CHAPTER SIX
The following morning when Aragorn came back to check on Haldir, he found his son cradled in the Elf's arms, his head resting over Haldir's heart, an arm flung across his chest, gripping at the blanket which covered the Eldar's body. Carefully, so as not to wake his son, Aragorn reached over and pressed the back of his hand to Haldir's cheek so as to check his temperature. He let out a sigh of relief when he found to warm to the touch. He sat down on the edge of the bed and simply watched as Eldarion snuggled closer to his Elven guardian. He started when Haldir touched his hand.
"Nin goheno," whispered Haldir. "I didn't realise how much pain I would cause if I left." forgive me
"You scared him," replied Aragorn, gripping Haldir's hand, relieved that it was at last beginning to feel warm, and indicating Eldarion. "He's been distraught since you began to give up. That's the first decent sleep he's had in three days."
"Hannon le," murmured Haldir, releasing Aragorn's hand and brushing away the tendrils of hair which fell across Eldarion's face. thank you
"Man am?" asked Aragorn, raising an eyebrow. what for?
"For not giving up," replied Haldir.
"I will never give up on you mellon nîn. Not while I still have the spirit to fight," vowed Aragorn. Haldir nodded his head as best he could but something was obviously bothering him. Aragorn cocked his head looking puzzled. my friend
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Kalya wasn't pleased to see me," Haldir said quietly. That knowledge actually hurt.
"You swore to look after her cub," said Aragorn gently. "You know how she takes broken promises." At that moment, Eldarion began to stir.
"Please tell me it wasn't a dream," he begged, looking up at his father.
"What wasn't a dream, pen dithen?" asked Haldir. little one
"You're back!" the child cried and wrapped his arms as best as he could around Haldir's neck. Haldir returned the embrace with as much strength as he could muster, imitating Eldarion and burying his face into the crook of Eldarion's neck. Eldarion squeaked and pulled back. Haldir looked at him his head tilted to one side.
"Your nose is cold!" exclaimed the boy causing Aragorn to laugh and Haldir to smile. Eldarion withdrew even further to allow Haldir to sit up. Aragorn tossed him a shirt which Haldir pulled over his head before he rested back on his pillows.
"You're awake!" exclaimed a voice from the doorway and the next thing Haldir was aware of was a tawny-haired Prince lunging at him. Aragorn reacted quickly and caught his godson before he landed on the bed.
"He's not quite healed yet," cautioned the Man. "Don't go leaping on top of him too much." Elboron nodded and Aragorn released him. The boy clambered on to the bed and curled up on Haldir's other side from Eldarion.
"Don't you ever do that to us again!" exclaimed Elboron. The effect was lost somewhat by the smile on his face and the spark which danced in his eye.
"I'll try not to," replied Haldir seriously. The full realisation of what effect his collapse had had on the two boys and Aragorn was finally beginning to sink in properly and Haldir felt his heart constrict.
"Haldir?" asked Aragorn, noticing a change in the Elf's disposition.
"I'm alright," replied Haldir, his breathing slightly fast. Elboron's stomach gurgled with the need to be fed, gladly interrupting the depressing mood. Eldarion grinned at him.
"Hungry?" Elboron scowled, reached over Haldir and jabbed Eldarion in the ribs. Knowing that using Haldir as a shield was out of the question at the moment, Eldarion shot of the bed and ran for the door.
"See you later Haldir!" he yelled, disappearing down the corridor, Elboron chasing after him.
"Anyone would think that pair were brothers the way they carry on," smiled Haldir, turning back to Aragorn.
"They became practically inseparable soon after Kalya died. Even more so when Ada left," replied Aragorn. "I think he needs reassuring that someone will always be there that will see him as Eldarion the person rather than Eldarion the Prince."
"That he gets from your blood," replied Haldir. "It took almost sixty-six years in the wilds and a war for you to accept who you really were. You still avoid using Elessar when ever possible and only wear your crown if you have to."
"Because I didn't have it for eighty-seven years, twenty-one of those I spent knowing nothing of who I really was. Besides that crown is heavy!" Haldir laughed.
"Am I free to go to breakfast?" he asked, pushing his blankets down.
