As always, thanks go out to all my readers, with a special shout-out going to those who commented on chapter 46: durinsdaughter2469btw, leward1992, WickedGreene13, Erinnichole1560, Blue1258, Cricklewood16, Doria Nell, leelee202, SarahELupin, AshleyLeigh, Mayrahh, LadyConfidential, SmallLittleCagedBird, blasttyrant, Raider-K, and Rogue's Queen. Also, though they likely won't see this for a while, I wish to thank Ruiniel and HaldirLove for binge reading the earlier chapters.
Your reviews have meant the world to me.
CHAPTER XLVII
THAT WHICH IS NECESSARY
"An artifact of ages past," Celeborn stated as he ambled toward the grotto, Haldir by his side. The artificial recess, situated half a day's march from the western border, had been hewn long ago by the Nandor, in a sheltered gorge through which ran the River Celebrant. Over millennia, vines and roots had encroached upon the wide entrance, partly covering the stone columns on either side.
Nodding to the Elves who had been tasked with restoring the space, Haldir and his Lord strode into the grotto to assess the work that was being done. At present, diffuse beams of sunlight pierced through a natural opening overhead, illuminating the newly-built fireclay furnace beneath. "The Nandor were skillful," Haldir said and made for the center of the space. "Alas, their old forge could not withstand the ravages of time. But as you can see, our craftsmen wasted no time, and the new one is nearing completion."
With measured footsteps, Celeborn rounded the newly-installed anvil and slack-tub, his silver robe swaying with every step. If he was honest, Haldir had been rather surprised when he had learned of Celeborn's visit, for it was long since the Lord of the Wood had journeyed to the borders, and longer still since he had done so on foot.
Now Celeborn said, "I was told that many a blades were forged in this grotto. Now its fires will have a new purpose." The elven Lord's voice echoed over the stone walls. Coming to a stop, he regarded the ancient forge with a rueful expression. "It grieves me to allow such malevolence so near to Caras Galadhon. But these are dark days, and we do what we must. Tell me, any word from your raiding party?"
"At last report, my soldiers had laid waste to a sizeable supply train. The Orcs, I am told, were carrying everything from food rations, to armour and weapons. My soldiers left none alive and are returning home as we speak."
"And these weapons?"
"It is as we thought. Crates of morgul blades. Morgul shafts by the thousands."
Celeborn catalogued the information before raising his chin. "Morgul weapons have no place in this world. And seeing as I will suffer no such item to pass within our city, here they shall be destroyed, by fire and hammer-stroke."
It was the only way.
"My Lord." A soldier was now entering the grotto. First bowing to Celeborn, the sentinel then looked to Haldir. "Orophin's party returns. They are crossing the valley as we speak, and should reach the forest by nightfall."
Heartened by these tidings, Haldir thanked then dismissed the sentinel.
Celeborn said, "It would seem all is well. Not that I ever doubted you." Reaching into the folds of his robe, he produced a small roll of parchment.
"And what might this be?" Haldir asked as he took it.
"The secondary reason for my visit," Celeborn stated with a subtle smile. "It is an invitation, one we hope you will not refuse."
Unrolling the parchment, Haldir recognized the elegant handwriting as being that of Galadriel. As he read the invitation, his Lord explained that he and his wife both felt that he should attend, along with Erynion. "Given the uncertainty ahead, your presence might lighten the hearts of those who have been despairing of late."
"Stated thusly, how can I refuse?" Haldir rolled up the parchment. "You have my word. If peace remains on our borders, I shall attend."
Now that they were in agreement, Celeborn made to exit the grotto, Haldir matching his leisurely stride. A nod to his personal guards and they gathered around him. "I must depart. I trust you will keep us apprised of any development that might arise?" Celeborn asked.
"I always do."
"Well then, may fortune be upon you, and the sun shine upon your path."
As Haldir bowed to his Lord, Celeborn departed, his Elf-wardens by his side.
With a last look toward the grotto, Haldir left the smiths and masons to their work, and took to the trees. In order to save some time, he used an organised network of flets to make his way north. Every so often, he would come across various patrols, nodding to them as he went. Some were keeping watch over the forest, while the rest had been tasked with cataloguing their supplies, ensuring that all was in readiness should the Orcs choose to invade.
