ELEVEN Dusk settled over Lorien as Haldir and Fereveldir gathered their arrows. Everyone else who had been there left long ago, and they were alone. Fereveldir cast a thoughtful sideways glance at his longtime friend as they made their way back from the practice fields. “You were kind with me today, I could tell,” Fereveldir remarked. Haldir looked at him. “What do you mean? We were not competing.” Fereveldir sighed. “I know. I said that to get a rise out of you, and I have failed miserably.” “Oh.” “Haldir, may I ask you something?” “Ask.” “You were very short when I asked you about Siddhir. What did you mean when you spoke of him realizing his mistake? What mistake? What happened?” Fereveldir inquired. Haldir looked at him, but said nothing. Fereveldir frowned. “Since when do you not confide in me, Haldir? Are we not still friends?” “Of course we are,” Haldir sighed. Fereveldir stopped walking. “Wait…I told you that I knew Siddhir cared for you. That is when you mentioned the mistake. Hal, have you been with Siddhir?” Haldir smirked. “I thought you did not like to hear the details of such things.” Fereveldir’s eyes widened. “Elbereth! You have been with him! Haldir raised an eyebrow. “And why is that so surprising?” “Now I am *certain* he cares for you- much more than I realized, even. Elbereth! Now it all makes sense!” Haldir frowned. “What say you, Fereveldir?” “The look on his face when we came upon you with Anarin!” Haldir just looked at him. “Hal, why were you with Anarin so soon after being with Siddhir? I thought you were getting on so well. What happened between you?” Fereveldir questioned. “*Nothing* happened. You know how I feel about love, Fereveldir. We have discussed it, and I tried to tell him my feelings about it as well. Of course he did not want to hear it at the time, because he wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with him- but it changes nothing still.” Fereveldir exhaled slowly. “Hal, Siddhir is a good elf. You could really be happy with him. Why do you insist on pushing love away now when you used to seek it at every turn before? *Please* tell me that it is not because of what happened in Rivendell. I know you are stronger than that.” “That is correct, *mellon.* [friend] I am,” Haldir answered, and started walking again. Fereveldir quickened his pace to catch up with him. “Siddhir is *not* like Tinion, or some of the others you have been with, Haldir. He does not lie with others for sheer pleasure alone.” Haldir stopped abruptly and turned to him. “And you would know this *how*?” “Because I know *him* just as I know *you.* Like you, he is beautiful, seductive, and he flirts a lot- but with *him*, that is all it is. Siddhir had only *one* lover since becoming of age up until that lover died in battle. If he gave himself to you, it is because he has opened his heart again,” Fereveldir explained. Haldir blinked. “Who was his lover?” “Gil- Galad.” Surprise spread slowly across Haldir’s features. “Surely you jest.” “I speak naught but the truth. It is the reason he settled in Lothlorien and never returned to Rivendell.” Haldir groaned and started walking again. “I do not want to love him, Fereveldir.” “But you do,” Fereveldir prompted. Haldir sighed. “I have to pick up Ru and Oro now.” “I will accompany you. I would like to say hello to Orolonn and Aranel,” Ferevedir replied. Neither of them noticed the horrified look on Anarin’s face as he watched them retreat from his cover behind the large trunk of a nearby Mallorn. ******************** Anarin strolled back to the table to find Siddhir sitting only with Melpomaen. They smiled when he re-joined them. “You were away much longer than we thought you would be,” Melpomaen commented. “I- I got lost,” Anarin stammered. Siddhir looked at him, but said nothing. Anarin was not telling the truth. It was obvious to him that something had upset him. Knowing how quiet Anarin was by nature, he decided to ask him about it when they were alone. “Erestor and Glorfindel have retired for the evening. It looks like Lord Elrond will not join us after all. He must have very important business with Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, or he would have been here by now.” He stretched. “Well, the day has been long for me as well. I think I too will retire,” Melpomaen remarked, standing. “*Quel du,*” [good night] Siddhir remarked. “*Quel kaima,*” [sleep well] Anarin added. Melpomaen nodded and left them alone at the table. Siddhir looked at him thoughtfully. “What troubles you, *mellonamin?