TWO Haldir rose first the following morning and slipped quietly from the huge bed, leaving Elrond to continue sleeping. He gathered his clothes and went into the private chamber adjoining the large room for a bath. The warm water in the pool immediately relaxed his tense muscles the moment he slipped into it. He looked around and wondered briefly how Elrond had managed to get his own private pool from a nearby stream into the privacy of his rooms, but he did not ponder upon it long. He closed his eyes with a sigh of relief and relaxed, letting the churning water massage his body. He began to feel stronger. Something inside slowly moved within him, coursing through the length of his body and strengthening his resolve. He would not allow himself to be hurt like that ever again; he thought- and he definitely would not show it. If all thought him arrogant, then so be it. He knew in his heart that the statement was a falsehood, so it mattered not- but one thing was certain; in the end, it would be far less painful for him to let them continue to perceive him that way. He was not used to rejection. Although he did not truly contemplate Elrond as a lover of his own and understood his reasoning, it still hurt some that he would claim to enjoy his company and yet put him aside as a lover. Melpomaen’s words however, had stung like the slice of an Orc’s blade, and he felt as if he had been cut twice. He was now determined never to feel that sting again. Coupling was pleasurable; there was no way he could ever totally give up that-but opening his heart in the process was a mistake he would not soon make again. Love was for the fainthearted. He decided he would spend his time from this day forward becoming a better warrior and taking care of his brothers rather than pursuing a fruitless venture such as love. “Have I told you lately how very fair you are, Haldir?” Elrond whispered, breaking the silence of Haldir’s reverie. Haldir opened his eyes and looked up at him nonchalantly. “Not this morn, but last night will suffice.” Elrond smiled, as he slipped off his robes and joined him in the bath. “Are you feeling better now?” “I feel wonderful. Thank you for inquiring.” “I am glad. Have you changed your mind about staying a while longer?” Haldir thought a moment. Anarin was quite receptive to him the previous day, and he was more than fair. Perhaps he *should* stay awhile longer. He looked at Elrond. “Possibly” Elrond smiled. “That makes my heart glad, *lirimaer* [lovely one]. “Whatever would please you, my Lord.” Haldir replied, with a winning smile. ******************** “When will they speak with us, Tinion? Have you heard any news?” Calaglin asked, as they were eating breakfast. “The borders have been quiet of late, but I am certain they will not always be thus.” Tinion shrugged. “I know not, but I presume they will wait for Haldir’s return, and the dispatch sent after him. It was said that they want *all* of Lorien’s guard present.” Fereveldir looked at Siddhir. “Can you see anything *mellon?* Anything to quiet the minds of the curious?” Siddhir chuckled and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Your curious mind first and foremost. Forgive me, *mellonamin* [my friend], but I see nothing. The lady is powerful and she senses my presence. She will not unlock any doors at this time.” Tinion raised an eyebrow. “What say you, Siddhir? Do you have the gift?” Siddhir winced. “I have- but it is not is it all powerful, and far from predictable.” “How is that so? You are of Lorien. None in Lorien have the gift, and only a few in Imladris can even come close to the skills of Lord Elrond.” Calaglin asked, curious. Siddhir looked at Fereveldir and laughed. Tinion frowned. “I fail to see what is so amusing.” “Forgive me. I thought all of Lorien knew that I am a descendant of Lord Elrond’s line. He is a distant cousin.” “Ah! That would explain it!” Tinion exclaimed. “Explain what?” Siddhir inquired, amused. “Your dark eyes. They are not common of Lorien.” Siddhir grinned. “Far be it from me to be common, eh Fereveldir?” Fereveldir smiled. “Oh, that is certain.” “Well, I rather like uncommon. In fact, I am known for it.” Tinion remarked staring deep into Siddhir’s dark eyes. The elf was quiet, but even still he captivated him with his subtle elegance. “That too is certain.” Fereveldir commented, as he rose. “I think I will take a stroll. I am sure you both can entertain yourselves in my absence?” Tinion laughed aloud. “You are right about that as well, *mellon* [friend].” Calaglin looked from Tinion to Siddhir and stood. “Wait, Fereveldir. I think I shall accompany you.” ******************** “That was a fine breakfast. Do you not agree, Haldir?” Elrond asked. “’Twas fine indeed.” Haldir replied, wiping his mouth. “I shall have to visit your kitchens and inquire as to how it was prepared.” Elrond raised an eyebrow. “You enjoy cooking, do you?” “I do.” “I see there is still much to learn about you, *lirimaer* [lovely one]. I thought it was healing that you were interested in.” Haldir pushed his empty plate aside. “I