EIGHTEEN “Haldir?” “Hmm?” “It is not necessary to hover over me so. I am perfectly fine.” Haldir’s eyes flew open, and he raised his head from Siddhir’s chest. “You’re conscious!” “Obviously, otherwise I would not have noticed you using my chest for a pillow.” Haldir frowned, and stood. “Forgive me, I was exhausted. I will tend to your wound now.” Siddhir grinned. “I was jesting, Haldir. Do not look so serious. Come; sit back down.” Haldir did as he was asked. Siddhir watched him with a twinkle in his eyes. “You look awful.” Haldir smiled sheepishly, pushing his hair back into place with his hands. “I suppose I do. I have been here all night assisting the healer. Many have been wounded.” Siddhir smiled. “So, yet *another* skill of yours comes to light. Is there anything you cannot do?” Haldir looked at him. “I am sure there are many things I cannot do.” “Be that as it may, I am grateful for whatever you have done for me.” Haldir took his hand. “I was afraid I would lose you.” Siddhir blinked, surprised. Haldir sighed. “I have been a fool to try and deny how I feel about you. Is it in your heart to forgive me?” “I can do nothing else, for naught but you occupies my heart,” Siddhir answered quietly after a long moment. Haldir looked at him with sorrowful eyes. “I have been less… than cordial…and even…honest with you- my…my tryst with Anarin…” Siddhir shook his head and held a finger to his lips to silence him. “There is no need to explain.” Haldir exhaled and covered Siddhir’s hand with both of his. “I care for you far more than I was willing to admit… and I tried… to stop those feelings from consuming me. I can do it no longer.” Siddhir moved forward and kissed him. “Nor would I want you to,” he whispered, gazing deeply into Haldir’s grey eyes after the kiss was over. “How is our patient today, Haldir?” the healer asked, as he sauntered into the room. “Ah! I see your unconventional procedure worked quite well on him.” Haldir smiled and nodded. “I have released Lord Elrond and Erestor. They were well enough, and by Iluvatar, they are *dreadful* patients.” Haldir and Siddhir laughed. “Anendel is not much better. I will go and look in on him and Tinion now. I trust you will look after this one? I sense you have taken a special interest in him,” he winked. Haldir grinned. “I will.” “Very well, then. I shall leave you now. It is nice to have you back, Siddhir.” “It is nice to *be* back,” Siddhir answered. The healer nodded and left the room. Haldir released Siddhir’s hand and stood, then went about checking his wounds. He un-wrapped the bandage on his arm and smiled. The wound was almost non-existent. He cleaned it, rubbed a salve on it anyway and re-wrapped it. “Now let us see about your leg,” Haldir murmured. Siddhir winced as the bandage came off, but did not utter a sound. Haldir smiled. “You are as hearty as Tinion, *melamin.* [my love] Your wound is worthy of outward discomfort. You need not hide it for me.” “Worry not, my healer. When the pain warrants it- I will certainly let you know,” Siddhir assured him pleasantly. Haldir chuckled, and then kneeled down to look more closely at the wound in Siddhir’s thigh. The blackening was still there, but it had faded considerably. He turned and looked at him. “It is much, much better *lirimaer,* [lovely one] but I am afraid I will still have to take out the herbs, clean it, and start anew.” Siddhir took a deep breath. “Do what you must; just know that I will not be throwing *this* leg over your shoulders any time soon.” “That is quite all right, *mir nin.* [my treasure] One leg will suffice.” Siddhir rolled his eyes, but he smiled. Haldir snickered, and stood to caress his cheek. “*’Uuma dela, nin bain.* [Don’t worry my beauty] My skills in *that* area are even more renowned. There are several ways that I can bestow upon you the pleasure you deserve quite comfortably, I assure you.” ************************ “How lovely to see you up and about so soon, Elrond,” Galadriel welcomed him as he strolled in with Celeborn. Elrond smiled, and seated himself on the divan. “I too was surprised, but I feel *remarkably* well. Your healer is quite talented, my Lady.” “That he is,” Celeborn agreed. Galadriel poured a cup of tea and handed it to Elrond. “Our Haldir has learned much from you as well. He was a valuable asset in the healing talans.” Elrond grinned, nodding as he turned the cup towards his lips. “So I have heard.” Celeborn sighed heavily. “Although our journey ended up being somewhat perilous, all is well between the three realms. Thranduil will not be lost to us again.” “That knowledge alone was worth our misfortune. We must not ever be divided amongst ourselves. There are times ahead that will no doubt call for our combined unity and strength,” Elrond remarked. “Never has a truer word been spoken,” Celeborn agreed. “We must all band together and face any darkness hurled upon us head on. Now let us discuss the possible reasons why they have suddenly and specifically targeted those of you who can *See.”