Happy Friday! Thanks to all the followers and reviewers. Special shout out to Siri and Fairylover2004 for your wonderful words. It makes me so happy to know you're enjoying this journey with me. I'm very much looking forward to the next few chapters! This story is a slow burn, I've had some complaints at the length, but I think it's so important to take the time to develop the characters and give them a real chance and journey. I'm doing my best in attempting this and what a learning experience it has been for me. So thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart for reading my first written work.
He hesitated outside. The sound of his sister in marriage's quiet laughter held him motionless. His brother was happily married, had been for centuries, and even after all their time together the unusual pair was still madly in love. Just as Haldir had grown into a unique elf amongst their people so too had his brother carved his own path. Rumil had always been eccentric in the most maddening and sporadic ways. Art, music, sculpture, clothing design, baking and most recently winemaking. He was fickle in all things except in his love for his wife. In that aspect, he was wholly steadfast. While most elves grew content over time and even in his opinion stagnant in their lives; his brother remained fresh as spring mountain air. Always exploring and always experimenting. Haldir envied his zeal for life.
Politely, Haldir knocked, even knowing he was welcome at his brother's home at all hours of the day.
After a few long moments, his brother answered the door. Haldir raised a high brow as Rumil finished fastening the last button and smoothed down the front of his rumpled tunic.
"It's eight in the morning Rumil."
Said brother tucked his loose hair behind his ears with a grin. "I'm well aware of the time brother." He motioned past himself and into his home. "Come in, come in."
Rumil's wife busied herself around their table arranging fruit onto plates for their breakfast. A heated blush painted her neck and cheeks. Aerin's hair, which had been neatly braided at the market that morning, was loose and wild around her face. The table and its settings were also worse for wear. The table cloth was bunched haphazardly up in one corner. Just as Haldir noticed so did his brother, who with a quick tug, straightened the fabric.
"Good morning, brother mine." With a faint blush still painting her face and mischief vibrant in her eyes, Aerin handed Haldir a small plate and kissed his cheek. His brother's scent mingled strongly with hers. "We were not expecting you back in the city so soon but it is wonderful to see you. We heard distressing news this morning at the market that you've called all the reserves to the border?"
He took the plate but his appetite was gone. His conversation with Natasha had unnerved him and left him shaken. The small relief he felt that she trusted him enough to unburden herself did not offset the sourness that had settled in his stomach at her confession or the trepidation at the realization that she mattered, more and more with each passing minute spent in her company. As much as he had denied it, wanted to oppose it, he felt for her much more than he should.
"Tis true. I met with Lady Galadriel this morning and must reconvene with her and all ranking officers by mid-day."
Rumil paused in gathering his own breakfast. He knew his brother well and although it was difficult for others to read him, Rumil had never had such difficulties. "It is as you thought then. More war, more death and destruction."
Rumil had always had a talent for stating questions rather than asking them.
"Worse I'm afraid. I will be making a proposal to evacuate the city."
Aerin sat and gripped his brother's hand in hers. "This is our home." Quick to temper and equally fierce, Aerin's knuckles went white. "No orc filth will force us from it."
"Many of our people will feel as you do. We have tended this land for millennia but there are too few of us now to defend it fully." He set his plate down untouched. "The magic and military might of the elves has fallen on lesser days."
Rumil shook his head in denial.
"You surely can not believe otherwise? Our people are leaving these shores, every year more sail to the Undying Lands." There were no children amongst them either. An elven child had not been born inside Lothlorien in more than a century. Their people were fading and soon would soon vanish to only legend and story, told to human children as a bedtime tale.
"Pack your things and if...if the worst happens, go to Fangorn Forest until you arrange transport across the sea." It was the best temporary haven he could think to offer his people. The ents had awoken and would be protecting their forests with renewed vigor. They would welcome the elves amongst them for a time to assist in reclaiming the trees.
There would still be a chance even if this battle was lost, that the war could still be won. Their fates were in the hands of two young hobbits.
"Fangorn? Have you gone mad, brother mine?"
He wanted to smile at Aerin's accusatory tone. Perhaps he did look mad, recently he'd certainly felt that way.
"The ents have awoken." Another small detail he'd forgotten to mention when he'd been here last and watched as no small amount of surprise assaulted her elegant features. He simply hadn't had the opportunity to tell them. They had grieved the loss of their brother, little else had mattered in the days hence.
"They would welcome the hands of the elves in restoring the woodland. You would be sheltered there and safe for the time being."
