FIFTY NINE “Are you certain you wish to do this?” Haldir asked quietly the following morning as he accompanied Saelbeth to his talan. Saelbeth nodded. “I am certain.” “Very well, then. I will dispatch guards to accompany you.” “That is not necessary.” Haldir frowned. “Evil is lying dormant. That does not mean it’s dead. It is not wise to travel alone.” Saelbeth sighed. “Very well, if you insist.” “I do.” Saelbeth turned to him and smiled when they reached the guest talan he once shared with his kinsman Taldor several months ago. “Haldir, you do not have to stay and watch me pack. I am certain you have far more important things to do.” “I stay because I wish to do so. But, there is the matter of appointing guards for your journey,” Haldir replied. Saelbeth smiled. “Then go. Do whatever you must. I will be fine.” “Do you remember the place upon which you entered Lorien?” Haldir inquired. “I do,” Saelbeth replied. “Meet me there when you are ready.” Saelbeth nodded, and Haldir turned to go. “Haldir?” Haldir stopped and turned around. “Yes?” Saelbeth stepped forward quickly and kissed him deeply. “When I *do* arrive, I will be ready to depart. I abhor long farewells.” “I understand,” Haldir answered. Saelbeth winked and turned away, quickly ascending the ladder to his talan. Haldir watched thoughtfully for several moments before walking away. ****************************************** “Captain Haldir, I am fortunate to have found you so quickly. I have been sent by Lord Celeborn to inform you of the celebration that will soon begin,” Anyriand said happily, as he met Haldir on a path adjacent to the common. “Have you heard of the joyous news?” Haldir smiled. “I have. *Hannon lle.”* [thank you] Anyriand nodded and went his way. Haldir continued on until he reached the common, stopping to examine the roster posted on a Mallorn nearest the entrance. “Do not tell me you are looking to assign extra duty to a poor soul on this happy day,” Fereveldir chuckled as he slipped up beside him. “I have not a choice,” Haldir replied grimly. “Saelbeth is leaving Lorien, and I will not see him ride out alone.” Fereveldir looked at him sadly. “I heard of his altercation with Tinion. How very unfortunate.” “It was not that,” Haldir replied. “It certainly didn’t help matters, but I cannot place the blame on Tinion. Saelbeth confronted *him.* It’s not his fault. I never should have allowed myself to become involved with Saelbeth in the first place.” Fereveldir frowned. “Haldir, you deserve to have happiness whenever you can. You were honest with him. What else could you have done?” Haldir met his friend’s eyes. “Saelbeth’s heart was open, and an open heart heeds no warning. I never should have taken the bait when he approached me. Our union was doomed from the outset.” Fereveldir sighed. “Those from Mirkwood are not nearly as tough skinned as we from Lorien, are they? With the possible exception of Thranduil, perhaps.” “One cannot have a passive nature and become King, that is certain. At any rate, I must go now and give Nilfalath and Taurnil the ill news. They have had the most time off recently, so it is only fair that they take this assignment.” . “Much to the chagrin of them both, I surmise. But they will do their duty, as always. Come; I will walk with you.” ******************************************** “It is with great regret to hear that you are leaving us, Saelbeth. We were pleased to have you,” Galadriel remarked. Saelbeth bowed. “Many thanks for your hospitality, Lady Galadriel- but unfortunately the time has come for me to depart. As much as I enjoyed my time in Lorien, I miss Mirkwood and my kin. Please relay to Lord Celeborn I was sorry to have missed him.” “Of course. He is seeing to the upcoming festivities. It is a pity you cannot stay for such a wondrous occasion.” Saelbeth offered a small smile. “As much as I would like to, my Lady, I fear I am not in a particularly festive mood. Galadriel nodded, indicating she knew what he meant. “Know that you are welcome at any time should you ever wish to return.” *“Diola lle,”* [thank you] Saelbeth bowed again, and then turned and left the receving room. He stepped out into the bright daylight of Lorien, and inhaled deeply. He knew that Galadriel knew the real reason he was leaving, and was grateful that she did not make mention of it. He began descending Caras Galadon’s ever winding staircase. *************************************** Tinion sensed a presence, turned to look behind him and saw Haldir, Fereveldir, Nilfalath and Taurnil coming towards his post. On watch alone this day and quite puzzled, he quickly descended the Mallorn and dropped to the ground to wait for them. Haldir nodded when they approached him. Fereveldir offered a small smile. “What is amiss?” Tinion inquired, hesitantly. “Saelbeth is leaving Lorien, and will arrive