The Littlest Warrior

Freshly bathed and finally redressed, Estel lay on the floor beside his bed quietly staging a coup d'état and invading the make believe world of his toy soldiers. The warriors of his ‘Glorfy’ army were currently assailing Mt. Boot, a soft brown suede boot to be exact, courtesy of his older brother’s wardrobe. They had just crossed the ‘feather’ river, a series of old quill pens donated by Erestor, and were just about to overtake the opposing forces at the bend in the carefully arranged ‘hosen’ foothills. With his foremost general, Nif, at his side, he strategized and planned using simple military strategies taught to him by his beloved Glorfindel.

Now that the enemy was cornered, he switched sides, and employed a brilliant counter attack learned at the feet of the master of cunning tactics – Erestor. Glorfy’s troops didn’t stand a chance . As he maneuvered the soldiers yet again, Perwaen, whose eyes were growing tired, prepared to put down her needlepoint as the hour grew closer for the noontime meal. She was just about to have Estel put his toys away when the knock on the door was heard.

“I get it Perwaen, you stay dere,” the child said as he jumped to his feet and scurried to the door . The elleth could not help but smile 'Always the little gentleman,' she thought to herself as she watched Estel answer the entreaty at his door.

“Who is it?” the child asked politely.

“It is Cilinwë and I have brought a friend.”

Estel released the latch, pulled open the door and immediately attached himself to the sword master’s legs, “Linwë!” he shouted as he gleefully looked up at his idol. The master of swords smiled fondly at the child and asked, “May we enter Master Elrondion? I have someone I would like you to meet.” So enthused that his friend had come to his room, Estel’s quick glance only registered that the person behind Cilinwë had blond hair, not who was under all that hair. Grabbing his friend by the hand Estel fairly dragged the sword master inside.

“Oh yeth, come in ‘Linwë, come in.” As he pulled Cilinwë further into the room Perwaen stood and curtseyed, which at last triggered Estel to remember his manners and he proceeded to make introductions.

“’Linwë dis is Lady Perwaen, she is keeping me comp-nee cause I hafta wait for Ada. Lady Perwaen dis is my friend Master Ci-lin-wë, he trains all the warriors, and shows dem how to sword fight, even Dan and Roh, right ‘Linwë?

Nodding his head for emphasis he continued, “Linwë taught dem how to do ev’vathin wit a sword, an sometimes he even fights with Glorfy, right ‘Linwë? But not weal fightin’,” he said as he shook his head in the negative, “…just play fightin’ cause dey are good friends…and he knows ‘Westor too.” Perwaen smiled bashfully behind her handkerchief while the sword master tried to get a word in edgewise; not an easy thing to do once Estel was on a roll.

“Yes, yes little one, Perwaen and I are already acquainted, but I have brought someone with me that I would like both of you to meet. Estel, Lady Perwaen, allow me to introduce Rúmil of Lothlórien. Rúmil will be visiting with us while his friend Andras is healed by our Lord Elrond.”

Stepping forward Perwaen gave another small curtsey, “It is nice to meet you Rúmil I hope your stay here will be a pleasant one, how is your friend doing?”

“Thank you Lady Perwaen, I am sure my time here in Imladris will be…enjoyable,” he said as he cast an appreciative eye at the comely brunette housemaid. Continuing, he shook his head dejectedly, “As to Andras, it is our sincere hope that Lord Elrond will find a way to help him.”

“Worry not Rúmil, our Lord Elrond will heal your friend; there is no finer healer in all Arda.”

“I hope with all my heart that you are right Lady Perwaen, for without Lord Elrond’s healing hand I fear there is little hope for the young one, save the intervention of the Valar themselves.

Tired of being ignored by the adults Estel added his consensus by defending his father’s skills.

“My Ada can fix anythin’; he fixes ev’vabody all da time, right ‘Linwë?”

Kneeling in front of the boy, and knowing full well to whom he was speaking, Rúmil responded cheerfully, “And who might you be little one?”

“My name is Estel…Estel Elwondion, and W’ord Elwond is my Ada and he can fix anythin’!” the child said emphatically. Estel remembered now, this was the warrior from earlier in the day who interrupted his time with his father, he hadn’t liked that, and the jury was still out in regard to whether or not he liked this elf.

