Anyway, since I am not a parent I asked mine what they thought would be Elrond's and Celebrian's reactions, and eventually revealed that I was writing about this event from my childhood. Well, guess what…my mother does not even remember this happening!!! One of the most traumatic moment s of my life (Well okay, that's a little exaggeration, but it is one that has remained with me) and it just slips her memory! I am quite offended.
I am not entirely happy with this chapter, but I cannot think of any other way to write this, so it will have to do. (I am quite down about my writing as a whole recently, so chances are its as good/bad as you're expecting, and its just me being silly! Anyway, that's WAY too much about me, so onto some review response:
Can I just say WOW! Thank you all so much for responding, so many more than I was expecting (which is a VERY good thing!)
TrinityTheSheDevil: *cough* well here's one of them at least. Hope you like it!
HobbitsRFun: You like all my stories! Wow, the feeling is very much reciprocated, speaking of which…where's you next chappie? And as to the angst…its all I can write I am afraid L I may consider a humour fic, though it won't be for ages yet ~ too many plot bunnies have got their teeth in me. Hope you like this bit.
Dragon: Hmm, sensing that you like this. Thank you for reviewing here and on Twinsof Elrond, I love to know that people are reading! So Elladan and Elrohir are just perfect eh? I wonder if I can keep that up, I love them so much I just hate hurting them in any way.
Shakhed: Glad you're liking it, and I'm sorry I couldn't update sooner, hope you're still reading…
Lady of Legolas: WOW! I am so glad you're having fun with this fic, I love writing, but I love reading more, so I know exactly how you feel. Sorry this is a bit late coming, but its long, and there is another chapter to go *g*
Hardcorewwnut: No-one's really ever responded to a review of yours? Wow, well just know that I love and appreciate every single review that I get, it is brilliant to know that people are enjoying something you've created (well OK Tolkien created them, I'm just using them *g*) Please don't be mad at Elrond, I adore him ~ though I am acquiring a reputation for making him mean apparently. And yes, there are other fics though neither of them are twins fics. You can find them if you click on my author name thingy. Rough Landings does feature the twins prominently, but is primarily Aragorn and Legolas, it seems to be quite well received if you fancy exploring it. (What can I say; I am shamelessly plugging myself for more reviews!) Thank you again for reviewing, enjoy!
arabella thorne: Aww, don't be sorry for me, according to my parents I am imaging much of their reactions?! *Looks confused* Methinks it is their memory that s faulty, not mine! Improved? I don't quite think so…read on…
lurker: Only one review got through (for which I thank you heartfully) and thank you again for not just giving up when the first one went astray! Faves list as well! Thank you, thank you thank you anon…Elladan will get some closure, in the next chapter, though it won't be until the sequel (shudders at that evil word) that the situation is completely resolved…but I don't want to give away too much…sorry to make you wait so long *looks deeply apologetic*
Hellga: Thank you so much for the elvish information, I've hopefully got it right in this chapter, and will correct my previous one when the story is finished. And I'm so glad you liked the story and took the time to review, thank you again. XXX
the_ringspell: I've kind of taken that onboard with this chapter, but I don't think he's doing a brilliant job of hiding his fear…
Carrie: yes, I love putting them through guilt trips; it's all I can really write! Though it doesn't seem to be too dreadful since you're enjoying it! Well, here's more (you'll have quite a wait for Rough Landings though, I fear ~ no free time until Sunday, and not much then). And I love the little twins too, there are just SO cute!!! As for Elrond/Elladan…just wait and see…
:): Well, Elladan's guilt is drawn out, and so is Elrond's but nothing is resolved here I am afraid ^_~ Hope this was soon enough!
ThE iNsAnE oNe: reviewed another of my fics!!! *Faints* Hope this was soon enough (I notice you didn't hit your Wednesday deadline) *huggles twins* I can't help myself, they are just SO adorable!
Pilot3001: Thank you, I hope you can still bear the rest of it! I completely agree with you about the mary-sue fics, I cannot see the appeal, and I will never write one. There is nothing original, clever or funny about them. *watches as half of her reviewers stop reading now because all they write are MS's*
Waseom: Aw, thank you for reviewing, it is so hard to not huggle everyone, they are so wonderful! Hope this was soon enough! Oh, and please don't be offended if I don't review your new fic, but it cuts a little closely to home right now. I am sure it will be excellent as always, and I wish many hundreds of reviewers upon you!
