A/N: I did not come up with the wonderful creation of Tolkien's world, I've just created some OC's, a new race of elves and a backstory.
It is advised to read THERE WERE TEN before commencing this one as they are linked. Enjoy.
TA 2338 - 680 Years before the Fellowship of the Ring was formed.
The young she elfhorse stepped into the small grove, shifting back into elf form and took a seat on one of the fallen logs which had been dragged to form a ring of seats. She watched as a satisfied smirk appeared upon her brother's face.
"Finally Aerlaer has decided to join us." He quipped and the other four young elves who also sat on their own logs laughed. The she elf glared at him but she too had a smirk upon her face. Her brother was up to something. The young, male elf addressed them all.
"Five days past, Aerlaer and I finally come of age."
"Aerthor we know that, do you forget already the celebration the entire herd had for you both?" A chestnut haired elf laughed.
"I have not forgotten Baran, but did you not feel it was rather mundane? It was the same as every other celebration we have. I want to do something exciting." Aerthor explained and Aerlaer saw a glimmer of mischief in her twin brother's eyes.
"What are you proposing? We have another celebration?" She asked and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Not quite, Narthan was on patrol near the borders of the Woodland Realm yesterday and he overheard their guards speaking of a celebration they were having this eve. I think we should go." Aerthor said excitedly, looking to each of the elves, his eyes finally resting on his sister, waiting for her answer.
"But they might catch us. They would recognise we do not belong. It is said King Thranduil does not take kindly to those which trespass on his lands." Aerlaer replied and those around her nodded in agreement.
"Oh but the best part is they will not know it is us! The celebration is a masked dance!" Aerthor chortled. Aerlaer considered this.
"If we arrived already masked, then they would not suspect we do not belong. We could dance and mingle right under the nose of the Woodland King!" She laughed deviously.
"But what of your hair? It is far too noticeable." Narthan, a male blonde haired elf asked warily and the twins looked at each other trying to puzzle out the issue of their unique hair.
"Black walnut." Aerlaer finally said and the others looked at her confused. "If we crush up some black walnuts and then steep them a little while in boiling water and let it cool. We can then rinse it through our hair and it will make it a dark brown."
"Yes! That is an excellent idea!" Aerthor exclaimed. "So are we all agreed, shall we sneak into the great King of Mirkwood's party?" He said impishly and the elves looked to each other, mischievous grins spreading upon their faces.
"I'm in." Aerlaer laughed. "They could not catch us anyway, we are far too swift." She said proudly and the others nodded in agreement.
"No one catches an Edhelroch!" Cried Aerthor regally.
"We need to devise some kind of masks to wear." Narthan said.
"We have masks; leave the possession of them to me." Baran replied deviously.
"Excellent but we need a reason we are sneaking out of the herd, for Ada will not allow this." Aerlaer laughed.
"I have the perfect idea as our cover and it is not even far from the truth." Aerthor answered mysteriously.
"You've planned this all out haven't you?" Thenid, a dark haired elf, said quietly and Aerthor nodded to his friend.
"I think we are all long overdue for a journey to Rivendell and I know father would rather we leave under the cover of darkness to avoid the attention of orcs." He replied confidently.
"So we will go to Mirkwood and then to Rivendell!" Aerlaer laughed. "This will be splendid!"
"We just have to convince Ada we wish to go to Rivendell tonight." Aerthor murmured, blue eyes glinting brightly, reflecting those of his sister. The elf stood up and shifting into horse form practically pranced out of the grove.