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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home	By : IdrilsSecret Category: +Third Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4869 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of its characters. I make no money in the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 19
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- 21
Chapter Twenty

It had been a few weeks since the feast for the returning soldiers. Everyone seemed to be getting reacquainted and back to normal routines. I, on the other hand, was preparing for the announcement of my new position as March warden. Not only that, but Haldir was preparing to tell all of Lothlórien about his condition. Many people would be shocked, no doubt. As far as anyone knew, he was just recovering from severe and near fatal injuries that he incurred in battle at Helm’s Deep. No one would be expecting this news, and I was nervous about the reaction.
Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn already knew. The day after the feast, Haldir requested to speak with them, and they came to his home. I wasn’t there for that meeting. I had business to tend to in preparation for my army advancement, but I wondered how it went. Galadriel was the one who had seen Haldir fall in battle and warned him of his future. Haldir would have told her about his near death experience, and of how he came back despite what her mirror had predicted. He chose a different path and paid the ultimate price. Still, he survived and he was still here with us.
Haldir always put on a good show for visitors and his healers. He was always positive and in good spirits. It was when everyone left that he showed his true form. He was not adjusting well. He had told me that he had dreams of walking and running, doing everyday chores. He was content until he woke up, and then it all came crashing back to him, the truth. And every morning was like finding out for the first time that he’d could not walk.
“It’s like I’m me in my dreams, but when I’m awake, I’m living a nightmare,” he told me, and my heart went out to him. “Every morning, I pray to Eru that I can walk, and every morning I am disappointed yet again.”
“What we need to do is get you out of your house for a while. You’ve been cooped up in here since we returned,” I suggested.
“And just how are we going to do that? Are you going to throw me over your shoulder and carry me, or would you rather drag my half lifeless body behind you?” he scowled.
“Lucky for you, you have the two best brothers anyone could ask for,” I said proudly. “Orophin and I have been in discussion about this for a while, and we took our ideas to the farrier.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked curiously.
“Orophin and I put our heads together, and we came up with something we think will work for you.” I smiled and called out. “You can bring it in, Orophin.” The front door swung open, and Orophin backed in with our present, wheeling it into the bedroom.
This was my first time seeing the finished product, and I marveled over the construction. Basically, it was a chair with wheels, two large ones at the front sides, and two smaller ones in the back. There was a panel attached at the front edge of the seat, where Haldir’s calves would rest, and at the bottom, another piece of wood where his feet would sit. The larger wheels had a second round bar attached to the outside, and Orophin demonstrated how to use these to maneuver the chair by hand.
“It’s really quite simple,” Orophin explained. “You grasp it here and push forward and down, making the chair move forward. Pull backwards and the chair moves that way. If you want to turn, only move one wheel.” Orophin rolled forward, backward and in a circle to show our brother how it worked. “You’ll only need help getting into the chair from your bed, but then you can go anywhere about the city. And if you’re tired and wish for someone else to take you, there is a bar on the back of the chair that your assistant can push you around by.
Haldir studied it a moment before he said anything. It was difficult to judge what he was thinking; he always kept his emotions to himself. We waited for his reaction.
“A wheeled chair,” Haldir said skeptically.
“Exactly,” Orophin and I said simultaneously.
I could see the excitement in his eyes, though Haldir refused to show any kind of outward cheer. I went to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “Soon, you’ll be telling everyone about your condition, and when you do, it should come from you, not someone reading something you wrote. The people want to see you, Haldir. They’ll want to know you will be alright. They’ll be thrilled to see that you still have some of your independence. This device can give you that.”
“We still need you, Hal. The army still needs you. All these years you’ve kept Lothlórien safe, not because you are a fine warrior in battle, but because of the plans and maneuvers you create,” Orophin said, getting up from the chair. “You are still the heart and mind of the Northern Guard.”
“You see? You can still be involved,” I added, giving more confidence. “You don’t have to be doomed to this dreaded bed forever. Now, I’m not saying it won’t take some getting used to, especially navigating the walkways, but in time–”
“Thank you Rúmil … Orophin,” he interrupted, his eyes fogging up. “I really never imagined being … being able to … to . . .” his words trailed off. “It’s like having a second chance.”
