A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this part out, but I got a bit distracted writing this. I wanted to include the entire New Years festival in one part, but it got too long, and it's 2 am where I am at right now. So, the actual festival will be in the next part. On a better note, I finally got around to a Glorfindel/Elrohir ficlet called "The Cry of the Eagle." I posted it earlier today, so you should be able to find it if you are interested. I am considering it a prequel to this story, as it expounds on the crush Elrohir developed on Glorfindel. I think you would call it "preslash" at this point. But don't worry; "Somewhere Between" is far from over! As always, reviews are treasured!! (And I will try to have the next part up faster this time!) ((Wow, this was a long author's note!))

Part 16:

Glorfindel stared harder from his seat at the window. He could see the stables and the paddocks beyond from his vantage point, and his sharp eyes had been watching the twins, along with their sister and Legolas. He watched as Elladan—he could swear it was Elladan—mounted a powerful looking black stallion and cantered around the field.

"Should Elladan be riding?" he asked Elrond, who was perusing a scroll brought from Lothlorien for his inspection.

"No," he said, looking up at Glorfindel. Glorfindel did not appear alarmed, but raised his eyebrows as his gaze returned out the window.

"Unless my eyes deceive me, or I am not as familiar with your sons as I thought I was, that is Elladan riding through the pasture," he continued casually.

Elrond stepped up to the window and looked out. His eyes narrowed as he confirmed that it was indeed the older twin astride the horse.

"He's going to fall…" Elrond whispered to himself. But the horse halted and Elladan was helped down without harm.

"He's fine," Glorfindel said. "He seems well enough that a fall off a horse would not kill him anyway."

"He's not well enough," Elrond said curtly. "And he certainly should not be riding alone on a strange stallion. He does not know that horse's temperament."

"And would you keep him from petting stray dogs also?" Glorfindel chuckled.

"Yes," Elrond replied. "I would lock him in these halls if I had a choice. Elrohir also, and Arwen would go in the south wing. I am their father. I have every right to feel protective."

Laughter floated down the hall, echoing off the stone and wood architecture. Elrond folded his hands in his robes and turned away from the window. Elrohir bounced into the room, followed closely by Arwen and Elladan. Legolas lagged behind, humming softly to himself.

"Father, you should see this horse!" Elrohir said.

"I have seen the black stallion, if that is what you refer to," Elrond replied, though he was looking at Elladan. Elladan seemed unhurt, though there was a slight tremor in his hands that he could not still. But he was smiling brightly, as he had not done for many days. "You should not have been riding, Elladan," Elrond admonished gently.

"I'm sorry Father," Elladan said. "But I am fine, as I keep trying to tell everyone here."

Legolas closed his eyes and leaned against the door. He recognized the mood swing that was coming on.

"What we say and what is true are seldom the same," Elrond countered, laying a hand on Elladan's shoulder.

Elladan's sparkling eyes turned icy grey. "You cannot keep treating me as though I was made of blown glass," he said, shrugging off his father's arm. "How am I to heal if I am not even allowed out of my own room?"

Elrond sighed as Elrohir quietly took Arwen and slipped out of the room. Glorfindel and Legolas did not move from their respective spots. "Elladan, I know it is hard when you are young, but you must give yourself more time. If you do not, you will delay the time it takes you to be fully well again."

"I. Am. Fine."

Elrond gathered his son into a tight embrace. "I do not want to lose you. I came so close, so very close, and I want to keep you safe and protected. I do that for this valley; why can I not do that for my own children? I already lost your mother. I could not bear losing a son."

Elladan writhed free of his father's arms. "Lost Mother? You let her go! You LET her go! Your love was not strong enough to hold her here. Why could you not love her more? Why could WE not love her more?" His voice broke as it hadn't done in weeks. "Why can you not let me go?" he whispered.

Elladan turned and ran from the room, Legolas on his trail. Elrond sank into a chair and buried his face in his hands. Glorfindel moved to his side and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Why am I not the one running after him?" Elrond asked. "It should be me."

"Elladan is high-strung right now," Glorfindel reasoned. "He is not himself."

"When will I get *my* Elladan back?" Elrond asked the air. He sighed. "I am the healer, and I should know the answer. Perhaps never."

"Do not think that, my Lord," Glorfindel said.



"I *know* my own limits and abilities," Elladan ranted as he stormed back to his room. "Why can he not see that?"

