A\N. Happy (belated) Fanfic birthday present to Lydwina Marie. May you have many more!
When the taper guttered Elladan cast it a disapproving glance and turned back to his book. The storm lashed at the House, but inside a warm fire crackled. Every now and then a log snapped, sending up a shower of sparks.
He did not even turn his head when he heard the pitter-patter of little Elfin feet creeping into the library.
"Ah-ha!" Arwen crowed behind the back of his chair, throwing her plump arms around his neck. "I got you, 'Dan!"
Elladan pried off the strangling hands around his throat, finally reaching back and lifting her over his head to set her firmly on the oak table. "Arwen, you were supposed to be in bed well over an hour ago."
Arwen pouted. "But 'Dan…"
He leveled a stern gaze at her. "Now, now, don't be a wayward little girl."
Her shoulders slumped for a moment, and then her eyes lit up. She wriggled off the table and into Elladan's lap, pulling the great tome towards her. "Read to me?" she chirped, snuggling against him.
Elladan frowned down at her black head. "Arwen…"
"An'-and when the r-ains had de-de….what's that word, 'Dan?" she questioned, laying her tiny finger on the page.
"Departed."
"An' when the rains had de-departed and all was merry with summer-"
"Spring."
"Summer," insisted Arwen. She rarely read the words, she had only heard them so often that for her this was recitation. "Then Arion son of Aradagar was merry of heart, an' he would feign go…."
"Wooing."
"An' he would feign go wooing, although-"
"Skirmishes."
"Were rife in the land." finished Arwen triumphantly. She looked up with a bright smile. "Now will you read t'me?"
"Arwen!"
The night-gowned child slid off Elladan's lap and into the shadowy recesses of the library. "Hide me," she pleaded, pressing herself against the wall.
Elladan swallowed his smile and turned a solemn gaze to his book.
It was a very few minutes before he heard his mother's brisk footsteps. She stopped at the door of the library. "Good evening, my son. Have you seen Arwen?"
Elladan shook his head and smiled mysteriously. Celebrían arched a thin eyebrow. "Oh? Then our little Elf had disappeared."
"Deep into the night, Naneth." Elladan assured her gravely. "Indeed, I heard tidings that she was riding with the Dúnedain, and especially one Arion, son of Aradagar."
There was a stifled giggle from the nook. Celebrían left the doorway and came to the center of the room. "And is she doing feats of great renown?"
"Oh, things of valor!" he exclaimed earnestly.
"Tell me of them." inquired Celebrían, slipping towards the bookcase.
"Well, she crossed blades with a hill-troll, and-"
Celebrían pounced. Arwen gave a scream equal parts delight and terror as her mother tossed her in the air and caught her a hands-breadth from the ground.
"You, my child, were meant to be in bed an hour ago."
Arwen clung to her mother with arms and legs. "Nana…"
"Good night, Elladan. I am going to put this miscreant to bed," said Celebrían, departing the library.
"Good night, Naneth."
Arwen waved sleepily from over her mother's shoulder.
Outside, the rain howled cold and driving, but the hearths and hearts inside their Home were warm.