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Chapter 21 – Silence
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The Lady had alerted them. The March Wardens were returning; one of them grievously injured. However, upon their arrival, almost everyone, with the exception of the Lord and Lady, took a step back. The guardians looked wild and fey, their extreme fatigue evident. Haldir had refused to release Rúmil, insisting on carrying him himself, while Orophin stood closely at his side, all but growling as the healers' approached. Only with the intervention of Lord Celeborn, did brothers finally surrender their burden.
It was much more peaceful now, and Master Elendir could not help but smile when he looked in on the warriors.
Rúmil seemed to be sleeping quietly, no longer suffering from the deep, worrisome slumber that had blanketed him when he had arrived. Orophin had somehow managed to balance himself on the very edge of the cot, throwing an arm loosely across his brother's waist, while Haldir, still holding Rúmil's hand, was dozing in the chair, his long legs draped over one arm, and his head tilted at an odd angle over the other.
He was loath to wake them but had to see to his charge, and he knew that no matter how he worded the request, the brothers would not leave willingly. Therefore, with that in mind, he decided that a more gentle method of persuasion would be needed to remove the guardians and allow him to work.
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"Haldir, Orophin."
Haldir bolted upright in his chair at the sound of the Lady's voice, wincing as the strained muscles in his neck protested at the sudden movement.
"You will be of no comfort to him if you yourselves drop from exhaustion," and stepping into the room, she smiled softly when Orophin released a startled bark of surprise as he fell from his precarious position next to Rúmil and onto the floor.
Stifling a groan, Haldir rose stiffly to his feet, and said, "We are well, my Lady."
Looking at both of them doubtfully, she waited patiently as Orophin pulled himself unsteadily to his feet, and then said, "I am quite certain that you are far from well and have neither eaten nor slept since you left Caras Galadhon. Even you have limits, my dearest guardians."
Coming around the end of the cot, Orophin said, "We are fine, Lady, we…"
Galadriel silenced him with a firm gaze, and said, "You will eat, you will sleep, and then you will go refresh yourselves. I will sit with him in your absence." Sensing that the youngest of the brothers had also awakened, her gaze shifted to Rúmil. "And I greatly desire to spend time with you, Rúmil."
Acquiescent, Haldir leaned over to Rúmil, and said, "We shall return short…," and then catching the delicate cough of disapproval from the Lady, finished, "…in a few hours."
Giving the glowering Galadhrim a wide berth, the healers entered only after the guardians' departure. Galadriel sat at Rúmil's side, her eyes cast discretely downward as the healers tended to the injured elf. When the task was completed, and they were once again alone, she moved onto the bed next to him, taking up his hand.
Comforted by her serene presence, Rúmil asked, "My Lady, the children, can you tell me of them? Are they all right?"
"I have been unable to glimpse them in the Mirror, Rúmil, but Lord Celeborn has sent a patrol to seek them out and bring them to you when they are found."
"Why does the Mirror not…" he began, but then Rúmil fell silent, and Galadriel felt him stiffen suddenly in her arms. His breathing quickened and abruptly, Rúmil turned away from her piercing blue gaze. Gently turning him back to face her, she met his glistening, shame-filled eyes compassionately.
"Nay, Rúmil, do not turn away. You need never to turn away from me," and reaching out her hand, she brushed the tears from his cheeks, and said, "The Mirror did not reveal to me what was done to you. 'Tis only you who can speak of what was forced upon you."
Rúmil calmed somewhat, thanking the Valar silently for that small blessing. He could not bear it if his Lady had seen what he had been forced to endure at the hands of the feredir. His voice just a whisper, he said, "I cannot speak of it, not yet."
"Then I shall say only this and will speak no further on the matter unless you desire it," and tapping his nose lightly with a long, slender finger, she said, "You wish to believe that 'tis only your body that feels pain. That is not so, and you will do yourself great harm if you continue on this way," and then gazing deeply into his eyes, she whispered into his mind.
