A/N: LOOK DOWN BELOW

DISCLAIMER: NOT MY CHARACTERS ALL EXCEPT MAERWEN BELONG TO TOLKIEN

Chapter 1 - Our Last Night

The Elrondiells and Elrondions sat amidst the luscious grass, chatting heartily amongst themselves. They spoke of their parents, and of old memories.

"How about the time Ro got stuck between the bookcases in Ada's library?" Arwen choked out, struggling through laughter.

"Haha, yes! It took Ada and Glorfindel a good two hours to release him!" Elladan replied with an equally choked tone. He received a light punch from Elrohir, followed only by more laughter.

"Hey! That's no fair! It wasn't my fault! I was playing a game of 'Hide and Seek', but my usual spot was taken! If you wish to laugh at anyone, laugh at Maerwen! She was the one who-" Elrohir was cut short by a sharp pain in his ribs. "Ouch!" He glared at Maerwen, who had elbowed him. "No need for violence!"

"On the contrary, little brother, I believe there is. Maerwen was saving herself from an embarrassing tale. That is correct, is it not little sister?" Elladan shot Maerwen a mischievous glare, to which Maerwen just snorted.

"More like saving Elrohir from embarrassing himself by telling a tale which is untrue." To this, Elladan and Elrohir both broke out in deep, barking laughter. Arwen giggled quietly next to Elrohir, while Maerwen looked shocked. "What? What did I say? He has no tales about me that may embarrass me! No faults do I have!" Maerwen's three siblings only laughed more once hearing her words.

"How about the time you got caught hanging upside down from the roof gutters? Or getting trapped in that field of cattle? Or the time you fell out that tree in Mirkwood? Or falling off that cliff in Lothlorien?" Arwen listed off, thoughtfully.

"I thought you were on my side?!" Maerwen chucked softly, remembering the incidents. During these comments, the twins had only increased their laughter. They had, by then, reached the point where they were desperately gasping for air, choking on their tears of laughter.

In the midst of the banter, none had noticed the arrival of another.

"My personal favourite was when she slipped on the dance floor and ended up between Haldir's legs at the midsummer ball!" All except Arwen jumped at Glorfindel's voice.

"Ai valar, I remember that too well!" Maerwen flushed red. She could feel the tips of her ears as they burnt. As she escaped the reverie, she smiled to her father figure. "Glorfindel! I thought you were on the grounds, sparring with Ada?"

"Hello penneth! Aye, I was, but he had to go to an urgent meeting. He sent me to ask you four," he indicated to the others "to wash, dress, and reconvene in his sitting room. I believe he wishes to speak about your journey tomorrow." Upon hearing this, the four of them stood from their positions on the ground and made towards the Last Homely House. Glorfindel stood, watching the four, until they disappeared. He leaned against the nearest tree, and closed his eyes. A single tear of crystal slid down his defined cheekbones, ran over his rosy lips, and ended on his hand as he wiped it away. The elflings he cared for dearly had grown up. They were no longer small enough to fit under his arm, or innocent enough to be away from the toils of war. He could protect them as long as he wished, but deemed it unfair. They had to be prepared at some point, better to get it over with. However, he thought with a smirk, they still have to go through school. The twins were already entering their fifth year, Arwen into the third, but Maerwen had yet to start. He sighed, thinking of the grief the four put together could cause. Groaning at the mental images, he walked swiftly into Imladris, fully prepared to have a long, hot bath.

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"Enter!" Elrond called from his study. The door opened, and a young maid stepped into the room. "Ah, Imeaïelle. What can I do for you?" He smiled gently to her.

"My lord, your children regret to inform you that they shall be a few minutes late to your dinner in the sitting room." She replied with a hidden nervousness, only gained by waiting on the children of Elrond. Elrond sighed inwardly, he too imagined the worst.

"Thank you for relaying the message. I shall be in my sitting room should you need to convey any more messages." He added the last bit with a weary sigh and a smile. Imeaïelle bowed and left the room, leaving Elrond to his curious musings. "What on earth are they up to this time?" He said quietly to himself.

"ARGH! VALAR! COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE TERRORS! WHERE ARE YOU?! WAIT UNTIL YOUR FATHER HEARS ABOUT THIS!" A furious scream stopped Elrond's musing. Too late, thought Elrond, their father has already heard. With a heavy sigh, Elrond stood up and walked to the door. "What on earth are they up to this time?" He repeated, louder this time. Pushing open the door, he groaned. There was no way he could get them out of this one.

