breaking the ice

Chapter eight Disapproval

Elrohir pulled Elladan along on his way to Elrond’s rooms. He was not afraid to admit they needed help and right now Elrond was the only one would could help them. Elrohir politely knocked and stopped his twin from fleeing. When Elrond called them in he opened the door and entered, dragging Elladan behind him.

Elrond and Glorfindel smiled at them. “What brings you here at this late hour?” the ruler asked.

Elladan, not very eager to address the issue asked one of his own. “Why is it that we can always find you in adar’s rooms, Glorfindel? Is there something we should know?”
He noticed a deepening blush on both elder and raised his eyebrows. He had merely asked for fun, but now he was thinking that maybe there was something going on. He would have to keep an eye on those two.
Elrond closed his eyes and sighed. “Glorfindel and I find pleasure in each other’s company. Verbally. Now, why have you come?”

Elrohir blurted it out before Elladan could steer the conversation away again. “Rumil. If he’s really as fragile as you say he is, he’s heading for heartache.” Elrond raised his eyebrow, indicating Elrohir should elaborate. “You know he wants to befriend Erestor.”
Glorfindel grinned. “And hacceecceeded in doing so, I should say.”
Elrond nodded. “And besides, what’s wrong with befriending Erestor? Aren’t we his friends as well?” Elrohir nodded. “Aye, we are, but I we think it’s more.”
Elladan shook his head. “No ada, -Elrohir- thinks it’s more. -He- thinks Rumil has fallen for our counsellor.”
Glorfindel spat out the wine he had just consumed.
Elrohir nodded frantically. “He is, or has. Anyway, we have to stop it before he gets hurt.”

Elrond signalled for his sons to sit down. “You don’t welcome this attraction?” Elrohir sighed while Elladan fumbled with his hands. “Ada, we want Rumil to be happy. And Erestor. But let’s be serious: Erestor can never have a lover.”
Glorfindel shook his head at their thick-headedness. “And why not?”
“Because he can’t return those feelings or emotions.”
“What if he does?” To that Elrohir burst out laughing. “Adar, really. We came here for help so be serious.”

Elrond rose and looked at his son in earnest. “I am being serious. Deadly.” He sighed. “So Rumil has developed feelings for Rumil, has he?”
He looked at Elladan, who shrugged. “I don’t know. Elrohir says he has, but I don’t know. He’s certainly become his friend. Maybe he sees something we’re missing.”
Elrohir grinned. “Brother, you’re insane. We’ve known Erestor our entire lives. How can there be anything Rumil can see that we don’t?”
Elladan smiled ruefully. “Because he doesn’t know him. Because he looks at him without prejudice. Because he sees the real Erestor.”

Elrond nodded. He was proud of Elladan right now. “Now you are speaking rationally, Elladan. You came here for council, so I shall give you my advice. We shall let things go for we won’t be able to stop them anyway. We will not intervene but we will be there to pick up the pieces if things go wrong.”

Elladan nodded. “I just hope Rumil will talk to us again.”
Glorfindel smiled. “You heard him. A real apology will do that.”
Elladan stood and started pacing. “I know that, but I have no idea for what. I would love to apologize but how can I do so without knowing what for? All I know is that I have to mean it.”

He suddenly left the room. Elrohir wanted to go after him but Elrond held him back. “Nay, he needs to be alone right now.”
“But ada, he’s going to search for Rumil and Erestor. Things can go wrong.”
Elrond shook his head. “They will not.”

And for the next minutes Elrond and Glorfindel tried to talk some sense into the younger twin.

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Rumil smiled as he studied Erestor from over the game board. He still could not believe Erestor had invited him to play. His game was a little rusty and he had already lost twice, but he was glad Celeborn had once thought him how to play.

After the first defeat he had expected Erestor to call it a night but the raven-haired advisor had silently reset the board and instigated another game. And a third.
Occasionally he complimented Rumil on his play that improved as they played. The mistakes he had made in the first game were gone and he now was even learning new moves.
Erestor enjoyed himself but he told himself it was merely the other’s play and nothing more. About to move one of his pieces the door flung open and revealed a panting Haldir.

