Authors Note: I'm sorry for the long wait and thanks to everyone who read
my stories and those who reviewed!
A rope ladder made of fine hithlain hung on a branch swayed in the breeze, waving back and forth with the wind. Rumil put a hand on the rope to stop it from moving. When it was steady, he put a foot on it and began to climb. "Don't listen to what they say Haldir." He said as he reached for the next rung. Haldir stayed silent the entire walk home and did not show signs of breaking the silence soon. "They only speak of you that way because they have little faith in themselves." Rumil poked his head through the hole in the center of the flet built in that tree. Haldir clung to the ladder waiting for his brother to climb onto the flet. "You were almost late for dinner!" A voice cried. Rumil looked around to see a figure standing by the hole. "Almost, but we are on time are we not?" He pulled himself onto the flet and crossed his arms. "You came close nonetheless." The elf said with his hands on his hips. A few moments later, both started laughing. "Welcome home brother!" The elf said as he greeted Rumil with a hug. "You missed me that much Orophin?" Rumil said after the embrace. Haldir climbed up as well and couldn't help feeling a little bit better seeing Orophin being so jumpy. "Haldir! I was beginning to think that Rumil came back to eat and didn't remind you that it was supper time! How irresponsible of him!" Orophin said putting an arm around Haldir. "I am the irresponsible one?" Rumil said pointing to himself surprised. "I would not be too sure of that." Just then their mother walked over and gave all three of them a look. "Are we forgetting that dinner is ready?" She said kindly, indicating a table where food was already set. The brothers stopped joking around and looked to the table. "Alas! Our meal awaits us!" Orophin said as he started towards it. Their mother smiled and turned to Haldir who did not move to eat. "So where did you run off to today?" She asked him. "I was taking a walk through Lorien. The leaves, the sky, and the entire setting made it a wonderful chance for reflection." He said, finally speaking. "Reflection," she said nodding her head though she was skeptical about his answer, "you were pondering things the entire day?" "Well."he began but as he did, a little rattling sound came from the hole where the ladder hangs. "Father!" The three brothers chorused when the person emerged. Rumil and Orophin rushed over from the table to welcome him back. Their father was a sentinel who watched the northern border of the golden woods. "Well met my sons!" He said as he gave each of the brothers a hug then turned to his wife for an embrace. After the welcomes, he unstrung his great bow and set it against the trunk of the tree along with his quiver. "How have you been?" "Wonderful!" Orophin chimed in. A crumb fell out of the side of his mouth and he smiled sheepishly. Haldir laughed for the first time that day. He was quite surprised but could not help it. "You must be cheerful as well." Rumil said looking at Haldir less worried than before. "Come now, let's eat!" Haldir nodded and grinned. The family sat down to enjoy their meal. A wonderful atmosphere surrounded them for with each other's company, everyone was happy. News and stories were shared and like he did everyday, Orophin told everyone about his improvements in archery. They were quite amusing considering they were never taken seriously. "I split five arrows down the middle today!" Orophin said proudly. "Well, my Orophin is getting better everyday." His mother said complimenting him. Rumil held up a hand and smiled. "Tell me brother, were the arrows in the center of the target when you split them?" Orophin face became a bright red as he stared at his plate to avoid Rumil's gaze. "Not exactly." Orophin said reluctantly, "Close though!" he said quickly after. Changing the subject, his mother spoke up. "The Lord and the Lady are having a banquet tomorrow at sun down." she said, "All of Lorien was invited to attend." There was a sparkle in Orophin's eyes when he heard. He had always been fond of gatherings. "Everyone?" Rumil exclaimed still surprised. "That's a lot of people to worry about." Haldir, who had remained quiet the entire time, turned to his father. "You will be coming with us wont you?" Haldir asks. Being a guardian, his father would often have to miss family events. His two brothers also turn their attention to their father who sat silently thinking. "Well, someone has to watch the borders." He sighs, "Most of the sentinels will be at the dinner."
