Stepping out into the hazy morning, Gimli refilled and relit his pipe. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, and then at his eyes. Eventually, he was going to need to find somewhere to sleep, but for now he was content to have a smoke and wait for Legolas to finish reacquainting himself with his friends. He had just found a comfortable spot on the steps when the same four elves he had left inside burst forth from the halls and ran at full speed past him and down the stone stairs.
Silvery-blonde hair flew behind the one leading them out as he jumped over the railing halfway down the flight. Close on his heels were the twins, and Legolas brought up the rear, turning back when he took note of the fact that Gimli was on the steps. "Where are ye off to now, silly elf?" questioned the Dwarf, standing up and settling his pipe on the ledge.
"Come, Gimli! I do not know what is wrong, but Haldir's mood changed to one of sudden worry and he raced from the hall after one word only."
"And that word?" Gimli was making his way slowly down the stairs until Legolas answered him.
"Fire!"
The pair sped around the building, coming to the courtyard. A large oak, some sixty or seventy feet in height, was in flames, orange and gold licking the branches near the middle of the trunk. Legolas did not know why the other three stood at the base, worry etched on their faces, nor why Haldir had stripped off his tunic and tossed it to Elrohir. He was now tying back his hair with a handkerchief Elladan had handed to him as he scanned the area. Legolas gasped when he caught the movement in the tree. "Gimli, there are elves in the tree! Three of them!"
Squinting, Gimli took note of the tree and its inhabitants. "They look a wee bit small for elves," he said, and Legolas nodded. They were Elflings, but near to their majorities. Assessing that the fire had spread through roughly half of the tree, Legolas wondered why they had not called for help.
"Damn your grandfather for planting the trees so far from one another. I can't climb up through fire, nor can they climb down," cursed Haldir when Legolas approached. "There isn't another close enough for me to jump from!" Legolas said nothing, trying to find something nearby that was tall enough to reach those trapped in the tree.
"Couldn't you jump down from that balcony?" asked Elladan, pointing to a spot on the house slightly higher than the top of the tree.
"He doesn't have the time to go back inside and climb all those steps," answered Elrohir, and Haldir nodded.
"The fire is spreading too fast, I can not go inside," confirmed Haldir. He looked up at the house and judged the distances between the porches, windowsills, and decorative ledges. "I will still have to use the balcony." Without another word of explanation, Haldir sprinted toward the palace. He leaped and kicked out his foot, using a low flowerbox to push himself higher up. Grabbing hold of the bottom of the second story porch, he swung his legs up and over the railing.
His ascent continued, and Legolas pulled the twins from their state of shock when he placed a hand on the shoulder of each of them. "You must run and awaken the household! Go!" Neither objected as they ran around to the front of the house. Legolas looked back to the tree, and saw that the Elflings had their eyes on the fire below them and not on the Elf who was about to join them in the tree. "Look sharp, you are about to have company!" The Elflings took note and moved to clear from the space closest to the building.
Haldir landed near to the top of the tree, and grabbed hold of the nearest branch to steady himself. The first thing he did once he had his bearings was to take note of the state of the Elflings. None of them looked injured, which was a good sign, but they did look a little less responsive than one would expect of a group in a tree that was on fire. He then saw the bottle of liquor one of them loosely held, and began to develop and idea of what had happened. "Obviously, you can not stay in this tree."
"We can't climb down," one of them said rather angrily.
"No, but you can jump," Haldir informed them.
One of the other Elflings shook his head fearfully. "It is too high!"
"There are some below to catch you," said Haldir, calmly as he could, and trying to ignore both the heat and the creaking of the tree.
"I won't jump!" the first said, crossing his arms stubbornly.
Haldir looked the Elfling over. Perhaps the same height as him, but nearly less than half his weight, and likely much less than half his strength. Haldir grabbed hold of the youth's upper arm and yanked him forward nearer to the edge. He took hold of the hem of the Elfling's britches and easily tossed him over the side of the tree, where Legolas and Gimli stood below, catching the Elfling just before they hit the ground. "Sorry!" called out Haldir before looking to the Elflings. "So, then, which of you is next?"
The Elflings looked at each other, and the fearful one shakily raised his hand. "I'll... I'll jump, I think," he said. Haldir gave a quick nod and motioned for him to come forward. The Elfling peered down over the edge and whimpered. "It's too high!" he squeaked again.
