The Sound of a Slamming Door

By Nelarun

Sumary: Estel finds the joy the sound of a slamming door makes. Lord Elrond does not agree with him.

"Estel we said no!" Elladan told him forcefully as he went over his provisions.

"But why?" Estel asked.

"Because we said so for one!" Elladan replied, patience at an end. "Because you are too little, for another! And because we would spend all out time making sure you weren't in trouble!"

"But I can beat Glorfindel in a fight!" Estel argued. At that, Elladan laughed. "If you won, it was because Glorfindel allowed you to win. Now go and leave us be!" Elladan purposefully turned his back on his little brother. Estel stood there, mouth agape then turned and tan to his room, stopping at the door to the stables. "Fine! Enjoy your hunting trip! I'll have more fun here anyway, and I won't stop having fun until you return!" Estel finished his screamed tirade and ran to his room.

When he arrived there, he slammed the door and jumped on his bed crying his little heart out.

He missed the farewell feast for the hunters, not that he minded. Estel was angry at the elves, especially as they all treated him as a tiny child, not as the 7 year old he actually was. Estel was on his side facing the wall when Elrohir came. "Estel?" Elrohir asked. No answer. A frown graced his brow and he placed a hand on Estel's choulder. The frown turned to confusion as Estel shrugged him off. "Well, Duidriel said that you could go to the kitchens to get your meal." Still no response. "Estel I… I am going now. I will see you soon." Elrohir left the room, and as he passed the door frame, he heard little Estel take in a shuddering breath. Elrohir let out a breath but continued walking. He had a hunting trip to go on.

Elrond took a few deep breaths and grit his teeth as he heard another thud echo throughout Rivendell. Erestor cringed as the thudding continued. "The diplomatic party will be here in three days and…. Please stop that Valar forsaken noise," the elf pleaded with his lord. Elrond grit his teeth again and stood. "I'll talk to the boy."

Erestor nodded and said a silent prayer that his lord would come out relatively unscathed.

Estel was glaring at the door as he once again pulled the door open and slammed it shut. He pulled it open again and saw Elrond standing there. His face darkened visibly as he saw the elf standing there. "Go away!"

"Estel Elrondion! You will not talk to me like that!" Elrond thundered. Instantly Estel shrunk back. "I'm sorry." The child whispered.

Elrond frowned and looked at the child. "Now why are you making this infernal racket?"

The child's face lit up. "Ada! It isn't an infernal racket, it's releasing my anger!"

"Releasing your…. What?" Elrond was getting confused.

"Glorfindel told me that I should find something to release my anger, since anger in battle isn't good."

"So you are slamming doors." Elrond realised with a nod.

Estel looked up at him and nodded. "Not only does it take energy, but it also makes a really loud sound!" Elrond saw the devastating logic in his answer.

"Tithen pen. I do not think that this is was Glorfindel meant."

"I don't care!" Estel suddenly shouted.

"Estel!"

"No! They all left me here, alone!"

"You are slamming doors because you are bored!" Elrond asked his youngest son a hint of incredulity in his face. Estel nodded and slammed the door again.

"It's calming," he told Elrond softly.

Elrond shook his head. "And damaging. Every time you slam this door, it weakens the infrastructure. And hurts elven ears."

Estel looked down. "Well, why don't we go out and have a little adventure of our own?" Elrond suggested, seeing the dejected look on Estels face. Estel looked up and eyed his father suspiciously. "I want to know if you would like to have a visit to Eryn Lasgalen."

"Mirkwood?" Estel gasped. "Legolas is at Mirkwood!"

"Yes, and while you and Legolas are running around causing mayhem. Thranduil and I can talk." Elrond told the child, laughing at the look of excitement that lit up his son's face. "No quickly, pack, and we can be away by tomorrow."

"And won't the others be jealous!" Estel squealed. Elrond winced. He almost preferred the slamming to the excited squeals of a child. Almost…..at lest the squeals were over with quickly…. The slamming was a continuous aggravating noise.

"Thank you, ada." Estel said as he launched himself at Elrond, giving his the biggest hug he could.

"You're welcome Estel."

"I still prefer slamming doors. They make a loud sound."