Post by Rhonda on May 22, 2014 21:49:31 GMT -5
Chapter 12 – Duty and Forgiveness
Erestor could hear the sound of Elrond’s voice long before he reached the door. He momentarily stood frozen, listening to the dressing down the twins were receiving. He noted that the only voice he could hear was that of Elrond; no sound could be discerned coming from the twins. Although the voice was recognizable, the tone was one that he had not heard in ages. Strong, authoritive, and definitely taking no quarter, he was almost afraid to knock. But knock he did, unfortunately the response he received from the other side was not what he had expected.
“Not Now!”
“I am sorry Milord, but it is somewhat urgent that I speak with you.”
When the door opened he was able to see past Elrond’s shoulder into the room, what he saw both shocked and amazed him. In the middle of the room, standing at full attention like two new recruits in a Glorfindel training session, were the twins.
“What is it that could not wait Erestor?” The voice was still authoritive but the tone had lessened greatly.
“I am sorry to disturb you Milord but a traveling party approaches Imladris. The sentries have confirmed that Prince Legolas is a member of that party and though they could not confirm it, they believe that King Thranduil is also among the travelers.”
The twins didn’t move, they didn’t dare to, but at the mention of the prince’s name they cast excited glances at each other.
“Thranduil? Here?”
“Yes my Lord.”
“Well this is certainly an unexpected turn of events. How soon will they arrive?”
“Within the hour Milord.”
“I take it that everything is in readiness for them?”
“No Milord, I have only just been made aware of their arrival minutes ago and…”
“And what Erestor?”
“Your instructions Milord…you said that I must have all household issues approved by you.”
Elrond looked both flustered and embarrassed. He had not stopped to think through his edict about the household when he’d issued it, and now he realized just how much the smooth running of his house depended on Erestor having free reign to do whatever was necessary.
“Hummn, I did say that,” he acknowledged sheepishly. “Well just ignore that Erestor. Obviously this house will not run smoothly if you have to check with me every time the color of a tablecloth needs to be decided. You are to resume your duties for the household as before…with the exception of teaching Estel, my decision on that stands.”
“Understood Milord. I had better get started, if the King is traveling with Legolas he will expect nothing less than the best that Imladris has to offer, and I have much to do to make that happen.”
“Hummp, send word to me when he reaches the gate and I will meet you on the steps to welcome him.”
“Yes Milord.” As Erestor turned to leave, Elrond had one last bit of instruction.
“Erestor, please make sure that everyone is on their best behavior, Thranduil will expect a certain level of…pomp…and deference. Now, I do not expect anyone here to start taking to a knee whenever they are in his presence, but they must remember that he is no ordinary guest, and treat him with the respect that a king is due.”
“Of course Milord.”
“And for Elbereth’s sake Erestor please stop calling me ‘Milord’, you make me sound ancient.”
A wisp of a smile gently curled the corner of Erestor’s mouth but Elrond interrupted him before he could speak. “Do not even think to put voice to the thought that is running through your mind,” he said straightening his robes, as one imperial eyebrow climbed toward his hairline. “I am not that old, and it is most annoying when others intimate that I am.”
“As you will Mil…Elrond, I will take care of everything.”
Elrond nodded his approval and Erestor quickly turned and left the room. As he hurried towards the stairs he spoke aloud to the tapestries and the paintings as he passed…”Just what I need to make this a ‘perfect’ day,” he said sarcastically, “his royal haughtiness…Thranduil. Elbereth be praised, is it possible for this day to get any worse?”
Had the Valar been of a mind to answer, the response would have shocked him, for things were indeed about to become worse than anything he could have expected.
~~~~~
Estel sat in the middle of Haldir‘s bed in the room the Marchwarden shared with his brother. The child was quiet and half-heartedly played with his toy soldiers moving them silently across the white linen counterpane that covered the bed. Rúmil was trying to no avail, to get a response from the boy, but nothing seemed to be working. This behavior was more than a little unusual; it was completely out of character for the tiny adan boy. Estel loved to play and playing with an adult was always a treat for him. Since arriving in Imladris Rúmil had become one of his favorite playmates.
“Wú,” as he called him, was always willing to come down where he lived, on the floor, to lay there hour after hour with his wooden soldiers, strategizing, moving troops, conquering the imaginary enemy. Fascinated with the outgoing personality of the child, Rúmil looked forward to his “duty hours” with the boy and often argued with Haldir when it was time for him to leave to take care of other responsibilities. Spending time with Estel had had an unexpected bonus, it served to remind him of his youth, of times when he was the little brother and would jealously guard his time with Haldir…for fear that Orophin world steal him away. Not one who was known for giving up easily, Rúmil tried another tact. If he could not get the little one to play then perhaps he could get him to talk.
“Estel, are you angry?” The boy stuck his lip out as far as it could go and looking up at Rúmil with the saddest set of eyes the warden had seen since his own young days of lip pouting, he simply nodded his head yes.
“Are you angry with me little one?” Estel quickly shook his head no and moved closer to Rúmil leaning against the warden and wrapping his little chubby arms around Rúmil’s.
