20- 1
Estel learns of war
Elrond had no desire to face his foster son this day. He could sense that his foster son felt betrayed. He had done his best to explain the situation to Gilrean and hoped that would be enough. He had locked himself in his chambers after their meeting and informed his valet that he needed rest before the dinner that night and to tell this to any who may come calling. But he knew he would have to seek out the young human before dinner that night, unless he wanted to be the cause of an ugly scene.
Elrond shuddered. He knew that Gilrean knew that all of this would have to come about sooner or later. "I imagine this is a lot quicker timing than she anticipated. I know it is for me, but I can tell that he is tired of staying locked up indoors all the time."
A quiet knock interrupted Elrond's thoughts. "Who is it?" he asked as he walked to answer it. "It's me Ada. I need to ask you something," Estel said through the door. Elrond let him in, and then quickly closed the door. He didn't need any more visitors for the day. "Come outside on the balcony with me Estel and tell me what's bothering you."
Estel did as he was bade. "Ada, I know that Elladan and Elrohir went away to Mirkwood earlier this morning, but the big thing that has been bothering me today is that there seems to be no one else to go with us besides those men that came today."
"It seems now would be a good time to teach you about something that you will undoubtedly face one day. Our war with the Orcs has been going on for a very long time. I cannot send any more Elves to travel with you because this war is coming too close to Imladris and I fear for the safety of my people and your safety as well. That is why Elladan and Elrohir were called away. They are needed more elsewhere."
"It is also the reason why I agreed that you could take this trip. You need the time away and you will need to learn the skills you will be taught in Lothlórien quickly. Once you have mastered them, I am afraid you will be caught in the middle of our war as well. The Warden is to teach you the bow and arrow and the sword. Listen well to his advice Estel, it will save you one day.
Sometimes differences occur between humans or elves or even evil beings. These differences can usually be overlooked, but a lot of times, if the matter is serious enough, it can lead to war. War tears apart families and even cultures. It causes enemies among friends and destroys the land as well as its people.
I was caught in the middle of such a war once, long before you were even thought of…"
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"Evil has been around as long as good has. And they have always been at odds. When Illùvatar created the Vala, he gave them all a song. All the songs sounded good and pleased Illùvatar. They were intertwined with one another and created beautiful melodies. But Melkor was not content in his heart to follow the way of good. So he created discord in the world. All of the beautiful things were thrown down and evil corrupted all that the Vala had struggled with in their songs to make.
Morgoth was captured and held prisoner in the Halls of Mandos, but was released after his sentence was through. He fled to Utumno and began rebuilding his strength. During this time, his lieutenant, Sauron, gained even more power under the tutelage of the Dark Lord. He captured many Elves and tormented them and bred them with the living earth to make the Orcs-a mockery of the Elves and everything that is good.
Sauron concealed himself and went to the Elven-smiths and had rings of power made for each race. In assisting the smiths, he learned of the art himself and devised an all-powerful ring for himself. He soon was making wars with the surrounding lands. Very quickly, his power covered all of Middle Earth in darkness.
I marched under the high-Elven King's banner. I was Gil-Galad's best friend and most trusted advisor. We marched to the slopes of Mount Doom and fought alongside the Men of Numenor: Elendil and his heirs. We fought against the Orcs and other evil beings-all creations of Sauron."
"Ash was everywhere. In the food, in your mouth, in your clothes. Water could not satisfy the dryness the air left in your mouth.
We fought there for days on end. Death hung in the air like a dreaded fog. We fought the host of Morgoth until we felt we had no strength left to fight. We beat them back numerous times, but they still came back like a black flood.
I watched in horror as many of my kin were slaughtered. We were fighting a war that was not ours to fight. But, we had to fight or else be slain. Glorfindel aided Gil-Galad and me in our stand.
In that instant, I was faced with the reality of it all. I ran to where Gil-Galad had fallen. Orcs were everywhere around him…dead. Sauron appeared in full-form, manifest as one living...living only to take life away from others. I had watched as the body of my friend crumpled to the ground, burnt from the blackness of the Dark Lord's heart. I knew he had already fled to Mandos' Halls before I could even move.
I felt the heat of the battle rise up in me. My grief was so intense that I could not be contained. I felt like I was a wild beast that had been caged, looking for a way out.
Somehow, I made it through the ranks of Orcs to where the High King of the Numenor stood. I fought back to back with Elendil and his sons, Isildur and Anárion. Elendil was swept away from me by the black tide. Sauron had appeared in his full form. Elendil had been knocked down close to where Sauron stood. We knew then that the secret of his power was in the ring that was on his finger.
Elendil made a move to draw his sword, but as it came loose from the sheath, the force of Sauron's mighty mace killed the king. His sword crushed under him. Isildur had already seen his brother slain; now his father was gone too. He crawled to where his father lay and picked up his mighty sword, Narsil.
Sauron now stood like a menacing dark tower over Isildur. He picked up what was left of his father's sword and cut the fingers off of Sauron's hand with a blind stroke. With it, the ring came.
I vaguely remembered a brilliant flash of light, as the Dark Lord was made no more. The Ring had been his life force; it was what held him together. He had poured so much of himself into the making of the Ring that it became his downfall. I was struck down with such a force at this eruption, that it took a long while before I could recover my senses. The orcs fled back to their sunless holes as their master had been defeated and now they had no lord to rule over them. The war was over…Many good lives were lost in that war… Too many to count…
Estel brought Elrond back to the present… "So, that is the sword that I have seen by the bridge? And the picture on the wall is Isildur facing Sauron?"
"Yes, neth min, they are. You are right on both accounts. After the war, Isildur was himself slain and the Sword of the Kings is to lie in Imladris until a time will come when the rightful heir will reclaim the title of King that has been long lost, except in the hearts of the few who still believe."
"Does anyone know who that person is?" Visions of a crown and riches were dancing their way through Estel's mind.
Elrond looked down at the valley not sure how to answer the question. He didn't want to lie to his foster child, but he couldn't tell the truth either.
"Oh, Eru, what have I got myself into now?"
The sun was beginning to set in the west as the figures on the balcony were silhouetted. "That is a question that has an answer for a better time. It is almost time for dinner, and if I read the signs right, someone has not had a bath yet. You better hurry; you know the cook hates it when you arrive late. And we have guests tonight, so please, Estel, try to behave."
Estel let out a sigh. "Ok, Ada, I shall try. Thank you for talking with me today. I really enjoyed the story and I know now that sometimes a person (or elf) has no other choice but to do what he feels is right. Even if that means sending his sons to war. I know that Elladan and Elrohir will return safely."
Estel gave his Ada a hug and he went out of the room to get ready for dinner.