Rúmil managed to keep his men busy by constant drilling. It was a running joke along the wards that if you were bored, just visit the north. It even seemed that some of the other captains were taking the joke to heart. There was a large scale shifting of people back and forth all along the border. Corélned, the healer, was kept quite busy patching up the minor injuries caused by overenthusiastic wardens.
Gariel kept busy with her daughter. She had learned to her surprise that Orophin had always wanted a daughter. It was his impression that Gariel was satisfied. When they had finally talked about it, there was no doubt in either one's mind that Elldar was to have a sibling. Aniron was now five-years-old and following her mother everywhere. And, if it was not Gariel doting on the child, Orophin was the guilty party.
Orophin, for his part, was busy tightening the lines along the eastern stretch of Lórien. It was the smallest area of the borders, but the proximity of Caras Galadhon and the prevalent belief that if trouble came, it would come from the east, kept that station well manned.
Meliel and Delinfel stayed to the south. They were quite content with their posting and planned to stay there.
Elldar stood with the eastern wardens. He had become invaluable to his father and their captain, Celedien. He was willing to run messages to any distance needed. He had become a marksman with the bow, which was saying much, among a people that excelled in archery. He could almost match his uncle, Rúmil. The one thing that bothered his parents was his penchant for Mirkwood. He volunteered for every courier run to the realm to the east. Rumours had begun trickling back there was a girl that had caught his eye.
Haldir was the only one seemingly not content with his life. He spent most of his time travelling between the different warden stations. He was firm with his captains, but most were noticing a difference after his visits to Imladris. He become moody and spent more time with himself. Even Orophin, wrapped up in fatherhood, noticed.
Riding the borders alone was good thing and a bad thing. The good thing, it gave him plenty of time to think; the bad thing, it gave him too much time to think. Twenty-five years did not seem long in the grand scheme when you were immortal, but when your head was confused with thoughts you were not sure about, it seemed an eternity. The sporadic trips to Imladris were not helping. They gave him just enough time to decide that he had imagined something was there, only to be confronted with the fact that there was something there. Bah, he could not even make sense to himself.
And, the impressions he got from her? They were as confusing as his own thoughts. She danced and laughed with him, and turned right around and gave the same attentions to Legolas and Rúmil. If she professed no attraction for his brother, she was clearly acting as if there were. One thing was certain; she was making him irrational.
Gariel glanced up from her gardening at a squeal from Aniron. The girl had been sitting, quietly playing with a doll; now she ran for the gate and the tall figure coming up the walk. Although surprised, Gariel was pleased to see her husband's elder brother. He spent far too much time alone. She watched as he picked up his niece and swung her up into the air. Giggling, Aniron managed to plant a very sloppy kiss on his forehead.
"Uncle Haldir! Did you see my ada?"
"No, Titta pen. I have not seen him today." He walked back to the garden, carrying Aniron. Swinging her around once more, he set her down next to her doll.
"Good afternoon, Haldir. What brings you into the city this time of day?" Gariel's smile stirred something in him; something he could not quite grasp.
"I have reports for Lord Celeborn. I thought to stay the night." He glanced at the house, in particular at the small room in the back. Gariel had seen his gaze more than once locked on that window. She had even found him standing in the door, looking at what few books and jars were still there. Ela had not left much behind, just enough to give hope of her return, a hope to which Gariel still clung. Letters were not enough.
She rose from the mat she used for gardening. Taking Aniron's hand, she led her towards the house.
"Have you eaten?" she asked Haldir, following her. "I have some cold meats and cheese. There is tea on the table. I will go see to your talan." She looked up at him. "Will you come for supper?"
He grinned. "It is better than any other offer I have received. Will my brother be in for dinner?"
"I have no reason to think otherwise. How does it go along the marches?"
"Well enough. It is quiet. Some think too quiet. I, for one, am quite comfortable with the situation as it is. It makes my job easier. Have you received any letters lately?"
"Only the one you read last week." She looked up into his eyes. "Why do you not write her?"
He hesitated. "I do not know what to say," he said softly.
"You know she always asks of you. Have you considered that?"
"She asks of Rúmil and Glorfindel. What has that to do with anything?"
Gariel sighed. "Will you stay with Aniron? I will not be long. I want to make sure you have everything you need. She will be no trouble."
"She is never any trouble. We will just have lunch, then sit and relax. Right, Aniron?"
"Yes, Uncle Haldir. I would like a sandwich. Elldar brought home a boar. Ada cooked it on a fire in the garden."
"I would like to have seen that. I will wager it was a big fire."
Gariel left them discussing the roast boar. She shook her head. He was always so patient with his niece.
Hurrying up to the talan that the brothers shared, she pondered Haldir's reluctance to talk about Ela. Anyone who knew them intimately knew how Ela felt about him. He seemed to be the only one not seeing it. While checking the bedroom, Gariel found a book laying on the nightstand. Glancing at it, she realized it was one of Ela's books. The first one Haldir had brought back from Gondor for her. Ela had mentioned she could not find it, finally leaving without it. Gariel put it back where she found it. She made sure there were linens in the bathing room and glanced around the large living quarters once more. Satisfied all was in order, she started back down for her own home.
When she finally reached the gate, Gariel was surprised to see Aniron sitting quietly on the front porch.
"Where is your uncle?" she asked.
"Shhhh," she said quietly, her finger to her lips. "He is asleep. He said we needed a nap, but I am not tired."
