Whatsoever You Do
by Dreamstrifer
Chapter Eleven: Partings
Haldir was staring at his tea kettle as if it were something he'd never used before, and couldn't figure out how to work it. It had been half an hour since Nindariel had rushed out of his talan after the near embarrassing situation.
The tea kettle, cold now, just stared back at him, uninterestedly.
Haldir let out a soft sigh. He had almost lost his careful control of his emotions. And then, he wondered, what emotions? Haldir certainly didn't feel anything deeper than a casual acquaintance for Nindariel.
So why did he, somewhere deep inside that silly heart of his, why did he wish he'd never put the tea kettle on in the first place?
He scowled at the kettle, as if that would solve his dilemma. The kettle, sitting proud, squat and black, seemed to mock him.
"Don't look so smug," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "There's no reason why I should feel regretful that you whistled. As I was about to.. to…"
The tea kettle just waited for Haldir to continue.
"I'm talking to a tea kettle," Haldir said, dropping his arms. "I'm talking to a tea kettle."
He shook his head, and turned away, making a soft "hmmph" sound as he did so. "I'm going absolutely insane," he ventured further, and collapsed into a chair at his table. The crisp white bed sheets, with the colours of the hunting scene embroidery flashing at him teasingly, lay perfectly folded between his chair and where Nindariel's had been. He reached out a hand to touch them, but pulled it back as if they were burning hot.
Lady, what are you trying to do? he thought to himself. He drummed his fingers on the table, feeling idle. Suddenly, he was quite glad he was being sent off back to the border patrol. Haldir always felt better when he was working. Even if Rumil and Orophin claimed he needed to relax, he always felt guilty doing so, and ended up getting too tense, and then he just ran back to the border guard.
It was a vicious cycle. Haldir never really thought he ever truly relaxed. Well, Orophin and Rumil's definition of relaxation, anyway.
Haldir reached out, and took the sheets in his hands. He lightly traced the stitches with his fingers. Nindariel really had done beautiful work, and just for him. Why? he thought. After all, his old sheets (still very much bloodstained, and unused) were just plain sheets, nothing fancy.
Oh well, who was he to question the thoughts of the girl? He didn't really know her, now did he? Except that she had a low tolerance for alcohol, hated Rumil's machinations as much as she, that she wasn't looking for romance, and that she was a beautiful seamstress.
As in she did beautiful work, not that she was beautiful.
Except… she really was. Physically beautiful. Haldir furrowed his brows as he placed the sheets back on the table. Well, that was something he couldn't just ignore. Nindariel was beautiful. Truly, and completely. Not angelic like Arwen, or striking like Galadriel, but she was beautiful in a meek, wasn't-a-part-of-her-personality way.
Haldir soon found his thoughts running in a direction he didn't want them to go. And that was dwelling too much on the elleth who gave him the bed sheets. And thinking about how pretty she was, and how much more endearing she was because of it.
But he was Haldir, Marchwarden of Lothlorien! He didn't have time for elleths, and even furthermore, Nindariel didn't want anything to do with the males of their species.
He shook his head, and grabbed his sword. He suddenly felt an urge to swing something sharp and pointy around, hard. And there was always benefit to regular practice…
Haldir left his talan, hoping one of his brothers was in the mood for a little sword fighting practice… and if not one of his brothers, than maybe the border guard trainees.
Whoever he found, he hoped they weren't the frail type…
The next day dawned misty and somewhat dour. He was preparing his horse for the ride to the border. It was pretty much an unceremonious departure; the Lady wasn't even going to see the brothers properly off. After all, she did have more pressing matters to attend to.
Haldir didn't much care. It was a lot less bruising to his ego to leave with only Nindariel seeing them off. Because Nindariel meant nothing to him. In no way would that really matter to him, whether she was there or not. At least, that's what he tried to tell himself.
He briefly wondered if Arwen was going to make an appearance, and decided she probably wouldn't waste her time. Arwen was indeed a friend, but why would she come and see the brothers off when they were being sent just because they disgraced themselves in front of all of Lorien?
No, Arwen had deep cutting ways of showing her disapproval sometimes. She'd make one interesting wife to someone, someday, Haldir mused as he saw his brothers come into sight, with their horses led by their bridles.
"It is nearly time to leave," Rumil said, looking up through the trees to the tiny bits of sky trying to peek through. "The sun is nearly high enough."
Haldir stroked his horse's mane absently as Orophin adjusted the saddle of his own horse.
"May I ask," he ventured, "Why you two are late?"
"I was waiting for Orophin," Rumil said, casting a glance at the brother.
Orophin just smiled good-naturedly. "I was, ah, having a conversation. Seeing as how we won't be back for several weeks this time, there were some… loose ends I needed to tie up."
"Another lady friend, Orophin?" Rumil asked with a mischievous grin.