A rope ladder made of fine hithlain hung on a branch swayed in the breeze, waving back and forth with the wind. Rumil put a hand on the rope to stop it from moving. When it was steady, he put a foot on it and began to climb. "Don't listen to what they say Haldir." He said as he reached for the next rung. Haldir stayed silent the entire walk home and did not show signs of breaking the silence soon. "They only speak of you that way because they have little faith in themselves." Rumil poked his head through the hole in the center of the flet built in that tree. Haldir clung to the ladder waiting for his brother to climb onto the flet. "You were almost late for dinner!" A voice cried. Rumil looked around to see a figure standing by the hole. "Almost, but we are on time are we not?" He pulled himself onto the flet and crossed his arms. "You came close nonetheless." The elf said with his hands on his hips. A few moments later, both started laughing. "Welcome home brother!" The elf said as he greeted Rumil with a hug. "You missed me that much Orophin?" Rumil said after the embrace. Haldir climbed up as well and couldn't help feeling a little bit better seeing Orophin being so jumpy. "Haldir! I was beginning to think that Rumil came back to eat and didn't remind you that it was supper time! How irresponsible of him!" Orophin said putting an arm around Haldir. "I am the irresponsible one?" Rumil said pointing to himself surprised. "I would not be too sure of that." Just then their mother walked over and gave all three of them a look. "Are we forgetting that dinner is ready?" She said kindly, indicating a table where food was already set. The brothers stopped joking around and looked to the table. "Alas! Our meal awaits us!" Orophin said as he started towards it. Their mother smiled and turned to Haldir who did not move to eat. "So where did you run off to today?" She asked him. "I was taking a walk through Lorien. The leaves, the sky, and the entire setting made it a wonderful chance for reflection." He said, finally speaking. "Reflection," she said nodding her head though she was skeptical about his answer, "you were pondering things the entire day?" "Well."he began but as he did, a little rattling sound came from the hole where the ladder hangs. "Father!" The three brothers chorused when the person emerged. Rumil and Orophin rushed over from the table to welcome him back. Their father was a sentinel who watched the northern border of the golden woods. "Well met my sons!" He said as he gave each of the brothers a hug then turned to his wife for an embrace. After the welcomes, he unstrung his great bow and set it against the trunk of the tree along with his quiver. "How have you been?" "Wonderful!" Orophin chimed in. A crumb fell out of the side of his mouth and he smiled sheepishly. Haldir laughed for the first time that day. He was quite surprised but could not help it. "You must be cheerful as well." Rumil said looking at Haldir less worried than before. "Come now, let's eat!" Haldir nodded and grinned. The family sat down to enjoy their meal. A wonderful atmosphere surrounded them for with each other's company, everyone was happy. News and stories were shared and like he did everyday, Orophin told everyone about his improvements in archery. They were quite amusing considering they were never taken seriously. "I split five arrows down the middle today!" Orophin said proudly. "Well, my Orophin is getting better everyday." His mother said complimenting him. Rumil held up a hand and smiled. "Tell me brother, were the arrows in the center of the target when you split them?" Orophin face became a bright red as he stared at his plate to avoid Rumil's gaze. "Not exactly." Orophin said reluctantly, "Close though!" he said quickly after. Changing the subject, his mother spoke up. "The Lord and the Lady are having a banquet tomorrow at sun down." she said, "All of Lorien was invited to attend." There was a sparkle in Orophin's eyes when he heard. He had always been fond of gatherings. "Everyone?" Rumil exclaimed still surprised. "That's a lot of people to worry about." Haldir, who had remained quiet the entire time, turned to his father. "You will be coming with us wont you?" Haldir asks. Being a guardian, his father would often have to miss family events. His two brothers also turn their attention to their father who sat silently thinking. "Well, someone has to watch the borders." He sighs, "Most of the sentinels will be at the dinner."