Chapter Ten

The mid-afternoon sun shone down upon the many wildflowers that were scattered throughout the open meadow through which Legolas swiftly rode. Behind him he could hear Hithon's shouts of protest at the pace that the elven prince was setting, but Legolas found that he cared not. He just wanted, no needed, to get to Imladris as soon as he could.

After a winter that seemed like an eternity, Thranduil had finally given his son permission to travel over the Misty Mountains to the realm of Elrond and his sons. Though the King had understood his son's need to return, for Legolas had told him all of what had occurred during the summer, he had felt that his son needed to also understand that he had a responsibility to his own people and could not just leave whenever he wanted to. Therefore Legolas had had to wait until nearly mid-spring before he could depart.

Now after almost two weeks of fast paced travel, he was almost there. In a few more minutes he would arrive at the courtyard and would see Elrohir and Elladan again after almost five months away. The winter snow this year had blocked the mountain passes between the two realms so he had received no word of Elrohir's recovery.

He slowed his pace as he cross the narrow bridge that lead into Imladris and was greeted with the sight of Lord Elrond standing alone on the steps leading down to the courtyard.

"Good afternoon, my Lord Elrond" he said politely, once he had dismounted and bowed, through his eyes wandered as he tried to seek out where the twins could be.

"It is good to see you again, Prince Legolas" replied Elrond, his smile growing as he took in the sight of the distracted elf before him. He knew the Mirkwood prince was too well raised to be nothing but polite, especially when greeting another elven lord. But he could also tell that the young elf was eager to see his friends, and he was just preventing him from doing so.

'They are down at the training field" he stated to the elf before him, silently laughing at the surprised look the appeared upon the prince's face as he realised that his unfocused manner had been observed "They had planned to meet you, but I fear the Glorfindel has kept them from noticing the time".

The sound of hoofs on the tiles of the courtyard averted Legolas from replying, and on turning he saw that his escort had finally caught up to him. Hithon at the front was giving him a look of disapproval. Knowing that he would have to see to his party and their horses before seeing the twins, Legolas turned back to the elf lord despondently, but before he could speak, Elrond took hold of the reins of his mount.

"Go" said the lord of Imladris "I will see to your mount and the rest of your company".

He knew that he should protest, but instead Legolas smiled gratefully. "Thank you, my Lord" he replied bowing once more. Then giving Hithon a quick grin, he shot off down the path that lead to the training fields, excitement rushing through him at the thought of seeing his friends again.

As he made his way through the trees, he spotted the golden hair of Glorfindel. The golden warrior was standing just on the edge of the forest looking out onto the meadow on which the training grounds were located. Slowing his pace the prince came to the warrior's side and peered out at what the elf lord was watching. Before him on the grass covered meadow, two elves were sparring vigorously. Even though they were clothed in identical attires, Legolas could tell almost immediately who was who. Elladan showed more confidence in his fighting and held the attacking position, while Elrohir was only defending himself and not initialling any attacks. The youngest twin hands were shaking slightly in effort. Both had sweat running down their faces, making Legolas wonder how long they had been going at it.

"Almost an hour" Glorfindel beside him said suddenly, causing Legolas to jump faintly in surprise. He knew that he had not said what he was thinking out loud and on looking over at the golden warrior, somewhat uneasily, he wondered, not for the first time, whether this reborn warrior of past ages could read minds. The slight chuckling, he heard from the elven lord did nothing to improve this image.

The sound of swords clashing drew his eyes back to the two fighters and he watch as Elrohir suddenly turned from defence to attack. Within moments Elladan was disarmed and lying sprawled on the grass-covered ground.

"Stop holding back" he heard Elrohir cry adamantly, his expression one of annoyance and exasperation.

Elladan's contemplation turned from his sore shoulder on which he had fallen to his brother, who was gazing down at him in irritation "I didn't want to hurt you" he said honestly.

"Y'u won't" answered Elrohir softy, his frustration at his brother vanishing in an instant. Legolas saw him winced slightly at he heard his own words, before taking a steady breath and saying more clearly "I'm fine".

