It was, Celeborn mused, rather hard to walk when there was an
elfling attached to your ankle. Especially when said elfling also
had a rather worrying grip on your leggings.
"Rúmil... little one, I need you to let go now."
He tried to coax the child off of his leg, so that he could attend
a meeting with his warriors. Rúmil however, simply increased
his grip, until it was almost painful. By the Valar, but this
child had a warriors blood!
"Would you like a cookie?" Celeborn asked hopefully.
Bribery had always worked with Celebrian. It did not, unfortunately,
work with Rúmil. The elfling shook his head, burying his
face in Celeborn's leg.
The
Lord of Lórien sighed, realising he had been bested by
an elfling. Even if he pried Rúmil off, the child would
cry and the guilt would be unbearable.
"Well then, how about this? If you let go of my leg and
promise to be good, you can come to the meeting with me."
The result was instantaneous; Rúmil released his hold
on Celeborn's leg and held his arms up.
Bending down Celeborn scooped the child into his arms. Rúmil
wrapped his arms around Celeborn's neck and snuggled up, making
Celeborn's heart warm to this little orphan all over again.
Rúmil
and his brother Orophin had come to them barely two months ago,
after their parents died when their small home caught fire.
Living as they did, with just a handful of others in a settlement
outside the Lórien borders, there had been no way to
get aid to them in time. Rúmil and Orophin had been saved
by their eldest brother Haldir – but he had been lost
when he went back to try to get his parents out.
By the time aid had arrived, there had been nothing left but
ashes.
Celeborn
had looked for a home for the surviving brothers within the
settlement, but the elves there were poor and thought they felt
great sympathy for the elflings they could not take them in.
Celeborn’s offer of aid had also been politely but firmly
turned down – it was not right to them, to be paid for
raising children.
So he had brought them back to Caras Galadhon, hoping to find
a family there to care for them. However, he had not counted
on the children becoming attached to him.
Three
days after their arrival in Lórien, Celeborn had found
a young couple willing to offer at least temporary care –
possibly more. But when he’d handed over Orophin and tried
to get Rúmil to go and meet the older elves Rúmil
had screamed blue murder, yanking on Celeborn’s arm and
demanding that they give Orophin back. No amount of promises
had been able to console him and so eventually Celeborn had
taken them home again. That evening Rúmil had made his
intentions quite clear with two simple words – “Stay
here.” The words had been immediately followed by Rúmil
crawling into Celeborn’s lap and promptly falling asleep.
Neither
Celeborn nor Galadriel had been able to resist that simple request.
Though they had not planned to have any more children, these
two were already firmly embedded in their hearts. By this strange
twist of fate, they had suddenly acquired two new sons.
Rúmil
was fifteen, barely more than a baby and almost painfully shy.
He spent much of his time clinging to Celeborn’s robes.
Often in the night Celeborn had to comfort him as he cried for
his lost parents and brother.
At
two years old, Orophin was practically a newborn. Galadriel
had little trouble with him – he was a happy child and
almost completely unaware of the tragedy that had befallen his
family.
A few enquiries revealed that Haldir had been thirty one and
his heart grieved for the loss of such a young elf.
His
mind was still on this and the upcoming Yule celebrations as
he entered the meeting room. The others rose to greet him and
he nodded absently as he settled Rúmil on the sofa at
the far end of the room with some charcoal and parchment.
“Be good and stay here.” He instructed gently and
Rúmil nodded as he began to draw. Celeborn ruffled his
hair and returned to where his warriors were waiting. Not one
said anything about Rúmil’s presence – all
knew of the kindness the lord and lady had shown by taking in
the orphans. They also knew it could not be easy.
“Now,”
Celeborn began, “Let’s get down to business. Yule
is coming and many will be wanting leave. So what I propose
is…” He continued to speak and the warriors listened,
his voice the only sound in the large room as he outlined what
needed to be done.
Several
hours later, the plans for the festive season were finally in
place. It had not been easy to keep everyone happy, but Celeborn
was satisfied that they’d done their best. “Excellent.”
He said as he rose. “Keep me updated on how everything
works.” He turned towards the sofa. “Time to go
home, Rúmil!” He called, turning towards the back
of the room.
