THIRTY EIGHT Siddhir opened his eyes and looked into Haldir’s sleeping face, noting immediately the angry blue bruise that was now clearly prominent on his lover’s jaw. Asking himself how he could have done such a thing, he reached out and cautiously ran the tips of his fingers across the sensitive skin. Haldir flinched slightly and shifted position, but did not awaken. Siddhir sighed heavily and slipped out of bed. He looked back at Haldir, not sure what he should do next. He decided to dress and ready himself for watch. His shift was some hours away, but he thought in the meantime he should find Orophin and see if he was all right. It had pained him greatly to see the hurt and anger in the young Elf’s eyes and know that he was the reason for it. He had to at least try and make it right. He pulled on his boots and quietly left the bedroom. He stopped and retrieved an apple from the bowl on the table and headed for the door. Just as he reached it, Haldir’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “You’re clothed. How very disappointing.” Siddhir turned to see Haldir standing naked in the bedroom doorway regarding him curiously. “I-I did not know if you wanted me to be here when you woke, and- ” “If that were true, why did I let you in?” Haldir interjected. “I was mad yesterday. I have marked your face and made a mess of everything,” Siddhir replied solemnly. “No matter what it looks like now, it will heal,” Haldir countered as he walked over to him. “Where are you going?” Siddhir looked uncertainly into his eyes. “I have watch.” “No, you don’t.” “I know it’s far too early, but I thought I might stop by and talk with Oro,” Siddhir explained. Haldir smiled. “I see. Well, you need not trouble yourself. I am willing to wager a month’s stipends that he will be here as soon as he wakes, dragging Rumil along with him- unless of course you *want* to go, in which case you can rest assured I will not try and stop you. I know full well how futile that would be.” Siddhir blinked and bit his lip. “Forgive me. I did not mean-” Haldir chuckled and pulled him close. “I was jesting, *melamin.”* [my love] Siddhir exhaled and wrapped his arms around Haldir’s waist, savouring the feel of his skin against his fingers. “You do not hate me?” *“Hate* you? That is not possible, *lirimaer.* [lovely one] I love you far too much to ever hate you,” Haldir answered. “Do you not know that I have always found your fire endearing?” Siddhir looked up into his eyes. “But I was horrible.” “Yes, you were- but you obviously have had a change of heart. Therefore, I cannot hold it against you. Can you bring yourself to tell me what happened now?” Siddhir released him. “I would rather not speak of my madness again.” “Very well,” Haldir replied, reaching around him to pick up a few strawberries and pop one into his mouth. “You may go now if you wish. Hopefully, I will see you later. I am going back to bed.” He kissed Siddhir quickly, and then turned and strolled back into the bedroom. Siddhir followed him inside. “Are you angry with me?” Haldir smiled. “Of course not.” Siddhir gazed at him and concentrated, trying to read him. Haldir was *not* angry. In fact, he seemed rather content. Feeling somewhat guilty, he moved to the bed and sat down. “I will tell you this; someone very wise made me see the error of my ways, and I have no intention of ever fighting with you again,” Siddhir offered. “I owe that person a debt of gratitude then,” Haldir replied. Siddhir looked at him. “I did not wish to go. What I *really* wanted was to lie here in bed with you all day- but I did not know what to do.” Haldir smiled, popped the last strawberry into his mouth, and pulled back the sheets on Siddhir’s side of the bed. ************************************** “Wake up Ru. We are going to see Hal,” Orophin explained, shaking his younger brother briskly. Rumil’s eyes fluttered open. “Why? What happened?” “What *happened?* I *told* you what happened! Honestly Ru, sometimes you are so forgetful,” Orophin complained. “I was *sleeping,* Oro, and you woke me up,” Rumil grumbled. “Of course I remember- but I am not worried. Siddhir will come back. I know he will.” “I hope you are right. You should have seen it, Ru. I could not believe my eyes. I did not recognize Siddhir at all. He was like someone else!” Rumil sat up on the side of the bed. “That is *precisely* why our brother loves him. He is changeable, exciting and far from boring.” Orophin raised an eyebrow. “How would *you* know?” “I know plenty and I am not worried. Nothing short of death will *ever* pry those two apart. Trust me,” Rumil replied. “I’m still going. Are you coming with me or not?” Orophin queried. “I am coming because you need to know that I am right- but you have awakened me and there is no breakfast.” Orophin frowned. “I will make something when we get back.” Rumil stuck his bottom lip out. “I am hungry *now.