Hi, another instalment – I'm posting on Mondays and Thursdays now. I've been told that my notes and replies to reviewers are annoying by my sister, but I'll do it anyway. For anyone living in Britain: why won't it stop bloody raining?! This is like the third week straight of piss poor weather! It's late May and there are f*cking hailstones. Feh.

Louie – Ah, a Brit living on the dark side… No, I'm kidding, honest! I felt Gandalf had to be in it because well, he's lovely and he'd be a great (surrogate) granddad!

Astronema – This is quite scary – you're the former princess of evil and I'm the new one… marvellous. Elladan and Elrohir are the ultimate big brothers in my eyes, looking out for him but also just messing about and teasing Estel.

Carrie - * slaps Legless too * Yes, he's a bit mean and will be for a while. It's a pride thing, y'know?

Sadie160 & Little Lost One – Thanks for your comments, Estel is adorable, despite what 'orrible biased sisters think.

"Inwe of Mirkwood" – Gah? Gah? What are you, a baby? On second thoughts, no need to answer that. As long as you don't blame me if you've muffed your exams, then review – it keeps my tally up. Oh and, no you're not special, and yes, it's your computer. Well done, have a cookie.

Back to the story, this is a bit of fluff to lighten the mood before I get all evil and torture a few things. Mwahahahaha…

~*~A Day Of Celebration~*~

…"Legolas has been hurt, not badly thankfully. He was attacked by goblins on his way here." Elrohir explained solemnly.

Elladan stared at him for a moment. "Again?"

"Yes, again." He replied, a little smile across his face.

"He provoked the mountain goblins again, I suppose."

"Probably. He has done it one the last three occasions and I suppose he will do on the next three as well." Elrohir laughed.

* * *

It was still dark when he awoke, looking across to his arm that was now bandaged lightly; it still stung a little but was barely noticeable. Estel climbed out of his bed, the floor cool to his bare feet. The beautiful Elven song that echoed through the valley had yet to begin and all was silent par the soothing chatter of the river. Gazing out to the misty valley, he smiled. The peace of Rivendell was possibly it's fondest trait to the young boy, for that was what he most desperately wanted; peace of mind.

A mischievous smile crept across his face and he pulled out a green glass bottle from underneath his bed and tiptoed toward the door.

* * *

Estel relaxed back into his bed, waiting in anticipation. He curled up in his white cotton sheets, pulling them over his slender shoulders; closing his eyes but still remaining very much alert. He laid still for what seemed an eternity until the sun began to rise over the mountains, dancing through the trees and the gentle glow flooded his bedroom.

The silence in the halls of the Last Homely House was suddenly broken with a series of bloodcurdling screams and the sound of ungraceful, most unelven footsteps running toward his bedchambers. His suppressed his giggles desperately and kept his eyes closed when his door crashed open.

"I am going to kill you!" Elladan cried, rolling his younger brother onto his back.

Estel opened his eyes sleepily to be greeted with the angry face of one of the twins over him.

"Dear brother, that is no way to greet your sibling on this day of celebration." He replied innocently, a pleasant smile lit up his sun-kissed face. "Are my eyes deceived, or do you look a little different this fine morning?"

"You monster!" He heard Elrohir's fuming voice from the door. "M-my hair, it's-"

"Orange. With a nice sunshine yellow on your eyebrows." The calm voice of their father finished his sentence. "Oh, and blue, Elladan, and a very fetching shade too, I must say, it teams nicely with your…pink eyebrows."

Elladan blushed. "I see he has not inflicted this devilry on you father, it is clearly a grudge against his dear brothers."

"And this dear old wizard." Gandalf entered the room, his long hair was now a rather luminous shade of lime green and his beard was bright red, along with deep purple eyebrows, he looked quite a sight. The shell-shocked look on his face was all too much for the youngster.

Estel tried to conceal his laughter as best he could, but found it was impossible and burst into a fit of hysterical giggles. Elrond bit his lip and turned his face away from his twin sons.

"And I travelled all the way from the Shire for your birthday, and this is how you treat me." The wizard pouted, but an amused twinkle remained in his bright eyes.

"I am sorry, dear Gandalf, but it had to be done."

"What is this and how long will it last?" Elrohir turned to Estel, who had tears rolling down his cheeks in his hysteria.

"I think I know." Elrond smiled. "The only time any of my sons have listened to me, they have used it for evil. I'm afraid it will remain for a good month at least. Although, I must admit I am intrigued, Estel; I have never been able to achieve such vibrant shades, you must tell me how you did it sometime."