"My friends will catch you, do not fear. Turn around, lean backward, it is easier to catch you that way than trying to fumble for your arms and legs," Haldir told him. The youth nodded and turned, squeezing his eyes shut.
"I don't want to fall... " he whined, his fists clutching the branches on either side of him. Before Haldir could offer any further words of encouragement, the final Elfling in the tree dropped the bottle he held and moved forward swiftly, shoving his shoulder squarely into the scared Elfling's chest. Haldir looked over the side, making sure that the second occupant of the tree had been caught before turning to regard the third.
"He's my brother. He's scared of everything. I had to do it," reasoned the third. He took a deep breath and took up the position his brother had been in a moment before. "Thank you," he said as an afterthought before letting go of the branch and leaning back. Below, Legolas braced himself as the third Elfling fell into his arms.
Setting the Elfling onto his feet, Legolas looked up into the branches. "Are they all out?" he called up, and Haldir nodded. "Get yourself out of there!" Another nod.
Haldir edged across the branch he had been on, preparing to jump down from the tree. He was distracted for a moment upon seeing the courtyard was filling up with elves who had come from the house, including Lord Elrond, who was being led by his sons to the tree. Haldir readied himself to jump, but a sound behind him caused him to turn, shifting his weight. The noise was from the tree - the horrible sound of the tree dying, a wailing noise that mortals accounted to the fire itself, but all elves knew to be a mournful scream. Instinctively, Haldir covered his ears, immediately scolding himself for this. He faltered, losing his balance. Amid the cries on the ground, he heard his name called out by a number of familiar voices, but he tried to keep his concentration on regaining his footing.
In a matter of a few seconds, Legolas watched in horror as Haldir went from standing near the top of the tree to falling into the worst of the fire, now limply hanging across a branch, arms and legs dangling in the flames. He made for the tree, but was pulled back by Elladan and Elrohir. Trying first to shake them off, he managed to knock over Elladan by sweeping his feet from beneath him, while Elorhir was pushed aside. Legolas was unable to do more than touch the trunk before he was pulled back once more, and this time, whoever was restraining him had wrapped their arms around his and had drawn him against them to keep him from climbing the tree. "Haldir!" Legolas growled when he saw no movement from the elf in the tree. "Let go! Let me get him out!"
"It is too dangerous. Gimli!" Elrond struggled to keep his hold on the Elf while he caught the attention of his dwarven companion. "Take down the tree!"
Gimli did not have his large axe with him at the moment, but was hardly surprised when it was suddenly placed in his hands. He turned briefly to see the Lady of the Woods, pale with fright, before heading beneath the flaming branches to try to hack the thick trunk. His first blow did little more than chip the bark, while the second caused his axe to become temporarily stuck. He sweated furiously, and looked up into the tree, and found himself panicking when he took note of the coloring of the elf. Most would think that a pinkish color was healthy, but not for an elf. He put his foot against the trunk and yanked his weapon from where it was embedded in the tree.
Gimli stepped back with his axe, raising it up so that it was straight up and down. He firmly planted his feet and lined up the blade with the branch where it met the tree.
"This is mad, Gimli, you can not take the branch down with a single blow! Let me climb the tree, let me save him!" pleaded Legolas, nearly sobbing now.
Elrond tightened his grip. "Let him do it, Legolas, he does not have to make the blade go through the entire branch, he merely has to bring the branch down."
Gimli tilted the axe over his back and launched it as he stepped forward with as much force as he could muster. The weapon flew through the air, hitting its mark precisely. At first nothing happened, but after a moment, the snapping of wood was heard as the branch twisted under the added weight. Elladan and Elrohir ran beneath the tree, catching Haldir as he slid from the tree. They scurried away before the branch fell onto the ground, carrying Haldir between them.
"To the house!" Elrond commanded, finally letting Legolas go. Legolas ran to the twins, checking first that Haldir was still breathing, and then back to Gimli. He dropped down to his knees and threw his arms around the dwarf, hugging him fiercely, or at least as well as he could, for the Lady Galadriel had embraced Gimli as well.
Elrond looked over his shoulder to the three dazed Elflings that were about to walk off where they pleased. "You are to follow me without question. Come."
"But... " began one of the Elflings. He was silenced by a mere look from Elrond, and the trio followed behind the elflord. In the courtyard, elves were clearing the area around the tree and had begun to dig a shallow trench around the plant to keep the fire from spreading.
- - -
"How is he?"
"Will he be alright?"
