Brothers and Other Strangers
Brothers and Other Strangers
Chapter Three
"Tomorrow, we should reach the southern border of Lorien," The small campfire cast strange shadows on the proud face of Celemedril as he spoke, feeding small bits of kindling to the flames.
"I know the way home." Eomeril spoke briefly but bitterness flowed through his words like the undercurrent of a dangerous sea. He sat back from the fire, completely hidden in shadow.
"Ah, it deigns to speak. I thought perhaps I'd gone deaf, the silence lasted for so long. At least two weeks, three days and some four hours, by my reckoning. But who is counting?" Celemedril said without rancor. His brother huffed a bit but made no response.
Now that he had the fire going, he set about making their evening meal. They had few supplies left near the end of their journey, but Celemedril supplemented their dwindling stores with two fish caught earlier in the day from the Great River. The food preparation, provisioning and, indeed, any activity that required a decision or initiative had fallen to him since leaving the accursed hills of Dunland so many weeks ago.
Silence reigned between the brothers again while the fish, flavored with precious salt and a few collected wild herbs, sizzled in the pan, sending whiffs of tantalizing aroma wafting into the sultry summer dark. Soon Celemedril deemed the fish ready and speared them onto eating platters.
"Here, eat." Celemedril handed a dish to his brother, careful to speak before he touched him. "You grow thin on the return journey." Eomeril made no move to take the food. Celemedril tried again. "You will bring all of Mistress Serwen's skilled leechcraft to naught if you continue on in this fashion."
Eomeril finally took the dish but set it aside without touching it. Celemedril shook his head and sat down to eat his own dinner. "I do not know if any of my messages made it to Lorien or if they have given us up for lost," he said. "I pray that at least one came, so that Eloessa had no more grief to bear than absolutely necessary."
Eomeril's head turned toward Celemedril at the mention of his sister, a quick wave of emotion, swiftly stilled, in his face. Yet he said nothing.
The moon rose to his zenith and the hour grew late. Celemedril lay down; slipping in to the alert dream-state that in Elves passed for sleeping. He watched his brother carefully, as he had each night since he found him; in peril and pain and punishment, he had watched.
Long after the moon set, Eomeril remained unmoving. His face, as usual, turned away from the light of the fire. Celemedril watched, and wondered what his brother searched for in the sightless dark.
********
The summons from Lord Celeborn came as Elrohir and Elladan finished breakfast. Dunthalion joined them at table, and Elrohir kept a close eye on his son. Eating porridge with a spoon was a new skill and one not entirely mastered. Elladan discreetly moved his chair a little further away from the danger zone.
Calmae sourly announced the messenger, who followed her into the room. Haldir surveyed the scene with his customary hauteur. Taken to task by Lady Galadriel for provoking a confrontation on the night of Eloessa's death, then commanded along with Elrohir to observe an honorable truce, relations remained cool between the two men. Knowing no overt hostility would be permitted, their grievances now played out in words of polite venom.
"I'm sorry to pull you away from a scene of such domestic bliss, Lord Elrohir, but my Lord Celeborn requires your presence in his hall." Haldir bowed elegantly but his eyes remained on Elrohir who pointedly ignored his visitor and tempted his son with a bit of bread.
"Now, my lord." Haldir intoned.
"What do you suppose Grandfather could want, Elladan?" Elrohir asked, not above emphasizing his relationship with Celeborn to maintain an upper hand with Haldir. Elladan merely shook his head, refusing to be drawn into this fray.
Elrohir imagined he could actually hear Haldir grind his teeth, and suppressed a smile. "I bring a letter from Lord Celeborn," Haldir said stiffly. Elrohir took a drink from his goblet, looking over its rim directly at Haldir for the first time. He extended his hand for the letter and waited. Haldir reluctantly withdrew the message from his tunic and gave it to Elrohir.
Though he did not know the content, Haldir watched as Elrohir read the letter and frowned deeply. Satisfied with Elrohir's discomfiture, Haldir's attention moved on. It was caught and held by the gaze of the child Dunthalion.
Haldir found children in general a puzzle, but this one seemed to be the center of a deep mystery indeed. Rumors flew around Lothlorien regarding the child's origin and parentage, each one wilder than the last. Haldir did not believe a tithe of them. Besides he would never gossip about Eloessa, a lady he had much admired.
Haldir did not understand why the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood did not put a stop to tales by revealing the truth, whatever it was. He wondered if they actually preferred the speculation to continue, though this seemed unlikely. Like a good soldier, he kept his doubts to himself. But his gaze rested speculatively on Dunthalion.
The boy looked back with a serious expression in his light blue eyes. Very like the mother's, Haldir remembered. Haldir found himself so caught by the innocent wisdom reflected in them he at first failed to notice what the boy was doing.
