Hollow Thoughts

Disclaimer: All rights to the wondrous world of Middle Earth and its beautiful race of Elves belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. I am merely a humble slave to his ideas.
Author Note: I very much love Haldir so, and this story is based off a dream I had. Italics are flashbacks, dividers are PoV change. Caesai is elvish for hero.


The lone elf continued to approach, and from safe on his perch far off the ground, Haldir watched. The slender silver being moved silently, even as elves went, and if Haldir had not been watching the elf come on, he would not have heard. He had long ago heard the mental callings from his patrol saying that the elf was coming and seemed no threat, so he had allowed the singular being to enter the forest. As he crouched there on a limb, Haldir remembered how he used to love patrol, love being a march-warden and protecting his Lord and Lady. Now it was a job, and the silence of the mallorn trees forced him to exist for four weeks with his thoughts every other month. His thoughts were not as they had once been, and sometimes his hands shook. Shaking his head suddenly, Haldir watched the elf approach before dropping from his perch to intersect the being. "Halt." The face of the elf seemed familiar, and the shocking pale gold eyes brought a flash of memory careening back before it was gone. The elf raised a slender silver brow and stopped, waiting patiently as the march-warden came back to himself. "What business have you here?" A slight smile touched the lips of the other, before the elf swept into a bow and looked at him from a curtain of silver hair, "The Lady calls for me." Haldir's brow furrowed and his lips pressed together before dipping down into an angry frown. "Who are you?" As the elf straightened, and the soft gold eyes took on a slight edge, the being regarded him. "You do not remember me Haldir?" His brow furrowed heavily and his gaze turned suspicious. "How do you know my name?" The elf shrugged. "I know many things about nearly every thing." Giving the elf one last suspicious glance, he turned and began back to the city. "I shall take you to the Lady of the Wood."

As they walked, Haldir observed the elf. Its gender was lost behind the folds of its cloak as the heavy article of clothing was clasped from the elbows up. Its hair was shorter than most elves, more jaggedly cut than all he had seen and the elf's sharply pointed ears stuck out from its silver hair. The body was slender, even for an elf, but powerful and the face was angular but somehow soft. The golden eyes struck him most, they reminded him of something, a notion that he could not firmly grasp. "I am Idril." Haldir jerked back from his thoughts and he cocked his head slightly. "Idril." When he said it, it felt as though he had said it before. He gave a slight nod before leading the way to Caras Galadhon. As the large hall that wrapped around the trunk of a large mallorn tree came into view, with magical faerie lights cast all around, Glorfindel walked forward to meet them, glaring at Idril. He smiled and went to meet the older elf. As Haldir embraced his lover, he missed the smirk that Glorfindel directed at the elf. The Balrog slayer placed a kiss upon his forehead and then walked away, disappearing into the white barked trees of Lothlorien. When Haldir looked back, the elf had already set foot on the large staircase that wrapped around, but the silver being stopped and gave him a curious look. "Your name fits you well Haldir. Few can be true heros while many may act as though they are. And even less can lead elves to the aide of people they have no alliance with. So, yes, your name fits you well. Hidden hero, emphasis on hidden." Haldir watched the elf stalk up the staircase, wondering if he had been insulted or complimented, though his mind told him it was probably both.

~*~*~*~*

Galadriel rested on the divan, gazing out the large arched windows with adoration for her dear Lorien. Her gown spilled about her, staining the dark floor in silver and light gold. So silent was the entry of the elf that when Idril cleared her throat, the Lady jumped. Her cerulean eyes twinkled and a genuine smile crossed her lips. "Idril," before she could move to stand, the young elf was almost to the divan. Galadriel turned her gaze back upon her home and all traces of the smile disappeared when her expressive eyes fell upon Haldir. A sadness gathered behind her gaze and she watched him disappear back into the forest. "You have met Haldir."
"I have met what was once Haldir, my Lady. That was not Haldir." Galadriel swallowed her tears and forced the sadness down. "He does not remember much of the time after Helm's Deep. Glorfindel has taken your place in the saving of our dear march-warden." Idril gave a soft snort and Galadriel watched the young elf stalk around the room. Without the heavy cloak, the young elf's slender body was revealed. Strong muscles coiled beneath barely sun-kissed skin and the pale golden eyes of a predator loomed in a beautiful face. Galadriel remembered when the young female had first come to be her mercenary back in the ending of the Second Age. "You do not eat much."
"One often does not have the time to eat." The Lady drew herself up more on the divan, resting an elbow on the curled armrest and watched the young elf stop moving. "Will you answer my call this time?" Idril gave her a look. "Am I not here my Lady?" The smile came back, and Galadriel's azure eyes filled with life once more. "I suppose you are right."
"And my mission this time?" Galadriel could see that Idril already had a notion of what was to be her job this time, it hinted behind silver golden eyes. "Make him remember."