The
sofa however, was empty.
“Rúmil?”
Celeborn frowned – where was he? “Rúmil!”
He called out louder. There was no reply; the only evidence
of his presence at all was the discarded parchment.
“Where did he go?” Celeborn turned to his confused
warriors.
“I don’t know… I didn’t see.”
One admitted somewhat sheepishly.
Celeborn was about to reply when a single comment from the Marchwarden
of the Western borders caught his attention.
“Oh
no.”
All attention turned to the warrior as he pointed worriedly
at the door – which was wide open.
Celeborn gasped in horror, for there were steep steps outside
that door, and rushed out, looking fearfully for the young elfling.
It was with a measure of relief that he did not see him. The
down side of course, was that he still had a missing elfling
on his hands.
He
was just about to order a full-blown search when there came
a laugh from inside the room. “Look, my Lord!” One
of the Captains said. He pointed to Celeborn’s chair,
which was covered in a long velvet throw. From under the throw
a single tiny foot could be seen.
Rushing over, Celeborn lifted the cover, to reveal the errant
Rúmil, curled up and fast asleep.
Letting out a long breath, he carefully pulled the sleeping
elfling into his arms.
“Thank the Valar.” He muttered.
“He must have slipped past us while we were talking!”
One of the lieutenants grinned. “He’ll make a fine
Galadhel one day, with such stealth!”
“Aye, unless he falls asleep on duty!” The Southern
Marchwarden replied teasingly.
“Oh, enough of that, all of you!” Celeborn said,
but his tone was light. “I am sure you all have somewhere
else to be!”
Laughing
and joking, the warriors left their Lord, to return to their
duties and their homes. But on his way out; the Southern Marchwarden
paused for a moment, placing a hand lightly on the sleeping
elfling.
“He will be a worthy son, my Lord.” He said quietly,
before slipping out the door, leaving a stunned but pleased
Celeborn behind.
He knew then his fears that the orphans would not be accepted
as his children were unjustified.
“Come on, little one.” He whispered. “Let’s
get you to bed.”
A
short while later he entered his talan and smiled when he noticed
Galadriel and two of her handmaidens putting up the Yule decorations.
“The talan looks beautiful, love!” He said. “Let
me put the little one to bed and I will come and help. But leave
the tree – I think Rúmil will like to help with
that.”
Galadriel nodded, somewhat distracted and Celeborn hurried to
the room that had once been a guestroom, but was now the bedroom
of Rúmil and Orophin.
Orophin
was already fast asleep in his cot; so Celeborn moved extra
carefully, not wanting to wake him, for Galadriel often had
trouble getting him to sleep.
Gently he put the elfling in his bed and pulled the blankets
over him. Leaning over he placed a tender kiss on Rúmil’s
forehead. “Sleep well, my son.” He whispered.
***************
“No,
Rúmil!” Celeborn rushed into the main room of the
talan to stop the elfling from climbing up the Yule tree. Rúmil
already had a foothold on the lower branches and was reaching
up. However, he had not noticed that the potted tree was not
strong enough to hold even his weight and was already starting
to wobble.
Swiftly,
Celeborn plucked the elfling from the tree and set him on the
ground firmly.
He was annoyed, for this was the third time in as many days
that he had caught Rúmil trying to climb the Yule tree.
“Rúmil, you have been told before, you are not
to climb that tree! It is dangerous! Why will you not listen?”
He glared down at the elfling, who shrank away and stared at
the floor.
“I wanted the star.” He mumbled, referring to the
Silver Star sitting on top of the tree.
“That star is not for you.” Celeborn said. “You
know that, and yet you still disobey. I am very disappointed
in you, Rúmil.”
The elfling scuffed at the floor, his little shoulders trembling.
“I am sorry.” He whispered and then burst into tears
and fled to his room.
Celeborn
groaned, he had not meant to upset Rúmil so badly - he
just wanted him to be safe. Running his hand through his hair
he took a deep breath, before heading into Rúmil’s
room.
He
found the little orphan with his brother, who seemed to have
just woken. Typically, Orophin hadn’t cried – he
was a naturally happy child that rarely made a fuss. Those parents
who had heard of this envied their Lord and Lady greatly.
