TWENTY FOUR The years passed for the most part without major incident. Outside of intermittent skirmishes with Orcs a few leagues off the borders of Mirkwood and Lothlorien upon routine patrols, the Elven realms basked in the warmth of peace- although always watchful, for none were foolish enough to believe it would last forever. In Lothlorien, time saw Orophin come of age looking uncannily like his older brother Haldir- and Rumil, the youngest, sprouted up quickly to be tall, lean and well muscled. Another young elf called Legandir quickly became Rumil’s closest friend. The two of them were quite inseparable and often ruled by mischief. Occasionally they managed to coerce Orophin into their grand schemes much to Haldir’s chagrin. The brothers were overjoyed to see their eldest brother become so happy and content as the years progressed. Haldir and Siddhir’s relationship had blossomed greatly- so much that there were times that even without the gift of sight his lover possessed, he could anticipate his every want and need before he spoke of them. Friends from Rivendell visited Lothlorien from time to time, and all were elated so see Siddhir happier than he’d ever been since the death of his erstwhile lover, Gil Galad. Around mid-day on a bright and sunny afternoon, Haldir returned from patrol with his charge. The journey had been uneventful, but tiring nonetheless. After dismissing his tend and instructing Tinion for the evening watch, he saw Siddhir to the talan he shared with Elviondel. They kissed briefly before he strolled wearily to the talan he shared with Orophin and Rumil, eager to succumb to a long, much needed rest. He entered his talan and immediately felt that something was very different. His brothers were not there, but he knew they were most likely on the practice fields at this time of day, for both were training eagerly for places within the Galadhrim. He looked around. Things had been shifted from their usual positions. With a furrowed brow he went cautiously into the bedroom. To both his surprise and confusion, there were two smaller beds stationed in the place where his one very large bed had been. He wondered if he was so tired that he had blindly stumbled upon the wrong talan, but before he could ponder the question any further, there came a soft knock on the door. He walked over quickly to answer it, and much to his astonishment, the Lady Galadriel stood smiling on the other side. He bowed. “My Lady.” “It is good to have you back, *nin ion.* [my son] I know you must be weary, but I bid you to walk with me. Just for a short time,” Galadriel replied. Haldir blinked. “Of course, my Lady. I will just rid myself of my arms and be right with you.” “No, Haldir. Bring your weapons.” “Um, very well,” Haldir answered, slightly taken aback. He was weary yes, but never weary enough to refuse a request from Galadriel. He stepped out of the talan and joined her. Upon reaching the ground again, they strolled leisurely side by side deeper into the forest, eventually coming upon and taking the obscure path that led to Caras Galadon. Haldir was perplexed as to why his Lady would come seeking him at his talan herself instead of sending a messenger, but he didn’t ask. He just walked quietly beside her, informing her of the events of the last months patrol and answering any questions she posed to him. As they rounded a turn in the path, Haldir suddenly crossed in front of her, holding his arm back to keep her behind him, his eyes darting all around and up into the trees apprehensively. “Is something amiss?” Galadriel questioned, rather calmly given the situation, Haldir noted. “My Lady, something is not right. I have taken this road many times. I could travel it if I were blind. This talan… was *not* here before,” Haldir whispered cautiously, looking up into a large Mallorn ahead of them. Galadriel smiled, and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.* “Uuma dela, nin ion,* [don’t worry, my son] you are right. It was not here before. It was built whilst you were away.” Haldir turned to her, relaxed now, but still bewildered. *“Mankoi?”* [why] “Because we thought it was long past time that the Marchwarden of Lorien had his own private quarters.” Haldir blinked, looked up at the talan again and then back at her. Galadriel’s sweet laughter echoed through the forest. “Yes, Haldir, you heard me right. The talan is *yours.* Enjoy it, *nin ion.”* [my son] she stood on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. *“H-Hannon lle,”* [thank you] Haldir stuttered. Galadriel grinned and placed a soft hand to his cheek. “You need not walk with me any longer, for we have reached the destination I summoned you for. You are weary; go now and rest comfortably in your own bed.” She squeezed his shoulder gently and sauntered off down the road, humming an ancient Elven tune. Haldir looked up at the talan again. It looked large, much larger than the one he shared with Orophin and Rumil. Curiosity getting the better of him, he moved to the ladder and climbed up to the entrance. Taking a deep breath he opened the door. It was just as spacious as he had imagined. It contained two rooms still, but definitely far larger than his previous one. As