The Little Hunter
by Pippin's Sunshine
19 20
Chapter 19
All that night, Estel was too excited to sleep, until finally his
mother started swatting at him to try and make him go to bed. “Estel!
You need to get some rest. Dawn will come earlier than you think.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll try to go to sleep. But I can’t promise anything.
It was so fascinating to hear how Ada and Glorfindel met. I’ve been
caught between those two when things weren’t always right, so I know
how Haldir and the others must have been feeling. It’s like being
caught between two wizards- no one willing to give in.” Estel shuddered
and pulled his blankets in closer, as he lay awake on his bedroll.
Sleep did not come easily this night, but gradually Estel felt his eyes
drop, though not of his own will. He was terribly excited as if he was
going to a party the next day. Eventually, he did manage to sleep
somewhat restfully. But before the dawn rose, he was up and ready to
go. Quietly, he snuck out of the room so he wouldn’t wake his mother.
Haldir found him sitting in one of the trees looking out across the
Anduin valley. Estel made no movement or suggestion that he had
acknowledged the elf’s presence. “I did not know that the sons of
Elrond- whether adopted or not—had grown wings and were able to climb
to the very dizzying heights of a Mallorn.”
Estel turned and looked at the elf whose head was peeking out
through the branches. “I found this tree when I was roaming the forest
while waiting for you to return so that we could begin my training. I
found out that this tree has the best view of the river and I can look
towards home from here. And I had to learn how to climb otherwise; my
brothers would have never let me hear the end of it. But one day we
were out fishing in one of the streams that flows out of the Bruinen
and it began to rain, but we were down in one of the valley’s bowls and
were unable to escape the fast overflowing waters, so they basically
threw me into the closest tree. After that, they taught me how to climb
by myself. I like being above the leaves, somehow the air seems clearer
up here. And trees are good hide-out places.”
Estel grinned at Haldir and in an unspoken challenge, met the elf’s
eyes as if in gesture to see who could reach the bottom first. Before
Haldir even realized it, Estel had shot past him and was already
halfway down the tree. “You will have to move faster than that, Master
Elf if you want to beat me!” Estel laughed as he shimmied down the
tree. He stopped on one of the lower branches to wait for Haldir to
catch up. He did not mean to show up his teacher, so he planned to let
Haldir win.
The trees had also come as a merciful escape from his brothers’ torment
at times. He was the fastest climber in Imladris and everyone knew it.
Once he was up in the tree, it was very difficult to get him to come
down. Sometimes, he even stayed in his hidden refuge long enough for a
meal to get cold. This worried his mother, but Elrond quieted some of
her fears and told her to just let him play, for he would only be young
once.
Estel waited patiently for the blonde haired elf to catch up. Haldir
finally made it to where Estel was waiting. “You put the training of
the guards of Lothlorien to shame with your speed. You truly have a
gift; hold on to it for as long as you can. Trees can become places of
refuge when you are hunting as well. If an animal should ever turn and
catch your scent, run up the nearest tree as high as you can get. This
will not stop some animals, but if you are faster than they are, it
might.” And with a grin, Haldir jumped gracefully from the tree.
After Estel had done the same, Haldir looked at him again in
astonishment. “Again, I must say, I never knew that it was possible for
men to grow wings. I have not been in the company of very many men, but
Estel, you truly are a marvel to your race. Estel turned a shade of
crimson at the elf’s words and mumbled a polite “thank you.”
“Shall we continue your lessons now?”
Chapter 20: The Birds
I.
Haldir led Estel further down the forest path. “Again, I imagine that
some of our exercises will seem a little out of place at the moment,
but I hope you remember their lessons and use them. Most of these will
help you in hunting, tracking or even life. They will help you survive
if you ever find yourself away from help. Just as you can learn from
the trees and the water, the animals can teach us many things.”
While they were walking, they had come to a ring of trees that had
an opening at the top. Haldir was hoping his friend would remember his
appointment.
Suddenly, Estel heard an eagle or a hawk screech far above them and
the sound scared him so bad, Haldir turned around when he jumped about
a foot in the air. Haldir laughed, “It’s okay Estel.”
“Ai, there he is. Estel, this is Ramalintë,” Haldir motioned at the
bird that was now circling above them until he perched on one of the
lower limbs right above Estel. When the bird had stopped, Estel noticed
that it was an eagle, a very big eagle.
“His name means ‘strong-heart’ and he is one of the eagle
protectors of the mountains. I am sure you have heard their cries as
they circle the skies looking for food. The birds are given the
extraordinary sense of sight so that they can see the smallest mouse
running across the largest field. You have to train your eyes to be
able to spot a deer running in the wild. But the other unique quality
that a bird has is the ability to sit and just follow an animal with
its eyes and then swoop down when the time is right. Right when they
can take advantage of another animal putting its guard down.”
Estel looked at the bird as he lighted on the ground. He had always
been taught to revere all of the animals, whether of the sky, land or
sea. Cautiously, he asked Haldir if it was okay to approach Ramalintë,
to which Haldir agreed. He was amazed at the young human’s complete
lack of fear, or if it was there, he was able to push it aside. Very
slowly, Estel made his way towards the bird, inching his way forward
with his hand held out as his brothers had taught him. Ramalintë let
Estel touch his silky feathers.
