A/N; I made a few modifications to the previous chapter so if you get a little confused, it might because this chapter ties with the new one better than the old one.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Two days after the refugees arrived in the city, Elrohir declared Tarcil fit enough to leave his bed, which he did with as much enthusiasm as a broken ankle and damaged arm allowed. Elrohir decided against telling Tarcil to restrict the level of physical activity he did, knowing perfectly well that it would be a waste of breath. As the ranger leader limped into the Great Hall for breakfast that morning, holding tightly on to Arahael for balance, everyone broke into raucous cheers, Eldarion and Túnír being two of the loudest. Tarcil waved at his appreciating company with an embarrassed grin before limping over to the table where Eldarion sat with Túnír, Hinluin, Alam and their mother.
"Hello you two," smiled Tarcil as he sat down. Hinluin grinned, forgetting that his mouth was full, while Alam gesticulated something.
"Yes, I am feeling a lot better," said Tarcil. "And how are you feeling?"
Alam signed that he was alright but he was sad because his father was dead. Tarcil's smile faded slightly and he glanced up at the boy's mother.
"How are you coping?" he asked.
"I don't think it has completely sunk in yet," replied Óliel.
"If you ever need any help, do not hesitate to ask," said Tarcil. Óliel nodded before relieving Túnír of Hinluin who's sticky fingers were migrating to the youth's hair.
"Honestly, how do you manage to make such a mess eating a piece of bread and fruit?" she tsked, wiping her son's fingers with a napkin.
"With great ease. He is a three-year-old," replied Arahael. "Túnír was the same, though his preference was syrup."
"Hey!" protested the said youth. Tarcil and Arahael burst out laughing while Eldarion grinned like a cat who had found the cream. Túnír glared at his friend, silently warning him that such knowledge was to go no further than that particular table. Alam, who had been watching what else was going on in the hall, tugged on Eldarion's sleeve. Eldarion glanced at the child, his head cocked to one side. Alam pointed to the door where Celeborn had just arrived. Alam then proceeded to point to himself, made a sign for speech and then pointed back at the Elf Lord.
"You want to talk to Lord Celeborn?" asked Eldarion. Alam nodded enthusiastically.
"Have you two already met?" Again Alam nodded, pointing to the ground in front of him and then over his shoulder. Here Eldarion was a little stumped. He glanced up at Óliel for a translation.
"They met yesterday," she supplied. Eldarion nodded and stood from the table. Once Alam was also on his feet, the pair zigzagged through those gathered for breakfast. Reaching the table where Celeborn sat with Glorfindel, Rúmil and the twins, Eldarion held back while Alam tapped Celeborn's shoulder. Celeborn looked round and his fair face split into a wide smile at the sight of the youngster.
"Good morning, pen dithen," he said shifted to allow Alam to sit between himself and Glorfindel. Alam signed a welcome in return. little one
"Did you sleep well?" Alam nodded. He then pointed over to his mother and signed crying whilst sleeping.
"She is missing your father," replied Celeborn. "The next time you see her crying, why don't you give her a hug?" Alam smiled and nodded his agreement.
"Celeborn, how is it you only had one child?" asked Glorfindel, who had sat in amazement, watching Celeborn hold a conversation with the mute Adan.
"Define child," replied Celeborn. "My only child by blood was Celebrían but I also had Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin. Then of course there were both sets of Elrond's twins and Arwen."
"Glorfindel's not included in that group?" asked Eldarion, reaching over to steal a rasher of bacon from Elrohir's plate and splitting it with Alam. Celeborn laughed while Glorfindel scowled at the Prince. Elrohir was busy spluttering his protests at the thieving of his breakfast and promptly stole from Rúmil, who yelped. Elladan cleared his throat, pretending that he was responsible. Needless to say, Elrohir and Rúmil ignored him and continued to mess around like the Elflings they most certainly were not. Alam, while not entire sure who was who, concluded that Glorfindel was the Elf with the blonde hair, since he was the one not looking pleased at the statement. He chewed the piece of bacon Eldarion had given him, wondering what the Elf was going to do to his new friend.
"What?" asked Eldarion, taking a bite of the meat in his hand. "You are as much of a troublemaker as my uncles. If Ada is to believed, you are the brains behind half of the stunts they pulled as children."
"And Estel would know this how?" asked Glorfindel.
"Their stories," shrugged Eldarion. "Alam are you happy to stay here? I want to go and look for my Guardian."
Alam cocked his head. "Rúmil's brother," clarified Eldarion, pointing to the younger Lórien brother who was still arguing with Elrohir. Alam's eyes lit up in recognition. He touched Celeborn's hair, signed 'archer' then, to Eldarion's consternation, someone who was withdrawn.
"That's him," he agreed. "Do you want to stay here or come and help me look?" Alam made himself more comfortable beside Celeborn, resting his head against the Elf's chest. Eldarion glanced up at Celeborn, just to confirm that he didn't have a problem with the arrangements.
'Haldir needs you more than Alam,' murmured Celeborn. 'He has not spoken to anyone since he arrived back, other than to deliver his report to Estel.' Eldarion's eyes widened and his gut twisted with guilt as he looked at Celeborn in alarm. Had he been ignoring his Guardian in all the chaos of the refugee resettlement? With a quick incline of the head, Eldarion turned on his heel and ran from the hall.
