Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search
swiss replica watches replica watches uk Replica Rolex DateJust Watches

Tâd Edhel a Firion   by Fiondil

X: We’re Off to See the Ithron

Elrond of Imladris was still not happy.

He and Glorfindel arrived at the stronghold around noon with Thranduil waiting for them at the Great Gate, his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face.

They had dismounted before the causeway with assurances that their horses would be taken care of and their baggage seen to, leaving the two Imladris elves to cross the bridge with Arandor as a single guard.

"He looks angry," Glorfindel commented softly to Elrond, speaking in Quenya.

Elrond gave his friend a wry glance and Glorfindel amended his statement. "Well, angrier than usual."

Elrond’s only comment was a soft chuckle that held no humor in it.

Both elves bowed to Thranduil when they came to him, but Thranduil did not give them time to offer the traditional greeting.

"If I had known your mortal would cause so much trouble, I wouldn’t have allowed him here."

Elrond raised an eyebrow at that. "It’s nice to see you as well, Thranduil. Do you think we’ll have more snow before Yule?"

Thranduil’s scowl deepened and then he flung back his head and began laughing. "Elrond, Elrond, you never cease to amaze me. All those yéni as Gil-galad’s herald obviously paid off. Come, enter into my Stronghold and be welcomed. Do you wish to freshen up or have some refreshments first?"

"I would like to see Aragorn first."

"My son thought as much. I think he is with my personal healer, Nessiel, even now, having his head wound looked at."

"How serious —"

Thranduil waved a hand. "Barely enough to comment on. I think he has a few stitches but otherwise is well. Come, I know you will not be content until you’ve seen for yourself."

Dismissing Arandor, Thranduil led Elrond and Glorfindel to the infirmary. Legolas was there in the anteroom and bowed to them as they entered and they exchanged greetings.

"Aragorn is in the other room with Nessiel," Legolas explained. "She decided that his wound might be slightly infected and wished to clean it out."

"How is he otherwise, Legolas?" Elrond asked.

Legolas shrugged. "He seemed well this morning, though complaining of soreness. He ate a good breakfast and acknowledged that he had slept well with little discomfort."

"You see," Thranduil said, nodding. "Nothing to worry about."

Before Elrond could comment, however, Estel walked out of the examining room with Nessiel. His eyes lit up as he saw his adar and Glorfindel. Elrond opened his arms to embrace him.

"How is he Nessiel?" he asked as he and Estel hugged.

The healer smiled. "Well enough, Elrond. I’ve disinfected the wound and I don’t think it will cause any problems. He should rest for another two or three days, though, just to be safe. No climbing trees or hunting." This last was directed at Legolas, who smiled with a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Elrond smiled at his foster son. "What did I tell you about leaving the path, iôn nîn?" he chided gently.

Estel blushed and looked down. "Sorry, Adar."

Glorfindel laughed at that and even Thranduil had an indulgent smile on his face.

"Come," Thranduil said, motioning them out the door after Nessiel assured Elrond that Estel was fine and should not need her services until the stitches were ready to come out. "Legolas will show you your rooms and then we will meet in my study after you have freshened up, say an hour from now?"

Elrond nodded and with a brief farewell, Thranduil left them. Legolas led them to rooms across from Estel’s and an hour later they were all congregated in Thranduil’s study. The king of the Woodland Realm served them all some Dorwinion wine, all that is except Estel. Elrond insisted that the mortal be given fruit juice because of his head injury. Estel grimaced at that but otherwise said nothing.

Elrond looked at Thranduil after everyone had been served. "Is he here?"

Thranduil nodded. "Yes, he is. I’ve managed to keep him here for the past two weeks, insisting that he could not possibly leave before Yule. I told him to do so would be insulting to me personally. I don’t know if I was at all convincing but he has agreed to remain here until after Yule."

Elrond nodded. "Good. I thank you for that. It is important that Mithrandir meet Estel."

"If I may ask, Lord Elrond," Legolas said. "Why could you not wait until Mithrandir made his way to Imladris? Surely journeying all the way here..."

Elrond shook his head. "There were reasons why I chose not to wait, Legolas, reasons I do not feel ready to divulge at this time."

