Author's Note: Hello! Needless to say, this is the start of a new story, and if you were reading one of my stories before this is not the one I said I would write next. I meant to start "From Ancient Grudge" but then I couldn't get this story out of my head, so we shall have to give poor Legolas a small break. But fear not, for there will still be plenty of elf angst, only this time it will be with the ever-popular El-twins. So give these guys a chance, I'm still not Tolkien, and reviews are of course still greatly appreciated.

On a side note, this is the first time I've ever written Elladan and Elrohir. I apologize in advance if this story has been done before, but I decided to put my own spin on things.

Chapter 1

"And what is your plan of action for now?" Elladan asked.

Elrohir peered up at him with a wrathful eye. "I plan to make my revenge swift and complete," he muttered.

Elladan raised an eyebrow. "Surely you understand the futility of such an action."

"I care not. I will never be one to stand idly by and watch such atrocities be carried out. I will not live in a world where this is allowed to happen." Elrohir's conviction was strong and caused Elladan to shift slightly.

"Even so," Elladan answered after a few moments, "I do not see how you can get out of this one."

Elrohir growled his discontent and struggled some more against the headlock his brother had him in. Elladan only laughed and kept his hold tight. The two stayed this way for a while on top of the white rug laid out before the active fire-place. It was near the time they normally retired for the night, but obviously some energy had to be worked out first.

Elrohir finally gave up and went limp. He sighed. "Do I have to say it?"

"Indeed you do," Elladan answered happily, "I see that as the only way I shall set you free and allow you to continue whatever worthless activity you were doing."

Elrohir grumbled some more low in his throat, and after making absolutely sure that he could not break his brother's grip finally said, "Nuncle."

"What was that?" Elladan responded immediately, his smile growing wide. "I was unable to hear you."

Elrohir protested. "I know your hearing better than that. You heard quite well what I said."

"Afraid not," Elladan replied, "my hearing is not what it used to be."

Elrohir sighed. He hated it when his brother did this to him, but he supposed he ought to be used to it by now.

"Nuncle. There, happy now? Nuncle, I say nuncle."

Elladan released his hold of Elrohir's neck and stood in one swift and fluid motion. "There, was that so hard now?"

Elrohir stood just as swiftly and faced his brother full on, one hand absently rubbing his neck.

"I will be forced to pay you back," he muttered.

"Come now," Elladan waved his hand, "you know that I always win."

"I know no such thing, for that is quite far from the truth."

"Name the last time you were able to best me dear brother."

"Last week when you fell asleep during your watch. I believe you were the one to yield to me then." Elrohir looked satisfied with his clear memory.

Elladan's mouth opened and then closed again. He too remembered that unfortunate incident. "At least I do not have to sneak up on those sleeping."

Elrohir raised his eyebrows. "No? And sneaking up silently on those seated beside a roaring fire is not as devious? At least you had it coming, I was only saving you from a lecture."

"This was my payback then. We are even now, no more childishness," Elladan seemed more wary than a few moments ago.

"I cannot even remember the last time we were truly even," Elrohir replied.

Elladan sighed. "And neither can I. When will we ever learn?"

"Father assumes we never shall."

"And I suppose he might be right." Elladan shrugged. "It matters little to me."

"I know," Elrohir said, "you will never be able to yield until you are thoroughly beaten."

"I was thinking along similar lines only with the reversal of our positions," Elladan answered back.

"A challenge," Elrohir muttered. "And one well met."

Elladan's head jerked up at his brother's words, sensing the tone within them, but before he could step aside he was rushed by his brother. Elrohir grabbed Elladan around the waist and used his momentum to bear him down. Unfortunately, he underestimated his own maneuver and he went down as well landing on top of his brother in a painful pile.

In a tangle of dark hair and flailing limbs, the brothers wrestled to see who could gain their feet first. Elladan tried to capture Elrohir with his previously successful headlock but Elrohir eluded him and jerked his body away in an awkward scramble to escape his foe. As he moved, he felt the top of his skull connect with something followed by a small cry.

Elrohir stopped and looked over his shoulder. Elladan was sitting still, his hands cupped over his nose.

Concern immediately washed through Elrohir and he was soon at his brother's side. "I am sorry, does it hurt much? I did not mean to." He continued to babble and tried to get Elladan to move his hands so he could see the extent of the damage.

Just as Elrohir raised himself onto his knees and leaned over Elladan so that he may see better, Elladan uncoiled from his position, threw his arms forward and tackled Elrohir.

