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HUNTER'S MOON by Mirasaui Chapter Three: Haldir scowled at the large moon that shone its light onto the path. The hunters' moon hung low on the horizon and on this cloudless night would brighten the sky until dawn. He did not think his excuse to his brothers all that bad. Everyone knew how this night's moon received its name. This time of year, when the leaves had left the trees and the growing crops had all been harvested, fox and rabbit had no cover, and hunters could easily see their prey back-lighted by Ithil's beams. Only, this night Haldir was not hunting rabbit. He was hunting fox, a vixen by the name of Tilliel. He wound his way through the woods to a secluded spot and removed his cloak from his pack. It was woven of a grey coloured fabric that blended with the trees, making its wearer almost invisible in the woods of Lothlórien. All guardians of the Golden Woods owned such a garment, although they did not wear it in the confines of the city unless on duty. Haldir drew the cloak around his shoulders and fastened it with a silver brooch then pulled the loose hood over his head. He circled a wide path around the royal talan and avoiding the palace guards, climbed a tree outside the room where Lindir was staying. As quietly as he could, he moved until he had a concealed view of Lindir's balcony. Then he made himself comfortable and settled in to watch. Tilliel spread a fine, white cloth over the small table on Lindir's balcony and placed two candle sticks upon its centre. She lit the tapered candles, smiling as they cast a soft light onto the fabric, creating a romantic setting. From a covered basket, she withdrew delicacies that made Haldir's mouth water, for Rúmil's chicken sat heavy on his stomach. Placing them upon the table, along with two glasses and a bottle of wine, she rearranged all so it was pleasing to the eye. Last, she put a small vase with lovely, pink flowers in between the candlesticks then stood back and looked with smug satisfaction at what she had done. Setting the basket in a corner, she went back inside Lindir's room, returning a few minutes later with the minstrel in tow. All this Haldir observed grimly as he sat amidst the branches of the tree. Rúmil and Orophin walked in the door of Lothlórien's only tavern and headed to their usual table. Most of their friends were already there, saving them a seat. Cards were laid out and Rúmil went to fetch drinks while Orophin rubbed his hands in anticipation of a night of fun and merriment. Rúmil was back soon with two mugs of a dark brown ale. Orophin took his and thanked his brother. The elves at the table talked and drank until the last of their party arrived, then the cards were dealt and they settled in to what was supposed to be a long night of gambling. Rúmil had just put down a card when Orophin nudged him in his side. "Look, over there, is that not Cúfaron (1)? What is he doing here? He is supposed to be with Lindir! I did not agree to two back to back tours of duty just to watch Cúfaron drink ale! Go find out what happened, Rúmil!" Rúmil looked to where Orophin was pointing and frowned. He excused himself from the table and walked over to the elf. Orophin watched as Rúmil's hands flew in expressive gestures and his countenance turned from a deep frown to one of amazement. Orophin looked questioningly at Rúmil as his brother hurried back to the table then whispered in his ear. The two all but ran back to their talan. "I hope you told Cúfaron that our agreement was off, Rúmil," Orophin said as they pulled their cloaks from their carry sacks. "I am not a fool Orophin. Of course I said the deal was off. I am upset with Cúfaron that he did not come and tell us that Tilliel beat him to Lindir. I imagine he thought we would not find out, the scoundrel. I wonder what she is up to." "Hurry, Rúmil," Orophin chided, "I would not miss this for the world." "Shall we bring our bows and say we are 'doing a bit of night hunting?'" Rúmil grinned at Orophin. "I am ready, let us go." Haldir's brothers, hidden by their cloaks of grey, snuck through the woods heading for the palace. They snuck past the palace guards and Rúmil pointed to a large tree. Barely visible in its thick leafy foliage was their elder brother, his eyes glued to two figures dining on one of the balconies. Sniggering quietly, they settled in a tree behind Haldir and made themselves comfortable. As much as they enjoyed watching Haldir's infatuation with Lindir, they wished to make sure there was nothing truly serious between Tilliel and the minstrel, for they did not wish Haldir to be hurt. Lindir's eyes widened as he saw the feast before him. Tilliel must have gathered every sweetmeat in Lothlórien to place upon his table. Not only that, but it was all placed so beautifully. Lindir looked at the she-elf. If he could not have Haldir, Tilliel was pretty and she had gone out of her way to please him. Lindir was no fool; the minute she had said they were to gather flowers, alone; he had realized she was interested in him for more than his decorating skills. Tilliel was dressed in a gown of a diaphanous blue fabric, a colour that brought out her eyes. But it was not her eyes that caught Lindir's gaze. The light of the large hunters' moon outlined her figure through the thin material of her dress, and Lindir could see the roundness of her breasts, her flat abdomen, even...Lindir blushed as his eyes trailed lower. The elleth, well aware of the picture she painted, plucked a ripe