FORTY EIGHT “I win again,” Rumil chuckled, removing the pieces from the board. Orophin turned to Haldir with a frown. “I care not what you say, Ru *has* to be cheating. Never have I seen one person win so often.” Haldir smiled. “Unfortunately, I think not. I have taken great care to watch him, and I saw no slight of hand.” “You’re just a sore loser, Oro. It really isn’t very becoming either,” Rumil teased. Orophin thumped him on the shoulder with his fist in response. “Oh! Did you see that, brother? He is violent too!” Rumil exclaimed, rubbing his arm. “I am not, and I have had enough of this game.” Orophin announced. “You give in too easily. You should be more like Siddhir. He never- ” Rumil stopped in mid-sentence. “Forgive me brother.” Haldir smiled. “It is all right, Ru. You may speak of him whenever you like.” “It will not hurt you?” Haldir sighed. “To say it wouldn’t would be a falsehood, but even still… speaking of him comforts me as well- if that makes any sense.” “It does, brother,” Orophin confirmed with a reassuring smile. “Well, what else shall we do today? It is clear that Rumil is the master of this game,” Haldir chuckled. “You could cook for us,” Rumil suggested. Haldir mocked a frown. “Well that’s refreshing. You wish to spend our time together making me work.” Rumil laughed. “I was jesting. We could go for a swim in the lake.” “That is a wonderful idea,” Haldir agreed. “Let us be off then.” ********************************* “My Lord?” “Come, Glorfindel. I am on the terrace,” Elrond called out. Glorfindel entered through the open door and joined him. “I have received word that Cineas will be arriving shortly accompanied by Galdor.” Elrond nodded. “Long has it been since I have seen her. I wish it could have been under more favorable circumstances.” Glorfindel took a seat beside him on the divan. “When was she last in Rivendell?” Elrond gave him a sideways glance. “She came to lend comfort to Siddhir at Gil-Galad’s service, which took place only six months after Siddhir’s *father’s* service.” Glorfindel exhaled. “She certainly is strong. So was Siddhir as far as that goes. It must run in the family.” “Yes, it does,” Elrond replied quietly. “Please see to it that all is in order for their arrival.” “Of course, my Lord. I only hope Elladan is on his best behaviour. Elbereth, how twins can be so vastly different is beyond me. Elrohir is so much more hospitable. So is Arwen for that matter.” Elrond chuckled. “I believe Elladan favours making you ill at ease just for the sport of it. You should not allow him upset you so, but worry not. I will see to him.” ***************************************** A throaty whistle sounded from below. Tinion looked down to see Elviondel as he began to climb. He turned to Legandir. “I will return shortly. Stay alert.” “Yes, Captain,” the young sentinel replied. Tinion waved Elviondel down, and then dropped tn the ground beside him. The younger Elf looked at him quizzically. “Why have you come down? I am reporting for watch.” “Forgive me, I meant to send word that you were excused when I was surprised by a visit from Haldir. I have called upon young Legandir to do double duty for his tardiness.” Elviondel grinned. “Ah, he reminds me of myself not long ago.” “Quite,” Tinion chuckled. “At any rate, you need not report again until tomorrow morning.” “This is an unexpected treat. Whatever shall I do with myself?” “I think Melpomaen might enjoy your company,” Tinion suggested with a wink. Elviondel smiled. “I had almost forgotten he was here with everything that has happened. That is an excellent idea.” “Then be off- but be warned; do not return to your old ways and be tardy on the morrow or you, my friend, will do *triple* duty. This I promise you.” Elviondel laughed out loud. “Worry not, Captain. I have long learned that lesson.” *“Tanya farnuva. Namarie,”* [that will suffice. Farewell] Tinion replied, chuckling as Elviondel quickly turned and darted off through the wood. *************************************** “That was wonderful,” Orophin commented, as he joined his brothers on the shore. “Rumil was right. We should definitely swim more often. It is both invigorating *and* relaxing.” Rumil smiled. “I told you. I swim more than either of you.” “Yes, you do, *pen-neth,* [young one] Haldir replied happily. “But I agree, going into the water for more than just bathing has its advantages. I feel well enough to report for duty again. Perhaps even on the morrow.” Orophin glanced at him, concerned. “Do you not think that would be too soon, brother?” “No. I need to get back to my responsibilities. I am Marchwarden after all, and I would not think our Lord and Lady will have me resting forever. Nor would I want to,” Haldir answered. “Siddhir would not want you to either. He would want you to be happy again,” Rumil remarked. Fully dressed now, Haldir looked at him and smiled. “Yes, I know.” “He would also want us to practice, Ru,” Orophin reminded him. “Perhaps we should go to the fields right now. I feel good enough to beat you,” Rumil teased. “We will see about that, *pen-tithen,”* [little one] Orophin shot back. All turned when Anarin appeared from behind some shrubbery. *“Mae Govannen,* [well met] the dark haired Elf greeted with a bow. The brothers responded in kind. “I trust I am not disturbing you? I was hoping Haldir and I might have a chance to