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 30 – Spring has come

Third Age 2805

Haldir sat at the dining table looking over a pile of reports while Rumil cleaned up from dinner. It was custom for the brothers to share chores at home and Haldir had prepared a delicious meal for them both and so the responsibility to clean the mess fell on Rumil. Haldir cast a concerned glance at his brother's back. Rumil had been unusually pensive these past few months. It was not like him to be silent. Haldir was not one to instigate casual conversation but he needed to get his brother talking about something if he was to find out the cause of Rumil's mood.

"I have assigned wardens to escort Lady Arwen across the mountains; three from your company." Haldir looked up from the list, expecting some sort of response from his youngest brother. None was forthcoming.

Rumil continued washing a large serving bowl that only an hour ago contained their dinner. Haldir swore it was the same bowl he'd seen Rumil scrubbing more than ten minutes ago.

"Rumil?" still no response. Frustrated by his brother's lack of attention, Haldir raised his voice, "Rumil!"

Rumil nearly jumped a foot off the ground. Turning slightly he finally offered his brother a response. "You don't have to shout."

Haldir's eyes grew wide at that. "Apparently I do."

"What is it?" Rumil asked impatiently.

"Weren't you listening to me?" Haldir crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair awaiting an answer.

Rumil offered up an apologetic smile. "I didn't hear you. I'm sorry."

Haldir shook his head but his heart filled with concern. "I would think you of all people would want to be sure Eruanna is well protected on her journey home." He turned back to the list resting on the table. "I've assigned you to the company as well." Lifting his head, Haldir saw the same distant expression appear on Rumil's face once more. "What is wrong?" Haldir waited for a response but all Rumil did was stare down at the serving bowl.

Haldir laid down his papers and turned complete attention on Rumil. "Brother?" It was both a question and a demand.

Rumil traced his fingers along the intricate pattern that decorated the object he had in his hand. Eruanna made it for him several years earlier under Marilla's guidance. The handmaiden might be somewhat irritating at times but her talent with clay was unmatched. It was a gift he treasured and a physical reminder of what he was about to lose.

Rumil placed the bowl on the counter to dry and lifting his eyes wearily in his older brother's direction, spoke. "I do not want her to leave, Haldir."

Haldir's eyes softened and he nodded slowly in understanding. He knew this was coming. "I know," he said quietly in reply. Haldir lifted a foot and with it pushed the chair beside him out from under the table.

Rumil sat heavily in the chair beside his Haldir. Rumil was forever turning to his elder for advice but in his heart he worried that this time Haldir's age would not necessarily be enough to offer him counsel. "What am I to do?" he asked simply.

Haldir knew the question was coming but he truly had no answer. The Marchwarden of Lórien had not yet found love and he doubted he would do so before leaving this world. "You love her." It was not a question.

"Yes." Rumil knew it in his heart, in his soul and every fiber of his being. I love her.

Haldir nodded. Then the answer is simple. "Ask her to stay."

Rumil nearly fell off his chair at his brother's suggestion. He'd thought about it, thought about it from the very day Eruanna said she was leaving. He never imagined Haldir would agree. "You think I should?"

Haldir heard the disbelief in Rumil's voice but did not know why his brother would doubt him. "Why wouldn't I?"

Rumil shrugged and the thought that had troubled him most fell from his lips. "It has been the three of us for so long."

Haldir could not suppress a smile. "So it has." He met his brother's eyes and attempted to reassure him. "One more place setting at the dinner table will not destroy our family, Rumil."

"But it will change," he whispered, unsure he had the right to alter his brothers' lives.

"The world is changing." Haldir stated flatly. He'd seen it. The orc attacks mounting. The mountain passes and the roads more dangerous than ever before.

But there is yet light in the world.

Haldir rested a hand on Rumil's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "She has brought you great happiness these last few years. I would not have you give that up." The earnest expression on Haldir's face morphed slowly into one of amusement. "On the other hand, I do not relish the thought of building another talan."

Rumil's brow rose in his brother's direction.

