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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar	By : Sienna Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 3294 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar
A Posthumous Writing of The Watcher of Tol Eressea
Book 2: Broniennin Guren
Chapter 6 - Of Quests and Plots

"What do you mean he is not here?" Lisse asked cautiously, giving Gilnoril a suspicious look. She walked around the large table and sat on the wide bench, opposite Gilnorin. Her blue eyes carefully scrutinized her friend's face.

Gilnorin shrugged and reached for a pear. "I told you, he has gone, earlier this night. Said his mistress called." His stomach rumbled and he realized he had missed supper and was hungry. Biting into the ripe fruit, his eyes raised to Lisse's face. He saw her cheeks had reddened.

"Mistress, you say?" Lisse asked softly, feeling her face on fire from anger and humiliation. Her eyes looked toward the fireplace.

Gilnorin did not reply and went ahead chewing on his pear, watching the frustration grow on Lisse's face. One thing he knew for sure, he did not wish to be in Haldir's shoes when that elf returned to Guve. He knew Liwellwell enough to know she did not share what she perceived to be hers, and he had already realized that in a very basic way Lisse lay long ago claimed ownership of Haldir o Lorien. He smiled quietly.

They were seated at the spacious kitchen table where Cook and Briniel normally prepared the Hall's suppers. Yet, it was several hours before sunrise and the kitchen was dark and quiet, the only light coming from the softly glowing embers of the fireplace. At the moment, they were the only two elves about the Hall.

Lisse often rose at break of dawn, and wandered to the silent kitchens for a quick meal of cheese and bread. But this night, for some reason, she had been unable to sleep and decided to dress and head for the kitchens earlier than usual. There, she had chanced upon Gilnorin, sitting thoughtfully at the table, staring unflinchlingly at the dying embers of the large fireplace.

Uncharacteristically, Lisse had asked about Haldir, knowing he and Gilnorin had been working on the eastern slopes of the farm, readying it for the next year's yield. She was curious about Haldir, but did not wish for Gilnorin to discover the extent of her interest in the older elf. She still hadfusefused feelings in her heart toward Haldir and was not so sure she was ready to discuss them with anyone. Not even with her closest friend.

But this revelation that he had a mistress, and one who wielded such power that he would dr Hor Hor House in the middle of the night. This realization rankled her and made her furious. Why should that be so she did not know, only that she was weary of Haldir's treatment of her as if she were less than nothing in his life.

He had once told her they would always be friends, she knew he cared for her. Was this how he treated those he loved best? With a loud harrumph, she shifted on the bench and turned her eyes onto Gilnorin's bent head. The soft red light of the embers reflected against his hair.

"Is there more to this, than that he simply left because his mistress called?" Lisse sat closer to Gilnorin, placing a sarcastic emphasis on the word mistress, and watched his profile.

Gilnorin turned to look at Lisse just then and he shook his head, "Nay, save he asked me to tell you that he will be back before end of Summer." He watched Lisse's face for a reaction.

Nodding, Lisse's face remained impassive. "I had expected this." She reached for a pear too and rubbed it thoughtfully, her eyes fixed on an imaginary fleck of dust on the table.

"He has done this before. Comes and goes at a whim." She bit into the pear and chewed silently.

"Mistress, eh?" She repeated softly, her eyes slowly meeting Gilnorin's. "How is it that he found the time to take on a mistress, but finds not the time for his friends in well over twenty years?" She asked softly, her voice bitter.

Gilnorin opened his mouth to tell her she was assuming too much and was probably wrong, but thought the better of it. Let Haldir explain his mysteries to Lisse, if and when he wanted to. Gilnorin was not about to become involved in whatever vortex was beginning to whirl around Lisse and Haldir.

"Not at all", he thought. He had a young lover to tend to. Once whose gentle affection was sufficient to keep his attention fixed elsewhere. And with this thought in mind, Gilnorin rose and bid Lisse a goodnight.