shortly. Nilfalath and Taurnil are to give him escort to Mirkwood,” Haldir answered. Tinion looked in his friend’s eyes. “I am sorry, Haldir.” “Fret not. It is not your doing,” Haldir replied. “But my dispute with him obviously made things worse. I will apologize to him forthwith if you bid me to,” Tinion offered. Haldir sighed. “There is no need, for it was inevitable. Let us speak no more of it.” He nodded then to Taurnil and Nilfalath, who left to retrieve the horses. ************************************* Saelbeth ambled leisurely down the path, carrying a large sack filled with his belongings, stopping every now and then to take a last look at Lorien’s beautiful golden Mallorns that he had grown so fond of. Lorien itself had been such a different experience from everything he had ever known, and although his heart wept, he could not honestly say that he was not grateful for the time he was allowed to spend here. He considered stopping to say goodbye to Haldir’s brothers but decided against it. He had grown quite fond of them, and especially of Rumil- who was always so full of questions. He found Lorien’s people to be generally aloof for the most part towards anyone not of their lands, and outside of Haldir, Rumil and Orophin always succeeded in making him feel at ease. But it was painful enough to leave Haldir as it was. He sighed heavily and continued on his way. ******************************************* Celeborn entered the room with a bright smile. “Everything is ready for the celebration. I am so looking forward to it.” Galadriel offered a small smile. “As am I. We could all benefit from some merriment this day.” “What is wrong?” Celeborn asked, hearing her tone and sitting down beside her. Galadriel looked at him. Saelbeth is leaving Lorien.” Celeborn nodded knowingly. “Why? I heard of his conflict with Tinion, but that cannot be the reason.” Galadriel sighed. “Not having Haldir’s heart is the reason. ‘Tis quite a shame too, for Saelbeth is a gentle soul.” “He must do what is best for him. I am certain he will recover and find what he longs for one day.” “He will, and so will Haldir. It is just unfortunate that so much pain has to be endured before that happiness is attained,” Galadriel replied quietly. Celeborn reached out and pulled her close. “At least we *know* he will be happy again.” “Yes, we do,” Galadriel whispered, gazing deeply into her husband’s eyes. ******************************************** They turned to see Saelbeth moving towards them. “I will return to my post now,” Tinion stated flatly, turning to climb the Mallorn once again. “Tinion, please do not leave. I would like to have a word,” Saelbeth called out. Tinion stopped, and turned around, glancing quickly at Haldir before focusing his gaze on Saelbeth. Haldir looked at him and Fereveldir before turning to watch Saelbeth approach Tinion. Nilfalath and Taurnil now stood nearby, waiting. “I owe you both an apology and a debt of gratitude,” Saelbeth began. Tinion looked at him quizzically. “You owe me nothing.” “Oh, but I do. Your candor was a great aid in returning me to my senses. I misguidedly thought of you and I in a battle for Haldir’s affections, and that you were trying to win.” Tinion’s brow furrowed. “I was never trying to win. One cannot win something that is not available as a prize.” Saelbeth smiled. “I understand that now. Again, I sincerely offer to you my deepest regrets for my unkind words. You were quite correct; I know you not, and I had no right to judge you. Please forgive my failure to recognize that.” “Your apology is accepted. I offer you mine as well. I can be ill tempered and sharp tongued at times.” Saelbeth chuckled. “Mildly put, that is certain. I have learned much from you, Tinion. It is unfortunate we did not meet under different circumstances. *Namarie.*” [farewell] “Safe journey,” Tinion replied. *“Diola lle.*” [thank you] Saelbeth turned then to Haldir and Fereveldir. *“Namarie.”* *“Namarie,”* Fereveldir returned. Haldir nodded silently, his eyes locked with Saelbeth’s for several moments. “I am ready,” Saelbeth announced, turning quickly and walking towards Nilfalath and Taurnil. The three mounted their horses and galloped away, leaving Haldir, Tinion, and Fereveldir looking after them. Fereveldir broke the silence. “Are you all right, Haldir?” Haldir sighed. “I am well. My only regret is that I ended up hurting him, for it surely was not my intention.” “I believe he understands that,” Tinion offered. “I am certain he will be fine given time. I am going to my post now.” “Will you not come to the celebration?” Fereveldir asked. “Perhaps when I am relieved,” Tinion replied before swiftly climbing. Fereveldir turned to Haldir. “I am sure things have started already. I feel like having a very large cup of wine. What say you?” Haldir smiled. “I say that is an excellent idea.”