TWENTY NINE “That was fun,” Rumil remarked cheerfully as he climbed from the small boat and joined Siddhir and Orophin on the shore, carrying his catch. Orophin smiled. “That is because you caught the most fish.” “We will best him the next time,” Siddhir interjected good naturedly. “Come, let us find a good spot to make our fire and enjoy all of Rumil’s toil and trouble.” The three laughed as they strolled lazily through the woods, finally settling on a small clearing not too far from the riverbank. They settled in, and in no time had a fire blazing, and the fish cooking. Orophin smiled as he gazed at Siddhir. “Thanks for taking us with you. It has been some time since we have been on the river.” “I know, which is why I thought you might enjoy it-especially with your brother being away,” Siddhir replied. “I miss him,” Rumil admitted. Siddhir smiled and touched his shoulder. “We all do, Ru.” “When will he be back?” “I am not certain. Mayhap a week or two.” “Do not worry, Ru. You will always have me,” Orophin assured him. Rumil smiled, served up two plates and passed one to each of them. Then he made his own. “We will eat and talk about Hal. I love hearing stories about him.” Siddhir chuckled. “Oh you do? What kind of stories?” “His love life mostly,” Orophin chimed in, laughing. “And anyone else’s he can hear about. I am afraid my youngest brother is becoming quite the gossip.” “I am not,” Rumil challenged. “Oh no? All right, tell Siddhir what you want to talk about then. I know you well, *pen-neth.* [young one] You would not have brought the subject up had you not something specific on your mind,” Orophin replied. Rumil laughed. “The plague on you, Oro.” Orophin pulled Rumil close and gave him a tight squeeze. “I love you too, Ru.” Siddhir grinned as he watched the interaction between the brothers. “It is quite all right, Ru. What did you want to ask me?” “I want to know if what I heard is true.” Siddhir winked at Orophin, and then turned to Rumil. “And what have you heard?” “It has been said that you and my brother will bind together,” Rumil returned. Siddhir whistled. “News certainly has wings in Lorien, does it not?” Orophin laughed, and pointed to Rumil. “It does, and he is one of them.” Rumil punched Orophin playfully in the ribs. “If it were me, I would know the answer, smart one.” Siddhir considered them fondly. “It is true.” “I knew it!” Rumil exclaimed. “It is long overdue too.” “I take it you approve?” “Gods, yes. I have never seen my brother so happy,” Rumil answered. Orophin smiled, and grasped Siddhir gently on the shoulder. “And it is quite clear to both of us that it is you who makes him so. We are very happy for you.” “Thank you,” Siddhir replied. “When will you bind?” Rumil questioned. “I am not certain. In fact, I have to see to the arrangements with our Lady. Haldir informed her of our desire to bind, so it is up to me to see to the preparations.” “I hope it is soon.” “As do I,” Siddhir responded with a wide grin. “Now, is there anything else you wish to know?” “Yes. Is my brother as good of a lover as it is told?” “Elbereth! Rumil! I think that *far* too personal a question to ask!” Orophin complained, embarrassed. Siddhir smiled. “It is all right, Oro. Ru does not shock me. He has always been inquisitive and refreshingly straight forward. The answer is no.” “No?” Both Rumil and Orophin said at once, their eyes wide with astonishment. Siddhir threw is head back and laughed. “We do not understand,” Rumil murmured. Siddhir wiped the tears from his eyes with the backs of his hands. “Forgive me, but the looks on your faces was priceless, and I simply could not resist. What I meant was, no- he is not as good as it is told. He is *better.”* Orophin shook his head and grinned. “You are just as bad as he is.” “I suspect that I am,” Siddhir agreed, picking up his plate to eat. “It is your turn now, Ru. Entertain me with some of your tales.” ******************************** Tinion saw the dark elf approaching and dropped soundlessly down from his perch amongst the branches directly in front of him. Anarin smiled, not at all disturbed. “Please forgive my intrusion, sentinel. I was wondering if you could possibly tell me where I might find Siddhir?” Tinion raised an eyebrow. “Have you not tried his talan?” “I tried what I knew to be his talan when last I was in Lorien, but I was told he no longer resides there. I even went to where I remembered Haldir’s talan to be, but no one was at home.” “Haldir does not reside in his former talan either. He and Siddhir now stay together in a larger talan much closer to Caras Galadon.” He turned and pointed. “If you take that path, you will come upon it eventually. It is quite a distance from here, however.” Anarin nodded and smiled again. “It is of no consequence. I am rather enjoying this lovely day. A long walk will do me good.” Tinion nodded. “Very well. I shall get back to my business then. *Namarie.”