Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. Alright there will be a major flashback in this chapter to where Estel is about 6 years old and learning to ride a horse. I have never been on a horse so please bear with me. Let's begin.
Estel slowly made his way towards the unsteady brown foal that looked around the large grassy area where its mother was grazing. The beautiful brown and white mare glanced up at the younger male and Estel softly greeted. "Hello there, Iliel. I am just coming to take a look at your son here."
The horse whinied softly and Estel held out his hand as she rubbed her velvet soft nose against it, sniffing him and searching for a treat. The foal came forward as well, curious and comforted by his mother's trust in the stranger.
"I wonder if Elrohir will allow me to ride you again soon. I have not ridden since Roch passed away." Roch had been Estel's horse, Elrond entrusting it to him for the horse was old and meek. He had been a good first horse. Roch passed away perhaps 6 months ago and since then Estel did not have the ride again.
He knew he would soon need to be back up on a horse again but for now he was content to just sit and watch the newly born foal as it explored the world for the first time on this fine spring day. Sitting down in the grass he allowed the horse to sniff his hand, smiling when it tried to bite him.
"No, you would not like my hand. It is meat."
"You seem to have taken a liking to the little horse." His father's deep voice came from behind him and Estel turned, grinning when Elrond stepped closer. The elven lord was dressed in a tunic and riding breeches as he folded himself to the ground, the Eldar continued. "I think it is time for you to pick another horse, Estel. Or at least go riding again. It has been months since you have ridden a horse and soon you will be out of practise."
"You are going riding today, are you not, Ada?" Estel glanced at the aged face, not smooth like that of the other elves but a few lines engraved that softened into a smile.
"Yes, Estel, I am. Do you wish to join me perhaps?" Elrond allowed the foal to smell his hand even as Iliel came closer with a soft winy, rubbing her nose against Elrond's cheek.
"Your master is not able to ride you at the moment, mellon nin. And you are in no condition to go out into the woods today. Your youngster is barely two weeks old." The elf laughed softly when she pushed against him, gently rubbing and eliciting a rare laughing fit in the normally well composed elf.
Estel laughed as the horse licked Elrond's hand, eliciting yet another laugh. She whinnied hopefully and Elrond stroked her nose, smiling gently. "I would like that, Ada."
His father was on his feet in an instance, extending his hand so Estel could get on his feet. Estel could sense the excitement in the relaxed body of his father. Elrond, like most elves, loved animals and loved his horse. It had been a long time since his father had been able to ride but Estel knew Elrond would welcome it. "Ada, do you recall the first time you were ever on a horse with me?"
The grey eyes flashed and Elrond laughed softly. "How could I ever forget that, ion nin?"
"Ada, it is so big. Am I not going to fall off?" 6 year old Estel rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, staring at the large white animal whinnying softly to him. He stood on his toes and reached up with one hand to allow the horse to sniff him.
The animal lowered its head, gazing at him with intelligent brown eyes and then nudged his hand with his nose, Estel giggling and gasping as he touched the velvet sensitive skin. Two strong hands picked him up and he settled on his father's hip, hand reaching out to pet the animal.
"No, Latös is well trained, ion nin. He will not let you fall off. Besides Glorfindel will hold onto you tightly." Estel turned big grey eyes upon his father, taking in the lord's appearance.
His father wore a robe like he did on most days of councils. That meant that he could not play with Estel, perhaps speak a little at mealtime or at bedtime but nothing more. Estel wanted his father to go with him riding on Latös. Estel knew the big beautiful white horse of Glorfindel well and Latös was well trained, calmer and much easier to handle.
"Are you ready for your first time on the horse, Estel?" Glorfindel's soft voice came from his right and Estel glanced up, smiling when he saw the big golden warrior.
"Yes, but can we not ride on your horse with the bells?" The silvery laughter had him becoming more cheery with the moment as Glorfindel lost himself in a rare moment of glee. The Balrog slayer ruffled the short dark curls and softy continued.
"No, perhaps another time. Latös is a better suited horse for you to go riding on with somebody right now. I will be right beside you…"
"But Ada said that you would hold onto me tightly. I do not want to ride alone…"
Glorfindel turned to look at Elrond and Estel felt his father shift before Glorfindel laughed again. "Oh dear Elrond, stop teasing your child and take off the robe. It will only get dirty and I am afraid that Erestor will have your hide then. I am sure that your father, Estel, will not allow you to fall off the horse."
The blond warrior winked at him and Estel looked between the two adult elves confused. Elrond's sharp eyes were sparkled with amusement and soon Estel felt Glorfindel take him gently from the elven lord and he was shifted onto the soft clad hip where normally a sword rested.
