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Boromir yelped as he met the ground for the hundredth time in the span of a few days.
"Oh, Mother!" Ruth muttered and rushed over after he threw the wooden staff he has been practicing with to the side to help the Gondorian up. "I'm so sorry, Boromir, I'm really..."
"No, no. Everything's alright!" Boromir pressed out, trying to catch his breath, and grinned at his sparring partner when Ruth stopped flittering over the fallen swordsman.
They were in a glade beside the river at the moment, choosing to practice a little out of the way of the Lothlórien Elves where they have been spending the past days as Ruth recovered fully. It has become a haven of sorts for the two of them where they spent most of their time, either sparring or simply resting, rarely joined by anyone since they would see the others during meals.
"I know I'm out of your league when it comes to skill," Boromir spoke up when he had seen that Ruth was about to apologize again. "I'm glad to see that your body has recovered greatly in the past 5 days."
Ruth smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. "Háe, although my magic still remains out of reach," he muttered and took a seat beside Boromir on the grassy ground.
"Don't try to force it, Ruth," Boromir urged, and Ruth gifted him with a sideways glance. "It will come to you with time."
Ruth sighed and braced his elbows on raised, bent knees. "We don't have time, Boromir," he said. "It has been 5 days since Aragorn and the others set out down Anduin. Lord Celeborn calculated that they should reach the Falls of Rauros in another 5 days. I had hoped we would be able to catch up to them by then."
Boromir snorted and clapped Ruth's back with his hand, leaving it there in quiet comfort and understanding, rubbing soothing circles between Ruth's shoulder-blades when he felt the tension in the Istar's body.
"Like I said," Boromir comforted gently, "don't try to force it. We will catch up to them in time."
Ruth frowned, but nodded in agreement, head bowed as he stared at something only he could see.
"Maybe you should consider taking a break and having lunch with us?"
Both turned around and found Radagast, Galadriel and Haldir standing behind them with Galadriel carrying a basket in her arms.
"I find that a good idea. Ruth's physical strength has already returned. I stayed behind to make sure he doesn't overwork himself, but in the past 3 days I found myself on my behind more often than he would ask for a break." Boromir teased, enjoying the embarrassed blush on Ruth's cheeks and the three joined them on the soft grass with Haldir taking a seat to Ruth's left, not far enough for Ruth to miss the warmth rolling off of Haldir's strong body in steady waves, even though they were nowhere near touching.
"I apologized already," Ruth muttered into his chin, and Boromir pushed the Wizard's shoulder making Ruth topple to the side, almost landing in Haldir's lap. "Hey!" he snapped angrily, barely managing to suppress a blush and Boromir rolled his eyes, dismissing Ruth's anger as though it was nothing.
"And I said it was fine," Boromir drawled and Ruth glared at him and straightened, failing to notice the way Haldir's hands hovered just close enough to Ruth's shoulders after he reached for Ruth earlier to catch him if Boromir pushed the Istar too hard for Ruth to catch himself.
"You said you cannot access your magic," Haldir spoke, quickly resting his hands in his lap when Ruth turned towards him, and the Elf felt the full blow of those amazing eyes taking him in. "Do you think there is something wrong?" he asked, trying to distract himself, only to have something fill his throat when Ruth huffed and brushed elegant hands through messy bangs.
"I wouldn't know, to be perfectly honest," Ruth said. He reached behind and pulled his hair out of the bind that held it back. With eyes focused on the ground Ruth started running long fingers through the raven tresses. "It is right here, at the tips of my fingers and yet every time I try to reach for it, it eludes me. It could be because I have gotten used to my staff, but I had learned at a young age to use my magic without a wand or a staff."
"You shouldn't rush it, yathár," Galadriel comforted and Ruth looked at her. "It will come to you with time."
Ruth hummed and started to braid his hair without paying much attention to it, his fingers remembering the movements after thousands of times repeating the necessary actions. "My body has recovered," Ruth commented. "Maybe I should concentrate on trying to reach my magic now."