The young elf shrugged. "Few remember me." Galadriel snorted. "Those that do not, are dead." Idril shrugged again, as though it was not a big deal. "Those that still live, hold your image close in their minds, and your words dear to their heart. Will you so easily let Glorfindel corrupt his young lover?" Idril held her gaze for a long moment before nodding and leaving the room. Galadriel smiled. Idril had been nearly one hundred when Galadriel had first used her, now as she neared four hundred and thirty, no time had passed on the elf. Though Haldir was only five years older, his eyes showed horrors that Idril, too, had faced. But the silver elf hid everything, and the blonde elf had yet to notice they were showing. She figured she could watch the scene unfold in her mirror, but knew she most likely would not want to. Galadriel looked back out her windows, and smiled to herself as Idril was met by many smiling elves. She turned to smile at her husband. Celeborn returned the soft smile, but worry lingered in his azure eyes. "Will it work?" Galadriel laughed. "Idril has saved his life once, she is more than capable of doing it again." Both the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien looked out over their wonderful city of Caras Galadhon. Both did not place misguided trust in their loyal friend, for Idril had yet to fail them, but neither did not doubt Glorfindel's hold over Haldir. This win would go to who held more mind and will power. Celeborn and Galadriel both prayed to the Valar that Idril would win.

~*~*~*~*

Idril sat in a secluded glade, watching the swift course of one of the Silverlode's branches plummet over the small, five foot drop and carry on. The water was chill, but she felt the urge to hold her arms, from the elbow down, in the icy depths until she could feel them no more. Anger rushed to the surface, roaring and snarling like a savage beast and Idril set her lips and gaze against the onslought. Glorfindel had been there the night that she had rode in beside the cart full of wounded elves on the mend, with Haldir resting in front of her. From the two hundred elves sent to battle, fifty had survived of their own accord, sixteen by hers. Glorfindel had been the elf to say she have left them where they lay, he had been the elf she had drawn her sword on and he had been the reason why she had had an armed guard until Glorfindel had left Lothlorien at Lord Elrond's side. With a swift jerk, her worn jerkin was swept over her head, followed by the the long-sleeved tunic underneath. The short sleeved shirt lay close to her skinny body and she fingered the white bandages that wrapped from wrist to elbow. Helm's Deep. That night forever burned in her mind. It was branded in her mind and on her arms. She did not doubt her Lady's intent, but the results had been far worse then Galadriel had predicted. When she had been called, her Lady had asked her to make haste to Helm's Deep and lend her services, so she had run her horse ragged to reach the stronghold. By the time she had reached it, rain pelted down and orcs and uruk-hai had been setting ladders up.

The rain caused a problem as her fingers found hand-holds slickened by rain, but she took the chances and drew herself up. Each hand-hold, some not even big enough for more than two fingers, brought her closer to the top of the wall. Every gust of wind, had a new scrape on her face and the clear danger of plummeting to her death on top of the stones. Idril crouched on a ledge just as the first uruk-hai reached the wall's top only to either be cut down or slaughter some of the fighters there. An elf plummeted to his death and rage leapt up, she jumped and skidded on the wet stone. Came up between a human and an orc and hacked the beast's head from its shoulders. Without armor, Idril moved fast and was unhindered by mail as she darted for quick attacks and quicker retreats. She stumbled, placed her hand in blood and speared the attacking uruk-hai, and felt sadness swell in her when the being she thought to be human was elven. Her muscles tensed and the quiet fear and sorrow was swallowed by savage rage. Her eyes took on a predator's glint and deformed beasts fell before her blade. Idril leapt to defend her kin, snarling and thoroughly terrifing an orc and then bashing an uruk-hai's head in. Every chance she got, she drew more dead and wounded elves to the keep, before joining in the slaughter once more. Aragorn's voice rang out, calling elves and men alike back to the keep. Idril sheathed her sword and heaved a wounded elf onto her shoulder, the wounded being cried out in pain and then whispered a name. The eyes of the elf fixated on something and Idril turned to watch yet another of her kin be cut down, the elf falling in an impossibly graceful arch after being cleaved in the back. The elf on her shoulder began to say something, but Idril took off for the fallen elf. Uruk-hai and orc fell as she crashed through, using momentum to her advantage. Aragorn was at her side and she handed over the elf on her shoulder before heaving the newest of her patients into her arms. He gasped at her, eyes flickering in fear and pain, and Idril forced some of her lifeforce into his body, enough to get him to the keep.