"You are dead." Elladan launched himself at the startled child, pinning him to the bed tightly. "We were mistaken, father, Estel is not a human; he is a disgusting goblin. What is this evil? I will surely make him eat it before the day is out."

"I will not say, I wish there to be no repeat of this and if there is, we shall know the perpetrator is our treasured goblin, besides, Elladan, if you had been as attentive as Estel, you too would know." He continued. "Release him, it is his birthday, and he may pull such pranks with no repercussions… for the remainder of this day at least. I fear your days are numbered with us, my son." Elrond smiled. "Now off you go and dress for the days festivities, you too Estel."

"You are safe until tomorrow, dear brother." Elladan smiled wickedly. "Speaking of goblins, is Legolas well enough to be out of bed?"

"Yes, but dress first, I do not want him to think Imladris has turned into some kind of mad house."

 "Of course, father." He replied. "Estel, I will be here to take you down to breakfast in half an hour if you can get away from the maids." Elladan muttered.

"I fear you shall have to rescue me like last time." The young boy wiped away his tears of laughter.

* * *

"Stop laughing."

"I cannot."

"Stop it, it is not funny."

"My friend, it is the funniest sight I have seen in centuries!"

"Shut up, Legolas."

"Elladan has really surpassed himself this time!" He managed say between fits of laughter.

"I am afraid he suffered the same fate as I." A gruff voice replied.

Legolas looked up to see the multicoloured wizard enter the hall and burst into another bout of hysterics. He steadied himself against the cool stone wall, wiping away tears.

"I am sorry, I must sit down before I collapse." He announced, breathless from laughing. "Who did this to you all?"

"My beloved brother." Elrohir frowned, tucking a strand of orange hair behind his ear.

"I thought you said Elladan had also fallen foul to this prank? Surely he is not stupid enough to do it to himself as well?"

"No, Estel did this to us." He replied casually.

"Who is Estel?" Legolas frowned with curiosity. "That is indeed a queer name."

"Oh, of course, he does not know of our new addition." Elladan turned to Gandalf.

"No, he does not, perhaps you would enlighten him." Legolas spoke in third-person; he only did that when he was frustrated.

"Do not get stroppy, Prince Legolas." The dark haired elf jested. "Estel is my human foster brother; it is his eleventh birthday today."

"A human?"

"Do not look at me like that; Estel is of a good heart, you will not find a more trustworthy being in Middle Earth."

"Well said." Gandalf smiled.

"What did he say?"

Elladan had appeared in the doorway with Estel sitting proudly on his shoulders. Estel flipped off backwards, landing surprisingly gracefully. He was dressed in an elegant dusky blue velvet tunic with beautiful silver embroidery that shimmered like the moon. It was matched with dark velvet breeches and suede boots. His shoulder length raven hair had been tied back and plaited neatly and a silver headband completed the very regal outfit. The cheeky glint remained in his soft grey eyes and he couldn't help but giggle at the sight of his brother and Gandalf once more.

"Greetings, my colourful friends, I must say I feel outshone by you all this delightful morning!" He declared cheerfully. "I am glad to see you have kept my wish and left your hair uncovered."

Elrohir blushed a little, running his pale fingers through his luminous locks, but grinned and took his hand. "My dear brother, come and meet an old friend. Estel, this is Legolas."

Smiling, Estel turned to look at the elf. His face fell.

"…I-it is a pleasure to meet you at last." Estel mumbled eventually.

Legolas' eyes widened. "Aye, indeed. Happy birthday, young… Estel." He replied awkwardly.

They stared at one another for a moment, before the boy turned back to the twins.

His face lit back up into a warm smile, though his eyes were filled with worry. "Where is my carriage? I do not believe I should have to walk on this special day!" He declared good-naturedly.

Elladan chuckled and scooped his grinning brother back onto his shoulder and they left the hall jesting with one another, the young lad took a brief glance at the regretfully familiar elf before turning away again. Elrohir's smile drained and spun around to the now sour faced elf. He glanced up at Gandalf, who frowned to equal measure.

"Well, that was civil."

"I did not mean to offend."

"It did not seem that way to me." The dark haired elf scowled. "I know you have had bad dealings with Men in the past, but Estel is different. He is noble and kind."

"So you have said, but I hope your blind trust will not be thrown back in your face in later days." He replied coldly.

"Oh, enough." Gandalf rolled his eyes. "This is Estel's day, it will not be ruined by distrust and disagreement, he is but a child and can do no harm at his age."