he looked around, he noticed that all of his belongings were already inside, and there were a few new additions, such as the table and chairs in the outer room. He strolled into the bedroom to find his bed placed neatly between two night tables. His desk was on one side of the room and his trunk was on the other. He removed his weapons and placed them where he normally would, then he sat down on the bed and pulled off his boots. Smiling and comfortable now, he fell back onto the bed with a content sigh. Within moments, sleep took him. ******************************* “The patrol has returned. I wonder if your brother has noticed the change,” Legandir chuckled, taking a seat at the table in Orophin and Rumil’s talan and helping himself to a pear. “He is most likely in his new talan and sleeping by now,” Orophin replied, closing the door. “We should find him and tease him,” Rumil suggested. Orophin frowned. “No, Ru. That is not a good idea. Let him sleep.” Rumil frowned. “You are no fun anymore, brother.” Orophin took a strawberry from the bowl on the table and popped it in his mouth. “I beg to differ, *pen-neth.* [young one] I can be a great deal of fun when the mood arises. I just believe that disturbing him now would not be wise. You know how crotchety he becomes when awakened before he needs to be, and besides, if we were to be away on patrol for a month, I am certain that we would be eager to come home to the privacy of our own beds as well.” “If we ever get to be on patrol- I do not think trainer Lothraenil likes us much,” Rumil countered. “I do not think he is very fond of me either,” Legandir comiserated. Orophin sighed. “I was hoping you didn’t notice, Ru. I have had the same feeling as of late, and I thought it was my only imagination run astray. But, we *must*continue to train if we ever hope to be accepted as part of the Galadhrim, so I suppose we will have to endure.” Legandir stood. “Well, I had best be going. We have to be on the fields quite early on the morrow, and it is already dusk.” “See you tomorrow,” Rumil replied. Legandir nodded to them both and left the talan. “Now, let me see what we will be eating,” Orophin murmured. Rumil smiled. “I am beginning to miss Hal more and more. You are not the best cook, brother.” Orophin laughed. “Truth be known, I am fully aware of that. We will give Hal some time, but after that, I intend for us *both* to be at his door daily come dinnertime.” Rumil joined his brother in laughter and helped him dish up the food. ****************************** Haldir turned over in his sleep and awakened with a start in the small hours of the morning. He was alone in his bed, and it felt strange. His bed felt even larger than it was without Orophin and Rumil in it beside him. He sighed heavily and sat up, torn between two emotions. It felt good to have his own space; but at the same time he had to admit that he missed his brothers- even if they *did* kick him in the ribs and elbow him in the head more often than he cared to remember. He was not used to sleeping alone. He rose and went to the window. It was still quite dark, and very quiet save for the clicking sounds of night insects. It would be several hours before Lorien rose with the call of the birds. He looked down at the two paths dimly lit by lanterns below his talan and wondered if Siddhir was awake. Convinced that he would not be able to sleep any longer without someone in his bed, he dressed quickly and left his talan. ************************** “I do not know if this is a good idea, Elviondel. You share a talan as well as I,” Calaglin whispered when they reached the landing. “Yes, but you said Dinendal was a light sleeper. Siddhir is not. Besides he just returned from patrol and even more weary than usual. A cannon could go off in here and he would not notice,” Elviondel assured him. “But what if for some unknown reason he *does* wake?” Elviondel chuckled. “He would not care. Trust me.” “But he outranks us now. He is second in command,” Calaglin reasoned. “So? He position has not changed who he is.” he looked at him. “Have you changed your mind?” “N-no,” Calaglin stammered. “Not really.” Elviondel smiled. “Well, I am glad to hear that, considering it was *you* who asked *me* to show you the pleasures of being with one of your own kind.” Calaglin sighed. “I did indeed, and I am ready.” “Good,” Elviondel replied, carefully opening the door. “After you, *lirimaer.”* [lovely one] **************************** It was indeed a lovely night, Haldir thought, as he casually strolled along the path. It was pleasantly cool, and a gentle breeze blew through his hair as he turned off and took the trail that would lead to Siddhir’s talan. He hoped Siddhir would answer the door as he wondered briefly about waking Elviondel- but the need to have Siddhir beside him now was too strong for him to care. If it did in fact happen, he would simply apologize to the sentinel and take his love back with him. He approached the ladder and started to climb. **************************** They had both reached their release and lay in each other’s arms, content in the aftermath of their lovemaking. Elviondel smiled and caresses the tip of Calaglin’s slightly upturned nose with