I don't own any of these characters. They belong to Tolkien.
Thanks to Alex for the beta.
Title: Swept Away Type: FPS Author: Larian Elensar Rating: NC -17 eventually Cast: Rumil/Theodred Beta: Alex Warning: Slash, Slightly AU Archive: Library of Lorien at Haldir's Realm, OEAM
Timeline: Sometime (about 20 years) before Frodo leaves the Shire with the Ring. A/N: This was written for the Library of Lorien Fic Theodred is (I'm guessing) mid to late 20s here. Haldir and Rúmil are on a scouting mission and end up getChapter Oneting separated. Rúmil ends up in Rohan. You know what happens next, right?
~*~*~*~
Rúmil hurried down the path from the talan he shared with Orophin and Haldir. He was late for his shift, but that couldn't be helped now. He only hoped that Haldir wasn't too irritated with him. He arrived at the barracks a little out of breath, and quickly changed into the silver-gray uniform of the Guardians. He filled his quiver, strapped it on his back, checked his bow and knives, and grabbed a water skin to fill on his way to his post. He checked the duty roster one last time, silently thanking the Valar that it wasn't his turn in the rotation to serve with Haldir. Well, it wasn't supposed to have been. The duty roster had been changed, Rúmil recognized the heavy hand that had crossed out his name on his regular post and rewritten him into the southern watch, where Haldir himself was posted.
Rúmil grimaced, he should have figured that Haldir would make him pay for being late this morning. To Haldir, this would be one more sign of Rúmil's perceived lack of responsibility. The Chief Guardian would not care why Rúmil was late, only that he was. No, it would not have mattered that Rúmil had spent the last evening in the stable, worrying about one of the new mares. She was about ready to foal for the first time. The grooms and stable hands could have handled it, but the little bay mare was one of Rúmil's favorites. He had spent the night with her, dozing on a clean pile of straw next to her. This hadn't been the first night. In fact, the lack of rest over several nights is the reason he over slept this morning. One of the stable boys had had to shake him awake.
He mounted quickly and set his horse at a quick trot toward the outpost. He was not too far behind Haldir. He knew that because he was almost to the guardian's flet when he passed the two elves he was supposed to relieve. They both gave him sympathetic looks but said nothing. That did not bode well for Rúmil; he knew what Haldir's mood was likely to be—foul. He dismounted and turned the horse loose; it would not run off as the horses of men did. One last lingering sigh, and he climbed up the rope ladder, feeling sure that his doom was near.
Haldir didn't turn around, didn't speak, didn't acknowledge Rúmil's presence at all. Instead, he stood at the edge of the platform, staring south, as if he could see something besides the open plains that bordered the Anduin.
"Do not get too comfortable, brother. You and I are going to venture a bit further today. Lord Celeborn needs information from beyond our borders. We will scout a distance down the river."
"Who will watch this post then?"
"We should be relieved shortly. Get a pack and some water skins ready. We'll be walking."
Rúmil almost protested that he didn't see why they couldn't use horses, but he snapped his mouth shut when he saw the glare being leveled at him. He figured Haldir was already angry enough at him for the day.
As soon as they had packed a few lembas and water, and checked and re- checked their weapons, their replacements had arrived. The two brothers set off, following the river, taking care to be silent and watchful—especially after they crossed the borders out of Lorien.
~*~
They walked in silence for a long time. Haldir was still unwilling to tell Rúmil exactly what they were scouting for. They stopped just before nightfall to eat some lembas. There were very few trees around, so they covered themselves with their cloaks, sitting low in the tall grass.
"Haldir?" Rúmil whispered. "Why are we here?"
"Lady Galadriel had tidings of something happening towards Rohan. Perhaps even Isenguard. We will try to ascertain what, if anything is happening. And why were you late today? Rúmil, you know that you cannot continue to be so cavalier in the way you approach your duties. I do not want to remove you from the watches, but I will if you do not show me that you can be trusted."
Rúmil was shocked at how quickly his question changed into another opportunity for Haldir to lecture him. He sighed. "You won't think it's an acceptable reason to be late, so why don't you just think about whatever punishment you want to exact and I'll do it, and we can leave it at that?"
