Part: 1b
Rating: Strong R
Pairing: Haldir/OFC
Characters: Just about every other elf that Tolkien created that's in the LoTR books and movies.
Warning: descriptions of wounds
Disclaimer: All known characters are owned by the great Tolkien, all others are of my own creation.
Beta(s): Marta, Kazzy, and Vi
Timeline: 80 years before LoTR and extends to post RoTK events
Notes: I want to thank Marta, Zee, Mal, Kay, Suse, Phyllis, Vi, Novedhelion, and Dorothy for their expertise. Without their input this story would not be what it is today.
This story follows the movieverse.
Summary: With no memory of a possible alliance with Mirkwood, an elleth, lone survivor of a devistating attack, is brought to Rivendell. This is her story.
Rúmil's mind brought him back to the sounds of more elves in the hall outside his room. Rousing himself, he walked over to the door and opened it. From his vantage point he could easily see who was coming. "Mae govannan, dear brother," Orophin called from the other end of the ornate hall. Rúmil smiled while he was being addressed and studied his travel-stained brother. Standing beside Orophin was their other brother, Haldir.
Orophin continued, "We arrived as quickly as possible." He paused, "Any word?"
The sudden silence was almost overwhelming in its heaviness. "Lord Elrond declares she will live, although he did not elaborate on the nature of her injuries." The relief was easily sensed between the brothers. Rúmil looked at his brothers again, "There is to be a feast tonight. I do not think the Lord of Imladris would approve of your attire if you come like that." There was a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"Don't forget yourself, dear brother," Orophin shot back.
"That's enough," Haldir said, attempting to bring them back in line.
"You always ruin everything," Rúmil complained.
"And always so serious," Orophin added.
Haldir rolled his eyes. The senior march warden wagged a finger at his brothers, "Mark my words, this isn't over yet." There was a flicker of something in Haldir's gray eyes, but then it disappeared. It was only after seeing it that Rúmil and Orophin knew that their always serious older brother was planning something.
Closing his eyes quickly, Rúmil backed up and closed the door that lead to his temporary chambers. Orophin wasn't too far behind and closed himself off in his own chambers. The sudden silence that ensued held mirth, not at all like the previous one of concern. Now alone, Haldir let a large grin cover his face as he moved at a sedate pace to his own rooms.
When Haldir had finished cleaning up he heard the bell toll that announced dinner would start presently. Stepping quietly out of his rooms he saw his brothers down the hall with their backs to him, and deep in discussion. With silence born from growing up with the two prank-prone elves, and his training as a march warden, the two younger elves did not know of his presence until he placed his hands on their shoulders. He was rewarded with them jumping and uttering several colorful elven curses as the two whirled around. Luckily for Haldir, they were unarmed.
"Come, my brothers. We do not want to be late!" Brushing between them, he let a small grin play across his face. He could hear their new discussions, wondering if that was the extent of their serious older brother's prank.
The three Lórien brothers stepped through the entrance into the great hall where Elrond held the feasts. The elf-lord had not made his appearance yet, but his sons had. Sitting at the High Table between the twin sons of Elrond sat a young child, apparently human. Orophin turned and gave a curious look to his two companions. Haldir shrugged as if to say, 'who the Lord of Imladris wishes to invite to eat at the High Table is his own decision.'
"The young one seated between Elladan and Elrohir is Estel, one of the Dúnedain, whom Elrond is fostering."
Rúmil turned to see who spoke. He nodded in respect when he realized it was Glorfindel. It was also at the same time the warden remembered the Lord and Lady telling him of the demise of Elendil's house. "I'm sorry, my lord. I did not know he was yet alive," he spoke with confusion.
Glorfindel caught the gaze of all three march wardens before continuing, "Until he comes of age, Lord Elrond wishes the child to be known as Estel."
Haldir nodded. "The Lord and Lady told us the house was ended."
"That is to keep him safe. Once Sauron hears of his existence, he will be hunted for the rest of his life," a new voice joined in the conversation. The four turned and found Elrond standing behind them. "I will raise him as if he were of my own flesh and blood. He does not know of his heritage. I want to keep it that way until I deem it time for him to know of his destiny."
The three brothers understood elf-lord's reasoning. The blood of the Eldar, Edain, and Maia flowed through the lord's veins. Because of that he had a unique perspective on events that transpired in Middle-Earth.
"Ada!"
Elrond looked up and saw Estel with a big smile on his face watching him, then turned back to the small group, "This is the first time Estel has been invited to any feast." Taking his leave, Elrond moved towards his position at the High Table.
"I get to sit at the High Table!" Estel said excitedly with a big smile as he swung his feet. The movement made the chair scoot across the floor slightly.
Oh, to be so easily amused, Elrond though to himself. "I see that, Estel," Elrond said with a smile on his face as he settled into his chair.
With Elrond thus situated, Haldir and his brothers found their places. Even though they were raised from elflets by Celeborn and Galadriel, they were not high born, so they did not sit at the High Table.
"Elladan showed me how to track," Estel nodded excitedly while picking up his fork.
"That's very good, Estel." Elrond smiled.
"And he did quite well for his first time, Ada," Elladan spoke with a smile.
Young Estel seemed to handle himself quite well, Haldir thought. All the elves within hearing were amused by the young one's conversation.
"Was I always like that?" Rúmil whispered in Haldir's ear.
"Like what?" Haldir looked to his younger brother in curiosity.
"Like Estel."
