Chapter 31—The Lesson of Solitude

Estel looked at the three elves with a worried look on his face. He always got worried when either of his brothers had that mysterious twinkle in their eye; but what really had him worried was that he was outnumbered. All three of the elves had it. Haldir and the twins told Estel to stay where he was for a moment. They came back a few minutes later with their proposition.

"We can't leave our stuff here, so we will pack it up and take it back home. Estel, we have to have your word that you trust us and that you can be trusted. We feel that you are ready for this because of how well you are doing in your training and how mature you have become over the last few months. Honestly, Elladan and I did not recognize you when we saw you standing there at the ceremony," Elrohir said.

Haldir added, "Ever since these two were young, we would always take them to our hideout when they came to visit. We now wish to bestow the same honor on you. It is an honor as there are few who know about it. This is a special place because it is a place of complete solitude and where the world around you makes you feel as though you were not even a part of its being."

Estel looked at the three elves in wonder. He had never heard any of them talk like this and he always welcomed another opportunity to become one with nature. Estel loved the outdoors; it was in his blood as a Dunedain. They quickly packed up their camp and headed back. Haldir told them that he was required to check in with his troop that afternoon, but he would make it quick. "Meet me at the northern edge of the city in two hours time."

They all meet at the appropriate time and place a few hours later. Estel, by now was more curious than ever as his brothers refused to tell him anything about this little expedition. Elrohir informed Gilrean of where they were going, at least someone should just in case, while Elladan went and raided the kitchen for some snack foods. They had promised Gilrean that they would return before dark and they had no intention of breaking that as they were still on probation for the hair incident.

"Estel, this is where we test your trust in us. We are the only ones who know the way and for the time, must stay that way. We need to blindfold you, we promise that we will not cause you to trip or anything like that," Elladan explained. "Ok, I trust you," Estel replied. Haldir withdrew a blue scarf from his belt and tied it around Estel's eyes. They gently led him along the path, which went faster than they had anticipated because of Estel's willingness to be led. At last they reached their hideout. They turned Estel around a few times and then removed the blindfold.

He had to blink not only from the blinding sunshine, but also from the incredible beauty that was around him. They were in a glade much like the one used for training, but this was more remote and as Estel looked around him, he saw that running through the trees was a small brook. The field was covered in the beautiful silver starflowers of Lórien. Estel breathed in deeply. He loved the smell of the water and flowers all rolled into one like it was here.

The three elves also had to remind themselves where they were. It had been many years since Elladan and Elrohir had looked upon the beauty of the "Hidden Valley".

"Always remember, Estel that any answer you may need can be found in the beauty of nature that is constantly around you. And it will always be your closest ally. Though it may sound absurd, the trees and flowers will always lend a nonjudgmental ear to anything you may have to say or get out but can tell no one else."
They sat down in the middle of the flowers and ate the bread and cheese that Elladan had brought. After a while they noticed it was beginning to get dark. They hated to break the serenity, but they had to. Elrohir reached down to Estel and helped him stand. "It's time to go back, but anytime you want to visit, let us know," he said with a wink.