“You are a part of this army,” I said. “You always will be as long as you dwell on these shores. Your input is important to all of us. We still need you. I need you, especially as I make my transition to March warden. But we all still want you making the calls when it’s time to do battle. There is no one in Lothlórien who is a better strategist.”
“Thank you,” Haldir whispered. “Thank you both for this gift.”
“Alright, enough of this. Are you ready to give it a go or what?” Orophin said impatiently.
“What are we waiting for,” Haldir said excitedly.
Orophin and I helped him into the chair. It was a little awkward, but as we figured out a system, it would become easier. And then, Haldir was rolling around his home, getting acquainted with the wheeled seat. As he went from bedroom to living room, and then into the kitchen, I took note of certain things that would need to be adjusted for his new height. The butcher’s table was too high, but that was an easy fix. Some of the windows would need to be lowered. I made a mental list that I would take to the farrier and some of our architects. My goal was to make Haldir’s house as accessible as possible so he could do a lot of things for himself.
Haldir tired easily and soon we put him back into his bed. It was a good first try with the chair, and he seemed to take to it quickly. Once we got him settled, he was exhausted and ready for a nap, but the healers came to change his bandages. The wound was still healing, although it looked much better. Orophin and I stood just outside, allowing Haldir his privacy, and also to talk about the day’s events. We were both ecstatic about Haldir’s positive response to the chair.
“He’s been in such a slump lately,” Orophin commented.
“I know. I’ve been worried about him, especially when he says some of the things he’s said. But I really think this is going to change everything for him,” I said.
While we were speaking and waiting for the healers to finish up, a messenger came up to me and handed me a letter. The first thing I noticed was the horse head stamped into the wax seal. It was from Rohan. Orophin saw it too.
“Has something happened?” he asked with concern.
“I don’t know.” I hurried to open it, worried what I might find inside. Had Saruman attacked again? I didn’t think he could. He was being held prisoner in his tower, which was surrounded by water and patrolled by Ents. Still, he might have been able to get a message out to any orcs that were still loyal to him. After reading the first line, relief washed over me. “It’s a letter from Legolas,” I smiled, and quickly folded it up so my brother wouldn’t see. “A private letter, nothing more.”
Orophin looked straight ahead, but his brows furrowed with agitation. I tucked the letter inside my tunic and hoped he’d stay silent, but no such luck. “This is the sort of thing that could damage you,” he said quietly.
“For Eru’s sake, Oro, it’s just a letter,” I countered, already on the defensive. “What would you have me do, send it back?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. What do you think would happen if that got into the wrong hands?” he argued.
“We are very discreet in our correspondence. I’m sure there is nothing in there that would raise suspicion,” I argued.
“The fact that it came from Legolas will raise enough eyebrows without anything else being said. You must understand. You are in a very high position within the Lothlórien army now. Once Haldir makes his announcement, all eyes will be on you for leadership. What will it look like should the truth come out about one of our own wardens?”
I stepped away from him, my ire mixed with concern that what he was saying was right. “What do you want from me, Orophin? Should I tell Legolas never to contact me again? Well, I cannot do that. It’s difficult enough to know we will not see each other as often.”
“You shouldn’t see each other at all. It never should have happened in the first place. I am taking a risk at knowing the truth and not reporting it. But you are my brother, and I love you. All I want is to see you happy and successful, and that is a risk I am willing to take as long as you are willing to do your part.”
I moved away from the door where we stood outside of Haldir’s home, and looked out over the forest around us. This place was no sanctuary for me anymore. “I’ve done my part from the very beginning by sacrificing my happiness for success. I cannot have both, and I’ve known that all my life. I just hoped that this time–”
“This time is no different,” Orophin interrupted with sternness. “Did you think that by becoming a warden, your options would be easier? The truth is, they are even less now. Your life belongs to the army. The lives of your troops are in your hands. Every decision you make from here on out must be done with careful consideration for those who depend on you. This includes personal choices.” He came up behind me and spoke close to my ear. “The best thing for everyone in this is to let go of Legolas.”
