Estel's Day Out
by: WhiteGloves
A new series on top of others :o am I killing myself and the readers? XD hope not~
I have been thinking of making this for a long time ^^ I will do my others too haha~ just to have a new environment!
Enjoy!
It was a sunny afternoon and Elrond, the mighty Lord of Rivendell, was writing silently on his desk inside his private quarters. He was writing a message to Halbarad, a ranger from the North, and the second in command of the Dúnedain while their real chieftain is still unable to take hold of his duty. The real chief, who was the son of Arathorn, the former Chief of the Dúnedain happened to be a small-innocent-bouncy-boy, who had not any idea of such. Halbarad wanted to hear news about him from the Elf Lord for this little fellow was living in Rivendell, under Elrond's protection.
It was quite a tale, the Lord thought, after putting a period on the last sentence of the letter, but the child whom he decided to call Estel was growing rapidly and learning quickly since his arrival in the Last Homely two years ago. Lord Elrond had not been fond of any man but this child and thinking of the little adan would always bring smile on his lips.
He paused. Why yes, he loved the child. He loved him so much that it pains him to think about the fate bestowed upon the little child's shoulder. Elrond suddenly gripped the quill on his hands. He always had to remind himself that by then Estel would be ready.
Signing and sealing the letter he had worked for that includes the tale of Estel's wanderings around the Last Homely when he was able to walk alone that alarmed the Elven realm, his nonstop inquiry to his teacher Glorfindel that always sent the Balrog Slayer running after his twins, the child's own initiative to learn from his adopted father and his amusing stunts with his adopted brothers, Lord Elrond was proud to say that he was raising the future King of Men well.
Opening his drawer, he placed the letter inside needing to wait for a messenger that will deliver it. He stood up gracefully with his hair dark as the shadows of twilight falling from his shoulders to his back. He looked about the room and then remembered that his sons were probably playing outside. Deciding to see them, Elrond headed for the door but his keen hearing and his power to foresee showed him the arrival of those he was looking for. Certainly he wouldn't miss that familiar thump of Estel's feet.
Wondering what it was about, the Lord remained on his spot and waited for the knock. But the knock appeared to have been forgotten when the door was thrown open and a running child with black curly hair and a pair of silver lively eyes came squealing happily toward his father.
"Estel." started the Lord sternly for he had asked the child many times to use the door properly but his words were drowned by the little child's excited call.
"Ada!!" said the overjoyed child while tugging on his dress, "Dan' told me something!"
"Indeed?" asked the Elf Lord eyeing Elladan who had come running after his younger brother. Elladan, who was the eldest among his sons caught his eyes and shook his head.
"T'was a misunderstanding." He quickly said as Elrond took the small child to his arm and Estel embraced his father tightly and lovingly. Elrohir came last among the three looking from his younger brother to his father and then to his twin brother who was the same replica of him.
"We told Estel you wouldn't, ada." quickly amended the younger twin.
Elrond raised his eyebrows and then looked at his smiling little lad.
"And what is this mysterious thing I cannot or would not do?"
"Raise the river!" said Estel looking amaze with bright shining eyes. Lord Elrond was stunned and threw his twins one of his familiar glares.
"We were just explaining how this valley is under your protection, ada." Elladan said after meeting his father's glare. "Estel was talking about his new lesson with Glorfindel when the subject about your protection was touched…"
"Wouldn't you do it, ada?" asked Estel looking hopeful.
The Lord of Imladris watched the child trying to make up his mind. If it had been another one who had asked for such favor then there was a clear answer. For Estel he would always have to have second thoughts.
"I am sorry, tithen pen, but there are powers in this world that must not be used for the purpose of entertainment." He started to explain. The smile on Estel's face slowly vanished and all that remained was a somber expression. "You must understand, with great power lies great responsibilities…"
He brought the quiet little child down the nearest chair and settled him there, kneeling after and smiling at the child who had the face of defeat. "Listen to me; we have different kinds of power. I have power over you, you have power over me. But I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be."
Estel looked up but did not speak. His clear eyes of silver showed that somehow he understood his father but his disappointed expression did not falter. Elrond sighed with a heavy heart. He then placed a warm kiss on the child's forehead before standing up.