"Do you need help?"
"What can we do?"
Elrond snorted, effectively silencing his sons. "You must allow me to answer your questions before asking new ones. I do not yet know, I believe he will be, no I do not, and you can find your mother, if you please," answered Elrond, turning back to the unconscious elf. As the twins left the room, he felt someone familiar enter it.
"Curse me, Elrond, of all times for me to fall so fast asleep." Celeborn knelt down next to the bed opposite the side Elrond was on. "Tell me what you need me to do."
"Leave me alone, Celeborn, I can only use two hands at a time, and I prefer them to be my own!" Elrond sighed, and put up a hand as Celeborn began to move away. "I am sorry, I should not say such things. You are his father, who more concerned than you, and still, you keep calmer than even I. Help me to undress him, and then, perhaps you could find out where the linen cloths are kept. I have all else I will need in my kit." He patted a large pouch that was on the floor next to him.
Celeborn nodded and began to pull the boots off of Haldir's feet. "Might I ask what you intend to do with the three scared Elflings in the parlor?"
"Return them to their parents, but not before they have been properly scolded. I saw those three leave the reception with a number of bottles of wine and much laughter last night. When first I saw them I should have demanded to know their purpose, I can guess now the results of that oversight."
Shrugging, Celeborn said, "Do not fault yourself. I did not even see them."
"You were drunk," answered Elrond. "That far is better than my excuse, for I was merely lazy. And here is the result," he added, motioning to the burns and bruises on Haldir's body. "At least he sleeps, though I know he would clench his teeth and try his best to ignore the pain."
Celeborn could not answer this, for a number of voices could be heard from the other room. Standing up, Celeborn walked into the parlor to find a group of four elves fawning over the Elflings. As soon as they saw Celeborn, they began to glare, and their words became angry.
"What is the meaning of stealing our children?" demanded the harsh voice of one of the ellyth. "How dare you! This is simply uncalled for!"
"How dare you." Everyone, including Celeborn, turned to see Elrond in the doorway leading to the bedchambers. "How dare you to say such a thing. Simply uncalled for madam is the behavior exhibited by these three disgraceful children this past night. Simply uncalled for is what has happened to the elf in the room here. Simply uncalled for is the way in which you came into this room and acted. How dare you, madam. How dare you." Elrond punctuated the each of the words of his final sentence, eyes narrowed sharply at her.
Raising her head high, the elleth returned the glare. "Never did I think the day would come that anyone would talk to me, first daughter of Síriel and Tűlion, in this manner."
"So you're Taralawen," came a voice from the hallway. Everyone turned now to see Celebrian entering the room, one hand on her only slightly protruding stomach, while the other was firmly upon her hip.
"That would be my name," said the elleth.
"Good. I'd hate to have made a mistake," replied Celebrian, and without explaining further, slapped the elleth across the face with the back of the hand that had been on her hip. "You may be first daughter of Síriel, but I am first daughter of Galadriel. You will do well never to forget that."
Sensing the tension in the air, Celeborn moved forward, stepping between Taralawen and his daughter. "I believe that Lord Elrond wished to have a word with all of you," he said, taking hold of Celebrian by the arm and leading her to the hall.
"Just the parents," corrected Elrond. "Follow me," he said, moving back into the room that Haldir was in. Four elves followed behind him, including one very red-faced elleth.
Celeborn brought Celebrian into the hallway and found the twins nearby with very surprised expressions. "The two of you, go into that room and watch those Elflings. Your mother and I need to take a walk." Elladan and Elrohir quickly went into the room, closing the door behind them. No sooner had they done so than Celebrian had collapsed against her father, sobbing.
"Why did I do that? Why did I say that? I've never done something like that before. I always vowed never to hurt anyone. Never, ever, not ever, not after... " her tears drowned her voice, and she was drawn into a comforting embrace.
"Elves like that are no better than orcs," Celeborn finally answered. "We can only hope this terrible event will serve to teach her better manners."
"But Haldir... " sniffled Celebrian.
"Haldir will be fine. I do not look forward to his recovery," said Celeborn. Celebrian looked at her father questioningly. "Do you remember how he was as a child? A sliver in his foot meant he was unable to walk for a week. A broken arm kept him bedridden for months. For the first time in centuries, he does not have duties that need to be placed first and foremost. He is going to thoroughly enjoy himself, for once he truly heals, he shall claim he still needs at least a month to recover. I can guarantee you that."
