Thranduil glanced up when the doors at the end of the room opened up only enough to admit on elf, and of course, his ever present circling hawk. He had long ago given up the argument on places in which the retched bird would not be allowed to go, but after it had nearly tore a hole in the dining room doors, the matter had finally been dropped. He had the same argument with Ava and her wolf, until it hollowed outside of their shared living space until he was allowed in and into Ava's room. With a sigh Thranduil watched as the bird made a victory lap around the room, squawking as it flew overhead almost like laughter. How he hated the bird.
As Legolas made his way through the room towards the raised platform where his table was, he was stopped numerous times as people wished him well, or questioned where Ava was. A question Thranduil would've liked the answer to very much in this moment, as it was nearly unheard of for them to be separated, it seemed very odd that he would come alone having only been in her company several minutes before.
Finally he managed to weave his way through the room and to his spot just to the right of Thranduil, remembering to formally introduce himself to their visitors before taking his seat. It wasn't uncommon to smell the pleasantness of the forest on his son, it was uncommon however to smell the slight murkiness that only came with swimming in deep pools. The likes of which weren't found in the boundaries he was allowed to roam without a guard.
"You didn't stray too far on your walk after training, did you?" He inquired quietly to his son, already knowing full well the answer was no
"Of course not, Ada" Though his words came out smoothly and without flaw, the slight pinking of his ears gave him away. Good, Thranduil thought, he still hates lying to me.
"Next time you attempt to deceive me, my son, I do suggest you bathe first" The continued pinking of his sons ears told him more than any facial expression could have, "Now tell me, you didn't stray too far, did you?"
"Yes Ada" Legolas mumbled miserably into his soup, refusing to meet his gaze
"We will speak of it at a later time"
It wasn't as if this was the first time he had strayed too far, and was likely no even close to the last time in which he would. It wasn't a pressing issue, and could wait until they were in private. Looking up from his blushing son with satisfaction, he found that Celebrian wore a knowing smile across the table form him.
The entire situation was fairly odd. Of course Celebrian had visited him on many occasions without Elrond, but only for a few weeks, but hadn't since she had conceived children. And, now that he thought about it, most of the visits were under the pretence of business matters, even if it usually only consisted a short conversation.
He yearned to ask exactly what had changed, but had deemed enough from her early demur to not that it would not be a well-received topic. At least not yet. He has a rather suspicious feeling it had something to do with a particularly nasty argument with her husband, which in turn made Thranduil more than slightly uneasy. If the argument had been bad enough to drive her away from her home, and into his halls, it must have surely been a rough night, or weeks, for all of Rivendell's inhabitants.
"Where is Ava?" Grandesh unexpectedly inquired as he too, took his seat at the table next to Celebrian.
"Oh, she had to go the healers about a wound she sustained during sparring today" Came Legolas' easy reply, but there was something off about his tone of voice
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at his son, watching him squirm slightly under his heavy gaze. It of course was not shocking she needed the healers to look at a wound, but sparring had ended nearly four hours ago, she should have gone already. And considering he had seen her dangling and scaling tree's with ease only half an hour before, it was unlikely she had already gone to see them and had re-aggravated the wound.
Which meant she had purposefully chosen this particular time of day to seek medical attention.
Thranduil narrowed his eyes further, if anyone were to know her reasons it would be Legolas "Why?"
"Ferdan ordered her to go, after he bound the wound" His sons handsome face remained impassive, but his legs were fidgeting slightly under the table. Which was really rather uncharacteristic of him, which only caused his father's suspicion to grow
"Yes, but sparring ended hours ago, why did she not simply go right after?"
Legolas shrugged in an attempt of being nonchalant "Perhaps she simply forgot about it until now"
Thranduil glanced up at Grandesh, who looked as equally suspicious of the whole circumstances as he himself did, and beside him Celebrian seemed to trying to hide her mirth by delicately sipping from her wine glass. Thranduil glared at her, which only appeared to increase her delight in his parental setbacks, no doubt glad she was no longer the only one dealing with troublesome elflings.
"An unlikely suggestion" Grandesh finally spoke, "Try again"
At his words Legolas looked startled, apparently he had not anticipated the they would not believe his words. He cleared his throat several times before speaking, probably stalling for time "I'm sorry?"
