Don't flame me to be late, fire the Fanfiction.net. I was finished this chapter the day it was down and that wasn't my fault at all.
I think you may puzzle, "Why don't Frodo play with other elves children in Rivendell?"
Well for some reasons, I feel Elves is a race that hardly has children. For an example, Galadriel and Celeborn only have a daughter though they married for many thousand years.
Secondly, they are immortal. So they don't feel it is necessary to have children and some of them prefer to be single such as Glorfindel, Gil-galad, and Legolas.
Therefore the time when Bilbo, Frodo and Gandalf came to Imladris; it hasn't children there.
Is that clear?
Ok, I think it's the time for replying.
Sagesumi: Thanks for answering my question. At first I saw, I thought 'What is it?' before I can remember that I was asked at the end of the last chapter. ^///^ How bad memory I am!
M14 Mouse: You should check on Elwen too. And if you liked to read about Elrond when he was young, I would list the storyid for you when I replied the next chapter.
Dparis: Thanks for your idea.
Kyotora: You must yell at Fanfiction.net this time.
Robin Gurl's INSANE: I already read your story though I'm not a big fan of M/P and F/S. Well, it's nice work. Poor Pip, he wants some hugs from Merry.
DaiChansLady: ^^ I'm happy to know you love it. The most things the writers want is to know that people accept their works.
HaloGatomon: Well, this is the first and the most fluff fic I had written. The result turns out to be better than I had expected.
random flamer: Of course, I know my weak point with grammar. I want someone to beta-read this story too. I had once and felt miserable about it. Because you know, everyone has things to do. I don't want to disturb anyone and don't like to wait the returning fic too. (One didn't reply and one lost my fic somewhere in his apartment and still can't find it now.) So I just go on though I know it must be some grammar mistakes in the story. Besides, I think you all are clever enough to fix the mistake yourself.
Grace: ^_^ Thanks
Disclaimer: See at chapter 1
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Chapter 7
A pair of horses galloped through the gate and stopped at the yard, in front of the building. Sat on them were two elves, one clad in green tunic and the other dressed in brown clothes. They dismounted from the exhausted steeds, patted on their mane softly, waiting for any elves who would come to take their horses to the stable. After only a minute, a familiar figure walked towards them with big smile.
"Hi, Zinthel," The one in green clothes greeted.
"Welcome home, my friend. How was your journey?" Zinthel asked his friends as he drew the reins from their hands and pulled a lump of sugar from his pocket, offered it to the black horse. The beast neighed happily and took it. The brown horse felt it was unfair that he didn't get sugar as his friend had. So he nudged Zinthel's chest to get his attention. The elf laughed and took another lump of sugar for the steed.
"It was good," said the green clothes one. He looked around the yard briefly. No one came to greet them, saved only Zinthel. He didn't disappoint not to get the warm welcome from many elves who inhabited in Rivendell because it wasn't important to him that much. But the absence of a certain someone was weirder than he could ignore. *He always waits us here. Why doesn't he come today?* he thought, and then his own voice replied *because you forgot to confirm your arrival to him* He shook his head a little and smiled at his stupid, forgot Zinthel was standing beside him and glanced puzzlingly at his strange manner.
"Do you know where he is?"
No doubt, if Zinthel was the other elves, he would get puzzled by this query but he knew the two too long to understand what they meant. "The last time I saw him, he was sitting in the pavilion, near the cascade. You may find him there."
"Thank you, Zinthel. See you at the dinner," this time said the brown clothes one before they walked to the said garden.
* * *
The two elves walked soundlessly, admired the beautiful natural of Imladris with the birds' songs and the whispered of the trees welcoming them. The strain and tiredness of travel they had were evaporated into the air. They were home, the place where they could eat nicely, sleep comfortably, spent times with their friends in the evening. But moreover, it was the place where they could feel warm and love in the air, from the person who loved them as much as they loved that person.
And there in the pavilion was that person, sitting with his back on them. They walked silently, expected any minute to hear greeting word from the man in question, however, no word spoken out. They looked at each other surprisingly for it was hardly to catch this man off his guard. Naughty smile appeared on their face. Each knew what was the other thinking. Yes, the opportunity like this was rarely to happen and they won't let it slip away easily. They tiptoed carefully and soundlessly until the man's back was in an arm reached, and then threw their arms toward that person.