Again, thank you all, and I hope you are still reading!As always…enjoy (and review)
Cathy.
*runs*
Part three: LunchtimeThe twins woke as one, groaning as the midday sun forced its way through even the drawn curtains, to dart across their faces. Elladan rolled over burying his head back into the pillow, but Elrohir was wide-awake and ready to get up; his headache was mostly gone, and it only hurt if he leaned on the bruise. Of course he wasn't going to tell his brother that because he might decide that it would be fun to poke it. Stretching out he accidentally nudged Elladan with his arm who turned to face him, growling under his breath. "Leave me alone, wanna sleep."
"Don't be so lazy! Come on and get up, look we've missed half the day. I'm hungry!" Elrohir nearly whined.
Elladan growled in frustration; despite all his best efforts to sleep, his brother was beginning to rouse him. "I don't know why you're so keen to get up, Adar'll probably just send you back to bed anyway, and make you rest."
"No he won't not if I'm already up, then he can see I'm alright and let me stay up. If I was still in bed he'd be worried and make me stay there" Elrohir's logic made perfect sense to him.
Elladan groaned. "'Ro last night you were in so much pain you couldn't bear to move; how is it fair that you are so awake now?" Throwing the pillow gently at his brother, still mindful of his injury from yesterday, he burrowed underneath the covers shutting out the light. "Leave Me Alone!" Came his muffled statement.
Getting up was literally the last thing he felt like doing today; if he had his way he would stay in bed for what little remained of his life, so he would never have to see his parents again. Elladan was still upset that they believed him capable of deliberately hurting his brother, and only just second to that was the growing guilt that he had lied to his parents. He had hated seeing them angry with him yesterday, and the memory of his father's words and his mother's slap would be with him for a long time to come. The events of last night seemed almost as a dream to him in the chill light of the morn, he was more than a little afraid of seeing them that angry at him again.
Elrohir, impatient to get outside, failed to noticed his brother's melancholy attitude and, grabbing him by the hand, dragged him downstairs. The two attracted a large amount of attention from the passing elves, dressed as they were for bed, and with Elrohir sporting a very large bandage; his hair was sticking up in large chaotic tufts. Elladan's though he did not realise it, was not much better. Reaching the dining room Elladan was tugged in, without the opportunity to pause and gather his thoughts, or turn and flee as he secretly wished.
Elrond and Celebrian looked up, from where they sat together on a sofa, at their sons' entrance and were hard-pressed to stifle laughter at their appearance. From the looks of them they had been dropped in a river, hung upside down, and put through a mangle. Celebrian's laughter faded slightly, and inwardly she groaned realising that she would have to spend a large part of the day making them presentable. Oh well, at least she and Elrond had spent a quiet morning together without interruption; a very rare gift since they had been blessed with the twins.
Reaching out her arms, she beckoned her children over, and Elrohir ran and threw himself into his mother's arms, being lifted up to sit between Celebrian and Elrond, and wrapped in a huge hug from them both.
"And how our you feeling today ion nin?" Elrond asked, cradling him gently and carefully examining his eyes for any signs of trauma or pain.
"I'm all better Ada, can I go outside and play?" Elrohir was impatient with his parent's concerns, much as he loved them and enjoyed the hugs, he did not want to be cooped up inside today.
"We'll see how you feel after you eat something." Elrond was being cautious, as always, when it came to his sons' well being.
"Oh alright." Elrohir agreed reluctantly, he brightened at the thought of food. "I'm really hungry though."
"That is a very good sign. Does your head not hurt?" Celebrian inquired, leaning forward to kiss him on the uninjured side of his head.
"No, not unless I bump it." He smiled happily.
Elrond winced. "Try not to do that Elrohir, as hard as your head is I do not think it could withstand many more blows." Elrohir giggled, and lay back against his parents' arms smiling. Celebrian bent down and kissed him again, and then looked up to where Elladan was still standing by the door, watching his brother with a peculiar expression upon his face.
Surprised that he had not already come over, she called out to him. "Elladan what is wrong, have you no hug for your mother this morning?" Elladan stood there, eyes widened in confusion, not understanding why his parents were being so nice to him, unable to reconcile their behaviour of today with that of yesterday.
