* angry. That is unlike him.” “Perhaps I should seek him out,” Celeborn offered. “No, he is due to report and will come to us. I will inquire then.” “Very well,” Celeborn replied, looking back to some papers on his desk. He looked up only briefly a few moments later and smiled when she suddenly left the room. He knew only too well where she was headed. ******************************** “How is he?” Haldir asked the healer when he arrived. The healer smiled. “He will be fine, Haldir. It was a very nasty cut for certain, but nothing important was severed. He took quite a few stitches though, much to his dismay- but he is resting comfortably now. You may go in and see him.” *“Hannon lle,”* [ thank you] Haldir replied. He strolled back to the room in which Rumil lay. Orophin and Legandir were still with him. “How are you, *pen-neth?”* [young one] Haldir greeted. “I am better now brother,” Rumil returned solemnly. Haldir pulled up the chair that Legandir had vacated when he entered and sat, taking Rumil’s hand. “How long has he been treating you so poorly?” Rumil glanced at Orophin, and Haldir turned his attention to Orophin as well. “This is not the first time, is it Oro?” Orophin shook his head. “Why did you not tell me of this before?” “We did not want to burden you, brother. You have a lot to do now being Marchwarden without having to look after us as well. We are no longer elflings. We both desire to be of the Galadhrim, and we know we must train hard to qualify. It is true he has been overly and unjustly harsh with us, but I thought we could put what was happening behind us and look only to our training,” Orophin explained, lowering his eyes. His anger subsiding, Haldir sighed. “I never would have let him get away with harming Ru. You have to believe me,” Orophin pleaded with sorrowful eyes. Haldir stood, and still holding Rumil’s hand, grasped Orophin with the other. “Of course I believe you. I understand your reasoning as well, and I am sorry his contempt for me has put you both in this position.” “Why does he dislike you so, brother?” Rumil questioned. Haldir pulled the chair closer to Rumil’s bedside and sat again. “There are some that think our Lord and Lady have granted me a special favour because they have adopted us. He is one of them.” Legandir frowned. “But that is not true, Captain! You earned your position rightfully! You have defeated *all* who have challenged you on the fields with sword *and* bow, and you have more kills in battle than any other in Lorien!” Haldir blinked in surprise and turned to face the young elf with a smile. “And you would know that how, *pen-neth?”* [young one] Legandir blushed. “Because I- I have… studied you. I wish to be like you.” “It is true brother, he taught me something he knew you to do, and it is what got me into trouble with trainer Lothraenil,” Rumil grinned. Haldir chuckled. “Is that so? Well then, since my style is admired so, perhaps I should be the one to train you. I will speak to our Lord and Lady about it.” *“Really?”* Legandir asked with a wide smile. “Certainly,” Haldir returned. “But brother, what if you become busy and cannot train us?” Orophin questioned. “Then Siddhir, Fereveldir or Tinion will train you in my absence. They are excellent warriors as well. Either way, I think it best you not return to Lothraenil’s tend, for I fear you may truly witness the madman inside me should any more harm come to you,” Haldir replied matter of factly. Orophin grinned. “I have never seen you so angry, brother. That is true.” Haldir stood and squeezed Rumil’s hand, released it and then kissed him on the forehead. “I hope you never have to witness me become that angry again. I truly am not a fair sight. *“Quel esta, pen-neth.* [rest well, young one] I will stop in and check on you again tomorrow in your talan. I am certain the healer will be releasing you soon. I must report to our Lord and Lady now.” He hugged Orophin and nodded pleasantly to Legandir and left the healer’s rooms. ************************ Celeborn was waiting for him when he entered the receiving room in Caras Galadon. Haldir bowed gracefully and gave him his report since returning from leave and checking in on his guard. Celeborn nodded. “All is well, then. That is good to hear. Now, tell me Haldir, how are you faring?” Haldir looked at Celeborn questionably. “I am well, my Lord. I have just returned from a wonderful leave. Why do you ask?” “Because my wife feels that something is amiss with you, and she usually is correct about these matters. At any rate, she will return shortly, and I am certain she would wish to speak with you as well. So have a seat Haldir,” Celeborn answered, before he left the room and returned to his desk and papers in the adjoining one. “Yes, my Lord,” Haldir replied, groaning inwardly as he sat on the divan. He wondered if his Lady knew of his altercation with Lothraenil on the practice fields and he was currently in trouble. That would not help him plead his case to be allowed to bind with Siddhir. Why did this have to happen today of all days? He asked himself. Galadriel entered the room shortly thereafter, smiling thoughtfully as she gazed upon Haldir. His anger was non existent now, and she was glad of it. His light was much dimmer while he was calm, and far easier to read. He stood and bowed low when she entered, and now stood at attention waiting for her to speak. “I am glad to see you, nin ion. [my son] You were sorely missed,” Galadriel stated lovingly, almost gliding across the floor to stand by his side. *“Hannon lle, Arwenamin,”* [thank you, my Lady] Haldir replied courteously. “Sit, Haldir. I wish to have a word with you. I trust you have given your report to my husband?” “I have my Lady.” “Good. Then I can address other matters,” Galadriel replied softly. Haldir steeled himself. “As you wish, my Lady.” *“A’maelamin,* [my beloved] I must leave you for a short time in Haldir safe and capable hands. I have some business to attend to,” Celeborn announced as he entered the room again and kissed her on the cheek. He nodded then to Haldir and left. Galadriel turned back to Haldir with a smile after her twinkling cerulean eyes followed her husband out of the talan. “You very angry earlier,” she started. Haldir cut her off. “My Lady, *please* forgive my outburst. I just could not-” Galadriel silenced him with a finger to his lips. “I saw what happened. You need not apologize.” “I did not exhibit conduct appropriate for my position as Marchwarden. It is this that I apologize for,” Haldir replied sullenly. “Oh, but I beg to differ. Given the circumstances, I deem your conduct appropriate enough. He was wrong to chastise your brothers unfairly and use *his* position as trainer to do it for no other reason than the ill will he holds towards you. He will be dealt with accordingly.” Haldir sighed. “Unlike him, I wish him no ill will. I just do not want my brothers to be subjected to him any longer. I was wondering if you would grant me charge to train them instead.” “Of course, but you realize you will not *always* be able to do so.” “I do. When time allowed, I would call upon Siddhir, Fereveldir or Tinion to train them in my stead,” Haldir explained. “I see. Well, you will work that out, I am sure.” “Yes, my Lady.” Galadriel smiled. “All is well now then?” “Yes, my Lady. Well, there is one other thing,” Haldir murmured. “Yes, Haldir?” “Um, I am sure there is not much you do not know, my Lady. Including my- relationship with Siddhir, but I need you to know that it is far stronger than you might imagine. I love him with all of my heart, and it is my desire- and his, to bind together in our love.” He took a deep breath. “Do you think it is at all possible that we could do so?” Galadriel sat back a little and gazed into his pleading grey eyes and into his very soul. The words he spoke greatly understated the depth of his feelings for Siddhir, and it warmed her heart. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she considered him. “I must tell you Haldir, not until this very moment did I *truly* understand how very important he is to you. I must first confer with my husband of course, but I would say that yes- it is indeed very possible.” She pulled him into an embrace and chuckled softly when she heard him exhale.