A/N- I would like to thank little-steve and washawaythiskiss for my first
reviews!
***Must I beg?***Please Review*** Let me know if it gets a little too
boring, or too sappy. Or too anything. Just feedback pleeze. Thanks. Enjoy
the next chapter. ~Elenya
Disclaimer: Tolkien owns everything except Laurelin, Helenna, Ivrinereth, Andrahil, Tarsil, Riel, Soronume, and Cyra
BTW: Helenna is pronounced (hell-Enna) (not the English name Helena) Cyra is pronounce (Kir-a)
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The sun was bright as the four friends galloped into the woods. Normally they would have required an escort, but since Elladan and Elrohir were riding with them it was not necessary. Arwen looked around at the splendor of Greenwood the Great. Indeed as tales told the woods held great mystery, but great beauty as well. The birds chattered gaily darting here and there in search of food and eyeing the four elflings curiously. Off in the distance Arwen spied a family of deer, the youngest of the group not yet having lost his spots. They did not seem to fear the group as they approached. Nor should they, for this was not hunting. Arwen was astride her favorite horse Soronume. She was a beautiful bay horse with a snow white mane. She was an elven horse and as such could understand elvish, but what was so special about Soronume was that she could almost read Arwen's thoughts. Which right now, was happiness that they could make Laurelin happy. Though her impish brothers were trying to make trouble with each other. Their bickering was a common sight to Arwen who sighed in frustration. But it was all new to Laurel who laughed at the brothers trying to embarrass one another.
"No, I swear I had nothing to do with it. That chair must have been enchanted or something!" Protested Elrohir.
"Sure, but what you forget dear brother was that it was father's chair that you tried to 'enchant' with a rope. You just didn't have the wit to see that I attached the rope to your own chair. Once to yanked on the rope you pulled the chair out from under yourself." By now the words were barely audible for Elladan was roaring with laughter at the memory. He turned to Laurelin to explain. "Then he, he fell straight backwards, upset a tray one of the servants were carrying and ended up with Arwen's leftover birthday cake all over his head." Elrohir was scowling at the other two who were shaking with laughter.
"Yes, I was so mad at Elrohir. I had fully planned to pilfer the leftovers from the kitchens later." Arwen added. A merry Elladan decide to turn on Arwen to torture.
"It's a good thing then for you would have become as rounded as a dwarf!" Arwen slapped her brother's arm.
"You be careful brother, or I shall be forced to tell Laurelin of the time you ended up on the roof being chased by an angry hen!" When it came to teasing Arwen defended herself manfully.
A look of dismay passed over Elladan's face as Laurel piped up. "You ran from a chicken, Elladan? A chicken?" She was clearly enjoying this. Elladan's face turned bright red.
"That thing was possessed! I mean, no ordinary fowl could move that fast!" Elladan tried to defend himself, but it was of no use.
"You should have seen it!" Arwen giggled. "I had just finished my lessons and walked out to the main courtyard when all of the sudden I see Elladan racing by followed closely with this enormous hen flapping her wings at him. He shrieked when the hen got too close and jumped up on top of the roof to escape her. The hen was so big anyone could see that she couldn't follow." Elrohir was laughing so hard at the memory that he actually lost his grip on the horse and fell to the forest floor rolling with laughter. Arwen could barely finish with the absurd sight of Elrohir now. "We watched for hours as, as Elladan tried to shoo away the angry hen. He flailed his arms at the thing and cried, 'Back beast! Get back' which only made the hen more angry." Laurel had to lean against her horse now because she too might fall over with laughter. Arwen managed to finish her story amid endless giggles. "He stayed up on the roof for three hours! Finally the gamekeeper came and managed to shoo her back into the coop. But Elladan wouldn't budge until he saw Riel's return, he had to coax him off the roof!" By now Elladan's face, ears, and even his nose was shaded a deep red.
"That was the last time I will ever go egg hunting for the kitchens." grumbled Elladan. He glared at his brother who finally looked like he could climb back onto his horse but alas, another fit of laughter took him until he helplessly leaned against the animal.
