FORTY TWO Haldir awoke an hour before dawn to find the bed empty beside him. Puzzled, he rose and found Siddhir sitting at the desk in the outer room. “Is there something wrong? Why are you up so early?” Haldir asked, standing in the doorway. Siddhir hastily concealed the parchment on which he had written amongst a few others piled on the desk and quickly turned to him with a smile. “No. I was rested enough, and there was something I had to do.” Haldir smiled. “Speaking with your mother again?” Siddhir nodded and slipped over to him. “It is best to try when all is still.” “And how is she faring?” “She is…well,” Siddhir replied, quietly. Haldir pulled him into an embrace. “You should ask her to visit Lorien sometime soon.” Siddhir did not speak for a moment. Instead, he ran his fingers through Haldir’s unbound silver hair and held him close. He had no way of knowing just how true his statement was. “I am sure she will.” Haldir whispered as he placed soft kisses on the back of Siddhir’s neck. “I was just thinking…” Siddhir smiled. “What were you thinking?” “We still have some time before we have to gather and set off. We could go back to bed…” Siddhir grinned, but shook his head. “I would like nothing more, but it is not wise. We will need our strength for battle. Besides, we will be lucky if all the lovemaking we did last eve is not to our detriment.” Haldir sighed, and released him. “I loathe to admit it, but you are right.” “As usual,” Siddhir chuckled. Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Well, I would not go so far as to say *that,* *lirimaer.”* [lovely one] Siddhir laughed and kissed him. “Come; let us ready ourselves.” ****************************************** They walked side by side nearly an hour later on their way to the common. This time, it was Siddhir who felt Haldir’s pensive mood as they moved through the wood. “What troubles you, *A’maelamin?”* [my beloved] Haldir glanced at him. “I was pondering having you remain in here in Lorien and taking Tinion instead. He is more than capable, and we know not what we will encounter. I would feel better if you were here.” “And I would feel better if *you* were here- but that cannot be. So, I choose to be where you are. Do not challenge me, and do not try to shelter me. It cannot and will not work. *Amin khiluva lle a’ gurtha ar’ thar.”* [I will follow you to death and beyond] Haldir stopped walking and turned to him. “How did I know you would say that?” Siddhir smiled, and kissed him. “Because you know me, and you know me well. Now come; let us not dawdle. We have to set example, do we not?” Haldir chuckled, shaking his head in wonder. They continued walking. As they entered the common, the alarm calling all warriors sounded precisely at dawn. ******************************* Haldir and Siddhir stood at the main entrance as the soldiers of Lorien gathered. Tinion was among the first, and he took his place beside them nodding cheerfully. “Will you call upon your brothers to join us?” Siddhir whispered in Haldir’s ear. “Nay. They will remain in Lorien,” Haldir replied. “They will not be happy to hear that, I am certain.” “That may be so, but it is my decision. I would not want to worry after them in a foreign land.” Siddhir nodded and watched as the common filled. Soon after, Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel arrived. All gathered there quickly bowed as they entered. Behind them, escorted by several guards, were Elam and Hamal. Lord Celeborn nodded, and Haldir stepped forward. “My friends, we have been called upon to aid these men in their quandary. Darkness is near to crushing their city and they have had no recourse except to seek our help. We will provide our help and aid them, but we do so to ensure that this impending darkness will not overrun them and spill forth into our lands. As long as we draw breath, we of the Galadhrim will never see such gloom invade Lorien- not this day nor any other.” Haldir held up a parchment, and then placed it on a nearby table. “A roster has been prepared. If you name is listed there, you will ready yourselves for battle. We leave forthwith. If it is not, you will see to your regular duties. That is all.” Tinion started to move to the table, but Haldir held him back. “You will remain in Lorien. Your skills are needed here.” Tinion nodded. “Very well, Captain.” Orophin pushed through the crowd with Rumil on his heels and rushed quickly up to Haldir. The look on his brother’s face told Haldir he was not at all pleased. “Why were we not called upon? We are of the Galadhrim! Are our skills not needed in battle?” Orophin complained. Haldir looked at him with steely eyes. “I have listed all I will need. You and Ru will remain in Lorien. You will be needed here should things go bad.” Rumil nodded quietly, but Orophin glowered. “You are doing this only to protect us! We are no longer elflings! We are of the Galadhrim and we have earned the right to be here! You should not deny us just because we share the same blood. It is unfair!” Haldir raised an eyebrow and a dangerous expression crossed his features. Siddhir stepped forward and quickly pulled Orophin away. “Orophin, calm yourself. What you say is untrue. Your brother has not done what you are accusing him of. He has done what he thinks best for Lorien, and it is his place to do so. Trust me, please. He needs you and Rumil to remain here,” Siddhir stated. “I agree with Siddhir,” Rumil chimed in as he joined them. “Hal would not do that. We should do what he says, Oro. He has enough to contend with, and besides, even Tinion and Orolonn are staying. Clearly all of us are not needed for this particular undertaking. We will see battle soon enough, and I for one am in no hurry.” Siddhir smiled and grasped Orophin’s shoulder. “He is wise for such a young one, is he not?” Orophin exhaled, defeated. “Yes, he is. Please excuse me.” He walked back over to where Haldir stood speaking with Celeborn and Galadriel, and waited. When Haldir finished, he turned to Orophin with a raised eyebrow expecting a renewed assault from his younger sibling. “Forgive me brother, I was wrong,” Orophin admitted. “You are Marchwarden, and you know best. I will follow your orders without further question.” Haldir relaxed. *“Hannon lle.”