"Why do you want me to meet Mithrandir, Adar?" Estel asked.

Elrond gave his foster son a look that caused the young Man to look down in embarrassment, then relented with a soft sigh. "My reasons will become clear in time, iôn nîn. Be patient."

Estel nodded, keeping his eyes on the floor until he felt a hand on his shoulder and looking up saw Legolas smiling in encouragement. Estel found himself smiling back.

"So the next question is when and where?"

"I believe that’s two questions, Thranduil," Glorfindel said with a wry smile as he sipped his wine.

Thranduil scowled. "Don’t start with me, Noldorion, not in my own realm."

"Farn, Adar!" Legolas admonished his father. "How long have you and Lord Glorfindel been baiting each other? Do you think we can avoid such things at least for a few days? It is almost Yule after all."

Thranduil raised an eyebrow at his son and Glorfindel glanced at Elrond with a wry smile. "Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?"

Elrond snorted, stealing a glance at Estel, who had the grace to blush. "Do not remind me. I am not in the habit of allowing my children to admonish me."

"Nor am I," Thranduil said with a glare at his son who pretended not to notice.

Legolas placed his goblet down and, standing up, turned to Estel. "Come, Aragorn. Why don’t we find some luncheon and then I will give you the grand tour. We will leave our elders to snipe at each other. I get the feeling they’ve been wanting a good battle of words for some time."

Estel glanced at Elrond and Glorfindel who were both trying to look affronted while at the same time not trying to laugh. Thranduil just rolled his eyes to the ceiling and sighed. The mortal smiled at Legolas.

"Sounds good to me." He stood and bowed to the three older elves and began to follow Legolas out.

Glorfindel could not resist a final parting shot, though. "Remember youngling, no climbing trees or hunting."

Estel turned around and backing out of the room with a smile, said, "Yes, nana. Anything you say, nana."

The sound of the three elf-lords’ laughter echoed through the hallway as Estel joined Legolas, who was grinning.

"They do sound like nenith sometimes don’t they?"

"Only when they’re not sounding like edair."

They both laughed at that and soon they arrived at the dining hall. The luncheon hour was actually long past, but for the prince of the realm and his guest the cooks were willing to provide them with a vegetable stew, bread, cheese and a couple of late autumn apples, as well as cider to wash it all down with. They had the dining hall to themselves, save for the servants finishing up the cleaning and making ready for the evening meal.

"I suspect Adar will hold a welcoming feast tomorrow night, so we are not expected to eat here tonight if you do not wish. We can have dinner in my suite tonight if you prefer."

"That sounds good," Estel said, taking an appreciative sip of the cider. It was not hard cider, unfortunately, but sweet, appropriate for elflings and mortals with head wounds. Legolas had declined the hard cider in favor of the sweet cider for them both, knowing that Estel should not be drinking anything fermented. Estel wasn’t sure if he should feel insulted or not, but appreciated Legolas’ attempt not to make him feel left out, as he had felt when being forced to drink fruit juice while the elves all were drinking wine.

As they were finishing up, sipping their cider, Estel asked, "Do you have any idea why Adar wants me to meet Mithrandir?"

"Do you know who he is?"

Estel nodded. "Adar calls him one of the ithryn. I remember seeing him arrive in Imladris with thirteen dwarves and a hobbit when I was ten, about fifteen years ago, but I never actually met him." He sighed, staring into his goblet. "My naneth and my brothers were very good at keeping me away from any strangers who made their way through Imladris." He looked up and gave Legolas a wry grin. "Of course, at the time I had no idea why my brothers would suddenly announce that they were taking me camping. At that age I was just happy to be allowed to go with my brothers anywhere."

"They were trying to protect you." Legolas said sympathetically.

Estel nodded. "Yes, I know, but looking back I wonder..."

Legolas shook his head. "No, mellon nîn. We may regret that our lives have unfolded as they have but we should not regret the decisions of our elders who only wished us to be safe. I do not doubt that the decision to hide your true identity even from you was not lightly made, nor lightly unmade."