~*~*~*~*

Glorfindel grinned as he came upon Idril in the glade. He sat across from her, leaning against a tree as she glared at him. "What do you want?" The older elf smiled. "Nothing. Can I not just come to enjoy your presence?" Idril snorted and laced her fingers together. "Last time you 'enjoyed my presence,' I pulled a sword on you."
"You did not wound me though."
"Because your Lord cares for you. But apparently he grew tired of your ways, as he has banished you from Rivendell." Glorfindel flinched. "That may be true..." Idril's golden eyes fell upon him, searing into his soul to find his wicked ways. "Why have you done it?" His brow furrowed. "Done what?" The younger elf was on her feet in seconds, towering above him with more rage than a Balrog. He admitted that if she wanted to slay him, there was little he could do to stop the faster elf. "Why you have filled his head with lies! Telling him that you saved his life while it was YOU who told ME that I should have left him where he lay!" Glorfindel shrunk into the tree a bit, the screamed words echoed off the trees and bounced back at him several times, each accusation a barb in his heart. "I never said such a thing." She gave him a smile that was more of a grimace and stared at him with hateful eyes. "You lie. And others lie with you, to protect you." Idril's glare bored into his and Glorfindel wondered if it was such a good idea to be there.

"I want to know why. You surly do not love him, or I would not be here. So why Glorfindel. Tell me why." The Balrog slayer faced her down, "And if I told you I did love him?" She snorted, and smirked. "I would say you loved his body." Realization dawned clear in pale golden eyes, and the gold took on a hint of a silver. "You hold the power over Haldir and Haldir holds the power over the wardens. In addition to getting Haldir, you get guards to do as you command 'under' orders of their march-warden." Glorfindel wasn't surprised. "You get his respect and adoration, along with his body. He is no more than a puppet to you." She grinned victoriously. And so did Glorfindel. "Good job. But no-one will believe it." The grin became an angry white line as her lips pressed hard together. "And his brothers? What of Rumil and Orophin?" Glorfindel smirked. "They're happy Haldir's happy...after the accident. He hasn't remembered anything of the aftermath of Helm's Deep since he fell from the flet a year or so after the battle. It depressed him severly, thinking he was to forever live in the dark where his memories once brought light." A wicked smile came to the elder's lips. "I fixed it though. It is how it should be, and I'm the hero once more." Something in Idril's heated glare made him jumpy, afraid that she would pounce and pummel him to death with her hands, when she instead gathered her discarded clothes and stalked away. The trees' branches swayed back with barely a whisper and left Glorfindel alone in the glade, thoroughly shaken and frightened that Idril could make Haldir remember.

~*~*~*~*

A silence so complete fell over the flet and Rumil watched the ceiling. Idril had come back. After nearly fifty years, in which Glorfindel had staked claim to Haldir, the true saviour had returned. His deep cobalt eyes burned with the rush of tears that the one who had stayed by them for the year following Helm's Deep had so easily forgotten them. The youngest brother angrily wiped at his tears, banishing them before they could fall. But the drops rushed back along with an unbidden picture of his brother's scars. He remembered them red with pain and stitched up as Idril healed them with shaking hands. The silver elf had been his and Orophin's stronghold during all the turmoil, even more so than the Lord and Lady. This time, the tears did fall, sliding down his smooth temples to tangle in fine, light blonde locks. "Why do you cry youngest brother? The knight is here." Rumil jerked up in bed, his legs tangling in the sheets of his cot sending him sprawling to the floor. He struggled to get free and when he did, he jumped up and beamed at the silent silver elf. "Idril!" He threw his weight forward and caught her in a hug, lifted her from the ground and spun her about. "You didn't forget us!" The older elf gave him a curious look. "How, or rather why, would I forget you?" Rumil flushed with embarrassment, "Because you left and have not returned in nearly fifty years." His voice was soft but Idril heard it and gently craddled the young elf's head in her hands. "Rumil, I am a mercenary. My sword and bow are pledged to the one with the highest offer, but I always return when my Lady calls. She has not called before today." Sadness crept back into the jovial depths of his eyes with his next question. "Have you seen what Haldir has become?"
"A puppet for Glorfindel?" Rumil nodded and Idril's brow furrowed. "Glorfindel said you were happy for Haldir."
"We pretend so that Haldir will stay." A bashful gaze swept up. "So we can protect him."