* [farewell] *“Namarie,”* Anarin replied, thinking how very fair Tinion was as he turned and walked away. Tinion watched him retreat for a few moments before quickly scaling the tree and returning to his post. *************************************** “I see nothing gets past you two. Not even the long supposed deep secrets of the wood,” Siddhir remarked. “There can never *really* be secrets amongst us, I think. We are inherently a curious lot,” Orophin reasoned. “It is just that *some* of us are more curious than others.” Rumil frowned. “Do not single me out, brother mine- for there was many a night I have witnessed *you* lending an open ear towards the banter and bawdy talk surrounding the cooking fires.” Siddhir smiled. “I suspect we have all been guilty of that at one time or another.” “Tell me, Siddhir, do you know any secrets about our brother that you might tell us?” Rumil queried. Siddhir bit his lip thoughtfully. “Mayhap I do, but I wonder if telling would be good practice, now that I know how very wicked you two are.” “We will not tell! We promise,” Rumil spoke up. Orophin let Rumil speak for him, and he sat there with wide eyes, eagerly waiting in anticipation of Siddhir’s revelation. Siddhir considered then both with a stoic face that suddenly broke into a wide grin. “All right, I suppose I might tell you just one. It is one Haldir does not know I know, although I suppose if I asked him outright, he probably would tell me. At any rate, if you spill this news anywhere past here, I will throttle you both. Agreed?” “Agreed,” Orophin answered quickly. Siddhir put his plate aside and leaned forward to speak only in a whisper. “Haldir has been with my cousin.” The brothers, who had leaned forward with him- now sat back, puzzled. “Your cousin? Who is your cousin?” Rumil asked, confused. Siddhir just sat there smiling. Orophin’s brow furrowed as he gazed at Siddhir. “I have heard it said that you are kin to royalty, or something of the like…Lord Amroth? No, that cannot be. You are originally from Riv- oh!” his eyes widened with realization. Rumil pushed at him. “Who Oro? Who?” “Lord Elrond!” Orophin exclaimed. “Lord Elrond!” Rumil echoed in surprise. “Oh, that *is* a juicy bit of news.” “Which you will keep to yourselves,” Siddhir reminded them. “Of course, but how do you know that?” Rumil questioned. “You said Hal did not tell you. Lord Elrond did?” “Of course not, Ru! Can you picture *Lord Elrond* conversing upon his private affairs? He does good to talk at *all.* Siddhir’s gift had to have something to do with it.” Siddhir winked, and stood. “Now that we have enjoyed a good meal together and have shared several unmentionable subjects this day, I think it time for you both to take to practicing the exercises I taught you. I have to seek out our Lady and see to our arrangements, and possibly drop in on some friends- but I *will* be testing you on the morrow.” Orophin poured water on the fire. “We will. Thank you, Siddhir.” “You’re welcome,” Siddhir replied, kneeling to help clean up the remnants if their meal. Rumil waved him off. “I will clean up, Siddhir. Go, so we can know when you and our brother will be bound.” Siddhir smiled. “Very well. I shall see you both later, then.” Siddhir nodded and strolled away. Rumil turned to Orophin. “Elbereth! Hal has been with *Lord Elrond!* Can you believe it?” Not quite out of earshot, Siddhir chuckled and quickened his pace. ******************************************** “Enter,” Elrond called out softly. Erestor peeked inside the opened door before entering. Something in Elrond’s tone told him that something was amiss. He stepped quietly inside. “My Lord?” Elrond looked up at him with tired eyes from behind his massive desk. It was covered with many scattered scrolls and books. So many, that one could barely see the surface of the fine wood that lay under them. “How might I be of assistance to you, Erestor?” Elrond queried. Erestor gazed long and hard at him before pulling up a chair and seating himself. “I think it is I that should be asking *you* that question, my Lord.” Elrond sighed. “Sometimes I forget that there is not much I can conceal from you, my friend.” Erestor pulled a stray strand of raven coloured hair away from his brow. “There are times, such as this one… that I wish you could. Galadriel has contacted you then?” “Yes, but I knew before that,” Elrond answered. Erestor stole a glance outside the nearest window. “Will you tell him?” Elrond did not respond for a few moments. “No, not unless he asks directly.” Erestor smiled thinly and shook his head. “He will.” “I know,” Elrond replied sullenly, standing and moving slowly over to the window.