"You have forever been wilful, my love. This I knew, accepted, and have always adored about you, so do now as I know you must. Do what your heart wills so that you may at long last be free. Go, so that you might set both our hearts at ease. Know that I wait for you, as I have always done, and always will... until the light of harmony shines upon us once more..."
Gil- Galad spoke those words, and Siddhir took them with him as he appeared in a luminous shower of light upon Valinor's grassy plains. He tilted his head and smiled back up at the heavens before slowly strolling to more populated ground to start his search.
"I cannot believe you would help me in the gardens, Haldir. I know that this is not the sort of thing you are fond of," Legolas remarked with a sly smile, as he dug two small holes side by side in the earth.
Haldir shrugged, and placed the seeds he carried in the holes, and covered them. "I cannot leave you alone to do such chores in your condition, lirimaer. [lovely one] What kind of bondmate would I be then?"
Legolas laughed. "The kind of bondmate you always are. You know very well I need no help. You are doing so because you know it makes me happy."
"Ah! Foiled again," Haldir admitted, chuckling.
Legolas put down his trowel and embraced him. "You cannot fool me, melamin. [my love]
"I never could it seems," Haldir replied, kissing him.
"Ada, [father] look what I found!" Dinedhir called out excitedly, as he rushed up to them. He handed Legolas a small colourful plant that he had removed carefully so as not to damage its roots.
Legolas smiled. "Hannon lle, nin ion. [thank you, my son] It is lovely. This plant will bear fruit, you know. Were there any more like it?"
"Yes, Ada. There are several more just beyond the Grand Brook," Dinedhir replied.
"Do you think you can get another? I could plant them side by side. In time we will have all the fruit we need."
"I will be back quickly," the child answered, turning to go.
"Dinedhir," Haldir called out.
"Yes, Ada?"
"Be careful. The rocks near the brook are quite slippery."
"I will," the child replied, as he dashed off through the glade.
Legolas smiled. "He looks more like you every day."
Haldir grinned, and placed a hand on Legolas' swollen belly. "That he does. I would pray this one looks like you, though."
Legolas winked. "We will have to wait and see. Come; let us water these now."
Dinedhir slowed his pace as he neared the brook. It was a beautiful day. The sun shone brightly against a multitude of large, billowy clouds scattered across a bright blue sky. A gentle breeze carried the smell of roasting pheasant along with it, and he inhaled deeply. It was probably uncle Orophin, he thought, for he lived just on the other side of the brook with Elrohir and cooked quite often. After he ate at home he would pay his uncle a visit and purloin his food also, he decided, chuckling to himself.
He loved scouting for things, and was pleased that his father was happy with the plant he had found. As he walked carefully near the stones of the brook, he spotted a frog, stopped and knelt down to catch it. The animal was emerald green in colour and small, probably only a baby, he thought as he ran his fingers over its soft skin. He released it and watched in slip back into the water, then stood and continued strolling.
Upon entering the glade, he thought he saw a strange light, and hurried over to where he had seen it- but there was nothing there. Puzzled, he shrugged and then continued on to where he had found the plant.
He removed a small spade from his tunic pocket, sat down on the ground and began to carefully uproot another plant when his keen hearing detected a presence. Startled, he turned around. A beautiful blond elf with dark eyes was standing over him. He released the plant, stood abruptly, and bowed.
"Forgive me. I did not hear you approach," Dinedhir apologized.
The stunning elf smiled, making him even more comely. "'Tis quite all right. Not many hear the Eldar draw near. For one so young, I would say your hearing is quite exceptional."
"Hannon lle," [thank you] Dinedhir replied. "My Ada [father] taught me long ago how to listen closely to the sounds around me. I am sorry, are these plants yours? I was only going to take one more. My Ada was pleased when I gave him the first one, and he wanted another."
"No, they are not mine. Feel free. I am sorry to have interrupted you," Siddhir replied. "I know I do not know you, pen-neth, [young one] but you look very familiar somehow. Who is your Ada? Perhaps I know him?"
Dinedhir smiled. "I have two Adas. I am the first born son of the second child bearing male elf of the legend. One is named Legolas and the other is called Haldir."
