Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 1 for full disclaimer.
Mercury Gray... Like I said, I'll put in a good word with Rumil for you. ;-)
Anonymous & Evenstar Elanor... Pleased you find the brothers so amusing. Haldir can be so serious; I thought there was a need for a bit of levity surrounding him. (Evenstar... you'll get some introspection; probably not as much as you'd prefer to have, but there will be some.)
Chapter 8: Reunions and Regrets
The seasons rolled forward, pushed along by the light breeze of time. Soon after Celeborn's blessing, word came from Dol Amroth that a sizeable party would attend the ceremony that would bind Haldir and Runevalas. During those months, Haldir stayed faithfully to his duties, taking his last round of watches at the edge of Lothlorien in the weeks leading up to the handfasting, and promising to return in time to meet Runevalas' relatives from Dol Amroth.
When they returned, the patrol was happy, but more subdued than normal. Runevalas, who had been eagerly awaiting Haldir's return, saw the distant look in his eyes immediately. She welcomed him home but his response was not what she'd hoped, and there was an awkward moment of silence.
Haldir quickly excused himself from company and retreated to one of the heated spring grottoes that dotted Lothlorien. Runevalas left him alone for a time, upset that he had not seemed happier to see her. With the approaching handfasting, she had been more irritable herself, and after a little time alone, she began to feel guilty that she hadn't tried harder to discover the source of his tension. She found him soaking in the warm water.
"What is this mood upon you, Haldir?" Runevalas was unsettled at his distant, distracted return to Lothlorien.
"It is nothing," he replied. He sank up to his chest in the warm spring water, feeling the heat skip into his weary muscles, untying the knots and soothing the burn. Runevalas sat, her legs to the side, on the smooth stones surrounding the spring. She reached down and pulled Haldir's long hair to the side and began to massage the knots in his shoulders. He had missed her touch.
"It is more than nothing," she said softly and felt him tense beneath her fingers.
He drew in a long, ragged breath.
"Haldir? A'maelamin (my beloved)?"
"There were Orcs," he said softly. "Not many but they were prowling near the edge of Lothlorien. They have rarely been so bold as of late."
She leaned forward and caressed him softly, running a finger over a scar on his chest from a battle with Orcs long ago.
"My mother went to Mandos many, many years ago. An accident. She was caught in a storm and a tree split from lightning... My father raised us as best he could, but he was an Archer of 'Lorien." He sighed. "And he died an archer's death."
"I'm sorry," said Runevalas. Haldir had never talked about his parents.
"My father was very proud. His honor was everything to him. My atara (mother) would often tell me I was just like him. After Mandos took him, I did what I could to raise Orophin and Rumil. They were both close to being adults, but there was a time when I had to play father to them."
"Where do your doubts come from? You are Marchwarden of Lothlorien, and none could besmirch your reputation. Rumil and Orophin have their moments of high spirits, but they bear their roles as Archers with dignity." Runevalas didn't understand.
"It is the way my father died," he said.
"You said he died an Archer's death..."
"With an Orc arrow in his throat. What if I die the same death? What if an Orc spear or arrow sends me to Mandos, leaving you here? You put your heart in dire jeopardy by pledging yourself to me."
She kissed the top of his head. "We cannot dwell in imagined futures. I would have you, Archer or no, Haldir of 'Lorien." He tilted his head back and looked up at her and the calm, steady light in her eyes convinced him of the truth in her words.
Two days later, Haldir appeared in the great banquet hall fully dressed in his ceremonial armor. The last time he'd worn it, he had asked Celeborn to approve his match with Runevalas. Now he wore it to meet her relatives from Dol Amroth. They were being escorted to the great hall by Rumil and Orophin.
Celeborn was eager for them to arrive; Galadriel could tell by the way he held tight to the arms of his chair and sat more forward than was his normal wont. Runevalas' mother, Islarenei, had traveled the shadowed path to Mandos' Hall many years before, but in addition to her daughter she had left behind a brother and sister, and it was these cousins that Celeborn desired to see.
Celeborn held out his arms. "Gilanduin. Raedalin. It brings me such joy to see you. The years between us have been too many." The three cousins embraced and laughed, and then bowed as Celeborn introduced them to his Lady.
After, Gilanduin held her arm out and two Elf children came forward. "My Lord Celeborn, I would like you to meet my children: Arendialas and Magan." The children came forward and bowed. "And this is Torvalen, sister to Runevalas."
Torvalen curtsied and smiled at Celeborn. There were some similarities between the sisters: the shape of the face, the curve of the lip, but Torvalen carried more of the spirit of the sea with her and had her father's dark, dark blond hair.
"Forgive me," said Torvalen with a smile, "but where is the lovely Runevalas? I hear she has flourished here, but we have missed her delightful company."
With a wide smile, Galadriel gestured behind them. The other Elves from Dol Amroth parted and Runevalas skimmed down the center of the room and fairly threw herself into her sister's arms.
"Torvalen!" she cried. "I have missed you!"
The sisters embraced warmly. From where he stood at the edge, Haldir smiled at Runevalas' obvious joy at the reunion. The Elves from Dol Amroth had gold-blond hair and most had grey-green eyes, but some were blue.
"And now," said Gilanduin, "I would meet this Marchwarden, who seeks to be set handfast to my niece. While I do not doubt your judgment, Celeborn, I would see the truth of him with my own eyes."
Unexpectedly, Haldir's shoulders stiffened. Gilanduin doubted his worth? He took a step forward and paused before walking regally across the room. There was a spark in his eye that only his brothers noticed, but Orophin and Rumil watched their brother's stately entrance with neutral faces. Haldir would never forgive them if the embarrassed him in front of Runevalas' relatives. Nor would Galadriel.
It has been many years since anyone has called Haldir's quality into question, thought Rumil, and it chafes Haldir's pride. He chuckled to himself.
Runevalas moved to stand next to him. "Gilanduin. Raedalin. It is my pleasure to present Haldir, Marchwarden of 'Lorien, and my chosen companion."
Gilanduin took Haldir's hands in her own. She allowed her eyes to search his face. Proud, she thought. Stubborn... but a good soul, a large heart. Scarred from past wounds, but I see love there. "I believe Runevalas has chosen very, very well," she said with a smile.
Haldir bowed with a flourish of cape and kissed Gilanduin's hand.
"Very well, indeed," she laughed.
That's it for Chapter 8. As always, looking forward to reading your reviews!