Rúmil
had managed to pick Orophin up and they were both sitting on
the rug. Rúmil had his arms around Orophin and was crying
far more than he should have been from a simple scolding.
“Rúmil?”
Celeborn called to him softly, kneeling down by the brothers.
In response, Rúmil clung tighter to Orophin.
Sitting down on the rug, Celeborn pulled both into his lap,
ignoring Rúmil’s squirming. “What is the
matter, little one?” He asked gently. “You are not
crying because you got scolded, are you?”
A small shaking of the elfling’s head came as a reply.
“Then why are you crying?”
The answer was whispered so quietly that not even Celeborn’s
elven hearing could catch it.
“I cannot hear you, little one.” He said. Rúmil
repeated his answer, slightly louder.
“You sounded like Ada.” He whispered. “But
– but you’re NOT!” The last words came as
a shout as Rúmil tried to escape the truth. He struggled
to get away, but was held carefully in place by the elven-lord
as Celeborn hugged him.
“I know Rúmil; I am not your Ada. No one can ever
replace your Ada or Nana. They loved you and your brothers dearly
and still love you, though they and Haldir are with Mandos now.
But if you would let me, Rúmil, I would very much like
to be your second Ada and Galadriel would like to be your second
Nana.”
At
these words, Rúmil looked up at Celeborn, his eyes wide.
“I can have a second Ada?” He asked.
Celeborn nodded. “We can never replace what you’ve
lost, but every elfling deserves an Ada and Nana. I’m
sure your parents would not want you and Orophin all alone.”
Rúmil seemed to consider this for a time.
“You’d be Orophin’s Ada too? He queried, obviously
worried that his little brother would be left out.
The Lord of Lórien laughed. “Aye, we would be Ada
and Nana to Orophin too! You need not worry about that!”
There
was another pause as Rúmil thought about this, his young
face solemn. He still had his arms around Orophin, who giggled
happily and tugged at Rúmil’s hair.
“You don’t think my Ada and Nana would mind?”
He asked next, his childish mind still fearing rejection from
his beloved parents.
“I think they would be very happy that you have found
a home here.” Celeborn tried to reassure him.
More
silence followed this, until as last, Rúmil carefully
moved Orophin off of his lap and wrapped his arms around Celeborn’s
waist.
“I think you’ll be a good Ada.” He mumbled
into the fabric of Celeborn’s tunic.
Delighted, the Lord of Lórien hugged Rúmil back,
thinking that of all the battles he’d ever fought, this
was by far the sweetest victory.
*************************
Yule
day dawned bright and clear and Celeborn rose early, eager to
spend the day with his new sons.
Galadriel laughed as he busied himself getting ready.
“You are as bad as an elfling yourself!” She teased
as he rushed around.
He grinned at her.
“It has been too long since we had elflings here for Yule!
Ai, I cannot wait to see Rúmil’s face when he sees
his gift!”
“Indeed.” Galadriel responded. “I only hope
you did not try to fit it under the Yule tree like you did when
Celebrian was Rúmil’s age!”
Celeborn blushed.
“No my dear, there are no ponies under the tree this time.”
Celeborn
was spared from further teasing by the arrival of Rúmil,
who was slowed down slightly due to the fact that he was trying
to carry Orophin.
“Ada! Ada! It’s Yule!” He cried delightedly.
Rúmil had, for a period of about a week, referred to
Celeborn and Galadriel as ‘Ada two’ and ‘Nana
two’ until Celeborn had convinced him that his birth parents
would know the difference without needing to be told.
“Aye, indeed it is!” The lord smiled and picked
both of them up, glancing at the elflings’ night clothes.
“Let’s get you dressed, shall we, then we can see
what is under the Yule tree!”
This suggestion was met with much enthusiasm from Rúmil
and he allowed Celeborn to carry him off, wishing, as all elflings
do, to get to the Yule tree as quickly as possible.
**********************
Rúmil
looked delighted as he rode through the woods on the tiny pony.
Celeborn had a firm hold on the lead rein, as Rúmil had
few riding skills as of yet, but he was thrilled nonetheless
as he rode beside Celeborn.
