Title: Mists of Valinor - The Twins - Part 2
Author: Genesis Grey (helfireclub@hotmail.com)
Disclaimer: Tolkien's estate owns everything. I own nothing. If I did it wouldn't be fanfiction.
Authors Notes: Sorry this took so long. I lost my proofreader for a bit. ;) But here it is. Feedback appreciated as always. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter while I work on the next!

::The Twins – Part 2::

"Mother!" – "How come the city goes up?" – "The trees are huge!" – "Who's that with the pretty hair?" – "Wow. The stairs just keep going up!" – "How come no one has hair that's dark like ours is?" – "This isn't like Imladris at all." – "Look how far down it is!" – "Look at me!" – "This place is so strange!" – "Mother!"

Celebrian smiled and shook her head as Erestor snorted at the wave questions and exclamations the twins babbled, scarcely waiting anyone to reply before they spoke again. Elladan laughed happily, running toward his mother and grabbing her wrist in an attempt to hurry her up the stairs. His storm colored eyes were bright and lively, and there was a grin on his face, as if his earlier bad temperament was a thing of the past.

Though when he caught sight of Elrohir ahead of them on the stairs, jumping between Rumil and Orophin as he asked Haldir questions, Elladan's expression darkened momentarily. But he recovered quickly and grinned up at his mother. Internally she sighed, but smiled back at him for his benefit. She didn't want her son to know how concerned she was about him and his behavior. He already knew she was a little displeased, that was why he was smiling so much at her.

"Come, we are almost to the top," Haldir called and Elladan made a face even as Celebrian knelt down and hugged him from behind, pressing a kiss to the tip of his pointed ear. "Don't be like that," she whispered, brushing her fingers through his hair as she rose again. He gave her a brief guilty look before hustling to catch up with Elrohir who hung back from the three brothers, waiting.

The two huddled together as they walked, linking hands and conversing, half through whispers and half through their near telepathic intuition. Their steps became slower and slower, until they virtually had stopped walking. Celebrian could see the excited shine around them fading as she came up behind them. She frowned slightly, waiving for Erestor to continue on after their guides as she placed her hand on their shoulders.

"What's wrong?" she asked in a whisper, bending down and pulling them close. They exchanged glances and she could tell they were trying to decide whether or not to confide in her. "Please, I'm your mother, am I not?"

"What if they don't like us?" Elrohir whispered as Elladan cast a look up the stairs.

Celebrian chuckled and shook her head. "Oh, my dear children. How could anyone not like you?" she asked, stroking back their dark hair. "The Lord and Lady are your grandparents. They will love you unconditionally. Have no fear," she assured them, though they did not appear convinced. "Trust me, they will adore you as I do. You are no little orclings now, are you?" she said, pinching Elladan's cheek as Elrohir giggled and hugged her. "Come on, we are holding the others up," she said, nodding toward Erestor and the others waiting on the lip of the talan. "Ready?"

"Yes," Elrohir said as Elladan pursed his lips doubtfully, but nodded. They each took a hand as their mother got to her feet, Elladan her right and Elrohir her left, as they walked to the top of the stairs and passed the waiting company of Erestor and the three brothers. She heard the twin gasps as they reached the top and Celebrian smiled at the familiar sight.

The Lord and Lady of the Golden Woods, Galadriel and Celeborn, sat upon a high dais, proud and perfect as ever. Her mother sat straight-backed to the left, her white gown embroidered with pearl seemed to glow in the natural haze of Lorien, and her long golden hair streamed down over her shoulders as she gave them all a pleasant look. Her father sat to the right, regal as ever in his pale blue and white robes, his silver hair tied back as he gave Celebrian a happy smile of homecoming.

Haldir and his brothers remained at the edge of the talan as Erestor followed Celebrian to the center and wait there as she went closer. The Lady of Imladris approached the bottom of the seven stairs that lead to her parents and letting go of her children's hands she respectfully dropped her head and bowed. The twins dutifully did the same, though she saw them exchange looks of confusion. A slight smirk appeared on her face as she realized that being the sons of Elrond this was probably the first time they had been made to bow before another elf in anything other than casual acknowledgment.