- - -
"They are Elflings," the other elleth answered after Elrond had lectured on the importance of being accountable for one's children. "We can not watch them both day and night, and boys will be boys."
"No one has the time to keep track of his or her children every waking moment," added her husband.
"Perhaps you might spend some time learning how to discipline your children," scolded Elrond as he applied ointment to the burns on Haldir's arms. The other father spoke up, lifting his hand to draw attention to the door that separated them from their offspring.
"They are too old for privileges to be taken from them, and do not listen to our words," came the argument. Elrond placed the bowl of pungent smelling salve down onto the bed and stepped 'round so that he was nearly touching his nose to the nose of the other elf.
"They are never too old to spank," he said, deadly serious.
"We can attest to that!" came a voice from the hall, a similar voice hushing the first.
"Elladan and Elrohir! Remove yourselves from that door this instant! You have ten seconds to be in your room!" boomed the voice of Elrond, and two pairs of normally soundless feet skidded down the hall until the sound of a door slamming was heard, and then, nothing more.
"Those are your sons?" asked one of the Elves. Elrond nodded, picking up the bowl once more and moving around to the other side of Haldir. "How old are they?"
"Roughly three thousand years."
"They still heed your commands?" pressed the Elf. Elrond nodded again, lifting Haldir's arm and examining it. "With your permission, I would like to speak with my son." The elf did not wait, and opened the door back into the parlor. A yelp was heard, followed by the sounds of an Elfling being practically dragged from the room by his ear. The elleth who was apparently his spouse excused herself and hurried from the room.
"Go," said Elrond, nodding to the door as he wiped his hands with the edge of the bed sheet. "I have wasted my time and words enough on you."
Taralawen opened her mouth as if to say something spiteful, but thought better of her actions when she looked upon the Elf on the bed. She turned and left the room, leaving her husband standing just inside the door.
"I'm sorry," he finally said softly.
"Tell him that," snapped Elrond. Celeborn entered the room with a stack of thin gauzy pieces of cloth. "Tell his father that," added Elrond, nodding his head toward Celeborn. The Elf's eyes widened slightly once realizing the connection, and stumbled out of the room.
"And my father always said marrying Galadriel would have no advantages," smirked Celeborn as he handed a clean cloth to Elrond.
- - -
When Haldir awoke the next day, he felt better than he had in days, and yet, felt worse. He knew he was being watched, and opened his eyes to see Elrond only a few feet away, keeping vigil over him. The half-elf now stood and hovered over him, lifting the cloths that covered his neck and chest to assess the wounds.
"These have nearly healed," Elrond told him, throwing each piece of linen into a pile in the corner. Haldir noted there was quite a pile there already, and that likely Elrond had tended to him many times through the night. He was surprised at how difficult it was to draw breath. "Your lungs still need time to heal and your throat was burned. Talking will be hard, so do not do so unless you must."
Haldir nodded, and accepted Elrond's help in sitting up. He did not feel his hair down his back, and reached around in momentary panic to find someone had tied back his mane, which was missing a good inch or two. "The ends were burned and Celebrian insisted tending to it. I did not think you would mind. It will grow back," Elrond assured the pouting Haldir.
"It's a bit uneven," Haldir complained hoarsely.
Elrond shook his head. "No talking penneth. You can tell Celebrian you are disappointed with her attempt later. Let me take a look at your back." Haldir leaned forward, patiently waiting until Elrond was satisfied with his examination. He felt fingertips prod his back and his shoulders and then, did not feel them again, but knew that Elrond was still looking at something. It was a few seconds before he realized just what Elrond was looking at. He breathed deeply and exhaled, and Elrond helped him back down once more.
"Curious?"
"Yes."
"Erestor."
"Ah." Elrond pulled a pair of light pants and a loose shirt out of the dresser and placed them on the bed. "You may rise if you wish. Walk carefully, slow yourself down and take your time. We will stay as long as you need. I sent the twins home with your parents already. I did not think it was necessary for any of them to stay."
Haldir considered his options. "I think I would like to get out of this bed," he finally said, and Elrond nodded, helping him up, this time so that he could swing his feet around the side. Haldir pulled the pants up over his feet, then stood with Elrond's assistance to pull them up the rest of the way. He sat again and unfolded the shirt on his lap, aware of the fact that Elrond was looking at him, or more precisely, his back. "I forget sometimes that it is there and many have not seen it, though it is not because I make it a point to be modest." Spying a pitcher of water and an empty glass nearby, Haldir reached out for it. Elrond quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to Haldir.