"How?" Haldir asked and Ruth looked up only to blush under the Elf's watchful gaze.
Clearing his throat, Ruth licked suddenly dry lips and shrugged. "I can meditate. I can try to find my core again," he said and tied his hair at the end of the braid before throwing it over his right shoulder and resting his hands in his lap. He traced one of the silvery veins that decorated his right forearm with an elegant finger, eyes narrowing when something silvery seemed to pulsate down the vein. "My staff - I do not know what happened. I have never heard of anything like this happening to anyone. I'm… confused."
"Then maybe meditation is a good idea," Galadriel said and Ruth nodded slowly. He frowned and turned his right hand palm up.
"I just hope I can manage to access my magic quickly. I want to rejoin the Fellowship as quickly as possible," Ruth pressed out through clenched teeth and Boromir sighed.
"Don't try to force it," Boromir pleaded with his brother in all but blood, and Ruth looked at him with an apologetic smile.
"Listen to Boromir, Ruthímiel," Galadriel said and Ruth looked at her. "He only means well."
"Maybe you should take a day to relax," Haldir suggested and Ruth looked at him in slight surprise.
"You might be right," Radagast voiced his opinion and Galadriel and Boromir nodded in agreement.
"You have been working relentlessly trying to return to full strength. Maybe a little rest is what you need," Haldir reasoned and Ruth hummed with a frown marring beautiful features.
"I rested enough while I was in the Houses of Healing," Ruth concluded harshly.
"You were healing, Ruth," Boromir groaned. "Even then you were constantly worrying and thinking about everything. You need peace." The group of people frowned when Ruth's eyes darkened with shadows.
"Lam beth aro nóscu ruth," (I will never know peace) he muttered. Heavy silence settled over the group. A few moments later Ruth sighed and stood up. "Excuse me. I think I'll take a walk. I'll see you at dinner," he said, picked up the cloak he took off before his spar with Boromir, tugged it on and placed the staff he had been practicing with on the ground.
"Be safe," Galadriel said and Ruth nodded, before bowing at everyone and leaving down the river side, shoulders slightly hunched and arms crossed over his chest, footsteps heavy with dark thoughts. "He carries many burdens on his heart," Galadriel whispered. "I pray to the Valar they grant his wishes at last."
While Haldir and Radagast nodded, Boromir looked at her with curiosity coloring his features. "Do you know what he wishes for, my Lady?"
Galadriel looked at Boromir and her lips tilted into a small smile tinted with sadness and understanding. "Love, son of Gondor," she said and Boromir looked after Ruth. Radagast bowed his head and Haldir frowned and looked at lady Galadriel with questioning eyes. She graced her fellow Elf with a sideways glance and her eyes glimmered with timeless wisdom. "Above all else, he desires love."
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Haldir was walking down the riverbank, lost deep in thought. The Moon served as his light and guide, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not find an end to his plight.
Ruth had worried them all when he hadn't shown up for dinner, but Radagast calmed their hearts when he had informed them that Ruth had sent an eagle to tell Radagast that the Green Istar had wandered further than he intended and that he would return as quickly as possible.
Haldir decided he needed time to think as well and his legs took him to the river almost as though they had a mind of their own.
Something has been pulling him to the Green Istar and the little insinuating glances lady Galadriel has been sending Haldir did nothing to help the Elf.
For the first time in a long, long while Haldir was confused. He had no idea what to make of Ruthímiel the Green. Of course, Haldir wasn't an idiot. He knew that he felt attraction towards the beautiful Wizard, but what he couldn't understand was why. Not because Ruthímiel is a man, but Haldir had always thought himself a man of reason, and reason implied that he shouldn't fall for anyone in these times, especially since Haldir didn't know if he and Ruthímiel could even hope for a future together.
Of course, there is always a chance that Ruthímiel would not even return Haldir's affections if the Elf even allowed them to grow, and even though he had never shared this fear with anyone, Haldir did not want to risk his heart being broken by falling in love with someone whose heart would be out of Haldir's reach.