"Not exactly, brother." Orophin just kept his good-natured smile, and Haldir knew immediately that something was a little off from what Orophin was saying. Haldir couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something a little more odd about his brother the past day or so. Nothing to worry about really.
He shook his head as if to clear it, and when he looked up from his horse's mane, he saw Nindariel making her way towards the brothers.
"I had hoped I was not too late, Rumil," She said when she came near, and smiled shyly at Orophin. "But I see my fears were unfounded."
"Thank you again, for coming, Nin," Rumil said, giving her a quick hug. He kissed her cheek. "Take care. Don't get into trouble."
"Me? I should say the same thing to you! Trouble is your name, Rumil."
Rumil smiled. "I suppose you'd think that, wouldn't you?"
Haldir watched the two converse a bit longer. They truly were friends, even when Rumil did something stupid. He marvelled that Nindariel seemed to forgive the scheming elf so easily. Or if not easily, than she was doing a marvellous job of hiding it.
"I see you three have not left yet," a new voice added to the conversation. Lord Celeborn was standing, right where Nindariel had come from.
"Lord Celeborn," Haldir said, rightly surprised. "I had not thought our departure would be worth having you see us off."
Lord Celeborn gave him an indulgent smile. Not many noticed Celeborn, not while there was his wife to wonder about. And whenever Celeborn gave Haldir that smile, the marchwarden never could figure out whether he was being polite or whether he was making fun of him.
"Of course the departure of Lorien's Marchwarden and his brothers is important." He stepped closer, and Haldir spared a glance at Nindariel. She looked a little shell shocked at Celeborn's arrival. Rumil was very nearly laughing at her, and Orophin just looked… like Orophin. "I came in the Lady of Light's stead."
Haldir nodded, a bit suspiciously. Celeborn was still giving him that indulgent smile. It made Haldir feel something of a fool. He adjusted the reins of his horse, and looked over his steeds' back at Rumil and Nindariel, who were bantering. Nindariel, bantering… it was a strange sight to behold. At least to a man who had inspired ceaseless stuttering in the elleth not too long before.
"You won't go off hurting yourself, will you?" Nindariel was asking.
"Why, think I can't handle a sword, m'lady?" Rumil asked, winking roguishly.
"Well, there's always accidents."
"You worry too much, Nindariel," Orophin added in. "Rumil can take care of himself."
"It's not really him I'm worried about," Nindariel said, with what had to be her strange version of an impish smile. On her features, it looked about as evil as a baby rabbit. "It's anyone who might accidentally be walking by during archery practice."
"Nin!" Rumil looked a little offended. "You bruise my ego."
"Well, it's about time someone did," Nindariel said with her characteristic shy smile.
Haldir might have laughed, if not Celeborn had spoken to him. "What is wrong, Haldir?"
Haldir turned to the ancient elf lord. "Nothing's wrong, Lord Celeborn."
Celeborn, who had looked slightly concerned for a minute, turned the indulgent smile on Haldir full force. "You cannot hide everything, you know."
Before Haldir could ask what in Arda Celeborn was talking about, Nindariel approached him. "Farewell, Haldir. Take care of those two. Don't let them hurt anyone." She was smiling. Haldir nodded.
"Of course. Those two are as mischievous as elflings." The two were awkward around each other. Neither pretended not to know what might have happened had not Haldir's tea kettle whistled, but both were extremely careful not to say anything.
Haldir could feel Celeborn's smile boring into the back of his head. Nindariel, not noticing anything, turned next to Orophin, who embraced her slightly. So it looks as though they've become friends, Haldir thought. Never would have thought.
"You need to find romance," Orophin said as she was turning to Rumil.
"I'm sure I do," Nindariel answered in a world weary voice and a roll of her eyes. She turned fully to the last brother. She hugged him again, and said nothing.
"When will you all be back?" She asked as they were preparing to mount their horses.
Haldir opened his mouth to answer, but the words died on his lips. He actually had no idea how long they would be gone. For some reason, instead of him not caring, as he usually did, it made him frustrated. He closed his mouth, and Lord Celeborn answered for him.
"They shall return in six months at the earliest," he said. "Though I had a hard time convincing the Lady that they should come home before a year."
"Six months?!" Nindariel exclaimed. "But that's…"
"How it goes," Haldir said, treading onto her words. "It's not so long, if you think about it."
Nindariel nodded, and she seemed even more sad about them leaving than she was before. She couldn't say why. After all, Rumil had been gone for longer stretches than that! As she watched, the brothers left without further ado.
Nindariel turned to ask Lord Celeborn something, but he was not there. She stood, confused. She hadn't even noticed he had left. She shook her head.
"If it's not talking in someone's mind, it's disappearing faster than miruvor wine after eight months on the border guard," She muttered to herself.
A voice rang out in her head. "And I'm certain your family does not have it's own quirks, Nindariel?"