Gariel smiled at the child and went into the house. She glanced at the empty sofa in the large family room. Heading back for the garden, she happened to look in Ela's room. There, stretched out on the bed that was obviously too small for him, was Haldir. Gariel decided that someone had to talk to him.
Orophin came out through the house and into the garden. Giving his wife a kiss of greeting, he dropped into his chair at the table. Reaching over, he ruffled Aniron's hair.
"Ada!" she exclaimed. "You are mussing my hair. Nana, make him stop."
Gariel laughed at the child. "I will fix it after supper; and then we can go to the gardens. How does that sound?"
Aniron settled down, appeased. Several strands of light brown hair had escaped their braid.
"Good evening," Orophin said to his brother. "What brings you into the city?"
"The usual," Haldir replied. "Reports to make. Is there a need for me to visit the eastern marches?"
"No. I brought Celedien's paperwork in with me."
"Good. I hear Elldar is in Mirkwood again." He hid a small smile at Orophin's dark look. "What is the problem? He is well able to take care of himself. Moreover, Thranduil seems to enjoy his visits.
"Celedien finds too many reasons to send him."
"Orophin, Thranduil has cousins his age. Where is he to find any here?"
"I do not have to like it. What if he decides to stay in Mirkwood?"
Gariel held her breath. This had been her greatest fear. First Ela, and now Elldar leaving. It was the reason she clung to Aniron so; life had become lonely for her.
"He will return. Mirkwood may have its charms, but it also has those spiders and whatever creeps out of the south. And, he has ties here. No, he will return. Ask Rúmil."
"He is talking to Rúmil?"
"They both talk to Rúmil. Have you not noticed?" Haldir glanced at his brother. "Anytime either of them have had a problem, they go to him first." There was no need to say who "they" were. Haldir never mentioned her by name; it was always "her" or "they" if Elldar was included.
Dinner continued in silence. Finishing up, Aniron announced she was ready to visit the gardens. Gariel picked up their dishes and placed them in the sink, leaving the men to do their own. She gave Orophin a meaningful look before leaving. They had talked about this subject many times. It was time to move Haldir in the direction he was not aware he had been heading in for several years now.
After Gariel left, Orophin just stared at his brother. Haldir finally took note and laid down his fork. Nothing was said for several minutes.
"What?" asked the elder of the two. "You only look at me that way when you disapprove of something I have done."
"It is not what you have done, but rather what you have failed to do."
"And what is it I am supposed to have failed doing?"
"Ela."
"Ela?" he replied, surprised. "What has she to do with anything?"
"How long are you both going to continue this little dance? You have wandered around, lost, for longer than I care to remember. You participate in nothing social. And you find far too many reasons to go to Imladris. Frankly, I wonder what the girl sees in you."
"What do you mean, "sees in me"? I was not aware she saw anything."
"I have watched you watch her for years. Even before it would be deemed proper."
"Well, she needed someone to watch over her. She is headstrong and reckless. She does not think ahead." Haldir was very firm on his convictions of the girl. She had been hurt too many times.
"Do you not see? She has looked up to you from the beginning. She has taken your words to heart. When you criticized, she tried harder. When you praised, which by the way was far too seldom, she glowed. Are you really the only one who does not see?"
"We have fought since she first came here. We have been on opposite side of every discussion in which we ever engaged." Haldir was becoming angry. He stood and started pacing. "She defied orders and almost died. How could I ever trust her to stay out of danger? We are not suited and it would never work." His last words were only marginally below a shout.
"What would not work?" asked Orophin.
"Wedding. It would not work!"
"Who mentioned wedding?" his brother asked softly.
Suddenly realising what he had said, Haldir sat back down heavily. He covered his eyes with his hand, trying to brush away the words and thoughts he had uttered.
"Then you have considered it?" Orophin never raised his voice. "How long?"
"Oh, Vala, I have thought about it for years. I have raised all the excuses I can find; I am too old, she is too young; she is too far above me, and I too far below her; her brother threatened to take matters into his own hands if I let her come to harm; what would she do out on the marches; I cannot stay in the city. The reasons are too numerous. What do I possibly have to offer her?"
"Brother, the girl is in love with you; has been for years. That is why Rúmil never asked her. He knew long ago that she would turn him down. And the way I have seen you when she is around, I believe you at least care far more than you realize." He sat in silence, waiting for a reply. "She would never tie you down, nor hold you back. And she would follow you into the fires of Mordor, if you but asked."
Haldir looked up at him, bleakly. "Do you really believe that? That she would actually say yes?"
"There is a way to find out. Ask her. See what she says. If she says no, then you have only made a fool of yourself. If yes, then you have your answer. However, either way, you will not spend the rest of your life wondering; it is tearing you up now. And, if you do not do something, she may; and you cannot predict where she will go. She is ready to come home. She is only waiting to see if this is home. And that is up to you." Orophin sat back and waited.
Haldir sat silent for many minutes. It was odd, saying the things he had been thinking for so long. He had been surprised that Orophin had said anything. Their youngest brother had always been the most outspoken of the three. Making up his mind to do something, he rose from the chair.
"Tell Gariel thank you for supper. I will return later." Without another word, he left the kitchen.
Orophin had a small smile on his lips. As much as he had worried earlier about his brother's interesting disinterest in Ela, he knew that things had changed. She was older and able to care for herself. One thing Ela had taught him: a daughter was not the same as a son. He did not look forward to the day when Aniron was Ela's age.