"Solomon Goldsmith at your service, my Lord and Lady." the young father said to the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien when he was told to introduce himself
"So, how do you find Lothlorien, Solomon?" Undomelinn asked the young father whilst she stroked the flawless face of his wife, Saya. He found not the words to answer her, and gazed at his sleeping wife and children. They looked so peaceful, so beautiful… But how was it possible for Saya to succumb to hibernation in Middle Earth? Unless… unless she was already asleep before they came to Middle Earth. The ancient Queen smiled, knowing what conclusion he had reached in his mind already. "Yes, Saya was asleep even before the two of you stepped into the gateway; I… sensed it when I was closing the gate."
Solomon looked up to her and said, "Then at least we know how long Saya will be asleep..." He knew all along that there was a risk of Saya going into hibernation before they could get to Middle Earth, and she knew well of that risk… He was thankful to Undomelinn for bringing his family back to the world where all Chiropterans came from, but he could not put a finger to why his mother-in-law, Arya I, would willingly leave Middle Earth for their own world. Being a former physician made him look for a logical explanation as to why she ventured to that world alone, without her sister who cared so much about her, and by the looks of it, Undomelinn seemed to want to remain quiet about it.
A great injustice had befallen Arya, the mother of Saya, he heard Galadriel's voice in his head. Was… she a telepath? That is why she sought to leave Middle Earth, knowing that it would break Undomelinn's heart should she chance upon the knowledge of her fate. But what fate was that? What had happened to Arya I to make her drive herself from home and a loving sister? In time, you shall know of it, young Chevalier, what we call Rochir in our tongue… Do not worry of the fate of your beloved, young one; she would wake as soon as your daughters are fully grown. Relief washed over him, and he thanked Galadriel in his heart. Your sacrifices will be repaid fully when the time is ripe.
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The next morning, Solomon decided to take a walk in the Golden Wood, accompanied only by his two daughters. The children were a curious sort, and were constantly stopping to ask him questions about the trees and the people around them. To them, it was rather strange to see people taller than humans with pointed ears and with fair faces all around. "You have beautiful daughters, Master Rochir." Haldir said, when he passed by the little family. "Here in Middle Earth, they shall grow up to be ignorant to the hatred the humans of your world have harbored against you… Lady Undomelinn was very wise to have brought you and your family back."
"Please, call me Solomon," the Chevalier said, smiling when Diva got closer to Haldir, asking him to carry her, a deed which Haldir obliged wordlessly. Just the previous day, the March-warden had revealed himself to be a stern man of the military, and now, a caring soul. Indeed, there were many interesting façades to this strange Elf. "You seem to have a way with children, Master Haldir," he said teasingly. "Or maybe it is because my Diva is quite fearless towards strangers."
Haldir let out a laugh unlike anything Solomon has ever heard before; it had a musical tonality to it, something unheard of in humans, or Chiropterans for the matter. Indeed, the Elves have their own surprises as well. "Forgive me for saying this, Master Solomon, but when one raises two boisterous brats for baby brothers single-handedly, one must have some liking towards children, horrible Trolls as they are." His parents were brutally slain by Orcs, while he and his brothers were miraculously saved. Under the care and tutelage of Celeborn and Galadriel, he, Orophin and Rumil, grew to be staunch protectors of the Galadhrim, often patrolling the borders of Lothlorien, accompanied by Undomelinn, at times. He turned his attention to Diva, when she curiously looked at him, as though waiting for him to do something that he did not know of…
"Nii-san don't like Diva?" the young girl asked, holding Haldir to her gaze, which for a moment, mystified him to no end. Unfamiliar to the term"Nii-san," the Elf turned to Solomon, who said it meant "older brother" in Japanese. He laughed, and caressed her small face.
"No, little one, this Nii-san adores you." he replied, putting down the toddler, only to be ambushed by the other twin, accidentally tripping him. The opportunity gave the twins a chance to hug Haldir with all their might and it took their father a rather hard time to pull them away from him, lest he died of suffocation. Never before had he seen children so active and so free of their affections. Never before had he seen a child with eyes so powerful, so… attractive, and as strange as Diva's… "The two of you are far too beautiful and cute to hate."
Just then, Undomelinn appeared and laughed heartily. "Haldir, once again, you prove to be an excellent child-minder," she joked, picking up both her grand-nieces in both arms. "But should you not be focusing your sights on older candidates? It will be nigh impossible to fathom the number of maidens who would jump off the face of a cliff for you..." From those words alone, Solomon learnt that Haldir was one Elf that caught the attention of many females, what with his mysterious demeanor and liking towards children… Even Diva, was caught by him, at her age, now that he thought of it… "However, I was not sent here to tell you the news you already know: Orophin and Rumil are searching for you, and if you do not meet them soon, they would turn over the entire forest until you are found."
"Well, if they have the guts to do it, that is." the Elf retorted. "They would have to answer to all the citizens of Lorien, and the Lord and Lady." Turning to Solomon and his daughters, he bowed and said, "I take my leave, Master Solomon, and my fair Diva and Arya."
Undomelinn smiled, and once he was had gone far from their sight, she told Solomon, "Ever since Haldir lost his parents, he had vowed to protect his brothers. And now that they have matured to be Lorien's finest alongside himself, he would have to focus his energies on other things… Your daughters will be his source of comfort, I think, from the grimness of his position as the March-Warden. Men of the military are so uptight at times; the sunny disposition they carry will certainly lighten his mood..."
Once again, her words left Solomon deep in thought… But the way Haldir laid his eyes on Diva just moments ago; he recognized it in an instant… But whatever happens, he would watch what Fate offered to him and his family, even in Middle Earth, where they now called home.