Hunters' Moon
Chapter Six:
Haldir awoke feeling more refreshed than he had in days. He stretched and yawned; then sat up. A bird warbled sweetly outside as he swung his legs to the side of the bed and stood, walking over to the mirror that hung on the wall above his dresser. An elf with mussed silver hair and pale blue eyes looked back at him and sighed. The week was halfway through and soon Lindir would be leaving. What would he do then?
Haldir walked into the main room of the talan to begin preparing breakfast, when to his surprise, he saw it was already on the table. Orophin smiled as he placed a spoon in the honey pot. "We were just about to wake you."
Three bowls of steaming porridge, a plate of soft, fluffy scones, and a bowl of fresh berries greeted Haldir as he sat down at the table. Rúmil placed a mug of hot tea in front of him then sat in his place and waited for Orophin to take his seat.
"What is this?" Haldir asked, "It is not my begetting day, what do you two want?"
"Since you asked…" Rúmil began then stopped as Orophin glared at him.
"Claurech's sister brought the berries and the scones by earlier and I decided to make the porridge. I want to visit the market today and wish to leave early."
In actuality, Rúmil and Orophin wished to give Haldir a chance to sleep late, to start the day without worry. They had noticed Haldir's sleepless nights and were worried about their brother. But they also knew that Haldir would not talk about his problem. They also had another slight motive to treat Haldir nice this day, but that was a secondary concern.
"I forgot it is market day," Haldir replied, "Rúmil will go with you, I presume, to buy that new tunic." Haldir smiled.
"I shall," Rúmil said, "But have changed my mind about the tunic. One of my old ones will do just as well."
Haldir raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. Rúmil had been talking about a new tunic for weeks. He wondered why the change of plan.
"Why do you not come with us, Haldir? Spend some of that coin you have been hoarding." Orophin grinned. "It has been awhile since we have spent a morning together. Besides, with you along, the elleths will be more likely to wait on us."
Haldir was about to say no then changed his mind. It was not like he had anything else planned and he had been avoiding his brothers. He poured honey onto a scone, took a bite then licked his lips. "I knew there was a reason for you two preparing breakfast," he smiled, "Why not, I could use a new tunic myself."
"Does that mean you do not plan to wear your blue one to the dance?" Rúmil inquired hopefully, "so, I could perhaps, borrow it?"
Haldir frowned. "If you treat it like the last one you borrowed, you will be paying for the new one I buy. I want it back in pristine condition or you will never touch anything I own again."
Rúmil jumped up from the table and kissed Haldir on the cheek. "It matches my eyes better than yours," he whispered then headed out the door. "You can do the dishes. I will not be gone long."
Haldir shook his head then finished his porridge and began to clear the table. Orophin laughed and helped, taking the dishes from Haldir's hand and washing them himself. "Make yourself presentable, Rúmil goes to bathe in the stream, leaving the tub for you. I truly do wish an early start."
"You did plan this, Orophin! Have I neglected you both that much?" Haldir asked feeling guilty.
Grey-blue eyes avoided looking at Haldir for a moment and Orophin's cheeks turned slightly red. "It is not that exactly, Haldir. Claurech has returned from the southern border, so I thought I might buy myself a new tunic as well. Rúmil and I did not do so well at our game these last few nights, and I figured if you came with us, I could persuade you to add a few coins to my pocket." Orophin glanced at Haldir to see his reaction.
Haldir snorted. "I should know you better by now, Orophin. Do not tell me you still have designs on Claurech! I had hoped his stint on the southern border would have cured your infatuation." Haldir grinned and left the room in a hurry, leaving Orophin standing there open-mouthed.
The jingle of the heavy coins in the pouch at Halidr's waist could not be heard over the cacophony of sounds coming from the market place. Laughing and singing elves, vendors calling their wares, the tinkle of bells and wind chimes on the tents and canopies of the shops, and the beat of the hammers of the metal smiths, all played a familiar tune in their heads. It was market day in the city and a sense of excitement filled the air.