Lisse watched her friend depart, her own thoughts fixed aldialdir, wondering who this mistress may be. But in a few moments, she had convinced herself that nothing and no one ever changes and with a slight disappointed shrug, she returned to her chamber and changed into a riding outfit. She had the northern fences to check this day, and thoughts of Haldir and his love life would not mend fences. In moments, she had pushed thoughts of Haldir out of her mind, but not for long.

~*~*~*~

Later that same day while Lisse rode out to the nothern borders of her lands, Rumil and Orophin o Lorien arrived in Alqualonde, eagerly seeking news of their older brother, Haldir. They had been gone from the city for nearly two years this time and desired to make contact with Haldir before they were reassigned.

Their reports filed, Orophin headed toward the Guild Hall in search of the Guild Captain Korthin, whom he knew was a great friend of Haldir's. Orophin knew that if anyone had information as to his brother's whereabouts, it would Korthin.

Once he had arrived at the Guild Hall, he was escorted to Korthin's office. The dark-haired Captain rose and greeted the blonde Orophin.

"Hail, well met, Orophin!" Korthin motioned for Orophin to sit. "And where is your brother, Rumil?"

Orophin smiled, "Discovering what our next assignment will be, and no doubt attempting to wrangle one closer one Alqualonde." Orophin's smile was kind for he knew Rumil had reason to wish to be assigned closer to the city. It came by way of one very comely, dark-haired, black-eyed Telerin maiden named Elhariel.

Korthin nodded, "Ah, yes, 'tis been near two years, has it not, since you last visited the city?"

Orophin nodded, "For this reaI amI am come to you to ask you of my brother, Haldir's, whereabouts."

Korthin's dark gaze rested on the youthful countenance of a smaller version of Haldir himself.

Orophin continued, unaware of the other elf's scrutiny. " "Tis been over twenty years we last saw him. Have you reports to his whereabouts?"

Korthin sighed and sat back, "I would ask you the same, Orophin of Lorien".

Orophin frowned, "Is something amiss?" His blue eyes clouded witrry.rry.

"Yes," answered Korthin gravely, "Your brother disappeared nearly a year ago. We've had no sightings, nor reports, no intelligence from him in all this time. His lodge on the southern shores of the Shadowy Sea has long been abandoned and his flet near the Gliding River shows non ofn of use for longer than that." Korthin's voice was tired.

Orophin stood and his fair face was creased with worry. "But how can that be?" He exclaimed, his gaze hard as he looked upon the Guild Captain. "How can that be?"

Slowly, Korthin stood, "I do not know. Our last contact with him was terminated on the Raica Falassë." He saw Orophin frown in confusion.

"The Raica Falassë is an ancient shoreline, one that is not used for bathing or trapping because the land beyond the beachline drops dangerously several thousand feet into the deep waters. It is a very remote area, very difficult to reach, not made for our speed crafts and too dangerous to approach by diving. Because of this, we are only able to inspect the region no more than once a year. Haldir routinely trapped near these lands and offered to be our eyes. lastlast report indicated he had discovered the mutilated body of a Golden Whale calf upon that beach. What concerned him, and concerns us, is that Golden Whales have no known predators. After that report there is silence. It has been a year since then. We've had no word from him in all that time."

Orophin crossed his arms and glared at Korthin, "Did you not send scouts?"

Korthin nodded, "Of course we did. But, remember Orophin, Haldir long ago retired his command from the Guild. Our inquiries were, at best, discreet. We simply cannot mount a full fledged investigation as to his whereabouts. The citizens of Valinor are free to come and go as is their wont."

Orophin was not convinced and he shook his head. "I know my brother." He said tersely, "He does not simply disappear."

Korthin carefully eyed Orophin, "And there is more."

Orophin's face showed his anxiety, "More?"

"We've been receivintelltelligence from the Avathar." Korthin's eyes grew distant for a moment. He decided he might was well tell this young elf all he knew. It was his decision to reveal as much as he wished.