"A time will come that you will see my power for yourself, son, but not now." He smiled at the lad reassuringly. Little Estel pressed his lips together and the Elf Lord couldn't help but feel disappointed himself.
"I heard Legolas will come and pay a visit?" he amended instead to lessen the sadness on the small child's heart. As he expected Estel's eyes shone slightly and the boy giggled. The child sprang up and turned to his brothers with mirth back on his young eyes which somewhat satisfied the Lord. Elrohir gathered the small one on his arms while Elladan was called by their father.
"We shall be waiting for the Prince then, am I right, Estel? And we'll be reading that dearly book he gave to you while doing so, you agree?" asked Elrohir to the young one.
The child nodded looking back at his father. Elrond saw no disappointment on the boy.
"Legolas will be here in no time ada, so Estel will probably forget about this matter." Elladan assured his father while Elrohir and Estel were busily discussing the book of adventure Legolas lend the child.
"I hope it will." Elrond surveyed his young son in concern. "You know your brother… his curiosity sometimes do get the best of him."
Elladan nodded and the three brothers left Elrond's quarters with Estel giving his father one last glance. Lord Elrond raised his hand a little and the little boy waved a farewell.
Erestor and Glorfindel appeared on the door just after the twins and Estel. They were arguing somewhat but both fell silent instantly as the brothers passed them silently.
"What is wrong with the little one?" asked Glorfindel when he and Erestor have set foot inside the quarters and closed the door. Lord Elrond walked around his desk and sat on his chair before he answered.
"He expected me to use my power and raise this valley's strong defense."
Both Erestor and Glorfindel stared at the Half-Elven.
"You disapproved, I take it?" asked Glorfindel sounding hopeful.
"Of course he did! That's absurd to be even mentioned by a child!" said Erestor, coming on Elrond's side and looking at him. "You did say 'no', right Elrond?"
Lord Elrond slowly looked up at his counsilor testily.
"The two of you," he shot Glorfindel a look, "seriously thought I'd let Estel talk me in to doing it?"
Glorfindel eyed Elrond while Erestor shifted on his position. Elrond arched both his eyebrows and then sighed into a low laugh.
Aye, my young Estel… you do not know how much power you have upon me…
-T-T-T-T
An hour passed while Elrond sat pondering inside his quarters. The messenger has not arrived yet. He gazed at the chair where he had placed Estel an hour ago. He never wanted to disappoint the child… but it was the circumstances that asked for it. And this would not be the last time Estel would be disappointed of him. The time will come when he would have to reveal to the young boy his real heritage. There shall be more than disappointment and grievance, but of their relationship. Elrond wondered if he could take Estel's response. The disappointment on the child's wonderful eyes just now meant so much to him. What of the near future?
Heaving great sigh, Elrond stood up and walked toward the window. It was a fine day. He wished there was something he could do to stop disappointing the child further.
Elrond stopped. His keen hearing heard something from below. Wondering if the Prince had arrived for he was sure Elrohir was shouting, the Elf Lord turned his back on the window to check upon them. But then out of the blue his heart thumped loud. Elrond frowned and swiftly headed for the door and outside. Something was amiss for Elrohir's voice kept on shouting and he could hear Elladan's light footsteps running towards him.
He met Elladan halfway on the stairs with a look of frantic on his young face.
"Elladan?" he inquired with a frown for his eldest twin was out of breath for some reason.
"Estel-!" cried Elladan out of composure and Elrond's ears rang with the boy's name, "He's gone!"
Numbness struck the Elf Lord and for awhile he forgot how it was to live his immortality. Elladan's last words had left a deep impact on his heart. Estel's gone? How? It was only an hour ago and yet he…No, impossible!
Elrond shook his head out of dizziness and felt a hand grip his shoulder from behind. He did not notice Glorfindel was there.
"What's going on?" the Balrog slayer asked sharply, upon seeing the distress on his friend's face.
"Estel's gone missing!" said Elladan quickly while Erestor joined them, "We were only at front yard waiting for Legolas! Ro' and I were just talking to the elves who were about to depart outside but when we looked Estel was gone!"
