THIRTY FIVE “Brother, might I have a word?” Haldir looked down from the branches into Orophin’s eyes. He turned to Nilfalath. “Carry on, sentinel.” Nilfalath nodded. Haldir descended the Mallorn and dropped to the ground. “Can we walk a bit?” “Of course,” Haldir replied, stepping into stride alongside Orophin. “Lillael told me… about you. Why did you not tell me?” Haldir cast him a sideways glance. “I would have, had she not- but it was her place to do so. I did not wish to interfere unless it was absolutely necessary.” “It is true, then? *All* of it?” “I know not exactly what you mean by all of it Oro,” Haldir replied quietly. Orophin looked at him, and the pain was clear to see in his eyes. “I mean that it was not only you, but others of the Galadhrim as well?” Haldir sighed. “It is true.” Orophin stopped walking and folded down on the grass. Haldir did the same. “I am sorry, Oro. Had I known beforehand that she was the one you were interested in I would have told you everything long before this. Are you all right?” Haldir asked. Orophin nodded. Haldir waited patiently for Orophin to gather his thoughts. Finally, Orophin looked up and met his eyes. “Do you dislike her, brother? She told me that you insisted she tell me everything.” Haldir put a caring arm about his younger brother’s shoulders. “No, Oro. I do not dislike her. I have absolutely nothing against her at all. Truth be told, I actually find her quite agreeable- but, I *love* you. You needed to know all there was to know. I would not have you go along unknowing, and then have it all come out in some bawdy talk alongside the cooking fires. Now that you are of the Galadhrim, the chance of that happening is far more sure than unsure.” “I know not if she is the one I will be with the rest of my life, but I care for her still, brother. We have good times together,” Orophin admitted. “Hear me, Oro. If it is your desire to continue with her, then by all means do so. I will stand by you no matter what,” Haldir replied. Orophin blinked. “You will?” “Of *course* I will,” Haldir answered, giving Orophin’s shoulder a squeeze. “Will you stop Rumil from gossiping?” Haldir laughed. “I will certainly try.” Orophin sighed. “That makes me feel somewhat better. Ru likes gossip far too much.” Haldir grinned and stood when Orophin did. “Of that I am well aware.” “You are still on duty and I have taken enough of your time, so I will be going now.” “Very well, but know this *pen-neth,* [young one] there is not a time when you cannot come to me- about anything.” Orophin smiled and embraced him, then turned and walked away, the briskness of his steps revealing his lightened heart. Haldir watched him go until he disappeared behind a patch of foliage, and then scaled the Mallorn again to return to his post. ************************************ “What is it?” Elviondel questioned, when Siddhir suddenly stood and moved further out on the limb. “We have company,” Siddhir answered. Elviondel turned to gaze in the direction Siddhir was looking. “I see no one.” “Nor do I, yet. But, he is coming. Of that I am quite certain,” Siddhir replied, moving back down the branch to his original position. He gave a low whistle. The whistle was returned by Haldir in the Mallorn nearest them, and then by Fereveldir a dozen yards away. Elviondel looked at him. “Friend or foe?” “Interesting question,” Siddhir replied with a sly grin. “Friend in a manner of speaking, I’d say,” “Ah, then it *must* be Melpomaen,” Elviondel answered with a hearty chuckle. Siddhir smiled broadly and laughed with him. “Forgive my boldness, Captain- but there has long been chatter about Melpomaen and the shameless way he ogles our Marchwarden. There has also been some talk of your obvious distaste about it as well.” “Is that so?” Elviondel laughed and took a bite of lembas he produced from his pocket. “It is so, but personally, I think they are all wrong.” Siddhir blinked. “You do? Why?” “Because I think he has eyes for *you.*” ************************************ “It looks like someone from Imladris, Captain,” Nilfalath said casually. Haldir looked over his shoulder. “It is Melpomaen. I will greet him. Remain where you are for now, sentinel.” “Yes, Captain.” Haldir dropped from his Mallorn, stirring up a swirl of dry leaves on the forest floor just as Melpomaen dismounted. The dark haired elf smiled brightly and sauntered up to him. *“Mae Govannen.* [well met] It is good to see you again, Haldir.” Haldir nodded. “What brings you to our fair lands again so soon? Are you on leave yet again?” Melpomaen chuckled. “Oh, how I wish that were true, but no- I come with news from Lord Elrond for the Lord and Lady of Lorien. Golradir has been sent to Mirkwood.” “I see. Will you stay long enough to require a talan?” Haldir asked. “I think that is possible, yes.” Haldir whistled, and Nilfalath descended to join them. “Yes, Captain?” “Show Melpomaen to the guest talans and then to Caras Galadon. You are dismissed after that and need not return. Relief will soon arrive, and I will wait,” Haldir stated. “Yes, Captain,” Nilfalath replied with a bow. He turned then to Melpomaen. “Please follow me.” *“Hannon lle”* [thank you] Melpomaen said, bowing his head to Haldir as he left with Nilfalath. Haldir nodded in return, and then quickly climbed back up to his