Title: Climbing the Mallorn Trees - 1/2

Author: Tuxedo Elf      

Rating: G

Beta: Eni

Disclaimer: It’s all belongs to Tolkien!

Summary: A new addition to the family causes young Rúmil to fear he isn’t loved any more.

***********************

“Rúmil, come down from there this instant!” Rúmil’s long-suffering father called up to where his son was perched on a high branch.

“No!” Rúmil yelled petulantly. He pouted and turned away from his Ada’s glare.

Velond ran his hand through his hair. He was loath to yell at Rúmil, but the Elfling was truly trying his patience.

It was all down to the new addition to the family, Orophin. Though Rúmil already had an older brother, Haldir was six hundred years his senior and had already had a talan and a life of his own when Rúmil had been born. As a result, there had never been any competition between the two.

But now, with the arrival of Orophin, Rúmil had a rival for his parents’ affections.

It didn’t help that it had been a difficult birth. Orophin was unusually large for a baby and the birth had left Rúmil’s mother very weak. She would survive, but needed much rest. This, quite naturally, was being spent in bed, holding her new baby in her arms for much of the time.

Rúmil, with the logic of the very young, had decided that this meant his parents liked his new brother better than him and had abruptly turned from a sweet Elfling into a miniature Orc.

“Rúmil, this is your last warning! Come down or I shall come and get you!” Velond felt out of his depth; Haldir had been a quiet child and he had never had to deal with a tantrum such as this before. But then, Haldir had never been jealous.

“Shan’t!” Rúmil cried and climbed up higher into the tree, almost disappearing from view. Velond sighed. Rúmil was very agile for his age, a true talent even amongst the elves of Lórien. Usually it was something that made Velond proud, but right now he was cursing it. It would not be easy to catch the Elfling. With a shake of his head, Velond leapt into the tree, in pursuit of his errant son.

He wished now that they’d waited until Rúmil was older to have another child. But the time had felt right and Rúmil had always been so sweet-natured that they had not expected these troubles. “How did he change so fast?” Velond thought as he raced along the branches.

To his extreme annoyance, Rúmil was nowhere to be seen.

“Rúmil?” he called out, but got no reply. Honestly, how could his fifteen-year-old son outwit him? He’d been a Galadhel for more than two millennia - it was humiliating!

“Problems, Ada?” said a voice behind him. Velond turned to face Haldir, who was balanced on the branch of the previous tree.

“Your brother has run off – again,” he said, his irritation clear in his voice.

Haldir smiled and placed his hand on his father’s shoulder. “Go home, Ada, leave Rúmil to me! I will find him and have him home for tea, I promise!”

Velond didn’t like the idea of walking away from his son, but he was having no luck and getting angry was not helping. Haldir was his eldest and had always been responsible; maybe he would be more successful. “Very well,” he sighed. “Good luck, my son - you will need it!” Then Velond left, leaving Rúmil in the hands of his older brother.

Haldir had a pretty good idea where Rúmil had gone. There was a hollow in the very top of one of the oldest mallorn trees, just about Elfling-sized. He’d hidden there himself on occasion, though he’d outgrown it now. Rúmil would have the luxury of that space for longer - he’d discovered it younger and was a little small for his age. Unless he had a growth spurt, he would be able to enjoy that secret place for a few years yet.

He leapt into the branches, easily jumping higher and higher, until he could almost poke his head out from the tops of the golden leaves. It had been centuries since he had last been here, but he still remembered the way, changed only slightly by the passing of time.

He ducked under a tall branch, and then stepped to the side. Over and under some of the ancient trees’ intertwined branches he went, until he came to the centre of one of the oldest trees in Lórien. Two branches down brought him to a thick covering of ivy. Smiling, he pushed it aside, to reveal a small hollow. Not an empty hollow however, for it contained the hunched up form of his little brother.

“Rúmil...”

The Elfling looked up, his eyes widening in horror as he saw his big brother.

