Disclaimer: Full disclaimer on first page.
Chapter Eleven
Gandalf and the two small Elflings left after a couple days of rest. They were fully provisioned and ready to go home at last. Gwahir excused himself after promising to see the two young Elves again, before flying off towards the mountains.
Haldir opted to go along with a couple of other Elves, wanting to visit Mirkwood to see old friends. One Elf, named Demoridian, and another named Sarcual, were going along as well.
As they went, the two Elflings got to know the other Elves very well. Sarcual was kind and gentle, inventing fun games to keep the two amused. Demoridian was more aloof, keeping himself distant, but when they got him to talk they had a lot of fun.
~*~*~*
Tylendal and Elladan were getting frustrated. The dwarves had led them to the fringe of the forest, looking for the path that Lorinthel and his patrol had taken. The two Elflings were in the forest, but could not find the path. They knew they were in the right area, for they had seen it on their way to Lake Town. But it was not there anymore.
They rounded a tree, and Elladan ran into a thorn bush. He struggled to free himself, only to be enmeshed tighter.
"Can you help me?" Elladan asked Tylendal. The other Elf watched with an amused look upon his face.
"Certainly, I can." The Elf replied.
After a pause, "Well?"
"Well what?"
"Will you help me?" Elladan was getting angry.
"Oh, asked me whether I could, you did, not whether I would. Certainly will I." Tylendal said, with a sly smile.
There was another pause. "Well?"
"You asked whether I would, if you wished this you did not say."
Elladan was getting impatient, and Tylendal looked ready to laugh any moment "Will you help me get out of this thorn patch? I greatly wish this."
"Very well."
There was yet another pause. "Well?"
"You did not say please."
Elladan barely contained the scathing remarks he wished to say. "Will you *please * get me out of here?"
Tylendal smiled broadly, before reaching carefully through the thorns to haul the trapped Elladan out. He narrowly dodged the cuff aimed at the back of his head, chuckling as he continued around the trees.
~*~*~*
Haldir talked with Gandalf, enjoying this small excursion to Mirkwood. They had followed the river up until they were near the edge of Southern Mirkwood. (AN: I figured there would be no darkness and evil in Southern Mirkwood yet.)
Sarcual and Demoridian got in a heated discussion over some event that had happened the last time they had visited Mirkwood.
Needless to say, the two Elflings were very interested in what was being said. Peppering the two with questions, they tried eagerly to get an answer.
"You presumptuous wretch!" Demoridian snarled mockingly in answer to a whispered threat from Sarcual, who grinned back.
"What kind of wretch?" Elrohir asked.
"Pompous, insolent, haughty, overbearing...."
"Oh! You mean arrogant?" Legolas exclaimed.
"Whatever." Demoridian said, glaring at Sarcual.
"Really, you shouldn't be teaching young children such language." Sarcual replied to the glare and Haldir, listening off to the side, snorted and hid a smile.
Elrohir grinned when his gaze fell on Haldir, and he caught Legolas's eye and nodded towards the Elf.
The Elven prince answered with an identical grin. They had some amusement planned for Haldir when they reached the palace.
~*~*~*
"I can't believe it." Elladan said, gazing about.
"Believe you should. Told you I would find the way, I did." Tylendal said smugly, eyeing the trampled ground of the clearing. This was where they had been split from Legolas and Elrohir, and from here they should find their way back.
That is, if they could find which direction to go in next.
~*~*~*
Traveling through the day under the shade of Mirkwood's broad trees, the small company moved at a leisurely pace. Both Elflings were eager to see their fathers again, and both had not forgotten about Elladan or Tylendal. They had, in the manner of children, put off that which they would rather not think about at that moment.
Gandalf knew the way to the palace, though how he did the others did not know.
They passed under the colorful leaves of the trees, and laughed as the two Elflings crunched through the various piles of leaves.
Legolas grinned nastily, and tripped Elrohir as he walked by. The Rivendell Elf immediately responded with a handful of leaves thrown into Legolas's hair.
As he combed the leaves out of his blonde locks, Legolas caught the suggestive smile of Elrohir and grinned back in answer. The two suddenly turned their fight into the nearby brush, leaving the older Elves and the wizard to watch nothing.
Haldir shook his head, and stepped carefully around a low hanging branch, only to have two forms throw themselves at his legs, knocking him down and into a rather large pile of leaves.
The other Elves laughed heartily as Haldir stood once more, trying to rid himself of the numerous bothersome leaves. The two young Elves hid again in the brush.
"Just wait until we are in the palace. I'm sure they will devise ways to....amuse.....you." Sarcual said with a grin. Haldir scowled, but he could not deny the truth in the words.
Carefully watching for any more attacks, Haldir dreaded to think what would happen if Legolas and Elrohir decided to enlist the help of Elladan and Tylendal.