Nindariel blinked, and shook her head again. Galadriel really had a way of embarrassing someone.
"It is strange," Orophin commented when the brothers were but an hour away.
"What is?" Rumil asked, casting a glance over his shoulder to his brother. Rumil was leading the way, followed by Orophin, with Haldir bringing up the rear. There had been little conversation so far, and Rumil was frankly quite restless.
"How an elleth such as Nindariel can be so endearing." Orophin grinned at Rumil.
"It is because she isn't trying to be endearing," Rumil replied with certainty. "She's a good soul."
"And she finally got over that silly stutter. Sounds like a proper elf, even."
"I've been trying to break her of it for years. It's funny, though, isn't it?"
Now it was Orophin's turn to ask, "What?"
"She didn't stop until the whole fiasco with Haldir."
"Which one?"
Rumil chuckled. "All of them."
"So you notice that, Haldir?" Orophin turned to look at his other brother.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't listening," Haldir said in an uninterested tone. However, it wasn't true. He had been silent since they left, listening carefully to his brothers.
Orophin just looked at him. "Any elleths you're leaving behind?"
Haldir's unamused glare spoke volumes.
"I believe our brother grows weary of our prodding, Orophin."
"that is the most intelligent thing I have ever heard you say, Rumil," Haldir said before Orophin could answer.
"How about you, Orophin? Any elleth you fancy?" Rumil turned the conversation away from himself.
"To tell the truth, yes, but that's not new."
"Who's the lucky maiden this time?" Haldir asked, rather sarcastically.
"Nindariel. However, she doesn't share my fancy."
"That, however, is new." Rumil chuckled again. Orophin rolled his eyes and continued.
"She said it was because she wasn't interested in romance. I think it was because she secretly fancies someone."
"Who?" Rumil asked, his interest piqued.
"If I knew, it wouldn't be a secret now, would it?"
Haldir snorted. "Honestly, is it so hard to believe someone actually doesn't need romance?"
Orophin and Rumil shared a glance, before Orophin said plainly, "It has been my experience, brothermine, that one who claims he doesn't need romance needs it the most." He and Rumil spurned their horses ahead on the path, leaving a dumbfounded, slow Haldir behind.
"What did I say?"
Author's Notes: I finally get to write this one again! My computer died, and it had the half written chapter saved. And it was really good stuff, so I couldn't rewrite it. But my dad's a miracle worker, and I managed to get the rest done in Math class (wtf, eulerizing circuits makes NO sense Dr. Schneider... anywho).
Someone's in denial... ahem. This is my favorite story up on I just... love my style. And I think it's more... better (bad grammar police!) Than the Fresca Files. I put a lo tmore thought into it... Yep, I'm a weirdo. I get to go to St. Louis for the weekend! Yay for Teens Encounter Christ weekends. My first ever, and the only person I know is the music minister, who's a super cool Missionary (we call her Missionary Sue) to Botswana, and is in my choir, and is just generally awesome. I hope there's some hot guys there... if not I'm taking a book (lord of the rings, gormenghast, or Megatokyo vol. 2??)
My toe is all better! I can RUN again... this makes me very happy on the icy wet pathways of campus...
Darth Sissy, I'd love to read something you've written... really. I need to read more o fmy readers' fanfictions...
Jousting Elf with a Sabre, thank you for the quickie Russian Lesson. Man, a whole semester of Russian and I didn't even know how to say spasibo...
utsuri, I can hate coffee because I can hate peanut butter. I'm the pickiest eater, barring my bolder brother. And of course I made Arwen rawkin'... wouldn't like her any other way!
showmethehobbit, honey, you probably did break your toe. A lot of people break their toes and don't even realize it because it's not as obvious as an arm or something.
Ellabel , if I'm your sunshine, you're my 50 watt bulb. Believe it. Characterization IS a word, you silly Johnellabel...
Solecito, could Haldir really fit on your shelf?!
Terreis, long reviews make me happy. So do long chapters...
Legolas: Can you catch the hint?
Shut up leggy. Anywho, yeah. Nothing to say. PORK CHOP SANDWICHES!
silent-tears-133, I personally don't think Galadriel is scary. I mean, I got my strongest impression of her in the books, and she wasn't freaky deaky in them like in the movie. I love Galadriel... she rocks.
Quenril, I have actually been trying to figure out why she's shy, on your suggestion. I missed that, and thanks for the idea. But I'm not really coming up with anything that isn't too traumatic... maybe I'll think of something and reveal all later. And I treasure EACH review, so don't feel dumb!
MEAGHAN! YOU ARE THE BESTEST MUSE EVER!
Legolas: I feel so loved.
BUT YOU AREN'T THE CHIEF MUSE! I MUST GET YOU A GOLLUM PLUSHIE BECAUsE YOU ARE MEAGHAN THE MUSE! -runs off to pack-
