Living Life

The next morning came too quickly for Rumil's liking. It wasn't that he was regretting his decision but he knew after this he would not return to Lorien. Mirkwood would now be his home until he sailed to Valinor. But the sun rose as it always has and always will brining with it a new day. Rumil was awake early as he bathed and took care of his normal morning ablutions. But it was different for he put on a rich and formal white and silver robe. His hair was bound not in braids but knots. Lover's knots. Haldir had come after his bath and did his hair for him. Since there was no formal bonding for Haldir and Legolas it was a poignant moment. Rumil had noted the sadness in Haldir's eyes as he diis. is. Legolas and Haldir had missed much in their impromptu bonding with Aragorn. So many tiny symbols had been forsaken that Rumil felt saddened. AS if reading his mind Haldir had told him not to dwell on what was lost but instead on the good. He had Legolas, Aragorn and even Arwen now and he had love. After he braided Rumil's hair Haldir had left and Rumil was left alone to meditate. When Haldir returned to his chamber Legolas could see and sense the melancholy around him. Aragorn felt guilty because his three elven lovers had forsaken many things to be with him in Minas Tirith. They had left behind their families, friends, homes, and even culture for him.

"You are sadder then I have seen you in ages." came a soft voice from behind.

Aragorn didn't even turn from the window. "I am now realizing how much you three have given up."

"It was given freely Estel. You know this. We all did it willingly and would do it again if we had to." she reminded him.

"Yes but you never had a proper elven bonding or ritual night. None of you. Legolas and Haldir had an impromptu boding to save Legolas and you had a human style wedding. It was not right. You all deserved more." Aragorn's voice was tortured.

"Look at me." she commanded softly.

Unable or unwilling to ignore her he did as she bade. Arwen lifted his chin so he looked into her eyes.

"Never doubt yourself again Estel. We had to watch you torture yourself for to long. After the war we all saw the man we knew you were. You saved Legolas. You almost died for him. You have done so much for us that small things like symbols and rituals mean nothing. We have you that’s all we need."

"Look at Haldir and how sad he is then tell me that." Aragorn turned and left the room to finalize details.

Arwen looked at the floor as tears leaked from her eyes. She felt arms wrap around her waist and she was pulled into a strong embrace. Cool hands pulled the hair from her face and soothed her. She clung to a warm body as she sobbed. Oh it hurt the three of them when Aragorn doubted himself. When he tortured himself for past things. Lately it was Boromir's death and "proper" rituals they had not had. A soft voice sang a child's tale to her as she cried.

"*Uuma dela.* It will pass and one day we will purge him of his worries." Legolas's voice reassured her as she sensed the trid behind her.

"*Amin dele ten' ho*" she whispered agonized.

"We all are." Haldir said as he finished singing to her.

They stood there and comforted each other until they had to part and get ready. This was a day of joy not sorrow. Soon they would confront Aragorn but not today nor tomorrow. Soon.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Thranduil stood at the head of the great hall next to Aragorn and Legolas. Elrond was officiating the ceremony because Celeborn was Rumil's father. Haldir, Oin, in, and Arwen stood in front of Rumil concealing him from his bethrothed's eyes.They slowly made their way toward the front where Thranduil and the others stood. The Lords and Ladies of Gondor watched eagerly as they knew nothing about elven rituals. Arwen stepped forward and kissed Thranduil on the cheek before she wet and stood on the other side opposite Aragorn. Haldir kissed Thranduil's other cheek before standing next to Arwen and across from Legolas. Rumil stood in front of Thranduil as the ceremony began. Vows and rings were exchanged before they were declared bond mates. Rumil grinned happily as Thranduil kissed him. Everyone present cheered but the good mood was not to last. Suddenly the doors were tossed open and Faramir came inside.

"Orc, Uruk, and warg riders...coming here." gasping Faramir fell to his knees. "My me and I were on our way back from Osgiliath when we ran into them...an army. We ran but they over came us. Haldir's second told me to flee because of Ithilien." Faramir's shoulders shook as he cried at his shame.

He ran and they satyed and died. Haldir was beside him in a heartbeat. He drug the Prince to his feet and stared intently at him.

"How many?"

Faramir hesitated.

"Awnser me Faramir!"

Aragorn could not watch anymore. "Haldir stop it. Interrogating Faramir will not help."

"3300 strong." Faramir said.

"Faramir you did nothing wrong. You came here to tell me. Do not beat yourself up. Ithilien needs you. You did your duty." Aragorn embraced his young friend.

"Haldir muster the men we must defeat this army"

Haldir nodded and left. Aragorn told the lords and ladies to go home and prepare for battle.

TBC

A/N: Uuma dela: Don't worry.
Amin dele ten' ho: I worry about him.