Estel stared at his friend for a moment in contemplation before nodding. He wondered, though, if Legolas had been speaking as much for himself as for Estel, but decided it was not something that he should ask about. Long experience had taught him some of the questions not to ask elves.

"So, if you’re finished," Legolas said, "why don’t I take you on that tour."

Estel nodded, draining his goblet. They returned their dirty dishes to the kitchen and then continued on. Legolas led Estel to the main hall, which served as Thranduil’s throne room. As they walked, Legolas regaled Estel with stories of how the Wood Elves had been forced to flee ever northward to escape the darkness spreading from Dol Guldur, eventually coming to the caverns that became the Stronghold.

"The dwarves of Erebor helped us to convert these caverns into livable space. Adar remembers Menegroth and Nargothrond, and while he says these caverns do not match the grandeur of either, I think they’re grand enough."

Estel nodded. "Yes, I agree," he said. "It’s really quite beautiful." It would never rival the beauty of Imladris in his heart, but he could see that Legolas was proud of his home, and justifiably so.

Legolas limited their tour to the upper levels of the Stronghold that day, not wishing to tire Estel out and indeed, towards the end, he noticed the mortal’s energy flagging.

"Would you like to go outside for a time, mellon nîn? The entrance is not far and you might like to get some fresh air."

"That would be good," Estel said with some relief. He had begun to feel oppressed by the immensity of the caverns and the press of stone upon his spirit. To see the sky and breathe fresh air would indeed be welcomed.

Legolas led him down the main hallway to the open Great Gate. As they approached a gust of snow-laden air blew in, sending chills down Estel’s spine even as he breathed deeply, feeling refreshed. Legolas noticed the shivering though, brief as it was, and motioned to one of the guards standing at the Gate.

"Damrod, lend Lord Aragorn your cloak. We wish to go outside but we will not be long."

The guard nodded and doffed his cloak, handing it to Estel with a brief bow. Estel put it over his shoulders gratefully and gave Damrod a bow in return. Then he and Legolas moved past the opening and onto the causeway. The afternoon was waning and the sky to the west was turning purple and crimson with the setting sun. They walked to the other end of the causeway so they could look back. Legolas pointed out certain landmarks.

"The road curves away to the northwest around the other side of these caverns before turning east and then north once again towards Erebor and Dale. That way," he pointed now in the opposite direction, "lies Esgaroth and Lake-town now rebuilt."

"What was it like?" Estel asked. "I mean, when Smaug was destroyed."

For long moments Legolas did not speak, as if gathering his thoughts of that momentous event.

"I was on a patrol to the east. The Dwarves had escaped from my adar’s prisons, though none of us could determine how. We knew that their ultimate destination had to have been Erebor, though what they hoped to accomplish there against the dragon we could not fathom. At any rate I was sent east toward Erebor to keep an eye on things. We did not know that the Dwarves had made their way to Lake-town nor that the people there would supply them with what they needed for their expedition. Our first indication that anything was amiss was when Smaug suddenly flew out of Erebor and began devastating the mountainside and then flew off towards Esgaroth. We had no idea what had happened or what had caused the dragon to go on such a rampage as he had not done in several centuries.

"I hurried back here to report to Adar and arrived just in time to hear the death shrieks of the dragon as it plunged into Esgaroth, though we are too far away to see the lake itself. The force of his plunge brought water flowing backward towards us, so that the banks overflowed somewhat, though we suffered little damage ourselves. I no sooner arrived than I was sent out again, this time to Lake-town. The devastation there was immense and the survivors were huddled on the shore, many with injuries. I organized the relief effort with Bard who later became king of Dale, and sent for more elves to help."

He shook his head at the memory, his eyes sad at the loss of innocent lives.

"There was much joy in the death of the dragon, but much sorrow for the destruction his death caused."

"A bitter victory, then," commented Estel. "I have heard some of what happened afterwards at the Battle of the Five Armies." He gave Legolas a sly grin. "Glorfindel intimated that he was less than happy not to have been there."

Legolas gave a short laugh. "That does not surprise me. I think your brothers might have felt the same."

Estel laughed with him. "Yes, I’ll have to ask them about it when I get home."

