Lorien's Orphan's

Rumil and Orophin were playing near the main road when they saw someone cg. Og. Orophin grabbed his brother and pulled him out of the middle of the road. They watched with wide eyes as the horses slowed and stopped in front of them. There were four horses bearing six riders, two of the riders were elflings like themselfs. There were two raven haired men, a woman, and a blonde.

"Good day young ones." the woman said to them kindly. "What are you doing in the forest all by yourselfs? What do your parents think about that?"

Rumil's face crumpled and he began to cry. Orophin took his brother into his arms while he looked at the ri.
.

"Our parents are dead. The Lord and Lady look after us and our older brother Haldir." Orophin said trying not cry himself.

The woman swiftly dismounted and took them into her arms. "My name is Celebrian, I am Galadriel and Celeborn's daughter. You must be Orophin and Rumil."

They nodded as they dried their tears on the backs of their hands.

"That is my husband Lord Elrond or Imladris, our guards and best friends Erestor and Glorfindel. And those two are my sons Elladan and Elrohir. We came to greet and welcome you to our family, my brothers." Celebrian said smiling. "Now then can you show us the way home? I seem to have forgotten it in my old age." she said in a whisper.

Orophin and Rumil smiled and brightened at that last remark. They nodded and waited for her to mount her horse before they started walking toward home.

"That wasy wey well done my dear." Elrond said smiling at her.

"I coould just kick my self saying that about their parents!" Celebrian shook her head and her own stupidity.

"You didn't know who they were. Don't be to hard on yourself. You got them to smile again." Elrond reassured his wife.

She nodded and looked back at her sons, they were carefully seated in front of Erestor and Glrofindel.

"We shall be there soon, then you can rest." she reassured her sons. They nodded sleepily.

Orophin and Rumil led them to the gates of the city and were stunned to see Celeborn and Galadriel there.

"There you are! I was so worried." Galadriel said as she ran forward and embraced Rumil and Orophin. "Where were you? It is dangerous out there!"

"Hush love they are here and safe." Celeborn said to her. "And see they brought guests! Mae govannen Celebrian and Elrond."

"Mae govannen Ada!" Celebrian said as she dismounted and went to collect Elladan from Erestor.

"Mae govannen Lord Celeborn." Elrond said as he took Elrohir from Glorfindel.

Galadriel took Rumil and Orophin's hands into hers. "Come my dear I wil show you were you can put the boys down to rest. Celeborn will show nd, nd, Erestor, and Glrofindel a place to freshen up."

Celebrian smiled as her mother turned and began toward the talan, pulling Rumil and Oropin along. She took Elrohir from her husband and followed along. Galadriel showed them into the nursery where Rumil, Orophin, and Haldir slept. There were exactly five child sized beds in the room.

"Finally this room will be used as it should have been." Galadriel said with a hint of sadness.

"It was never used?" Rumil asked.

"Celebrian slept here untill her majority. Now I want you two to rest I wil wake you for dinner." Galadriel said kissing the boys.

"What about Haldir?" Orophin asked sadly.

"He should be able to leave the healing quarters tomorrow." she promised as she tucked them into bed.

Celebrian's eyes widened at this tidbit but she quelled her questions for later. She placed her sons in beds and her and Galadriel left them to rest. They found the men sitting in the informal dining room drinking wine. Celebrian and Galadriel sat next to their respective husbands.

"Now mother explain what you said about Haldir in the nursery." Celebrian said as she took a drink of the wine her husband handed her.

Celeborn and Galadriel exchanged a look before Galadriel awnsered. "When we went to tell the boys of their parents death Haldir denied it and he ran into the woods. They used to live on the outskirts where Orcs are more frequent. He was captured by them."

Celebrian gasped and clutched at Elronds hand. "Was he..." she couldn't even finish the thought.

"No. But they did hit and scratch him. Orc taint got into his blood and he has been extremly weak. Celeborn and the sentries found him. Haldir even managed to kill an Orc." Galadriel and Celeborn smiled slightly at that. "He is fine. Now you all must be tired I will show a place to rest untill your quarters are properly cleaned. I apologize that they are not but Orophin and Rumil slipped away and most have been searching intently for them."

Celebrian nodded and rose followed by her companions. They silently followed Galadriel out into the hall.

TBC