Disclaimer: The characters, settings, places and languages used in this work are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien, the Tolkien Estate and Tolkien Enterprises. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Notes: Mostly based on the book, but with touches from the film. In the book the ship that took the Ringbearers across the sea was not the last ship to leave Middle-earth, so Rúmil would have been able to follow Haldir. Apologies to anyone who had gotten attached to Orophin.
Originally written for the www.haldir-lives.org Fan Fic Challenge. Huge thanks to Kissaki and everyone else at www.galadhrim.net (formerly www.haldir-lives.org).
Many thanks to 'Just Me' for your review, and to everyone else who has reviewed my story. This is the first fanfiction story that I have ever written, so I truly do appreciate all the feedback I have had, and any reviews I may get in the future will be just as welcome.
Chapter X
Haldir stood at the foot of Orophin's grave once more. The Galadhrim were carrying supplies to the boats, soon he would depart with them, heading across the Great River to Southern Mirkwood. His wrist not yet fully healed, Haldir knew he could do very little actual fighting; his role would be to help Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn co-ordinate the attack. Rúmil, on the other hand, would be leading the Galadhrim from the front, an arrangement that Haldir had argued against in vain. But this was not all that troubled Haldir: he knew that, live or die, Rúmil would not be going with him to the Grey Havens as he had hoped. Tears stung his eyes, though he would not now let them fall. Silently, Haldir prayed that Elbereth would protect his brother, now and after he had sailed into the West.
* * *
'After the fall of the Dark Tower and the passing of Sauron the Shadow was lifted from the hearts of all who opposed him, but fear and despair fell upon his servants and allies. Three times Lórien had been assailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valour of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come there himself. Though grievous harm was done to the fair woods on the borders, the assaults were driven back; and when the Shadow passed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lórien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed.
'In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took all the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lórien.'1
Epilogue
In the twilight under the mallorn trees of Caras Galadhon, a company of Elves was preparing to leave Lothlórien forever. Lady Galadriel was to lead them, first to Rivendell, and then on to the Grey Havens on the western shore of Middle-earth. From there they would sail into the West, seeking the Elvenhome across the Sea. The time for them to depart had come; they now waited only for one or two Elves who were still saying their goodbyes.
Haldir stood at the place where his brother Orophin was buried. Once a patch of bare earth, now it was grass-grown and covered in flowering elanor and niphredil. Haldir gazed up at the stars, remembering a time two and a half years earlier when he had asked Elbereth, the Lady of the Stars, to protect his other brother, Rúmil. Haldir repeated his prayer now, as Rúmil came quietly up behind him, and laid his hand on his brother's shoulder. Haldir turned to face him, but they did not speak. There were no words left unspoken between them: both knew that nothing they could say would change the decision of the other. Haldir would sail into the West; Rúmil would live in East Lórien which Celeborn had founded. Yet Rúmil had promised to join his brother in Valinor one day, and Haldir had accepted that, though they may part for now, he had not lost his remaining brother.
A horn blew softly; the company was about to leave. Haldir embraced Rúmil for the last time in Middle-earth, whispered "Namarie, my dear brother" in his ear, and then turned and walked away to join the departing line of Elves. Rúmil was left to watch over Orophin's grave alone. Though he was not ready to go now, in his heart Rúmil began to long for the day when he would follow his brother and seek the Straight Road over the Sea. Until then –
As Haldir walked slowly at the rear of the departing company, he heard a soft voice calling through the night – "Namarie".
The End.
Author's note.
1: The Lord of the Rings (one volume 2001 edition): pg 1069, Appendix B.