Tolkien Elven Imagines and Headcanons Volume 1

38. Elrond fostering Estel

- Elrond didn't second guess it when the opportunity arose to foster Estel.

- He happily took the role to foster him, and he treated Estel as if he were one of his own.

- Even Elladan and Elrohir were quick to take a liking to Estel and took their role as their elder brothers to him seriously.

- When Celebrian sailed, Elrond took it upon himself (between the trauma and their families lack of mothering) to be more of a hen than he had been before.

- With Estel being human, and though Elrond was very familiar with humans, he couldn't help but hen and flit over him when he was a child.

- It is such a fragile life compared to his own children's in his hands, but he made sure to keep those worries buried under that cool and collected exterior.

- He was always quick to comfort him when he was sad or hurt, enjoying the sound of his laughter, and when his twin sons would run around with him.

- Of course Elrond would tell tales of what he knew of his family.

- Wanting him to still feel connected and close to the family he had lost.

- Without any hesitation he made sure to have Estel educated as well, knowing that his future was naturally and deeply entwined with Gondor.

- If it weren't Elrond, who would spend as much time as he could teaching him what he knew, Erestor or Lindir would take up the task.

- And when Estel grew old enough to wield a sword, Elrond, just like he did with his sons, taught him how to wield one.

- When Elrond wasn't busy teaching him the things he needed to know, Elrond made sure to soothe any troubles or worries that weighed on Estel.

- It didn't matter what it was or what it would be that would trouble Estel, Elrond always made sure that he knew he was available for him.

- When Estel was old enough to start taking interest in the rangers, Elrond couldn't help but worry.

- He feared of what could happen to him, and how there'd be nothing he could truly do to help him.

- BUT Elrond was supportive in his choice

- He most certainly took advantage of the fact that his sons were also hunting with Rangers to keep any eye on Estel his first few hunting trips.

- The twins of course gave Elrond a hard time explaining he could take care of himself, but until Estel has the experience Elrond wasn't having any of their back sass.

- Elrond most certainly made sure he was involved in helping him pack for his first trip.

- It wasn't like an embarrassing overpacking thing, he just helped Estel grab the things he knew his sons took with them.

- Taking this time to spring some fatherly wisdom upon Estel, and explaining no matter his decisions to continue or not with future trips there would be no shame.

- When Estel is gone on his first trip he worried the whole time they were gone, but was relieved when he came back in one piece.

- From then on out Elrond let those extreme worries simmer down knowing that his foster son was capable of keeping himself safe.

* * *