~*~*~*
"Why, look!" Elladan said excitedly. Tylendal moved up to see what had the other so excited, and saw what he was holding.
"A piece of cloth, it seems to be." Tylendal said, not really seeing what was so exciting.
"No, look at it to my tunic."
Tylendal looked once more. "Why, identical it seems." He looked closer, and saw that it was not exactly identical, but the same make and the same cloth, just a shade darker.
"Yes, this is from Elrohir! I know it is! But how long has it been here?" The twin frowned as he contemplated the object in his hands.
"Recent, it must have been. For see the branch there? Broken and still moist, the sap is." He reached out and gently touched the broken end of a thorn branch.
"They must be close then! Come, let's hurry!"
~*~*~*
"Oh no, I tore my shirt." Elrohir said, examining a small rip in his dark green tunic.
"Must have been from when we hid in the bushes." Legolas said, and Elrohir shrugged.
They walked in silence, listening to the trees and birds. Suddenly, Haldir raised a hand for silence. The company froze, listening for anything that may have perked the Elf's interest.
They were answered with a greeting called from the shadows of the trees. An Elf stepped out, gazing at the Lothlorien Elves, the wizard, and finally the two Elflings.
"Ai! We found you at last!" The Elf cried, and others appeared behind him. Haldir stepped forwards, bowing slightly to the other Elf.
"I am Haldir of Lothlorien. We understand these two were lost from the palace?" He nodded at Legolas and Elrohir.
"Yes, yes they were. I am Lorinthel, and my patrol and I were sent to find them. For many days have we searched! Even going to Lake Town! From Lothlorien you say? How did they get that far in a manner of several days?" He watched the Elven prince and Elrohir. Finally half of their quarry was found!
"The great eagle Gwahir carried them to me, and I went to Lothlorien before returning them here." Gandalf said.
"Mithrandir! I did not see you! Many years have passed since we last met! But come, we must get the young ones home. Their fathers are in a state of panic that greatly upsets me."
~*~*~*
"Come on Tylendal! I hear voices ahead!" Elladan cried, racing through the brush. He desperately wanted to see his brother, and eagerly dodged trees to do so.
~*~*~*
"Halt a moment, I hear something." Lorinthel listened carefully to the forest sounds around, expecting something.
He did not expect the small figure that came tearing out of the brush with a cry of "ELROHIR!"
"ELLADAN!" Elrohir answered, flinging himself forwards to embrace his brother. Tylendal walked in at a more sedate pace, watching the happy brothers with a closed expression. He suddenly jerked and had his breath knocked out of him as a certain blond Elfling hit him with a tight hug.
Lorinthel could not say how relieved he was. Now the four Elflings were found. With happy smile, he motioned for them to proceed. He had been greatly worried about the Lord Elrond and King Thranduil. Now he can return that which is most important to them.
~*~*~*
Elrond and Thranduil watched as dark gray clouds filled the sky overhead. Snow began to fall, in small, slow flakes.
Thranduil caught his friend's attention, and nodded his head towards the door to the palace. They exited the courtyard, each deep in their own thoughts.
~*~*~*
Elladan raced through the gates to Mirkwood, leaving prints in the fresh snow. Elrohir, then Legolas, and finally Tylendal, who walked with the older Elves and Gandalf, followed him quickly.
Elrond and Thranduil did not know what hit them when suddenly three forms burst into their study, throwing themselves into their fathers' arms.
Once they did realize, however, they were crying from their joy and embracing their sons.
Lorinthel led Haldir and the others in as well.
Thranduil dashed tears from his eyes, turning a grateful look onto the Elf. His gazed wandered over the Lothlorien Elves and Gandalf, briefly locking Tylendal's eyes with his, before looking into his son's cobalt blue eyes. He hugged his son again, and could see Elrond doing the same with his twins.
"My lords, we have Haldir of Lothlorien and his companions, as well as the wizard Mithrandir, to thank for the return of your sons." Lorinthel said, smiling to see his King so happy again.
Tylendal watched with certain sadness. Orphaned at a young age, he did not have a father to worry. He shrugged it off, though, and gave himself some satisfaction for helping Elladan along the way.
With a small glance to see if any were watching, he slipped out of the room and left the others to their joy.
~*~*~*
Thanks all reviewers! This is not all, there will be some more chapters after this, but most of the dangerous action is over.
Itarilde-Elenastar: Thanks for ALL of the reviews! Wow, that is a lot! Thanks a bunch! Glad you like the Haldir in feathers.
Falconflies: Thanks for your review, they are home now!
Alida Fruit: I am really glad you like my 'mischief' with the Elflings, lol. Thanks for your review and I do not mind the fact that it is tardy!
Quellemorgul: Thanks for your review! And you like the grief of the two Elf lords? Well...thanks, lol!