Joining Rúmil on the floor next to the boy, Cilinwë attempted to lessen the tension, he didn’t want Estel to get off on the wrong foot with Rúmil, for they would be spending a lot of time together in the near future. Pulling the child close to him, he gently patted the boy on the chest as he reassured him that no offense to his father was meant.

“Easy there little warrior…Rúmil knows all about your adar, do you not Rúmil?”

“Of course…everyone knows of the skill of Lord Elrond,” Rúmil said amicably, “…I remember once, many years ago when I was sick with fever, my brothers took me to Lord Elrond for healing. I was very lucky that he was visiting in Lothlórien, for I was very ill, too ill to travel, I do not know what would have become of me if he had not been there to heal me.”

Unbeknownst to Rúmil, he’d just uttered the magic word - “Brothers,” which was probably the only word at this moment that might buy him a reprieve from the temporarily defensive little sprite. Normally a gentle and sweet spirited child, Estel could be guaranteed to go into full battle mode against anyone who said anything derogatory about his father, brothers, or anyone he considered his family.

“You have brudders?” he asked suspiciously.

“Yes, I have two brothers.”

“Me too!” the child exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes I know, your brothers and I have been friends for a very, very long time.”

“You know Dan and Roh?” he asked, the incredulous tone in his voice obvious.

Rúmil could not help but smile at the enthusiasm in this one as he continued to explain his relationship with the Elrondions.

“Elladan and Elrohir used to visit the Golden Wood often when they were elflings, and we would spend time together fishing, and hunting for frogs and rabbits, that is… whenever my older brother Haldir would say it was, ”

“HAL-DEER iss you brudder??” the child exclaimed as he inched closer to the Galadhel. “Ooohh……he is a MarchWa’den…Roh says da MarchWa’den iss very im-por-tent, he guards da woods of gold and keeps daeradar and daernaneth and allll da other elves safe. Are you a wa’den too?” he asked hopefully.

“Indeed I am, as is my younger brother Orophin.”

“You have a big brudder AND a liddle brudder?”

As the two became acquainted Cilinwë slowly moved away, and motioning to Perwaen, quietly advised her that until further notice Estel would be under the watchful eyes of himself and the two Galadhel. Nodding approvingly, Perwaen, under Cilinwë’s escort, moved toward the door and just as she was about to exit she heard…

“Perwaen said Hal-deer is hebenly…right Perwaen!”

The embarrassed elleth blushed a bright scarlet, made a hasty curtsey and moved ever faster through the portal. As the sword master closed the door, he and Rúmil dissolved into laughter leaving Estel wondering yet again, what he said that was so funny.

The confused child, small scowl in place, looked back and forth between the two laughing warriors. Considering the contagion associated with uncontrolled mirth, it was not long before he too was giggling right along with them.

“Did I make a funny?”

“You did indeed little one…you did indeed,” Rúmil replied as he sat cross-legged on the floor. “Wait until I tell Haldir…Heavenly! Oh he shall take a good ribbing with this one.”

Estel moved over, positioned himself on Rúmil’s lap and wrapped one chubby little arm around the warrior’s neck, and began to finger his braids. As the Warden turned to face him he tentatively asked, “Can you come an visit again Wú?”

“Oh, that is right we have not told you yet,” he said as he wrapped his arm around the boy.

“Told me what?”

“Master Cilinwë, Haldir, and I are going to be with you every day.”

“WEALLY?”

“Yes, really.”

“Hal-deer too?”

“Haldir too.”

“Can we play games?”

“Yes.”

“Can we get Dan and Roh and hunt for frogs?”

“Well…if they are not on duty I suppose we can ask.”

Since the two seemed to be getting along Cilinwë decided that it was time he made his exit, these two needed some time alone to bond. Calling Rúmil to the door he made his goodbyes…

“Rúmil may I speak to you for a moment before I leave?”

“You goin’ nowww ‘Linwë?” the child whined.

“Yes little one, I am afraid that duty calls, I must meet with Lord Glorfindel to work out the schedules for the sentries. But do not fret, Rúmil will stay here and keep you company, and I will see you in a little while, perhaps by the end of noon meal…all right?

“Aright…I guess, I see you den,” he said pouting as he moved back to his place on the floor with his soldiers.

Lowering his voice so that the child could not hear, Cilinwë gave his reasoning to Rúmil.