"Elladan, come here." Elrond now joined in the cry, and held his hand out to him, concerned at the look of apprehension exhibited in his eyes. Stepping slowly forward Elladan was unable to keep from dragging his heels as he unwillingly approached.
Elrond and Celebrian glanced concernedly at each other, as he was lifted up to rest between them, next to his twin. Edging away from both of them, he leaned against Elrohir who wrapped an arm around him, and glared at his parents. "He thinks you hate him."
"Daro! 'Ro. Lau!" Elladan burst out, almost panicking, flinging himself off the sofa, to stand facing them, arms wrapped around himself.
"Elladan is this true?" Elladan ducked his head to avoid his parent's look.
"Son you apologised to us last night, your brother has forgiven you, as far as we're concerned that is the end of the matter." Elrond knelt forward so that he was on an eye-level with the boy, and he could perceive the truth in his words.
"He didn't do nothing." Elrohir insisted again, growing angry that his Ada and Ammë refused to believe him.
"He didn't do anything Elrohir." Celebrian corrected automatically, shaking her head at her young son's use of grammar; something else she would have to see to by the end of today.
"I know that's what I just said" Elrohir completely missed his Ammë's attempt at correcting his grammar, focussing only on his twin.
"Elrohir we saw him deliberately throw the stone at you, maybe he didn't mean to hurt you, but he did." Elrond silenced his youngest on the subject, and turned to appease his eldest's concerns. "Elladan you have been punished for this, a far greater punishment than we would have inflicted I assure you. You have apologised, we have forgiven you and we certainly do not hate you. Come here."
"But he didn't throw it at me. I know he didn't" Elrohir would simply not be quietened, refusing to allow his parents to blame his twin.
Celebrian just smiled fondly at him, and brushed at his hair with her hand. "I am glad to see you sticking up for your brother, and that you don't blame him, but he admitted it to us last night didn't you."
"Have you been telling your brother lies?" A sudden thought occurred to Elrond, who firmly disapproved of falsehoods, and he spoke without thinking.
"No! Elladan burst out, shaking his head vigorously. He had not lied, not to his twin anyway. "I told him the truth and he believed me. Why won't you?" He turned then and ran outside to the riverside, flinging himself down upon a rock, out of sight from the windows. Elrond stared after him worriedly, making as if to follow him; he was stopped by the irate voice of his other son.
"Why won't you believe us, he just wanted to throw it further than me." Elrohir stood where his twin just had, arms folded, but in anger not misery, and head raised, eyes flashing with rage and concern.
"Oh Elrohir, it is wonderful that you look up to your brother so much, but you have to realise that he is not perfect. No-one is." Celebrian scolded quietly, holding him tighter.
"He didn't throw it at me." Elrohir repeated, pouting at his parents
"Yes" Elrond began, before he was rudely interrupted.
"HE DIDN'T" Elrohir yelled, rubbing at the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes, wincing as he accidentally caught the bruise on his cheek.
"Hush my child, shush." Celebrian called, distressed. She reached forward to him again to comfort him.
"Why don't you believe us?" Elrohir sobbed again, shying from his mother's arms, as he backed out of the room, turned and ran after his twin.
The door slammed shut behind him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Outside Elladan sat on a low-lying rock, slamming his feet onto the surface of the water in anger. He continued in this action, spraying the water in the air all around him, until his night robes were quite damp, and it was impossible to tell that the streaks on his face were from tears not river water. Anger sated, he drew his legs up to his chest, and wrapped one arm around them, hugging himself tightly. His free hand swiped fiercely across his face, scattering the tears that were still falling. "I won't cry, I won't. It doesn't matter."
He was still muttering to himself when he felt a pressure at his shoulder. "Leave me alone." He whispered, burrowing his face into his folded arms, effectively shutting out his twin, and the world. Elrohir gently nudged him again, leaning into him this time, instead of pulling away. Sighing Elladan turned to face him, tear streaks still on his face, no matter how hard he had tried to prevent them falling. "What!"
Elrohir shrank back a little at his brother's angry tone, but pressed on when he perceived the sorrowful eyes. "They didn't believe me 'Dan, I tried to tell them."
"You shouldn't have, you just made it worse!" His twin yelled back fiercely.
