Hunters' Moon

Chapter Nine:

Lanterns hung from the branches of the Mellryn, their glow like tiny stars in the fading light. A dais with chairs for Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, their counsellors and guests sat at one end of the clearing, covered by a canopy of blue and silver. Another, with chairs for musicians and bards, sat nearby. Runners of the same hued fabric of the canopy lined the sides and other end of the field and upon them was placed a veritable feast of meats, fruit, nuts, sweets, and other bounties from the harvest. Garlands of ribbon interwoven with the beautiful night blooming Môrellothas (1) and fresh boughs of evergreen served as decoration and the fragrance of the blooms permeated the air. Barrels of the finest wine lay ready to be opened and many elves had already seated themselves around the makeshift tables, talking and laughing and singing.

Haldir and his brothers found a place with a good view and began conversation with those nearby. As the numbers swelled, anticipation grew. All waited for the entrance of their lord and lady, for that would signal the festival's start.

To the sounds of bells, flute, harp and pipes, Celeborn and Galadriel walked into the clearing hand in hand, the lady in white and her husband in silver, flowers in their hair and mithril circlets upon their brows. Behind them walked Lord Glorfindel of Imladris and another lord from the Grey Havens. Glorfindel wore a robe of blue dappled with yellow flowers, a circlet of gold upon his head. The other lord was in a gown the colour of the sea with shells and strands of pearl woven into his hair. Following, were the advisors of the lord and lady and the musicians and bards of Lothlórien and Imladris.

The lords and lady took their places on the centre dais and the entertainers settled on the other. A minstrel stood and played a short series of notes on his pipes. Lord Celeborn raised his hands to the sky and spoke.

"Tonight as narbaleth (2) passes into rhîw (3), we give our thanks to Ilúvatar (4) for our bountiful harvest and successful hunt, and to Yavanna (5), who has gifted us with all that is green and growing and necessary to our way of life. And we forget not those of our kin who have left Lothlórien and Middle-earth. We pay honour to them in song and story, for they will stay forever in our hearts, until we all meet again on the shores of the Undying Lands. But let us not be filled with sorrow at their passing, for they, tonight, will be part of our feasting and merriment. As midnight approaches, we shall lift our cups in toast to all that is past and all that is to come. Let the festivities now begin." (6)

The musicians began to play softly and plates were brought to Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel and they both tasted of the harvest. That was the sign for all to fill their plates and their glasses with drink and many elves broke into happy song. Rúmil served a plate for Haldir and placed it in his hand. His brother was staring mournfully at Lindir, who sat on the dais with the other minstrels. Lindir was clothed all in shades of green and his hair fell unbound over his shoulders and down his back. He never once looked in Haldir's direction, instead kept company with those elves from Imladris, ignoring everyone else, except those with whom he played.

The middle of the field was kept clear as later that night the elves would dance upon its green carpet. While the elders ate and talked, the children played games and tag in the large area, and their high pitched voices and merry laughter brought a smile to many an eye.

When all had eaten their fill, or at least the first course, an elf shooed the children back to their seats and told a story of his parents, who had sailed this year to Aman. After he had finished, an elleth sang of her brother, who had fallen at the border defending Lothlórien from enemies without. Others came forward and told or sung similar tales. Their stories were not sad, but a loving recitation of the happier moments they had shared with their relatives and friends.

Later, as darkness fell, Lindir came forward and in a sweet voice sang of those of his home, while his fingers plucked his harp in accompaniment. Haldir and many others were entranced by the loveliness of his song, for Lindir had a voice that could rival the birds. He left the field to much applause when his performance was over.

At midnight, Celeborn and Galadriel toasted the end of narbeleth and welcomed the coming of rhîw. Blessings and good wishes were expressed for those who had left Middle-earth and all elves as one lifted their cups and drank. Lord Celeborn led Lady Galadriel to the centre of the field and they clasped hands and danced under the hunters' moon.

Slowly, other couples joined them. Haldir saw Tilliel dance with a scribe who worked in the library and could not help but glance Lindir's way to see if the minstrel noticed. But Lindir looked only to his harp. The musicians would rotate throughout the night, so they could enjoy the dance and partake of the food and drink. Haldir would have to wait until then to try and approach him.

