HUNTER'S MOON by Mirasaui

Chapter Five:

The next morning dawned bright and sunny, but the atmosphere inside a certain talan was not so golden. Haldir was in a terrible mood and Rúmil and Orophin both had aching heads. "Serves you right for drinking so much last night," Haldir said as he spooned hot porridge into three wooden bowls. He carried them all to the table and watched Rúmil half-heartedly move the thick mixture around with his spoon while Orophin took only a few bites before pushing his away.

"Why did you make me cook, if you are not going to eat it!" Haldir grumbled, spooning his porridge into his mouth with an eagerness that made his brothers turn almost green.

Rúmil stumbled from the table and rummaged in the cupboard, taking down a box that contained pungent dried leaves. He placed a kettle of water on to boil and put a few of the leaves in a tea pot. Moments later, he poured a steaming mug of the tea for him and Orophin. Orophin took his mug with a relieved sigh. It would not be long before the soothing properties of the herb would take effect, eliminating the headache that came from imbibing too much alcohol.

Haldir continued to grumble and gripe as he washed the dishes, while Rúmil and Orophin leaned back against the sofa cushions and closed their eyes. "Spare us the lecture that is coming, Haldir, go bathe or something," Rúmil said weakly. The slam of the front door was Haldir's answer. Both Rúmil and Orophin groaned at the noise.

Haldir's long stride brought him quickly to his destination, a pool of crystal water that sparkled in the morning sun. Removing his clothes, he waded to swimming depth then dove beneath the surface and crossed to the other side. Coming up for air, he tilted his head back to sweep his hair away from his forehead then stood, waist deep in the water. He sighed. This was not going to help. A morning swim usually left him invigorated, but not today. He had not slept well last night, nor all the nights before that and his body was as exhausted as was he, himself. "By the Valar!" he shouted to no one in particular, "Make these feelings go away!"

When Haldir returned to the talan, Rúmil and Orophin were in much better spirits. In fact, they had cooked another breakfast for themselves and eaten every bit. Haldir could see that they had, as there were empty, but used plates upon the table, and dirty pots in the sink. Just waiting for him to wash them, he presumed.

"Good morning, Haldir," Orophin said with a grin, "How fared your hunting last night? What did you shoot?"

"Yes, Haldir," Rúmil piped in, "Where is your catch?"

Poor Haldir was taken off guard, and managed to mumble a few words under his breath.

"I did not hear you," Orophin replied, "What did you say you brought home?"

"N-Nothing," Haldir mumbled again. "I am going back out tonight. Uh, perhaps, I will have more luck." Haldir tried to hurry out of the room, but Rúmil's next comment brought him to a dead stop.

"Oh? Orophin and I may wish to join you in your hunt. We have not been night hunting in a long while."

"No." Haldir replied, again trying to exit the room quickly.

"What do you mean, no?" Rúmil asked, with a secret wink to Orophin. "Is there a particular reason you do not wish us to come along?"

Haldir turned around and faced his brothers, desperately trying to come up with an answer on such short notice. "I need the quiet and relaxation the hunt brings, I cannot do so with you two in tow."

"In tow?" Orophin questioned, "We are no longer elflings that you must tow along, Haldir. We are grown now, have been for some time, in case you have not noticed." Orophin laughed.

"I want to be alone, understand!" Haldir's voice rose and his anger surfaced. "Sometimes, brotherly companionship is not wanted!"

"Who is your intended conquest this time, Haldir?" Rúmil asked, "If you wish the talan to yourself, you need only ask. Strange, is it not, Orophin, Haldir never hesitated to push us out before." Rúmil could not resist teasing Haldir, knowing what his older brother would most likely be doing tonight.

Orophin played along. "That is true, Rúmil. This one must be special, who is it, Haldir, anyone we know?"

"I do have other interests besides what lies between my legs." Haldir replied testily, exasperated with his brothers. "I told you before; I plan to hunt...game, nothing else.

"If you say so, brother," Rúmil said, trying to keep from laughing. Then he changed his expression, looking sad and morose. "Orophin and I will have to spend another boring night at the tavern." Rúmil sighed.

