The Littlest Warrior

Explanations

Nearing Cilinwë’s sammoth Elrond could hear the sound of laughter. In his present state of mind he hated knowing that he would soon bring that levity to an end, but some things were unavoidable. The safety of the residents of Imladris was in jeopardy and he needed all his best people to be of one mind and one purpose now; to protect and defend the Last Homely House by any means necessary. Finally reaching the door his eyes beheld an extremely unusual scene; Cilinwë kneeling beside a half dressed Estel in what seemed to be an ever widening pool of…milk?”

“Erestor? What is going on here?”

“Lord Elrond, I know this must all look rather strange.”

“To say the least Erestor…why is Estel half dressed? And why is there milk all over the…” the implication finally hit him.

“Estel did you do this?”

“Oh no Ada,” he said as he vigorously shook his head no. Then grinning from ear to ear, he pointed his little finger and incriminated his friend.

“Linwë did it.”

Elrond’s patience, which was already hanging on by a thread, was pushed to the limit. His eyebrow hitched up toward his hairline and his voice took on a more stern timbre.

“Estel, you are telling me that Master Cilinwë poured what appears to be an entire pitcher of milk on his floor…on purpose?”

“Yeth.”

Finally, in an effort to clarify the situation and calm Elrond’s already frayed nerves, Erestor spoke for Estel…

“My lord, Estel spilled a small cup of milk on the rug and was fearful that Cilinwë would no longer allow him in his chambers…and worse that he would no longer be his friend. Cilinwë was just demonstrating what is important to him and what is not. That their friendship supersedes anything as trivial as milk on a carpet.”

“I see…I think. Would someone please explain to me why this demonstration requires my child to be half dressed?”

“When I spilled my milk I tried to clean it up Ada…I couldna find a rag…so I used my tunic. You told me to always clean up my messes Ada…member?”

Elrond closed his eyes and pinched the area above the bridge of his nose in an effort to stave off the headache that was threatening to further complicate his day. “Yes Estel, I remember. I also see that I need to be a little more specific about what to use when you clean up your messes,” he said as a faint smile formed on his lips, then turning he addressed the adults…

“Cilinwë, Erestor I need both of you for a meeting in my study, I would like to get this done before the call to luncheon. Erestor if you would first escort Estel back to his room and see to it that he is bathed and gets another tunic…and if you can find one of the housemaids to watch over him until our meeting is completed I would be most appreciative.”

“Ada did you break you fast?”

“No ion nín I did not have time to eat this morn, I have much to do today.”

Moving over to ‘inspect’ his father’s condition, Estel tugged on Elrond’s robe, their private signal that Estel needed Elrond to come down to his level for further ‘consultation’. Kneeling now beside the child, Elrond prepared himself for heaven only knew what kind of chastising.

“Ada…you know you ‘posed to break fast.” Placing his sticky, wet hands on either side of his father’s face the little one made his inspection. “You head hurts don’ it?”

Smiling the elder elf answered, “Yes little one it does.”

”Dat’s cause you dinna have you meal…dat’s not good,” he said shaking his head for emphasis. Then pointing his finger at Elrond he issued his edict.

“When you finish you meeting you go straight to the dining hall for noon meal. No ‘scuses. You cann’t work on a em-tee tummy. Youl get sick.”

Erestor pressed his lips together as tightly as he could, but it still did not disguise the obvious look of amusement on his face. Unable to control his grin he rolled his eyes skyward and looked away, while likewise, the sword master suddenly found something of compelling interest on the ceiling of his room. Elrond himself was having a difficult time keeping a straight face, and nearly bit a hole through the inside of his cheek in his effort not to laugh out loud. This child would one day be a tenacious adversary, that much was clear, and his penchant for trying to take care of the adults around him was a good indication that he might also have some ability as a healer. What was also clear was that he expected the rules of the house to apply to everyone, including his father, so who was he to tell him otherwise.

“You are quite right Estel, one cannot function well on an empty stomach, and as soon as my meeting is concluded I will go straightaway for my noon meal.”

“Good.” Using a fairly good imitation of his father, the child leaned over and whispered in Elrond’s ear the phrase that had many times been directed at him. “I dinna want to have to say dat in front of da udders, but rules are rules, ’sides…I have a s’prise for you for meal time.”

“Ahhh, a surprise you say?”

“Yeth.”

