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Elrond truly enjoyed visiting Pelargir; or the new Southlands. The old Númenorian architecture had stood the test of time and required less refurbishing than they had imagined. The establishment was set in a stunning location which abounded with natural resources. Being so close to the Anduin ensured a fresh water source and provided fertile land for crops. The people had adapted marvelously to their new home and Elrond couldn’t have been more proud of them.
The people were also what made the visits so enjoyable. They deserved to have some peace after all that had befallen them. They had faced such tragedy and heartache, but instead of becoming bitter and resentful, they had remained kind and welcoming. Most of that credit belonged to Bronwyn, who was as kind as she was fierce.
Bronwyn however, informed him it had not always been this way. They had once despised the Elves and were not very welcoming to outsiders. She mentioned how Arondir was viewed with suspicion and derision; but that had all changed. For during the battle for the Southlands, he stayed and fought with them when he had every reason to leave them to their own demise. The villagers were grateful to him and often sought after his company; much to Bronwyn’s amusement. This also extended toward Galadriel, whom they adored and respected for her role in aiding them against the Orcs.
He would be foolish though, if he denied the impact Halbrand had on these people. They had longed for a King and Halbrand was the embodiment of what a King should be. Broad, strong, charming; he lacked none of these qualities.
But it was not these factors that endeared the people to him. It was the way he woke with them at dawn. The way he plowed the fields with them. Helped to refurbish houses. How he listened to the concerns of everyone, from the children to the elderly.
Arondir often told him it was also the way he respected Bronwyn. Bronwyn, who had led the people to safety and encouraged them to fight for themselves and their home. The people, and Arondir especially, admired that although Halbrand was a King by birthright, he never lorded that position over them. Most of the time, he counseled Bronwyn and Arondir on decisions and followed their lead. Bronwyn mentioned that Halbrand was a natural leader, even though he denied it. She told him how fair and just he was, even though he felt he lacked the skills to be the King the people deserved.
Not to say he didn’t have his moments; he was a man after all. Arondir agreed with Bronwyn, for the most part, that he was a good King. As the one who mostly worked with Halbrand, Arondir was privy to more of his lesser-known tendencies. Like how he tended to leap without looking. How he seemed to lack all comprehension of his own mortality. How he explored caverns on his own and Arondir would find him half drowned on the banks of the Anduin. How he attempted to fix houses without the proper support and had almost been crushed by a beam or two. Arondir told him he’s honestly surprised he’s lived this long with how reckless he could be at times.
He laughed as Aronidr sighed, as if exhausted by the effort of keeping the King alive. He revealed to Elrond though, how much better it was when Galadriel visited. How it seemed Halbrand made some effort to appear level headed. Most of the time Galadriel saw right through it; but at least she was there to either put an end to his idea, or follow him to make sure he survived it. He commented once that Halbrand needed Galadriel to stay alive. Elrond smiled at the endearing sentiment and laughed when Arondir said he meant it.
He never thought he would be present to witness that phrase literally.
His rubbed his temples as he attempted to wrap his mind around the story the boy just told him. “Would you mind starting at the beginning again please?”
The villager, a boy younger than Theo, shifted nervously as he began his tale again, “Well, Mr. Elrond sir, this morning I had gone out to check on our livestock. I noticed some animals, a couple chickens and a goat, had gone missing over the last couple days. I had planned to look at the fence, see if it had broken and they were just sneaking out. On my way to the field, the King saw me and after I told him my concerns, offered to help me repair the fence if needed. We had just crested the hill when we saw them. There were two Orcs carrying one of our lambs. He told me to be quiet as we followed them. They went into the woods and disappeared into one of those underground passageways. I figured we would just let them be but the King told me to come back and tell Arondir as he jumped down after them.”
Elrond leaned back in his chair as Arondir prayed for patience, “Is this the first sighting of Orcs you’ve had since coming here?”
Arondir nodded, “Yes, we haven’t seen any. Not until today.”
The boy leaned toward Elrond, worry coating his features, “Mr. Elrond sir, the King will be ok…won’t he?”
Arondir sighed as he placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder, “Don’t worry. Our King is too stubborn to let some Orcs get the better of him.”
Elrond clapped as he stood, turning toward Arondir, “Well my friend, how do you feel about hunting some Orc?”
Arondir smirked, “I’ll grab my bow.”
҉ - ҉ - ҉ - ҉ - ҉ - ҉ - ҉ - ҉ - ҉ - ҉
He stood with Arondir at the mouth of the Orc tunnel. His chest tightened as he gazed down into the barely lit passageway. He had not known Halbrand long, but was already fond of him. Galadriel had praised his skill and that was all the confirmation he needed that the man knew how to take care of himself; knew how to fight. This knowledge however, did not stop the kernel of worry that plagued him; at the thought of him down there with a minimum of two Orc’s.
“So, he just…jumped down there?”
“It would appear so.”
Elrond sighed, “This is why you appreciate when Galadriel visits isn’t it?”
“Well, she is about eighty percent of his impulse control…”
“I am eighty percent of whose impulse control?”
