Ransom
Estel bounced on his heels, a habit of his when he was excited or nervous. Today he was both for he, his Ada and his brothers were going to market. Usually such a task fell to Erestor or one of his "lackeys" but today was different. Estel had been especially good all week and as a reward he would be allowed to pick what he pleased from the stalls. Upon hearing this, the twins had somehow managed to wheedle their way into to going on the trip as well. After seeing the pale tinge of white that his seneschal turned when he heard the news, Elrond mercifully volunteered to supervise the journey. To no one's surprise, Erestor made no protest of this decision.
Right now Elrond was giving some last minute orders for his absence. Erestor beckoned Estel over to him and helped him put his shoes on. Even while he sat, his bouncing did not cease.
"Goodness sakes tithen pen! You'll bounce right out of your body if you keep on like that!"
Estel giggled. "Silly 'Restor."
Finally Erestor got his laces tied and sent him on his way. His brothers had already mounted their horses and Lord Elrond was in the process of mounting his. Once he'd seated himself, Estel was lifted up to sit in from of him. With a slap of the reins and a click of his tongue Elrond urged his horse forward. For the first time since he'd arrived, Estel was leaving the confines of Imladris. He would not be going out into any foreign land but just to be leaving the keep was adventure enough. Elrond looked down at his little one and smiled. Estel was such a blessing.
"I must be cursed" Mawiyah said bitterly to herself, watching the village children play together on the green. Their thin faces and patchwork clothes spelled out lack yet they were more joyful than any of the rich people she had ever seen. She had neither joy nor wealth. The little wealth she had dried up after her husband's crops were burnt. Now they struggled even to get by. To make matters worse, Mawiyah could bear him no children. They had tried every concoction the village apothecary prescribed and even some old house-wife brews of their own but nothing seemed to work. Mawiyah was barren and ashamed of it. Every day her husband went out to try his hand at odd jobs while she was left alone, to watch everyone else's children.
Ever since she was a little girl and held her little brother in her arms she knew she wanted to be a mother someday. She had gotten so desperate she even hung round the houses where others were ill and hinted that she would take their children should they die. Needless to say this had not gone over well and she had earned a reputation. People shunned her now, the desperate old maid who could bear no child.
Feeling she could not stay and listen to children's laughter a moment longer, she seized her shawl and bustled out of the house. She would go to the market place and find a job of her own.