FIFTEEN Fereveldir stopped in mid-stroll when he neared Haldir’s talan and smiled. His longtime friend was rolling around in the grass beneath his talan with his brothers. It seemed as if they were getting the better of him too, with Orophin holding his arms while Rumil bounced up and down on his chest- but suddenly Haldir broke free, and turned the tables on them. He pinned them both to the ground with ease, and the children giggled uncontrollably as Haldir tickled them relentlessly. “We are full of energy this day, are we not?” Fereveldir chuckled. Haldir stopped his assault on his brothers to turn and look at his friend with a sinister grin. “I think a good tickling is in order for such mischievous elflings. Would you not agree?” Fereveldir laughed, as he joined them on the grass. “Is it not too early for mischief?” “Not for them,” Haldir replied, continuing his assault. The children roared with laughter. “What have they done?” “You should see our talan! It is in a perpetual state of disarray due to these two- and guess who is left to clean it up?” “We will clean it, brother,” Orophin said through his laughter. “Right, like you always do,” Haldir sneered. “We give up now,” Orophin called out. Haldir stopped tickling them. Both children rolled over on their sides, catching their breath. He turned then and winked at Fereveldir. “This should make for a good long nap this afternoon.” “No doubt,” Fereveldir replied, grinning. “That was not fair brother. You are bigger than us,” Orophin complained. Haldir grinned. “I will *always* be bigger than you too, so it is best not to forget that the next time you two are plotting to overthrow me.” Orophin gazed at Rumil, who was now sitting up on his knees, watching him with interest. He winked at the toddler. “Rumil, *aphado nin!* [follow me] Both children suddenly took off running through the wood. *“Ed’ I’ear ar’ elenea!”* [By the sea and stars] Haldir shrieked, hurriedly getting to his feet to pursue them. Fereveldir howled with laughter as he too ran with Haldir after the retreating elflings. ******************** Galadriel sighed with relief and backed away from her mirror with a smile. Things were well in Mirkwood. She had prayed silently to the Valar that it would be, and her prayers had been answered. She made her way back to her chambers and sat on the divan, looking out of her window and surveying the wood below. Several uniformed sentinels milled about near the base of the grand Mallorn she lived in and all was as it should be- quiet and peaceful. How she wished that it could last. She sighed again, for she knew that there would come a time when this blissful peace would be shattered, and the Elven realms of Lothlorien, Mirkwood and Imladris would have to work together to fight against the darkness that would come. Now was not the time for her kin to be in conflict, and she thanked the Valar again that it would not be so. Her thoughts drifted to Rumil, and she grinned. In her mind’s eye, she could see his fair round face and almost hear his contagious laughter. The elfling held a special place in her heart, although he was as mischievous as they came, she knew. She chuckled. Haldir had his hands full with that one, but he did a wonderful job raising him and his other brother, Orophin. She started when she thought she heard Rumil’s giggles from below. She looked out of the window again to see him just a few yards away, running right behind Orophin, with Haldir and Fereveldir in hot pursuit. She laughed aloud. How she loved her adopted sons. They were a beaming ray of light in her life. She rose and quickly strolled to the door. ******************** Haldir turned on a burst of speed and overtook Rumil, sweeping the laughing toddler up with one arm as he continued his chase for Orophin. Orophin tried to turn sharply and dodge him just as he was closing in, and that proved to be a mistake. Haldir was on top of him then and grabbed at him with his free arm. The three brothers went sprawling down onto the grass. Fereveldir grinned as he came to a full stop and plopped down beside them. “You should have kept straight, Oro. You might have outrun him.” “I think not,” Haldir remarked, tickling both brothers simultaneously. “I thought I heard Rumil out here. His sweet laughter is infectious,” Galadriel called out, grinning as she approached them. Haldir smiled. “Yes, my Lady. He and Oro are up to their usual mischief.” “My Lady,” Fereveldir greeted, rising to his feet. Galadriel waved her hand. “As you were, Fereveldir. I am just here to look after the children.” Fereveldir smiled, and sat again. “Very well, my Lady.” Galadriel sat with them, and opened her arms to Rumil. “What mischief have you been up to, *pen-tithen?* [little one] Rumil giggled, stood and walked over to her. She gave him a big hug. “Apparently, he has been plotting with Oro to give me a hard time today,” Haldir offered, as Orophin broke into a wide grin. Fereveldir chuckled. “Which they have done successfully.” Galadriel smoothed her hand over Rumil’s unkempt hair, and cooed at him. “That cannot be true. How can one as adorable as you be guilty of such acts?” Rumil smiled, turned and pointed to Haldir as if explaining his actions. “Da!” “There! He has admitted his guilt. But, the *real* ringleader was this one,” Haldir laughed, as he pulled Orophin close. “It is true, my Lady,” Fereveldir chuckled. “Be that as it may, in my opinion- the children are innocent,” Galadriel remarked with a grin. “I was wondering if I could take them for a time, Haldir? It is quite quiet in my chambers without my husband.” “If you wish, my Lady,” Haldir replied. “But if they prove to be too much, do not hesitate to call upon me.” Galadriel stood, holding Rumil’s hand- and gesturing to Orophin. “I am sure we will be just fine. Won’t we, Orophin?” “Yes, my Lady,” Orophin answered, standing. He turned to Haldir. “I had fun today, brother.” Haldir smiled, as he and Fereveldir rose. He walked over to Orophin and hugged him. “As did I, *pen-neth.”