"It is wonderful to see you again, my daughter," Celeborn spoke as Celebrian lifted her head and smiled, tapping her sons on the shoulder so they knew they could rise again as well. "I see by the light in your eyes that abiding in Imladris has been good to you."

"Yes, the elves there are quite pleasant and Lord Elrond is very kind to me. Still, I have missed you both so very much," she smiled as the twins stared in wide-eyed amazement at the elves before them. So regal and ancient. "I believe you have met Erestor before," she said, nodding over her shoulder at the chief advisor; the rest of her company had chosen to remain below and were being shown to their quarters.

"But allow me to introduce my sons. Elladan," she placed a hand on his shoulder and thrust him a step forward, "and Elrohir," she said doing the same to him. "These are my parents," she said to them, holding their shoulders tight as they tried to backpedal, "Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, they are your grandparents."

"It is good to meet you," Elrohir managed to say, realizing the only way to get away from his mother was to turn and run, and he didn't want to embarrass himself that much. Elladan seemed at a loss for words.

"Do not be afraid, little ones," Galadriel said in her mystifying voice. It was the first time she had spoken and Celebrian felt both her sons jump in surprise as the Lady's starlit eyes fixed upon them. She gracefully raised her hand, "come closer," she beckoned.

The twins gave their mother a hesitant look that she answered with an unemotional gaze of her own. She would not tell them they had to go, but she would not tell them it was all right not to either. Slowly they turned and began to hesitantly walk up the stairs toward their grandparents. When they reached the second step before the top of the dais they stopped, grabbing hold of each other's hands, unsure of what to do.

"Truly, we will not hurt you," Celeborn said, knowing how frightened they were. In an attempt to assuage their fears he stood up, taking a step forward and kneeling on the edge of the stairs. They gave him a nervous look and Elladan glanced back towards their mother who nodded reassuringly.

Surprisingly, it was Elrohir who pulled away and stepped forward first.

"I'm Elrohir," the younger twin said shyly, averting his eyes toward the ground.

"And I am Celeborn," the elven lord replied, holding out his arms and inviting the child to sit upon his lap. Warily the elfling moved forward, cautiously taking the last steps to the top as he sat on the Lord of Lorien's knee. "It is good to meet you at last, young one," he said, wrapping an arm around the seven year old to keep him from falling. He cast a look and smiled at Elladan who was watching the way he held his twin like a hawk. "It is good to meet both of you."

Elladan nodded abashedly and looked toward the ground, gently kicking the step. Silence fell and Celebrian twisted her fingers in her dress nervously. She had hoped this would go a little better. Then again, her parents could be intimidating, especially to such young children. Sometimes she forgot that.

"I sense you are often the braver, Elladan," Galadriel said, breaking the uncomfortable silence as she fixed the elfling with a look from her strange eyes. The elder twin raised his head and opened his mouth to speak, but then shut it as if he could not remember what to say.

Elrohir's eyes lit up excitedly from where he sat on Celeborn's lap. "He's really brave! Once there was this big wildcat that wandered over the Bruinen and I was really scared because he had these big sharp teeth. They were like this big," he babbled, holding out his arms as far as they would stretch in an over exaggeration of the actual size of the animal's tooth. "And I got scared when we saw it and ran away. But Elladan didn't!" He finished proudly, happy to be on a subject he was an expert on.

Elladan was blushing furiously in embarrassment at his brother's praise, his feet scuffing the ground nervously. "The cat was really nice actually," he mumbled into his chest.

"Well, yeah," Elrohir nodded, rolling his eyes and shaking his head, "but you didn't know that then." He looked up at Celeborn and whispered. "He really is brave, but he's too… um… I think my father said the word was modest," he said and nodded as the Lord smiled. Now that they were speaking of Elladan it seemed the younger twin was completely comfortable in his surroundings.