Elladan was more angry than the others realized. He suddenly spurred on his horse to leave the rest of them behind.
"Elladan, Elladan don't be angry." Arwen called after him. She went to follow but Laurelin put a hand on her shoulder.
"You stay with Elrohir. Make sure he can get back on his horse. I'll talk to Elladan." Arwen nodded her assent. Laurel turned in the direction that Elladan took off in and urged her horse on.
It did not take her long to find the trail that Elladan left in his wake. In a few minutes, she had caught sight of him. He had slowed his horse and dismounted. He found a seat in the branches of a mighty oak. I sighed and jumped down from my horse. I swiftly climbed the branches of the adjoining tree. "Elladan please do not be angry."
"Go away." I ignored the terse reply and gracefully jumped from my tree to the oak. I situated myself right in front of him.
"Look, I'm sorry that things got out of hand. It is all my fault. Arwen only did it to cheer me up." I dipped my head to look under Elladan's bowed head as he tried to avoid my gaze. "I will wager that is why you embarrassed Elrohir is it not? Please do not be angry at me." That finally made him look up.
"I am not angry at you." He said with a scowl. Good, I finally got him talking. I smiled and continued.
"Then please do not be angry because of me." He turned again to avoid me. But I just moved to sit in front of him again. "Please, pretty please?" He shifted once more, but I again moved to be in front of him. By now I was starting to get a little tired of these childish games. And he was older than I was! This time I held his head still which startled him a bit. He looked up at me. "Look, you are one of my only friends and I do not want to see you mad. Please do not be angry." I softened then and turned playful once more, letting go of his face. "If you don't stop acting like a child, I will be forced to kick you out of this tree!"
He finally grinned and retorted proudly, "I have never fallen out of a tree." I grinned back.
"I did not say I would make you fall. I said 'kick you out of' a tree." With an evil little glint in my eye I went to demonstrate. Elladan was a little too quick for me and defended himself. We ended up chasing each other around the tree, and around the branches of many others. When Arwen and Elrohir finally joined us, we were laughing merrily.
The sun was begging to fade so we decided to head home. Unwisely the twins challenges us girls to a race. I looked to Arwen, "Let's make them eat our dust!" She agreed eagerly and bent to whisper in Soronume's ear. The mare nodded her head eagerly and nudged my horse. It almost seemed as if she were telling it to be ready. At the count all four of us took off. Elladan and Elrohir's horses were well matched but neither could compare to Soronume's prowess nor my Cyra's speed. We swiftly left the twins behind and raced for the stables. The people walking along the palace green were startled to see the fast approach of such riders, but any thought of alarm was eased at our laughter. Arwen and I reached the stables at a tie. And neither of us wished to dispute it. Both of us patted out horses down and congratulated them, on such a show of speed. They seemed to be basking in the praise when Elladan and Elrohir finally road up.
"Oh, you finally made it." Arwen teased delighted that for once she won something in a contest with her brothers.
"Yeah, yeah. It's only because of that horse of yours. If you were riding a normal animal we would have beaten you easily." Elrohir responded, a little embarrassed to have been beaten by his little sister. They had obviously forgotten about me. I paused from brushing Cyra down, and cleared by throat loudly. Both of the twins looked up.
"And what about me? I do believe I beat you two as well." They looked a little sheepish to be beaten by not one girl but two.
"Well you're different." Elladan started to protest. "You know the woods, you were probably leading Arwen over the easiest path to get here faster." Arwen started to protest but I held my friend back.
"I did no such thing. We won through no deviousness of mine. You're just sore losers." I stood tall looking right in Elladan's eyes staring him down.
And he just stared right back, but little by little his mouth crept into a grin that soon morphed into a wide smile. I grinned back. Linking arms the four of us made our way to the palace. We had to part in order to dress for dinner. I had not doubt that Enna would stuff me into a formal dress again. And sure enough, once I opened the door there was another elaborate dress on the bed. This one was a beautiful emerald green where the older was a sapphire blue. I sadly thought of that dress, it was very beautiful but I had probably ruined past repair. Oh well.