Day was growing late when Haldir came within view of the injured mallorn—the one the Orcs had set fire to during an assault last autumn. Part of its skin was still blackened, and it had lost some of its lowermost leaves. But the tree was no longer weeping. Instead, it was now resting, gathering strength. Descending to the forest floor, Haldir stopped by the bole, and noted the small buds that had begun to form where its once shrivelled leaves had been.
Looking up, he laid a gentle hand against the tree. "Ci vaer?" he asked softly, wanting to know how it was feeling.
A moment later, the tree's wordless answer washed over Haldir, like a whispering breeze laden with ancient resilience and no small amount of gratitude. I am healing, it seemed to say.
Glad of it, Haldir smiled faintly at the tree. "Heal yourself promptly, my friend." And then he was on his way.
A violet dusk was falling by the time Haldir reached the wood's outer edges, where the party of twelve was now coming into view. Led by Orophin, the soldiers navigated the forest floor, carrying a total of six large crates among them. Scanning the group for Rúmil, Haldir noted he was at the back of the line, his palm upholding a crate just above his shoulder. Relieved to see his brothers unscathed, Haldir descended a ladder made of hithlain, and raised his palm in a halting gesture.
"Hold!" Orophin called to the others. They all came to a stop, and lowered their burdens with great care. Though no one spoke, most of the sentinels shuddered as they stepped away from the boxes. Haldir did not blame them, for even through the wood, none could miss the aura of evil that emanated from each crate.
"Nicely done," Haldir told them.
Orophin inclined his head in thanks. His tone, however, was unusually disapproving. "The ambush was a success. The Orcs scarcely knew what hit them." By the gaze he shot at Rúmil, Haldir could tell that there was more to the story, that Orophin was displeased. But since they had an audience, Haldir chose to withhold his questions for now. Instead, he ordered his soldiers to take a rest, but asked Orophin to stay.
As the soldiers began to disperse, Haldir whistled for their replacements. A few seconds later, the relief party was descending the trees. As the newly arrived sentinels approached the crates, a few of them actually recoiled before gathering their wits and proceeding as ordered.
"As you know, Morgul weapons are not to be trifled with," Haldir warned them as they made ready to leave. "Make haste but take heed while carrying them."
"Understood," the lead soldier said before calling to the others. "Move out!"
When the relief party was out of sight, Haldir looked to Orophin. Jaw flexed, the middle brother was staring hard at Rúmil, who was now ascending to the flets along with the rest of the wearied soldiers. Though he was facing away from them, there was no mistaking Rúmil's mood.
"I see you are both angry. Do I have to ask what happened?"
"He was reckless," Orophin answered at once. "More so than usual." Irate, he ground his teeth before relaying the entire story to Haldir, how Rúmil had charged on ahead of everyone, disregarding the order to wait. "You and I both know he can be impetuous, especially on the battlefield, but this was different. He is not himself of late."
"Nay," he agreed and could easily guess the reason. While Haldir had not spoken of his likely courtship with Annalyn, Rúmil could read him rather well. When the two of them had joined up at the gates to begin the long walk to the fences, the youngest brother had seen through Haldir's mask, noting his mood—joy and amazement, laced with a healthy dose of fear. Not only that but he had sniffed the air and arched a critical brow. "Who knew you liked lavender?" Rúmil had stated while Orophin remained a little further away, saying goodbye to his wife.
Haldir had failed to realise, until then, that Annalyn's scent had transferred onto his clothing—no doubt when they had kissed on the staircase.
Rúmil had scoffed then, his mouth twisted in disappointment as he had walked on ahead of his brothers.
"He is in quite a mood," Orophin had said to Haldir after a time.
"He is cross with me." So be it, he had thought. For be that as it may, Haldir had made no apologies for his choice, nor would he.
Now he was staring up at the flets, his lips thinning in mounting anger. Enough of this. "I will speak to him." Once Haldir had told Orophin to take some rest, he then climbed to the platform, where he found his youngest brother as he was swapping his blood-stained tunic for a fresh one.
Eyes trained on Rúmil, Haldir addressed the sentinels who were resting nearby. "Clear the flet." There was no need to tell them twice.
"I suppose you have come to chastise me." Rúmil's voice dripped with derision, his motions edged with frustration as he slid a fresh tunic over his head.
Unlike his older brothers, Rúmil had never been adept at masking his emotions. Right now, he wore his resentment on his sleeve, his bitterness laid out for anyone to see.
