Disclaimer: No, don't own them. Any of them.

AN: I should be studying for the final I have in four days, but somehow writing about hobbits getting up to trouble is far more interesting than learning about the Etruscans, who were all crazy anyways. How fun is that? Also, I just finished an exam, so I'm feeling that I deserve a bit of time to play.

Summary: The Company stayed in Rivendell for two months before the Quest began. Exactly how much mischief can two curious hobbits get up to in a valley of Elves? Unfortunately, Elrond is about to find out.

"Merry, I'm bored." Peregrin Took, heir to the Thain of the Shire, was curled up in a chair in one corner of the vast library that served as Elrond's study.

His cousin and best friend Meriadoc Brandybuck ignored him. Pippin might have been bored, but Merry was fascinated. Elrond, with the closest thing to a smile Merry had yet seen on his face, had kindly showed the two hobbits where the maps were kept. Merry hadn't looked up in nearly an hour, and understandably, Pippin was beginning to feel a little put out that he was being ignored. And for a bunch of maps no less!

"Mer-ry," this time it was more a whine than anything. Merry gave his cousin a thoroughly annoyed look.

"Look Pip, you might find that stuff like this," and he gestured towards the table in front of him, ever inch of which was covered with maps so old Merry couldn't even fathom a guess, "will come in handy one day. So why don't you at least attempt to find this interesting, at least for bit longer. It's nearly elevensies, and we can take a break then."

Pippin didn't look too impressed. "And then can we do something fun?"

Merry seemed to pause over the word 'fun'. He had known Pippin since the tweenager had been born, and had learned a long time before that fun and Pippin equaled trouble. Trouble wasn't exactly a good thing for Pippin to be getting involved in. What would the elves think?

Merry sighed. "Oh, alright Pip. Let me finish looking at this one, and then we'll go down to the kitchens and find something to eat, and then we'll find something for you to do."

Merry turned back to the map he held in front of him, with a sinking feeling in his stomach that he was unfortunately going to live to regret what he had just said.

Elrond was not having a good day. All things considered, anyone would be having a bad day if their home had been invaded by every free race in Middle-earth, and every single one of those races had a variety of different demands.

The ale, what little there had been that Elrond kept in his cellars for the benefit of the visiting Dúnedain, was gone already. The dwarves were already beginning to grumble about the lack of drink and the….blandness of the food. He had weeks, maybe even months more of this to look forward to.

And the head cook had just departed to return to his kitchens, completely unimpressed that Elrond was not going to tell the hobbits they couldn't eat six square meals a day. He could hardly starve his guests, and although missing a meal or two wouldn't harm them in any way, Elrond well knew that these particular hobbits would consider it no less than torture.

Of course, Erestor wasn't being much of a help either. The last time Elrond had seen the councilor he had been headed to the stables muttering complaints about how much of a mess a person the size of a five-year-old elfling could cause. Elrond had to feel at least a little sympathy. It was likely Erestor had found the aftermath in the library left by Merry and Pippin. Elrond was at least partly at fault, but he had assumed Merry was responsible enough to return the maps to where he had found them. Apparently not. It was unlikely Erestor would return until most of the guests had gone to their rest. He liked order more than even the average elf, and there had been no order in the Valley for over a week.

Elrond pinched the bridge of his nose. His human heritage did not often fail him, but it did leave him prone to headaches, when the situation called for it. His temples began to pound in time with his heartbeat, and he let out a groan very unbecoming of an Elven Lord.

And the rest, well, they were traitors, the lot of them. Elladan and Elrohir he had sent off on an important mission, but Estel had asked to leave himself, and Elrond had granted permission, despite his better judgment. But Glorfindel had disappeared two days earlier, and though Elrond was certain his friend had simply escaped with the last border patrol, the Lord of Rivendell was a bit put out that his seneschal had abandoned him without a word of apology.

No, they had all left him to deal with this alone. Even Arwen seemed to be nowhere to be found, which he was rather unsurprised at, but all the same, it was rather shameful to be abandoned by one's councilors and family at the same time.