*[my friend] You seem quite shaken.” Anarin looked into Siddhir’s dark eyes. “I heard something whilst I was away. I need you to tell me if it is true.” Siddhir smiled. “That depends on what you have heard. ” “I am serious, Siddhir,” Anarin replied. Anarin’s expression made the smile leave Siddhir’s face. “What is amiss?” “I- I overheard Fereveldir and Haldir talking.” Siddhir grinned. “So? They are very close friends, Anarin.” “Siddhir, have you…have you been with Haldir?” Anarin asked. Siddhir blinked, but did not respond. Instead, he turned his ebony eyes skyward. The vivid streaks of yellow and orange he was admiring a few minutes before were rapidly becoming a blur as they blended into the vastness of the darkening sky. “Elbereth! It is true!” Anarin swore through his teeth. Siddhir returned his attention to him. “Worry not, *mellon.* It is over.” “But you care for him! You have to! I know you would not have been with him if that were not true!” Anarin exclaimed. Siddhir brushed several stray strands of honey blond hair away from his face. “Well, it seems he does not care for me in quite the same manner. However, it matters not. Do not upset yourself so.” “I swear to you on my life that I never would have been with him had I known. Please believe me.” Siddhir smiled, and placed a reassuring hand over his. “I do, and I hold no ill will for you, *mellon*. [friend] I thank you for your respect, but Haldir is free to be with whomever he wishes. I hold no claim to him.” “But- ” Siddhir squeezed his hand. “No buts. You too are worthy of love, Anarin. I do not expect you to forsake the possibility just because of feelings I may have had. I will be fine, I assure you. Worry not.” He stood then, leaving Anarin staring up at him open mouthed. Siddhir smiled. “I would love to stay and chat with you, but I have watch this eve and I have to be on my way.” Anarin stood and Siddhir embraced him. “If I should not return before you depart, have a safe journey and please return to visit me again, all right?” “Yes, of course,” Anarin replied. Siddhir gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. “*Quel kaima.”* [Sleep well] “*Hannon lle,”*[thank you] Anarin answered. Siddhir smiled, and gave him a nod before disappearing into the forest. ******************** “Was Rumil much trouble?” Haldir asked, as he lifted the toddler into his arms. Aranel smiled. “He was an absolute angel.” Haldir raised an eyebrow as he cast his gaze upon a grinning Rumil. “Is that so? ‘Tis been a very long while since he has been an angel with me.” Rumil giggled then as if he understood what his brother had said. Aranel smiled. “’Tis naught but the truth. Is that not so, Orophin?” Aranel asked. “He was very well behaved, brother,” Orophin admitted. Aranel stroked Orophin’s white-blond hair. “And this one was a great help as always.” “I can always count on him to be so.” Haldir replied, smiling. “Fereveldir, we will be leaving now. Orolonn; Aranel, *Hannon lle- Quel du.”*[thank you-good night] “*Quel du, mellon.* I will visit just a while longer,” Fereveldir answered. Haldir nodded. “Very well.” He took Orophin’s hand and strolled away. Behind him, Fereveldir called out; “I intend to finish our earlier discussion, *mellon,* lest you forget.” Haldir raised his and Orophin’s hand in response, and they continued walking. ******************** “I would have to agree, my Lady. ‘Tis a long journey to Mirkwood, and at any rate- Lorien needs you here. Celeborn and I will go,” Elrond stated. “If you think it is best.” Galadriel replied. Celeborn lifted her chin with his finger. “I would die if anything were to happen to you under *any* circumstances, *melamin*- [my love] but to be out in the wilderness and have something happen would be more than I could bear. The road to Mirkwood is not as safe or as pleasant as the road to Rivendell.” Galadriel smiled. “Very well, *A’maelamin.”* [my beloved] Elrond sighed and stood. “It is settled. Will depart at first light?” “No,” Celeborn replied, shaking his head. “I think near after breakfast will be soon enough. The hour has grown late now, and we need to be well rested before departing.” “Very good,” Elrond answered. “I will take my leave then. *Quel esta, melloneamin.”* [rest well, my friends] ******************** Orophin slipped under the crisp white sheets in the large bed and waited while Haldir changed a fidgety Rumil into his night clothes. Just as he finished, Rumil grabbed a fistful of Haldir’s hair and tugged hard- soliciting a surprised yelp from Haldir. The elfling quickly released his grip and burst into a fit of giggles. Haldir lifted him high in the air and shook him slightly, which made Rumil laugh all the more. His laughter was infectious and soon both Haldir and Orophin were laughing as well. “I knew you could not be an angel for an entire day, *pen-pigen.”* [tiny one] Haldir chuckled. He placed Rumil in the bed beside Orophin, and then climbed in himself. He sighed heavily. He was weary, and he prayed silently that Rumil would not keep him up all night, as was sometimes his habit. He leaned over to kiss both Orophin and Rumil, then turned on his side so that he could watch them. Thankfully, he did not have to watch them long.