Sorry for the hideously long update time for the last chapter. Anyway this story ends at the end of the summer, when Elladan gets the bow described in the first paragraph. The whole story was went to be a single chapter piece about how he got it. Hmmm . . .

This chapter has become horribly long. So I have split the day into two halves and this is the first half. This means that the next half will lack a memory at the start. Enjoy!

Elrond strolled into Glorfindel's study, placing some papers down on the desk. He was about to leave when something caught his eye.

Sitting on top of the desk, as it had for many hundreds of years, was a small eagle carved out of a rich warm coloured wood. It had been rather inexpertly carved, but had been sanded down so thoroughly afterwards that it was perfectly smooth, even if some regions of the outstretched wings were rather thinner than others.

The eagle belonged to Glorfindel, as did the memories associated with it. Both were precious to him.

~*~

The hot midday sun was beating down on the dry earth in the clearing. There was barely any shadow left by the tall elf and the little crowd of elflings that were milling around him.

Quickly he counted the nine heads bobbing around dizzyingly quickly. It would not do to lose any of his small charges in the change of activity.

"Stand still boys!" he called at last.

They boys, all aged between nine and twelve and dressed alike in dark green training tunics and shorts, fell into a shuffling line. It was halfway through the training session and they had just finished their speed and agility exercises. The ropes that had been strung between two trees had been coiled away, and the wooden blocks used to mark the running track had been stacked into a corner. Usually the boys enjoyed these activities but today they had been impatient, itching for that session to end and the new one to begin. For today would be their first attempt at archery.

He called them out one by one, selecting a suitable bow based on their height from the box of small training bows he had before him. They would eventually need bows of their own, but for the moment the well used bows found in the training room would prove adequate.

"Elladan"

Eventually his name was called and Elladan skipped forwards happily to receive his bow. They would look after it and use it for training until they were given bows of their own. One of the larger boys had already been boasting about the handsome bow that his father had promised him.

"Thank you, hîr"

Elladan smiled broadly, admiring the bow in his hands. It was made of a light springy wood and came with ten small arrows. He bounced up and down on his toes impatiently as the other boys received their weapons, looking longingly at the targets on the side of the field.

Eventually everyone had their bows and arrows and looked to their instructor for direction.

"Line up in front of the targets in your pairs"

Elladan turned to his previous partner, a boy of some eleven years and smiled. The boy stared through him and turned his back, joining up with another elf. He was still smouldering about being beaten by a younger boy in the informal tournament they had had a few days previously.

Puzzled, Elladan turned to the other boys only to find that they were already all paired up. He flushed slightly and stood before the last target, examining his bow, pretending he didn't care. He had never been left alone without a partner before. That was for people no one liked.

"Ah Elladan, will you be my partner?" the instructor asked gently, not liking the titter of laughter that came from another elf. Elladan nodded, looking at the ground.

After a brief demonstration the young elves took up their weapons and attempted to stand in the correct position.

"No Elladan, like this." Elladan felt his grip on the bow being adjusted as the instructor moved along the line correcting his pupils. Finally when the bows were held to his satisfaction they were instructed to shoot.

Elladan released the arrow, expecting it to fly to the target and land in the centre. After all if Elrohir was good at it then so would he.

The arrow hit the ground some ten metres from the target. Elladan scowled and fitted his next arrow concentrating harder. This one reached the target, and dangled limply from the far edge.

"Spend more time on your aim Elladan," the instructor yelled from the other end of the field, where he was helping a small blond elf fit an arrow to his bow.

Elladan flushed deeply. It was unusual that he would be picked out for individual criticism. However he did as he was asked and the next two arrows managed to hit the edge of the circle.

At the end of the lesson, despite not having to take turns like the others, he was still unable to hit the centre of the target. He had had arrows on the ground, arrows in the trees behind the target, arrows peppering the backing board and a few on the outermost circle. The closest he had got was one arrow in the second outermost circle.

The moment the lesson ended Elladan grabbed his bow and ran as fast as he could across the clearing and up to his secret hiding place inside a hollow old oak tree in the lower gardens.