post. ***************************************** Siddhir and Elviondel watched Melpomaen and Nilfalath disappear into the woods, and shortly thereafter saw Tinion emerge with Orolonn. Elviondel sat back down on the branch and finished the lembas he had been eating previously. “Melpomaen has long desired Haldir. Everyone knows that,” Siddhir remarked as he sat down beside him. Elviondel looked at him with narrow azure eyes. “That may be so. In fact, it may well *still* be so- but I think he has changed his focus now to you. Why, I am not quite certain. Mayhap as a distraction? You *would* be the closest he could get to our Captain after all- not that you are not fair enough to warrant his attention of course. No offence.” “None taken,” Siddhir replied with a smile. “So, when did you come up with this grand theory?” “The last time he was in Lorien. I *saw* him watching you. *Several* times in fact,” Elviondel returned. Siddhir raised an eyebrow. “Wait. He watched *Haldir* whenever he could- and I watched *him* I noticed no such thing.” Elviondel laughed. “Of course not, and I know why that is.” “Why?” “You have no interest at all in him, *except* when he is watching our Captain.” “True,” Siddhir confirmed. Elviondel nodded. “Therefore when you are *not* watching him watch our Captain, you are *oblivious* to him watching *you.* I have seen with my own eyes. He watched you more than usual that last time.” Siddhir pulled a few stray strands of golden hair behind his ears. “That is very interesting information, *meldir.* [friend] *Hannon lle.”* [thank you] “Glad I could be of service,” Elviondel replied. “And what service have you rendered, sentinel?” Haldir’s voice called up from below them. Siddhir and Elviondel looked down at Haldir gazing up at them along with Calaglin and Dinendal, who were waiting to report to duty. Siddhir chuckled and was the first to descend the Mallorn. Elviondel followed. “He was only answering questions I posed to him, *hallaer,”* [tall one] Siddhir remarked with a wink. “Hm,” Haldir murmured as he looked them over with narrowed eyes. “You are relieved. Off with you both.” Calaglin and Dinendal laughed and quickly scaled the Mallorn. Elviondel nodded to both Siddhir and Haldir, and then sauntered away, whistling a joyful tune. Siddhir’s ebony eyes twinkled as he gazed up into Haldir’s obviously curious grey ones. The Marchwarden was still regarding him quite intently; his expression resolutely serious. “You really should smile more Haldir,” Siddhir chuckled, gently tapping the Marchwarden’s cheek with the tips of his fingers. “Frowning does not become you. Let’s go home.” *********************************** Later that night, Celeborn awoke to an empty bed. He was not alarmed. His wife sometimes stole away in the still of the night when it was most quiet to look into the mirror. He sighed, and pulled himself up from their bed and sat on the edge, waiting for her to return. He did not wait long. ************************************* Siddhir frowned as a face of a young Elf he did not recognize filled his line of sight. It was foggy, so very foggy and the disembodied face disappeared, only to appear again. Now the fair vision was smiling and looking off into the distance. Siddhir focused on where the Elf was gazing. The fog was thick there too, but it seemed to be moving somewhat, shifting to let something pass through. He stared for what felt like forever, and then he saw them cut through the heavy mist. He blinked. It looked like… yes, it *was* Haldir, and… a child. A child with Haldir’s colouring…. and they were laughing. The child darted away and Haldir pursued him, swiftly covering the distance and throwing his body forward to topple the youngster just as he reached the Elf whose face he did not know. They landed on the grass in a heap before the nameless Elf’s feet, and he laughed and joined them on the ground. Siddhir frowned. At first he thought the child might be Orophin, but now that he could clearly see the youngster’s features, he knew he was not. Who was he? He wondered. Suddenly the vision changed, as if in response to his unspoken question. Haldir was standing with the fair Elf and Lady Galadriel in the river… Siddhir bolted upright in bed. Haldir moaned something inaudible and reached out an arm that fell on Siddhir’s thigh. Siddhir grasped his hand and held it still while he caught his breath. He glanced over at his still sleeping lover and sighed. It was a dream, he thought- but, not just a dream. It was premonition as well. He was as certain of it as he was of his own name. He shivered. His time was near. He could feel it. *“Man cenich?”* [what do you see] Haldir asked in a sleepy voice, awake now and staring at him. “It is nothing, *mir nin.* [my treasure] *Uuma dela,”* [don’t worry] Siddhir whispered. Haldir sat up and squeezed his hand. “You are cold. I will start a fire, and then we will lie close until you are warmer. There are still several hours of sleep left to us.” “You do not have to do that. I will be fine,” Siddhir protested. Haldir looked at him. “I insist.” He stood and pulled on his leggings. “You love me too much you know.” Haldir chuckled. “I cannot possibly love you too much. I will return shortly.” Siddhir sighed heavily as Haldir left the talan, closing the door gently behind him. “Yes, my love…you do.”