* He stood. “Elrond, my friend-would you care for a little wine in that tea?” ******************** “There, all done. “Twas not so bad, was it?” Haldir asked after binding Siddhir’s leg. Siddhir exhaled. “I suppose it could always be worse.” Haldir smiled. “That is true. You should see how many stitches Tinion had to endure.” Siddhir winced. “Is he all right?” “I am happy to say that even through the severity of his wounds, he is his normal charming self; as are you, I might add.” “That is good to hear. I like Tinion. He is quite entertaining.” Haldir smiled. “That he is. Now, I should leave you to rest. I will first check on Tinion and then return to my talan. I am dreadfully in need of a bath, and I have not seen Oro and Ru since we were attacked.” “I am sure they miss you terribly,” Siddhir remarked. “I miss them as well, but I know they are safe with our Lord and Lady,” Haldir replied, leaning over to kiss him. “Sleep now. I will be back later.” Siddhir gazed at him with tired eyes. “*Lle vesta?*” [do you promise] Haldir caressed his cheek. “The Dark Lord himself could not keep me away.” Siddhir breathed a sigh of contentment and closed his eyes. It was not long before sleep took him. Satisfied, Haldir smiled and gazed upon him a while longer, then quietly left the room. ************ “All right, you have convinced me, Anendel. You need not whine anymore. I am releasing you from these rooms, but I still want you to rest for at least a couple of more days. As long as you rest, you can do so just as well in your talan,” the healer stated. Anendel smiled brightly. “*Hannon lle.”* [thank you] “*Another* reprieve?” Haldir chuckled, as he entered the room. “I suppose my services will not be needed much longer. *Mae Govannen,*[well met] Anendel.” “*Mae Govannen,* Haldir. Many thanks for your assistance in my absence,” Anendel replied. “I am glad to be able to help,” Haldir answered. The healer smiled and turned to him. “I am releasing Anendel, but I still want him to rest in his talan for a bit. Tinion and Siddhir however, must stay here awhile longer; if you could just assist for a couple of more days? Now that Anendel is leaving, I would like to move Tinion to the other structure in the room next to Siddhir.” “Certainly,” Haldir replied. “I will check on him now, whilst you finish with Anendel.” The healer nodded, and Haldir left. He entered Tinion’s room to find the platinum-haired elf sleeping. He moved quietly to the bed and placed his palm across his forehead. It was cool. Satisfied, he carefully peeled back the bandages and examined the extensively stitched wound. It needed to be cleaned again. He turned to the table in the room, retrieved a strip of white cloth, immersed it in a basin of warm water and set about his task. “One would think you would wait until I am at least *semi*-conscious so I could enjoy it before you started caressing me so,” Tinion remarked, opening his eyes. Haldir laughed. “If you think *this* a caress, you have either received a head wound we have missed, or you have forgotten our times together, *meldir.”* [friend] “Do… not- make … me …laugh,” Tinion chuckled. “I can feel the stitches… tightening… when I do.” “Forgive me. How are you feeling this morn?” Haldir asked. “Better than yesterday, but I suppose you will not release me at any rate,” Tinion quipped. “Ah! No head wound indeed! We will move you over next to Siddhir shortly. Both of you need to stay at least a couple more days.” Tinion groaned. “To our great misfortune; how is he doing?” Haldir placed the damp cloth back in the basin, and took up the salve to cover the wound. “Better, but only about as well as you.” “Did he receive your stitching as well?” “No, what he received was a poisoned arrow clean through his thigh,” Haldir answered. “Nasty business there,” Tinion frowned. “That is certain,” Haldir answered, carefully covering the wound again. The healer entered the room. “Anendel has left. Are we ready now to move him, Haldir? I have prepared the space he is to occupy.” “Yes, I have finished tending to him. We are ready.” “I can walk, you know. There is nothing wrong with my legs,” Tinion cut in. The healer considered him. “Very well, we will allow you to walk- *with* our assistance of course.” Tinion exhaled. “Of course.” Haldir laughed. Haldir and the healer carefully helped Tinion up from the bed, and he placed an arm about each of their shoulders. It was a slow and tedious walk for Tinion, who wanted to move faster- but they would not allow it. Finally, they entered the adjoining set of healing rooms and made their way to the one reserved for Tinion, and helped him back to bed. “Now you will at least have company, but I want you to rest now- as he is,” Haldir announced. Tinion yawned. “As much as I would like to, I fear I cannot argue- for that walk has taken more out of me than I thought.” Haldir winked at him. “You would not be the victor in any event. *Quel esta, meldir.”* [Rest well, my friend] Tinion closed his eyes. The healer turned to Haldir. “Go and get some rest yourself, Haldir. I am well aware that you have been here all night, and in doing so you have allowed me to rest. It is now your turn. I will clean the other rooms, and look after Siddhir and Tinion. If there is any change, I will send word. Now, off with you.” Haldir smiled. “Far be it from me to squabble when I know you are right. I will return later.” The healer tapped him on the shoulder as he left. Before exiting, he peeked into Siddhir’s room and found him still sleeping. Smiling, he left the talan and headed for home.