TWENTY ONE “*Quel amrun,* [good morning] Haldir,” Fereveldir greeted cheerfully as he nimbly scaled the large Mallorn to join him for watch. “*Quel amrun,”* Haldir replied dully, looking off to the east. Fereveldir settled in amongst the branches and looked at him. “It sounds as if your morning has not started out very well, *meldir.”* [friend] Haldir sighed. “It is well enough. How was your leave in the Grey Havens?” “It was wonderful! I enjoyed myself immensely. I know you tend to favour Imladris for your holiday, but you really should see the Havens at least once.” “Perhaps I will.” Fereveldir grinned. “So… I hear you and Siddhir caused quite a stir whilst I was away.” Haldir groaned. “It was weeks ago. One would think they would tire of gossiping about it by now.” Fereveldir chuckled. “Come now, Haldir. You know full well that most in Lorien find you and anything or *anyone* you do quite gossip worthy. Long has it been so.” “It would be my wish for someone else to have that position,” Haldir muttered. “It really is quite complimentary, you know.” Haldir frowned. “I would rather they hated me. That I could deal with.” “They respect you immensely, Haldir. It is not often you are caught with your guard down. Believe me, it is all in jest. So, tell me- is it true? Did our Lord *really* catch you and Siddhir together?” Haldir sighed again. “Yes.” Fereveldir’s eyes widened. “*Literally?”* “No, but close enough,” Haldir replied stoically, taking a sudden interest in the laces of his boot. “What did he say? What did he do?” “Nothing.” “Interesting,” Fereveldir returned. “It appears our new Lord may not be as skittish about same gender relationships as Lord Amroth was.” Haldir looked at him. “Lord Amroth was not so bad.” Fereveldir chuckled. “No? Have you ever been caught in such a position by him?” “Only with Lillael, but I think he knew that I preferred males overall.” “He caught you with *Lillael?* What happened?” Fereveldir asked, wide-eyed. Haldir grinned. “He said, forgive me, and closed the door.” “Ah! But Lillael was female. Do you think he would have had the same reaction if it were he who walked in on you and Siddhir?” “I am not sure,” Haldir replied thoughtfully. “But I am quite sure he knew about me and Tinion. He never said a word to me about that.” Fereveldir laughed. “You are right! I had forgotten about Tinion. Valar knows he has never been one prone to secrecy. Well, perhaps Lord Celeborn’s views are similar if not more lenient.” Haldir sighed, and turned his head to the east again. “I pray that is so, because I love Siddhir. If I thought there was *ever* a chance that I could- I would bind with him in a heartbeat.” ***************************** On the practice fields, Tinion and Siddhir were engaged in intense swordplay and had attracted a small crowd of onlookers that watched with keen interest. To see two of their own who were severely injured in battle not so very long ago sparring so powerfully now spurred pride in them all for their strength as a whole. Their techniques were clearly different with Tinion predominately being more on the offensive compared to Siddhir’s defensive style, but both were just as effective as time and time again the sound of metal clashing against metal reverberated loudly through the mid-afternoon air. “It is hard to believe he was injured so badly,” a smiling Galdor whispered to Galadriel as they watched from the shadow of a nearby Mallorn. “Yes,” Galadriel replied grinning, knowing he was speaking about Tinion. “Iluvatar has blessed them both. Siddhir was badly wounded as well.” Galdor raised an eyebrow. “Truly? Amazing! You would not know it to look at either one of them now.” “For which I am eternally grateful,” Galadriel remarked, her eyes twinkling as she turned to watch her warriors again. **************************** Haldir and Fereveldir looked down from their perch in the Mallorn at the sound of a familiar whistle. Orolonn and Dinendal peered up at them. “My, how the time has passed,” Fereveldir commented as both he and Haldir stood and descended from their posts. “That is because you chattered the entire time away,” Haldir chuckled as they dropped to the ground. He nodded to both Orolonn and Dinendal. Fereveldir laughed. “I cannot help it. I am in mighty good spirits today. *Mae Govannen, melloneamin.”* [well met, my friends] “*Mae Govannen,”* Dinendal responded. Orolonn smiled and nodded, turning to Haldir. “The children are awake and have just eaten.” “*Hannon lle.* [thank you] I will pick them up on my way home,” Haldir replied. They exchanged a few more pleasantries, then Orolonn and Dinendal took up their posts in the Mallorn as Fereveldir and Haldir strolled away towards home. ************************** Applause rang out over the practice field as Siddhir offered a hand to Tinion and pulled him up from the ground. “I am going to have to sharpen my skills, *mellon.