Disclaimer; Lord of The Rings is not mine

Chapter Four

Two years after Legolas' 21st birthday Thranduil decided to go to Rivendell to visit Elrond and his family. Silmarwen, Golradir and Legolas came with him. They were met at the steps to the palace by Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir. When Legolas saw the twins he leapt off his horse and ran over to them. "Dan, Roh!" he cried joyfully jumping into Elrohir's arms. The twins laughed and embraced the young prince.

"It's good to see you again Las," Elladan said ruffling Legolas' golden hair. Legolas pouted as his hair was messed up which made Elrohir and Elladan laugh. Silmarwen, Thranduil and Elrond smiled in amusement at the trios antics. Golradir shook his head but smiled and walked over to them.

"It's good to see you again too Golradir," said Elrohir setting Legolas back down on his feet. Elladan and Elrohir clasped forearms with the Mirkwood heir and then turned beseeching eyes on their father. "Can we go and explore for a bit Ada?" they begged.

"Of course ion-nins," Elrond said, "just keep an eye on Legolas." The elder three promised that they would and then four ran off into the palace.

Elrond sighed. "There's no knowing what mischief those four will get up to."

...

Though the twins had said they were going to explore that was actually not what they had in mind. They grinned mischievously at the Mirkwood princes. "Let's have some fun, shall we?" Golradir and Legolas' eyes shone with excitement and they nodded eagerly. The four crept silently through the palace until they came to the library. They stuck their heads around the door and peered in. Two of Elrond's most trusted advisors, Glorfindel and Erestor were inside pouring over a map. Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas and Golradir withdrew their heads and hurried down the corridor.

"Glorfindel's always fun to annoy," Elrohir said.

"What did you have in mind?" Legolas asked curiously.

The twins shared a wicked smile. "Follow us and you'll see," Elladan told him.

The two blond elves followed the two raven haired elves until they came to a big oak door. The twins told the Mirkwood brothers that they had arrived at Glorfindel's chambers. Elladan reached into his robes and pulled a bottle out.

"What's in that?" Golradir asked.

"Something that will turn Glorfindel's hair a most amusing colour," Elladan said mysteriously, "we have no idea what."

The four snuck into the chambers and through to the private bathroom. Very carefully Elladan poured the contents of the little bottle into the soap Glorfindel used for his hair. That done the four exited the chambers and took off down the hallways laughing silently to themselves.

Deciding that they wouldn't prank anyone else today the four elves chose to pass the time before dinner out in the forest. Legolas and Golradir supported this idea whole heartedly. They hadn't spent much time inside but they were already missing the company of the trees.

The Rivendell twins decided it would be best not to go too far into the forest so instead they stayed on the outskirts. Elladan and Elrohir watched the wood elves communicating with the trees and felt a twinge of regret that they couldn't themselves. They often wondered what it would be like to talk to the trees. Perhaps Golradir and Legolas could teach them.

...

That night at dinner all eyes were on Glorfindel. He entered the dining hall with his once blond hair a myriad of different colours. Elrond cast a glance at his sons and saw the smirks on their faces. He shook his head. Glorfindel fumed as he took his seat at the high table and turned a baleful glare on the youngest elves present.

"Don't think I don't know who's behind this," he growled.

Elladan and Elrohir did their best to look innocent but the elder elf saw write through them. "Just for that you can help me organise the library tomorrow," he said.

The twins groaned. Legolas and Golradir hoped they had gotten away with it. "You two are helping as well," Glorfindel informed them. The brothers hung their heads and vowed silently to get back at the Peredhil twins for getting them involved.

Unfortunately the Mirkwood princes would not be able to exact revenge. Half way through the meal the doors to the hall opened and everyone glanced up. A concerned frown crossed Thranduil's face when he saw that the person standing in the doorway was one of his warriors. The warrior approached the head table and bowed.

"I am sorry for intruding like this hir nins," the elf began apologetically, "there are problems with the giant spiders that have infested our woods. They are becoming too great in number."

Thranduil didn't need to hear any more. He turned to Lord Elrond. "I must ask you forgiveness mellon-nin. I must return to the Greenwood to deal with this problem."

Lord Elrond inclined his head. "Go, may you drive those foul creatures from your home." Thranduil thanked Lord Elrond and then asked that Silmarwen stay in Rivendell with Legolas. She agreed though she begged Thranduil to take care. Thranduil said his goodbyes and left with Golradir and the messenger who had brought news of the spiders.

...

The three elves rode as fast as they could towards Mirkwood but even still it took them many days to arrive. When they did arrive they headed straight for the palace. Thranduil and Golradir were unnerved by what they found there. Many elves had been badly wounded and were being attended to by the healers though fortunately none had been lost. The Eleven King approached the head healer and asked what had happened. As she explained about the spiders attacks Thranduil's eyes narrowed. He summoned all his elves who were able to fight and led them in an attack against the giant monsters that threatened their home.

The fight was long and bloody. The warriors felled many spiders but many warriors were wounded too. Golradir was badly injured while protecting a warrior too weak to fight back against the spider about to kill him. The prince managed to slay the spider by slicing into its underbelly but the spiders fangs pierced his arms. Enraged Thranduil and his warriors doubled their efforts in driving back the spiders.

There were successful. Thranduil hurried back to the palace and took his son straight to a healer. He then wrote to his wife back in Imladris and told her what had happened. She left straight away bringing Legolas back with her.

When she arrived she ran to her sons side and did not move until she was sure he would be safe.

The elves celebrated the defeat of the spiders and prayed to the Valar that their troubles were at an end.