Title: Out Of The Pot And Into The Fire? [Elf Children Series]
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters belong to the Tolkien Estate. Original characters belong to me. No profit is made from this story.
Author's Note: Since these are tales for my son, I have taken poetic license and suspended Tolkien's decree that Elves were immune to disease and sickness. May the Tolkien purists forgive this divergence from canon given the spirit of the series and story.
Summary: The kids are saved from certain death by the most unexpected rescuers.
*~*
54 Yávië * 170 T.A. - Somewhere high on Hithaeglir
Legolas sat shivering next to the meager fire Haldir had built. He could see very little in the pitch-blackness beyond the small circle of firelight. Looking up at the stars, he knew that he still had another hour before his turn at watch was over and he could rouse Rúmil for his shift.
It was still several hours until dawn. He tossed a few more twigs onto the fire, but dared not use more. They had traveled beyond the treeline and had to ration their supply of firewood. Nearby one of the four horses snorted nervously.
Legolas rose and notched an arrow to his small bow. He slipped into the darkness and moved cautiously towards their mounts. The horses were becoming more agitated. Their nostrils flared and they stomped the ground with their hooves. Only training kept them from bolting, but Legolas could see that something was making them very nervous. He walked a little beyond them and sniffed the air. His keen sense of smell caught a foul odor on the light breeze and his heart jumped in his chest. He remembered the scent from Orophin's adventure during the Winter Festival. He hurried back to where the others were slumbering peacefully.
"Haldir," he whispered as he shook the older Elf's shoulder frantically.
"What?" Haldir grumbled sleepily.
"Orcs!" Legolas hissed.
Haldir was instantly awake. He grabbed his bow and motioned for Legolas to wake the others.
The others woke groggily, and as soon as they realized the situation, began to grab their weapons. Orophin shoved Hwest down his tunic and grabbed a bow as well. They were just getting into position when one of the horses let out a frightened whinny and bolted, the other horses immediately followed.
The area beyond the fire was suddenly swarming with Orcs. The children fought valiantly, but their small weapons were not much use against their fully armed opponents.
Haldir let out a fearful battle cry and lunged at a nearby Orc, a dagger in his hand. The Orc backhanded him and sent him flying into the snow, where he lay still, not moving. The rest of the children were quickly subdued.
*~*
"We no share."
"Yeah, why share. We find, we eat," a second Orc said in agreement with the first.
"Garkun say he gets share of all we find," a third argued.
"Garkun no need to know," the first one disagreed. "We eat Elf flesh now."
The argument continued between the six Orcs. All of the children sat huddled in the snow nearby, tied hand and foot. Haldir had finally regained consciousness, but was suffering from a headache. His face was covered in blood from a cut on his forehead where it had hit a rock lying just beneath the snow.
"What do we do, Haldir?" Rúmil whispered fearfully. His face was wet with tears.
"I do not know, Rúmil, but I promise I will think of something." Haldir was the only child not reduced to tears. He also had no idea what they would do, but he refused to tell his younger brother this. Rúmil was scared enough without dashing any hopes that he might harbor in his heart.
Orophin sat curled in Haldir's lap sobbing softly. Hwest was still in his tunic and Orophin hugged him fiercely. "Lord Celeborn will come and rescue us. Do not worry, Rúmil."
Haldir wanted to laugh bitterly at that statement. Unlike Orophin, he understood that Lord Celeborn was not omniscient and probably had no notion of the trouble they were in.
"We should not have left Imladris," Arwen moaned.
"Hush, sister," Elladan said as he held tightly to her hand with one of his own, "to late to bemoan our decision now."
The children had just given up hope when one of the Orcs let out a roar of pain. They looked over and were surprised when he fell forward, an axe embedded in his back.
The next few minutes were chaotic as a group of small, hairy creatures welding axes attacked the Orcs. They made short work of the foul beasts and turned towards the small Elflings clustered together.
"What are they?" Orophin whimpered the question.
Haldir shook his head. He had no idea.
"Dwarves," Legolas said in a hushed voice.
The Elflings stared in horror at their would-be rescuers.
"Now they are going to eat us," Arwen wailed.
"Hush, lass. We won't be eaten ye now or later. Elf flesh isn't to our liking," one of the Dwarves said with an amused chuckle. He was red-haired with a full red beard, as was most of the group. "Torl, get the children ready to travel. I do not wish to tarry."
A squat dwarf with white peppering his reddish beard stepped forward with a knife and began to cut the children free.
