"Orophin!" Haldir called out once he was out of the tent.
It was an illuminating conversation he had with the man who called himself Estel. It was even more surprising to know that he had fought as Thorongil in the South.
Oh, rumors had reached even the Golden Wood of Thorongil's deeds in Rohan and Gondor! But he wondered if he should trust the man's words. He looked like a man who could be trusted, but he had also heard stories of the treachery of men.
Back in the dark days, there had been many men who had fought for the Dark Lord. Elves remembered everything. And even though the Edain had fought alongside them, Haldir could remember the memories passed down to him by his ancestors. The elves called it the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. If it was not for the treachery of men, the Free Peoples of Middle Earth would have won that war.
Estel, however, did not seem to be the kind of man who would serve the Dark Lord. Orcs had pursued him here, wishing to end his life, and that meant something. Besides, he had an elvish name and was reportedly raised in Imladris. By all accounts, he should not have any doubts regarding the man at all.
But these were dark times.
Men and elves were estranged in this age, and seldom did any elf of Lothlorien seek the company of men.
Sending word to Caras Galadhon would be a wise thing to do. The Lady should be made aware of the newcomer. She should be the one to judge Estel and his truth. Only the Lady Galadriel could quell his doubts.
Orophin came running to him and said, "Yes, Brother, what did he say?"
He did not wish to go into more detail but summarized what he had learned to Orophin. "Go to Caras Galadhon and inform the Powers that Be of the newcomer. Tell them his name, Estel, and the other one too, Thorongil. Go quickly now. Time's of the essence."
Orophin nodded. He placed two of the fingers of his right hand on his chest and bowed.
Haldir returned the courtesy and wished him good luck.
Orophin nodded, turned on his hips, and raced into the forests towards the west. It would take him a while to reach Caras Galadhon. Meanwhile, he had to keep this son of Edain safe from harm.
Because his eyes could still see the dark figures of orcs roaming the lands around the Golden Wood. They hesitated to attack, but he wondered what would happen if they decided to get over their fears and came at him and his patrols in full force. He would rather they did not.
"Elves!" he called out to the others. "Send for reinforcements. We will need a heavy patrol here especially, but send word across the realm to bolster the border defenses."
Rumil agreed. "Yes, truly you speak, brother," he whispered. "I'll go north and pass on the word. I've also heard troubling reports."
"What?" he asked, though he wondered if he wanted to know.
"Story has it that the orcs are building boats across the Great River. They might want to cross it. If they manage to do that, it won't be only Mordor that we will need to contend with. The orcs of Dol Guldur will test our defenses as well."
Haldir sighed. As if the evil of Sauron at Lorien's doorstep was not enough. Why should Dol Guldur jump into the fray too?