The three brothers were greeted and admired by many as they made their way to the tailors' tents. As Haldir had not yet refused to help, Orophin guided them to the largest, knowing that particular pavilion housed the most expensive wares. Haldir raised his brows, but said nothing. After all, he wished to look for himself, and Haldir spared no coin when it came to his attire.
The tailor smiled as he saw Haldir enter and hurried over to wait on him. He knew a good customer and Haldir was one. Rúmil smirked and Orophin grinned as they watched the shrewd elf fawn over their brother. While Haldir tried on countless tunics, not able to make up his mind, Rúmil ran his hands over a beautiful blue one wistfully and Orophin sighed over one a moss green.
Haldir finally settled on a silk tunic in a lovely shade of grey-blue, and after he had paid, the tailor glanced at Halidr's brothers. "Are your brothers also looking today?"
"Looking, but not buying," Haldir told the elf loudly. "If they would not spend so much of their time gambling, they might be able to afford the quality and cut that make your garments so desirable. But do let them try on what they have found, if only to encourage their dreaming." Haldir laughed at both Orophin and Rúmil, who frowned at him and acted as if they had been insulted.
The tailor nodded and called for two elleths to help Haldir's brothers with the tunics of their choice. Then he stepped back to Haldir's side and commented. "Your brothers have good taste, Haldir, they know which colours look well with their complexion. I dare say, they make a dashing pair."
Haldir pulled his coin pouch from his waist and handed the tailor a good amount of silver. "I will take the ones they decide on also," he said. "It is close to the narbeleth (1) festival."
The tailor smiled and bowed and when Rúmil and Orophin handed him the tunics they had chosen, he told them of their brother's generosity. Then he wrapped all three tunics carefully and handed them to Haldir. "As always, marchwarden, I appreciate your business."
Haldir nodded at the merchant then turned to Orophin and Rúmil. "Count yourselves lucky, I am feeling charitable today."
He was about to tease his brothers a bit more when he saw Lindir enter the tent. The minstrel was with another bard from Imladris, Geliron, if Haldir remembered the elf's name correctly. Haldir handed his parcel to Rúmil and walked over toward Lindir. "Mae govannen, Lindir, Geliron," he said, "I see you have found the tent of my favourite tailor. Haldir smiled a winning smile.
Geliron nodded and returned the smile. "If you recommend the elf, Marchwarden Haldir, he must be good." Then he turned to his friend. "Do you not agree, Lindir?"
"Perhaps," Lindir replied somewhat coldly, looking directly at Haldir, "But I prefer to base my decision once I have seen the tailor's work myself, rather than take another's word for it."
"Then by all means, do not let me stop you from looking, Lindir." Haldir replied just as coldly, his feelings hurt by the lack of warmth in Lindir's voice.
"If you do not mind," Lindir replied. "Geliron and I are in somewhat of a hurry."
"We are?" Geliron asked, looking at Lindir in surprise.
Lindir scowled at his friend and took his arm. "Yes. I meet with Tilliel later, and do not wish to tarry long here."
Rúmil and Orophin watched the exchange and glanced at one another. They saw the hurt in Haldir's eyes, although it did not show in his outward bearing.
"Good day then," Haldir bid to both elves, "I expect I will see you at the dance." He turned and looked at his brothers. "Is there anything else you need at the market? Or may we now return home?"
The walk back to the talan was one mostly of silence. Haldir was the picture of gloom and Rúmil and Orophin could not say too much without revealing all they knew. When they reached the talan, Haldir took his tunic and went into his room, hanging the garment in his wardrobe. He was not sure now if he would wear it to the dance; after all, what was the point?
Back at the market, in the pavilion where the ale was served, a group of male elves were seated around a table, drinking. From their build, one could see they were warriors, and amongst them was an elf named Claurech. He was telling them what he had done the other night, whispering, so only those at his table could hear. The elves laughed and more whispering ensued. They were definitely up to mischief.
To be continued
Sindarin words and phrases used in this chapter
1. narbeleth - The name for the season of late autumn, 54 days lying between modern 8 October and 30 November. From the Elven Kingdom Website.