Slightly behind them rode Galadriel, with Orophin seated in
front of her. The little elfling was clutching a stuffed pony,
as he was too young for a real one, but Celeborn had not wanted
to leave him out.
Celeborn
planned to ride to the western edge of the forest before turning
back – it was the nearest border, but would give Rúmil
enough time to enjoy himself and allow them all to work up an
appetite for the Yule dinner.
The
lord chuckled, remembering Rúmil’s confused look
when he had been handed the reins as his Yule gift and the delighted
look when he was told what they meant.
He’d never seen Rúmil look so happy and he was
certain that the gift he had chosen was the right one.
He
turned to smile at his wife, who was gently fussing over Orophin.
She smiled back and lifted Orophin’s hand so that he could
‘wave’ at his Ada. Rúmil saw this and laughed,
waving to Orophin as well and Celeborn couldn’t help but
notice how easily Rúmil kept his balance. He would be
very surprised if his young son turned out to be anything other
than a warrior, for he showed many traits, even at this young
age.
It
was as Celeborn began to relax that Galadriel gasped aloud.
Alarmed, he moved to look at her, noticing how pale she had
gone. “Love?” he asked; his voice full of concern.
“Pain,” She whispered, “near by… someone
suffers.”
Celeborn did not understand how such suffering could occur in
the Golden Wood, but as a rule, Galadriel was never wrong on
these matters. Nor was now the time to question her.
“Show me.” He said simply, hoping that it was nothing
dangerous, for he did not want to put the children at risk.
Galadriel
nodded and took the lead, coming to ride closer to her husband.
“Is there danger?” He asked when she got close enough
to whisper too.
She shook her head, “I sense no danger – only pain
– and loneliness.”
Somewhat comforted by that – especially since he had no
weapons, save a boot-knife – Celeborn rode on, following
his wife’s directions.
Further
towards the borders they rode, into one of the thickest copses
of trees in the Golden Wood. Celeborn shifted in the saddle
– he was attuned to these woods and he could feel the
sadness of the trees. No doubt now – there *was* suffering
here.
“Rúmil,” he said quietly, “Go and ride
near Nana.” He smiled. “Protect her for me.”
The elfling beamed and nodded proudly as Celeborn tied the reins
to Galadriel’s horse.
Satisfied
that they were well away from any unpleasant sights Celeborn
dismounted and walked silently into the trees, searching for
the source of the pain.
It did not take long.
He came across an old tree with a large hollow in the trunk.
Around it he could see the remains of a tiny fire and the bones
of small animals. Slowly he knelt down, to see if he could find
signs of whoever had consumed these animals.
As
he moved towards the tree, however, a deep rumbling growl stopped
him in his tracks. Turning slowly he came face-to-face with
a very large, angry looking dog.
He froze, not daring to move and provoke the animal to attack.
Still, it kept edging towards him, teeth bared.
“Easy,
easy, I mean no harm.” He said softly, keeping his voice
level. It had no effect though and he knew he would have to
make a move soon, if the creature did not back off.
The dog crouched, preparing to spring and Celeborn slowly reached
for his knife.
But a weak voice stopped them both.
“Berio, no! Come here!”
At the sound of the voice the dog stood up straight, turned
tail and ran into the hollow.
Celeborn followed, peering into the small, dark space.
The
sight that greeted him shocked him to the core.
A young elf lay inside, though he was hardly recognisable as
such, so filthy was he. All that could be clearly seen were
his blue eyes, bright with pain. Glancing down, Celeborn found
the source of that pain, his right leg, which was twisted at
an unnatural angle.
“By the Valar!” he gasped, crawling further into
the hollow. The elf looked at him fearfully. “Fear not,”
He said quickly, “I wish only to help you. What is your
name?”
“My name is Haldir.” The elf replied softly, his
eyes fixed on Celeborn.
It
was a good thing that Celeborn was already sitting down, for
he would surely have fallen over. As it was, he stared open-mouthed
at the dirty figure before him.
“Haldir? I was told you were dead!” He cried. The
young elf laughed despite his pain.
