Disclaimer: I own nothing, other that my original characters, everything else belongs to J.R.R Tokien

Dedication: Due to the fact that I have very little money, this fic is written for Emily for a Christmas present. I hope you enjoy it dear!

….

Celebrian couldn't help the smile that sprang to her lips as she continued to enjoy the reassuring presence of the large forest. Although it was true she loved living in Imladris, it was never the same as her home in Lorien had been, it was always too quite with the absence of the tree's whisperings to one another. Even though it was mid-summer and her clothes stuck to the layer of sweat that had developed in the higher temperatures of Greenwod than she was used to, the tree's helping none to put the stifling heat at ease.

She glanced over at her twin sons who had accompanied her here, and her smile split into a grin at they both gazed excitedly around at the seemingly infinite expanse of green trees. She shared a glance with Glorfindel, who also accompanied her, who appeared to be taking as much pleasure in the twin's joy as she currently was.

Since it was yet early morning and they had no pressing matters to attend with Thranduil, their guide had decided to lead them on a somewhat odd path which weaved through the trees instead of going straight through them. It was a rather beautiful trail, one which Celebrian was glad they had chosen to take. Although she wished Elrond were her to enjoy it with her.

Celebrian had long been worried that perhaps her sons were growing up quicker than they should, not in the sense of having to be warriors and have heavy responsibilities, for which certainly the Greenwold Elves would have them beat. But in the sense that though the valley of Imlarids was peaceful, it was not however, a continually happy place to be. Most of the residents were old, having seen battles and lived through their stages of mischief and feasts, and spent many of their evening listening to tales of older times.

And so it had become a growing worry that Elladan and Elohir would think the only way to be great men were to be sang about for great deeds and battles, and that her two sons would not know the joy of spending time with others their own age. Or, at least, close to their age.

Elrond however, hadn't agreed when she suggested spending a few months in Greenwood, but had left the decision of whether or not to go up to his children. Both of which had jumped at the chance to visit the realm they had only heard stories about from travelers. Elrond had remained behind in Imladris with Arwen, whether out of spite or disinterest in the entire ordeal, Celebrian didn't know.

The sound of laughed chatter brought her out of her thoughts, although at first she thought it was her sons, the presence of an Elleth's voice quickly proved it to be otherwise. Glancing at their guide found him to be smiling and chuckling softly

"You have nothing to fear my lady" He reassured her, glancing behind himself to look down the path they had come from "Here they come now"

At his comment the small band of Rivendell elves turned to look behind them as well, and found a small pack of Elves sprinting down the path, and a few moving swiftly and easily through the branches of the trees.

"You're going to be late!" Their guide bellowed down the path at them, and though is voice was stern the grin on his face took what little sting their might have been in his words

"Hence the running!" The elleth called back, not even slowing her speed a little as she neared the group on horseback

They were moving too quickly for Celebrian to see more than a mass of blond hair and several masses of dark hair. They were wearing the customary brown and green clothes of Greenwood, thought they appeared to be wearing much less of it than usual. The elleth's leggings had been cropped short mid-thigh, and her shirt was either rolled up or cut to bear her midriff. The other ellons also had their leggings cropped shorter, and a few wore no shirts at all, bearing their entire upper body to the harsh sun.

While both her sons looked slightly shocked at their attire, the older elves hardly even raised an eyebrow, all having done similar things in their youth in order to try and keep from over-heating mid adventure. And while Elladan and Elohir remained fairly active, it never quite got hot enough in Imladris for such a drastic wardrobe change, and they had never visited Lorein during the summer months.

None of the younger elves dared to slow their pace was the drew closer to the group on horseback, apparently their reason for running too important to slow for pleasantries. "Welcome to Greenwood!" One of them called, as he wove expertly between their horses and continued down the lane.

The rest of the rushed company had apparently decided better to go the way of tree`s rather than risk spooking the horses, and using the basis of tree's to launch themselves nearly impossibly high towards the upper branches of the tree's, before racing along them and out of view.

Stopping on one of the high limbs of the branches, the elleth pivoted and directed her attention to their guide who was regarding her with a sort of exasperated affection "You saw nothing of us this morning!"

Their guide laughed again, and nodded before spurring his horse forward once more, as the Elleth raced nimbly along the thin limbs of the branches to catch up with her companions.

