Part Twelve
"What bothers you, Rúmil?"
Haldir and his youngest brother walked through the Golden Wood on their way to the
northern border, where the party from Mirkwood was expected to arrive sometime this
day. Dawn had just broken and the mallorn trees held a hint of rose in their golden leaves.
The morning dew released the scent of earth and wood and flowers, and Haldir found
himself in high spirits. He carefully masked these, unwilling to let Rúmil speculate as to
why he might be so happy today.
Rúmil, however, was lost in his own thoughts and paying no mind to Haldir whatsoever,
but to follow him through the wood. Normally he would be talking incessantly. His silence
unnerved Haldir. Orophin was prone at times to silence, but Rúmil never was. His
expression was dark, his brow creased in a frown.
"Rúmil?"
"Hm?"
"What are you thinking about, little brother?"
"I am thinking," Rúmil said, coming out of his reverie, "That I wish I had not traded shifts
with Orophin."
"I would rather you had not traded with him, either," Haldir said.
He had been bitterly angry when Rúmil had emerged from their talan this morning and said
that he would be going instead of Oro. If Galadriel had not appeared just then and told
them to hurry along, he would have marched back up the stairs, hauled Orophin out of
bed, and made them both go. However, if Galadriel did not mind them switching, who was
he to complain?
"He seemed so sad this morning, Haldir," Rúmil said with concern. "I could not deny him
anything."
Haldir nodded. Orophin had much on his mind lately, between Amroth's rejection and
Celeborn's attack on him. Still, brooding in the talan would do him little good. Haldir
thought a march to the border would serve him well.
"Did he tell you what happened last night?"
"Last night? What happened last night?" Rúmil asked, sounding alarmed.
"He offered himself to Amroth, and was refused."
"I am glad!" Rúmil exclaimed. "He is treading on dangerous ground. He forgets who
Amroth is."
"I agree with you, Rúmil."
"That alone should be an indication that there is a problem," Rúmil said, sounding
exasperated. Haldir laughed. "Haldir, there is no talking sense into him."
"What think you of Amroth?"
"I like him well enough," Rúmil said thoughtfully. "I believe he means our brother no
harm. What he needs from Orophin is not what Oro desires from him. Certainly Oro
enjoys his long-winded tales of times past, but he stares at Amroth like a tender maiden as
well."
"I suppose Amroth is wise enough in his decision."
"But will he hold to it?"
"Only time will tell. And we will watch over Orophin, you and I."
"Thank you, Haldir, for easing my mind."
Haldir nodded and wondered if he should tell Rúmil about Celeborn's attempted seduction.
The Lord of Lórien might equally turn his attention to Rúmil. Of course, knowing Rúmil,
he might not be as adverse to it as Haldir and Orophin were. Rúmil had always looked up
to Celeborn. He decided to hold his tongue. Let Orophin tell Rúmil if he liked. Haldir
would simply watch over them both as he always did.
"The Evenstar seems to have grown fond of you," he commented, glancing at Rúmil for
his reaction.
"Ai, she kissed me!" Rúmil exclaimed.
Haldir lifted a brow. This he had not expected to hear. A shiver of jealousy touched his
mind, and he wanted to laugh. Should he be jealous if Arwen indeed preferred Rúmil to
him? He did not want her. In fact, he thought that she and Rúmil were well-suited. Still,
she had been chasing Haldir for centuries.
"She kissed you, or you kissed her?"
"I would sooner kiss an orc. She flung herself on me."
"With no encouragement on your part?"
"Well, I did tell her she was beautiful."
"Rúmil, Rúmil. For all the lovers you take, you never have learned anything of the ways of
the heart."
"You are a fine one to talk! You do not exactly have a line outside of your talan."
"Ah, but I might have Arwen inside it if I liked," Haldir replied, trying to see how Rúmil
would react.
"Then have her and save me from her!" Rúmil said. "Forever did she follow you around,
and so her kiss only confused me."
"Why do you dislike her?"
"She always manages to lay trouble at my door," Rúmil said darkly. "Whatever problems
she creates while she is here will no doubt be blamed on me."
"Perhaps you ought to keep a close watch on her to prevent this," Haldir suggested.
"And spend more time with her?"
"Her company is not as unpleasant as you suggest."
"Why do you not keep her company, then?"
"I like Arwen well enough, but I do not wish to find myself married to her."
Rúmil's eyes widened. "Do you think that might happen?"
"I fear that Elrond thinks it is a good idea. Should Galadriel agree, I would be lost."
"Maybe it would do you good to have a wife -- but not her."
Haldir smiled. "Would it?"
"Sometimes I think you are lonely, Haldir."
"Oh, never. I have you and Orophin, after all. Were I to marry, Arwen would serve as well
as any maid, I suppose, but I desire this not, not now. Too much danger lurks in the world
at this time. Orcs draw closer to our borders. Often do we fight the goblins. There is a
shadow falling over the world, and over the wood."
Rúmil nodded, but Haldir was not sure he truly understood what was coming, or why they
had to guard the borders of the wood so vigilantly. He was young still, and for him and so
many of the other elves, defending the borders was sport. He did not truly understand
death. Galadriel had shown Haldir the darkness that was coming. She had bid him gaze
into her mirror, and told him many histories.
He was Marchwarden because he could understand the grave importance of protecting
Caras Galadhon. Someday Galadriel meant to leave, he knew. She would take with her
across the sea to Aman those who would go. Haldir did not desire to go, but perhaps one
day he would, one day when all the elves were gone from Arda. He hoped that day would
be a long time in coming.