Rumil immediately rose and approached him. “Haldir!” He embraced him tightly. “I’m sorry I had gone to the market or I would have seen you off. We were planning on going to come tomorrow; well, actually we were planning on doing it tonight but Erestor thought you and Orophin would be too busy now so we rescheduled it and now we’re coming tomorrow. But why are you here? Is anything wrong? Orophin, what’s wrong with Orophin? I’m going to get Elrond.”

He felt Erestor’s hand on his shoulder. “Nay, you stay with your brother. I’ll fetch him.”
But Haldir pushed the counsellor back. “Nobody’s going anywhere. Rumil, what is wrong with you?”

He couldn’t believe his eyes. Nothing seemed to be wrong with Rumil, but Orophin had clearly felt his pain. And why was he alone with Erestor?
Rumil cringed as he read those thoughts in Haldir’s eyes. He knew Orophin and Haldir didn’t approve. “We’ve been playing, though I am rather rusty at it.”
Erestor shook his head. “You haven’t played for millennia. Of course you’re rusty. And you’re picking it up rather fast.”

Haldir’s eyes widened as he saw Erestor smile. Then the receiver of said smile registered in his brain and he stepped in between Rumil and tor.tor. “You just be careful, counsellor. Rumil is my brother and if he gets hurt…”
“Haldir!” Rumil was angry and he felt hurt and betrayed. But Haldir ignored him. “Stay out of this, Rumil.”
Erestor’s eyes became cold and hard as he returned Haldir’s glare. “The only one in risk of getting hurt is you, Haldir o ‘Lóriën. You are even more thick-headed than I originally thought. Which is a compliment, for I don’t usually make a mistake in judgement. But at least now I understand where this afternoon came from. You’ve obviously set the wrong example. Now calm down or leave us to our game.” His eyes dared Haldir to challenge him.

When the archer showed no sign of moving Erestor shrugged and made himself comfortable on his chair. “I believe it’s your turn, Rumil.”

Rumil walked towards the board but Haldir grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Rumil looked at his brother in confusion. “Making my move, what do you think?”
Haldir shook his head. “You are coming with me. I won’t let him hurt you.”
Rumil’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Hurt me?”
Haldir nodded. “Yes, and don’t you dare deny it. Orophin felt your pain this afternoon and sent me here to make sure you’re all right.”
Rumil pulled himself free. “Well, I am all right. Now leave!”

Before Haldir could reply Erestor’s calm voice rode the air. “Orophin felt Rumil’s pain you say?” Haldir looked at him, daggers shooting from his eyes but it did little to unnerve Erestor, who rose and walked to the door. “You need to talk about this. How odd that you didn’t sense it, March Warden.”
He wanted to leave but the look Rumil threw at him was heartbreaking and Erestor was torn in two. “I will be back in while. There’s something I have to discuss with Lord Elrond.” He didn’t mention it was Haldir he needed to discuss.

Rumil was pleased to hear Erestor would at least return. He had felt stronger with Erestor in the room. “Phin felt my pain?”
Haldir, glad Erestor was out of the room, nodded. “He doubled over from the force of it. He said you were in emotional pain.”
“And you over-reacted and just assumed it had to be Erestor.”
Haldir snorted. “Who else can it be? And why were you alone with him? He’s dangerous and we don’t want to see you hurt. But it’s too late now. Why are you with him when he already pained you?”

Rumil crossed his arms and glared at Haldir. “Yes, I was in pain because of him. And because I could not talk to my brothers because they had left me. I did not yet know you had been sent to the Bruinen. I felt alone and I despaired and Erestor took care of me. He comforted me and he apologized, so I have no reason to stay away from him. You just don’t know him.”
Haldir snorted. “I know enough to know you’ll get hurt. Eventually.”
Rumil shook his head. “I love him, Haldir, and he’s my friend. I don’t know if it’ll ever be more, but at least I have his friendship. So get used to it.”
Haldir shook him. “No! You are not acting rationally. You’ll get hurt and I won’t let that happen.”
“And what will you do? Lock me up and throw away the key? Kill every elf that I fall for? Or kill me?”

