A father's duty

The boy looked around the small room, his heart sinking as his eyes came to rest upon the endless rows of books and papers that filled the walls of this torturous place.

“Lessons! Everyday!” he protested bitterly. “Tis not fair, other elflings do not have to suffer this,” he complained, turning beseechingly to his father.

The Elf Lord glared at the boy, his demeanour clear he would brook no argument over this arrangement.

“You will understand when you are older, Estel, that a father sometimes has to be cruel, to be kind,” replied Elrond, pushing the boy into the schoolroom.