They reached the edge of the wood where several elves were already patrolling. Haldir
spoke with the leader of the patrol, who assured him that the last night had been quiet. No
orcs or goblins had been seen. The party from Mirkwood had not yet arrived. There was
little to do but watch and wait for Thranduil. Haldir wondered if Legolas would be with
him.
He had met the Prince of Mirkwood many summers ago, when Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin
had been sent to Mirkwood for a season. It was in the time before he had been
Marchwarden. He had been less serious in those days, more prone to trouble, much like
Rúmil was now. He had seduced Legolas rather ruthlessly. Legolas had fallen in love with
him, and Haldir had rejected him in a manner than seemed callous.
He had never meant to hurt Legolas, he reflected. He had simply known that what had
passed between them could not last, even though he had been the one to instigate it in the
first place. Part of him hoped that Thranduil would not bring his son to Lothlórien. The
other part of him wanted to see Legolas… desperately.
"Do you think Legolas will come?" Rúmil asked suddenly.
"I know not," said Haldir, not wishing to let his brother know that he had just been
thinking about the Prince.
"I hope he does. I liked him very much that summer we spent in Mirkwood, strange as it
was. I remember that…" Rúmil seemed to be in better spirits, and his cheerful chatter
went on unbroken through the course of the day. Haldir watched the border, listening with
only half an ear.
It was close to dusk when the sound of horses was heard, and soon they came across the
plain that bordered the Golden Wood. Haldir straightened his posture and Rúmil fell silent
at last. They watched the two magnificent white stallions draw near, carrying with them
two magnificent elves. Thranduil and Legolas were very much alike in form and figure,
though Thranduil was taller and broader. The King of Mirkwood's hair fell in ripples of
dark gold to his waist, while his son's hair was lighter, straighter and came halfway down
his back.
Thranduil had a weathered look to his handsome face, while Legolas still bore a youthful
visage, completely unlined. He had changed very little since that summer so many years
ago. Haldir felt his breath leave his throat as longing filled him. He forced his expression
to be blank and clear. He would not allow Legolas to know how much he still affected the
Marchwarden. Their affair was in the past, and it must stay that way. They would not be
here long enough to risk rekindling it.
Thranduil and Legolas dismounted their horses and removed what packs that had brought
with them, allowing the beasts to roam free as was the way of elves. There was nowhere
to stable them in Caras Galadhon, but when it was time for them to depart a whistle would
bring the horses running, Haldir knew.
"Ah, greetings, Haldir of Lórien," Thranduil said, lifting his arm in greeting. He handed his
pack to Rúmil without looking at him. Rúmil took it automatically, but then opened his
mouth to protest. Haldir silenced him with a look. "You look very well. I understand
Galadriel has made you Marchwarden -- a post no doubt well filled."
"Welcome, Lord Thranduil," Haldir said, raising an eyebrow to the comment about his
looks. "And many thanks. I am here to bring you to the Lady of Light, who looks forward
to enjoying your company."
Thranduil beamed. "And I to enjoying hers. And Celeborn! It has been far too long since I
have seen that old rogue. I trust he has not changed."
"Not at all," Haldir said, hearing the coldness in his own tone. He did not wish to think
about Celeborn just now.
"You remember my son, Legolas," Thranduil said. From his tone Haldir held little doubt
that Thranduil knew what had passed between them. "We come just the two of us,
without my retinue, for which Galadriel will no doubt be grateful. Usually I like to take
twenty good bowmen with me. Dangerous to travel alone, but Legolas is a fine mark."
"Yes, I remember," Haldir said. He met Legolas' eye. The younger elf lifted his chin
slightly and did not smile. "Welcome, Legolas Greenleaf. I trust you will find Caras
Galadhon as beautiful as your own home."
"I am certain I shall," Legolas said icily, but then he turned to Rúmil and smiled. "It is
good to see you again, Rúmil," he said, his tone warming so much that Haldir had to fight
back a bitter jealously. "I remember well your visit to Mirkwood and look forward to
renewing our acquaintance. But tell me, where is Orophin?"
"Oh, he was lazy this morning!" Rúmil said, laughing.
Haldir turned and led the small party into the wood, and Thranduil fell into step beside
him. The joy Haldir had felt that morning had faded completely. The two younger elves
walked behind them, chattering like magpies. How he envied Rúmil's easiness with the
Prince. Of course, Rúmil could have a conversation with a tree… It was his own fault,
Haldir supposed. After all, he had broken Legolas' heart. He just had not expected to lose
his own into the bargain.
"Tell me, Haldir, has the lost king truly returned?" Thranduil asked after a few minutes.
Haldir wished that everyone would stop asking him this question. He nodded slightly.
"Has Elrond arrived?" Thranduil asked.
"Yes. He came yesterday with his daughter and a small party from Imladris."
"I knew he would be here. He has never forgiven Amroth for winning the heart of
Nimrodel. Keep a sharp eye on him, Haldir."
"I leave that to Lady Galadriel," Haldir replied, trying not to sound amused.
"I knew Amroth very little," Thranduil said. "He was a friend of my father, Oropher.
Oropher thought very highly of Amroth. I am inclined to do the same, but I will reserve
judgement for the moment."
"I understand," said Haldir.
"His return is of great consequence to all Elvendom," Thranduil said. "I only hope that he
does not create great dissension between us. Dark times lie ahead, and all elves must
remain united… or we will all perish."
