Author's Note: Wow! I managed to get two chapters up this week! Yay me! Anyway! I hope you like this chapter, even if it is a little bit shorter than the others (I think). See you next week!

Okay, I've fixed up some of it, but seriously, I just can't fix some of them because if I don't say "busted," it'll have to say something like, "we've been caught," and it just wouldn't be as funny, so sorry if you don't think it's very elf-like to say that!

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Chapter 11

It has been a few weeks since the Lothlorien party left Rivendell. Elrond had insisted that Legolas and Êlcàlë stay for the winter before heading on their journey again. After much discussion, Legolas and Êlcàlë had decided that Elrond was right and had taken him up on the offer. The weather had turned colder, though the palace was always kept at a comfortable temperature, and the trees were almost bare.

"Êlcàlë," a soft voice said as she felt someone shaking her shoulder slightly. Êlcàlë murmured in her sleep, but didn't quite wake up. "Êlcàlë, wake up!" At this, Êlcàlë opened her eyes sleepily and tried to focus her blurry eyes. "Legolas?" Êlcàlë murmured, focusing on the piercing blue eyes before worry took over. "Is something wrong?" "No," Legolas said, giving out a small laugh. "I want to show you something. Come on!" he said as he pulled her out of bed and handed her a thick cloak. When Êlcàlë had fastened the clasp, Legolas led her in the direction of the balcony.

Once there, Legolas looked over at her and smiled before he threw open the doors and Êlcàlë gasped. It was still dark out but the very first snowfall of the year was covering the ground with a thin layer of white. The snowflakes were huge and were falling lightly to the ground. Êlcàlë let out a small laugh and stepped outside. She held out a hand in front of her, palm up, trying to catch one of the falling flakes.

"It's gorgeous out here," Êlcàlë breathed. "The snowfall here is so beautiful compared to where I came from!" Legolas laughed as well as he stepped out to join her. Êlcàlë turned to look at Legolas and marvelled at how he seemed to glow in the night hours.

The falling snow was melting when it landed on their heads and caused water droplets to form and cling to their hair. Legolas reached up to brush away a hair that had strayed and covered part of Êlcàlë's face, eyes staring at how the water looked like pixie dust in her hair. Êlcàlë's heart raced as Legolas' finger traced her jaw line before he rested his palm lightly on her cheek. His hand was warm even though it was cold outside and the heat raced though Êlcàlë's body. He looked intensely into her eyes and slowly leaned in closer to her face. Êlcàlë tilted her head up as Legolas closed the remaining distance between them when suddenly, WHAP! Legolas let out a small cry of shock, causing Êlcàlë's eyes to fly open. There was an excessive amount of snow on Legolas' shoulders and she chuckled as he clutched the back of his head. Laughter could be heard from behind Legolas. As he turned in the direction of the laughter, Êlcàlë was able to see the source of it as well.

"You have no idea how long it took to collect enough snow for that snowball," Elladan said, his face serious though a small smile tugged at his mouth as Elrohir held his side from laughing harder than Legolas though necessary, especially at his expense. "That was uncalled for Elladan!" Legolas said though his twinkling eyes betrayed his act of being angry. "It's not that funny, Elrohir!" "Legolas," Êlcàlë whispered, tiptoeing so her mouth was next to his ear. "Perhaps, we should teach them a lesson," she said in a whisper so low, Elladan and Elrohir couldn't hear her. Legolas gave the slightest nod and with the silent agreement, Êlcàlë and Legolas turned towards the raven- haired twins. Elladan and Elrohir both smiled before turning and running for it, closely followed by Legolas with Êlcàlë behind him. The four friends tore through the house trying to make as little noise as possible and ended up outside in the garden. They sat down on a snow-covered bench for a breather as they noticed that the world around them was getting lighter. There was no sun to be seen since it was still snowing, but it was definitely after dawn now. "Are you four crazy?" a voice called from the window. Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, and Êlcàlë looked up to see a bewildered Glorfindel looking down at them. Elrond stood beside him but his eyes danced as he tried to keep his own laughter at bay. "Come back inside!" Glorfindel said, though he himself was quite amused by the fun the four younger beings were having. Elrohir laughed as they stood up to head back inside. "Busted," Elrohir said, shaking his head slightly, as if in defeat as Êlcàlë laughed at the younger twins antics. Together, the four friends headed back into the warm palace.

