#HaLindir | Haldir/Lindir

[melpomaen]

RULES: Post descriptions of your WIPs in a poll. For whichever one wins, write 8 sentences.

Tagging: anyone who'd like to :)

[melpomaen]

HaLindir shenanigans for WIP Wednesday:

"I have perfectly serviceable furniture." "Yes, and a very serviceable floor." Haldir replied. "What, do couches offend you? Take a pillow, at least." Lindir insisted, tossing a cushion in Haldir's direction. "You are my friend, you know."

"Thank you, but truly, do not fret for my sake." Haldir said. "These furs are very fine. I couldn't be more comfortable."

"Oh, I'm not fretting, love. It's quite satisfying to be taller than you."

"Typical songbird," Haldir laughed. "Always looking for a perch."

"Ha! Typical warden, hitting the mark. They used to coax me down from the balcony rails when I was small."

"It wouldn't have been so if you had been raised in Lorien." Haldir mused. "Silvan elflings fall from trees."

"And Noldorin elflings fall from horses, but I hardly count as either." Lindir hummed back. "Alas! 'That ellon from Gildor's company fell from railings, rafters, or trees depending on the season' doesn't have that same ring to it. –Hate it when that happens."

It a strange thing for an elf from Rivendell to say, Haldir thought. Lindir had always struck him as a Noldo.

Happy Wednesday, Fellowship! 💚

Writers, now is your chance to tackle one of those pesky WIPs sitting on your devices! Share with us a little snippet from your latest WIP! If you don't have anything to share yet, go add a few sentences to your story!

Readers, do you want to participate? Challenge yourself to reading an unfinished fic, and leave a comment, or send the author a kind ask about the story!

[elithilanor]

(First sentence of a fanfic meme. Don't mind me pawning the start of this ficlet off to you lol.)

It's a routine nearly as old as they are, so Haldir has become well practiced at ignoring Orophin's pointed stare as he begins the familiar task of unstringing his bow.

(I don't mind at all lol; I should do that to others)

One potential idea:

"Haldir." Orophin says as he waves his half-polished dagger at his brother and Marchwarden. "Your bow is strung with locks of Lindir's hair."

Haldir resists the urge to sigh and focuses on his task so as not to lose one of the precious gifts.

"Haldir." Orophin states, annoyed at being ignored. "You did not have strands of his hair yesterday. You broke your bow in the last skirmish."

Haldir hums and unwinds the next hickory-colored strand, laying it down softly across his thigh as he tries not to let his brother see his amusement.

"Haldir!" Orophin snaps impatiently. "How did you get Lindir's hair. Do you have a secret stash hidden away in the talan?"

Haldir snorts in surprise. "By the Valar, Orophin, of course I do not have a hidden stash of Lindir's - or any elf by that matter - hair."

[melpomaen]

Six Sentence Someday

Rules: post six sentences of your WIP

Tagged by: @runawaymun, technically. I like these because they help motivate me to write too •u•

From my unnamed HaLindir WIP set in my also unnamed Finwean disaster au where Lindir is vaguely Arafinwean via Gildor. Ocassionally he has a crisis about it. In this scene he's just asked Haldir to take him to the river at like 2am for his health and they're trying to get ready but Lindir is losing his shit in a very Noldorin way:

Lindir slammed his hand down on the desk, the rings strewn there clattering.

"Everything I do is important!" he snarled. "Everything!"

Haldir did not flinch, but his eyes flit to where the earring is still clutched tight in Lindir's hand. He regrets it when Lindir follows his gaze and the wild thing in the minstrel snaps again.

"I know how this looks!" Lindir spat. "I know how vain and compulsive and foolish this all seems. But this– this is not madness. Not this part." He gestured shakily at the scattered jewelry. "I have to do this, Haldir. And we are not leaving unless there are bells on the damn horse!"

