Moving On and Moving Out

Haldir waited until Rumil and Orophin had left for the market before starting to pack.  He had still not told them about his plans for moving, but knew that he would have to very soon.  He was due to move out within the next few days and as peculiar as his brothers might be, they would surely notice that he was no longer living there.  His problem was how to break it to them, how to make them understand that he wasn’t moving out because he no longer liked them or wanted to live with them, but that he just wanted to move on with his life.  How many other six-and-a-half thousand year old Elves still lived with their brothers?  Probably not many, Haldir thought ruefully.  Besides, it would do his brothers good.  Haldir wondered if sometimes his brothers relied on him too often – particularly when it came to the more practical matters like paying bills, making sure there was food in the cupboards and being sensible in general.

Haldir had tossed a few ideas around in his head.  Everything from pretending to have been abducted by aliens, through doing a moonlight flit to faking his own death.  These were all extreme ideas, but not as bad as the reality of having to sit Rumil and Orophin down and telling them he was leaving.  In his mind's eye he saw them weeping and wailing, both devastated at his leaving.  He imagined them tearfully begging him to reconsider and him having to comfort them as he gently let them down.  Oh no.  It wasn't going to be easy by any means.

"Thanks for the bacon buttie - most appreciated."  Rumil stuffed the last of his roll into his mouth and chewed happily.  Orophin put down his tea and fiddled with a price tag.  It was market day.  Rumil and Orophin had been at the market since dawn, setting up their stall.  They were situated between a stall selling baby clothes and one selling knock-off DVDs.  Legolas was currently raking through a crate of DVDs and sounding excited.  He had offered to "help".  He had managed to arrive almost immediately after Rumil and Orophin had emptied the boxes and laid out their stock.  To make up for his lateness, he had bought the other two hot drinks and bacon rolls. 

Rumil pointed to the assortment of items, littering the table in front of him.  "I hope we sell most of this stuff.  I don't want to think of what Haldir will do to us if we don't - can't see him being at all happy if we take all this stuff back to the flat."  The market had been going for an hour or so, and thus far business had been slow.  The Santa Claus mobile 'phone covers had proved to be surprisingly popular.  Not so the singing fish, but the day was yet young.  Orophin played with a novelty cigarette lighter (it was a naked, female torso - as anatomically correct as a novelty lighter could be).  He looked deep in thought.  Legolas nudged him, gently and said, "Everything okay?  You've been awfully quiet."  Orophin looked up at his friend.  "I was just thinking...don't you think Haldir's been a bit odd over the past couple of days?  I don't think he does have a new lover, but there's definitely something going on with him."  Rumil frowned.  "He seems a bit happier.  Is that what you mean by odd?"  Orophin shook his head.  "He does appear to be happier, but no that's not what I mean.  He's been really secretive and stealthy.  He won't answer his 'phone if anyone is in the room, he's been hoarding boxes and old newspapers and he bought a travelling box for Flora."  "Maybe he's moving out?"  Rumil and Orophin stared slack-jawed at Legolas.  "What?  It was only a suggestion.  He might be packing up to move." 

Haldir had just hung up the 'phone from talking to his letting agent when it rang again.  This time it was Thranduil.  Haldir wanted to borrow his van again to move all his belongings.  After a quick chat, they arranged for Thranduil drop off the van on his way over to taking his Bichon Frise to the vet to get his claws clipped.  Haldir commenced packing again.  The brothers had inhabited the flat for quite a number of years.  That, combined with his age meant that Haldir had managed to accumulate a fair amount of...well, junk really.  He had weapons galore - more than enough to equip a decent sized army.  He also had an unusually large collection of beer mats and souvenir teaspoons.  He did not recall making a conscious effort to collect either but here they were, nevertheless.  He filled binbag after binbag and after a few hours work, his room looked no different at all.  He decided he was making little headway, so he may as well stop for a tea-break.

Legolas shook hands with the man in front of him.  When Rumil and Orophin return, he thought to himself, were bound to be amazed and overjoyed at his skills as a sales-Elf.  He grinned as he watched them approach then held up his hand.  In his hand was a huge wad of cash.  Rumil’s eyes lit up and Orophin looked impressed.  “Whaddya think of this then, lads?  I managed to offload the rest of our stock to a trader – 350 quid for the lot!  He’s just away to get his assistant to bring round the trailer.  I said we’d help load.  Is that alright?”  Rumil’s mouth gaped open.  “That much?  That’s almost a 200 per cent profit!  Fantastic Legolas, mate!  We’ll help the kid load up the stuff then hit the pub, yeah?”  The other two enthusiastically agreed.

At long last, the majority of Haldir’s bedroom was fitted into a few, sizeable boxes.  He had left a few black bags out by the bins, and had dropped yet more off with Mrs Lupin, their downstairs neighbour.  She worked at a charity shop and gratefully accepted Haldir’s donation of antique weaponry.  She was an avid watcher of Bargain Hunt and Cash in the Attic and knew what this sort of stuff was worth.  Haldir didn’t know it but nothing he had just given to Mrs Lupin would actually make it to the charity shop but would instead fund a trip to Florida for her and her many children and grand-children.  Haldir checked his watch.  Thranduil would be around any moment with the van and to give Haldir a hand in loading it up with furniture and more cumbersome.  Haldir would be able to move the boxes on his own.  His new cottage came partially furnished, so he didn’t need to take his bed with him, which was lucky given that he needed somewhere to sleep that night.  His plan was to load the van, take it back to Thranduil’s place, and stick the van in his garage overnight then head back home.  On the way home he planned to stop off at the off license for some beers, then at the Chinese take-away.  The reasoning behind this was if he fed and watered his brothers, they would be in a good mood and less likely to freak out when Haldir told them he was leaving.  He hoped.

