#orophin

What I see: Orophin (left) Haldir (right)

Haldir, utterly done with his brothers’ nonsense: “If the two of you don’t stop meddling, I swear by Elbereth I will have you both reassigned to Mirkwood.”

Rúmil, without missing a beat: “With Thranduil? Honestly, we’ll pack now.”

Orophin, already rolling up his bedroll: “Does he need help polishing his crown? Or just someone to braid his hair and listen to him complain about spiders and Legolas’s skincare routine?”

Haldir, pinching the bridge of his nose: “Valar help me…”

Rúmil, cheerfully: “I heard Mirkwood elves are very open-minded. And dramatic. We’d fit right in.”

Orophin, grinning: “Do you think he’ll let us try on one of those fur-lined cloaks? I want to swish when I walk.”

Haldir: “You’re not being banished, I’m threatening you.”

Rúmil: “Right, right. Just making sure our travel packs are ready in case. You know. For emergencies.”

Orophin: “Should we bring wine? Or just offer ourselves as tribute?”

Haldir: They'll know what it means.

*later*

Galadriel: oh, and Haldir said to give you a message.

Galadriel: *makes a neutral face*

Orophin: Oh no. The neutral face of displeasure.

- Elladan and Elrohir

- Rumil and Orophin

For Scribbles and Drabbles 2024 SFW Prompt 158 for Melpomaen

Summary: Recent orphans and transplants to Lóthlorien, Haldir and his brothers, deal with a slight difference in bird culture between the predominantly Silvan customs of their homeland and the more Ñoldorin culture of Lóthlorien. Loosely based on one of my potential hcs for the history of the Lórien bros who were orphaned during either the Ruin of Doriath or another loss in the Greenwood. Featuring: a young Orophin and a mildly injured bird, a very out of his depth Haldir, an absent Rúmil (sorry), and an attempt of cultural expose via birdhouses hanar - Sindarin for brother honeg - Sindarin for little brother

Orophin's lip trembles as he peers over the sketch book that he took from Rúmil's chest and ties the next piece of wood to the curved frame. He inspects the work as he strokes the feathers of the hawklet in the small box next to him and nods resolutely. "I won't let them force you to stay outside. I don't care what they say. You're a baby and babies need help when it's cold!"

"Honeg, who is leaving babies outside?" Haldir asks with concern as the recently matured elf steps inside their talan, shaking the snow from his oversized cloak before hanging it by the mantle. He shivers in the frigid air inside their home and sets to lighting the hearth. The mallorn branches crack as they flare to life and Haldir grimaces. He misses the smell of the forested oaks and firs of Eryn Galen.

Orophin rushes over and throws his arms around Haldir with a tight squeeze before flying back to the table and bringing the hawklet closer to the warming fire.

Haldir watches Orophin with an exhausted smile and runs his fingers through his little brother's hair, combing it back into a semblance of order.

"Are they leaving hawklets out in the forest, honeg, or are there other babies I should be worried about?" He pauses then sighs. "And where's Rú? I left him here to watch you."

Orophin's face scrunches as he frowns. "I don't need anyone to watch me! I'm not the baby!"

Haldir snorts and Orophin waves his hands in the air before pointing at the hawklet. "Rú went to get another bandage because his wing is broken. Hanar, hanar", he repeats in distress, his bright eyes filling with tears. "They were going to leave him outside to die." He hiccups as his sobs grow. "Th-the other elves said even though he was hurt that that's what nature intended and that he should DIE."

A rage grows inside Haldir at the idea. All elves had the responsibility to nurture and protect Yavanna's creatures, especially ones so young. To think that Orophin would be encouraged to abandon an injured hawklet was an insult to the Fruit-Giver.

"Who said this?" He asks, jaw clenched.

"The shiny, sparkly elves, hanar!"

Haldir sighs, a smile tugging at his lips. They did wear an unnecessary amount of jewelry. You could hear them coming up the paths during celebrations. Truly, while the Sindarin customs here in Lórien were of some familiarity to him, those of the prevalent Ñoldor often confused him still and were difficult to adapt to.

"The Ñoldor, honeg."

"That's what I said!" Orophin chirps back and Haldir knows he's lost the battle for the evening.

"Is that why you're building the houses?"

Oropher quiets and fidgets with the hem of his tunic. "I remember what they looked like when Lady Lúthien hung them in the trees and I wanted to try."

Haldir blinks back his tears, heartstrings tugging painfully. He wasn't sure his brothers had been old enough to remember much of Doriath, but he shouldn't have been surprised. The Eldar had long memories.

He clears his throat.

"You're right. I haven't seen any hanging here. But I don't see any hooks to put it up."

"It's too cold to put them outside, hanar. That's why I wanted to bring him inside. But the sparkly elves said I couldn't bring him to the infirmrary."

"Infirmary."

"Infirmary!"

Haldir smiles. "So you brought the hawklet home?"

"Mm! I know we don't have a lot of space, but -"

"It's alright. You're right, Oro. It's winter and it's our duty to keep our injured friends safe." Haldir had long resigned himself to Orophin's growing bird obsession. He was sure that by winter's end their small, shared talan would be inundated with fledglings. It would cause some strife with Rúmil who was struggling here, but they would work it out together well enough.

They always had.

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