Chapter 3

9 Years Later

Little Elear had grown up into a bonny young lad of 10 years old. He, unlike Estel, who was more interested in learning how to wield a sword, spend most his time in Lord Elrond's vast library, perusing through the ancient scrolls.

Lord Erestor was quite content that at least one of the fosterlings dedicated himself to learning useful things instead of wasting their time swinging a sword like that irreprehensible Glorfindel. How that elf ever learnt to read, Erestor did not know, considering that he was probably holding a sword since he could stand. The boy in front of him, was intelligent; maybe more intelligent than most of the elves here, though Erestor would never say it out loud. He had a fierce thirst for knowledge. He devoured all the books that he could get his hands on. As soon as he learnt to read Quenya, he moved to books written in the Ancient Tongue. Now, he was frantically perusing through the Fall of Gil-Galad, an account of the Last Alliance as if it were the very air he breathed.

"Elear," he called softly. "It is time for you to go outside now. As much as I regret telling you this, sitting inside all day is not good for you. Go on now." Erestor felt like such a hypocrite as he uttered these words. After all, he himself spent all day in the library, going out only at mealtimes. But he was the Chief Advisor. That should earn him his right to live in the library.

Elear looked at him reproachfully, his radiant blue eyes, wide and innocent. "But, Erestor, I am just at the good part. 'Tis too interesting to put down," he pleaded with the older elf. "Also, I did go outside today." for ten minutes, he added in his head silently.

"Alright, tithen pen. If you did, then you may stay in until you finish that scroll" agreed Erestor.

He went back to his work, only looking up at times to check if the boy had finished that page yet.

After some time, Elear got up, and dusted himself. "I am done with the scroll, Master Erestor," he declared.

Erestor looked up from his work and saw that indeed, the boy was done. He was very quick, Erestor noted. "Very well. Now put the scrolls back as you found them, Elear."

Elear dutifully put all the scrolls back in order and piled them in their respective positions. Making sure everything was in organized, he exited the library.

Erestor noted all he did with a careful eye. The child was truly clever as well as obedient. If i t had been Estel, he would have most probably clumsily tipped over the pile of carefully arranged scrolls. Estel, now that he had hit his growth spurt, was all limbs and big feet, much to his embarrassment. Whereas, Elear had arranged the scrolls so that even the little piece that stuck out before he began reading, still did. Erestor shook his head slowly. There was nothing wrong with that child save that he was rather quiet and introverted. He clearly loved to gain knowledge through books. What Glorfindel said about the boy couldn't possibly be true. Not only was it impossible, it was also unlike the boy. He remembered that day, a four years ago when Glorfindel came into his study, running as if a horde of orcs were behind him.

"Erestor!" shouted Glorfindel. "You have not the faintest idea what I just have seen with my own eyes."

Erestor was in the middle of an important letter for King Thranduil. He looked up at the golden haired elf, irritated.

"Pray tell, Glorfindel. I cannot wait to hear what is it that you, Scion of the House of the Golden Flower, saw fit to see?" he asked, sounding like he wanted to do the exact opposite.

" 'Tis the boy, Elear," panted Glorfindel, sounding out of breath, something that an elf does do, ever. "I was walking in the garden for a stroll in the sunshine, and I saw Elear near the edge of the garden. He was bending down over something. I walked over thinking that he had fallen, but when I neared, I heard it." Glorfindel paused for dramatic effect.

"Heard what?" asked Erestor, thoroughly bored with the golden-haired elf's story. Everyone knew that Erestor was busy today. Why that blond elf had to come and disturb him, he didn't know. And the faster he finished his story, the faster he could kick him out.

"I heard hissing." Said Glorfindel . "At first I thought that it was probably something else. But when I came nearer, it was obvious. The boy was crouching next to a snake. An adder. And he was hissing at it. I know what you are going to say," he said quickly when Erestor looked like he was going to argue. "I did think that maybe the boy was playing with the snake, trying to mimic its language, but then, I heard the snake hiss back. I was astounded and when I looked closely, the snake was nodding its head to something the boy had hissed. As if he understood everything that he just said."

"You are imagining things, Glorfindel," replied Erestor. "No one has the ability to converse with animals, save some of the Istari. If you are implying that the boy is an Istar, mellonamin, then you need to see Lord Elrond."

The Balrog Slayer looked frustrated. "I did not imagine anything. I know what I saw. That boy, Elear was clearly conversing with a snake. I know that only some Istari have the ability to converse with animals, but snakes in general have very dark minds and it takes dark skills to speak the language of the serpents. You know it as well Erestor, that there are only few who can speak to a specific animal and none of them are the type of people who deserve to live in Arda."

Erestor was giving this conversation his full attention. Accusing the son of their liege lord was a high offense. And from what he understood, Glorfindel was doing exactly that. "Are you telling me that the boy is connected to Sauron? That he acquired these skills from the Dark Lord? Think about what you are saying Glorfindel. You do not want to offend our lord and master by falsely accusing his son," he advised.

"Of course not," amended Glorfindel hastily. "I did not say that the boy is a spawn of Sauron. I would never in entertain such a notion. Yet, you have to admit, his abilities are suspicious."

"His abilities would only be suspicious only if they existed, Lord Glorfindel," replied Erestor testily. "I for one do not believe that a mere child, who lived in Imladris since the age of 1, is able to learn such dark abilities alone. Have you taken this up with Lord Elrond?"

"No, if this is how you react, Lord Elrond would never believe me. He is blinded too much by the boy to see him truly," said Glorfindel. "Thank you, Lord Erestor, for your opinion on the matter. I had hoped that years of friendship would have taught you by now that I do not lie. But no matter. I see truly how you view this situation." He turned to go out the door.
Erestor felt his face blanch. Was he really so harsh with him? He had only said his thoughts on the matter. Erestor had already liked the boy. He was sweet, charming and a quiet child. Surely, he could not be conversing with a snake.

"Lord Erestor," said Glorfindel suddenly. "Be advised that whatever you say, I am going to keep an eye on that boy. I do not trust him." Then he abruptly shut the door and left.

As soon as he left, Erestor put his head in his hands and sighed, forgetting his very important letter. He had truly made a mess of things. He had brought down the ire of the golden-haired warrior upon him. Still, he could not be expected to believe that a child of ten could do such things? No, Glorfindel could only have dreamt it. Elves were known to have very vivid dreams. He took a deep breath and went back to work.

For the next few days, Erestor watched Elear. From what he saw, Elear was a quiet boy, who didn't do anything suspicious. He only freely talked to Estel and Lord Elrond. To everyone else, he was impeccable polite and good-natured. 'No' Erestor concluded. 'Glorfindel must have been mistaken.'

However, he couldn't let go of a small shiver of dread, whenever he looked at the boy at times. His eyes seemed to have a cold gleam in it. Cold and calculating.

'No, he must have imagined the gleam in his eyes.' But from that day onwards, Glorfindel ceased talking about anything other than business with Erestor, much to his dismay. Both elves were too proud to admit that they could be wrong, and so, a great friendship was lost to the ages.