talk,” Anarin remarked, gazing at Haldir hopefully. Orophin turned to Haldir. “You will not join us, brother?” Haldir took his eyes from his brother’s optimistic gazes and turned to Anarin. “I would be pleased to, but do you suppose we could do it on the practice field?” Anarin smiled. “I’d be delighted. We could spar together.” The four of them left for the practice field. Haldir and Anarin kept pace from behind, while Rumil and Orophin led- teasing each other the entire way. ************************************ Night fell, and the long but pleasant day was done. Alone now, Haldir opened the door to his talan just as cool, heavy drops of rain began to fall. It had been quite some time since Lorien had last seen rain. He stood in the doorway for a while watching as the droplets transformed into a heavy downpour, splattering everything beneath it. He had always loved the rain. It relaxed him, even with the noisy rumbles of thunder that sometimes accompanied it, as it was now. His lips curled into a slight grin as a memory of himself and Siddhir wrestling in the mud after a big rain such as this flashed through his mind. **“You are always so ridiculously clean, my love. I think it will do you good to get dirty for a change,”** Siddhir had said, while smearing mud all over his face as he sat on his chest. **“Now you look like one of the dark Elves- and just as winsome still.”** He quickly made Siddhir his mirror image, grabbing mud in both hands and reaching up to smear it over his face as well, the two of them laughing happily all the while. Haldir’s eyes focused again and he went inside, closing the talan door behind him. Somewhat weary, he pulled off his clothes and climbed into bed, relishing the feel of the crisp white sheets as he slipped under and pulled them across his skin. He lay there for a time, listening to the rain pouring down outside the window. Then, he rolled over on his side and closed his eyes. He could smell him then. He reached out and grasped Siddhir’s pillow and held it long against his face. The scent both comforted and disturbed him. An hour later, he was still awake. Eventually he climbed out of bed, painfully aware that he could never sleep peacefully in it again. He wrapped one of the sheets around him, grabbed his pillow and went to the table in the outer room and took a seat. He placed the pillow on top of the table in front of him and slid back in the chair to rest his head upon it. Suddenly, he opened his eyes. A memory once again invaded his mind. He rose and went over to the desk, remembering Siddhir had sat there the day they had departed for battle. Siddhir never sat there. He had always considered scrolls and books his domain, and he had briefly thought it odd that Siddhir had been sitting there that morning. As he looked through the scrolls, everything seemed in order until he decided to pull out the books. A piece of rolled parchment fell from the third book he moved. He sat there for a moment staring at it, because he knew instinctively that it had not been there before. Slowly he opened it. Siddhir’s writing was clearly visible; **Haldir, My commander, my champion, my beloved…I write this because I wish for you to hear me. Be neither angry nor sad and do not question what had to be, for we must all answer Fate’s call. Yours is to continue until your path is lit again- And lit again it will be, this I promise you. Remember that what we shared was rich and wonderful, and let it remain in a part of your heart, but do not bind your soul to the memory and do not shroud your heart against future warmth. Magic like ours will happen for you again my love. It will be a different sort of magic- as well it should, but wonderful still. Do not reject it when it comes to you, and do not compare the two. Cherish it and be happy, for you deserve this happiness, my beauty, and it is my wish for you. Dwell not on me, because I am at peace. Your light cannot and must not dim- not even for me. I knew so when I gazed into your eyes that very first time- but decided that I had to have you anyway. I don’t regret any of it, because I was happier with you than I had ever been- but now you must go on. Your destiny awaits, and it is beautiful. I will see you again my love, because I will be watching- and I would look to see that wonderful, crooked smile of yours. If I don’t, I will throttle you from beyond and become the bane of your existence. Am I not always right? Look, you’re smiling already. All my love, Siddhir** Chuckling even as he wiped the tears from his eyes, Haldir folded the note carefully and slipped it back inside of the book. He placed the books back where they were, and then went into the bedroom and dressed. The rain had eased some when he opened the door and stepped out of the talan into the night air. He dropped to the ground and began to walk, conscious of the moistened earth beneath his boots. He had no particular destination in mind. He just felt the need to walk, as he and Siddhir had done many a night for no reason at all. Lorien was quiet and still. All that could be heard was the sound of the rain splashing steadily on the surrounding rooftops as he ambled by. The common was empty. The many tables within it wet now and without adornment. He continued on until he came upon the night watch. Dinendal had obviously marked his coming and stood at the base of the