I stood next to my brother, not saying a word, not looking at him. After a while I whispered lightly. “You make it sound as easy as freeing a caged bird, but what is one to do when that bird knows it belongs to you, and you belong to it?” I shook my head slowly back and forth. “You just don’t understand, Orophin. Legolas and I … we belong to each other. It is not some fling or some passing fancy. We love each other, deeply, and that is not something to toss away lightly.”
“It’s a dangerous game you are playing,” Orophin said with warning. “One I fear you will not win.”
“I don’t want to win. I just want to be.”
The door opened and one of the healers poked her head out. “You can come back in now,” she said with a smile before she went back inside.
Orophin and I stood there a moment, neither one of us feeling that we were finished with our conversation. Finally I turned to him and asked him the burning question on my mind. “Are you against Haldir’s choice to make me March warden? Is that why you are so adamant about all of this?”
“Truth?” he asked after a long pause. I nodded and he continued. “Yes … but,” he added quickly, “not because I don’t think you’d make a fine leader.” He turned from me, searching for the right words. “You know how much is at stake here. You’ve already been put under accusations once, with that whole Túron debacle.”
“Through no fault of my own, I assure you that,” I countered.
He opened his mouth to retaliate, but decided to stay on point. “All of our careers, our whole family, you, me and Haldir, as well as our family name will ride upon your shoulders. One slip, one tiny mistake, and everything we’ve ever strived for, everything Father ever wanted for us will cease to exist. We will be thrown right out on our arses. I don’t like being in this position, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure this doesn’t happen.”
I looked him squarely in the eyes. “Thank you very much for your vote of confidence, dear brother.” I left him and reached for the door handle.
“Rúmil, you must understand–”
“I understand perfectly well,” I seethed. “Fine, you don’t want me to take up Haldir’s position, then I will tell him I don’t want it,” I threatened.
“Wait, don’t do anything so drastic,” he said following me into the house. “I was only trying to warn you, to make you realize how serious the situation can turn.”
I spun on my heel, Orophin almost running into me, and pointed my finger towards him. “I’ve spent nearly my entire existence protecting myself and our family to keep that very thing from happening. Don’t you think I know this already? What do you think I’m going to do, use my new rank to go whoring around the city, playing some game of ‘catch me if you can’?” I marched to Haldir’s room, not waiting for an answer.
“You are blowing this out of proportion, Rúmil,” he said, chasing after me.
“Am I?” I burst into Haldir’s bedroom. The two healers jumped and spun towards me, caught off guard by my abrupt entrance. “Are you finished here? I need to speak to my brother in private,” I addressed the healers. They nodded, picked up their belongings and left quickly. I felt bad chasing them off like that, but I was at my wits end with Orophin.
“What is all the urgency?” Haldir asked, adjusting himself in his bed as he sat up straighter.
“I’ve come to decline your offer,” I announced pugnaciously.
“What?” Haldir asked. He looked from me to Orophin, and Oro stepped forward quickly.
“He’s just upset. I was speaking with him about the importance of becoming March warden–”
“Speaking with me?” I shouted, not meaning to raise my voice. I looked down at Haldir. “It seems our brother has no faith in me even before I’ve been given a chance to prove myself. He’s much too focused on my personal life and my relationship with Legolas, as though I won’t know how to conduct myself without being outed. Well, I cannot help who I am or who I love, so I would rather not have Orophin looking over my shoulder every minute of every day. You’ve picked the wrong brother. Oro should be March warden, not me, since I’m nothing more than a sexually crazed lunatic.” I knew I was being ridiculous, but I was so mad that I wasn’t thinking straight.
Orophin ran his hand through his hair, his own patience seeming to run thin at this point. Haldir watched us both for a moment before he finally spoke. “I’ll have you know that Orophin and I had this discussion before I went to you with my proposal,” he said to me. “We spoke of it quite extensively, and I was very clear when I told him to enlighten me with any and all concerns he might have had. In the end, Orophin,” he paused, looking hard at my brother, “agreed with my choice wholeheartedly. So why do I find you both here with your dander in a ruffle? What started all of this?”