"Who were they?" Elohir asked, steering his horse closer to the center of the path, his brother doing the same behind him

"Some of the younger warriors, I do expect you will meet most if not all of them" Their guide informed, "You will meet Avalien and Prince Legolas I have no doubt"

Celebrian interest was peaked. Avalein had nearly become hers and Elronds third child, having instantly offered to take the child in once they heard the news of the death of her mother, and her father's decent into madness. For a time it appeared it would happen, but Thranduil was afraid to try and take a babe so young over he mountain pass, especially since that's where her mother had just been murdered. And so, the child had not come to them, but had remained in Greenwood. Though they did not learn that she had stayed under the Kings care until a few years after.

Celebrian had met both elf lings only once before, but she highly doubted either would remember her since they had barley been able to walk on their own at the time. But still, she was eager to meet them once more now that they were both much older, but was loath to think Imladris and Greenwood had grown apart so much that they would be meeting as strangers.

…

As they finally rode through the gates, several stable hands rushed to take their horses from their hands, and another elf rushed to greet the visitors. Celebrian was quick to recognize the elf as Grandesh, one of Thranduils oldest and closest friends, as well as his chief counselor. With a beaming smile he drew her into a tight embrace, before exchanging the expected pleasantries.

Again, a brief hug was shared between Glorfindel and him before several guards came over to greet their friend as well. It was difficult to travel anywhere without having Glorfindel having one friend or another in a close vicinity.

"Grandesh, these are my sons Elladan and Elrohir" Each one bowed respectfully as their mother introduced them followed by a customary greeting.

"It is a great pleasure to meet you both" Even through the sweltering heat, the counselor wore a formal outer robe over his simple leggings and tunic, even if it were made of a strikingly thin material. The only clue that he was feeling the heat as heavily as everyone else was that his hair had been braided up and away from his face, rather than hanging loose as it was usually allowed to.

"I fear that Thranduil is in the midst of a meeting, and won't be able to greet you himself for several hours yet"

Already her son's attentions were being drawn away from the conversation and were wandering around the several different activities that were currently happening in large the large clearings, regardless of the heat.

"It's quite alright," Celebrian reassured her friend "It's not as if we have come with any pressing news from other lands"

"Are you hungry? It is already passed lunch, but the kitchens always have fresh food for warriors returning from patrols"

"No, that is quite alright, we've already eaten"

The twins murmuring to one another drew both their attentions away. Both of the young Noldor elves were starring, and apparently discussing, a group of elves training near the end of the yard. Grandesh had paid no attention to them as he had approached, as it were time for the younger warriors training sessions, he was well used to their merry chants and the clanging of metal. He had forgotten that most of the elves residing in Rivendell had already long ago ceased their training, and that Elladan and Elrohir were trained privately by Glorfindel.

"It's the novices training, we can go closer if you wish, Ferdan always welcomes and audience" Grandesh offered, indicating with is head for the twins to start forward

It didn't take them long to make it over to the fenced of circle where they were sparring, though both twins asked many questions about the goings' on around them; Celebrian was immensely pleased to find Grandesh was more than willing to answer any and all questions.

The group stood a little distance away from the fence, since those that weren't sparring were seated along the top of it, cheering avidly for their friends.

"They have remarkable skill for one's so young" Glorfindel commented, as he watched them twist and turn to block the others blows, or to start an attack of their own. Unlike in Rivendell, the novices were using real blades, rather than wooden duplicates, though the edges were sure to be heavily blunted.

Even Celebrian, who knew very little of the skill of fighting could tell all seemed to have an impressive amount of skill. Those massed before them were sure to be younger than her sons, yet many appeared to have the same level of skill, if not greater.

"With no ring in which to help us protect our realm training is taken much more seriously than in most Elven realms" Grandesh reminded, with a hint of sadness, though not with jealousy as Celebrian was accustomed to hearing when there was any mention to the rings of power "There is simply no time for them to progress slowly"

There was a loud cheer, and a few boo's as a weapon was flung from one's of the elves reach, and a sword placed over his throat. Ending that particular match. The gleaming gold hair spoke of the victor's status, with no introduction necessary. With blond hair being so uncommon now, it was clear the victor was Legolas, Thranduils only son.

The older elf that had been monitoring the fights barked out the command of "Next!" and waited until more elves scrambled from their positions on the fence line, and faced their sparring partners.

"You know the rules! Begin!"

The flurry of motion began at once, it was difficult to keep track of what exactly was happening. The sparing match had only been going on for a few minutes when the command to stop was given. Again, the effect was nearly instantaneous.

"Its fine, Ferdan" A voice called out from one of the sparring pairs, "It's nothing but a scratch"

Beside her, Grandesh visibly tensed. Clearly worried or distressed over the young elf's wound, though it was hidden from view by her body.