Orophin echoed Rúmil, suddenly looking down at his hands. Haldir knew they were teasing, but wondered if there might be some truth to their words. He was about to make a retort, then hesitated.

"If you truly wish to join me then meet me here at dusk." he finally replied. I can change my plans for one night, he thought, trying to hide his disappointment.

"We are teasing, Haldir, neither Rúmil nor I will spoil your hunt. Rúmil needs a chance to win back all the money he lost; otherwise, he will not be able to purchase a new tunic for the dance. It is the tavern tonight for us." Orophin decided to let Haldir off the hook.

Haldir glared at them both but hurried into his room before they changed their mind. He lay on his bed, hoping he could sleep, but as before, visions of Tilliel in Lindir's arms played before his eyes. He tossed and turned and after a long while, finally managed a few hours rest.

Orophin and Rúmil went about their day care free, returning in time for dinner. It was Haldir's night to cook, and he had not put much effort into the meal. But his brothers did not complain and said not a word when after the dishes were put away, Haldir took his bow, quiver and cloak and headed for the door.

After he was gone though, Rúmil and Orophin moved quickly, donning their cloaks and slipping out behind him. Haldir never realized he was being tailed, as he headed at a fast trot to the glade where the môrellothas bloomed.

The tree Haldir selected was again a good one, heavy with leaf and containing not too many blossoms. Those that did wind around its trunk were low to the ground. Rúmil and Orophin silently climbed another tree behind him. They had a good view of both the glade and their older brother. As neither had been present the night before, they were not sure what they expected to see, except for Lindir and Tilliel, of course.

After a good while, Lindir and Tilliel showed, each armed with an assortment of wide baskets. Tilliel was not dressed for cutting flowers; in fact, she was clad in another sheer gown very similar to the one she wore the night before. The four males present took much notice of her attire. Haldir frowned and Rúmil and Orophin raised their brows and grinned. Lindir was just content to view what the gown revealed and the possibilities that entailed.

As before, it did not take long for Tilliel and Lindir to fill the baskets, and as before, Tilliel pulled a soft blanket from a basket that had no flowers and spread it upon the ground. She lay seductively on top of it and opened her arms to Lindir, as if to say, take me, I am yours. The minstrel did not hesitate to jump at the offer.

Rúmil and Orophin watched Haldir's shoulders slump. They looked at each other and began to feel a bit guilty for what they were doing. Orophin whispered in Rúmil's ear, telling what he had heard about happenings of the night before. "They did not stay in the room, Rúmil, so it is not as bad as we thought. They came to the glade and actually picked flowers, although Tilliel conveniently only brought one basket. And it seems they did not proceed too far, for they were interrupted. Lindir was not keen on kissing Tilliel with an audience."

Rúmil whispered back in return. "What about tonight? Do we stay and watch the full show, watch our brother's heart break? Orophin, I think it is time we helped Haldir."

On the ground below the trees, Lindir once again was kissing Tilliel with great passion, and his hand, which was on her waist, began to move upward. Tilliel threaded her fingers through Lindir's hair, her mouth agape and suddenly grasped Lindir's hand and placed it on her breast. Rúmil and Orophin watched as Haldir leaned forward on his branch. They could only imagine their brother's expression. Rúmil looked at Orophin then whispered in his ear once again. "I will be back soon." He quietly climbed from the tree and crept softly though the woods. Once he was far enough from the glade, he broke into a run.

Unbeknownst to all the players, three others had donned their grey cloaks and crept through the woods into the glade. Like Haldir and his brothers, they too sat hidden in the trees. These three guardians watched Rúmil sneak away and wondered what he was up to. Claurech placed a finger across his lips, warning the others to keep quiet. Unlike Orophin, they had a good view of Haldir's face, as it went through many different emotions. Shock, anger, hurt, and then anger once again.