Free for the moment of the attention of his father and uncle, both now reading Lord Celeborn's letter, Dunthalion filled two hands with porridge from the bowl in front of him.
Though credited by many with quick and deadly reflexes, Haldir proved too slow to prevent what happened next. Dunthalion lobbed handfuls of porridge at Elrohir who looked up just in time to receive gobbets of mush in his face. A globule dropped onto the pristine parchment of Lord Celeborn's letter.
"Adar, Adar!" Dunthalion cried in delight, scooping up more ammunition. The eyes of Haldir and Elladan met over the boy's head, one gaze appalled and the other amused. Haldir moved toward Dunthalion as if to take matters in his own hands.
Elladan spoke quickly. "I wouldn't do that..." He got no further as Dunthalion scored a second volley with commendable accuracy. Haldir stopped dead, porridge dripping off his hair and clothing.
Haldir turned with dignity to Elrohir, who was wiping porridge and tears of laughter from his face. "Have you nothing to say about this child's behavior, my lord?"
"Oh, yes," gasped Elrohir. "This is a great day. First, because he said his first word just now. And second," Elrohir struggled to contain his mirth. "Because he has wonderful aim!"
Elladan, meanwhile, had disarmed the dangerous character and moved his weapon out of reach. Holding Dunthalion, he kept an eye on the outraged Haldir. One critical word too many and the parties might engage in open war. Haldir stared icily at the brothers for several moments. Then, something unexpected happened.
Haldir smiled. He grinned. He laughed out loud. Elrohir and Elladan looked at each other worriedly. Elladan hugged Dunthalion closer to him.
The March-warden of Lorien, still chuckling, took a cloth from the table and wiped himself off. "I shall tell Lord Celeborn that you will wait upon him presently. At least, I will as soon as I make myself presentable enough to attend my liege lord."
Haldir came and ruffled Dunthalion's dark locks. "I could use warriors as quick as you in my unit, little one." Haldir turned to Elrohir, smiling. "My lord, I have been bested in combat and know when to admit defeat." He held out his hand. "I cry peace Elrohir."
Elrohir grasped Haldir's hand strongly. "Then there is peace between us, Master Haldir." Haldir bowed deeply and left the room.
Elladan sighed in relief. "That went better than I hoped. I will have Calmae clean the boy so we can go to Grandfather without further delay." He called the nursemaid to come retrieve Dunthalion.
Calmae entered and made to carry her charge away. "You may put Dunthalion down for a nap after his bath, Calmae," Elrohir said suddenly. Calmae curtsied and hurried off, delighted to have the child to herself for a time.
Elladan stared at his twin. "You mean not to take him with us? Lord Celeborn specifically requested you to bring Dunthalion to meet Eloessa's brothers."
"I say where my son goes and when. I think it best that he remain here for the time being." Elrohir said as he left to change his clothes. "The interview with her brothers will be difficult enough without Dunthalion there."
Elladan put his hand on Elrohir's arm to stop him. "Do not set yourself against Celeborn in this. You will need his goodwill."
"What do you mean? What did Father say about Dunthalion?" Elrohir stared fixedly at Elladan's hand until it was removed. "How much have you hidden from me, brother?" he accused softly.
Elladan stepped back, his face closed. "Make yourself ready. I will meet you outside." He strode past his twin. "We have kept Lord Celeborn waiting long enough."
*********
Orophin, the guard at the gates of Caras Galadhron, watched the sons of Gilrond pass quietly through. The elder, Celemedril, rode in first, looking neither right nor left. The guard knew Celemedril of old, having patrolled the southern borders with him many times, and saw that his former captain was thin, his face more grave now than proud. Eomeril, the younger brother, rode in last, shoulders bent as if in great weariness and his hood pulled far down over his face, despite the fine summer day.
Orophin turned his own mount to escort the pair to Lord Celeborn's talan. Orders from Lord Celeborn forbade anyone to mention the death of Eloessa or the child to the brothers. Orophin saw the wisdom in this, for such sad news should come from their foster parents, not from others. But he needn't have worried about answering questions for the brothers were silent, speaking not even to each other.
At last they reached the great ladder stair that led up round the towering mallorn tree to Celeborn's hall. Celemedril dismounted first. He went to the head of Eomeril's horse. The guard noticed that Celemedril murmured softly and held the horse's head while Eomeril dismounted with less grace than an elf usually displayed. Again Celemedril spoke words to his brother too low for Orophin to understand. Eomeril straightened and walked by Celemedril's side to the base of the stair.
Once the correct passwords were given and the horn call sounded from above, the party started forward. Eomeril passed by the guard, who caught a glimpse of Eomeril's face beneath the hooded cloak. The guard nearly missed a step in shock. Not only did the vision of a scarred face burn now in Orophin's memory, but something far more grievous.
Eomeril, the laughing, singing wanderer, was blind.