* * *

The evening's festivities began with a lavish banquet in the courtyard. The crisp March air was warmed by roaring bonfires scattered nearby. Gleaming succulent dishes filled the beautifully decorated table and the guests chatted happily to one another. Legolas was still unable to suppress a snigger whenever he looked at the twins and Gandalf, despite the lingering tension between them. Estel sat at the head of the table beside Elrond with the twins to his left, tucking into the delicious food between telling the table how he had managed to dye their hair.

"…I think it is just hurt pride. They are mad because I, a child, a human child, managed to sneak into their rooms and do this wicked devilry unnoticed." He grinned. "It cannot be because of the colour itself, for I think it looks most becoming on them! The pink certainly brings out the blue in Elladan's eyes, I must say."

The hours flew by and night quickly arrived. Estel sat on Gandalf's lap; his legs swung to the rhythm of the soft music as it played sweetly, the wizard's crimson beard tickling his neck. He watched in awe as the heavens lit up with spectacular fireworks, streaks of silver and scarlet dancing through the air, golden eagles swirling in the inky night sky, teasing the glowing moon before erupting into bursts of emerald and yellow. Estel laughed, listening to Gandalf's grumbles about not being allowed to set them off himself.

"You did almost set the whole of Imladris ablaze last time." He remarked, his eyes twinkling impishly.

"I did not! That is a exaggeration, little one." He sniffed. "Only half was threatened, if that." 

"It was very funny though."

Gandalf looked down at the snickering child and laughed gently. "Do not let your father hear you say that."

"Between me and you…" The smiling boy lowered his voice, motioning for Gandalf to lower his head. "I heard him laughing about it with my brothers. It is one of their favourite stories when guests pass through, in fact, I think that the tale has spread throughout the land and there are few that do not know about the whole debacle."

"Really? That is most interesting."

"Remember, you did not hear it from me! I think they prefer to act as if they are still upset by your antics, it amuses them highly when you apologise for it."

"I bet they do. Perhaps we should think up some kind of revenge for this. You are obviously highly skilled in this kind of pursuit…" They both glanced down at his dyed beard, their eyes glinting with mischief.

"As long as it cannot be traced back to me; I fear my days are numbered already. " His eyes flickered toward his brothers, who were chatting away happily. "Give me a couple of days, and I will think of the perfect thing."    

He kissed Gandalf on the cheek and leapt off his knee, picking up the sword Elrohir had given him proudly.

"I challenge you to a duel." He cried excitedly to his elder brother.

"I accept, but I warn you, after this mornings antics, I will not be merciful!" He grinned.

Their swords cracked against each other playfully at first before Estel quickly changed the pace, twisting expertly to catch the elf off guard. He held the blade against his brother's chest with a cheeky smile.

"Aye, perhaps it is I who should be merciful!" Estel smiled warmly.

Elrohir cocked an eyebrow. "I think we are seeing the beginnings of a fine warrior." He grinned.

Legolas chose that moment to choke on his wine. If looks could kill, then Elrohir would have been a murderer. The blonde elf looked back, holding Elrohir's stare before his eyes turned to the uncomfortable young boy and forced a smile, raising his glass.

"I hope you will share your skill when you accompany us on a hunting trip tomorrow."

"Really? Father will allow it?" His eyes lit up.

Elrohir nodded and his grin widened when Estel enveloped him in a tight hug around his slender waist.

* * *

He sat on the cool stone window ledge, gazing up at the stars as he whistled quietly to himself. Estel fell silent as the fair-haired elf approached, he waited for his sharp tongue but it suddenly became evident Legolas was oblivious to his presence. Unsure of whether to say something or to continue to avoid him like he had all day, Estel bit his lip.

He took a deep breath. "I doubt you will believe me, but I am actually relieved you are here." He mumbled nervously.

Legolas spun around, angry with himself for not being aware. "You are right, I do not believe you." He replied sternly. "Why?"

The dark haired child looked down at his bandaged arm. "I had left you alone, injured. I was afraid you would be attacked again and not be able to defend yourself."

"I am more than able to defend myself." Legolas replied furiously, taking Estel aback.

"I meant no offence-"

"Indeed." He growled icily.

Estel clenched his jaw. "Yes. You obviously do not want to listen to me, so I will leave you with your bitter thoughts."

He jumped to the ground, his feet barely making a sound when he landed. He walked away, muttering under his breath and disappeared up a stairwell, leaving the sullen elf alone.   

TBC…