No pressure tags: @curufiin @stormxpadme @certifiedwerewolf and anyone who'd like to

[melpomaen]

Lindir/Haldir hcs

My Lindir/Haldir bullet point manifesto compiled at @elithilanor's request. Shout out to @parma-formenorion and @oracleofimladris for listening to me rant about this at ungodly hours

TLDR: Haldir and Lindir's respective communication styles collide to form Arda's most ridiculous slowburn bc Haldir doesn't realize Lindir is Actually Flirting™

Lindir thinks this dynamic is hysterical. He has actual reasons for not correcting it, but it doesn't hurt that it's funny.

Haldir's not oblivious. Marriage and courting are just really far down on the list of shit he's been worried about in the Third Age.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not an unrequited love situation. They have a very easy, sometimes blurry, friendship that they're both very content with. Lindir rolled a standing invitation to court/marry into it along the way and Haldir hasn't realized that it's sincere.

Lindir accidentally rattled the hell out of Haldir early on.

One of the first times Haldir was sent on business to Rivendell included Lindir feigning offense at Haldir holding back a bit from some festivities.

"I don't know what is so offensive about my voice that you refuse to dance in Imladris, but-"

The deadpan was strong enough that Haldir briefly saw his reputation flash before his eyes. Lindir dragged him into a dance while this was occurring.

They spark a lovely, if not unlikely friendship, which evolves into something like a queerplatonic relationship over the years.

They have fantastic banter.

Haldir teaches Lindir songs he doesn't know from Lorien and a few he might have picked up from Mirkwood.

When they're in the same place they often spend time in each other's rooms at the end of the day, trading stories and news about what's going on in their lands. More often it's Haldir that comes to Rivendell, but occasionally Lindir goes to Lorien. Haldir likes to hang out at river banks, so they do that schedules and weather permitting.

Lindir keeps extra rugs and furs in his room at Elrond's House because Haldir tends to take to the floor.

Lindir helped Haldir improve his fluency in Westron. Lindir likes to snoop around Eriador so Westron is a useful language to know if you're nosy.

Haldir learns to ask Lindir to specify if things are "urgent" or "time sensitive" because quickly it becomes clear they have VERY different operating definitions of what is "important."

They both keep their cards close to their chest in very different ways.

Lindir is an extrovert; he can be ostentatious and flat out aggravating occasionally, but he's charming enough to pull it off. Very good at nonchalance and Committing to the Act.

Haldir is more mild. He's well-spoken and well-liked but prefers to listen and observe. He certainly has his convictions, but he'd rather fall on his sword than misstep when he's meant to be putting on a good face for his people and/or his family.

Haldir is one of very few people Lindir allows to witness his melancholy moods. They're worse after Angmar's attacks on Rivendell midway through the Third Age.

The Situationship™

Haldir mentions someone giving him shit about being unmarried off-hand; Lindir jokes that they can always marry each other.

This evolves into a running joke where Lindir will be like stars above, just marry me already at moments. It's in jest at first but he's also not opposed.

They learn to braid each other's hair in their preferred styles. Haldir teaches Lindir some Lorien specific and Pendarin braids. Lindir shows Haldir some Noldorin practices he's learned from his friends in the valley. They're both pretty familiar with general Teleri hair practices, but they compare notes anyway.

The first time Lindir gives Haldir some of his hair to make into bowstrings it's as part of some joke. Haldir uses it because at that point it'd just be rude to not follow through. Then Lindir keeps doing it indefinitely.

Haldir teaches Lindir Pendarin and will speak it with him in private. He hardly does this without anyone outside of his family and rarely outside of Penni majority spaces. Lindir brushes up Haldir's Quenya because Lindir has found family members who speak it in private occasionally.

Lindir has told Haldir "I would follow you anywhere, unless I get distracted."

There is a healthy amount of rumors about them on both sides of the Misty Mountains.

A non-zero amount of elves are convinced that Lindir and Haldir married in secret centuries ago, foregoing all the proper traditions, and Haldir is just fucking with everyone at this point.

