Learning

Estel: 5

Glorfindel would never in all his life think he'd be stopping Eleniel from taking her first steps.

But there he was.

"Tithen pen, you need to stop trying to walk, alright? Do it for Fin, come on."

The baby stared up at the warrior with wide blue eyes, tilting her head in an adorable fashion that made Glorfindel's heart melt all over again, before grabbing onto his tunic and heaving herself up into a standing position. The balrog-slayer sighed and lifted her into his arms, waiting for the oncoming shriek of protest.

"FIIIIIIIIIIIIN!"

"Shush, sweet one," Glorfindel said desperately, bouncing the elfling in his arms. Why did she have to start walking when her father wasn't here? Eleniel's first word had been his name, and Elrond had never let that go. He would not let him miss her first steps – he would never hear the end of it!

"Would Elrohir just hurry up?" he quietly said to himself, slowly becoming deaf from the screaming. The younger twin had left the room almost five minutes ago to fetch his father. Where was he?

"Here!"

"Thank Eru! She won't stop crying!"

Elrond chuckled as he walked into the room, following after Elrohir. "Well, she is being held by you."

Glorfindel narrowed his eyes. "Yes, Elrond, very funny. Now, may I put your daughter down so she can walk and cease her screaming?"

Elrond smiled, kneeling on the floor a way off from Glorfindel. "You may," he said, watching as his friend placed the little girl on her bottom. "Come to Ada, tithen fileg."

Eleniel's shrieking died down, and she grinned widely, reaching behind her and grasping onto Glorfindel's large hands with her smaller ones. She pulled herself up onto her feet and slowly let go of the warrior, still smiling her gummy smile.

Elladan walked in at that moment, carrying Estel in his arms. "What are we-" he paused, eyes resting on his little sister. "El! You're walking!"

"Not just yet," Elrohir told him from his seat on the couch. Elladan moved to sit next to him, turning Estel around so he was sat on his knees and could watch.

"El'nel walking!" the boy said, clapping happily and giggling when Eleniel copied his movements, almost falling over in the process if it weren't for the balrog-slayer behind her.

"Go on, little one. Go to Ada," Glorfindel said, turning the elfling around so she was facing in the direction of her father.

Eleniel's little face turned into one of pure determination. Her bright eyes stared straight at Elrond, who was kneeling with his arms out to her, and she tentatively took one step forward, wobbling a little.

"That's it!" Elrond called out, smiling proudly. He glanced behind him as the door opened, and Erestor hurried in.

"Did nobody think to come and get me?" the advisor asked irritatingly.

"I looked for you! Honest!" Elrohir insisted, holding both hands up, and Erestor rose one eyebrow before leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.

"Ressor!" Eleniel said, bouncing on her toes slightly. The older elf looked down and smiled at the baby.

"Yes, little one! Now, walk over here. Come on!"

Eleniel turned back to her father and took another step forward. And another. And another. Finally, she reached her destination, stumbling forward, and Elrond swept her up into his arms, standing to his feet and hugging his baby to his chest. "You did it! Well done, Eleniel!"

Everyone in the room was cheering, and the elfling was giggling happily, seeing she'd done something right. She grabbed onto both of Elrond's ears and planted a big, wet kiss on his forehead.

"Lo'you, Adad!" she said, and Elrond would be lying if he said he hadn't felt a tear in his eye at that.

"And I love you, my sweet, sweet girl."

Elvish used:

Tithen pen – Little one

Ada – Daddy

Tithen fileg – Little bird

This was rushed, I'm sorry. I've been trying to get a lot of work done as I go back to school on Tuesday, which just so happens to be my birthday! ~ Gre3nleaf