"Ada!"
* * *
Elrond jumped in his seat as two pairs of strong arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind with the cry that almost deaf his ears, and the kisses he received on his cheeks. He turned a little on each side and found his twins; on his left, was Elrohir in green tunic and on his right was Elladan in brown tunic. Both twins were grinned happily at him. Elrond smiled back, too happy to chide them at their childish behaviour.
"Welcome home, Elladan, Elrohir," he said and kissed his children's cheek as well.
Elrond forgot the small figure in his lap completely; his attention was on his children. Although, Elrond had the difficult to see his sons for their arms still hang around his neck, he inspected them with a quick glance, relieved inwardly when he saw that they didn't get any injure that needed to be heal. It was an automatically reaction every time the twins came back home. Though this time was different because they only went to visit their sister, Arwen and grandparents, Celeborn and Galadriel at Lothlorien; but who knew, they may tarry on the way to hunt some orcs that crossed their way.
"I don' know we have another brother, ada," Elrohir said and stared at the little figure in his father's lap.
The Lord of Rivendell gazed down and saw a very big pair of blue eyes staring at them. After the childish deal had done, he pulled Frodo to sit on his lap and fed him with cookies and a glass of grape juice. But now the boy turned to face him somehow during the family meeting and watched the twins curiously. In his tiny hand, had a piece of half cookie, some crumb was on the corner of his mouth.
"Nay, Elrohir. He isn't my kid though I want to adopt him as my fifth children. This is Frodo Baggins. He is Bilbo's relative and heir," Elrond said and took the unfinished cookie on the plate that was beside the grape juice glass.
"Frodo, these are my sons, Elrohir and Elladan," the elf Lord introduced.
"Hullo, Frodo," the twins said simultaneously.
Instead of hello back, the little hobbit lifted his hands to touch the twins' cheeks easily because the twin still had their arms around Elrond loosely as well as their chins that dropped on their father's shoulder. Unexpectedly, he pinched their cheeks almost hardly.
"Aghhhhh!" Elladan and Elrohir yelled together, deaf their father's ears a few minutes this time. Frodo winced at their cry and let their cheeks immediately. His face paled with fear that the twins must be angry at him. He buried his face in Elrond's chest as if seeking his protection.
The sons of Elrond released their arms from their sire. Each cupped their hands on the hurting cheeks, Elrohir at his left cheek while Elladan cupped his right's. The Lord of Imladris stood up immediately, carried Frodo with him, to examine their sore spot.
"Are you two alright?"
"Of course, ada. He didn't hurt us much," Elrohir answered.
"Pull you hands out, let me see them," commanded Elrond while he looked at the black head that tried to emerge into his bosom if it could. He doubted the hobbit's action greatly as he checked on his sons. Even though Frodo was a little boy and had a little strength to harm the adult elves such as Elladan and Elrohir, the twins' cheeks began to appear the bruise that will adorn their faces for three or four days before it would disappear.
"What was that for?" Elladan asked, his voice had a hint of anger and confusing. His hand caressed the hurt spot tenderly.
Frodo didn't answer; instead he cuddled closer to the elf that was carrying him.
"Frodo, it's okay. They don't get mad at you," Elrond patted on the small back reassuringly, stroked his head softly to relax the poor boy.
"I'm sorry. I…I thought one of you was wearing a mask," Frodo whispered, raised his head from the elf's warm chest and peered back at the twins.
"No, we weren't and never. This is our real face, little one," Elladan said as he walked closer to the hobbit, gave him a better sight to see his face. He lifted a soft hand that was clutched his father's robe to touch his uninjured cheek. "See, this is my real face, warm and soft. Proof it with your eyes and hand but please, don't pinch me again," Elladan added at the end with the laugh in his voice and let the little hand caressed his cheeks, his forehead, his nose, his brown, his mouth and his pointed ears.
Elrohir too, allowed the little hobbit to caress his face like his brother.
"I'm so sorry," Frodo said after his inspection finished. He leaned closer to the twins and kissed their injured cheeks softly. "My mama said a kiss will cure the wound. Better?" The boy smiled proudly that he could remedy their bruised cheeks.
