breaking the ice

Chapter four The attic

Haldir flew through the corridors.
He had no idea where the library was but Orophin had said Rumil would be there. Haldir had to prevent it. Rumil was a warrior, not a librarian or a scribe. Maybe he could rescue him before he made an error or ruined something.

Elrohir looked up surprised when Haldir burst into the room. “Haldir, what a surprise. If you are looking for the armoury, this isn’t it.”
Haldir shook his head. “Rumil, where’s Rumil?”
Elrohir shrugged. “Don’t know. He went with Erestor and only the Valar know where he took him. Is your brother always so…eh…talkative?” Haldir grinned and nodded. “But it’s worse when he’s excited.”
Elrohir smiled. “Than I hope he was excited. He didn’t seem to stop talking. What a difference with the elf that arrived here only hours ago.”
Haldir’s grin widened. “Wait until he gets comfortable. Do you know where I can find Erestor?” Elrohir shook his head. “No one is as illusive as he is. But try adar’s study.” Haldir thanked him and left just as speedy as he arrived. He couldn’t keep Glorfindel waiting too long.

He found Elrond’s study easily and stopped himself just in time, or he would have entered without knocking. But now he knocked politely and only entered when he heard Elrond’s permission.

Seeing him the Peredhel rose from behind the desk. “Haldir, is anything the matter?”
Haldir shook his head. “I don’t know. I was looking for Rumil and first I hear he’s in the library but”
Elrond raised his eyebrows. “He isn’t? The last time I saw him he was rushing towards them.”

Erestor just entered and nodded in greeting. “Erestor, Rumil seems to be missing.” Erestor’s eyes narrowed. “Missing?”
Haldir nodded. “Where is he? He’s supposed to be in the library but Elrohir says he left with you.” His voice carried no affection for the other elf, but the effort was wasted on Erestor.
“Ah, that’s ok then. He agreed on doing the attic. I hardly have time for it and Elrohir would only play with everything. And Rumil can’t do any damage there. Well, not much anyway.”

Haldir’s anger rose. “If you’re insulting my brother”
Erestor laughed. “I am not insulting anyone, Haldir, I am merely stating the obvious. You’re brother has no training in those things and I can’t sit and hold his hands, so this is the best solution.”
Haldir stepped closer and invaded Erestor’s personal space. “Just you stay away from him. Hurt him and you’ll get to deal with me.”
Erestor snorted. “Would you really harm ‘Lóriën in such a manner?” He planted the papers he had for Elrond on the desk and left. “Perhaps you should put your brother on a leash, my dear guardian. And let me assure you, I hate having him just as much as you hate bei being able to pamper him. But at least Celeborn’s request now makes sense. You’re holding your brother back so he can’t grow up. Well, that ends here, I think. Till later.”

Elrond shook his head. He knew better than to intervene but Haldir was flaming and would probably go after the counsellor had Glorfindel not just stepped inside. “Ahh, there you are, Haldir. I was beginning to think you had reconsidered and was packing for the journey home.”
The blond frowned at the tension in the room and looked at Elrond. “Let me guess, Erestor just left after delivering a hard blow.”
Elrond nodded. “What else? I think our guardian here needs to vent his anger.” He saw the glare Haldir threw at him but ignored it. “You can’t look after Rumil every hour of every day. I’m sure he quite capable of handling himself. But I am going to see how he’s dealing. If he’s really happy with the current arrangements.” He nodded and brushed past the other two.

/Why does he always seem to float?/ Glorfindel made sure his feelings weren’t visible and gently guided Haldir outside.

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Elrond had effortlessly made his way to the room where Rumil should be working, only to realise he wasn’t. Seeing the door to the attic stand wide open he figured he would find him there. Silently he climbed up the stairs and entered the dark room. He was surprised to see the young elf leaning against a table. /A table? There’s a table in the attic?/
Looking around Elrond saw the place was tidied and cleaned.
And drafty, Elrond realised.
Rumil had opened every window he could find, letting the wind blow all the dust away and let in some light.

When he was about to start where Erestor had left off he easily saw there was no pattern in the work. Apparently Erestor had just grabbed a box, carried it down, wrote down its contends and restored it. Rumil had debated with himself whether or not he should continue like this. It might be the Imladrian way of doing it, but he knew the items that were now recorded would still be hard to find should they be needed and he doubted Elrond would appreciate a loss of time because of that. So he had quickly decided to find the box Erestor had started on and number it.
Trying to find some pencils he also found countless tags and, after arming himself with ink, quill and tags, he had climbed the stairs to the attic.

The dust attacked him the second he entered and he had only opened the windows to make his breathing easier. He realised he could easily see now and returned to the room to fetch the ink, quill and tags. He figured he could start by labelling the large and heavy items here.
In doing so he also had started to reorganize the attic, move a table to the windows, where he could use it, move the heavy boxes closer to the door and the lighter ones further away.