The wind blew a sudden gust, forcing Estel to clutch his cloak closer around him. "Come," Legolas said. "Let us go in and find a warm fire for you. You look tired."

Estel nodded as they headed back. "I confess that I am feeling somewhat fatigued. Perhaps a short nap before dinner would not be amiss."

"Then as soon as we get you warmed up I will leave you to your nap. I will have someone wake you in time for dinner."

They stopped at the gate long enough for Estel to return the guard’s cloak with his thanks, then Legolas took Estel back to his rooms where a cheery fire already awaited them. There was no sign of Elrond or Glorfindel and after spending a few minutes chatting, Legolas bade Estel farewell and left him to his nap.

****

A couple of hours later Estel found himself sitting in the parlor of Legolas’ suite. It was sparsely appointed yet clearly lived in. A bow and a quiver full of arrows occupied one corner while two wicked white-hilted long knives hung above the fireplace. A table had been placed before the fire laden with dishes and the two friends sat there enjoying their repast. Legolas poured some wine into two goblets, adding water to one of them.

"Nessiel would probably kill me if she knew, but I don’t think a small glass of watered wine will cause you any trouble. Just drink it slowly."

"Don’t worry, I will," Estel said with a nod of thanks as he took a sip. "Adar would probably not be satisfied with just killing you, though, if he finds out, but I am as much a healer as either of them and I know the dangers of drinking wine for someone who has suffered a head wound. However, it’s been two days, and I have not felt any dizziness or pain."

"I am glad," Legolas said with a smile, "as I want to take you climbing trees and hunting spiders tomorrow if the weather holds." His tone was that of an over-eager elfling wishing to show a visiting cousin a good time.

Estel sputtered, trying not to laugh as he swallowed his wine. "Perhaps we should hold off on the spider hunt for another day. I’ll just settle for climbing trees for now."

Legolas joined him in laughter and for a time the two friends talked about the trees they had climbed as children and the scrapes they had gotten themselves into (and out of) while growing up. It was a pleasant visit that was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Legolas got up and answered it to find Elrond standing before him. He bowed to the elf-lord and ushered him in. Estel blushed slightly as he saw his adar raise an eyebrow at the sight of the wine bottle.

"It’s mostly water," he said apologetically as he stood up to greet Elrond.

"Indeed. I trust you to know your own body and its limitations, Estel, and I am confident that you have not over indulged."

"Was there something you wished, my lord?" Legolas asked quietly.

Elrond smiled at the prince. "Only to know that Estel has not over extended himself today. Glorfindel was worried."

Estel snorted at this and Legolas smiled. "And you weren’t?" Estel asked skeptically.

"I am your adar, Estel," Elrond said. "I always worry, but over the years I’ve learned to worry about only the important things. I knew you were in good hands with Legolas, but I think it may be time for you to retire."

Estel was about to protest, but then he realized that he had been feeling a slight headache for some time and knew his adar was correct and nodded.

"Come, I will make you some willow bark tea for that headache and then it’s off to bed with you."

Estel looked at Elrond in surprise. "How did you know I—"

Elrond chuckled. "I helped raise you, iôn nîn. I know all the signs."

Estel sighed and stole a glance at Legolas who was still smiling. The prince bade them goodnight with a promise to Estel that he would join him for breakfast and the two left.

Back in his suite a half an hour later, Estel sipped the bitter tea his adar had brewed for him as he told Elrond and Glorfindel of his day. Once the tea was drunk though, the two elves wished him a good night and in a few moments he was fast asleep.

****

When Legolas came to escort Estel to breakfast the next morning, he was carrying a cloak over his arm as well as his bow and quiver over his shoulder. "It is snowing outside now, though it should clear by noon. I thought we could get in some sparring after breakfast and then perhaps you would like to ride with me after lunch."

Estel needed no further urging, and picking up his own cloak and buckling on his sword, he followed Legolas to the dining hall. Elrond and Glorfindel were already there, deep in conversation with Thranduil. Estel looked around wondering if he would finally get a glimpse of the Wizard, but there was no sign. As if he could read his thoughts, Legolas shook his head.