"It really wasn't like Elrohir makes it sound. She just looks scary, but she's really nice. We named her Myrvn and she plays in the gardens now. The horses are kinda scared of her though," Elladan muttered, looking up at Galadriel and smiling shyly as Lady waved for him to come closer. Taking a deep breath he stepped up, moving closer to where his grandmother sat.

"It is very courageous thing to be willing and able to look past appearance and see the heart inside a creature, be it beast or elf. Your brother is right. You are brave, Elladan," she said as he moved closer, still blushing a bit under her scrutiny as he came to a stop before the Lady. She reached forward and ran her fingers over his cheek. "Both you and your brother are very lovely. Your appearance is very much that of your father, but I see my daughter in your face as well." She gave Elladan a knowing smile. "You," she said pressing a delicate finger against his chest, "are a troublemaker, are you not?"

He blushed as Elrohir giggled.

"Do not feel abashed," Galadriel said, a lilt of laughter in her voice as she waved the child even closer and her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, "so was your mother."

"I most certainly was not!" Celebrian said defensively before blushing a brilliant color, suddenly glad her parents' councilors were not present to hear her defy the Lady; even if it was her mother. She coughed, behind her hand as she composed herself, giving her father a brief glare as he smirked in amusement. "I," she said, pressing a hand to her chest, "was a perfect child."

Celeborn laughed and Galadriel shook her head slightly, giving her daughter a fond look.

"You did not say we look the same," Elladan said, drawing the attention back to himself as if he had not even noticed the interaction between his mother and her parents. He was strangely meek in his demeanor as he crawled forward, resting his arms on Galadriel's knees the way he did when he wanted to be held. "Everyone always says me and Elrohir look the same."

"There is a resemblance," Galadriel nodded, casting a glance at Elrohir who seemed content to braid strands of his grandfather's silver hair, before she looked back at Elladan. Reaching down she picked up the elfling and settled him on her lap, looking him over carefully. "But it is clear to me that you both are quite different. I very much doubt Celeborn or I would ever mistake one for the other."

"If we're really quiet sometimes we can get Erestor to confuse us," Elladan grinned, slowly relaxing in the presence of his grandparents. Celebrian gave a look over her shoulder and smirked at the embarrassed advisor and tutor before turning back. "And once we were playing with Glorfindel and we got him to think I was Elrohir and he," he pointed toward his brother, peacefully dozing off in Celeborn's lap, "was Elladan, but then mother ruined it." He pouted as Galadriel smiled fondly and Celebrian coughed and shook her head.

"I was correct; you are a troublemaker like your mother," the Lady of Lorien said with a gentle smile. "I wonder if you share your mother's love of stories and songs as well."

"Oh, yes, Elrohir and I love stories and songs!" Elladan said. "We always go to the Hall of Fire at night and listen to Lindir sing. Sometimes he lets us help him with his songs too, though we're not very good at it. And mother often tells us stories, usually about her Lothlorien, but sometimes about history and such too."

"Perhaps I shall tell you and your brother a story or two while you are here," Galadriel said, tucking one of Elladan's thin braids behind his ear. "Though for a song I believe my Lord Celeborn would be more to your taste."

"I want to hear you sing," Elrohir said, shifting in Celeborn's lap to look up at the Lord. "And I want to hear you tell a story," Elladan told Galadriel at the same moment.

"Then so shall it be," the Lady said and Celebrian felt a nervous feeling bubble in her stomach, but she forced it away as Elladan and Elrohir cheered happily. No use worrying now.

Elrohir yawned and shifted in Celeborn's lap as the elven lord smiled, casting Celebrian a look. "It appears at least one of your young ones is tired," he said, shaking the elfling's shoulder gently to wake him up as he lifted Elrohir off his lap. "Perhaps you should return to your mother," he whispered, as Celebrian clapped and waved for both her children to come to her. Elladan gave Galadriel a smile as he climbed off her lap and followed his brother into their mother's waiting arms.

"I'm sleepy," Elrohir mumbled, wrapping his arms around his mother's waist and hanging there to keep himself upright. She stoked his hair back and gave him a fond smile. Usually Elladan tired faster, but Elrohir was more willing to admit when he was tired.

