The Littlest Warrior

Erestor, son of Núril, the former Lord of Beleriand, abandoned his dinner and rushed to get back to his chambers so that he could get started reading the ancient book. If there was even the slightest glimmer of hope that he might be able to decipher the text he had to give it a try. Erestor had been very lucky in his youth; born into a wealthy family the youngest son of Núril had been afforded the best of everything, particularly when it came to an education. Erestor, who at a very early age showed a heightened ability for language and communication, had been tutored by the finest educators in the realm.

History told that he could speak, read and write Sindarin, Quenya, and Westron and was already negotiating trade agreements with other elflings for toys and candied treats by the time he was 20. No small accomplishment for someone who, to other than Elven eyes, looked for all the world like a seven year old. Núril allowed him to make his first real trade agreement when he was 25, making a deal with another youngster for a plot of land that he turned into a personal garden for his mother. Even then he was quite the astute little negotiator, trading his exceptional ability in mathematics for what he wanted – he agreed to tutor his young counterpart in exchange for the small parcel of land, which the other child would continue to weed and water. Not bad.

By the time he was 50 he’d mastered no less than eight languages and had become his father’s chief counselor. Looking to humans like a 17-year-old boy, he was often underestimated - a situation that always proved to give him the advantage, and his number one rule was “never come away from the table with less than you had when you started.” Breaking even was acceptable as long as you got what you wanted, but coming away with more than you’d given was always preferred. Education and enlightenment “the keys to a well rounded personality” his father used to say, and Erestor’s education continued to this day. He was constantly reading, studying, learning, pushing himself to expand his horizons, to better himself, that he might be of better use to his community. Now the time had come to put the things he’d learned to the test, and he hoped not to let his Lord down. This time, above all others, he had to come through.

~~~

Estel sat silently on his father’s lap and listened as the truth was laid out before him. Somewhere out there was a ‘bad elf’, someone who liked to hurt others. The warriors were wearing their weapons in the house to make sure that everyone was safe. “There is nothing to worry about…,” his father said, but somehow it seemed to Estel that the grown-ups were doing a lot of worrying. Elrond said that Aphrod was hurt, the ‘bad elf’ hurt him, and Estel immediately wanted to visit his friend with the special nose, the nose that could sniff out huckleberries and blueberries from ½ mile away. He could not understand why anyone would want to harm his friend and it upset him greatly. He leaned back against his father’s chest and pulled Elrond’s arm tighter around him. There was a pain in his chest right next to his heart, and Orophin explained that that was what sadness felt like.

Estel asked if he could go and visit the wounded sentry but his father was not keen on the idea. Afraid that seeing Aphrod’s wounds would further upset the boy, Elrond made excuse after excuse for why the child should not go to the healing wing. Aphrod’s condition had worsened, and his appearance was wan; he had yet to reach the degree of severity that Andras was experiencing, but Elrond knew it could be frightening for a child to see. The elf lord was just about to say no again when Estel shocked him with an argument that even he found hard to dispute.

“But Ada…Aff-rod is my friend….he needs me now.”

As Estel sat there with heartbroken eyes, a room full of grown elves glanced from one to another each trying to keep their emotions in check.

‘Who is this extraordinary child?’ Orophin thought, then whispered to Elrond, “The child has the bearing of a king.”

“Good for you!” Cilinwë wanted to shout, but instead he took up the cudgel for Estel…

“My lord…Estel has proven to us, to each of us, over and over that he is an exceptional young man…this I think just goes to prove it even further. Cannot Aphrod be…’prepared’ in such a way that would permit Estel to visit with him? I know he would love to see him Milord, and who knows…it might help to…ease things for him.”

Elrond looked from face to face, each one hopeful, each one expectant…if the boy wanted to go how could he deny him this opportunity to see his friend, ‘after all’, he thought, ‘it might be their last time to see each other before…before the end comes’.

