THIRTY TWO A few days later, Siddhir dropped down from his post on watch with an elf called Orolonn to bid his kin and friend Anarin a fond farewell as he, Melpomaen and Golradir prepared to leave Lorien for Rivendell. He nodded to both Golradir and Melpomaen politely, and chuckled softly when his eyes met Anarin’s. Surprisingly, the dark elf’s normally quite subdued hair style was now just as unkempt as his own. Anarin himself threw all protocol to the wind and pulled him swiftly into a tight embrace. “You are rapidly gaining my bad habits, *meldir,”* Siddhir whispered fondly into his friend’s ear. “My cousin will no doubt reprimand you for spending too much time with me.” Anarin rubbed a hand through his dark, unruly locks and smiled. “I will have my braids done long before we return. I was feeling just a tad lazy this morn.” “Far be it from me to argue that,” Siddhir replied with a wide grin. “Personally, I think you look quite lovely. Please give my cousin my regards and my love.” “I will, and I am certain he would send you his. Well, I had best be off. I truly wish you would return to Rivendell sometime, but as I know that is not likely to happen, I simply must take all of my holidays here in Lorien.” Siddhir smiled. *“Namarie, mellonamin.”* [farewell, my friend] *“Namaire,”* Anarin answered. He quickly embraced Siddhir again, then turned and mounted his mare. Siddhir waved as they trotted off, and then scaled the Mallorn again and rejoined Orolonn. The strongly built Elf nodded at him and pulled a few stray strands of honey blond hair behind his ear as he took his place amongst the branches again. “Forgive me my rudeness, Orolonn. I had not asked you how your wife Aranel is faring,” Siddhir remarked. Orolonn smiled. “There is nothing to forgive Captain. I know that you have many things on your mind. She is quite well, and I thank you for inquiring.” Siddhir smiled. “She is so delightful. Kindly give her my regards.” “That she is, and I will. Thank you, Captain,” Orolonn replied. “May I inquire as to when Haldir might return?” Siddhir sighed. “You may inquire *meldir,* [friend] but I know not. I can only hope that it is soon.” Orolonn looked at him fondly, and placed a reassuring hand on Siddhir’s shoulder. “I am certain it will be. Worry not.” Siddhir smiled, and returned the gesture. Then he settled in again and looked out over the lands. ************************************* “Haldir, do you not think we should camp soon?” Fereveldir asked, turning to look at his friend. Haldir stared straight ahead. “Nay, I wish to continue. If we keep this pace we will reach Lorien by nightfall.” “I was thinking we would arrive at dawn tomorrow. Is there a reason for your haste?” Haldir frowned and shot him an annoyed glance. “Yes, there most certainly *is* a reason, and that is because I *want* it so.” Fereveldir raised an eyebrow. It was not like Haldir to be so curt with him, and after their last discussion, he decided it best not to pursue the issue any further. “Very well.” Haldir groaned inside. He felt remorseful for snapping at Fereveldir like that, but how could he explain his desperate need to return to Lorien so quickly just because he wanted…no, *needed* to see Siddhir? He had no definite information that something was amiss other than the feelings deep down in his gut that he could not even explain himself. He stole a glance at his friend, who was now staring straight ahead and sighed. Perhaps he was right, maybe they should stop for a time. The horses could use some water at any rate, and most likely his warriors could use some as well. He decided to stop as soon as the next stream presented itself. An hour later, he stopped and held up his hand. “We will rest here for a time. Let us water the horses and ourselves at this opportunity. There is still much ground yet to cover,” Haldir called out. Fereveldir was even more confused at Haldir’s sudden change of plan, but dismounted and did what he was told. While he stood beside his horse drinking from the stream, Haldir slipped up quietly beside him. “Forgive me, *mellon.* [friend] I fear I have done you a grave injustice,” Haldir said quietly. Fereveldir kept his eyes on the stream. “You owe me no apology Haldir. You are Marchwarden, and we are to follow any order you give us without question. Forgive me for being your friend so long that I forget that at times.” Haldir grasped Fereveldir by the shoulders and turned him around to face him. “You are right. Long have you been my friend, and you did not deserve my indifference. I have no *real* basis for it, but I feel I *must* get back to Lorien and Siddhir as soon as possible. That is why I need to continue.” Fereveldir’s eyes widened. “You are worried for Siddhir? Why?” Haldir sighed. “I am, and I do not *know* why- but I *feel* something, I *know* it’s him, and it worries me. Does this make sense to you?” Fereveldir smiled. “Of course it does. You may not be bonded by official ceremony yet, but the two of you *are* bound together in every way that counts. *Certainly* you would feel him- just as I am sure he feels you. So worry no longer. We *will* be back in Lorien by nightfall.” “I should have known I could always count on you,” Haldir whispered in Fereveldir’s ear as he pulled him into a tight embrace. **************************************** “I really must go now before my brother comes after me,” Orophin stated as he quickly pulled on his clothing. “If you must, I understand,” the female elf replied from her bed. “I will not keep you in the dark forever. You will meet my family soon, I promise- perhaps even tomorrow. I really do not feel at ease with sneaking around.” “I look forward to it, then.” Orophin smiled and kissed her again before slipping out of her talan. ************************************* Siddhir blinked and snapped his head around, drawing Orolonn’s attention. “What do you see, captain?” Siddhir frowned. “I see nothing. I *feel* more than I can see.” Orolonn stood and looked around with careful scrutiny. “Nor do I, but I would not easily dismiss your feelings either.” He sat down again. “Tell me, what *do* you