* [thank you] *“Gerich veleth nin,”* [you have my love] Orophin whispered as he embraced him. “And you mine,” Haldir returned. Orophin released him. “Is there anything I can do to assist you, brother?” Haldir smiled. “All has been prepared. Look after Ru and our foster parents. That will make my heart light.” “I will,” Orophin promised. Haldir embraced Rumil, who had joined them with Siddhir, and then turned to the mass of Elves before him. “The time has come. We leave for battle,” he announced loudly. “May the Valar be with you all,” Celeborn added. A roar of acquiescence rose from the horde. Haldir nodded to Celeborn and Galadriel and was the first to leave the common along with Elam and Hamal. Siddhir remained until the other Galadhrim passed through, and followed behind. His eyes met Galadriel’s, feeling her concern. He smiled, spoke to her mind, and then left the common and Lorien for battle. ************************************ “I shall miss him terribly. His light is so bright,” Galadriel whispered to her husband. “As will we all,” Celeborn replied quietly. Then he turned to those that remained in the common. “You are relieved. Go about your duties.” The common started to empty. Galadriel slipped over to where Rumil and Orophin stood talking with Tinion and Orolonn. All of them immediately bowed. “Be at ease. I wanted only to speak briefly with Orophin and Rumil,” Galadriel said warmly. “My Lady?” Orophon responded. “I would like very much for you and Rumil to visit with us at Caras Galadon later this evening, for long has it been since we have spent time together.” “Of course, my Lady,” Rumil replied with a grin. Orophin nodded. Galadriel smiled. “Very well. We shall see you both later. Carry on.” She turned and moved back to Celeborn’s side. He nodded at them, took her arm, and together they left the common along with four guards who stood waiting. “How very fortunate for you both,” Tinion snickered. Orophin frowned. Tinion laughed at the expression on the younger Elf’s face. “Calm yourself, *pen-neth.* [young one] I was only jesting. You have become far too serious as of late.” “He has inherited our brother’s bad side it seems,” Rumil remarked. “I have not,” Orophin refuted. Orolonn and Tinion looked at each other and burst into laughter. Rumil joined them. Orophin waved a hand at them and spun on his heel and stalked away. Orolonn looked uneasily at Rumil. “Is he all right? We meant no harm.” Rumil sighed. “There are times when he is very much like Hal indeed, and keeping things to himself is one of them. He is probably just worried. I will go and find him.” “I would join you, but I have to report for duty. Tell him we did not mean to upset him,” Tinion offered. “I will,” Rumil replied, running off on the path that Orophin had taken. ************************************ Elrond stood by the window, looking out at the gardens below. Normally, casting his eyes over such beauty as this made his heart light with joy- but today, it could not begin to heal the pain he felt inside. “My Lord?” Elrond turned to see Erestor standing in the doorway, his soft features reflecting both concern- and knowledge. “It is time?” he whispered. Elrond nodded. Erestor slipped up beside him and placed an arm about his shoulders. “The Valar must need him more than we, for naught else would make any sense.” Elrond sighed heavily. “I know, but even so- it does not make the pain less severe.” he turned and walked away from the window, taking a seat behind his large desk. Pushing several scrolls aside, he rested his head on closed fists. “There are times I wish I was not blessed with the gift. Many nights I yearn for a dreamless sleep, and to awaken knowing naught of what is happening in the world. There is far too much sadness and not enough joy in the days we are living in.” “You know full well what Siddhir would say to that, and besides, we can hold on to the joy yet to come forth. Valinor will hold no such heartbreak,” Erestor reminded him. Elrond smiled thinly. “”Tis true, but not soon enough, I fear.” He sighed again. “I have grown tired, *mellon*… [friend] tired of witnessing the blood of my kin spilled upon this dank and wretched earth, and tired of a world thrown constantly at odds with the darkness of evil. The call of the sea rings loud in my ears. I struggle with my will almost daily to deny my desire to answer it and leave all of this madness behind. But, it is not yet time, and I know I cannot.” Erestor nodded silently in confirmation. He too was guilty of the same thoughts. They both turned at the sound of a soft knock on the open door. “You may enter, Anarin. How can I help you?” Elrond asked. Anarin bowed. “My Lord, please forgive my intrusion, but I thought it best to inform you that Elladan has roused Glorfindel’s wrath yet again, and he is pursuing him vigorously through the gardens at this very moment.” Elrond closed his eyes for a moment, then rose and looked at Erestor. “Where would be my joy if not for Elladan? Come; I will need your help containing Glorfindel.” Chuckling softly, Erestor joined him as they followed Anarin out to the gardens.