Chapter 01
Harp
Mounted atop his stallion, the tall and graceful Captain of Rivendell heaved a sigh upon crossing the approach bridge of the valley. He and his scouts had been wandering in the borders of Rivendell for three weeks straight, and Erestor was more than happy to be home and rest in his chambers, seated by the fire and read a good book, a wine glass in his hands maybe.
But before all those pleasures, he needed to see the scouts guardedly in the barracks.
Erestor swung one leg over his horse, slipped down from the saddle, and entered the armoury. A large, brown satchel was left on the bench, where he often kept his belongings. Still in his silver armour, the captain rummaged through his pack and raised one dark eyebrow. He held aloft the suspicious thing and blinked.
"Is mine!" A soft, bell-like voice rang from the entrance.
Whirling around, Erestor's eyes softened.
"Is mine, Ewestow!" The small elfling looked up at him with eyes as grey as his own, with unkempt umber hair that was the despair of her mother.
The captain knelt to meet the eye level of the little girl, and gave her a warm smile. "Is this your harp, Eryn? How many times do I have to tell you not to leave your toys in my pack?" Then he handed the instrument, only as big as a platter, back to the child.
Erynlith hugged the harp and told him, "Is my hawp, Ewestow. Am lewning to sing."
"But of course you are," Erestor agreed and patted her head. "Where is your mother, penneth?"
"Out thewe." She tiptoed and pointed a finger towards back to the main house. She gave him a curious look. "Awe you going back home, too, Ewestow?"
"Yes. Just let me finish packing, then we'll go."
As the captain finished bidding his scouts farewell, a small hand reached out to touch his rough, calloused one. Erestor looked down and saw Erynlith tugging at his hand, while her other hand was cradling the harp.
Mounted atop his stallion, the tired and weary Captain of Rivendell heaved a sigh upon crossing the bridge. Three weeks of hunting down Orc bands and chasing them out of the borders of Rivendell was too tedious. Erestor was more than happy to think about being back at home, warm and comfortable near the fire, a good book on his lap and a glass of wine, if it was possible.
But, as the captain of numerous young scouts, it was his responsibility to see them off safely.
He entered the armoury and found the old, brown satchel in its usual place on the bench. Struggling with the heaviness of his armour, he dug through the pack and raised an eyebrow. He lifted the thing above his head to get a better look.
"It's mine!" A soft yet cheerful voice rang from the entrance.
Whirling around, Erestor's eyes glared.
"It's mine, Erestor!" The elf-maiden's bright grey eyes regarded him with the mischievousness of an elf around her age could only have.
The captain glared more and waved the harp in mid-air. "Your harp, Eryn? How many times do I have to tell you not to leave your belongings unattended and discarded in my pack?" Then he tossed the instrument towards her, and was caught by deft hands.
Erynlith hugged the harp and pouted. "It's my harp, Erestor. I am learning to sing with the other minstrels."
A soft smile curled on the captain's lips. He knew it was Erynlith's great pride to be among the group of minstrels, which Lord Elrond himself had approved. "But of course you are," Erestor complied, nodding. "Where is Lindir?"
"Oh, I think he's over there." She turned around and pointed at a distance. She rounded back to him, watching as he finished fixing his things. "Are you going back home with me, Erestor?"
"Yes. Let's go."
With that, Erynlith held on to the captain's rough hand, while the other cradled her harp close to her chest; and a small tune escaped her lips as she sang on their way home.
Author's Notes: Hello, everyone! I had a very straining week so I decided to create these drabbles to ease the pressures of college life, and to amuse you readers through this short and random (?) idea that I had. Well, it's not technically an idea of mine; somebody messaged me months ago to create this sort of fic, a comparison between then and now, so I gave it a try.
These drabbles would follow Erynlith, an OC from my other story To Serve and Protect, and her relationship with Erestor, who was initially her friend, until they became as close as brother and sister, or maybe even beyond that. Not romantically, but as a family.
I hope everyone enjoyed reading this one! I might create some more if I receive feedbacks. I may feature other characters as well. Thank you!