"They're nice," her other son whispered as he grabbed her arm and swung behind her. She let out a sigh of relief. At least his recent behavior didn't extend to all of Lorien's residents.

"Daughter, we are pleased to have you and your progeny here in the safety of Caras Galadhon," Galadriel said as Celeborn nodded in agreement. "But for now take your children and let them rest. You have journeyed a great distance from Imladris to be here with us and tonight you will rest in the comfort of the Galadhrim and hear their songs. Tomorrow we shall celebrate your arrival with great fervor."

"We are very pleased to be here," Celebrian said as Celeborn waved, signaling to Haldir and his brothers that they were to show the guests to their talans. She bowed, her children following her lead as she dipped and rose, before casting her parents a loving smile. "Mother. Father," she nodded. "Until the morrow."

---

"How come Lothlorien is made so much different from Imladris?" Elladan asked, bouncing in front of his mother as Elrohir remained latched around her waist. He was still nearly glowing from his encounter with his grandparents and Celebrian was glad he seemed so happy. She had been somewhat afraid that he would be completely intimidated by them, especially when he had begun acting so meek.

Erestor was dutifully trailing behind them as Haldir led them to their talans, his brothers had departed her company with promises they would see her at the celebration the next evening. Elladan lunged forward and grabbed her arm. "Well, mother?"

"I suppose there are many reasons," Celebrian said, pondering how to explain. She would probably have to answer again later when Elrohir asked the same question. He didn't seem terribly attentive at the moment. "But mostly because Caras Galadhon was built by Silvan elves and Imladris was greatly inspired by the architecture of the Noldor elves."

"One of Gil-galad's personal architects designed the main structures in Imladris, such as the Hall of Fire," Erestor put in as Celebrian looked over her shoulder thankfully. The advisor always had the most interesting information.

"But they were all elves, right?" Elrohir asked sleepily from where his face was buried in her skirt, apparently more receptive than she thought he would be.

"Well, yes," Celebrian nodded.

"Then why are they built different?" he asked, with a sigh as he rested his head against her hip. "I mean, if they're all elves that is."

Celebrian pursed her lips, wondering how to explain there was a difference between elves without going into the deep and bloody history of it. She supposed it would be a strange concept to them, the thought of elves doing things differently. In Imladris there were many different races of elves – Sindar, Noldor, Teleri, Silvan, and just about every other kind of elf left in Middle-earth was represented there. But they all got along and acted in similar manners. Imladris was quite a strange place in that respect; it was one of the reasons she adored it so.

She let out a sigh as Elrohir looked up at her curiously, waiting for his answer. "Well…" she began, still uncertain of what she would say. Silently she hoped for Erestor to jump in with some sweet and simple reply.

"Silvan elves are woodland elves. We try to be one with the forest and nature, and therefore prefer to live in harmony with the trees we love so," Haldir said with a grin as he turned and looked at the assembly he was leading. "Also, we have never left Middle-earth and I believe we have a better connection to the land because of that," he finished as Celebrian gave him a thankful smile. Elladan fixed Haldir was a glare that he was gracious enough to ignore.

"So Noldor elves don't like the forest?" Elrohir asked, either not noticing the way Elladan was glaring or not acknowledging it. Celebrian guessed it was the latter.

"Nothing like that," Haldir said with a shake of his head. "The Lady herself is of the Noldor and she cares greatly for these lands, more than any elf, save Lord Celeborn." Celebrian smiled at her young friend's words. Haldir had always been deeply devoted to Galadriel, even before she ascended to the Lady of Lorien. "She has seen the Undying Lands and returned, yet she loves the trees. Still, I believe it is more in the Silvan blood reside in them."

"The Noldor were masters of lore and craft. They took more pride in what they could make and build," Erestor said, finally deciding to speak, "while, most notably, the Silvan and at times Sindar preferred to dabble in nature. I should remind you, that the Teleri have never left Middle-earth either and they build their homes upon the ground."

"They connect more with the sea," Haldir countered with a smile.