Of all the reactions Elrohir was expecting this wasn't one of them, and his face screwed up at his brother's words. Blinking back tears himself, he rose to leave.
Standing, his head began to swim, and his vision blurred. Swaying slightly, he was grasped by his twin, who anxiously lowered him back down to the rock. Glancing nervously back at the house for any sign of their father, which there wasn't, Elladan stared anxiously at his brother. "Are you all right? Should I fetch Ada?" Elladan looked back to the house again, hoping that the elf would suddenly appear beside them. He turned back to his twin, as the younger elfling turned in his grasp.
Elrohir felt sick as the world swam around him; futilely reaching out a hand to catch his balance, he found only air. Eyes squeezed shut against the revolving world, he found himself supported by a pair of small, straining hands. Tempted to pull away, he nevertheless realised that without the support of his twin he would fall, and the ground here was harder than he would have liked. Allowing himself to be lowered back to the rock, he cautiously opened his eyes, widening them as the river was now flowing the correct way. Feeling himself restrained by his brother, he remembered his words of just before, and pulled away, attempting to rise again. Hating his brother for pointing out his weakness, he denied any aid. "I'm fine!" He scowled.
"If you were all right you wouldn't have nearly fallen!" Elladan fussed, trying to examine Elrohir's bruise.
"I stood up too quickly, that's all." Elrohir shook his brother off, turning his head away.
"Liar! You are still hurt. I'm going to get Ada." Elladan turned to leave, when he stopped, frozen by his twin's cruel words.
"I'm not the one who lied to Ada and Ammë! You're the only liar here!" Elladan's head lowered as the words struck him deeply. His own guilt at this would not allow him to deny his brother's words, and he just stepped away.
"Stop!" Elrohir called after him, horrified by what he had, in anger, said. "I didn't mean that, I'm sorry."
"Doesn't matter, it's the truth." Elladan's voice trembled, as hit bit down on his lip to keep the tears from spilling. "I'm fine!"
"No you're not. I'm sorry, it's all my fault." Elrohir was close to tears himself.
"No it wasn't, I should have looked where I threw the stone, Ada is right." Elladan threw back.
"But you didn't mean to" Elrohir responded, knowingly.
"But I still hurt you." Was Elladan's silencing remark.
The twins sat in mutual worried silence, staring as the water rippled over the smoothed stones buried in the silt on the riverbed.
"You always tell the truth 'Dan, why did you lie to Ada?" Elrohir whispered the question, unsure of his brother's reaction, not wanting to hurt him or provoke another outburst like before.
"They wouldn't let me see you unless I admitted I was to blame…I…there was…blood…I thought…" Elladan stopped, looking up at the tress, eyes blinking rapidly.
"Thought what?" 'Ro nudged his brother.
"I thought I'd killed you, Ada said I might've. You were so still." He whispered, head lowered in memory.
"Ow!" Elladan rubbed his arm, where his brother had poked him. "What was that for?"
Elrohir grinned up at him, "I'm right here, you didn't kill me."
"I hurt you!" cried Elladan, still feeling guilty.
"But I'm better now." Elladan eyed his twin in disbelief, unable to shake the memories of his twin bloodied, and in pain.
"I am!" Elrohir insisted.
"So why did you get dizzy then?" Elladan glanced once again at the house, wishing his father were here to examine his twin, and make sure that he was as fine as he was insisting.
"Because I stood up too quick, I already told you that! And I'm hungry." He added as an afterthought.
Elladan rose rapidly to his feet and held out a hand to his twin, "come on then, we'll get something to eat."
Elrohir folded his arms tightly, refusing to go, knowing that Elladan really did not want to see their Ada again this soon. "No, I want to stay here."
"Elrohir" Elladan began, before he was interrupted.
"Ada knows I'm hungry, and that you didn't eat last night, if we sit here long enough he will bring us some food, and we can stay and enjoy the sun." Elrohir's logic appealed to his twin, who lay back down.
The two sat lying against the stone, shoulder to shoulder, eyes closed, basking in the sun.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Elrond stood leaning against the window, staring out at the direction his sons had fled him. He was slightly concerned; the river lay that way, and although he trusted the twins, he feared that their playful antics might cause them to forget the dangers inherent with the water. Adding to his concern was the rift that had developed between his sons, and himself and Celebrian. Voicing this, he turned to his wife. "Do you think we are wrong?"