For a moment, he thought surely she would strike him. Instead she rubbed her thumb over his cheek, her gaze inquizitive. "Protect him from what?"
"From Glorfindel." The words escaped his mouth in a rush, before he had even know he had spoke them she had jumped on the statement. "He hurt Haldir?" Rumil shrugged. "Rumil. Tell me. Did he hurt Haldir?"
"We think he might have. Haldir comes home with new bruises, and he accounts them to clumsiness." His deep blue eyes took on a glint. "Never was my brother clumsy. I never saw him trip once. His balance is far too good." The defiance shone from his eyes, and he dared Idril to say otherwise. The silver elf cocked her head, and he saw anger swell. "I shall be having a talk with Glorfindel this day." She stalked through the door to the spare room, where she had stayed when she had been healing Haldir, and disappeared. Rumil wondered what kind of demon he had unleashed upon Glorfindel but before he could give it much thought, Orophin burst through the door. "Brother! Idril has returned!" Rumil nodded. "And I think I just sicced her upon Glorfindel." The two brothers shared a look then rushed to the window to look upon the bustling elves. Idril was gone.

~*~*~*~*

Celeborn managed to intersect Idril just as she stormed down from the flet in which Haldir and his brothers resided. "Ah. Idril. May I talk with you?" The young elf nodded once, "Of course my Lord."
"Shall you accompany me in a walk in the woods?" Her brow furrowed and he smiled. "The wardens and my advisors are always tell me that I should not wander the woods alone." Idril nodded. "Wise advice."
"And you are a wise choice. Will you accompany me?" He could see the fight between her thoughts. Say no and go after Glorfindel, with the risk of her Lord getting carried off by warg-riding orcs. Say yes and lose her anger and not talk to Glorfindel. Idril sighed and Celeborn beamed. "Excellent. There is much to talk about." He started along one of the trails, the silent silver being following in his wake. As the trees closed in and Caras Galadhon's outer limits fell away, Celeborn looked back at the lagging elf. "When I asked for you to join me, I did not mean follow in my footsteps. I meant for you to walk beside me." He watched her lengthen her stride and easily keep up with him. "What did you wish to talk about my Lord?" Celeborn hummed for a moment. "Haldir." Idril nodded as though every one wanted to talk to her about him. "And what of him my Lord?"
"His patrol has found evidence of orcs and uruk-hai in the plains to the North. I thought you might enjoy going with his party." Silence descended and he could tell she gave it great thought. He veered from the path and walked to a towering mallorn tree, before sitting on the tree's great roots. Idril sat before him, amidst the golden leaves that coated the ground and a single large golden bloom floated down to land in her hair. Celeborn smiled and touched the large tree's trunk.

"Spring blooms here far more beautifully than all else in Middle Earth my Lord." Celeborn nodded, smiling gently. "Truly it does." Idril looked at him. "When does his party leave?" Celeborn clapped his hands together in his immense joy and grinned. "They leave tomorrow and will return in a week. You are to go then?" The young elf sighed, then nodded. "I suppose so my Lord."
"I shall not tell Glorfindel of your leaving, and should he discover it, I will ban him from going." Idril's look was sceptical but instead of saying anything, she plucked the large bloom from her hair. Celeborn stood, Idril was quick to follow. "We should return, you will need your sleep." He led her silently through the mallorns, occasionally stopping. When they reached Caras Galadhon's borders, he clasped a hand on her shoulder. "Idril, thank you." Her brow furrowed but he hugged her tightly before she could ask, then seemingly floated away.