"Is Cirdan a Teleri elf?" Elladan asked, finally rejoining the conversation. Though he directed the question at his mother and Erestor, pointedly ignoring Haldir.

"Yes, the Shipwright is a Teleri elf," Celebrian answered, glad her son was finished glaring at the Lorien elf, even if he did continue to be a brat. She shut her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't think like that about her son. "Most of those that dwell in the Gray Havens are Teleri."

"I thought a fair amount of the Noldor had settled in the recent years," Haldir said as Celebrian nodded, she really did not wish to talk about why the Noldor had gone to the Havens. "Ah! Lady Celebrian," he said excitedly, waving for her to come closer. She untangled from Elrohir, placing his arms around his brother as she moved forward to stand beside the marchwarden in-training. He'd stopped and was leaning over the side of the stairs and looking down at something, or rather someone.

"What is it?" Celebrian asked, watching her children out of the corner of her eye as they began speaking to Erestor. The advisor began to engage them in a conversation as she looked away.

"Look down there," Haldir said, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Celebrian's eyes followed the direction of where he was pointing and found a group of four maidens. She cocked an eyebrow and looked at him. "Tell me we did not stop so you could get my opinion of Lorien's maidens," she said with a smirk.

He laughed. "No, of course not. But look, the one in the pale blue and green gown," he said and Celebrian looked down again, catching sight of the maiden. She was somewhat plain for an elf. Lovely, but not strikingly beautiful. Her silver hair was pulled back into a braid, a strange style for a female elf to wear outside of her private chambers, and she clutched what looked like a manuscript to her chest protectively as she spoke with her friends. The true beauty in her seemed to be her flashing violet eyes.

"What about her?" Celebrian asked as Elladan pulled on her sleeve. "Just a moment," she said, patting his head as she waited for Haldir's response.

"Aurelin," he whispered with a playful smirk. "The maiden that fancies Rumil. I heard Orophin telling you of her on the journey here. The papers she's holding so dearly to her breast are poems Rumil has written and discarded, that she has rescued."

"Ah, that is a charming!" Celebrian said with a slight laugh. "If I can be of any aid to you and Orophin in helping the two of them meet, do not hesitate to ask."

"I will hold you to that, my Lady," he smiled, looking over her shoulder a moment as the grin faded. "But I suppose I should get you to your talan so you are allowed to rest. There will be time for this later."

"My children are quite tired," she nodded gratefully as Haldir moved to lead them once more.

Celebrian took a last look at the maiden before turning to speak with Elladan. She blinked a moment when she found he was no longer at her side, that he had meandered back to his brother and Erestor. She frowned slightly as she noticed the deadly glare he was casting at Haldir's back.

---

"It's so high up here, mother," Elrohir said, with a yawn as he leaned over the side of the talan and looked down. Erestor nervously hovered close. Elladan was playing with the embroidery of the pillows as he lounged across Celebrian's bed. Haldir had finished escorting them to their talans, Elladan glaring at him the entire way; even going to far as to get in the way when Celebrian had tried to wish her friend goodnight.

"My Lady, if it is well with you, I believe I will venture to the library," Erestor said with a relieved sigh as Elrohir pulled back from the edge. He had elected to stay with her rather than going to his own talan, to make sure the Lady of Imladris was settled in comfortable. "I wish to see what has been added since I was last in Lothlorien."

Celebrian let out a light laugh. "Take you away from one library and you bury yourself in another, I see," she said, with a playful shake of her head. "Go and enjoy yourself, Erestor. I believe you became well acquainted with Lorien in your previous visit and don't need a guide. If you do, ask and someone will surely aid you."

"Can I go and see the library?" Elrohir asked as he latched onto his mother's skirts.

"I thought you were tired?" she said, reaching down and stroking his hair as he yawned. "We will be in Lorien until the spring comes. You will have much time to spend in the library," she reminded him even as he began to pout, looking up at her with sad eyes. She sighed in defeat. "Very well, you may go for a bit, if Erestor is willing to escort you."