Haldir opened his mouth to say something, but he closed it without speaking. He clearly expected Rúmil to argue. Instead, he got resignation and acceptance. He wasn't sure that he liked that, though to be fair, it also showed some sense of responsibility and of being accountable without excuses. No wonder Rúmil accused him of being hard to please. He wanted his brother to argue with him and stand up for himself, but he wanted the soldier to be responsible. Haldir really shocked Rúmil when he laughed and pulled the younger elf into a hug.
"We'll just consider this little trip your punishment, since you didn't even get advance notice."
Rúmil blinked once, hugged Haldir back and nodded his thanks. They finished eating, then Haldir volunteered to take the first watch.
~*~
The second day was much like the first except that the terrain flattened out and the trees thinned even more. Partway through the day, they encountered a wide path of orc tracks, several days old, all seeming to come from Dol Guldur, heading for Isengard. Haldir looked worried for it meant that Isengard was under attack, or something more sinister—Saruman and Dol Guldur were acting as allies.
"We will only travel a bit further south to see if there is increased orc activity in Rohan, then we can go home." Haldir had already confirmed one of the Lady's visions. They really had no need to travel further, but he had a hunch that they would find further evidence of the orcs' origin and destination if they kept going.
Rúmil didn't argue. In fact, he said nothing at all. He was more concerned with the weather than he was with orc tracks, for the moment at least. "Haldir. I think we should look for some shelter. That storm will be upon us in moments. I don't want to get caught here in the open."
Haldir quickly looked up and nodded. "You're right. That small stand of trees nearer the river will have to do."
Rúmil was not all that thrilled about getting too close to the river right before a storm, but those trees were the only shelter available. They ran for it and reached the copse just before the rain began to pelt down, obscuring the visibility to a bare few arm lengths in front of them. The wind picked up speed as well. As strong as they were, even Haldir and Rúmil found it difficult to stand upright. They both went to crouch down and the unthinkable happened.
A very large branch broke from one of the trees and the gusting wind caught it just right. The branch was being pushed along by the wind and before Haldir could warn Rúmil, he was knocked to his knees, his cloak caught in the smaller branches on the huge limb. Haldir was trying to get to him, to see if he was hurt, but the rain and wind hindered his efforts.
Rúmil tried to stand, but the branch that had knocked him down was still being pushed along the ground by the heavy wind, dragging and bumping him with it. The rain slick ground was making it impossible for Rúmil to dig in and stop himself from being pulled along with the tree limb. He was getting slightly dizzy and disoriented from the constant battering as well. He saw arrows flying out of his quiver as he was rolled along, and he had lost his bow when the tree limb first knocked him off his feet. And he couldn't see Haldir anymore.
Haldir tried to keep his eyes on Rúmil, but the rain and wind made it impossible. He was having trouble just staying on his feet. During a small break in the sheets of rain and wind, Haldir was able to make a little progress towards Rúmil and the tree branch that had captured him. Haldir tried to run, he could see his brother was headed for the high bank of the river, the slick ground and wind making it impossible for Rúmil to get his footing. Haldir started towards the bank when the wind and rain started again, even worse than before.
Haldir bent low, trying to run as the wind whipped around him, the rain making it impossible to see again. He was making some progress, though it didn't feel like it when the wind and rain stopped again. He was leaning, fighting the wind, so that it's sudden absence made him fall off balance. The slippery ground didn't help either. He finally got himself upright again, and spied Rúmil, still caught in the tree branch, right on the edge of the river. Haldir started running. He got there just in time to see the bank give way under the combined weight of his brother and the heavy tree limb.
Haldir heard the splash as Rúmil hit the water. He carefully peered over the edge, but Rúmil was far downstream already, the swift current, swollen by the rain, had the elf firmly in its grasp. Haldir ran along side but realized that he'd never keep up. He called out to Rúmil, who could barely hear him over the rush of the water.
"Rúmil! I'm right behind you! Try to get to the shore!"
Rúmil waved to show he was physically fine, and that he'd heard. He was calmly trying to get out of his cloak, hopefully before the tree limb was dragged under water and him with it. As Rúmil sped out of sight, Haldir sped along the banks, hoping to catch up soon.