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Legolas watched from the balcony as Êlcàlë walked through the snow in a light blue dress. She had on black cloak, boots and gloves to keep her warm, but her motions were beautiful anyway. He watched as she walked though the clearing of the garden and into the surrounding forest before turning back to go search of Elladan and Elrohir.

Êlcàlë walked through the forest and let out a small sigh. She loved how the world felt right after a snowfall. It was always so peaceful, and Êlcàlë's emotions swam in the tranquility they had found. Life really couldn't get much better than this. Suddenly, a hand shot out and wrapped around her waist, causing her to cry out in alarm.

"Got you!" laughed the being behind her. The arm let go and Êlcàlë turned around to stare into the laughing eyes of Elladan. "Why you little imp," Êlcàlë said as she gave him a playful smack on the arm. "You scared the wits out of me!" "Yes," Elladan said, giving her an impish smile. "That was the point. I was hoping to catch you unawares!" "You and your little jokes," Êlcàlë said, shaking her head. "Come on," Elladan said as he gestured in the direction of the archery field. "You said that you would join Elrohir and I at the archery field, but you still haven't yet!" "So I haven't," Êlcàlë said, remembering the morning the Lothlorien party had left. The weather really wasn't that cold, considering snow was everywhere, so she nodded. "Alright, let's go!" "I'm glad that you decided to join us," Elrohir said as Elladan and Êlcàlë reached the archery field and Êlcàlë nodded. "I was wondering where you were," Legolas said from behind Elrohir as he walked to the archery field as well, his bow and quiver in hand. "Come on, let's get started!" The four friends concentrated on the targets yards away from them. The three elves were quite surprised that Êlcàlë was actually quite skilled with a bow and arrow, though she definitely needed some pointers. By the end of their little training session, Êlcàlë looked like she had been using an elven bow and arrow since she was a child. "Where did you learn to use a bow and arrow?" Elladan asked as they started back towards the palace. "I had lessons in the world I came from," Êlcàlë explained. "Though they weren't nearly as skilled as you three are!" As she said this, she stumbled on the foot and a half high snow and pitched forward, heading face first for the snow. With a laugh, Legolas and Elrohir both reached out to grab hold of her so she wouldn't fall over and righted her again. "Still a bit clumsy though, I see," Elrohir said as he let go of her arm. Êlcàlë glared at him and pointed down. "Only because I can't walk on top of the snow like you three!" Êlcàlë said, indicated their visible feet above the thick snow. Her own, however, were buried part way into the snow and the three elves laughed, sending a noise like bells ringing throughout the quiet garden. With a wicked grin, Êlcàlë bent down and scooped up some snow, formed it into a snowball and made to launch it at Elrohir, who moved to dodge it, but she had already anticipated it. Instead of throwing directly where the elf had stood moments before, Êlcàlë had thrown the snowball off to one side, hitting Elrohir, much to his surprise. Êlcàlë gave out a laugh and ran for it as a friendly snowball fight started. By the time they got back inside, Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, and Êlcàlë were soaked through but still warm from their exertion and laughter. Glorfindel looked at them and shook his head, a look that said, 'I don't want to know' on his face as he walked away, causing the four younger friends to start laughing all over again.

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The rest of the winter went by rather uneventfully, though there was the odd contest or snowball fight from the younger ones in the house. Soon, winter seemed to grow to long and everyone had grown restless so it was a delight to see the snow finally starting to melt and the wind turning warmer again. Êlcàlë woke up one morning to the sound of birds singing and looked over at the window to see a beautiful sparrow sitting on her windowsill. She got up quietly and walked to where the bird stood, looking at her, its head tilted and big eyes blinking. Êlcàlë held out a hand to the little sparrow and the sparrow looked at it for a second before lightly hopping onto it, allowing the woman to lift it up and take a closer look. The sparrow sat quietly in Êlcàlë's hand and even let her stroke its tiny head before it let out a small chirp and flew out the window again. Êlcàlë watched the little sparrow retreat back into the gardens before she turned and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Today was going to be a good day, it seemed.

"Good morning, Êlcàlë," Glorfindel said as she neared the door to the dining hall. "Good morning," Êlcàlë said with a smile, humming a song under her breath. "What is that song you are humming, my child?" Glorfindel asked, raising an eyebrow. "It is unfamiliar to me." "It is a song that I had loved listening to," Êlcàlë said, blushing slightly at getting caught. "One that I learned in the world I came from." "I see," Glorfindel said, noticing how much he was embarrassing his granddaughter. "Perhaps one day, you will sing it for me." "Perhaps," Êlcàlë said, laughing lightly. "Though I was not blessed with the beautiful voices the elves possess!" The last statement caused both of them to start laughing as they took their seats at table.