"Mithrandir has been in Dale this past week. He promised Adar that he would return by midafternoon today as tomorrow is Yule. Patience, mellon nîn, you will see him soon enough. Let’s get some breakfast and then go."

Breakfast in the Woodland Realm was as informal as it was in Imladris with people helping themselves to whatever they wished from a sideboard. Soon Estel and Legolas were seated at a table to one side of the high table where the royal family would normally sit during feasts. Today, Thranduil held court with Elrond and Glorfindel on either side of him flanked by several courtiers. Their discussion, while animated, was held in low tones so that none could hear what was being said. Elrond glanced up briefly and gave a nod and a smile in greeting to his foster son before returning to the conversation.

"What do you suppose they’re talking about?" Estel asked.

Legolas tore off a piece of warm bread and began slathering butter and honey on it before answering. "Probably what they always talk about these days—the evil of Dol Guldur. Though the Necromancer was driven from there some fifteen years ago, evil still lingers and it is believed that it has been reoccupied."

"Fifteen years ago. The same time as Smaug was destroyed? That can’t be a coincidence, can it?"

Legolas gave Estel a piercing glance. "Some would say yea, others nay to that, mellon nîn."

"And what do you say?" Estel asked between mouthfuls of porridge sprinkled with nuts and a bit of honey.

"Mithrandir says there is no such thing as coincidence and I think I have lived long enough to know that he is correct. The fact that Mithrandir was involved in both the death of Smaug and the fleeing of the Necromancer is, I think, a telling point."

Estel frowned. "But I thought he was not even near Erebor until afterwards."

"Oh, he had nothing to do with the actual destruction of the dragon, but he was instrumental in arranging for thirteen Dwarves and one Hobbit to be there when it happened. And he was with my adar when we camped on the edge of Erebor demanding reparation from Thorin."

"So you were at the Battle of Five Armies."

"Yes. It was the first battle I had ever been in with Men as our allies against Dwarves." Legolas gave Estel a wry look. "Elves and Dwarves do not get along very well."

Estel choked on the tea he was drinking. "The understatement of the Age, surely."

Legolas only laughed. Shortly thereafter they finished their meal and in due course they were entering a salle used for sparring during the inclement weather. They were alone today and spent an agreeable morning working out. Estel had not had much time for practice while recovering from the orc attack and felt out of shape, but Legolas assured him that that was not so.

"I think with a little more sparring you will be back in form, mellon nîn," Legolas commented at one point. "Your brothers and Glorfindel have taught you well."

They stopped in plenty of time to change into fresh clothing before going to luncheon. By now the snow had stopped. After eating they made their way towards the stables to find their horses. Legolas’ horse, a roan named Rocharn, was saddleless, but one of the ostlers was about to place a saddle on Mithfaron when they arrived. Estel assured the ellon that he was just as comfortable riding bareback as any elf.

"Mithfaron has been Imladris trained," he said in explanation and the ellon put the saddle away, giving Estel a look that clearly said that he was skeptical that any mortal was capable of riding elf-style. Estel ignored him, speaking softly to his horse who answered with a wicker of reproach for his young master.

"I think he is not happy that you left the path, mellon nîn," Legolas said with a laugh.

Estel smiled ruefully. "I seem to be spending a great deal of time lately apologizing to my horse."

As they were leading the horses out Estel wondered aloud about the lack of guards, which normally would accompany the prince wherever he went.

Legolas shook his head. "We are not traveling far today. I told Adar that we wanted to have some time alone. He was not happy about it, but as the weather should hold he agreed, however reluctantly. Come, let us go."

With that they mounted and Legolas led them along a path that skirted the river on its way towards Esgaroth. While it was no longer snowing the sky was still heavily overcast and the sun was weak and watery where it peeked out from behind the clouds, yet the day was lovely nonetheless. The blanket of new snow gave the land a pristine look. The air was redolent with pine and balsam and a red-wing flew from tree to tree, its scarlet feathers standing out against the white and grey of the landscape, its whooping trill loud in the snow-silenced afternoon.

"There is a stretch up ahead that is open enough to allow us a good run," Legolas said, pointing, and the land did indeed open into a large field and the path widened. With a shout, Legolas gave his horse permission to run and Mithfaron was not far behind. Estel shouted in glee, glad to have a chance to run without orcs after him. By the time they reached the other side, both horses and men were in fine fettle.

