AN: Do I really need to say anything? I suppose not, but it's still nice to see that big, bold author's note at the top of the page, don't you think? Yes, well. . . Here's chapter six.
Dearheart
Chapter Six: Love's Dream
"How is she? Is she well? What happened?" Rumil had been looking for his brother Orophin. He had found him, and Ril, on the healing flet.
"She will be fine, Brother," Orophin said calmly. "She is resting now."
"That does not answer my question. What happened to her?"
Orophin sighed. "I can see there is no getting around this. Very well. She was ambushed by an Orc."
"No," Rumil whispered. "How can this be?! I spoke with the Patrol; they said they had disposed of them all!"
"Apparently one slipped by unnoticed. Brother, if I may ask, why does this upset you so?"
"He likes her."
The brothers turned to look at the speaker. It was Elandor.
"Could you repeat that?" Orophin asked.
"He likes her," Elandor repeated. "Or rather, he's attracted to her and only thinks he likes her. There's a difference, you know."
"I was not aware that this information was made public," Rumil said, glaring at Elandor.
"It hasn't been. I only noticed the look in your eyes as you saw her lying there."
"How long have you been here?"
"I arrived right after you did."
Rumil gave Elandor another furious glare. "More's the pity." He stalked over to the stairs leading off of the flet. "Be careful who you cross," he warned, before descending.
Elandor turned to Orophin. "What does your brother have against me?" Orophin only shrugged, so Elandor continued. "For 500 years I have asked myself that very same question, but I could find no answer. I do not know what I did to enrage him so." Orophin shrugged again and busied himself with another patient, who had suddenly awoken and cried out in pain.
Elandor walked over to Ril's bed and knelt down beside it. He looked at her face. She was sleeping deeply, for her eyes were closed. It didn't occur to him that she was unconscious. "Ril, if you can hear me, recover quickly, all right? I know Orophin said you were fine, but I must see it for myself." He took hold of her hand. "My friend," he whispered.
Morning came, and true to his word Haldir immediately went to the healing flet. When he arrived he found Ril awake and sitting up. She spotted him, and went a slight pinkish hue. "How is she?" he asked, choosing to ignore the new shade Ril's face had turned. Orophin, who had been tending a patient, looked up.
"She is well, Brother. How many more times must I be disturbed to be asked this, and by how many different people?"
"Um. . .excuse me," Ril said quietly. The brothers did not notice her.
"Who else has asked you?" Haldir inquired.
"Rumil," Orophin promptly replied. "And Elandor was here as well. Now I ask you the same question I asked Rumil. Why are you so interested in her condition?"
"She is my responsibility," Haldir stated. "I have a duty to keep her safe as well as protect her, but Rumil fancies himself in charge of that now."
"Uh, I'm awake," Ril said meekly. "I'm right here, I-"
"He does?"
"Yes, he does. Judging from your expression, I assume you know the reason?"
"I do."
"Then it needs no explanation."
"What needs no explanation?"
The brothers turned. Ril was sitting in her bed, staring at them with an expectant look on her face. "Well?" she said again. Orophin glanced at Haldir. His brother was staring through Ril. The kind of stare that said 'I'm-not-going-to-talk-to-you-let-someone-else-do-it.' He wore that a lot. "It is nothing of great importance," Orophin answered, still looking at his brother.
"You were talking about me; and I'd like to know what Rumil has to do with all this."
Orophin saw a strange expression cross Haldir's face. It appeared to be annoyance, but it went by too quickly to tell for certain. Now what are you thinking Brother?
Indeed that was a valid question, for at the moment Haldir was thinking many things. The expected things, like Orcs, the border, and his people, but then there was something else. Why- he began, but was cut off when Ril spoke.
"Well, if you're just going to stand there, I think I'll be off now. I'm feeling quite well; thank you Orophin." She slid out of bed. "Where's my bow?"
"It is next to the headboard," Orophin replied, finally taking his eyes off his brother.
"Oh." Ril bent down and picked up her bow and quiver. "Thanks again!" she called, before walking down the steps of the flet.
Haldir watched her go. He was still thinking that other thought. Why do I-
"Haldir?"
Haldir grumbled. "What Orophin?"
"What troubles you?"
"Nothing," Haldir replied shortly. Then almost to himself, he mumbled: "The girl needs training. I must find Rumil." Silently, the Marchwarden followed Ril off the flet.
Orophin shook his head and resumed tending his patients. My brother has become so distant lately, he thought.
Ril jumped the last two steps and landed softly on the grassy earth. She smiled. The pain in her shoulder was fully gone. With a joyful skip she started off into the forest. Finally, I'm free! she thought. Though Orophin was pretty nice. Ah well. I'm just happy to be back out here. She rounded a tree and bumped into Elandor, who happened to be standing in the way. He turned to see who had run into him, the smiled when he realized it was Ril.
"Ah, welcome to the Land of the Living! I trust you're feeling better?"
"Not funny, Elandor. Sorry for bumping into you."
"Apology accepted. Now, what might you be up to?"
"Nothing much. Why?"
"Rumil's been looking for you. He believes it is time to start your training."
"Oh goody. Well, lead the way."
"I thought you wanted to be a Borderguard!"
"Yes, I did. I mean I do! But. . ."
"But what?"
"Never mind. Let's just go find Rumil."
"Very well." Elandor nodded and walked off, with Ril in tow.
Farther back in the forest Haldir stood, watching the two Elves leave. Well my work is done, he thought.
"There he is," Elandor said, pointing to the far side of a small clearing. "I'll leave now." He turned to go.
"Wait just a minute here, you," Ril countered, grabbing the Elf by the sleeve of his tunic. "Where do you think you're going? You're not even going to walk me over there?"
Elandor paused for a brief moment. Should he or shouldn't he? Rumil hated him, but perhaps he wouldn't do anything because Ril was there. "All right," Elandor consented. "I'll walk you." He took hold of Ril's arm, twisting out of her grip at the same time.
"You know you don't need to escort me," Ril remarked dryly.
"Oh. Right." Elandor let go of her arm. The two entered the clearing.
It was plain Rumil wasn't paying attention. Elven ears are extremely acute, but he didn't even twitch when Ril stepped on a twig. Instead, he sighed, and continued staring into the forest in front of him. It took Elandor shouting a very loud "I'VE BROUGHT HER!" to finally cause him to turn his head. Or rather, he whipped it around and glared. His eyes fell upon Ril, and immediately the harshness in them left. He smiled.
"Ah, she arrives. I assume you are ready to begin your training?"
Ril nodded, carefully concealing her continuing disappointment that it wasn't Haldir training her. "I'm ready."
"Perfect. Shall we proceed?" Rumil pushed Ril in front of him, smiling the whole time. When he was sure Ril couldn't see his face, he gave Elandor an evil glare. He then led Ril into the forest, leaving her friend - and his enemy - behind.
Night descended on the borders of Lorien. An exhausted Ril hobbled slowly toward the healing flet, in search of Orophin and something for her aching muscles. Back in the trees, hidden behind a particularly large mellyrn, stood Haldir. He watched as the girl made her way across the forest floor. Day one down, he thought,
It was dark. The dead of night, to be exact. Ril sat on the edge of a flet, thinking. Thinking about Haldir. Thinking, but not really understanding.
Rumil's really nice to me, but Haldir barely knows I exist. Why do I like him? Why, why, why, why, why? She shook her head. "What is it I see in you Haldir?"
"You must be blind, Lady," said a voice behind her. Ril whipped her head around, only to see none other than Haldir standing there.
And then she woke up.