“Are you mad at Halli?” Estel sat up so sharply the top of his head almost knocked the sentry out when it hit him in his chin. Estel gave Rúmil an astonished look, as he vehemently shook his head no.
“What about Erestor, are you mad at Erestor?”
“Oh no,” the child said, again shaking his head. “I Westor’s liddle love…love Westor.”
“Then who sweetling?” The Elven endearment made the child smile for the first time that afternoon.
“I Westor’s sweetling too” he said grinning.
“Then who has made you upset Estel?”
“Brudders!” he said as he folded his arms across his chest defensively, the scowl returning to his brow.
“Dan and Roh?”
“Bad brudders! Not speakin’”
“Ahhh, I see. So what did they do that has you so angry that you will not speak to them?”
“Dey made Ada mad. Ada never gets mad. You ‘member when I made lunch for Ada and made him sick? Ada turned green and still dinna get mad at me. Dey made him mad…an Dan hit Glorfy! Bad elves, bad, bad, bad,” he said waggling one chubby little finger under Rúmil’s nose.
“Well now, I know a little something about bad elves…I used to be one,” Rúmil smiled.
Estel was shocked, “You Wú?”
“Oh yes, for a while there when I was your size I was bad a lot.”
Estel looked at his friend in disbelief, “Uh uh.”
“Yes really. Shall I tell you a story about it?”
Estel immediately crawled up onto Rúmil’s lap; the expectant look on his face was priceless.
“Tell Me,” he said grinning.
“Well it was a long time ago and I was very little, very stubborn, and I am ashamed to say…not a little spoiled.” Rúmil pulled the boy to him and leaned back against the headboard and proceeded to tell Estel about the beginning of his family’s journey to Lothlórien.
(Flashback)
It was almost noon and the party had been on the road for roughly two hours. Everyone rode their own horse with the exception of the two youngest ellyn who were doubled up with their parents. Orophin was content to ride with his mother, while Rúmil, not so contentedly rode with their father. Under other circumstances Rúmil would have been thrilled to ride anywhere with his father, but he was not pleased with the fact that Haldir got to have a horse of his own, and wanted to ride as his big brother did…alone. But then, Rúmil always wanted to do everything exactly like “his” Halli, for that is the way he referred to Haldir, as though he belonged solely to him.
“Ada, when we stop for a rest, can I ride with my Halli?”
“What is wrong pigen dae (tiny shadow) is your father’s company too boring for you today?”
“No, you not too boring Ada, I just wanna ride with my Halli for a while…Halli always looks for things and shows them to me,” the little one said with a hopeful smile.
“Ah…I see, and just what kind of things does Haldir show you?”
“Sometimes he shows me birds, or squirrels, sometimes he sees rabbits…and one time he saw a fox Ada…a real fox!”
“Anything else?”
“He showed me Athelas a couple of times…I can find it all by myself now Ada.”
“Very good…so you are learning something when you are out with your brother?”
“All the time Ada, Halli shows me lots of things…did you know that centipedes do not really have a hundred legs?”
“Do they not?” he said feigning ignorance.
“No they do not…Halli caught one for me once and we counted them…they do not have nearly enough legs to make a hundred,” he said emphatically.
“Well, it certainly sounds like you are learning a lot from your brother.”
“Oh, I am Ada, I am,” he said, nodding his head assuredly.
“Would you not rather continue riding with me?” Heson inquired.
“No offense Ada, but you take up a lot of room…I am not that comfortable.”
Heson, however, was not buying into the “I am uncomfortable” story and offered an option that Rúmil did not expect. “You know Rúmil, it has been said that I am a pretty fair tracker. I will wager, that if I tried, I could find a few furry creatures for you to see.”
He hadn’t expected that. Usually his father was only too willing to allow him to do whatever Haldir was doing. This was a wrinkle in his plans that he hadn’t anticipated. Rúmil, however, was determined. This would probably be the only time all day that he would get to have Haldir all to himself, and he wasn’t giving up so easily. Young as he was, he’d learned fairly quickly, that with his father it was always best to be completely forthcoming. Things just had a way of working out to his advantage that way. So, with his best sad face in place, he dropped the emotional bomb he hoped would get him what he wanted.
“I know you are a good tracker Ada, but I want to ride with my Halli because I miss him. Now that Orophin is here I never get to spend time with my Halli alone. There is always someone butting in Ada, just like a goat! If it is not Orophin, then it is all those ellith who keep visiting the house looking for him. My Halli does not have time for me anymore and I do not like it!”
The middle child’s sudden outburst surprised Heson, and everyone within earshot, including Haldir…but then, that was Rúmil’s intent. He wanted Haldir to know that he was not pleased with him, and he was most successful in his mission. Heson’s surprise mirrored his wife Adarian’s, but it was mother, not father, who set the little hellion straight. Turning in her saddle she said, “Rúmil, that is enough. I will have no more of your petulance. You are being quite disrespectful, and I would have you put an end to it now. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Ammë.”
“And you will apologize to Haldir…your brother has been nothing but kindness to you throughout this entire ordeal, and I will not have you upsetting him further.”
“Yes, Ammë…I sorry Halli, I did not mean to yell at you, honest.”
