4) Of Haldir
Aragorn paced the halls in his long-legged stride, turning suddenly and storming away from the King, leaving him talking to air. He felt trapped inside the walls and wondered if he would be forced to feel like this forever after if he ever reached Gondor and took the throne. He was too used to elven quarters and beds beneath open stars. He would take rooms in inns on the wettest of nights and those that boded ill, but naught else could drag him from the world of nature he had been brought up in. Thinking as he was of Rivendell as he wandered through Helm's Deep his thoughts turned to Legolas and Gimli and he decided to seek them out. Their constant bickering had always raised his spirits, neither of them realising how child-like they could sound.
They would ride for Isenguard in the morn and he wanted to find some level of peace tonight and be well rested. He didn't want to follow in the paths of the Roharrim and get blind drunk if he was to ride the very next day to further battle.
Neither of his companions were in their rooms, nor in the halls of Helm's Deep with the people of Rohan, drinking and feasting on the little provisions they had brought with them. Gimli he finally found in the caves behind the fortress, examining the rock formations with as much glee as a smoker in Southfarthing. He was eventually convinced (though not without much encouragement and promise of ale) to help the ranger find the elf.
Gimli had simply laughed when Aragorn asked if he might not be further into the caves and led him towards the huge stables.
"He mourns for nature and trees." The dwarf explained as they walked leisurely through the paved walkways. "The horses are the closest he can get. Especially since he has been banned from entering the forest which has recently appeared on the outskirts." Aragorn could only laugh.
"Since when does a dwarf know more about an elf than one raised by them!?" Gimli's countenance grew grim, though the question had been light-hearted.
"There were many hours, man, when you were missing from our lives. For the first time I truly feared for Legolas' life. Never before have I seen an elf cry and never do I hope to see it again." Aragorn stopped abruptly, shocked.
"Tears are the last stage of grief, friend-Gimli. But you were here with him, and for that I am relieved," Aragorn placed an hand on Gimli's shoulder, his voice lowering. "for I have no doubt you have saved his life. Grief in solitude there is nothing worse."
"I will admit to wishing for your presence in that moment, or that of the wizard. For I was at a loss."
"I hope we shall not find him in a similar way tonight. Much elven blood has been spilled and there were rumours that Haldir was of a relation to our elf. I curse my own lack of thought, I should have sought him out sooner, for I have no doubt he will be in need of company tonight. Haldir was friend to me and mine, and his loss weighs heavy on my heart."
"Then the elf is not the only one in need of company, my friend." Gimli added. "Come, let us find some hope in laughter. This may be one of the last nights under a roof for some time. That it be the roof to the stables matters little."
In the courtyard before the stables they found a large cart, loaded and covered, ready for travel. A horse was being harnessed to the cart as they watched, and the man harnessing the horse was revealed quickly to be Legolas. He looked up as his name was called, smiling a soft greeting to his friends and returning to his task, fixing the multitude of straps and buckles on the complex harness.
"Not running away are you, Master Elf?" Gimli teased, taking the smile as a good sign.
"Nay, Dwarf. Simply preparing some friends for their last trip." The last was said with a sigh. "The elven dead will be taken to the Grey Havens and await there a boat into the west, where their bodies will be lain to rest. The injured are taking them, so that we shall be spared those fit to fight. They will follow us onwards."
"Does Haldir accompany these?" Aragorn asked softly, gesturing to the wagon.
"No. Haldir wished to remain on Middle Earth. He will be buried here, with the fallen Roharrim. He will be honoured this way." Legolas turned away as the last buckle was fitted and the elves that would accompany the bier took the horse from him. The three watched in silence as it was led away. "So few of us intend to remain on Middle Earth once Círdan the boatbuilder has sailed. Now we are one less."