The Littlest Warrior

At precisely 3:00, Lord Elrond put down his quill, eyes weary from a day filled with reading proposed treaties, and signing agreements; he leaned back and rested his head against the back of the chair. The day had been a trying one, and he was anxious to put work behind him, to rest, and enjoy the remainder of the day with his family. It wasn't often that he had the pleasure of the company of his twin sons, but since Estel's arrival they seemed more inclined to stay close to home. Children were rare in the Elven realms, and the opportunity to bond with Estel and watch him grow was too tempting to miss. Elrond was thankful that he now had all three of his sons under his roof at the same time. Rising, he paced out onto the balcony of his study and inspected the gardens. Beyond the hedges near the short garden wall he could see elves going about their daily chores, laundresses were bringing in the wash, and sentries were returning to the house from their morning turn at watch.

The faint sound of a hammer hitting an anvil could be heard from the other side of the house, announcing that the smiths were hard at work as usual. Groundskeepers were lovingly cutting fresh stems of flowers that would grace the halls and tonight’s supper table, and the smell of fresh baked goods could be detected on the air. One aroma that found its way to his sensitive nose was that of apples; someone had made baked apples – Estel would be ecstatic, it was one of his favorites. Thinking now of his little son the Elf lord turned slightly to his right and checked the sundial that sat at the edge of the balcony. 'Yes,' he thought, it was time to wake Estel from his nap, any more sleep and none of them would rest this eve, as the boy would undoubtedly be up all night.

Returning to his study, his thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on his door. “Enter” he called out, and eyed the door apprehensively as it was slowly pushed open. Fearing it was one of the scribes bringing more work, he crossed his arms over his chest in an unconscious defensive stance. He was relieved to find that rather than more work it was his middle son Elrohir, come, no doubt, to persuade him to end work for the day. Little did Elrohir know that his father looked forward to his visits, depended on them actually, as a way of getting free of his duties without having to feel guilty for work left undone.

“Adar, have you finished for the day yet?”

Elrond paused momentarily, deciding whether the ‘game’ should continue then responded,

“Not quite my son, I still have much to accomplish before I can call this day’s work complete.”

“But Adar, the hour grows late, and Estel is still not up from his nap. Glorfindel has made him a promise, and I intend to see that he keeps it.”

“As do I.” A third voice was heard from the doorway, as Elladan entered the room. “Come Adar,” he continued “it will be Estel’s first real ride, you do not intend to miss it do you?”

The great elf lord stood smiling, it never ceased to amaze him how protective the twins were of their brother. It would not do for someone to make a promise to the boy that they could not keep, for they would surely incur the long-lasting resentment of the twins. Elrond approached Elrohir and gently caressed the side of his face, “You are good brothers,” he said lovingly, “and no – I do not intend to miss his first ride. On the contrary, I have taken steps this morn to make sure that he gets his ride with or without Glorfindel’s assistance. But do not mention that to Glorfindel,” he said conspiratorially. "Let him continue to think that his ‘charm’ has won Asfaloth over. Later, when he least expects it we shall have a good laugh at his ‘negotiating’ skills.” The twins chuckled and nodded their compliance with their father’s wishes.

“Come, let us go and retrieve your brother and get him ready for the festivities, for I have no doubt that this will be a milestone event!”

The three elves exited the study still laughing, and headed down the hall to Estel’s room. Opening the door Elrond could see that the little one was indeed still sleeping. As he and the twins stepped into the chamber he caught a glimpse of Erestor as he rose from behind the table situated in the corner. It was often Erestor’s habit to do some of his paperwork in the boy’s room while he napped. He claimed it was the only place in the house where he was guaranteed that no one would enter and disturb him. As Elrond crossed the room to the bed Erestor tilted his head to the side in acknowledgement of his Lord’s presence.

“Did he sleep well Erestor?”

“Yes Milord, he fell asleep half way through his favorite story and has slept soundly ever since.”

“Let me guess…the story of Elwing?”

“Correct Milord, he does enjoy the part where she flies away,” Erestor commented as he looked lovingly at the sleeping child. Elrond approached the bed and sat down on the side. The healer in him was opposed to abrupt and unceremonious waking of any one, so he carefully leaned over and blew in Estel’s ear. The little one stirred, but only briefly, turned his head and went on sleeping. Elrond again blew in his ear, this time gently rubbing circles on the child’s back.

“Estel,” he whispered, “it is time to wake now son…you have to get ready for your ride.”

Estel’s head turned back in the direction of his father, his sleep ladened eyes opening slowly.

“Ada?”

