Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or Lord of the Rings.

A/N: Okay, so it's pretty much filler and it's two days late… sorry. There were projects due all week (one each day) and there's one due tomorrow. But then, after Tuesday, school is done! Thus I should be able to write more and maybe update more often! Thanks to all my awesome reviewers! I wasn't sure whether or not I should even put this up, but you guys made me finish the chapter and proof read it (kinda).


Chapter 9

Elrond wrote quickly, his penmanship slightly lacking its normal grace as his hand moved with swift flicks. He paused, wondering whether or not to tell Celeborn about the plot to get Thranduil and Legolas to make up. The Lord sighed; then decided against it, if help was needed, Galadriel would give it, for she would know Glorfindel's plot the moment he set foot in her realm.

He finished his letter to his father-in-law, which warned him of the twin's visit, and that a friend was tagging along. Elrond had not further specified on who exactly the friend was. He smiled slightly as he sealed the letter. This visit was a long time in the coming, the twins had before expressed the desire to see their grandparents, but this would be their first trip to Lorien. Even with Glorfindel traveling with them, Elrond was hesitant to let his sons go.

Whenever the feeling got strong enough for him to want to call off the trip, he remembered Thranduil. The Elvenking would be going through worse, as his only son had run away. It was in that mind-set that Elrond was letting the twins go without him.

Erestor was suddenly in the door, or perhaps he had been there a while. It was always hard for Elrond to tell exactly how long the advisor had been somewhere.

"Elrond, are you quite sure about this?" Erestor asked.

The Lord of Imladris looked up, "Yes, I am. Legolas won't go to Lorien without the twins, and the twins wouldn't let him go without them, thus-"

Erestor interrupted, "Well, I can see what's bothering you about this trip. I meant: are you sure that this is a good idea?"

"Thranduil will miss his son, Erestor, and it's just… wrong to harbor him without his father's knowledge for very long."

"I'm aware and I agree, but… I don't know, I just have this feeling that something bad is going to happen."

"You're over-thinking this; you're as worried as I am." Elrond murmured.

"Maybe I am." Erestor agreed softly, slight hesitation in his voice, "And I hope so, but I just can't shake the feeling of dread."

"Nor can I, but I think both of our imaginations are running away with us. It is, after all, the first time the twins are leaving without the two of us going with them as well. Anyway, it's nearly midnight; we should both get some rest."

At this, Erestor nodded, "Goodnight, then, Lord Elrond." With that the dark-haired advisor left the room.


Legolas woke for a fitful sleep to the gentle brush of a tree limb against the window. He lay still, trying to get back to sleep. After lying awake in the darkness for a while, he slipped from his bed and crept into the hallway, careful not to wake anyone.

Figuring a glass of water would calm his unexplained uneasy nerves; Legolas began to head for the kitchens. He heard a gentle rustle and suddenly found another elf blocking his way.

"Is something wrong?" Elladan asked gently, eyes filled with concern.

"I can't sleep." Legolas admitted.

Elladan offered a small smile, "I can't either. I overheard something earlier, and it eats at my mind. But, where are you going?"

"For a drink and perhaps a walk," Legolas answered; then added, "Would you like to join me?"

"Aye, perhaps I can think this through," Elladan cast another glance into his room; then nodded and whispered, "Come."

Elladan led him swiftly through the halls to a small, open garden. The older twin didn't slow his pace until he had led Legolas into a small clearing surrounded by trees.

"It is beautiful here," Legolas commented lightly.

"Aye, often do I come here when I need to think." Elladan said, lying down on the grass, "Even Elrohir knows not of this place."

Legolas looked at Elladan, "Yet you share it with me?"

"You looked like you needed to think." Elladan said softly, "Something's bothering you, even if you don't admit it."

Legolas met the half-elf's gaze, "Yes, I suppose you're right." With that, the prince leaned back so he, too, was resting in the cool grass.