Estel turned his head to look at his father as Elrond took of the beautiful robe and gave it to one of the servants who smiled at Estel with a wink. Elrond was dressed in dark green with dark brown riding boots. The dark hair was tied back in a braid to keep it out of the aged looking face but Elrond smiled at Estel, softly saying. "It seems that Glorfindel knew me too well. Perhaps a long patrol around Middle Earth will change him a bit…"
The silvery laughter came again and soon Elrond's deep baritone joined in. "Well shall we go then? The Valar know that we are not getting any younger on it. Besides if we do not get out of here soon I think you will be dragged into another council session."
Estel wiggled and Glorfindel settled him down on his feet again. The child reached both his hands up and tucked one hand into Elrond's and the other one into Glorfindel's, smiling as both elves tightened their grip.
Together they walked towards Latös. Elrond released Estel's hand and mounted quickly, extending his arm so Glorfindel could lift the small child onto the horse. Estel stiffened, feeling his father's arm tighten protective around him, holding him tightly against Elrond's firm chest.
"I am going to allow Latös to walk now, ion nin. Just relax and Glorfindel will be right beside us. If you are afraid then just say so and we will let you down." With a soft clack of Elrond's tongue and the big animal began to walk slowly, Glorfindel guiding him.
Estel began to relax, releasing his father's arm to place a hand on the animal's flank. One of his father's hands had the reigns and the other was still resting around Estel. Elrond steered the horse to the right with a small tightening of his thigh. The horse whinnied softly and Elrond smiled as he answered. "Yes, we shall go faster in a little while as Estel has grown used to the movements."
"I want to go faster now, Ada. I can ride a horse, just like you and Glorfindel." The half elf glanced down at the merry blue eyes that twinkled back at him.
"Very well then, ion nin. Hold on tightly now." One soft whispered word and the horse picked up, causing Estel to be bounced slightly. Glorfindel once more easily fell into step besides them and Elrond urged Latös faster, Estel crying out with glee much to the amusement of his brothers and those watching.
Estel softly laughed as the foal sniffled his clothing, easily picking up on the scent of the carrots he kept in his pocket. He took one out and gave one to the young foal, handing Elrond the other and broke the third, giving one half to Iliel and eating the other.
"Estel, those carrots were reserved for dinner tonight." Elrond had one arm around his shoulders and Estel fell into step beside the taller elf, together they made their way over to the stables.
Estel frowned when he saw two distinctive figures that looked very familiar. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing as he felt the tenseness in his father's body. "Elrohir and Elladan! You are not allowed out of bed!" His father roared, releasing Estel and quickly going towards his twin sons.
Both were sitting on the stone steps, Elrohir holding a cane in his hands to use for walking. Elladan was sitting behind him, looking pale. The chest wound had not healed enough yet for the older twin to be out of bed and about. Estel ducked his head to hide his amusement.
He had finally been pronounced fit enough to leave the bed about three days ago. Even now, he wore a scarf to protect himself from getting ill again. Slowly he had restarted his training with Glorfindel.
"I wonder what Elrond is going to use to punish them." Glorfindel's soft voice, accompanied by the strong hand on his shoulder had Estel laughing softly.
"Perhaps he will tell them to help out in the stables when they are well again and allowed out of bed. It would do them well." The hand that tugged at his hair had him smiling still.
"You were going riding today?" Glorfindel asked, leading him into the stables as Elrond gave his sons the wrath of his tongue. Both younger elves looked pale and their faces were turned to the ground as Elrond paced before them.
Estel could only hear snatches of the words his father was using but he found himself nearly standing at attention without having done something bad.
He waked in front of Glorfindel as the elf led him to an empty stall. Estel's heart ached with sadness when he saw the still empty stall where Roch used to be. He frowned when he heard the whinnying of a horse he had never heard before. The animal was black, with a white nose and ears. Its ears perked up as Glorfindel approached.
"Who is this?" He found himself asked as he moved closer to the horse and petted it together with Glorfindel. The brilliant blue eyes returned to his own and Glorfindel smiled as he answered.
"This is a new horse that we found within our borders a few weeks ago. I know it has been a long time since you have been to the stables but she is very friendly. I believe she is not too old yet and that she comes from the Dunedan for she is well trained. She is not afraid of humans or elves, only wolves and dogs and she came to me immediately when I came near her. But since I already own a horse, the one with the bells as you may remember, I thought that perhaps you would be able to look after her, at least until you get your own horse."
"Does he have a name yet?"
"No, not yet. You may name him if you wish." The sharp blue eyes were watching him intensely and Estel smiled.
"There is no other name that I can think of but Latös. The horse I first learned to ride on." Glorfindel's lips curled into the smile that send many maidens wild.
"I think the name suits her." Glorfindel nodded at him and Estel grinned, opening the stall door to release the magnificent animal and as he saddled her, he knew he would still miss Roch but the loss would be bearable as he learned to trust a new horse with the help of his family.
This is the chapter. I need ideas badly so post some please. I hope you liked it please review of course.