“It looks as though the two of you will be fine.”

“Are you sure it is wise to leave us alone so soon,” asked Rúmil, “we have only just been introduced, what if he decides to take a dislike to me and you are not here?”

The sword master just chuckled, “Trust me on this my friend, he has already made you a member of his family.”

Confused, the Galadhel replied, “How can you tell?”

“Did you notice how he wrapped the ends of your braids around his fingers?”

“Yes.”

“He only gets that close to people with whom he feels comfortable.”

“And that makes me part of his family?”

“No…”

“Then what?”

“When he did not call you by your name…he shortened it to something he could manage…’Dan, ‘Roh, ‘Westor, ‘Linwë…and now you…Wú, you have essentially just been – adopted!”

A huge smile graced the warden’s face as he looked over to where the little one had resumed his battle with his toy soldiers. Sounds of ‘crashing’, ‘falling’, ‘banging’, ‘booming’, and even his own ‘music’ punctuating his play. Rúmil could not help but be reminded of himself and Orophin at that age. All the mischief they got into; how Haldir managed to parent them without throwing either off the edge of a flet or out the window of a talan was still a mystery to him.

Staring at the boy he remembered how hard Haldir worked to protect them, to teach them what it meant to be one of the firstborn, and how easy loving them, in spite of the foolish and embarrassing things they did, seemed to come to him. Now here he was, about to assume a similar responsibility for Estel. Rúmil did not know if he would ever marry on this side of Valinor, or if he would be lucky enough to have children if he did, but he did know this – an opportunity had presented itself to him to find out how much, if any, of Haldir’s infinite patience had rubbed off on him, and he did not intend to waste one moment of the time he’d been given with this engaging child. Moving over to sit on the floor next to Estel he asked, “May I play too?” Estel’s eyes lit up like the night sky during one of Mithrandir’s legendary fireworks displays.

“You wanna play soldiers?”

“Of course, I love playing soldiers.”

Estel’s smile was so wide it threatened to knock the east wall out of his bedroom, and he jumped at the chance to have someone ‘big’ with whom to play. Having already effectively demolished the ‘Glorfy’ army he promptly gave the ‘losing’ side to Rúmil. “Here, you be Glorfy, I gonna be Westor.”

“Hummm…” Rúmil said as he surveyed what was left of his troops, “…it does not look as if I am in a very good place…you are beating my troops very badly.”

Estel smiled at the compliment to his ‘military expertise’. It tickled him that he was beating a grownup, but even he understood that it wasn’t quite fair. Rúmil had only just come into the battle and it was only right that he should make the offer to start again. After all, it wasn’t often that he got a grownup to volunteer to play with him; usually everyone was so busy he had to chase down Dan or Roh and practically beg. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to play with him, but they preferred to do things outside in the fresh air, and lying on a hard stone floor playing soldiers wasn’t very appealing.

“You want to start over Wú?” he asked hopefully.

“I would like to do that Estel, but I think perhaps we should start getting ready for noon meal . You must be very hungry by now.”

Estel had to admit his little tummy was starting to rumble a bit, and at the mention of luncheon he remembered the surprise for his Ada.

“Wú…I almost forgot – I have a s’prise for Ada!”

“You do?”

“Yeth! Guess what I did?” he said as he bounced expectantly on his toes, his secret fairly bursting to be free.

Rúmil had not seen this much energy all in one place in almost an age, and he laughed in spite of himself…"What did you do?”

“I made noon meal for Ada, and I did it all by myself.” Moving towards the window he continued, "See, I put it over here to warm in the sun…cause I not allowed to use da stove, Lady Nilya won’ let me…she says I might set da house on fire, or WORSE, I might set ME on fire…so I don’ go near da stove cause I don’ wanna burn up. Did your Ammë let you cook when you were liddle?”

With a chuckle he remarked, "Actually no…my naneth…passed away when I was not much bigger than you, my brother Haldir raised me, and he did not let me cook either…he said the same thing to me that Lady Nilya said to you…he was afraid I would burn down our talan. He was probably right…I was not a very good cook back then.”

Following the child to the window, Rúmil watched as Estel pushed back the drapes to reveal the bowl of greenery.

“Ah, cabbage, I love cabbage…do you mind if I have a taste?”