Haldir sighed. “Don’t say those things.”
“Why not? It’s what you want. Just because you got hurt doesn’t mean it’s all right for you to stop me from trying.” He could see his words hurt Haldir but he was in an equal amount of pain and he wanted to make Haldir feel that too. “That night when you went to Erestor, don’t worry, I don’t know what you’ve spoken about, though I can guess, but that night Erestor’s eyes were watery. But you were too busy hating and fearing him you didn’t see. He has feelings and emotions and he -is- my friend.”
“But he’ll never be more.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. If you don’t stop this folly you’re no longer my brother.”

Rumil could not believe his ears. “You’re asking me to chose between my family and my love?”
“I’m demanding it.” On that Haldir turned. “If you don’t visit tomorrow I know you’ve made the wrong choice.”

Rumil watched him go in a haze. He couldn’t believe what had just happened. The conversation went over and over in his head.

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Elladan sighed. He had searched everywhere for either Erestor or Rumil without success. The only place he hadn’t tried yet was the common room for he found it unlikely they were there. But now it was the only place left.

He carefully opened the door and peeked inside. After adjusting his eyes to the darker room he gasped.

Rumil was standing in the middle of the room, obviously lost in thought. But something about that stance made Elladan shiver; it looked eerie. He swallowed and steadied himself.

“Any reason why you’re blocking the doorway?”

Elladan jumped and turned, staring wide-eyed in Erestor’s face. Not expecting Erestor to mysteriously appear behind him Elladan backed up and tripped. “Rumil…”

Erestor stepped over Elladan and shook his head at his antics. “Will you ever grow up?”
Then he halted, seeing Rumil as Elladan had seen him. His eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, realising Haldir had left. “Get of the floor and tell your father he’s got a patient. Two, after I’m done with Haldir. And see if that idiot Galadhrim is still here. Hurry, little one.”

Elladan nodded, not allowing the blow to hit. He would have enough time to ponder Erestor’s words, and their meaning, later. But he began to understand Rumil might be right.

As soon as Elladan had left Erestor guided Rumil to a chair. When his legs collided with the chair he snapped out of the spell he had been under and looked at Erestor in amazement. To him Haldir had only just left.

Erestor gently pushed Rumil on the chair and then turned to get some water but Rumil suddenly grasped his robe, pulling him back. He landed on the floor next to Rumil with a loud thud. Looking at Rumil he was surprised to see fear stare back at him.

His eyes became hard and cold. “What happened, Rumil.” He kneeled next to him, understanding Rumil wanted him close.

Rumil’s lower lip started trembling and Erestor allowed him to flung himself at Erestor, burying his face in the burgundy robe. “Rumil?” After closing his eyes and drawing in a deep breath Erestor embraced him and started soothing him.

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“Ada! Ada!” You have to come! Hurry! Rumil, he…he”
Elrond and Glorfindel were beside him immediately. “What is wrong, Elladan? Slowly now.”

Elladan nodded and took a steadying breath. “Something’s wrong with Rumil. Erestor told me to get you.” He already turned and headed back, knowing Elrond and Glorfindel would follow. He hadn’t even noticed Elrohir. “I found him in the common room, he stood there like a statue and Erestor said to get you.” His worry and fear seeped through his speech. “He…he…said Haldir was responsible.”

Glorfindel suddenly grasped his shoulders tight and made him look at the elder. “He said what?” Glorfindel had a hard time believe Haldir was responsible for whatever was wrong with Rumil.
Elladan nodded fervently. “He did. He said to check if the idiotic Galadhrim was still here. His words Glorfindel, not mine. And he said ada would have two patients after he’s done with Haldir.”

Elrond couldn’t keep his smile back. “Looks like our little friend found a way inside all right.” Glorfindel nodded and sped up, worried not only for Rumil but for Haldir as well. He knew Erestor well enough to know he didn’t make idle threats.

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The servant, that had been collecting wood for the fire, dropped the branches as he heard a cry of agony emanating from the cabin. He rushed inside, worried for the elf’s well being. “Orophin, man raica?”

Orophin could not answer. The pain inside was ripping him apart. He felt like hundred or more knives stabbed him from the inside. The pain emanated from his heart.
/Phin/ His eyes flashed open wide as he heard his brother’s voice. “Rumil. Ru, Ru, what’s wrong with him?”