“Yes pen neth…time to wake ion nín, your ride awaits.”

“My ride?” the little one questioned drowsily.

“Yes, do you not remember? It is time to go and see Asfaloth.”

Estel’s eyes popped open like a shot.

“Affaloff? Now Ada? I can go now?” he said as he crawled out from under the covers and onto his father’s lap.

“Yes son, we can go now, but first you have to wash your face and get your tunic and moccasins on.”

Estel scooched down from Elrond’s lap and began pulling his father towards the bathing chamber.

“Come on Ada! We have to hurry, Affaloff has been waitin’ all day! If we don’ hurry it will be time for him to go to bed. Come on Ada!.” He said as he pulled his father up off the bed.

As the great elf lord was practically dragged into the bathing chamber the twins stood laughing; watching as Estel grabbed their father by the front of his robes…the lower front, causing the robes to cling tightly to the backs of their father's legs, almost tripping him. As Elrond was dragged ever closer to the bath the chuckling twins turned as they heard the door behind them open again. Boisterous as ever, Glorfindel entered the room calling out for Estel.

“Estel! Are you not ready yet?”

The child stopped his tugging long enough to peek around his father to answer the Balrog slayer.

“I comin’ Glorfy…don’ leave me, I just hafta wash my face m’kay?”

“I await your pleasure Master Elrondion!” Glorfindel said as he gave the boy an exaggerated bow.

“See Ada…now we gonna be late. You said iss not nice to be late. Why didin you wake me up Ada?” the boy said placing his hands on his hips with a pout and a huff.

Elrond’s infamous eyebrow almost disappeared from his forehead, so shocked was he at the littlest Elrondion’s exasperated tone. By this time both the twins and Glorfindel were howling with laughter.

“He is right Adar, you always taught us that it is inappropriate to keep another waiting for you,” Elrohir said between fits of giggles. “Aye Adar…,” added Elladan “you made quite a big stir any time we were late for an appointment.” “How does it feel to have your words turned back upon you?”

“It feels as though I should have spent more time disciplining and less time leading by example,” the elf lord said with a huff. Turning to Estel, Elrond continued…

“I believe I also taught you to be well mannered and polite…did I not?”

Estel took one look at his father’s stern countenance and immediately cowered, lip quivering.

“I tryin’ to be Ada, I don’ wanna keep Affaloff waitin’.”

“That is not what I meant Estel and you know it…the way you spoke to me just now was not very polite…I am not sure if I should allow you to go for this ride if this is the way you are going to behave.”

Properly chastised the little one replied, “I sorry Ada,” and then with the most serious face he could muster he looked up at his father while bouncing on his toes and said…

“I just x-cited.”

Glorfindel fairly came undone…by this time the twins were leaning against the walls for support, and even Erestor had to turn his back to keep from laughing in his lord’s face. Elrond tried to keep a straight face but it was becoming ever more difficult.

“Excited eh?”

Estel, his big eyes wide, bit on his bottom lip and nodded vigorously in the affirmative.

“Well I suppose I could pardon you this once, but you will not have a smart mouth again will you?”

Estel with his lips firmly clamped together shook his head ‘no’ so vehemently Elrond thought for a moment that he might shake it loose from his shoulders.

“Very well then, let us continue getting you cleaned up and then we can go and work off some of this ‘Excitement’.”

“Good idea Ada,” Estel said seriously as he nodded his agreement.

Elrond looked to Glorfindel as if to say, “This is all your fault you know,” but the slayer merely shrugged his shoulders, and busied himself looking for the boy’s tunic. By this time Erestor located Estel’s moccasins, and when the boy emerged freshly scrubbed from the bath, he set him on the bed, knelt, and slipped the footwear on the child’s feet. The counselor tried his level best not to look up for he knew if he did he would start laughing again and this time there would be no stopping it. Taking the tunic from Glorfindel, Elrond helped his son button the garment and then took the little one’s hand.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Yeth”

Elrond stooped to pick the child up, but was halted by Estel’s objection…

“You don’ hafta carry me Ada…I know the way, come on I show you.” With that, the littlest Lord of Imladris ran toward, and out the door with his father, brothers, Erestor and Glorfindel bringing up the rear. They looked all the world like a small hunting party out for a day of adventure, and Elrond could not help but think.

'Soon the day will come when he will indeed lead others, it is inevitable, I have foreseen it…but I pray dear Elbereth that you do not let that day come too quickly, for I will surely miss these times.'

“Are you comin’ Ada?”

“I am coming son…I am right behind you, ” (I will always be right behind you).