Chapter Eleven
Gandalf and the two small Elflings left after a couple days of rest. They were fully provisioned and ready to go home at last. Gwahir excused himself after promising to see the two young Elves again, before flying off towards the mountains.
Haldir opted to go along with a couple of other Elves, wanting to visit Mirkwood to see old friends. One Elf, named Demoridian, and another named Sarcual, were going along as well.
As they went, the two Elflings got to know the other Elves very well. Sarcual was kind and gentle, inventing fun games to keep the two amused. Demoridian was more aloof, keeping himself distant, but when they got him to talk they had a lot of fun.
~*~*~*
Tylendal and Elladan were getting frustrated. The dwarves had led them to the fringe of the forest, looking for the path that Lorinthel and his patrol had taken. The two Elflings were in the forest, but could not find the path. They knew they were in the right area, for they had seen it on their way to Lake Town. But it was not there anymore.
They rounded a tree, and Elladan ran into a thorn bush. He struggled to free himself, only to be enmeshed tighter.
"Can you help me?" Elladan asked Tylendal. The other Elf watched with an amused look upon his face.
"Certainly, I can." The Elf replied.
After a pause, "Well?"
"Well what?"
"Will you help me?" Elladan was getting angry.
"Oh, asked me whether I could, you did, not whether I would. Certainly will I." Tylendal said, with a sly smile.
There was another pause. "Well?"
"You asked whether I would, if you wished this you did not say."
Elladan was getting impatient, and Tylendal looked ready to laugh any moment "Will you help me get out of this thorn patch? I greatly wish this."
"Very well."
There was yet another pause. "Well?"
"You did not say please."
Elladan barely contained the scathing remarks he wished to say. "Will you *please * get me out of here?"
Tylendal smiled broadly, before reaching carefully through the thorns to haul the trapped Elladan out. He narrowly dodged the cuff aimed at the back of his head, chuckling as he continued around the trees.
~*~*~*
Haldir talked with Gandalf, enjoying this small excursion to Mirkwood. They had followed the river up until they were near the edge of Southern Mirkwood. (AN: I figured there would be no darkness and evil in Southern Mirkwood yet.)
Sarcual and Demoridian got in a heated discussion over some event that had happened the last time they had visited Mirkwood.
Needless to say, the two Elflings were very interested in what was being said. Peppering the two with questions, they tried eagerly to get an answer.
"You presumptuous wretch!" Demoridian snarled mockingly in answer to a whispered threat from Sarcual, who grinned back.
"What kind of wretch?" Elrohir asked.
"Pompous, insolent, haughty, overbearing...."
"Oh! You mean arrogant?" Legolas exclaimed.
"Whatever." Demoridian said, glaring at Sarcual.
"Really, you shouldn't be teaching young children such language." Sarcual replied to the glare and Haldir, listening off to the side, snorted and hid a smile.
Elrohir grinned when his gaze fell on Haldir, and he caught Legolas's eye and nodded towards the Elf.
The Elven prince answered with an identical grin. They had some amusement planned for Haldir when they reached the palace.
~*~*~*
"I can't believe it." Elladan said, gazing about.
"Believe you should. Told you I would find the way, I did." Tylendal said smugly, eyeing the trampled ground of the clearing. This was where they had been split from Legolas and Elrohir, and from here they should find their way back.
That is, if they could find which direction to go in next.
~*~*~*
Traveling through the day under the shade of Mirkwood's broad trees, the small company moved at a leisurely pace. Both Elflings were eager to see their fathers again, and both had not forgotten about Elladan or Tylendal. They had, in the manner of children, put off that which they would rather not think about at that moment.
Gandalf knew the way to the palace, though how he did the others did not know.
They passed under the colorful leaves of the trees, and laughed as the two Elflings crunched through the various piles of leaves.
Legolas grinned nastily, and tripped Elrohir as he walked by. The Rivendell Elf immediately responded with a handful of leaves thrown into Legolas's hair.
As he combed the leaves out of his blonde locks, Legolas caught the suggestive smile of Elrohir and grinned back in answer. The two suddenly turned their fight into the nearby brush, leaving the older Elves and the wizard to watch nothing.
Haldir shook his head, and stepped carefully around a low hanging branch, only to have two forms throw themselves at his legs, knocking him down and into a rather large pile of leaves.
The other Elves laughed heartily as Haldir stood once more, trying to rid himself of the numerous bothersome leaves. The two young Elves hid again in the brush.
"Just wait until we are in the palace. I'm sure they will devise ways to....amuse.....you." Sarcual said with a grin. Haldir scowled, but he could not deny the truth in the words.
Carefully watching for any more attacks, Haldir dreaded to think what would happen if Legolas and Elrohir decided to enlist the help of Elladan and Tylendal.