Especially with a house full of uninvited guests.

Sometimes Elrond briefly wondered whether his brother hadn't been the smarter one. The Halls of Men must be infinitely better than this.

At least it was quiet, he mused. It seemed everyone was keeping outside the house today, enjoying the sunny weather. He supposed he should be grateful for small miracles.

Crash.

Well, there went the silence too. Elrond was on his feet instantly, which only served to increase the pounding in his head. The sound had come from the gardens outside the main rooms. Fearing the worst he ran in that direction as gracefully as only an elf could.

"Pippin, you are aware this wasn't the best of your ideas?"

"Yes, Merry."

"As long as you admit it." Merry glanced up into the tree that had held Pippin in its branches only moments before. Pippin had always had an unusual interested in climbing trees, and a penchant for falling out of them. But the Shire trees were not overly large. Pippin had thought trying to climb one of the huge elven trees would be an adventure.

Merry glanced at his cousin, and had to admit, that it would have been a good idea if it had worked. But then, Pippin's ideas rarely worked the way they were supposed to. He glanced around, and realized there was a bit of a crowd gathering. A group of dwarves stood off to one side, glancing their way and conversing in hushed voices. There were a few elves too, who had been passing by at the time, or were looking out from the balconies of the house. Merry turned around to see if there was anyone else, and came face to face, or rather face to thighs, with the Lord of Rivendell.

He resisted the urge to gulp. "It was an accident, I swear."

Elrond looked down at him briefly and then moved over to where Pippin was lying at the base of the tree. "I am certain it was, but be that as it may, it was still a very bad idea. What have you done to yourself Master Peregrin?"

Pippin looked terrified. "I…I'm…fine."

"I doubt that." Elrond glanced upwards to the tree above them. "Estel fell out of this tree and broke his leg when he was eight. It was not the first time this tree 'caused' an accident, and I doubt this time will be the last. Let's see if you've broken anything as well."

A brief examination proved that yes, he had, but it was thankfully only his wrist. Besides a few bumps and bruises he would likely be up and about the next day. Unfortunately, Merry thought.

Elrond gathered Pippin up into his arms, mindful of the broken bone, and motioned Merry to follow him into the house.

"You will return to your rooms Master Hobbit and you will not leave them until the morrow. And if I catch you with that arm out of its sling before I say otherwise, you will not find the consequences at all pleasant. Am I perfectly understood?"

The change from kind healer to intimidating Elven Lord shocked the hobbit into silence. Pippin gulped, and managed to nod. He had no allusions that Elrond would not carry through with such a threat.

"Good. Off with the both of you then. Master Meriadoc, if you would please keep your young cousin out of trouble and in his bed, I would be grateful. I will make certain that meals are sent to your room. And I will look in on you Peregrin before the evening meal." The hobbits took that as a good cue to leave as quickly as possible. But they only made it to the door before Elrond's voice stopped them again.

"And no climbing any more trees!"

Merry grabbed Pippin's good arm and practically dragged the tweenager from the room. He did not stop until they were safe in their only bedroom. Shutting the door firmly behind him, Merry allowed himself a sigh of relief.

They had got off lightly, of that he was sure. He told himself he had would have to remember to asked Strider if he had been punished for falling out of the tree too.

"Bed, Pippin. Now." It was a mark of how terrified of the consequences Pippin was that he climbed up onto the large bed without a word of protest. He sat back against the pillows, looking quite small against the enormously carved headboard. Merry felt a little guilty for his abrupt behavior.

"How are you feeling Pip? Does your wrist hurt?" He came and climbed up onto the bed himself and settled down next to the tween.

"No. That tea Elrond gave me tasted awful, but it worked well. It doesn't hurt at all anymore." He moved his arm to prove the point.

"That's good."

There was silence, except for the chirping of birds outside their window.

"Merry?"

"Yes, Pip?" Merry said, and turned to look at his cousin.

"I'm bored."

Merry sighed in defeat.