"Try again" Grandesh repeated evenly, raising an eyebrow
Reaching forward Thranduil watched as his son plucked his water glass off the table and took a sip, he almost felt sorry for the poor child. It wasn't often he acquired the wrath of both his father and his advisor. However with Ava's acting odd lately that neither party were able to understand, there were no room for lies on her whereabouts.
"Why don't you go check yourselves then, you'll find her in the healers ward" Legolas words were confidant, as he triumphantly spooned more soup into his mouth.
Again, Thranduil glanced up a Grandesh to find a similar expression on his face. Legolas was hardly ever one for lying, especially not if Ava or anyone had decided to do something he deemed foolish. He would of course promise to say nothing, but if questioned on it he would divulge the truth. And his efforts to keep her possibly whereabouts hidden meant she wasn't in any danger, but skipping meals was never a good idea. Although, it could also be true that she was in fact safe in the healers ward, being forced to eat whatever they had lying around while somebody tended to her arm.
To call his sons bluff, or to not?
Thranduil was about to let the entire matter drop, when he noticed Legolas peeking at him out of the corner of his blue eyes. Gauging his reaction to see if he had believed him. Already people were beginning to disperse from the hall, he knew Celebrian would understand if he were to leave the table.
"I think I will go check, thank you" With that he moved to push himself from the table, but stopped at his sons rather humorous squeak. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that Legolas? I speak many different languages, but mouse is not one of them"
Thranduils son was saved the trouble of trying to come up with another lie, as the door at the end of the hall once again opened up admitting a rather grumpy looking Ava, and a smug Firdan. Since he often didn't have time to keep as close of an eye on his children as he would have liked, several of Thranduils friends had become a part of their awkward squad of care givers. If it weren't for them, there was a very real chance he would never know of their whereabouts, no matter how hard he tried.
…..
Celebrian glanced sympathetically at her sons, they both seemed like they were drowning in their unease. Both had been determined to make good impressions, but faced with the enormous intimidating threat the is Thranduil, they had fallen silent and had remained that since the meal had started. The small altercation between Thranduil and Prince Legolas had of course, had only made matters worse.
It had been one of her fears, that her son's wouldn't be able to find a way to fit in with drastically different Woodland elves, but had been assured that Avalien would be able to bring them ease, as she had apparently grown adapt at doing for several visiting young delegates. That plan had a rather obvious kink in the fact, that she hadn't shown up for dinner.
Glancing over the table she noticed Thranduils pondering face, one which Grandesh mirrored beside her. For several minutes she had been silently following their conversation as they struggled to try get Legolas to tell them the whereabouts of his friend, which had been proving to be a rather difficult feat to accomplish. Just as Thranduil was about to stand from the table, he was saved the trouble as the missing Elleth finally made her appearance.
Celebrian took a sip from her wine glass to try and hide her smirk, as she unsuccessfully attempted to do before, as Thranduil fixed the approaching figure with a glare that could probably send Orcs running in fear. However, on the young elleth, it appeared to have no effect whatsoever. She had changed from the legging she had worn during training, into a long, light, flowing skirt of pale green. Different patterns of flowers and tree's had been woven into the material at the hem with gold thread. Her top was again been cut off to bear her midriff, though several more inches of it was covered this time, but the fabric was just as tight and the same light brown the other had been.
As if completely unaware of the glare she was currently receiving from her foster father, she flounced through the hall, and up to the table. Though, before she could get far, Thranduils hand snaked from the arm of his chair to grasp her wrist, no unkindly, but with enough force that he could not be ignored. The words he spoke to her were too soft to make it to Celebrian ears, but she expected she would find out soon enough.
The moment Thranduil released his hold on her slender wrist she approached Celebrian chair and bowed deeply, almost to the point of hilarity.
"Lady Celebrian, it is a pleasure to make one's so great of an acutance, I am Avalien of the Woodland Realm" She began, rising only after the words had been spoken "I offer my sincere apologies for my horrid manors, and my tardiness, it is my hope that you could find it in your heart to forgive me"
Smug creature she was, it was a rather extravagant apology for being twenty minutes late for a meal. It was also likely that it was simply to pester Thranduil further, since he was already upset with her. But her words seemed too sincere for Celebrian to easily determine if they were false or not.
"But of course, Lady Avalien, never would I hope to hold a grudge against such a lovely creature as yourself" Celebrian answered in the same manner, even managing to bow albeit a bit awkwardly in her chair.
