A.N: this one impacted the flow too much and, in the end, didn't add anything to the story. I couldn't get Elrond's voice quite right and although It provides quite the mental image at the end (that I may expand later) ultimately it sent work.

Elrond and Belladonna

It is hard to believe, the following morning, that he is playing host to fourteen dwarves and two hobbits. In comparison to their meal the previous day breakfast is perfectly civilised. With advance warning, and their experience of Frerin's tastes, the kitchens have been able to provide a breakfast with enough meat to satisfy even a dwarven palette. It may not be to elven tastes, they prefer lighter fare, but there is no repeat of the previous evening's antics. If anything, there is a subdued air to the party, whether it is disappointment that they will have to wait several more days until Elrond can provide the answers they seek or for some other reason he cannot say.

In truth, he is just glad for the peace, he knows that it cannot last long even though the two usually responsible for shattering it aren't, currently, in residence. Things would probably be a little bit easier if they were, Elladan and Elrohir have a habit of making strange friends. The good behaviour continues for so long, in fact, that Elrond has a moment of hope that Frerin has, somehow, managed to exert some influence over the party. It's a foolish hope, Frerin may not actively dislike all elves anymore but he is still a dwarf and that truth is only more apparent when he is among his own kind.

Ultimately, it's Lindir who bears the brunt of it all. Lindir who has to organise for replacement furniture. Lindir who has to organise extra wine and Lindir who tries to convince the dwarves to use one of the rings for weapons practice instead of one of Arwen's gardens.

"I suppose it is too much to hope that either of you could do anything?" Elrond asks Belladonna. He and Lindir had come across the two hobbits on one of the garden paths as Lindir had been listing the various problems that have arisen.

"I'm sorry, I wish I could," Belladonna shrugs. "I had trouble enough convincing Frerin to behave himself."

"Don't look at me," Bluebell says to her mother, "I tried at dinner and all I got for it was bruised toes."

"One would hope that Thorin would encourage his kin to make a better showing," Elrond grumbles, he's not prone to it but even he has his limits and fourteen dwarves is very rapidly pushing him towards them.

"One rather suspects that Thorin is the one encouraging all this," Belladonna replies. "I'll talk to Frerin," she says as they come around the corner and hear gleeful shouting, "see if he can convince Thorin that better behaviour might make things run more smoothly. Oh, my!"

The final words prompt Elrond to turn his attention away from her and onto the source of the noise. He had assumed that the dwarves were simply wrestling around the fountain and they are. Except they're naked and in the fountain. If it were not beneath his rather considerable dignity Elrond would go and find a wall to bang his head against. Instead he settles for turning around and rubbing at his forehead. His sons would be easier to deal with when they're in the mood for mischief.

"Any help," he reiterates as they all move back the way they came at a rather more rapid pace than they had approached at.

"I'll do what I can," Belladonna promises him, with a single glance back over her shoulder.

Her daughter is already much further ahead of them, a blush still faintly visible on her cheeks. Unlike her mother she is obviously less accustomed to the antics of dwarves. Elrond would like to say that this kind of thing has never happened in Imladris but his sons have had centuries to perfect causing all manner of mischief and he very much doubts they haven't been caught bathing in the fountains a time or two.

"At least my sons have no part in this," he sighs.

"Small mercies," Belladonna agrees. "If Elladan and Elrohir were here they'd probably have run past us with the Company's clothes by now. Imagine, fourteen naked dwarves chasing your boys all over Imladris."

"I am attempting very hard not to." She smiles up at him unrepentantly.

"But it's such an utterly enthralling mental image," she laughs, "and I'll leave it with you." She dances away, leading her daughter with her and Elrond sighs. The summer full moon can't come quickly enough.