“Aye, I should be. But Berio saved me from the flames
when I fell and could not run. He brought me here and he has
been providing for me. I – I kept hoping someone would
come, yet no one did.”
It
would always remain a mystery how Haldir’s entry into
the woods and his continued presence had gone unnoticed for
so long, despite the well-guarded borders. Celeborn, and indeed,
Haldir himself, would later put the whole thing down to the
most appalling luck.
For
the moment though, it was unimportant.
“It will be alright now.” Celeborn soothed. “I
am Celeborn, Lord of these woods. I will help you.”
Haldir’s eyes opened wide.
“Forgive me, my lord, I did not know!” He blushed
at his disrespect.
“Do not worry.” The lord smiled. “Titles are
not needed between us; indeed your brothers do not call me by
such.”
The sheer relief that Haldir felt upon hearing that was almost
tangible.
“They are well?” His voice shook.
“Aye, and if you allow me to take you from here you will
see them – they have been staying with us and I have them
with me.”
Haldir’s
eyes filled with tears. “Thank the Valar. I have been
so worried. Please, take me to them.” He almost begged
Celeborn.
The Lord of Lórien nodded, moving to Haldir’s side.
“Put your arms around my neck – I will be gentle.”
Haldir did as he was asked and Celeborn pulled him into his
arms, noting how terribly light he was. Carefully he began to
back out, whispering words of comfort as Haldir clung to him,
obviously in great pain caused by the movement of his injured
leg.
With
infinite care he carried the injured elf out – and back
to his family.
The
shriek that Rúmil let out on seeing his brother was heard
for miles.
Before Galadriel could stop him, he was off the pony and at
his brother’s side, sobbing loudly as he reached for a
thin hand.
“Rúmil.” Haldir’s voice broke as he
clung to him. “Hush now, it’s alright.”
“I missed you.” Rúmil sobbed, trying to pull
Haldir closer.
“I know, I missed you too,” His brother replied,
smiling brighter as he saw Orophin with Galadriel.
“You
will not be parted again, if I can prevent it.” Celeborn
promised. But I think we had best return home now, Rúmil,
Haldir needs to see a healer.”
Young though he was, Rúmil could see the pain in his
brother’s eyes and he nodded.
“You can make him better?” He asked worriedly.
“Aye, we can.” The Lord replied. “So let us
do so quickly, yes?”
“Yes!” Rúmil cried joyfully, grinning as
he scrambled clumsily onto his pony. “Make him all better!”
Celeborn laughed, gently placing Haldir on his horse before
mounting again himself.
“Aye, Rúmil,” he said as they rode off. “Everything
will be better now.”
***********************
It
had been an eventful day; there was no question about that.
The exhausted Lord of Lórien sipped his wine as he lay
back in his chair. The room was full but silent – well,
save for Galadriel’s snoring, but he was used to that.
All but he were asleep now, at this late hour.
Haldir
was stretched out on the sofa, pain-free at last. His leg was
in a thick cast – the healers had been forced to re-break
the partially-mended bone for it to heal properly. Having been
bathed and fed, he was actually looking like an elf again. He
had already accepted the hospitality of the Lord and Lady and
would, in time, come to see them as his parents, like his brothers
had.
Rúmil
was curled up on Haldir’s stomach, his arms wrapped around
his brother. It warmed Celeborn’s heart to see such devotion
– maybe not all siblings were close, but there was no
question of that here.
As
for other devoted beings – Berio slept on the floor at
their side, ears still alert. He had followed Haldir here without
hesitation and Celeborn, who knew that the dog had only been
protecting the injured elf, had allowed him to stay. After all,
he had saved Haldir’s life.
Orophin
was in the arms of the still-snoring Galadriel, but was apparently
not bothered by the noise. He had become rather attached to
the Lady of Light and would undoubtedly follow her everywhere
when he was big enough to walk – much like he and Rúmil.
Celeborn snickered, that would be amusing indeed!
Yes,
he mused, there was much to look forward to. He had never expected
to have one son, let alone three. The addition of Haldir to
the family was a wonderful gift to them all. In fact, Celeborn
thought, it was perhaps the best Yule gift ever.
THE
END!