The brothers looked at each other for a brief moment, before Elrohir reached out to help Elladan to regain his feet. Together they turned towards Glorfindel, and it was only then that they realised that Legolas too had been watching them.

"Legolas!" they both called out simultaneously in surprise. The woodland prince walked out onto the field as they came running toward to greet him. Elrohir reached him first and pulled him into a tight embrace. "It's good to see y'u again, Legolas" the youngest twin said happily.

Legolas felt the worry that been with him all winter start to abate as he realised that Elrohir had almost completely recovered. His voice was no longer slurred, and only the occasional falter gave any evidence that something had been wrong. The fact that he had beat his brother in greeting him also attested that his co-ordination had returned, and he gave no signs of stumbling or hesitation.

"I am glad to be back" answered Legolas "I have been worried all winter but it looks like it was all for nothing" He stepped back to take a good look at the elf in front of him "You have recovered swiftly".

"I'm not completely re'covered" replied Elrohir, his smile fading ever so slightly, but before he could go on Legolas interrupted him.

"You will be one day. That is all that matters" the prince said forcefully, gripping Elrohir shoulder tightly. He watched as the Imladris elf's smile return, glad once again Elrohir had survive all that he had gone through and that he had been able to help.

A heavy arm landed on his own shoulder and he turned around to see Elladan grinning at him "What, do I not get a greeting?" the elder elf asked light-heartedly.

"It's good to see you too, Elladan" responded Legolas, his voice full of laughter, as he embraced the other elf. From behind Elladan he could see Glorfindel smiling at their reunion, and as the two elves parted, the golden warrior came forward.

'I think you three may find a bath might in order. All three of you are a mess and I doubt Erestor will want you to be walking around the halls as you are" he said, still smiling.

Looking down, Legolas had to agree that he did look travel worn, and the twins looked no better. Elladan had a large mud stain running down his side and was covered in dirt. Elrohir's face was coated in sweat.

After a brief moment in which they all looked from one to another, Elrohir suddenly broke into a run. "Race you to the baths" he yelled, before he turned and was startled to find that his brother was sprinting just behind him. Legolas gave Glorfindel, whose eyes were sparkling in amusement, a quick bow, before he dashed after the brothers, his laughter seeming to follow him along.

Glorfindel watched the three young elves race each other until they were lost from sight among the trees. Then he walked slowly over to where the twins had been sparring and bent down to pick up the two swords which lay discarded upon the grass. He knew that he probably should have told the twins off from their treatment of their weapons, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to do so. Their excitement upon seeing their friend had made them seem so much younger and innocent than they already were.

It gladdened his heart to see Elrohir recovering so swiftly. After months of frustration and pain the youngest twin had finally come to terms with his injuries and could see that his future was still his to choose. Elladan, he could see was taking a bit longer to overcome the emotions the incident had caused. He had always been protective of his brother, but lately it was showing up more frequently and beginning to cause trouble among the pair. Elrohir was getting sick of Elladan always trying to help him, while Elladan was constantly on the lookout even the slightest of thing that may cause his brother harm. Glorfindel hoped that now that Legolas was here, he might provide a barrier between the two of them. Helping Elladan with his overprotectiveness and Elrohir with his frustration.

Thinking of overprotectiveness and friends, his thoughts drifted to another that may need help in that area. Elrond had been adamant that the twins should not leave Imladris again for the next few years, his thoughts only on protecting them from further harm. Glorfindel knew, however, that the incident would not have had any effort on the twin's role as warriors. They would want to return to the settlements of the Northern Rangers, maybe not right away, but a least within the next year. Elrond would have to realise, just as Elladan would for his brother, that he could not protect them forever. They had their own life to live, their own choices, but one thing they could all count on was that the twins would be together, no matter what should happen in the future.

As Glorfindel made his way back along the path which lead up to the halls, he paused for the moment and looked out over the valley, allowing the wind to tangle his golden locks. From within the wind, he heard the sound of laughter and happiness, and in his heart he knew that hope had once again returned to Imladris.

Fin

Thanks everyone for reading and I hope that you have enjoyed my story. If you have, I would love if you could leave a review! It would also help motivate me to start on my next story. Thanks again.

thequickbrownfox