I reached into my tunic and took out the sealed letter. “I received correspondence from Legolas. A messenger brought it while we were waiting for the healers to change your dressing. Orophin instantly assumed that it was some form of love letter that, if found in the wrong hands, could expose me.”
“Do you not agree that it might raise suspicions if multiple letters from the Prince of Mirkwood are delivered to Rúmil, especially after so many years of silence between the two realms?” Orophin said to argue his point.
“Somehow, I get the feeling that this is about more than a letter,” Haldir said. “Orophin, will you leave us, and allow me to speak with Rúmil? We won’t be long.”
Orophin shook his head and turned to leave. “Take your time. I’ve got business to attend to.” We watched him exit, and I didn’t speak until I heard the front door shut.
I sat down on a chair and sighed deeply, shaking my head. “I don’t know, Haldir. Perhaps you made the wrong decision when you asked me to become March warden. Maybe Orophin is right. It’s a much bigger risk having me take up this position.”
“Is that what he told you?” Haldir asked.
“Not in so many words, but I noted the gist of his message. I know you told me why you chose me over Orophin, but he makes a good point. There are those who are already suspicious. They’ll be watching my every move. I’m not sure I can lead under that kind of pressure.”
“You can if you make deeper sacrifices,” Haldir said.
“Is that how you did it?”
“I dedicated myself to the position, put the army before my own happiness, and covered any tracks that might lead back to me. It is not an easy life for someone like us, but it’s not impossible. That being said, Orophin does have a point when he says you must abandon certain aspects of your life. It is the only way to truly be safe.”
I looked at my brother, realizing that he didn’t know the full scope of my devotion to Legolas. “You are asking me to make the biggest sacrifice I’ve ever had to consider.”
“If he loves you as you say he does, he will be there waiting for you. One day you will sail, and so will he. Then you can be devoted to each other. But I’m afraid now is not the time,” Haldir said a gently as possible.
“And if I say no to you?”
“I hope you won’t. I know you are the right choice, and I’ll feel secure with your acceptance. However, I can’t force you into it. This must be your decision.”
And just like that, I knew there was no way out of this. “I won’t abandon you, brother. I can’t. So I will do this.”
“And Legolas?” he wondered.
“Can I just not worry about that for now? He is off on his mission, and he might not be back this way for a long time. I’ll deal with that when the time is right.” I knew that by putting it this way, it left things open for me to try and find a way to make it work. Haldir knew this too. I could see it in his eyes, as he told me it couldn’t work. I didn’t think that was true, and maybe during his absence, I would come up with a foolproof way to still be with Legolas and do my duty as March warden.
“Do not wait too long,” he advised. “You may end up losing him for good.”
“I won’t let that happen,” I said, but doubt tiptoed across my thoughts.
I left Haldir’s home and made my way to mine before I took the letter from Legolas out of my tunic and read it. He wrote it while still in Rohan, but they would have left a while ago by now, for he wrote this on the eve of their parting. Gandalf was successful in getting the beacons lit, and the Rohirrim were now heading to Gondor to aid them in the war. Just as I said, there was nothing in the letter that would have made anyone suspicious, although he made references to finding sanctuary and safety, our code words to each other. No one would have known that.
I put the letter down and laid down on my couch, staring at the ceiling as I thought about what Orophin and Haldir said. Both mentioned giving up on my hope at normal. Both said that in order to do my job successfully, I would have to put my personal life to the wayside. That was easy for them to say. Orophin wouldn’t have to do such a thing. His relationship with an elleth was not controversial. Haldir never allowed himself to become attached to anyone in the first place. My situation was much different, but I would find a way to keep things as they were without anyone knowing about Legolas and me. Once my brothers saw how careful I was, they wouldn’t question me anymore. However it worked out, I would not give up on Legolas. I would not push him to the side. He was too important to me. I would find a way.
