NINETEEN Melpomaen watched quietly from behind a nearby Mallorn as Haldir bathed in the river. Had he misjudged him? he thought. It was hard to decipher the elf from the tales he had heard from the one he had bore witness to lately. Perhaps the rumours were indeed untrue. Melpomaen’s eyes were immediately drawn to Haldir’s elfhood when he exited the river. He inhaled sharply as he watched him dry off and get dressed. It was *blatantly* obvious *that* part of the rumour had not been prone to exaggeration. The silver-haired elf bore a well-defined physique; broad chest, narrow waist, supported by long, strong muscular limbs very close in resemblance to that of a finely chiselled marble sculpture. It was hard to believe he had not long ago been engaged in the same battle that had left wounded so many others, for there was not a scratch upon him. “Is there something I can do for you, Melpomaen? Or is it your habit to watch others as they bathe?” Haldir called amicably. His cover lost, Melpomaen guiltily stepped out from behind the Mallorn. “Nay, I-I was just passing by. I was not my intention to disturb you.” “I would wager,” Haldir mumbled softly. “Sorry?” Haldir smiled pleasantly. “I said; no matter. I was leaving anyway. Have a good day, Melpomaen.” The dark elf watched in open-mouthed wonder when Haldir gathered his belongings from the grass, and strode slowly away without once looking back. ******************** “Is my brother all right?” Orophin asked with wide eyes as he gazed upon Galadriel feeding Rumil. “Haldir is well. *Uuma dela, nin ion,”* [don’t worry, my son] Galadriel answered. “He has not come to check on us. That is not like him, my Lady,” Orophin continued. Galadriel wiped Rumil’s mouth and turned to him, caressing a cheek on his worried face. “I would never lie to you *pen-neth,* [young one] and especially about your brother- for I know well how you feel about him. He is fine. He has been helping to assist the healer with many who were wounded in battle. I am certain he will be by to see you both shortly.” “Was Siddhir hurt in battle?” Orophin whispered. Rumil turned to look at him at the mention of Siddhir’s name. Galadriel pulled him close for a hug. “Yes, I am afraid Siddhir was hurt. But, he will be quite well given time.” Orophin looked up at her with wide blue eyes after she released him. “He will not die?” his voice trembled. Rumil started to cry. “Oh, *pen-pigen*… [tiny one] do not weep,” Galadriel cooed, picking him up and holding him on her lap. Rumil reached out a small hand to Orophin. “Oh…” “No, Oro. He will not die. He just needs time to heal. He will be up and around real soon, I promise. Please relax, Rumil is upset now because he senses you are upset,” Galadriel warned. “Forgive me, my Lady. I like Siddhir. He was very nice to us, and my brother is happy when he is around. Even Rumil likes him,” Orophin reasoned. Galadriel smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. “You need not explain, *pen-neth,* [young one] of course I forgive you. Now, let your brother see you smile.” Orophin grinned and tickled Rumil’s foot. The elfling immediately started to laugh. “That is much better,” Galadriel complimented him. “Would you like to go outside for a while?” “Yes, my Lady,” Orophin replied. “Very well, then. Let us just clean Rumil up a bit and we will be off.” ******************** Haldir pulled on a navy blue tunic and leggings being that he was off duty, and began to straighten up the talan. He smiled when he picked up one of Rumil’s favourite toys; a rather homely looking dragon that was made and given to him by Orolonn’s wife, Aranel. He placed it in the small trunk that contained Rumil’s other things. On the bed was the game Siddhir had given Orophin on his begetting day. He wondered briefly why it was there, open and ready to play. Perhaps he had expected him to return that night and finish their game- or perhaps he was trying to teach Rumil. The latter thought made him chuckle. He picked up the game and all of its pieces and put it where Orophin’s belongings were kept. He could tell Orophin had put away the food, because there were small remnants scattered across the floor. He gathered first his brothers’ clothing that was strewn about, then retrieved the broom and swept both rooms clean. After that, he made the bed once he was satisfied that there was no food there as well. Content that the talan was neat after looking around, he put away the broom and left. He realized that he was still a tad weary as he strolled along the