FORTY NINE The following morning, Haldir was still sleeping peacefully when a soft knock came upon the door. Awake and fully dressed, Legandir gazed at Haldir’s immobile form for a moment before slipping into the room to answer it. Orophin and Rumil’s surprised faces greeted him from the other side. Legandir stepped back to let them in, touching a finger to his lips. With the other hand, he pointed to Haldir. The brothers quietly stepped inside. Legandir close the door behind them. “Why is he sleeping at the table?” Orophin whispered, shifting the sack her carried to the other arm. “Because he gave me the bed,” Legandir replied, in a quiet voice. Rumil turned to him, a puzzled look spread across his features. “Why are you here and not with your oh so secret love? I thought you shared a talan with him?” “We are no more. I was sleeping in the woods when Captain Haldir came across me. He bade me to come with him,” Legandir replied, his eyes downcast. Rumil’s expression softened. “Why did you not come to me?” “I did not wish to disturb you and Orophin.” Orophin gazed at him sympathetically. “You should have come. We would have improvised and made room for you.” Legandir nodded. “Is my brother all right?” Rumil questioned, inching closer to the table. “He seems to be,” Legandir answered. “Now that you are here, perhaps I should leave. I have re-made the bed and put everything in its place. Please thank him again for me.” “You’re welcome, but I have not said that you may go,” Haldir responded, lifting his head. “You will sit and share breakfast with us. I know my brothers, and I am sure they have brought plenty with them. Is that not right, Oro?” Orophin smiled. “Of course.” Haldir rose, folded the sheets and then placed them along with his pillow on a single chair in the corner. “Sit. All of you.” They did as they were told. Orophin removed the food he carried from the sack and they began to eat. After a time, Haldir finished and sat back to consider them. “Legandir, as you need a place in which to stay, I have come up with one of two possibilities. One being that you bunk with Elviondel. He is still alone there,” Haldir suggested. “And the other?” Rumil asked. “I have decided to listen to what Siddhir has told me. This talan and everything in it is a constant reminder of him and the life we shared together. Not that I desire to forget him, or ever will- but he wished for me to try and move on. I know I cannot do that as long as I stay here. So, I was thinking that I would give it to you and Oro. You both always loved that large bed anyway. I would go back to our old talan. I only need the one bed there however- so, if you wish, this talan is large enough for the three of you. You can bring the extra bed here. It is for you to decide,” Haldir informed them. Rumil turned to Oro. “Would you mind brother?” “I know you two are close, but that would depend,” Orophin responded. He cast his eyes upon Legandir. “This person you stayed with that you are loathe to tell us about…would we have to see him and be in the midst of all your troubles?” “Not at all,” Legandir replied. “It is over, I assure you.” “That is good, for I would not wish to have to clean up blood from the floor of this lovely talan after killing him,” Orophin returned. Legandir’s cheeks flushed bright red, but he laughed along with the rest of them. Orophin turned then to Haldir. “Are you quite certain of your decision, brother? After all, Lady Galadriel bestowed this talan upon you as a gift after your promotion to Marchwarden. Would you not be offending her to relinquish it?” “She will understand, and yes, I am quite certain,” Haldir answered. “Wait. You do not like sleeping alone. Even in our old talan, you would be alone yet again. Have you pondered that? Mayhap this is not really a good idea,” Orophin murmured. “I had problems sleeping alone in that very large bed. Now that I will be sleeping in a smaller one, I am certain I will be fine. Worry not.” Haldir assured him. Orophin bit his lip. “But what if you should wish to… entertain?” Haldir smiled. “You need not worry, for I have no desire to entertain. I suspect I won’t for quite some time. However, should things change…well, I never needed much room for that anyway.” Legandir and Rumil sniggered. Orophin could not help but smile. “Then the decision is up to you, Legandir. Would you rather stay with Elviondel or us?” Rumil questioned. Legandir smiled. “Nothing against Elviondel, for he is a good Elf and