FIFTY SIX Orophin smiled the next morning upon entering his talan. Both Rumil and Legandir were still asleep, and from the looks of them sprawled out across their beds, he was certain they had been on the night watch. He removed his weapons with a heavy sigh, placed them carefully on the trunk and frowned, noticing the dust that hung heavy in the air, visible within the rays of the morning sun filtering in through the windows. He decided then to bathe first and visit the common for breakfast afterward. Surprisingly enough, he was not yet weary, but the rumbling in his stomach reminded him of his hunger. He quietly gathered the things he needed, slipped them into a sack and left the talan. ******************************** “You’re up early,” Calaglin noted upon entering the talan that he and Dinendal shared to find him awake and sitting up in bed. “Dinendal smiled. “I suppose I am just wound up.” “About what?” Calaglin asked as he removed his weapons. Dinendal began to recite to him the events of the previous evening, starting from the point when he first had the feeling of being watched. Calaglin listened with interest as he sat on the end of his bed and pulled off his boots. By the time Dinendal finished the story however, Calaglin was frowning. “Why are you in such high spirits? It sounded like quite a *painful* experience from where I sit. Not to mention that being of the Galadhrim, and being caught unawares by your Commander could not have yielded a favourable result.” “That is just it. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Dinendal replied happily. Calaglin’s brow furrowed. “Are you saying he didn’t reprimand *any* of you?” “He did, but it was far from harsh. I believe he did it all just to surprise Rumil. He was toying with us! You should have seen it, he was cunning and swift and… well, it was all quite amazing.” Calaglin gazed at him incredulously. “Do my ears deceive me? The Marchwarden trounced the entire watch and you are *happy* about it?” Dinendal laughed. “Well, I suppose he proved that he is not Marchwarden for naught. I would do well to join Rumil and Legandir on the practice fields and hope to be half as agile as he is one day.” “You are enamoured with him, aren’t you?” Calaglin asked, considering him more closely. Dinendal blanched. “What say you?” “Elbereth! You don’t even realize it.” Dinendal frowned. “You are weary from your travels, *mellon,* [friend] so I will forgive your bawdy talk. He is our Captain, and I respect him as such. So should you.” he stretched out on the bed and closed his eyes. Calaglin sighed. “Dinendal, I didn’t mean…” “I wish to sleep now. We can talk later,” Dinendal murmured. Calaglin considered his friend for several moments before slipping under the sheets of his own bed and eventually drifting off to sleep. ************************************ Orophin entered the common sometime later. Seated near the entrance, Elviondel immediately gestured to him. He smiled and joined him at the table he shared with Anyriand having breakfast. *“Mae Govannen,* [well met] Anyriand. Long has it been since I last saw you,” Orophin greeted, taking a seat. Anyriand smiled. “And I you, Orophin. You are looking quite well. More and more like your brother with each day that passes.” Orophin chuckled. “I trust that is a compliment?” “Certainly,” Anyriand replied. “Haldir is well loved in Lorien.” Elviondel chuckled. “You may well have any one of those loves clawing at *you* one day, so take care.” Orophin laughed and gestured to a servant, who returned shortly with a small platter and placed it before him. “You jest, Elviondel. We don’t look *that* much alike.” “Care to wager?” Elviondel inquired. “I think not,” Orophin replied with a grin. They ate and exchanged plesantries as the common grew more crowded. Elviondel was in the midst of telling the details of a tale he had heard the previous week when suddenly he stopped talking, staring up expectantly at something behind Orophin. Anyriand, who was seated beside Orophin began to frown. “Why did you stop? Continue.” Orophin glanced at Elviondel, then turned around to see what he was staring at. A quite winsome Elf from the Mirkwood party- evident from of the colour of his robes, gazed back at him in surprise. He appeared to be nervous. “Can I help you?” Orophin asked politely. “Forgive my intrusion. I thought you were someone else,” Saelbeth murmured. Elviondel grinned. “Would that someone be the Marchwarden?” Saelbeth looked at him. “Um, yes. Again, forgive my intrusion. I will be going now.” Orophin stood. “The Marchwarden is my brother. Perhaps I can help you? He is away, and…” he stopped and his lips spread into a bright smile. “Actually, he has