“Well then in that case you may order me around any time you like, for I love surprises, and I shall try and make this meeting especially quick so that we can luncheon together and I can receive my surprise.”

“Good!” Finished now with the conversation, Estel, as usual, turned and began another…

“Come on ‘Westor,” he said as he tugged on the Seneschal’s robes, ”we have to go get me dressed so you can go to da meeting so Ada can be finished.”

Extending his hand to the boy the counselor replied, “Of course Master Elrondion, let us be off.”

“Bye Ada…bye Cilinwë! I see you later for noon meal Ada don’ forget.”

“I will not forget son, I will see you then.”



Strategy:

As Estel and Erestor made their way down the corridor to the stairway, Elrond advised Cilinwë of the meeting that would be called to order in his study in a few minutes. He carefully wiped the buttermilk from the sides of his face and bid Cilinwë to accompany him to the room, hoping that on the way they would come across one of the servants to clean up the milk he’d poured all over the floor.

Moving down the hallway, they were met by the twins, both of whom seemed somewhat disconcerted. Elladan had only just slipped into reverie when the knock on his door came summoning him to the meeting. Elrohir was still toweling off after taking his bath when he was interrupted, the two had been exchanging scenarios as to why their father was calling them back so quickly to a meeting, and none of their reasons had been good ones. As their father approached, it was Elrohir who spoke first.

“Adar, what has happened? No sooner than we got to our rooms we were summoned back, is something amiss?”

“You have but to look outside my brother to know that something is amiss, that is no ordinary storm that rages outside our door.” Almost on cue Elladan’s statement was punctuated by a brilliant flash of lightning and the booming sound of thunder that made it seem as if the storm was directly over the house.

“Elladan is quite right, it is the storm, or more correctly what has brought the storm to our gates that has me worried.”

At that moment Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil rounded the corner with Glorfindel fast on their heels. As they joined the group assembled outside Elrond’s study, Malrin came running down the hallway from the other direction, finally reaching them he said, “I beg your pardon for running through your home milord, but when I heard of the meeting I rushed here as quickly as I could, I have been watching this storm, and I believe there is more to it than just an ordinary storm.”

“Well, it would seem that we are all of like mind on this matter, please, everyone into the study, there is much to discuss.”

Filing into the room the elves took various positions around the council table, Elrond sat at the head of the large table with Glorfindel to his right and Elladan on the left. As always, Cilinwë stood just behind his lord’s right shoulder, Elrohir seated himself next to Glorfindel with Orophin and then Malrin to his right. Haldir made himself comfortable next to Elladan with his second in command, Rúmil, to his left. As Elrond prepared to speak to the group, he bid Glorfindel to fetch the maps of Imladris from the map chest, and while the commander retrieved them, Erestor silently entered the room with two servers. They positioned two trays, one containing goblets and two carafes of mulled wine, and the other a steaming pot of jasmine tea with enough sweet biscuits and cups for the lot. That done he set a cup of tea in front of his lord, dismissed the servants and quietly assumed his usual position standing at Elrond’s left shoulder.

Glorfindel spread the most detailed map of Imladris out on the table. An extremely thorough rendering, thanks in part, to the hard work of a once very frightened new Seneschal. It noted every primary and secondary trail, every sentry post, every nook, cave, crack or cranny where one might try to conceal oneself. Erestor found it was necessary, after half of Imladris and two extremely distraught parents had spent three days trying to locate the whereabouts of a set of disgruntled, twin elflings; runaways, who were fleeing their punishment over a broken vase more than 2800 years ago. In latter years the map had been a valuable asset on more than one occasion and had undergone many updates and revisions. Once everyone was in place Elrond rose and addressed the assembly…

“As you have noted, the sudden storm that flails at our door is of an unusual intensity…I have come to believe that the reason for it is far more sinister than you can imagine.” Fingering Vilya he continued, “I sense a great evil at the heart of this storm, someone or something…some power that has yet to reveal itself to us is causing this upheaval, and I am convinced that whatever it is – for whatever reason, it has come here after Andras.”

“No!” shouted Malrin as he suddenly stood at the end of the table, “We cannot let it have him.”
Haldir shot him a displeased glare, this was not the way for a representative of Lórien to behave; and as other voices joined Malrin’s expressing their similar feelings the stern and commanding voice of the Seneschal was heard.