Mallorn waiting. “How goes the watch, sentinel?” Haldir inquired. “Quiet, Captain. Anyriand and I have not long relieved Legandir and Captain Tinion,” Dinendal replied. “They had naught to report.” Haldir nodded. “Very well.” “Is there something you need, Captain?” “No. I am quite well, thank you. I was just out for a walk,” Haldir answered. Dinendal considered him closely. “Pardon me Captain, but at this hour? Are you certain I cannot assist you in any way?” Haldir smiled. “Strolling the night is something Siddhir and I did quite often. I suppose I am still in the habit. Worry not. I will be going back now at any rate.” “Yes, Captain,” Dinendal replied. Haldir nodded and left the way he had come. Dinendal watched him for several moments before assuming his post again. ********************************* As he neared the common, Haldir decided to take the path that went past his brother’s talan on the way back home. The rain had stopped, and a thin veil of mist hung heavy in the air. He stopped briefly below their talan and thought about how wonderful they had been. He was grateful to have them. He smiled and continued on his way. Rounding the last turn before he would merge into the path that would take him to his own talan, he stopped. Twenty paces off the road into the wood, there was something at the base of one of the trees. He moved in closer to take a better look. Kneeling down, he saw what looked like a lumpy blanket and sack piled under the tree. He frowned, wondering who could have possibly left it there. Sighing heavily, he grabbed a piece of the blanket and pulled it away. Legandir’s anxious eyes looked up at him. Haldir blinked. “Legandir?” “Y-yes, Captain,” the sentinel answered quietly. “Is there a reason that you are sleeping out here in the rain instead of in your talan like everyone else?” The doe-eyed sentinel pulled himself up into a sitting position. “The guest talans are full, and I have not a talan any longer.” “And why not?” Haldir asked. Legandir looked down at the ground. “I-I shared a talan with someone. I thought about what you told me and took your advice. He bade me to leave.” Haldir considered him for several moments. “Why did you not call upon Rumil? He would not have seen you out here in the rain.” “I did not wish to burden him. Besides, he shares a talan with Orophin and has not the room,” Legandir replied. “It is all right, Captain. The woods are beautiful. I am faring well out here.” “You are soaked, sentinel.” Haldir noted. Legandir offered a thin smile. “It doesn’t rain often in Lorien. One night in the rain will not hurt me.” Haldir frowned. “Enough. Gather your belongings and come with me.” “But, Captain…” “Now, Legandir,” Haldir sighed. “Y-yes Captain.” Haldir waited while the young sentinel gathered his belongings, and the two of them continued down the path. Finally they entered Haldir’s talan. Legandir stood quietly in the outer room, looking around. Haldir closed the door, went into the bedroom and returned with a nightshirt. “Take off those wet things and put this on,” he said, tossing the nightshirt to Legandir. “I trust the rest of your clothing is in that sack you carry?” Legandir nodded. “Then they are drenched as well. When you are finished, pull them out and hang them on the line over there,” Haldir remarked, pointing to a length of rope attached to the talan wall at the far side of the room. “Your weapons can rest on top of that trunk.” “Yes, Captain.” Haldir turned and walked again into the bedroom. He stripped the bed bare, and retrieved another set of sheets from a drawer and made the bed fresh. Then he carried the previous linen to the outer room and placed it with the other sheet and pillow he had left on the table. “You will sleep in there,” he said, pointing to the bedroom. “Tomorrow I will see that you get a talan one way or the other. Why did you not tell Tinion of your plight?” Legandir’s cheek flushed red. “Captain Tinion was annoyed with me. I did not want to disturb him further.” Haldir raised an eyebrow. “And why was that sentinel?” “I was late for watch. He assigned me double duty in return,” Legandir admitted. “As well he should have. I trust it won’t happen again.” “No, Captain.” “Good. Now off to bed with you. We shall speak more in the morning,” Haldir replied, turning to pull off his muddy boots. Then he removed his tunic, tossed it aside and sat at the table in his leggings, gathering the pillows and sheets in front of him. He turned and looked quizzically at the young sentinel, who had not yet moved. “Why are you still here?” “Captain, it is not right for me to put you out of your own bed. I should be the one who sleeps at the table,” Legandir replied. Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps you would like instead to do another double duty for disregarding your Captain’s command?” “N-no, Captain,” Legandir answered. “Very well,” Haldir replied, pointing again to the bedroom. Legandir nodded and moved slowly towards the room. In the doorway, he stopped and turned around. Haldir, still watching him, waited expectantly. *“Hannon lle, Quel du,”* [thank you, good night] Legandir whispered. Then he disappeared from sight. *“Quel du,”* Haldir replied, gathering the pillows and sheets in a bunch. He rested his head upon them and closed his eyes, inhaling Siddhir’s scent again. Within minutes he was fast asleep.