Hunters' Moon

Chapter Three:

Haldir scowled at the large moon that shone its light onto the path. The hunters' moon hung low on the horizon and on this cloudless night would brighten the sky until dawn. He did not think his excuse to his brothers all that bad. Everyone knew how this night's moon received its name. This time of year, when the leaves had left the trees and the growing crops had all been harvested, fox and rabbit had no cover, and hunters could easily see their prey back-lighted by Ithil's beams. Only, this night Haldir was not hunting rabbit. He was hunting fox, a vixen by the name of Tilliel.

He wound his way through the woods to a secluded spot and removed his cloak from his pack. It was woven of a grey coloured fabric that blended with the trees, making its wearer almost invisible in the woods of Lothlórien. All guardians of the Golden Woods owned such a garment, although they did not wear it in the confines of the city unless on duty. Haldir drew the cloak around his shoulders and fastened it with a silver brooch then pulled the loose hood over his head. He circled a wide path around the royal talan and avoiding the palace guards, climbed a tree outside the room where Lindir was staying. As quietly as he could, he moved until he had a concealed view of Lindir's balcony. Then he made himself comfortable and settled in to watch.

Tilliel spread a fine, white cloth over the small table on Lindir's balcony and placed two candle sticks upon its centre. She lit the tapered candles, smiling as they cast a soft light onto the fabric, creating a romantic setting. From a covered basket, she withdrew delicacies that made Haldir's mouth water, for Rúmil's chicken sat heavy on his stomach. Placing them upon the table, along with two glasses and a bottle of wine, she rearranged all so it was pleasing to the eye. Last, she put a small vase with lovely, pink flowers in between the candlesticks then stood back and looked with smug satisfaction at what she had done. Setting the basket in a corner, she went back inside Lindir's room, returning a few minutes later with the minstrel in tow. All this Haldir observed grimly as he sat amidst the branches of the tree.

Rúmil and Orophin walked in the door of Lothlórien's only tavern and headed to their usual table. Most of their friends were already there, saving them a seat. Cards were laid out and Rúmil went to fetch drinks while Orophin rubbed his hands in anticipation of a night of fun and merriment. Rúmil was back soon with two mugs of a dark brown ale. Orophin took his and thanked his brother. The elves at the table talked and drank until the last of their party arrived, then the cards were dealt and they settled in to what was supposed to be a long night of gambling.

Rúmil had just put down a card when Orophin nudged him in his side. "Look, over there, is that not Cúfaron (1)? What is he doing here? He is supposed to be with Lindir! I did not agree to two back to back tours of duty just to watch Cúfaron drink ale! Go find out what happened, Rúmil!"

Rúmil looked to where Orophin was pointing and frowned. He excused himself from the table and walked over to the elf. Orophin watched as Rúmil's hands flew in expressive gestures and his countenance turned from a deep frown to one of amazement. Orophin looked questioningly at Rúmil as his brother hurried back to the table then whispered in his ear.

The two all but ran back to their talan. "I hope you told Cúfaron that our agreement was off, Rúmil," Orophin said as they pulled their cloaks from their carry sacks.

"I am not a fool Orophin. Of course I said the deal was off. I am upset with Cúfaron that he did not come and tell us that Tilliel beat him to Lindir. I imagine he thought we would not find out, the scoundrel. I wonder what she is up to."

"Hurry, Rúmil," Orophin chided, "I would not miss this for the world."

"Shall we bring our bows and say we are 'doing a bit of night hunting?'" Rúmil grinned at Orophin. "I am ready, let us go."

Haldir's brothers, hidden by their cloaks of grey, snuck through the woods heading for the palace. They snuck past the palace guards and Rúmil pointed to a large tree. Barely visible in its thick leafy foliage was their elder brother, his eyes glued to two figures dining on one of the balconies. Sniggering quietly, they settled in a tree behind Haldir and made themselves comfortable. As much as they enjoyed watching Haldir's infatuation with Lindir, they wished to make sure there was nothing truly serious between Tilliel and the minstrel, for they did not wish Haldir to be hurt.

Lindir's eyes widened as he saw the feast before him. Tilliel must have gathered every sweetmeat in Lothlórien to place upon his table. Not only that, but it was all placed so beautifully. Lindir looked at the she-elf. If he could not have Haldir, Tilliel was pretty and she had gone out of her way to please him. Lindir was no fool; the minute she had said they were to gather flowers, alone; he had realized she was interested in him for more than his decorating skills.

Tilliel was dressed in a gown of a diaphanous blue fabric, a colour that brought out her eyes. But it was not her eyes that caught Lindir's gaze. The light of the large hunters' moon outlined her figure through the thin material of her dress, and Lindir could see the roundness of her breasts, her flat abdomen, even…Lindir blushed as his eyes trailed lower.