Before Haldir or any of the other children had time to argue, they were herded away from their camp. Luckily, their belongings were mostly intact and they were able to retrieve them, but the horses were gone, probably on their way back to Imladris.
The children marched through the dark, cold night surrounded by the Dwarves. Even though their rescuers were no taller than them, with the exception of Haldir, they were much stouter and better armed. The Elflings were in no position to argue so despite their weariness they pushed forward, Haldir carrying Orophin in his arms. One of the Dwarves had offered to carry the small Elfling, but Haldir had refused.
Finally, as the sky was beginning to lighten with the approaching dawn, the leader of the Dwarven party called a halt near a small cave. The tired Elflings dropped to the snow where they stood. It took a little prompting to get them settled in the cave where one of the Dwarves built a cozy little fire. Soon all of the children were asleep wrapped in warm blankets, except for Haldir.
"If ye won't be lettin' us see to your wound then perhaps ye should get a wee bit of sleep," the leader of the Dwarves commented to Haldir.
"I think it would be better if I stayed awake and watched over my charges," Haldir replied stubbornly. He had resolved not to sleep until they were safe from these wily creatures. He remembered all too clearly Lord Celeborn's disdain for Dwarves and the reasons why.
"Well now, laddie, ye might be wantin' to be rested before we start travelin' again on the morrow. We've a long walk ahead of us before we are clear of the mountains."
"I will not slow down the march, Dwarf. Elves are sturdier than you realize."
"What's your name, laddie," the leader asked curiously, ignoring the disdain in Haldir's voice. "My name is Devin son of Blog."
"Haldir of Lórien."
"Ah, that explains some things. Lord Celeborn would be your ruler than. Tell me Haldir, how is it ye and your companions are so far from home? Your kind usually doesn't let their young ones run about on their own."
"I am escorting my brothers and my friends back to Lothlórien. And I am not a young one," Haldir retorted arrogantly.
Devin snorted. "I'd wager you are still a child among your people, Haldir of Lórien. Where be your adults?"
Haldir stubbornly refused to answer.
"We ran away, sir," A little voice came from where its owner was tucked amid a bundle of blankets.
Haldir could have throttled Orophin for relinquishing that bit of information.
"Have ye now," Devin replied with a merry twinkle in his eye. "And why is that, little one?"
"Go to sleep, Orophin," Haldir barked.
"Do not be takin' your ire out on the wee lad. I've about had enough of your attitude. You'll let Sigmund see to your head and you'll tell me what I want to know or I'll turn ye about my knee and blister your arse." Devin growled at Haldir, his patience clearly pushed to the limits.
"You would not dare to strike me."
"Aye, I would and I be thinkin' that ye are due a good swat for runnin' off like ye have."
While Sigmund cleaned his wound and bandaged his head, Haldir reluctantly told the Dwarves about their plan to return to Lothlórien. He was careful to leave out the twins, Arwen, and Legolas' identities as heirs to their respective kingdoms. It wouldn't do to let the Dwarves know they had the Prince of Mirkwood and Master Elrond's children in their clutches.
Devin and his band of warriors had a good laugh after Haldir had finished his tale.
"I must tell ye, lad, ye and your friends have a fair amount of courage to do what ye did. Stupid, but brave," Devin said with mirth. "You're in luck though. We are heading back to the Lonely Mountain and are in a mind to take the long way around Mirkwood. We will escort ye to your home and see ye safely back among your kin."
"Thank you," Haldir begrudgingly said. He wasn't a complete fool and like it or not, they would need the Dwarves protection to make it there.
"Ye are lucky and nothing more, lad. If I weren't pressed for time, I'd drag ye back to Imladris to Master Elrond. I've no doubts that your kin is out searchin' for ye, but I've no clue to which route they would have taken and we've come to far to turn back. And I wouldn't mind see old Celeborn's face when he learns 'twas Dwarves that pulled your fat out of the pot, but I have a feelin' that you've only managed to land yourself into the fire. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes once ye are back among your kin."
Haldir bristled slightly at the casual use of his lord's name, but said nothing.
"Now, lad, get over there with the rest of your kin and sleep. Ye are tired and despite what ye think, we'll not harm ye none. Leave the watching of babes to us adults."
Haldir reluctantly did as he was told, but resolved to not sleep. He'd show these Dwarves what stuff Elves were made of. He was sound asleep not five minutes later.
"What do ye think, Devin?" Torl asked after Haldir's light snores could be heard.
"He's a proud one and I don't pity his lord when he comes of age. Celeborn will have his hands full that's for sure." Devin said with a smile.
