FOURTEEN Haldir floated for a while after bathing in the river. He sighed heavily as the warm waters flowed over his body and he released his mind of all thoughts. It was early, and he was alone. When he could, he always chose this time to bathe in the peaceful quiet of the river. It would be a couple of hours before his brothers woke, and most in Lorien awoke with the calling of the birds. Unbidden, Siddhir crossed his mind. He could clearly see his fair face. He sighed. As much as he tried to fight it and not lend credence to his feelings, he knew he cared for him- and the only reason he was trying to deny him was because of his fear of being hurt. He knew now that he could bed the whole of Lorien *and* Imladris for that matter and it would change nothing. The dark eyed elf had won his heart. And now he was gone, and he had not the chance to tell him so. He sighed again and swam towards the shore, dried off, and was pulling on his leggings when he sensed a presence. “Who is there?” he called out. “Show yourself!” “Forgive me,” Anarin said softly as he appeared from behind a Mallorn. “I wanted to speak with you, but I was waiting until you finished bathing. I am sorry to intrude.” Haldir smiled. “No matter. I want to speak with you as well.” Anarin moved closer. “I need to tell you something, Haldir.” Haldir pulled on his tunic and looked at him. “I am listening.” “Although I found our encounter to be immensely pleasurable, I am sorry to say that I cannot in all good conscience allow it to happen again. Not because I did not find it incredible, but because I know that you hold Siddhir’s heart. I love Siddhir. We have long been friends, and I cannot do anything that would ultimately hurt him. If I had known this sooner, it never would have happened at all.” Haldir blinked. “He *told* you that I hold his heart?” “Not in so many words, but hear me; I *know* him. He does not couple for pleasure alone, as even I have been known to do from time to time. With him, the giving of his body goes far deeper than that. He does not have to say this for me to know that it is so. Besides, I saw it in his eyes when I asked him directly. Please do not take this as a rejection, for if this fact were not so- I would be glad to continue in your company.” Haldir chuckled. “There was a time when I would have felt just that, *mellon.* [friend] But in this case, I have come to realize that I too have feelings for him, and that I was only trying to dispel them. It has not worked, so I will do it no longer.” Anarin smiled. “I am very glad to hear that. We can continue as friends then?” Haldir smiled, and put an arm about his shoulders. “Of course. I am honoured to call you friend.” As they walked off, neither saw Melpomaen as he lingered behind another Mallorn, watching. ******************** Their long journey was untroubled. Finally, they arrived at the gates of the Mirkwood castle of King Thranduil. The blaring sound of horns rang out, and several guards clamoured towards the gates. Following them, a lone blond elf in robes of sea green drew closer. Glorfindel and Siddhir rode ahead of Celeborn and Elrond to greet them. They dismounted and strolled up to the gates. “*Mae Govennen,* [well met] sentinels. We are here to see King Thranduil. Please inform him that we lead both Lord Elrond of Imladris and Lord Celeborn of Lothlorien to his house,” Glorfindel greeted. The guards turned to look at the elf slowly making his way through to the front. The elf bowed. “*Mae Govannen.* I am Saelbeth. King Thranduil is expecting you. Please follow me. The guards will tend to your horses.” Siddhir signalled to Elrond and Celeborn, and they rode up to join them. They dismounted and all followed Saelbeth inside the walls of the castle. Once inside, Saelbeth led them to a set of large oak doors and opened them. It was a library, and the room was massive and brightly lit. The walls were lined with rows upon rows of books, most of which were leather-bound and neatly placed. Elrond could tell that most of the volumes were very old for the slightly musty scent in the air. In the centre of the room sat a large mahogany desk and an equally large chair behind it. On the desk lay several scrolls and an open book. Elrond assumed the King had been reading when they arrived. He smiled inwardly as he remembered his friend Oropher, Thranduil’s father. There was never a day when Oropher wasn’t reading some book or the other, and it seemed he may have passed that trait on to his son. Behind the desk were several large windows. He ventured over to them and looked out. It was possible to see for miles in every direction, and there was also an excellent view of the courtyard and