The Little Hunter

by Pippin's Sunshine
35   36


Chapter 35: 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 36: The Test


As the days and weeks passed on, Estel became more and more skilled at his sword training. There were even a few times that he had challenged his brothers and beat them, though he was unsure if he really was that much better than them or that they had let him win. He finally settled on the former choice, but he didn’t care because he was able to say that he had beaten his brothers.

Finally, the day approached for Estel to prove that he had mastered the skills necessary for wielding a sword.

First, was a test of balance. A ropes course had been set up. Haldir and his brothers were not surprised to see the young human breeze through the course as if it were no challenge. Haldir had heard of how Estel had cleaned up Orophin and Rumil in the balance game and had had a difficult time coming up with a course that would be tough enough. The goal was not to cause him to fail, but to challenge him enough that he would really put the skills that he had learned to work.

A mock battle had been set up with several of the newer guard members. Estel was quick, but not quite quick enough. He lost the first few rounds. Finally, he began beating all of his opponents. After a few more rounds, Estel was proclaimed the winner.

The last test was something that Haldir had taught Estel, but they had not had much time to practice, so Estel was surprised when a stable hand came out to the arena leading Melian. Haldir looked at Estel, “It will be okay. She knows what to do and you handle her well. We have not made this too difficult, I hope, but it is a necessary part of the tests.” Estel nodded and sheathed his sword momentarily so that he could mount Melian. The stable hands had even fixed his saddle to the right length and height. Estel had almost forgotten how good it felt to be in the saddle. The arena was cleared while everyone took a short break so that Estel could warm Melian up and they could set up for the test.

Finally, everything was ready. Haldir looked at Estel and made sure that he was ready to begin. Estel nodded and breathed deep. He talked softly to Melian giving her encouraging words to get as close as possible to his targets. This was one thing that had not come easily to him and his nervous about doing this exercise in front of so many. Estel tried to clear his head of these thoughts and spurred Melian on. His targets had been tied to the tree branches above him and to stakes in the ground, alternating one above the other. As he rode, he slashed at the sand bags with the blade of the sword. When he completed the circle, he was pleased to see that he had only failed to open three of the fifteen. Estel leaned forward and patted Melian on the head, “Thank you. You know you are my closest friend. I will be sure that you have more treats tonight.” He quickly dismounted and took the reins from one of the stable hands. “I will look after her thank you.”

Estel took Melian back to the stables as Haldir discussed with Elrond and Galadriel whether or not he had passed the tests. He was very nervous about this part because while he knew that he had done well, he wasn’t sure if it was good enough. Estel had forgotten that he had snuck some sugar cubes in his pocket and was awakened from his thoughts by Melian’s wet nose against his hand. “Sorry. I forgot those were in there,” he replied to her with a smile as she ate them up. “I must be getting back. I will return later to check on you.”

Elrond had been very impressed with his foster son’s abilities, especially his speed. He had never doubted the young human’s Dunedain lineage, but he had never expected it to run so strong either. If it were up to him, there would be no debate in the matter. But he knew that this was not Imladris and things were run differently. The whole issue was just a matter of technicality, no one really expected the guard to deny that Estel was ready. As Estel approached where Haldir stood, it was proclaimed that he had passed the tests. Estel ran to hug the elf with a huge grin. “Hannon le. I had a good teacher.”


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