The camps most people fall into are "Haldir/Lindir are failing miserably at the secret part of secret relationship" vs. "Haldir/Lindir are both actively fucking with everyone" vs. "Haldir actually does not realize Lindir is serious"

Lindir compares himself to Daeron as a joke sometimes, which feeds the camp of elves who think he's in an unrequited love situation.

Haldir's had several suitors and turned away each one that pursued a serious courtship, usually because it's Bad Timing or he's Not Interested at the moment. The gossip is that he's rejecting them because Haldir/Lindir is a thing. Haldir is usually very straightforward, but he hasnt turned Lindir down to anyone's knowledge yet. Which is true in the sense that Haldir doesn't perceive anything serious there (Lindir would have spoken plainly with him about it?), so in his mind there's nothing to address.

Some of the Galadhrim have a bet going on about the Haldir/Lindir situation. Lindir learned about it quickly after its inception and placed wagers through friends in Lorien. They plan to get their hands on some Dorwinion with their eventual winnings.

Orophin started his own pool, mostly between some of his cousins. He wanted in on the wagers but was accused of having insider information/unfair advantage.

Orophin and Rúmil occasionally debate whether Lindir's type is "dumb of ass, strong of heart" or if he's some kind of emotional masochist. (Both, perhaps?) They occasionally launch coordinated attempts to convince Haldir that Lindir is in love with him. Haldir thinks they're just being annoying and it drives Orophin up the damn walls.

When people ask Lindir about the nature of their relationship, he generally deadpans whatever answer is funniest in the moment.

It makes the rumors worse.

If Lindir doesn't have anything better to do he makes the rumors worse himself because he is fucking with everyone.

The first time someone asked Lindir if they were secretly married, he replied yes and promptly cited a year from before either of them were born as their wedding anniversary.

Most people stopped asking Haldir because he thinks it's a stupid question. Last time someone brought up being "secretly married" he was actually pretty fucking offended at the implication that he would forgo a proper betrothal and wedding.

[melpomaen]

Blog Navigation

This is a Figwit rp blog not Lindir.

Please look at the Rules and About before starting an rp.

Rules

About

Under construction. ;w;

About Mun

TBA: tags under constrction

Currently using: About Mel (Figwit specific headcanons), headcanons (not necessarily ones I incorporate), Tolkien Fanart, Tolkien Shitposting, Tolkien Fanfiction, aesthetic, RúMel (Rúmil/Mel), Glorestor (Glorfindel/Erestor) and character names.

#//ooc | out of cheesecake

#Mel Likes (tbr aesthetic tag)

#Tolkien Shitposting

#Figwitposting | crack

Ships

#RúMel | Rúmil/Melpomaen; Rúmil/Figwit

#Glorestor | Glorfindel/Erestor

#HaLindir | Haldir/Lindir

NOTES TO SELF: X #The Archives | references | works of art | music | history | my writing #Jewelry Box |  a dim ringing- as of small bells tinkling

TBA: verses

Assume everything is occurring in its own timeline.

In his main verse, Glorfindel and @oracleofimladris's Erestor are his foster parents and he eventually marries Rúmil of Lorien.

Notes

I rp Figwit not Lindir.

I've also switched to using Maenod in formal writing. Most people outside his family and those who know him well wouldn't call him Melpomaen or Mel.

I respond inconsistely and sometimes slow as hell. If I don't get to something it's not personal. I am simply tired and this is a hobby.

Feel free to tag me, send memes, message, plot, ect. And thanks for being here. 🌿

[melpomaen]

23, 32 and 39 for the ask game?? 🫶

- elswing

(From this ask game for fanfic writers.)

23. how do you deal with writers block?

You know how everyone is always reblogging those "do it bad" posts? Basically that + skipping anything I don't feel like writing in the moment.