*” Orophin groaned. “Very well. I will get something. *You* get dressed.” He picked up the pillow from his bed, threw it at Rumil, and stormed off. Rumil laughed and caught Orophin in the back with his own carefully aimed pillow on his way out. *********************************** “I tell you, it’s all true!” Elviondel exclaimed. Tinion smirked and shifted his position on the branch. “Be that as it may, it is of no consequence because it will not last. Those two were made for each other.” “Captain Siddhir looked serious enough to me, but you know him better than I, I suppose.” “I know him well enough. I know Haldir even better. Trust me, they will find each other again,” Tinion remarked. Elviondel turned to see Melpomaen approaching and turned back to Tinion. “Now, *that* one is quite comely. I would bed him thoroughly if he were not so wicked. He might put a spell on me.” Tinion followed his eyes and laughed. “Melpomaen does not possess the gift.” “Perhaps, but he is *quite* mischievous. Far too much for my liking,” Elviondel remarked. Tinion grinned. “Since when does *that* bother you? At any rate, it looks like he’s leaving. Go, see him off.” “Yes, Captain,” Elviondel replied with a wink. Tinion laughed again as the sentinel dropped to the ground. ************************************* “Do you know what I find most endearing about you? I mean besides the obvious,” Siddhir asked as he lay unclothed again in Haldir’s arms. Haldir chuckled. “No. Perhaps you will tell me.” “It is the way you smile. One side of your lip rises before the other. It is quite lovely,” Siddhir replied. Haldir blinked. “I know not of what you speak. When one smiles, do their lips not move all at once?” “Most do. Yours do not.” He touched the left corner of Haldir’s top lip with his index finger. “Right here- this part widens first, and then the other side widens. I love that.” Haldir laughed, pulled him close and kissed him deeply. “You notice the strangest things, *mir nin.”* [my treasure] “I notice *everything* about you. I always have,” Siddhir answered. “I believe you.” “I *love*you, Haldir. I love you with all of my heart and soul. No matter what I may ever do or say, or whatever may happen, I *need* you to know that,” Siddhir explained. “I know. Do *you* know that the same is true of my love for you?” “I do, and I was a *fool* to waste even one *minute* away from you. It will not happen again.” *“Lle vesta?”* [do you promise] Siddhir smiled. “I promise. If I have anything at all to do with it- I will never, ever leave you again- except of course when I have watch in a few more hours.” “You do not have watch today, and neither do I,” Haldir informed him. Siddhir’s eyes widened. “But I do. I saw the roster, and I am to relieve Dinendal.” Haldir looked at him. “You are lucky I love you, or I would throttle you for forgetting my position, *sentinel.* I am Marchwarden, I make the roster, and it is as I have said. You do *not* have watch today.” Siddhir’s lips spread into a wide grin. “By the Valar, how could I forget? Forgive me, *Cano Nya.”* [my commander] “You are forgiven, but you shall atone for your oversight,” Haldir replied with mock sternness. Siddhir bowed his head. “What will you ask of me, my Lord?” *“Aniron lle.* [I desire you] You will give yourself to me, and you will give yourself freely and with great fervor. Is that understood?” Siddhir smiled. “Yes, my Lord.” Haldir chuckled. “Now, enough talk.” He covered Siddhir’s lips with his own. During the heated kiss, Siddhir shifted so that he was above him. When the kiss was over, Siddhir gazed deep into his lover’s eyes, which were almost as dark now as his own. “Yes, enough talk,” Siddhir murmured. “Take me *now*, *A’ maelamin.* [my beloved] That is an order. After all, I *am* second in command.” ***************************************** “Step lively, Rumil! I have fed you and now the very *least* you can do is keep up,” Orophin complained. Rumil ran up to him. “Why are you so disagreeable this morn, Oro? I *told* you they are going to be fine.” “I want to make *sure* they’re fine- if that’s all right with you. Now come on.” When they reached Haldir’s talan, Orophin hurried up the ladder and waved to Rumil. Shaking his head, Rumil joined him on the landing. As Orophin raised his fist to knock, loud moans began to emanate from inside the talan. Rumil sniggered. “I *told* you.” Orophin frowned. “What makes you think he has Siddhir in there? It could just as well be Tinion.” “Hal has not been with Tinion since he and Siddhir have been together. He wouldn’t do that, and besides, Tinion is on watch,” Rumil stated matter of factly. “How do you *know* these things? All right, then it can be someone *else.* If it is, we need to stop them! Hal *belongs* with Siddhir, and we should see that it stays that way,” Orophin replied. Rumil chuckled. “What do you propose we do? Burst in on them and chastise Hal? Oh, he’d like *that.* Tell you what brother, you go right ahead. I’ll lag behind a bit so I’ll have room enough to help pick you up from the floor.” Orophin thought a moment. “How can we know who he’s with? They’re going at it pretty good in there.” “You could always go ‘round and look in the window,” Rumil suggested. Orophin frowned. “I cannot do that!” Rumil sniggered again. “Then *knock.* That will stop them, and you can see for yourself.” Orophin considered him, then raised his fist to the door again- and froze. “It’s quiet now.” Rumil smiled. “So it is. Mayhap they’re sleeping. Now you can look in the window and they won’t see you. Go ahead, you know you want to. I’ll stay here and cover for you just in case one of them fools us and opens the door.” Orophin sighed. “Why do I listen to you? All right then, I’m going.” Rumil stepped aside to let Orophin pass, chuckling to himself as his brother carefully inched his way around the landing to the windows at the rear of the talan. After a few seconds, he could not resist the urge to see the look on his brother’s face when he saw whoever was in there, so he crept forward and peeked around the talan corner. Just in time to see Orophin boots disappear through the open window.