The Little Hunter
by Pippin's Sunshine
13 14
Chapter 13
To: The Lords Elrond, Glorfindel, Elladan, and Elrohir
Last Homely House
Imladris
20 July TA
From: Estel and Gilrean
Golden Wood of Lothlorien
We miss you all very much. Several of the Dunedain fell in battle with
the orcs in the mountains. We lost Reneal to the River Ninglor. Lord
Elrond, I need your help. Reneal attacked Estel. We have been unable to
get much out of him, but I believe it was because Reneal was jealous of
Estel. We must fight harder to conceal his lineage; I fear for him,
even more so than normal. Like any parent, I wish for no harm to come
to Estel. But this incident has opened my eyes to his greatest danger.
I know it in my heart that he will never escape his doom, but I fear
for him. I fear he will be hunted, probably the rest of his life. We
have told him nothing of this, yet I fear he guesses that there’s some
of Numenor that runs true in him. I dread doing this but we need to
tell the Rangers to join our cause and to tell no one about Aragorn. He
does not yet know the power of his name, but once he does, all hope of
safety will disappear. But I speak of things still far away in my
mind’s eye.
I have beheld your fair daughter Arwen; indeed, though he is still
young, it will be hard to keep him away. I have been told that the Lord
and Lady have spoken with all of the Elves and have commanded them to
avoid the subject if he should bring it up. Indeed, I see that is both
of their fates to be one day joined.
I must go now. Estel is longing to tell you of his adventures.
Give the twins and Glorfindel our love
Gilrean
Then added in Estel’s scrawling handwriting was this message:
I am happy to have never traveled before now. There were so many
interesting and new and scary things. The snow in the mountains was
beautiful and if it hadn’t been for it and the rain, I wouldn’t have
met my new friends.
In the cave we were staying in, there were two bears that I found
while exploring. Then on our last trip to see them, they woke up: the
momma and her cub. But I wasn’t scared. The mother bear pulled me
towards her and started cleaning me with her tounge! And then the cub
and I wrestled, but we had to get moving. I miss my friends. I have
included the poem I wrote for them. Please have Glorfindel put it in my
book.
And we had a battle with the orcs that was awful. But we scared
them away. Did you know that storms are louder in the mountains? I
didn’t like that.
Momma is shooing me to bed so Goodnite and I hope to see you again
soon. I begin my training in a few days, so I won’t have much time to
write
Love Estel
Chapter 14
To my dear Estel,
I am glad to hear you came to Lothlorien safely. Elladan and Elrohir returned from their hunts a few weeks ago.
They told me to say that they miss you very much. And if I may so, they
were very impressed by your stories of the journey. No doubt that you
have been impressed as well by various things.
Estel, please listen to the Warden’s advice. He and his brothers
were well trained by the guard of Lothlorien. Do not think you are
better or worse than them just because you are different. The Elves of
Lórien are proud, but they will remain your friends for as long as you
live, so do not alienate yourself from them by causing the Lord and
Lady any grief. And do not mention the Warden’s height! He is shorter
than most Elves, so fair warning. Take no note of it and do not let
them catch you staring.
Estel, I want to remind you of something. Your name means "hope."
One day, you will be the hope of all men; but do not lose your own hope
along the way. All men (and Elves) choose their own course. It is
regrettable that Reneal chose the path he did. I am glad that nothing
worse happened to you.
Enjoy your stay in Lórien, and please try to stay out of trouble.
Be safe little hunter! We will be glad and of lighter hearts when you
return a more skilled hunter than our brothers and to us.
Lord Elrond of Imladris and his household
Elrond put his pen back in the ink. Glorfindel was walking by as he let out a sigh. “My Lord, is anything the matter?”
“No, Glorfindel. I received a letter from Gilrean. She is worried
about Estel’s safety. I am too because it is getting harder and harder
to hide this from him. He will have to face it one day, but that day
seems to be getting closer faster than any of us are truly ready for."
Glorfindel could see lines appear on Elrond's face. "Reneal attacked
him. Gilrean believes that was because of Reneal’s jealousy of Estel.
But, there is nothing that can be done about that. Estel said he was
lost to the river."
Glorfindel could only nod because this news was such a shock. But he was relieved when Elrond smiled and said,
"On a lighter note, Estel has informed me that he is to start his training with our friend the Warden in a few days.”
Glorfindel grinned. It would be fun hearing about the Warden’s interactions with young Estel.
