Faded Light: Book II

(For additional notes and disclaimers, please see top of Chapter 1.)

= Here’s the next one. It’s a little short, but the next one should be longer...enjoy... =

Chapter 2.42

Fanui

“Muindor...”

The younger Elf jumped at the sound of his bother’s voice and finished dressing in the slightly ill-fitting tunic and leggings, which had been some of Earnan’s extra clothing; they had burned the things Rumil had been wearing when they left Harad.

He had insisted on some time alone to bathe while they were camped near this stream though Haldir had been sure to stay within earshot for the past hour. The warrior came closer, trying not to think of the ugly marks still marring his brother’s body that Rumil tried to quickly hide behind the tunic, looking anywhere but toward the elder...

In the days since leaving Harad, he was still trying to convince his brothers that he was doing better than he was, but barely spoke except when he had to, especially of any of the details regarding his captivity. They watched him avoid sleep every night until fatigue won out sometime before dawn...

“Orophin made some stew,” said Haldir. “He and Earnan caught some rovan gwaun...”

“I’m not too hungry...”

“Come sit with us then...I think we still have some lembas if you want...”

The younger Elf was still staring at the ground between them, but he nodded slowly, scratching at his arms. “Human fabrics,” he said quietly, and finally looked up, trying to smile. “I don’t know how they walk around in them...it’s hot and itchy...”

“At least it fits you better than anything of mine or Orophin’s...”

“Aye.” He seemed about to say something, but then reached a hand idly to his shorn hair and let it fall, looking away once more.

Haldir knew the younger felt as self-conscious about it as if it were a permanent blemish.

“Ru...” he tilted his brother’s chin gently and made him look up again. Rumil only shrugged dejectedly, still not meeting his brother’s gaze.

“It’s ugly,” he finally said. “And I feel – wrong...no matter how far behind we leave Harad, I don’t know how to make it stop...

“I can still feel them,” he admitted in a low, strained voice. “They’re always here,” he touched a hand to his head. “Their foul words...and worse...”

Haldir reached out again and gently smoothed his brother’s hair, thinking back to when Rumil had been a very little Elfling just after they lost their parents, as he tried to put his own feelings in order and find something he could say that would comfort his brother as he had all those centuries ago...

“I don’t want to talk about it,” the younger went on before Haldir could think of what to say. “I just wish I could stop thinking for awhile...about anything...

“Saes,” he said after another moment finally looking at this brother, “don’t tell Tante Niniel and Uncle Mallen everything that happened when we get home...”

“Rumil, it is never good to try to hide these things...”

“I’m not...” he assured. “But they’ll want me to talk about it... I’m not ready to...

“And you know how Tante Niniel is, she’ll worry and try to say comforting things, and I can’t handle that right now...”

Haldir didn’t argue; their aunt, usually with the best of intentions, had a tendency to fret about even small things until you thought even her perfect Elven features must end up with permanent lines, and you wanted nothing more than to escape her well meant looks of sympathy...

What would be her reaction to something as grim as this...?

“I just need a little time. I don’t want to be treated like a child or an invalid...I’m tired of being weak...”

“Rumil, you are anything but weak...but very well, I won’t give anyone else all the details at once. But I hope you don’t expect that we won’t worry...”

The younger looked like he wanted to argue the point but looked down again and nodded. “Phin says we’re taking a detour through Mirkwood,” he said instead.

“Aye...I had hoped to head for home, but at least a few days in Mirkwood will give us a respite, and they may have a Healer...

“Humor us,” Haldir went on quickly, seeing his brother’s irritated expression, before he could make an angry remark.

“We just want to be sure you’re well...and anyway, we do have one other reason for going through Mirkwood...”

“The letter Dafi left with Orophin...” said the younger. “I wish we had been able to do more for him. I never even learned his true name...”

“Aye...but maybe his kin can help when they have his letter...

“Tula,” he said laying an arm around the younger’s shoulders, “Orophin will think we don’t care for his cooking.”

“It’s better than your cooking, at least,” the younger actually laughed and ducked away quickly heading towards their camp, as Haldir swatted playfully at his arm.

==================

“Feredir, have you seen Benain?” asked Alatariel, breaking in on the deep conversation her husband was having with his old friend, a warrior named Elhel and with Lamen, one of the King’s nobles.

“La,” Feredir’s frowned, which always made his scar stand out a little more.

“I haven’t seen him since before the ceremony. I thought he was playing with Ithilhen and Gwirithniel...”

“They were, but Ithilhen came back awhile ago, and he doesn’t know where Benain went...and it is getting very late now. And it looks like it may rain again...”

“I’ll go find him,” said her husband. “He is still learning his way around...I remember this place is like a maze when one is a small Elfling...”

“...I’ll come with you, Hir Nin...” the other warrior offered.

“Also,” said the Elleth, looking even more worried, “Gwirithniel was playing with them, but now Erestor can’t find her either...”

“Maybe they’re together then...you know how children are, Melisse; they lose track of the time...”

“Aye, but, as you say, neither knows their way very well...maybe they got lost...”

“We’ll get Leralonde then, and a couple of the Guards...we’ll go find them. Come on Elhel...

“Saes, lin lene, Heru Lamen...”

A strange look crossed his wife’s face as soon as all three had gone a few steps from the dour, old noble, “I think I’ll send a servant for Leralonde and Saelbeth...” she said in a low voice, “I was told they were seen heading upstairs together...”

“Truly...?”

“...let’s worry about that later,” she shook her head but tried to keep a smile from crossing her lips. “Just find the children...”

TBC...

Elvish Translations:

Fanui / (cloudy skies)

Muindor / brother

Wild / róvan

Goose / gwaun (I wanted to say wild fowl, but my Elven dictionary didn’t have the right word.)

Lembas / Elven way bread

Saes / please

Tante / Aunt (not an Elven word, but French.)

La / no

Melindo / male lover, beloved

Melisse / female lover, beloved

Saes, lin lene, Heru... / By your leave (with your permission), lord...

Ellons / Male Elves

Elvish names:

Lamen (Clever tongue) / Mirkwood noble and great-uncle to Hirgon and his brothers

Elhel (Wise Elf) Friend of Feredir

Mallen (Yellow) / Lorien warrior; uncle to Haldir, Orophin and Rumil. Husband of Niniel.

Niniel / (Tearful) – Maternal aunt of Haldir, Orophin and Rumil; wife of Mallen.

(I know, I really should have come up with better names for Haldir’s aunt and uncle. Anyway, they’ll be in Book III somewhere...and Legolas should be back in the next chapter.)