Disclaimer: Tolkien is master of LOTR.

Author's Note: Exams are finished and I'm finally back home for the holidays! I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again…I'm going to be having minor surgery after Christmas. So, until then I wish all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

A/N 2: Crap…I forgot to update for Christmas!! NOOOOO!!!! Hope ya'll can forgive me T.T Have a Happy New Year!!

Chapter 26

After a few days, Glorfindel had gotten the twins back, after receiving permission from Elrond of course. He figured after paying them their dues that they would learn not to mess with him again. Unfortunately, he still had much to learn.

The twins declared an unofficial prank war…Glorfindel being their one and only target. They were out for revenge after their training instructor painted a very thick layer of strong glue on the hilts of their swords. Their hands had been stuck for the entire day until their father declared their punishment to be over. Having a sword, let alone a training sword, stuck to one's hand all day made even the simplest tasks a burden.

The twins had told their new accomplice all about it. Rion shuddered at the thought, the details of the difficulties of eating, getting undressed, and even going to the bathroom making his skin crawl.

Rion swallowed nervously before turning the corner that was to take him directly into the path of Glorfindel. He fought down his rising panic and made his move. Might as well get it over with…

He ended up running straight into the tall, intimidating elf and ended up falling on his butt. Rion looked up and squeaked in terror at the sheer size of him. He started crying, and saw the twins out of the corner of his eye, moving down the opposite side of the hallway. They flashed him identical smiles and a thumbs up before disappearing in what they had said to be Glorfindel's office.

Glorfindel's gruff demeanor melted at the sight of him and Rion had to fight back a snicker. It was all too ironic. Instead of acting out his terror and his tears, they had actually been all too real. His role in the upcoming prank was only to be the decoy, keep the Balrog Slayer busy while the twins dealt the final blow. He sniffled and whimpered pathetically, the initial shock at having a close encounter with the feared one wearing off.

He curled in on himself with wide eyes, looking like a little lost puppy and he inwardly grinned at the compassionate expression Glorfindel wore as he reached down to pick him up. Wow, he was tall. Even at age thirteen, Rion was still relatively small in build, his growth slightly delayed due to his father's genetics. Glorfindel dwarfed him.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I did not see you there," Rion lied while allowing another frightened sob to escape him. His acting skills took over completely now, giving him a greater edge in believability.

"It is quite alright, young one. You have no need to fear me. I would never hurt you."

"I…I got lost"

Rion wondered for how much longer he could keep up this charade. The twins were taking far too long for his liking. They were going to deliver the package and leave, nothing more, nothing less.

"Where exactly were you trying to go?"

Rion's eyes bugged out of his head as his panicked brain scrambled for a way to come up with an answer.

"I…I…I…"

"Yes?"

A low rumbling sound from his stomach saved him. He looked up mildly surprised to see a small grin blossoming on Glorfindel's face.

"Ahh…I understand now. You are hungry. I shall take you to the kitchens, they are not far but first I need to pick up some reports for Lord Elrond."

Panic grew and his adrenaline pumped through his system, drowning out his hunger pangs when Glorfindel began taking them back down the hallway towards his office.

The twins aren't out yet!!!

"WAIT!"

Glorfindel stopped and looked down at him with mild curiosity as Rion wiggled out of his arms and jumped down to the floor, which was no easy feat due to his height and sheer strength.

"I need to go to the bathroom!!" Rion rushed.

"That is fine, you may go," Glorfindel responded while grasping the boy's hand within his own, larger one.

Rion did not feel relieved since they continued walking towards his office. His own silent question was answered.

"I have a private bathroom in my study that you may use."

NOOOOO!!! What do I do? What do I do??

Ideas blazed through his brain like a wildfire but none seemed realistic or appealing enough.

He locked up with panic and could only hope that the twins were fast enough to escape some other way. Rion felt utterly miserable, knowing he let his new friends down as he watched Glorfindel unlock his study door. He knew they were in there since they said they always locked a door behind them when they entered…it gave them some time to hide if they were trapped in a room.

Once they entered, he could neither see nor hear any sign of them.

Wow…their good.

"The bathroom is right over there. I will wait for you."

As he slowly made his way towards the bathroom he had a gut feeling that he was about to exploit their hiding place so decided to subtly give them some warning.

"I do not feel like a thirteen-year-old since SOMEONE has to WATCH me use the bathroom!! You really shouldn't go through all the trouble GLORFINDEL!"

He turned around and saw Glorfindel studying him with an odd expression that the boy could not yet identify.

"Is something the matter boy?"

"No, I just need some privacy. Could you please wait for me outside? I can't go if someone is so close by…"

Glorfindel's odd expression vanished and he nodded his head casually in acceptance to his proposal.

"As you wish. If you need anything, let me know."

With another curious glance in Rion's direction, Glorfindel walked back out of his office with the reports in hand and closed the door behind him.

He sighed with relief and flung himself through the door.

"Guys? Where are you, he's gone!" He whispered harshly as his heart continued to hammer in his chest.

Elladan poked his head out from one of the sinks lower cupboards and scowled in his direction.

"You were supposed to GET RID OF HIM," He whispered furiously.

"I'm sorry! He had to come back here to get reports or something. I felt really stupid acting like a crying baby anyway. What else was I supposed to do??" Rion bristled, feeling defensive.

"You can come out now Ro'."

Elrohir peered out from behind a shower curtain. Apparently, Glorfindel could use the bathroom, shower, and sleep in his private study if he wanted to. Fortunately, he didn't have to at the present moment.

"That was a close one."

"Yeah, no thanks to RION," Elladan continued in a harsh manner.

Elrohir jumped to his defense.

"Elladan, stop it! He did the best he could. It was his first time helping us and you know how hard it is to distract Glorfindel."

"Fine" Elladan grumped, crossing his arms over his chest still feeling grouchy.

"We sabotaged Glorfindel's desk, now all we need to do is get out of here without getting caught."

"Isn't there a balcony on the other side of the room?"

"Yeah, but you need a key to open the swinging doors…we tried that already, it's locked."

"Well, he was going to take me to the dining halls after I leave this bathroom…"

The twin's faces brightened immediately as they understood the full implication of that.

Rion left as casually as he could and met Glorfindel in the hallway. They proceeded to leave towards the dining facilities, leaving an open window for escape. The twins wasted no time and ran for their lives yet again.

They made it back to their rooms and decided they would camp out there until Rion re-grouped with them. This day was going to be interesting once Glorfindel found their hidden surprise in his office…but not as interesting as the look on his face once their training instructor discovered, who was really the one to help their plan succeed in the first place.

The prank wars had begun…

TO BE CONTINUED!!

Sorry this is short. Please don't hurt me!! T.T

Thanks so much for reviewing! Please continue to review and I promise I will try my best to update more frequently, its been hard trying to figure out where this story is going and how I can end it eventually.