* * * * *
The day finally came when Haldir held a meeting with all the wardens and captains, as well as Lord Celeborn. It was my brother’s first time out of his house in his mobile chair. Everyone was intrigued by the invention, and Haldir actually seemed to like showing it off. He’d had time to practice, and he was good at maneuvering it. He drew quite the crowd, and everyone wanted to know about its design. I watched my brother smile as he impressed them. The thing about Haldir was that he liked having the attention focused on him. I was opposite when it came to that line of thinking. I preferred not to draw the eyes of onlookers, and went about my daily business with very little observation from outside parties. Haldir liked being the center of everyone’s awareness, though. I wondered how he managed to keep his secrets secure while being in the public eye. Orophin was wrong, I thought to myself. If Haldir could do it then so could I. The only difference was that Haldir’s affairs were very discreet and with civilians who had nothing to do with the army. My relationship was more difficult to hide, but it could easily be seen as diplomacy between Lórien and Mirkwood. It was important to keep communication open with the Wood elves, and after my return from there, everyone saw me as the main person to handle that part of things. My relations with Mirkwood were very successful. And as the new March warden, I could plan meetings more frequently than my brother ever did. And of course, my other agenda was to see Legolas. I was fairly sure it would work out, even if we had to give up on the idea of living together in his home.
“I have gathered you all here today to make an important announcement,” Haldir said, starting the meeting. “I will be announcing this to our whole community, but I thought it best to tell my friends and fellow soldiers first. As you can see,” he said gesturing to his chair. “I am not ready to take back the reins. I am still healing from my wounds. However, the extent of my injuries go much further than what the eye sees.”
There was a low mumble from the attendees, but they quickly hushed and waited for the rest of Haldir’s speech. “The hatchet that struck me went quite deep, and it did damage to certain nerves and parts of my spine. I am not in this wheeled seat because I am still weak. I have lost the use of my legs, and it seems to be permanent.”
People started talking to their neighbors as though Haldir wasn’t in the room. The level of concern was great. A wave of discussion spread from one side of the room to the other. Someone in the back of the room spoke out and asked the question that everyone was asking each other. “What about your position as March warden?”
“If I can’t walk, then I can’t complete my duties,” Haldir answered. “And that brings me to my other reason for gathering you all here. I must step down from my position as March warden, and in doing so, I have to choose my replacement. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to your new March warden of the Northern Guard, my brother, Rúmil.” Overall, the response was positive, with most elves clapping and smiling, happy with Haldir’s choice. Only a few, a small group of ellon in the back, did not clap, choosing instead to glare at me, and of course, Raenor was their leader. As I looked around the room, smiling to my new supporters, I made sure to tip my head to Raenor. The look of irritation on his face was priceless.
“That seemed to go well,” I said after we left the meeting. Haldir agreed.
“Just keep your eye out for Raenor. And, by the way, I saw you antagonizing him. Was that really necessary?” Haldir scolded.
“I thought so. You know me. I can never turn down a chance to rub something in his face,” I smiled arrogantly. “I know exactly what he will do next. He’ll run off to see the Lord and Lady, but of course, they already gave their approval. You know, I think I’m already beginning to like my new position.”
“Don’t make enemies so fast. You and Raenor are on the same playing field now, as both of you are March wardens. Don’t think he’ll go easy on you just because you are at the same ranking level,” Haldir warned me.
“I don’t give two shits about him. There’s nothing he can do to me,” I said, feeling extremely accomplished.
“Just be careful, Rúmil. You’ve been warned.”
* * * * *
Weeks turned into months, and I’d hardly had any time to myself since taking up my new position. Honestly, I didn’t know what everyone was worried about. Raenor would have nothing on me except all the hours I was putting into my job. I never realized just how much Haldir did around here. No wonder he always seemed so uptight and stiff. I loved my job though, even if it took up almost every minute in my day. I was a bit worried about how I would see Legolas once he returned from war. We had originally planned to meet in Mirkwood as often as we could, but now I wasn’t sure it would be often enough. Between countless daily meetings, recruiting, training, organizing marches, strategizing tactics, there just weren’t enough hours. I did manage to open correspondence with Mirkwood, notifying King Thranduil of the change from Haldir to me. I thought it best to give him time to get used to the idea of dealing with me from now on. Hopefully, it would make things go a little smoother if ever the time came when Lothlórien asked Mirkwood for assistance. Thranduil and Haldir never quite saw eye to eye, but I liked to think that I earned his respect from my visit.