Realizing that he had come to a wider part of the river, Haldir stopped in his tracks, and raised his head only to lose his breath. In his musings he failed to realize he walked all the way to a small river pond. The sight that greeted him there made his heart stop for a second and his thoughts faded into nothingness.
Standing waist deep in the cool water was Ruth and he looked absolutely ethereal. Raven strands clung to the lithe body and floated on the water, little drops of crystalline water trailing down pale contours of the Wizard's slight form and glimmering like heavenly tears. The veins on Ruth's skin shimmered in the moonlight and he looked like a creature born from fairy-tales and legends long forgotten.
Ruth cupped his hands and gathered some water in them before raising them and washing his face with the clear, clean water.
Letting his hands fall to his sides Ruth tilted his head back, and Haldir caught sight of miniscule drops lingering on long black lashes with his superior sight.
One could almost mistake them for tears.
Haldir felt his knees go weak, but he stood strong. He almost felt like he was intruding, like he stumbled upon a being not meant to be seen by world-bound creatures. He took a step back, but in his enchanted state Haldir failed to be careful and a branch snapped under his weight.
Ruth turned swiftly and their eyes met, and Haldir felt incredible warmth spread down his body. Ruth's eyes seemed almost completely silver at the moment and Haldir actually felt like he had strayed into a dream.
"Forgive me," Haldir whispered and bowed his head, turning his gaze away from the beauty he found himself feeling unworthy of, intent on leaving as soon as he apologized properly. "I shall…"
"Wait."
Haldir looked up in slight shock wondering if something has been done to his ears. Ruth's voice sounded deeper. It caressed Haldir's senses and beaconed him closer, like the mythical song of a siren. His legs moved of their own will, carrying him closer to the pond, and Ruth turned to face Haldir fully, offering his right hand to the Elf.
"Come to me," Roth spoke in a voice which caressed Haldir's ears like the whisper of the wind dancing through murmuring grass.
Haldir felt as though he no longer controlled his body, walking into the cool water until he stood in front of Ruthímiel, gazing down into eyes made out of moonlight and stars.
"Glábe qi lah, Haldír do Lórien," (look at me, Haldir of Lórien) Ruth whispered in a low tone and Haldir looked down at Ruth, losing himself in those bewitching eyes. "Sic würue fith ártho? Sic glábe dího umin cet cráe?" (Do you desire this body? Do you only see what is outside?)
It didn't even come as a question to Haldir how he had managed to understand the words flowing off of perfect lips, too taken by the beauty of the Wizard which made Haldir feel as though he was staring at a fallen star.
"Ner,"(No) Haldir whispered, unaware that the words rolling off of his tongue were spoken by his heart and not his mind, in a language he would not usually understand. "Thóram qlúphe umin cet bráe. Thóram nóscu keár lértha." (I wish to see what is inside. I wish to know his heart.)
Ruth's lips tilted into a small smile and he raised the right hand to caress Haldir's cheek with the back of delicate fingers. "I have chosen well. You shall be good for him."
Haldir frowned and opened his mouth to answer only to lose his breath. Light blinded him and the last thing he had heard before he fell into blessed unconsciousness was a gentle woman's voice whispering in his ear.
"Take good care of him."
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Haldir had woken up with a start, quickly taking a seat. He looked around and realized that he was in his room.
Problem was that he didn't remember how he came to be there. Last thing he remembered was reaching that lake.
He couldn't remember how he found himself there or even why, and with a tired sigh he rested his head back against the wall, eyes sliding shut.
What have I seen?
Haldir swallowed difficultly, remembering that he had left dinner earlier than was usual for him after they had received news that Ruthímiel would not be joining them.
A pair of moonlight colored orbs flashed through Haldir's memory and his eyes snapped open not a second later. He jumped out of bed and quickly pulled on his clothes before rushing out of the room with a single thought in mind.
I must find him, Haldir thought and rushed to where he knew Ruth and Boromir spent most of their time. He frowned when he found the glade empty and stopped to think.
It was early morning still, so they might be with lady Galadriel and Radagast.