“All right…I will allow you to visit with Aphrod for a short while – but only briefly Estel…and when I say it is time to go you must leave without making a fuss, Aphrod is very ill and he needs all his strength, I do not want you to tire him out…all right?”

“A’right Ada, I pwamice.”

An audible collective sigh circulated through the room as the hearts of the elves were set at ease. This tiny child was one of the truly good things about living in this time, in this place, and they were pleased that he would once again get to work his innate little magic on one of their fellows.

“Can we go now Ada?” the child asked hopefully.

“Yes we can go now…” Elrond smiled, “…but remember your promise, we will not tire Aphrod out and you must remember what we have said about the bad elf – you must not go anywhere inside or out without one of us with you.”

“I ‘member Ada, I won’t go anywhere wit’ out Halli, or Wú, or Linwë, or Glorfy or you - or my brudders.” The child thought on this for another 3 seconds and then added with an exuberant smile, “or Westor!”

“Very good, come then, let us go and see our friend and then you must begin to get ready for bed.”

“Ada, can we stop at my room first? I want to get some t’ing for Aff-rod.”

Elrond had learned that it was sometimes best not to question Estel when he was on a mission to help someone else. Whatever it was that he needed would be revealed in good time, and the child’s surprises almost always had the effect of easing one’s heart.

“Very well, go to your room and get what you need, I will be along in a minute and we can be on our way.”

Grabbing Rúmil by the hand Estel fairly dragged him from the room. “Come on Wú, we have to hurry, Ada will be ‘long in a minute’ and I have to look for some t’ing.”

Pleased that Estel had chosen him over the others in the room to accompany him, Rúmil grinned widely and followed the child from the room. When the door closed Elrond questioned the others.

“Do you think he fully understands the seriousness of this situation?”

“I believe he does Milord,” Cilinwë answered. “He is a very smart little boy, I think he understands.”

“As do I adar, I could see the fear in his eyes when we told him," Elladan said sadly.

“Yes adar,” Elrohir continued, “…he tried to hide it but he was very upset that someone he knew, someone he cares about has been hurt.” “I do not think we have to worry about him going off on his own…and aside from that he gave you his word, and we all know how Estel feels about making a promise.”

“Aye…the little one will hold true to that” Glorfindel nodded solemnly.

“Yes, I believe you right Glorfindel,” the elf lord replied, “very well then I will fetch Estel; Elwaith if you would do me the favor of going on ahead of us and making sure that Aphrod is appropriately covered.” “Apply a light bandage or cloth to cover his hands and the traces of the wound on his neck, I will walk slowly and stall Estel as much as possible.”

“Of course Lord Elrond.”

“I thank the rest of you for coming so quickly, it was imperative that Estel meet you so that he might recognize you if he came upon you in the house, please…go back to the Hall and enjoy your evening. Orophin, Haldir would you like to accompany us to the infirmary? My son seems to have taken quite a liking to you March warden…”

“And I to him Milord.”

“What is there not to like?” Elladan said laughingly as he clapped his long time friend on the back, “with such a sparkling wit and engaging personality how could Estel not like him Adar?”

“All right you two, let us not get started with your sarcasms, we have a lot to attend to tonight; come, let us retrieve your brother and get to the infirmary – it is getting late and Estel will want to spend as much time with Aphrod as he can before his bedtime.”

That said, the elves exited the room and made their way down the corridor to Estel’s room. Rúmil and the boy were just coming out of the door as they reached it, “Did you find what you were looking for son?”

“Yeth ada, I have it right here in da pocket of my wobe,” he said patting his side gently.

“All right then let us go, I sent word to Aphrod, he is waiting for you.”

Taking his father’s hand Estel skipped merrily down the hallway singing as he went; leading the way on a mission of comfort, blissfully oblivious to the music in the corridor. The sound of leather rubbing against leather, stretched to its limit by the muscle underneath. The gentle chink of metal stays as they pull, taut across broad chests and shoulders. The unmistakable sound of a metal scabbard as it rubbed against the soft fabric of someone's favorite suede leggings. The whisper- like sound hair makes, as it’s ever so gently disturbed by the motion of the body moving forward through the air. The sound of confident footsteps and the clip-clop sound of boots on flagstone floors. The child skipped merrily on, singing to the music made by eight of the fiercest warriors in all of Arda.