practice fields below. He imagined the King took great pleasure in being able to survey so much from this vantage point. “Please sit and be comfortable. King Thranduil will be by shortly.” Saelbeth informed them. “Would you care for something to eat or drink? I could have something sent in.” “No, not as yet, thank you,” Elrond answered, after taking a quick survey of his company. Saelbeth nodded. “Very well. I will leave you now. King Thranduil will be here soon.” “*Hannon lle,”*[thank you] Celeborn replied. Saelbeth turned to Siddhir and Glorfindel. “Sentinels, perhaps you would like to accompany me to the dining hall. Our Lords have much to discuss.” Siddhir looked at Glorfindel, who nodded. “We would.” Saelbeth led them back through the large doors, nodding to both Lords before closing it gently behind him. ******************** Erestor smiled when Anarin entered the common and made his way over to where he was seated. “It is a glorious day, is it not, my friend?” Anarin greeted him, sitting beside him. “That it is. You are quite cheerful this morn,” Erestor replied. “I am. I was worried about something I had to do, but I have done it, and it has turned out better than I expected.” Erestor grinned. “Hmm, I trust that you have solved your dilemma with the Haldir- Siddhir situation.” Anarin blanched. “How did you know? I thought you did not possess the gift of foresight.” Erestor’s light laughter rang through the common. “I do not. But I *do* have eyes and ears, *mellonamin.”* [my friend] Anarin picked a strawberry from the platter before him. “You are not Lord Elrond’s councillor for naught it seems.” Erestor chuckled. “Never has a truer word been spoken.” Anarin smiled. “I am far too happy to be cautious at any rate. Where is Melpomaen?” “I know not. I have yet to see him this morn,” Erestor replied. “Mayhap he is sleeping in. Lord Elrond told us to enjoy our holiday. I just cannot help rising early.” “’Tis a habit of mine as well,” Erestor agreed. Anarin sighed. “Melpomaen does not seem to like Haldir very much. I know not the reason, for he cannot *really* know him- but I think it is better if he knows not of Haldir and me; *or* of Haldir and Siddhir for that matter.” Erestor frowned. “That is odd. Melpomaen is usually very pleasant. That does not sound like him.” “Lord Elrond and I thought the same. They had some words while Haldir was visiting Imladris that last time. I inadvertently came upon them at the end of it. Melpomaen seemed very angry, but Haldir was very shocked.” “Interesting. Did you tell Lord Elrond about it?” “I did,” Anarin replied. “What was his take on it?” Erestor asked. “He thought that mayhap Melpomaen had a bad day and was upset about something, and that Haldir was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. He said that he would speak with him, and I suppose he did- because he has been pleasant to Haldir ever since we arrived.” Erestor chewed on a piece of Lembas, thinking. “In my travels, and there have been many- whenever I have known someone to be unjustly harsh in such a manner, usually does so because they are either trying to thwart feelings being thrown their way- or…*masking* feelings they *themselves* possess.” Anarin’s jaw hung open. “You think Melpomaen may have feelings for Haldir as well?” “I am not *sure* that it is so, but it is certainly possible. I think all in Arda have heard the tales that surround Haldir, and you know of what tales I speak of. They may not all be true, but you know that most tales are originally based from some point of fact. Besides, one would have to be *blind* to say that he is not pleasing to the eye,” Erestor concluded. Anarin chuckled. “That is the truth.” Erestor winked. “Well, I hope Melpomaen’s interest is only borne from lust, because as Haldir holds Siddhir’s heart, Siddhir holds his as well. He told me so himself.” Both elves turned to see Melpomaen enter the common heading their way. Erestor though his expression was odd. He turned quickly to Anarin. “Somehow I get the feeling he may know something already. Steel yourself.” ********************* Elrond’s breath hitched in his throat when the doors finally opened, and King Thranduil walked in. He looked nothing like his father, Oropher. The elf was tall and regal, dressed in emerald green robes highlighted with gold embroidery about the neck and sleeves. His blond hair was long and straight- almost waist length, and warriors’ braids adorned it. His face was slightly chiseled, but soft at the same time, and his light blue eyes conveyed a shrewd intelligence as they washed over them with keen interest. Elrond and Celeborn stood. He offered his hand. “Welcome to Mirkwood, and my house. I