The Little Hunter
by Pippin's Sunshine
31 32
Chapter 31: The Lesson of Solitude
Estel looked at the three elves with a worried look on his face. He
always got worried when either of his brothers had that mysterious
twinkle in their eye; but what really had him worried was that he was
outnumbered. All three of the elves had it. Haldir and the twins told
Estel to stay where he was for a moment. They came back a few minutes
later with their proposition.
“We can’t leave our stuff here, so we will pack it up and take it
back home. Estel, we have to have your word that you trust us and that
you can be trusted. We feel that you are ready for this because of how
well you are doing in your training and how mature you have become over
the last few months. Honestly, Elladan and I did not recognize you when
we saw you standing there at the ceremony,” Elrohir said.
Haldir added, “Ever since these two were young, we would always
take them to our hideout when they came to visit. We now wish to bestow
the same honor on you. It is an honor as there are few who know about
it. This is a special place because it is a place of complete solitude
and where the world around you makes you feel as though you were not
even a part of its being.”
Estel looked at the three elves in wonder. He had never heard any
of them talk like this and he always welcomed another opportunity to
become one with nature. Estel loved the outdoors; it was in his blood
as a Dunedain. They quickly packed up their camp and headed back.
Haldir told them that he was required to check in with his troop that
afternoon, but he would make it quick. “Meet me at the northern edge of
the city in two hours time.”
They all meet at the appropriate time and place a few hours later.
Estel, by now was more curious than ever as his brothers refused to
tell him anything about this little expedition. Elrohir informed
Gilrean of where they were going, at least someone should just in case,
while Elladan went and raided the kitchen for some snack foods. They
had promised Gilrean that they would return before dark and they had no
intention of breaking that as they were still on probation for the hair
incident.
“Estel, this is where we test your trust in us. We are the only ones
who know the way and for the time, must stay that way. We need to
blindfold you, we promise that we will not cause you to trip or
anything like that,” Elladan explained.
“Ok, I trust you,” Estel replied. Haldir withdrew a blue scarf from his
belt and tied it around Estel’s eyes. They gently led him along the
path, which went faster than they had anticipated because of Estel’s
willingness to be led. At last they reached their hideout. They turned
Estel around a few times and then removed the blindfold.
He had to blink not only from the blinding sunshine, but also from
the incredible beauty that was around him. They were in a glade much
like the one used for training, but this was more remote and as Estel
looked around him, he saw that running through the trees was a small
brook. The field was covered in the beautiful silver starflowers of
Lórien. Estel breathed in deeply. He loved the smell of the water and
flowers all rolled into one like it was here.
The three elves also had to remind themselves where they were. It
had been many years since Elladan and Elrohir had looked upon the
beauty of the “Hidden Valley”.
“Always remember, Estel that any answer you may need can be found in
the beauty of nature that is constantly around you. And it will always
be your closest ally. Though it may sound absurd, the trees and flowers
will always lend a nonjudgmental ear to anything you may have to say or
get out but can tell no one else.”
They sat down in the middle of the flowers and ate the bread and
cheese that Elladan had brought. After a while they noticed it was
beginning to get dark. They hated to break the serenity, but they had
to. Elrohir reached down to Estel and helped him stand. “It’s time to
go back, but anytime you want to visit, let us know,” he said with a
wink.
Chapter 32
Estel and the twins stayed up until the wee hours of the morning
playing catch up. None of the trio had had very much free time lately,
so the letters had been few and far between. Elladan and Elrohir were
very grateful that their father had decided to let them come along with
him to Lothlorien. They had not seen Galadriel for sometime and would
have been very put out to miss Estel’s ceremony, and they had told
Elrond as much.
“I do wish that Glorfindel had been able to come as well, but I know
someone had to stay behind to be sure everything was kept proper. You
will not believe some of the stories that I have heard from Haldir and
his brothers. Haldir had told me how he traveled with Ada and when they
met Glorfindel. His description gave me the chills. You know how they
get so intense when they’re mad or upset? They started off that way.
But then somehow they convinced Glorfindel to join them. But I think
the best thing that Haldir told me was that Ada is afraid of heights.”
Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other in shock. “Well Estel has
managed to find out something we didn’t know. I say we use it to our
advantage.” Elrohir grinned. Maybe having a little brother wasn’t such
a bad thing.
“There’s not much to tell from Imladris. Much of the time you have been
away so have we. The orcs have become braver and have been roaming far
too close to the borders for anyone’s comfort. There have been no
attacks inside the borders, but there are many who fear it won’t be
long. We had only returned for a few days before Ada announced that we
were to come with him here. Apparently, he and Glorfindel had a long
conversation if we would be missed too much on patrols. We eventually
found out and had a long talk with Ada and finally they both agreed to
let us come as well.”
The next morning, Elladan and Elrohir joined Estel at his training.
Haldir gave him back the wooden sword. “You know the drill. Today we
will continue our technique training. You are coming along nicely, but
maybe we will get more done, so you can show off for your brothers. And
if they care to join you in training, they will be most welcome. I am
sure the guards of Imladris would be very put out if you two came back
soft.” Haldir thought to himself, ‘Unless they become more of a
distraction.’
He was very sure that all three would benefit the others for the
remainder of their visit. He had spoken with Elrond and was informed
that as soon as Estel passed the tests, then they would all return to
Imladris. He was very sad to hear this, but had a feeling he would be
seeing more of the young human in the years to come.
“In practice it is easy to be perfect in your movements, but in a real
combat situation, you will find that these movements may not be so
perfect. But these exercises will help you get the general idea of
them. The main thing to remember is to keep your movements fluid and
able to flow into each other. This will help keep control of the sword
as well as where the sword strikes. Try to hit this target as many
times as you can alternating sides with each blow.”
Estel took up his position and began the exercise. Occasionally Elladan
and Elrohir would interject their comments on how to help him improve
his form. Haldir was very impressed that they were maintaining some
degree of professionalism. Finally, the end of the day came and
everyone headed out to their homes.