“Silence! Our Lord is speaking…and the topic has not been put to the floor for comment.”

Properly censured, Malrin took his seat, “I beg pardon Milord, I meant no disrespect.” Elrond dismissed the barely-there affront with a slight wave of his hand and the younger members of the group grew immediately quiet as the great elf lord continued.

“I do not know why it seeks the lad, only that it does. You may rest easy Malrin, no harm shall befall Andras while we here still draw breath. But the fact that it pursues him and that it has already done great damage to our neighbors in the south, speaks to the fact that we must be on our guard at all times. From this moment on no one will go anywhere alone, Erestor that includes the household staff. Effective immediately all staff, especially the elleth, are confined to the house proper unless accompanied by a warrior. Further, although I am loathe to do it…every warrior, will be armed at all times, both outside and inside the house. Erestor please see to it that the doors and shutters are closed and bolted at dusk each night.

“Yes milord.”

Re-taking his seat and gesturing to the maps he now turned to his Commander of the Host, “Glorfindel…if you would…”

“Aye,” came the response, as the Golden Warrior stood and laid out his strategy for protecting the house and grounds. “Elladan, Elrohir, the two of you will split, Elladan will ride with our eastern border patrol and Elrohir you will take the south. Malrin; you, Ingorn and Timagol will join the household guards, each on a separate floor. Orophin, starting tomorrow morning you will stand to post inside the infirmary – no one other than the healers enters without leave from Lord Elrond, Erestor or me. Until then one of the house sentries will take the assignment. Erestor please see to it that Orophin is introduced to all the healers, since we do not know what guise the attacker uses I do not wish to take any chances – a personal pass word known only by Orophin will be used for each of the healers.

“I will see to it immediately.”

“Haldir and Rúmil, you will join Cilinwë as part of Lord Elrond’s personal guard.”

“Aye,” Rúmil responded acknowledging his assignment, as his brother concurred. “It will be an honor Lord Glorfindel.”

“Of special importance is Estel – I cannot stress this enough, the child is to go nowhere unaccompanied – not even in the house. One of you will be with him at all times. My Lord until this threat is vanquished I suggest that Estel sleep with you.

“Good idea, Glorfindel, we cannot be too careful.”

Pointing to the map he continued, “We will double the sentries, here, here and here…” – indicating the eastern, southern and western perimeters of the realm, “…as well as at every sentry post.”

“Our reconnaissance from Haldir tells us that this enemy approaches from the south, you all know of the devastation it left in its wake in South Gundabad…let us take steps to assure that nothing of the like happens here in Imladris. Also, we will send two dispatch riders east to warn King Thranduil and two more south to Rohan to King Thengel - find out what, if anything, he might know of this. With luck we may be able to contain this threat here…but if not our people and our allies must be warned.”

“One other thing,” Elrond interrupted, “Elwaith secured an herb from Rohan, have one of the riders take a small sample from the infirmary, I want them to speak to King Thengel’s salabir (herb master) – see if we can procure more of it – pay or trade whatever you need to, but make it so.”

“It will be done milord.”

“Erestor,” Glorfindel continued, “I would also like to suggest that any ellith on the staff who have had defensive training be asked to keep a weapon on their person at all times.”

“I will see to it Glorfindel.”

“Lastly…until further notice…the gates of Imladris will be closed. No one enters without leave from Lord Elrond, Erestor or me – and no one leaves without a full escort. Are there any questions?”

Silence filled the room, “Then unless Lord Elrond has something else to add…”

The ancient elf shook his weary head no.

“Then we are adjourned, Cilinwë and I will meet with the various Captains and work out the scheduling and rotations and you will have them before the end of the day.”

As the elves filed out of the room Elrond stood looking out the balcony doors at the deluge of rain that soaked his land. Refreshing the Lord’s tea, Erestor approached and handed the ancient elf the cup. The signs of anxiety and worry were laid bare in the otherwise beautiful elf’s countenance and the pain he felt could be clearly discerned in the timbre of his voice.

“That the gates of Imladris are once again closed…(sigh), I fear I have lived too long old friend.”

Turning he looked Erestor in the eye, the moment that passed between them needed no interpretation, each knew what the other was thinking; Elrond worried now for the safety of his youngest son, and as the seneschal stared back he responded to Elrond’s unasked question.

“Unto my last breath I will protect him.”