Aragorn sighed, flicking wet hair from his eyes. "It is hard to appear wise in the eyes of those who tolerated your childish mischief"
Elladan smiled at the memory the Dúnadan's words awoke. "Indeed. I still remember chasing a certain little brother naked through the keep because he refused to get dressed"
Aragorn's eyes widened and his cheeks flushed with a sudden blush.
Elrohir laughed. "Don't you think our dear sister would enjoy hearing that story?"
"You wouldn't!" Aragorn said, beginning to panic
"No, I think she'd enjoy the one where Estel stuck his peas up his nose more" Elladan countered.
"Or the one where you threw up all over Glorfindel, that's a good one" Elrohir replied calmly, smirking evilly at his younger brother.
The blush left Aragorn's cheeks as all the blood drained from his face. He stared his brothers in the eyes, gauging their intentions. They stared back, mischief glinting wickedly. His face became serious. He laid a hand on his sword, glaring his brothers down.
"You forget dear brothers; I am a child no longer. You also forget I surpass both of you in sword work." He said through gritted teeth, voice dripping in sarcastic affection.
The twins looked at each other. Their little brother did have a point. They were both unarmed. They gave each other an imperceptible nod.
"You make an excellent point Estel…" Elrohir began, starting to take small steps backward
"You are clearly the stronger when it comes to wielding swords…" Elladan continued, following his brother.
"But you have also overlooked something…" Elrohir said, increasing his pace.
"Oh yes? And what is that?" Aragorn asked. He steeped forward, matching his brothers step for step, driving them back.
"You forget that…" Elladan said, throwing his twin one last look. As one they finished the sentence "we can run faster!"
With that they turned and sprinted away, laughing impishly as they went. Aragorn gave a yell of dismay. If they got to Arwen before he did, they would not hesitate in telling her everything! He thundered off after them.
Elladan and Elrohir heard him behind them and they laughed louder. Of course they had no intention of telling their sister a thing. But Estel didn't have to know that. After all what the fun in pulling your little brother's leg if he knew it was jest? They allowed him to chase them round the keep for a while before feigning exhaustion to allow him to catch up. The three of them tussled for a while and bickered long into the night. But underneath the seeming hostilities, Aragorn grinned. He knew he was loved