Two days later, not long before sunset the twins and Thranduil reached Imladris, much to the disappointment of all three. They rode up to the last homely house and dismounted, Legolas and Adela staying very close together. Elrond came down to meet them along with Glorfindel and Erestor.
Thranduil dropped to one knee and pulled both Legolas and Adela close, hugging them tightly. The journey home was going to be very quiet without them and he was missing them already, even though they had not yet parted ways. Smoothing both sets of hair Thranduil dropped a kiss on each forehead and stood.
He declined Elrond's offer to stay for supper and with one last hug mounted his horse and rode off. Legolas and Adela watched until he was out of sight before reaching for their bags, both wondering where to put their horses.
Elrond broke the silence. "Welcome to Rivendell, Legolas and Adela."
Both twins offered him a small smile and shared a look. This was going to be difficult.
"Glorfindel, please show our guests to their room, I hope you don't mind sharing? Elladan and Elrohir, twins of my own said you would probably prefer that," Elrond told them.
"We do," Legolas said, stiffly.
Elrond stifled a sigh, these two were going to be difficult. Seeing the Glorfindel had grabbed the last of the twins' bags he motioned for the two Mirkwood elves to follow.
Follow up the staircase and into a large spacious room. Legolas and Adela were slightly surprised the Glorfindel had waved them through into the room before him but had dared not disobey an elder. In Mirkwood children always entered after their elders. They were glad that they had remembered to stay three paces behind and slightly to the right, even though they weren't at home anymore.
Once Glorfindel left them the twins rushed into each other's arms. To do so in front of an elder, or anyone else in this place for that matter, would be to admit weakness. And that was something they were not allowed to do. After a while they broke apart and began to sort out their things. Uniforms where folded neatly and books and writing materials placed on the shelves and desks. Teddies were place on beds on top of neatly folded night clothes.
The twins briefly debated going in search of something to eat but decided that they did not want to wander the halls alone and that they were two tired and very scared. Changing quickly, they put their riding clothes in a neat pile to be washed.
Climbing into bed, Adela turned out the lamp and clutched her teddy tightly, she could see Legolas doing the same. Gazing at the sky through the window that was opposite both beds, conviently placed near each other on the same wall, Adela felt a tear slip.
However, when Erestor looked in on them later to see if they wanted anything to eat, both twins were asleep and he was reminded of how young they actually were. He quickly went and reported to Lord Elrond.
Elrond looked up surprised when Erestor entered his study without his young charges. "Where are Legolas and Adela?" he asked of the other.
"My Lord, they are both asleep. I did not wish to wake them because they have travelled far and are still young," Erestor told him.
Elrond sighed slightly, he had been hoping that the twins would open up after they had had something to eat but for now he must wait to see what the morrow would bring.