Orophin frowned, "From the Avathar?" His youthful voice was tinged with a hint of disbelief and worry. "Nothing walks that dark land."

Korthin eyed Orophin with a slight frown, "Would that the Valar hear you and make it so." he sighed, "Nevertheless, we have received intelligence that the old mariners who sail south of the Bay of Eldamar have seen a large shadow lunge from the distant shores of the Avathar into the deep waters of that ocean."

Orophin was confused, "And what does this have to do with my brother!" he exclaimed, his patience finally running out. "Forgive me, Captain, but I have no belief in the old legends of mariners! Unless," Orophin added thoughtfully, "there is a connection to Haldir?"

Korthin shook his head nearly imperceptibly but Orophin saw this and what's more, saw the growing worry in the Captain's eyes, "I know not. Perhaps it is all a cidenidence."

Korthin thought for a moment and turned to his desk. Opening a drawer, he handed Orophin a neatly folded document. "This was the last letter we received from him. Notice the seal upon it."

Orophin's troubled eyes dropped to the broken seal on the document, the imprint of the sealing wax still clearly visible.

" 'Tis the seal of Kortirion." He raised his eyes to Korthin.

"Yes, it is. Perhaps you can travel there and as his brother may learn what the Guild Rangers could not. Not everyone on Eressea cooperates with the Guild. You could begin your search there."

Orophin handed the document back to Korthin, shaking his head, "I cannot. Rumil and I have been reassigned. We cannot go."

Korthin gave the blonde elf a wan smile, "My dear Orophin, think you I have no friends in the Guild Command?"

And it came to pass that the brothers were given the choice of travelling to Kortirion in search of Haldir, or be immediately reassigned. Yet, only one would be given leave to go and after much debate, it was decided that it should be Orophin. Because of Orophin's close resemblance to Haldir, the brothers hoped that this would give them an advantage and stir a memory or two in the mind of someone who might know something or offer a clue..

Soon, Orophin made ready to depart, knowing he had a scant few weeks to discover Haldir's fate. No matter what he found, he was due back in Alqualonde in mid autumn. He hoped this would be sufficient time.

~*~*~*~*~

Some weeks after Haldir had mysteriously departed Guve Hall, Lisse stood on a small promontory, checking the ripeness of the blackerries she harvested. Tasting a few, she deemed them ready for picking. Turning to don a large padded glove, her eyes caught movement against the horizon and she looked.

Haldir. He was back.

Lisse fought the urge to watch him and dropped her eyes to the basket of fruit before her. Feelings of anger and bitter disappointment enveloped her heart, and she admitted to herself that amidst her turmoil there was a touch of jealousy as well. Jealousy for the mysterious mistress who commanded such power over Haldir.

Lisse's eyes raised themselves to the approaching figure. So breathtaking, she sighed silently. So unattainable she thought dejectly, plucking fruit from the vine as her gaze followed Haldir's form. He had come to embody for her the perfection of the male elven ideal; confident, masculine, bold and intelligent. Lisse frowned at her own thoughts. Feelings such as these could easily betray her. She sighed.

Returning to her work, Lisse heard his melodic voice call, "Hail and well met, Lady!"

Lisse frowned and abruptly halted. The voice was like Haldir's but it was not as melodic, and it lacked Haldir's authority and hauteur. Whirling about, Lisse looked down and stared in amazement at the slender figure standing below her. He was dressed in the grey and green colors of the Ranger Guild, the silver emblem of the White Tree of Tol Eressea emblazoned proudly on the upper midsection of his tunic. The Ranger stood below Lisse waiting for her response. Lisse frowned and finally found her voice, "Hail and well met, traveler!"

Lisse watched the stranger draw closer to the orchard until he stood directly below her, his bright gaze warm and friendly, "I seek the Lord or Lady of these lands."