Siddhir blinked, taking a closer look at the boy and smiled brightly. "Elbereth! I thought you looked familiar! Yes, I know your Ada. Well, one of them anyway. I know Haldir."
"I have never seen you before. Have you known him for a long time?" the boy inquired.
Siddhir smiled thoughtfully. "Yes. A very long time in fact."
"I am sure he would like to see you. You can meet my other Ada as well. If you could wait until I get this plant, I will show you where we live. We are just on the other side of the brook."
Siddhir nodded. "Very well."
Dinedhir dropped back down to retrieve the plant. When he was done, he grinned and stood.
"I am very neat," the boy said with a grin.
"You certainly are," Siddhir agreed.
"Come; I will show you now where we live. My Adas are outside of our talan planting." Dinedhir remarked.
Siddhir followed.
"He is taking quite awhile. Do you suppose we should look after him? Mayhap he is having trouble," Legolas queried.
"Hmm, you may be right. I will go," Haldir volunteered, standing.
Legolas grinned. "Will you miss me while you are gone?"
"Every minute," Haldir answered.
Legolas laughed, and pushed him gently. "Go and find our son."
Haldir kissed him and turned to go when Dinedhir came running around a patch of trees. "Ada! I have the plant, and a surprise for you!"
Haldir raised an eyebrow. "A surprise? What surprise?"
"A longtime friend of yours, Ada. He is right behind me." Dinedhir replied, out of breath.
"I see no one," Haldir remarked.
Dinedhir turned around, bewildered. "But he was right behind me! I speak the truth, Ada."
Haldir glanced at Legolas and shrugged. "Perhaps he changed his mind and went elsewhere."
"I do not understand," Dinedhir sighed, handing Legolas the plant.
"What did he look like?" Haldir asked.
"He was beautiful, Ada. He was tall, and he wore white robes. He had long blond hair, but he had dark eyes instead of blue, much like those of Elladan and Elrohir."
Haldir and Legolas' eyes both widened as they looked at each other.
"What is wrong?" Dinedhir asked, noticing their stunned expressions.
Legolas recovered, took the plant and pulled him quickly into an embrace. "Oh, it is of no consequence, nin ion. [my son] I am sure your surprise will return some other day. He probably forgot something is all. Thank you for the plant." He released him.
"You are welcome, Ada."
"Come; we will plant this one together," Legolas urged the boy. "You too, melamin." [my love] He tugged at Haldir's sleeve.
The three of them seated themselves upon the earth, and went about planting Dinedhir's contributions.
Siddhir watched them with a thoughtful grin. He was still there, only a few feet away, but they could not see him- as was his desire. He sighed with content. Haldir was truly happy and for that he was grateful. It was all he had ever hoped for, and now he could truly rest.
He took a long, last look at the three of them lovingly working together- smiled broadly, and then closed his eyes and concentrated. Soon he felt the energy slowly drain from him and spiral upward.
Haldir tussled Dinedhir's short, white-blond hair and gave him a hug-pulling both him and Legolas close. "I think we have worked long enough. It is time now for a break, and some sweet bread."
"I love sweet bread!" Dinedhir exclaimed, jumping up. Haldir and Legolas laughed as they watched their son run towards their talan.
Haldir helped Legolas to stand, and they started strolling towards home when light suddenly caught their eyes and they turned towards it, just in time to see its last sparkles disappear into the heavens above. They looked at each other, and back at the sky.
"Thank you, Siddhir," They whispered in unison.
Gil-Galad was waiting when Siddhir returned. Siddhir took his hand and smiled.
"I am ready, A'maelamin." [my beloved]
Gil Galad spoke no words. He just grinned, pulled Siddhir close, and walked leisurely with him into the light.
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Scene From a Dream by Eamane Aldarion
Story notes: Beta: Ziantasha, T.Futcher
This story came to me as I was writing Swept Away, the pre-quel to my first story, The Hard Travelled Path to Destiny.
Timeline: Set in Valinor, long after Haldir and Legolas' first child, Dinedhir was born.
Translations: [In brackets] Elvish language in italics.
