Beside the Forest Stream
Characters: Orophin/Rawion (OMC)/Lucky (OCC)/OFC
Summary: Just a look at a few rainy days in Lothlorien.
Disclaimer: I don't own them and no profit is made from this venture. Although if I could get Orophin (or one of his brothers) in my clutches, I would not turn them loose.
Genre: Things that might make you go 'Awww'
Beside the Forest Stream
The Elleth sighed before setting aside her sewing. Pushing a piece of dark hair behind a delicately pointed ear, she lifted her face to the weak afternoon sun. Soon she would have to return to the city, for storm clouds were gathering in the distance, heralding the promise of the rain that was sure to come. Escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city had seemed like a good idea at the time. Taking her sewing basket with her and with no certain place in mind, she wandered through the forest until she found herself beside the forest stream. The calm and peace of the little glade she found was perfect for her intentions. Her plans to finish several projects started earlier had fallen to the wayside as she was having trouble concentrating on her task. Celoneth's thoughts kept drifting towards a certain Warden. A certain Warden with silvery hair. Orophin. Brother to Haldir, the Marchwarden.
A gentle smile graced her face as she thought of the handsome Elf. Of the three brothers, he was the one quick to smile and even quicker to lift his voice in song. While in the city he would almost always spend any of his free time during the day with his nephew, Rawion. Just the other day, while high upon one of the numerous walkways of the city, she had watched as Orophin and Rawion took the dog, Lucky, for a walk. Thinking of the little butter-creamed animal, a small frown marred the smooth planes of her face. At the best of times he was a pest and at the worst of times the little dog was a down right nuisance. Several times she had found Lucky in her workshop, digging through her baskets of scrap material. Finally she had had enough; Celoneth started to make toys out of the left over material. Now happy with his toys, it was rare that she caught Lucky with his head in a basket.
The first drops of rain brought Celoneth back to reality. Surprised that she had sat for so long thinking of the Marchwarden's brother, she quickly gathered up her sewing and made her way towards the city. Rushing down the path, she did not see the exposed tree root. A startled squeak escaped her lips as she fell. Celoneth would have been surprised had she known how close the object of her thoughts was. But as it was she was lying face down in the mud after falling so gracelessly...
Orophin had spent the day fishing. Well, he had actually spent most of his time trying to keep Rawion out of the water and untangling Lucky from the fishing line. When the silly puppy was not entangled in the fishing line, he kept trying to steal their lunch. Needless to say not many fish were caught. It was almost a relief when the first rain drops began to fall. Most of the time he was very patient with the son of his brother, but today his patience had grown thin. The very nature of the little whirlwind had finally worn him down. What really had sealed it for Orophin was when Lucky was able to make off with over half of their lunch before being stopped. It was moments like these that he did not envy his brother, Haldir, or his wife. Then again it was probably repayment for the hell that the three brothers had put their own parents through. While one was in trouble, more often then not it was Rumil ('He did it!'), the other two were off plotting some devious deed. It was a miracle that they had survived to reach adulthood, especially poor Rumil. As the youngest, Rumil was always easy to talk into almost anything. Like the time Haldir and he were able to convince Rumil that he should climb one of the largest trees in Lothlorien. It was very fortunate that their little brother only broke his arm in the fall. It was several days before the two instigators in a long line of escapades could even begin to think about leaving their rooms. It was a wonder that Rumil still even spoke with them considering what they had put him through as an Elfling.
Brought out of his thoughts of the past by the gentle rainfall, Orophin decided it was time to return to the city.
"Rawion, time to go."
The mud streaked Elfling looked up from his spot beside the stream. Dropping the stick he had been using to poke around in the mud with, Rawion scrambled up the bank. An equally mud covered Lucky bounded over to Orophin. With a shake that started with his ears and ended at his tail, Lucky sent mud flying. Not moving with the speed and grace of his race, Orophin was now equally covered in mud as his companions. The exasperated Warden merely rolled his eyes as his nephew laughed at his misfortune. Growling, Orophin took a step towards Rawion. With an ear-piercing shriek, the Elfling took off towards the city. After collecting the remains of their picnic basket and the fishing equipment, Orophin set off after his wayward nephew.
Rawion knew that his uncle would not harm him. It was just fun sometimes to push the limits of Uncle Oro's patience. Like today. Humming to his self and with Lucky at his side, Rawion skipped down the path. He made sure every puddle was not left undisturbed. Rawion looked up from his puddle skipping as Lucky left his side and rushed down the trail. There was something in the middle of the path. Rawion stopped and after realizing what it was he saw, the Elfling rushed up to the blue clad figure.
Celoneth did not think her day could get any worse. That was until she felt a warm, wet tongue trying to clean her face. Groaning, the elleth sat up and was not surprised to see Lucky and his young master, Rawion.
"Mistress Celoneth? Is that you?"
"Aye, Rawion, tis I." She answered.
"What are you doing on the ground? Are you looking for bugs? I like to look for bugs."
"No," she replied, pushing Lucky off of her, "I was not looking for bugs. I tripped over a tree root." She frowned as she ran a hand over her mud-covered face.
"That is a silly reason to be lying on the ground." The amused Elfling told her before sticking his tongue out to catch raindrops.
Celoneth only smiled as she stood up. Almost silent, a gasp of pain was heard as she tried to take a step.
"Oh, my."
"What is wrong?" Rawion asked, the concern clearly written on his face.
"I must have sprained my ankle," she replied. "I do not know if I can make it back to the city."
Wincing with each step, Celoneth limped over to one of the mallorn trees and sat down. Using the hem of her gown she wiped the mud from her face. Rawion sat Celoneth's sewing basket at her side and glanced at the sky. The rain showed no signs of letting up. Even under the canopy of the mallorn they were still getting soaked.
