Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.

Chapter 25 – The stars tell a story

Third Age 2700

Rumil and Eruanna strolled arm in arm along the tree paths. The festival reached its official ending hours earlier with the blessings of the Lord and Lady, but many revelers remained long after the greater masses had retired. It was nearing dawn when Rumil noticed Eruanna lifting a hand to her face in an attempt to stifle a yawn. She was tired.

It was a strange concept for Rumil to grasp as elves do not tire easily. It was not that Rumil was ignorant of Eruanna's parentage…gossip traveled quickly in Lothlórien, it was only that he'd not considered the toll the day's events would have on her. He felt a rush of guilt at not having noticed her fatigue. The oversight was easily remedied. He bid his fellow wardens a good night and offered to escort Eruanna back to her talan. With a nearly imperceptible nod from Rumil, Orophin moved into position, distracting Eruanna's bodyguard with some amusing story so the pair could to slip away without Marilla on their heels.

The stars shone brightly upon the pair as they moved silently through the canopy. The rays lit Eruanna's face and reflected in her hair. She is beautiful in the moonlight. Rumil thought as he watched the rays reflect in her dark eyes.

Eruanna, oblivious to her companion's appraising eyes, gazed up at the stars visible now and again through openings in the canopy. "Eärendil shines brightly this eve," a statement not needing a response.

Rumil tipped his head upward and through the opening in the mallorn his gaze fell on the ancient beacon of hope. It did appear brighter tonight. "So it does." Eruanna released her hold on Rumil's arm and instead took hold of the railing. A pensive expression appeared on the Lady's face before Rumil's eyes and he wondered what thoughts the stars had awakened.

As if she'd heard the question in Rumil's mind, Eruanna spoke. "Do you think the stars look the same in Valinor?" It was something she'd often wondered. Forever the scholar, Eruanna had taken careful notice of the sky as they traveled to Lórien. The stars looked the same here as they did in Imladris and Mirkwood, as well, if her memory served her.

The stars? That was by far the oddest question anyone had ever asked him. Rumil had lived his entire life in Lórien, and it never occurred to him that the stars might look different anywhere else. "I am not sure. I have never seen any other sky."

"Truly?" it was only after the question was out of her mouth that she realized its tone might be considered offensive. It was not her intent, but Eruanna was truly surprised by his confession. Once, long ago, she'd spoken with Arwen of their travels and it was the Lady who informed her that most elves did not often travel far from their homes. Eruanna did not imagine that such would apply to wardens. After all, Haldir had visited Imladris, she was sure and she knew Glorfindel did the same. It unnerved her to realize that she has seen more of Middle Earth than this warden, many times her age.

Eruanna returned her gaze to the glittering sky. She knew there would be no answer to her question until she reached the Undying Lands.

Perhaps…one day….Eruanna took hold of Rumil's arm again and they continued along the path. They walked in silence until a memory rose to the surface of her thoughts, "Every star tells a story."

Rumil heard Eruanna's quiet voice but he did not know quite how to respond. "Pardon?"

Eruanna shook her head. She looked up at Rumil and seeing confusion in his eyes, gave him a reassuring smile. "It is something Erestor once said to me. I asked him why everyone tells stories about the stars. He said that people don't tell stories about the stars, but rather, the stars tell us their stories. I'm still not sure I understand what he meant by that, he can be rather cryptic at times."

Rumil recalled those same words spoken to him, in his youth. Rumil loved songs and stories of old and had memorized many great lays that told stories of the stars. It was one scholarly interest they both shared. Rumil peered up through a break in the canopy and pointed toward a trio of stars. "Do you know the story of those three?" he asked her, hoping that she would not.

Eruanna smiled up at her companion, "I have heard several. They are quite popular."

Rumil's hopes faltered momentarily. "It tells of Oromë," he added.

Eruanna's eyes widened in surprise, it was not every day she could add a new star story to her collection. "I am not familiar with that tale."

"Then I shall tell you," Rumil grinned, glad that he could share a local myth with the well read Lady on his arm. He drew her back onto the path as he began. "Before the Eldar awoke at Cuiviénen, Oromë, Lord of the Forests, came often to Middle Earth. He hunted the dark creatures that roamed the wilds and kept an ever watchful eye out for the coming of the elves."