“Oh no…dis iss for Ada, I made it special for him…maybe I make some for you next time…or you could ask Lady Nilya to make it for you,” then with an exaggerated scowl he added, “…she loves to make it.”

“Well, if we are going to get this to your Ada we will need a tray to carry it…and we will need a napkin or something to cover it.”

Running to the corner Estel retrieved the little bed tray that Glorfindel had designed especially for him. “Here Wú…we can use my tway, an “Westor keeps extra napkins in my dwawer…cause he says I messy,” the child replied smiling.

“Very good little one, I will set up the tray while you run and wash your face and hands, then we can leave for the dining room.”

Rushing to the bathing chamber to do Rúmil’s bidding Estel marveled at how lucky he’d suddenly become. One moment he had no one his size to play with and in the next he had three big strong warriors who were going to spend every day with him…Eru was good.” After quickly splashing some water on his face, and in the process slightly wetting the front of his tunic, the child exited the chamber at a dead run.

“I weady Wú” he smiled.

“All right then, let us be off.” As Rúmil picked up the tray to carry it out Estel protested loudly…

“No Wú, I hafta bring it…so Ada will know I made it for him.”

Smiling Rúmil gently placed the tray in the boy’s hands, “All right my friend you lead the way and I shall bring up the rear.” Like a little general marching off to battle Estel led the way down the corridor to the stairs. With Rúmil’s help he gracefully maneuvered the steps without spilling, and all eyes were upon him as he carefully balanced the tray and made his way through the doors of the dining hall straight to his father’s table.

Elrond was seated in his usual place at the head of the table; the obviously weary elf was engaged in conversation with his eldest son Elladan and the Lórien sentry Timagol. Elladan had grown concerned over his father’s health during their earlier strategy session as the elder elf seemed tired and mentally worn. His usual commanding demeanor was missing throughout the meeting as evidenced by the fact that he allowed Erestor to speak for him in quieting the group.

The Imladrian heir had been gently attempting to convince his father to return to his quarters for some much needed rest, unfortunately his pleas were falling on unwilling ears. As tired as his father was he still felt it was his duty to make himself available in the infirmary, Elwaith and Udalin were working reasonably well together at the moment, but Elrond knew that with Udalin’s temperament that could change at any second, and he would not have his healing wing turned into a war zone.

“Besides,” the elder elf smiled as he continued, “…my only reason for taking a break at all is a promise I made to Estel, who chastised me quite sternly this morning for not breaking my fast and trying to work on an empty stomach.”

“Well good for him,” Elladan added, “…he was right, you must take better care of yourself adar, if you fall to illness we will all be left at the mercy of Udalin, and although he is an accomplished assistant, he is not you….and his manner leaves much to be desired.”

Elrond smiled and patted Elladan gently on the arm as his eyebrow hitched a little higher, “Sometimes you lads make me wonder which of us is the parent and which the child.”

”Blame yourself then, for everything we have learned we learned from you, and you must admit adar when even a three year old can see how worry and weary affect you, it must indeed be time for rest.”
Having caught the tail end of the conversation as he began to sit down Elrohir added his opinion as well, “El is right adar, you look tired, and I am afraid I must not only agree with him and Estel, I must also insist that you take some rest.”

The eyebrow that only moments before had risen only slightly, did a quick and abrupt dash towards Elrond’s hairline.

“Insist you say?”

“I do not believe that I stuttered; you heard me quite clearly adar, as soon as you are finished with luncheon you are going back to bed…even if I have to carry you there myself.”

As Elrond made to protest Elrohir interrupted, “No, I will hear no more about it,” nodding in his brother’s direction he continued, “…you have often told us that we must take a more commanding role in the day to day operation of Imladris…well, consider yourself commanded. And I warn you adar, with all due respect, I will brook no foolishness from you this day…lunch and bed!” he said as he straightened his tunic and sat down in a huff.

“Well done El!”

“I take it then that you are taking your brother’s side in this?” Elrond queried of Elladan.

“Absolutely, and if necessary I will help him carry you to your chambers,” the oldest offered laughingly.

Irritated at the challenge the twins were presenting, Elrond shot back in mock indignation, “I am still the Lord of this realm and I do not appreciate being told I must ‘go to my room’ by my offspring.”

