Bows, Arrows and Hugs

Title: Bows, Arrows and Hugs
Author: Forest
Rating: G
Cast: Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, Celeborn
Disclaimer: I own no-one from The Lord Of The Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of this story.
Feedback: Yes please!
Timeline: Bookverse
Summary: Haldir takes on the role of ‘awed big brother’ when he decides to teach his little brother, Rumil, the skill of archery.
Author's Notes: A little bit sugary at the end.



Orophin watched with some amusement from the balcony as Haldir led their younger brother to his first archery lesson. Ah, how he remembered his own first lesson with Haldir, Orophin thought wistfully. The feeling of picking up a real bow for the first time. The smoothness and elegance of the string and lightness of the arrow. The look on Haldir’s face when he was almost castrated by Orophin’s first shot. The memory of that incident still brought tears of laughter to Orophin’s eyes.

Down at the training field, Haldir was busy prepping Rumil for his first lesson. He remembered all too well what had happened when he had tired to train Orophin in the skill of archery, and he most certainly did not want something of that nature to occur again.

‘Alright, Rumil’ Haldir began in his “I-am-looking-out-for-your-welfare” big brother tone, ‘you remember what we discussed in the talan, about how to hold your bow?’

Rumil shook his head.

With a sigh, Haldir picked up his own bow, which he had left leaning against a tree trunk, and tried yet again to explain the basics to his youngest brother. ‘Now, watch me. You hold the bow like this in your hand…close your opposite eye…nock the arrow like so…draw the string back till it’s just by your ear and let it go!”

With a high pitched whirr, the feather tipped arrow sped through the air, landing directly on target embedded in a tree trunk a little way away.

‘Ohhh’ Rumil grinned up at his brother. ‘Can I try now?’

‘Be my guest’ replied Haldir, passing the smaller bow to him, watched as Rumil nocked an arrow and added ‘remember, brother, string back just by your ear’

Rumil nodded. ‘Where shall I aim for, Hal?’

Haldir paused for a second before replying. ‘Try somewhere above where my arrow hit’ he said, pointing at the tree.

With a look of deep concentration, Rumil then shut his left eye, drew the string back and let the arrow go. The two brothers watched as it sailed through the air, but landing only a few feet away.

Rumil looked quite disappointed.

‘Never mind’ smiled Haldir encouragingly, ;no-one gets it right first time. Even I had to try many times before I hit my first target.’

‘Really?’ Rumil looked up at Haldir with a surprised expression his eyes. ‘But you always shoot so well!”

Haldir chuckled and went to retrieve the lone arrow. ‘I’ve had several centuries of practise, Ru’ he grinned, ‘when you’re my age, I’m positive you’ll be even better than me.’

‘Yeah, right’ smirked Rumil.

‘I’m serious’ said Haldir, handing him back the arrow. ‘Now, let’s try again shall we?’

*

On his way down to the training fields, Orophin was stopped by Celeborn who decided he wanted to chat.

‘So, how are things down at the borders?’ the elven lord asked.

‘Oh, fine thank you’ Orophin replied politely. ‘How are things with you, my lord?’

Celeborn sighed. ‘There’re alright, but, well-’ Celeborn paused at the intrigued look on Orophin’s face. ‘Well, I suppose it can’t hurt to tell you. You see, Orophin’ he continued, adopting an oddly paternal air, ‘I miss having elflings around Lorien. It’s been so long since I heard the merry laughter of elves without a care and it depresses me sometimes, well, you know what I mean, don’t you?’

Orophin nodded. ‘Yes, my lord I-‘. Orophin stopped suddenly as an idea struck him like a lightning bolt. ‘My lord,’ he began, ‘my youngest brother is having his first archery lesson down at the fields with Haldir. I don’t suppose you’d like to come and watch?’

At Orophin’s words, the corners of Celeborn’s mouth tilted upwards into a smile that lit up his sombre features. ‘Are you sure Haldir would not mind?’

Orophin laughed. ‘Nay, he’s always glad to have an audience!’

It didn’t take long for the pair to arrive at the training ground and as soon as the fields came into view, Orophin and Celeborn sat down to watch for fear of putting him off. Not Haldir. Haldir could handle the pressure of being watched quite easily. No, it was Rumil they were concerned for. Orophin for one was sure that if his young brother knew he had an audience, it may distract him too much from his training.

The pair watched as Haldir persevered with trying to teach Rumil archery. Several failed attempts at hitting the target had caused Rumil to lose confidence a little, but with encouragement and praise from his elder brother, he soon bounced back.

‘That’s it, Rumil. Well done!’ praised Haldir, quite unaware of his onlookers,

Rumil smiled to show he had heard, but kept his eyes fixed on the target and finally, he let the string go with a sharp twang. The arrow whipped through the air, getting nearer towards the target, nearer….Rumil’s eyes widened as he watched the arrow sailing on a straight course for the tree where his brother’s arrow still stuck. Suddenly, the arrow buried itself in the trunk and stuck fast.

Haldir let out a whoop of joy and punched the air. ‘You did it, Ru!’ he cried, ‘You did it!’

Rumil’s face, once contorted with the utmost concentration, now broke into a wide happy grin. Haldir, ran up to his little brother, the grin seemingly cemented to his face.

‘High five, lil’ bro!”

Rumil, jumped up and met his brother’s hand. ‘SQUIDGE!’ he beamed up at Haldir

‘SQUIDGE! ‘ Haldir echoed Rumil’s exultant words and wrapping his strong arms around his brother’s waist, he lifted him into the air and gave him a tight bear hug.

‘You did well today, Rumil’ he grinned. ‘I’m proud of you.’




~*End*~