Haldir stared at Rúmil’s forlorn face and twinkling blue eyes for a moment longer, then reined his horse over beside his father’s mount. Reaching over, he lifted his brother and set him down in front of him. Speaking softly he said, “You will sit still and not wiggle, you will not ask a lot of questions, and you will allow me to ride in peace, agreed?”
Smiling up at his hero, Rúmil leaned back against his brother’s chest and replied, “Agreed, a mouse will not be quieter, I promise.” Settling himself in, Rúmil closed his eyes and allowed his mind to wander as he listened to the beating of his brother’s heart. No sooner was the promise made he wiggled himself even closer to Haldir, warming himself in his brother’s arms. “You are a good brother Halli,” he whispered. Haldir smiled a crooked smile and kissed the top of the elfling’s head saying, “Yes, I know.”
(End Flashback)
“So you see Estel I know a little something about being naughty, I was that way a lot. And do you know what?”
“What?”
“No matter how naughty I was, no matter how much trouble I got into, Halli always forgave me.”
“Always?” the child asked incredulously.
Rúmil glanced over to the open balcony doors and gazed lovingly at his brother who was perched atop the railing surveying the grounds and munching on an apple.
“Yes Estel, every single time…we are brothers – there is no stronger bond.”
Estel considered Rúmil’s words for a moment and then asked, “Wú do you tink I bein’ too hard on dem?”
Rúmil turned his head and coughed in order to stifle a laugh. “I think only you can decide that Estel. Is what they did so bad that you cannot forgive them?”
The child thought about it a little longer and then replied, “Maybe if dey ‘pologise... you not never s’posed to hit anybody…les dey the en’mie. You can hit the en’mie cause they will ‘get you’ if you don’. But you not never s’posed to hit a friend…or family. Glorfy is a friend and family and Dan needs to ‘pologise, den dey both need to ‘pologise to Ada for bein’ pet, pet...”
“Petulant?”
“Yeth dat. Dey was pet-u-lent wit Ada. Dey s’posed to get allll da punishments when dey not nice to Ada.”
“Oh…I see. Is that a rule?”
“Iss my rule!” the boy said emphatically. “Ada is da Worrd of ‘Ladris. Nobody is s’posed to be mean to Ada, you not mean to Ada…Halli iss not mean to Ada, you ‘specful. Dey Elwondions, dey s’posed to be ‘specful all da time.
“Hummn, well when you put it that way…I see your point little one, and you are right.”
“I know,” he said assuredly. “Ev’vabody ‘specful but Dan an Roh, dat’s not right. Dey bad elves, dey not settin’ no good ‘zample.”
“A good example?”
“Yeth.”
“Who taught you about setting a good example,” Haldir said as he returned from the balcony. “Wait, do not tell us, we can guess,” he said as he faced Rúmil. “Erestor!” they said in unison.
“Yeth...how you know?”
The brothers smiled at each other, “Just a lucky guess little one, just a lucky guess.”
~~~~~
Erestor quickly made his way to the kitchen, if it truly was Thranduil on the trail he had to let the Lady Nénilya know as soon as possible. The lady was always genial, at least as long as the running of her kitchen and the quality of her food was not challenged, but she did not like surprises – and especially not for dinner. As he entered the kitchen Adril and Perwaen looked up and smiled at him, with Perwaen subtly nodding her approval at seeing him up and about again.
“Lord Erestor” she nodded.
“Perwaen where is the Lady?”
“She is in the pantry Milord.”
“Thank you,” he said as he made his way to the door. Knocking gently he opened the door and stepped into the chilly room. “Milady?” he called, and Nilya poked her head out from behind one of the many rows of shelves.
“Erestor, Arassuil pen bain, (affectionate greetings lovely one) what brings you to my kitchens on this glorious morn?”
“Maer aur (good morn) Milady, what brings me is travelers on their way to Imladris. The sentries have espied a traveling party, Prince Legolas is among them and it is believed that King Thranduil also approaches.
“Yes Silmo came by earlier to warn me. Are they sure now that it is Thranduil?”
“Yes Milady.”
“Something grave must be afoot if he has ventured out of his stronghold.”
“We are hoping not Milady, the general consensus seems to be that he has come to hear firsthand of our travails with the beast…he was after all, responsible for sending us the book of spells that made its defeat possible.”
“Hummp, no doubt he now wishes to claim the victory for himself,” she said sarcastically.
Erestor smiled, “I think not Milady. He probably just wants to see for himself that all is well. As you know he and Haldir are long time friends, he is probably just concerned over the Marchwarden’s welfare.”
“Does he think us incapable of caring for him? With the most accomplished healer in all of Arda living right upstairs?”
“Please calm Milady…I do not believe that that is the reason for his visit. Everything he hears about us and our lives he hears secondhand, I believe he only wishes to hear firsthand accounts of the battle for himself from those who lived through it…and as I said to see for himself the condition of his friends, Elrond included. They are very close those three, always have been, I believe he is just…worried.”