He was so lost in his work he didn’t notice Elrond entering the attic or watching him. He was in the process of moving another table but the thing was too heavy for him. Not even leaning his whole weight against it made it give an inch. He growled and kicked the irritating item. “Auch.”
He had managed to hit one of the drawer knobs, which placed a grin on his face. “Of course, those drawers must be filled. It can’t be so heavy and be empty.” He moved to the front and opened the top drawer, jumping away when dust flew up. It made him cough vigorously.

At this Elrond rushed inside. He didn’t like the sound of that cough. “Rumil, are you all right?”
Still coughing the elf turned around and managed a nod-shake. When he had some breath back he smiled. “I’m fine as long as I don’t get dust in my face. I had to open the windows otherwise I could not do this.”

Elrond nodded, looking around more carefully, noticing all the moved objects. He realised Rumil had done a lot of work in the short time he had been at it. “Do not overdo things, Rumil. Even you must have a limit. But I appreciate the fact you’re making it look more like a room than a junkyard. And don’t forget dinner.” His gaze became serious. “But I didn’t like the sound of that cough. Does it attack you often?” Rumil shook his head. “Nay, just today, when I entered the attic and now, because I opened that drawer. It’s the dust I guess. Haldir says mother is allergic to it and I’ve never believed him till now. I mean, who’s ever heard of an elf with allergies. That’s a human thing, isn’t it?”

Elrond smiled. “Trust me, every elf sneezes and coughs on occasion, especially when dust is involved. But because you are allergic to it, which you inherited from your mother, you are more receptive to it. It explains the force of your coughing. Maybe I can find some herbs that will remedy it.”
Rumil nodded gratefully. “Thank you, I hope you do, for this is rather tiresome and exhausting.” Elrond laughed warmly. “And moving all those heavy objects has nothing to do with that, I suppose?” He shook his head. “I didn’t even know there were tables up here. Makes me wonder what else there is.”

He was speaking more to himself than anyone else but Rumil rushed forward and retrieved three rather large trunks, and heavy too, the way Rudragdragged them.
Elrond hurried to help him and looked curiously at the young enthusiastic elf. “What’s in them?”
Rumil smiled and opened the lids. “This one contains books, I haven’t had time to write the titles down and I thought maybe some have to go downstairs or be copied or something. And this one is filled with ancient garments and this one has jewellery in it.”
Elrond looked in them and was amazed to find Rumil’s words were accurate. The elf continued talking. “And there’s a wardrobe over there, I haven’t opened it yet, afraid the dust might attack me again and…”

A snort from behind made him stop and turn. “Dust carries no weapons so it can hardly attack you. My lord, can I have a word.”
Seeing the counsellor’s eyes flicker towards Rumil Elrond shook his head and waved the conversation away. “Erestor, look at what Rumil has done already. He’s moved all this so he could work better, single-handedly I might add. And dust can attack him, Erestor, for he is allergic to it. And no sneers from you! It’s hard enough as it is without being laughed at. He does his job above expectation so you just hold your tongue.”

He turned and approached the wardrobe. “Come on, let’s open it and see what’s in it, shall we? You’re lucky to be doing this, Rumil. It feels like exploring the unknown.”
Rumil laughed at the choice of words and followed Elrond to the wardrobe. Before Elrond could stop him he had already opened one door and immediately dust fall down and in his face. The worst coughing he had had today sounded through the room and the force of it made him double over.
Elrond grabbed him and guided him to the window, where he could breath fresh air. “Why didn’t you wait for me to open it? Than it wouldn’t have attacked you.” He held Rumil until the attack lessened and he could keep his footing again.

“O, Erestor, in that truck are books, can you go through them and see which need to be copied and such? Rumil and I will explore the wardrobe.”
Erestor nodded and kneeled before the truck.
Elrond made sure all the dust was gone before he allowed Rumil close as well and smiled when he saw what the wardrobe was hiding. “I’ve been looking for these. My tapestries. And here’s the one that used to hang in the tw roo room when they were elflings.”
He saw Rumil was drawn to one in particular and took it out, carefully blowing the dust in a different direction.

He turned, noticing Rumil’s eyes didn’t leave the tapestry and walked towards Erestor, who was busy sorting out the books. “Here, meldir, catch.”
The tapestry flew through the air and landed with a thud before Erestor who stared at it wide-eyed. But then he recognized it and his look turned lovingly and mystified at once. “How did it get here?” He hand caressed the wool and he smiled. His gaze settled on Rumil and gratitude shone in them. “Thank you, Rumil.” He realised it was thanks to Rumil’s efforts it was found.