his fingers. “That was wonderful, *nin bain,* [my beauty] Elviondel whispered. “After we have re-gained our strength, we will reverse positions. You need to experience every pleasure available to you.” Calaglin smiled. “You mean there is more?” then he stiffened. “Did you hear that? Someone is at your door!” Elviondel listened with a frown, looking quickly over at Siddhir, still fast asleep. It came again, a soft knock. So soft, that none but an Elf could hear. He climbed out of bed and pulled on his leggings. Calaglin groaned and pulled the sheets up to his chin. “Do not worry, I will answer it,” Elviondel whispered. He tiptoed over to the door and carefully pulled it ajar. To his shock and consternation, the Marchwarden was on the other side. His mouth dropped open in horror. “Captain, is-is something amiss?” he stammered, extremely uncomfortable. Haldir held up his hand. “No, sentinel. Forgive me my rudeness for knocking upon your door at this hour. I was wondering if by chance Siddhir might be awake? I would very much like to see him,” Haldir explained. “Um, he is sleeping, but I could rouse him if you like,” Elviondel replied. “Would you? I would greatly appreciate it. I will wait here.” “Certainly,” Elviondel answered, leaving the door as it was. The large room was dark save for the light of the moon, and he carefully and quietly walked to the far side of the room where Siddhir lay sleeping. He touched him on the shoulder. “Siddhir?” “Um?” “Haldir is here to see you, and it is not yet daybreak,” Elviondel informed him. *“Hannon lle,” *[thank you] Siddhir replied, pulling himself up from the bed. Rubbing his eyes along the way, he went to the door in his nightshirt. Elviondel returned to his bed, and placed a calming hand on Calaglin’s arm through the sheets that now covered him completely. Haldir grinned when he saw Siddhir, for his hair was now more disheveled than usual. “Forgive me, *melamin.* [my love] I could not sleep, and I would very much like to have you with me this night.” Siddhir smiled. “I am not surprised, because I have heard of your new quarters. You are not used to sleeping alone are you?” Haldir chuckled. “I never thought that I would ever admit it, but yes, it is true. Will you come with me?” “Of course I will. Please wait until I dress. I would not think it wise for me to travel through the wood in naught but my nightshirt.” “I will wait if it takes forever.” Siddhir smiled. “It will only take a minute.” he left Haldir and strolled over to the chair beside his bed. Quickly dressing in the clothing he had carelessly thrown across the back of it, he bade farewell to Elviondel and left the talan with Haldir. “It is all right, *lirimaer.* [lovely one] Siddhir has left with our Captain, and we have the talan to ourselves now,” Elviondel said cheerfully. “I thought I would fade dead away!” Calaglin exclaimed. Elviondel smiled and kissed him. “You are not the only one, *nin bain,* [my beauty] but we worried for naught. Our Captain did not see us, and Siddhir didn’t even notice. So, we can continue now what we were doing before we were so rudely interrupted. What say you?” ********************************** Haldir let Siddhir pass and closed the door behind them as they entered his talan. Siddhir looked around and smiled. “Very nice, Marchwarden.” Haldir grinned. “It had everything I could ever need except a warm body for my bed- and now I have that, so I am quite content.” Siddhir kissed him. “I will warm your bed anytime. Lead me to it.” Haldir took his hand and led him into the bedroom. They pulled off their clothes simultaneously and climbed in between the sheets. “I thought you slept in a nightshirt,” Haldir commented, moving his hand sensuously over Siddhir’s naked hip. “Not when I am with you. What would be the point?” Haldir laughed. “Well, I am glad to know that. I must admit I wondered how you slept sharing a talan with Elviondel. I wore one as well, and I shared mine only with my brothers. Do you think Elviondel will be angry with me for taking you away?” Siddhir laughed. “Oh, I would say he was quite *relieved* you took me away. Now he will not have to stifle the sounds of his ecstasy.” Haldir blinked. “He was not alone?” “No, and he thinks I am unaware- so we will leave it that way.” “Who was he with?” Haldir asked, curious. “Calaglin.” *“Calaglin?* That is surprising.” “Why?” “Because I always thought Calaglin preferred maidens- although I also thought he had eyes for Dinendal as well at one time. I even thought Elviondel and Nilfalath were together,” Haldir remarked. Siddhir smiled. “I cannot say much about Calaglin and Dinendal, but Elviondel and Nilfalath are much like Tinion and Galdor, truth be known- *and* even *you* in the old days.” Haldir laughed. “I deserved that.” Siddhir grinned and pulled him close. “The sun will be rising in a few hours. Would you care to couple repeatedly until it does?” Haldir kissed him, taking note of Siddhir’s tired eyes. “I would like nothing better, but you are still weary, *melamin,* [my love] and admittedly, so am I. We are not on duty tomorrow, so what say you that we just sleep now? When we wake, I will have you for breakfast- and possibly every *other* meal for the day.”