I try to make it as easy as possible to write anything down. Writing Tolkien-esque dialogue doesn't come naturally to me, so I'll write the shitpost version of conversations down as placeholders if it gets words down on the doc. 🤷‍♂️

Here's a sample of my drafts using this method bc I think they're funny:

Having my notes and hcs at the top or bottom of a doc usually helps me continue writing current WIPs. Also sometimes I send my unfinished draft to a friend and ask them if they want to finish it instead.

Prompt lists and random tumblr textposts tend to help me start new works. Lately I've been getting a lot of good inspiration from songs, which usually doesn't happen for me.

32. do characters influence your writing style?

They do, but idk how well I can articulate how. I know my writing with modern/non-Tolkien characters reads differently than my Tolkien writing.

I have a new Haldir/Lindir verse and I think the style is a bit different than when I write something like Rúmil/Melpomaen because my hc Lindir is a little shit (affectionate). He is diligently trying to hide from The Narrative, and that affects the pacing and the kind of details I include, especially when writing from Haldir's POV. I also have to think about formatting songs and poems in HaLindir's drafts more than my usual.

39. are you an avid reader?

Idek. I read on my phone everyday (fanfic, articles, pdfs of books, etc.) but I don't track it. Paper books are hit are miss for me these days.

Thanks for for the ask! •u• @elswing

[melpomaen]

Tagging system notes so I remember to go retcon the whole blog eventually

Names

Steal AO3's system and stick them all in the same tag to get past tumblrs dumb first 5 tags rule. Characters that I write more have all their names written out. Government name characters whose names aren't specific enough to immediately be determined as Tolkien characters or share a first name. Ex:

#Maenod | Pietunto? | Melpomaen | Figwit

#Glorfindel | Laurefindil

#Rúmil of Lorien (as opposed to #Rúmil of Tirion)

#Merry | Meriadoc Brandybuck

#Samwise Gamgee

#Lindir

Ship tagging format: #ship name | name/name

Also skirts around the first 5 tags matter bs. Maybe add the name X name format too. Ex:

#RúMel | Rúmil/Melpomaen (putting their government names in the tags after for blog searching)

#Halindir | Haldir/Lindir | Haldir X Lindir (?)

#Glorestor | Glorfindel/Erestor

Tolkien categories

Broad strokes:

#Tolkien Fanfiction

#Tolkien Shitposting

#Tolkien Headcanons(?); wherever all hcs, metas, and close readings go

#LotR | The Lord of the Rings #Silm | The Silmarillion #The Hobbit

Still figuring out tagging culture & race & location specific hcs. Maybe something ridiculously long like #hcs; race | culture | subdivision(s) | location if necessary

#Noldor hcs? #Eldarin hcs?

#headcanons: The Last Homely House; Rivendell | Imladris (?)

Timeline Shit / Verses

#headcanons: Avari; Penni; North River Community | Lothlorien (?)

Format: #Annals | AA (Age) YYYY (year) Month DD (if known/applicable)

day Figwit is found: #Annals | TA 4248 June 21

Still figuring out verses. How to tag shit in line with my friend's verses? All of these tbd:

#Main!Verse | Canon

#Oracle!Verse Compliant (?)

#blogname Compliant (?)

Format: #Verse | time period/arc?

General: #v: main | The Scribe of Imladris

Elfling!Mel: #v: main | The elfling of Imladris

Hobbit: #v: main | The Hobbit?

LotR: #v: main | The Lord of the Rings?

Travels 3019 onward: #v: main | wandering east of the sea

#v: living history | here I shall remain until the breaking of Arda

#v: out of history | and so he followed his people West

#v: Third Age |

#v: Fourth Age | a new day will come

#v: Silm |

Crack: #Figwitposting | Crack

Figure out aesthetic shit.

Better tag for #About Mel / #Mel likes

The Last Homely House; Rivendell | Imladris

RP shit

#//OOC | Out of cheesecake

#//(Out of character commentary on writings)

#RP | open starters

#mailbox | writing prompts(?)

#mailbox | ask games(?)

#mailbox | answered(?)