Rúmil stood and walked to where Claurech was sitting with his family and Orophin's eyes narrowed. But when Claurech came to join them, Orophin gave Rúmil a grateful smile. Claurech apologized to Haldir and when Rúmil rose to find a partner, took up conversation with Orophin. Orophin hoped when he had drunk a bit more wine, he would find enough nerve to ask Claurech to dance.

As more wine was consumed by the elves, the dancing grew merrier and more couples took to the grassy floor. Rúmil chose many different partners and Orophin finally offered his hand to Claurech, who nodded in acceptance. Haldir smiled as he saw that they did not immediately sit down after the music stopped but waited for the next piece to be played. Orophin and Claurech danced for a long while before returning breathlessly to their seats.

As expected, many asked Haldir about his eye and he told only that he had been injured in a fight. He suspected most knew the details already. He also received many offers to dance and sighs of disappointment when he shook his is head. Every so often, he would glance at Lord Glorfindel who sometimes returned his look with a glare. But that was not often, for the elf-lord was quite popular as a dance partner due to his stately bearing and handsome face.

A time came when Lindir stepped from the dais to take his break. He was handed a glass of wine and stood alone sipping it slowly. He also refused the offers of those who asked him to dance. Haldir slipped from among the elves with whom he sat and with a confidence that he did not feel, walked over to Lindir's side.

"I would ask for a word with you, Lindir." Haldir held his breath and waited to see if Lindir would agree to speak with him.

"So you have heard what happened, marchwarden, and have come to apologize for your guardians. Did the lord and lady place this task upon you or do you consider it your duty as leader of your men?" Lindir's voice was cool and it stung Haldir with its sharp tone.

"I have come to tell you that I started that which led to the embarrassing moment in the glade. It is I who spied upon you before any one else." Haldir's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, but before he could continue, Lindir stopped him.

"You need not explain anything to me. The incident is in the past and I do not care to dwell on it. In a few more days, I will return to Imladris and forget my rude treatment here. Now, if you will excuse me, I wish to refill my glass."

Haldir placed a hand on Lindir's arm. "Please, do not leave. I meant you no harm Lindir, if you would listen to what I have to say, you would understand that."

"If you had a part to play, Captain Haldir, it would seem you were punished for your deed already. I assume that Lastad paid you back for the shame you caused his sister." Lindir's voice was still cold and he made as if to leave once more.

"It was I who gave Haldir the black eye, Lindir, not Lastad. Haldir more than deserved it. Never say that Imladris does not protect its own. I only wished I had arrived a few days earlier." Lord Glorfindel had come up behind them both while Lindir was speaking.

To the astonishment of both Glorfindel and Haldir, Lindir turned on the tall warrior in anger.

"And who appointed you as my protector? Do you think me so weak and naive that I cannot look out for myself! Captain Haldir says he started the incident, but you, Lord Glorfindel, seek to make me look worse, treating me as a child who cannot fight his own battles! I would ask both of you to leave me alone." Lindir stalked away angrily wishing he were anywhere else but in Lothlórien.

Haldir sighed as he watched Lindir leave then turned to Lord Glorfindel. "I deserve this black eye for the hurt I caused Lindir, but I did not do so out of a misguided sense of fun. Lindir has tormented me since first I saw him in Imladris. I do not wish just to bed him, Lord Glorfindel, I have fallen in love with him."

"You may slay the skin from my bones, but I will not heed your warning. Lindir deserves to hear those words from my own lips and I will keep chasing after him until he gives me the opportunity to do so. I followed Lindir and spied on him not to humiliate him, but because my heart could not stand being separated from him for a moment, even though he sought the arms of another. He has bewitched me so that I cannot eat or sleep without seeing his face before me. If he rejects me, at least I will know it is not because I did not try."

Glorfindel's blue eyes lost the anger in their depths and he placed a hand on Haldir's shoulders. "Lindir is right. If I had not threatened you in Imladris, maybe none of this would have happened. I owe you an apology, Haldir. Lord Celeborn told me I was an interfering fool and I did not listen. Instead I barged in where I had no business. If you can find it in your heart to forgive an old warrior, then I beg you to do so."

Haldir laughed. "I wished to strangle Tilliel many times these past few days, and if she was not an elleth, I might have done so. Come, let us drink a glass of wine and commiserate. It seems we are both on Lindir's bad side tonight."