"It came to pass, that Oromë returned to Middle Earth during a great storm and when he descended, his belt became caught in Varda's sky. In order to free himself he was forced to leave his belt behind. Varda hallowed it and it hangs there still, reminding us of the Vala who did not abandon the Hither Lands to Morgoth's darkness and never ceased searching for the children of Ilúvatar."

Eruanna smiled, "I have never heard that tale. I shall have to add it to my collection." They continued walking but both parties remained distracted by the stars. One among them held Eruanna's attention. She lifted a hand and pointed it out. "That one reminds me of Haldir."

Rumil followed the direction in which she pointed. He did not understand her meaning. "Why that one?"

Eruanna shrugged…she probably should not have spoken that thought aloud. She knew Rumil looked up to his brother and did not wish to offend him. He looked at her curiously and with a defeated sigh, shared her thoughts with her companion. "It stands alone, not letting its neighbors come too close."

Rumil's jaw dropped slightly. His head rose once more in the direction of the star. It was bright, and a great dark expanse surrounded it before the next light was seen. Rumil shook his head. "He's not really like that."

It sounded to Eruanna as if Rumil was trying to convince himself of that fact more than her. "No?"

Rumil stopped mid-step and looked down into the elleth's face. There was no accusation in her eyes, only concern… but for him or for Haldir, Rumil could not say.

How can I make her understand?

Rumil did not wish Eruanna to think ill of Haldir. There were events that shape an ellon's life in ways beyond the control of even the Valar. It was not Haldir's fault.

Eruanna's nervousness grew as a deep silence fell between them. She hurt Rumil… again. "I'm sorry; I did not mean to upset you. Erestor tells me I often speak without thinking."

Rumil gave Eruanna's hand a squeeze. "Do not apologize. I know that Haldir can appear… distant…to those who do not know him well. It is not his fault." His eyes pleaded with Eruanna to believe his words.

"You need not explain, Rumil," she placed a hand on his arm to reassure him.

Rumil covered her hand with his. "I wish only for you to understand him. Haldir is a good warden, a good brother."

Eruanna could hear the plea in his voice but said nothing, giving him the opportunity to speak further or remain silent. He chose the former.

"It was our adar's death that changed him. He was killed in a raid on the borders. Haldir was with him, fighting at his side." Rumil voice trembled with those words. It was an event which Haldir never discussed. The only reason Rumil knew the details of their father's death was because another warden told Orophin, who, many years later, shared the story with Rumil. Their father stopped a poisoned arrow from hitting Haldir by stepping into its path. In the confusion, Haldir had not seen the attack coming. He never spoke of it, but Rumil could see the blame Haldir cast upon himself for their father's death.

"After adar died, Haldir became relentless, obsessed. He blamed himself for our father's death." Rumil leaned his back against a nearby mallorn and looked down mournfully at his hands. "It changed him. Protecting Lórien and our people became his only reason to go on."

Eruanna understood loss. When her grandparents told her they were sailing she thought her heart would break. This was different. She'd never experienced death...only her mother…but Eruanna never really knew her. The memory of Irimë drew another question to Eruanna's lips. "What of your mother?"

Rumil looked back at Eruanna, his eyes holding a deep sadness. "She sailed west. She wished to be in Valinor when our father returned from Mandos."

Eruanna nodded. It was not uncommon for elves who'd lost a loved one to await them in the west. Eruanna could see the pain in Rumil's eyes and she wondered if he, too, had considered sailing. "You did not sail."

Rumil shook his head. "I could not leave Haldir and Orophin. They were not ready and I suppose…I knew it was not yet my time."

"I do not feel the call of the sea," Eruanna admitted quietly.

Rumil's solemn expression brightened and a smile spread slowly across his face. "I am glad."

"Glad?" Eruanna was not quite sure as to how her sea longing or lack there of should matter to Rumil.

"I am glad that you are here with me and not in Valinor," he explained.

Eruanna could not suppress a smile. "I, too, am glad to be with you."

Rumil and Eruanna walked the rest of the way in silence, each contemplating the words they'd last spoken. It was only when they arrived at the base of the stair that led to Eruanna's talan that Rumil spoke.

Eruanna took the first step to ascend the stair but was halted by a hand on her arm. She turned, and with the added height of the stair stood even with Rumil.

Rumil looked nervously into her questioning eyes. "Will you come to the training fields with me tomorrow afternoon?"

