Title: A Father's Faith
Author: Elly
Character: Elrond, Aragorn
Rating: G
Summary: Something is troubling young Estel.
Notes: These are not my characters, they belong to Professer Tolkien and his estate. Not making any money either. For the "lesson" challenge.
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Elrond stood in the gardens of Imladris and watched his foster son. Estel had lived with the Elf lord and his family for nigh on seventeen years, but it seemed to Elrond nothing more that a blink of an eye. The small baby that had first come to him had grown into a strong young man, adept at all he learned. But still young. It was this thought that had Elrond looking more closely at the boy he saw as a son. It seemed of late that he was troubled, avoiding any invitations that his foster brothers made, preferring to be by himself in the gardens. It was so unlike the boy that Elrond had grown very concerned. He was unsure if was merely a stage of some sort, similar to when the twins were young and would only speak to each other, or if it was indicative of a greater problem. Silently Elrond watched from a distance as Estel wandered about the gardens. Suddenly, the boy stopped walking and quickly climbed a nearby tree, just before a group of young elves walked by, speaking happily to one another and generally seeming to be enjoying themselves. As soon as they passed, Estel dropped from the limbs of the great tree and sat on the ground beneath it, watching the group disappear through the gardens. The look of depression and envy on the boy's face forced Elrond to make up his mind and go and speak to the boy. He approached quietly, cautiously and sat down next to Estel. "Mae govannen, Estel." The boy turned sharply to look at Elrond, waiting a long moment before replying. "Hello, Ada." "Estel, I am concerned. Something troubles your mind. I can see it in your eyes as well as through your actions. Will you tell me what it is?" The boy studied his foster father solemnly. In his mind he debated whether to simply shrug of the request and say that everything was fine, or to reveal what was truly on his mind. In the end, honesty won out. "Ada, I am a man. I mean; I'm not like everyone else here. I know that you aren't my real Ada and so does everyone else, but…" Estel trailed off, unsure how to say what he was feeling. Finally, the words simply rushed out. "I'm not as good, am I? Because I'm human." Estel bit his lip, afraid of the answer. Elrond considered his words carefully, trying to gather his thoughts. "Do I treat you differently than my other sons? Do I expect less of you than I do of them?" "No, but… All the stories, Ada. All the men in the stories are weak." "Not all of them, Estel. Many were strong and true, it is important that you remember that. It is more important, however, for you to know that even though men can be weak, you are strong. You are my son and I believe that you will be great. You will always have my trust, Estel. No matter what may come." Elrond leaned over and kissed his son's brow, before rising and returning inside. Estel drew his knees up to his chest and watched him go while pondering their conversation. It had lightened his heart considerably, but deep in the back of his mind, a tiny doubt still lingered. |