"Hello Enna." I greeted my nanny as I stepped into the room. She turned from filling the bath and regarded me happily as she filled the tub with warm water.
"Hello. Well, it seems like you have had a good day. I can't remember the last time you came in for dinner with such a smile on your face." My smile grew wider,
"I know, but I've had the most wonderful day. Elladan and Elrohir have begun my archery lessons. And I hit the target! It will be a while before I am any good though. Then Arwen joined us for a ride. Enna, you should have heard them, they bicker and tease on another with no mercy. Arwen was telling of one of Elladan's escapades and Elrohir laughed so hard he laughed himself right off of his horse!" Enna sat down on the bed laughing at the thought of one of Elrond's nearly grown sons falling off a horse. I continued with my story as Enna recovered herself and pushed me towards the readied tub. "Elladan at the story and rode off. But I followed and got him into a better mood." I then paused and looked up thoughtfully at Enna. "It really is nice to have a lot of friends." I could see the tears well in her eyes. I took her hand and pressed it to my cheek. "Do not cry, dear Enna. You told me it would get better and now it is. I even have truce with the prince. Please be happy." Enna just looked back at me smiling through her tears.
"I am happy child. For you have found the beginnings of your own happiness and that makes me very happy." She brought me into arms for a hug. I clung to my foster mother, for that was what she was to me. Then snapping out of her thoughts. "Alright, we have to get you cleaned up and dressed for supper. If you're late the King will be upset." And so she shooed me into the bath.
All clean with my hair almost dried into a mass of curls I finally slipped the dress on. Indeed it was identical to the other for they both had beautiful gold embroidery on the hem and at the empire waist. The long skirt dragged at the floor and I had to lift it as I walked to dinner. "My" Enna clicked behind me. "Before long you will be too tall for that dress." I hoped so, for I hated being so short. But I did still have some good growing years in me.
I was escorted to the seat I had occupied the previous night next to Arwen. We started chatting immediately as we waited for our food. Arwen wanted to know of the other children for she had seem none. "The children's table is at the back so as to not disturb the King. Only Legolas and I were ever allowed to sit at the head table. They are nice enough to each other but they don't like me much. No one ever liked me until I met you and your brothers." I smiled at her to let her know how much her friendship meant to me.
"They are petty and spiteful. They think about themselves and no one else." I looked up surprised to find that voice to belong to the prince. I looked at him strangely but Arwen had no problem talking.
"So why do you spend your time with them?" She asked innocently. But he just shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm not spending time with anyone now that I am grounded." I looked down at my plate for a second but then stopped myself and forced myself to look up. I will not be sorry he is grounded. He got himself into trouble.
"Oh." She said in a quiet voice.
"But I don't suggest any of you wasting your time on them." He said addressing all of us, including the twins. I didn't hear this advice, I had figured it out on my own. However I was surprised that Legolas was saying this of his friends. But he continued on. "The younger ones aren't so bad. But the older ones are self-centered and as bad tempered as a spider when it's web is disturbed." Arwen and I started to giggle. We had seen at the same time a pack of girls sneak up on the side of the hall and proceeded to gawk and giggle at the handsome twins Elladan and Elrohir.
Arwen was the first to point it out. "Don't look now brothers but you seem to have quite a lot of admirers. Just like at home." Neither dared to turn around but both turned a quite a pretty shade of pink. Elladan groaned and Elrohir just buried his face in his hands.
Legolas joined in our laughter at the despairing brothers. "And then there are the one with the fluff in their heads who like nothing better than to faint while staring their favorite elves." Legolas continued. "Now it seems that they have added Elladan and Elrohir to their lists of people to stare at." Arwen and I laughed even harder.
Between the laughter I managed to sputter out. "Well aren't you two lucky." If looks could kill I would be on the floor stone cold by now. Both had turned to glare at me. I was helpless to avoid the renewed laughter bubbling in my throat.
Thankfully the food arrived so that I could calm down. Oh, how my stomached ached with all the laughter today. But I counted the slight pain a good thing. During the meal we continued talking about hunting, riding, archery. It was strange to be in a conversation with Legolas. But he mainly talked with Elladan and Elrohir. And I mainly talked with Arwen. It was a nice enough night. I was truly glad of the truce between me and Legolas. For we both could be friends with the King's guests.