berry from a small bowl on the table and fed it to Lindir with her slender fingers. "I was so lucky to find these today. They have just been picked and are ripe and juicy. She made sure to squeeze the berry as she touched it to Lindir's lips, so that a trickle of the dark juice began to run down his chin. She wiped it away gently with her fingers as a soft laugh left her lips. It sounded like tiny bells and Lindir could only gaze at Tilliel as she cast her spell upon him. Haldir in his tree watched Tilliel as she bent over the white-haired elf, and he also could see the outline of femininity that the Hunters' moon revealed. His body trembled as he watched the elleth, but not from the usual reaction of a male to a half clad female, Haldir was at that moment seething with anger. Two others watched Tilliel's not so subtle attempt at seduction and held their hands over their mouths as they saw the leaves in the tree ahead of them quiver and shake. Oh, this was almost more than Orophin and Rúmil could bear. They avoided looking at each other for fear they would not be able to contain their mirth and reveal themselves to both Haldir and the couple that was providing such amusement. Unbeknownst to Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil, two others watched in wonderment and puzzlement as three of their well-trained and well-known guardians, perched in their grey cloaks in the trees outside the guest quarters of the palace. "Whatever are Haldir and his brothers up to this time?" the lady of the woods whispered to her husband. "Is that not Lindir's room?" "Shhhh..." Celeborn whispered back, "do you want them to hear us?" He kissed Galadriel softly and grasped her hand. "I saw Tilliel earlier this evening carrying a basket to Lindir's room. From the way she was dressed, I suspect those three fools in the trees are up to no good. Galadriel smiled. "Did you notice or rather not notice Haldir's presence lately? He has been avoiding our lovely visitor. I wonder why that is so?" Celeborn kissed the nape of Galadriel's neck and murmured against it. "A little bird tells me you have more to say on the subject." Galadriel smiled and turned to her husband, touching her lips softly to his. "I also noticed Lindir searching for a certain someone who was absent. In fact, I am surprised he is with Tilliel tonight." Celeborn returned the kiss and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist. "I have other plans tonight than that of playing matchmaker." His hands moved lower as he slowly walked Galadriel backward in the direction of their room. She smiled as she removed his hands and took one of them in hers. "Tell me more about your plans," she whispered in his ear as she led Celeborn through the gauzy curtains that separated their bedroom from the private balcony. It was not long before the light behind those curtains was extinguished. The branch of the tree where Haldir sat was now decidedly quivering. Tilliel had poured herself and Lindir a glass of wine and was seated in Lindir's lap feeding him titbits from plates upon the table. Lindir was enjoying himself immensely and so was Tilliel from the almost feline grin of satisfaction on her face. Haldir watched angrily every movement she made and as his ire grew, so did his misery. He knew once the curtain closed on this little scene...well, he did not even wish to think about that. Rúmil and Orophin though were ecstatic. If they had to give up their night of cards and drinking, what better activity could they have planned than watching their prideful brother learn a lesson in humility? It was a good thing they only had a few sips of ale at the tavern. Otherwise, there would have been a scandal that all of Lórien would have talked about for weeks. After an agonizingly long time to Haldir, the meal shared by the two elves was ended. Haldir watched sadly as Tilliel cleared the table, returning all that was left to the basket. His shoulders slumped, his anger had faded; a feeling of emptiness took its place. Only a fool would not know the next act to be played out before him. Haldir cast his eyes away. It was time to leave, but he had not the heart to move. He drew his knees up to his chest and just sat; the perfect picture of misery. Orophin and Rúmil knew the game was up too. So they slid silently from their perch and left, wanting to return home before Haldir. They were headed in the direction of their talan when Rúmil suggested they go back to the tavern. There was no sense sitting at home waiting for Haldir. He was not supposed to know of their machinations anyway. So, in a happy mood once more, they headed back to join their friends. Haldir sighed. He untangled his legs and was just beginning to make a move to return home, when to his surprise, Tilliel and Lindir appeared on the ground below him. Tilliel had a new basket draped across her arm. By the Valar, Haldir thought, she is going ahead with her plan to pick the flowers. He felt a wave of relief wash through him until he saw the contents of the basket. Inside, neatly folded, was a soft blanket. Bristling
with anger once again, Haldir waited until Tilliel and Lindir had passed
on their way to the glade where the môrellothas (2) grew, before
he dropped from the tree as quietly as he had entered it. He liked *this*
new idea of Tilliel's even less than her first. Moving with deliberate
stealth, Haldir followed the couple, determined not to let them out
of his sight. If he had any doubts about Tilliel's purpose, this night
had expunged them all.