Gathering up the equipment, the tall elf watched the boy's hasty retreat and sighed. Elladan didn't take losing kindly, and that was something he would have to learn if he was ever to achieve his potential.

~*~

Celebrian sat on a small stool in front of the mirror braiding her hair in preparation for the evening. She had spent her day entertaining the guests and writing a letter to King Thranduil of Mirkwood. On return to her room she had found a large smudge of ink on the end of her nose, and had decided it was time to tidy and dress herself before dinner.

As usual the obstinate curls that framed her face would not be tamed into braids. She picked two small violets from the bouquet on the dressing table and wove them into the curls before she tucked them behind her ears. She stood up and twirled round in front of the mirror, delighted at the result.

A noise behind her prompted a hasty grab for the robe left on the bed. The young messenger elves were far too well mannered to enter whilst she was in her underclothes, instead preferring to cough gently, their eyes fixed to the floors or walls.

"Cel," warm arms slipped around her body, drawing her close to him.

Celebrian turned to her husband, standing on tiptoes to kiss him. Elrond reached up, stroking her silky hair. He still marvelled inwardly that anyone so beautiful would choose to pledge her life to him.

"Ada?" an inquisitive voice called from the corridor.

Elrond groaned, releasing his wife as he turned to the source of the disturbance.

Elrohir skipped in holding his training bow and jumped onto the bed.

"Hello Ammë," Elrohir beamed at the sight of her, "Are you and Ada busy?"

Celebrian reached behind her to squeeze Elrond's hand.

"Not so very busy, were you looking for him?"

Elrohir nodded and turned to look at his father.

"Ada, I was wondering if you would practise archery with me?"

He did have spare time, time that he had meant to spend with Celebrian, but yet Elrohir looked so eager. Elrohir did not join his brother in the morning sessions of fencing practice, and occasionally would rather read than participate when Elrond or Glorfindel found time in the evening to help. Elrond did not wish to spend more time with one child over another, and he hadn't seen Elrohir so excited about his training for a long time. Elrond gave Celebrian an apologetic look as he went to fetch his bow.

"Well why not Elrohir. I haven't taken up my bow in a long time."

Elrohir gave his mother a hug before skipping out of the room, dragging his father with him.

~*~

Celebrian was not too disappointed by this turn of events. She would be with her husband that evening for the meal and afterwards the singing in the Hall of Fire. And after all, with two small sons they had decided that any kind of peace was a distant dream long ago.

"No!"

A clear obstinate voice above the murmur of those previously in the garden drew her to the window. Her husband who was trying to resist being dragged out of the garden by Elrohir was standing over Elladan. Elladan was sitting on a large stone by the flowerbeds stabbing at the dirt with a stick.

Elrond moved closer, placing an arm around his eldest's shoulders. His son looked so upset and grumpy that he felt he had to offer some comfort.

"Please Elladan, will you not come?"

"No!" Elladan said more loudly.

"Why? Can you not shoot?" Elrohir asked innocently and unhelpfully.

"No! I do not wish to, that is why! No!" Elladan bellowed, throwing the stick at his unlucky brother and charging up the stairs to his room.

Elrond looked after his son, surprised at the outburst. He had only asked him if he would like to join them.

"Ada?" Elrohir asked sadly, wondering if they would still get to go and practice.

Elrond took Elrohir's hand in his and began walking to the training grounds. Elrohir's face lit up.

~*~

Elladan stomped upstairs slamming the door behind him with an impressive bang. In fact the bang was such a relief to his feelings that he repeated it three times for good measure. That matter having been dealt with he flung himself down on his bed, burying his face in the pillows.

He had wanted to go with his Ada, but he would never never let anyone see how bad he was at archery. Not ever! He must be terrible for he had had no comments on his skill, only reminders to aim and to hold the bow straight.

Sticking his head under the pillow he kicked the mattress as hard as he could, getting revenge for his feelings.

Celebrian, getting into her dress, wondered if she should go to him. It had been a long time since Elladan had had a tantrum such as this, but afterwards he was usually best left alone. At least until he had calmed down.