Mírdan

Chapter 3: A Change of Assignment

Fael pinned him to the ground and laughed in his face. "If I was an orc, I would eat you," he grinned, rolling aside to let Rúmil up. Both looked around to see how the others fared. Orophin hadRŷn pinned and Haldir was sitting atop his partner. Fael reached up and punched Rúmil's shoulder. "He is still on your mind, is he not, Rúmil? That is the first I have bested you in wrestling in a long time. Has there been any word?"

"Meril sent a message yesterday saying he had awakened for a few moments, but that he was still in a state of shock. She is keeping him drugged so his body will heal." Rúmil informed his comrade.

"Keep me posted," Fael replied, his face a mask of concern. "I saw his condition. It must have taken the last of his strength to make it here."

Rúmil looked up into his friend's worried eyes. "We will find out what happened and whoever put him in that condition will pay."

Fael reached out and gripped Rúmil's arm. "Count me in on that, friend,Rŷn too."

"Aye," Rúmil replied, I will."

"Count me in on what?" asked a friendly voice from behind Fael.

Fael turned and grabbedRŷn then stared into his eyes. Without warning he stuck out his tongue and licked Rŷn's nose. Before the astonished elf could respond, Fael pulled a lock of Rŷn's hair and took off running. "Ask Rúmil," he shouted over his shoulder.

"See you later, Rúmil, I am not going to let him get way with that," laughedRŷn as he took off after Fael.

Rúmil was just about to chase after the other two when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Put your gear away Rúmil and meet me at the house. We need to talk." It was not his brother speaking, it was his captain and it was a command.

Haldir was setting the table and Orophin was ladling stew into bowls when Rúmil walked through the door. "What was it you wished to speak with me about?" Rúmil asked Haldir, as he looked for goblets to complete the place settings.

"It can wait until we sit down," Haldir said as he poured dark red wine into the glasses.

"You may be seated now," Orophin said with a smile as he served each of his brothers a bowl of the stew, then sat down at the table with his own.

The three raised their voice in song, thanking the Valar for the bounty with which they were blessed this night. When the last note died, Orophin smiled and looked at his younger brothers.

"I am glad to be home", he said. "I missed you both."

He picked up his wineglass and raised it in a toast. "To my brothers…my family…may we be together always." His eyes were moist as his brothers raised their glasses in response.

"We missed you too, elder brother," both Haldir and Rúmil said at the same time.

It was a poignant moment that Rúmil broke when his goblet accidentally slipped from his fingers. He managed to catch it with his other hand, but not before some of the dark red liquid fell to the table seeping between the cracks in the wood, forming a puddle under his bowl. More of the wine splattered onto the front of his tunic soaking into the thin fabric. Haldir rolled his eyes, grabbed a cloth and began to clean the mess on the table while Rúmil grabbed another, daubing at his soiled clothes. Orophin stared at Rúmil as his younger brother dropped his eyes in response. "It slipped, he said apologetically."

Haldir took the wine soaked cloth from Rúmil and placed it in the dishpan next to the one he had used. He picked up the wine bottle and refilled his brother's glass, a neutral expression in his dark blue eyes. Rúmil glanced up once then looked down at his lap. "It was an accident; it just slipped out of my hand. I..."

"Do not worry about it, Rúmil," Orophin said with a quick glance at Haldir. "It happens. You saved the glass, do not make a fuss over it." Rúmil looked at Haldir, but his middle brother remained quiet. "Ai, Haldir, it is not like I did it on purpose." Rúmil raised his eyebrows as he waited for a response. Haldir just shook his head and took a sip of wine.

Rúmil was hungry but had only managed to eat three bites when Haldir voiced what was originally on his mind. "You woke Orophin and me with another nightmare last night."

"I am s-sorry," Rúmil stammered, I..."

"I am not faulting you for what you do in your sleep," Haldir said gently, looking at his brother who was once again staring at his bowl. Rúmil glanced up once he realized that Haldir was not upset.

"I am still sorry I woke you", Rúmil replied, looking at both his brothers.

"We care about you, pen-neth," Orophin said and Haldir nodded.

Rúmil smiled at both and took another bite of stew.

"When did you acquire a new knife?" Haldir asked a few moments later.

Rúmil's face turned slightly pink and he looked back down at his bowl. "It is not mine, it is Fael's," he mumbled, silently vowing to give Fael a punch the next time he saw him.

"Yours is on your dresser," Haldir said dryly. "So you were not properly equipped yesterday on patrol, were you?"

"No," Rúmil mumbled even softer than before. Haldir made no reply and the brothers ate in silence for a while longer.

"When is the last time Fael bested you at wrestling?" Haldir spoke up again.

"I did not think you had noticed," Rúmil said with a sigh, "What are you driving at, Haldir?"

"I notice everything, Rúmil. That is the point. That is my job! You have almost fallen asleep on duty, neglected your equipment, been only half-attentive at practice, and I should not have to point all this out to you, brother. You know what is expected of you, of every guardian. Mistakes kill…if not you…then others. You cannot tell me you did not have an inkling of what I was going to talk to you about tonight?" Haldir had raised his voice in exasperation.

