Chapter 40

Estel woke up very early despite having gone to bed so late. He knew the visitors would be leaving and he remembered what Lord Elrond had said about the celebration.

He ran in the next room and jumped on his mother's bed. "Good morning little hunter. Why are we awake so early?"

"Momma, I had so much fun last night with Ada and the Dwarves. Ada even said we might be able to go up to the observatory again. He also said today is the Mid-Summer's Day celebration by the river! Come on, we gotta get ready!" Gilrean had to laugh as Estel tried to pull her out of the bed. "Okay, I'm coming of my own free-will!"

Estel climbed off the bed and ran to get his clothes on.

When they reached the river, they saw the party was already under way; many tents had been set up for eating and dancing. Estel marveled again at the sound of the Dwarven flutes and drums. Gilrean called after him as he ran off, "Be careful! And come back for lunch!"

"I will!"

Estel ran to find Bilbo before he left to wish him good luck on his journey and to tell him goodbye. In the short time the visitors were in Rivendell, Estel had made friends with the hobbit.

Finally, Estel found him. "Mr. Bilbo sir."

"Why hello Estel. Glad to see you could come join the party."

"I just wanted to tell you good luck with the rest of your journey. I would like to hear your stories of the dragon someday if I may. I like dragon stories."

"Thank you. I will have to remember that, so that I can come back to Rivendell some day. I enjoy it very much here. You and I are a lot alike. I always wanted to see Elves and here you are, you get to live with them every day!"

"I know what you mean, though sometimes, they can be a pain, especially older brothers." Estel said this just as Elladan and Elrohir were coming their way. "Oh I see."

Estel did not really have to look down, he and the hobbit were almost eye level, but it was funny to see his brothers having to kneel before Bilbo to say their own goodbyes.

Suddenly, the group heard Gandalf calling for Bilbo. "Well, I suppose I must be off. Estel, if you can, come visit the Shire some day. I think you will enjoy it, if not, I will see you sometime when I do return here."

"Thank you again Mr. Bilbo. It was nice meeting you." And with that, Bilbo was off to join his companions.

The rest of the day was spent dancing, telling stories and eating. The elves seemed to never get tired of merry-making and today was the biggest day of the year for that.

Estel went to bed very late that evening.