The elves smiled at the boy's childish behavior. "Yes, we feel better,"
"Let's head back home, ada. We are tired and need a bath so much," Elrohir said.
Together we went back to the Last Homely House.
* * *
On the way, the hobbit was transferred from Elrond's arms to Elladan's. And the twins began to tell their father about their travel to Lothlorien; Arwen, their sister; the city of golden mallorn which Frodo listened to quietly.
They met Legolas on the way to the twins' room. The Prince of Mirkwood smiled to see and his friends and hugged them greeting, of course that meant he hugged Frodo as well because the little hobbit was in Elladan's arms.
"Hullo, Elladan, Elrohir."
"Hullo, Legolas," The twins greeted the elf simultaneously.
The prince's perfect eyebrow frowned slightly when he saw the red marks on their cheeks. The first idea that came to his thought was the twins may try to court some maidens but those women didn't want them and pinched the two for daring to woo her. However, pinching was a kind of teasing. Besides, who didn't want to be their lover? The sons of Elrond Peredhel were well-known as the very hot elves who the maidens wanted to…aham…have a burning night with.
"What happened to you two?"
Instead of the twins, it was Frodo who answered the question, "Don't ask." The hobbit told and clapped his little hands on Legolas' mouth, stopped him asking further.
The elf Prince smiled playfully and pulled the hobbit's hands out. "This is the funniest news I've got this year, that the hunter of orcs, like you, got hurt from my little dearest one."
Elrohir and Elladan only grinned at that remark.
"I'm afraid I have to go," He said to Legolas before turning to give some words with his sons, "If you don't mind, Elrohir, Elladan look at Frodo for me and bring him to the dining hall with you," With his sharp eyes, the half-elven noted that the twins were taken to Frodo quickly. This may make them stay at home for awhile.
"We would love to do that, ada," said Elladan.
With the confirmation from his child, Elrond patted Frodo's head a little and went to where he thought he could find Gandalf. He had something he wanted to know and the wizard may be the only person who could answer it.
* * *
The three elves and a hobbit went to the twins' chamber finally. Elladan's bedroom was next to Elrohir's. Their rooms were special from the other rooms in Imladris because they had a connective door. Thanks to their fathers who had farsighted enough to order the worker to make them since Elladan and Elrohir were born. So the two could see each other easily every time they wanted. Many nights when they were young and afraid of thunderstorms or nightmares, one of them would creep into another's bed and sleep in each other's arms. Though they were grown-up now, the connective door still was useful when one of the twins can't sleep, and seeking another's presence to talk or dispel the loneliness in their hearts.
They chose to enter Elrohir's room with the reason that it was the nearest to them. Some servants already fix their bathtub for them in each room. Usually, they will part to clean themselves in their own bathroom. But this evening, they decided to bath together in Elrohir's room. Elladan discharged Frodo from his arms and went through the connective door to fetch some clothes, leaving Legolas and Frodo with Elrohir.
"Want to take a bath with us, little one? You look a little cold. Warm bath may help you feel better," Elladan invited kindly when he came back.
Frodo wrinkled his nose as he smelled his clothes. He was playing on the grass under the sun and rolled around with his fluff friends. No doubt, it smelled rather bad. However, he didn't have any clean clothes with him. He preferred to wear some clean clothes rather than wore this one again.
"But I don't have other clean clothes,"
"I will ask a servant to bring your clothes here," Legolas offered for he thought it was a good idea for the boy to clean himself before dinner. Besides, the hobbit must take a bath this evening anyway.
"Thank you so much, Legolas," Frodo smiled happily and hugged his leg gratefully before skipping happily towards the bathroom where the twins were waiting for him to join.
The Prince of Mirkwood grinned at his little friend and went out of Elrohir's chamber.
* * *
Legolas shut the door behind him and walked to the door which he presumed to be a bathroom door. Exactly, it was. He pushed the wood opening and let it ajar a little. Thus he would hear when the servant brought him Frodo's clothes.
He stared around the room with awe. The tile and bathtub were made of white marble. Actually, it didn't look like a bathtub at all because it was set into the floor like a large pool. The craftsman who had responsibility to build this bathroom was thoughtful enough to craft a stairs inside the tub. Therefore, the one who used the pool will go up easily. At a corner, it had a shelf of soaps, shampoos, sponges and several the bathing oils and such. Beside the cabinet was a basket to put the already-used-clothes in and another basket that contained some new towels. Around the room were various hanging plants all over, some were blossoming, making a pleasant smell floated in the air.