"Of course, my Lady," the advisor nodded, his eyes shifting briefly toward Elladan as Elrohir cheered happily. It took her a moment to realize he was not inciting that the elder twin accompany them, but that it would be an opportune time for her to speak with him about his recent behavior. "I shall bring your son back when he is duly tired," he promised, his eyes returning to her for a moment before ushering the ecstatic elfling off the talan.

Celebrian listened to them go, the sound of Elrohir's incessant questions fading away. She smiled a moment before turning to Elladan who was still sitting on the bed. He had been surprisingly quiet since they reached the talan.

"Am I in trouble?" he asked, hanging his head as he kicked his feet over the side of the bed and his fingers continued to play with the intricate needlework of the pillow.

"Why would you think that?" she asked, smoothing out her skirt as she took a seat beside him.

"Because of the way I've been acting," he mumbled into his chest, not looking up at her.

"You have been being very strange," she nodded in agreement, glad her son knew his actions were not appropriate. "Will you tell me what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, continuing to mumble into his chest as he hugged the pillow in his arms like a shield. Celebrian stifled a sigh as she reached over to push a strand of hair behind his ear. He flinched away, momentarily shutting his eyes.

"You were very impolite to Haldir and his brothers," she prodded as she pulled her hand away, deciding not to call him on the fact he had just lied to her. They both knew that, and talking about it would distract from the matter at hand. "I've not seen you act like that toward anyone before."

"They made me mad," he said, clutching the pillow tighter.

"Why?"

"Because…"

"Because why?"

"Because the made me mad!" he yelled, burying his face in the pillow as if to hide from her. Celebrian closed her eyes, taking a moment to summon her strength before she opened them once again.

"Elladan," she said calmly, carefully spacing out her words so they could not be misunderstood, "why did Haldir and his brothers make you mad, and please do not tell me because."

Her son was silent as she waited patiently for his answer.

"Because you and Elrohir like them better than me," a near silent voice muttered after a time.

"What?" Celebrian said, leaning forward and straining her ear, positive she'd misheard her child. "Did you say that your brother and I like them better than you?" she asked, almost shaking her head at how ridiculous such a thought was. Slowly Elladan nodded his head, not looking up from the pillow. "Elladan, that's preposterous!"

She wrapped her arms around her son and wrestled him into her lap. He struggled a little, but it was easy to tell the resistance was only for show. Even now he still loved to be held in his mother's arms. "Why would you think such a thing?" she asked as he dropped the pillow and latched onto her arm, hiding his face against her shoulder and refusing to look up at her. Gently she stroked his hair and hummed soothing melodies as she rocked slowly and waited for an answer.

"Because you do," he answered, sniffling into her shoulder and Celebrian momentarily wondered if she had been so difficult as a child. She imagined she must have been.

"Oh, don't cry sweet one," she said, rubbing circles on his back as she felt the tears soaking through the fabric of her gown. She hated when her children cried. It felt as if her heart would break when they did. "I love you so much, Elladan. You're one of my favorite elves in all of Middle-earth. And Elrohir adores you too; you know that my little one. What would ever make you think different?" she pried, hoping a different question might work.

"You were so happy when you saw Haldir and Orophin and… the other one," he mumbled. "Rumil," she filled in automatically, wincing as she realized it wasn't the smartest thing to do. Her son sobbed a little harder for a moment as she apologized, bouncing him gently on her lap. "Yes, I was happy to see them," she agreed, when the fit of tears had subsided. "I hadn't seen them in a very long time and we were all quite close when they were young. That upset you?"

He sniffed a little, rubbing his nose over the lacy fabric. "You saw them and ignored me because you like them better," he choked, hugging her arm tighter as if she would disappear should he let go. Celebrian furrowed her brow and wishing she had not shooed her son away when she was speaking with Haldir earlier. But usually he was more understanding. "And then Elrohir didn't really want to play with me and… and…" he continued as she felt him tense like he would begin cry again, "and… I'm afraid you're going to want and stay here because you like everyone better and Elrohir wants to play with those three brothers instead of me so he'll stay here too and father and I are going to be sad and lonely back in Imladris because Erestor will stay here too because he likes Elrohir more... and… and…" his voice faltered and he began to sob once more.

