Evening shadows found the lord of Imladris pacing his room nervously. Where those two troublemakers were? He was busy with a delegation from the Lorien all the day, having no time even for a little sneak. Should he knew that no one saw his children since the breakfast and moreover, didn't hear of them, he'd be already dead with worry. Usually he had at least few tutors and councils waiting at his doors with another story about Elladan drawing a picture of the sword instead of summarizing the lecture on the history of elven realms; or Elrohir, "accidentally" forgetting his pet frog in the Erestor's shoe.
Elrond rubbed his face with a hand. He loved his children greatly. But with a bunch of troubles from the whole realm on his hands, it was hard to try and follow each step of the twins. Elves were known to be quiet and peaceful, but his sons broke all this believes. They were curious and full of energy, jumping from one mischief to another. And although everyone around was ready to give them rather good lashing, the whole Imladris adored this two troublemakers.
Soft knocking at the door get Elrond out of his grim thoughts. He turned to see his concil and close friend, lord Glorfindel, coming inside.
"You seems troubled, my friend." Glorfindel stated, his piercing eyes watching Elrond's features closely.
"Yes. It seems that no one saw Elladan and Elrohir since breakfast this morning. I'm concerned about the fact."
Glorfindel eye's sparkled with concern. He frowned.
"I met one of the cooks about an hour ago. She told me about the disappearance of some food from the store room. She thinks someone took it right after breakfast."
Elrond stopped his pacing.
"You think twins were the ones to take it?" He asked, a worry written all over his face.
"Now, that you told about their absence, I think it's possible. They were dreaming about spending the day outside the stronghold on their own..."
Both elves turned to the window, watching the evening falling over the forests, covering it with colorless darkness.
"If they aren't back yet, they must have gotten themselves into some troubles." Elrond finally spoke.
Silence fell in the room. The Imladris lord was in the thoughtful gloomy mood. Would they be able to find the tracks of the two elflings in the forest during night. If it was about humans or dwarves, Elrond had no doubt that his warriors would find the trail with their eyes closed. But he knew his children well. They had grace and stealth, great even for elves.
"Gather a group of warriors." He turned to Glorfindel once more. "Our best trackers. Check waterfalls and the river first."
The other elf nodded. "I'll lead them. Stay here and prepare for the restless night, my friend."
He bowed slightly and walked away of the room. Elrond sighed. He just hoped that his boys were well and safe.
XXX
Glorfindel ordered the group to move on. Each of the warriors joined the search willingly. Everyone wanted to find their two young lords. Glorfindel leaded his troops into the forest. They were riding slowly, looking for the slightest clue to where the twins were. But there were no tracks of the two young ones. Not even a ghost of a footprint.
The warriors grew serious. The night closed it's arms around the forest, hugging it in the tight chilly grip. Even though no evil creatures were known to enter woods near the Imladris, many animals inhabited it. And Glorfindel wished the twins not to meet them.
The group reached the river. In the glowing light of the rising moon the water seemed to be silver, rolling it's rebel waters with a whisper of waves.
"My lord!" One of the warriors called.
Glorfindel gracefully jumped down from his horse and kneeled near one of the guards. There were many prints close to water in one place.
"Someone fell into the river here." The warrior stated, observing the picture of tracks curved in the moist soil.
"And look, what I found near, lord Glorfindel." The other soldier said softly, handing a small bag filled with herbs.
Glorfindel took it gently. He looked onto the seemingly peaceful waters, onto the set of tracks that leaded downstream, onto the small bag - the one Elrond gave his sons in case they would get hurt. So, the twins had found the trouble, after all.
"Let's follow the tracks and pray to Valar that the young ones are fine." He said to the grim group of warriors gathered around him.
TBC...
Note: I know, it was a short one. Thanks everyone for the review. I thought that the next chapter would be the best answer.