The Little Hunter

by Pippin's Sunshine
37   38


Chapter 37

There was much celebration after the trials of the day, but finally Estel retired to his room. He was very satisfied in how he had done. He could think of nothing but how proud he was to see the joy on everyone’s faces that he was becoming grown up. Maybe faster than some of them cared to admit, but they could all see it. Maybe he would finally win a little more respect from his brothers. He had challenged them to play the cat and mouse game but they both refused. Estel knew that it was the prospect of getting beat by their little brother that kept them from playing. He didn’t care. One day he would convince them to play.

Estel awoke the next morning to a sharp poke in his side, which turned into an all out tickle. Estel groggily rolled over to face his tormentor and tried to squirm away, but was unsuccessful. He had been pinned to his bed by a pair of strong arms. “Good morning master sluggard! We give you a night to party and you over sleep! What kind of person are you?” Estel grinned. He knew that voice anywhere. “Well, I’m not a morning one to be sure. And neither am I an elf like you.”

Aglarmir released his hold on Estel. Estel was still very tired, but got over it quickly when he had heard the elf. He sat up and faced Aglarmir. “I am sorry that I have missed the last few weeks. I know how important they were. It’s becoming odd that our patrols have been called out more and more recently. I know it’s a bad excuse, but it’s the truth.”

“I know. I wish you could have seen me, but oh well. It’s over with now.”

“Over with? Says who?” Aglarmir replied with a grin. “I don’t know what he did, but somehow Lord Elrond convinced your mother to let you go on patrol with my company. Though, it is odd because we will be combining with Haldir’s troop for the time being. I heard also that Elladan and Elrohir would be joining us as well.”

Estel’s grin grew. This was too much. Though, he figured this was some last unspoken test. “Get up and get ready. You have already missed breakfast, but if we hurry we can make the mid-day meal. We will leave in the morning for our duty. That should give you plenty of time to get ready.”

Estel thanked Aglarmir and quickly got ready. He ran off to find his Ada and thank him. He found Elrond in one of the gardens. Elrond had his back to Estel. Estel quietly said, “Ada? I wanted to thank you for letting me go on the patrols. I know we won’t be going far, but I have wanted to join them on their hunts for a while. It always makes me sad when I am the only one left after they have gone,” Estel replied with a grin.

“You are welcome, but you really should thank your mother more than I. The Lady Galadriel and I talked to her about allowing you to take this next step. This is important in many ways, and I think you know this, but you are to listen and do everything your brothers, Aglarmir or Haldir tells you to do. They will all be in serious trouble if they abuse this or cause you harm. I doubt they will, but I am letting you know just in case.”

“I know. And thank you again.” And with that, he ran off to find his mother.


Chapter 38

The next morning after all had been prepared, the company set off. They really did not want to draw any unwanted attention and with Aglarmir and Haldir’s troops together, they were afraid this would happen. So it ended up being a small party of only about 20 or so and the rest were sent to detail elsewhere in the forest. Estel was throughouly excited. Not only was he getting to spend extra time with his brothers and closest friends, but also he was finally going to be able to say that he had been on patrols with the guards of Lothlorien.

Gilrean had completely balked at the idea to begin with, so she had said her good-bye to Estel privately. She had indeed given her consent to let him go, but it was very reluctantly. But Elrond and Galadriel had helped ease some of those apprehensions by reminding her that not only would Elladan and Elrohir protect their brother to the death, but also that Haldir and Aglarmir would be there to protect and guide him if needed.

When they stopped for the noonday meal, Estel was relieved. Maybe now he would have a chance to talk. They had told him to be absolutely quiet while they had been walking and it was about to drive him crazy. He was beginning to think that going out in the wilderness wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be.

He tried in vain for a little while to make small talk with some of the other elves, but either because they did not all speak the Common Speech or just because they were not used to it, most of the elves ignored him. Finally, he gave up and went and sat down on a log a little ways away from the rest of the group. Elladan noticed this and motioned to Elrohir. Estel seemed to listen to him better, so he went to see what the problem was. “What is wrong Estel?” he asked softly.

Estel stumbled for the right words. “I guess that I had the wrong impression of what was done on patrols or hunts. I had always pictured they were like The Hall of Fire at night when everyone gathers around to sing and have fun.”

Elrohir looked at his little brother with compassion. “Maybe we gave off the wrong impression to you. Being gone all the time sounds adventurous to any child, elf or human. The reason they don’t talk is it against the rules. Many understand you, but to a guard, silence is an absolute necessary. Being too loud or having a huge bonfire only attracts unwanted attention. Do you understand what I mean?” Elrohir had had a hard time understanding this as well on his first few trips, but had learned very quickly after a few unfortunate accidents with wargs.
“Yes, I do. Though, I do wish we could talk a little bit, I mean we are not that far from the city yet.”
“This is true. I will see what I can do. Get your things together, we’re off again in a few moments.”

And so for the majority of the week, this was the order of things. They would rise early in the morning and begin their march only stopping a short while for the mid-day meal. Then, they would continue on their way until just past sunset. Along the way, the elves were teaching Estel some tracking skills.

The only thing they did not trust him to do was be the watchman in the night. A few times they woke him extra early so he could watch for a few hours, but never more. They knew he was too young to keep his attention that focused for long.

But on the way home things took an ugly turn…
 


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