Day 38: Where the heart dwells

[tanaquiljall]

paranoidangel42 asked for some of Estel's life growing up in Rivendell, but not featuring Elrond, the twins, Glorfindel, or any of the usual suspects.

This is strongly influenced by some discussions I had with gwynnyd a long while ago about the kind of home Gilraen would try to provide for Estel in Rivendell.

Day 38

Where the heart dwells

In winter, Estel would spend half his lessons daydreaming of the freshly-baked honey cake and beaker of warmed, spiced fruit juice waiting for him by the fire at home.

Not that he minded the hours spent with his tutors, whether at book-learning in the library or nature study and woodcraft on the steep valley sides. But the Elves who taught him did not feel the cold; he would quickly become chilled, no matter how many layers his mother bundled him into.

Not until he returned to their snug house, surrounded by the comforts of Men, would he be warm again.

Comments

[gwynnyd.livejournal.com]

Awww... yes! I've always felt that one of the reasons Gilraen went to Rivendell was to give her son a place to be a Man and to show what that was like. Wonderful job!

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks. And I definitely agree with you about Gilraen seeing her presence as important to give her son a sense of being a Man, given he was so much younger when he was fostered than most of the Chieftains.

[jay-of-lasgalen.livejournal.com]

I think this is sad - that the elves didn't realise he'd feel cold! I'd expect more understanding from them. Lovely drabble, though :)

[tanaquiljall]

Oh dear, I didn't mean to imply that the elves were uncaring. :-(

I was thinking about how Rivendell - and the education of the young there - was probably designed for those who didn't really feel the cold - perhaps no glass in windows, or rooms that were half outside, or spending quite long periods motionless watching nature in ways that would chill a boy but not an elfchild....

And I wanted to contrast that with the very different heated, draught-proof, snug, Man-like environment that Gilraen would have created in their home.

So I think the elves might appreciate he'd feel the cold, but not quite how much, especially in the absolute depths of winter....

Besides, I suspect it set Aragorn up for being so "hardy" later in life... *g*

[paranoidangel]

Aw.

[tanaquiljall]

I'll take that as approval. *g*

[paranoidangel]

Yes, sorry, I was a bit braindead last night, so I liked it, just couldn't quite articulate it.

I like the idea that Gilraen's house is just right for Estel, and that's where he feels at home.

I like your drabble-a-day icon :)

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks and thanks. {{{hugs}}}

[phyloxena.livejournal.com]

Nassty elvesses. *hugs Estel and holds him close*. You make me rethink "no mortal suffering" idea.

[tanaquiljall]

Oh dear... as I said above in reply to Jay, I didn't mean to make the elves out to be cruel - just perhaps not quite perceptive enough. (I think elves can be a little wrapped up in their own affairs sometimes...!)

[phyloxena.livejournal.com]

I didn't perceive it as cruel, it just gave an opportunity to vent. Entertains my craving for a little heart/comfort, you see :) You notion of Imladris reminded me of traditional Japanese castle with paper screens instead of walls, and chilled inhabitants in bright silks savoring nature's beauty.

[tanaquiljall]

Oh yes - your comparison with a traditional Japanese castle is exactly what I was going for.

And glad to inadvertently satisfy your cravings for hurt/comfort!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I liked this very much as I think Aragorn's mother is often sadly overlooked.I love the idea of them sharing a cosy little house.

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks! But I borrowed the idea of them sharing a cosy little house from Gwynnyd - she's written some wonderful stories about Estel and Gilraen.