"We should make a harness for the little one so we can take turns carryin' him," Sigmund said eyeing Orophin with concern. "He's not up to such a journey. If Haldir were my boy, I'd tan his hide good for draggin' the wee laddie along."
"Aye, his brother will make a fuss, but ye are right," Devin agreed. "You and Kirin see to it."
"I'm of a thought, the lad wasn't completely honest with us," Torl commented. "I'd wager the one called Legolas is Thranduil's boy. He's got the Elven lord's fair looks about him."
"Aye, though not his disposition," Sigmund chuckled. "Must take after his mama."
"The three dark ones are Elrond's babes," Devin commented. "They don't seem to remember me, but then it's been a few years since I've been a guest of the good Elven lord."
"The lad did right not to say to much," Kirin said softly. "Had we been of a mind to, we could hold them for ransom." He was putting the finishing touches on a little harness made of rope and scrap leather.
"Aye, but if the little fools had stayed home where they belonged, it wouldn't be a concern." Devin took a pull from his pipe. "I've a mind to teach them a lesson, but I'll leave it to Celeborn and the good Lady Galadriel. For now, we shall see these wandering babes safely home."
The others nodded at his wisdom and went about settling in for the day.
Devin sat back and took a long pull on his pipe. He would take the first watch.
*~*
Haldir did make a fuss, but in the end was overruled. Orophin was wrapped in a warm blanket and strapped to Sigmund's back. The stout Dwarf shouldered the extra weight without complaint, though in truth Orophin felt light as a feather to him.
So another night began, the party crossed the summit, and by morning they were on the eastern side of the mountains. Remarkably, they found another cave just as dawn was breaking.
"How is it you know just where to find such good caves?" Elladan asked curiously as they sat around and waited for dinner to cook.
The Dwarves had miraculously produced plenty of firewood and enough dried meat and vegetables to make a hearty stew.
Kirin smiled as he stirred the boiling broth. "We aren't finding these caves, lad, we know exactly where they are."
"You do?" Rúmil asked.
"Aye, we use them as rest points when we travel. The Dwarves in Khazad-dûm keep them supplied with plenty of wood and extra provisions," Kirin explained.
"Why did you not just travel through Khazad-dûm?" Haldir asked. He was still a bit sullen, but his curiosity was getting the better of him.
"The parties, lad," Torl answered him.
"You do not like parties?" Arwen asked from her perch in Torl's lap where she was braiding his beard.
"We love parties, lassie," Sigmund chuckled, "but they can last for days and we haven't the time to waste."
From his place in Jako's lap Orophin said, "We are going home for a party too!" His voice had a slightly nasal quality to it and he wheezed a bit. His face was flush and his eyes slightly glazed with fever.
"I am bettin' ye are looking forward to it," Jako said. The dark haired Dwarf tended to say very little, but had taken a liking to the smallest Elfling.
"Oh yes!" Orophin exclaimed fondly. "We will have lots of food and pumpkin pie. The Lady Galadriel will tell us a scary story and we will get to dress up. Lord Celeborn promised I could help him scare some children in the Haunted Talan this year." Orophin smiled as memories of the last Fall Festival came to mind.
"Sounds like a very fun time ye'll be havin'," Sigmund said before adding a pinch of herbs to a smaller pot on the fire. While Kirin was making dinner, Sigmund was brewing up a herbal tea to soothe Orophin's fever.
"Did Dwarves awaken in Cuiviénen like Elves?" Elrohir asked curiously.
"Nay, laddie," Devin answered. "Dwarves were made by Aulë. He made the Seven Fathers. At first, Ilúvatar was angry and Aulë raised his hammer to destroy the Seven Fathers rather than see some other end befall them. Aulë was weepin' and the Seven Fathers' began to beg for mercy. Ilúvatar had compassion and stayed Aulë's hand, but decreed that the Seven Fathers would sleep until a time after the Firstborn had awaken."
The children were completely engrossed with Devin's tale. They asked many question and Devin answered some of them, but most he gently avoided, as Dwarves are a secretive people by nature.
After dinner was eaten, Sigmund bundled the children off to bed, he had taken it upon himself to see to their comfort. Orophin rested much easier thanks to Sigmund's tea, but by morning seemed to be a bit worse.