“Who said you have to go to you room Ada?” a little voice piped up from his side. Turning, the elf lord found his youngest son standing there, head tilted to the side with a most quizzical look on his face. Elrond’s irritation was immediately quelled as he gazed at the sweet faced tiny boy with the tall golden bodyguard at his back. They made an unusual pair these two, and he could not help but smile.

As he waited for his answer, the child, with the help of his father, set the tray on the table.

“Your brothers are trying to gang up on me Estel, they seem to think that they can order me about at will.”

“Dey not s’posed to do dat Ada.”

Elrond glanced triumphantly at the twins dipping his head to the side as if to say ‘I have found an ally’.

"That was my thinking as well ion nín,” he said with a grin.

“Dey not s’posed to give you orders Ada… dat’s my job.”

Elrond’s triumphant smile changed to absolute shock and his head turned with a jerk.

“What did you say Estel?”

“Iss my job…you said so Ada…you said I can give you orders any time…right Westor?”

The Seneschal, who had been quietly sitting at the opposite end of the table watching this mini drama unfold, almost choked on his soup when the child turned to him to confirm his assertion.

“Cough, cough…choke…cough . Excuse me…milord. Estel I am afraid you must refresh my memory…when did your adar say this?”

“You member ‘Westor…dis mornin’ I told Ada I had a s’prise for him and he said, ‘In dat case you may order me ‘round any time you like, cause I love s’prises’. Don’ you ‘member ‘Westor?”

Clearing his throat Erestor looked back and forth between Estel and his father, as the twins and the boy all gazed hopefully at him. Pointedly Erestor stared at Elrond as he gave his response.

“As a matter of fact I do remember Estel. Your adar did in fact say that this morning,” when Elrond attempted to object Erestor continued.

“He was quite clear in his edict, his exact words were, ‘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’.”

Estel grinned from ear to ear, “See Ada, you said so…iss my job.”

The twins found Elrond’s chagrined look most amusing as he responded in an affronted huff.

“Well I never!…”

“Well apparently adar, you did. So…what say you Estel? Elladan and I think that adar looks tired and that he needs some rest.”

“And…,” quipped Elladan, “…remember he did not break his fast this morning and he has been working…on an empty tummy . He would never let you do that…rules are rules.”

Estel squinted his eyes and leaned in examining his father from head to toe, as Elrond was about to speak the little one straightened up and in the best Elrond imitation the twins had seen in ages he cocked his eyebrow and raised his little hand halting his father’s objection and nodding emphatically, made his decision…

“You need a nap!”

(Giggle, giggle, snort)

Elrond looked up to find Rúmil trying to control the laughter that was desperately trying to escape his body. The tall bodyguard pressed his lips tightly together as he looked away, examining the ceiling, suddenly immensely interested in the architecture of the room.

“Et tu, Rúmil?”

“Sorry Milord.”

“Well…it seems as though I have been thrice trumped!”

“I don’ know what dat means Ada” the little one offered.

“It means little brother that he must eat his lunch and go straight to his room and go to bed,” ‘Roh explained.

“Oh…, den yeth…you twumped Ada. Gotta eat and den go to bed.”

“Well, since my sons, my closest advisor, and even visiting guests (he glared at Rúmil) seem to have all turned against me, it does not look as though I am going to receive a reprieve from this cadre of backstabbers. I suspect that I will have to resign myself to it and try to make the best of it.

A most forlorn look overtook the child’s countenance; during his playtime battles with Glorfindel, Estel had learned enough to know what it meant to be ‘against’ someone. The child sheepishly looked up at his father saying, “I not against you Ada…I just don’ want you to get sick. Don’ be mad at me.”
Elrond immediately adjusted his demeanor, he sometimes forgot that when he spoke Estel would take him literally.

"Oh Melyanna, I am not angry with you…I was only jesting,” he said as he lifted the child onto his lap. “You and your brothers were quite right to point out that I have not been taking care of myself. If I am going to set the rules for you then I must follow them as well mustn’t I?”

“You not mad?”

“No of course not, I could never be mad at you ion nín, and I am going to do exactly as you said, I will have my lunch and then I am going to my chambers to lie down and rest.”

Placing his arm around his father’s neck Estel planted a big wet sloppy kiss on Elrond’s cheek. "Dat’s good Ada, cause I made something special for you.”

“You did? What did you make?”

Pulling the napkin away Estel revealed the large bowl of cabbage and joyfully announced his culinary accomplishment to those assembled.