Elrond spun to see Galadriel, dagger strapped to her waist and as she looked at them in concern.
“Galadriel!”
“Commander”
She smiled at them both as she walked toward them.
“I had come early to visit with Bronwyn, but she told me to come after you both in the woods. About something Halbrand had found. Which leads to my next two questions; where is Halbrand and is there any particular reason you’re both staring at the ground?”
He and Arondir stepped aside which allowed her to view the Orc tunnel. Her body stiffened as her eyes narrowed, “Is this what Halbrand found?”
Arondir nodded.
“And where is Halbrand?”
“I think you already know.”
She cursed; a habit Elrond noticed had increased since meeting the Southlander.
“What happened?”
Elrond watched her as Arondir summarized the events of today. Watched as Galadriel’s expression shifted from concern, to disbelief and frustration, to acceptance.
“Of course he chased after them. How long has he been down there?”
“About an hour.”
“Well let’s not keep him waiting.”
She jumped down and they immediately followed.
She began a brisk jog through the tunnels, no doubt hoping to find him quickly.
“These are the only Orcs you have seen?”
“Yes, since coming here we haven’t seen any or suspected a tunnel. And I don’t think we need to be worried.”
He turned to Arondir, “How come?”
Arondir touched the sides of the tunnel, “It’s too old. The size is not the same as the ones that were under Hordern. This is not the type of tunnel Adar would have built.”
Elrond flinched as he remembered too late Arodnir had been briefly captured. Galadriel gently placed her hand on his shoulder, a lethal glint in her eyes as she looked at Arondir.
“Don’t worry my friend, his days are numbered.”
Arondir covered Galadriel’s hand with his own and gave a nod in solidarity. Elrond had been fortunate to not have met this Adar yet. Had heard how he turned villager against villager, had killed innocents without hesitation. Galadriel told him what he had done to those in Halbrand’s village and in a moment of shame, told him how he had called her an Uruk. That comment alone, how it caused Galadriel to shrink in on herself, made him want to commit bodily harm. If they ever met, he wasn’t sure which of the four of them would kill him first.
They continued their jog when a faint sound reached their ears. Galadriel slightly inhaled before she bolted down the tunnel. He and Arondir tried to keep pace, but it was times such as this he was reminded that his friend was one of the fiercest and deadliest warriors the realm had.
She halted just as Halbrand rounded the corner. She gently grabbed him by the shoulders as she moved him behind her; as if to protect him from any threat. It was an endearing image, as the top of Galadriel’s head barely reached his chin. She gave him a quick once over while he stood there; the lamb alive in his arms and a bashful expression on his face.
“Have you gone mad?”
He just stared at her; shock and awe in his gaze. His prolonged silence seemed to unnerve Galadriel as she ran her hands over him to check for injuries. He winced when one hand brushed his shoulder and she zeroed in on the cut along his bicep.
“Did they hurt you?”
“Do you think me so inept –”
“Halbrand…”
“No. The lamb tried to hide in a crevice in the wall. I strained and cut my arm trying to get it out.”
She nodded, as if slightly more appeased that the wound was not caused by an Orc. “What happened to the Orcs?”
He cocked an eyebrow at her, “What do you think?”
She rolled her eyes as she made to let go of him, but his words to Arondir made her freeze, “I don’t think we need to be worried for Pelargir. After I killed the two Orcs, I scouted the rest of the tunnel system. There was no other evidence of Orcs so I think these two were strays that got separated from the rest and found refuge here.”
Galadriel gaped at him, “So not only did you come down here alone, but after you killed two Orcs, you went looking around to potentially run into more?”
He grinned at her, “Why would I not investigate the area to make sure it’s safe for my people?”
Elrond was undecided on whether she was about to kiss him or stab him. She grabbed his uninjured arm and started walking with him toward Arondir and the exit.
“We need to seal off this tunnel.”
Arondir’s head bent in agreeance as he led the way back out. Elrond brought up the rear and tried very hard not to laugh at the scene in front of him. Of Halbrand, who had survived a Wyrm attack. Who had battled Orcs. Who survived the eruption of the mountain. Who fought better than most Elves according to Galadriel. The King of the Southlands. He watched as this man looked entirely too pleased with himself as Galadriel kept a solid grip on his arm. As he leaned into her as if he received a mortal wound. As Galadriel muttered ‘reckless’ and ‘foolish’ and other choice words under her breath, Halbrand only gazed at her with equal parts amusement and adoration. Elrond pondered if Halbrand secretly enjoyed being found in various states of distress, if only to be fussed over by his Elf.
After they had reached the opening of the tunnel and climbed out; Arondir left with the lamb to gather supplies from the village to seal off the tunnel. Galadriel nodded while she took hold of Halbrand’s shoulders and pushed him to sit on a log. He startled, but made no attempt to dislodge her hands from him.
“What—”
“We will catch up soon. First, remove your shirt; I want to take a look at your arm.”
He adopted a lazy smirk, as his gaze swept from her feet to the top of her head. “Well at least offer me dinner first m’lday.”