#RP | starter calls

@melpomaenofimladris

[melpomaen]

HaLindir related shenanigans based on this text post by @welcomingdisaster that lives in my head rent free:

"Stars above, I thought you knew!" "Don't say it like that!" Maenod scoffed. "From the time I am born, everyone in Arda calls him your husband, but I am the fool for believing it?" "Well, he's not my husband," Lindir said loudly, drawing glances to their side of the hall. "He's my wife. I am his husband. –Also, we're not married at all. What do you not understand?" Maenod set down his fork down sharply, folding his hands in his lap. "I've had enough of this! I want a new cousin," he announced. "This one is faithless and full of lies." "Careful!" Lindir laughed. "I've heard this tale before." "Go back!" called a warden from the end of the table. "Is he your wife in the Sindarin way or the Silvan way?" "The Noldorin way, so choose your next words wisely!"

Happy Wednesday, Fellowship! 💚

Writers, now is your chance to tackle one of those pesky WIPs sitting on your devices! Share with us a little snippet from your latest WIP! If you don't have anything to share yet, go add a few sentences to your story!

Readers, do you want to participate? Challenge yourself to reading an unfinished fic, and leave a comment, or send the author a kind ask about the story!

[elithilanor]

So so so uh amazing thank you so much I love it?!? I think @wareagleofthemountain might love this too

First, A++ on Haldir.

I agree with so much of this Haldir! I do hc him as slightly less oblivious and more just deeply concerned about overstepping his bounds but also, if they’ve been friends for literal ever and had a consistent running joke about it, I can see him being so anxious about rejection or messing up the dynamic.

Very much, I’d rather than him as my friend than not at all vibes. He can pine a little as a treat!

100% agree that he would stick super close to courting traditions. Not because he feels a deep need to be traditional, but because it’s a continuation of his specific culture and he really views it as showing his partner respect and others that he loves and respects them.

Lindir!!!

I generally see him as so much more anxious and less self assured but now I’m having so many plot bunnies with your version of him and Haldir!!

I’m just saying that dancing scene has ideas let me tell you

Other thoughts

Rúmil just like “idk what the big deal is they’re doing what they want to do” and “ofc they’re not together yet; they haven’t courted” and Orophin just like tearing his hair out like “it matters!!!”

Oh gosh I really have so many thoughts but those are just the ones right off the bat.

I love this; thank you !!! 🥰😭

Lindir/Haldir hcs

My Lindir/Haldir bullet point manifesto compiled at @elithilanor's request. Shout out to @parma-formenorion and @oracleofimladris for listening to me rant about this at ungodly hours

TLDR: Haldir and Lindir's respective communication styles collide to form Arda's most ridiculous slowburn bc Haldir doesn't realize Lindir is Actually Flirting™

Lindir thinks this dynamic is hysterical. He has actual reasons for not correcting it, but it doesn't hurt that it's funny.

Haldir's not oblivious. Marriage and courting are just really far down on the list of shit he's been worried about in the Third Age.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not an unrequited love situation. They have a very easy, sometimes blurry, friendship that they're both very content with. Lindir rolled a standing invitation to court/marry into it along the way and Haldir hasn't realized that it's sincere.

Lindir accidentally rattled the hell out of Haldir early on.

One of the first times Haldir was sent on business to Rivendell included Lindir feigning offense at Haldir holding back a bit from some festivities.

"I don't know what is so offensive about my voice that you refuse to dance in Imladris, but-"

The deadpan was strong enough that Haldir briefly saw his reputation flash before his eyes. Lindir dragged him into a dance while this was occurring.

They spark a lovely, if not unlikely friendship, which evolves into something like a queerplatonic relationship over the years.

They have fantastic banter.

Haldir teaches Lindir songs he doesn't know from Lorien and a few he might have picked up from Mirkwood.