returned. He is coming now.” Saelbeth turned to see Haldir entering from the far side of the common, nodding to several people there along the way. His skin tingled with every step the Marchwarden took that brought him closer to them. “Brother! You have returned,” Orophin chuckled. Haldir flashed a brilliant smile and embraced him. “I could never stay away from my brothers for very long.” “I am glad you are back,” Orophin whispered. “As am I,” Haldir replied, releasing him. “I was told you have experienced your first patrol.” “Yes, but I will tell you about it later,” he nodded to Saelbeth. “He wishes to speak with you.” Haldir gazed intently at the Elf. “Is that so?” “Um, yes,” Saelbeth replied. Then he looked at Orophin. “Forgive my rudeness. My name is Saelbeth.” “Pleased to meet you Saelbeth, I am Orophin,” he turned to point to his companions. “This is Elviondel and Anyriand. Apparently you know my brother Haldir,” Orophin replied. Behind him, Elviondel and Anyriand sniggered. Haldir raised an eyebrow, but turned his attention again to Saelbeth. “I was about to have breakfast. Perhaps you’d like to join me?” “Yes, thank you,” Saelbeth replied quietly. “Very well then,” he turned to Orophin. “I shall see you later.” Haldir nodded at Elviondel and Anyriand, and then walked away with Saelbeth to find a table. “I told you so,” Elviondel teased. “He thought you were Haldir.” Orophin grinned and shook his head. “He is *one* person Elviondel, and he isn’t even from here. You cannot make assumptions just from that. He could mistake me for Tinion as well.” “You look nothing like Tinion,” Elviondel rebutted. Orophon sighed. “This is a dead issue. What say you continue the tale you was telling us before we were interrupted?” “Yes, do continue,” Anyriand agreed, moving in closer. ******************************** Haldir waited until their food had been served, and then looked deep into Saelbeth’s cerulean eyes. “So, what is it you wish to speak with me about?” Saelbeth looked around uncomfortably. “Perhaps this is not the best place to talk after all.” “Why?” Haldir asked. Saelbeth bit his lip. “Because it is…personal.” Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Personal? How can that be? We know nothing of each other.” “That is true, but I would like… to know more …of you,” Saelbeth confessed. “I regret that I have to be this abrupt. It is not normally my way, but we will be leaving Lorien soon, and I could not depart without expressing my desire- even if it is to no avail.” “You flatter me,” Haldir whispered. Then he sighed. “I know not what you may have heard, but I must be truthful with you. I lost someone I loved very deeply, and I am not seeking another. I cannot give my heart away like that again.” he began eating his breakfast. “I admit I have heard something to that effect… but can you not simply enjoy another’s company?” Saelbeth asked. Haldir looked at him. “That I can do, but many cannot do the same without wanting more. Are you one of those people?” “I have had aquaintences before,” Saelbeth replied. Haldir smiled. “That is not what I asked. It is not my wish to bring anyone pain, Saelbeth, and therefore I take great care with whom I choose to keep company. If you cannot trust yourself not to desire more than I can give, we cannot possibly be together.” Saelbeth considered him. “You sound so certain.” “I *am* certain,” Haldir answered quickly, wiping his mouth. “Besides, as you reside in Mirkwood and I here in Lorien, our time together would be limited at best.” “That is true.” Haldir smiled again. “So, there you have it. The choice is yours *mellonamin.”* [my friend] Saelbeth considered Haldir for a moment, wondering if he could truly restrain himself from falling in love with the strikingly handsome Elf that sat before him. What he felt for him already was so strong, even without truly knowing him. It was as if a strange force beyond his control conspired to pull him deeper and deeper into those haunting grey eyes. Taldor’s warning briefly echoed in his head, but every nerve in his body rejected it. He wanted- no, *needed* to be with him. “I have taken what you’ve said into consideration, but I have not changed my position,”Saelbeth said with a steely gaze. Slightly taken by surprise, Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Very well, then.” Saelbeth smiled. “So what do we do now?” Haldir grinned. “I can think of several things, but you have not touched your breakfast as of yet.” “I am no longer hungry,” Saelbeth replied, pushing the platter away. Haldir chuckled. “Well then, as your time is short, perhaps we should leave this place,” Haldir suggested. “Good idea.” Saelbeth answered with a knowing smile.