“Well let us hope that is all it is, for we certainly do not need any more drama in this house.” As soon as the words crossed her lips she realized how it sounded. The implication that there was enough drama thanks to Erestor and Glorfindel, and she regretted her words instantly. “Erestor I am sorry, I was not referring to you and Glorfindel, I simply meant…”
“There is no need to apologize, I know you were not speaking of us, but we certainly have contributed to the unsettling of this house with our antics. Have you seen him since..”
“Since your fight? Yes, in fact you just missed him, he was here a few minutes ago. He should be back soon.”
“Back? He is coming back here?”
“Yes, he has gone to my room to get cleaned up, he is coming back here to get some food for the trail, is that a problem?”
“For the trail? What are you talking about Nilya?”
“Glorfindel is leaving for the Western outpost today.” Erestor turned his head and pretended to busy himself arranging the items on one of the shelves. “I did not know that” he said softly. “It is probably for the best, I guess, Elrond has forbidden us to speak to each other.”
“I heard, but I would not worry overly much about that, I told Del that I will speak to Elrond. You cannot possibly repair your relationship with that kind of edict hanging over your heads.”
“The way things stand I do not know if it can be repaired,” Erestor said quietly.
“Pish tosh, do not be maudlin child, of course it can be fixed, the two of you just need a little time apart to think things through and work it out in your heads. Then when the time is right you will sit down and talk and everything will go back to normal. You know the only reason you are arguing at all is because the two of you are so much alike.”
“Ha, we are nothing alike Nilya.”
“Oh really… well now let me see, passionate, opinionated, perfectionists in the extreme, caring, loving, absolutely live to learn and to teach those around you, dedicated to Elrond and his family and to the best interests of the people of Imladris…so much so that there is no doubt in my mind that you would willingly give up your life to preserve the lives of those in this valley. And then of course there is your stubborn streak.”
“I am not stubborn…and that description could apply to any one of a dozen people here in Imladris.”
“Yes it could…but it fits both you and the golden one like a hand to a glove.”
“What fits me like a hand to a glove?” The question came from the doorway and they looked up to see Glorfindel standing there with his travel pack slung across one shoulder. From his vantage point he could not see Erestor standing off to the right next to the taller shelves. As he stepped into the room he espied the seneschal in his peripheral sightline.
“Oh…I did not realize that you were not alone,” he said as he spoke to Nilya but looked longingly at Erestor. The counselor stood with his head down and his face flushed red with embarrassment.
“I will be leaving within the hour,” he said, again his words were directed at Nilya, but were meant to elicit a response from the seneschal. But Erestor did not look up and did not respond. “I see that you are busy,” he said quietly, “I will go and ready Asfaloth and come back for the food later.”
“There is no need for you to leave golden one, Erestor and I were just discussing the arrival of our guests, apparently Thranduil is on the trail to Imladris. Perhaps you ought to think about delaying your trip until after he and the Prince arrive and are secure behind our gates.”
“Thranduil rides with Legolas?”
“Yes, besides Elrond will probably have to put on a big ‘show’ for him his first night here and your presence as his Caun would be expected.”
“You are probably right Nilya…perhaps it would be best if I postponed my trip until later…protocol dictates that I should ride out to meet him and escort him into Imladris. Elrond will undoubtedly expect that…I better put my things away,” he said stealing another glance at Erestor.
“That sounds like a wise plan.” “Erestor,” she asked, “do you know how many ride to our gates?”
“The sentries were not positive, but they believe at least six, but it could be as many as ten.”
“Well then, we had better get ourselves mobilized. Erestor I will take care of everything here in the kitchens. Glorfindel…”
“I am on my way…is it all right if I leave my travel pack here with you until I return?”
“Of course golden one, I will have one of the servants take it upstairs for you. What room are you in?”
“I am not upstairs anymore” he said as he longingly looked at his mate. “I am in the guest quarters on the first floor, down the hall from Haldir and Rúmil, in the blue room,”
“Very well then…as a matter of fact, Erestor would you mind?” she said as she shoved the pack into his arms, “I am very shorthanded at the moment, we did not know we were having guests so I allowed Menwen and Indórië to take leave after we prepared break of fast. I will have to have someone go and get them for I will need all hands on deck as they say, to prepare evening meal and all the extras I will have to make for tea and whatnot.”
For the first time in anyone’s recent memory Erestor was caught off guard and fumbled for a response. “Nilya I do not think I should go into…”
However, Nilya cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “Is not that blue room the first one you shared with Del? Yes of course it is if my old memory serves.”
Before either elf could speak to protest she was on to her next set of instructions. “Be a good lad and take care of that for me while I get Del on his way. Well do not just stand there like a statue waiting for a bird Del, Thranduil gets closer as we speak. Elrond will never hear the end of it if he rides through those gates unaccompanied. Go on now shoo,” she said as she waved her apron bottom at him, “get going, you are burning daylight,” she urged as she pushed him back and out towards the kitchen entrance.
“Nilya…Elrond has decreed that…”
“Enough Del, go, you take care of Thranduil…let me handle Elrond.” With one last longing glance at Erestor, Glorfindel turned and headed out of the kitchen and Nilya once again focused her attention on the seneschal. “Now,” she said, “my little stubborn one, let us talk about how we are going to fix this.”