The last ray of the sun shine passed the dome glass on the roof, caught on Elladan, Elrohir and Frodo. The hobbit was hanging on Elrohir's neck and standing on his legs. So his head was over the water.
"Legolas," Frodo called when he saw the blond haired elf entered the bathroom, swimming to the stair slowly.
The Prince of Mirkwood raised an eyebrow. As far as he knew, the hobbits were fearsome of water. However, Frodo's mother was a member of the Brandybuck clan which was known as a strange clan in the Shire. Because they lived near the Brandywine River and some Brandybucks can even swim. Thus, little Frodo learned how to swim from his kin in Buckland.
"Help us with him, Legolas," Elladan said and threw a bottle of shampoo and a bar of soap at him.
"Okay."
Legolas caught them in the air. He put the bath things on the floor, removed his shoes and his robe, and then rolled his sleeves up. Therefore it wouldn't get wet. He sat Frodo on the stair and started to clean his young friend. At the other side of the bathtub, the twins began to clean themselves too.
The elf Prince just finished scrubbing the hobbit's limb when he heard a knock on the door. He stood up, left the bathroom and opened the door. There was a servant, standing with Frodo's clothes in his arms. The prince thanked him and walked back to the bathroom. He was entering the bathroom when he heard the boy asked the twins.
"'ladan, why do you and 'rohir have the same face?"
Legolas watched the twins amusingly. Replying to kids in this age was not easy. They were curious with a lot of things that were hard to find ad answer.
He sat on the same spot he had left and put the clothes behind him, prevented it from the water and started to shampoo the boy's hair.
At the other side of the bathtub, Elladan stopped his hands, thinking hard how to answer the question. He felt that if he wasn't careful, it would lead to another question that was more difficult than this one.
"Because we are twins. We were born together though I was first and Elrohir came after me," He replied carefully, hoped that the boy will be satisfied with the answer and didn't ask him further.
"I think I understand," Frodo said, didn't pay attention about the twin anymore.
Elrohir relieved with the result and changed the subject, "You want to go camping with us?"
Frodo didn't hear 'camping' before. It wasn't the word that someone could hear much in the Shire because it wasn't hobbit's tradition to go outside and had a camp in the wild. And if someone thought to do it, that person would get the dislike watched from other hobbits. Because wasn't it queer, to sleep on the grass and leafs while you had a nice warm bed with a soft pillow and a blanket to cover yourself. The puzzled expression of the hobbit reported the elves clearly that he didn't understand 'camping' at all.
"Camping means going outside and have meals under the sky and trees plus sleep under the moonlight and Elbereth's stars," Legolas explained.
"Yeah, I'm going with you," The hobbit agreed, threw his arms towards the twins as if he wanted to fly to them. Legolas had to catch the overload cheerful child to stay still.
Elladan and Elrohir laughed at Frodo's exciting. "You could go, little one. But you must get permission from my ada, Elrond and your kinsman, Bilbo first,"
"Okay. I'm going to ask him," Frodo said with enthusiasm and sprang
up on the stairs, ready to dash out immediately.
"Wait a moment, Frodo. You need to rinse your hair, dry and get dressed first," Legolas said and pushed his charge to sit down. So he could rinse the bubble from his curly hair. He washed the hobbit and took him out of the pool while the twins were still busy with their hairs. Legolas picked a towel from the basket and dried Frodo before he dressed him with the clothes he had got from the servant.
"You two should get out soon or else you will get wrinkles like an old man," Legolas said before he carried Frodo out of the bathroom.
"Yeah, Mithrandir would be happy to hear that," One of the twins shouted after him.
Legolas chuckled at that yell as he dropped Frodo on Elrohir's bed and left him there. He himself went to the dresser to find a brush. However, the boy was too eager to wait. When the elf turned back to the bed, he had already run out of the room.
Legolas sighed; he threw the brush on the bed and followed the hobbit.
* * *
Thanks to my dear Shane who was so generous to check this chapter for me before
he goes on the beach this weekend, else you would see more than 20 grammar mistakes
in this part. ^_^