* [young one] He moved then to Rumil, and picked him up. “You be good, Ru. Try not to drive our Lady mad, all right?” Rumil grinned and wrapped his arms around Haldir’s neck. “Gee-o-Da!” Haldir laughed and kissed him. “I hope that is a yes, *pen-pigen.”* [tiny one] He kissed him again, and gave him a hug before putting him down. “I know not what he says, brother- but he knows what we say,” Orophin remarked. Haldir smiled. “Apparently.” “His love for you both is very clear, as is your love for him and each other,” Galadriel noted, looking into Haldir’s smiling grey eyes. “I am proud to be able to care for you all as my sons.” Haldir bowed. “We are most grateful, my Lady.” Galadriel smiled, and winked. “Enjoy your day. Good day, Fereveldir.” “Good day, my Lady,” Fereveldir replied. Galadriel took both children’s hands. “Come, children. I believe I have some sweet bread waiting just for you.” “Sweet bread!” Orophin exclaimed with a smile. “Ru and I love sweet bread!” “Yes, I know,” Galadriel replied, nodding to Haldir and Fereveldir as they strolled away. ******************** “We have much appreciated your hospitality, Thranduil. I do hope you will let us extend the same to you in the near future, both in Imladris and Lothlorien,” Elrond remarked, as he, Thranduil and Celeborn strolled through the courtyard, followed by Glorfindel and Siddhir. Thranduil smiled. “I will certainly keep that in mind. I have yet to venture from Mirkwood.” “Well, you should. As you said, knowing kin is important. We agree,” Celeborn commented. Thranduil chuckled. “I will certainly take that under advisement. You may well see me sooner than you think, my friends.” The castle guards brought forth the horses as they neared the gates. Siddhir and Glorfindel instinctively moved ahead of the King and their Lords, took the reigns of their horses and mounted them. They conversed amongst each other while waiting for Elrond and Celeborn. “I hear the people of Lothlorien live amongst the branches. Is that so, Celeborn?” Thranduil inquired. Celeborn grinned. “It is so. I too had heard of Amroth’s homes in the trees whilst I was in Doriath. I was a tad sceptical, I must admit; but now that we are there- I would not have it any other way.” Thranduil smiled. “Interesting.” “I found it surprisingly comfortable the first time I stayed in Lorien. It was different, for certain, but there is something to be said about sleeping under the stars. There is definitely a sense of tranquillity about it,” Elrond remarked. “It sounds intriguing. I think I shall definitely see it for myself someday soon.” “We would love to have you,” Celeborn said. “ I have heard also of breathtaking beauty in the gardens of Imladris, Elrond.” “I can attest to that,” Celeborn interjected. “Things grow there that grow no where else in all of Arda.” Elrond smiled. “The gardens make for a lovely touch to the Last Homely House, for certain.” “I hope to keep company with you both in your lands someday,” Thranduil remarked, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. “Perhaps I will bring my son as well.” “Do that. We would be pleased to have him,” Elrond replied. “It is time for us to be off,” Celeborn said. “Thranduil, peace be with you and yours.” “And yours as well *mellon,”* [friend] Thranduil answered. Celeborn moved to his horse and mounted. “We will not be strangers, *mellon.* I do not possess the gift of foresight such as you, but I foresee our realms becoming close again- and our people even closer.” Thranduil said, with a wide smile and a teasing twinkle brightening his sapphire blue eyes. Elrond thought his knees would buckle under the King’s gaze. He nodded. “That would be the gift of all gifts. Peace be with you, *mellonamin.”* [my friend] “You too,” Thranduil replied. Elrond joined the others, and after a last look at the stunningly regal King who stood and watched them go, they galloped away from Mirkwood heading back to Lothlorien. ******************** Erestor, Melpomaen and Anarin, amongst others clapped when Haldir grasped Fereveldir’s hand and pulled him up from the ground. “You put up a very good fight this time *mellon,* [friend]” Haldir chuckled. Fereveldir smiled. “Well, sparring with you has strengthened my skills, I suppose.” Erestor sauntered up to them. “You are quite the skilled swordsman, Haldir.” “*Hannon lle.”* [thank you] Haldir replied. “He is a skilled archer as well,” Fereveldir laughed. “He beats me at that too.” “Is that so?” Melpomaen asked, looking at Haldir. “Siddhir was our best archer *and* swordsman, outside of Gil Galad before he left us. Perhaps you should spar with him sometime.” Anarin gazed quickly at Erestor before looking at Haldir. “He already has. Well, they shot arrows together at any rate,” Fereveldir interjected. “He beat him too.” Melpomaen raised an eyebrow. “Truly? My, thou art skilled after all.” Haldir looked at him coolly. “Besting Siddhir was not an easy victory by far, but thank you.” He nodded at Anarin and Erestor. “I shall see you again. I must take my leave now, for the hour has grown late, and I am weary.” “I will walk with you,” Fereveldir stated. He nodded to Melpomaen, Erestor and Anarin. “*Quel du.”* [Good night] The Imladris elves watched as Fereveldir sprinted to catch up with Haldir, who had already started walking away.