Title:
Guardian Angel
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Pairing: Rúmil/Lindir
Rating: PG13
Beta: Eni
Summary: Lindir finally meets his guardian angel.
Warnings: A little angst, mostly sweet fluff.
Chapter
3
Other than on the battlefield, it was a rare thing indeed to see
Rúmil angry. However, it did happen on occasion and this,
unfortunately for his brothers, was one of those times.
“How
could you do this to me?” he seethed, glaring at his brothers
and Orophin in particular as they stood before him in Haldir’s
room.
“Rúmil,
please calm yourself!” Orophin implored. “We were
only trying to help!”
“How
so, by embarrassing me half to death?” Rúmil visibly
bristled, though there was an undercurrent of fear in his voice.
“Of
course not,” Orophin protested. “Rúmil, be
honest – when was the last time someone expressed a desire
to court you?”
Rúmil
looked furiously at Orophin, but did not answer as shame crept
up on him. No one had ever expressed such a desire before and
he had never found the courage to approach any who caught his
eye.
Seeing his
brother’s misery, Orophin sighed. “You are not unattractive,
Rúmil,” he said, “but you are so timid that
you often get lost in the crowd. “You deserve someone
nice in your life, who can give you more than a brother’s
love. The minstrel seems nice – and certainly willing
to make an effort. Please, just try?”
“We
will help you get ready and will stay nearby, if you wish it,”
Haldir added. “This will be good for you.”
“You
did not even ask his name!” Rúmil argued. “How
is that caring?
“His
name is Lindir.” Orophin supplied, a little too helpfully.
“I heard one of the other minstrels talking to him.”
Rúmil
shoulders slumped. He had never been able to stand up to his
brothers, especially when they were working together. “As
you wish,” he said dejectedly.
Orophin
hugged his older brother warmly. “It will not be so bad,
Rúmil, you will see!” he promised. The look Rúmil
gave him in return showed that he was not so sure about Orophin’s
prediction.
****************
Lindir fussed
over his robes as he checked his reflection in the large mirror.
He had bathed and washed and carefully styled his hair, before
dressing in his best robes. While he did not wish to overwhelm
Rúmil, he did want to make an impression on the timid
Elf. He only hoped his brothers had been able to talk him into
actually meeting him that night, or he’d be right back
where he started.
Smoothing
one last stray strand of hair away from his face, he decided
that he would have to do. Picking up his harp and flute, he
left for the festival.
He was more
confident about playing tonight than he had been the day before,
though now there were new nerves, which were due to the impending
presence of one timid Galadhel. He was glad that he knew the
other minstrels a little now, and trusted in their skill as
they would provide accompaniment to some of his songs. Tonight,
Lindir was out to impress.
Making his
way to the dais he was pleased to see that Laeriel was already
there.
“Good
eve,” he said, smiling warmly.
Setting
down the music sheets she carried, Laeriel turned to the visiting
minstrel.
“Good
eve, Lindir!” she replied, her eyes widening slightly
as she looked at him. “My, you do look splendid tonight,
if I may say so!”
Lindir blushed.
“Thank you… you are most kind. I admit I am rather
nervous… I have arranged to meet Rúmil after I
am finished performing and I wish to make a good impression.”
Laeriel’s
eyes opened wider still at this news. “That is no small
feat – I am impressed! However did you manage it?”
With a sheepish
smile, Lindir explained the events of that morning and how he
had used Orophin’s enthusiasm to get the meeting he desired.
Laeriel laughed in hearing the story, but she had to agree,
it was the only way Rúmil would have agreed to meet him.
“I
hope it goes well for you,” she said. “Looking like
that though, I don’t see how you can fail to catch his
eye!”
“You
flatter me!” Lindir chuckled, taking his seat. “But
I thank you anyway!”
“Silly
Elf,” Laeriel said in amusement. “Away with you
now, I must make ready. The others will soon arrive.”