“Haldir! I didn’t do it!” he cried, shoving himself backwards against the tree trunk, shocked at having his hiding place uncovered.

"Do what?" Haldir asked, not sure exactly what Rúmil had done.

"Whatever Ada said I did!" came the defensive reply.

Haldir laughed, settling himself on the branch outside the hollow.

"Rúmil, no one is mad at you. I just want to talk to you!"

"Ada is mad," the Elfling insisted.

"He is just worried, Rúmil," Haldir tried to explain. "You keep running off."

To this Rúmil did not reply, but simply pouted and turned away from his older brother. Small fingers played with the frayed laces on his tunic as he hoped Haldir would not ask him again. Haldir, however, was not giving up so easily.

"Rúmil?" he pressed. "Why do you keep running away? You are making Nana and Ada very sad."

"Am not!" The venom in Rúmil's voice shocked Haldir; his brother, at least up until Orophin's birth had been quiet and good-natured. "They don't care!"

Edging closer, he tried to calm the troubled child, his concern clear on his face. Rúmil however, did not seem to notice it. 

"Why on Arda would you think that?" he asked. "They care very much for you!" His brother’s behaviour was beginning to seriously worry him.

"They don't!" Rúmil yelled at him. "They've got Ovo... Oro... Ofin! They don't want me now! Nana and Ada are always with him and not me! I hate him!" He would have got to his feet, had the small hole allowed it, and Haldir could see the anger and rejection in the young one's eyes.

“Rúmil!” Haldir was horrified. “That is wicked! Do not say such things about him! He is your brother!” 

“I hate him!” Rúmil yelled again. “And you don’t care about me either!” With unexpected speed, Rúmil shot out of the hole and was away into the trees again, his tiny body vanishing into the golden leaves.

Letting out a curse highly unsuitable for the ears of an Elfling, Haldir gave chase. His long legs allowed him to get Rúmil within sight, but try as he might, he could not catch up any more than his father had been able to.

Growling under his breath, Haldir tried to determine which route Rúmil was going to take. Maybe he could find a shorter way and get in front of him. Following Rúmil’s path as best he could, he quickly determined where his little brother was going. He smiled; it shouldn’t be too hard to get ahead of him. Rúmil may be fast, but Haldir knew the Golden Wood far better. Climbing higher into the trees, he let Rúmil think he had escaped as he took the quicker path, all the while getting ahead of the Elfling.

At last he stopped and peered down through the trees. He smiled; he could see Rúmil coming, slowing a little as he perceived his apparent success. When Rúmil was within reach he jumped down, reaching out for his brother’s arm.

Rúmil shrieked as Haldir appeared in front of him, really believing he had given his brother the slip. Panicked, he stepped back, trying to keep out of reach. However, in his haste he failed to look where he was going and his feet met only air. With a scream of pure terror, he plummeted towards the ground.

END PART ONE

Title: Climbing the Mallorn Trees - 2/3
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Rating: G
Beta: Eni
Summary: A new addition to the family causes young Rúmil to fear he isn't loved any more.
Notes: I know, this was supposed to be a 2-parter. But it got too long, so I decided to split it.

*****************

“RÚMIL!” Haldir let out a gasp of horror as his brother slipped and fell, heading straight for the hard ground below. Without hesitation, he plunged after him, saying a prayer to the wood to protect them as he followed Rúmil down, knowing his actions were close to suicidal.

As if in answer to his prayers, Rúmil was caught up in a tangle of branches as several trees intertwined. It slowed him only a moment, but it was long enough for Haldir to catch him, grabbing his wrist with one hand and a nearby branch with the other. Rúmil yelped as his arm was wrenched painfully but Haldir could do nothing as they hung precariously in mid-air.

For a moment he just breathed, hardly daring to believe that they were still alive. Then Rúmil whimpered and he looked down at his terrified brother.

“Rúmil, I need you to help me,” he said gently. “Can you do that?” 

