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.
Notes: As ever, for SayAye, with love.
Chapter
5
Lindir did not linger long with the brothers, and without so much
as taking any breakfast was gone, with only the rather feeble
excuse that he needed to practise. He was clearly discouraged
by the news and both brothers felt sorry for the minstrel. All
of a sudden, Haldir banged his teacup down with such force that
Orophin visibly jumped. Looking over at his brother, Orophin’s
confusion grew as Haldir stood up and shoved his chair back so
hard it almost toppled over.
“Where
are you going?” he asked, looking at his brother’s
only half-eaten breakfast.
“To
shake some sense into our stubborn brother,” Haldir snapped,
before turning on his heel and storming out of the hall. Shocked
at the display of temper, Orophin got up and hurried after him.
He had a feeling that things could get unpleasant.
As
they hurried down the halls, Orophin mused on the situation.
Haldir had clearly taken a liking to Lindir, as had he. He only
hoped that they weren’t pushing things too far; there
was no guarantee that Lindir was ‘the one’ for Rúmil,
after all. However, Orophin had to agree that the minstrel deserved
every chance. His persistence had earned him that.
Barging
into Rúmil’s room, Haldir stalked over to where
his brother sat on the bed. Rúmil looked up in surprise
at the sudden entry, watching Haldir in confusion as he came
over.
“Haldir?”
He started to look worried, seeing his older brother’s
expression.
“What
in Eru’s name is wrong with you?” Haldir demanded
without any preamble.
Rúmil’s
look swiftly changed to annoyance. “There is nothing wrong
with me,” he insisted, curling a little further into the
rumpled blankets.
“Yes
there is,” Haldir insisted. “Not far from here there
is a very disappointed minstrel who had hoped to see you this
morning, not be rebuffed by your brothers on your behalf!”
This
remark only caused Rúmil to inch further away from his
irate brother. “That is his own fault,” he insisted
stubbornly.
Haldir
loomed over his brother, forcing the younger Elf to look up
at him with wide eyes. “No, Rúmil,” he said,
his voice dangerously low, “it was not. Lindir did not
pry your mouth open and force the wine down your throat. You
drank it of your own free will. It was not his responsibility
to tell you that you were drinking too much – indeed,
he may even have been relieved that it was making you open up
a little! He likes you, Rúmil – though Eru only
knows why – and if you let him slip through your fingers
then you are a bigger fool than I had ever thought you could
be!”
His
tirade finished, Haldir glared down at his brother, but Rúmil
only looked away, offering no reply. Shorting in disgust, Haldir
shook his head and stormed out of the room, slamming the door
behind him.
A
hush fell as Rúmil stared down at the covers and Orophin
stood awkwardly nearby. After a few minutes, he went and perched
on the edge of Rúmil’s bed. “He is right,
you know,” he said gently. “He could have put it
better, I admit, but he spoke the truth. You cannot blame Lindir.
Please, Rúmil – do not walk away from this chance.
Maybe it won’t work between you – but don’t
let that be from lack of trying.”
Staring
at the blankets, Rúmil took in his brother’s words.
Finally he sighed and lifted his head to meet Orophin’s
eyes. “How can I face him after last night? It was humiliating.”
Orophin
shook his head. “He does not care about that. He cares
more that you will not see him.”
Rúmil
let out a long sigh. He should have known better than to stare
at the minstrel as he had, especially in such a public place,
and get himself into this situation. Yet the last time he had
seen Lindir the circumstances had been very different and he
had been unable to avoid looking to see how the Elf now fared.
“He
may not care, but I do.” Rúmil replied. “I
am still haunted by it.”
It
was Orophin’s turn to look annoyed. “Rúmil,”
he said firmly. “You are a warrior. Cowardice does not
become you.” Taking his brother’s hand, he tugged
him towards the edge of the bed. “For the love of Eru,
get up, bathe, make yourself presentable and then go and find
Lindir. Trust me, by this evening things will seem better.”
He looked firmly at his brother and barely suppressed a cry
of victory when Rúmil heaved a resigned sigh and dragged
himself from the bed.
“I’ll
see to that bath,” he grinned, dashing off before Rúmil
could even think of another protest.
****************
It
was not too much later when Rúmil found himself in the
courtyard, scanning the area for his companion of the previous
evening. The courtyard was nearly deserted at this time of day
and a quick glance told him that Lindir was not present. Laeriel,
however, was. Rúmil took a step backwards, intending
to leave, but Orophin coughed behind him. He sighed –
he would never get any peace until he satisfied his brother.
Slowly,
he approached the Mirkwood minstrel. “Excuse me,”
he mumbled, “have you seen Lindir?”
Despite
her surprise at being approached, Laeriel smiled. “I saw
him earlier, but he went for a walk by the river. Perhaps he
is still there.”
“Thank
you,” Rúmil muttered, forcing a smile. “I
will look there.” Quickly he hurried away, a blush staining
his cheeks.