Erestor could hear the sound of Elrond’s voice long before he reached the door. He momentarily stood frozen, listening to the dressing down the twins were receiving. He noted that the only voice he could hear was that of Elrond; no sound could be discerned coming from the twins. Although the voice was recognizable, the tone was one that he had not heard in ages. Strong, authoritive, and definitely taking no quarter, he was almost afraid to knock. But knock he did, unfortunately the response he received from the other side was not what he had expected.
“Not Now!”
“I am sorry Milord, but it is somewhat urgent that I speak with you.”
When the door opened he was able to see past Elrond’s shoulder into the room, what he saw both shocked and amazed him. In the middle of the room, standing at full attention like two new recruits in a Glorfindel training session, were the twins.
“What is it that could not wait Erestor?” The voice was still authoritive but the tone had lessened greatly.
“I am sorry to disturb you Milord but a traveling party approaches Imladris. The sentries have confirmed that Prince Legolas is a member of that party and though they could not confirm it, they believe that King Thranduil is also among the travelers.”
The twins didn’t move, they didn’t dare to, but at the mention of the prince’s name they cast excited glances at each other.
“Thranduil? Here?”
“Yes my Lord.”
“Well this is certainly an unexpected turn of events. How soon will they arrive?”
“Within the hour Milord.”
“I take it that everything is in readiness for them?”
“No Milord, I have only just been made aware of their arrival minutes ago and…”
“And what Erestor?”
“Your instructions Milord…you said that I must have all household issues approved by you.”
Elrond looked both flustered and embarrassed. He had not stopped to think through his edict about the household when he’d issued it, and now he realized just how much the smooth running of his house depended on Erestor having free reign to do whatever was necessary.
“Hummn, I did say that,” he acknowledged sheepishly. “Well just ignore that Erestor. Obviously this house will not run smoothly if you have to check with me every time the color of a tablecloth needs to be decided. You are to resume your duties for the household as before…with the exception of teaching Estel, my decision on that stands.”
“Understood Milord. I had better get started, if the King is traveling with Legolas he will expect nothing less than the best that Imladris has to offer, and I have much to do to make that happen.”
“Hummp, send word to me when he reaches the gate and I will meet you on the steps to welcome him.”
“Yes Milord.” As Erestor turned to leave, Elrond had one last bit of instruction.
“Erestor, please make sure that everyone is on their best behavior, Thranduil will expect a certain level of…pomp…and deference. Now, I do not expect anyone here to start taking to a knee whenever they are in his presence, but they must remember that he is no ordinary guest, and treat him with the respect that a king is due.”
“Of course Milord.”
“And for Elbereth’s sake Erestor please stop calling me ‘Milord’, you make me sound ancient.”
A wisp of a smile gently curled the corner of Erestor’s mouth but Elrond interrupted him before he could speak. “Do not even think to put voice to the thought that is running through your mind,” he said straightening his robes, as one imperial eyebrow climbed toward his hairline. “I am not that old, and it is most annoying when others intimate that I am.”
“As you will Mil…Elrond, I will take care of everything.”
Elrond nodded his approval and Erestor quickly turned and left the room. As he hurried towards the stairs he spoke aloud to the tapestries and the paintings as he passed…”Just what I need to make this a ‘perfect’ day,” he said sarcastically, “his royal haughtiness…Thranduil. Elbereth be praised, is it possible for this day to get any worse?”
Had the Valar been of a mind to answer, the response would have shocked him, for things were indeed about to become worse than anything he could have expected.
~~~~~
Estel sat in the middle of Haldir‘s bed in the room the Marchwarden shared with his brother. The child was quiet and half-heartedly played with his toy soldiers moving them silently across the white linen counterpane that covered the bed. Rúmil was trying to no avail, to get a response from the boy, but nothing seemed to be working. This behavior was more than a little unusual; it was completely out of character for the tiny adan boy. Estel loved to play and playing with an adult was always a treat for him. Since arriving in Imladris Rúmil had become one of his favorite playmates.
“Wú,” as he called him, was always willing to come down where he lived, on the floor, to lay there hour after hour with his wooden soldiers, strategizing, moving troops, conquering the imaginary enemy. Fascinated with the outgoing personality of the child, Rúmil looked forward to his “duty hours” with the boy and often argued with Haldir when it was time for him to leave to take care of other responsibilities. Spending time with Estel had had an unexpected bonus, it served to remind him of his youth, of times when he was the little brother and would jealously guard his time with Haldir…for fear that Orophin world steal him away. Not one who was known for giving up easily, Rúmil tried another tact. If he could not get the little one to play then perhaps he could get him to talk.
“Estel, are you angry?” The boy stuck his lip out as far as it could go and looking up at Rúmil with the saddest set of eyes the warden had seen since his own young days of lip pouting, he simply nodded his head yes.
“Are you angry with me little one?” Estel quickly shook his head no and moved closer to Rúmil leaning against the warden and wrapping his little chubby arms around Rúmil’s.