Elladan smiled and looked up at the stars, thinking about what he had overheard of the conversation between Erestor and his father, "Do you miss your Ada?"

Legolas seemed surprised at this, "I honestly don't know. I miss Mirkwood, but, at the same time, I wouldn't have seen him most of this time."

"Surely he misses you?" Elladan asked more than said, as he had never met the Elvenking.

"Perhaps," Legolas sighed, "Sometimes it seems I am nothing but a burden to him."

Elladan cast his friend a glance, "I don't think that is so."

Legolas smiled slightly. They spoke no more, but instead watched the stars and listened to the wind in the trees. Eventually, both of them dropped off to sleep.


Elrohir dashed into his father's room and jumped at the sleeping elf, "Ada! Ada, wake up!"

Elrond scrambled upright, grabbing the young elf before realizing who it was and releasing him. The Lord of Imladris simply stared at his son for a moment.

"What's wrong?"

"Ada, Elladan's not in bed! I can't find him and I'm scared!"

This had Elrond on his feet, "He's missing?"

"Y-Yes," Elrohir murmured, fear in his eyes.

Elrond jumped up and ran to his sons' room. Sure enough, Elladan's bed was empty and the covers were tossed every which way. He hurried to Legolas's room, to find the bed also empty and the covers pushed aside.

"Legolas is gone too." He reported to his son.

Elrohir looked at his father with worried eyes, "Where could they have gone?"


Legolas woke to the warmth of the sun against his cheek. He blinked as the clear, beautiful light of day reached his blue eyes. He looked around him and felt the cool dew against his cheek and his hands. Elladan stirred beside him.

"W-What time is it?" Elladan asked with a yawn.

"I have no idea," Legolas answered, sitting up and yawning.

Elladan sat up and stretched, studying the sun's position before exclaiming, "Valar, it's late! Ada is going to kill me!"

"How far from the hallway are we?" Legolas inquired.

"I don't know, about fifteen minutes."

"I didn't notice we walked that long last night." Legolas said, but all the same looked up at the trees, "Come on! I have an idea!"

"What?" Elladan looked at him.

Legolas clambered up a tree, "Come on! Moving through trees is easier than brush!"

Elladan looked nervous, "I'm not good in trees; I fall out of them a lot."

The prince gave a light laugh, "I'll teach you. Trust me, Elladan, its safe."

"I-If you say so," Elladan consented, scrambling up the tree.

Legolas helped him onto the branch and smiled, "The trick is to step lightly. It's not hard once you get the hang of it."

Elladan watched in silent awe as the Woodland prince swiftly leapt to the next tree and continued on until he was a good yard away. Then, he turned around lightly on the branch and smiled.

"Try it!"

Elladan slowly straightened and leapt to the first and second branch before losing his balance. Luckily, Legolas had returned and stopped him from falling.

"Put your weight on your toes, and step carefully." Legolas advised.

"Thank you." Elladan said softly.

The two started off again, slowly at first. But as Elladan slowly became surer of his step, they went faster. After about twelve minutes, they dropped to the ground at the front of the garden.

"Oh, Ada is going to be so angry!" Elladan exclaimed.

"You're quite right," A voice said, surprising them both.

"A-Ada!" Elladan whimpered, turning away, "I-I, I mean we-"

Legolas stepped in, "Lord Elrond, I couldn't sleep last night and decided to take a walk."

"And, I couldn't get to sleep either, and I heard Legolas in the hall, so we went for a walk in the garden."

"We accidentally fell asleep." Legolas finished.

"I am so sorry, Ada, I didn't mean to end up falling asleep outside."

Elrond sighed, "It's all right, Elladan, I was worried, is all. You really should leave a note next time."

"I will; I'm really sorry."

Elrond nodded, "Right then. The two of you better get dressed and eat. Glorfindel and I have something to tell you and Elrohir."

Legolas and Elladan exchanged interested glances before obediently running back through the halls.


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