Brothers and Other Strangers
Chapter Three
"Tomorrow, we should reach the southern border of Lorien," The small campfire cast strange shadows on the proud face of Celemedril as he spoke, feeding small bits of kindling to the flames.
"I know the way home." Eomeril spoke briefly but bitterness flowed through his words like the undercurrent of a dangerous sea. He sat back from the fire, completely hidden in shadow.
"Ah, it deigns to speak. I thought perhaps I'd gone deaf, the silence lasted for so long. At least two weeks, three days and some four hours, by my reckoning. But who is counting?" Celemedril said without rancor. His brother huffed a bit but made no response.
Now that he had the fire going, he set about making their evening meal. They had few supplies left near the end of their journey, but Celemedril supplemented their dwindling stores with two fish caught earlier in the day from the Great River. The food preparation, provisioning and, indeed, any activity that required a decision or initiative had fallen to him since leaving the accursed hills of Dunland so many weeks ago.
Silence reigned between the brothers again while the fish, flavored with precious salt and a few collected wild herbs, sizzled in the pan, sending whiffs of tantalizing aroma wafting into the sultry summer dark. Soon Celemedril deemed the fish ready and speared them onto eating platters.
"Here, eat." Celemedril handed a dish to his brother, careful to speak before he touched him. "You grow thin on the return journey." Eomeril made no move to take the food. Celemedril tried again. "You will bring all of Mistress Serwen's skilled leechcraft to naught if you continue on in this fashion."
Eomeril finally took the dish but set it aside without touching it. Celemedril shook his head and sat down to eat his own dinner. "I do not know if any of my messages made it to Lorien or if they have given us up for lost," he said. "I pray that at least one came, so that Eloessa had no more grief to bear than absolutely necessary."
Eomeril's head turned toward Celemedril at the mention of his sister, a quick wave of emotion, swiftly stilled, in his face. Yet he said nothing.
The moon rose to his zenith and the hour grew late. Celemedril lay down; slipping in to the alert dream-state that in Elves passed for sleeping. He watched his brother carefully, as he had each night since he found him; in peril and pain and punishment, he had watched.
Long after the moon set, Eomeril remained unmoving. His face, as usual, turned away from the light of the fire. Celemedril watched, and wondered what his brother searched for in the sightless dark.
********
The summons from Lord Celeborn came as Elrohir and Elladan finished breakfast. Dunthalion joined them at table, and Elrohir kept a close eye on his son. Eating porridge with a spoon was a new skill and one not entirely mastered. Elladan discreetly moved his chair a little further away from the danger zone.
Calmae sourly announced the messenger, who followed her into the room. Haldir surveyed the scene with his customary hauteur. Taken to task by Lady Galadriel for provoking a confrontation on the night of Eloessa's death, then commanded along with Elrohir to observe an honorable truce, relations remained cool between the two men. Knowing no overt hostility would be permitted, their grievances now played out in words of polite venom.
"I'm sorry to pull you away from a scene of such domestic bliss, Lord Elrohir, but my Lord Celeborn requires your presence in his hall." Haldir bowed elegantly but his eyes remained on Elrohir who pointedly ignored his visitor and tempted his son with a bit of bread.
"Now, my lord." Haldir intoned.
"What do you suppose Grandfather could want, Elladan?" Elrohir asked, not above emphasizing his relationship with Celeborn to maintain an upper hand with Haldir. Elladan merely shook his head, refusing to be drawn into this fray.
Elrohir imagined he could actually hear Haldir grind his teeth, and suppressed a smile. "I bring a letter from Lord Celeborn," Haldir said stiffly. Elrohir took a drink from his goblet, looking over its rim directly at Haldir for the first time. He extended his hand for the letter and waited. Haldir reluctantly withdrew the message from his tunic and gave it to Elrohir.
Though he did not know the content, Haldir watched as Elrohir read the letter and frowned deeply. Satisfied with Elrohir's discomfiture, Haldir's attention moved on. It was caught and held by the gaze of the child Dunthalion.
Haldir found children in general a puzzle, but this one seemed to be the center of a deep mystery indeed. Rumors flew around Lothlorien regarding the child's origin and parentage, each one wilder than the last. Haldir did not believe a tithe of them. Besides he would never gossip about Eloessa, a lady he had much admired.
Haldir did not understand why the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood did not put a stop to tales by revealing the truth, whatever it was. He wondered if they actually preferred the speculation to continue, though this seemed unlikely. Like a good soldier, he kept his doubts to himself. But his gaze rested speculatively on Dunthalion.
The boy looked back with a serious expression in his light blue eyes. Very like the mother's, Haldir remembered. Haldir found himself so caught by the innocent wisdom reflected in them he at first failed to notice what the boy was doing.