When they're in the same place they often spend time in each other's rooms at the end of the day, trading stories and news about what's going on in their lands. More often it's Haldir that comes to Rivendell, but occasionally Lindir goes to Lorien. Haldir likes to hang out at river banks, so they do that schedules and weather permitting.

Lindir keeps extra rugs and furs in his room at Elrond's House because Haldir tends to take to the floor.

Lindir helped Haldir improve his fluency in Westron. Lindir likes to snoop around Eriador so Westron is a useful language to know if you're nosy.

Haldir learns to ask Lindir to specificy if things are "urgent" or "time sensitive" because quickly it becomes clear they have VERY different operating definitions of what is "important."

They both keep their cards close to their chest in very different ways.

Lindir is an extrovert; he can be ostentatious and flat out aggravating occasionally, but he's charming enough to pull it off. Very good at nonchalance and Committing to the Act.

Haldir is more mild. He's well-spoken and well-liked but prefers to listen and observe. He certainly has his convictions, but he'd rather fall on his sword than misstep when he's meant to be putting on a good face for his people and/or his family.

Haldir is one of very few people Lindir allows to witness his melancholy moods. They're worse after Angmar's attacks on Rivendell midway through the Third Age.

The Situationship™

Haldir mentions someone giving him shit about being unmarried off-hand; Lindir jokes that they can always marry each other.

This evolves into a running joke where Lindir will be like stars above, just marry me already at moments. It's in jest at first but he's also not opposed.

They learn to braid each other's hair in their preferred styles. Haldir teaches Lindir some Lorien specific and Pendarin braids. Lindir shows Haldir some Noldorin practices he's learned from his friends in the valley. They're both pretty familiar with general Teleri hair practices, but they compare notes anyway.

The first time Lindir gives Haldir some of his hair to make into bowstrings it's as part of some joke. Haldir uses it because at that point it'd just be rude to not follow through. Then Lindir keeps doing it indefinitely.

Haldir teaches Lindir Pendarin and will speak it with him in private. He hardly does this without anyone outside of his family and rarely outside of Penni majority spaces. Lindir brushes up Haldir's Quenya because Lindir has found family members who speak it in private occasionally.

Lindir has told Haldir "I would follow you anywhere, unless I get distracted."

There is a healthy amount of rumors about them on both sides of the Misty Mountains.

A non-zero amount of elves are convinced that Lindir and Haldir married in secret centuries ago, foregoing all the proper traditions, and Haldir is just fucking with everyone at this point.

The camps most people fall into are "Haldir/Lindir are failing miserably at the secret part of secret relationship" vs. "Haldir/Lindir are both actively fucking with everyone" vs. "Haldir actually does not realize Lindir is serious"

Lindir compares himself to Daeron as a joke sometimes, which feeds the camp of elves who think he's in an unrequited love situation.

Haldir's had several suitors and turned away each one that pursued a serious courtship, usually because it's Bad Timing or he's Not Interested at the moment. The gossip is that he's rejecting them because Haldir/Lindir is a thing. Haldir is usually very straightforward, but he hasnt turned Lindir down to anyone's knowledge yet. Which is true in the sense that Haldir doesn't perceive anything serious there (Lindir would have spoken plainly with him about it?), so in his mind there's nothing to address.

Some of the Galadhrim have a bet going on about the Haldir/Lindir situation. Lindir learned about it quickly after its inception and placed wagers through friends in Lorien. They plan to get their hands on some Dorwinion with their eventual winnings.

Orophin started his own pool, mostly between some of his cousins. He wanted in on the wagers but was accused of having insider information/unfair advantage.

Orophin and Rúmil occasionally debate whether Lindir's type is "dumb of ass, strong of heart" or if he's some kind of emotional masochist. (Both, perhaps?) They occasionally launch coordinated attempts to convince Haldir that Lindir is in love with him. Haldir thinks they're just being annoying and it drives Orophin up the damn walls.

When people ask Lindir about the nature of their relationship, he generally deadpans whatever answer is funniest in the moment.

It makes the rumors worse.