Haldir was now shaking with rage. How dare Tilliel be so forward! He had half a mind to find her brother. But he could not move from his perch, too scared of what he might miss. When Lindir began to undo the ties on Tilliel's dress, Haldir almost came undone. This could not happen here before his eyes! Then Tilliel began to loosen the fastenings on Lindir's tunic, and Haldir's fists clenched and unclenched as he fought the desire to scream at her to leave his Lindir alone. He did not want Tilliel's hands on Lindir's pale skin or Tilliel's lips on those that should be his. Haldir was falling deeply in love with the lovely minstrel and there was nothing he could do to change that. Just as pale skin was certainly about to be revealed, when Haldir felt as if his heart would surely break in tiny pieces, a couple entered the glade, a different one from the night before, but a pair of young lovers, nevertheless. And not a few seconds after their entrance, Rumil climbed back up onto the branch next to Orophin and winked at his brother.

Lindir groaned; this could not be happening again! He was so close and he was aching. But, he would not make love to Tilliel with an audience. Quickly retying the laces on her dress and those on his tunic, he pulled Tilliel to her feet and told her the glade was not a good location for what they had in mind. Tilliel smiled coyly and agreed. "I know another place, Lindir, one that is not so frequented as this one."

They folded the blanket and smiled at the other couple, then collected their baskets of flowers and left. Six grey cloaked figures snuck through the woods after them, Haldir first, then Rúmil and Orophin, and then the three guardians of Haldir's unit, one of which was Claurech.

Tilliel led Lindir to a lovely spot beside a small stream. Luckily, there were plenty of trees nearby that gave a good view of the ground where she spread her blanket. Haldir found another leafy one and climbed to a comfortable perch, while Orophin did the same a few moments after. The other three guardians found trees on the other side and they too settled in for the show. Rúmil, however, once he knew where Tilliel was headed, had hurried off in another direction.

Once again, Tilliel and Lindir kissed and embraced, but it did not take as long this time before hands began to undo laces. Tilliel and Lindir held their breath, waiting to see what the fabric would reveal, while five others did the same. Just as areas hidden by clothes were once again about to be exposed, an elf and his buddy chose to bathe in the stream nearby. Lindir could hear their voices as they headed to the bank. "This is a good spot, leave your towel there and hand me the soap."

"Tilliel," Lindir whispered, as he once again retied what he had so eagerly untied a few seconds ago, "I thought you said this place was secluded."

Tilliel huffed. "None have ever disturbed me here before! This is not a good stream for bathing; I cannot imagine why they chose such a shallow part."

Lindir noticed that Tilliel kept her eyes on the elves. By the Valar, he thought, she is waiting for them to undress! "Tilliel," he asked, "Have you come to this spot often?"

That got Tilliel's attention. "What kind of girl do you think I am, Lindir! I do not do this with just anyone!" Tilliel acted highly incensed at Lindir's question.

Haldir grinned. He agreed with Tilliel, the stream was a terrible place to bathe, but the fools who chose that particular location could not have come along at a more opportune moment.

Rúmil climbed up next to Orophin. "You do not have much of your winnings left from last night, Orophin. They drove a hard bargain! But they do not care much for Tilliel, so were glad to play along."

The three guardians in the trees across from Haldir's brothers and Haldir were disappointed. It was not that they disliked Haldir; he was their commander and their friend. But they remembered times when the object of their desire was claimed by the handsome warden and they felt as Haldir did now. In fact, this had happened on many occasions. So they did not feel as guilty as Haldir's brothers. They would get a kick at seeing Haldir get his just desserts.

But, it appeared the party was over for tonight. Tilliel was upset by Lindir's comment and asked him to escort her home. Only one grey cloaked figure followed the pair this time. Rúmil and Orophin, their good deed over, headed for the tavern, and the other guardians decided to share a few drinks in the comfort of Claurech's talan.