* [friend] You almost had me there,” Siddhir grinned. Tinion smiled. “Ah, to be so close.” “Very close indeed,” Galdor hummed against Tinion’s neck. Siddhir laughed. Tinion spun around; and his startled expression gave way to a broad smile. “It is good to see you.” “Not half as good as it is to see *you,* *lirimaer,”* [lovely one] Galdor whispered. Siddhir touched Galdor’s shoulder in greeting, and smiled at Tinion. “Thank you for the exercise. I will see you later.” Tinion bowed. “Thank *you.”* Siddhir chuckled and strolled over to Anyriand and Nilfalath, who were amongst those watching from the sidelines. “Would either of you care to spar with me for awhile?” Siddhir asked. Anyriand smiled and shook his head. Siddhir turned to Nilfalath with a twinkle in his eye. “How about you, *mellon?”* [friend] Nilfalath laughed. “Oh, I think not. I shant give you to opportunity to annihilate me for what happened with Lord Celeborn.” Siddhir flashed a brilliant smile. “What makes you think I would do that? It is Haldir who abhors gossipmongers, not I.” Nilfalath grinned. “’Tis not gossip to speak of that which is *true.* Besides, I am certainly no match for you having never bested Tinion with a sword myself. If you wish hone your skills, you should spar with the best. Why do you not seek out Haldir? I would think him a far better choice.” “Haldir is not available. Besides, I have seen you wield a blade, *meldir.* [friend] You give yourself far too little credit,” Siddhir replied cunningly. Anyriand chuckled. “Hmm, be that as it may, I believe I will pass up the opportunity,” Nilfalath returned, looking over Siddhir’s shoulder. “You really should ask Haldir. It seems he is available after all. Haldir!” he called out. Siddhir turned to see Haldir strolling with Orophin and Rumil near the edge of the practice fields. He turned at the sound of his name, and moved towards them. Siddhir turned back to Nilfalath. “You have managed to worm you way out of this one, *mellonamin,* [my friend] but rest assured we will meet on the fields one day,” Siddhir laughed. Nilfalath winked. “To that I hold no doubt.” Haldir nodded to everyone as he approached, stopping near Nilfalath. “You summoned me?” “Yes. Siddhir wants to hone his skills, and I think that would best be served sparring with you, Captain.” “Is that so?” Haldir replied, gazing at Siddhir. “I saw Tinion with Galdor on the way here and was told you were quite masterful on the field.” “That remains to be seen in my opinion. Tinion almost had me a few times,” Siddhir replied. Haldir chuckled. “Are you serious? That is interesting. I know he is quite the aggressive swordsman, but I always thought you were quicker. Mayhap you are just stiff from your injuries.” Siddhir smiled. “I think not. Tinion’s injuries were *far* worse than mine. It did not slow him down a bit. So, will you spar with me?” Orophin looked up at Haldir and pulled on his arm. “No, brother, please do not fight Siddhir.” Everyone looked down at Orophin, bewildered. “We would only be practising, Oro. It would not be a real fight,” Siddhir explained, kneeling to lift Rumil from the ground. “Do you promise?” Orophin asked. “Of course,” Siddhir answered, kneeling again with Rumil to look Orophin in the eyes. “Sparring amongst ourselves helps to make us all better warriors, and we would never *really* hurt each other.” “All right,” Orophin replied. “But you cannot get mad at each other again either.” Siddhir blinked, and gazed up at Haldir. The he returned his eyes to Orophin. “That will not happen. This I promise you.” “I believe you,” Orophin answered, with a bright smile. Siddhir kissed Rumil, who giggled and placed his hand across Siddhir’s face while Nilfalath and Anyriand laughed as they looked on. Haldir kneeled down to Orophin. “You will look after Rumil for me?” “Yes, brother,” Orophin replied. Siddhir handed Rumil to him. “Very well, Siddhir. I will spar with you,” Haldir announced. Siddhir smiled, and held his arm out for Haldir to pass before him. “Age before beauty, *melamin.”* [my love] Haldir snickered, and started to walk by him. Suddenly he stopped and turned around. “Can I win, Oro?” he asked with a confident smile. Orophin looked at him. “Yes, brother, you can win.” Haldir winked at Siddhir and waved him on. “Come forth, *amin malthen mathor.”* [my golden warrior] ******************** “Galdor has returned. I have just left him,” Galadriel informed Celeborn. “I’d wager Tinion was glad to see him,” Celeborn chuckled. Galadriel smiled. “I am sure.” “It seems Haldir and Siddhir are quite taken with one another as well. Did you know this?” Galadriel nodded. Celeborn looked at her. “How do you feel about it?” “I care not. If they are happy, I am happy for them,” Galadriel replied. Celeborn stood. “I remember Amroth commenting once on the penchant towards male relationships in Lorien more so than any other realm. It disturbed him somewhat.” “Does it disturb you?” Celeborn thought a moment. “No, I cannot say that it does. I suppose I agree with you as far as that goes. If they are happy, then so be it. I could never begrudge anyone happiness- in whatever form it may come.” Galadriel smiled, and embraced him. “Is that why you teased them a few weeks ago?” Celeborn laughed. “You know