"We saw and heard everything that happened, yesterday, I truly believe that Elladan threw that stone in anger." Celebrian replied, although her tone was a little uncertain.
"Yes but they seem so sure that Elladan was correct. Surely if Elrohir had been the intended victim he would not be so quick to defend his brother." Elrond replied thoughtfully.
"Did not Elladan admit to us last night that he threw the stone at Elrohir?" Celebrian again countered her husband's doubts, trusting in the honesty of her children.
"Yes" Elrond nodded in agreement. "We have always brought them up to be trustworthy."
"Well then, Elladan does not lie, and I think you should apologise for suggesting such a thing to him. We have always brought them up to be honest." Celebrian mildly scolded him.
"I spoke in haste, I must ask his forgiveness for doubting him in such a fashion, you are correct." Elrond agreed. "So you think Elrohir is just being loyal to Elladan?"
"Certainly, if Elladan is this upset with us of course Elrohir will stand up for him. It does not matter that one is hurt, they still love each other." Celebrian and Elrond both smiled at how close the twins were, though Elrond's was slightly wistful.
"You do not think that we may have reacted in error? That our concerns for Elrohir caused us to misread the situation?" He again inquired.
"That is always a possibility, and I confess that it has not been far from my mind as well. I fear I may have acted in haste, distracted as I was for concern of Elrohir; I bitterly rue the spanking I gave Elladan, though I think it served its purpose, and I do not believe that he will commit such an act again. We need to make this up to him, I cannot abide him fearing us." Elrond nodded his agreement. "We should allow them some time to cool down, it will do nothing to resolve this situation if we approach the two while their tempers are aroused."
"I will prepare a meal, for it will not do any good for our two to remain hungry, you know how tetchy they can get!" Celebrian said. "And I shall fetch them some clothing; we simply cannot allow those two to run around half-dressed as they are!"
~*~*~*~**~*~
After waiting over an hour for either of his son's to return, Elrond's concerns grew to fear, as he felt a sense of foreboding upon him. Standing, he strode towards the main door, and stared out into the garden, looking for either of the pair. Unable to see them from where he stood he re-entered the room and headed towards the table. Celebrian had beaten him to it, and had already prepared a small packet of sandwiches, and a flask of broth for the four to share. "Here you are maelamin, it is obvious that they will not come to us, so we had best go to them."
"Obviously the picnic yesterday was not enough for them, and they have contrived a way to get another one." Elrond grinned in agreement.
"At least Elrohir is not in pain today." Celebrian said.
"No, he is recovering nicely thank the Valar, I would not have liked to see Elladan's reaction today, had he not been." Elrond winced as his imagination took him to places he would have avoided.
"It is important that he learn that such behaviour is unacceptable, and he is now well aware of this." Celebrian remained firm in her opinion.
"Then we must endeavour to convince him that he has been punished enough for his indiscretion, and that we love him, and forgive, as his twin does." Elrond still shuddered inside at the reaction of his eldest the night before.
"I believe that to be the root of his problem, yes." Celebrian agreed.
"Then let us go." Elrond said, opening the door for his wife.
Elrond and Celebrian strolled, hand in hand, along the grass, warmed by the afternoon sun. Elrond carried the basket, with food, drink and another rug to smooth the uncomfortable lumps when seated. He smiled to himself, as he heard the sound of his twin's quiet laughter, and the splashing of water. Turning to his wife he spoke, "I lay odds that one of them has fallen in, and now the other is just as wet."
"No, Elladan will be careful of his brother's injury, they are likely having boat races with twigs, or something else non-strenuous." Suggested Celebrian as they neared a bend in the path. Leaning forward beneath an overhanging branch, she straightened as it was lifted out of her path. Smiling in appreciation at her husband, she turned back to the river and gasped. Elrond, who was close behind her cried out in alarm at the sight that confronted him.
"Elladan!" Elrond cried, as he saw the boy standing precariously on the rock, leaning out over the river, what do you think you are doing?"
Elladan let out a half gasp, startled by his father's unexpected appearance. Stumbling, he balanced on the edge, teetering. Celebrian stepped forward, hand reaching out to steady him, while her other rose to cover her mouth in horror. Elrond perceived the danger he had placed his son in through his thoughtlessness, and ran forward, but he was too late.