"It will not happen again," Rúmil said, I..."

"No, it will not," snapped Haldir, "For as of now you are off duty."

"What!" cried Rúmil, jumping up from the table, his eyes wide and full of anger.

"Sit down!" Haldir commanded, and Rúmil dropped back into his chair, fuming. Haldir softened his voice. "Orophin is taking your shift for a while, and I am putting you on a special assignment.

"Ha! You mean like stable lad or storage clerk?" Rúmil had crossed his arms over his chest and although his remarks were directed at Haldir, he included Orophin in his angry stare.

"No," said Haldir.

"Well, speak up brother, what is my new assignment?

"When you calm down, I will tell you," said Haldir. "Eat your stew before it gets cold."

Rúmil could not believe his ears. In his mind, he mimicked Haldir's words, "Eat your stew before it gets cold." Haldir could be infuriating. He was mad at both of his brothers, they had conspired against him. He had an exemplary record with the patrol, and for a few minor mistakes, Haldir was relieving him of duty? And Orophin was going along with it? It just was not fair! Rúmil pushed the bowl of stew away from him.

"I am not hungry," he stated. A big wet spot appeared on the table where he had just pushed away his bowl. Another soon followed. "I do not believe it, I am crying," Rúmil thought as he did his best to will the tears to stop. "What is wrong with me?" Nothing helped, and to further his embarrassment, a sob escaped his lips.

Haldir and Orophin exchanged glances. "I am going for a walk," Haldir said, pushing his chair away from the table and standing up.

A few seconds later, the door closed, leaving Rúmil and Orophin alone. Neither spoke. The silence was only broken by an occasional sob that still escaped from Rúmil. Orophin began to clear the dishes from the table, but left Rúmil's bowl of unfinished stew. "This is not a punishment, you know," Orophin said softly. "Haldir is worried about you. I am worried about you."

"I am not an elfling anymore. When are you both going to realize that?" Rúmil asked. "I know how to take care of myself."

Orophin walked over and sat in the chair next to Rúmil. "He gave you an order, Rúmil; you should have taken it without question. Instead you threw a tantrum like an elfling. Can you blame him for becoming upset and walking out?"

"It is not fair," Rúmil replied, "he takes advantage because I am his brother."

"No, Rúmil, he does not. He would not be in the position he is today if he did. You know that."

Rúmil did not speak, but his breath soon became more even and he began to wipe the tears from his cheeks. Straightening up in his chair, he reached over and grabbed the bowl of stew. He wolfed down its contents, then turned and giving Orophin a tearful smile, asked if there was any more left. Orophin got up and refilled his bowl then sat down again and watched Rúmil eat.

"I will go find him when I finish and apologize," Rúmil said sheepishly. "I am sorry I upset both of you. I have not been myself this week. I cannot stop thinking about the elf. Haldir is right, it is affecting my actions, but Orophin, you did not see what they did to him."

"I know how you feel, young one, Haldir knows also. That is part of the reason he is taking you off duty."

"I understand," Rúmil replied. "I feel guilty that you have to take my place, I know you wished a few days to adjust to being home."

Orophin smiled. "Do not worry about it. I was planning to ask Haldir to put me back on patrol anyway. Lord Glorfindel let me have a week off before leaving so I have had more than enough rest, and I have nothing to do in the mornings except wait for afternoon practice. Fael andRŷn are old friends, and I will feel comfortable working with them.

Rúmil smiled and hugged his older brother. "I really missed you, Orophin. When I heard about your injury, I..."

"You do not have to say anything, Rúmil. If I had been in true danger the Lord and Lady would have let you and Haldir come to Imladris. I am back, and I am fine, and as much as I enjoyed my friendship with Glorfindel, my place is here with you and Haldir."

Orophin returned his brother's hug then laughed softly. "You think Haldir has a temper, do you know how I felt once I realized I had insulted the Balrog Slayer. I was in such a state at the time that I did not even realize to whom I was yelling. Not only did I insult a great warrior, but one of the lords of the House! By the Valar, Rúmil, Glorfindel knows swear words I never heard before. When he finished his tirade my face was so white Lord Elrond thought I had a relapse."

Rúmil laughed. "I wish I could have been a fly on the wall. I hope you know that everyone in Caras Galadhon knows about your tantrum. I am sorry, brother, but it was too good a tale to keep secret."

Orophin chuckled. "I figured as much. Glorfindel has a temper, but a finer warrior I do not know. I would trust him with my life. He is a lot like Haldir."

Rúmil sighed. "I am truly sorry I was angry at you and Haldir, Orophin."

"Apology accepted," Orophin grinned. "I assume you know where he is headed?"

"Yes," Rúmil replied. "I shall go talk to him and bring him back." He reached down and grasped his brother's arm. "Thanks," he whispered, then grabbed his cloak and left.

TBC