If Lindir doesn't have anything better to do he makes the rumors worse himself because he is fucking with everyone.

The first time someone asked Lindir if they were secretly married, he replied yes and promptly cited a year from before either of them were born as their wedding anniversary.

Most people stopped asking Haldir because he thinks it's a stupid question. Last time someone brought up being "secretly married" he was actually pretty fucking offended at the implication that he would forgo a proper betrothal and wedding.

[melpomaen]

Thanks! I also have many thoughts 😂

Lindir

My Lindir is based on the like 3 lines of dialog he has in LotR where he's kind of riling Bilbo up about poetry and interpreting that as Lindir being a little shit lmao

Also, I borrowed your Haldir chilling on the floor headcanon and propose: Lindir chilling on perches. Lounging on a couch, sitting on balcony/rails, ect. Something something foils, opposites attract, ect.

Haldir

I don't think Haldir is oblivious but he comes off that way to some because he's really cut and dry when he holds his boundaries. He addresses any rumors going beyond playful banter in a very "this isn't up for a debate" way, which gets memed in the elvish gossip train.

Re: the brothers

Maybe the part that drives Orophin insane is that they're close enough that he knows Haldir's not oblivious. Which means he's sitting there watching Haldir string his bow with bowstrings made from Lindir's hair like You have to know, right? I know you know-

and Haldir always has some lukewarm ass answer like If he were interested, we're close enough that he'd tell me.

He's telling you by letting you string your bow with his hair for the last several fkn centuries!!! 🙃

That's not inherently romantic.

–Cue sibling banter.

Rúmil lets them go back and forth then hits Haldir with I don't know why we're pretending we're not all aware that you married him in secret ages ago, usually resulting in Haldir tossing something at him. Rú knows Orophin is doomed to lose this argument so they might as well have fun with it. It also takes the heat off Oro if Haldir actually starts getting annoyed with him because Haldir immediately pivots into his "that rumor is fucking ridiculous and you know it" rant

Lindir/Haldir hcs

My Lindir/Haldir bullet point manifesto compiled at @elithilanor's request. Shout out to @parma-formenorion and @oracleofimladris for listening to me rant about this at ungodly hours

TLDR: Haldir and Lindir's respective communication styles collide to form Arda's most ridiculous slowburn bc Haldir doesn't realize Lindir is Actually Flirting™

Lindir thinks this dynamic is hysterical. He has actual reasons for not correcting it, but it doesn't hurt that it's funny.

Haldir's not oblivious. Marriage and courting are just really far down on the list of shit he's been worried about in the Third Age.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not an unrequited love situation. They have a very easy, sometimes blurry, friendship that they're both very content with. Lindir rolled a standing invitation to court/marry into it along the way and Haldir hasn't realized that it's sincere.

Lindir accidentally rattled the hell out of Haldir early on.

One of the first times Haldir was sent on business to Rivendell included Lindir feigning offense at Haldir holding back a bit from some festivities.

"I don't know what is so offensive about my voice that you refuse to dance in Imladris, but-"

The deadpan was strong enough that Haldir briefly saw his reputation flash before his eyes. Lindir dragged him into a dance while this was occurring.

They spark a lovely, if not unlikely friendship, which evolves into something like a queerplatonic relationship over the years.

They have fantastic banter.

Haldir teaches Lindir songs he doesn't know from Lorien and a few he might have picked up from Mirkwood.

When they're in the same place they often spend time in each other's rooms at the end of the day, trading stories and news about what's going on in their lands. More often it's Haldir that comes to Rivendell, but occasionally Lindir goes to Lorien. Haldir likes to hang out at river banks, so they do that schedules and weather permitting.

Lindir keeps extra rugs and furs in his room at Elrond's House because Haldir tends to take to the floor.

Lindir helped Haldir improve his fluency in Westron. Lindir likes to snoop around Eriador so Westron is a useful language to know if you're nosy.

