Title: Mists of Valinor - Lothlorien - Part 4
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: Wow. Look, I'm updating again. Sorry I left off for so long - I've been to more funerals in the past couple four months than I ever wanted to go to in my entire life. Anyway, I'll try to have the next chapter up in March. :) *wonders if she still has any readers, probably not* Commentary always welcome.

::Lothlorien - Part 4::

"And where, precisely, did they manage to find the frogs?" Celebrian fumed in exasperation, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at Haldir as he tried, and failed, to feign innocence. "Well?" she pressed, tapping her foot and trying not to turn her attention toward the sound of slopping water behind her. There would be time to deal with that in a moment.

"From the pond on the east side of the city I would imagine," Haldir answered after a moment of consideration, a slight smirk on his face that was just too pleased for him to be blameless in the incident. "They were quite well received by those in Eliria's garden."

"So I heard," was Celebrian's icy reply. Eliria was rarely silent when bothered, especially when it came to the care of her painstakingly cultivated garden.

Haldir beamed at Celebrian affectionately, stifling a laugh as a loud splash and a series of giggles sounded behind her, water soaking the hem of her pale dress. "Oh, out with you while I clean up this mess," she sighed in annoyance, pointing to the hole that led from the talan. With a grin Haldir bowed and quickly made his escape as Celebrian turned to deal with the mess-making goblins behind her.

"Elrohir! Do not splash your brother. You are getting water all over the floor," she groused, looking over at the bathtub she had dunked her mud-encrusted sons in.

Elrohir obediently stopped his flailing, looking at her with a questioning gaze. Unfortunately she had not extended her no splashing order to his twin. Elladan cupped his hands and flung his arms forward, sending a wave right into Elrohir's face.

"Elladan!" Celebrian squealed in dismay as she knelt down in the rapidly growing puddle beside the tub. Elrohir coughed and blinked, trying to rub the water out of his eyes as Celebrian gently patted his back. "And to think I put the two of you in here to keep you from making a mess."

Elladan grinned at her adoringly and Elrohir laughed a bit when he was able to stop coughing. With a slight growl she reached forward and plunged both their heads underwater for a split second. "Mother!" Elladan yelled when they came up again, before exchanging a glance with his twin. They grinned at one another and seconds later Celebrian found herself utterly soaked.

"Oh, stop that," she sighed as her anger began to abate. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Elrohir's head and ruffled Elladan's sopping hair. "The two of you truly are chaos makers. Now," she pursed her lips, trying not to show them she was even the least be amused by what they had done. "Where did you get those frogs? And how in the name of the Valar did you get so many up to the garden?"

"Haldir showed us this neat pond where the frogs live," Elrohir said as he tried to splash his brother, but Celebrian grabbed his hand and put a stop to that, "and he also let us use some buckets."

Celebrian let out a disgruntled sound that made both children raise an eyebrow while she plotted her revenge on a certain arrogant elf. Something involving his bowstring, his ankles, and the many stairs about Lorien perhaps. "Did he suggest you take them to the garden as well?"

"No," Elladan said, shaking his head as Elrohir pulled his hands away from his mother and dumped a handful of water over Elladan's head.

"Orophin did," Elrohir tattled as his twin squeaked and tried to splash him back. "Rumil said we shouldn't. But Orophin said it was a really good idea. He thought the frogs would like the garden."

"Of course he did. He was always the intelligent one," she said with a shake of her head as she began washing the mud out of Elrohir's hair. He waited patiently as she scrubbed and rinsed his dark locks, gently dunking his head underwater, before moving on to Elladan.

Her elder son, of course, tried to give her a fight, but gave up almost immediately when she frowned at him. Scrubbing at his dark hair she sighed. It should have been obvious it had been a group effort. Some things did not change with the passage of time, and the way the three brothers acted was one of them. "It's the snakes all over again," she muttered to herself as she rinsed Elladan's hair.