Ferdan strode toward two of the younger elves without a word, fixing one with a glare that could turn milk sour, before his gaze rested on the other. With a gentle hand he grasped the elleth arm, twisting it in order to the deep gash that had been split on her forearm.

"A scratch?" He asked, with a raised eyebrow "Tzipora, a cloth please"

And elf who had been sitting next to Legolas on the bench scrambled off and dover for a box that rested on the ground by the gate. Quickly he pulled out two white clothes, and rushed across the now silent training ground to his instructs and wordlessly passed him the requested objects.

"Thank you, Peneth" With that Ferdan wiped at the spot on her arm, the white cloth combing away stained a bright red, before he wrapped her arm with the bandage

"It will be fine for now, though see to it you go to the healing wards after training" The elleth nodded, adjusting her grip on her weapon

"Thurmond, you knew the rules and yet you have defied them. Why?"

The younger elf who had done the injuring squirmed under his instructors intense gaze, his eyes dropping to the ground "I didn't mean to, my lord"

"I should certainly hope you didn't blatantly disrespect my orders given to you"

If Ferdan had been expecting an answer her return, he received none from his ashamed pupil who's eyes were still trained on the gravel in front of him. Even the ones sitting on the fence line seemed to squirm uncomfortably

"You are dismissed. Leave the training fields at once"

"Harsh" Elladan muttered, his brother nodding in agreement as the elf scuttled away in shame

"Its is true, Ferdan is a strict teacher" Grandesh agreed "But do not let it fool you, he holds much affection for the elfings he teaches"

While they were talking, the had missed the beginning of the speech Ferdan had begun giving his warriors, though none talked, it was clear they were already bored. Those sitting along the fence lines had slumped down lower, and a few playfully nudged one another. The elleth that had been hurt still stood on the training grounds, to the left of her teacher, and with a sideways glance to make sure he was looking forward began mouthing the speech along with him.

Soon, over dramatic actions accompanied the mouthing, as she acted out what appeared to be different battles. With a look of horror she smacked herself in the chest with fisted hands and allowed her eyes to roll backwards into her head, apparently now dead.

"He's blind on his left side" Grandhes muttered only loud enough for Celebrian and Glorfinel to hear, "If she were standing on his other side, she would never attempt such a thing"

Those on the bench began to squirm slightly again, though probably to keep from laughing as the dramatic re-inaction continued, rather than in embarrassment.

The speech ended with an ordered, "I want twenty laps before you are dismissed"

There was a chorus of groans from his pupils, as some pretended to faint off the fence line, while others faked plunging their weapons into themselves. "Shall I make it thirty?" was all that needed to be said before all weapons were nearly put away, and the sprinting began.

"Next time you complain I am too hard on you, remember this moment Elflings" Glorfindel reminded the twins with a smirk, as they watched in horror as the others began lapping around the entire training field full speed.

…

As it turned out, it was nearly dinner when Thranduil was finally able to see Celebrian, she had left her sons in the room they would be staying in, and followed Grandesh once more through the halls. She had visited Thranduil and many, many different occasions, but somehow always managed to get lost in the labyrinth that he choose to call his home. Glorfindel had disappeared sometime earlier, and had yet to resurface, though he was likely to join them for dinner.

Ahead of them, a large shaggy creature turned the corner with a large bone in its mouth. At first glance it just appeared to be some sort of dog, but on closer expectation it revealed to be a Wolf, and behind it trialed a fox, eyeing the bone on the wolfs mouth.

With Grandehs' nonexistent reaction to the creatures, Celebrain assumed they were both harmless but still edged away from them when they passed by, and asked "Wolves?"

"Thranduil has great difficulty pronouncing the word 'no' when it comes to his elflings" The adviser informed with a roll of his eye, "The wolf and fox belong to Ava, there is also a Hawk somewhere in here and for a time a deer out in the stables, which were Legolas' creatures"

"You do not approve I take it" She tired desperately to keep the laughter from her voice, though, judging by the glare in which she received she didn't do a very good job of it

"I just dread the day when one of them comes back with a Warg, or a human child"

The conversation lulled to a finished, as they reached the magnificently carved double doors that led to Thranduils office. Two guards stood silently on either side of the door, but nodded with a smile as Grandesh pushed the doors open without a knock, a testament to the their close friendship.

The room was brightly lit, with the curtains drawn widely open to allow what little breeze there was to filter through the doorway to his study balcony. The sounds of light, cheerful laughter filtered through from where people still went about their days in the yard just beyond the balcony.