*~*
Celeborn, dressed in full battle armor, maneuvered his horse around a clump of loose rocks as he continued up the mountainside. A messenger had arrived from Imladris three days after the children had started their little adventure. The Elf had nearly run his poor horse into the ground in his haste to deliver his message. Tired as he was, he volunteered to join the Lórien search party that Celeborn had immediately began to organize. Lady Galadriel managed to talk him into remaining behind to deliver a message back to Imladris, which she didn't write for another day. The search party had left a mere hour after the messenger had arrived. Celeborn had decided his party would search the High Pass on the off chance the children had chosen that route.
"My lord," a scout saluted as he rode up. "We have caught sight of the children."
"Where?" Celeborn asked, relief flooding him.
The scout looked uncomfortable. "Higher up on the pass. They."
"What?" Celeborn barked, his relief suddenly turning to dread.
"They are with a party of Dwarves, my lord."
Celeborn gave the scout an incredulous look. "A what?"
"A party of Dwarves."
"Show me," Celeborn ground out between clenched teeth.
The scout turned his horse around and led the way back up the path, Celeborn and the rest of the search party riding hard after him.
*~*
At first, Haldir thought he heard thunder, but the sky above them was clear. He was relieved because he didn't think Orophin could handle getting wet. His youngest brother was very ill.
The thunder got louder and Haldir looked up to see a war party of Elves riding towards them. Devin had noticed them as well for he had called a halt to the party. Sigmund, with the help of Kirin, removed Orophin from his back. He pulled out his waterskin and tried to coax the little Elfling to drink a bit.
Celeborn reigned in his horse and allowed his eyes to travel over the children. Haldir's head was bandaged and Orophin looked to be very ill, but otherwise the children were unharmed. "I am Celeborn, Lord of Lothlórien, and I believe you have something of mine."
Devin stepped forward unphased by Celeborn's brisk manner. "Good evenin', my lord. I'm Devin son of Blog. We found these young ones in the hands of Orcs. We were returning them to your borders, but we are happy to see ye. The littlest one is ill and we haven't the means to care for him properly."
Celeborn dismounted and moved to stand before the Dwarven leader. "Then I am in your debt, Devin son of Blog, for you have done me and my kin great service today." It had cost the Elven lord much to speak these words. Celeborn motioned for the healer in the Elven party to collect Orophin.
Devin nodded his head in a show of respect to the Elf. Inwardly, he was grinning with glee. He would have a good tale to recount when he returned home. It was not everyday that a haughty Elven lord was brought low and placed in the debt of Dwarf. "It was our pleasure to do ye the service."
The Elven lord turned his steely gaze to the remaining children. "You have caused much worry and distress these past few weeks. You have much to answer for."
Haldir and the others had the good breeding to hang their heads in shame. They had never seen Lord Celeborn in such a state before. His anger was obvious.
"Get to a mount," Celeborn barked.
The children quickly scrambled towards the party where guards lifted them up onto the mounts they would share the ride home on.
Celeborn turned his attention back towards the Dwarves. "You will be welcome in my land if you wish to rest during your journey. I fear I cannot provide you escort there now, as I must return Orophin home as soon as possible."
Devin started to refuse the Elf's offer, but a pleading look from Sigmund changed his mind. "We'd like to stop by and get word on the little one's condition, if it pleases ye, my lord Elf."
Celeborn had not missed Sigmund's look of concern. "I will leave word with my wardens then. I must bid you farewell now."
Devin again inclined his head, but Celeborn had already spun on his heel and was heading towards his horse.
Without another word, the Elven party turned and rode away.
*~*
Haldir pulled another weed from the flowered border of the great party glade. To his left, Arwen worked on another flowerbed. Nearby, Elladan and Elrohir were pushing a bladed contraption that trimmed the grass. Legolas and Rúmil had the task of collecting the clippings into a large cloth bag. Orophin had been excused from this task as he was confined to bed and his illness was thought to be punishment enough by Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, and Lady Celebrían.
Haldir couldn't complain much though. Lord Celeborn had wanted to have them cleanout the stable one piece of hay at a time, but Lady Galadriel had overruled him. If all went well they might be allowed to take part in the Fall Festival.
He had overheard some of their guards talking and knew that Devin and his party had indeed camped in the Golden Woods one night. Apparently, it had been the talk of the entire city. Many said they never thought to see the day when Dwarves were allowed to place a single toe beneath the boughs of the Mellyrn. Haldir wasn't sure how he felt about Dwarves on the whole, but Devin and his comrades were warriors worthy of respect. He had told their guards as much, but only received a scowl and the barked command to get back to work for his effort.
Realizing that he was becoming lost in his thoughts, Haldir returned to weeding the flowerbed.