“Are you mad at Halli?” Estel sat up so sharply the top of his head almost knocked the sentry out when it hit him in his chin. Estel gave Rúmil an astonished look, as he vehemently shook his head no.
“What about Erestor, are you mad at Erestor?”
“Oh no,” the child said, again shaking his head. “I Westor’s liddle love…love Westor.”
“Then who sweetling?” The Elven endearment made the child smile for the first time that afternoon.
“I Westor’s sweetling too” he said grinning.
“Then who has made you upset Estel?”
“Brudders!” he said as he folded his arms across his chest defensively, the scowl returning to his brow.
“Dan and Roh?”
“Bad brudders! Not speakin’”
“Ahhh, I see. So what did they do that has you so angry that you will not speak to them?”
“Dey made Ada mad. Ada never gets mad. You ‘member when I made lunch for Ada and made him sick? Ada turned green and still dinna get mad at me. Dey made him mad…an Dan hit Glorfy! Bad elves, bad, bad, bad,” he said waggling one chubby little finger under Rúmil’s nose.
“Well now, I know a little something about bad elves…I used to be one,” Rúmil smiled.
Estel was shocked, “You Wú?”
“Oh yes, for a while there when I was your size I was bad a lot.”
Estel looked at his friend in disbelief, “Uh uh.”
“Yes really. Shall I tell you a story about it?”
Estel immediately crawled up onto Rúmil’s lap; the expectant look on his face was priceless.
“Tell Me,” he said grinning.
“Well it was a long time ago and I was very little, very stubborn, and I am ashamed to say…not a little spoiled.” Rúmil pulled the boy to him and leaned back against the headboard and proceeded to tell Estel about the beginning of his family’s journey to Lothlórien.
(Flashback)
It was almost noon and the party had been on the road for roughly two hours. Everyone rode their own horse with the exception of the two youngest ellyn who were doubled up with their parents. Orophin was content to ride with his mother, while Rúmil, not so contentedly rode with their father. Under other circumstances Rúmil would have been thrilled to ride anywhere with his father, but he was not pleased with the fact that Haldir got to have a horse of his own, and wanted to ride as his big brother did…alone. But then, Rúmil always wanted to do everything exactly like “his” Halli, for that is the way he referred to Haldir, as though he belonged solely to him.
“Ada, when we stop for a rest, can I ride with my Halli?”
“What is wrong pigen dae (tiny shadow) is your father’s company too boring for you today?”
“No, you not too boring Ada, I just wanna ride with my Halli for a while…Halli always looks for things and shows them to me,” the little one said with a hopeful smile.
“Ah…I see, and just what kind of things does Haldir show you?”
“Sometimes he shows me birds, or squirrels, sometimes he sees rabbits…and one time he saw a fox Ada…a real fox!”
“Anything else?”
“He showed me Athelas a couple of times…I can find it all by myself now Ada.”
“Very good…so you are learning something when you are out with your brother?”
“All the time Ada, Halli shows me lots of things…did you know that centipedes do not really have a hundred legs?”
“Do they not?” he said feigning ignorance.
“No they do not…Halli caught one for me once and we counted them…they do not have nearly enough legs to make a hundred,” he said emphatically.
“Well, it certainly sounds like you are learning a lot from your brother.”
“Oh, I am Ada, I am,” he said, nodding his head assuredly.
“Would you not rather continue riding with me?” Heson inquired.
“No offense Ada, but you take up a lot of room…I am not that comfortable.”
Heson, however, was not buying into the “I am uncomfortable” story and offered an option that Rúmil did not expect. “You know Rúmil, it has been said that I am a pretty fair tracker. I will wager, that if I tried, I could find a few furry creatures for you to see.”
He hadn’t expected that. Usually his father was only too willing to allow him to do whatever Haldir was doing. This was a wrinkle in his plans that he hadn’t anticipated. Rúmil, however, was determined. This would probably be the only time all day that he would get to have Haldir all to himself, and he wasn’t giving up so easily. Young as he was, he’d learned fairly quickly, that with his father it was always best to be completely forthcoming. Things just had a way of working out to his advantage that way. So, with his best sad face in place, he dropped the emotional bomb he hoped would get him what he wanted.
“I know you are a good tracker Ada, but I want to ride with my Halli because I miss him. Now that Orophin is here I never get to spend time with my Halli alone. There is always someone butting in Ada, just like a goat! If it is not Orophin, then it is all those ellith who keep visiting the house looking for him. My Halli does not have time for me anymore and I do not like it!”
The middle child’s sudden outburst surprised Heson, and everyone within earshot, including Haldir…but then, that was Rúmil’s intent. He wanted Haldir to know that he was not pleased with him, and he was most successful in his mission. Heson’s surprise mirrored his wife Adarian’s, but it was mother, not father, who set the little hellion straight. Turning in her saddle she said, “Rúmil, that is enough. I will have no more of your petulance. You are being quite disrespectful, and I would have you put an end to it now. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Ammë.”
“And you will apologize to Haldir…your brother has been nothing but kindness to you throughout this entire ordeal, and I will not have you upsetting him further.”
“Yes, Ammë…I sorry Halli, I did not mean to yell at you, honest.”