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"Must you go so soon?" Elladan asked as he watched Legolas and Êlcàlë ready their horses. "Soon?" Legolas questioned, an eyebrow shooting up. "It is already the new year, and I think it is time to continue our journey." "Yes," Êlcàlë said as she secured the bag to her golden horse. "Though I feel sad to be leaving this beautiful place." "Then don't go yet!" Elrohir exclaimed, causing Êlcàlë to chuckle. "Elladan, Elrohir," Elrond said from behind them as he walked out the doors of the palace. "I think the wandering spirits of our guests are bidding their leave from this place now. Will you deny them of that freedom?" "Nay, father," Elladan and Elrohir both said, though they were sad. "I didn't think so," Elrond said, his eyes twinkling. "Especially since I know your spirits would very much like to leave with them!" he said, causing all the elves present to laugh. "If you welcome us, my lord," Legolas said, bowing his head to Elrond. "We would very much like to visit here again." "You are always welcome by those who live in this realm," Elrond said, placing a hand on Êlcàlë and Legolas' shoulder. "Even if I am not here any longer," he said, his voice growing extremely quiet. Êlcàlë looked at him sadly, for she knew the Grey Havens was calling to him now, and it wouldn't be long before he heeded the call and set sail for the Undying Lands. "I have something for you, Êlcàlë," he said, surprising the young part-elf. He gestured to an elf standing off to one side holding a long box and the elf stepped forward. Elrond opened the box and pulled out a beautiful bow and quiver. The wood had been painted a blue-green, matching Êlcàlë's eyes, and inlaid with silver, tracing delicate designs from end to end. "My lord," Êlcàlë said as he placed the bow and matching quiver into her hands. "This gift is too much! I cannot accept it." "Yes, you can," Elrond said firmly. "These were made specially for you and will not and could not be used by another elf properly." Êlcàlë realized that the bow in her hand was lighter than the one she had used during archery practice and was a bit smaller as well. "They are yours now." "Thank you, my lord," Êlcàlë said as she bowed her head and strapped the quiver onto her back and slung on her new bow. She said her goodbyes to Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir, but found it hard to say goodbye when it came to Glorfindel. The older elf had been standing to one side, extremely quiet as he watched his granddaughter talk to the royal family.

"I have something for you as well," Glorfindel said as he held out a long elven sword. "This," he said as he looked down at the sword. "This was once used by your grandmother during her stay here. She loved it and it seems right that it should be given to you now. You are so like much like her, Êlcàlë," he said, handing her the sword. Êlcàlë looked at the sword as silent tears and happiness and sorrow from missing her grandmother filled her eyes. She threw her arms around Glorfindel as he tried to hide the tears in his eyes as well. When they both had calmed down, Êlcàlë let him go and unclasped the necklace her grandmother had given her. "This belongs to you," Êlcàlë said as she placed the necklace into Glorfindel's hand. "She was important to both of us, and I know that she would have wanted you to have this back," she said as Glorfindel opened his mouth to protest. "Thank you for everything, grandfather." Glorfindel felt his heart cry out for joy as he pulled her into another embrace. "Take care, my child," Glorfindel whispered as he pulled away again, clutching the necklace in his hand. Êlcàlë nodded and headed back over to the horses and found Legolas engaged in a light conversation with Elrond. Legolas looked over at her when she came back and smiled as he went over to Glorfindel to say his farewell. By the time Legolas got back, the sword Glorfindel had given her was strapped around her waist and she was already on her horse. With another goodbye, Legolas and Êlcàlë turned and headed out of Rivendell, and onwards to the rest of their journey.

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French Pony: Thanks for the third review! *sighs* Have you ever read The Canterbury Tales? If you haven't, I can tell you that that story has a lot of over-the-top detail in it and it's one of the reasons, I think, that it is seen as a great work of art. I'm working with different styles here, and I've always loved detail, relevant or not. It makes the world I'm trying to throw myself into as I read all the more real.

Crecy: Thanks for the review. I know this chapter doesn't do anything about what you want to know, but don't worry, I'll get back to it, I promise. I know it's kind of evil, but I like to leave things hanging there for a little while before I tell you what happens next! Sorry! But I hope you like this chapter anyway!