"The training fields?" Eruanna's brow shot up in surprise at his request. She'd thought his suggestion of them being seen at the training fields mere jest. It appeared she'd been mistaken. "I suppose," she responded, "I have been lax in my training since I arrived."

"Will you come then?" Rumil asked, hopefully.

"Yes," Eruanna nodded, "I will come."

Rumil lifted Eruanna's hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her soft skin. "Until tomorrow," he whispered.

Eruanna's heart fluttered at the contact. "Tomorrow."

Erestor's attention was drawn to the stair. He heard Eruanna's approach long before she reached the landing and caught her eye as she looked his way. There was a lightness to the young elleth's step and she appeared happier than he'd seen her in a long time. "Did you enjoy yourself today?"

"Yes, very much so," Eruanna replied while taking the seat at Erestor's side.

Erestor smiled, "I am glad you and Rumil made up."

Eruanna blushed a light pink but in the darkness not even an elf would have noticed. "So am I." She studied Erestor from the corner of her eye. He appeared in far better spirits tonight in contrast to the past several days and Eruanna believed she knew why. "Haldir apologized to me," she watched carefully for any reaction from the old ellon.

"Did he?" Erestor replied in a casual tone.

The act did not work on Eruanna. She saw her mentor speaking with Haldir at the festival and knew he'd had his eyes upon her when Haldir drew her away from the crowd. "He did," she cocked an eyebrow before adding, "whatever did you say to him?"

"Me?" Erestor feigned surprise, "I said nothing."

Eruanna's expression was one of clear doubt. "I saw you speaking with him."

Erestor knew he was caught, but he did not wish Eruanna to believe the Marchwarden only apologized because of him, for it was not so. "He was on his way to apologize to you; I did nothing to persuade him."

Eruanna shook her head. "That is not what I meant." She gave Erestor a meaningful smile.

The counselor sighed, leaning back in his seat to rest his head against the wall. "I might have given him something to ponder while he was feeling guilty."

"What kind of something?" she asked, curiously.

"Just an old tale of mortal justice," he waved his hand, indicating the story was nothing special.

Eruanna's jaw fell open slightly. She'd read several thick tomes containing tales of what one might call 'mortal justice'. From what she could recall, most were not particularly forgiving. "Mortal justice," she repeated with an arched brow.

"Involving wolves," Erestor added, making his best attempt at keeping a straight face.

"Oh dear," Eruanna exclaimed, shaking her head disapprovingly. She looked up into her teacher's face and the humor she glimpsed in his eyes brought a smile to her face. "You do have a talent for storytelling," she conceded.

"So I've been told." Erestor's said with a smirk. The expression did not last.

Before Eruanna's eyes, Erestor expression grew serious. "Just be glad Glorfindel was not here or Haldir would have gotten a real history lesson."

Eruanna could do nothing but agree with her companion. "It is good that you prefer words to weapons." Humor rang in Eruanna's words.

"I am certain Haldir would agree with you," Erestor replied tartly.

"You are terrible!" Eruanna exclaimed, barely containing her laughter.

Erestor shook his head, and as he did so, pulled Eruanna into a fatherly embrace. "No, I'm not," he chided.

"So," she smirked, "did it make you feel better?"

"Truthfully?"

Eruanna nodded.

Erestor allowed his mouth to curl into an impish grin, "I did feel quite a bit lighter after our…talk."

Eruanna laughed at Erestor's confession, though she had little need to hear it voiced. Erestor's eyes swam with mirth. It was good to see him in good spirits once more.

Eruanna and Erestor sat together for a time, content in each other's company. Eruanna's eyes strayed across the sky, stopping at Oromë's belt. She needed to tell Erestor of Rumil's invitation, but was not sure how her teacher would respond. "Rumil asked me to go to the training fields with him tomorrow."

Erestor smiled at the not so very surprising declaration. It was an interesting move by the warden, inviting her to train with him, one that Erestor, himself, would not have considered. It seemed to have worked, if he judged the nervousness in Eruanna's voice correctly, "you told him yes?"

Eruanna hesitated a moment before answering, "I did."

Erestor placed an arm around her shoulder, quick to brush away her fears, "I am glad." He kissed the top of Eruanna's head and stood, offering the elleth his hand. She took it and he helped her to her feet. As they made their way to the front door Erestor could not stop himself from adding one last thought, "Only this time, do try not to injure the boy."

Eruanna answered Erestor's comment with a mischievous smirk, "I'll make no promises of that."