"Oh, dear heart, that's not going to happen," she attempted to assure him as she rubbed his back and rocked. He wasn't listening, and as much as it hurt, she had to wait until he cried himself out. "Oh, my sweet little Elladan," she mumbled, rocking back and forth on the bed as her son wailed, "how do these thoughts get in your head?"

This wasn't the first time Elladan had become distraught over some paranoid idea. A year ago when Elrond had gone to the Grey Havens to discuss the portioning out of Gil-galad's realm, he had been late in returning. It was only a day, but Elladan had been sure something was wrong, that his father was hurt. He'd cried, begging someone to go out and find his father, refusing to listen as everyone tried to tell him it was just a day and there was no need to worry. But he refused to be consoled. Of course, being twins Elrohir gradually became worried as well, curling in the corner and crying a bit about how his father was hurt and never coming back. Celebrian had only managed to calm her sons by asking Glorfindel to go out in search of Elrond, to ensure that he was safe and well. Elladan had relaxed after he saw the elven lord leave, and nearly knocked his father over with joy when he at last returned.

Again the tears subsided into heavy breathing. "Feeling a little better?" she asked, squeezing him tightly as he nodded against her shoulder. "Good. Now, listen to me. Yes, I do like Haldir, Rumil, and Orophin very much, and I adore the Golden Woods. But!" she said, stopping him off before he could begin to bawl again. "But that does not mean I love you or your brother or your father any less. I did not mean to ignore you, I was just happy to see my friends and wished to hear of this Aurelin maiden. Imagine if you had not seen Glorfindel or Nenwen or Erestor in many years, wouldn't you be overjoyed to see them and wish to hear about the new friends they had met?"

"I guess so," he admitted grudgingly.

"I am very happy to be here in Lorien and see my parents and the others, but that does not mean I have suddenly forgot your father. When spring comes we will travel back to Imladris, to what I am certain will be a glorious homecoming," she said, holding him tight and still rocking slightly. "And you know I do love a celebration. About as much as I love my children."

She could feel Elladan smile against her shoulder. "Lindir will sing songs when we get back, won't he?" he asked quietly. "I like when Lindir sings."

"As do I. Another reason I simply must return to Imladris, though I want you to hear the songs of Lorien while you're here. They are lovely as well," she smiled, rubbing her cheek against the top of her son's head. "Do you still believe I don't love you?"

"I know you love me, mother," he answered, hugging her arm tight again. "I just get scared. You're so special and neat and… I want you to like me best."

"Oh, darling, you will always be my little Elladan, even when you're a grown elf," she replied as he finally looked up and gave her a smile. She stroked her finger over his cheek brushing away the tracks of tears. "Are you feeling better now, my son?"

"Yes," he said, twisting his hands nervously in the sleeve of her dress as he looked away, "but I still think Elrohir might like Haldir and his brother's more than me."

Celebrian laughed. "Was I the only one who heard how your twin spoke of you to the Lord and Lady?" she asked. "Elrohir virtually worships you and has no qualms about telling your great deeds to anyone willing to listen. Are you telling me you truly believe your twin would choose another living creature over you?"

"I guess not," he admitted, looking shyly at the floor of the talan. "But…"

"I think Elrohir simply wishes to play with someone new," Celebrian cut in before her son could give into self-doubt once more. "If I recall, when we were walking the stairs he wanted you to come play with Haldir and them as well. And who did he hold to when he was nervous about meeting your grandparents? Was it Haldir or Rumil or Orophin?"

"It was me," he answered with a timid smile. "I know Elrohir likes me best. 'Cause I like him best. Though I like you a lot too, mother!" He said, giving her a desperate look to try.

"Good." She smiled. "Now, will you be kinder to my friends?" she questioned her son. It was probably too much to ask that he like the three brothers, Elladan was strangely set in his ways, even at such a young age. But perhaps he would act more becoming towards them.

