Lorien's Orphan's

They lived on the outskirts of Caras Galadon with their parents, and they were happy. Haldir watched his brothers playing in their mothers gardens. His parents had left him in charge while they traveled to the human town not far away. They should be back anytime now and he wondered if they would bring him a present. His gaze fell upon riders approaching their talan, but it was not their parents. It was Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel and several handmaidens.

"Orophin! Rumil! Come her Hal Haldir yelled at them, they ran over and sat on the ground next to him.

"Riders!" Rumil shrieked jumping up and down excitedly.

Haldir and Orophin stood also wondering why the Lord and Lady were coming here. Haldir had a bad feeling about this. His father always said he was a bright boy for his age. He was 65, Orophin was 63 and Rumil was 60. The Lord and Lady dismounted upon reaching the talan, the handmaidens went inside folowed by Galadriel.

"Haldir, Rumil, Orophin." Lord Celeborn said as he crouched in front of them.

"Mae govannen Lord Celeborn." Rumil and Orophin whispered bowing. Haldir said nothing he just looked at his Lord.

"Boys, I have some bad news. Some very bad men hurt your parents. They knew you were safe so they followed the Valar's call home." Celeborn said gently, hating this part of his duty.

Rumil shook his head and started crying. "No! Mamma! Mamma!"

Galadriel came running outside and without hesitating she scooped young Rumil into her arms.

Orophin was sobbing quietly in his brothers arms. Haldir looked at Celeborn "How?" was all he said.

Celeborn sighed he knew Haldir would be the one to ask such a thing. "I shall tell you later but not in front of your brothers."

"Where will we live? Who will take care of us? Who will love us?" Orophin sobbed.

"We will." said Galadriel. "You are coming to live with me and Celeborn. I cannot replace your parents but we can make your lives easier." she knelt and Orophin ran to her.
Haldir looked at hhis brothers and back at Lord Celeborn.

"NO! THEY ARE NOT DEAD! YOUR LYING!" he screamed pointing at Celeborn before he spun around and ran off into the woods.

Celeborn immediatly chased after him, they were in the outskirts Orcs roamed their borders. The elfling might be seriously injured or worse.


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Haldir ran as fast as he could, he ignored Celeborn's shouts for him to stop. He ran and ran until he grew tired, he curled up next to a tree. He could no longer hear Lord Celeborn perhaps he had lost him. His daddy was a sentry in these woods when he came home and saw Haldir was gone hewould come find him. Content with that information Haldir went to sleep. He awoke hours later to a peculiar smell. Yrch! Scared he jumped up and started running, when suddenly and Orc snagged his collar. Haldir cried out as he was hauled off his feet, he looked up into a cruel set of eyes.

"Look what I found!" snarled the Orc gleefully "An elfling."

"Let's play with him!" snarled another orc.

"Or eat him." a third said.

Haldir quaked with fear he tried not to let it show. "My daddy is going to cut out your heart! He'll kill you!"

"Ah he's got spunk in him. We'll play with him then eat him." the first Orc declared.

Haldir's eyes widened when he heard this, suddenly he saw a flash out of the corner of his eye. Sentries! They had come for him, without hesitating he bit the Orcs hand that held him captive. The Orc released him with a roar, Haldir scurried next to a tree. In that instant elves swarmed around the Orcs and attacked them unawares. Haldir saw Lord Celeborn fighting as well as several of his father's friends, but not his daddy. In that moment Haldir realized that Celeborn had been telling the truth his daddy was dead. He was so immersed in his thoughts that he did not see the Orc approach him. Grinning evily the orc grabbed the elfling by his throat, intent on killing him. Haldir kicked the Orc in the knee and when the Orc's hold loosened he dropped to the ground. He grabbed an Orcish sword that was lying on the ground, he swiftly thrust it into the Orc's throat. He watched as the Orc died before he curled against the tree, his tears falling swiftly. He watched as the Orcs were swiftly killed and disposed of. He saw Celeborn approach him.

"I...I'm sorry." Haldir sobbed unaware that he still clutched the Orc's sword.

Celeborn gently took the weapon and cast it aside before he gathered Haldir into his arms.

"Are you injured little one?" Celeborn asked as he inspected the cuts on Haldir's neck and face.

"No. I'm sorry I yelled. I'm sorry I ran away. I'm not sorry that I killed the Orc though. He was going to hurt me." Haldir sobbed into Celeborn neck.

"Shhhh. It's alright, everything is going to be ok. And you did good little one. Your first Orc kill. Your father will be proud."

"How can he be? He is dead!" Haldir shivered with cold and exhaustion.

"They can see you in Mandos." Celeborn said as he wrapped his cloak around the elfling. "Shall I take you to your new home? Your brothers are waiting for you there." Celeborn asked as he got up still holding Haldir in his arms.

"Yes. Take me home." Haldir snuggled into Celeborn's embrace knowing things would never be the same again.

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TBC...