Lisse stared down at the stranger before responding and then said, "Then you shall seek no further for I am she." Lisse turned fully around and stared at the slender elf. "I am called Lisse Nyere Thinguve and I welcome you to Guve Hall." She added the last as was her custom.

The stranger bowed courteously and answered, "Then Lady, I am come to the end of my quest."

Lisse frowned and motioned for the Ranger to abide while she quickly walked down the promontory and came face to face with him. When she stood no more than two feet from him, Lisse realized with a start that he was a living duplicate of Haldir. Shorter, and less massihan han Haldir, but nevertheless still strongly resembling Haldir. Her eyes fastened onto the stranger's face and she frowned again. "I would ask then, since you are now within my realms, what that quest may be."

Orophin studied the elleth before him before responding. "I am Orophin of Alqualonde and I seek news of my brother, Haldir o Eressea." His calm gaze waited for the maiden before him to respond.

Lisse stared at Orophin, for the first time realizing the truth of his words. That Haldir had a brother came as a shock to her for he had never mentioned this. Yet, the uncanny resemblance was mute testament to their shared bloodlines and so Lisse shook her head, extending her arm toward Guve Hall. "I have had naught but silence since he departed this House more than seven weeks ago." She began walking in the direction of the House.

Orophin followed the female, quickly calculating. "Then he has been gone for near all of the Summer?" He followed Lisse as she led him closer to a large stone building surrounded by groves and trees.

Lisse answered without turning, "Aye. Your brother took his leave of this House ten days before MidSummer and has not returned." Here she halted and turned to gaze at Orophin, "Though he left word he would return e're summer passed into autumn."

Orophin digested these news with some aprehension. It was unlike Haldir to disappear without leaving word of his whereabouts. It was a standard custom which dated to the times of their duties as wardens of Lorien. Always one left word as to one's whereabouts. Now, he turned his bright gaze to Lisse's face. "And no more know you?"

Lisse resisted the urge to smile. No doubt this elf was Haldir's brother for he too used the same manner of Lorien speech that Haldir was so fond of. She shook her head and saw Orophin's disappointment spread across his fair face, "Nay, I know no more," and then she added, "other than he mentioned his leave-taking was at the beckoning of his Mistress." Lisse studied the other elf's reaction and saw astonishment slowly spread across Orophin's countenance.

"Mistress?" Orophin repeated perplexed.

Lisse nodded, "Aye, for he so told my steward."

Orophin stared at the elleth before him and realized she spoke truly. Haldir had taken a mistress? Was his disappearance naught but born of a lovesick heart? Orophin sighed and managed a small smile. "May it be as simple as that, my Lady."

Lisse turned to lead him further toward the House, her mind working furiously. Why had this brother of Haldir's come for him? Who had sent Orophin and why? She wanted to ask, but something inside her bade her keep her own counsel. At least for the time being.

They reached the entrance of Guve Hall and Lisse quickly ordered food and wine for Orophin and had a bedchamber prepared for his rest. Turning to the silent Ranger, Lisse smiled warmly, "I am sure your brother will return e're summer ends, as he said. In the meantime, please accept my hospitality. Eat, refresh yourself and rest as you wont."

Orophin bowed his thanks,"Aye, my Lady, I shall accept your offer and take rest as well, for long has my journey been these three weeks past." Turning toward a table now laden with trays, Orophin approached it and sat.

Silently Lisse watched the slender elf eat and drink, while her eyes studied him at greater length.

Orophin, like Haldir, Lisse noted, had the same silver-blonde hair, same coloring of skin, though Orophin's eyes were, in contrast to Haldir's silver-grey, a bright azure blue. She noted they shared a similar walk and manner of speech. Like Haldir, Orophin cast a confident aura about him, like one used to command and order. She noticed the three silver swans on his right tunic sleeve, an insignia which proclaimed his rank as Lieutenant in the Ranger Guild. He was shorter than Haldir, not as broad shouldered, but still he exuded strength and the same overwhelming masculinity that Haldir emanated. Lisse leaned her elbow onto the table as Orophin poured himself more wine and she studied his hands: they were strong, well defined, with short and well-shaped nails. Hands that reminded her of Haldir.