am interested in many things.” “Somehow I am not surprised. I sense a vast yearning for knowledge within you. You certainly learned swiftly all I have taught you about healing.” Elrond remarked. Haldir smirked. “Surely my Lord has far more important matters to attend to other than to make duty of delving into the mind of a common elf such as myself. I learned quickly because healing interests me.” Elrond frowned. “Haldir, you are *not* a common elf, and you should not refer to yourself as such.” “No matter.” Haldir replied, standing. “I feel like a stroll. Would you care- ” He stopped and turned when Glorfindel entered the dining hall. Elrond looked up expectantly, as Glorfindel stopped and bowed before him. Elrond smiled. “*Quel amrun, mellonamin* [good morning, my friend].” “*Quel amrun* my Lord; Haldir.” Glorfindel replied. “Forgive me for the intrusion, but riders from Lorien have arrived to fetch Haldir. They say he has been called back to Lorien forthwith.” Haldir stared at him wide-eyed and slightly perturbed. “Is there anything amiss?” “They would not say. They have said only that you are to return to Lorien without delay, and that they were to accompany you.” Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Then I shall return. I am certain they would not call upon me while on leave if it were not of great significance. I will go now to my rooms and gather my belongings.” “Very well.” Elrond almost sighed, disappointment clearly edging his voice. Haldir turned and hurriedly left the dining hall. Glorfindel watched Haldir leave. “There is a parchment for you as well, my Lord.” He handed the rolled paper to Elrond. Elrond took it, and slowly opened the parchment. He read it as Glorfindel waited expectantly. A few moments later Erestor entered the dining hall, but remained quiet when he noticed Elrond was reading. Elrond finished reading and rolled the parchment closed again. “There are great changes taking place in Lorien. I sense that many of them will ultimately be for the better.” “Forgive me my Lord, but why was I told to give you this parchment in Haldir’s absence if it were all for the good?” Glorfindel asked. Elrond sighed. “ There is some bad with the good, and they do not want Haldir to learn of it before he is home. Given his state of mind as of late, I think it is a good idea as well.” He stood. “Come; let us see him off.” ******************** “Ah, Siddhir! There you are! I was looking for you. I feared you may have run off with Tinion to some secret place never to return.” Fereveldir remarked with a grin, as he took a seat beside him on the grass. Siddhir chuckled heartily. “Nay, I think not. I am here relaxing and waiting like everyone else to hear news as to why we have all been called upon. How are you faring, friend?” “I fare well. Thank you for asking. Tell me, how are things in the east?” Siddhir sighed; and his beautiful face suddenly became sullen. “Things have been oddly quiet for the last few months, but before that it seemed we would come upon bands of Orcs almost routinely. With every encounter it seems their numbers grow. I fear darkness is near once again.” Fereveldir’s large blue eyes widened. “Have you seen it?” “No. I speak from sheer reason. The patterns of the Orcs are changing. One has only but to pay attention, and they will see as I have. That alone spells trouble.” Fereveldir groaned. “ I know of what you speak. I too have noticed a significant change in their numbers at our borders as well. It is as if they know something and are organizing themselves.” Siddhir’s fair features twisted in to a grimace. “You give the lowly beasts far too much credit. They have not the wits to organize themselves in such a manner. They are being led.” Fereveldir turned to gaze into Siddhir’s eyes. “Led? But by whom? Melkor has not been heard from in ages, and Sauron was defeated in the last war. Peace has come once again throughout our lands.” “If that is so, why are the Orcs’ numbers increasing, and why do they try to come upon us? Nay, *mellonamin* [my friend], something is amiss. They gather their strength, because they know it will take great numbers to thwart us.” Fereveldir blinked. “Who do you think leads them?” Siddhir looked away for a moment and them returned his gaze to his friend. “The dark Lord Sauron is far worse than Melkor ever was. He surpassed his mentor’s vile teachings and I believe that it is he who somehow stirs life into those beasts. If not directly, then he is at least behind it. I know not yet how, but I feel it is so.” “Do you think that is why we all have been called upon?” Fereveldir asked. “I know not for certain, but I do think it may be part of it.” Siddhir confessed. Fereveldir exhaled. “Never have I known your thoughts to be wrong, whether they be by sight or conjecture.” Siddhir looked at him. “There are times when I wish it were not so; either my thoughts or my gift.” Fereveldir smiled and placed a hand on Siddhir’s shoulder. “Forgive me *mellon* [friend] for dampening your spirit. I know it must be a burden at times. I would greatly like to