When least expected

Chapter two Suicide

Haldir never noticed his brothers leaving him alone. He also did not feel the rain anymore. His entire world now consisted of the elf on the balcony, Celeborn, his lord, his secret love. He had wanted to move, but he couldn’t; he was nailed to the spot, looking up longingly.

But his presence and desire went unnoticed yet again. As always.

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Celeborn had turned more into himself after Galadriel had left. The longer it lasted, the more the grief took him. He longed to be with Galadriel, but he could not leave these trees, this world, his world.

He stood on the balcony, staring into the West. Trying to reach Valinor with his eyes, to see where his beloved wife dwelled now. But it was no use. No matter how long he stared, Valinor remained hidden beyond his view. And no matter how much he tried, the pain would not leave him. But he wouldn’t sailter ter ter what happened, he would not sail. He closed his eyes in agony.

Opening them he saw how he was watched. Haldir was standing in the pouring rain, looking up. He wanted to laugh, to tell Haldir nothing would happen to him now, that the March Warden should get himself dry.

But he did not speak, he did not move. Seeing Haldir stand reminded him of the past. Of happier times.

Suddenly Celeborn realised that even though he might not want to sail, his people would put him on a boat soon enough. He knew what was happening to him, he recognized the signs, but he did not fight it. he did not care whether he lived or died, and fading did not seem so bad now. He was too far gone to stop it anyway. But he realised his people, those loyal elves, would put him on a boat and send him to Valinor as soon as he could no longer stop them from doing so.

He did not want that to happen. He would die anyway. The mirror had shown him. He had never told anyone, but it was the mirror that had made him stay. On a midnight stroll he had walked passed it and had seen. Had seen Galadriel, -his- Galadriel, in the arms of another. The other was a mere shadow but it wasn’t him, that was obvious. It pained him to know one day his wife would goanotanother. He’d rather be dead than to see that happening. So he chose to remain and fade.

Forcing his gaze on Haldir he sighed. Haldir had stayed for him, he knew that. He knew Haldad nad not wanted to leave him unprotected. He had always thought Haldir to be too serious in his job.

It was time to let go, to let himself go, to set them free. They should go to Valinor.

Drawing in a deep breath he turned and walked back inside. He picked up a ceremonial dagger and hid it in his robe. He went downstairs and wandering through the trees he presented a vision humans would refer to as a ghost.

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Haldir had seen Celeborn go back inside, breaking his own trance.

Realising he was slowly getting wet he wanted to move inside. But the tree he was leaning to was trying to speak to him. Haldir realised it must have been worried for him. It was uncommon for elves to remain in the rain if they had no reason. Ready to assure the tree of his health he made contact. But the tree did not voice concern for him at all. ‘Go after him. Now.’

The tree had not finished or Haldilt alt a bird jagging at his cloak. He decided to let the bird lead him. As uncommon it was for elves to be out in the rain, it was even more unusual for birds. Maybe its nest had fallen out of the tree in the storm. Haldir followed the bird, ready to replace any nest when he saw his lord wander through the trees.

He stopped and admired the sight. When Celeborn had vanished from his view he went back to following the bird. “I am sorry, little Robin, but it is stronger than myself. Where are you leading me?”

He suddenly realised the bird was bringing him to the same track Celeborn had taken. They would take the same erratic turns as the elflord before them.

He realised what was happening. The tree did not want him to help a bird. He was not supposed to rescue a nest. It was Celeborn the tree was worried about. The bird was helping the tree make him stay with Celeborn. He was supposed to save -him-.

He staggered. What could be wrong? Celeborn looked normal. Well, as normal as he had the last months.

The bird dragged him along ruthlessly. But he didn’t see anymore, he didn’t hear. He was lost in his thoughHis His mind was spinning, his thoughts reeling. He needed to steady them and himself. He sank to the floor and no longer paid any attention to the bird.

But Haldir was not the only one with feathered company. Celeborn was followed by two birds the moment he had left the talan.

Wthe the three birds had first approached him, the lord had said his goodbyes to them. The words, as well as Celeborn’s attitude, greatly worried them.

They had flown back to the tree, telling it what had happened. The ash told them to stay with him. When an elf said goodbye the elf would leave. Although neither bird nor tree knew whereto, they had never seen an leaving elf return.

But one of the birds had stayed behind. It figured they needed help if they were to keep that eere.ere. Help from another elf. Instead of going inside he started pleading for the one outside to follow him.

His friends had found Celeborn and stayed close. They followed the lord on his irrational path through the trees. They left a trail for their friend to follow.

When the elf stopped, it was on a clearing, far away from the other elves.

They thanked their friend’s quick thinking to drag another elf along. Maybe nothing would happen and this one would turn back, but they would not take that risk.

The birds sat down on some low branches. Dry, but with the lord in eyesight. They saw how the elf raised a shining object. They had seen many elves carry them around. It was used to kill those horrid, smelly creatures with. They had no word for it but they knew the elves called them Orcs. But this was a smaller one, more delicate.

They now were glad it was raining for if it hadn’t the sun’s rays would have been reflected not only by the blade but also by all the little gems on the heft. It would have made it impossible for the birds to keep a close eye on Celeborn. Now they could see how he had raised it. he he tenderly stroked it. And how he lowered it again with speed.

The actions did not strike the s ass as odd, they had seen the Galadhrim practice many times. But somehow they flew up to get a view from the front. The sight that greeted them made them chatter in fear. There was red liquid flowing. They did not like this.

/The elf, the other elf, where’s the other elf./ They were screaming these words into the air. The wind carried their fear far away, the trees surrounding the clearing all shuddered. They too had seen it happening.

The chattering of the birds, the shuddering of the trees and the fear riding on the wind brought Haldir back to this world. He looked around, realised Celeborn wasn’t within sight and quickly got up and broke into a run.

Within seconds he had reached the clearing where Celeborn was now laying on his back, blood still seeping from his body. Haldir saw the dagger’s hilt sticking out near the heart.

Kneeling down, he forced his tears back, they would clouden his view and that might be dangerous. He red ted the dagger and applied some pressure to the wound.

Seeing Celeborn’s eyes closed he feared for the worst but he picked up the withering body none the less and broke out into a run, the fastest run he hver ver made. All the while screaming for a healer.

He was glad when he saw the healer come towards him, closely followed by Haldir’s brothers. He sagged to the ground; he was exhausted.

Orophin carried Celeborn to the healer’s house and Rumil made sure Haldir got there too. The March Warden would need some rending too.

End chapter two
TBC

Note: don't worry. I go for happy endings.