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The twins stood side-by-side glancing every now and then towards their sisters, who were wiring Erestor's study.

"So, why are we doing this again?" Maerwen asked softly, as she tied another rope to the chair leg.

"Because," replied Elrohir, "this is the last time all four of us are going to be in Imladris, at the same time, until July."

"But that's nearly a whole year! What about Midwinter? And Spring? Don't we get holidays then?" Maerwen replied with a shocked expression.

"Of course we do, Maerwen. And we shall come home - Elrohir's just teasing you. Don't worry, we'll look after you in school." Elladan grinned at Maerwen, whilst Elrohir looked irritated at his twin.

"Well thank you very much, brother, you just ruined my fun."

"Ruined your fun? I don't think he did." Arwen piped up from behind a bookcase. "We're completely finished. Now all that's left is to plan the escape route, and wait for Erestor."

"Brilliant!" Replied Elrohir. The four of them stood in silence for a few moments but, unable to take anymore, Maerwen broke the silence.

"So... Escape route... Any ideas?" Nobody said anything again, all too deep in thought to vocalize. "Anyone at all?" Maerwen finally spoke again.

"Passageways... Tunnels... Tree roots..." Elladan muttered. He suddenly gasped in delight, bringing the others out of their thoughts. "I've got it!" He continued. "Listen closely..."

Once the plan was told and everyone got into position, Arwen ran to find Erestor. She squealed when she saw him almost immediately, but he was too close for their escape plan to work. She had to distract him.

"Erestor? Where are you going? Not to the study I hope? I have an urgent message from Glorfindel, he needs you at the training grounds."

"I have just been there my dear. No need to relay the message."

"But... Mice! There are mice in the study!"

"Mice? Why, I should like to determine the breed."

"No! I mean... No. There's no need. They're already gone."

"Then why can't I go to my study?" Out of options, Arwen could only reply,

"I suppose you may." Erestor walked away from Arwen and towards the study. Win a final glance at him, she ran to the front doors, silently hoping that Maerwen would have had enough time. However, before she got to the door, a scream stopped her in her tracks.

"ARGH! VALAR! COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE TERRORS! WHERE ARE YOU?! WAIT UNTIL YOUR FATHER HEARS ABOUT THIS!" And then, of course, her father emerged from his study. And saw her standing there. He gave her a disapproving look before going in the general direction of the scream. Arwen guessed by the scream that the twins had been spotted and hoped that Maerwen was still free. Arwen ran to her chambers, barricaded herself in, and stayed there all night. She only opened the connecting doors when she heard a knock.

"Arwen? You in there?" Maerwen's soft voice came from behind one of the connecting doors. Arwen walked to the door, unlocked it and opened it, revealing a slightly soggy elfling.

"What on earth happened to you?"

"After we parted, I managed to run outside, scale the tree, and cut the first rope. However, before I could run from that spot, Glorfindel found me. He started quizzing me about everything, and I couldn't chat, so I ran from him to the stables, grabbed Gilroch, and rode out." She started mumbling, making Arwen amused. Clearly there was something else. After all, why would she be soggy if there was nothing else? "To cut a really long story short, I fell into the river and had to walk home." Arwen burst into laughter. Trust Maerwen! She didn't stop giggling until the twins walked in, looking equally soggy.

"Ada made us work in the kitchens." They said in unison. "Who knew how broken the sinks are." At this, Arwen began laughing once more. Maerwen looked at the twins, the twins looked at Maerwen. And they laughed together, one last time. Just the four of them. Their prank had failed. They looked a mess. But they were happy. And that was something to be treasured.

Elrond stood at Maerwen's doorway. He peered in, and seeing her sleeping, he continued on into the sitting room shared by his four children. Arwen had fallen asleep on the sofa, so he picked her up and took her to her bed. After checking on the twins, he returned to the sitting room again and sat on one of the large sofas. He eyed the uniforms hung up by the window - his children were leaving tomorrow. He smiled, grateful for the normal life their children had been given through the school. After all, Hogwarts had always been there to welcome them home.

A/N: Well hello there! How are you doing today? Good, I'm glad. I have a few things to say before wrapping off this chapter...

1) Hi there!

2) This is my first uploaded story.

3) Please Follow, Favourite, and Review to find out what the 4 are up to!

4) NOT MY CHARACTERS (other than Maerwen)

5) I love you all.

And lastly,

6) A massive massive massive thank you to my best friend Sophie, who gave me the words of encouragement needed to post into here. Without her, you wouldn't get to read this. So, thanks S!

Love you all, see you soon!