'Haldir? Are you in there?' asked Eldarion, knocking on the door to the room the Lórien brother's had been given for the duration of their stay. When he received no answer, he gently pushed open the door a fraction. Haldir was indeed in the room, curled up on the window seat, gazing out over the gardens and allowing what breeze that entered the room to toy with his hair.
'Haldir, what's wrong?' asked Eldarion, as he moved over to the window.
'What makes you think something is wrong?' asked Haldir.
'Well, according to Daerada, you haven't been speaking to anyone since you came back and Alam told me that you were rather withdrawn when you were on the journey,' said Eldarion, sitting on the seat. 'And Rúmil mentioned something the night you came back.' grandfather
'I wasn't withdrawn, I was focused,' retorted Haldir turning his attention away from the window. 'We had at least a hundred people to move so I am sorry if I didn't pay more attention to a mute child!'
'I don't think Alam was fussed that you weren't talking to him. It was merely how he recognised who I was talking about,' replied Eldarion. 'And now that you have just snapped at me, I know that something is wrong. What is it?'
Haldir sighed. 'It is a never ending cycle. I believed, along with so many of my people, that once Sauron was conquered, then the world would return to the way things once were, but once again the dream is beginning to shatter. Edain ruined this world once with their desire for more. More wealth, more power, and they are doing it again!'
'Yet you still associate with us. You still love us and care about us. If we were that terrible a race, you would left these shores for Aman long ago,' replied Eldarion, folding his arms and resting against the wall.
'That is not an option for me and you know it!' hissed Haldir.
'I am keeping you here? I can assure you that I am not,' responded Eldarion, his eyes widening. 'Yes I would miss you were you to go, but I would understand. You would not be the first person to leave me for the Blessed Realm.'
'Eldarion I didn't mean……'
'You still implied it Haldir,' snapped back Eldarion, his temper beginning to get the better of him. 'I will leave you to your thoughts.'
With that Eldarion slid of the window seat and marched out of the room, to collide with Rúmil, who was making his way back from the hall.
'Eldarion? Eldarion, what's the matter?' he asked, catching Eldarion's shoulder in order to prevent his fall. Eldarion scowled at the Lórien archer.
'Your brother is under the impression that I am keeping him away from Aman,' responded Eldarion. Rúmil stared at the youth, his mouth hanging open.
'When did he say that?'
'A matter of minutes ago,' replied Eldarion. 'I am taking Suldal for a ride. Tell my father not to expect me back until sun down.'
Rúmil nodded, his attention not entirely fixed on Eldarion. Once Eldarion had rounded the corner, Rúmil snapped back to reality and focused his attention on the door to their room. Clearing his throat, he marched into the room preparing to act the big brother once again.
As Eldarion marched towards the stables, Alam, who was exiting the hall in order to find him, tried to get his attention. Eldarion however had blocked out everything and everyone around him, concentrating only on his goal of Suldal's stable box. Alam was about to chase after Eldarion when Túnír, who had also seen Eldarion march past in a foul mood, quickly caught his arm.
"No. It is better that he calm down first," said Túnír. Alam turned to Túnír and made several gestures in quick succession. He appeared to be asking whether Eldarion would hit him if he had followed.
"Eldarion doesn't hit people, especially children," assured Túnír. "But he does shout. I wonder what it is that has him so riled up?"
(He went to speak to his Guardian,) said Alam. Túnír's eyes widened and stared at his friend's retreating back.
"What are you finding so interesting?" asked Tarcil as he limped towards the pair, refusing anyone's aid. Arahael walked beside him ready to catch the stubborn ranger commander should he stumble.
"Eldarion has just stormed off in a temper," replied Túnír.
"That cannot be a good sign," said Arahael. "Where has he come from?"
"From seeing Haldir apparently," replied Túnír, rubbing the back of his head.
"Aren't he and Haldir usually in accord with each other?"
"Eldarion literally threw himself at Haldir when he arrived a fortnight ago," said Túnír. "And I have yet hear him say a bad word against him."
(Even brother's fight) signed Alam.
"True, but it takes a lot to rile Eldarion," replied Arahael.
(What can we do?) asked Alam, eager to help his new friend.
"Nothing. We wait from him to come to us," replied Túnír. Alam sighed but nodded in understanding.
'Care to explain why you said that to Eldarion?' asked Rúmil, resting against the wall facing Haldir.
'Said what?' asked Haldir as he watched Sam bustle about the gardens below.
'That you are still here because of him. That he is the reason you choose not to leave,' specified Rúmil.
'It sounds so much better when you say it,' muttered Haldir. 'I didn't make it sound like a compliment.'
'But why did you say it?'
'Because it is true. There is no ship that will bear me hence while I am bound to Eldarion,' said Haldir.
'You are not bound to him by anything but a promise made to Kalya and even then you are not official charge and Guardian. Do you wish to leave Arda?' asked Rúmil, setting himself down on the seat. Haldir sighed.
'No. The Sea has never held any longing for me,' replied Haldir.
'Then why?' asked Rúmil in total confusion.
'Honestly, I have no idea,' replied Haldir. 'I was busy bemoaning the fact that evil has not left Arda even after Sauron was destroyed and that it was the Edain had a large part to play in that. Eldarion said something about me still being willing associate with them and that I would have left these shores if I didn't. I snapped and well…you know the result.'
Rúmil stood up, 'He has left the City until sunset. By that time, I want you ready to talk to him. I am not saying apologise, Eldarion simply misunderstood something you have said, but you are going to talk to him and make him see the error of his understanding. Am I making myself clear?'
'Perfectly,' replied Haldir.