Haldir learns to ask Lindir to specificy if things are "urgent" or "time sensitive" because quickly it becomes clear they have VERY different operating definitions of what is "important."

They both keep their cards close to their chest in very different ways.

Lindir is an extrovert; he can be ostentatious and flat out aggravating occasionally, but he's charming enough to pull it off. Very good at nonchalance and Committing to the Act.

Haldir is more mild. He's well-spoken and well-liked but prefers to listen and observe. He certainly has his convictions, but he'd rather fall on his sword than misstep when he's meant to be putting on a good face for his people and/or his family.

Haldir is one of very few people Lindir allows to witness his melancholy moods. They're worse after Angmar's attacks on Rivendell midway through the Third Age.

The Situationship™

Haldir mentions someone giving him shit about being unmarried off-hand; Lindir jokes that they can always marry each other.

This evolves into a running joke where Lindir will be like stars above, just marry me already at moments. It's in jest at first but he's also not opposed.

They learn to braid each other's hair in their preferred styles. Haldir teaches Lindir some Lorien specific and Pendarin braids. Lindir shows Haldir some Noldorin practices he's learned from his friends in the valley. They're both pretty familiar with general Teleri hair practices, but they compare notes anyway.

The first time Lindir gives Haldir some of his hair to make into bowstrings it's as part of some joke. Haldir uses it because at that point it'd just be rude to not follow through. Then Lindir keeps doing it indefinitely.

Haldir teaches Lindir Pendarin and will speak it with him in private. He hardly does this without anyone outside of his family and rarely outside of Penni majority spaces. Lindir brushes up Haldir's Quenya because Lindir has found family members who speak it in private occasionally.

Lindir has told Haldir "I would follow you anywhere, unless I get distracted."

There is a healthy amount of rumors about them on both sides of the Misty Mountains.

A non-zero amount of elves are convinced that Lindir and Haldir married in secret centuries ago, foregoing all the proper traditions, and Haldir is just fucking with everyone at this point.

The camps most people fall into are "Haldir/Lindir are failing miserably at the secret part of secret relationship" vs. "Haldir/Lindir are both actively fucking with everyone" vs. "Haldir actually does not realize Lindir is serious"

Lindir compares himself to Daeron as a joke sometimes, which feeds the camp of elves who think he's in an unrequited love situation.

Haldir's had several suitors and turned away each one that pursued a serious courtship, usually because it's Bad Timing or he's Not Interested at the moment. The gossip is that he's rejecting them because Haldir/Lindir is a thing. Haldir is usually very straightforward, but he hasnt turned Lindir down to anyone's knowledge yet. Which is true in the sense that Haldir doesn't perceive anything serious there (Lindir would have spoken plainly with him about it?), so in his mind there's nothing to address.

Some of the Galadhrim have a bet going on about the Haldir/Lindir situation. Lindir learned about it quickly after its inception and placed wagers through friends in Lorien. They plan to get their hands on some Dorwinion with their eventual winnings.

Orophin started his own pool, mostly between some of his cousins. He wanted in on the wagers but was accused of having insider information/unfair advantage.

Orophin and Rúmil occasionally debate whether Lindir's type is "dumb of ass, strong of heart" or if he's some kind of emotional masochist. (Both, perhaps?) They occasionally launch coordinated attempts to convince Haldir that Lindir is in love with him. Haldir thinks they're just being annoying and it drives Orophin up the damn walls.

When people ask Lindir about the nature of their relationship, he generally deadpans whatever answer is funniest in the moment.

It makes the rumors worse.

If Lindir doesn't have anything better to do he makes the rumors worse himself because he is fucking with everyone.

The first time someone asked Lindir if they were secretly married, he replied yes and promptly cited a year from before either of them were born as their wedding anniversary.

Most people stopped asking Haldir because he thinks it's a stupid question. Last time someone brought up being "secretly married" he was actually pretty fucking offended at the implication that he would forgo a proper betrothal and wedding.