Glorfindel laughed also and put his arm around Haldir. "We are not so different, you and I. Apparently, we have much to learn about our friend. Perhaps, it will take more than a few glasses of wine to soften the sting of Lindir's words."

The two walked off together heading toward the wine barrels, seeking also to fill their cups. It was to be the start of a long friendship between the arrogant captain and the stubborn balrog slayer. But that is not the tale that is to be told here.

Under the hunters' moon, many things can happen, and this night was far from over.

Sindarin words and phrases used in this chapter

1. Môrellothas - collection of dark flowers, a field of dark flowers. Variations: môrellyth - a bouquet or vase of dark flowers. Sindarin translation by Orchyd Constyne.
2. narbeleth - the name for the season of late autumn, 54 days lying between modern 8 October and 30 November. [From the Elven Kingdom Website].
3. rhîw - the name for winter; 72 days between modern 1 December and 10 February. [From the Elven Kingdom Website].
4. Ilúvatar - the name among Elves of Eru the One, from whom the Ainur had their being. Through the Music of the Ainur, Ilúvatar created the World and the beings who inhabit it, and only he fully knows its fate. [Encyclopedia of Arda].
5. Yavanna - called the 'Giver of Fruits', Yavanna was the Vala whose province was all growing things upon the earth. . [Encyclopedia of Arda].
6. Thanks to Vesta and Soledad for their help directly and indirectly with the paragraph on the narbeleth festival.

Lindir ©by Mira

Chapter Ten:

When Haldir returned to his seat, Rúmil was there, but Orophin and Claurech were nowhere to be seen. Haldir looked questioningly at Rúmil. "Where is Orophin?"

Rúmil grinned. "Orophin told Claurech he deserved to be punished for spying therefore they went to find a secluded place."

"Oh?" Haldir raised his eyebrows. "Orophin's idea of punishment is different than mine."

"Punishing kisses is more like it," Rúmil said with a laugh. "Claurech did not mind the few that Orophin stole while they were dancing."

Haldir laughed also. "And what of you, Rúmil, has anyone caught your interest tonight?"

"Many, dear brother, but I am not in such a hurry to pair myself as are you and Orophin."

Haldir smiled sadly. "The way I see it, Rúmil, Orophin is the only one of us who has paired."

"If I talked to Lindir, do you think it would help? I owe him an apology, even if he did not see me in the tree." Rúmil cocked his head at Haldir.

"No, Rúmil, leave him alone. That is what he wants, to forget what happened here and return to Imladris." Haldir sighed.

"I have never known you to give up pursuit so easily. If it is truly Lindir that you want, why do you just sit here? Why do you not speak with him, tell him how you feel?" Rúmil hated to see his brother looking so dejected.

"I *have* tried, Rúmil. He does not wish to speak with me. If you have noticed, Lindir is miserable. This should be a night of celebration. Lindir has not danced, nor looked at any elf here. He spends time only with Garilon, that minstrel from Imladris, his friend. When he plays, he looks only at the strings of his harp. Not once have I seen him smile. I am the cause of his unhappiness. I will trouble him no more."

Rúmil shook his head. "There is no point in both of you being unhappy. Dance, Haldir, if not with Lindir, then with another, do not waste this night in sorrow."

"Yes, Haldir, come and dance." Glorfindel, who had wandered over their way, grasped Haldir's arm and pulled him to his feet, dragging him toward the grassy clearing, giving a cheeky smile to Rúmil.

Haldir tried to protest, but Glorfindel would have none of it. He whirled Haldir into the midst of the other dancers and spun him around. "A smile, if you please, I do not wish my partner to be melancholy."

Haldir frowned, but then gave in and laughed. The two made quite a handsome pair and those couples dancing smiled to see the marchwarden finally enjoying himself.

Lindir, who had gone back to playing, and who had secretly been watching Haldir, suddenly missed a note on his harp. He bit his lip at his mistake, but not before he heard a tittering from Garilon. "Shall we play a slow tune next?" Garilon teased. Lindir glared at his friend and turned his eyes back to his harp. But he could not concentrate on his playing. As long as Haldir had kept to himself, Lindir had been content to wallow in his misery. It had been easy to pretend that Haldir cared about what happened and was truly sorry. Lindir was honest with himself. He realized that he had not given Haldir a chance to fully explain his actions, as he did not wish to hear the marchwarden admit that he had started the joke at Lindir's expense. He had been foolish enough to think a warrior like Haldir might find him attractive and now that he knew better, it hurt. And what made it even worse, Glorfindel was now interested in the elf that Lindir wanted. He might as well admit defeat right here and now.