1. Cúfaron
- name meaning bow-hunter. Cú = bow; Faron = hunter [Ambar Eldaron
le Monde des Elfes (World of Elves)] French translation by Milly.
Chapter Four: Tilliel took Lindir's hand and led him through the woods to a small glade. Hanging from the trees, and covering the trunks and ground at their base, were the most magnificent flowers Lindir had ever seen. Snowy white, with a slender pink stamen, the large multi-petalled blossoms lifted their heads as if in homage to Ithil. Their fragrance was as the finest perfume and filled the air all around them. "They are beautiful, are they not?" Tilliel whispered. She took a small knife and cut one blossom from its woody stem. "The môrelloth, (1) flower of the dark, blooms only at night and will close its petals at the first kiss of Anor (2). That is why we use the blossoms for our dance." "The setting of the sun is the close of narbeleth (3), the harvest or fading season. The dance celebrates its ending and the beginning of rhîw (4). Our blossoms will open when Ithil rises, a perfect tribute." Tilliel handed Lindir a knife similar to her own and they began to fill the basket with cut flowers. In no time at all it was full. "We should have brought more baskets, Tilliel," Lindir said, "This cannot be enough to make the sort of decoration you intend." "Oh, you are right, Lindir," Tilliel replied, "I am afraid we must come back tomorrow night with more baskets." "Do you wish me to return for more now, Tilliel?" Lindir asked, not sure if he wished to be with Tilliel the next night. "If you tell me where to find them, I shall be happy to do so." "No, Lindir," Tilliel said, setting down the filled basket and moving closer to the minstrel. "We have picked enough blossoms for tonight. Now, I wish to show you something sweeter than the môrelloth." She touched her lips softly to Lindir's and wrapped her arms around his neck. Lindir was taken by surprise, but responded to Tilliel's advance, pulling her close and returning the kiss. Haldir, who had entered the glade a short distance behind the couple, and was currently hidden behind a large Mallorn, narrowed his eyes at Tilliel's words. When Lindir pulled the elleth close and kissed her, pain shot through Haldir's heart. So, it is true, he thought. Lindir returns Tilliel's feelings. I was right to hide from Lindir, for he would never wish to be more than a friend to me. Haldir leaned his head against the trunk of the Mallorn, digesting that which he surmised. It would not be so hard for him to give up Lindir if his rival were anyone but Tilliel. Obviously, Lindir preferred the company of elleths as far as love was concerned, and Haldir respected that, however, it did not make him feel any better. Tilliel, of all the elleths Lindir could have chosen. Haldir moaned softly. Oh, why must it be she! Haldir began to grow angry again. Tilliel would only hurt Lindir, steal Lindir's heart and then cast it aside. Haldir then and there made a promise. He would not stand by and watch that happen to someone he cared for. He would find a way to turn Lindir's attentions from that...that vixen! While Haldir had been lost in thought, Tilliel and Lindir had spread their blanket upon the ground and now sat side by side, close together. Lindir had his arms around Tilliel and she had hers around Lindir. They kissed, passionately, over and over. Then Lindir gently guided the elleth so she lay with her back upon the blanket and bent forward to kiss her again. Lindir's hand touched her waist and began to move upward. At that point, Haldir, who was still watching, almost stormed from behind the tree to pull them apart. It took all the willpower he had to stay in his position. Part of him could not bear to watch what was happening and part of him could not tear his eyes away. Lindir was at the stage where he wished more than kisses from the beautiful lady that smiled so seductively, and was about to make a move, when he heard a noise, the sound of laughter. He lifted his head and watched as another couple entered the glade. They were so wrapped up in each other, that they did not see Tilliel and Lindir where they lay. "Tilliel," Lindir whispered to his partner, groaning inwardly, "We have company." Lindir's face turned slightly pink and he pulled Tilliel up to a sitting position. "Does that matter, Lindir?" Tilliel asked huskily, kissing Lindir again. "I-I, yes, it matters to me, Tilliel. I do not wish to share you with another's eyes. Come, we have collected all the flowers we need, let us leave the