Nodding,
Lindir turned his attention to his harp, his spirits raised
somewhat by the light-hearted banter. Rúmil had already
agreed to the meeting – all he had to do was not embarrasses
himself. As long as he played well, that shouldn’t be
a problem. Just to be sure however, he checked that his harp
was properly tuned one more time.
************************
At his brothers’
insistence, Rúmil had not worn his uniform for the festival
that night. Instead he was dressed in black leggings and a tunic
of deepest purple. The dark colours went well with his light
skin and hair and were far more striking than the greys he usually
lived in. It also made him stand out far more than he was comfortable
with. He trailed behind his brothers as they made their way
to the festival, wishing for nothing more than to just slip
into the shadows and hide.
Haldir and
Orophin were not about to let that happen, though; they were
keeping a close eye on Rúmil. He was given no chance
to slip away and all too soon they had reached the lavishly
decorated courtyard. Already the area was beginning to fill
up and they hurried to find some good seats.
“Over
here!” Orophin cried, dragging both brothers to a spot
not far from the dais. “We will be able to see and it
is near to Rúmil’s meeting point!” He grinned
at his brother and Rúmil fought the urge to just run.
To say he was dreading midnight was a great understatement.
“Perfect,”
Haldir agreed, lightly pushing Rúmil into a chair. “You
two get comfortable and I’ll get the drinks!” He
hurried off and Rúmil sank into the chair, in a vain
attempt to disappear, not even daring to look up and see if
Lindir was there yet.
Lindir,
however, had been looking for Rúmil almost constantly.
He had yet to find him, though he was not too worried –
he had already realised that the Lórien Elf was very
good at not being seen.
He had no
chance to look thoroughly, for it was time to begin and, following
the same procedure as the night before, played sedate music
until the royal family had entered and given the word for the
festival to continue. After that the pace picked up and it was
impossible to tell one Elf from another as they whirled around
the courtyard. Lindir was quite certain, though, that Rúmil
was not amongst the dancing Elves.
Despite
the lively atmosphere, the evening dragged for Lindir. He was
anxiously awaiting midnight and fearing that at any moment Rúmil
would slip away… assuming he was indeed here. He had no
idea that for Rúmil, time was slipping by much too fast.
********************
As midnight
approached, Haldir pulled Rúmil from his chair and towards
the stone pillar. “Try to look happy, brother and not
as though you are being sent out as warg-bait!” he chided
gently. “You will have fun!”
“I
feel like warg-bait,” Rúmil mumbled, eyeing the
dais reluctantly. He had been quite happy to listen to the minstrel’s
beautiful music, but meeting him was a little too much.
“He
will not eat you alive, Rúmil!” Orophin said with
a touch of frustration. “Now smile, that was his last
song!”
Indeed,
as Orophin spoke, Lindir bowed politely to his audience as they
applauded, then made his way off the platform and down into
the crowd of Elves.
********************
“Good
luck,” Laeriel had whispered to Lindir as he left to meet
Rúmil. Glad of her encouragement, he made his way to
the pillar, hoping his efforts hadn’t all been in vain.
To his delight
though he saw Rúmil waiting for him, looking nervous
but stunning in purple and black. Lindir’s breath caught
in his throat – he had thought Rúmil attractive
before, but now he was truly breathtaking. He almost missed
the presence of Rúmil’s brothers, keeping watch
nearby.
“Good
evening, Rúmil,” he said softly, smiling at his
companion. “I am glad to see you again.”
“Good
evening,” Rúmil forced out, after a significant
pause. “I am… also… glad.”
The words
clearly were not coming easily for Rúmil, but Lindir
thought it was a good start. Stepping closer, he cautiously
laid a hand on Rúmil’s arm. When his companion
did not pull away, he allowed himself to relax a little.
“Shall
we go and get a drink?” he asked. “There are some
quieter places in the far corner.”
Rúmil
nodded wordlessly and Lindir gently pulled him away from the
pillar towards the less rowdy areas, glad that Rúmil
was co-operating, but wondering what the rest of the night would
bring.
END CHAPTER
THREE