The servant didn’t know what to do but held Orophin’s hand in an offering of comfort. He hissed in pain as he felt Orophin’s grip on it tighten. The warrior rolled around in pain. He pulled the servant closer. “Horse, saddle it. Ru. AAAAA”

The servant nodded and hurried to saddle the horse. Next he filled the water flask and grabbed the painkilling herbs Elrond had given for the leg injury. He figured it might work for whatever attacked Orophin now as well. He offered it to him but Orophin shook his head. “It’s not my pain.”

He leaned on the servant for support as they made their way to the horse. At the moment when he wanted to mount Haldir came within view.

Upon seeing his brother in such agony he rushed forward and nearly flew of the horse. “Orophin, what?”
Orophin glared at him, while his arms held his own body tight. He could feel Rumil’s pain lessen, but only a bit. “What did you do?”
Haldir looked confused. “What do you think? Saving our brother, of course.”
Orophin shook his head but couldn’t speak for another wave of pain came over him. Needing no further encouragement the servant mounted the horse and pulled Orophin on before him. “I’m taking you to Lord Elrond.” He urged the horse to go as fast as possible. Haldir had no other option but to follow.

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“Would you like some water?” Erestor asked Rumil now that the crying subsided a little. Rumil nodded but didn’t loose his grip.
Erestor sighed. “You have to let me go if I am to get the water for you.” But Rumil only tightened his grip, setting off Erestor’s worry. “Please tell me what happened. You and Haldir fought?”
Rumil nodded. “W-w-w-worse… t-t-t-th-h-h-an-n-n-n-n w-w-w-we e-e-e-e-ever ha-a-a-ad.” His crying made it hard to speak.
“Why don’t you go to the cabin tomorrow and talk this all out? I’m sure you both said things you didn’t mean.”
Rumil shook his head. “H-h-h-h-h-e me-me-me-meant it.”

Erestor noticed Elrond and the others entering and he nodded towards the water carafe. Elladan rushed to be of assistance, having a hard time believing this picture was real. He handed Erestor the water who made Rumil drink it. “Easy now.”

Elrond kneeled on Rumil’s other side and touched his knee. Rumil didn’t show any sign of feeling it. “Rumil?” Still no response and a silent communication passed between Erestor and Elrond. “Rumil, would you like to have some calming herbs? Elrond can give you some.”

But Rumil didn’t hear. In his mind the conversation played again and when Haldir told him he no longer was his brother he cramped up. Elrond’s eyes widened. “He’s reliving something. Who was with him last?”
Erestor closed his eyes in defeat. “Haldir. He came in, spitting fire. I left them alone.” His voice carried his pain and Elrohir’s mouth dropped open. He had just seen and heard the unimaginable.

Elladan’s face became hard and stern. “I’m getting him here. And Orophin too.”
But Erestor shook his head. “Nay, they will come here on their own. Haldir came because Orophin had felt Rumil’s pain.”

“He what?” Elrond couldn’t believe his ears.
Erestor nodded. “Aye. Before dinner Rumil found out his brothers had left. Not knowing they’d only gone to the cabin he panicked and thought himself abandoned. And Orophin felt it. And that was nothing to this. Orophin will be in agony right now and force Haldir to come back.”

Elrond stood and nodded. “Well, it’s time to intervene. Elrohir, Elladan, ride towards Haldir and Orophin. Don’t tell them anything, just bring them here. Erestor, my friend, Rumil seems espoespond only to you. You will have to stay with him. Glorfindel and I will take shifts sitting with you.” Erestor nodded while he watched the twins dash of to do their father’s bidding.

Elrond quickly prepared some sleeping potion and handed it to Erestor. As soon as Rumil had swallowed it he blacked out. Glorfindel freed Erestor from Rumil’s deathlike grip and offered to carry the white-haired elf to his room, but Erestor turned it down.
Elrond signalled for Glorfindel to follow them. “I will be right there, Glorfindel. I need to talk to Galadriel and Celeborn. This is unforeseen.” But he would not get the time.

End chapter 8
TBC
Translation:
Orophin, man raica? Means Orophin, what’s wrong?