Rumil sat and counted out the last of the money.  The total take for the day had been just over 450 pounds.  They agreed on a split – 75 to Legolas, 150 each to Orophin and Rumil and the remainder was reserved to buy new stock.  After their success with the trader the planned to become traders themselves.  Rumil had already secured a deal for a box of ‘assorted items’ and he planned on just selling it to a trader for a modest profit.  Rumil was relieved that they had managed to sell off all of the stock because earlier in the day, Thranduil had called Legolas to say that the van was needed elsewhere.  The only thing they had to take away from the market was their large wad of cash.  The other stroke of good luck was that Thranduil had already picked up the van, meaning that the three moneyed Elves could go to the pub in good conscience and not have to worry about returning their transport.  So that is exactly what they did.

Haldir pulled out his mobile ‘phone and called Orophin to find out what he and Rumil wanted from the take away.  He ended up having to buy for Legolas too.  He had just dumped the food and the beers in the kitchen when his brothers – and Legolas – arrived home.  “Just in time – come and get it while it’s hot!”  Haldir was almost crushed in the subsequent stampede for food.  He managed to squeeze in and piled food onto his plate and, grabbing a bottle of beer followed the others into the living room.  He nudged Orophin over on the sofa and plopped down beside him.  There was silence, punctuated only by occasional slurps and belches as the four Elves ate their food and drank their beers.  Finally when the food was finished, four very full Elves sat back, satisfied.    Well, three were satisfied, the other was apprehensive. 

“Did you have a good day?”  Haldir asked.  Rumil nodded enthusiastically.  “We sold everything!  Thanks to Legolas.”  He raised his beer bottle in the direction of said Elf.  Legolas grinned broadly and returned the toast.  “What about you?”  Rumil returned the question to Haldir.  Haldir took a deep breath.  This was it…the moment had come.  His mouth felt dry and his palms were sweaty.  “I uh,” he faltered, slightly.  “I had a productive day.  I did some cleaning.  I got rid of a lot of stuff, old stuff that I don’t need anymore.”  There, that was a good start – wasn’t it?  Orophin nodded.  “Why?”  He asked.  “Do I need a reason?  I just thought it was time for a clear-out.  I’ve accumulated a lot of junk over the years.  I just wanted to get rid of it.”  His brothers shrugged and Orophin started to clear away the dishes.  Legolas immediately jumped up to help him.  Rumil rolled his eyes at Haldir and grimaced.  “What are those to like?  They blow hot and cold.  I take it they’re on at the moment?”  Rumil commented.  Haldir said nothing.  He had not heard what Rumil had said, lost as he was in his own thoughts.  He had missed his opportunity to tell his brothers his plans.  What would he do now?

Orophin filled the basin with hot water, added detergent and started to wash the dishes.  Legolas picked up a dish towel and started to dry.  “That was uncharacteristically generous of your brother, it’s not like him to treat us all to a slap-up meal.”  Orophin nodded in agreement then blew a handful of detergent bubbles at Legolas.  Legolas gasped and flicked the dishtowel at Orophin’s backside.  It turned into a giggling, soggy wrestling match as Orophin splashed soapy water over Legolas and Legolas splashed him back.  The scrapping gave way to sloppy kisses and even sloppier groping. 

“Sounds like they’re having fun, eh?  Haldir – are you even listening to me?”  Rumil threw a cushion at his brother, but still received no response.  “What’s the matter with you?”  He slapped Haldir’s knee.  “What?  Oh, nothing.”  Haldir murmured, still distracted by his thoughts.  Rumil gave up on conversation and wandered out of the room.  As he made his way along the hall to his bedroom, he heard faint miaows.  “Flora!”  He called and was answered by another soft miaow.  He realized that Flora had managed to get herself shut in Haldir’s bedroom.  Rumil pushed the door open to let the cat out and gasped at what he saw. 

Legolas wrapped his arms around Orophin and pulled him close, nibbling at his earlobe.  Orophin groaned and ran one hand down over Legolas’ buttock as his other stroked the other Elf’s silky hair.  Their intimate explorations were interrupted by Rumil.  He steamed into the kitchen, growled “Living room – now” then steamed out.  Legolas and Orophin pulled apart and followed him into the main room of the flat.  Rumil stood in the middle of the room, hands on his hips, frowning at Haldir.  Orophin sat down, pulled Legolas onto his lap and said, “What’s going on?”

“That’s a good question, Orophin.  A very good question.  Perhaps we should ask Haldir what is going on.”  Rumil turned his ire on his brother.  Haldir blanched under his brother’s gaze.  He gulped audibly and opened his mouth to speak.  He just couldn’t think of what to say.  “Well?  I know you said you’ve been cleaning your room, but don’t you think you went slightly overboard?”  “What are you talking about, Rumil?”  Orophin asked.  “I er…”  Haldir floundered.  Rumil jumped in.  “His room’s empty.  Except for his bed it’s completely empty.  Why is it empty, Haldir?”  All eyes turned towards Haldir who averted his gaze and mumbled something.  “What did you say?”  Rumil demanded.  Haldir sighed sadly.

“I said, I’m moving out.”

TBC…