Suddenly Orophin turned his gaze to Lisse and she cleared her throat and looked away briefly, conscious that the Ranger was now scrutinizing her as frankly as she had him.

Orophin smiled and leaned back in his chair, "Tis uncommon good wine, this." He raised his goblet and saw Lisse glance at him and bob her head in a silent thank you. "I've not had as fine a wine since my last visit to Tol Eressea."

Lisse nodded her head slowly, "You do not patrol Eressea then?"

"Nay," Orophin answered, placing the goblet on the table. "My brother Rumil and I patrol the eastern territories of Aman, north of the Halls of Nienna."

Lisse crossed her arms and sat back in the chair too. "You and your brother?" she asked. "There is another?"

Orophin laughed, "Aye, there are three of us," he explained. "Haldir is the oldest, Rumil next and I am the youngest."

"I see," Lisse answered slowly, not sure how to respond, but she asked the obvious anyway. "Why are you here then?"

Orophin reached for a slice of bread and chewed on a piece thoughtfully. He could not reveal too much for he had yet to discover who this lady truly was in Haldir's life. "I am come to find my brother." His soft blue eyes lingered on Lisse's face until she averted her gaze. She realized then that Orophin had more of Haldir in him than she had bargained for. Like Haldir, this younger brother knew full well how to manipulate a conversation.

"Aye," Lisse said, "this I understand, but why come you to look for him?" Lisse asked again.

"Because it is the command of my superiors in the Ranger Guild, my Lady," was Orophin's quiet response.

Lisse nodded and looked away but then turned her gaze back to Orophin and countered, "But Haldir no longer holds a command in the Guild."

Orophin nodded, "This is true, but his reports are still filed with the Rangers."

Lisse frowned, "What reports?" her voice was soft. What was Haldir doing on Tol Eressea? She always assumed he was an ordinary trapper, one out of dozens that trapped and fished along the shores of Eressea.

"Why, reports of the land and its people," Orophin answered unhelpfully.

With this Lisse stood and signaled to a waiting maid, "Show our guest to his chambers so he may rest." Turning to Orophin, Lisse smiled, "Your chamber is ready now and I invite you to abide in my Hall for as long as you choose."

Politely Orophin stood and bowed, "You are most kind." was his response. With a small smile Orophin turned away from Lisse and followed the young maid toward his second floor chamber.

~*~*~*~*~

While Orophin rested in his chamber, Lisse sat alone at the table he had vacated and pondered his responses in silence until Gilnorin found her. By then the sun was setting in the western horizon and a diffused bronze light filtered into the Hall. Tall shadows gave the empty room a gloomy appearance and the warmth of the late afternoon sun yielded to the early chill of twilight.

Quietly Gilnorin approached Lisse, until he stopped beside her. He knew she had seen him and so waited until she acknowledged him first. After a moment her cool blue eyes turned to him. Gilnorin frowned when he saw the uncertainty in her gaze.

"What is amiss?" Gilnorin asked and pulled a chair to sit next to Lisse.

"He has two brothers." Lisse responded quietly and then looked down at her hands.

Gilnorin frowned, "Who?"

Lisse looked at Gilnorin again, "Haldir."

Gilnorin sat back, "Oh." Gilnorin crossed his arms and stared straight ahead.

Lisse stared into her friend's face, "One of them is here."

Without looking at Lisse, Gilnorin nodded, "I see."

Suddenly Lisse snapped, "How can you?"

"What?" asked Gilnorin, finally turning to gaze at her.

Lisse snorted, "How can you know that one of his brothers is here?"

Gilnorin shrugged and flecked away an imaginary speck of dust from his tunic, "News of a strange traveller bearing the emblem of a Lieutenant of the Ranger Guild travels fast in these parts." Stretching his legs under the table, Gilnorin turned to look at Lisse. "What brings him to these parts?"