~*~*~*~*

The dawn was born and Haldir watched its birth. The steady darkening of blues, purples, and pink with hints of red and orange reaching for the dark top of the sky. He was waiting for his patrol, those who had yet to show. Silence crept back among the ranks as the elf joined those in the clearing. The sun caught her eyes and made them glint and glow, rays played off her blades and hair. Several of the elves rushed forward, with soft crys of "Welcome Idril" sliding from their lips. The elf smiled and Haldir took in the sight of her without a cloak. She was familiar. No cloak, no armor, not even leather guards. Just a tunic with a long-sleeved shirt, leggings and boots. She gave him a smile of welcome before hugging all of the elves and greeting most of them by name. Haldir walked forward, brow furrowed. "What are you doing here?" She swept into a low bow, "I am here by the request of Lord Celeborn...and to hunt orc." She grinned and the elves laughed. As the rest of the party arrived, Haldir led them off through the lightening forest, wondering about his Lord's actions. He turned back to regard the new elf, but she was gone. Biting his lip, he turned back and continued on to the orc camp.

Orcs and uruk-hai both lurked about the camp. Haldir and the other elves had taken perches in the trees, watching and waiting for the best moment to strike. Fear swelled in his heart when he saw Idril stumble into the clearing. Her long-sleeved shirt had the sleeves hanging with large rips in the clothe, her jerkin was missing buttons and hung open, there were rips in her leggings and blood on her boots. Her hair was dishevelled, her arms bloody and her face and neck scratched. She tried to backpedal when she saw what she had walked in on, and Haldir went to jump when one of the elves held him back. The first few orcs had reached the small elf and then she grinned and cut them in half. Outraged, the other numbers swarmed in, and in great heaps they fell, two taking her blades with them to the ground. Only a large uruk-hai remained, and slowly he circled Idril. He grunted and growled and finally lunged, took two steps and fell. A dagger's handle swayed between his eyes, the tip protruding from the back of his head. The fight brought flashes of memories, of rain and uruk-hai and elves falling. He pushed those thoughts away and he followed his kin to congratulate Idril. He never saw the last orc sneak up behind him.

~*~*~*~*

Her gown fluttered out behind her as she ran down the stairs, her hair flickering wildly and her cerulean eyes filled with tears. Idril had burst into Caras Galadhon merely moments before, but even carrying the wounded elf, she was much swifter than Galadriel. The Elf Lady sprinted down the grassy roads and floated up to the brothers' talan. The sight was one that she had seen before, and that she had hoped to never see again. Idril was a frenzy of movement, cutting through Haldir's bloodied uniform to inspect his back. His breath came in great gasps and blood trickled from his mouth. Rumil and Orophin were rushing about the flet gathering things that Idril would need. Water was poured over the wound and the fresh gash X'ed over the old scar. Desperation took hold of Idril and Galadriel watched as the young elf ripped through her arm with her nails, the blood coming in a great wave. The healing properities in the elf's blood lessened the wound, and with shaking fingers Idril sowed Haldir up. Her long fingers stroked over the stitches, and she whispered healing spells. It was as it had been before, and as Haldir eased into a deep sleep, Idril comforted the younger brothers of her dear march-warden.

Galadriel folded her legs beside the frantic Idril, who was now calming. "What happened?"
"Orc." Bloodied fingers stroked the ripped flesh and Galadriel placed a hand on the younger elf's shoulder. "The story please." Idril sighed and placed her hands in the bowl of water, the cool water becoming a murky crimson. "We were hunting them, the camp. I put on a show and slaughtered all of them. The patrol rushed in, Haldir last, and we never saw the orc. It caught him in the back, I strangled it, here we are." Galadriel brushed hair from Haldir face and watched the young elf sleep as Idril staked claim of his bedside view. "I will inform Celeborn and Glorfindel."
"Not Glorfindel." Idril said, her voice on the edge of begging and the Lady of the Golden Wood nodded. "Just Celeborn then." She stood and swept from the flet and back towards her sweeping hall to inform her husband of what had befallen the young march-warden once more.