"No. You are to spend the day in bed…don't argue with me Haldir…you have been unconscious for three days. I want you to stay in bed, rest and regain your strength."
"Aragorn, I am not a child! I have fought under worse conditions!" protested Haldir.
"Be that as it may, but since there is no need for you to fight, you are going to stay in that bed. I will send a servant up with some breakfast and I am sure that you will receive a few guests later."
Grumbling, Haldir folded his arms and pouted but did not wish to disobey what could only be termed an order. If he was honest with himself, he did actually feel tired and sleep would allow him to heal faster. Seeing the consent, be it somewhat grudging, in his friend's eyes, Aragorn slid off the bed and after bidding the Elf farewell he moved off down the corridor.
Haldir had fallen asleep by the time the servant arrived with his food so the girl placed the tray on the bedside table for when Haldir woke. When he did wake, the sun was high and a slight commotion appeared to be happening outside of his chamber door. Feeling up to the short walk between his bed and the door, Haldir pushed back the covers and stretched his back before shuffling to the door.
Opening it, he had to hold in his laughter at the sight which greeted him. Merry and Pippin were arguing with Glorfindel about being allowed in to see Haldir.
"Strider said we could, so long as we didn't cause any trouble!" protested Pippin.
"No! Haldir needs his rest. He has been through a traumatic experience and needs this opportunity to regain his strength. Undisturbed!" replied Glorfindel.
"I could do with the company," said Haldir. Glorfindel spun round while the two hobbits beamed. Haldir was leaning against the door frame with his arms folded across his chest and if Glorfindel was honest, looking none-the-worse for wear.
"What are you doing out of bed?" demanded Glorfindel. "You should be resting!"
"I am not so frail that I cannot handle a couple of visitors," replied Haldir.
"But this pair of visitors?" questioned Glorfindel. He did not mean to sound condescending but Merry and Pippin could a bit of a handful.
"Let them past, Glorfindel," requested Haldir as he turned back into his room. Sighing, the golden-Elf allowed the two hobbits to enter Haldir's chamber. Haldir himself had already re-seated himself on his bed. The two cousins scrambled on to the end of Haldir's bed and sat cross-legged, backs resting against the footboard. Glorfindel followed but left the door open slightly. He spotted the tray of untouched food on Haldir's bedside table and his 'maternal instincts' kicked in again.
"Haldir you must eat something!" Haldir scowled at Glorfindel. Glorfindel paid no attention to the look that Haldir was giving him and set the tray in front of Haldir.
"Well, the eggs are spoilt but the bread should still be fresh enough and the fruit," Glorfindel surveyed the tray, removing items which had become unfit to eat.
"Eat!" Glorfindel declared when he declared the food satisfactory.
Still scowling slightly, Haldir picked up a small bunch of grapes and began to pull the individual fruits off the stalk. Glancing over what was left of his 'breakfast' Haldir picked up the pomegranate halves and handed one each to Merry and Pippin, remembering how the two hobbits had a liking for the exotic fruit. It was gratefully accepted, though Pippin managed to spray a few seeds in Merry's direction when he bit into the flesh. Having been left in the sunlight, the fruit had ripened and was now incredibly soft.
"Haldir! That is your breakfast!" exclaimed Glorfindel.
"Glorfindel, I can cope with two mischievous halflings, I could even cope with the Princes pouncing on me but I cannot cope with your mollycoddling!" exclaimed Haldir, picking up a orange half and prying the segments apart. Merry and Pippin could hardly contain their giggles at the sight of Glorfindel inflating and deflating like a puffer fish. Haldir paid little attention to the golden-Elf and popped the orange segments into his mouth, regarding his plate and deciding what to eat next.
"It's a pity the eggs were spoilt," commented Merry. Haldir glanced up.
"They would have gone to waste anyway," he replied, picking up a chunk of bread. "My people don't eat eggs unless we have to."
"You don't know what you are missing!" exclaimed Pippin.
"I have never eaten them master halfling. How can I miss something when I do not have any experience in partaking the pursuit?"
Pippin turned to Merry looking confused. "Eh?" he said intelligently.