Haldir gazed up to the High Table again and the small child. In his eyes, the boy looked to be about fourteen, but he knew he was wrong. He had not had much dealings with the Edain lately, and definitely not young children. "No," he answered finally. Certainly worse, Haldir continued by himself.
"That's good. I thought I was worse."
Haldir looked quickly away for a moment, hopefully hiding his mirth.
As young children can be, Estel was quite hyper, and Elrond's twin sons were not much help either. In fact, they seemed only to make the situation worse. The only thing that redeemed Estel was the fact that this was his first feast, and he was a young child.
The other elves watched the child with amusement rather than anger. They all indulged the child. Disciplining was left to Elrond. So when the accident happened, for it was truly an accident, there was no surprise. Estel pushed back from the table, and at the same time a server was passing behind with a tray that held food. The child's eyes widened in surprise and fear.
"I would not punish him for that," Orophin whispered.
"You are right, brother. It was a complete accident," Haldir answered as he watched both Elladan and Elrohir help to clean everything up. "He is only a young child."
~~~~~~~
"Come, ion nin." Elrond grasped Estel's hand as he lead the boy out of the feasting hall. Estel had tear stains on his face and was wiping his face with his hand, which only served to smear the stains.
"Am I going to my room?" Estel asked forlornly.
Elrond turned and knelt down to be at eye level with Estel. Using a small piece of cloth the elf-lord wiped clean Estel's tearstained face, "No, ion nin. I will not punish you for being seven years-old, and it being your first time to attend a feast. Your brothers are different. They should know better. Now, blow your nose."
Estel complied, but even with the words of comfort Elrond had spoken his bottom lip still quivered, fat tears threatening to fall again. Opening up his arms, Elrond pulled the child into a hug then picked him up. The child laid his head on Elrond's shoulder and wrapped his arms around the elf's neck for security, while still sniffling. Thus situated, Elrond carried Estel the rest of the way into the Hall of Fire. This was a special day for Estel, for not only was it his first time to feast with the elders, but he was also invited to stay in the Hall of Fire and hear the stories and songs that were spoken and heard. Sitting down in his chair, Elrond placed Estel on his lap, making sure that the child stayed with him and not get into any mischief.
"I'm not sleepy," Estel mumbled against Elrond's tunic a few hours later. The warm glow from the large fire illuminated his features giving hints of the blood of the Eldar in the child.
"Of course you're not," Elrond humored the child while wrapping his arms around him, rocking gently.
"I wanna sta - -" the sentence was stopped by a large yawn as Estel rubbed his eyes with a palm. Moments later, Estel's eyes closed and his breathing deepened.
Elrond stayed in the Hall of Fire a little longer, content to hold his son for the time being while the music and singing swirled around him. Deciding he had stayed long enough, Elrond rose quietly. Hearing a lull in the music, he told them softly to continue. And with that he left the room and headed in the direction of the sleeping chambers of his household.
Reaching Estel's room, Elrond pushed the door open with a free hand then moved across the chamber and placed the child on the bed. Moving over to a small wardrobe, Elrond pulled out a well-worn sleeping set. The tunic was still a little large yet, but the leggings would have to be replaced soon.
Returning to the bed, Elrond went through the process of undressing his son then getting the sleep set on the small body. Once finished he draped the covers over Estel, and started tucking him in.
"I love you, Ada," Estel mumbled, more asleep than awake while snuggling deeper into the covers.
"I love you too, ion nin," Elrond answered softly while finishing tucking him in. He kissed Estel's forehead.
Stepping away from the bed, Elrond picked up the soiled tunic Estel had worn and carried it out and to the soiled garmet basket to be cleaned. After depositing it the elf-lord turned and found Haldir had followed him into the hall.
"I need to speak with you, my lord."
Elrond nodded.
"It would be better in your study," Haldir continued.
Elrond nodded again and lead the way, although the march warden knew the directions to the room. The fire in the large room had almost burned down. With a few pokes and prods, along with several pieces of firewood it was soon blazing again.
Elrond straightened, "What is it you are wanting to tell me?"
"Not tell, show." Haldir pulled out a small round crest. "I found this."
Elrond took it from Haldir and tipped it towards the fireplace, using the flickering glow for light. "Where did you get this?" Elrond looked up from his inspection.
Haldir sighed then sat down on the couch. "It was not something that should be seen. There was an attack, though I do not know how long ago it happened. I thought they were all killed, but Rúmil found her, barely clinging to life. I did not find any orcs, but there were wargs."
Elrond looked in the direction of the Halls of Healing before turning his gaze back to the younger elf. "A pack of wargs hunting for food." Elrond shook his head.
"That is what it seemed like," Though something stopped them. Haldir looked up to Elrond. The elf-lord had not moved from his position beside the fireplace. "Do you know whose house it represents?"
"Yes, I do. There are very few of this particular house left in Middle-Earth. It is of a high ranking Sindar family closely related to Celeborn."
Haldir shook his head, "They were traveling, though I do not know what their destination was." The warden nodded while now rummaging for something. He slipped into the familiar, "Nanneth had me bring this to you." The warden now held out a small role of parchment.
Elrond placed the small round crest on a nearby table, then retrieved the message. He scanned the contents quickly and let out a small smile. He seemed to come to a decision. "Imladris, as you know, is a place for healing. Although you may not think so, you and your brothers need healing from what you have seen and been through. Stay as long as you need. Your Lord and Lady will understand."
Haldir rose and bowed, grateful for the time spent in the sanctuary known as Imladris, "Yes, my lord."
TBC...................