see you smile again, so let us speak of more pleasant things. Tell me, what is happening with you and Tinion?” Siddhir’s musical laughter resounded through the wood, but he said nothing. Fereveldir grinned. “I take it things are going well?” “Why Fereveldir, for one who is not attracted to the male gender, you take great delight in hearing our tales. Have you been thinking of converting?” Siddhir joked. Fereveldir laughed hard. “Nay, I cannot say that. Although I have seen many an attractive male here in Lorien, I still find the she-elf more so. It is just that the tales I have heard are so entertaining.” “I will grant you that, as I have heard some quite entertaining tales myself. Tell me about the one whom we wait upon; the one called Haldir. I have heard many tales about him, but I have yet to meet him, as our paths have not crossed. I have heard also that the two of you are close friends. Is he truly as fair and promiscuous as it is said?” Fereveldir chuckled. “Yes, we are close- and yes, I suppose he is fair. Both males and females here in Lorien seem to find him attractive, quiet as it is kept. But, I would *not* say he is as promiscuous as it has been told. I too have heard those tales, and I think more often than not some were more *wishes* than actual events.” Siddhir grinned. “Is that so? How very intriguing.” Fereveldir chortled. “It is so.” “Tell me more. What manner of Elf is he? Who are his parents?” Siddhir asked. Fereveldir grew quiet for a moment, and then spoke in a lower tone of voice. “Haldir’s story is a sad one. He and his younger brothers were orphaned when their parents were killed in an Orc attack in the middle of the night where they lived just outside the great divide several years ago. He was awake to witness it, and somehow escaped dragging his sleeping brothers with him. The Orcs were dealt with, when we learned what had happened; but not in time to save the lives of his parents. Lord Amroth took a liking to him immediately for his ability to save his siblings, and bade him to stay in here in Caras Galadon rather than go back across the divide. He took Haldir under his wing and personally taught him archery and how to use a blade. It was not long before Haldir’s talent with wielding both surpassed everyone’s expectations. He was an intense study. Every free moment he could get, he was either practising or entering tournaments. He won more contests than could be counted, and after awhile Lord Amroth promoted him to Captain and gave him his own charge. All of that while caring for his brothers then and still. He is very devoted to them. I have personally seen him go without food himself so that they might eat their fill. For an Elf who was far from being a father, he has become a great one.” “He is away now. Who watches after them in his stead?” Siddhir asked, interested. “We *all* do when not on watch, but at this time Orolonn and his wife Aranel and looking after them. Haldir did not want to go on leave, but Lord Amroth had insisted before he left, for all could clearly see that Haldir was weary. He reluctantly acquiesced and went to Rivendell for some rest. When he returns, you can be sure that the first thing he will do is go and seek his brothers out.” “What are their names?” Siddhir inquired. “The eldest of the two is called Orophin. The younger elfling is called Rumil.” “Unusual names, even for Lorien, ” Siddhir commented. Fereveldir chuckled. “All right, fair one. I have told you enough. Do not think that I have not caught on to your evasiveness before. You will share a tale with *me* now.” Siddhir’s dark eyes sparkled as he smiled brightly at Fereveldir. “You do not wish to hear *any* tale; you wish to hear about Tinion.” Fereveldir bellowed with laughter. “Ah! I am found out. Are you reading me, *mellon* [friend]?” “Nay, ‘tis not necessary. Your question alone speaks volumes, but I fear I have nothing to tell. Tinion was called into Caras Galadon before we could finish our chat.” “Elbereth! All that and *nothing* happened?” “I am afraid not, friend.” Siddhir chuckled. Fereveldir pulled himself up from the grass and offered a hand to Siddhir. “Well, as it seems that I cannot have my fill of entertaining tales this eve, perhaps we can fill our bellies instead. Food is now being set out. Would you care to join me?” Siddhir took his hand and hoisted himself up to stand. “I would indeed.” ******************** Haldir was the last to mount his horse, as the others in his party slowly moved away. Elrond stepped forward to meet him with a smile. “I shall miss you, Haldir. I would hope that you will visit Rivendell again on holiday in the future.” “I will, my Lord. You need not question that.” Haldir answered. “For that I am glad. Have a safe journey, *mellonamin* [my friend].” Haldir winked and then swiftly turned his horse and galloped to join the others in his party. Elrond watched until they faded into the distance, and then turned and walked slowly over to his friend and councillor Erestor, who was waiting quietly behind him. Together they walked back to the main house.