Title: A Rose Not Yet Withered
Pairing: None
Rating: PG13
Genre: Angst / Mystery
WARNING: Violence
Beta: None
Cast: Haldir, Orophin, Rúmil, Celeborn, Galadriel, OCs
Disclaimer: I own no-one from The Lord Of The Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien except Daealia and Glorendil who are from my own imagination and are the only ones I lay claim to. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of this story.
Feedback: Yes please! We "aspiring" authors thrive on the stuff.
Timeline: A.U. Not following movie-verse.
Summary: When news of a massacre reaches Lorien, time begins to run against the Galadhrim. Soon, even their trust for their own kin, is lost in a tangled web of lies, deceit and murder….
Spoilers: None
Chapter 9
Blood Is Thicker Than Water
"What happened?" Rúmil suddenly appeared out of the dense forest and his eyes widened when he saw what lay before him.
His eyes darted from Glorendil's body on the ground, to Haldir cradling Orophin and back to Glorendil again. Haldir did not answer for silent tears were pouring down his face as he held Orophin tightly against his chest.
"I should have protected him, Rúmil" he said thickly.
"What do you mean? Haldir what happened?"
"He killed him, and he nearly killed me."
"Who killed who? Haldir, you're not making any sense."
More footsteps came into earshot through the trees and gradually more of the Galadhrim appeared, some carrying the fallen others with ailments of their own. All looked appalled at the scene that lay before them. An elder elf was the first to speak.
"Get the injured up to the healer. Rúmil, you take Glorendil and help Haldir take Orophin."
Rúmil's expression darkened when he heard these words.
"Sûl tôl o nîfech, Galáril" he spat "How dare you give out orders like that. Have you no heart?"
There was a murmur of varied opinions from the surrounding elves but they were silenced when Galáril held up his hand.
"In case you have forgotten, Rúmil" he sneered "I am second in command below your brother and so that makes me the captain when he is unable to fulfil his duty for that title."
"Has an eagle pecked out your eyes and cast them into Anduin?" retorted Rúmil "Chen fuion! You stand there, giving out orders as though your heart is as glacial as it can be?"
"Do what he says, Rúmil" came Haldir's voice as he stood up "I shall take care of Orophin. You take Glorendil. The rest of you follow Galáril."
A younger elf by the name of Elywyn stepped forward.
"Captain. My brother and I are not in need of any healing. Shall we scout the borders for any remaining Orcs?"
"Chen hannon, Elywyn. Yes. I would be most grateful" replied Haldir.
Elywyn and his brother turned and ran back into the forest leaving the others gazing upon Haldir with concern.
"Go" he assured them "I'll live. Now get going, quickly."
Haldir carried Orophin up through the forest towards Caras Galadhon with Rumil following in his shadow, carrying Glorendil's lifeless body.
During the night, the healer's room was never still. Elves came and went. Movement continued throughout the night while the injured Galadhrim were tended to. Haldir sat by Orophin's bed all night long, barely averting his gaze from his brother's unconscious form. Rúmil also remained with his brothers but occasionally got up and wandered the halls, trying to make sense of all that had happened. He could find none for he had not heard what Orophin had from Glorendil.
Morning eventually came and there was certain dampness in the air as though Mother Nature was grieving for the fallen. Glorendil's body had not been buried yet; for Rúmil had requested to let Orophin have the chance to say goodbye if he wished. He did not know of Glorendil's treachery. All he knew was that the pair had always been together and everyone thought of them as being steadfast friends. Had Rúmil been aware of Glorendil's true intentions towards his brothers and Lorien, he would probably have murdered him long ago but fate has the unusual knack of being able to twist things so easily.
When Orophin awoke several hours later, the first thing he noticed was a stabbing pain in his back. Then it all came flooding back to him in an endless wave of grief. The Orcs, Céldor's death, Glorendil. . . Orophin sat bolt upright with this memory. Glorendil. Where was he? Was he still alive or had he, Orophin, struck down the one friend he had known since he was an Elfling with his own hand? Then he remembered why he had struck out. Glorendil, a Drow. A Drow of Mordor. How could he have not seen it before?
"Orophin?" Haldir came hurrying into the room and gently embraced his brother.
"Brother, how do you fare?" asked Haldir.
"I cannot say for I am confused. All I know is my back aches terribly. Haldir, is Glorendil dead?"
Haldir looked surprised at this sudden question.
"I am afraid he is, Orophin."
Orophin swallowed hard.
"And did I-did I kill him?"
"It was your dagger that killed him, yes."
Upon hearing this Orophin's welled up with tears and he shook with suppressed emotions. Haldir recognised the signs of deep despair and upon instinct he took Orophin in his arms again. Orophin leant into his brother's soft garments and wept openly.
"Hush, hush" soothed Haldir "Weep as much as you will. It is sometimes better that way."
"Haldir, I am so confused" sobbed Orophin.
"That is to be expected" replied Haldir, not losing the soft edge to his voice.
