Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
Chapter 5. The Last Laugh
Leaves of gold and brown fluttered gently in the breeze spiralling lazily downwards until they finally came to rest on the forest floor. Sunlight filtered through the ancient treetops and all around there was an air of peace and tranquillity, which Elladan and Elrohir barely seemed to appreciate.
"You realise, Elrohir, that we would not be here, if not for that prank with the arrows." Elladan said, "We should have known that we were trying father's patience beyond it's limits."
"Yes, we should have" his brother agreed. "But do not forget that it was your idea, not mine."
"We are equally at fault, little brother," Elladan said, becoming slightly annoyed. Elrohir chose to ignore the barb,
"I wonder what awaits us in Caras Galadhon?" Elrohir pondered.
With minds totally occupied with imagining their fate, their elven senses had not warned either of them that they were being watched. A group of elves came upon them, suddenly appearing from amongst the trees. "The Lord and Lady of the Wood await your arrival," answered Haldir, the leader of the patrol. The twins both jumped in surprise at the sound of his voice. Haldir and his elves could not help but laugh at the disgusted looks on the twin's faces
"Greetings to you, Haldir" said Elrohir, quickly recovering his composure. This was the second time they had been caught unawares in a forest; it was a bad habit to develop.
"Welcome to Lothlorien, Elladan, Elrohir. The Lady Galadriel has sent us to escort you to her." He had a wicked gleam in his eye as he continued, "You can both rest assured that there are no spiders in these woods, of either the eight- or two-legged variety." The other members of the patrol laughed heartily and two sets of pointed ears blushed with embarrassment.
"How did you know about that 'tricky' Wood Elf?" Elladan demanded.
"There is very little the Lady of the Wood does not know of happenings large and small, particularly where her grandsons are concerned," Haldir replied, smiling at the alarmed look that passed between the twins. "Come, let us not keep her waiting."
They had barely reached the gates of the city before Arwen came running out to greet them. Although she was often at odds with her brothers, she had missed them and was eager to hear all the news from Rivendell. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel watched the happy reunion for a few moments before approaching the twins to welcome them to Caras Galadhon.
"Welcome Elladan, Elrohir" said Celeborn "I trust your journey was pleasant?"
"Yes, thank you, Lord Celeborn" Elrohir replied acting as spokesman as they both bowed politely.
"Such formality is unnecessary between kin," Celeborn said with a smile.
"Of course it is" agreed Galadriel as she hugged each of her grandsons in turn. Elladan took her hand and kissed it, but Elrohir dared to kiss her on the cheek, which pleased her immensely. "I trust that Elrond is well?" she asked.
"Yes, he is" Elladan replied, "or rather he was before he went to Mirkwood to see King Thranduil."
"Do not fear for him, I would know if anything untoward had happened.to either of them." She was extremely fond of her daughter's husband and she also rather liked the incorrigible son of Oropher.
"What news do you bring from Rivendell?" Celeborn asked. Elladan retrieved the letter from his travel bag and handed it to his grandsire. "Thank you. I think that perhaps you should let Arwen show you to the guest rooms, we shall see you at the evening meal."
Arwen did as she had been asked and once the twins were settled she found some fruit and wine for refreshment. "What are you two doing here?" she asked finally, "I am dying of curiosity."
"Then I had better answer you, before we are blamed for your tragic demise as well as everything else bad that happens in Middle Earth" joked Elladan. Arwen's laughter was infectious as he explained the various events which had preceded them being sent to Lorien, and soon all three of them had tears of merriment rolling down their cheeks. That is until Elladan told of how they had teased Estel. Arwen's expression turned from amusement to fury in an instant.
"How could you be so cruel? I hope Celeborn choses something really bad as your punishment!" she exclaimed as she stalked out of the room.
"Typical of Arwen" Elrohir commented as he watched her slam the door, "It does not take much to anger her, does it?"
"No, she is very much like father, no sense of humour."