"You and I might be brothers, but out here I am your Marchwarden. I will tolerate no disrespect."
In lieu of replying, Rúmil grabbed his swordbelt. The buckle clinked as he fastened it.
"Orophin told me what happened, that you charged on ahead and disregarded his orders. Such recklessness has no place within our ranks."
"You wish to lecture me on recklessness?" He looked skyward and laughed. "Forgive me, but that seems rather rich coming from you."
Haldir's blood was so very near to boiling, it was an effort to remain silent as Rúmil went on, "I never thought I would say this, but as wise as you believe yourself to be, you are being highly stupid, dear brother. And for what? That woman will—"
"Enough!" Haldir bellowed.
This rare outburst echoed out into the forest, leaving a deafening silence in its wake. In the aftermath, Rúmil blinked, while Haldir worked to gain mastery over his emotions. Tersely but quietly, he managed to say, "You are cross with me, very well. But that does not excuse your behaviour. You are a member of the Galadhrim, act like you are worthy of it."
The words hit their mark. Haldir saw it, felt it even.
Hands balled into fists, Rúmil regarded him with an icy gaze. "Fine." Two steps took him over to where he had placed his bow and quiver. Then he was walking away.
"Just where do you think you are going?"
A pause of confusion... and suspicion. "To watch over the valley."
"I think not."
Rúmil faced him fully. "What is that supposed to mean?"
A cool wind fanned their faces.
"You ignored a direct command today, and by so doing endangered not only your life, but that of your brethren. Such blatant disregard cannot go unpunished." Haldir squared his shoulders. "Report to the inner flets. Some of our sentinels are cataloguing our inventory. I am certain they will appreciate your aid."
It pained him to do such a thing, to send his brother away like this. But Rúmil had forced his hand.
Later that night, as he surveyed the starlit valley from one of the outermost flets, Haldir was joined by Orophin. As the two stood shoulder to shoulder, the ends of their longbows resting before their feet, a heaviness lay over them.
"It is a helpless feeling," Orophin began on a sigh, "standing in wait as the shadows lengthen all around us."
The valley was eerily still tonight, as were the jagged mountains beyond. The only movement was that of the clouds, scattered here and there before the stars.
"Lady Galadriel was right, you know," Orophin said after a time. "There is light yet in this world, and in the hearts of those who would fight for it. So when I stand out here, my thoughts mired in despair, do you know how I cope?"
Haldir merely glanced at his brother.
"I remember the joys we still have, the simple moments shared with those whom we love. Middle-earth has changed, and as a people we have grown weary, it is true. Yet love remains. And that, more than anything else, is what makes our immortal lives worth living."
Haldir gave a subdued smile. "You are waxing poetic tonight."
"Perhaps, but I mean every word." Orophin looked to the valley again. "Rúmil frets for you, and does not quite understand. But for my part, I am glad. Annalyn… She is good for you. Even if…" This last sentence went unfinished, but the rest was not hard to guess. Even if she is mortal.
Orophin spoke again. "Ever since she came here, I have noted a change in you. A spark that I had not seen in many long years. A spark I doubted I would ever see again." Staring at the valley, he narrowed his eyes and nodded, as if to himself. "You are strong, Haldir. Stronger than anyone I know."
Strong enough to withstand such grief as would follow? Haldir almost said, but didn't. For Orophin was right about one thing. A change had come over him these past few months. And while his future with Annalyn was not set in stone, long-dorment joy had bloomed in his heart.
His thoughts carrying him back to that moment on the staircase, Haldir recalled the panic he had felt when it seemed their story had reached its end. Unable and unwilling to let her go without a fight, he had turned around, not knowing what he would do or what he might say.
But then, when he had seen her, when he had realised she had gone after him, too… A bright, if somewhat desperate hope had flared within him. For there she was, his chance at happiness—however fleeting—with nothing but love in her eyes. Could he truly let such a gift slip through his fingers? After all, his fae had already chosen. If I am doomed to grieve either way…
Annalyn's smiling face came into his thoughts just then, and it warmed his immortal heart.
"Nothing has been decided. Not as yet," Haldir felt the need to clarify. For there was much to ponder, and much he needed to tell Annalyn.
"So you say," Orophin said.
Haldir did not have to look at his brother to know he was smiling.
