Bilbo and Bella causing trouble in Rivendell. Enjoy!

Thoughts'/Telepathy

*Sindarin*

The tall man stepped carefully between the bodies of sleeping dwarves. A loud snore startled him and he froze, than slowly continued on his way. He knelt next to the raven-haired hobbit and with a slight smirk, shook her shoulder. Bella woke instantly and in mere seconds had him pinned beneath her, slim dagger at his throat.

Their laughter awoke most of the company, including Bilbo. "Estel's back Bilbo!" Bella grinned, obviously happy and with mischief in her eyes. Ori noticed that she was clothed entirely in leather and blinked. "We need to raid the kitchens and prank the twins and Gandalf!" Bilbo stood with a broad grin, laughed, mischief in his eyes as well, and the three left the group.

Dori looked around at the sleepy dwarves. "Does anyone understand what just happened?" No one answered and he shook his head. "That's what I thought." He muttered before getting up to find breakfast.

The dwarves were sitting in the balcony they had claimed for themselves and eating when they heard the barking and a single loud screech. Two dogs, one golden, one brown, and a small black owl dove into the room. The dogs took refuge behind the Ur family, who had the added bonus of having Bombur as a hiding place. The owl slipped behind Ori as two tall elves ran into the room.

"You haven't seen a pair of dogs anywhere have you?" One panted. They were identical, from the sharp planes of their faces to their grey eyes, but one's hair was brilliant pink while the other's was bright lilac.

"Or a small black bird?" The other asked. Then he moaned. "Wait Estel's here to, dam it they could be anything."

Bilbo changed into a moth and flew behind the twins, out of sight of the dwarves. Then he shifted back into his hobbit shape. "Last one to the kitchen's a moldy cheese!" He cried gleefully then took off down the hall.

Thorin heard one of the elves yell as they ran after the hobbit "That's not fair Bilbo!" then a sound that was almost laughing as the large brown dog moved from behind Bombur. It was lean and looked as if it had been on the road for a long time. Its large brown eyes gleamed when Bifur tossed it a piece of bacon and it eagerly snatched it up before leaving with an almost regal stance. The small owl sat on Ori's shoulder. He started, but the owl only looked at him for a moment before it too flew away. Balin and Nori shared a glance, then made their excuses and left.

Gandalf ran through the hallways. He looked back, then turned and put on a spurt of speed. He was being pursued through the halls of Rivendell by a giant snake.

The black scaly beast nipped at his cloak. He raced forward, turned a corner and crashed headlong into Lord Elrond.

"Mithrandir, what happened?" Exclaimed a voice. The wizard looked up to see Arwen standing above the messy pile of limbs. She pulled him up, then her father.

"A giant snake." Gandalf panted. He wheeled around and his jaw actually dropped. He looked around the corner, empty but for mouse creeping along the floor. "It was right here!"

The elves shared a glance, not a 'he's-finally-gone-crazy' one, but a knowing one. "Perhaps you should rest Gandalf." Elrond said. He held up a hand against the Istari's protests. "Despite what you think, traveling wears one out. Or perhaps it is some sort of trick from my sons. Either way, rest would do you good." Gandalf nodded, reluctant to argue, and left.

Once he was out of sight Bella walked in front of the elves looking positively smug. "What was that for?" Arwen asked wearily.

"He forgot about me." Bella said, her tone one of mourning, her eyes dancing. "Don't worry, nothing else will happen to him. I think I've done enough. Her head tilted to the side. "He doesn't know."

"Then he shall not hear of it from us." Elrond promised. Bella smiled.

"Thank you." Effortlessly she transformed into a sparrow and flew off. Elrond turned to his daughter.

"Can you imagine what it would be like if the Baggins twins ever teamed up with your brothers?" The pair shuddered. "Rivendell would never be the same."

"Please don't say that where they could hear." Arwen said as they continued their walk. "They might actually do it."

Bilbo and Estel strolled through Rivendell, whistling as they went. A stop by the kitchen for food, then they'd fly around and see if they could cause any trouble for Elrohir and Elladan. They looked up at the snickering to late.

A stream of chocolate fell on them, covering their clothes, tangling in their hair and sticking to their skin. Bilbo yelled curses after the twins as he wiped the stuff from his eyes, Estel followed suit.

"Let's go to the kitchen." He growled. Seeing Bilbo open his mouth to protest he said, "I think they have molasses."

A wicked grin grew on the hobbit's face, and they raced through the halls, leaving chocolaty footprints as they went.

Bella met with the two in the evening and they recounted the day's adventures, the ones they hadn't been together for. Estel had to be told of the reason behind the attack on Gandalf, followed by all the trouble the twins had put him through. Their laughter echoed through Rivendell, and somewhere certain elves plotted their next trick.

Estel had been raised in Rivendell, but lately he had turned to roaming the wilds as a Ranger. The twins had met him fighting Orcs worryingly close to the Shire. They were some of the few that knew his secret; Estel's real name was Aragon, son of Arathon, heir to the throne of Gondor. Not only that, he was the only other shapeshifter they knew, and the three treasured their friendship.

Bella turned away suddenly as she thought of Gondor, and her eyes glazed. "What is it Bella?" Estel asked softly. He knew of her rare glimpses of the future, knew of how she hated that she remembered so little.

"The white tree burns." She whispered. "Hills and valleys, trees and rivers all burn. A golden ring on a black hand, a mountain of fire, the Nine fly again." She took a deep shuddering breath.

"But?" Bilbo whispered.

"Nine will walk. Two men, an elf, a dwarf, an Istari, and four hobbits. There will be fire, and there will be war and death, deceit and treachery. But if love and loyalty can outlast that, then evil will burn." She blinked, and turned back to the men with tears in her eyes. "I do not know if you will live or die Estel. Just stay safe."

"I promise Bella." He whispered. He hugged her tightly, and the three fell asleep in the garden counting stars.