The Bridge
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or anything, just the storyline and the idea.
Author's note: I posted this chapter together with the prologue because it just didn't seem right to just post the prologue...this is where the story really begins anyway. Hope you enjoy it! Comments on how to improve the story will be greatly appreciated.
Here's Chapter 1:
Chapter 1: Glorfindel
"Now Estel, whatever you are going to do now is very dangerous," said Elladan, knowing that this would do the trick of arousing interest in the small boy.
Estel's eyes shone and became bigger.
"It is so dangerous that—" started Elladan
"If you do it when we are not here—" continued Elrohir
"Ada will lock you up in your room for a week,"
"Erestor will give you one whole month's worth of work,"
"Glorfindel will stop playing with you,"
"And," they chorused together, "we will all be given a lecture on safety by Ada."
"Now, we won't want that happening, would we, Estel?" asked Elrohir.
Estel, who was then rather confused by the twins, nodded his head automatically.
"Okay Estel, now, we are going to introduce you to the place best for springing on people."
The twins led Estel to the bridge. Estel peered over the bridge past the railings (which were put there to 'protect' young children (like Estel) and elflings from falling over) carefully and frowned.
"That is not very high, El. I thought you said it was fun."
"It is," Elladan—or Elrohir—answered. "We played it when we were younger."
"All you have to do, Estel, is to wait. Wait for someone to pass by, then you jump and spring on them from the top. However, you can only do it to Ada, Glorfindel or Erestor when they are ALONE, with US here. Do it to anyone else and at any other time, it will not be fun and we will all be punished. And Ada will lecture you on diplomacy. So the rules, Estel, are?"
"Do it only when 'Dan and 'Ro are here, and only to Ada, Glorfindel and Erestor when they are alone."
The twins nodded their heads (in unison) in approval.
Just then, Elladan spotted Glorfindel walking peacefully towards the bridge. Elladan nudged Elrohir and both of them stood at the edge of the bridge and assessed him.
No sword, no armour, and no sharp pointy weapons that could hurt Estel. A very rare state to find Glorfindel in, and the perfect opportunity to play the prank at him. The twins nodded their head happily. It must be their lucky day.
"Now, Estel, Glorfindel is coming. Are you ready?" Elrohir asked. Seeing the boy nodding excitedly, the twins smiled and set him on the edge of the railings and got him ready for the jump. Estel stood on the railings, both of his hands grasped firmly by either of the twin, heart pumping madly.
It felt almost eternity for Glorfindel to cross under the bridge.
"Now!" whispered Elladan, and both twins let go of Estel's hands. Estel aimed for Glorfindel's shoulder and jumped.
"GLORFINDEL!"
Glorfindel, upon hearing his name, looked up and his blood froze.
Estel was falling towards him.
Estel. Was. Falling.
Had it been a Ringwraith, a Balrog or even a fuming Elrond, Glorfindel would not have been that afraid.
And so the Captain of probably all the warriors of Imladris, a great warrior reborn and former Balrog slayer panicked. Over a child of no more than seven or eight years of age.
Two identical snickers could be heard from above the bridge at this thought.
However, as much afraid as Glorfindel was, his warrior instincts kicked in and in no time, he had launched himself up and caught Estel successfully. Indeed, the moment Estel landed in his arms, he felt a burden suddenly lifting from his heart and he let out a huge sigh of relief.
He would not want to imagine what would happen if he had failed to catch Estel. As much as Elrond had been his friend for almost forever, he wasn't sure if his friend would forgive him if he let his precious son get a tiny scratch, let alone a concussion. He would also definitely not want to face an angry and worried Elrond demanding an explanation if he had dragged a bloodstained unconscious Estel into the healing room.
"Glorfindel!" Estel greeted happily, "that was fun!"
No need to ask who taught Estel this, thought Glorfindel wryly. Setting the child down, Glorfindel called out to the bridge above.
"Are you two going to come down, or am I going to go up to get you?"
At this point, two identical faces poked out from above the bridge and looked down at Glorfindel. They looked ready to escape any time.
"Really you two, teaching Estel these things! What if he got hurt?"
"…you know he wouldn't…" mumbled Elladan
"Which is beside the point. Estel is only seven! How can you teach him these?"
"Really Glorfindel, this is dangerous when he has tumbled down stairs, scaled walls and even dropped off cliffs? But of course we taught Estel the safety rules. He wouldn't be hurt anyway; he'll land on you," finished Elrohir.
Glorfindel, suddenly at a loss of what to say, huffed and claimed that he had to tell Lord Elrond about this. As he walked away, the twins' eyes widened. He was about to spoil their plans.
"You can't, Glorfindel!"
"We haven't tried on Ada!"
Glorfindel continued walking.
"Surely," tried Elladan again, "you want to see Ada's priceless shocked face? After he has thrown you so many scouting missions and left you away from your warm bed for so long?"
Glorfindel stopped walking. It was true. Elrond deserves a bad shock sometimes, just so that Glorfindel can laugh about it and have his revenge, if nothing.
"Alright, but make sure Estel is safe. And just describe the incident to me when it happens. I don't want to be involved. Remember, I know nothing about this."
With that Glorfindel strolled off quickly, leaving the twins and an excited Estel.
"Again, El, again!"
-Next chapter to be uploaded-
On a side note, I'm contemplating whether or not the bridge should have railings. Any comments?