There was a rather large stack of papers piled upon Thranduils huge wooden desk, nearly concealing him from their view. But when the doorway closed behind them with a click, he rose from his chair in a single smooth motion.

"Celebrian" He greeted with a grin, and an incline of his head "I hope your journey here was pleasant"

"A little warm perhaps, but good"

"Aye, although I fear it will be sometime before the heat wave subsides, it's one of the worse we've had in decades" As silent proof of his words, for the first time in many long years, Thranduil wore no outer robe at all, as it had been dismissed to lay over the back of a nearby chair

"One of the perks that come with living in Imladris, it doesn't get this warm"

"Im sure at this moment at least half of this realm would be willing to move there if it meant no more of the retched heat"

"That being said" Grandesh butted in, "If you or any that came with you require cooler clothes you need only say, we will be happy to supply them to you"

"That is very kind of you, thank you, I do have a feeling we will be taking you up on your offer"

"It is odd," Thranduil mused, offering the balcony to his visitors who quickly moved onto it "To not see Elrond glued to your side"

"He has deemed it the best to stay in Imladris, with Arwen" Celebrian was quite sure her companions had detected the slight edge in her voice, but neither commented on it. She was also quite sure Thranduil was a little relieved to find that the lord of Rivendell would be staying inside the city.

The two hardly ever saw eye to eye on anything, and it nearly unheard of for them to go a visit without ending up in an argument over one thing or another. Thranduil was one of the few people capable of infuriating Elrond enough to allow his verbal filter to all but disintegrate, which allowed an entire host of opinions on Thranduil and his way of doing things that would much better be kept secret.

Celebrian and Thranduil however got along quite well, and had been friends for many years before she had married Elrond, although their friendship had dwindled some simply because the two rulers insisted on butting heads continually. As she understood it their rivalry had extended so far back to the days when Elrond was still a Harold to Gil-Galad, and had definitely not improved with age.

Celebrian leaned forward on the railing, resting her in front of her and she looked over to the green expanse of tree', closing her eyes briefly to wallow in the friendly whispers of the tree's. It was comforting, even if she could not fully understand their words, not nearly as well as a Silvan Elf might have.

"You are welcome to stay as long as you wish" Thranduil promised, his hand coming to rest on her tense shoulder comfortingly

Her silver-blue eyes opened to glance at her friend with a grateful smile, "Thank you, Mellon-nin"

Cheerful laughter brought their attention once more to the yard that expanded beneath where they stood, to find a small group of young elves making their way back up the walkway from Valar knows where. Celebrian noticed the shining blond hair once more, as Legolas turned back to his friends to call some sort of taunt for which he received a smack in the arm.

"They've been in the forest again" Thranduil groaned to no one in particular

Below them an elleth yelped in surprise was she was scooped up and thrown over one of her companions shoulders. Celebrian remembered seeing that morning, the one that had commanded their guide to say nothing of the presence in the forest, and also the one that was injured during training.

"When aren't they in the forest, honestly, I think they are more alike with the moss that grows on the tree's than they are with elves" Grandesh muttered back, with a shake of his head

"I'm assuming the blond one is your son" Celebrian butted in between the friends, knowing full well they could probably go on for hours

"Aye, that is Legolas. He is quite excited to meet you and Lord Glorfindel"

"There are few in this world who does not get excited to meet Glorfindel, although I cannot fathom a reason for him to wish to meet me"

Thranduil gave her a sideways glance of disapproval, "He gets excited to meet all great Elves, he remember your kind heart from your first meeting"

"He has a remarkable memory"

"Aye, that he does, it quite irritating sometimes, if I were to be honest"

"Indeed" Grandesh agreed, "He had an infuriating habit of contradicting instructions given to him with past instructions, even if they given to him thirty years before!"

"Is Avalein with him?" Celebrian inquired, resting her head on her arms once more.

Raising his arm, Thranduil pointed to the elleth that had been thrown over her friends shoulder but was now dangling from an upper limb of a tall beech tree, her long black hair falling downwards in waves "There, the one hanging from the tree"

"I take it they both still get along well?" During their first meeting, the tiny elflings were loath to be separated from one another, both becoming quite upset of they were kept form one another for any length of time

"There is hardly a time they are apart, if given the choice"

The ringing of a bell halted the one goings outside, as elves began making their way indoors.

"That would be the dinner bell"

...

I hope you all enjoyed it, there will of course be more chapters added.

Please remember to review, because it's always lovely to get them!