Disclaimer: I don't own any character (although the elves own me)
Author notes: English is not my mother language, sorry for the mistakes. As every story of mine, there are any animosities between Thranduil and Elrond or between Thranduil and Galadriel and Celeborn.
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Prologue
Thranduil looked amused at his son, two identical elves and a human that were fighting with two big cushions. The Elvenking still had troubles in telling Elladan and Elrohir apart, but it wasn't that bad since nobody with the exception of Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn and Legolas could tell who was who. Even his foster brother had troubles the lot of times to the amusement of the twins.
The sons of Elrond had arrived at Mirkwood four months ago to visit Legolas. It was going to be a short visit, but Thranduil had insisted them to stay longer, after all, he had always liked the twins and although accepting Estel at first had been hard, he couldn't deny that he liked him now as well. Of course Elrond was more than pleased to have a little rest of them, he and all Rivendel.
And so it was that the Elvenking of Mirkwood was in the door of Legolas' guestrooms looking the pillow fight.
"Stop" he said with his soft commanding voice and to his annoyance nobody seemed to heard "Stop!" he said again a little louder, but the princes were so concentrated in not being smashed by a flying pillow that were oblivious to everything else "STOP!" this time all froze in place, the problem was that Legolas and Elladan were in precarious equilibrium on the edge of the window and so they fell down and landed with a loud thud.
"I never thought I would say this" Thranduil thought approaching to the window and looking down "But I agree with Elrond. This four are worse than elflings" of course Legolas and Elladan being elves, had landed gracefully and on their foot in the ground and were smiling innocently at the King.
"Come up here" Thranduil said sighing and turning around he looked at Elrohir and Estel who bowed.
"Your father really have my sympathies, for if it is hard to deal with one, deal with three must be torment"
"King Thranduil!" Elrohir said pouting "We are not that bad" but the king raised a skeptical eyebrow so the younger twin added "all the time"
"Father!" Legolas entered the room brushing away the leaves on his hair and tunic and followed by Elladan who was murmuring something about crazy bees. Everyone looked at them amused.
"How was the fall?" Elrohir asked grinning
"Not as good as the bee that thought that your brother was a flower. It just was determined to take some pollen from him" Legolas said laughing and moved gracefully aside to avoid Elladan's blow.
"Truly" said Thranduil "The weirdest things happen to you."
"Indeed" said the four in unison.
"Anyway, I was looking for you because I heard something that I wanted to discuss" the king continued trying hard not to chuckle at the resign tone of the princes, who, by the way, knew exactly why Thranduil wanted to talk with them.
"And that is?" Legolas asked as innocent as he could.
"That you are planning to go to southern Mirkwood to investigate what is happening there."
"We?" Elrohir asked with mock surprise, but the king threw him such a glance that the younger twin gulped.
"It is dangerous, very dangerous and so I forbid it!"
"But..." Estel complained
"But nothing. It is an order"
"Father, maybe the twins and Estel don't know what is all about, but I know the situation, I know that every patrol we have send there has not return"
"Legolas, you are not helping things" Elladan whispered.
"But you must admit" the younger elf continue oblivious to Elladan's comment "That we have faced more difficult circumstances for as you just have said the weirdest things happened to us and maybe we will be able to discover what is going on in that part." Thranduil looked at his son, he didn't wanted to admit that Legolas really had a point, besides those four were ones of the best warriors he knew despite their short age. And the missing patrols were worrisome, the king couldn't allow the disappearing of more elves in his territory.
"Very well but I trust you to go and -listen very carefully- observe what is taking place there. Just investigate what is been plotting and return to report me. NOTHING MORE. No fights, no ambuscades... no troubles and that includes no injuries of any kind, not even a bleeding nose because a caterpillar fell in front of your horse startling it and making you crush with a three. Understood?"
"Now Father, you have really hurt our feelings"
"Maybe I will regret the question my king" Elladan said puzzled "but why you accepted?"
"Not that we complain" Estel added quickly, he didn't wanted the king to change his mind.
"Because it is time you learn how to spy the enemy without getting involved in any problem. Apart you manage to do that very good, BUT when you are together, the four of you... it is catastrophic. And" he added before anyone could said " And because I can't allow this kind of things to happen in my realm "
"You can trust us my king" Elrohir said
"We will return even before you notice that we left" Legolas said cheerily
"I am afraid so" Thranduil said cheerily as well and then he left laughing.
"You know Legolas" Elladan said shivering "It is scary how you and your father resemble each other at times"
"Don't remind me" Legolas shivered as well "And look who is talking. If I remember correctly Haldir, Rumil and Orophin are always amazed how you resemble to Lord Elrond"
"No, you are wrong. They referred to Elrohir not me"
"Um, Elladan, you remember that we are twins, right?" Elrohir said looking at his brother with a big grin.
"But you must admit that it is said that King Oropher, King Thranduil and you look very alike" Estel pointed "At least is what I've heard"
"I have heard it as well, but I can not tell you" Legolas said while they went to prepare the things they will need for the trip "I know that my father and I look alike" he looked at Elladan raising an eyebrow "but concerning my grandfather..." he shook his head.
"Sorry if I bring bad memories" Estel apologized
"No need to be, I did not meet him, therefor there are no bad memories" Legolas said smiling, but his smile was sad. As they reached the stables, the conversation changed to more joyful paths as how Legolas diplomatic abilities improved with each day.
TBC...
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