Garilon had become tired of Lindir's self-pity and was determined to at least see Lindir enjoy himself before the night was through. He put down his pipes and without saying a word, stepped from the dais. Lindir stared at him, but could not stop playing to inquire where his friend was going without disrupting the music. He could not believe that Garilon had just walked off.

Garilon was set on finding Rúmil and speaking with him about Lindir and Haldir when another elf touched his shoulder and pulled him aside. After a brief conversation, Galiron returned to the dais, a smile upon his face. Lindir, who did not see who had waylaid his friend, wondered again where he had gone and why he had returned so quickly. During their next break, he found out.

"The lady wishes you to play for her, Lindir, a song of Yavanna." Garilon hummed the tune. "Do you know it? It is an old song."

"I know the melody, Garilon, but I do not know the words. Is she to sing?" Lindir asked.

"No, you will accompany another. See, she is leading him to the dais now."

"Haldir! I am to accompany Haldir!" Lindir groaned, this could not be happening. But he could not refuse the Lady Galadriel, and so with a smile that he did not feel, Lindir sat next to Haldir at the lady's feet and began to pluck the introduction to the song on his harp.

Haldir had a surprisingly beautiful voice, deep and resonant, as he sang the words of the song in the old tongue. The lady smiled and the elves gathered in the clearing to listen. Lindir forgot his qualms and was soon into the music himself, enjoying it for what it was, a fitting tribute to the Vala that the Silvan elves so loved.

The song was long, with many verses, and when it was finally over, there was a reverential silence. Then Lord Celeborn stepped forward and bade the celebration continue. Galadriel took Lindir and Haldir aside and thanked them for performing on such short notice. Then she smiled at Lord Celeborn and he took her hand and led her to dance, motioning for Haldir and Lindir to join them. When Haldir took Lindir's hand, Galadriel gave Celeborn a secret smile.

Garilon, waiting for just that moment, led the minstrels in a slow, romantic tune that brought wistful smiles to the lips of many elves. He smiled to himself. If the lady wished for Haldir and Lindir to come together, then all was well, and he put his heart into the music, glad for his friend.

Haldir said not a word to Lindir, just led him to the clearing and held him in his arms, drinking in the sight of the elf that he longed for. Lindir was silent at first then spoke. "I am sorry, Haldir, for my rudeness earlier. I accept your apology."

Haldir smiled. "I am glad, Lindir, for I did not wish you to leave with bad feelings between us. But you did not let me explain fully what caused my guardians to act the way they did."

"It matters not, Haldir, let us put the matter aside." Lindir said with a sigh. "I was a fool, playing a foolish game."

"No, Lindir, I am the fool. I am the one who did not realize what could have been until it was flaunted before my eyes."

Lindir looked at Haldir in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean, Lindir, what I have been trying all night to tell you, is that it was I who followed you and Tilliel all over Lórien, climbing trees and spying upon you, making a total fool of myself."

Lindir frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but Haldir stopped him, placing a finger upon his lips. "You captured my heart, Lindir, back in Imladris, and but for a balrog slayer, I would have declared my love for you then. Glorfindel, knowing my reputation, warned me off, as he thought I only wished to take you to my bed. And I, unused to these new feelings inside, used that as an excuse to stay away."

"Lord Elrond asked me to escort you to Lothlórien and again, I was a fool. Every time I looked at you, my heart was in my throat, but I suddenly did not know how to tell you of my feelings. My body reacted to your every look and I spent my time trying to hide its secret from you. I was miserable."

"Then when we reached Lothlórien, matters became worse. I had doubts. I wanted to tell you how much you meant to me, but I was scared that you would reject me. So, I avoided you, avoided the problem. Until the day I happened upon you and Tilliel. Never have I been so jealous of another elf in my life. So jealous, that I climbed trees and tortured myself seeing you with her, watched as she kissed lips that I wanted all for myself. My brothers, who at first thought it funny to see me so tortured, soon tried their best to help. I am sorry; Lindir, but Rúmil and Orophin paid those elves to interrupt your tryst with Tilliel. As to the rest..."