The End
54 Yávië * 170 T.A. - 24 September
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters belong to the Tolkien Estate. Original characters belong to me. No profit is made from this story.
Author's Note: Since these are tales for my son, I have taken poetic license and suspended Tolkien's decree that Elves were immune to disease and sickness. May the Tolkien purists forgive this divergence from canon given the spirit of the series and story.
Summary: The kids are saved from certain death by the most unexpected rescuers.
*~*
54 Yávië * 170 T.A. - Somewhere high on Hithaeglir
Legolas sat shivering next to the meager fire Haldir had built. He could see very little in the pitch-blackness beyond the small circle of firelight. Looking up at the stars, he knew that he still had another hour before his turn at watch was over and he could rouse Rúmil for his shift.
It was still several hours until dawn. He tossed a few more twigs onto the fire, but dared not use more. They had traveled beyond the treeline and had to ration their supply of firewood. Nearby one of the four horses snorted nervously.
Legolas rose and notched an arrow to his small bow. He slipped into the darkness and moved cautiously towards their mounts. The horses were becoming more agitated. Their nostrils flared and they stomped the ground with their hooves. Only training kept them from bolting, but Legolas could see that something was making them very nervous. He walked a little beyond them and sniffed the air. His keen sense of smell caught a foul odor on the light breeze and his heart jumped in his chest. He remembered the scent from Orophin's adventure during the Winter Festival. He hurried back to where the others were slumbering peacefully.
"Haldir," he whispered as he shook the older Elf's shoulder frantically.
"What?" Haldir grumbled sleepily.
"Orcs!" Legolas hissed.
Haldir was instantly awake. He grabbed his bow and motioned for Legolas to wake the others.
The others woke groggily, and as soon as they realized the situation, began to grab their weapons. Orophin shoved Hwest down his tunic and grabbed a bow as well. They were just getting into position when one of the horses let out a frightened whinny and bolted, the other horses immediately followed.
The area beyond the fire was suddenly swarming with Orcs. The children fought valiantly, but their small weapons were not much use against their fully armed opponents.
Haldir let out a fearful battle cry and lunged at a nearby Orc, a dagger in his hand. The Orc backhanded him and sent him flying into the snow, where he lay still, not moving. The rest of the children were quickly subdued.
*~*
"We no share."
"Yeah, why share. We find, we eat," a second Orc said in agreement with the first.
"Garkun say he gets share of all we find," a third argued.
"Garkun no need to know," the first one disagreed. "We eat Elf flesh now."
The argument continued between the six Orcs. All of the children sat huddled in the snow nearby, tied hand and foot. Haldir had finally regained consciousness, but was suffering from a headache. His face was covered in blood from a cut on his forehead where it had hit a rock lying just beneath the snow.
"What do we do, Haldir?" Rúmil whispered fearfully. His face was wet with tears.
"I do not know, Rúmil, but I promise I will think of something." Haldir was the only child not reduced to tears. He also had no idea what they would do, but he refused to tell his younger brother this. Rúmil was scared enough without dashing any hopes that he might harbor in his heart.
Orophin sat curled in Haldir's lap sobbing softly. Hwest was still in his tunic and Orophin hugged him fiercely. "Lord Celeborn will come and rescue us. Do not worry, Rúmil."
Haldir wanted to laugh bitterly at that statement. Unlike Orophin, he understood that Lord Celeborn was not omniscient and probably had no notion of the trouble they were in.
"We should not have left Imladris," Arwen moaned.
"Hush, sister," Elladan said as he held tightly to her hand with one of his own, "to late to bemoan our decision now."
The children had just given up hope when one of the Orcs let out a roar of pain. They looked over and were surprised when he fell forward, an axe embedded in his back.
The next few minutes were chaotic as a group of small, hairy creatures welding axes attacked the Orcs. They made short work of the foul beasts and turned towards the small Elflings clustered together.
"What are they?" Orophin whimpered the question.
Haldir shook his head. He had no idea.
"Dwarves," Legolas said in a hushed voice.
The Elflings stared in horror at their would-be rescuers.
"Now they are going to eat us," Arwen wailed.
"Hush, lass. We won't be eaten ye now or later. Elf flesh isn't to our liking," one of the Dwarves said with an amused chuckle. He was red-haired with a full red beard, as was most of the group. "Torl, get the children ready to travel. I do not wish to tarry."
A squat dwarf with white peppering his reddish beard stepped forward with a knife and began to cut the children free.