'If you do not set your fears free, they will forever haunt you.'
Rúmil nodded weakly against her breast but remained silent. Sighing quietly, Galadriel tucked his head under her chin, and rocking him gently, said, "'Tis all right, Rúmil, you will find your voice," then laughing softly, she said, "I have not done such for you since you were but a sprite."
And with a voice so filled with heartache that it made her breath catch, he said, "Those days were filled with much joy."
Tipping his chin up and meeting his gaze, she said, "Oh, Rúmil, there are many joyful times yet to be had," and then sensing his weariness, she placed a soft kiss on his temple, and said, "You are tired. Sleep for a little while, dear Rúmil. I will guard your dreams, you will not be troubled."
Rúmil pressed into the comfort of her embrace, and after a few moments of thoughtful quiet, he asked, "They will not be found, will they, Lady?"
"I do not believe so, penneth."
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Haldir and Orophin returned precisely three hours later. Orophin fidgeted impatiently while Haldir helped Galadriel to rise and then slid in behind Rúmil, taking the Lady's place. Seeing that Rúmil was still sleeping, Haldir turned to her, and whispered, "Thank you, my Lady, for insisting that we take a respite."
"I will accept your thanks, Haldir, but only if you promise not force poor Master Elendir to seek me out again." Galadriel laughed lightly when Haldir's eyes narrowed as she confirmed his suspicions.
"Aiya, Haldir, there are few who are willing to incur your wrath, especially when it comes to your brothers. Do not begrudge him his healthy sense of self-preservation," then looping her arm in his, she said, "Come, walk with me, Orophin has him now," and with a nod from Orophin, Haldir accompanied his Lady home.
"Tell me, truthfully, Haldir, how fare you and Orophin?"
With a sigh, he said, "We are worried, my Lady. Rúmil was so still when we found him and stirred not but to breath as we traveled. Nothing we did would revive him, and now that he is awake, he seems just as quiet and withdrawn."
"Haldir, in his heart, up until the day he was taken, he was a warrior, strong and invincible, and death was something that came only to the enemies of the Golden Wood. That surety in himself has been stripped away most brutally, and he feels vulnerable and weak -- he feels that he has failed you." At Haldir's gasp of protest, she said, "We know 'tis not so, but telling him such will not cause him to believe."
She stopped then and turned to face her much-loved Captain, and said, "However, you did not answer my question, Haldir. How do *you* fare?"
"I am well, Lady," and as she turned to continue their walk, Haldir could have sworn that he actually saw the Lady of Light roll her eyes.
"Haldir, you are as stubborn as your brother."
Reaching the steps of the Royal Talan, Haldir made to continue, but she stopped him, and said, "There is another reason for my requesting your escort, Haldir."
Brows drawing together, Haldir gave her a questioning look, and asked, "How may I serve you, Lady?"
"There is another amongst us in great pain."
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"Rúmil, you have a visitor."
Seeing his brother hesitate, Haldir stepped aside, beckoning to someone to step forward.
"Anendel," Rúmil whispered breathlessly.
The guardian lingered in the doorway, one foot in, one foot out. He looked as if he was about to flee, but when Rúmil held out a hand to him, Anendel immediately went to his side, and remembering Haldir's words of warning, fell to his knees next the cot so as not to cause Rúmil any distress.
Haldir then gestured to Orophin and nodding in understanding, Orophin said, "Come here, gwador, and take my place. I wish to stretch my legs a bit."
Scrambling back up to his feet, Anendel gently shifted positions with Orophin, and it was with some relief that Haldir noted the brief smile that graced his brother's face as he settled back against Anendel.
"Orophin and I need to speak with Master Elendir and may be awhile. Anendel, you will stay with him?"
At Anendel's nod, Haldir and Orophin departed, leaving the pair alone.
"Rúmil, I…"
Squeezing Anendel's hand, Rúmil said, "Before you say anything, I wish to ask a favor of you, gwador."
"Anything."