Lisse shrugged, "He said he is looking for Haldir."

"Is he indeed," Gilnorin remarked casually. Somehow he felt the newcomer would not succeed in his mission.

Lisse stared at Gilnorin. "Why do you say it like that?"

Gilnorin stood, "Because, my dear Lisse Nyere, has it ever occurred to you that Haldir is the sort that wants to be found when it is convenient for him?"

Lisse nodded, "I am beginning to believe that. His brother said Haldir sends reports to the Guild in Alqualonde." Her eyes raised to her friend's face. "Have you any idea why he would do such a thing?"

Pushing the chair flush against the table, Gilnorin shrugged again. "With Haldir nothing should come as a surprise." With these words he turned and left Lisse alone again with her own thoughts.

~*~*~*~*~

While Lisse pondered upon Orophin's words, the object of her reverie was lying on a comfortable bed in a chamber directly above her head.

It had taken Orophin weeks of dreary travel, dead ends and false leads, until he had chanced upon a trio of fimen men who remembered tending an elf some years before who greatly resembled him. Based on their descriptions of the wounded elf, Orophin had quickly realized it was Haldir of whom they spoke. Their memories had included a slender blonde blue-eyed elleth, and further, they had led him to this place, Guve Hall. It was here where he had finally come to learn that his brother was still nowhere to be found and that perhaps he might have taken a lover.

Orophin swung his legs off the bed and walked to the balcony and threw wide open its doors. Bronze sunset light cast a golden glow upon his features as he gazed out at the land before him. Everything before him was bathed in a soft glow and he watched as farm hands led the farm animals into their sheds and barns, elflings still ran free and tree tops swayed in the growing twilight.

After a few moments, Orophin sighed. His instincts told him that the Lady Lisse had more interest in his brother than she let on. And then there was the matter of Haldir's mistress. Who would that be? Orophin shook his head imperceptibly. No, he thought. Haldir would not forsake his responsibilities for a mere dalliance and if he had wedded then he and Rumil would have known. No matter the long years that stretched between them, Haldir would have told them he was wedded.

No, Orophin decided as he closed the balcony doors and gathered his cloak. Something was amiss. Donning his cloak, he opened the chamber door and stepped into the now brightly lit hallway.

~*~*~*~*~

It did not take Orophin long to find Lisse. She was so engrossed in setting the tables for supper that she failed to hear the Ranger as he came up behind her. It was only when Orophin called her name softly that she turned and saw a pair of blue eyes intently regarding her.

"I would ask your leave to speak with your servants, my Lady." Orophin said quietly.

Lisse was not too certain she should allow this, but he was Haldir's brother and after briefly weighing the issue, she nodded her head. "Aye, you have my leave." Nodding to Orophin, Lisse murmured an apology and moved off to complete supper preparations.

Orophin quickly surveyed the room and decided to begin with the farm hands. Swiftly he crossed the wide Hall in several long strides and headed for the barns. Darkness had settled like a black mantle and sparkling stars dotted the night sky. In moments Orophin had approached the first of Lisse's servants and thus began a systematic investigation.

Hours later, long after supper had ended, Orophin was satisfied. He had learned a great deal from the Lady's staff, more than he had presupposed and had some suspicions verified. Entering the large Hall he looked around but did not see Lisse. Instead, he pulled out a chair and quietly sat, contemplating all he had learned, the pieces of a larger puzzle which had suddenly fallen into place. He thought now he understood why Haldir had come here in the first place and what held him bound to these lands.

Just then a scraping noise caught Orophin's attention and he turned his keen gaze toward it. There, before the great fireplace stood a lone elf. Though the Hall was in total darkness, Orophin was able to see as clearly as if it were day and so was able to make out the features of the elf who was working to light the unlit fireplace. Orophin recognized this elf. It was the steward, Gilnorin.