A bright grin was flashed in Celebrian's direction just as Grandesh muttered "Please, Celebrian, don't encourage her"
Not that apologies had been made, and accepted, Ava made her way back around to the other side of the table only pausing to kiss Thranduil's cheek. It was a quick gesture, and she had darted back around his chair before he could even so much as utter a word to her. However, the King seemed set on remaining discontented with her, but the slight upturn of his lips and a roll of his eyes betrayed him, at least to Celebrian whom had been gauging his reaction.
Now seated in what Celebrian assumed was her spot to the right of Legolas, Ava turned her attention to the silent twin elves in front of her. "I'm sorry, it would appear I have neglected to introduce myself. I am Ava"
Celebrian didn't fail to notice the change of names, while introducing herself to her sons, the young Elleth had decided to use only her shortened name. Questioning, she glanced up at Thranduil he just shook his head. Another time, and they could discuss it.
When both of the Young Rivendell Lords looked up surprised at actually being addressed, she flashed them a bright dazzling, welcoming smile.
"I am Elladan, and this is Elrohir"
"Well met, Elladan and Elrohir"
"Well met, Ava"
"Is this your first time visiting our fair forest?" Ava inquired sweetly, spooning various fruits and vegetables onto her plate, and only placing a small section of chicken after Thranduil cleared his throat and gave her a pointed look.
"Er, Yes. Yes it is" It was Elladan that spoke, which was unsurprising. As the elder of the two, even if only by a few minutes, he was often the one to speak when neither wanted to, or weren't sure what to say. And while Elrohir was more of the one for jokes and stories, upon first meetings he was rather shy.
"Well, I know it is no Imladris, but I assure you there are still many beautiful sights to be seen" She paused and spooned some berries into her mouth, before continuing when it was apparent neither twin was aware how to "And of course, there are also a wide variety of wonderful things to do to pass the time"
"Do not let her foul you, there is none more beautiful sight in all the lands than the one that currently sits before you" Glorfindel said as way of announcing his final arrival.
He leaned forward and kissed the top of Ava's head affectionately, having been the only who have visited Thranduils realm prior to this point, and had apparently already made friends with the woodland realms heirs.
"Ah, yes, I was wondering when you would finally decide to grace us all with your presence" Thranduil commented, rising from his chair to offer the twice-born Balrog slayer a warriors greeting.
"I could not leave Lady Celebrian alone for too long in your company, My King, least she begin to forget what a proper stimulating conversation could be like"
Had anyone said those worse that were not a friend, or perhaps, had anyone but Glordfindel uttered those words Celebrian was fairly sure they wouldn't have much liked the outcome. However, it was in fact a friend, and Glorfindel, who spoke them so instead the woodland king threw his head back with a bark of laughter.
"Proper stimulating conversation?" Thranduil inquired, retaking his seat at the table, "Is that what you called it when last time you visited you managed to have a conversation with a-"
"Now, now, Thranduil" Glorfindel quickly interrupted, "I do believe that is a story for another time all together. Seven or Eight thousand years in the future, perhaps"
There was an undignified snort of suppressed laughter, for the other end of the table. "I would not offer such a proposal Glorfindel" Ava managed to say around her delighted laughter "If anyone were stubborn enough to make good on it, it would most certainly be Thranduil, and while it may save you the trouble in the time being I doubt a few thousand years would diminish your embarrassment in the slightest"
"And who exactly asked you?" Glorfindel inquired, attempting a small child whiney voice that nearly all were too familiar with. The rather old, and certainly not an elfling under any circumstances, finished off his sentence with a stuck out tongue.
"Really Glordindel?" Celebrian asked, raising an eyebrow, yet attempting to hold back her own grin.
"She started it" He grumbled, again, not unlike an unhappy child, before turning his attention to Thranduil once more.
A glance to her right brought a smile to her lips, instead of a look of sympathy. Already, Ava had managed to draw her sons into conversation, the two young elves from Greenwood were talking excitedly with the two form Rivendell.
She turned her blue back up to Thranduils own blue orbs, silently dancing with an unspoken , 'I told you so'
…
Free. They had never, in their entire 124 years of life, felt so free. It wasn't as if as if they had heavy restraints placed upon them at home, in fact it was quite the opposite. But there was just something different about running under the seemingly endless expanses of green tree's, with the starlight managing to filter through the leaves overhead and light the path in front of them.