am Thranduil.” Both Elrond and Celeborn took it, holding it for a few seconds before releasing it. Thranduil nodded and moved to sit behind the large desk in the room. “You may be seated,” he said. Celeborn and Elrond sat. Elrond leaned forward slightly in his chair. “We thank you for your hospitality and the chance to make amends, Thranduil. Please let us first express our condolences for the loss of your father and wife. It pained us greatly to hear of it,” Elrond stated. “If it were not for my only son Legolas, I surely would have left this earth with them. I too have heard of your losses.” He nodded to them both. “Of your wife, Elrond, and your daughter, Celeborn; of Gil-Galad, and also the disappearance of Lord Amroth. Know that this knowledge grieved us as well,” Thranduil replied. “You are most kind,” Celeborn responded. Something flickered in the King’s azure eyes as he gazed at him “I was not always that way, I admit- but as I looked upon my son day after dark day, I realized that I needed to pull myself together and make the best of life so that he may grow up to be happy. He has lost his mother and grandfather. His grandmother passed on long ago. All he has left is me, and with times such as they are- I simply could not leave his life to chance if something were to one day happen to me. You in Imladris and Lothlorien are *kin*, and I believe that no child should ever be denied of knowing kin. So, here we are.” Elrond sighed, relieved. “I suppose we all are guilty of becoming immersed in our own problems. You are right. Kin should never be denied thus. But, we come to tell you personally that we never received your call for aid. Even with our problems, if we *had* received the call- we would have answered. This I promise you.” Thranduil sat back in the large chair. “In a moment of clarity after that dark time, I realized that our riders must have been taken. I knew in my heart of hearts that is was impossible that both Imladris *and* Lothlorien would have left us to fend for ourselves. But, the cloud of darkness that covered my soul was thick, and I did not see it then. As I said, only my son helped to bring me back into the light.” “Then we are grateful to him as well,” Elrond remarked. Thranduil smiled, and stood. “Surely you are both in need of sustenance by now. Please; come with me to the dining hall. We will eat together, and after that you and your party will be shown to your rooms. Feel free to explore my castle as you wish. You are welcome here.” Celeborn and Elrond stood and followed the majestic blond elf through the library doors. ******************** Dusk settled over Lothlorien as Haldir and Tinion were relieved of watch by Elviondel and Nilfalath. They walked quietly side by side down the narrow path that led past the common. As they neared the clearing, Haldir was surprised to see the Lady Galadriel sitting at one of the large tables with Orophin and Rumil. It was Rumil that spotted them first. “Da!” Rumil shouted happily, pointing a finger at Haldir. Galadriel looked over her shoulder and smiled as Orophin jumped up from his seat and ran to him. Haldir caught him and lifted him high in the air. “I have missed you, brother,” Orophin confessed. Haldir smiled. “There is never a time when I do not miss you and Rumil.” Tinion ruffled Orophin’s hair as they walked over to where Galadriel sat with Rumil. Both sentinels bowed when they stood before her. Galadriel smiled. “Please sit for a time, and tell me of your watch.” Haldir lifted Rumil from the bench and hugged him tight, kissing him on the top of his head. Then he sat, holding the toddler on his lap. “All is quiet, my Lady. Not a sign of an Orc anywhere to be found this day,” Haldir answered. “That is good to hear,” Galadriel replied. “Yes, my Lady,” Tinion responded, grabbing a few cherries within reach. Galadriel exhaled softly and smiled, looking around the common and up into the darkening sky. “Is it not a lovely night?” “It is, my Lady,” Haldir answered. “We must always remember to cherish nights and days such as these, for darkness can always find a way to tarnish them.” She sighed, and rose. “It is time for me to retire. The children have eaten. Will you take them with you?” “Yes, my Lady. Thank you,” Haldir replied. She smiled, and kissed both Orophin and Rumil, who giggled softly. “Very well then. *Quel du. Tenna ‘ tur’re.”*[Good night. Until tomorrow] “*Quel du, Arwenamin. Hannon lle.”* [good night, my Lady. Thank you] Haldir replied. Tinion rose and held out his arm. “I will escort you to your chambers, my Lady.” Galadriel smiled, and took his arm. She turned and waved to Haldir and his brothers as they strolled off into the night.