“Haldir, have you ever ridden an eagle? “ Estel asked suddenly. “I would love to see the sky from so high.”
Haldir stood there with his mouth open, this boy really did have no
fear. When he regained his composure, Haldir answered, “No, I have not.
But your Ada got to take a reluctant trip with Gwahir…”
II.
“Lord Elrond had been up in the mountain passes
with Glorfindel when they were attacked by trolls and some of their orc
minions. The two had been out camping in the cool fall weather.
Naturally, they were very much out numbered, but they fought and killed
as many as they could. Somehow the orcs came between the two.
Glorfindel was able to escape, and he managed to get close enough to
the eagle’s Eyre to ask them for their help. “My lords, a friend is
down there. Please help him.” And with that, Glorfindel passed out.”
“The eagles had been watching the two elves fighting their foes and
were greatly impressed, but now with the news that there was still one
down there, the eagles decided to help. Gwahir called his two brothers
to join him. Swiftly, they descended to where Elrond lay motionless. He
had been knocked unconscious by the orcs. Gwahir swooped down and
gently scooped up Elrond in his talons. Elrond was startled by the
sudden movement as the eagles ascended back to the eeyries.”
”Could you imagine being lifted off the ground like that? It
absolutely terrified Elrond. The eagles laid him and Glorfindel in
their nest and let them stay there until they were recovered from their
injuries. Then the eagles took them back to the gates of Imladris.”
”Why was Ada so terrified to ride with the eagle? I think it would be fascinating,” Estel asked innocently enough.
Haldir replied with a laugh, “I guess even the Lords of Imladris
have their secrets. He was terrified not because of the eagle itself. I
am sure you have heard from him as well how much you should respect the
animals. No, not because of that…”
Haldir wondered if he should really be telling Elrond’s foster son
about this. This was about a one second debate in his head. Of course
he should give fuel for humiliating his friend, was he crazy? Haldir
bent down and whispered in Estel’s ear,
“This may shock you, but your Ada is afraid of heights.”
Estel looked up at Haldir in surprise. This was definitely one
thing that he had never known about his Ada. “If he is so afraid of
heights, why do they always go up into the mountains? The mountains are
the highest places I know of and he goes there all the time,” Estel
said this with a confused look on his face.
“I know, but to some there is a difference between being in the
mountains, where it is not necessary to look down as opposed to a high
cliff where they are forced to look down. From what I heard about this
experience from Glorfindel was that your Ada got very sick when the
Eagles lifted him up. Of course they came and rescued him and took care
of him, but the dizzying height of the empty air took its toll on him.
Now I am quite sure, especially after your tree-climbing demonstration,
that you do not share this same fear. Am I correct in that assumption?”
“Of course you are! But I still can’t believe that he is afraid of heights!”
Both elf and human were grinning. Haldir finally had his revenge.
He knew the sons of Elrond to be quite ruthless with their jokes on
their father and hopefully Estel would not forget this little bit of
information. Estel of course had lodged it into his memory to save for
a boring, rainy day back in Imladris.
Suddenly, Estel asked Haldir a very brave question. “Haldir, if it
is okay with Ramalintë, could I go for a ride on his back? I would love
to see the Woods and the River from his perspective.”
Haldir looked at Estel in shock; this was not part of the training. He
did not really feel like telling Gilrean or Elrond if anything should
happen to him. But he trusted the bird and went up to him and whispered
in his ear what Estel had asked. The bird too looked at Estel in
surprise but quickly gave Haldir his consent.
Haldir helped Estel climb up onto his back. “Hold on tight Estel. Your
mother will probably kill me for this anyway. But this will actually
help in part of today’s lesson. While you are up there, focus your eyes
on the fields and see if you see anything distinct.”
With that, Ramalintë took off. At first Estel held on tight, then
as the eagle stopped climbing, he relaxed his grip a little. He was a
little bit afraid, he had never been so high, but that eventually
passed and he got brave enough to look down. When he did, the sights
below him took his breath away. The valley and woods were absolutely
stunning from above, even more so from the inside.
Ramalintë glided for a while above the field, and then gradually began
his descent. About halfway to the ground, Estel realized that he could
see animals moving the grass below him. He was beginning to understand
that all creatures have their own unique ability: for the eagle it is
their ability to see far below from the skies and the fish that are
able to swim upstream to survive a long winter. The eagle landed softly
beside where Haldir had been waiting.
“Well, what did you see?”
“I saw animals moving in the grass below us. I never knew that being
above something gave you such a better view of what is really going
on.”
Haldir nodded. “Always be sure you keep your eyes. To lose them
would be a disaster. You must keep them trained so that you notice the
slightest movement to the right or left. This also goes along with
training your ears to hear noise, no matter how small. The best advice
that I can give you in that regard is to not look for the animal
itself, but its outline or shape, and then you will be able to see
them. But always remember the true secret to success in hunting is
stealth. You may hear a sound or see a movement, but your patience in
waiting may be wasted if you make a hasty movement. All of your
movements must glide together so that you are not seen and can remain
hidden until you are ready to show yourself to an enemy or animal.”
Estel took everything in greedily; he was always ready to learn.
“Ok, that is all for today. And you have deserved a small break, as I
have been informed that I must go out on patrols for about a week or
so. Then we will resume, ok?”
Estel nodded and headed back to his tent.