Orophin's sobs gradually became quieter and less frequent until he gently pulled away.
"Haldir, I have to tell you all that Glorendil said to me."
"Orophin. I do not ask you to do this. Not yet at any rate."
"I know. But I feel that the sooner I get it out of my system, the better."
Orophin regaled to Haldir all that Glorendil had told him, in every single detail. Haldir's facial expression showed anger, hatred and a deep pity for his brother. As soon as Orophin had finished he laid a hand on his brother's shoulder, attempting to comfort him.
"I have to go and see my Lord and Lady. But I shall return soon. Until then I suggest you get some rest." Haldir got up from his seat and left the room. Orophin lay back down on his bed and tried to get to sleep. It was easier than he thought. Although he still had the feeling of misery inside him, it was lessened by pouring out his heart to Haldir and because of that, he felt almost at peace again.
Celeborn surveyed Haldir with an expression that closely resembled that of a father looking down on his son in a time of need.
"Haldir. I cannot tell you how grieved I am to hear this revelation about Daealia. If there's anything Galadriel or I can do to help, anything at all, all you need do is ask."
"Thank you my Lord. There is one thing though that I feel I need to do before I even start working my way back to where I was before all this began."
"What is that then, Haldir?"
"I feel I need to give Daealia a proper funeral."
"Are you sure this won't trouble your heart further?" Celeborn looked quite anxious about the idea and even a little apprehensive.
"I am sure. I just feel in my heart that she needs to be buried honourably. It's the least I owe her."
"I will speak to Galadriel about this and I shall be sure to let you know what she says."
"Thank you my Lord." Haldir bowed in front of the elf-lord and retreated back outside into the woods.
Exactly how many hours he wandered around the gardens, Haldir did not care to count. He wandered all the places where he and Daealia had walked and finally sat down at the base of a tree. He plucked a small bluebell from the ground and twirled it between his fingers. If Orophin was confused about what had happened, Haldir knew how he felt. He knew he should be grieving deeply for the loss of Daealia but in his heart, he found he couldn't. He felt he had already done his grieving, when the news first came that she was dead. False or not, the letter had ended up with a spark of truth upon it, and if anything, he felt relief that soon she would finally be at rest and her spirit could grace the halls of Mandos in peace.
He wandered back to the healer's room to see if Orophin was still sleeping. But he found that Orophin was no longer there. Instead, Rúmil was sitting on Orophin's vacated bed seemingly in deep thought.
"Where is Orophin?" inquired Haldir.
"He wished to go and see Glorendil."
"What?"
"Well, that is what he told me at least. He seemed to look as though he wanted to say goodbye to him."
Haldir didn't wait to hear what Rúmil had to say next. He left the healer's room and ran down the halls. He received curious glances from elves as he passed at speed but he didn't care, he had only one thing on his mind and that was to find Orophin as quickly as he could. The only place he thought Orophin could be was in the Crystal Hall. It was a place specifically for people to go and reflect. Although at times it was used as a room for ceremonies.
He ran along the many staircases until he came to the end of a long hall adorned with pale blue lights. In front of him were two large doors, both pale blue with silver handles. Haldir quietly opened one of the doors and slipped inside.
The Crystal Hall was a magnificent place indeed. The ceiling seemed to stretch on forever and around the walls there were paintings with soft, warm colours. From the centre of the ceiling there hung a divine chandelier, decorated with crystals and diamonds of the mountains. The chandelier also shone with a pale blue light as did tiny candle flames around the walls. On the floor there was a long sliver carpet that led down to a row of elm chairs of exquisite craftsmanship. Haldir wandered along the carpet and suddenly his eyes registered a figure, kneeling down in front of the chairs. He quickened his pace until he was standing right behind the figure.
"Orophin" he whispered gently " An man naw ech si?"
Orophin did not move.
"I am here, Haldir. Because I need to be" he said simply.
Haldir sighed and made for the door but Orophin spoke again.
"I am not grieving for Glorendil" he said firmly. "I have told them to rid Lorien of his presence."
"Who are you here for then?" asked Haldir.
"I am praying for Daealia."
"Really? Why?"
"She was so much more to you than Glorendil ever was to me. If it wasn't for me then she may still be alive."
Haldir knelt down next to his brother and put his arm around him.
"Nay, Orophin. It was not your fault. Glorendil had her days numbered from the day he first made the plan to make Lorien fall. Do not torture yourself with these thoughts for there is no need and no good can come of it save you falling into needless despair."
Orophin looked up at his brother, eyes glistening with tears.
"Well then" he said "Let us pray together that she will rest in peace in Mandos."
Haldir's eyes once more began to flow freely again and he clasped his brother's hand.
"Chen hannon, Orophin" he said, gratefully "Chen hannon."
NB Elvish translations
An man naw ech si? - Why are you here?
Chen hannon - Thank you
Chen fuion - I feel disgust at you
Sûl tôl o nîfech - Wind pours from your mouth