narrow path to Caras Galadon, but he wanted to see his brothers first before napping and returning to the healer’s talans later that afternoon. It was not a long walk, for his talan was not situated far from where the Lord and Lady dwelled. Soon he could see the grandest Mallorn in all of Lothlorien looming straight ahead. As he drew closer he saw Lady Galadriel playing with his brothers on the grass below her talan. Several sentinels watched them from not far away. Rumil kicked a large red ball back to Orophin, and in doing so, spotted Haldir first. He took off running towards him, with Orophin close behind. “Da-dir!” the toddler yelled, running as fast as his small legs would carry him. Haldir laughed at the sight and stopped walking, bracing himself for what he knew was about to come. He kneeled and stretched out his arms. Orophin had caught up and they reached him at the same time. He snaked each arm about them both as they all tumbled to the ground in a heap from the force of contact. “We missed you, brother!” Orophin cried out, as Rumil burst into a fit of giggles. Behind them Galadriel stood watching with the sentinels, a wide grin on her fair face. “So I see!” Haldir chuckled, as he rolled around in the grass with them, tickling them both when he could get the chance, because they were tickling him. After a time, they were all short of breath, and Haldir held them both down in the grass so they couldn’t move. “You have battered me enough you two, so up with you now,” Haldir laughed. “We cannot move,” Orophin chortled, struggling under Haldir’s grasp. Haldir smiled, and released them as he rose. “Sorry, I forgot.” Orophin got up laughing and pulled Rumil up with him. Haldir reached down and lifted the toddler from the ground, kissed him, and then took Orophin’s hand. “Let us go and thank Lady Galadriel for looking after you.” They strolled back to where Galadriel waited. Haldir bowed before her after putting Rumil down. The child ran off to get the ball he was playing with earlier and Orophin followed. Haldir and Galadriel turned to watch them. Galadriel smiled. “It is amazing how much energy they possess.” Haldir laughed. “I hope they did not drive you mad, my Lady.” “They are perfectly calm with me. It is you that makes them so,” Galadriel chuckled. “Ah! Woe is me then,” Haldir chuckled. Galadriel’s sapphire eyes sparkled when she looked at him. “The love you share with them moves me so. Never have I seen siblings so close. You have done well with them, Haldir. You should be very proud.” “*Hannon lle, Arwenamin,”* [thank you, my Lady] I am.” “So, how fare Siddhir and Tinion?” she asked. “They are coming along, my Lady. A couple more days rest is necessary though.” “Whatever they need,” Galadriel replied, smiling as she paused to watch Rumil kick the ball back to Orophin. “I think I will stop by this evening and see them. Tell me, have you slept at all, Haldir?” Haldir nodded. “Yes, my Lady.” Galadriel’s brow furrowed. “Is that so? How much sleep have you had?” “Mayhap an hour,” Haldir admitted. “I think you should get more rest. Are you due back at the healer’s talans this evening?” “Yes, my Lady. I have offered him my assistance until Anendel is able to return.” “Orophin is concerned about Siddhir,” Galadriel remarked. Haldir nodded. “He likes him very much. They both do.” Galadriel’s eyes sparkled. “And you as well?” Haldir’s cheeks flushed crimson. “I know not what you mean, my Lady.” Galadriel’s sweet laughter echoed across the glade. “Very well, *nin ion.* [my son] I will leave you to your privacy.” she winked. Haldir grinned. “*Hannon lle, Arwenamin.”* [thank you, my Lady] “Will you return to your talan after your duties with the healer?” Galadriel inquired. “Yes, unless there is an emergency. But both Siddhir and Tinion were doing much better when I left earlier, so I doubt that staying as I did last eve will be necessary,” Haldir answered. “Then I want you to retire to your talan now and rest until you have to report. I will keep the children with me, and I will meet you there with them later. You can take them home then. Agreed?” Haldir smiled. “Agreed.” Galadriel turned towards where Orophin and Rumil were playing. “Children, come and say good-bye to your brother.” “I thought you came for us. We are not going with you?” Orophin asked, puzzled, when they drew near. Haldir kneeled down to look Orophin in the eyes. “We will be together tonight Oro, I promise. I am weary now, and Lady Galadriel wants to watch you whilst I rest. When I wake, I will go to the healer’s talans and look after Siddhir and Tinion for a time. Lady Galadriel will bring you to me there and we will go home together. *Lle rangwa amin?”