"What?" muttered Erestor looking thunderstruck on his part. Elrond heard his son and the wave of passing out suddenly vanished. He pulled himself together and without speaking he hurried down the yard followed by the three Elves swiftly.
Elrond and the others saw Elrohir coming from the garden looking troubled and this expression added to Elrond's worst fears.
"He isn't anywhere! He's tracks are gone! It's like he vanished in thin air!" cried the younger twin.
"I'll call more Elves to help for the search." said Erestor quickly going back inside the house.
Glorfindel questioned the twins once more while Elrond barely listened. He just saw Estel's book left lying on the ground, spread open. He slowly went and picked it up, his thoughts on his youngest. He remembered Estel's face an hour ago inside his office, how the little child smiled and be saddened.
Where are you, Estel?
And Lord Elrond summoned his powers to know the answer by closing his eyes. He heard his twins and Glorfindel. He heard Erestor from the inside. He heard all the Elves' hurried footsteps. He heard the air breathing into his House and the earth in which they were all standing and still none. His powers even reached the outside in which he heard horses coming, animals scurrying and carriages going away. He opened his eyes.
"Estel's not here." He breathed to the others with the hope of finding his child decreasing. The Elves looked at the Elf Lord in dismay for they believe his words without question. They all stood there looking at each other, not knowing where to start until Erestor came back.
"The Elves are already searching." He told them seriously. Glorfindel informed him about the Elf Lord's deduction and the counselor's face fell.
"But where could the child be?" he emphasized sounding both anxious and impatient.
Elladan and Elrohir looked at one another helplessly while Glorfindel looked directly at Elrond. Elrond held his gaze and saw a shadow passed from the Balrog slayer's eyes.
"You don't suppose Estel went to the river and…?"
Elrond braced himself from the thought and shook his head. "The river would have warned me so…"
Their discussion was interrupted by a visitor who appeared from the gateway in his green and brown clad. The Prince of Mirkwood has finally arrived riding his white steed.
"Legolas," called Elrohir and the note of distress on his voice did not leave unnoticed. Legolas glanced at the group and quickly dismounted his horse with a frown on his fair face.
"What's the matter?" he asked looking at everyone's grim face. "Did I came at a wrong time?"
"Alas! You have my dear prince," broke Erestor, "Why the young one, Estel, is missing!"
Legolas' deep blue eyes rounded and he shot the three Peredhil a look. He was very fond of Estel. "How did this happen?"
"Aye, that's all what we want to know," said Glorfindel turning to the twins once more, "Estel wouldn't just disappear! Somebody took him!"
His words were met by frightened eyes and Glorfindel had to shake his head.
"Don't get overwhelmed by your emotions now! We don't know what really took place but at the very least we should know that Estel is in danger and we have to act and not just stand here!"
"You say that but where do we start?" asked Erestor testily, "Elrond already said the child is no where in Imladris."
Lord Elrond gripped the book on his hands. Legolas shifted on his foot and then noticed something on the ground. He swiftly went over and knelt down while the others were talking. Elladan saw the Prince and followed suit.
"What did you find? Estel's tracks?"
"Did something else occur today?" Legolas asked touching the ground.
"What?" asked Elrohir as he looked at the Prince. Legolas looked up at them all and continued,
"Estel would not vanish in thin air. Somebody took him or he went away himself." The Prince pressed the ground, "He's been here,"
"Yes, that's where he was standing when we left him." confirmed Elladan getting more serious.
"And beside these tracks… a track of a wheel…" said Legolas slowly.
Elrond dropped the book he was holding, a look of alarm filling his eyes.
"Yes… we were talking to some Elves who were about to go on a journey…" Elrohir's voice slowly faded…
All at once like a passing air the Elves were rushing inside. Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor, followed by Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas swiftly crossed the yard toward the House with one thing clear on their minds and getting ready for it.
Estel had somehow gotten himself inside the carriage without the Elves out for the travel noticing.
And they have to take him back before he completely disappears.
~TBC~
I think it was a good start. Until the next chapter :)
Thanks for reading! Give me some treats :D