They yelled, laughed and sometime sung conversation between the small group of young elves as they sprinted through the tree's mingled perfectly with the songs of nature, it was almost as if they were the same sound. Just spoken differently; but just as beautifully.
Both twin could recall their mother trying to explain the special connection with nature that woodland elves of Greenwood possessed, but they had dismissed some of her stories as fact told to amuse small elflings. But now, as they twins ran through the forest with them, watching as the tree's seemed to bend and sway in greeting, occasionally bending branches several feet down just to allow more light through the tree's, or a closer foothold. It seemed so unreal.
It felt so perfect.
"We're almost there!" One of the elves shouted, Elrohir was fairly certain he had introduced himself as Tzipora "Jump on three"
Ahead of them Ava turned her head only long enough to flash them another brilliant smile, before turning forward once more and shouting "One!"
With that, she leapt forward gracefully, disappearing into the darkness in front of her. There was another shout of "Two!" as Legolas followed in her footsteps, his bright blond hair taken a moment longer to disappear than Ava's dark tresses had.
"Three!" Tzipora bellowed beside them, uncertainly the twins leapt forward just as they had been instructed to do before leaving the walls of the stronghold.
There was a feeling of endless falling, and their stomachs shifting both to their toes and their throats at the same time. With only the moon and stars to light their way here, it was impossible to tell where they were going, or how far they were going to drop. There was a few more seconds of silence, as air rushed by their lungs without having the manners to refill them. Before, finally, their decent ended with a splash.
It only took the twin a moment before the resurfaced to hear cheering and laughter, treading water they shook the water from their face "Not bad for a pair of Noldor" Ava called from somewhere to their right, "Come on, we aren't there yet!"
With that, she began swimming forward, not even stopping to see if they were coming or not. Obediently, the pair of identical elves swam after her, catching up quickly as she wasn't swimming as fast as possible.
They group of three stopped at a rock wall, before Ava turned back to them once more "You can hold your breath for a while, correct?"
"Yes.." Elladan answered sceptically
"Perfect, you're going to have to swim under this rock"
"We're going to have to what?"
"Oh, calm down, it isn't that bad!"
Then, with a gulp of air she disappeared beneath the surface of the water once more. After sharing a reproachful look, the twin followed, just managing to spot her muscular legs propelling her forward through the dark water.
As Ava said, it wasn't too bad, they didn't have to dive down to the bottom of the deep pool, nor was the rocky tunnel very long. Before long, they three resurfaced again on the other side.
"We were beginning to wonder if you had drowned" Tzipora announced, the moment the twins surfaced.
"Hush, its nearly time!" Ava hissed, moving to the center of the now smaller circular body of water they were now treading water in.
The twin moved to follow and were more than pleased to find that it was much shallower near the center, and they were both able to stand up with their feet flat on the rocky bed of the lake. Beside them though, Ava was just short enough that she was forced to continue to tread water. That is, until Legolas too, move to the center of the pool, and Ava ditched the effort of having to swim in favour of grasping onto her friend to keep her afloat. Legolas didn't even look at her when her arms circled around his neck, pulling herself slightly out of the water.
After a few moment of standing silently in the dark, Elladan braved to speak "What exactly, are we waiting for?"
"You'll see" Was the cryptic response he received.
Half a breath later it happened. Slowly, the walls that towered over where the small secluded circle of water began to light up. First, it was only in one or two spots as blue flowers slowly bloomed, and glowed a pale blue in color.
But following the examples of the first, more flower began to pop open and bask the elves in their light. Before long, the entirety of the stone walls were covered in various colors, and various brightness. They shone so brightly it was if somebody had lit a large bonfire, instead of the something so simple as flowers blooming.
"Bet you don't have anything nearly this incredible in Rivendell" Tzipora teased, knocking his shoulder playfully in Elrohir to ensure he knew it was only a jest.
…..
"Did I not tell you Ava would be able to draw your sons out of their silence?" Thranduil gloated slightly, passing Celebrian a glass of wine he had just poured
"You did" She agreed, accepting the glass with a nod of thanks "But I did not think she would be able to do it so quickly"
With a shrug and a smile Thranduil moved to sit on a plush armchair by the window, Celebrian moving to do the same across from him. Instead of staying in his study, where they were sure to be disturbed, Thranduil had suggested they retire to their family chambers for the evening.
Now, the sat in the joined sitting area, with four doors branched off of it. One led to the hallway in which they had arrived from, the other three Celebrian had assumed led to the royal families respectful bedrooms. Although, there were several things strewn about the sitting room that seemed to have strayed from their designated bedroom and had yet to return.
