CHAPTER X: Hello Again
"Take that...and that...and that!"
"Slaying imaginary Orcs again I see."
The little boy looks over to the figure that just entered the room. He brushes a strand of hair from his face and points his tiny sword in his direction. "An guard, Master Elf!"
Legolas chuckles. "I'm afraid I'm at a disadvantage without a weapon. I submit to you," he playfully bows.
"Aww, Legolas! It's no fun if you don't have your Elven-blades," he pouts.
"There will be plenty of time for sword play, Estel. Lady Imarel is looking for you. Seems you have skipped another lesson this morning."
Aragorn folds his arms in protest. "Learning Middle-earth's history is so boring! I like learning Elvish with Lord Elrond but Lady Imarel has me reading old books all the time of a place called Gondor. I'd rather sword fight with you. Can I skip my lessons today with her and have you teach me some more techniques instead?"
"Unfortunately that will not be possible today for Lord Elrond is also looking for you..."
Estel's eyes widen with fear. "I'm not in trouble again am I?"
Legolas softly grins. "No, I don't think you've done anything wrong...today," he winks.
Estel sits down and sighs. "Then what could it be? Except when I have lessons with him, he never asks to see me unless I'm in trouble."
"Don't fret about it. He probably only has something important to tell you. It doesn't always mean you're in trouble when he requests to see you."
"You sure?" he looks at him skeptically.
"Positive. You never know...he could have some good news to say," the Maia smiles.
"Really!"
"Sure, why not?" he places a hand on his head.
Estel gives him a big smile and runs out of the room. Legolas watches him as he disappears out the door.
"You always know how to make him smile..." another figure comes out of the shadows.
"Hello, Hiperion," he replies with his back to him.
"Young Estel wants to grow up to become a great warrior so quickly, which we all know he will. However, it would be nice if he focused more on Gondor's history before he seeks that strength. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to care much for the Afterborn."
"I don't understand why Gondor's history?"
"Because it is his birthright. I know the promise made to his mother, but I believe it's also fitting to have him at least know where he came from although he's not aware of his true identity yet."
"You mean being the last heir of Isildur, the sixteenth and last Chieftain of the Dúnedain?" asks Legolas rhetorically.
"He's still too young to know his true ancestry but when the time is right..."
"Hopefully he will fulfill his destiny..." Legolas finishes.
Hiperion nods silently then disappears again.
Many of Aragorn's tutors consist of Lady Imarel, who he always seems to be running from, Legolas and even Lord Elrond himself. Imarel teaches him about nature and the different plant life they use to cure wounds or the sick and by instruction, Gondor's history.
Legolas is his sword instructor and hunting teacher. He would often take Aragorn into the woods and trails along Rivendell and show him the skills of tracking wild game and what signs to look for to indicate if you are on the right trail. Compared to the other two, Elrond teaches him their language and more about the different parts of Middle-earth and the different races it carries; especially what areas to avoid if he ever ventures out of their walls, which he secretly often does and gets into trouble for.
The day Queen Gilraen took him away from Gondor was last time the young prince would ever see or step foot in the White City again until perhaps many years later. She explains to Legolas the Men corrupted by Sauron's power will stop at nothing to see the bloodline of Isildur die. Because of the tragic deaths of the last rulers they had, she doesn't want her son to fall into the same ill fate, so she spoke to Lord Elrond who agreed to raise the child like his own son.
When she returned home, she told a lie of how they were ambushed by Orcs before reaching Rivendell. The queen says the three Elves accompanying her were shot by poisonous arrows and were treated quickly by their healers except for Aragorn who they were able to capture and kill. The sore, red eyes she had from crying while telling her story had everyone convinced. Gilraen stayed a few extra days in Imladris to heal herself, she says.
The city mourned for a third time in less than five years.
Aragorn is now nine-years-old and is a smart, strong, young boy for his age. He's given the name Estel by his mother, which meant Hope. "I gave Hope to the Dúnedain; I have kept no hope for myself." Gilraen gave him this name to keep him safe from the spies of Sauron.
"Enter."
"Quel andune, Lord Elrond."
"Quel andune, Estel."
"Legolas said you were looking for me?" he steps closer. Elrond has his arms clasped behind his back and is looking outside the balcony in his great study. Although it was a sunny day, the leaves are slowly falling from the trees, swaying back and forth to the ground. "I'm not in trouble again am I?"
The Peredhil smiles, "And why would you think that?"
Estel shrugs. "I don't know..." he says quietly.
"No, Estel, you are not in trouble. I merely want to tell you something." He walks over to a chair and motions for the young prince to sit next to him in the other. Estel obeys silently. "As you know you will be 10-years-old in a few days and for your birthday I have a surprise for you."
"Really?" his eyes widen with excitement. "What kind of surprise, Lord Elrond?"
He takes a moment to gather his thoughts and smiles. "I hope you like it."
"What is it?"
"You may enter now," he calls over to the double doors and then stands. Estel follows and also stands to see his surprise gift.
A woman with brown, curly locks and eyes like his slowly reveals herself. "Hello, young Estel," she says with love in her eyes.
"Who are you?" he looks strangely at her, though she seems familiar.
"Estel, this is Lady Gwendolyn from Gondor...the city your tutor Lady Imarel has been teaching you about," answers Elrond.
"Oh...hello..." he forces a smile. She returns the same smile but with more sincerity. "Was she your surprise?" Seeing this woman was a bit of a disappointment because Estel expected to receive something more along the lines of a new sword or a horse of his own for his birthday.
"Yes, she is. But not so much just her but what she will do with you."
Now Estel is even more confused. "I don't understand, Lord Elrond."
"I will be your riding instructor," she answers.
"My riding instructor?" his eyes grow big again at the thought of riding a horse. "You mean..." he looks towards the Half-Elven.
"We will see how your lessons go first and if you do well in maintaining your balance, then I will see what horse we have that will suit you the best," replies Elrond.
"Oh, diola lle!" he hugs him. Elrond is a bit taken aback but returns the hug with a smile. Estel also smiles at the woman then runs out of the room to tell Legolas.
"He has grown so much these past years..." she says after he flees the room.
"Yes, he has. He's grown to be a strong individual among our kin."
"I cannot thank you enough, Lord Elrond, for all you've done..." her eyes start to well.
He places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "There is no need for that, my queen. The protection of your son is for the good of us all."
"Yes...but how much longer can he be protected," Queen Gilraen responds with uneasiness.
Author's Note: The "I gave Hope to the Dúnedain, I have kept no hope for myself." line is from the Aragorn/Arwen book and not mine.