Legolas caught up to him and stopped him in the hall. "You do not see yourself as we see you. You would never show your temper as you just did to your father. That should be an indication in itself."

Elladan's shoulders slumped, the mood leaving him as quickly as it came on. He turned around and nearly raced back to his father. Elrond looked up, shocked at the quick return of his son.

"I am sorry, Ada," Elladan said, throwing himself into Elrond's arms. "I do not know what comes over me at times. I had no right to speak to you in such a way."

Elrond bent his head down to whisper in Elladan's ear. "You wound me with words, my son, but it is but a trifle of what I would endure if it lessens your burden," Elrond said.

He held Elladan for a long time in silence. When he looked up again, Legolas and Glorfindel had gone, leaving them alone. Elrond urged Elladan up, and caught his arm when he nearly fell on unsure legs. Elrond said nothing; he sat Elladan back down in the chair and went to the sideboard to pour a glass of miruvor. He placed the glass in Elladan's hands and made sure he sipped from it before releasing his son from his piercing gaze. The invigorating liquor cleared Elladan's head and he smiled his appreciation.

"I hope you have not overtaxed yourself to the point that you cannot enjoy tomorrow's festivities," Elrond said.

"I will retire early tonight, to ensure that I am rested," Elladan reassured his father.

Elrond nodded. "That would be wise. But for now, come show me your new stallion. Just stay on the ground this time!"



Dawn breathed a new life into the hallways of Imladris. Harps and flutes accompanied Elvish voices to greet the sun as she rose over the Misty Mountains and blessed the valley below. People traveled from near and far to be present for the greeting of the dawn of the New Year at Imladris, and spirits ran high. Bright tents covered the green lawns from the porches of the Great House itself to the banks of the Bruinen. The dining hall windows were flung open to allow the sweet breeze to rustle the ribbons and flowers that adorned the pillars and walls. Already, elves were preparing for the feast that would take place that night, and wonderful scents wafted out from the kitchens.

Every available outdoor space was utilized for some purpose or another. A racetrack was plotted past the river and through the trees for those who wished to boast their horsemanship skills; areas for dancing and singing on raised daises were set in the gardens; targets were set in the main courtyard for the premier event—and archery contest held every year.

Elrohir dashed between grooming his horse for a race that morning and looking in on his still sleeping brother. Arwen, dressed in a white gown that looked as though it was spun from the purest clouds, greeted the maidens and ladies who hailed from far away courts. Elrond left Glorfindel and Erestor to see to the finish of the dawn ceremony as he crept away to his son's chambers.

Elrond entered Elladan's room to find him freshly awoken and sitting at the ornate dressing table. Legolas stood behind him, weaving his ebony locks into an intricate braid pattern, leaving the bottom half to trail down his back in a soft mass. Elrond smiled at the charming scene, almost afraid to interrupt. Legolas was almost finished, though, and he greeted the lord with a bright smile as he tied off the final braid.

"That should hold for a while," Legolas said, tugging on Elladan's hair teasingly.

"I should say, though I believe we have missed the dawn ceremony with all your fussing," Elladan countered.

"You have not awoken in time for the dawn ceremony in fifty years, Elladan," Elrond said from his position in the doorway.

Elladan shrugged sheepishly as he rose. Elrond smiled in pride at the stunning figure his son presented. He was dressed in robes for a change, instead of his usual functional tunic and leggings, as he would not be competing in any of the sports this year. The robe was of twilight blue velvet, overlaid by detailed stitching in silver thread that glimmered in the light. The robe beneath was of silver silk, designed to be cool in the warm sun but warm in the chill breeze that still swept through the valley. The belt he wore was also of silver, the clasp wrought in the shape of star. The loose robes hid the weight loss from his injuries and continuing convalescence, and he looked the same Elf warrior who left the valley those many months ago.

Legolas also looked splendid in his green leggings and silver tunic, though he did not spend as much time on his appearance as he had on Elladan's. His reasoning was that he would not be in the same spot for long enough for others to study him intently, while Elladan would most likely have to submit to drawn out conversations with undeniably boring dignitaries. Elladan laughed at his friend's opinion of court life, but agreed in the end.

"Are you ready to greet the day and the New Year?" Elrond asked his son.

Elladan smiled brightly and stepped into the hallway. "Yes," he said. "I am more than ready to start something new."