Before Haldir or any of the other children had time to argue, they were herded away from their camp. Luckily, their belongings were mostly intact and they were able to retrieve them, but the horses were gone, probably on their way back to Imladris.
The children marched through the dark, cold night surrounded by the Dwarves. Even though their rescuers were no taller than them, with the exception of Haldir, they were much stouter and better armed. The Elflings were in no position to argue so despite their weariness they pushed forward, Haldir carrying Orophin in his arms. One of the Dwarves had offered to carry the small Elfling, but Haldir had refused.
Finally, as the sky was beginning to lighten with the approaching dawn, the leader of the Dwarven party called a halt near a small cave. The tired Elflings dropped to the snow where they stood. It took a little prompting to get them settled in the cave where one of the Dwarves built a cozy little fire. Soon all of the children were asleep wrapped in warm blankets, except for Haldir.
"If ye won't be lettin' us see to your wound then perhaps ye should get a wee bit of sleep," the leader of the Dwarves commented to Haldir.
"I think it would be better if I stayed awake and watched over my charges," Haldir replied stubbornly. He had resolved not to sleep until they were safe from these wily creatures. He remembered all too clearly Lord Celeborn's disdain for Dwarves and the reasons why.
"Well now, laddie, ye might be wantin' to be rested before we start travelin' again on the morrow. We've a long walk ahead of us before we are clear of the mountains."
"I will not slow down the march, Dwarf. Elves are sturdier than you realize."
"What's your name, laddie," the leader asked curiously, ignoring the disdain in Haldir's voice. "My name is Devin son of Blog."
"Haldir of Lórien."
"Ah, that explains some things. Lord Celeborn would be your ruler than. Tell me Haldir, how is it ye and your companions are so far from home? Your kind usually doesn't let their young ones run about on their own."
"I am escorting my brothers and my friends back to Lothlórien. And I am not a young one," Haldir retorted arrogantly.
Devin snorted. "I'd wager you are still a child among your people, Haldir of Lórien. Where be your adults?"
Haldir stubbornly refused to answer.
"We ran away, sir," A little voice came from where its owner was tucked amid a bundle of blankets.
Haldir could have throttled Orophin for relinquishing that bit of information.
"Have ye now," Devin replied with a merry twinkle in his eye. "And why is that, little one?"
"Go to sleep, Orophin," Haldir barked.
"Do not be takin' your ire out on the wee lad. I've about had enough of your attitude. You'll let Sigmund see to your head and you'll tell me what I want to know or I'll turn ye about my knee and blister your arse." Devin growled at Haldir, his patience clearly pushed to the limits.
"You would not dare to strike me."
"Aye, I would and I be thinkin' that ye are due a good swat for runnin' off like ye have."
While Sigmund cleaned his wound and bandaged his head, Haldir reluctantly told the Dwarves about their plan to return to Lothlórien. He was careful to leave out the twins, Arwen, and Legolas' identities as heirs to their respective kingdoms. It wouldn't do to let the Dwarves know they had the Prince of Mirkwood and Master Elrond's children in their clutches.
Devin and his band of warriors had a good laugh after Haldir had finished his tale.
"I must tell ye, lad, ye and your friends have a fair amount of courage to do what ye did. Stupid, but brave," Devin said with mirth. "You're in luck though. We are heading back to the Lonely Mountain and are in a mind to take the long way around Mirkwood. We will escort ye to your home and see ye safely back among your kin."
"Thank you," Haldir begrudgingly said. He wasn't a complete fool and like it or not, they would need the Dwarves protection to make it there.
"Ye are lucky and nothing more, lad. If I weren't pressed for time, I'd drag ye back to Imladris to Master Elrond. I've no doubts that your kin is out searchin' for ye, but I've no clue to which route they would have taken and we've come to far to turn back. And I wouldn't mind see old Celeborn's face when he learns 'twas Dwarves that pulled your fat out of the pot, but I have a feelin' that you've only managed to land yourself into the fire. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes once ye are back among your kin."
Haldir bristled slightly at the casual use of his lord's name, but said nothing.
"Now, lad, get over there with the rest of your kin and sleep. Ye are tired and despite what ye think, we'll not harm ye none. Leave the watching of babes to us adults."
Haldir reluctantly did as he was told, but resolved to not sleep. He'd show these Dwarves what stuff Elves were made of. He was sound asleep not five minutes later.
"What do ye think, Devin?" Torl asked after Haldir's light snores could be heard.
"He's a proud one and I don't pity his lord when he comes of age. Celeborn will have his hands full that's for sure." Devin said with a smile.