Ai, it seemed like an age ago. I’d been sent as a simple messenger by my brother, Haldir, and unexpectedly fell in love with the Prince. It was such a wonderful and fulfilling time, and I badly desired to visit and recreate some of the magic. And as I tended to my daily duties as March warden, I wondered where I would find the time.
I hadn’t heard from Legolas in months either. I didn’t have much time to think of anything but my duties, but when I finally laid in my bed at night, this was what I thought of. Surely, he could have found a moment to write even the smallest note just to tell me he was alright. What was happening out there? Did he go to Gondor? Did he ever make it to Mordor with the rest of his fellowship? I thought that if something terrible happened to him, I would definitely have heard something. Legolas was a Prince, after all, and it would be very big news, as well as devastating. Then again, he was traveling inconspicuously, leaving his title behind and introducing himself as nothing more than a simple wood elf, so as not to draw attention to his company. I decided not to let my mind wander in that direction. I would have heard, and that was that. And since no news was good news, I had to hope it wouldn’t be much longer before I saw him again. After all, he said he would come to me on his way home.
Today, like every day, I paid a visit to Haldir on my way to my office. The nurses would be finishing up with his exercises about now. I approached his door and was shocked to hear yelling from within. I cracked the door open and listened as Haldir berated the nurses.
“I don’t understand why we must keep doing this every day. Nothing seems to make a difference,” he complained.
“If we stop, you’ll never get better,” the nurse retaliated.
I went to his bedroom to try and mediate the conflict. “What’s going on here?”
The nurse turned to me, clearly fed up with Haldir. “Your brother is being more than his usual difficult self this morning.”
“Are you giving this sweet elleth a hard time?” I asked him to try and lighten the mood.
“I don’t want to do this today. Can’t I just have one morning to myself?” Haldir argued.
I looked back at the nurse, and walked her out of the bedroom. The other nurse followed us. “Perhaps I’ll tend to my brother this morning.”
She threw her hands up in defeat. “Better you than me. I’m sorry, March warden, but your brother is becoming increasingly difficult with each day that passes. There’s only so much I can do, but if he refuses to put in the effort–”
“Let me speak with him, and find out what he’s thinking. I thank you for your time and generosity. Is there anything I can do for you?” I was trying to make the moment end on a happier note.
“You can talk to him, and make him understand that this is a long process. However, I don’t know how much more of his abuse I can take. Haldir is entering into another phase, I believe. This one is anger. We’re passed fear and depression, although the latter could still be a factor.”
“I’ll see what I can do, and hopefully the next time you come for an appointment, he will be in a much more agreeable mood,” I promised.
“Thank you March warden. I worry for your brother, but only he can see his path.”
And that original path was disrupted by me and Orophin. Galadriel’s mirror showed a completely different outcome after the battle at Helm’s Deep. However, that wasn’t the case now. He was here with us, and our brotherhood was still intact. Perhaps that was part of Haldir’s problem. He had prepared himself to go to Mandos Hall, which I imagine took a lot of mind rearrangement. How bad could it be to know you were still alive?
I walked back into his bedroom, and Haldir was sitting at the edge of his bed. “Why are you giving them so much backlash?” I asked.
“I’ve been doing this for months now, with no new results. Let’s face it Rú, I’m never going to walk again. This is me now. This is what I’ve become, so why can’t everyone let me be?”
“You know this is a slow process,” I reminded him, but he wouldn’t look at me. “Won’t you at least come to the daily meeting today? You haven’t been to one all week.”
“I really in no mood today. Help me into my chair, Rúmil. Then you can be on your way. I have things I need to tend to around the house.”
There was no arguing with him. His mind was made up. “Alright,” I agreed reluctantly. After I helped him, I stayed while he put water on for tea. It was easier for Haldir to get around his home with all the adjustments. I thought for sure this would make his life easier, but now I wasn’t so sure it was a reminder of what his life had become.