Haldir turned swiftly on his heel and hastened over to Lady Galadriel's chambers, almost breathing a sigh of relief when he indeed found the Istar with the Lady of Lórien.
"Blessed morning, Haldir," Galadriel said and Ruth looked at the breathless Elf.
There was something different about the Green Istar, something Haldir couldn't pinpoint.
"Blessed morning, my Lady. Ruth," Haldir spoke up and swallowed, bringing his breathing under control only for his heartbeat to stutter when Ruthímiel gifted him with a smile Haldir though would never be directed solely at him. He had thought such serenity and calmness has been reserved only for the members of the Fellowship and Lady Galadriel, although Radagast has been at the receiving end of such a smile as well on occasion.
"Blessed morning, Haldir. Will you join us?" Ruth asked and elegantly raised a hand, showing at the chair to his right.
Haldir swallowed over a lump in his throat and took a slow step forward. "Of course," he said and walked over to take a seat. "Where are Master Radagast and Lord Boromir?" he asked and Ruth laughed quietly while lady Galadriel smiled.
"Boromir found out that Radagast knows a great deal about healing herbs and managed to talk him into teaching him. Boromir is an eager student," Ruth said and Galadriel nodded.
"I was about to suggest that Ruth takes a horse and goes for a ride around Lothlórien. He has decided to take our advice to heart and relax for a while." Ruth smiled and bowed lightly at the Lady.
"I can tell that my magic is avoiding my reach. It might be because I am forcing myself to recover as quickly as possible. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened," Ruth commented with a dry smile, and Galadriel looked at the young Istar with a knowing smirk.
"You should not go alone though." Galadriel looked at Haldir. "Your brothers have taken over watch over our borders. I would like it if you escorted Ruth, Haldir," she said and Haldir raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
"As you wish, my lady." Haldir bowed his head at Galadriel, deciding against asking why they thought him to be the best companion for Ruth, in his thoughts missing the knowing gleam in Galadriel's eyes.
"I do not wish to burden you," Ruth said and Haldir looked at him. He suddenly remembered a vision in the moonlight. Soft skin glowing like liquid silver and mercury, and eyes filled with wisdom, glowing with power.
"I already said this once, Ruth," Haldir answered, gazing deep into the multicolored orbs. "A lighter burden has never existed."
Ruth's cheeks colored lightly and Galadriel smiled for herself. "Very well," she said and stood up. "I shall have horses prepared for you." She walked out and Ruth stood up with Haldir following close behind.
"I shall see in you a bit," Ruth spoke almost shyly, head bowed and hands clasped in front of him, but before Ruthímiel could leave Haldir reached out and grabbed his forearm firmly but gently, never the less, stopping the Istar's advance.
"Ruth..." Haldir stopped when Ruth placed his smaller hand over Haldir's bigger one and smiled looked up at the Elf with eyes full of unspoken mysteries.
"Leave it be, Haldir," Ruth spoke softly and Haldir felt as though a warm caress touched his brow. "Some things cannot be explained. Some things one understands only with one's heart and only when the time is right."
Haldir opened his mouth to answer, but words failed him with Ruth tilted his head to the side a bit, and those perfect lips tilted into a beautiful, tender smile.
"Emáyane," (worry naught) Ruth whispered giving Haldir's hand a reassuring squeeze. "You will understand everything when the time is right." When Haldir frowned at his words, Ruth sighed and shook his head letting go of Haldir's hand and looking away from the Elf when Haldir in turn let go of Ruth. "I shall see you in a bit," Ruth said and left, leaving Haldir alone with his thoughts.
Haldir didn't understand what was happening and it worried him. He wasn't used to things being out of his control, and telling him that the time for him to understand everything would eventually come didn't calm him at all.
But he had to be patient. He just had to be patient.
Haldir snorted, smirked and straightened, clasping callused hands on the small of his back.
Well, if his long life has taught him anything, it was patience.
Time would tell what was happening.
He just had to wait and see where the road of life would take him.
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Easier said than done, Haldir…
Easier said than done.