Chewing on his lip while thinking, Rawion decided on what to do. He was not big enough to help her back to the city. But then again he could not just leave her here. His ada had always taught him that damsels in distress most likely needed to be rescued. Ada! That is it! His ada would come help him.
Pleased with himself, Rawion smiled before speaking. "I will go get help, Mistress Celoneth. Adar will come help. Lucky, stay!"
Before Celoneth could reply, Rawion shot off down the trail towards the city.
Orophin was surprised that Rawion had made it as far down the path as he had. There was not any signs of his wayward nephew. He did not fear for Rawion's safety or that he might get lost, for the borders of Lothlorien were well protected and there was not anyone intent on harming the Elfling. The only thing he could possibly fear was the look that Rawion's naneth would be sure to give him should he return without her son.
Worried when he heard Lucky barking in the distance, Orophin picked up his pace, wondering what could be the cause of all the barking.
Celoneth was miserable. She was wet and muddy. To make matters worse, the ankle she twisted was starting to swell. Pulling the hem of her dirty gown almost to her knees, she stared at her ankle. Not only was it swelling, it was turning a startling shade of black. Sighing with disgust, the Elleth rested her elbows on her knees and looked to her companion.
"I guess it is just the two of us for now. At least it has stopped raining."
The dog only cocked his head in response. She smiled as his ears perked up. Maybe there was help coming? But no, she watched as the silly dog chased after a squirrel. Lucky treed the small forest animal and started to bark for all he was worth.
Laughing at the antics of the dog, Celoneth leaned against the tree and waited to be 'rescued'.
Spotting a shade of blue out of place in the forest, Orophin was surprised when he rounded the trunk of the tree. The shade of blue was attached to a very pretty Elleth with dark hair. The Elleth in question screamed in fright at his unexpected arrival. Orophin raised and eyebrow as she flipped her dirty skirt down over her legs. Dirty skirt? The seamstress was looking a little worse for wear. Not only was her gown filthy but there was a large streak of mud across her forehead. Her hair had long ago escaped from whatever confines held it in place and now hung down her back.
"Good afternoon Warden." She said as if not just moments before she had not been screaming in fright.
"Mistress Celoneth." Orophin replied, bowing his head. "My lady, may I ask what you are doing out here?"
"It is really very silly. I tripped over a tree root and seemed to have sprained my ankle. Rawion left Lucky with me while he went for help." Both looked to where the dog was chasing his tail after having gave up on the squirrel.
A smile graced Orophin's face before he spoke. "Not too bright that one."
"I wonder sometimes." She answered.
Orophin knelt down by her side and reached for her skirt. He looked up with a question in his eyes. After she nodded her approval, he pulled the skirt up over her ankles. Wincing at the sight of the ugly bruise, Orophin gently prodded at her ankle.
Hearing her hiss of pain, he looked up. "I do no think anything is broken. But we need to get you back to the city and have it looked at."
"There is not any way I can walk back..." she trailed off.
"Well I guess it is a good thing I came along when I did." He answered before standing. Ignoring her sound of protest, Orophin scooped her up from the ground and started towards Caras Galadhon.
Rawion raced towards the city as if the armies of Mordor were dogging his footsteps. In his excitement to be rescuing a 'damsel in distress', he forgot that his uncle was behind him. It had not occurred to him to go back and look for Uncle Orophin. Rounding a bend in the path, he could not believe his luck. Not only was his adar and naneth out for a stroll; they were in the company of the Lord and Lady. Forgetting all semblance of decorum, Rawion launched his self at his father.
"Adar! Come quick! There has been an accident!" The small Elfling cried at the top of his lungs.
Haldir dropped to his knees and caught his son before he could knock anyone over.
"My son, calm down and tell me what is wrong."
"Mistress Celoneth is hurt and she needs help!"
Orophin was trying hard to ignore the feelings that Celoneth's soft body was invoking. The Elleth was soft in all of the right places. He had always seen her about the city but never really made a point to talk with her. He thought maybe that might be something worth thinking about changing in the future. He had enjoyed their conversation while traveling back to the city. They had talked of many things. He told her that his rotation on the fences started tomorrow morning. He was surprised to learn that she was the one who had made all of the toys for Lucky. Thinking about Celoneth's soft curves and when he might get to know her better, Orophin almost dropped Celoneth when Rawion collided with them.
"Rawion," came from Haldir, "slow down."
"Look ada, I found them." Rawion told his father, not wanting to admit that they had been in the middle of the path. And kind of hard to miss.
"Mistress Celoneth, are you well?" Asked Celeborn.
"I will be fine my lord, sprained ankle and all."
Orophin shifted her slight weight in his arms, catching the attention of Haldir's wife.
"Orophin maybe you should take her to the Healer's hut."
"Lead the way."
Following behind his uncle, Rawion was rather pleased with himself. After all he was the one who had saved the day.
Orophin was thinking about the start of his fence duty tomorrow and when he might be back in the city. He might have to look for Celoneth when he returned. To see how she fared, of course.
Celoneth was wondering when the handsome Warden would next be in the city. To properly thank him, of course.
Haldir glanced at his wife and the look on her face frightened him. She had that look she only got when she started to think about something that troubled her.
"My love. What is it?"
"I think it is about time Orophin settled down, do you not?"
Haldir merely rolled his eyes as the group stepped through the doorway of the Healer's hut.
Celeborn could feel his wife's amusement. For some reason Galadriel was enjoying all of the conflicting emotions she was picking up from the small group. Celeborn had the feeling that Orophin would soon not stand a chance against the tidal wave that he was sure to come in the form of Haldir's wife and his own sometimes meddlesome wife.
Everyone turned to look at him when he laughed out loud.