In moments a small flame flickered in the fireplace and soon merry red and orange flames danced inside the marble and granite enclosure. It was then that Orophin noticed that Gilnorin straightened and turned to look directly at him. Orophin arched his eyebrows. Somehow he was getting the impression this elf wished to speak to him. Orophin decided to make the path easier for the steward.

"Would there be more of that fine wine your Lady brought forth earlier this evening?" Orophin asked good naturedly, watching the steward as he turned.

"Aye, there is," Gilnorin answered and moved toward the wine racks where he selected a bottle. A goblet was secured from a nearby shelf and in moments Orophin watched Gilnorin pour him some of the deep amber liquid. Reaching for the wine, Orophin paused and looked at the steward, "I would have you join me, if it is your wont." He drowned the wine in one gulp and waited.

Something about the Ranger made Gilnorin uneasy. Though he was accustomed to dealing with Ranger agents, this one he realized was a different breed. This one, thought Gilnorin as he fetched himself a goblet and poured out the wine, was as watchful and intelligent as Haldir. He wagered nothing much got past this elf. "Aye," answered Gilnorin, "I will join you."

Orophin sat back further into the sturdy wooden chair and contemplated the younger elf. He judged the steward to be about five hundred years old. Young, thought Orophin. Very young. He waited, knowing from experience that information was best gotten when it was freely given. He served himself more wine but this time sipped it slowly.

"Have you found that which you sought?" asked Gilnorin at last. He saw the blonde Ranger lift his gaze and suddenly felt uncomfortable beneath the piercing blue eyes.

"I have discovered things I did not know and verified others which were but suspicions." Orophin took another sip of his wine. "Is there aught you would tell me, Gilnorin o Guve?" He sat his goblet down gently, his eyes never leaving Gilnorin's face.

"I'd wager there is not much more I can add," Gilnorin countered.

Orophin nodded and turned his head away from the steward, "Then we shall simply share this most excellent wine and warm fire." Orophin turned and gazed at Gilnorin, his expression bland.

Gilnorin pressed his lips together. "I would know something," he began. He saw Orophin frown quizzically. "I would know what you know of Haldir o Eressea."

It was Orophin's turn to ponder upon the steward's words and meaning and so he answered carefully, "What would you know of my brother?"

"How long has he lived in these parts?" Gilnorin began.

Orophin cocked his head to one side. He decided that question was safe enough to answer. "I would say he has made this island his home for well over a thousand years." Orophin saw that his words deeply affected the younger elf and he wondered at this. "Why is this of interest?"

Gilnorin pushed the goblet away and leaned toward the table, placing his arms upon it. "Because your brother seems to be more than a simple Ranger or a trapper."

Orophin frowned. "What mean you?" He leaned closer to the table, interested in what this steward had to say.

Gilnorin hesitated for a moment, looking into the Ranger's eyes and then deciding that as Haldir's brother Orophin should know what he had witnessed the night Haldir left Guve Hall.

Some time later Orophin took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. He had listened to Gilnorin's tale and indeed did not know her her to believe the steward or not. "Tis an incredible tale you spin, Gilnorin Guvion." Orophin said quietly. "I must ponder upon what you have said."

"There is one more thing," Gilnorin added.

"And what is that?" asked Orophin.

"What I have spoken of to you, Lisse Nyere knows nothing of it." He stared at the Ranger significantly, "nor do I think it wise to make her privy to it."

Understanding, Orophin nodded, "Very well, the Lady shall not be informed."

~*~*~*~

Several hours later, after Orophin had ordered a small meal of meats and cheese, he strode outside and casually strolled about the fruit groves. The gentle evening breeze brought the delicate aromas of berries and other fruits to his nostrils and these combined with the tangy salt air made for an exotic bouquet. Orophin walked slowly and breathed deeply.