"We should make a harness for the little one so we can take turns carryin' him," Sigmund said eyeing Orophin with concern. "He's not up to such a journey. If Haldir were my boy, I'd tan his hide good for draggin' the wee laddie along."
"Aye, his brother will make a fuss, but ye are right," Devin agreed. "You and Kirin see to it."
"I'm of a thought, the lad wasn't completely honest with us," Torl commented. "I'd wager the one called Legolas is Thranduil's boy. He's got the Elven lord's fair looks about him."
"Aye, though not his disposition," Sigmund chuckled. "Must take after his mama."
"The three dark ones are Elrond's babes," Devin commented. "They don't seem to remember me, but then it's been a few years since I've been a guest of the good Elven lord."
"The lad did right not to say to much," Kirin said softly. "Had we been of a mind to, we could hold them for ransom." He was putting the finishing touches on a little harness made of rope and scrap leather.
"Aye, but if the little fools had stayed home where they belonged, it wouldn't be a concern." Devin took a pull from his pipe. "I've a mind to teach them a lesson, but I'll leave it to Celeborn and the good Lady Galadriel. For now, we shall see these wandering babes safely home."
The others nodded at his wisdom and went about settling in for the day.
Devin sat back and took a long pull on his pipe. He would take the first watch.
*~*
Haldir did make a fuss, but in the end was overruled. Orophin was wrapped in a warm blanket and strapped to Sigmund's back. The stout Dwarf shouldered the extra weight without complaint, though in truth Orophin felt light as a feather to him.
So another night began, the party crossed the summit, and by morning they were on the eastern side of the mountains. Remarkably, they found another cave just as dawn was breaking.
"How is it you know just where to find such good caves?" Elladan asked curiously as they sat around and waited for dinner to cook.
The Dwarves had miraculously produced plenty of firewood and enough dried meat and vegetables to make a hearty stew.
Kirin smiled as he stirred the boiling broth. "We aren't finding these caves, lad, we know exactly where they are."
"You do?" Rúmil asked.
"Aye, we use them as rest points when we travel. The Dwarves in Khazad-dûm keep them supplied with plenty of wood and extra provisions," Kirin explained.
"Why did you not just travel through Khazad-dûm?" Haldir asked. He was still a bit sullen, but his curiosity was getting the better of him.
"The parties, lad," Torl answered him.
"You do not like parties?" Arwen asked from her perch in Torl's lap where she was braiding his beard.
"We love parties, lassie," Sigmund chuckled, "but they can last for days and we haven't the time to waste."
From his place in Jako's lap Orophin said, "We are going home for a party too!" His voice had a slightly nasal quality to it and he wheezed a bit. His face was flush and his eyes slightly glazed with fever.
"I am bettin' ye are looking forward to it," Jako said. The dark haired Dwarf tended to say very little, but had taken a liking to the smallest Elfling.
"Oh yes!" Orophin exclaimed fondly. "We will have lots of food and pumpkin pie. The Lady Galadriel will tell us a scary story and we will get to dress up. Lord Celeborn promised I could help him scare some children in the Haunted Talan this year." Orophin smiled as memories of the last Fall Festival came to mind.
"Sounds like a very fun time ye'll be havin'," Sigmund said before adding a pinch of herbs to a smaller pot on the fire. While Kirin was making dinner, Sigmund was brewing up a herbal tea to soothe Orophin's fever.
"Did Dwarves awaken in Cuiviénen like Elves?" Elrohir asked curiously.
"Nay, laddie," Devin answered. "Dwarves were made by Aulë. He made the Seven Fathers. At first, Ilúvatar was angry and Aulë raised his hammer to destroy the Seven Fathers rather than see some other end befall them. Aulë was weepin' and the Seven Fathers' began to beg for mercy. Ilúvatar had compassion and stayed Aulë's hand, but decreed that the Seven Fathers would sleep until a time after the Firstborn had awaken."
The children were completely engrossed with Devin's tale. They asked many question and Devin answered some of them, but most he gently avoided, as Dwarves are a secretive people by nature.
After dinner was eaten, Sigmund bundled the children off to bed, he had taken it upon himself to see to their comfort. Orophin rested much easier thanks to Sigmund's tea, but by morning seemed to be a bit worse.