* [do you understand me] Orophin nodded solemnly. Galadriel looked down at him. “Do you not like visiting with me, Orophin?” “Yes, my Lady,” Orophin replied sombrely, looking up at her. Beside him, Rumil started to pout. Haldir picked the elfling up. “*Mani marte, pen-pigen?”* [what happened, tiny one?] “I have noticed that when Orophin is sad, Rumil becomes sad too,” Galadriel informed him, looking at Orophin, whose eyes widened with realization. “I am sorry, Ru. It is all right. Don’t be sad,” Orophin whispered to Rumil. “Oh,” the child murmured, reaching out his arms to him. Orophin took him from Haldir and hugged him. “Come, Ru. *Aphado nin!* [follow me] he placed the elfling on the ground, and ran back towards the large red ball. Rumil glanced at Haldir, who smiled at him, then took off running after Orophin, giggling as he went. “They will be fine now,” Galadriel assured him. “You go and rest.” Haldir bowed.* “Hannon lle, Arwenamin.”* [thank you, my Lady] He took a last look at his brothers, then turned and left. Galadriel sent one of the sentinels to retrieve some sweet bread, and then strolled back across the grass to join the playing siblings. ******************** Nearly four hours later Haldir awakened with a start. He rose fast from the bed and looked out of the talan window. He had slept far longer than he had intended to, for dusk had fallen over Lothlorien. He gathered what he needed and quickly left, sprinting all the way until he reached the healer’s talans. He found the healer outside, emptying a basin of water. Haldir ran up to him. “Forgive me. I overslept,” he apologized. The healer smiled, and placed a calm hand on his shoulder. “’Tis quite all right, Haldir. Worry not. I know you had to be exhausted, and besides, our patients are doing rather well. They are awake and have company, in fact.” “Is that so?” The healer grinned. “Our Lord and Lady are here with your brothers.” Haldir slapped himself on the forehead. “I had forgotten.” “All is well, Captain. Go now and see them.” “*Hannon lle,”* [thank you] Haldir replied. Together they went inside. As they neared the rooms at the end, Haldir saw Rumil run from Siddhir’s room to Tinion’s. He slipped into Tinion’s room while the healer went to Siddhir’s. Galadriel was inside as well and was now holding Rumil’s hand. He turned and saw Haldir, broke away, and ran to him. “Da!” Haldir swept the elfling off his feet, gave him a kiss and set him back down, bowing to Galadriel. “Forgive me, my Lady, I- ” Galadriel held up her hand, silencing him. “There is no need for an explanation, Haldir. We have been having a perfectly lovely time with Tinion, Siddhir and the children.” Haldir nodded to her in thanks, and turned to Tinion. “You *are* looking quite well, Tinion,” Haldir remarked, noting that the colour had returned fully to the sentinel’s face. “I am well enough to leave this place forthwith, I’d say,” Tinion chuckled. “Tomorrow, and not a minute before,” Haldir replied, sternly. “Spoilsport,” Tinion retorted. Haldir moved closer to him, and carefully lifted his bandages to examine the wound underneath. “Your wound has been cleaned and your bandages changed, I see. It seems you did not need me this night at all.” “I need you to *release* me. The healer says I cannot leave until you do,” Tinion answered. Haldir laughed. “Well, we know when *that* will be, do we not?” Tinion frowned. “Elves are so stubborn.” Haldir winked at him. “You of all people should know, Tinion. I will return. I want to check in on Siddhir.” He looked around. “Where is Rumil?” “He went back to Siddhir’s room,” Galadriel replied, having seen the toddler leave. Haldir sighed. “He gets about so fast sometimes. I will return.” He left and entered Siddhir’s room. He bowed to Celeborn, who was seated next to Orophin, holding a giggling Rumil in his lap. “Your patients are doing quite well, Haldir. Much is to be said about your healing techniques,” Celeborn commented. Haldir nodded. “*Hannon lle, Heruamin.”* [thank you, my Lord.] He walked over to Siddhir and noticed the absence of the bandage on his arm. The wound there had healed completely. Smiling, he checked the one on his thigh, noting again that the wound had been cleaned and dressed, as Tinion’s had been, and was healing well. The black that had surrounded it previously had all but disappeared. He looked into Siddhir’s dark eyes. “You too are doing quite well.” “Well enough to leave *now?”