C. 37 Homecoming

Finally, all was made ready for their journey home and they left the fair wood of Lothlorien. All of them were very reluctant to take the passes through the mountains but it was decided that it would be the quickest way home. They left a few days after Estel turned 10.

They met very few if any travelers on the fields to the river. Estel enjoyed this part of the trip the most because he could ride ahead with no danger of getting into trouble because there were no trees anywhere close to the path they were riding. He had missed being able to really take Melian riding while in Lórien. Estel definitely knew how to handle her well for he would get her going at a gallop for a while, then slow her back down or even backtrack their path and ride back with the others for a while.

On their first full week out of Lórien, Elladan and Elrohir challenged Estel to a race. It was hard to come up with markers so they decided to wait until they could see the river and then race to it. A few days later, this challenge was accepted. The three raced to the river as fast as they could trying to beat each other. It was refreshing to feel the wind in their faces and see the green grass and flowers flowing swiftly under the hooves' of the horses. Elladan ended up beating his brothers, but not by much. Gilrean and Elrond had sped up their pace too so that they could see the race. They all stopped by the riverside for their mid-day meal and a small nap even. They were in no real hurry to return, so they paced their days at a fairly even rate. When it was time to continue, Estel suddenly froze where he was as the memories of Reneal's attack came back to him.

"Estel, you must hurry. We need to reach the mountains before dark; it is growing more dangerous now for us to be in the open. What is wrong?" Elrond asked him as he re-crossed the river to see why he wasn't moving.

"I don't know. I can't make myself get across the river."

Gilrean had heard Elrond's question and rode back and whispered to him, "This is close to where Reneal attacked him."

"Oh, I see now. Estel, you cannot be afraid to cross water just because of one very unfortunate incident. Come on, I will ride across with you, no matter how slow it goes." He called to Elladan and Elrohir, "Take Gilrean and set up camp as soon as you can, we will catch up with you when we can." The brothers nodded and rode off.

"Okay, Estel. It is just you and me. I will help you get through this. I know you know how to ride, so just kick your legs and Melian will do the rest for you. It is alright to be afraid, but you can't let that fear stop you. Courage is to kick that fear in the face by accomplishing what it is you are afraid of."

Estel tried but he couldn't stop his brain from thinking about what had happened. Finally, he managed all his willpower and concentration in telling his feet to move the way they were supposed to and within a few minutes they were across the river. Elrond smiled at his foster son. "Now that that is over, let's go catch up with your mother and the twins." They rode at a fairly fast, but steady pace and found where they had set up camp for the night just as the stars were rising in the sky.

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Spring was in full bloom as they reached Imladris. Estel never thought he would be so happy to see everything that was so familiar to him. They took their horses to the stables and got washed up for the feast that was to follow later that night for their safe return.

Glorfindel had been a twist of knots, he knew he was capable of being in charge while Elrond was gone, but it was a great relief to see his Lord finally home. "Mae Govannen, Glorfindel. I take it everything went well since Imladris is still standing." Estel laughed, it was good to be home.

"Yes, my lord. Everything went very well and I imagine will go better now that you have returned." Estel ran to hug him. Glorfindel held him back at an arm's length so that he could look at him. "You have indeed grown in the year that it has been since I last saw you. What is that hanging by your side?"

Estel had grown so used to wearing his sword that he had almost forgotten it was there. "Oh! That is my sword!" He took it out and let Glorfindel hold it. "This is a good blade. I am sure that you now rival your brothers at swordsmanship," he replied with a wink as he handed it back.

Later that night, they all enjoyed the feast that had been put together in their honor. Afterwards, there was much singing and dancing in The Hall of Fire, but Estel was too tired to join in for once. He had dreadfully missed sleeping in his own bed. Almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was sound asleep and did not wake until the next afternoon.