Disclaimer: Tolkien owns everything except Laurelin, Helenna, Ivrinereth, Andrahil, Tarsil, Riel, Soronume, and Cyra
BTW: Helenna is pronounced (hell-Enna) (not the English name Helena) Cyra is pronounce (Kir-a)
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The sun was bright as the four friends galloped into the woods. Normally they would have required an escort, but since Elladan and Elrohir were riding with them it was not necessary. Arwen looked around at the splendor of Greenwood the Great. Indeed as tales told the woods held great mystery, but great beauty as well. The birds chattered gaily darting here and there in search of food and eyeing the four elflings curiously. Off in the distance Arwen spied a family of deer, the youngest of the group not yet having lost his spots. They did not seem to fear the group as they approached. Nor should they, for this was not hunting. Arwen was astride her favorite horse Soronume. She was a beautiful bay horse with a snow white mane. She was an elven horse and as such could understand elvish, but what was so special about Soronume was that she could almost read Arwen's thoughts. Which right now, was happiness that they could make Laurelin happy. Though her impish brothers were trying to make trouble with each other. Their bickering was a common sight to Arwen who sighed in frustration. But it was all new to Laurel who laughed at the brothers trying to embarrass one another.
"No, I swear I had nothing to do with it. That chair must have been enchanted or something!" Protested Elrohir.
"Sure, but what you forget dear brother was that it was father's chair that you tried to 'enchant' with a rope. You just didn't have the wit to see that I attached the rope to your own chair. Once to yanked on the rope you pulled the chair out from under yourself." By now the words were barely audible for Elladan was roaring with laughter at the memory. He turned to Laurelin to explain. "Then he, he fell straight backwards, upset a tray one of the servants were carrying and ended up with Arwen's leftover birthday cake all over his head." Elrohir was scowling at the other two who were shaking with laughter.
"Yes, I was so mad at Elrohir. I had fully planned to pilfer the leftovers from the kitchens later." Arwen added. A merry Elladan decide to turn on Arwen to torture.
"It's a good thing then for you would have become as rounded as a dwarf!" Arwen slapped her brother's arm.
"You be careful brother, or I shall be forced to tell Laurelin of the time you ended up on the roof being chased by an angry hen!" When it came to teasing Arwen defended herself manfully.
A look of dismay passed over Elladan's face as Laurel piped up. "You ran from a chicken, Elladan? A chicken?" She was clearly enjoying this. Elladan's face turned bright red.
"That thing was possessed! I mean, no ordinary fowl could move that fast!" Elladan tried to defend himself, but it was of no use.
"You should have seen it!" Arwen giggled. "I had just finished my lessons and walked out to the main courtyard when all of the sudden I see Elladan racing by followed closely with this enormous hen flapping her wings at him. He shrieked when the hen got too close and jumped up on top of the roof to escape her. The hen was so big anyone could see that she couldn't follow." Elrohir was laughing so hard at the memory that he actually lost his grip on the horse and fell to the forest floor rolling with laughter. Arwen could barely finish with the absurd sight of Elrohir now. "We watched for hours as, as Elladan tried to shoo away the angry hen. He flailed his arms at the thing and cried, 'Back beast! Get back' which only made the hen more angry." Laurel had to lean against her horse now because she too might fall over with laughter. Arwen managed to finish her story amid endless giggles. "He stayed up on the roof for three hours! Finally the gamekeeper came and managed to shoo her back into the coop. But Elladan wouldn't budge until he saw Riel's return, he had to coax him off the roof!" By now Elladan's face, ears, and even his nose was shaded a deep red.
"That was the last time I will ever go egg hunting for the kitchens." grumbled Elladan. He glared at his brother who finally looked like he could climb back onto his horse but alas, another fit of laughter took him until he helplessly leaned against the animal.
Elladan was more angry than the others realized. He suddenly spurred on his horse to leave the rest of them behind.
"Elladan, Elladan don't be angry." Arwen called after him. She went to follow but Laurelin put a hand on her shoulder.
