Disclaimer: I own zero of these Characters.
A/N: This has been written in the dead of night- so please excuse any spelling errors, ect! And please review!
Lesson 2: Glorfindel.
Glorfindel considered himself a very patient Elf.
He didn't lose his temper the day Arwen cut his hair because the little girl wanted to make her doll "prettier".
He didn't lose his temper when the twins disobeyed a direct order, resulting in their own capture and a two day rescue mission.
He didn't even lose his temper when he discovered Erestor had "confiscated" his last bottle of Dorwinion.
So instead of raising his voice or lashing out in anger, the Balrog Slayer took a deep breath and asked,
"Would you care to repeat yourself?"
The fourteen year old opposite the Balrog Slayer tilted his head back, his jaw set in defiance as he squared his shoulders.
"I said no, I don't want to keep going!" Estel huffed. "I'm tired, my arms hurt and it's nearly lunchtime! We've been going for hours, Lord Glorfindel. Let's finish a little early…Just this once."
"Yes, I thought that was what you said." Glorfindel raised an eyebrow slightly as he took in the dishevelled young man.
Estel's sword hung from his right hand, the point resting in the dirt. His hair was pulled back tightly from his face but several strands had long fallen free and now stuck to his sweat covered brow. The human was breathing deep, slightly out of breath from the morning's training session.
"So you would like to call it a day, would you Estel? Are you feeling tired?" He asked.
"Yes, that's what I just said!" The boy sighed in relief, missing the slight edge to Glorfindel's questions. "I'm exhausted." He added, slumping slightly.
"Well in that case, perhaps we should call it a day." Glorfindel continued. Estel nodded with enthusiasm, relieved to hear the suggestion.
"Yes, we should." He agreed, looking away to glance over his shoulder. "I think I am about ready to-"
Before Estel could finish the Balrog Slayer advanced, swinging the heavy training sword in a high arc towards him.
"Glorfindel!" He yelped, stumbling back as quickly as he could to avoid the blow. "What are you doing?!" He brought his own weapon up, blocking several quick advances from the Elf.
"Go on then, Estel- put your weapon away if you are tired and go rest before lunch is served." Glorfindel never slowed his attack, pressing forward as the human looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Lord Glorfindel!" Estel cried out, blocking once more and pivoting to avoid having his legs swept from underneath him. "Have you gone mad?!"
"Not at all, Young One! You wish to call it a day, do you not?" Glorfindel half sang.
"Yes! But I cannot do so while you.." Estel grunted in pain as Glorfindel kicked out, sending him to the ground in a particularly painful blow. "I cannot while you continue to attack me!"
Glorfindel simply hummed in response, stepping back to let the boy stand back up.
The moment Estel was on his feet again Glorfindel launched another attack, lunging forward with three quick thrusts to send Estel back to the ground.
"You are tired?" He asked as Estel scrambled back to his feet.
"Yes!" Came the answer, followed by another attack. Estel threw his sword up to deflect a blow, spinning away once more.
"You wish to rest before the midday meal, do you?" Glorfindel did not stop his attack- if anything, he quickened his pace
"Yes!"
In a move too quick for Estel to follow the Elven Lord flicked his sword, sending the young man's flying from his hand to land several minutes away. In the next moment Estel found the point of Glorfindel's sword resting against his chest, pinning him into the dirt.
"Then perhaps you are not ready to train with me."
"What?" Can the shocked reply. "But Lord Glorfindel, I-"
"What, Estel? You have already made it clear that you believe that sore arms and feeling tired are perfectly acceptable reasons to call it a day."
"We've been practicing for hours now, Lord Glorfindel! Surely it is not wrong for me to want a break?" Argued Estel, confusion clear in his voice.
"Are you here to train as a warrior, Estel? To learn to defend yourself in battle, to keep yourself alive when faced with an enemy?" Glorfindel asked.
"Yes? I mean, yes! That is why I am here- you know this!" Estel half shouted.
"Do you think your brothers take lunch breaks when they are in the heat of a battle? Do you believe the Guards of Imladris return home the moment they begin to feel tired? Do you believe that Orcs will simply cease their attacks because you said "No" to them?!"
No reply came from the Human, so Glorfindel continued.
"Of course they would not! They would simply laugh and run you through! To rest in battle is to die. You must learn to fight through your exhaustion, Estel- or you will find yourself at the end of a sword far less forgiving than mine."
Glorfindel stepped back, eying the young boy critically.
"Go then, Estel. If you are not yet ready to push yourself then head home now- you can return to the group classes this afternoon. When you are ready to continue our lessons together, simply come and find me." He bowed slightly before striding past the young man, not allowing him a chance to reply.
The Elf had barely taken ten steps before he heard Estel scramble to his feet behind him.
"Lord Glorfindel!"
He stopped, turning to look back at his young student. Estel had retrieved his sword and stood a little ways away, his shoulders squared.
He raised an eyebrow at the human who stared back at him, a determined look in his eye. The Elf Lord tilted his head slightly in a silent question, earning a small smile in return.
"I am ready now."
After a moment, Glorfindel smiled back.
"Let us continue, then."
(Many years later...)
The rain falls heavily around Helms Deep as the battle rages on. Léod stumbles before halting his panicked run. The thirteen-year-old slumps against the wall, breathing deep. He closes his eyes, wanting to rest for just a few moments-
The next thing the Léod knows he's on the ground, his face connecting painfully with the stones. He rolls himself over in time to see Lord Aragorn bring his sword around to decapitate the Orc that had been about to run Léod through. Before the creature even hits the ground Aragorn is beside him, pulling him up.
"On your feet! What were you doing?!" The older man half growls.
"I…I'm sorry, My Lord! I just…I just wanted to rest. Just for a second!" He gasps in reply, trembling as he realises just how close he had been to death.
"To rest now is to die, Child. Fight on- we will find rest when the battle is done." Aragorn tells him. And just like that the Ranger is gone, throwing himself back into the fray.
The boy takes a deep breath…Then follows.
And when the Dawn finally arrives- when the battle is won… Léod finally allows himself to lean against the wall once more and rest.
Who would you like to see give Estel his next lesson? Legolas, Elrohir or Elrond? Let me know!
~Daisy