A second later his mask was back in place. “I’ve sorted out the books. This pile needs to be rebounded, this pile can go to the library and these books can remain here.”
Rumil nodded. “I shall write down their titles, but what about the ones that have to be rebound? Do they come back here or not?”
Erestor’s cold gaze settled on him. “Rebinding first.”
Rumil smiled. “Of course, but who does that, where do I take them and what happens afterwards, for if they get back here I would like to know so I can write down their titles as well; they belong in the same box and”
Erestor shook his head and walked away, leaving Rumil standing alone.

Elrond’s hand settled on his shoulder. “Erestor is not used to others telling him what to do. Besides me, that is. Your words are wise and make sense and Erestor’s pride is hurt for not thinking of it himself. Come, why don’t I help you with those books.” He kneeled and gathered one pile, signalling for Rumil to take the other.
Rumil sighed. “Why does everybody say he has no feelings when it’s obvious that he does. He was grateful just now and I saw the way he cradled that tapestry when he left. And you say his pride his hurt. That’s a feeling too.”

Rumil shook his head and decided to question his brothers again. The more he saw of the counsellor, the less he believed those tales. /I wonder what I learn when I do follow his tracks./

Elrond smiled at him and was secretly pleased there was finally someone who saw behind the mask. Who saw the tiny cracks it had. His only hope now was that Rumil was resourceful enough not to aggravate Erestor. Maybe he could guide him. “Because that’s what Erestor presents, isn’t it? But what is in the heart cannot be easily denied. And who watches closely sees it.”
Rumil shook his head. “But my brother’s don’t see it and they are observant as well, they have to be otherwise they wouldn’t have the position they have now.”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, they are, but there’s a difference between you and them, Rumil. It’s small but, like most small things, can have a lot of influence.” He smiled warmly at the other. “Your perceptiveness comes naturally while they had to learn and make it their own.”

Rumil had to blink his eyes at those words. He couldn’t believe Elrond was saying that. He would have questioned the Peredhel on it but they had just entered the library and Elrond was already greeting Elrohir.

The younger Peredhel rose and embraced his father. “Ata, what are you doing here? And what’s with these books? Have you been shopping again? You know what”
Elrond raised his hand and silenced him. “That’s enough, Elrohir. Rumil found these books in the attic and these need to be stored here and the ones he’s carrying have to be rebound.”

Elrohir’s face became one of horror and he looked at Rumil in compassion. “Is Erestor making you clean the attic? That’s dreadful. You’re a guest and should be able to enjoy the sun, not be cooped up in the dark attic. Tomorrow you will help me bind them, if you’d like, and you will be shown our realm. Father, really, you can’t allow this. It’s not fair that Haldir and Orophin get to go with the patrols and see so much and Erestor practically locks Rumil up. It’s unjust.”

Elrond shook his head. “I’m wondering what dinner will be like with the both of you at the table; two mouths that don’t stop speaking. But Elrohir is right, Rumil. You should enjoy the Valley. And if you’d want to do something else, you can always come to me.”
Rumil smiled. “It’s alright, I liked doing it and I will certainly continue, though I would also love to see the Valley and I would like to learn how to bind books as well, Elrohir.”
Elrohir smiled. “Then you shall. From now on you’re my responsibility. What was I thinking, allowing Erestor to take of with you like that? And has Haldir found you already?”
Rumil looked puzzled. He hadn’t seen his brother. He shook headhead.

Elrond sighed. “He came to my study before I ventured to the attic. Which reminds me: Elrohir, what did you tell him?”
Elrohir shrugged. “He burst in here, looking for Rumil, practically demanding I pull him from a shelf. I told him he had left with Erestor, which is nothing but the truth, and he spat fire and ran off, demanding the location of the our counsellor. I tell you, making friends isn’t Erestor’s greatest skill.”
Elrond grinned. “And yet, with the amount of people that hate him, and still be admired so, that is a rare gift. But now I understand why Haldir came into my room. If the Balrog Glorfindel faced resembled him as he was then it’s a miracle Glorfindel didn’t die sooner.” He laughed when he remembered the scene. “Though Erestor wasn’t very impressed by it. Nor his threat. He simply returned the favour and walked away.”

Rumil’s eyes widened when he heard that. “What threat? Haldir threatened Erestor?” His head was reeling with all the things he had seen and heard today.
Elrond kicked himself for forgetting Rumil’s presence and slowly nodded. “Apparently Haldir seems to think he has to keep Erestor away from you.” He didn’t repeat the words Erestor had spoken as result but decided a change in topic was in order.
“Elrohir, why don’t you and Elladan show him around? I’m sure Rumil would like to feel the wind in his hair again.” Rumil realised Elrond didn’t want him to ask further and he decided to let it be. For now. But his determination to closely watch Erestor fuelled even more.

End chapter 4
TBC

PS. it doesn't say in the disclaimer but I am thinking of hooking Orophin up as well. Would you like?