If Frodo and Sam failed. If he and Natasha failed. If the combined forces of Gondor, Rohan and all the free peoples of Middle Earth failed and the world fell to darkness, even sailing across the sea would not be distance enough to keep them safe from Sauron. His world had become infinitely smaller since meeting Natasha. He had learned from her that evil in any of its forms was prevalent across the cosmos. She hadn't escaped it and she had traveled between worlds.
"How long do we have?" Rumil kissed his wife's pale knuckles.
"A few days, a week at most." It wasn't long and wouldn't be long enough for many. They still had the injured and incapacitated to tend in the healing wards. Moving the worst of them again would be challenging and detrimental to their recovery but they would do what they must.
"So soon!" Aerin exclaimed.
Clearly, he hadn't wanted them to be caught unaware. "If there is anything more you need for the journey or to prepare, get it now before the news spreads and the market is overwhelmed." They were family and he would give them the best advantage he could and at the moment that advantage came in the form of time.
"We appreciate your forethought brother." He would do as Haldir asked and pack up his and Aerin's essentials. He would prepare, store and dry fruits and vegetables over the next few days but he doubted very much they would leave. Lothlorien was their home. He did not defend it with sword and bow as Haldir and the Galadhrim but he would not abandon it. The waves of determination rolling forth from his wife only steadied his resolve.
"It is the least I can do. I will come again this evening and with news."
Aerin, always eager for an excuse to invite him to eat did just that. "Please have dinner with us. It may be our last for some time if things are as bad as you say."
There was something about knowing Haldir faced so much alone that did not sit well with her. To think of all he underwent day in and day out and to go home to an empty bed, an empty kitchen and a cold hearth. He deserved so much better than the shell of a life he pretended to live.
A long and challenging day awaited him and an evening spent with family would do him well.
He conceded. There was no point in arguing otherwise with Aerin. "I will come as soon as I am able."
Rumil laid their joined hands over his wife's shoulder. His thumb rested in the soft hollow of her throat. It never ceased to amaze Haldir how casually intimate his brother was with his wife. That it was as natural as breathing to them.
"In the market this morning, that was Natasha with you was it not?" The inquiry came surprisingly from Aerin.
"Yes." He'd left her with his own assistant to sort out a bath and replacement clothing. Hopefully, her things would arrive from the border before long.
"Before, when you described her to us, you left out the very obvious fact that she's lovely for a human. Quite small but very lovely. It's difficult to imagine her as a warrior."
An image of her blood-splattered and grinning like a feral cat came to his mind. It wasn't difficult for him to imagine. He was well familiar with the idea.
"It wasn't a pertinent detail."
"You and your pertinent details. You should bring her with you to dinner. I would very much like to meet her." Aerin insisted.
It was very rare for a human to be welcome inside the border and Aerin had a deep fascination with humans. Rumil and she often traded their goods within their own community but some of their people traded outside the woodland realm. She wondered after the humans that bought their goods. What were the homes like that were warmed by her woven blankets? How were the tables set that held Rumil's wine?
Haldir hesitated to reply. So far he considered their interaction together as progressive but he still had many things to say and discuss with her. There was much yet she needed to understand and as it stood between them inviting her to dinner with his family would only make them both uncomfortable.
"I do not think that would be wise." He was well past tired of contemplating the wisdom of his actions but he was far from done doing so. Haldir understood his family's curiosity of the human woman but he also hadn't fully disclosed the full nature of how he had come to know Natasha nor would he. It was not his tale to tell. He could reason that soon rumors of her would reach elven ears but also knew his soldiers well enough to keep them in confidence. If she was to go to war with his people; they had a right to know who was guarding their backs.
Surprised at his tone Aerin dug her heels in on the topic knowing the stubbornness of his character. She was well versed at convincing a Galahon into nearly anything. "We would be honored to have her here. You spoke so highly of her, surely she would enjoy the company and a well-cooked meal."
Haldir cleared his throat and shifted. He was positive she would enjoy all those things but what stood between them now and what was to come could drastically change the dynamic between them. Committing to a plan for this evening was absurd considering the circumstances.
"Brother?" Rumil reiterated noticing his distraction. It was unlike him to be apprehensive, something more was bothering him, and deeply. "What troubles you that you have not told us?"
Breathing deep Haldir drove on in awkwardness. "I told you of Natasha's deeds. Her bravery, her kindness to our people and her fierceness in battle but there are...events...that I have not told you, or any other of, besides the Lady Galadriel. In my effort to seek guidance in the matter, it has recently been brought to my attention that I have...that we've...that I inadvertently formed the beginning of a bond with Natasha in my attempt to stabilize her health at Helm's Deep."
There was silence.
