Chapter 33
There was much celebration after the trials of the day, but finally Estel retired to his room. He was very satisfied in how he had done. He could think of nothing but how proud he was to see the joy on everyone's faces that he was becoming grown up. Maybe faster than some of them cared to admit, but they could all see it. Maybe he would finally win a little more respect from his brothers. He had challenged them to play the cat and mouse game but they both refused. Estel knew that it was the prospect of getting beat by their little brother that kept them from playing. He didn't care. One day he would convince them to play.
Estel awoke the next morning to a sharp poke in his side, which turned into an all out tickle. Estel groggily rolled over to face his tormentor and tried to squirm away, but was unsuccessful. He had been pinned to his bed by a pair of strong arms. "Good morning master sluggard! We give you a night to party and you over sleep! What kind of person are you?" Estel grinned. He knew that voice anywhere. "Well, I'm not a morning one to be sure. And neither am I an elf like you."
Aglarmir released his hold on Estel. Estel was still very tired, but got over it quickly when he had heard the elf. He sat up and faced Aglarmir. "I am sorry that I have missed the last few weeks. I know how important they were. It's becoming odd that our patrols have been called out more and more recently. I know it's a bad excuse, but it's the truth."
"I know. I wish you could have seen me, but oh well. It's over with now."
"Over with? Says who?" Aglarmir replied with a grin. "I don't know what he did, but somehow Lord Elrond convinced your mother to let you go on patrol with my company. Though, it is odd because we will be combining with Haldir's troop for the time being. I heard also that Elladan and Elrohir would be joining us as well."
Estel's grin grew. This was too much. Though, he figured this was some last unspoken test. "Get up and get ready. You have already missed breakfast, but if we hurry we can make the mid-day meal. We will leave in the morning for our duty. That should give you plenty of time to get ready."
Estel thanked Aglarmir and quickly got ready. He ran off to find his Ada and thank him. He found Elrond in one of the gardens. Elrond had his back to Estel. Estel quietly said, "Ada? I wanted to thank you for letting me go on the patrols. I know we won't be going far, but I have wanted to join them on their hunts for a while. It always makes me sad when I am the only one left after they have gone."
"You are welcome, but you really should thank your mother more than I. The Lady Galadriel and I talked to her about allowing you to take this next step. This is important in many ways, and I think you know this, but you are to listen and do everything your brothers, Aglarmir or Haldir tells you to do. They will all be in serious trouble if they abuse this or cause you harm. I doubt they will, but I am letting you know just in case."
"I know. And thank you again." And with that, he ran off to find his mother.