Chapter 46: Love of a Dunedain
Later when they returned to Imladris, Estel told his mother the story of Lùthien and Beren as Elladan had told it to him. Gilrean was left speechless when she saw how fast her son was becoming a man and how close most of her fears were to becoming truth. She noticed how Estel looked at Elrohir and Sammy and decided to finally talk to him about the most important things in life.
One afternoon, Estel was surprised to hear his lessons had been cancelled because his mother wanted to talk to him. He had a hard time finding her because she was not where he thought she should have been. Finally, the last place Estel tried was the gardens by the bridge and saw his mother sitting on a bench waiting for him.
“Ah, my son, my hope. Glad you got the message.”
Estel cringed. He was almost 16 and hated for his mother to talk to him like that. “You wished to speak with me?”
“Yes, my son. It is amazing to me to see how fast you are growing up. I called you to me to tell you about our people and some of the things that I have noticed that I think will benefit you.”
Estel was intrigued. This was the first time he had heard his mother mention the Dunedain people in a long time. He went over to her and sat down beside her. He had waited an even longer time to hear this.
“All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither
Deep roots are not reached by the frost
From the ashes a fire shall be woken
A light from the shadows shall spring
Renewed shall be blade that was broken
The crownless again shall be king.”
“We are descendants of the fair people of Numenor. After the last king of Gondor fell, his heirs fled into the north. They became sundered from their kin and renamed themselves the Dúnedain. Our people became nomadic, moving around from camp to camp. They also became the protectors of those villages and peoples that did not even know they existed. The doom of our people is to roam the wilds until the king is restored to the throne of Gondor, for now it is ruled over by a Steward.”
“It has been said that some blood of Numenor still runs true in many of the Dúnedain. The name Dunedain means Man of the West. At least this is the hope of our people for only one of pure blood may reclaim the throne.”
Estel was just beginning to wonder what all of this had to do with him when his mother completely changed her course.
“And one of the most important things in a man’s life is the woman he chooses to share that life with. It is very important that she is strong on her own and can bring that strength to your lives together. Love is important too, but it is not everything. Love cannot provide you food or shelter. It is important though because without love or friendship, you will destroy each other.”
What little he could remember with both his mother and father, Estel knew she spoke the truth. They had always been very loving to each other and had rarely fought. Tears came to his eyes as he remembered this because he now only had fleeting memories of what his father had been like.
They sat there for sometime just breathing in the freshness of the garden and hearing the sounds of the river. Estel had been sitting on the ground when he heard footsteps. It was Glorfindel. He had been sent to find them because it was almost time for dinner. He helped Estel up and took his leave of them.
Estel bent down and whispered in Gilrean’s ear, “Thank you. I wont ever forget what you’ve taught me. And don’t ever forget that your little hunter loves you.” It had been several years since he had told them to stop calling him by the old nickname.
When Gilrean looked up, she had tears in her eyes. Estel took her arm and they headed back to the house.