~*~ tbc ~*~
Title: Swept Away Type: FPS Author: Larian Elensar Rating: NC -17 eventually Cast: Rumil/Theodred Beta: Alex Warning: Slash, Slightly AU Archive: Library of Lorien at Haldir's Realm, OEAM
Timeline: Sometime (about 20 years) before Frodo leaves the Shire with the Ring. A/N: This was written for the Library of Lorien Fic Theodred is (I'm guessing) mid to late 20s here. Haldir and Rúmil are on a scouting mission and end up getChapter Oneting separated. Rúmil ends up in Rohan. You know what happens next, right?
~*~*~*~
Rúmil hurried down the path from the talan he shared with Orophin and Haldir. He was late for his shift, but that couldn't be helped now. He only hoped that Haldir wasn't too irritated with him. He arrived at the barracks a little out of breath, and quickly changed into the silver-gray uniform of the Guardians. He filled his quiver, strapped it on his back, checked his bow and knives, and grabbed a water skin to fill on his way to his post. He checked the duty roster one last time, silently thanking the Valar that it wasn't his turn in the rotation to serve with Haldir. Well, it wasn't supposed to have been. The duty roster had been changed, Rúmil recognized the heavy hand that had crossed out his name on his regular post and rewritten him into the southern watch, where Haldir himself was posted.
Rúmil grimaced, he should have figured that Haldir would make him pay for being late this morning. To Haldir, this would be one more sign of Rúmil's perceived lack of responsibility. The Chief Guardian would not care why Rúmil was late, only that he was. No, it would not have mattered that Rúmil had spent the last evening in the stable, worrying about one of the new mares. She was about ready to foal for the first time. The grooms and stable hands could have handled it, but the little bay mare was one of Rúmil's favorites. He had spent the night with her, dozing on a clean pile of straw next to her. This hadn't been the first night. In fact, the lack of rest over several nights is the reason he over slept this morning. One of the stable boys had had to shake him awake.
He mounted quickly and set his horse at a quick trot toward the outpost. He was not too far behind Haldir. He knew that because he was almost to the guardian's flet when he passed the two elves he was supposed to relieve. They both gave him sympathetic looks but said nothing. That did not bode well for Rúmil; he knew what Haldir's mood was likely to be—foul. He dismounted and turned the horse loose; it would not run off as the horses of men did. One last lingering sigh, and he climbed up the rope ladder, feeling sure that his doom was near.
Haldir didn't turn around, didn't speak, didn't acknowledge Rúmil's presence at all. Instead, he stood at the edge of the platform, staring south, as if he could see something besides the open plains that bordered the Anduin.
"Do not get too comfortable, brother. You and I are going to venture a bit further today. Lord Celeborn needs information from beyond our borders. We will scout a distance down the river."
"Who will watch this post then?"
"We should be relieved shortly. Get a pack and some water skins ready. We'll be walking."
Rúmil almost protested that he didn't see why they couldn't use horses, but he snapped his mouth shut when he saw the glare being leveled at him. He figured Haldir was already angry enough at him for the day.
As soon as they had packed a few lembas and water, and checked and re- checked their weapons, their replacements had arrived. The two brothers set off, following the river, taking care to be silent and watchful—especially after they crossed the borders out of Lorien.
~*~
They walked in silence for a long time. Haldir was still unwilling to tell Rúmil exactly what they were scouting for. They stopped just before nightfall to eat some lembas. There were very few trees around, so they covered themselves with their cloaks, sitting low in the tall grass.
"Haldir?" Rúmil whispered. "Why are we here?"
"Lady Galadriel had tidings of something happening towards Rohan. Perhaps even Isenguard. We will try to ascertain what, if anything is happening. And why were you late today? Rúmil, you know that you cannot continue to be so cavalier in the way you approach your duties. I do not want to remove you from the watches, but I will if you do not show me that you can be trusted."
Rúmil was shocked at how quickly his question changed into another opportunity for Haldir to lecture him. He sighed. "You won't think it's an acceptable reason to be late, so why don't you just think about whatever punishment you want to exact and I'll do it, and we can leave it at that?"