Lindir had been listening to Haldir in amazement, not believing the words that the elf was saying. Haldir loved him? Haldir, the elf he so admired and respected; the elf that Lindir had wanted all along instead of Tilliel? Haldir loved him...Lindir! By the Valar, Haldir had made just as big a fool of himself, if not more, than Lindir, and all on account of him!

And Haldir was looking at him now with worried eyes, thinking perhaps he had once again played the fool. Lindir began to laugh at the absurdity of it all. He laughed until he could not breathe, wanting to tell Haldir that he loved him also, but not able to do so. Poor Haldir, he just looked at Lindir with a sad face, made all the more pitiful by his black and bruised eye.

With tears of laughter rolling down his cheeks, Lindir finally managed to control himself long enough to let Haldir know he felt the same. "You are a foolish elf, Haldir, we both are." He smiled at Haldir then leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "I love you, too."
~~~~~~~~~~

Haldir ©by Mira

Epilogue:

Two elves lay together in a glade under the silver light of Ithil. One was willowy and lithe, the other muscular and broad of shoulder. Haldir held his breath as he released the last tie of Lindir's tunic, baring the minstrel's porcelain skin to the night air and to his eager lips. Lindir, in turn, stared at the vision that was Haldir, the one elf he had dreamed of for so long.

Their lips met and each tasted of the other, drank deeply of that which they wished no one else to share. Haldir pressed Lindir back against the cool grass, running his hands over Lindir's chest and down to the waistband of his leggings, feeling the desire that Lindir had for him, the same that he had also for his minstrel. Tonight, they would perform a different dance, one as familiar, yet as new as the moon itself. Tonight, they would make love under the stars that Elbereth had kindled, watched only by the trees sown by Yavanna's hand. Lindir had been granted a longer stay in Lothlórien, compliments of the Lady of Light. Never could two elves have been so happy.

Hidden in a tree, in cloaks of grey, not far from where the two lay, Rúmil and Orophin smiled at each other. "I do believe it is time to take our leave," they both whispered, climbing silently down the trunk of the large Mallorn, sneaking off through the woods.

Nine other grey clad forms nodded their heads in agreement and climbing from their resting places in other trees, followed silently after Haldir's brothers. The hunt had ended, the hunters' moon had cast its light and the hunter had caught his prey.

Once the two groups were some distance from the star-crossed lovers, a soft whistle from the second group caught the attention of the first. Claurech smiled and held out his hand for Orophin, and Rúmil laughingly pushed his brother in his friend's direction. The two had eyes only for each other, and they made their way to a place which was sure to be secluded, for Claurech had this week obtained his own private talan.

Rúmil had no regrets that his brothers had found love under the hunters' moon. As to himself, he was content to play the field. He shepherded the remaining smiling, grey cloaked figures in the direction of the tavern. "My pockets are empty and need filling," he said. "After my good deeds this week, do I not deserve a reward? Who will take pity on poor, lonely Rúmil?" He drew his lower lip into a pout and managed to look quite sad and miserable. But his friends only laughed.

"You have tried that once too often, Rúmil!" they quipped. But one elf wrapped his arm around Rúmil's shoulder and whispered in his ear. "I believe I am one who deserves some recompense for what transpired these past few days. I will buy you ale this night and lend you coin for cards, but you must promise to give me that which I have secretly wished for quite some time.

"And what might that be?" Rúmil said, rolling his eyes at the other elf. "I have already fletched your arrows, carried your packs and given you my finest quiver. What will you ask of me *this* time for your *cough* oh so generous gifts?"

Lastad smiled mischievously. "One kiss, Rúmil, just one kiss."

Rúmil raised his brows. Tilliel was pretty and had her charms, but Lastad - Lastad was quite a catch. Rúmil smiled and placed his arm around Lastad's waist, suddenly not in such a hurry to reach the tavern. He whispered back, "I think, my fine friend, that can be arranged."

The stars in the night sky seemed to twinkle and the moon of rhîw to nod. Yavanna grasped the hand of Aulë, her husband, turned to Oromë and smiled. "The harvest was a success and so it seems was the hunt." They all laughed. Oromë replied. "My dear, what else did you expect? All should be well in the Golden Woods tonight.

And it was.
~~~ The End ~~~

by Mira