Haldir returned home that night sore and exhausted, but in a slightly better mood than before. He folded his cloak, put away his bow and quiver, took a quick bath and changed into his sleeping clothes. Once in bed, it took him forever to fall asleep, but soon he was in reverie, dreaming of a white-haired elf with large blue eyes.
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Chapter Six:

Haldir awoke feeling more refreshed than he had in days. He stretched and yawned; then sat up. A bird warbled sweetly outside as he swung his legs to the side of the bed and stood, walking over to the mirror that hung on the wall above his dresser. An elf with mussed silver hair and pale blue eyes looked back at him and sighed. The week was halfway through and soon Lindir would be leaving. What would he do then?

Haldir walked into the main room of the talan to begin preparing breakfast, when to his surprise, he saw it was already on the table. Orophin smiled as he placed a spoon in the honey pot. "We were just about to wake you."

Three bowls of steaming porridge, a plate of soft, fluffy scones, and a bowl of fresh berries greeted Haldir as he sat down at the table. Rúmil placed a mug of hot tea in front of him then sat in his place and waited for Orophin to take his seat.

"What is this?" Haldir asked, "It is not my begetting day, what do you two want?"

"Since you asked..." Rúmil began then stopped as Orophin glared at him.

"Claurech's sister brought the berries and the scones by earlier and I decided to make the porridge. I want to visit the market today and wish to leave early."

In actuality, Rúmil and Orophin wished to give Haldir a chance to sleep late, to start the day without worry. They had noticed Haldir's sleepless nights and were worried about their brother. But they also knew that Haldir would not talk about his problem. They also had another slight motive to treat Haldir nice this day, but that was a secondary concern.

"I forgot it is market day," Haldir replied, "Rúmil will go with you, I presume, to buy that new tunic." Haldir smiled.

"I shall," Rúmil said, "But have changed my mind about the tunic. One of my old ones will do just as well."

Haldir raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. Rúmil had been talking about a new tunic for weeks. He wondered why the change of plan.

"Why do you not come with us, Haldir? Spend some of that coin you have been hoarding." Orophin grinned. "It has been awhile since we have spent a morning together. Besides, with you along, the ellith will be more likely to wait on us."

Haldir was about to say no then changed his mind. It was not like he had anything else planned and he *had* been avoiding his brothers. He poured honey onto a scone, took a bite then licked his lips. "I knew there was a reason for you two preparing breakfast," he smiled, "Why not, I could use a new tunic myself."

"Does that mean you do not plan to wear your blue one to the dance?" Rúmil inquired hopefully, "so, I could perhaps, borrow it?"

Haldir frowned. "If you treat it like the last one you borrowed, you will be paying for the new one I buy. I want it back in pristine condition or you will never touch anything I own again."

Rúmil jumped up from the table and kissed Haldir on the cheek. "It matches my eyes better than yours," he whispered then headed out the door. "You can do the dishes. I will not be gone long."

Haldir shook his head then finished his porridge and began to clear the table. Orophin laughed and helped, taking the dishes from Haldir's hand and washing them himself. "Make yourself presentable, Rúmil goes to bathe in the stream, leaving the tub for you. I truly do wish an early start."

"You did plan this, Orophin! Have I neglected you both that much?" Haldir asked feeling guilty.

Grey-blue eyes avoided looking at Haldir for a moment and Orophin's cheeks turned slightly red. "It is not that exactly, Haldir. Claurech has returned from the southern border, so I thought I might buy myself a new tunic as well. Rúmil and I did not do so well at our game these last few nights, and I figured if you came with us, I could persuade you to add a few coins to my pocket." Orophin glanced at Haldir to see his reaction.

Haldir snorted. "I should know you better by now, Orophin. Do not tell me you still have designs on Claurech! I had hoped his stint on the southern border would have cured your infatuation." Haldir grinned and left the room in a hurry, leaving Orophin standing there open-mouthed.

The jingle of the heavy coins in the pouch at Halidr's waist could not be heard over the cacophony of sounds coming from the market place. Laughing and singing elves, vendors calling their wares, the tinkle of bells and wind chimes on the tents and canopies of the shops, and the beat of the hammers of the metal smiths, all played a familiar tune in their heads. It was market day in the city and a sense of excitement filled the air.