"You stay with Elrohir. Make sure he can get back on his horse. I'll talk to Elladan." Arwen nodded her assent. Laurel turned in the direction that Elladan took off in and urged her horse on.
It did not take her long to find the trail that Elladan left in his wake. In a few minutes, she had caught sight of him. He had slowed his horse and dismounted. He found a seat in the branches of a mighty oak. I sighed and jumped down from my horse. I swiftly climbed the branches of the adjoining tree. "Elladan please do not be angry."
"Go away." I ignored the terse reply and gracefully jumped from my tree to the oak. I situated myself right in front of him.
"Look, I'm sorry that things got out of hand. It is all my fault. Arwen only did it to cheer me up." I dipped my head to look under Elladan's bowed head as he tried to avoid my gaze. "I will wager that is why you embarrassed Elrohir is it not? Please do not be angry at me." That finally made him look up.
"I am not angry at you." He said with a scowl. Good, I finally got him talking. I smiled and continued.
"Then please do not be angry because of me." He turned again to avoid me. But I just moved to sit in front of him again. "Please, pretty please?" He shifted once more, but I again moved to be in front of him. By now I was starting to get a little tired of these childish games. And he was older than I was! This time I held his head still which startled him a bit. He looked up at me. "Look, you are one of my only friends and I do not want to see you mad. Please do not be angry." I softened then and turned playful once more, letting go of his face. "If you don't stop acting like a child, I will be forced to kick you out of this tree!"
He finally grinned and retorted proudly, "I have never fallen out of a tree." I grinned back.
"I did not say I would make you fall. I said 'kick you out of' a tree." With an evil little glint in my eye I went to demonstrate. Elladan was a little too quick for me and defended himself. We ended up chasing each other around the tree, and around the branches of many others. When Arwen and Elrohir finally joined us, we were laughing merrily.
The sun was begging to fade so we decided to head home. Unwisely the twins challenges us girls to a race. I looked to Arwen, "Let's make them eat our dust!" She agreed eagerly and bent to whisper in Soronume's ear. The mare nodded her head eagerly and nudged my horse. It almost seemed as if she were telling it to be ready. At the count all four of us took off. Elladan and Elrohir's horses were well matched but neither could compare to Soronume's prowess nor my Cyra's speed. We swiftly left the twins behind and raced for the stables. The people walking along the palace green were startled to see the fast approach of such riders, but any thought of alarm was eased at our laughter. Arwen and I reached the stables at a tie. And neither of us wished to dispute it. Both of us patted out horses down and congratulated them, on such a show of speed. They seemed to be basking in the praise when Elladan and Elrohir finally road up.
"Oh, you finally made it." Arwen teased delighted that for once she won something in a contest with her brothers.
"Yeah, yeah. It's only because of that horse of yours. If you were riding a normal animal we would have beaten you easily." Elrohir responded, a little embarrassed to have been beaten by his little sister. They had obviously forgotten about me. I paused from brushing Cyra down, and cleared by throat loudly. Both of the twins looked up.
"And what about me? I do believe I beat you two as well." They looked a little sheepish to be beaten by not one girl but two.
"Well you're different." Elladan started to protest. "You know the woods, you were probably leading Arwen over the easiest path to get here faster." Arwen started to protest but I held my friend back.
"I did no such thing. We won through no deviousness of mine. You're just sore losers." I stood tall looking right in Elladan's eyes staring him down.
And he just stared right back, but little by little his mouth crept into a grin that soon morphed into a wide smile. I grinned back. Linking arms the four of us made our way to the palace. We had to part in order to dress for dinner. I had not doubt that Enna would stuff me into a formal dress again. And sure enough, once I opened the door there was another elaborate dress on the bed. This one was a beautiful emerald green where the older was a sapphire blue. I sadly thought of that dress, it was very beautiful but I had probably ruined past repair. Oh well.
"Hello Enna." I greeted my nanny as I stepped into the room. She turned from filling the bath and regarded me happily as she filled the tub with warm water.