There was a moment of hesitation and then Rúmil nodded, clearly still scared but trying to be brave.

“Good boy,” Haldir said soothingly. “Now bring your free arm up and hold onto me tightly – be careful.”

Slowly Rúmil reached out, grabbing onto Haldir’s sleeve. The older Elf winced at the strain on his arm but said nothing, more concerned with Rúmil’s safety. When the Elfling was hanging on with both hands, Haldir breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s it, good. Now pull yourself up again and put your arms round my neck.”

Again, Rúmil slowly did so and Haldir helped as best he could, by lifting his arm to pull Rúmil higher. The Elfling’s hands clutched at his clothes and Haldir prayed that nothing would rip and send his brother plummeting back towards the ground. However, their luck and his clothes both held and a few moments later the pain in his arm lessened as Rúmil wrapped his skinny arms around his neck and held tightly, allowing him to hold on to the branch above him with both hands.

“Now hold on,” Haldir instructed, and began to move his hands along the branch he was clinging to, edging them carefully towards the tree trunk where shorter branches were within reach of his feet. Before long he felt his feet touch a short, wide limb and it was with great relief that he lowered his arms, wrapping them instead around the trembling form of his little brother who was still clinging tightly to him.

“It’s all right now,” he soothed. “We’re safe in this nice tree.” Sitting down, he carefully held Rúmil close, as the Elfling’s quiet shakes started to give way to fearful sobs, the impact of what had just happened starting to sink in. 

“I fell,” he sobbed, his face in Haldir’s chest.

“I know,” Haldir replied, “but I caught you, you’re safe. Now I need to know Rúmil, are you hurt? Any bumps or scratches?” He rubbed Rúmil’s back, calming and reassuring him as best he could, while carefully checking for any injuries. He’d seen a couple of minor scratches from the branches on Rúmil’s face, but they weren’t serious. Thankfully nothing seemed to be broken and he breathed a sigh of relief when Rúmil shook his head. He was not injured either apart from a slight ache in his arms and he felt like crying as well when he realised how lucky they’d been.

Eventually Rúmil’s tears ceased and he stopped shaking, remaining in the safety of Haldir’s arms. His face still buried in Haldir’s tunic, his brother almost missed it when Rúmil mumbled something to him.

“What was that little one? I did not hear you,” he asked.

Rúmil looked up, his eyes still red from crying, and quietly repeated himself. “Thank you for catching me,” he whispered.

Haldir’s smiled, leaning down to kiss Rúmil’s hair, “You are quite welcome, little one,” he replied. Pausing for a moment, he quickly decided to take the opportunity presented to him. “I will always catch you. That is what big brothers do, Rúmil, they look out for the younger ones. I look out for you and one day, you will look out for Orophin too.”

At this Rúmil made a face, his little nose wrinkling in disgust. “Shan’t,” he said stubbornly, his dislike for his little brother rearing its ugly head again. 

Sighing, Haldir wondered how to convince Rúmil that he was an important part of his brother’s life and that they were both greatly and equally loved.

“Rúmil,” he said slowly, “do you love me?”

At this Rúmil looked up, seemingly shocked that Haldir had even asked.

“I love you lots!” he declared, looking slightly offended. “Don’t you love me lots?”

“Of course I do,” Haldir assured him. “I love you very, very much. But tell me, Rúmil – why do you love me?”

Rúmil frowned as he tried to think of why. He was quiet for a long moment, chewing on his lip in concentration. “You’re nice,” he said finally. “You take me riding and fishing and to see the guards practice and let me have strawberry cake when Nana says no!”

Chuckling Haldir nodded. “That’s right. Remember though, we don’t tell Nana about the cake!” he added quickly. “Now, do you know why I do all these things?”

There was another pause and then Rúmil shook his head, a look of bemusement on his young face.

“I do them not only because I love you, but because it is my very special duty as a big brother,” he explained. “As a big brother I have a very important job – to make sure you are happy and safe. I am lucky to have that job, Rúmil – and now, so are you.”