Haldir opened his mouth to say something, but he closed it without speaking. He clearly expected Rúmil to argue. Instead, he got resignation and acceptance. He wasn't sure that he liked that, though to be fair, it also showed some sense of responsibility and of being accountable without excuses. No wonder Rúmil accused him of being hard to please. He wanted his brother to argue with him and stand up for himself, but he wanted the soldier to be responsible. Haldir really shocked Rúmil when he laughed and pulled the younger elf into a hug.
"We'll just consider this little trip your punishment, since you didn't even get advance notice."
Rúmil blinked once, hugged Haldir back and nodded his thanks. They finished eating, then Haldir volunteered to take the first watch.
~*~
The second day was much like the first except that the terrain flattened out and the trees thinned even more. Partway through the day, they encountered a wide path of orc tracks, several days old, all seeming to come from Dol Guldur, heading for Isengard. Haldir looked worried for it meant that Isengard was under attack, or something more sinister—Saruman and Dol Guldur were acting as allies.
"We will only travel a bit further south to see if there is increased orc activity in Rohan, then we can go home." Haldir had already confirmed one of the Lady's visions. They really had no need to travel further, but he had a hunch that they would find further evidence of the orcs' origin and destination if they kept going.
Rúmil didn't argue. In fact, he said nothing at all. He was more concerned with the weather than he was with orc tracks, for the moment at least. "Haldir. I think we should look for some shelter. That storm will be upon us in moments. I don't want to get caught here in the open."
Haldir quickly looked up and nodded. "You're right. That small stand of trees nearer the river will have to do."
Rúmil was not all that thrilled about getting too close to the river right before a storm, but those trees were the only shelter available. They ran for it and reached the copse just before the rain began to pelt down, obscuring the visibility to a bare few arm lengths in front of them. The wind picked up speed as well. As strong as they were, even Haldir and Rúmil found it difficult to stand upright. They both went to crouch down and the unthinkable happened.
A very large branch broke from one of the trees and the gusting wind caught it just right. The branch was being pushed along by the wind and before Haldir could warn Rúmil, he was knocked to his knees, his cloak caught in the smaller branches on the huge limb. Haldir was trying to get to him, to see if he was hurt, but the rain and wind hindered his efforts.
Rúmil tried to stand, but the branch that had knocked him down was still being pushed along the ground by the heavy wind, dragging and bumping him with it. The rain slick ground was making it impossible for Rúmil to dig in and stop himself from being pulled along with the tree limb. He was getting slightly dizzy and disoriented from the constant battering as well. He saw arrows flying out of his quiver as he was rolled along, and he had lost his bow when the tree limb first knocked him off his feet. And he couldn't see Haldir anymore.
Haldir tried to keep his eyes on Rúmil, but the rain and wind made it impossible. He was having trouble just staying on his feet. During a small break in the sheets of rain and wind, Haldir was able to make a little progress towards Rúmil and the tree branch that had captured him. Haldir tried to run, he could see his brother was headed for the high bank of the river, the slick ground and wind making it impossible for Rúmil to get his footing. Haldir started towards the bank when the wind and rain started again, even worse than before.
Haldir bent low, trying to run as the wind whipped around him, the rain making it impossible to see again. He was making some progress, though it didn't feel like it when the wind and rain stopped again. He was leaning, fighting the wind, so that it's sudden absence made him fall off balance. The slippery ground didn't help either. He finally got himself upright again, and spied Rúmil, still caught in the tree branch, right on the edge of the river. Haldir started running. He got there just in time to see the bank give way under the combined weight of his brother and the heavy tree limb.
Haldir heard the splash as Rúmil hit the water. He carefully peered over the edge, but Rúmil was far downstream already, the swift current, swollen by the rain, had the elf firmly in its grasp. Haldir ran along side but realized that he'd never keep up. He called out to Rúmil, who could barely hear him over the rush of the water.
"Rúmil! I'm right behind you! Try to get to the shore!"
Rúmil waved to show he was physically fine, and that he'd heard. He was calmly trying to get out of his cloak, hopefully before the tree limb was dragged under water and him with it. As Rúmil sped out of sight, Haldir sped along the banks, hoping to catch up soon.
~*~ tbc ~*~