extremely entertaining. However, he keeps far too much company and I think I would be less prone to falling into trouble residing with you. With Orophin around, our mischief would be limited to the minimum.” Haldir laughed. “Good choice.” “And truthful too,” Orophin chimed in, stealing the last strawberry. Rumil thumped him. “When will we do this brother?” “This afternoon, I suppose. I will first to report to Caras Galadon and inform our Lord and Lady that I am returning to duty- and also of this change,” Haldir replied. “We are free until the night watch, and I am certain you will be with our Lord and Lady for quite some time. Why do we not start? Oro will help us, won’t you Oro?” Rumil asked. Orophin sighed. “But of course.” Haldir smiled. “Very well, but do not touch the desk or anything on it. I wish to do that myself.” “We won’t,” Rumil promised. Haldir stood, moved the sheets and the pillows from the chair and placed them on the desk. “Good. Now I have to go in and get dressed. Have fun.” He went into the bedroom. “Thank you again, Captain- for everything,” Legandir called out after him. “This is going to be great. Come; let’s get started,” Rumil said happily. **************************************** “Enter, Haldir,” Galadriel’s voice echoed in his mind just as he reached for the door. He grinned and pushed it open, to find her standing at the top of the stairs with a smile that helped illuminate the already bright receiving room. He bowed low. *“Quel re, Arwenamin.”* [good day, my Lady] *“Quel re,”* she responded. “Come; join me now for some tea.” She waited until Haldir met her on the landing, took his arm and led him into the sitting room. He took the chair across from her at the small marble table. She poured a cup of tea, passed it to him, and then saw to her own. She considered him with sparkling azure eyes. *“Lle maa quel. Cormamin lindua ele lle,”* [you look good. My heart sings to see thee] she whispered. Haldir nodded. “I wish to resume my duties.” She sipped her tea and sat the cup down. “Very well. I sense you are more than ready. When would you like to return in full capacity?” “Today- well, for the night watch. I first must help my brothers move. I trust you will not take offense, but I have gifted my talan to Orophin and Rumil. They will share it along with young Legandir. I will take my former talan,” Haldir replied, drinking some of the tea. “Of course not,” Galadriel answered. “I am glad. I did not want you to feel I had taken your gift to me lightly. I just could not-” Galadriel held up her hand. “No need to explain. I understand perfectly. I trust you will visit for a while? Celeborn will return shortly and he would be delighted to see you.” “Certainly, my Lady,” Haldir replied. *********************************** “I thought you would be sleeping,” Haldir called out sometime later when he saw Tinion turn on to the path ahead of him as he strolled towards home. Tinion stopped and turned to look at him. “I was more hungry than tired. I’ve just left the common. Along the way I saw Orophin. He told me you are moving again.” “Yes. It is for the best,” Haldir replied, slipping up to him. Tinion shrugged. “If you say so. Personally, I would find the larger talan more to my liking.” Haldir smiled. “I have never been one to need much room. My old talan is more than sufficient.” “To each his own,” Tinion answered. “Orophin said also that young Legandir will be sharing the talan with them. Either Orophin is mellowing in his old age, or he has lost his mind. The two of them will drive him mad.” “I think it more likely the other way ‘round, but we will see,” Haldir replied with a grin. Tinion looked at him closely. “You are in much better spirits. I am glad.” “Siddhir left a note for me. I found it earlier.” “What did he say?” Tinion asked. “Mostly that I should go on, and that is what I am trying to do,” Haldir answered. Tinion smiled. “He always was the sensible one.” Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Are you implying that I am not?” “I didn’t imply it. I said it outright,” Tinion laughed. Haldir laughed with him. When they regained their composure, he placed a hand on Tinion’s shoulder. “Tell me my friend, when did you know?” Tinion looked at him for a moment. “I was suspicious when he asked me to look after you out of the blue one day. But I was not certain until he kissed me.” “He kissed you? When?” “On my begetting day. He said his gift was something I had always wanted. He kissed me then, and told me to enjoy it because the kiss was all I would get,” Tinion recalled. “But it was your begetting day. Why would that make you think something was amiss?” Haldir asked. Tinion smiled. “I have had other begetting days that did not reap me so great a reward. Siddhir always spoke to me about mental and physical realms of well being. He told me how he thought I had more than excelled at the physical, but needed work on the mental. He also thought Fereveldir had mastered the mental and needed work on the physical. He used to tease me because he thought the two of us would make a lovely pair if Fereveldir only had not preferred females. I used to laugh and call him mad, but he would just smile that ever knowing smile of his. He knew me well, *mellon.* [friend] He knew too that I had lusted after him from the very first moment I set eyes upon him. But he had made his choice from the very first moment he laid his eyes upon *you.* He loved you with every fibre of his being, Haldir. Never once had he *ever* kissed me or anything of the like until *that* day. That’s when I knew.” Haldir gazed at him thoughtfully. “Why did you not tell me?” Tinion met his gaze. “You were leaving for battle. No, that is not entirely true. I did not *want* to believe it. Forgive me.” Haldir nodded. “I understand. Thank you for sharing that memory with me. Perhaps we can trade more pleasant moments as well sometime in the near future.” Tinion smiled. “I would like that.” “I had best be going. I promised to help Orophin and Rumil get things in order,” Haldir sighed. “I will accompany you. You may well need a hand.” ************************************* Elviondel descended his post along with Fereveldir as the Rivendell party prepared to depart. While Fereveldir spoke with Golradir, Erestor and Anarin, Elviondel urged Melpomaen off to the side with a nod. “‘Tis a shame you must depart so soon.” Melpomaen smiled. “I wish you were accompanying me. Perhaps one day you will find your way to Rivendell?” “Perhaps,” Elviondel replied, noticing that Erestor was ready. “Safe journey.” Melpomaen nodded and joined Erestor, Goldadir and Anarin as they mounted their waiting horses. With dusk at their backs and last look, he and his party left Lorien for Rivendell. ********************************** With a sigh of contentment, Haldir folded down on one of two chairs in the outer room. “Finally, everything is as I like it. Many thanks for your help, Tinion.” “You’re very welcome,” Tinion replied, looking around. “It almost looks as though you never left- minus Orophin and Rumil of course.” Haldir smiled. “Well, it’s certainly neater, for one.” “True,” Tinion replied. “I wonder how long it will take for them to have their talan in complete disarray. Care to wager?” Haldir smiled. “I think I will pass. If it were Rumil and Legandir alone, I would say before sunrise. But Orophin being with them makes it more difficult.” Tinion laughed. “You are quite right. It was Oro who kept *this* talan presentable. I suppose we will have to wait and see. Well, if there is nothing else you need, I will be going. I should get some rest after all.” “You have done more than enough,” Haldir answered with a smile. “Very good then. *Quel du,”* [good night] Tinion replied. He turned then and moved towards the door. “Tinion, wait.” Tinion turned to him again. “Have you forgotten something?” “No. You have shared with me today, and now I wish to share with you,” Haldir answered, rising and walking over to his desk. Tinion watched as Haldir retrieved a book from one of the shelves. He opened it, removed a piece of parchment, then returned and handed it to him. Perplexed, he gazed at Haldir uncertainly. “It is all right. I wish for you to read it,” Haldir said quietly. Tinion opened the letter and began to read. Haldir watched as several emotions seemed to cross the flaxen haired Elf’s features all at once. When he was done, Tinion wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve and handed the letter back to Haldir with a chuckle. “I believe him,” he remarked. Haldir smiled. “As do I.” Tinion looked at him. “Thank you for sharing that with me.” “You are most welcome my friend,” Haldir answered. He turned then and walked back over the desk to return the letter from whence it came. Then he retrieved his bow and quiver and joined Tinion again, opening the door to allow him to pass through first. “Come; I will walk with you. I have decided to take the night watch.”