“Lucky? To have to look after Ofin?” Rúmil still didn’t look convinced that there was anything lucky about his Ada and Nana’s new baby.

Haldir nodded, “To make another person happy and safe is the most important job anyone can ever have. One day, Orophin will love you like you love me – if you do your duty.”

Rúmil thought about this for a while, chewing on his lip again. It was clear that the thought of someone looking up at him the way he looked up at Haldir was quite appealing. It wasn’t quite enough to eliminate his fears, however.

“But Nana and Ada love him better than me!” he protested. “Nana’s always holding him!”

At this Haldir smiled and shook his head. “No Rúmil, they don’t. “You do not remember, but when you were born they spent just as much time with you. Just like when I was born they spent all their time with me.”

“Really?” The thought that he had received the same treatment was a revelation to Rúmil.

“Really,” Haldir smiled at the Elfling, “and if you come home with me now for tea, you will see how worried they have been about you. Please Rúmil; we all want you at home.”

Haldir watched as Rúmil considered his request, sending a prayer to Elbereth that he had done enough. After what seemed like an eternity, Rúmil nodded and Haldir let out a long breath, hugging him as he stood them both up.

“You will not regret it, little one, you will see.” Smiling, he started to descend the tree, heading back towards the home of his parents and brothers. However, when he turned back to make sure Rúmil was still with him, his heart sank.

Rúmil was still where he had been in the tree, clinging tightly to the branch and staring at the ground below with wide-eyed fear.

Groaning, Haldir realised that the confidence Rúmil had possessed just a short while ago had fled in the wake of his terrifying plunge. He now faced the unenviable task of trying to coax the Elfling out of the tree to which he had attached himself.

END PART 2

Title: Climbing the Mallorn Trees - 3/3
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Rating: G
Beta: Eni
Summary: A new addition to the family causes young Rúmil to fear he isn't loved any more.

Notes: It’s done! Yay!

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“Rúmil, What are you doing?” Haldir questioned gently. “Come on down now.”

Tightening his hold on the tree, Rúmil shook his head. “I’ll fall!” he wailed, shrinking back against the trunk.

Everything in his heart screamed at him to go and get Rúmil and carry him safely down. But Haldir knew that if Rúmil did not conquer this fear now it would haunt him for years, or longer.

Hating himself, he called up to Rúmil.

“No you won’t. Just look where you’re going and all will be fine!”

“No, it won’t, it won’t!” Rúmil’s face went red as tears of fear filled his eyes. “Haldir,” he whimpered plaintively.

In that moment Haldir felt as evil as any Orc, as he continued to refuse to go and carry Rúmil down. He knew it was for the best, but if Rúmil didn’t relent soon he would cave in, he knew.

“I have faith in you, Rúmil,” he called, “I know you can do this. You have never fallen before and you will not fall again. You must learn from your mistakes, not fear repeating them.”

The only response this got him was more whimpers, Rúmil being far too upset to listen to reason. His hands were still gripping the tree tightly and he was crying openly now, making Haldir’s heart wrench painfully.

Desperately, he searched for ideas, wanting Rúmil to come down before his resolve wavered and he ended up carrying him, something that would not be good for the Elfling in the long run. There was only one other thing he could think of, and it seemed so cruel. Still, he had to try.

“Very well,” he said, looking up at his brother. “I will go and tell Ada and Nana you do not wish to be their Elfling anymore. They will be very sad, but maybe Orophin and I will be enough.” Then, without once looking back, Haldir turned and started to walk slowly away, hoping that Rúmil would fall for his trick. It was an old ruse, but with luck Rúmil was young enough not to know that.

Half a dozen paces away he was starting to doubt that it was having any effect. He had just decided to go four more paces and then turn back, when he heard the sound he’d been waiting for.

“Haldir, wait!”