~*~*~*~*

Idril took up her place once more of resting by the fallen elf, she gazed at his face and expected him to rise any time. In the later weeks of the year following Helm's Deep, he had slept as little as she and she had to help him with physical therapy. It was unnatural for Haldir to lay still, but he was. He lay on his back, with his lower back and head elevation so that his upper back would not hurt. Idril stretched her legs out beside him, pulled his blanket up more and held his limp hand. For a moment, she was silent before she spoke to the fallen elf. "I remember the first time we ever met. I doubt you do though. It was raining and you had fallen, I could see the darkness clouding you eyes as I picked you up. In the aware part of your gaze, there was a pleading look, you wanted help, to be healed, to live. Then you fell unconscious and I shared my life force with you as Aragorn and I made a mad dash to the keep. You were laid next to the fifteen other elves I had managed to save, and by luck I was the first you saw when you awoke. I had tended all the other elves' wounds and had saved you for last, I had just finished appling the healing salve when your eyes fluttered open. I told you who I was and to stay still, and you floundered for words. I distinctly recall laughing at you, and then the aggiated look in your eyes. I told you the battle was won and that we would be going home soon, that you could sleep easily, and you sunk into sleep with a smile." She sighed softly and chewed on her lip as she thought. "You rode home, asleep, in front of me and beside your fallen friends. Glorfindel called me a fool for bringing you all back, for stopping in mid-battle to save the bodies of the dead, and the lives of the wounded. I doubt you'll believe that though. He even pointed to you, said that if you were too bad off to ride in the wagon, then you were too bad off for living. He went so far as to say that Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel would have no need for a crippled elf, and that to bring you back was surely a misery to all." Her lips twisted into a smile. "Rumil and Orophin jumped him, broke a few ribs and bruised him up. He came to me for help and I sent him away. I held to my end of our bargin, I helped you, healed you, helped you live again. You didn't though. You promised me that you would never put me in this situation ever again, where I had to see you like this. But here you are."

She smiled a sad smile and blinked away the tears that were brimming. Idril rested a hand on his chest for a moment before getting to her feet silently. "I'll be back Haldir." She breezed from the room and almost ran into Rumil and Orophin who were huddled in front of the thin door. In that single instant when both the younger brother hunched their necks and peered up at her with big, tear-stained eyes that shone a blue so deep and dark that it was almost black, reminded her of the first time she had met them. She had run into them on her first mission for her Lady, more than three hundred years ago. Orophin had been barely sixty and the size of a seven year old, while Rumil had been forty-three and the size of a four year old. For a split second, she was back there in the middle of the silent wood towering over two small, lost and crying elflings with their tunics stained with blood and their hair mussed up. Idril extended both hands and drew the younger brothers to their feet and led them to their beds, tucked each one into bed and made the required promises before both fell asleep. She went to check on Haldir only to find the beddings empty, and her eyes filled with fear.

~*~*~*~*

Of course, despite all of Galadriel's attempts, Glorfindel had found out about Haldir. He sat smugly against a tree, until the fear of the familiar blow bringing back memories crept in. He pushed the thought away and recline more thoroughly against the tree. Idril had no power over Haldir, she hadn't in a long time. And even if she brought back the old memories, Haldir wouldn't believe her. He was sure. Glorfindel watched as Haldir, battle-worn and shirt-less, walked towards him. His dark blue eyes glared with a defiance that made Glorfindel take caution. All the younger elf's finally honed muscles were tense and the slink of his shoulders reminded the elder lord of a predator. "You lied to me." Glorfindel got to his feet slowly, thinking of how to take care of this situation. "Lied about what my love?" Anger seared into the bruise coloured eyes. "Do not call me that! You lied. You wish she had left me to the uruk-hai, and as soon as she left you brought me from my perch with a well aimed rock. Glorfindel you are a vile beast, more orc than elf." Glorfindel was upon the younger elf in moments, a large calloused hand wrapped around a slender neck and he threw the wounded elf into a tree, held him there. "She fills your head with nonsence. I saved you! I healed you! I brought your memories back! Not her, ME!" Haldir's eyes took on a more defiant glare, lighting from the inside with pure rage and hatred. Glorfindel fought the urge to take a step back. "You lied to me! You are no hero and you are undeserving of the title Lord!" Glorfindel tightened his grip and the younger's lips parted slightly as the air was choked from his lungs.