The three brothers were greeted and admired by many as they made their way to the tailors' tents. As Haldir had not yet refused to help, Orophin guided them to the largest, knowing that particular pavilion housed the most expensive wares. Haldir raised his brows, but said nothing. After all, he wished to look for himself, and Haldir spared no coin when it came to *his* attire.

The tailor smiled as he saw Haldir enter and hurried over to wait on him. He knew a good customer and Haldir was one. Rúmil smirked and Orophin grinned as they watched the shrewd elf fawn over their brother. While Haldir tried on countless tunics, not able to make up his mind, Rúmil ran his hands over a beautiful blue one wistfully and Orophin sighed over one a moss green.

Haldir finally settled on a silk tunic in a lovely shade of grey-blue, and after he had paid, the tailor glanced at Halidr's brothers. "Are your brothers also looking today?"

"Looking, but not buying," Haldir told the elf loudly. "If they would not spend so much of their time gambling, they might be able to afford the quality and cut that make your garments so desirable. But do let them try on what they have found, if only to encourage their dreaming." Haldir laughed at both Orophin and Rúmil, who frowned at him and acted as if they had been insulted.

The tailor nodded and called for two ellith to help Haldir's brothers with the tunics of their choice. Then he stepped back to Haldir's side and commented. "Your brothers have good taste, Haldir, they know which colours look well with their complexion. I dare say, they make a dashing pair."

Haldir pulled his coin pouch from his waist and handed the tailor a good amount of silver. "I will take the ones they decide on also," he said. "It *is* close to the narbeleth (1) festival."

The tailor smiled and bowed and when Rúmil and Orophin handed him the tunics they had chosen, he told them of their brother's generosity. Then he wrapped all three tunics carefully and handed them to Haldir. "As always, marchwarden, I appreciate your business."

Haldir nodded at the merchant then turned to Orophin and Rúmil. "Count yourselves lucky, I am feeling charitable today."

He was about to tease his brothers a bit more when he saw Lindir enter the tent. The minstrel was with another bard from Imladris, Geliron, if Haldir remembered the elf's name correctly. Haldir handed his parcel to Rúmil and walked over toward Lindir. "Mae govannen, Lindir, Geliron," he said, "I see you have found the tent of my favourite tailor. Haldir smiled a winning smile.

Geliron nodded and returned the smile. "If you recommend the elf, Marchwarden Haldir, he must be good." Then he turned to his friend. "Do you not agree, Lindir?"

"Perhaps," Lindir replied somewhat coldly, looking directly at Haldir, "But I prefer to base my decision once I have seen the tailor's work myself, rather than take another's word for it."

"Then by all means, do not let me stop you from looking, Lindir." Haldir replied just as coldly, his feelings hurt by the lack of warmth in Lindir's voice.

"If you do not mind," Lindir replied. "Geliron and I are in somewhat of a hurry."

"We are?" Geliron asked, looking at Lindir in surprise.

Lindir scowled at his friend and took his arm. "Yes. I meet with Tilliel later, and do not wish to tarry long here."

Rúmil and Orophin watched the exchange and glanced at one another. They saw the hurt in Haldir's eyes, although it did not show in his outward bearing.

"Good day then," Haldir bid to both elves, "I expect I will see you at the dance." He turned and looked at his brothers. "Is there anything else you need at the market? Or may we now return home?"

The walk back to the talan was one mostly of silence. Haldir was the picture of gloom and Rúmil and Orophin could not say too much without revealing all they knew. When they reached the talan, Haldir took his tunic and went into his room, hanging the garment in his wardrobe. He was not sure now if he would wear it to the dance; after all, what was the point?

Back at the market, in the pavilion where the ale was served, a group of male elves were seated around a table, drinking. From their build, one could see they were warriors, and amongst them was an elf named Claurech. He was telling them what he had done the other night, whispering, so only those at his table could hear. The elves laughed and more whispering ensued. They were definitely up to mischief.
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Sindarin words and phrases used in this chapter

1. narbeleth - The name for the season of late autumn, 54 days lying between modern 8 October and 30 November. [From the Elven Kingdom Website]

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