They spent another hour or so wandering, racing each other across snow fields whenever they found them, or trotting companionably alongside each other talking of this or that or not talking at all. Legolas commented at one point that Mithfaron had apparently forgiven Estel.

"He is a very forgiving creature, aren’t you boy?" Estel replied, patting his steed on his neck. Mithfaron wickered and nodded in agreement and the two men laughed. By now they were heading back to the Stronghold, though not along the same path. The sky, full of snow clouds, was darkening. Snow flakes began to drift slowly downward, then the snowfall quickened until the sky was white with it. The two riders pulled up their hoods.

"It is coming down in earnest now," Legolas said, eyeing the sky with a scowl. "We best make a straight dash for the Stronghold or we may be forced to wait it out."

So saying, he gave his horse a soft command and the horse began to canter, setting a ground-covering pace. Even so, Estel was hard pressed to keep up and only the fact that Mithfaron was indeed Imladris trained allowed him to stay apace with Legolas. Soon, sight was limited to the tips of his horse’s ears.

"How much further?" Estel shouted above the wind when they stopped momentarily to give the horses a rest.

"We cannot be more than a mile from the Stronghold. Stay close to me, Aragorn."

Estel nodded and they continued, though more slowly than either of them liked. Yet, both Rocharn and Mithfaron were elvish bred and Rocharn, at least, would know his way back to his own stables, or so Estel hoped. After about fifteen minutes the squall slowed and they could now see where they were going. Trees that had been lost to view were now visible and Legolas was quickly able to ascertain their location.

"The Stronghold is that way," he said, pointing in a particular direction across an open field. "Beyond those trees there there is another clearing and then a small copse and then the Stronghold. We should be there shortly."

Estel nodded his understanding but said nothing. He had to take Legolas’ word that what he said was true, for the clearing they were in looked no different from any of the other clearings they had come across. He knew that if he’d been out here alone without Legolas or any of the other Woodland Elves, he would have been totally lost, perhaps fatally so.

They took advantage of the lull in the storm to make better time and were soon among the trees. It proved to be a narrow band of woods separating the two clearings and then they were out and crossing the next clearing just as the wind picked up again and another squall hit them, blinding them with white. By now Estel was nearly frozen and had long ago stopped trying to brush the snow off his cloak. He could no longer see the trees towards which they had been heading and thought they should have reached them by this time, yet Mithfaron continued plodding through the drifts.

Suddenly, he heard Rocharn’s neigh and then Mithfaron stopped and no amount of urging on Estel’s part could force the horse onward. Estel was tempted to dismount but prudence won out over curiosity and he remained where he was. Peering through the blinding snow he could just make out the dim shape of Legolas’ horse standing somewhat ahead and to his right. Then he detected movement ahead of him, something making its way through the storm. He strained his eyes to see and was tempted to call out to Legolas, but did not think even elvish ears could hear anything above the wind. There was a faint glow as of fire moving through the midafternoon darkness. It seemed to be Man-high, but Estel could not imagine what it could be, for it did not flicker as if it were a torch, which on further reflection would have guttered out in such a wind. The glow made its steady way towards them, and then as it drew near, Estel could see that it was a light atop a staff carried by a man in grey robes and a pointed hat that blended well with the grey-white of the snow about them.

He felt a frisson of something akin to fear as the man approached, though why, he could not say. He sensed no evil emanating from the man but he could sense a power that he had encountered only once before and that recently. It reminded him of Radagast.

Legolas had not moved but as the figure came abreast of them, he dismounted gracefully. The man, bent somewhat against the wind, straightened and Estel could see dark eyes that reflected something deeper than joy, for all that the face appeared deeply lined and careworn.

Legolas bowed. "Mae govannen, Mithrandir. What are you doing out in this storm?"

"Ah, Prince Legolas, mae govannen. Why, I came looking for you and your companion, of course. Now, be good lads and follow me and try not to get lost again."