A sword's edge pressed against his neck, drawing a line of red. "You will let him go Glorfindel, either of your own accord, or mine." Glorfindel's light blue eyes darted to give Idril a glance. "And if I refuse?" Her lips twisted into a cruel smile, "Then the accord will be mine and you will forfeit all chances at life." Glorfindel slowly relaxed his hand until he let the younger go. Haldir slid down the tree's trunk, the vibrant bruising already ringing around his neck and the bandages wrapped around his chest were stained with blood. Glorfindel turned around to glare at Idril, "That did not concern you at all."
"It concerns me when my patient goes missing." The elf lord smiled, spun around and smacked Haldir so viciously that the younger toppled over onto his side, looking thoroughly dazed. Glorfindel felt the pommel wielded by an angry elf crack into his skull. He dropped into the embrace of the tree's roots, watching as the world slowly darkened into a nothingness where pain and time no longer existed.

~*~*~*~*

Sitting up dazed, Rumil glanced around. Orophin slept on in the small cot next to him. The youngest of the brothers cast a wary glance about the room lit by magical faerie lights and considered calling out to Idril, but shook his head at that idea and laid back down. She had always been the caring one when Haldir was gone. Of course their eldest brother had told them stories of their parents, and had showed them how to draw a bow and wield a sword, and both he and Orophin cherished their brother. He was as noble and regal, if not more so than their Lord Celeborn. He had known Idril for over three hundred and thirty years and in all that time she had never asked about that day in the woods. She hadn't said anything when she first came upon them, but had rather picked both of them up and carried them to Caras Galadhon. He jerked up in bed when Haldir stumbled through the doorway, followed shortly by Idril, who helped the eldest to his bed. Orophin had also awaken and as soon as the eldest was settled, Orophin switched beds. Rumil followed and the younger brothers lay close to their oldest brother, hugging him close as Haldir wrapped his arms around them. Rumil remembered sleeping like this for many years after their parents deaths, how he or Orophin, or sometimes both, would have a nightmare and crawl into Haldir's bed, whimpering. Haldir had never complained, but rather scooted over and held the younger close 'til he drifted off. Later, after Idril had met them in the woods, Rumil often noticed her perched nearby. Him and Orophin snuggled next to a protective older brother with a protective older adoptive sister perched in a window-sill or crouched in a corner watching. He never remembered Idril sleeping, still couldn't.

Now as he and Orophin snuggled close to Haldir once more, both their faces sticky with tears, and Haldir's bandages sticky with blood, he was forced to see everything as it was. Idril sat perched on the window-sill, watching the brothers as they lay still. It was as though nothing had changed, as though she had never left. Then there came grunts and the sounds of a struggle from under the tree and Idril sighed. "Glorfindel's up. I'm taking him to Celeborn, so he's most likely going back to Rivendell." She gave the youngers a stern look. "If I come back and you're not asleep, I'll do something." She disappeared from the window-sill and both Orophin and Rumil turned on Haldir, the elder smiling sheepishly while the youngers glared at him. "What are these bruises from?" He shrugged, "Glorfindel."
"Why?! What did he do?!?!" Haldir leaned back and closed his eyes, "He lied." Rumil and Orophin leaned back alittle to better study their brother. "About?"
"Helm's Deep. Then he decided to strangle me." The youngers shared a look. "And what did Idril do?" Haldir gnawed his lip a bit before he whispered, "Saved me again." Rumil's blonde brows shot up in shock. "In a civialized manner?" He smirked. "She threatened to kill him, so he let go then slapped me." Orophin grinned, "And what was Idril's response to that?"
"She hit him with the pommel of her sword." All three cracked up before settling back down. Slowly, they drifted off.