“I made you lunch Ada! I did it all by myself cause I knew you would be hungry . I got it out of the pan-try all by myself, didin I Wú? An I fixed it for you.”

‘Estel…you did not go near the stove did you?”

“Oh no Ada…Lady Nilya said never touch the stove, don’ even go near it…I never touch the stove Ada, cause I don’ wanna burn up!”

“All right then…what made you decide to make me cabbage?” Elrond asked, knowing all too well that with the exception of peas his youngest would probably do just about anything to rid the Last Homely House of any green substance that arrived on a dinner plate. The elf lord learned early on, that the only saving grace for the little round jewels was the fact that they could be ‘chased’ around a plate – pursued if you will, to their ultimate end. Unlike the dark somber color of leafy vegetables, they were bright green like grass – another of Estel’s favorite things and the child would be sure to make a game of eating them.

“Cause you said cabbage is good for you, it makes you a strong warrior…and you said you liked it, an…an…”

“And what?”

“An it was the only t’ing I could reach.”

Elrond fairly burst with laughter; only his Estel could cut to the chase and bring things down to their very basic truths with such infinite clarity. “Well then, since you went to all this trouble I guess I better get started, never let it be said that I do not clean my plate.”

The ancient healer smiled appreciatively as he took a heaping spoonful of cabbage and quickly popped it into his mouth. Wishing this exercise in equality to be over quickly, he chewed twice and swallowed the wad of greenery practically without tasting it. However, ‘practically’ was indeed the operative word, for as the offensive vegetable made its way down his throat the smile began to fade as the flavors of Estel’s homemade concoction assailed his taste buds. Gasping at the briny taste and the pungent mustard flavor the Lord of Imladris could barely speak as he coughed and sputtered his need for a cup of water…

“Cough…cough…hack…hack…cough….(gasp)…” barely able to point at the water pitcher he gingerly waved one slender finger in the direction of the ewer while making eye contact with his eldest. Gesturing wildly, Elrond grasped at his throat as he repeatedly pounded his hand flat against the tabletop.

“Whas da matter Ada?” Estel queried as he watched his father turn a most unappealing shade of blue.

As the great lord struggled to catch his breath, Estel slipped from his lap and climbed the side rail of the chair. Holding on to the armrest with one hand, he attempted to pat his father on the back with the other. As Elrond continued to gag and wretch, Rúmil came to his side. Reaching over Estel, he gave the elf lord three good whacks on the back as Elrohir rushed to pour a cup of water. Erestor was on his feet and moving towards Elrond’s side of the table when at last they heard.

“(GASP…GASP)….Oh…my…word! (GASP)….what in Arda…is …in…that?”

“Iss cabbage Ada,” Estel answered, “don’ you like it?” “Ada you look funny…whas wrong?”

Alarmed now at his father’s condition Estel looked frantically to Erestor, “’Westor whas wrong wit Ada? Rohhhhh! Dannnnn, whas da matter wit adaaaaa?”

Rúmil quickly picked up the boy and carried him to the end of the table, allowing the others to have complete access to the great lord.

“Do not fret Estel, your father will be fine…I think he just swallowed his food a little too quickly.”
Too late. As Estel watched his father’s color turn from pansy blue to buttercup yellow and then to pastel green he went into full three-year-old meltdown. Quivering lip extended, tears welling up in his eyes, he let out an inconsolable wail that brought the entire room to a standstill. He followed the scream with a waterworks worth of tears that could have washed away an entire horde of the most hardy orcs in Arda as his silver eyed gaze darted back and forth between the three elves that were now at his father’s side. From the areas closest to Elrond, Rúmil could see warriors standing – moving towards the table, and him, with their hands on their swords. While he attempted to comfort the child, the kitchen door swung open and the lady Nénilya emerged rolling pin in one hand and a meat cleaver in the other. Bringing up the rear were two of the largest ellith Rúmil had ever seen, one wielding a heavy cast iron skillet and the other a fighting staff at least seven feet long. Quickly surveying the scene before her, Nilya directed her ‘troops’.

Pointing at Rúmil with the cleaver she said, “Keep your eye on him…I will see to Lord Elrond.” The ellith hastened to do her bidding, and Rúmil quickly found himself flanked by two glaring females…and Estel screamed on.