Reneal led Estel further downstream to a place where the waters calmed slightly. Estel was becoming more and more nervous; this was too far from the others. He had already seen many shallow places along the way at which they could have crossed at, but Reneal would not listen to him.
"Let's try to ride across here. Hopefully it won't be too deep." Reneal watched as Melian sank rapidly to her belly in the water. He was a little agitated to have to lose such a fine horse, but sacrifices must be made somewhere.
Melian did not like the water, especially when it was this deep. She had flattened her ears when it had proved too deep. Now Estel clicked the reins and backed them out of the danger. He was grateful for the training his brothers had given on riding horses. When they were back in the shallow water, she halfway raised her ears. Something about this place and the atmosphere was making her nervous. She could feel Estel's anxiety as well.
"She doesn't like this place, Reneal," said Estel. "And I agree with her. I think we should try someplace else."
"Maybe you should leave the thinking and leading to those who are older and more qualified," Reneal said with disgust.
"I… don't understand, Reneal." Estel had never heard that tone in Reneal's voice before. Estel was very confused, but now he was beginning to see a strange fire in the Ranger's eyes.
"Of course you do not understand! You are a child! And you have been raised by… Elves!" Reneal spat out the word as if it tasted bad in his mouth. "Don't you see? They are trying to trick you. They are trying to hide your true destiny from you! You should be in the wilds with the Rangers instead of living in a nice home in Rivendell. The Elves corrupt Men; they make them weak. Weak like Arathorn."
"Don't say that!" retorted Estel, fury rising in his young heart. "My father was not weak!"
"He is dead, is he not? He shouldn't be though. If he had been a stronger leader, or had given up being Chieftain then maybe he would still be alive. And then I wouldn't have to watch the future of our people run away to the Elves for help!" Reneal had always had a bitter hatred for the Elves and he had inwardly been loathe in allowing Gilrean and her son to move to Rivendell.
"What do you mean?" Estel asked a tremble in his voice. Hearing these words cut him deeply. A tear that he could not stop trickled down his cheek.
Reneal laughed at him. "I can see it; you too are weak! You should leave the leadership of the Dùnedain to me. I know how to lead them, and I will keep them pure and strong. The blood must not be thinned anymore. You know that I speak truly."
Estel couldn't place what he done that had made Reneal so furious with him. He knew only that the other was leading his horse slowly closer to him, and that a fire was burning in his eyes that made him quaver inside. Melian laid back her ears but did not move. Then he saw it, the fire that was there was the blaze of jealousy.
Reneal was right beside Estel now. Estel looked squarely at him, shoving his fear away. "We went to Rivendell to be safe. Lord Elrond would never harm my mother or me. He and Glorfindel are training me so that I may lead one day. I do not see how this could be a bad thing. I have promised to do my best. Reneal, from what I can see, the other Rangers respect you and that you have helped get them through."
Reneal's face darkened at Elrond's name. "You would listen to a half-elf before taking the word of a Dùnedain? You are no leader!" Suddenly Reneal reached down and grabbed Estel's foot, throwing him over his horse and into the deeper water.
Estel came up gasping for air. He struggled against the strong current, keeping his head above the surface. Suddenly, a hand closed on his collar and he was dunked roughly beneath the water. Reneal jerked him up out of the water and threw him onto the sand bar in the shallow water.
Reneal stood over him. "A young ranger must learn who leads the tribe, and I believe it is time you learned that lesson." Estel struggled as the man grabbed his tunic again, lifting him out of the water.
Estel was afraid that he would hold him in the deep water again. Again he was grateful for the torture of his brothers. He could hold his breath for several minutes, but he feared that would not be enough against the man. Reneal was twice the size of him and much stronger, this would not be an easy fight.
Then Estel remembered something that Elrohir had taught him.
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"Estel, I never want to hear that you used this move so you have an unfair advantage," Elrohir had said. "Promise me."
"I promise."
"If you ever find yourself against someone you know you can not beat, kick them in shin or stomach as hard as you possibly can, then run as fast as you can and get help. Understand?" Estel nodded. "Good."
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So Estel kicked hard, and Reneal fell back cursing, dropping the lad to the sand again. The man staggered backward and tripped, landing in the rough waters behind. Estel could see that he had gotten caught in the swift current as he was being carried downstream. There was no way he could help Reneal, unless he wanted to suffer the same fate.
Estel watched in horror as Reneal's head hit a boulder, then sank and did not reappear.
Estel quickly grabbed the stirrups of Melian's saddle, and she helped him clamor out of the river, where he shivered, soaked to the skin.
Reneal's horse followed them out, shaking itself and looking not at all concerned for his rider.
Estel fretted, wondering if he should stay or ride back for help.
"Stay here," he said to Reneal's mount, and he pulled himself into Melian's saddle with an effort, riding quickly back to the camp, wondering if he should feel guilty for what he had done. In truth, he was still angry with Reneal for the things he had said about Arathorn.
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Estel did not remember falling off of Melian, but he did. He woke up on the bank of the river with her standing over him nuzzling his face.
Estel sat up slowly; he had a huge headache. Melian knelt down so he could climb back on. He could see the campfire at the top of the hill; he was almost there.
The Rangers had been on the lookout for signs of Reneal and Estel. They were about to send a search party when Estel appeared over the ridge, riding slowly.
Gilrean came running up him as he dismounted. She had been pacing frantically for over an hour, worried about her son.
"Cornal! He's hurt!" Gilrean yelled. Softly, she laid him down in the grass, "Estel, where is Reneal? Tell me what happened!"
As Cornal tended to the gash on his head, Estel quietly told them about the incident on the River. He told as much as he could remember in-between sobs.
"Reneal…is…..gone. He…he….tried to attack me. He…hit his head…and…never…came….back up. His horse…stayed down stream when…I came back."
"Sh, sh… it's okay. We'll send a few Rangers to go look. Estel, look at me," Gilrean said softly. "What happened was not your fault. I'm so sorry that I didn't listen to you. Try to get some rest and we'll try to head out soon." Gilrean took her son in her arms and wept with him until he passed out again. She was unwilling to put him down.
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The party reached the Northern border of Lothlorien about two weeks later.
For once in his life, Estel did not have much to say. He was still recovering from the shock of being attacked and watching so many brave Rangers die. Reneal's words still rang in his ears. The Elves did not make men weak. He would be fine. He never told his mother what Reneal had said about Arathorn.
Estel had heard what she told him about it not being his fault, but he still felt that it was. Everyday he wondered about what was so special about himself that had caused Reneal to become so jealous.