A/N For the OAA list prompt: Garden

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Erestor's Garden

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Estel sat on the balcony railing, kicking one leg against an ornately carved post. "Why don't you ever help us in the gardens? We had fun today and everyone was there but you."

"I have many duties, Estel, but working out in the gardens is not among them."

"Don't you like gardens? I thought everybody loves gardens."

With a sigh the black-robed elf leaned down and opened a drawer before pulling out a stick of wax and a seal. "Estel, I am busy. I suggest you go to a garden. Feel free to spend a few hours. The entire afternoon would not come amiss."

Estel grinned and nodded wisely. "You want to be rid of me."

"Very astute of you. However, I have no intention of pinning my hopes upon an event that I have never yet had the pleasure of experiencing."

Estel slid bonelessly down the support posts until he sat on the floor cross-legged. "You mean I don't leave."

"As I said." Pressing the seal into a puddle of melted wax, Erestor reached with his other hand for yet another parchment. His desk was placed close to the balcony in this warm spring weather, and he had a good view of the young rascal that plagued his days. Without pausing in his work he said flatly, "If you get your head stuck between the balusters again, I will leave you there until the birds nest in your hair."

Estel jerked his head back, but looked quite taken with this prospect. "That would be fun!"

Erestor shook his head. "Were you ever frightened of me like all the good children are?"

"No, 'cause I'm not good. Glorfindel says I'm a limb of Sauron."

"For once, he and I agree on something." The councilor raised his head and frowned at the human child. "Estel, has Elrond spoken to you about beginning new lessons?"

Estel groaned like a man facing life imprisonment. "Yes. I can't believe there are more lessons. I already have reading lessons and writing lessons and -" he gagged slightly "- depotement lessons and -"

"Deportment. De-port-ment."

Anguished, Estel cried from the heart, "See? I have lessons all the time! How can I have more?"

Erestor smothered the smile that tried to form. "These will be different lessons, Estel. They will be about more grown-up things and I – for my sins – will be teaching you."

Estel leapt to his feet. "You? You will be my new teacher? Ada didn't tell me that!" Estel ran to Erestor and began to tug at the elf's arm.

"Estel! Stop that! What on Arda are you -"

"Get up! Get up! We cannot dance around if you just sit there!"

"Have you taken leave of your senses? I have no intention of – "

"But I'm so happy!" Estel began to dance about on his own. "What are you going to teach me? Huh? Huh?"

Erestor got abruptly to his feet, but not to dance. He grasped the jigging boy by both arms, forcefully stilling him. "Stop grunting like a barbarian! If you will be quiet, I will tell you what you wish to know."

Estel relaxed in the firm hold. That's how it was with Erestor. You had to take him on his owns terms, and his terms did not include hopping around the room. Estel sighed but decided against using his 'child who has had his spirit cruelly broken' expression, since it was best not to overdo that one.

After pinning Estel with a sharp glare for several seconds to see if there would be any more foolishness, Erestor continued. "I will be teaching you history, geography, diplomacy, economics, and many other things. You will have other teachers as well, but your father has given me charge of your education until you reach your majority."

Estel, eyes fixed on a bleak future, protested, "But I've never even heard of dip-whatever and eco - economics. I don't think other children study stuff like that."

Erestor hesitated, selecting his words with care. "You are the son of a ruler, Estel. I think, if you ask your friend Legolas, that you will find he has had to study those subjects as well."

Estel brightened considerably at the mention of his special friend, but continued to fight bravely, "But...he is the son of a king. He is a prince; he will be a king someday."

A strange, rather painful sensation burned behind Erestor's breastbone. His fingers twitched as if they would like to smooth the cheek of the child before him. "You must trust that your father knows what is best for you, Estel." He forced a grin, scaring the boy half to death. "It will not be so dreadful, I promise you. Many of the things you will learn will involve exciting battles and wars, and people in places so far away that they have summer when we have winter, and winter when we have summer."

Estel's eyes glowed, for he was in truth a clever and curious child. "Well, I suppose if they will be interesting things, I will try to learn them."

Erestor said, dry as dust, "I thank you for your forbearance."

Relieved that his Erestor was once again behaving normally, Estel made the one request that was never denied him. "May I have a book?"

Erestor swept an arm in a graceful gesture that indicated Estel's very own shelf with books selected just for him. He chose one, then returned to Erestor's desk to read it, sitting on the floor with his back propped against the side. After some time had passed in amity and, in Erestor's words, blessed silence, Estel returned to his earlier subject. "So you do not like gardens, then?"

Amused at the tenacity of the boy's mind, Erestor turned his head and gazed for long moments at Estel. He took in the lofty brow and the eyes that snapped and sparkled with intelligence. He leaned down and tapped one temple gently. "I do like gardens, Estel. I have been a gardener for many years, but not all gardeners cultivate flowers or good things to eat. It happens I am planning a new garden even now."

"Well, what will you grow then?"

Erestor appeared to ignore the boy as he returned to his work. Estel, used to the councilor's moods, shrugged and went back to reading his book. But the quill in Erestor's hand was still, and his eyes stared straight ahead, seeing not the trees and waterfalls of Imladris, but rather an uncertain future.

// May the Valar aid me! I will grow a king.//

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