Turning, Haldir grinned as he saw Rúmil scrambling down the tree, trying to catch up with him. As Rúmil’s feet touched the grass, Haldir knelt and opened his arms. Rúmil flew into them and Haldir stood, whirling him around playfully.

“Good boy!” Hoisting him up, he let Rúmil settle in his arms, resting comfortably against his chest. “Now, we can both go home.”

Rúmil stayed in his arms all the way home, but as they approached the talan he began to grow agitated. However, Haldir wasn’t sure if it was fear of his parents’ reaction that troubled him, or the thought of climbing the tall mallorn in which they lived.

As it turned out, it was a combination of the two. Rúmil whimpered as they reached the trunk and Haldir stroked the golden hair soothingly. He would carry his brother this time, just to show him he had nothing to be afraid of. Indeed, as they safely climbed higher Rúmil seemed to calm down, though the other worry was still preying on his mind.

“What if Ada is still angry?” he asked worriedly.

“He is not, I promise you,” Haldir replied; though he tightened his grip on the Elfling slightly, in case he tried to bolt. Carefully he ascended the rope ladder which was attached to tree which held their home, keeping one eye on Rúmil all the while.  

Even when they reached the top, and Haldir released Rúmil from his arms, he watched him. He had not almost let himself get killed just to let his brother run away again. Pushing open the door, he stood directly behind Rúmil as they went in.

Velond, having made sure his wife and youngest son were comfortable, had settled himself in a chair by the stove, to await the return of Haldir and Rúmil. As time had passed he had fallen asleep, and when his elder sons entered he was still dozing peacefully in the chair.

“Go on,” Haldir said, nudging Rúmil forwards. “Go and see him.” He smiled encouragingly and waited for the Elfling to move.

Rúmil shuffled forward reluctantly, unsure that Haldir was right and that his Ada was not still upset with him. Approaching the chair, he glanced back at Haldir, who nodded and then tugged lightly on Velond’s tunic.

“Ada?” he whispered.

Velond woke immediately, looking down into the wide blue eyes of his middle son.

“Rúmil!” Reaching down, he scooped the Elfling into his lap, holding him in warm embrace. “Where have you been, my son? I was so worried!” Velond said, as Rúmil snuggled into his arms.

“I’m sorry Ada,” Rúmil replied, his voice muffled by Velond’s tunic.

“Don’t you ever run off like that again,” Velond scolded lightly. “Your mother and I were frantic! We do not want you getting hurt, Rúmil.” He took care not to sound more than a little annoyed though, for he did not want the little one upset again.

“I promise, Ada,” Rúmil mumbled. “But I’m not hurt. Haldir doesn’t let me fall.” 

Velond frowned at this and glanced at his eldest; however, Haldir just shook his head, indicating that he would explain later. Although curious, Velond nodded. His sons were home, that was the important thing. All else would follow in time.

Hearing a noise from the other room, he smiled and lifted Rúmil’s head so he could face his son. “Shall we go and see Nana and Orophin now?” he suggested gently.

Rúmil didn’t look too impressed with the idea, but as he went to say that he didn’t want to see his brother Haldir stepped forward and placed his hand on Rúmil’s shoulder.

“Do you not remember what I told you about big brothers, Rúmil?” he implored the Elfling. “Please, just try?”

Rúmil pouted at his older brother but Haldir did not waver, meeting the little one’s gaze evenly.

“Alright,” Rúmil said eventually, breaking Haldir’s gaze to stare at his lap. 

“Good boy,” Haldir praised, lifting Rúmil off of his Ada’s lap and setting him down on the floor. Then he offered his hand to the Elfling and when Rúmil took it, they walked together into the bedroom of their parents.

*************

Rúmil’s mother, Mírtithen, stirred as they entered. Exhausted, she has been fast asleep, with Orophin also asleep in his crib next to the bed.

“Nana,” Haldir called out softly, just enough to wake her. He still held on to Rúmil’s hand.