*~*
Celeborn, dressed in full battle armor, maneuvered his horse around a clump of loose rocks as he continued up the mountainside. A messenger had arrived from Imladris three days after the children had started their little adventure. The Elf had nearly run his poor horse into the ground in his haste to deliver his message. Tired as he was, he volunteered to join the Lórien search party that Celeborn had immediately began to organize. Lady Galadriel managed to talk him into remaining behind to deliver a message back to Imladris, which she didn't write for another day. The search party had left a mere hour after the messenger had arrived. Celeborn had decided his party would search the High Pass on the off chance the children had chosen that route.
"My lord," a scout saluted as he rode up. "We have caught sight of the children."
"Where?" Celeborn asked, relief flooding him.
The scout looked uncomfortable. "Higher up on the pass. They."
"What?" Celeborn barked, his relief suddenly turning to dread.
"They are with a party of Dwarves, my lord."
Celeborn gave the scout an incredulous look. "A what?"
"A party of Dwarves."
"Show me," Celeborn ground out between clenched teeth.
The scout turned his horse around and led the way back up the path, Celeborn and the rest of the search party riding hard after him.
*~*
At first, Haldir thought he heard thunder, but the sky above them was clear. He was relieved because he didn't think Orophin could handle getting wet. His youngest brother was very ill.
The thunder got louder and Haldir looked up to see a war party of Elves riding towards them. Devin had noticed them as well for he had called a halt to the party. Sigmund, with the help of Kirin, removed Orophin from his back. He pulled out his waterskin and tried to coax the little Elfling to drink a bit.
Celeborn reigned in his horse and allowed his eyes to travel over the children. Haldir's head was bandaged and Orophin looked to be very ill, but otherwise the children were unharmed. "I am Celeborn, Lord of Lothlórien, and I believe you have something of mine."
Devin stepped forward unphased by Celeborn's brisk manner. "Good evenin', my lord. I'm Devin son of Blog. We found these young ones in the hands of Orcs. We were returning them to your borders, but we are happy to see ye. The littlest one is ill and we haven't the means to care for him properly."
Celeborn dismounted and moved to stand before the Dwarven leader. "Then I am in your debt, Devin son of Blog, for you have done me and my kin great service today." It had cost the Elven lord much to speak these words. Celeborn motioned for the healer in the Elven party to collect Orophin.
Devin nodded his head in a show of respect to the Elf. Inwardly, he was grinning with glee. He would have a good tale to recount when he returned home. It was not everyday that a haughty Elven lord was brought low and placed in the debt of Dwarf. "It was our pleasure to do ye the service."
The Elven lord turned his steely gaze to the remaining children. "You have caused much worry and distress these past few weeks. You have much to answer for."
Haldir and the others had the good breeding to hang their heads in shame. They had never seen Lord Celeborn in such a state before. His anger was obvious.
"Get to a mount," Celeborn barked.
The children quickly scrambled towards the party where guards lifted them up onto the mounts they would share the ride home on.
Celeborn turned his attention back towards the Dwarves. "You will be welcome in my land if you wish to rest during your journey. I fear I cannot provide you escort there now, as I must return Orophin home as soon as possible."
Devin started to refuse the Elf's offer, but a pleading look from Sigmund changed his mind. "We'd like to stop by and get word on the little one's condition, if it pleases ye, my lord Elf."
Celeborn had not missed Sigmund's look of concern. "I will leave word with my wardens then. I must bid you farewell now."
Devin again inclined his head, but Celeborn had already spun on his heel and was heading towards his horse.
Without another word, the Elven party turned and rode away.
*~*
Haldir pulled another weed from the flowered border of the great party glade. To his left, Arwen worked on another flowerbed. Nearby, Elladan and Elrohir were pushing a bladed contraption that trimmed the grass. Legolas and Rúmil had the task of collecting the clippings into a large cloth bag. Orophin had been excused from this task as he was confined to bed and his illness was thought to be punishment enough by Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, and Lady Celebrían.
Haldir couldn't complain much though. Lord Celeborn had wanted to have them cleanout the stable one piece of hay at a time, but Lady Galadriel had overruled him. If all went well they might be allowed to take part in the Fall Festival.
He had overheard some of their guards talking and knew that Devin and his party had indeed camped in the Golden Woods one night. Apparently, it had been the talk of the entire city. Many said they never thought to see the day when Dwarves were allowed to place a single toe beneath the boughs of the Mellyrn. Haldir wasn't sure how he felt about Dwarves on the whole, but Devin and his comrades were warriors worthy of respect. He had told their guards as much, but only received a scowl and the barked command to get back to work for his effort.
Realizing that he was becoming lost in his thoughts, Haldir returned to weeding the flowerbed.
The End
54 Yávië * 170 T.A. - 24 September