"Cheat!" Elrohir yelled and tried to scramble out from beneath his brother. Elladan only laughed and continued to bear down from where he had Elrohir pinned by the shoulders.

"Say it again."

"Never!"

"What are you two doing?"

Elladan broke away from over his brother and stood, simultaneously grabbing Elrohir's hand and pulling him up with him. "Nothing," he said smoothly.

Elrohir glared at his brother and rotated a suddenly sore shoulder.

Elrond stood in the doorway of the large room the two elves were in and gazed in with an all too familiar look of disapproval on his face. "I highly hope that you two were accomplishing your studies as you were meant to."

"Of course father," Elladan answered without a hitch. "Elrohir was simply showing me a new move Master Erdain had taught him."

Elrond raised an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest. "And if I were to ask Master Erdain of the authenticity of this move he would not make a liar out of you?"

Elladan smiled brilliantly. "Of course not. Right Elrohir?"

Elrohir glanced down at the floor. He was never as good at this as Elladan. "Yes."

Elrond stared at his sons for a few moments longer until even Elladan was forced to drop his gaze. He was fighting hard to keep a smile from his lips. Though his two sons were full grown by now they were still just as entertaining as ever with their banter and somewhat wild behavior. But if he wished to maintain some sort of order over them, he must never let them know just how entertaining they were. "Very well then. I shall leave you to your own practices, though I must request that you pick a quieter subject. We do have guests in this house after all."

"Certainly father," Elladan said. "You shall not hear another sound from this room."

Elrond nodded, and with one last disapproving glance left the doorframe. It was not until he was well down the hall that he allowed a small laugh to escape his lips.

Elrohir glared at his brother as soon as their father was gone. "Your childish antics almost got us in trouble."

"My antics? I believe you were the one who rushed me."

"Only because I had to get you back for attacking me unawares before," Elrohir's voice was raising and he had turned to face his brother full on again.

Elladan recognized the impending battle and took a step back, raising his hands. "Alright, I can admit to my mistakes. Calm down, if father comes in again he will not be so kind."

Elrohir relaxed and stepped back as well. He nodded. The two brothers stood warily for a few moments, identical eyes locked on each other. Finally Elladan broke the stare and nodded towards the mound of books on the floor Elrohir had been seated next to before being interrupted.

"Were you actually doing your studies?"

Elrohir took a breath, was about to say something, then thought better of it. "No, I was reading about the old tales. I only meant to read one or two and then study, but I find the old stories much more fascinating."

Elladan nodded. "I understand that completely. Which were you reading about this time?"

"About the Last Alliance again."

Elladan's dark eyes lit up. "That is one of my favorites as well. Come, read it aloud to me, and then we shall both study the boring text."

"Fair enough," Elrohir agreed.

The two brothers settled down on the floor next to the fireplace and Elrohir grabbed the book that had landed askew when he had been taken by surprise by Elladan. He thumbed through the pages until he got to the desired passage and settled back to read out loud.

Before he could even begin however, he was interrupted by the sound of many feet coming down the hall. Both elves looked up towards the open door and saw a group of Rivendell's guards pass quickly by.

Elrohir looked at Elladan who met his gaze before the two of them stood together and went to the door. Obviously something had happened.

They lingered in the doorway, unsure of whether they should go see to what was happening or not. The group of elves had stopped outside of their father's chambers and were knocking on the door. When the door was opened the foreman stepped forward and said, "The lady Celebrian." He got no further before being issued into the room. Three other elves followed and the door closed behind them. The rest of the group did not move and stayed stationed outside of the door.

"Something about mother?" Elrohir looked over at Elladan.

Elladan was frowning. "That is what he said, no mistake for that. But his tone was not to my liking."

"He seemed urgent," Elrohir agreed.

"I do not like this," Elladan muttered before stepping out into the hall and striding quickly down to the elves that still remained outside of the room.

"What is the news concerning my mother?" he asked.

Elrohir followed Elladan silently, hoping that the guards would tell them something. Normally there were strict orders about not repeating any news until Elrond gave clearance so as not to encourage rumors, but one of the elves nearer to them answered almost immediately.

"Your mother's entourage was attacked several days ago, we know not exactly how long ago. But there are already reports of casualties and the lady Celebrian cannot be found."

Elrohir's heart slammed once in his chest and then seemed to stop. He looked over at his brother and saw Elladan's own expression had blanched and he was for once at a loss for words.

Elrohir heard his own voice come from nowhere. "What do you mean mother cannot be found?"

The guard glanced around uncomfortably. "We believe she was captured."