Title & Chapter Number: Misfits 28/30
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Middle Earth
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own these settings or characters, and am making no profit from the writing and sharing of this story.
Warnings: Haldir's in it. Need I say more? /snicker
Betas: Circe
Cast: Haldir/Melpomaen
Timeline: TA AU
Spoilers: None
Summary: Haldir and Orophin talk.
Notes: Thanks to everyone who has given commentary, feedback and support.
The first light of dawn had barely touched the horizon when a shriek of delight filled the air, quickly followed by the sound of a boot striking a door that had been only partially closed. For a moment silence reigned, and then the sound of muttered swearing commenced. Footsteps darted along the hallway, followed by a muffled apology and the click of a door being solicitously closed. The second boot struck, but this time the door was secure and the colorful sounds of cursing from within were no more than a faint mutter. Haldir grinned as he tightened his own bootlaces, awaiting the inevitable.
"Haldir?" Orophin's voice called from the hall, low and filled with barely contained excitement. "Are you awake?"
"Yes," he replied, pitching his voice low so as not to disturb Rumil any more than he'd already been disturbed. "Come in, Orophin."
The door swung inward, hit the arm of their old family room chair and rebounded, nearly hitting Orophin in the face as he stepped inside. Quick reflexes saved him, and the expression of excitement shifted to confusion as his gaze moved over the haphazardly stacked furniture crowding his eldest brother's previously uncluttered room. Finally, his eyes came to rest on Haldir, who was sitting at the foot of his neatly made bed, braiding his hair.
"You put everything in here," Orophin said, and Haldir nodded.
"Where else could we have put it?"
"Um." Orophin picked his way along the narrow, furniture-lined corridor to stand by his brother. He'd already shed his pack, but his quiver and arrows were still strapped to his back, his knives still sheathed in place. Dirt and dust nestled in the creases and folds of his uniform, and, after a brief hesitation, he seated himself cross-legged on the floor instead of on the bed beside Haldir. "Peach is my favorite color, Haldir."
"I know." Haldir neatly tied off an evenly plaited perfect braid. "That's why Rumil and I chose peach and melon and green." Orophin opened his mouth, but Haldir raised a hand, forestalling the incipient stream of excited babble. "Come up here and sit. I need to talk to you."
Orophin rose slowly, giving Haldir ample time in which to change his mind. Instead of reconsidering upon closer inspection of Orophin's filthy uniform, he patted the bed beside him in a peremptory gesture before finishing his final braid.
"Is something wrong?" Orophin asked nervously. Haldir took a deep breath and shook his head.
"Rumil and I had a talk. Well, maybe more of an argument."
Orophin winced. "You and Rumil aren't getting along again?"
"No, we're getting along fine." For a long moment Orophin thought that Haldir would say nothing more; the older elf simply stared down at his hands, turning the comb he'd been using between his fingers. At last he looked up, and Orophin shifted uneasily beneath his brother's steady, hazel gaze.
"Orophin, thank you. Thank you for being there for me before I went back on duty."
"You don't have to thank me," Orophin said. Greatly daring, he took the comb from Haldir and gently held his brother's hand between his own. "You're my big brother, Haldir. That's all."
"No, it's not all. And Rumil had to point that out to me, and I feel…" he cleared his throat, staring down at their joined hands, "ashamed that I couldn't see that for myself."
Orophin scooted closer, rumpling the bedspread and catching his brother in a spontaneous, one-armed hug. Haldir blinked and stiffened, but instead of pulling away he leaned into Orophin's embrace.
"Don't - you're going to get my clothes filthy!" Haldir said, but there was amusement in his voice even as he briefly hugged Orophin back before pushing him away. Orophin bounced on the edge of the mattress, eyes shining.
"Why are you all dressed up today, Haldir?" Orophin plucked at Haldir's sleeve, fingers sliding down to the silver embroidered cuffs, and Haldir shrugged.
"It just seemed like a good idea."
"Like redecorating?"
Haldir smiled, and for the first time that morning there was a note of falseness to his sunny expression. "That was for you, Orophin." He licked his lips and glanced downward, and then looked up again to meet his brother's eyes. "Alright, I'll admit that I had my reasons for wanting to change things, but I was thinking of you when Rumil and I were picking things out."
He'd expected disappointment, but instead Orophin grinned. "Thanks, Haldir. That was really sweet of you." Orophin rose to his feet, smile intact and eyes shining. "Give me a few minutes to change and wash up, and I'll put on some breakfast."
~*~*~*~
Ashamed did not even begin to cover how Haldir felt as he listened to Orophin's exuberant chatter. It hurt to realize that such a small effort, and one that had not even been entirely meant for his benefit, could please Orophin so much. It hurt to see how little it took to please Orophin, and to realize that he'd often held back those little things that pleased his brother so much.
It had not only been Haldir's behavior with Melpomaen that Rumil had called him to task for, and Haldir winced inwardly as he recalled the words that Rumil had dragged out of him. "I don't want to be his hero, dammit!" he'd said to Rumil. "I don't deserve it, and I'm just trying to make him see that I'm not what he thinks I am!"
"It doesn't matter what you think you are or what you think you deserve," Rumil had replied. "In Orophin's eyes you're more of a father than a brother to him. How do you remember our father? How do you want Orophin to remember you?"
That had stung. Their father had been a kindly elf, slow of temper and inclined to listen. It had been he who had taught Haldir how to handle a bow, had praised him and complimented him, told him how fortunate he was to have been blessed with a strong warrior's body. Haldir had always known that his father was happy with him, but as he watched Orophin dart about the kitchen like a nervous butterfly, it occurred to him that his youngest brother had never had that surety. Yes, Haldir had trained his youngest brother as their father had trained him, but it had not been the same. Their father had only guided Haldir on the path he'd already chosen for himself; Orophin, the gentle gardener, had chosen the warrior's path on the basis of a single compliment made by his idolized eldest brother.
"Do you have plans for today?" Orophin asked as he picked up their breakfast dishes.
"No, thought I'd stay close to home." Orophin cast him a quick sideways look, but made no comment. Haldir's eyes dropped briefly to the table as he remembered Rumil's words about honesty. "I might be having company later," he finally clarified.
"You don't mind if I stay home, too?"
"Of course not."
"Good! Rumil will probably be going out, but you could help me with repotting the house plants if you want."
The idea of spending his day with the plants did less than nothing for Haldir. Instead of snapping at Orophin, he offered a slightly tight smile. "I might get my clothes dirty."
"Oh, well, okay then," Orophin nodded agreeably. "What do you want to do then?"
"Just relax. Do nothing. Yesterday was rather taxing."
"It'll do you good to do nothing." Orophin smiled shyly. "Who are you expecting?"
"Maybe Melpomaen."
"Oh." Much of the enthusiasm abruptly drained from Orophin's voice. "Would you mind if I made a comment?"
"Actually, yes," Haldir said firmly, but not unkindly. "I have enough on my mind, Orophin, and I think I already know what you would say."
"Alright then." Orophin dropped the dishes into the washbasin and crossed the room, catching his eldest brother in a quick hug for the second time that day. "I hope he shows up, then, since you want him to."
"Thanks, Orophin," Haldir said, accepting the hug and rising to his feet. "Need any help drying dishes?"
"No, that's alright. Thanks for asking." There was genuine gratitude in his tone, and for a moment Haldir felt roughly two feet tall.
"Too bad. I'm going to help you anyway."
Orophin blinked, his smile briefly freezing and then returning a moment later when Haldir strode purposefully across the room to the wash basin.
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