~*~*~*~*

Celeborn wasn't surprised when Idril showed up in the middle of the night, leading Glorfindel by a rope that had his wrists together. The Lord gave her a look, "Idril?" She stopped and looked at her Lord, pale golden eyes calm. "Yes my Lord?"
"Why have you Glorfindel bound, as you lead him like a beast?" A little anger leapt to her gaze, "He tried to strangle Haldir." Celeborn nodded. "Ah. So he remembers then?" She nodded again. "I thought it wisest to bring him to you my Lord, for if he were left in my company, I would surely kill him as he lay sleeping." Glorfindel's pale blue eyes grew wide and he jerked back slightly, Idril yanked him forward and the elf lord stumbled towards the younger. Celeborn chuckled softly, "Of course Idril. Come along." He turned and swept back up the long sweeping staircase as it spiraled around the great mallorn tree, Idril following him silently with Glorfindel stumbling along at the rope's end. As he reached his and Galadriel's talan, and cast the door wide to allow both to enter, Galadriel looked up. She was sitting on her divan, watching the slumbering city of Caras Galadhon, her brows raised at the sight of Glorfindel bound. "Idril?" The youngest elf sighed and sat in the centre of the floor, making sure both her Lord and Lady could see her. "I left for a moment to retrieve supplies for the night, and when I came back, Haldir was gone. I knew he had gone out, but I did not know where. He had confronted Glorfindel and I came in just as Glorfindel began choking the life from Haldir's lungs. I asked him at sword point to let him go, and Glorfindel complied. Only to strike Haldir a moment later, I cracked him in the skull with my sword's pommel and dragged him along as I escorted Haldir home and made sure he got to bed. I decided, it would wisest to bring him here for you to punish, lest I kill him." She stood and cast the rope down, Celeborn caught it. "So I take my leave." Her slight body dipped in a low bow. "My Lord, my Lady."

He watched her stalk away on silent feet. Galadriel hurried to her mirror and Celeborn followed, after handing Glorfindel to a warden. As his wife cast the water into the basin, he knew what would come of it. Idril perched on the window-sill for a moment, looking in at the sleeping brothers, before she crept to their bedside and covered them, cupping each of their faces before turning away. She dropped from the talan and looked around, a gaze that was open and wounded. She turned and began to walk through the beautiful forest kissed by spring, touching the trees as she passed with shaking fingers, and gazing upon the large golden flowers with tear-filled eyes. Galadriel and Celeborn followed her as far as the edge of the forest before they let her go, the image of Idril slipping into a deep and somewhat murky pool of water. Galadriel emptied the basin and held her husband's hand. Together they crept back to their talan to discuss the matter at hand with Glorfindel. To make the elf understand his actions and to decree a punishment fitting for the crime.

~*~*~*~*

Haldir lay awake. The talan was silent save for the soft breathing of Rumil and Orophin who lay sleeping, close to his body. He breathed deeply for a long while, closing his eyes against the onslought of emotion. He remembered first meeting Idril, but he also remembered the times he had awoken to find the silver elf resting on the window-sill. He remembered seeing her in the forest, or ascending the staircase to talk with the Lord and Lady. He remembered watching her dance in the falling leaves, and her bleeding in the falling snow. Haldir had watched the silent guardian of his brothers for some time before they had met, and he had seen knowing in her eyes when they first did meet. There were times when he had looked at Glorfindel and seen Idril, instead, as his hero. Rumil and Orophin had acted wounded when he first asked them to meet his hero and presented the older lord instead of their silver friend. He had know that something was wrong, and his heart was wounded from it all. Slowly he extracted himself from his brothers and placed them gently back in their beds. Haldir wrapped his cloak about him and dropped from the talan to walk into the woods.

The morning was crisp, and the ground a golden path of leaves while the trees above bloomed in new silver and green leaves with large golden blossoms dappled in the tops. A white stag darted in front of him, turning its head slightly as it went before disappearing into a copse of ash trees. Overhead, birds sang and the melodious song traveled on the whispering wind. He knew she was gone, that Idril had done her job and disappeared as always. It wasn't surprising but it stung. As he neared a small glade by a branch of the Silverlode river, he stopped. In the branches of a willow nearby, Idril perched. "Should you be wandering about in your condition beloved March-warden of the Golden Wood?" He smiled as she unfolded herself from the tree branch and dropped down barely five feet from him. He shrugged, swallowing his wince when it upset his wound. "Shouldn't you be heading home?" Her smile dropped away, and she cocked her head. "I was just heading that way." She turned away from him, and towards the ending of the wood. "You're going the wrong way." She stopped. "You've got a family to look after now, and an elf to be a hero to back the other way. Isn't that were home is?" She turned to face him and her eyes bored into his soul. "Will you not come home Idril?" Her brows furrowed but she took a few halting steps towards Haldir and he beamed at her. Grasping her slender hand in his, he began pulling her towards Caras Galadhon. Idril broke free of him and sprinted through the trees, laughing and he grinned before following her lead. Their laughter rang through the trees and caught deep within the leaves, the sound of silver bells covered in silk, as the young elves raced for home.