The Littlest Warrior

“Do not even think about it,” the horse communicated. “The last time you set him upon me he pulled my mane so hard I thought he would tear it out by the roots.”

“But Asfaloth,” Glorfindel continued, “he was just a mere babe then…he meant you no harm, he was excited.”

“Excited is an understatement, he - wet - my - back!”

“Asfaloth…he is just a little boy, and he is so fond of you.”

“I am fond of him as well, he is much nicer than the twins ever were, but that does not mean that I wish to be bald…or wet!”

“I promise you it will not happen again, I will be right here, watching the whole time.”

“It seems to me that making promises is how you got into this situation Milord.”

Glorfindel was completely flummoxed; Asfaloth would not give an inch. “Asfaloth, I am begging you meldir, Lord Elrond will have me drawn and quartered if I…we, disappoint the lad.”

“We, what do you mean we? I did not agree to any of this.”

“Asfaloth please…have we not been friends for years? Do you really think I would allow anyone to harm you?”

“Oh do not even think to bring friendship into this, my ancestors have been carrying you and yours for ages, and what have we received in return? An occasional carrot, when you manage to remember, and wet backs! Do not think that I am unaware of the trauma my kin experienced at the hands of those twins! Were it not for Arwen we would have given up on them ages ago.”

“What has Arwen to do with this?”

“Never you mind, just know that it is by her grace that the twins are still equipped to produce offspring! The answer is no!”

The mighty Balrog slayer stood shaking his head. Of all the horses he’d shared his life with, this one was the most independent, and the most stubborn. Truth be told they were a perfect match for each other. In a way he could understand; Asfaloth was strong, intelligent, regal…one did not just pee on his back.

“If you want me to give someone a ride why can you not bring me someone like Legolas or that majestic father of his, Thranduil?...Ahhh now there is a rider worthy of me.”

Glorfindel was just about at his wit’s end, when the light finally dawned for him…

“You do understand that you are turning down the opportunity to be the first?”

“The first what? The first horse in this stable to be peed on twice?”

“No, the first horse in this stable to give ride to the future King of Men. What I tell you now I tell you in confidence…Estel is the heir of Isildur…he will one day be King.”

“King?”

“Yes, King.”

“You did not say anything about the boy being a King,” the horse huffed.

“There are few who know, that is why you must keep this confidence, Estel will one day sit the throne…and you will be able to say that he first – sat - you”

“King you say?”

“King,” Glorfindel said nodding.

“Glorfindel if you are jesting, I know a briar patch with your name on it.”

“I jest not old friend, the boy will be King.”

“King”…the horse contemplated, “Very well then…I will give this ‘King’ a ride. But if he pees my back, so help me…”

Glorfindel did not allow him to finish the thought, “Do not worry old friend, the boy’s previous affliction is no longer a matter of concern.” Rushing towards, and out the stable doors before the horse could change his mind Glorfindel called out over his shoulder…"He will be no trouble at all, I promise.”

As Glorfindel rushed away, a figure hidden in the shadows of the stable slowly walked towards Asfaloth. Stroking the horse gently on his neck Lord Elrond gave the horse another sugared treat. “Thank you old friend, you really had him going there; for a moment I expected him to fall to his knees begging,” the ancient elf laughed.

The great white stallion bowed his head and snorted his pleasure, “You are welcome My Lord, hopefully we have taught him a lesson. In any event the result is what we all want…I would be honored to carry your son…know that I will protect him with my life.”

“As I knew you would Asfaloth…as I knew you would.”