"I wish… I wish for there to be no guilt between us. I wish for you to be without burdens. Saes, do not blame yourself, Anendel, for I do not."
Anendel tipped his head forward, pressing his forehead to Rúmil's shoulder, and in a hoarse whisper, he said, "'Twas I who acted recklessly, 'twas I who sprung the trap. You would not be here if not for me."
"Nay, Anendel, as I told you before, 'twas the fault of those…," Rúmil's voice broke, and feeling him shudder, Anendel pulled him closer, "…those who set the wire, and you suffered no small amount of hurt yourself."
When Anendel did not reply, Rúmil shifted so that he could better see his friend's face, and said, "Saes, I am begging you, do not do this to yourself. It will lighten my heart immensely for you to know this, 'twas not your fault."
Anendel could see the despair in his friend's gaze and with a quiet sob, nodded in agreement; he would cause Rúmil no further pain if he could help it.
"Do not cry, gwador," said Rúmil with tears in his own eyes, "for we are together. Everything is as it should be."
After a few moments of calming silence, Rúmil said, "Haldir and Orophin tell me the whole of the Golden Wood was roused by your effort to reach the city… and that you almost died."
With a last sniff, Anendel brushed his arm across his face, and then said, "Ah, 'twas but a scratch, meldir, your brothers exaggerate."
Rúmil turned the hand in his palm up, letting his fingers drift over the calloused skin and up one long finger, inspecting it closely.
"And how fares the finger?"
Grinning slightly, Anendel said, "There was some worry that I may never be able to draw a bow again, but the healers have declared it sound once more."
With a small laugh, Rúmil said, "That is well, meldir," then pulling Anendel's hand up to his chest, he said, "'Tis truly a relief to have you with me again."
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"Master Elendir."
Working on an herbal tea for Rúmil, and hopefully, his brothers, the healer had not heard the Galadhrim approach and turning, gave a startled yelp at finding them standing so close.
Smiling enigmatically, Haldir took another step toward the healer, looking down at him with an unreadable expression.
"Orophin and I wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for Rúmil."
Still clutching a small, marble pestle in his hand, the healer lifted it up to his chest, and giving the imposing Galadhrim a nod, said, "'Tis… not necessary to thank me, I do it gladly."
Wanting to put just a little bit more distance between himself and the guardian, the healer took a step back but stopped when a firm body pressed up against his. Two strong hands came up to rest gently on his shoulders, and he whipped his head around to see Orophin smiling brightly down at him from behind.
"Still, Master Elendir, we are most grateful, and Haldir and I also wanted to know if there was anything that we could do to assist you. We realize that we have been most…," and Orophin paused, seemingly searching for the proper word, "…exasperating up to this point."
Shaking his head vigorously, the healer said, "Nay, Captain, March Warden, your dedication to Rúmil is quite moving. He is most fortunate indeed to have brothers such as you to watch over him."
Picking up the bowl sitting on the table, Haldir sniffed its contents, and then arching an eyebrow, said, "You have mixed quite a large quantity of this medicinal. Are you certain that this is for Rúmil *only*?"
Mouth gaping slightly, the healer said, "Most assuredly, Captain, it will ease his pain and help him to rest more comfortably."
"Hmm…," and looking the healer suspiciously, Haldir said, "…and you are quite sure that there is naught we can do for you."
"Nay, I have everything well in hand."
With a last squeeze to the healer's shoulders, Orophin backed away, and said, "Very well then, we shall leave you to your work," and both turned and moved away.
The healer collapsed against his workbench, trying to catch his breath just as Haldir turned back to say one last thing.
"Master Elendir, saes, do remember, if you require assistance, one of us is always *close* at hand."
"Aye, I will remember, thank you, Captain, March Warden."
Turning back to join his brother, the healer watched warily as the guardians headed toward Rúmil's room.
"You enjoyed that too much, Haldir."
"I am sure I do not know what you are speaking of."
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~* To Be Continued *~
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