Estel had dismounted during this exchange and joined Legolas, feeling bemused. Legolas laughed, the sound of which was like a clear bell that shook the snow from nearby branches. "We were never lost to begin with, my lord. I knew exactly where we were at all times."

"Hmph. Well, you may think so, but in truth, your adar’s Stronghold is back that way." Mithrandir pointed over Estel’s left shoulder towards a stand of trees that they had passed while crossing the clearing. Estel thought he saw Legolas blush, though in the twilight it was hard to tell.

"Are you sure, my lord?" Estel ventured to ask.

Mithrandir stared at the young Man with a glint of humor in his eyes.

"Son, I’ve been traveling through Thranduil’s realm off and on for nigh on two thousand years. I think I know my way around rather well by now. Come, we are wasting time and I promised your edair that I would see you safely back home. Please don’t make me out to be a liar."

Estel didn’t know if he should be insulted or amused by the Wizard’s tone, but decided to err on the side of caution and smiled. Mithrandir nodded. "Good, good. Follow me now."

Before they could say another word, Mithrandir moved past Estel holding his staff high for them to follow. By now the snow had actually stopped, but the evening was advancing and it was nearly too dark for Estel to see. Soon, only the glow of the Wizard’s staff was visible to him, bobbing along ahead of them. Legolas did not speak but followed behind Estel and the mortal hoped that the prince would not be too angry.

Soon they were within the woods and for the first time there was a discernable trail, narrow but well defined and easy to follow. The path wound its way between the trees until they came into a clearing that was almost in the same direction that they had been heading when Mithrandir found them. Stepping out of the copse, Estel espied torches flickering in the middle distance and for the first time in some hours he heard the sound of running water.

"There, what did I tell you, heh?" Mithrandir exclaimed in satisfaction as he waited for Estel and Legolas to catch up with him. He used his staff to point towards the causeway. "And if I’m not mistaken, there are Thranduil and Elrond waiting for us."

The three of them moved across the clearing towards the causeway. A single word from both Legolas and Estel sent their respective horses off towards the stables while they followed Mithrandir across to the Great Gate. Now Estel could see that Thranduil and Elrond were indeed waiting for them, as were Glorfindel and Nessiel. There were expressions of relief on all their faces.

"Where did you find them, Mithrandir?" Thranduil asked as they approached.

"Not far, not far. They were nearly home when I found them, though heading in a slightly wrong direction. Easy enough to do in such a storm. But they are both well, if a little frozen."

"Why did you not hole up somewhere, iôn nîn?" Thranduil asked Legolas as the prince shook the snow off his cloak. "You should know better than to wander through such a storm."

Legolas looked down, tight-lipped, as if struggling not to say anything he would later regret. Mithrandir intervened. "Now, Thranduil, don’t badger the lad. I’m sure as soon as he realized they had taken a wrong turn, Legolas would have done just that. Neither of these lads is ignorant of woodscraft after all. Let’s get them inside and warmed up. You can berate them to your hearts’ content later."

Thranduil looked as if he would like to protest but Elrond took matters into his own hands by taking Estel by the arm and leading him inside. "A hot bath for you, iôn nîn, and something warm to eat, then into bed. I’m afraid there won’t be a welcoming feast for you tonight."

Estel tried to protest but a series of sneezes silenced him. Nessiel gave him a knowing look and with a small smile said, "Lord Elrond is correct, Dúnadan. Bed is the best place for you. Tomorrow is Yule and you don’t want to be ill for that now, do you?"

Estel shook his head and meekly followed his adar back to his suite. Within an hour he had bathed and eaten a light meal and drunk some willow bark tea mixed with mîdhanor, for he had begun coughing and sniffling while in his bath.

Elrond and Glorfindel hovered over him as he readied for bed but neither said anything other than casual comments on the morrow’s festivities. Estel wondered at that. As he climbed into bed with Elrond fussing over the pillows he finally spoke.

"Aren’t you going to yell at me?"

Both Elrond and Glorfindel looked at him with amusement, their eyes glinting with some undefined emotion. Finally Elrond answered him.

"Did you do anything to warrant being yelled at?"

"Belegond would have gone up one side of me and down the other in a similar situation, Chieftain or no."