~*~*~*
"Why, look!" Elladan said excitedly. Tylendal moved up to see what had the other so excited, and saw what he was holding.
"A piece of cloth, it seems to be." Tylendal said, not really seeing what was so exciting.
"No, look at it to my tunic."
Tylendal looked once more. "Why, identical it seems." He looked closer, and saw that it was not exactly identical, but the same make and the same cloth, just a shade darker.
"Yes, this is from Elrohir! I know it is! But how long has it been here?" The twin frowned as he contemplated the object in his hands.
"Recent, it must have been. For see the branch there? Broken and still moist, the sap is." He reached out and gently touched the broken end of a thorn branch.
"They must be close then! Come, let's hurry!"
~*~*~*
"Oh no, I tore my shirt." Elrohir said, examining a small rip in his dark green tunic.
"Must have been from when we hid in the bushes." Legolas said, and Elrohir shrugged.
They walked in silence, listening to the trees and birds. Suddenly, Haldir raised a hand for silence. The company froze, listening for anything that may have perked the Elf's interest.
They were answered with a greeting called from the shadows of the trees. An Elf stepped out, gazing at the Lothlorien Elves, the wizard, and finally the two Elflings.
"Ai! We found you at last!" The Elf cried, and others appeared behind him. Haldir stepped forwards, bowing slightly to the other Elf.
"I am Haldir of Lothlorien. We understand these two were lost from the palace?" He nodded at Legolas and Elrohir.
"Yes, yes they were. I am Lorinthel, and my patrol and I were sent to find them. For many days have we searched! Even going to Lake Town! From Lothlorien you say? How did they get that far in a manner of several days?" He watched the Elven prince and Elrohir. Finally half of their quarry was found!
"The great eagle Gwahir carried them to me, and I went to Lothlorien before returning them here." Gandalf said.
"Mithrandir! I did not see you! Many years have passed since we last met! But come, we must get the young ones home. Their fathers are in a state of panic that greatly upsets me."
~*~*~*
"Come on Tylendal! I hear voices ahead!" Elladan cried, racing through the brush. He desperately wanted to see his brother, and eagerly dodged trees to do so.
~*~*~*
"Halt a moment, I hear something." Lorinthel listened carefully to the forest sounds around, expecting something.
He did not expect the small figure that came tearing out of the brush with a cry of "ELROHIR!"
"ELLADAN!" Elrohir answered, flinging himself forwards to embrace his brother. Tylendal walked in at a more sedate pace, watching the happy brothers with a closed expression. He suddenly jerked and had his breath knocked out of him as a certain blond Elfling hit him with a tight hug.
Lorinthel could not say how relieved he was. Now the four Elflings were found. With happy smile, he motioned for them to proceed. He had been greatly worried about the Lord Elrond and King Thranduil. Now he can return that which is most important to them.
~*~*~*
Elrond and Thranduil watched as dark gray clouds filled the sky overhead. Snow began to fall, in small, slow flakes.
Thranduil caught his friend's attention, and nodded his head towards the door to the palace. They exited the courtyard, each deep in their own thoughts.
~*~*~*
Elladan raced through the gates to Mirkwood, leaving prints in the fresh snow. Elrohir, then Legolas, and finally Tylendal, who walked with the older Elves and Gandalf, followed him quickly.
Elrond and Thranduil did not know what hit them when suddenly three forms burst into their study, throwing themselves into their fathers' arms.
Once they did realize, however, they were crying from their joy and embracing their sons.
Lorinthel led Haldir and the others in as well.
Thranduil dashed tears from his eyes, turning a grateful look onto the Elf. His gazed wandered over the Lothlorien Elves and Gandalf, briefly locking Tylendal's eyes with his, before looking into his son's cobalt blue eyes. He hugged his son again, and could see Elrond doing the same with his twins.
"My lords, we have Haldir of Lothlorien and his companions, as well as the wizard Mithrandir, to thank for the return of your sons." Lorinthel said, smiling to see his King so happy again.
Tylendal watched with certain sadness. Orphaned at a young age, he did not have a father to worry. He shrugged it off, though, and gave himself some satisfaction for helping Elladan along the way.
With a small glance to see if any were watching, he slipped out of the room and left the others to their joy.
~*~*~*
Thanks all reviewers! This is not all, there will be some more chapters after this, but most of the dangerous action is over.
Itarilde-Elenastar: Thanks for ALL of the reviews! Wow, that is a lot! Thanks a bunch! Glad you like the Haldir in feathers.
Falconflies: Thanks for your review, they are home now!
Alida Fruit: I am really glad you like my 'mischief' with the Elflings, lol. Thanks for your review and I do not mind the fact that it is tardy!
Quellemorgul: Thanks for your review! And you like the grief of the two Elf lords? Well...thanks, lol!