It was his sister that answered. "Haldir…" She stood from her chair and walked toward him. "But this is good news is it not? Surely such a thing would not have happened if the two of you were incompatible." This was the root of his apprehension? He could not possibly believe that she would think ill of him and Natasha if he pursued the woman into a relationship and how could he not when they were already tethered.
"So says the Lady Galadriel but it was unexpected and very sudden for the both of us. Natasha does not know the extent of our condition or what it means. I myself only rationalized it fully this morning."
Aerin was half tempted to shake the poor elf out of his surprised stupor.
"She's mortal." Rumil said quietly. His brother had started a bond with a human. Impossible.
"Yes, although not entirely." Haldir knew this to be true but the extent of her otherness was still unclear to him.
"What does that mean?" His brother demanded in a turn of temper. Unthinkable.
"It is a very complicated matter."
"Uncomplicated it! You are no Peredhel! What hope is there for anything between you?"
Haldir's temper rose to match. Did his brother honestly believe that he had not thought the same things? The truth of his situation was no mystery to him. "Do you think I do not realize the significance of the situation? It does not change my circumstances!" He quieted as he swallowed back the disbelief of his reality. "I did not choose the path that has been laid before me."
Rumil studied Haldir hard and close. Despite the anger and underneath the doubt he could see his brother's choice bright and clear.
"You're choosing it now."
Haldir nearly choked out that he hadn't chosen anything...but he had. He'd made up his mind. He wanted to pursue her, to see what more might develop between them despite the ramifications he would suffer for their relationship. There was a deep driving need in him that called for her and recognized her in their sameness. His admiration for her had only grown fuller and more realized in their separation. What had begun as a simple flirtation had rapidly developed into a devastating attraction in defiance of their relationship's mortal flaw. He'd hesitated before it every step of the way, had tried to bury it deep, attempted to ignore it, and thought it possible to sever the connection entirely and still, it persevered. She had done much the same and had driven him to near madness because of it. Even now, jealousy throbbed deep and yet their bond thrived despite the natural character of them both. Its endurance spoke of its depth even as it highlighted the thrill of its terrifying newness.
"I should take my leave. Aerin, thank you for the meal." Haldir dismissed himself.
"But you haven't eaten anything." She followed after him as he jerked the door open.
"Haldir!" She called urgently after him.
He turned, conflict raging in his eyes. "He'll come around...and dare I say, I'm happy for you?" She gripped her skirts tightly between her fingers and looked behind her back into the house where Rumil paced the smooth wooden floors. She loved him dearly but he was just as stubborn as his goat-headed brother. Aerin couldn't imagine her life without him.
"Please. Come to dinner and if she is willing bring Natasha. She is welcome here the same as you."
She interrupted his thoughts when his hesitation nearly turned to refusal.
"Think about it, brother mine." And knew he would.
Aerin closed the door quietly and turned to face her afflicted husband. She took a moment to sort through the emotional waves crashing against her. Rumil was always completely open to her and this confusing twist of love, fury, and sadness had her spinning. Conflicted and beyond reason Rumil's feet carried him in endless circles across the floor. Orophin was on his mind, the loss of his brother still hung heavily on all of them.
Orophin had been the binding element to their small family. Always the voice of reason, he'd been the only soul brave enough to interject himself between Haldir and Rumil's frequent...passionate discussions. Their arguments were nothing short of legendary. Haldir and Rumil were as different as any two things she could imagine and yet elementally the same. Close in age, by elven standards, with only a few hundred years between all three of them; they'd grown as close as siblings could. Rumil was reminiscing on those moments now. She could see in his mind's eye. Affection and kinship. Love. He was tormented at the thought of losing Haldir as he had Orophin.
"Rumil, stop this." She stepped close into the line of his pacing.
"I can't lose them both, Aerin...not like this." He stopped, hands planted stiffly on his hips. The bright blue eyes that she adored were wide and full. He was as open to her as any book.
"Casting anger between the two of you will not change the course of his path." She wrapped her arms around him and slowly drew him against her in comfort. Carefully, as not to upset him further she soothed him with her heart. "He came to us in confidence. We are his family. He deserved more from you than your doubt."
He smoothed a gentle hand over her hair and pulled her close to breathe her in. Aerin was everything to him. He rose and fell to her enchanting nature like the ocean tide to the moon.
"How can you be so accepting of this?" And she was accepting of it, he could feel it in his bones.
His accusatory tone would have had her bristling in defense if he hadn't been clinging to her so desperately.
"Because I love him and trust him to do what's best even if it's not easy. Would you deny him his happiness, Rumil? After all the time he has lived alone, held the weight of his position alone. He shares his life with no one but us."
