Chapter 41

After the Dwarves left, Estel began training with the guards.

Estel very much enjoyed the bow and arrow, but his favorite was sparring with the sword. Elladan and Elrohir had promised him when he was younger that one day they would spar with him and they eventually made good on that promise, which was a huge treat to Estel. He never beat them, but he didn't care, he was having fun.

Estel always came back exhausted, but the masters all agreed that he was progressing nicely. Then in the afternoons he would have lessons in the library with Glorfindel or Elrond. These usually consisted of learning either about history or the ways of the healers or refining his skills in speaking the Elven language.

They began teaching him the art of the bow and arrow for it was used just as much as the sword. The craftsmen gave Estel a finely crafted bow of his own. The ones the Elves used were too big for him, so it was ordered that this one be crafted for him. There were no special adornments, save the tips that had been carved out in the small shapes of dragonheads at each end.

The twins were almost immediately called back out on hunts when they returned from Lórien. Though, they stayed gone for shorter amounts of time than before.

After the adventure in Lórien, Gilrean flat out refused to let Estel out of the boundaries of The Last Homely House. He was able to go to his training in the fields, but no further. Elrond understood her worries, but her reluctance was beginning to give him a very big headache. The masters came to him almost daily to complain that the practice Estel was receiving would stick better if he had to use the skills in the wild. On this day, Elrond had had enough and told Glorfindel as much. Glorfindel then took it upon himself to go find Gilrean and talk to her.

Gilrean was startled out of her thoughts by a knock at the door. She was surprised when she opened it and saw Glorfindel standing there.

"Glorfindel, this is a surprise. Is something wrong?"

He bowed. "No, my lady. Elrond is worried about something and I took it on myself to sort it out."

Gilrean let him in and led him to her study. "What has Elrond so worried and why does it concern me?"

"Apparently, the masters are a bit upset that Estel has not had the opportunity to gain the experience of using what is being taught to him in real situations."

"So, what are you saying? That Lord Elrond wishes me to relent my position in regards to my own son?"

Glorfindel stared at her with his mouth open. "Do not look so shocked my dear elf. I notice more than you two give me credit for."

He could not find words for several minutes; he had never seen Gilrean so inflamed. "Yes, my lady. Though we do hope you will relent soon. What happened in Lórien could not have been prevented. He ended up safe in the end. Please rethink your position," he finally replied. With a respectful bow, he let himself out.

After the Elf Lord left, Gilrean sat down in the chair with a sigh. She did not enjoy how fast her son was growing up and how seemingly powerless she was to stop the changes. More than anything, she did not appreciate being told how to raise him; though she knew in her heart of hearts that if the Dunedain had stayed together, he would have begun this training far earlier than with the elves. She then decided she would find Elrond and give her permission for the masters to take him on their expeditions.

Later on, the news was broke to Estel who was overjoyed, despite the misfortune with the spiders; he had enjoyed the week on patrol in Lórien. If he had the choice, he knew what he would ask. One of the things that had intrigued him from Bilbo's story was the trolls that they had been captured by. He had every intention of seeing these beasts of stone.