* * * * *
Another meeting was finished, and I only had a few spare moments to speak with Orophin before I needed to be somewhere else. He had already mentioned the absence of our eldest brother, but I had no time to explain.
“I’m afraid he isn’t taking his therapy seriously,” I was saying as I explained the situation from this morning. “He’s been getting rather angry and lashing out to those who are trying to help, mainly his nurses. I’m afraid he’s going to scare them away.”
“It’s just a phase,” Orophin said. I got the feeling he was trying to avoid our conversation.
“It’s more than that. Little by little, he’s doing less of his exercises, and he hasn’t been to a meeting all week.”
“He’ll be here next week. We’ll make sure of it,” Orophin tried to convince me. “Now, we need to organize the troops, separate them into two groups and take a look at the new recruits.”
Orophin was just as bad as Haldir. Where Haldir was giving up on improving his situation, Orophin was just trying to ignore the whole thing. I was the only one looking at this as an outsider. “If we don’t do something soon–”
“You worry too much Rú. Come now. We’ve got work to tend to.”
After that, I got quite busy, but I still managed to check on Haldir whenever I found time. He didn’t seem to be any worse, which was good, but his attitude was still not as positive as it had been at one time. For the time being, I let it go. At least he was making some kind of effort. He started coming to meetings again, but only once or twice a week. I made sure to include my brother in every decision, but I found that I was making the calls and asking his opinion, in which every answer was a simple agreement. I still had to believe that if I was making a bad call Haldir would call me out on it. I had to admit to myself that my job was becoming easier by the moment, and I was rather enjoying it too.
And then came the day when the army was called to action. I received word from Mirkwood that they asked for aid in cleansing part of the Rhovanion. The orcs were scarce since Dol Guldur had been neutralized, but spiders and a few other dark creatures still tried to claim the forest as their home. A nest had been reportedly building along an area on the outskirts of the woods. A request came from Thranduil himself asking Lothlórien to take on this task, as Mirkwood’s army had their hands full closer to home. They didn’t want to spare the men because they were all needed where they were. Thranduil feared this was the intention of the enemy, to have the Mirkwood army spread thin and attack them, which would diminish their numbers. They may have been nothing more than insects, but they were intelligent, and that’s what made them so dangerous.
I prepared my men, gathered the required troops and marched to our destination. We weren’t expected to see any of the Mirkwood army. They were stationed close to the palace where they were under attack. Lothlórien was called to vanquish the problem at a further distance and lessen the amount of enemy. This would make the fight more manageable. I was curious as to why the spiders were behaving sporadically. Their attack pattern was irregular for the breed. They would usually lie in wait and attack unsuspecting prey or wait for the orcs to herd victims towards their lairs. Perhaps it was the absence of orcs that forced the spiders to behave in a desperate way. Whatever it was, it was very unlike them. I knew because during my time here, Legolas taught me about their strategy.
The brief thought of his name sent a jolt through my heart. How I wished he was here. Mirkwood wasn’t the same without his presence. Although I was only on the outer edge of the Rhovanion, I still considered this his land and his home. I wasn’t sure what it was, but there was a vibe of sadness in the air. Perhaps it was the trees sending out their emotions. No one else would feel it except me. I knew this place better than any of the other Lórien elves, and the trees resonated through me in a way they did not for anyone else. They missed their Prince, and I did too. We were one in the same in that way, and I thought they were actually reaching out to me, searching for an answer. Had I more time, I might have been able to sit within their boughs and communicate the reason for his absence. Maybe it would help them. Maybe it would help me too. I missed Legolas terribly, but I had pushed those emotions deep inside. With my new position, Haldir recovering, Orophin pestering me to not do anything rash, and Raenor’s ever watchful eye, there just wasn’t enough time to dwell on my lonely heart.
The battle was a success. Lothlórien subverted the enemy and cleared the area in which we were assigned. We suffered no deaths or poisonings. The only injuries were bruises, cuts, scrapes and a couple broken bones, all minor, all recoverable. We had a short retreat before deciding when to make our way back home, giving the injured time to recharge before the journey. I set up sentries to guard the area while tents were pitched. We would stay a total of two nights and then be off. My tent was the first erected and now I sat at my small makeshift desk composing a message to be sent to King Thranduil. I was letting him know that we cleared this section of the Rhovanion, and that our army’s survival rate was one hundred percent.