"Hello. Well, it seems like you have had a good day. I can't remember the last time you came in for dinner with such a smile on your face." My smile grew wider,
"I know, but I've had the most wonderful day. Elladan and Elrohir have begun my archery lessons. And I hit the target! It will be a while before I am any good though. Then Arwen joined us for a ride. Enna, you should have heard them, they bicker and tease on another with no mercy. Arwen was telling of one of Elladan's escapades and Elrohir laughed so hard he laughed himself right off of his horse!" Enna sat down on the bed laughing at the thought of one of Elrond's nearly grown sons falling off a horse. I continued with my story as Enna recovered herself and pushed me towards the readied tub. "Elladan at the story and rode off. But I followed and got him into a better mood." I then paused and looked up thoughtfully at Enna. "It really is nice to have a lot of friends." I could see the tears well in her eyes. I took her hand and pressed it to my cheek. "Do not cry, dear Enna. You told me it would get better and now it is. I even have truce with the prince. Please be happy." Enna just looked back at me smiling through her tears.
"I am happy child. For you have found the beginnings of your own happiness and that makes me very happy." She brought me into arms for a hug. I clung to my foster mother, for that was what she was to me. Then snapping out of her thoughts. "Alright, we have to get you cleaned up and dressed for supper. If you're late the King will be upset." And so she shooed me into the bath.
All clean with my hair almost dried into a mass of curls I finally slipped the dress on. Indeed it was identical to the other for they both had beautiful gold embroidery on the hem and at the empire waist. The long skirt dragged at the floor and I had to lift it as I walked to dinner. "My" Enna clicked behind me. "Before long you will be too tall for that dress." I hoped so, for I hated being so short. But I did still have some good growing years in me.
I was escorted to the seat I had occupied the previous night next to Arwen. We started chatting immediately as we waited for our food. Arwen wanted to know of the other children for she had seem none. "The children's table is at the back so as to not disturb the King. Only Legolas and I were ever allowed to sit at the head table. They are nice enough to each other but they don't like me much. No one ever liked me until I met you and your brothers." I smiled at her to let her know how much her friendship meant to me.
"They are petty and spiteful. They think about themselves and no one else." I looked up surprised to find that voice to belong to the prince. I looked at him strangely but Arwen had no problem talking.
"So why do you spend your time with them?" She asked innocently. But he just shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm not spending time with anyone now that I am grounded." I looked down at my plate for a second but then stopped myself and forced myself to look up. I will not be sorry he is grounded. He got himself into trouble.
"Oh." She said in a quiet voice.
"But I don't suggest any of you wasting your time on them." He said addressing all of us, including the twins. I didn't hear this advice, I had figured it out on my own. However I was surprised that Legolas was saying this of his friends. But he continued on. "The younger ones aren't so bad. But the older ones are self-centered and as bad tempered as a spider when it's web is disturbed." Arwen and I started to giggle. We had seen at the same time a pack of girls sneak up on the side of the hall and proceeded to gawk and giggle at the handsome twins Elladan and Elrohir.
Arwen was the first to point it out. "Don't look now brothers but you seem to have quite a lot of admirers. Just like at home." Neither dared to turn around but both turned a quite a pretty shade of pink. Elladan groaned and Elrohir just buried his face in his hands.
Legolas joined in our laughter at the despairing brothers. "And then there are the one with the fluff in their heads who like nothing better than to faint while staring their favorite elves." Legolas continued. "Now it seems that they have added Elladan and Elrohir to their lists of people to stare at." Arwen and I laughed even harder.
Between the laughter I managed to sputter out. "Well aren't you two lucky." If looks could kill I would be on the floor stone cold by now. Both had turned to glare at me. I was helpless to avoid the renewed laughter bubbling in my throat.
Thankfully the food arrived so that I could calm down. Oh, how my stomached ached with all the laughter today. But I counted the slight pain a good thing. During the meal we continued talking about hunting, riding, archery. It was strange to be in a conversation with Legolas. But he mainly talked with Elladan and Elrohir. And I mainly talked with Arwen. It was a nice enough night. I was truly glad of the truce between me and Legolas. For we both could be friends with the King's guests.