Haldir stared at Rúmil’s forlorn face and twinkling blue eyes for a moment longer, then reined his horse over beside his father’s mount. Reaching over, he lifted his brother and set him down in front of him. Speaking softly he said, “You will sit still and not wiggle, you will not ask a lot of questions, and you will allow me to ride in peace, agreed?”
Smiling up at his hero, Rúmil leaned back against his brother’s chest and replied, “Agreed, a mouse will not be quieter, I promise.” Settling himself in, Rúmil closed his eyes and allowed his mind to wander as he listened to the beating of his brother’s heart. No sooner was the promise made he wiggled himself even closer to Haldir, warming himself in his brother’s arms. “You are a good brother Halli,” he whispered. Haldir smiled a crooked smile and kissed the top of the elfling’s head saying, “Yes, I know.”
(End Flashback)
“So you see Estel I know a little something about being naughty, I was that way a lot. And do you know what?”
“What?”
“No matter how naughty I was, no matter how much trouble I got into, Halli always forgave me.”
“Always?” the child asked incredulously.
Rúmil glanced over to the open balcony doors and gazed lovingly at his brother who was perched atop the railing surveying the grounds and munching on an apple.
“Yes Estel, every single time…we are brothers – there is no stronger bond.”
Estel considered Rúmil’s words for a moment and then asked, “Wú do you tink I bein’ too hard on dem?”
Rúmil turned his head and coughed in order to stifle a laugh. “I think only you can decide that Estel. Is what they did so bad that you cannot forgive them?”
The child thought about it a little longer and then replied, “Maybe if dey ‘pologise... you not never s’posed to hit anybody…les dey the en’mie. You can hit the en’mie cause they will ‘get you’ if you don’. But you not never s’posed to hit a friend…or family. Glorfy is a friend and family and Dan needs to ‘pologise, den dey both need to ‘pologise to Ada for bein’ pet, pet...”
“Petulant?”
“Yeth dat. Dey was pet-u-lent wit Ada. Dey s’posed to get allll da punishments when dey not nice to Ada.”
“Oh…I see. Is that a rule?”
“Iss my rule!” the boy said emphatically. “Ada is da Worrd of ‘Ladris. Nobody is s’posed to be mean to Ada, you not mean to Ada…Halli iss not mean to Ada, you ‘specful. Dey Elwondions, dey s’posed to be ‘specful all da time.
“Hummn, well when you put it that way…I see your point little one, and you are right.”
“I know,” he said assuredly. “Ev’vabody ‘specful but Dan an Roh, dat’s not right. Dey bad elves, dey not settin’ no good ‘zample.”
“A good example?”
“Yeth.”
“Who taught you about setting a good example,” Haldir said as he returned from the balcony. “Wait, do not tell us, we can guess,” he said as he faced Rúmil. “Erestor!” they said in unison.
“Yeth...how you know?”
The brothers smiled at each other, “Just a lucky guess little one, just a lucky guess.”
~~~~~
Erestor quickly made his way to the kitchen, if it truly was Thranduil on the trail he had to let the Lady Nénilya know as soon as possible. The lady was always genial, at least as long as the running of her kitchen and the quality of her food was not challenged, but she did not like surprises – and especially not for dinner. As he entered the kitchen Adril and Perwaen looked up and smiled at him, with Perwaen subtly nodding her approval at seeing him up and about again.
“Lord Erestor” she nodded.
“Perwaen where is the Lady?”
“She is in the pantry Milord.”
“Thank you,” he said as he made his way to the door. Knocking gently he opened the door and stepped into the chilly room. “Milady?” he called, and Nilya poked her head out from behind one of the many rows of shelves.
“Erestor, Arassuil pen bain, (affectionate greetings lovely one) what brings you to my kitchens on this glorious morn?”
“Maer aur (good morn) Milady, what brings me is travelers on their way to Imladris. The sentries have espied a traveling party, Prince Legolas is among them and it is believed that King Thranduil also approaches.
“Yes Silmo came by earlier to warn me. Are they sure now that it is Thranduil?”
“Yes Milady.”
“Something grave must be afoot if he has ventured out of his stronghold.”
“We are hoping not Milady, the general consensus seems to be that he has come to hear firsthand of our travails with the beast…he was after all, responsible for sending us the book of spells that made its defeat possible.”
“Hummp, no doubt he now wishes to claim the victory for himself,” she said sarcastically.
Erestor smiled, “I think not Milady. He probably just wants to see for himself that all is well. As you know he and Haldir are long time friends, he is probably just concerned over the Marchwarden’s welfare.”
“Does he think us incapable of caring for him? With the most accomplished healer in all of Arda living right upstairs?”
“Please calm Milady…I do not believe that that is the reason for his visit. Everything he hears about us and our lives he hears secondhand, I believe he only wishes to hear firsthand accounts of the battle for himself from those who lived through it…and as I said to see for himself the condition of his friends, Elrond included. They are very close those three, always have been, I believe he is just…worried.”