As I was scripting my letter, one of my men interrupted me. “My lord, you have a visitor, a soldier from the Mirkwood army.”
I was a bit confused. “I didn’t think anyone would be coming.”
“She says she has information for you, and that she will relay any messages that you have for the elven King,” said my soldier.
“She?” I questioned, more to myself than to my man. “I wonder … No, could it be? Send her in,” I said enthusiastically.
To my surprise, I had guessed correctly. Through the flap in my tent, I heard her before I saw here. “I don’t need your help finding my way through a piece of material,” she complained, and I expecting less. She entered with her usual saltiness, and I was never so happy to see her sour mug.
“Corweth, words cannot express my–” I started.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before.” She paused and looked me over from head to toe. “Well, look at you. All grown up. March warden I hear. I’m impressed.” She looked out of the corner of her eye to the sentry just inside my tent.
“That will be all,” I told him. “You may leave. I’d like to speak to our Mirkwood guest in private,” I told him. He nodded, bowed and left us.
Once she was sure it was just the two of us, Corweth seemed to exhale as she came to me. Then she smiled as I’d never known her to do. “Rúmil, it is good to see you.” She reached for me and pulled me in for a hug.
“Have you been poisoned?” I asked in a facetious manner, and she slapped my arm. I smiled. “It is good to see you too, Corweth. How have you been?”
“I’m doing alright,” she admitted in a humbled way. “It’s been rough without my sister, but I’ve learned how to manage.”
“Something tells me that’s the short answer,” I said.
“It is, and it is all I have time for right now. I bring news. Actually, it might be helpful in understanding why these spider attacks have broken out so suddenly.”
“Yes, I have wondered why. It is a very unusual thing that they attack as they have been, and I’m glad that Lothlórien could be of service to your King,” I said formally.
“I’ve just learned of a disturbance, and word came not long ago that Sauron has been destroyed,” she said enthusiastically.
“What?” I asked disbelievingly.
“It’s true. A message was sent by carrier hawk. It would have only happened a day ago,” she confirmed.
“And you trust this information? You don’t think it was sent by the enemy to draw our armies into the open.” I was still skeptical.
“The letter came from Legolas. It is his handwriting and his seal was found. It’s over, Rúmil. We have won the war.”
I was in shock and I went to my chair and collapsed onto it. “And the spiders? How do they tie in?”
“I’m assuming that when Sauron was destroyed so was his hold on all the evil doers in his regime. That included the spiders whose wills were twisted to do his bidding. They panicked without his voice in their heads and began attacking on their own … probably out of fear more than anything. One last-ditch effort to carry out their dark lord’s intentions. But they were confused and unorganized. They are not the kind of creatures who attack first.”
This was all well and fine, but my attention was more focused on the message sender. “You said Legolas sent the message. So you have heard from him?”
“Yes. Why? Haven’t you?”
I shook my head slowly. “It has been a very long time.”
Corweth laid a gentle hand on my arm and gained my attention with her smile. “He is coming home.”
“That is wonderful news,” I smiled in return, but it was forced. Why didn’t Legolas tell me this? Why didn’t he send me a message too? Corweth must have seen my questioning gaze.
“Now, now. Don’t start making too much out of nothing. Carrier hawks are difficult to come by, and they only travel to one destination. Of course Legolas would notify his father first. I’m sure, though, that he was scrambling to find another way of notifying you.”
“I’m sure you are right,” I agreed and increased the stretch of my smile to convince her.
We finished our conversation and said our farewells. Corweth had to be on her way immediately. When she was gone, I shared the news of Sauron’s defeat with my Captains, and they shared it with their troops. We packed up our camp and eventually made our way back to Lothlórien. I was sure that by the time we got home, Lady Galadriel would have heard the news also. A huge celebration would be the next thing to take place, but I already wasn’t in much of a mood for a party. I wanted to know why Legolas didn’t write all these long months, and I wanted to know why he couldn’t tell me the good news.
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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home