* Siddhir asked with a sly grin. Haldir frowned. “You are as bad as Tinion. We said two days, and two days it shall be.” Siddhir groaned. “Tinion is right. You *are* a spoilsport.” “Be that as it may, it is my decision still,” Haldir stated matter of factly. “Haldir, you are always so tightly wound. You need to relax some,” Siddhir remarked. “Is that not right, my Lord?” Celeborn laughed, and he bounced Rumil up and down on his lap. “Mayhap that is his way, Siddhir.” “My brother is fun sometimes,” Orophin offered, moving to stand by Siddhir’s bedside. Haldir raised an eyebrow. “*Sometimes?* I beg to differ, *pen-neth.* [young one] I feel I am fun *most* times. But there is a time to be serious as well.” Siddhir pulled Orophin close to whisper something in his ear. The boy’s face contorted into a wide grin, and he burst into laughter. “That will be our secret,” Siddhir told him. Haldir concealed an urge to smile. “Do not try and coerce Oro into anything either, devious one- because it will not work.” Celeborn stood and shifted Rumil in his arms. “The hour grows late. I will see Tinion once more and then we will be leaving. I am pleased to see you so well on the mend, Siddhir.” “*Hannon lle, Heruamin,”* Siddhir replied. “I will go with you, my Lord,” Orophin remarked, and left with him and Rumil, leaving Haldir and Siddhir alone in the room. “How are you feeling?” Haldir asked. Siddhir smiled. “I truly feel as if I could leave here tonight.” Haldir pulled Celeborn’s vacated chair by his bedside. “I believe you, but we will just make sure. Humour me, all right?” Siddhir laughed. “You say that like I have a choice.” Haldir grinned mischievously. “Well, I had to let you *think* you had some say at least.” “I am glad you got some rest. You look so much better now,” Siddhir remarked, changing the subject. Haldir sighed. “I suppose I needed it.” “And what a vision you have become for it too,” Siddhir remarked. Haldir smiled. “You fool with me.” Siddhir reached out a hand and caressed his cheek. “’Tis naught but truth I speak. I greatly miss being with you.” Haldir closed his eyes. “As do I.” “I was pleased to get to see your brothers. I have missed them.” “They missed you too,” Haldir replied. “That will happen no longer. I intend to be there for them.” Siddhir smiled as Orophin entered the room with Rumil. He glanced at the toddler and looked back at Haldir. “’Tis been a long day, and they are tired. You should go now as well.” Haldir lifted Rumil in his arms, and Siddhir gently squeezed the elflings hand. Rumil grinned. “I think you are right. Notice how much quieter he is now? That is a sure sign,” Haldir commented. “Good night, Siddhir. I am very glad you are feeling better,” Orophin said. “Good night, Oro. You sleep well, and take care of your brothers. Remember what I told you,” Siddhir reminded him. Orophin smiled. “I remember.” Haldir leaned forward and kissed Siddhir. Orophin and Rumil giggled. “*Quel esta, melamin,” *[rest well, my love] Haldir whispered. “And you,” Siddhir returned. “I will see you tomorrow. Come, Oro. We are going home now,” Haldir stated. Orophin took Haldir’s hand. “Bye, Siddhir. See you soon.” Siddhir smiled and waved as they left the room. They waved at Tinion also as they passed his room, and said good night to the healer on their way out of the talan. Outside, Lorien was dark save for the scattered lanterns that dimly lit the narrow trails. They strolled quietly along them until they reached home. Rumil was already asleep in Haldir’s arms. “Oro, please pull back the sheets for me,” Haldir asked, as he shifted Rumil into a position to lay him down. He then placed him on the bed and carefully removed his clothes. Orophin gathered Rumil’s sleepwear and handed it to Haldir, who put it on the elfling without rousing him. Then he moved him to the middle of the bed. Haldir smiled as he dressed for bed and watched Orophin as he did the same. Usually, Oro was the last one wanting to go to sleep, but it was apparent that he too was exhausted. He climbed into bed next to Rumil without even being prompted. Haldir strolled to Oro’s side of the bed and kissed him. “*Quel du, pen-neth.”* [good night, young one] “*Quel du,”* Orophin whispered, turning on his side to face Rumil. Haldir smiled, then walked to the other side of the bed and climbed in. He kissed Rumil lightly on the forehead, and settled in on his side watching them both. Orophin drifted off quickly, and in not much more time, he did as well.