The glare she leveled him with could have chilled the very fires of Mordor.
He threw her an innocent smile before he leaned back to remove his shirt. As he peeled off his shirt, he revealed a sun kissed torso with broad shoulders, sculpted with lean muscle gained from a life of hard work. A few scattered, pale scars littered his arms and chest. This was the physique of a man who had earned his title by blood and toil. A man who had overcome much of what life had thrown at him. He leaned back, not one iota of shame in his posture, as he sent a wicked grin up at Galadriel.
“Look all you want.”
Elrond commended Galadriel who did not falter as she stepped between his legs to get a closer look. He watched on in amusement as some of his confidence seemed to fade at her nearness. How he straightened his posture as she bent to get a better look. How his body grew taught as she lightly trailed her fingers around the wound. As the humor in his eyes darkened to desire. Galadriel clicked her tongue as she turned her face towards him, as if she sensed his gaze as it burned into her
“You’re positive an Orc blade did not cause this?”
Elrond understood her concern. Most Orc’s blades were poison, even the smallest scratch could become fatal. Elves were more suited to fight off the poison, but it was particularly debilitating to humans. The mortality of man had never been more of an affront to her than it was now.
His gaze burned into her as his eyes leisurely traced her features, voice a low rasp as he responded, “Yes.”
Galadriel, looked back at the wound, the tips of her ears a faint pink as she reacted to the pitch of his voice. She glanced back as she called to him, “Elrond can you fetch the pack Arondir left?”
He brought the pack over and watch curiously as she pulled out dressings and sorted through different salves until she found one to her liking. He took back the pack as he made his way toward their gear while she applied the salve to his skin and began to wrap the dressing around it.
“You really need to be more careful. You should have alerted someone before you decided to throw yourself into danger.”
He heard Halbrand cackle, “Are you, Miss ‘let me leap from my ship in the middle of the Sundering Seas’, really going to lecture me about being careful?”
“I am more durable against both nature and Orcs then you are Halbrand.”
His retort faltered on his lips as he observed her. Her rigid movements. Her clenched jaw. He finally noticed the emotion that she had tried to keep hidden in her eyes.
His expression softened as he whispered, “You were worried about me”
She shot an incredulous look towards him, “Of course I was worried! How do you think I felt when Arondir and Elrond informed me you left; by yourself, to go after Orcs. What if it wasn’t only two stray Orcs but a pack? By the Valar, I must be cursed to deal with men that make rash decisions that lead to them being injured.”
He stiffened as he leaned further into her space, amusement coated his tone while a dark glint shone in his eyes, “Then tell me, are you this concerned about the recklessness of all the men you sweep in to rescue?”
Elrond coughed to cover up his laugh as Halbrand glowered at him. He wondered if Halbrand thought he was sly at the way he phrased the question. As if that question was innocent. As if he missed the possessiveness glint his eyes held. Like the thought of her patching up other men like this infuriated him.
She scoffed, “Don’t be absurd. As if other men could compare to your level of brashness.” She let out a light laugh as a smile graced her face, “And bravery; all for a boy’s lamb. Only you Halbrand.”
He relaxed, pleased with her response. He tilted his head as he regarded her, features once again filled with affection and mirth.
“Such a compliment. You know, you don’t have to keep it a secret. You could just tell me you love me.”
“I love you”
Elrond could not help the laugh he released at the gob smacked expression on Halbrand’s face. At how awe struck he was while Galadriel went about patching up his arm like she had just commented on the weather. She had uttered it with no hesitation, as if she had known for a long time how she felt. Clearly, based on the way Halbrand continued to gape at her, he had not expected her to return his jest with a truth.
Elrond proceeded to watch while she finished wrapping his arm and stepped away from him. “Come on. If we hurry, we can make it back to the village in time to help Arondir.”
Halbrand watched her walk away with a dazed smile. He tipped his head toward the sky as he released a gleeful laugh. Elrond saw him mutter ‘Eru save me from the Elf’ as he shrugged his shirt back on while looking at her; eyes brimming with love. He stalked toward her, shaking his head, unable to hide his grin.
“I can’t believe you.”
Galadriel slowly turned to face him “What is it you seem to be having trouble believing –”
She didn’t expect him to be that close. At the soft grin that contrasted sharply with the hunger in his eyes as he cupped her cheeks and stepped into her space. As he continued to walk while holding her, until she was backed into a tree. Didn’t expect him to step even closer; close enough for the hard lines of his body to meld against hers as he tipped her head back and skimmed his nose along her cheek. As his lips brushed hers while he spoke in a voice like gravel.
“My brave, bold little Elf.”
It was at that moment Elrond decided to make himself scarce. He couldn’t help his smile though, as he trekked back to the village. How elated he was for his friend. That she had found someone who made her feel so alive. He wondered how long it would be before Galadriel decided to permanently stay in Pelargir. He thanked Eru for bringing them together and knew that come what may, they would have each other.
Their happiness however, wouldn’t save them from his teasing. He chuckled as he remembered Halbrand’s expression.
He couldn’t wait to tell Durin.