Chapter 25 The Surprise

For the next few weeks, they played this game at least once a day. And everyday Estel got better and better. He didn't win every game, but he did beat the majority of the elves who tried to challenge him. He was able to have this playtime because Rumil and Orophin had been called out on patrols.

Then, one day, Estel got the biggest surprise of his life. One of the Royal Messengers came to him and Gilrean and said that the Lady Galadriel wanted them to have luncheon with her. As they were making their way up to the Royal Flet, a blonde-haired Elf met them on the stairs and refused to move.

Then a deep voice spoke from under the hood and said, "I hope that my brothers have been treating you well." As he threw back the hood, Estel ran to greet him. Haldir had finally returned.

The elf took Gilrean by the arm, "May I escort you?"

"Why, of course."

Turning to Estel, Haldir told him that he had received his brother's letters telling him of his progress. "You have surpassed whatever expectations we may have had, Estel. With your mother's permission, we are going to start intensifying your training."

Gilrean had a slight idea what this was really about, but she said nothing to Estel of her inkling. A handmaiden met them at the top, "The Lord and Lady are expecting you. This way please." They were taken to a small room and seated at a long table. Estel looked at his mother with a funny expression when Haldir was seated too. "It's okay. He's here to discuss how well your training is going."

A few moments later, Galadriel and Celeborn were seated as well and the food was brought out. After the meal, Haldir stood up and asked Estel to join him. He walked over to a small table and picked up an object that was wrapped in cloth. "Estel, please kneel. You have been taught to ride. Now you will be taught how to wield a sword so that you will become one that all will fear and respect."

By now, Estel was very confused, but relaxed a little when he noticed the twinkle in Haldir's eye. "You have advanced far in your training in a short while. I have spoken to your mother and her and the Lady Galadriel have agreed that it is time for you to have your own sword."

Haldir slowly unwrapped the clothed object and Estel was surprised to see a short sword made in the style of the Ranger's swords. The pommel was wrapped in blue leather with the sun, moon and stars engraved into the cross part of the hilt. The blade itself had a deep groove down the middle and around it was the following inscription written in the Elven Rune system:

Bell edonnen

Ion mhedui Erain

Tegi hon onnen

Estel e-Ndunedain

Strong he was born

Last son of Kings

To lead he was born

Hope of the Dunedain.

Haldir knelt before Estel. "I apologize for being gone so long. I had to journey to Rivendell to ask of Lord Elrond that the smiths fashion you your own sword as we could tell you were ready to learn the art. Your weapon is your life. Keep it close, keep it safe."

He handed the blade to Estel as he helped him stand up. He gazed at the sword in wonder, he had never seen anything so beautiful and it was all his. Estel asked what the runes meant as he had only been taught the Elven script so far. Galadriel told him that that would be revealed to him when they deemed the time was right.