The two elves chuckled, both well aware of Belegond’s habits. "Well, I’m not Belegond, and what happened was hardly your fault," Elrond said. "In fact, it’s hardly Legolas’ fault either. Even Thranduil was taken by surprise by the intensity of the storm and thinks there is more at play here than meets the eye."

Estel just stared at Elrond at that but before he had a chance to comment he sneezed and then had a coughing fit. Elrond frowned and glanced at Glorfindel who merely shook his head slightly. As Estel settled back into bed the elf-lord leaned over him, placing a hand gently on his forehead.

"If you will permit me, I will put you into healing sleep so you will be more refreshed by tomorrow."

Estel nodded, touched that his adar asked his permission first, for he well remembered as a child how Elrond would consult Gilraen first before placing him in healing sleep when the healer felt it was warranted. Elrond smiled and Estel could feel himself drifting off with the sound of Glorfindel softly singing a hymn to Elbereth.

****

Outside Estel’s suite Mithrandir leaned on his staff, looking none the worse for wear in spite of having gone into the storm to look for Legolas and Estel. He looked up as Elrond and Glorfindel came out, neither elf exhibiting any surprise at seeing him.

"So that is Isildur’s Heir," Mithrandir said musingly as the three moved across the hall to Elrond’s suite.

"Yes," Elrond replied as he went to a sideboard and began pouring out wine for them all. "Aragorn son of Arathorn, Sixteenth Chieftain of the Dúnedain, heir to the thrones of Gondor and Arnor." He turned to hand Mithrandir a goblet. "My son," he ended simply and the Wizard raised an eyebrow but otherwise did not speak.

"This was not the way I had intended for you two to meet," Elrond continued somewhat sardonically. "Certainly not with you rescuing him and Legolas from a snowstorm."

Mithrandir chuckled. "I would not fret, mellon nîn. What I have seen of the lad impresses me greatly. He did not appear panicky or worried about the storm."

"I should hope not," Glorfindel exclaimed in mock anger. "Not after all I’ve done to teach him what he needs to know about such things. He was an apt pupil, better than some ellyn I’ve had to teach."

"Have you ever told him that, Glorfindel?" Elrond asked, smiling.

"Of course not! Honestly Elrond, what do you take me for? Last thing the boy needs to hear."

"A boy no longer," Elrond said reluctantly, suddenly saddened by the shortness of his foster son’s childhood and the knowledge that Estel’s life from here on out would be fraught with danger and loneliness. There was already a loss of innocence, clearly discernible to him when Estel had come home earlier in the autumn after being among his own people for several years. Only Elrond’s summons had brought him to Imladris, otherwise Estel would still be among the Dúnedain, organizing patrols and seeing to the welfare of the villages.

Mithrandir watched the play of emotions flitting across Elrond’s face as he contemplated his foster son’s destiny. "They all grow up eventually, Elrond, even elflings." The Wizard’s tone was sympathetic. He had watched young Legolas mature over the last millennium and had seen the children of Men grow old and it was a wonder to him. He would never know the generative powers of the Eruhíni, yet he felt as if they were all his children.

Elrond simply nodded and Glorfindel placed a sympathetic hand on his friend’s shoulder.

"Well, tomorrow is Yule and while there will be little time once the festivities begin to talk perhaps I can arrange for Aragorn to spend some time with me alone anyway, heh?" Mithrandir put his goblet down and stood up. "I think I will speak to Thranduil about it. I will see you both tomorrow then."

The elves stood and bowed to the Wizard and Glorfindel saw him to the door. "Good night, Olórin," the golden-haired elf whispered.

The Wizard smiled at him and winked. If Elrond noticed the light of Aman glowing from Glorfindel more brightly than usual as he closed the door behind the Wizard, the Lord of Imladris made no comment.

****

Ithron (plural ithryn): Wizard. The Sindarin form of the Quenya istar/istari.  

Farn: Enough.

Nenith: Plural of naneth: Mother.

Edair: Plural of adar: Father.

Eruhíni: (Quenya) Children of Eru; the Sindarin form is Eruhîn.





<< Back

Next >>

Leave Review
Home     Search     Chapter List