The elleth, well aware of the picture she painted, plucked a ripe berry from a small bowl on the table and fed it to Lindir with her slender fingers. "I was so lucky to find these today. They have just been picked and are ripe and juicy. She made sure to squeeze the berry as she touched it to Lindir's lips, so that a trickle of the dark juice began to run down his chin. She wiped it away gently with her fingers as a soft laugh left her lips. It sounded like tiny bells and Lindir could only gaze at Tilliel as she cast her spell upon him.

Haldir in his tree watched Tilliel as she bent over the white-haired elf, and he also could see the outline of femininity that the Hunters' moon revealed. His body trembled as he watched the elleth, but not from the usual reaction of a male to a half clad female, Haldir was at that moment seething with anger.

Two others watched Tilliel's not so subtle attempt at seduction and held their hands over their mouths as they saw the leaves in the tree ahead of them quiver and shake. Oh, this was almost more than Orophin and Rúmil could bear. They avoided looking at each other for fear they would not be able to contain their mirth and reveal themselves to both Haldir and the couple that was providing such amusement.

Unbeknownst to Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil, two others watched in wonderment and puzzlement as three of their well-trained and well-known guardians, perched in their grey cloaks in the trees outside the guest quarters of the palace.

"Whatever are Haldir and his brothers up to this time?" the lady of the woods whispered to her husband. "Is that not Lindir's room?"

"Shhhh…" Celeborn whispered back, do you want them to hear us?" He kissed Galadriel softly and grasped her hand. "I saw Tilliel earlier this evening carrying a basket to Lindir's room. From the way she was dressed, I suspect those three fools in the trees are up to no good.

Galadriel smiled. "Did you notice or rather not notice Haldir's presence lately? He has been avoiding our lovely visitor. I wonder why that is so?"

Celeborn kissed the nape of Galadriel's neck and murmured against it. "A little bird tells me you have more to say on the subject."

Galadriel smiled and turned to her husband, touching her lips softly to his. "I also noticed Lindir searching for a certain someone who was absent. In fact, I am surprised he is with Tilliel tonight."

Celeborn returned the kiss and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist. "I have other plans tonight than that of playing matchmaker." His hands moved lower as he slowly walked Galadriel backward in the direction of their room. She smiled as she removed his hands and took one of them in hers. "Tell me more about your plans," she whispered in his ear as she led Celeborn through the gauzy curtains that separated their bedroom from the private balcony. It was not long before the light behind those curtains was extinguished.

The branch of the tree where Haldir sat was now decidedly quivering. Tilliel had poured herself and Lindir a glass of wine and was seated in Lindir's lap feeding him titbits from plates upon the table. Lindir was enjoying himself immensely and so was Tilliel from the almost feline grin of satisfaction on her face. Haldir watched angrily every movement she made and as his ire grew, so did his misery. He knew once the curtain closed on this little scene…well, he did not even wish to think about that.

Rúmil and Orophin though were ecstatic. If they had to give up their night of cards and drinking, what better activity could they have planned than watching their prideful brother learn a lesson in humility? It was a good thing they only had a few sips of ale at the tavern. Otherwise, there would have been a scandal that all of Lórien would have talked about for weeks.

After an agonizingly long time to Haldir, the meal shared by the two elves was ended. Haldir watched sadly as Tilliel cleared the table, returning all that was left to the basket. His shoulders slumped, his anger had faded; a feeling of emptiness took its place. Only a fool would not know the next act to be played out before him. Haldir cast his eyes away. It was time to leave, but he had not the heart to move. He drew his knees up to his chest and just sat; the perfect picture of misery.

Orophin and Rúmil knew the game was up too. So they slid silently from their perch and left, wanting to return home before Haldir. They were headed in the direction of their talan when Rúmil suggested they go back to the tavern. There was no sense sitting at home waiting for Haldir. He was not supposed to know of their machinations anyway. So, in a happy mood once more, they headed back to join their friends.

Haldir sighed. He untangled his legs and was just beginning to make a move to return home, when to his surprise, Tilliel and Lindir appeared on the ground below him. Tilliel had a new basket draped across her arm. By the Valar, Haldir thought, she is going ahead with her plan to pick the flowers. He felt a wave of relief wash through him until he saw the contents of the basket. Inside, neatly folded, was a soft blanket.

Bristling with anger once again, Haldir waited until Tilliel and Lindir had passed on their way to the glade where the môrellothas (2) grew, before he dropped from the tree as quietly as he had entered it. He liked this new idea of Tilliel's even less than her first. Moving with deliberate stealth, Haldir followed the couple, determined not to let them out of his sight. If he had any doubts about Tilliel's purpose, this night had expunged them all.

To be continued

Sindarin words and phrases used in this chapter

1. Cúfaron – name meaning bow-hunter. Cú bow; Faron hunter Ambar Eldaron le Monde des Elfes (World of Elves) French translation by Milly.

2. Môrellothas – collection of dark flowers, a field of dark flowers. Variation: môrellyth – a bouquet or vase of dark flowers. Sindarin translation by Orchyd Constyne.