Free for the moment of the attention of his father and uncle, both now reading Lord Celeborn's letter, Dunthalion filled two hands with porridge from the bowl in front of him.
Though credited by many with quick and deadly reflexes, Haldir proved too slow to prevent what happened next. Dunthalion lobbed handfuls of porridge at Elrohir who looked up just in time to receive gobbets of mush in his face. A globule dropped onto the pristine parchment of Lord Celeborn's letter.
"Adar, Adar!" Dunthalion cried in delight, scooping up more ammunition. The eyes of Haldir and Elladan met over the boy's head, one gaze appalled and the other amused. Haldir moved toward Dunthalion as if to take matters in his own hands.
Elladan spoke quickly. "I wouldn't do that..." He got no further as Dunthalion scored a second volley with commendable accuracy. Haldir stopped dead, porridge dripping off his hair and clothing.
Haldir turned with dignity to Elrohir, who was wiping porridge and tears of laughter from his face. "Have you nothing to say about this child's behavior, my lord?"
"Oh, yes," gasped Elrohir. "This is a great day. First, because he said his first word just now. And second," Elrohir struggled to contain his mirth. "Because he has wonderful aim!"
Elladan, meanwhile, had disarmed the dangerous character and moved his weapon out of reach. Holding Dunthalion, he kept an eye on the outraged Haldir. One critical word too many and the parties might engage in open war. Haldir stared icily at the brothers for several moments. Then, something unexpected happened.
Haldir smiled. He grinned. He laughed out loud. Elrohir and Elladan looked at each other worriedly. Elladan hugged Dunthalion closer to him.
The March-warden of Lorien, still chuckling, took a cloth from the table and wiped himself off. "I shall tell Lord Celeborn that you will wait upon him presently. At least, I will as soon as I make myself presentable enough to attend my liege lord."
Haldir came and ruffled Dunthalion's dark locks. "I could use warriors as quick as you in my unit, little one." Haldir turned to Elrohir, smiling. "My lord, I have been bested in combat and know when to admit defeat." He held out his hand. "I cry peace Elrohir."
Elrohir grasped Haldir's hand strongly. "Then there is peace between us, Master Haldir." Haldir bowed deeply and left the room.
Elladan sighed in relief. "That went better than I hoped. I will have Calmae clean the boy so we can go to Grandfather without further delay." He called the nursemaid to come retrieve Dunthalion.
Calmae entered and made to carry her charge away. "You may put Dunthalion down for a nap after his bath, Calmae," Elrohir said suddenly. Calmae curtsied and hurried off, delighted to have the child to herself for a time.
Elladan stared at his twin. "You mean not to take him with us? Lord Celeborn specifically requested you to bring Dunthalion to meet Eloessa's brothers."
"I say where my son goes and when. I think it best that he remain here for the time being." Elrohir said as he left to change his clothes. "The interview with her brothers will be difficult enough without Dunthalion there."
Elladan put his hand on Elrohir's arm to stop him. "Do not set yourself against Celeborn in this. You will need his goodwill."
"What do you mean? What did Father say about Dunthalion?" Elrohir stared fixedly at Elladan's hand until it was removed. "How much have you hidden from me, brother?" he accused softly.
Elladan stepped back, his face closed. "Make yourself ready. I will meet you outside." He strode past his twin. "We have kept Lord Celeborn waiting long enough."
*********
Orophin, the guard at the gates of Caras Galadhron, watched the sons of Gilrond pass quietly through. The elder, Celemedril, rode in first, looking neither right nor left. The guard knew Celemedril of old, having patrolled the southern borders with him many times, and saw that his former captain was thin, his face more grave now than proud. Eomeril, the younger brother, rode in last, shoulders bent as if in great weariness and his hood pulled far down over his face, despite the fine summer day.
Orophin turned his own mount to escort the pair to Lord Celeborn's talan. Orders from Lord Celeborn forbade anyone to mention the death of Eloessa or the child to the brothers. Orophin saw the wisdom in this, for such sad news should come from their foster parents, not from others. But he needn't have worried about answering questions for the brothers were silent, speaking not even to each other.
At last they reached the great ladder stair that led up round the towering mallorn tree to Celeborn's hall. Celemedril dismounted first. He went to the head of Eomeril's horse. The guard noticed that Celemedril murmured softly and held the horse's head while Eomeril dismounted with less grace than an elf usually displayed. Again Celemedril spoke words to his brother too low for Orophin to understand. Eomeril straightened and walked by Celemedril's side to the base of the stair.
Once the correct passwords were given and the horn call sounded from above, the party started forward. Eomeril passed by the guard, who caught a glimpse of Eomeril's face beneath the hooded cloak. The guard nearly missed a step in shock. Not only did the vision of a scarred face burn now in Orophin's memory, but something far more grievous.
Eomeril, the laughing, singing wanderer, was blind.