******
Shortly after the evening meal, the twins were summoned to attend Celeborn in his study. Their growing concern over their as yet unnamed fate had made them extremely nervous and they were dismayed to see that Galadriel was there as well. Celeborn indicated for them to be seated.
"I have read the letter from Elrond, and I must say I am disappointed with your current behaviour. Youthful exuberance and playfulness is a common trait among Elves and I do not object to expressing such in the form of pranks, provided they are harmless and do not exceed the bounds of good manners or moral behaviour. It would appear that you two have managed exceed these limits, and despite repeated requests from your father you continue to do so. Even Elrond's patience has cannot be tried too far." The twins were now very worried, for the Celeborn who spoke those words sounded more like the mighty warrior lord he had been, rather then their gentle grandsire. Even Galadriel felt the power and authority in her husband's voice and the subtle warning to the twins. They received the message loud and clear and nodded in silent acknowledgement.
"Your would do well to heed Lord Celeborn" she said sternly "it would not be wise to anger him. However," she added with a slight smile, "if you must play pranks, please do so a little more responsibly." Celeborn frowned slightly, it was obvious from whom they had inherited their mischief making tendencies.
"I realise that you are expecting me to mete out a suitable punishment" Celeborn continued, "but Elrond has asked me to read you part of the letter you delivered.
I assume my sons are now in your presence, Celeborn, and that you are attempting to make them see the benefits of responsible behaviour. I have sent them to you thinking that I wish to punish them for causing havoc at Rivendell. I saw no reason to make them think otherwise. I am certain they have been concerned and anxious as to the content of this letter throughout their journey. When you see fit, please inform them that all it contains is a request for Arwen to return home.
This time the joke is on you, my sons.
Regards
Elrond
Galadriel and Celeborn could not contain their mirth and the study echoed with the sound or their laughter.
***********
A/N: TreeHugger: I agree, great minds do think alike! Meet you in Mirkwood! (
Thanks again to all my reviewers, I value your opinions.
Chapter 5. The Last Laugh
Leaves of gold and brown fluttered gently in the breeze spiralling lazily downwards until they finally came to rest on the forest floor. Sunlight filtered through the ancient treetops and all around there was an air of peace and tranquillity, which Elladan and Elrohir barely seemed to appreciate.
"You realise, Elrohir, that we would not be here, if not for that prank with the arrows." Elladan said, "We should have known that we were trying father's patience beyond it's limits."
"Yes, we should have" his brother agreed. "But do not forget that it was your idea, not mine."
"We are equally at fault, little brother," Elladan said, becoming slightly annoyed. Elrohir chose to ignore the barb,
"I wonder what awaits us in Caras Galadhon?" Elrohir pondered.
With minds totally occupied with imagining their fate, their elven senses had not warned either of them that they were being watched. A group of elves came upon them, suddenly appearing from amongst the trees. "The Lord and Lady of the Wood await your arrival," answered Haldir, the leader of the patrol. The twins both jumped in surprise at the sound of his voice. Haldir and his elves could not help but laugh at the disgusted looks on the twin's faces
"Greetings to you, Haldir" said Elrohir, quickly recovering his composure. This was the second time they had been caught unawares in a forest; it was a bad habit to develop.
"Welcome to Lothlorien, Elladan, Elrohir. The Lady Galadriel has sent us to escort you to her." He had a wicked gleam in his eye as he continued, "You can both rest assured that there are no spiders in these woods, of either the eight- or two-legged variety." The other members of the patrol laughed heartily and two sets of pointed ears blushed with embarrassment.
"How did you know about that 'tricky' Wood Elf?" Elladan demanded.
"There is very little the Lady of the Wood does not know of happenings large and small, particularly where her grandsons are concerned," Haldir replied, smiling at the alarmed look that passed between the twins. "Come, let us not keep her waiting."
