A/N: I know I've been pummeling you relentlessly with chapter updates. I need to figure out an organized schedule. But I'll wait at least a little while before publishing the next chapter. I guess I'm just too excited; I have several parts already completed and ready to publish already.

I just got this idea that calling each "part" Book instead might be less confusing, so I'm going to change them all to that. That's all from your ramble-loving author for today! So long.

Book 4.
Lost and Found

Chapter 10.

Legolas was angry.

'Lindir!' he yelled. 'You've been plotting again!'

'What?' I asked innocently.

'My notebook is gone!'

'It is?' I asked, trying to sound disbelieving. Of course it was gone.

'Yes, and you're at the bottom of it, you foul fiend!' he cursed. 'Now where is it?'

'You don't need it anymore,' I said. 'You've got what you wanted from Elrond. You're getting what you wanted from me.'

'I am?' he asked in surprise. 'Good. Tell me!'

'You've been told about Glorfindel's tragic death because of the Balrog,' I said.

'Yes,' said Legolas impatiently.

'Well, do you know how he was pulled down with said balrog?'

'What are you talking about?'

'By his hair,' I said, trying to refrain from giggling. 'His hair! If people found out he'd be the laughing-stock of all Arda. And Lord Elrond would make everyone cut their hair so no more accidents would happen.'

'Hehehe,' Legolas simpered. He does not have the self-control that I possess.' So what do I do? Just go and say, "I know all about your your hair and the balrog"?'

'Yes,' I said. 'Simple. Now hop to it.'

'If I find that you've been tricking me,' he said darkly, and left his sentence unfinished, echoing in my head like a doomful knell.

Now I had one thing left to do. I needed to find Galdor. And hopefully the place I'd find him would be on his way out of Imladris forever.

'Galdor!' I called. He turned to face me with a death-like glare.

'You!' he said angrily.

'What did I do?' I said innocently. 'All I've done all day is help you. And you don't appreciate it.'

'Glorfindel is making me leave Rivendell,' said Galdor poutily. 'And I have no doubt that you're at the bottom of it.'

'How would I make Glorfindel do anything?' I asked. 'And besides, why do you even want to stay in Rivendell?'

'Because the cooks are way better than the ones at the Havens,' he said dejectedly.

'Cheer up,' I said deviously. 'I'm going to tell you how to get Legolas to do whatever you want.'

Galdor brightened. 'Yes, you have to. I still can blackmail you, you know.'

'That fact has never left my mind,' I said dryly. 'But all you must do to make Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood completely obey you is to say, "I know all about the spiders."'

'What spiders?' asked Galdor.

'That's none of your concern,' I said sharply. 'I promise it will work. That's all you need to know.'

'Very well,' said Galdor. 'I'll go manipulate him now.'

'Yes; do that,' I said. 'I need to talk to Elrond.'

'I probably should, too,' said Galdor. 'I need to thank him for his hospitality.'

I snorted. Why did everyone in Imladris have two faces?

We didn't need to go find Elrond, however, for he came and found us.

'Lindir,' he said in awe, 'something strange has happened.'

'What, my Lord?' I asked smugly.

'Glorfindel has just informed me that he's leaving Imladris; that he will be gone indefinitely; and that he has no plans to come back.'

'Oh, really? How nice,' I said smugly.

'Lord Elrond,' Galdor interrupted. He had, apparently, just gotten back from blackmailing Legolas, for Legolas was with him and had a large satchel. 'I, too, am leaving.'

'And so am I,' said Legolas, smiling wanly. 'Thank you for your hospitality.'

Elrond had a look of shocked relief on his face. He looked at each of us dubiously. 'What is happening?' he gasped.

'Nothing,' all three- no, four now, for Glorfindel had joined us- said in unison.

'Goodbye, everyone,' I said quickly. I didn't want any of them to give anything away until they were all safely out of Rivendell.

'Goodbye, Lindir,' said Galdor. 'And thanks for all the help,' he added in a whisper.

'Have a nice life,' said Glorfindel dramatically. 'Unfortunately I will probably never see you again. And in return for your favours, one of these days I'll find a cure to whatever malady is making you act strange.'

'Goodbye,' said Legolas. 'And by the way, we're still enemies, until death ends all friction between us.'

'That sounds good to me,' I said. 'Now hurry up and leave for goodness' sake.'

'Lindir,' said Elrond, as together we watched the trio tromp down the road, 'please explain to me your brilliance, for my humble mind cannot comprehend it.'

I smiled. 'It's quite simple, really,' I said. 'You see, I found out that all three of them were planning to blackmail each other to leave. They can't stand each other. So when I found that out, I just let them blackmail each other and there you have it. Leave them to themselves, and they'll eat each other up. All our problems are solved.'

'Well,' said Elrond thoughtfully, 'if it was that simple… I was considering giving you a raise for your hard work. But since it was so easy, maybe I shan't.'

'What?' I shouted.

'Wait a moment,' said Elrond, turning towards me in horror. 'Do they still have the incriminating notebook?'

'No, my Lord,' said Erestor, floating onto the veranda. He held up the Falu coloured notebook demurely. 'Lindir advised me to retrieve it from Galdor's unguarded pocket before he left.'

'What,' I stammered. Erestor gave me a look.

'Also, my Lord,' Erestor continued, 'Elladan and Elrohir have just started out for Mirkwood again.'

'How?' Elrond wondered.

'I have my own ways and means,' he said.

Elrond gazed at us both with something akin to admiration in his eyes. 'You two are amazing,' he said. 'I have changed my mind. I'm going to give you both raises!'

I choked. 'Really?' I gasped.

'Yes. I need more Elves like you around to solve all my problems. Haldir! Orophin! Someone! Bring out a bottle of the old Dorwinion! I'm going to celebrate.'

Elrond wandered off and I stood staring at Erestor. 'Why?' I asked.

'I heard you were mentally ill,' he said quietly. 'Of course I wanted to help your sanity.' He dropped the book on the floor, pulled out a match, lit it, and dropped it on top of the incriminating evidence. 'I was extremely worried for you, Lindir. And it was easy to guess that your problem was due to those three. I trust you'll be better from now on.'

'Erestor,' I faltered, tears filling my eyes, 'you're the best Elf that I've ever-'

'And, of course,' he added, watching the flames leap up and flicking a fleck of dust off of his robe, 'I needed a raise.'

The End