glade and find another place." "If you wish, Lindir, although I am feeling a bit tired." Tilliel said, as she opened her lovely mouth in a poor excuse of a yawn, barely hidden behind her lovely hand. "Perhaps, we should call it a night." It will not do to let this one believe I am easy to conquer, Tilliel thought. He is a prize I wish to savour for a while. "I will walk you home." Lindir replied, disappointed that his progress had been interrupted and that Tilliel seemed to have lost interest in him so quickly. "You are such a dear, Lindir," Tilliel said. "I will call for you after dinner tomorrow night and we will gather more flowers. Perhaps tomorrow, the glade will not be so crowded." She kissed Lindir, a long, lingering kiss, after which she paused and looked deeply into his eyes. "Then we may continue where we left off." She jumped quickly to her feet and took Lindir's hand, pulling him up to his feet and handing him the blanket to fold. "You carry the blanket and I will carry the basket." She smiled sweetly at the other couple, who had stopped, unsure of whether to stay or go. "We were just leaving; you may have the glade all to yourselves." She wrapped her arm around Lindir's and began to lead him back the way they had come. Another glided silently through the woods, taking a shortcut to Tilliel's talan. Haldir was even angrier than before. A master at seduction himself, he recognized Tilliel's plan and knew that Lindir was only another name on her ever-growing list. He would not let his friend become caught in her web. Climbing a tree not far away, Haldir once more settled in to wait. It was not long before Lindir and Tilliel came into view. Haldir suffered through a long good night by the couple then watched as more kisses were exchanged before Tilliel walked through the door of her home, leaving Lindir behind. Haldir sighed as he watched Lindir cross the leafy floor on his way back to the palace. If Glorfindel could only see his protégé now, Haldir thought, angry not only with Tilliel but with the balrog slayer, who thwarted his own chance with Lindir in Imladris. "Must you always gloat when you clear the coins from the table, Orophin?" Rúmil said with a pout on his face and a slur to his voice. "Those are the last you will take from me tonight; I am out of the game!" Rúmil pushed his chair back from the table and picked up his drink. Orophin grinned as he dealt a new hand of cards. "It is always easy to clear your pockets, Rúmil; you give your hand away with your expression." The other elves laughed, for Rúmil always did just that, then they turned their attention back to the hand they had just been dealt. Rúmil stood, scowled at them all good-naturedly and headed for the balcony. He needed fresh air to clear his head, for he had drank much more than he intended. Leaning his arms against the railing, he stared at nothing, just enjoying the night. "I have not seen you in a while, Rúmil, Haldir switched me to the southern border again." A smiling, handsome elf took his place at the rail next to Rúmil, a mug of ale in his hand. "Claurech (5)!" Rúmil grinned and clapped the other on the back. "You are right, it has been months. What is new?" Claurech was one of the guardians in Haldir's unit, an old friend of Rúmil's. They talked for a long time, refilling their mugs of ale, finally taking a seat at one of the tables in the interior of the tavern. Several
mugs later, Rúmil's voice became even more slurred and so did
his friend's. "I have not seen your brother in a while, Rû,
not since he switched the schedules. How is Haldir, still as ornery
as ever?" Claurech chuckled and Rúmil laughed. Claurech
and Haldir were good friends also and Rumil knew the elf was teasing.
Rumil suddenly bent low over the table and beckoned Claurech to move
closer. "You will not believe what Haldir has been doing lately.
The hunters' moon has left him befuddled." Rúmil grinned
then pulled Claurech even closer. His voice dropped to a whisper and
without a qualm, Rumil let slip that which he normally would have kept
secret, if not for the effects of too much ale.
1. môrelloth
- meaning dark flower. Sindarin translation by Orchyd Constyne Author's note: The flowers of the Epiphyllum, to which I give Orchyd's translation of "môrelloth", blossom for only one night. Since my story is AU, I have taken liberties and given the "môrelloth" longevity. The blossoms that Tilliel and Lindir pick, will last through the night of the dance. |
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