feel?” Siddhir concentrated. He felt excitement, apprehension and a sense of dread. Surely it could not be Orcs. The excitement made sense because they existed for no other reason save to kill, but not the other emotions. He frowned. Perhaps he was sensing *more* than one event. He prayed silently to the Valar that his time was not near. He did not wish to leave this earth without seeing Haldir again. Suddenly, his eyes grew wide. “Captain?” Orolonn’s worried expression brought Siddhir back from his reverie. “Forgive me. I do not think what I feel is impending danger. I believe I am feeling Haldir’s… distress.” “Is *he* in danger?” Orolonn queried. Siddhir closed his eyes. “No, I think not. He is…worried.” “Could he be worried about *you* for some reason?” Siddhir opened his eyes and stared at him. “Forgive me captain. I did not mean to be familiar. It is just that I know like everyone else in Lorien how much you care for one another,” Orolonn said contritely. Siddhir blinked and held up his hand, realizing that he had completely forgotten that Haldir could sense him. He had experienced a vast range of emotions ever since he learned of his fate, and it made sense that Haldir would become anxious upon feeling *any* of the emotions he felt now. He would have to work much harder to keep his feelings in check, he thought. “No, Orolonn, do not apologize. You are right. He is worried about me. I know that now, and I will try my best to relieve him of that worry as soon as I am able,” Siddhir replied finally. “Very good, Captain,” Orolonn replied, unwrapping a large piece of lembas and holding it out to him. “Would you care for some?” Siddhir smiled. “No, I am not at all hungry, thank you. Enjoy.” Orolonn nodded and began to eat, while Siddhir stood and moved his keen eyes across the plains once more. After a time, he sat again. “Still quiet.” “That is always good news,” Orolonn replied. Siddhir smiled. “I agree.” The swapped tales amongst each other for the next few hours, occasionally stopping to listen to two or three of the other guards in nearby Mallorns sing a sweet song. Time passed quickly, and at dusk they were relieved. They strolled quietly together most of the way home, then parted and went their separate ways. Siddhir entered his talan, removed his weapons and sat down at the small table located by the window of their bedroom. He looked thoughtfully out of the window for several moments. Lorien was just as beautiful in darkness as it was in the day. He had always marvelled at the shimmering luminescence of the ancient Mallorns of this land. Their golden leaves always radiated a light of their own, no matter what season of the year, or time of day. He exhaled heavily, closed his eyes and concentrated, searching deep within until he could feel Haldir’s life-force. He smiled when he felt it, for it was almost as warm and comforting as his touch. He began to form the words in his mind. When he was done, he stood and removed his clothing and slipped into Haldir’s side of the bed, weary now from his mental exertion and the long day combined and waited. ************************************* They had stopped again to eat, and were spread out leisurely by another stream as their horses drank. Haldir sat with his charge, eating Lembas and smiling at the off colour jokes that Nilfalath and Elviondel chose to share with the rest of them. Calaglin and Dinendal were trying hard to contain themselves, and were failing, while a laughing Fereveldir turned to Haldir. “Those two are quite humourous, are they not?” Haldir nodded. “They are indeed.” Fereveldir placed a calming hand on Haldir’s arm and moved closer to him. “We will be there soon, *mellon.”* [friend] Haldir looked at him and nodded. “I know. Worry not friend, I am f-….” Fereveldir blinked. “What is-” Haldir held up his hand, bidding Fereveldir’s silence and listened. The others grew silent then as well. Haldir’s brow furrowed. He thought he had heard something, but now it was gone. Just as he was about to tell Fereveldir it was all right, Siddhir’s voice entered his mind: *“Mae govannen, Hallaer. Amin autien rath, Manke naa lle?* [Well met, tall one. I am going to bed. Where are you?] Siddhir’s light laughter following the remark. *“Amin mela lle, cano nya. An band.”* [I love you, my commander. Be safe] Then Siddhir’s voice was gone, and Haldir’s worries went with it. A wide grin spread across his face and he visibly relaxed. Fereveldir smiled. “Did he speak to you?” Haldir nodded, closed his eyes and concentrated. He did not know if it would work, but he did it anyway. Then he stood and tapped Fereveldir lightly on the shoulder. “Let’s go home.” Back in Lorien, Siddhir chuckled softly into Haldir’s pillow; then grasped it tightly and closed his eyes. ************************************ Rumil sat up in bed when Orophin entered the talan. “Where have you been brother? Off with your secret love again?” Orophin frowned, as he began to undress. “No, nosey one. I was gathering wood for our breakfast fire, if you must know.” *“This* late?” “Yes, this late. I did not do it this afternoon, and of course *you* didn’t, so it had to be done,” Orophin answered, climbing into his own bed. “And *why* did you not do it this afternoon? Because you were off with your secret love *then,* I wager, Rumil teased. “Go to sleep, *‘ksher,”* [evil one] Orophin replied, throwing his pillow with pinpoint accuracy. ************************************************ Three hours later, Haldir slipped quietly into his talan and crept softly into the bedroom. His heart skipped a beat and he smiled broadly when he saw Siddhir curled up on his side of the bed. Quickly and quietly he lay down his weapons and stripped to his bare skin. Under normal circumstances he would crave a relaxing bath after such a long journey, but all he desired at this moment was the feel of Siddhir’s skin against his own. He slipped into bed on Siddhir’s side, and gently pulled him close, kissing him softly on the forehead. Siddhir’s dark eyes opened into slits, and his lips curled into a smile. *“Lle abdollen,”* [you’re late] he whispered.