"I know they're not trying to steal you or Elrohir away so I don't have a reason to be mean to them," he mumbled, though Celebrian felt as if she were dragging it out of him. "I will not be rude to them any more." His face contorted for a second as he looked up at her. "Do I have to apologize to them?"

"What do you think?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," he grumbled.

"I was going to say no, but if you feel that you should, I will hold you to that," the Lady of Imladris smiled as her son looked up and let out a surprised squeak. "Ah, ah," she said with a shake of her head before he could try and take back his omission. "You feel you need to apologize and so you will."

He sighed and rested his head against her chest, defeated. Celebrian laughed again, gathering him up tightly in her arms as she fell back on the bed and he cuddled close to her warmth. "You are a good child, Elladan," she whispered, toying with his hair, "never let anyone tell you different." He nodded as she ruffled the dark locks. "But, now that we have that settled, what do you think of your grandparents?"

"They're not as scary as Glorfindel made them sound," he said in a cheerful tone as Celebrian promised to have a talk with Elrond's seneschal when she returned home. "The Lady was really nice to me and she didn't say that Elrohir and I look the same, and she was actually talking to me. She said she would tell me and Elrohir a story too." She briefly wondered if her mother actually intended to tell the children a story or one of her visions cloaked in the guise of a harmless tale. That worried her. "And I really didn't get to talk to Grandfather, but I was watching and he was nice to Elrohir. I think I like him lots though."

Celebrian smiled as he shifted out of her arms and knelt next to her on the bed, staring down at her with curious, eager eyes. She was glad the redness was almost gone from those beautiful gray eyes and the tracks of tears were fading away. It hurt her when she saw her children so distressed.

"Mother, were you really a troublemaker like I am?" Elladan asked hopefully, as Celebrian coughed and wondered how to evade the question. Fortunately for her a reprieve came just in time.

"You have to come see the library, Elladan!" Elrohir said as he bound onto the talan and jumped onto the bed with his mother and brother, immediately latching onto his twins arm and babbling excitedly. "It's even bigger than father's library. There are books everywhere, and Erestor showed me a scroll that had survived from the first age! It was so neat! You have to come see it!"

"Not tonight I should hope," Celebrian said, pulling Elrohir down and hugging him. He giggled and flailed a bit in her arms as she pressed a kiss to his forehead before letting him go. "And here I thought you were tired."

He yawned, trying to stifle the sound behind his hands as he did so. "I am," he admitted, "I guess we could go some other time; but the library was so wonderful! I want to explore all of it before we go back home."

"You'll have time to share it with your brother and investigate it to your little heart's content," Celebrian assured him as Elladan latched onto his brother, resting his head on his twin's shoulder. "We do have the entire winter if you remember."

"Oh! Elladan," Elrohir said as a sudden thought struck him and he looked at his brother who raised his head questioningly. "I saw Haldir in the hall and he was telling me about the training grounds and I said you like that kind of thing, and he offered to show us the grounds tomorrow before the celebration, and I said that sounded nice." He got a sheepish look. "Is that alright?"

Elladan gave his mother a panicked glance, but she merely raised and eyebrow and waited to see what his response would be. He looked back at Elrohir who was slowly hunching his shoulders in worry that he'd offended his twin. "That's good, Elrohir," Elladan finally said, hugging his brother. "You know I like the training grounds, it'll just be strange not having Glorfindel around." Elrohir smiled again and hugged his brother back, letting out a relieved sigh, glad his brother wasn't mad at him.

"I'm sure Haldir and the others training there will be glad to answer all your questions," Celebrian assured them as her sons lay down and curled up beside her. She considered telling them there was a talan that had been prepared specifically for them. Instead she pulled the covers over her children, already half asleep from exhaustion, and cuddled next to them. Her arm draped over them as she remembered how they would come to her when they were frightened, and together they would all sneak into Elrond's private chambers, stealing away into his bed. Not that the elven lord ever seemed to be bothered by his family's intrusion. She smiled at the memory as she began to drift to sleep herself.

She would tell them about their personal talan in the morning. Maybe.

TBC...