"What?" Haldir huffed. "You do not think Orophin and I will want to be around you love birds day and night. We'll have to build another talan in a neighboring tree."

Rumil laughed heartily at his brother, shaking his head all the while. "I don't know what you're complaining about. You will not be doing the work."

"No," Haldir conceded. All the same, he could not suppress a vision of two dozen elves loudly completing the task, "but the peace of my days will be greatly diminished."

Rumil's light chuckled exploded into deep laughter. Haldir always found the right words to cheer him up.

Haldir kicked his brother lightly in the leg. Eruanna would be leaving in five days time. It was now or never. "Go to her Rumil, now, before it's too late."

Rumil ran to Eruanna's talan. He took the steps two at a time until he reached her door. He hesitated but a moment, before knocking soundly.

The door swung open and the elleth that haunted Rumil's very dreams stood before him. He could not speak. His mouth opened but the words would not come.

Eruanna's joy at the sight of the young warden turned rapidly to concern. Rumil spoke not a word and remained still as a stone carved statue outside her door.

"Rumil?" her eyes questioned. She took his arm and led him inside, closing the door behind him. She looked up into those cloudy eyes, her hands wrapped in his. "Rumil, what is wrong?"

"I…" The words would not come out. He was standing there in front of her but they wouldn't come.

Eruanna lifted a delicate hand to Rumil's face. She'd never seen him like this…not even that day by the lake. Eruanna allowed herself to forget Lady Galadriel's prophetic words these last few months, but she heard them again, echoing in Rumil's eyes. "Tell me," her voice trembled, but she knew already, the question that was to come.

The gentle plea reached Eruanna's dark eyes, causing Rumil's thoughts to explode into words, "Don't go."

It was a cry of desperation, but spoken so softly, Eruanna was not certain Rumil wished her to hear him.

Eruanna's mouth opened, but it was her turn to fall silent.

Rumil's voice filled the room, his courage retuned. His hands clasped Eruanna's upper arms, pulling her close. "Stay here with me. Do not return to Imladris."

Eruanna shook her head, her heart breaking at the desperation she heard in those words, "I cannot."

Rumil looked deep into Eruanna's eyes. There was something hidden within their depths; a secret of which they'd never spoken. "Why?"

He deserved an answer but she had none to give him. How could she tell him? How could she make him understand all that she'd seen, shadows of things that might be? How could she tell him the reason she must leave, when she, herself knew not why. Eruanna shook her head to clear her turbulent thoughts. She tried to pull out of Rumil's grasp but he would not release her.

Eruanna would not answer him and she tried to pull away. It was too much for him to bear. Without thought Rumil pulled her roughly against him as his mouth came crashing down upon hers. All of the fear and desperation he felt at losing her, all of the passion he'd long restrained burst forth. He kissed her, willing her to hear him, to understand what words could not convey.

Never before had Rumil kissed her like this. She could barely breathe, he held her so close. His mouth and hands desperately seeking to possess her, she could taste his passion…his fear, his desire to never let her go.

Rumil's breathe came in labored gasps. He lifted his face from hers, and lifting a hand to her face, spoke words he never imagined saying to an elleth. "I love you."

Eruanna shut her eyes. I love you, too. She would have said it, would have told him, if not for the memory of Elrohir's warning.

You cannot love Rumil and remain in Middle Earth. That choice would doom him.

Eruanna could not say those words to him now, not when the future lay clouded in shadow. She didn't know where her destiny would lead her. She would not be the one to doom the ellon she loved. Eruanna prayed only that one day Rumil would forgive her. "I…I know."

It was not the answer Rumil hoped for…he stepped away as if burned.

Eruanna placed a gentle hand on his arm. Her eyes pleaded for understanding. "I must go with them, Rumil. They need me." The words were spoken softly, in a tone one would use to comfort a child with a skinned knee.

Rumil's heart was far more fragile; her words more akin to arrows.

He turned away so she could not see the pain her words caused him and made to leave her talan for the last time. At the doorway, he paused and his answer echoed long in Eruanna's heart, "I need you."