((Independent LOTR RP blog for Rumil. I track the tag rumiloflothlorien. Artwork by Nyangsam))
“Many of the creatures have become my friends. Rabbits and chipmunks, mostly. They’re a joy to be about. Many like to crawl in my lap and snuggle close when I’m reading.” Furry friends seemed to be the only sort of friends the young elf had. He was shy when it came to his own kind, with the exception of his brothers, of course. But perhaps he could make a friend in Goldberry, for she seemed to be a kindred spirit.
Rumil beamed as she placed the water lily behind his ear. He would press it in a book and keep it forever once he got back to the talan that he shared with his brothers. He couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty that he didn’t have anything to give her in return. If there had been flowers near by, he would have made her a flower crown. “Thank you, Miss Goldberry. I wish I had something to give you in return.”
He nodded a bit and smiled. “I haven’t been out of Lothlorien very many times, though I don’t really have the desire to leave these woods. They’re so beautiful. It’s a peaceful place. Sometimes I feel as though I could live here forever.”
The golden haired maiden shook her head and gave a sunny grin. “You do not need to gift me something in return. Though, if you are adamant about such things, then all I was ask in return from you, Rumil, is your friendship. It is nice to actually talk with an elf of the Golden Wood rather than just watching all the time.”
Her smile wavered a bit as she thought of her own home. It was no longer new and filled with light as it was when the elves first came to wake up the trees. “My husband and I have no ring of power to protect our forest and keep it safe, though, we do the best we can. The trees these days are angry and Barrow WIghts walk about at night.” Some would argue that her Tom had enough power to change such things if he wished, but what they did not understand was that she and Tom would not dare force a living being to change their will. And so the trees were treated as children of sorts; a reprimand here or there but nothing severe.
“I know I don’t need to, but I want to. Next time you visit, hopefully I’ll have something to give you then.” Rumil looked to her, positively beaming. “But I will very happily give you my friendship in the meantime, since I would very much like to be your friend too.” Goldberry would be the first friend that he’d made all on his own, and Rumil felt a sort of pride in that. “Well, you’re welcome to come and talk to me any time.”
Rumil watched her, frowning ever so slightly. “We’re very lucky that we have such a thing to protect the Golden Wood. Not many know about the Lady and her ring, but I’ve seen it so many times. Though I’m not exactly supposed to talk about it I think about the elves who aren’t as fortunate and it makes me a little sad that they can’t live in a safe, beautiful place.” The young elf bit his lip. He’d heard of Barrow Wrights. “That sounds very…unsettling.”