PLEASE READ IMPORTANT NOTE AT END OF CHAPTER!





Just An Innocent Child

Chapter 3

The Hunting Trip



The forest was brimming with all sorts of sounds and creatures. Everywhere they stepped the two elves and two boys could hear the nature that inhabited the forest. In the recent weeks the twins had been teaching Estel the skills in which to catch wild animals, and how to properly kill them. Today was when his skill was to be tested.

Dilir had been invited along as the twins had promised him to teach him how to use a bow and arrow. Now he sat on the floor of a wide clearing listening intently to the three brother's arguments. His long black hair fell about his face and he pushed it out of the way, slipping it back behind his ears. He grinned when Estel forget a vital instruction and was scorned because of it.

Minutes later there came a loud whelp and Dilir could see Elladan hopping up an down. It appeared that Estel had done something when he had been about to release the arrow. However Dilir hadn't been watching when this happened and had missed this. He would never find out why either. As he sat there laughing Elrohir joined him.

"You know Estel can be really stupid at times. Elladan tells him to not do something, but he does it anyway." He turned towards Dilir and asked: "Are you sure you are not a bad influence?"

Dilir suppressed a laugh. Do not worry master elf. I believe that you two are a bad influence on him."

"Why do all humans think like that?" Elrohir asked, then he got to his feet and went back over to Estel and Elladan because Elladan was on the verge of ringing the boy's neck.

Dilir watched delighted with all the things that the twins were doing to make Estel understand how to use a bow once more and aim again. This was what he enjoyed about being with Estel and elves - the elves could be like young children when they wanted and the next stern adults.

Estel in the meantime was having trouble releasing the arrow into the forest. Because of his small size and his minimal strength Estel was constantly teased by the other elves telling him that he would never successfully be able to climb a tree, fire a bow and arrow or be able to use a sword effectively. However Estel so far had changed their opinion when he showed them that he was capable of firing a child's bow in Rivendell - now was the ultimate test. He had to fell a beast using a proper elvish bow, and Estel had voiced his concerns that he would not be able to, and though the elvish bow had been reduced for his size he found it immensely difficult to use.

At last he managed to fix the arrow properly into the string and hold it upright as he walked through the clearing from one side to the other. Then Elladan and Estel walked away from the clearing and Elrohir came and sat with Dilir.

"Where have the others gone?" Dilir asked.

"Elladan's gone with Estel further into the wood to help hunt deer." Elrohir explained. "I'd rather stay here with you."

"Why?"

"I do not want to witness the carnage that Estel may do to the wood. It's likely that he may end up at least hurting someone. In my opinion I do not think he is ready to use the bow yet."

"Then why let him?" Dilir questioned.

"Most elves learn how to use knives and bows in their first twenty years. Estel has to learn these things before he is twenty or he will not be able to survive by himself in the wild. So he has to learn very young. Father will not allow him to use knifes until he's seventeen though. The bow is just for him to hunt with us and help him to defend himself when its necessary."

Dilir smiled. "I'd like to learn too, but father would not let me."

"And why would that be?"

"I think he fears that I may cause harm to others or it may be because he feels I may act the fool." Dilir answered.

"Nonsense!" Elrohir said. "Any person can use a bow and arrow with the right tutor and instructions. I may be against young children learning but if they truly wish to then I have no quarrels with it."

"Will you teach me then?"

"Yes I will." Elrohir explained. "How about beginning now? Estel and my twin will not be back for a while yet so we have time on our hands."

Dilir jumped excitedly to his feet and following Elrohir's steady instructions with absolute cautiousness and the ten-year old boy was soon ready to fire the arrow. Carefully he sighted a tree and pulled back on the string, sighting along it until he felt sure that he was ready to release it. Then Elrohir gently loosened his fingers and Dilir released the arrow. It hit the middle of the tree square on.

"I did it!" Dilir squealed.

"That is quite good." Elrohir assessed. "Much better then Estel."

"Do you think it's because you are teaching me?"

Elrohir grinned. "Definitely. I think perhaps you and Estel should have a contest. And I'm sure you'd beat him."

"Then that I will do when I've had enough practice."



*****



It was nearly dusk when the other two returned and by that time Elrohir had taught Dilir various techniques and each time the boy had complied without question.

Estel on the other hand had emerged victor less. He had been unable to fell any creature and though Elladan had been their he had felt uncomfortable without Elrohir's sure guidance.

Neither Dilir or Elrohir told the two about what they had done and none were wise to it.

Settling down to sleep all four of the companions fell asleep in their separate tents: Elladan and Estel in one, and Elrohir and Dilir in another.

None of them were aware of glaring eyes watching them from under the trees.





TBC



Good news and some Bad news: The good news is that I finished this chapter quicker then I anticipated, (the bad news) but the next chapter may take a while for several reasons. The first is that I have got my exams starting next Monday and I will not be able to write much. For the rest of the week I will be revising for them, and doing course-work, so at the moment I'm a bit pressed for time to write. However I am going to try and write a little bit each night and I may be able to post on the 22nd or 23rd of November. I will try my best to get the next chapter done, just be patient as my exams are really important as the results I get will see what level I will go in for in the real exams in May/June next year.

Thank you for the continued support on this story, and you never know there may be a chapter up very soon!

If you would like to be notified when this story is to be updated then either tell me in a review or send me an e-mail at: Stridersgirl03@hotmail.com

I would prefer e-mail as that way I can just reply to your message instead of trying to find the e-mail on FF.NET.

Anyway, see you all soon!