Like the rather large quilt that had been strewn in the middle of the room when they had first entered, but had quickly been flung through on of the doors with a sigh. Still, a few books remained lying around, several were lying open, and even more with some random object thrust in the pages as a book mark. Such as a fork, which the large book to Celebrian right seemed to sport with pride, but Thranduil eyed with mild distaste.
He eyed it a while longer, as if attempting to decide if it bothered him enough to do anything about it or not, and apparently decided it didn't and wondering aloud "I wonder how long it's been in there.." instead.
"Well it hasn't begun to grow mould, so it couldn't have been that long"
"Unless its only begun to grow in the folds of the book" This time, two pairs of eyes drifted towards the large book, both pondering the likely hood of finding a fungus growing within the pages "I do believe the book is belongs to Ava, so it is entirely possible"
"Oh?" Celebrian inquired with a raised eyebrow, making her look much like her mother
"Let's just say she is not the most organized Elf"
"Her entrance this evening seemed wonderfully organized" Celebrian smirked over the rim of her cup at her friend, as he once again, rolled his eyes
"Aye, she is nearly impossible to stay angry with" Thranduil agreed, though he couldn't help returning the smile
"Oh I don't know, I do believe if you really wished to you could remain angry with her" She paused, but then added due to the fact she was unable to resist the opportunity "You manage to do so with everybody else"
This time, it was the Kings turn to raise an eyebrow, "Was it not you mother who said 'every elf has their own special gift to offer'? Consider it the gift I have been blessed with"
Unable to hold it in, Celebrian let out a rather undignified snort "I do believe you would be the only one to consider that a gift, Mellon nin"
"It's efficient, is it not? I don't get bothered with trivial matters from other lands that have no bearing on the livelihood of my people, which are sure to be settled in a year or two anyways"
"This is true" Celebrian agreed, thinking back to all those times when kingdoms of men had travelled to Rivendell asking for aid against another realm over something as silly as a marriage, "When it comes to grudge holding, I do not believe you even have competition"
"There is always a personal best to beat"
"And what is your personal best?"
"I'll let you know once me and you mother are back on speaking terms" At that, Celebrian wasn't able to contain her laughter. It was no secret that distrust and dislike Thranduil and Galadriel had for one another, it was for the reason it was always Celeborn who traveled to do business in Greenwood.
"All this practice, and you can't even manage to stay mad at and elfling for an entire meal?"
"Oh I probably could, if I really wished too, it simply comes down to the fact that I simply don't wish too" At his friends questioning glance he continued, "I am always so busy, and certainly do not have the time I wish I had to spend with them, it doesn't make sense to spend that time angry with one another"
"Besides," He continued seamlessly, though much less cheerfully "They both have spent too much of their childhood grieving over a loss they were both forced to bare witness to, and now that they are finally happy it causes my heart to weep to seem either of them upset . Even the most trivial of matters, such as a disagreement during a meal"
There had been rumours' that Legolas had been with his mother when she had been attacked and killed by Orcs, hidden safe in a tree out of the their reach. Likewise, there had been a rumour that Ava had witnessed the same, and that she endured her father's half-craved care until he finally stumbled into Greenwood and was swiftly found by a patrol. None had asked Thranduil of course, especially after hearing how protective he was over the both of them. And besides, it was none of their business to know.
It was the first time there had been any real conformation over the rumours, and it caused Celebirans heart to break a little. She could just picture Legola's as toddler thrust into the branches of a tree for his own protection while his mother was murdered before his innocent blue eyes; not understanding but knowing he had to remain silent.
Leaning forward she placed her small slender hand over his much larger one, "I'm sorry Thranduil"
The king shrugged and cleared his throat, and blinked rapidly a few times before speaking "Such is the nature of life, I do suppose"
The pair lapsed into a comfortable silence for a while, listening to the sons of the tree's filter through the open window. The sound of laughter filter in through the window a while later, causing Celebrian to stand from her chair and look out the window once she recognized her son's voices.
There was a small group of six or seven elves making their way back from the forest, their hair glittering in the moonlight, reflecting the light rays on their still rather damp hair.
"I do believe you're going to regret offering you sons willingly to the mercy that is the Greenwood youth" Thranduil muttered from beside her, watching his own children argue about something that was most likely race related.