about that?” Galadriel kissed him. “I know *all,* *A’maelamin, *[my beloved] and I am pleased to hear you say that, because I am certain our Haldir is in love with Siddhir.” “How do you know?” Galadriel’s azure eyes sparkled. “It is in his eyes, *melamin. [my love] The window to Haldir’s soul is in his eyes.” Celeborn gave her a squeeze. “I shall remember that. Now, I think I will take a stroll down to the practice fields. You tell me Siddhir and Tinion are sparring there?” “They were done when I left. Now that Galdor is here, I do not suppose Tinion will be sparring anymore.” “Except with Galdor perhaps,” Celeborn chuckled. Galadriel nodded and smiled. “They both fought amazingly well having been injured so recently, but I sense a strong strive for perfection from Siddhir. Perhaps he is still there.” Celeborn held out his arm. “Then we shall return. Remember we still have yet to name a Marchwarden.” ************************* “You are quite determined, I will give you that,” Haldir remarked, thwarting another offensive strike from Siddhir. Siddhir smiled. “And you are quite stealthy for an elf of your age and size. But, I am ready for you.” “So it would seem,” Haldir returned, retreating from another wide swing of Siddhir’s blade. Celeborn and Galadriel stepped up quietly behind Orophin and Rumil. Galadriel kneeled to hug them both and take Rumil into her arms as she watched the spectacle unfold. Strike after strike, it appeared the two warriors’ strengths were evenly matched. Galadriel noticed that while Siddhir was sparring with Tinion, he had taken a more defensive stance against Tinion’s offensive, but with Haldir he was clearly more on the offence. She raised an eyebrow, curious at the seemingly defensive stance Haldir appeared to be taking. She had seen him wield a blade before and his attack was much more offensive- even *more* so than Tinion in many respects. She wondered briefly if he was reserved now because of his feelings for Siddhir, which were clearly evident to her. The crowd grew larger as the sparring went on. Many had come in from the common, foregoing their afternoon meal to be able to witness the spectacle that was taking place on the practice field. Others that had been sparring near them on the field ceased their efforts and moved in to watch from the sidelines. Neither warrior seemed to tire, as they matched each other strike for strike. Sparks flickered briefly when steel met steel with each deadly caress of their swords. “You move swiftly despite your injury,” Haldir whispered when they became close. Siddhir smiled. “Do you fear I am swift enough to best you?” “Possibly,” Haldir replied. “Do not take pity on me Haldir, for I am injured no longer. I wish for you to give me only your very best, because I am about to give you mine.” “As you wish,” Haldir replied, rapidly fending off a flurry of strikes by Siddhir and backing away as Siddhir continued moving pressingly forward. He could not see what lay behind him, but Siddhir’s eyes told him he was about to be cornered. Suddenly and without warning, Haldir charged forward and unleashed a torrent of forceful, offensive strikes that stunned Siddhir with its fury. Siddhir hesitated, although recovering quickly- but not quick enough. Haldir’s blade was fast at his throat. Applause broke out all along the practice field. Haldir’s lips curled into a smile. “Do you yield?” Siddhir nodded. Haldir removed his sword from against Siddhir’s neck and bowed. “You are a worthy opponent, *lirimaer.”* [lovely one] Siddhir exhaled and grinned, bowing as well. “As are you, *aratoamin.* [my champion] You were just lying in wait for me, were you not?” Haldir grinned. “Possibly.” Siddhir laughed as they strolled off the field towards Orophin and Rumil. Both were surprised to see Celeborn and Galadriel waiting there with them. They nodded with respect as the crowd started to disperse. “Well done. That was absolutely a brilliant display of swordsmanship. I commend you both,” Celeborn stated. “*Hannon lle,”* [thank you] Siddhir and Haldir answered in unison. “I think perhaps we will take the children for a few hours and let you both get some rest,” Galadriel announced with a twinkle in her cerulean eyes. Haldir looked at her. “Thank you, my Lady. I will come for them a little later.” He hugged Orophin and then Rumil, as did Siddhir, and then they slowly strolled away from the practice field together. Celeborn and Galadriel watched them go. Galadriel took Orophin’s hand as Celeborn lifted Rumil up into his arms. “Absolutely brilliant,” Celeborn whispered, as they turned and left. *************************** Siddhir and Haldir arrived at Haldir’s talan ten minutes later and went inside. Both removed their weapons and placed them on top of the large trunk in the bedroom. Siddhir looked at him with weary eyes. “Are you as tired as I am?” he asked. Haldir smiled and held out his hand to him. “Definitely.” Siddhir took his hand and Haldir led him to the bed. They climbed into it together and Haldir pulled him close into his arms. Within moments, they were both asleep.