She relaxed against him and leaned back to look up. "He does not possess your ease in entertaining conversation and company. Would you not see him settled and content?"
"I would see him live."
"Alone and..."
"Aerin." He cut her off but pulled her chin up with his fingers. The tip of his thumb settled in the small dent in her chin. "Don't ridicule me."
Rumil was many things but rarely was he a hypocrite and as soon as the words left his mouth; they both knew his worries were emotional rather than rational. The situation was out of his hands, he could do nothing but watch and wait.
"I no more dismiss your feelings than you do his." She stood on her toes and lightly took his troubled mouth with hers. "It is a bittersweet notion but it is his path to navigate. You would regret it if you caused further grief between you both when your time together could be so short."
Clever female. She had a way of cutting to the heart of him. "I love him. If I am harsh it is only for that reason."
"Has he not suffered enough already? We were looking at the same male this morning were we not? Can you honestly stand here and believe that his circumstances have not troubled him night and day? He came to us, Rumil, and I saw what it took for him to tell us of his private affairs. He has always been solitary. Knowing him as you do I believe we can both agree that he thought well and hard about it before he arrived at our door." She released him, calm now, his thoughts were settling. Aerin turned back to the table where they'd both left their breakfast untouched.
"That is precisely why I…." He cleared his throat and latched on to the thread of calm Aerin sent his direction. "He felt the need to tell us. What is growing between them must be strong. This is no inconsequential matter."
Neither of them had been gifted with foresight. There was no way to know what would grow, change, or die. None of them were guaranteed tomorrow. With war on their doorstep and Orophin's death still heavy on their hearts, it was more apparent than ever before why Aerin and Rumil had chosen to live as they did. Life was full of endless wonders and they'd found each other on their journey to experiencing everything the world had to offer. Centuries later the dynamic of their relationship remained unchanged.
In an effort to poignantly defuse his plight, she offered him a small measure of circumstantial doubt. "You do not know what will come of it. Perhaps nothing more than has already developed."
Rumil hmm'd thoughtfully. "If he means to pursue a female it will be with great intent. He's never singled out any other for more than a meager dalliance and he's certainly never spoken of any of his relationships before now. This is more. What's between them is more."
"And if it's not?" She supplied knowing he was realizing that there was nothing he could do about the situation besides offer support, inevitably, Haldir would need Rumil.
"And if it is?"
"And if it is we enjoy his happiness with him. It is his life to live as he pleases. You said it yourself that he would not pursue her senselessly...he will or likely has thought it through thoroughly. It is one of his more annoying qualities." She took a bite from a fresh strawberry, sweet and ripe from the morning market.
Amused, Rumil sat down beside her and helped himself to breakfast.
"My brother's ability to overanalyze situations and his deductive reasoning skills are annoying qualities?"
"Surely by now, you've noticed I much prefer the spontaneous." She wrapped her hand around his, lacing their fingers. His heart beat in time with hers. Deep in her bones, she knew that this male was hers and hers alone. He would love, honor, and defend her with his very life. Her world revolved around his love.
"I thought we'd filled the quota for spontaneous this morning when I had you on the table."
There he was, Aerin thought. His typical light-heartedness and humor showing through his troubles.
She squeezed his fingers; a sly grin plastered on her face.
"Let me check my list." Aerin plucked another strawberry from her plate and snatched her short shopping list from the basket on the tabletop. She reviewed it quickly.
"Ah ha! See.." She turned the list over to the backside and showed him the blank sheet of paper as if it were proof. "I've noted right here at the bottom, Rumil Galahon is hereby obligated to service his wife thrice on market days. Therefore, in all actuality, you are far short of meeting your quota for spontaneous."
He chuckled, "Three times! You're a mad and insatiable female!"
"It's early yet. You have most of the day left to recover." She winked and snatched up another berry.
Love, she thought, might not make the world turn but it certainly made the journey worthwhile. He brushed his lips over her knuckles and tucked into his own breakfast.
"Does it not concern you that we are more worried over my brother's romantic life than we are about the possibility of evacuating our home?"
She looked up at him from across the table. Perhaps their priorities were slightly askew. "We can cross that bridge when we come to it." Change was good for them and they would as they always had and change together.
He met her eyes and sat back in his chair heavily. Rumil rubbed his jaw in a very Haldir-like fashion as if the motion would bring him his brother's clarity.
"I fear for him Aerin."
"Haldir doesn't need your fear." She nibbled on her fruit and knew her words to be true. "He needs his family."
He deserved it.