She blinked and her eyes slowly refocused as she left the path of dreams. A moment later, she saw her two eldest standing in the doorway and a delighted smile spread over her face.

“Rúmil! Thank Eru!” she cried as she sat up. Then, much as Haldir had done not long ago, she opened her arms for her son. Pulling away from Haldir, Rúmil ran to his mother, all but throwing himself onto the bed and into her embrace. Her arms enveloped him and instantly he curled up, clinging to his mother who had seemed so absent these past weeks.

No words were spoken as mother and son enjoyed a peaceful moment and in the doorway, Haldir and Velond watched.

Yet barely had Rúmil started to show signs of falling asleep when the moment was shattered as Orophin woke and cried out loudly.

Reaching over, Mírtithen gently lifted Orophin from his crib and Haldir felt his heart sink as Rúmil’s eyes flashed with jealousy once more as he saw himself being yet again pushed aside in favour of his new brother.

Mírtithen, however, had other ideas. She had seen the pain Orophin’s arrival had caused Rúmil and wanted to end it. When her youngest was safely out of the crib, she lowered him and gently pushed him into Rúmil’s arms. Rúmil’s eyes widened in surprise and she smiled reassuringly as his arms instinctively folded around his baby brother.

“It is all right,” she soothed as she carefully adjusted Rúmil’s arms so that he was holding Orophin correctly. Wrapping her arms around them both, she helped Rúmil to gently rock Orophin until his crying ceased. Then she moved away, staying close enough to keep an eye on both, but letting the two brothers have some time together.

Rúmil stared down at the babe, his expression shifting from surprise, to horror and then to confusion. He had never been so close to Orophin before, had identified him only as a screaming bundle that took his parents’ attention away. Now he saw that this was indeed another Elf, with bright blue eyes much like his own. Curiously, he touched the fuzzy silver hair on Orophin’s head.

Orophin giggled, and brought a chubby hand up to grasp a handful of Rúmil’s own shoulder-length hair, tugging on it happily. Rúmil looked horrified, but Haldir laughed and walked up to them.

“I remember you doing that to me, Rúmil!” he laughed. “It is a sign of affection, you know! He likes you!”

“He does?” Rúmil replied, looking rather bemused as he tried to extract his hair from Orophin’s iron grip.

“Aye, he does,” Haldir confirmed as he helped Rúmil free his hair. Orophin looked put out for a moment as his new toy was taken away, but then he found the corner of Rúmil’s tunic and began to chew on it, much to Rúmil’s dismay and Haldir’s amusement. “Very much it seems! I think he will follow you everywhere once he learns to walk!” His expression softened then and he laid a loving hand on Rúmil’s head. “Is that such a bad thing?

Rúmil stared at Orophin, still happily chewing on his tunic. Certainly, his little brother was not the evil monster he had seemed to be before. It might be rather nice to have someone following him around, like he followed Haldir.

“It’s not so bad,” he mumbled, looking a little embarrassed.

A sigh of relief went up from the three adults in the room and Haldir hugged both brothers, a delighted smile on his face. He knew that Rúmil would not accept Orophin completely right away, that there may still be trials to face, but it was a start. He was sure that over the years the brothers would become closer and Rúmil’s early resentment would be just a distant memory.

******************

Haldir was right.

As Orophin grew, he worshipped Rúmil, copying him in everything did. Rúmil’s confidence in the trees returned and it was not long before he was showing his brother how to climb, with Orophin an eager student. In Orophin’s eyes Rúmil could do no wrong and from an early age he was fiercely loyal. He grew close to Haldir too and it was no surprise to anyone that all three became warriors, forming a close and deadly team.

By the time Orophin was an adult he was extremely tall, taller than both of his brothers. Yet, it did not matter. He was still their youngest brother and would always be. Orophin did not mind. He loved and trusted them completely, and it was trust well placed. For in all their years together, whatever battles they fought and whatever trees they climbed, they never once let him fall.

THE END!