Not far from a large raspberry bush Orophin spied a solitary figure. He quickly realized it was the Lady of Guve Hall, Lisse Nyere, and he resolutely made his way toward her. He had some questions for the Lady and decided to press the advantage of an informal encounter.

His steps, sure and confident, were stealthy and silent and Lisse did not hear him approach until Orophin deliberately stepped on a fallen branch. The snapping sound brought Lisse about face. Orophin saw that she had been crying for her eyes were luminous with unshed tears and her cheeks were wet with her weeping.

For a moment Orophin considered leaving the elleth to her private grief, but he also knew he had limited time and wanted to discover as much information as possible. Suspecting that the Lady would most probably resent his intrusion, Orophin put on his best and most beatic smile and approached Lisse.

"Hail and greetings, my Lady! A most delightful breeze blows from the sea and I could not remain indoors." His eyes covered Lisse from head to foot in an instant.

Lisse swallowed and managed a wan smile, "Indeed, most evenings the sea breezes bring an early chill but not this night." She noticed he was appraising her rather boldly, but why she could not begin to fathom.

Orophin took up a position beside Lisse and gazed into the sky, "So unlike the stars of Middle Earth," he murmured.

Lisse followed his gaze and then lowered her eyes to Orophin's face. In profile he was a perfect duplicate of Haldir. Her heart gave a lurch of longing. "I know very little of Middle Earth," she offered.

Orophin lowered his eyes and turned his bright gaze upon Lisse's face. He saw there an innocence he had not seen in many centuries. Was this what had drawn Haldir to this elleth? He was convinced now that Haldir's motives for moving away from his traps somehow were centered around this elleth. And furthermore, he suspected she was a pivotal point in whatever fate had befallen him. Frowning he answered, "Did my brother not bore you with his incessant tales of Middle Earth or of Lorien?"

Despite the heaviness in her heart, Lisse laughed, "Nay, very little has he said of that land, nor of Lorien itself, save that he was happy there before the dark days." Lisse studied Orophin's reaction and saw him nod pensively.

"Aye," he replied, "those days were happier times." Then he turned away from Lisse and held out his hand toward her, "come, my Lady, I shall tell you of Middle Earth, of the great Greenwood Forest, of the Girdle of Melian, of the Aelin-uial, of the great city of Gondolin before its fall, and of many other wonders of Middle Earth before war and shadow came.

Fascinated and not knowing how she felt as she did, Lisse took Orophin's hand and allowed the Ranger to lead her deeper into the fruit groves.

~*~*~*~

Key:

White Tree of Tol Eressea - Called Celeborn, the White Tree of Tol Eressea grew from the seedling of the White Tree of Tirion (named Galathilion) and which was made by the Vala Yavanna. The White Trees of Numenor and Middle Earth are descendants of these trees.

Gilnorin Thuvion - I thought it might be fun to assign surnames based on localities. Since Gilnorin is the steward of Guve Hall, the surname Guvion (son of Guve) would not be totally off the mark.

Greenwood Forest - Before the coming of Sauron, the Great Greenwood eventually became called Mirkwood.

The Girdle of Melian - A range of mountains raised by the Maia, Melian, in order to protect and hide the elven city of Doriath.

Aelin-uial - A secret and enchanted labyrinth of waterways which were under the dominion of the marchwardens of Doriath and the Vala Ulmo. The Aelin-uial served as a natural boundary between east and west Beleriand and culminated in a massive waterfalls.

Gondolin - One of the greatest of elven cities, it lay hidden within the Encircling Mountains and was under the protection of the Eagles of Middle Earth.

~*~*~*~*~

The Pentanath:
Adventures in the Avathar
by Sienna Dawn

Rating: NC17
Pairing: Haldir/OFC

Legal disclaimer:
Characters, places, events from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion used without permission, no attempt has been made, nor will be made, to copyright these characters and no profit is being made from this work. All other non-Tolkien characters are of my own invention.

[To be continued...] Feedback appreciated :)
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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar