February, Third Age 2968, Rohan
It was never Estel's intention that he should enter into the world of men on this venture. His plan, or at least the one he had told himself in order to comfort nerves and misgivings, had been to scout the lands, gather information and learn what he could. Then, he would return later to begin his work.
Fate, it seemed, had other ideas and the Valar saw fit to give him a rather pointed shove in the direction they needed him to go.
The trouble started one chilly morning near an outlying town in Rohan.
Estel had chosen to remain outside the town, for he grew used to people being suspicious of his appearance and frankly tired of the stares and glares he received the previous week in the last town he passed through. They nearly drove him from the streets and may have tried to harm him were it not for the cooler heads of a few older individuals.
The experience, while not surprising, was discouraging. He was rusty with people, well, with other humans that is. His Dunedain did not count. In a manner of speaking they were family and he was their chief. These men, these others whom he was supposed to one day be a great ruler for, they were not so easy to win over.
Having enough supplies to remain outdoors and the weather being cold, yet dry, Estel found relief in being away from humans.
Warming his hands on the small fire before him, he sniffed and glanced around the shadowed, icy trees which sheltered him.
If he was honest with himself, he also supposed the other reason he avoided the town presently was because he was apprehensive. Maybe he was not of the same inspiring caliber or of great leadership material as people said he was. His own people were biased after all and he always did feel they followed his lead a little too quickly. He couldn't understand what it was he did that made them trust him so much.
"Perhaps it is because they already know who I am and trust the bloodline more than the man." Estel mused grimly. "Perhaps I truly am no more than a mere ranger. That, at least does not grieve me. I am good at what I do. I can still serve in that capacity. If all else fails, I will still gather news and intel for the others."
His little pep talk warmed his heart with contented confidence and seemed to offer a relieving escape from that weight on his mind. It was that looming idea of taking a great throne one day and leading as kings of the past once did. If he was rubbish at gaining the trust of men, then what was the point. Better a beloved steward hold order over Gondor than rather than he.
Among the proud people of Rohan, being given the chance to prove himself was going to be hard, for they were suspicious of outsiders and slow to give more than a cup of water to a stranger, if that. At heart, he knew them to be good people, however he was uncertain how he was supposed to serve alongside them if he could not gain their trust.
Thus far, his mission was failing.
"If all else fails, you can still be a ranger." He murmured.
Talking to himself seemed to have come out of nowhere. He never used to do it and it reminded him of someone, yet he could not place who at the moment.
A disturbance rustled through the silence of winter woods. Hooves tramped along at a brisk trot along the little road. Estel had camped a safe distance from it, but still close enough he could be aware of travelers. The horses were headed towards the nearby river.
"Théoden! We shouldn't be out this far!" The voice that called out was young and anxious. "We'll be in trouble! I won't be allowed to play with you anymore!"
"Nonsense!" Another young voice called back. He sounded confident and extremely sure of himself. "Don't be a baby, Hama. It's my idea anyway! How else will we train our ponies to go through deep waters?"
"But it's too cold! Say we fall in, what happens then?"
The boy, Théoden, snorted. "We can both swim, so can our ponies. It'll be fine."
"I don't think-"
"If you want to be a coward, you can go back and cry to your mother." Théoden snapped, growing impatient with his friend. "I'm going to cross the river and get some practice in, like a real warrior."
By now, Estel had silently made his way to the rivers' edge some distance down. He moved slowly into a spot where he had an excellent visual of the boys and their ponies further up the swollen river. He frowned when he saw them. They looked to be about eight or nine. Old enough to have delusions of invincibility, yet young enough that they shouldn't be out so far unaccompanied. The ponies they rode were docile and well behaved enough for them to handle. Judging by the way the blond haired boy was kicking and fighting his pony to move further into the river, they were wise enough to know the dangers even if their riders did not.
The ponies would be no match for the swift current, nor would any boy that was swept off during an attempt to cross. Seeing trouble coming from a mile away and knowing there was little he could do to stop them at this point (for the lead boy, Théoden, had already urged his reluctant pony past its chest) Estel began to pull off his boots and removed his weapons. His cloak and jerkin just dropped to the ground just when Hama cried out in horror.
"Théoden!"
A pony squealed in fright while a boy cried out, then there was frightful slashing and thrashing as the pony struggled in the current that was sweeping it away.
Estel ducked from the treeline and scanned the waters that rushed towards him. He saw the pony followed by a small head surfacing with a spluttering cry of, 'HELP!'.
Wasting no time, Estel plunged into the frigid water after the boy, his strong arms and advantageous timing aiding him in avoiding the trashing, terrified pony and reaching the boy before he got swept too close to the rocks.
Théoden bobbed under the water momentarily before Estel reached him. Catching him by the scruff just in time, Estel pulled him back against his chest so as to keep the child's head above water. Théoden cried out, startled. He thrashed, kicking and clawing frantically as he coughed on water.
"Calm," Estel ordered. "Calm down, boy. I won't let you go, but you need to relax so I can get us both to shore safely!"
Théoden complied, crying a little. "Please...get me out...my pony...I have to get to him!"
"Your pony is strong and wise." Estel puffed as he kicked and pulled with one arm, riding the current and navigating them into calmer water. He could see the pony further down making its way to shore. "He is already nearly out of the water."
The journey to shore was laborious, however Estel had strong, long limbs and they served him well that day despite how cold the waters were. He was numb to the bone when he heaved himself and the boy out of the water, dragging them up the bank just in time for the other child, Hama, to arrive.
"Théoden!" Hama cried, leaping from his pony and rushing to help Estel. "Théoden are you alright?! Is he alright?!"
"I-I'm alright-" Théoden tried to say, teeth chattering violently.
"We need to get him warm." Estel said, barely managing to control his own shivering.
Hama looked helpless for a moment, too shocked and scared to think.
"Your cloak, child, for starters will be of help." Estel prompted gently. "And you, Théoden was it? You best strip off your wet things. You will only freeze faster in them."
Rising to his full height, Estel started back along the bank.
"Wait! Where are you going?!" Hama cried.
"I'll be back soon. I'm going to get my pack for dry clothing. There is an extra tunic in it that your friend may use. Get him dried off and give him what clothing you can to keep him warm. Use the ponies for warmth. And see there! Théoden! Your four legged friend has already come back to you." Estel pointed through the ticket to the wet, miserable, faithful pony returning to his master.
As quickly as he was able, Estel worked his way back to where he left his belongings by the bank, bare feet stumbling through the snow. Then he headed back to his little camp to collect his blankets and spare clothing. He changed then, knowing he would be of no use if he were to go hypothermic himself. After tossing some more wood on his fire, he headed back to the boys.
They were huddled against the dry pony. Hama was now shivering in the snow, crouched next to Théoden who was wearing Hama's tunic and cloak and not much else. The poor child looked miserably embarrassed when Estel emerged through the trees once more.
Taking pity on them both, Estel tossed them his blankets and clean, spare clothing. They would be swimming in them, but at least they would be dry and warm.
"Wrap up. We need to get you both to a fire quickly. Then we take you home to your parents." He turned from them, giving privacy while they dressed and gave his attention instead to Théoden's poor pony. It had a superficial gash in it's leg, probably from the rocks and scrambling to get out. Estel worked over the animal gently, checking him for further damage and murmuring soothing praise, forgetting himself and using elvish instead of the Rohan tongue.
"Who are you?"
Estel turned to find Hama standing behind him, wrapped in a blanket. Pausing, Estel considered which name he would use. He had been pondering over a few different ones for days now.
"You can call me Thorongil." He said finally. "Now come, we must make sure Théoden is warm enough before we take you home. The winds outside the trees will not be forgiving."
"Aren't you going to scold us?" Hama asked, leading his pony behind Estel. Théoden was silent, head bowed and wiping his eyes suspiciously as he lead his own sad pony along.
"That is the job of your parents, not mine. My job is to get you both home safely." Estel told them. "Besides, I am confident you both feel the severity of what could have happened today, were I not nearby. Natural consequences are often better teachers than any words."
Hama was full of more questions. Where had he come from? What was he doing here? Why was he out in the cold and not in the Inn?
Estel, or we might now call him Thorongil, answered as best he could without giving the child too much information.
While the children sat by his fire, the ranger applied a soothing ointment to the wound on Théoden's pony. The boy tried to help him, but Estel chased him back to the fireside. Grudgingly, Théoden had obeyed him, still saying nothing. Once the boys were warmed and dried to a satisfactory degree, Estel packed up his camp, ordered them to mount their ponies, and they were on their way.
The journey was quiet, for Hama had either run out of questions, or else he had been told to stop talking by his friend. Just as the village came into sight, Théoden suddenly nudged his pony closer to Estel.
"Thank you, Thorongil, for saving me and treating my pony." The boy spoke stiffly, like one who was unaccustomed to apologizing very often.
"I am glad to have been of service, young master Théoden."
"What will you say to my father?" Théoden asked quietly.
"The truth. I saw you fall into the river from your pony and went in after you." Estel answered simply.
"You do not seek a reward?" The boy asked, sounding almost skeptical.
"No. Why would I need a reward?"
"Because-"
Hama interrupted them, casting a worried warning look to Théoden . "Because sometimes people just do!"
A curious, wordless exchange then occurred between the boys. Estel pretended not to take notice.
"You should probably know," Théoden finally addressed him, looking resigned and troubled all at once. "My father is King Thengel. I can see to it that you will be handsomely rewarded, if you like."
"I am honored by your trust, Prince Théoden." Estel told him gravely. "Tis not an idle thing to share with a complete stranger. While I am doubly honored that you are willing to see that I am rewarded, I truly need nothing. I would have done it regardless of whose child you were."
"If you don't want money, what do you want?" Hama asked, a little incredulous.
"I want only to serve." Estel murmured, more to himself than the children. "Come now, it's getting late. I am sure they are worried about you."
And with that, Estel quickened his pace, leading the children home safely and walking to what he would later learn was the turning of the tide and the beginning of a very long adventure.
AN: Basically I am just turning these out right now because I have had a few days of unexpected time to write and I'm not sure when I will get the chance to do so again. #momlife. That being said, these shorter chapters are so much more manageable...I might get more done in the coming weeks than I thought, although I am about to head back to work part time. Aw well. We shall see!
Next up, I had a request for some time with Emily and Glorfindel! Hope to have it up by the end of tomorrow night for all you who need some Glorfindel encouragement and love! :)
Also, in answer to a question I got on why do I use so many ellipses: Lol, I used them primarily in dialogue as a bit of a cheat in portraying hesitation or thinking on the characters part. When someone is talking and they often have natural pauses in their speech, it can get tedious to just be like 'they paused, thinking' or things like that, so I use them … totally probably overused it though XD
Hope you enjoyed Estel's next step!