Watching
him go, Laeriel smiled. “Perhaps there is hope yet,”
she murmured.
******************
It
had taken some considerable effort, but Rúmil had managed
to convince Orophin that his presence was not required and that
he would see the task through. If he was going to do this, he
could not bear the embarrassment of being watched by his younger
brother.
Still,
he did not hurry on his way to the river, instead running his
mind over what to say. He really had no idea – this, like
many other things in life, was utterly outside his realm of
experience. He wasn’t even sure how he felt about Lindir,
all he knew was that the minstrel was turning his world upside
down. He had not opened himself up enough to allow his heart
to feel anything more than curiosity.
The
long river stretched for several miles and Rúmil had
no way of knowing at which point his target would be. Wandering
down the path from the palace, he glanced both left and right,
trying to determine the most likely direction. Experienced eyes
scanned the ground, looking for even the faintest sign of the
minstrel’s passage.
After
several minutes he finally found a light trail, the grass being
slightly more dented along to the right. It was faint indeed,
being made by an Elf, but it was there nonetheless. True, it
could have belonged to the feet of another, but Rúmil
could see no other trails, making it likely that only one had
passed by here recently. Turning to the right, he made his way
along the riverbank, keeping watch for the one he sought.
It
was as he followed the river round a deep bend, that he finally
found Lindir. The minstrel was sitting on the bank and had removed
his shoes, allowing his feet to dangle in the cool water. His
eyes were closed as he leaned back and he seemed quite relaxed.
Rúmil
knew he should make his presence known, but he could not resist
simply watching for a few moments. He’d not yet had the
opportunity to simply observe Lindir so closely without the
other noticing. Now that he could, he was able to see no signs
of the trauma the Elf had suffered centuries ago. Instead he
saw a tall, attractive, talented Elf, who was quite content
in his life.
Attractive?
The thought had come to mind almost before he could register
it and it surprised him, causing him to look again at the Elf
by the riverbank. Lindir was pleasing to the eye, Rúmil
had to admit to himself. The attention he’d bestowed on
him was pleasant too… if unnerving. He had always shied
away from attention, yet deep down he was both amazed and flattered
that Lindir had chosen him as the object of his affections.
Finally
he knew he could watch no longer – not in the least because
Orophin would have his hide if he didn’t go through with
his promise. Approaching slowly, he took a deep breath before
calling out softly.
“Lindir?”
***********
His
attention mostly on the river, Lindir was not expecting the
soft call. When it came, he jumped in surprise, looking towards
the source. Seeing Rúmil standing there, half-hidden
by the trees, his heart leapt in hope.
“Rúmil,
good morning.” He kept his voice soft despite his hope,
speaking as though he was trying not to spook a frightened animal.
Whatever had brought Rúmil here, he did not want to ruin
it.
“Good…
good morning.” Rúmil squirmed uncomfortably as
Lindir stared at him.
“Would
you like to sit with me?” Lindir offered. “It is
a perfect day for enjoying the woods and the river.”
Chewing
his lip, Rúmil nodded and slowly made his way forward.
A short distance from Lindir he stopped, dropping gracefully
into a sitting position. He was not quite close enough to touch,
but it was the closest he’d come of his own free will
and Lindir was pleased.
“Were
you looking for me?” Lindir asked, unable to quite keep
the optimism from his voice.
Rúmil
nodded again and paused before replying. “I… wanted
to… apologise… for my actions last night,”
he mumbled, staring at the ground.
Lindir
wondered how much of this apology was due to the actions of
Haldir and Orophin, but he wisely said nothing. At least Rúmil
was here and without a sibling escort. “Do not trouble
yourself over it,” he assured the nervous Elf. “I
had a good night and I enjoyed your company.”
“You
did?” Rúmil sounded incredulous at such a suggestion.
“I
did,” Lindir affirmed. “You are a nice Elf, Rúmil,
do not ever think otherwise. It is not necessary to be loud
and outgoing to be liked.”
Rúmil
looked down as he blushed brightly and played with a leaf that
drifted by on the breeze. “Thank you,” he muttered,
lost for words. No one outside his family had ever said such
things to him.
Slowly
and carefully, Lindir edged closer. When Rúmil showed
no signs of fleeing, he reached out and laid a hand on the Lórien
Elf’s shoulder. “It is only the truth,” he
said gently. “I do like you, Rúmil, and wish to
be your friend. Will you allow that?”
There
was a long pause, while Rúmil considered the question.
Finally he looked up and there was a small smile on his face.
“Yes,” he said simply.
Lindir
resisted the urge to shout for joy at Rúmil’s acceptance.
It was not what he truly wanted, his feelings going somewhat
deeper than friendship, but it was a start.
“I
am glad to hear that,” he said, squeezing Rúmil’s
shoulder lightly.
It
was definitely a start.
END
CHAPTER 5