“Well let us hope that is all it is, for we certainly do not need any more drama in this house.” As soon as the words crossed her lips she realized how it sounded. The implication that there was enough drama thanks to Erestor and Glorfindel, and she regretted her words instantly. “Erestor I am sorry, I was not referring to you and Glorfindel, I simply meant…”
“There is no need to apologize, I know you were not speaking of us, but we certainly have contributed to the unsettling of this house with our antics. Have you seen him since..”
“Since your fight? Yes, in fact you just missed him, he was here a few minutes ago. He should be back soon.”
“Back? He is coming back here?”
“Yes, he has gone to my room to get cleaned up, he is coming back here to get some food for the trail, is that a problem?”
“For the trail? What are you talking about Nilya?”
“Glorfindel is leaving for the Western outpost today.” Erestor turned his head and pretended to busy himself arranging the items on one of the shelves. “I did not know that” he said softly. “It is probably for the best, I guess, Elrond has forbidden us to speak to each other.”
“I heard, but I would not worry overly much about that, I told Del that I will speak to Elrond. You cannot possibly repair your relationship with that kind of edict hanging over your heads.”
“The way things stand I do not know if it can be repaired,” Erestor said quietly.
“Pish tosh, do not be maudlin child, of course it can be fixed, the two of you just need a little time apart to think things through and work it out in your heads. Then when the time is right you will sit down and talk and everything will go back to normal. You know the only reason you are arguing at all is because the two of you are so much alike.”
“Ha, we are nothing alike Nilya.”
“Oh really… well now let me see, passionate, opinionated, perfectionists in the extreme, caring, loving, absolutely live to learn and to teach those around you, dedicated to Elrond and his family and to the best interests of the people of Imladris…so much so that there is no doubt in my mind that you would willingly give up your life to preserve the lives of those in this valley. And then of course there is your stubborn streak.”
“I am not stubborn…and that description could apply to any one of a dozen people here in Imladris.”
“Yes it could…but it fits both you and the golden one like a hand to a glove.”
“What fits me like a hand to a glove?” The question came from the doorway and they looked up to see Glorfindel standing there with his travel pack slung across one shoulder. From his vantage point he could not see Erestor standing off to the right next to the taller shelves. As he stepped into the room he espied the seneschal in his peripheral sightline.
“Oh…I did not realize that you were not alone,” he said as he spoke to Nilya but looked longingly at Erestor. The counselor stood with his head down and his face flushed red with embarrassment.
“I will be leaving within the hour,” he said, again his words were directed at Nilya, but were meant to elicit a response from the seneschal. But Erestor did not look up and did not respond. “I see that you are busy,” he said quietly, “I will go and ready Asfaloth and come back for the food later.”
“There is no need for you to leave golden one, Erestor and I were just discussing the arrival of our guests, apparently Thranduil is on the trail to Imladris. Perhaps you ought to think about delaying your trip until after he and the Prince arrive and are secure behind our gates.”
“Thranduil rides with Legolas?”
“Yes, besides Elrond will probably have to put on a big ‘show’ for him his first night here and your presence as his Caun would be expected.”
“You are probably right Nilya…perhaps it would be best if I postponed my trip until later…protocol dictates that I should ride out to meet him and escort him into Imladris. Elrond will undoubtedly expect that…I better put my things away,” he said stealing another glance at Erestor.
“That sounds like a wise plan.” “Erestor,” she asked, “do you know how many ride to our gates?”
“The sentries were not positive, but they believe at least six, but it could be as many as ten.”
“Well then, we had better get ourselves mobilized. Erestor I will take care of everything here in the kitchens. Glorfindel…”
“I am on my way…is it all right if I leave my travel pack here with you until I return?”
“Of course golden one, I will have one of the servants take it upstairs for you. What room are you in?”
“I am not upstairs anymore” he said as he longingly looked at his mate. “I am in the guest quarters on the first floor, down the hall from Haldir and Rúmil, in the blue room,”
“Very well then…as a matter of fact, Erestor would you mind?” she said as she shoved the pack into his arms, “I am very shorthanded at the moment, we did not know we were having guests so I allowed Menwen and Indórië to take leave after we prepared break of fast. I will have to have someone go and get them for I will need all hands on deck as they say, to prepare evening meal and all the extras I will have to make for tea and whatnot.”
For the first time in anyone’s recent memory Erestor was caught off guard and fumbled for a response. “Nilya I do not think I should go into…”
However, Nilya cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “Is not that blue room the first one you shared with Del? Yes of course it is if my old memory serves.”
Before either elf could speak to protest she was on to her next set of instructions. “Be a good lad and take care of that for me while I get Del on his way. Well do not just stand there like a statue waiting for a bird Del, Thranduil gets closer as we speak. Elrond will never hear the end of it if he rides through those gates unaccompanied. Go on now shoo,” she said as she waved her apron bottom at him, “get going, you are burning daylight,” she urged as she pushed him back and out towards the kitchen entrance.
“Nilya…Elrond has decreed that…”
“Enough Del, go, you take care of Thranduil…let me handle Elrond.” With one last longing glance at Erestor, Glorfindel turned and headed out of the kitchen and Nilya once again focused her attention on the seneschal. “Now,” she said, “my little stubborn one, let us talk about how we are going to fix this.”