They had barely reached the gates of the city before Arwen came running out to greet them. Although she was often at odds with her brothers, she had missed them and was eager to hear all the news from Rivendell. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel watched the happy reunion for a few moments before approaching the twins to welcome them to Caras Galadhon.
"Welcome Elladan, Elrohir" said Celeborn "I trust your journey was pleasant?"
"Yes, thank you, Lord Celeborn" Elrohir replied acting as spokesman as they both bowed politely.
"Such formality is unnecessary between kin," Celeborn said with a smile.
"Of course it is" agreed Galadriel as she hugged each of her grandsons in turn. Elladan took her hand and kissed it, but Elrohir dared to kiss her on the cheek, which pleased her immensely. "I trust that Elrond is well?" she asked.
"Yes, he is" Elladan replied, "or rather he was before he went to Mirkwood to see King Thranduil."
"Do not fear for him, I would know if anything untoward had happened.to either of them." She was extremely fond of her daughter's husband and she also rather liked the incorrigible son of Oropher.
"What news do you bring from Rivendell?" Celeborn asked. Elladan retrieved the letter from his travel bag and handed it to his grandsire. "Thank you. I think that perhaps you should let Arwen show you to the guest rooms, we shall see you at the evening meal."
Arwen did as she had been asked and once the twins were settled she found some fruit and wine for refreshment. "What are you two doing here?" she asked finally, "I am dying of curiosity."
"Then I had better answer you, before we are blamed for your tragic demise as well as everything else bad that happens in Middle Earth" joked Elladan. Arwen's laughter was infectious as he explained the various events which had preceded them being sent to Lorien, and soon all three of them had tears of merriment rolling down their cheeks. That is until Elladan told of how they had teased Estel. Arwen's expression turned from amusement to fury in an instant.
"How could you be so cruel? I hope Celeborn choses something really bad as your punishment!" she exclaimed as she stalked out of the room.
"Typical of Arwen" Elrohir commented as he watched her slam the door, "It does not take much to anger her, does it?"
"No, she is very much like father, no sense of humour."
******
Shortly after the evening meal, the twins were summoned to attend Celeborn in his study. Their growing concern over their as yet unnamed fate had made them extremely nervous and they were dismayed to see that Galadriel was there as well. Celeborn indicated for them to be seated.
"I have read the letter from Elrond, and I must say I am disappointed with your current behaviour. Youthful exuberance and playfulness is a common trait among Elves and I do not object to expressing such in the form of pranks, provided they are harmless and do not exceed the bounds of good manners or moral behaviour. It would appear that you two have managed exceed these limits, and despite repeated requests from your father you continue to do so. Even Elrond's patience has cannot be tried too far." The twins were now very worried, for the Celeborn who spoke those words sounded more like the mighty warrior lord he had been, rather then their gentle grandsire. Even Galadriel felt the power and authority in her husband's voice and the subtle warning to the twins. They received the message loud and clear and nodded in silent acknowledgement.
"Your would do well to heed Lord Celeborn" she said sternly "it would not be wise to anger him. However," she added with a slight smile, "if you must play pranks, please do so a little more responsibly." Celeborn frowned slightly, it was obvious from whom they had inherited their mischief making tendencies.
"I realise that you are expecting me to mete out a suitable punishment" Celeborn continued, "but Elrond has asked me to read you part of the letter you delivered.
I assume my sons are now in your presence, Celeborn, and that you are attempting to make them see the benefits of responsible behaviour. I have sent them to you thinking that I wish to punish them for causing havoc at Rivendell. I saw no reason to make them think otherwise. I am certain they have been concerned and anxious as to the content of this letter throughout their journey. When you see fit, please inform them that all it contains is a request for Arwen to return home.
This time the joke is on you, my sons.
Regards
Elrond
Galadriel and Celeborn could not contain their mirth and the study echoed with the sound or their laughter.
***********
A/N: TreeHugger: I agree, great minds do think alike! Meet you in Mirkwood! (
Thanks again to all my reviewers, I value your opinions.