"Drink slowly," he advised, and Haldir nodded. "You must not have had it very long," remarked Elrond. "Such things do not last with Elves."
"Erestor said it is quite permanent. He has one on his ankle that he has had since after the fall of Gondolin," added Haldir as he handed the empty glass back to Elrond, shaking his head that he did not need any more. He hoped he wouldn't offend the advisor by sharing the secret, but Elrond did not appear to be surprised.
"I had always thought he had to keep refreshing it," admitted Elrond, but Haldir shook his head slightly, pulling the shirt over it. "I suppose I do not know all that much about them, then, but it is very rare for Elves to mark themselves in such a way."
Haldir nodded his agreement. "Erestor is the only other Elf I know of who has a tattoo."
- - -
Legolas sat upon the couch in the sitting room, nervously tapping his fingers against the window. He heard a rustle in the doorway, and Haldir appeared with Elrond behind him. Legolas made to get up, but Haldir put up a hand to stop him. From the other couch, Celebrian did rise.
"Haldir will not be able to leave the palace for another day at least, but likely we will be here for a week. Is that satisfactory with your grandfather?" Elrond asked of Legolas.
Legolas nodded emphatically. "I assure you, whatever you need while you are here is yours." He sighed heavily, and added, "I do not intend to stay once you have left and the party is disbanded. I have spoken to my father already, and will be residing at his inn, with Gimli, of course."
Elrond nodded, then looked to Celebrian. "I am in need of rest," he told her, and she went to open the door, smiling to Haldir as she walked past him. Elrond looked to Legolas once again. "You are planning to stay here for some time?"
"I do not intend to leave unless Haldir asks it of me," explained Legolas.
"If he needs anything, I expect you to find me. My rooms are at the end of the hall, and I shall leave the door open." He gave a final nod to Haldir and then left with his wife.
Haldir studied Legolas for a moment, and then gave a resigned sigh. "I am having a very bad week," he finally said, but his voice was difficult to hear and Legolas could tell it pained the other elf to speak. Again, he made an attempt to come to Haldir, but was again motioned to stay seated. Slowly, Haldir managed to find his way to the couch, and dropped down upon it unceremoniously. "Sorry about Greenwood," he finally said, "I should have said that decades ago."
"Sorry I was such an ass about Greenwood," replied Legolas.
"Friends?" asked Haldir.
"I suppose," answered Legolas with a wry smile.
"Good." Haldir pulled one of the pillows from the side of the couch and tossed it onto Legolas' lap. Without further explanation, he drew his legs up on the other side, and lay down with his head on the pillow. "Tired," was all he said.
Legolas was familiar with the behavior, having seen Haldir and his brothers sprawl across one another on many occasions when he first began to visit the Golden Woods. He told them once he would be one of them, the unofficial fourth brother, and found himself being leaned against, sat on, and used as a cushion on many occasions since then, but after so long, this seemed foreign to him. Even when he had been younger it was not something he was entirely comfortable with. It was also not something he had ever done with his own brother, Ilmendin, but happy memories of times with Haldir, Orophin, and Rumil came flooding back, and he placed a hand on Haldir's shoulder. "Sleep then. I shall watch over you," he told the younger elf.
Haldir closed his eyes, his labored breathing worrying Legolas. Reaching behind the couch, Legolas pulled the quilt that rested along the back of it over so that it covered Haldir. He felt Haldir shift slightly and his breathing slowed. The door opened behind him, but he did not need to look around to see who it was.
"So, did you kiss and make up, then, laddie?" asked Gimli after he had closed the door.
"Not exactly," Legolas said, lightly stroking Haldir's hair. "But I believe we've mended things a bit."
Gimli nodded, walking around the sofa to take a seat on the other one next to the wall. "Good, because I'm tired of hearing you sing such forlorn songs about lost love and all that." Gimli tilted his head, looking over at the elf under the quilt. "His eyes are closed. Is that normal?"
"Normal for Haldir," smiled Legolas. He rested his arm carefully and protectively around the other elf's shoulder.
Gimli nodded, and rested back into the cushions. After a while, he asked softly, "Do you still love him, laddie?"
"More than anything," answered Legolas without pause.
"Ah. That's good," Gimli said, filling his pipe. "That's very good."
It was to these words that Haldir finally fell asleep to.