"He means, how can he miss the taste of eggs when he has never experienced it?" replied Glorfindel with a shake of his head.
"Oh," was Pippin's response. And he was off, explaining about the various different eggs and which way was best to cook them, what food stuff each could used in. This train of thought quickly diversified into all manner of produce, with Haldir explaining how varying fruits and forest berries could be used. After about an hour Haldir yawned and Glorfindel took that as his cue to chivvy the two hobbits out of the room. When the door clicked shut, Haldir spread himself out on the bed and allowed his body to enter another healing sleep, his eyes glazing over and his muscles relaxed.
The sun had set when Haldir awoke again and he instantly had the sensation that he was not alone. Blinking the last of his sleep out of his eyes he rolled over and found Eldarion curled up beside him. Haldir smiled and reaching out a hand he gently he swept his finger through Eldarion's raven-hair. It was longer than it looked, curled tightly on his head. Unlike most boys his age, Eldarion was proud of his curls and was most upset when people suggested that he get rid of them!
Eldarion blinked out of sleep and snuggled into the hand that was caressing the top of his head. He glanced up at Haldir and seeing the Elf was awake immediately settled himself in the Elf's welcoming arms. True to his cub like nature Eldarion buried his nose into the spot between the Elf's neck and ear.
"I thought you were dead!" whispered the child. "When you collapsed by the statue, I thought you were going to join Kalya." He pulled away from Haldir's neck and looked him straight in the eye. "Is it selfish of me to say that I don't want you to leave?"
"No," assured Haldir. "You are mortal. It is natural for you to want to hold on to what you have."
"But it would make you happy," murmured Eldarion, feeling guilty about wanting the Elf to stay. "You looked so peaceful when you were unconscious. I shouldn't have asked you to come back. You are always telling Ada to let Kalya go, maybe I should let you go."
"Eldarion! Don't you ever let me hear you say that again!" admonished Haldir. "I admit that I would dearly like to be with Kalya again but I am not permitted to enter Mandos' Halls until I have fulfilled my task."
"Task?" asked Eldarion. He remembered Pippin mentioning something about Haldir making a promise but with all that had happened over the past four days, Eldarion had forgotten what it the promise was.
"Yes. Kalya asked that I would look after you. I will not abandon you Eldarion. Not while you still need me."
"But…"
"Eldarion listen to me. I have finally accepted that Kalya is dead and will not be coming back, at least not as a person of flesh and blood. I will never forget her but she is part of the past. You are part of the future and I will do everything I can to make sure it is a happy one."
"You mean that?"
"I have never broken a promise," replied Haldir. Relieved, Eldarion snuggled his nose into Haldir's neck again and soon Elf and child were asleep.
Response to reviewers;
Lady of Light; Does that answer your question? I try to avoid character death but I was glancing though varying notes and Eldarion is going to lose at least four people he loves, his father and best friend among them. Ugh, that is going to be painful to write!
Thanks for the corrections, things were promptly (or at least they better have been) changed.
The detail about Aragorn's Vs Haldir's height/weights/strength – I have no idea how they altered the heights in the movie because Craig Parker is the smaller one of the pair (5'10" while Viggo Mortenson is 5'11") but Tolkien had Elves as being taller than Humans. However, being strong doesn't mean that Haldir is heavy. Elf characters can be described as "deceptively strong" – strength without the bulk.
Sarah; Thank you. Just a couple of points though, Elros was Elrond twin rather than half brother. And Eldarion is actually descended from both Elros (through Aragorn) and Elrond (through Arwen) but you're right, Arwen became mortal when she married Aragorn ergo Eldarion is mortal.
Chevalliata; Uh-hu. Now that he has finally let Kalya go, he can begin to look to the future. 'Bout time he started to take his own advice!
IwishChan; I like writing Kalya. I will, at some point, write the in-between story which again will have her as a main character and interacting with the rest of them.
Haldir's Heart and Soul; Haldir saw Kalya as the daughter he never had. Kalya, and Aragorn, in their turn looked to the Elf for help and guidance when ever they were closer to Lórien than Imladris or the Ranger Stronghold.
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur; Thank you.