Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.
Chapter 21- A melee of thoughts…a bit too late
Third Age 2700
Haldir's eyes remained fixed on Eruanna and her companion even as Rumil swept past him and disappeared into the forest. Eruanna paid no attention to him; she merely sat staring at her own hands in horror, whimpering quietly in Marilla's arms. Words that Haldir had forgotten in his rage echoed in his mind, as though the speaker were standing right beside him.
She is not much more than a child, Haldir.
Watching her, curled in upon herself, weeping in Marilla's arms, Haldir could do nothing but admit that the Lady was right.
And I am a fool.
The Marchwarden's blood froze with the realization of what he'd just done. He'd assaulted an elleth…one who was supposed to be under his protection. The very thought sickened him. Unable to form any words, and knowing Marilla would accept none, Haldir backed away from the pair and faded into the woods.
Haldir walked slowly back towards the center of the city in silent confusion. He played the memory of what had only just occurred over again in his mind. He'd seen the blood on her hands and his brother's face and that was when things became difficult to decipher.
One thing was certain; he'd practically thrown the elleth into a tree and with not a small amount of force. He must have injured her, but she barely even reacted to him. She'd looked shocked, but the expression was there before he'd grabbed her, when she'd just stood there staring down at her hands.
What happened before he arrived in the clearing? Haldir thought he recalled hearing Rumil's raised voice during the melee.
Did he say it was his fault? How could that be?
Rumil would never give an elleth reason to assault him. He was the kindest, gentlest ellon Haldir knew. There were times, in fact, that Haldir considered Rumil unsuited for life as a warden. Not that his brother had ever failed in his duty to protect their homeland, it was only that Rumil's personality was better suited to arts of song and poetry than of war. Haldir knew that the only reason his baby brother had joined the warden ranks was to earn his love and approval.
How the silly elfling had idolized him!
It had once made a younger Haldir terribly uncomfortable, the way his baby brother hung on his every word and action. Perhaps it was because he'd never felt entirely comfortable around elflings that Haldir had at first been so distant with the much younger Rumil. Orophin had no trouble with their youngest brother when he was born for they were far closer in age, then they to Haldir. Most elves had all of their children within a span of a few centuries, but Haldir was two thousand years older than his younger brothers. Haldir stopped in his tracks as a question formed in his mind.
What was Rumil doing out there with Eruanna?
He'd only returned from the borders this very morning and could not have had time to do more than bathe and change clothes in order to arrive at the falls before Haldir. The Marchwarden thought on this question for some time. He did not believe in chance, and doubted his brother had found himself accidentally in Eruanna's company, but that line of thinking only brought up another question.
Why would Rumil seek out an elleth that he'd only spoken with for a moment?
As far as Haldir observed, all Rumil did was help her with her bag, but perhaps there was something else that passed between them, something Haldir had missed. It was then that Haldir was struck with the possibility that he might have hurt not only Eruanna, but his brother as well. Training field exercises aside, Rumil had never raised a hand against his older brother in the two thousand years he'd been alive, never, that is, until today. Rumil had not hesitated to pull him back and it was with a bit of surprise that Haldir realized how strong his little brother had become. The younger ellon broke his grip on Eruanna and flung him across the glade with seeming little effort.
My little brother, you've held back on me these many years, haven't you? Did you think I would be angry if you beat me in a contest of strength?
After separating Haldir from the elleth, Rumil had completely forgotten him. The idea was totally foreign to Haldir, having been the center of his youngest brother's attention for much of Rumil's life. Now Rumil's attention was rapt on Eruanna even as Marilla shook her finger angrily at him. He'd offered to find Lord Erestor and then was off, without so much as an angry glace at Haldir.
He ran, forgetting me completely…he looked upon her and he forgot me.
Instead of jealousy, the feeling that surfaced in Haldir's mind was dread. He might feel guilt and shame over his behavior towards Eruanna, but the knowledge that he might have hurt his brother was almost too terrible to bear.
Forgive me brother.
Walking, he suddenly felt the light touch of the Lady in his mind, feelings of anger mixed with sadness. Haldir knew that nothing happened in this land without Lady Galadriel's knowledge. Surely she knew already about his brother and the peredhel and what he himself had done. It seemed like days since he'd spoken with the Lady about Eruanna.
Was it only an hour ago?
Haldir stopped in his tracks, a sick feeling twisting his stomach into knots.
She knew.
The Lady met him there on that tree path to try and turn him from this course, but he had been deaf to her words. Haldir closed his eyes. He was not the type of ellon to run and hide in fear, but he knew the Lady's anger would be terrible, especially given the warning he'd received.
Haldir knew from long experience it was always best to admit a wrongdoing and receive a reprimand rather than hide like a fearful elfling. His mind made up, he walked purposefully through the woods in the direction of the Royal talan.
The Lady awaited him.