Chapter 34

The next morning after all had been prepared, the company set off. They really did not want to draw any unwanted attention and with Aglarmir and Haldir's troops together, they were afraid this would happen. So it ended up being a small party of only about 20 or so and the rest were sent to detail elsewhere in the forest. Estel was throughouly excited. Not only was he getting to spend extra time with his brothers and closest friends, but also he was finally going to be able to say that he had been on patrols with the guards of Lothlorien.

Gilrean had completely balked at the idea to begin with, so she had said her good-bye to Estel privately. She had indeed given her consent to let him go, but it was very reluctantly. But Elrond and Galadriel had helped ease some of those apprehensions by reminding her that not only would Elladan and Elrohir protect their brother to the death, but also that Haldir and Aglarmir would be there to protect and guide him if needed.

When they stopped for the noonday meal, Estel was relieved. Maybe now he would have a chance to talk. They had told him to be absolutely quiet while they had been walking and it was about to drive him crazy. He was beginning to think that going out in the wilderness wasn't all that it was cracked up to be.

He tried in vain for a little while to make small talk with some of the other elves, but either because they did not all speak the Common Speech or just because they were not used to it, most of the elves ignored him. Finally, he gave up and went and sat down on a log a little ways away from the rest of the group. Elladan noticed this and motioned to Elrohir. Estel seemed to listen to him better, so he went to see what the problem was. "What is wrong Estel?" he asked softly.

Estel stumbled for the right words. "I guess that I had the wrong impression of what was done on patrols or hunts. I had always pictured they were like The Hall of Fire at night when everyone gathers around to sing and have fun."

Elrohir looked at his little brother with compassion. "Maybe we gave off the wrong impression to you. Being gone all the time sounds adventurous to any child, elf or human. The reason they don't talk is it against the rules. Many understand you, but to a guard, silence is an absolute necessary. Being too loud or having a huge bonfire only attracts unwanted attention. Do you understand what I mean?" Elrohir had had a hard time understanding this as well on his first few trips, but had learned very quickly after a few unfortunate accidents with wargs.

"Yes, I do. Though, I do wish we could talk a little bit, I mean we are not that far from the city yet."

"This is true. I will see what I can do. Get your things together, we're off again in a few moments."

And so for the majority of the week, this was the order of things. They would rise early in the morning and begin their march only stopping a short while for the mid-day meal. Then, they would continue on their way until just past sunset. Along the way, the elves were teaching Estel some tracking skills.

The only thing they did not trust him to do was be the watchman in the night. A few times they woke him extra early so he could watch for a few hours, but never more. They knew he was too young to keep his attention that focused for long.

But on the way home things took an ugly turn…