"How come the ladies in the garden didn't like the frogs?" Elrohir asked innocently as she ran her fingers through Elladan's hair to make certain it was clean. "I thought they were nice."

Celebrian opened her mouth to reply, then closed it again as she thought better of her answer. There was a good reason frogs, or wildlife of any kind, were not allowed in Eliria's garden. Foremost because the elven woman did not like them there, as they had a tendency to disrupt the plant life she worked so hard to grow.

Most of the plant life in that particular garden were not native to Lorien or even the area surrounding the Golden Wood, and it took a controlled effort on Eliria's part to make certain they flourished. The slightest mis-watering or bump could completely ruin all her work, and had done so before.

Celebrian winced and hoped the frogs hadn't done any permanent damage. She would have to speak with Eliria after her sons were clean and, hopefully, ensconced in something far away from frogs and the gardens of uptight elves. On the lighter side, she mused, the winter was near over and this was the first major disaster her sons had been involved in.

Elrohir was still looking up at her for an answer, and Elladan seemed curious as well. She pursed her lips and tried to think of a way to respond to them without making them feel bad about possible damage to the garden. "Because," she began slowly, examining Elladan's hair again. "Frogs belong in their ponds. It is not wet enough for them in the garden. And Eliria is afraid they might disturb some of the plants if they knocked over a pot or some such thing."

The answer seemed to sate Elrohir's curiosity and for that she was thankful. Elladan raised a curious eyebrow however, but said nothing. "You will need to apologize to Eliria later," she continued, rising from the side of the tub as she looked around for something to dry her children with. "I imagine she is quite distraught."

Elrohir became guilty at once, staring down at his water-wrinkled hands, and Elladan quickly leapt to defend their actions. "We only thought the frogs would like to see the garden. Honest," he said, giving his mother a desperate look, even as he took hold of Elrohir's hand.

"I know," Celebrian said with a gentle smile as she found the towels. "You meant no harm and I am certain those in the garden know that. But Eliria does not like creatures in her garden. Apologizing is the right thing to do."

"We'll apologize," Elrohir said meekly and after a moment Elladan nodded in grim agreement.

"Do not fret so," Celebrian said, lifting Elladan out of the bathtub and hugging him into a towel before setting him on the bed and doing the same to Elrohir. "Oh, my little ones," she sighed lovingly as she sat between them, realizing she should have taken a towel for herself. Her gown was completely soaked and now so was the end of her bed. "Take comfort. You will not be the only ones apologizing."

"Does Haldir have to apologize?" Elladan asked hopefully, despite having spent a good deal of time amiably with the elder elf, and even covertly coming to like him, the earlier animosity was not completely gone.

"Yes," Celebrian nodded, "and Orophin and Rumil as well."

"But Rumil told us not to do it," Elrohir protested and even Elladan nodded in agreement.

"He did not stop you either," Celebrian pointed out. "Nor did he warn the elves in the garden or come to me. Trust me. Rumil will understand why he must apologize." The twins exchanged uncertain glances, but did not argue the point with their mother.

"In any case, what were you doing finding frogs?" she asked as they curled up with their heads in her lap, the expedition clearly having worn them out. "You were supposed to be with Lord Celeborn today, were you not?"

"We were," Elladan nodded sleepily at her side. "He finally sang us the songs he promised. He has a nice voice."

"He sings as well as Lindir," Elrohir put in excitedly, trying to impress upon her just how beautiful her father's voice was. Celebrian smiled, pulling strands of hair out of the gray eyes as her son continued. "But then he had to attend something important…" he said as Elladan cut in and mimicked the haughty tone of what Celebrian assumed was one of her father's councilors, "an important matter from Greenwood," he said before laughing. Elrohir giggled and finished the story, "and so we went off with Haldir."

"Ah, so this is my father's fault," Celebrian said with a nod of her head. Elladan had already dozed off and Elrohir was snuggling close. "Oh, my little ones, you are such a handful. Few can make trouble like you and I adore you for it." She let out a slight sigh as she rolled her eyes.

"Though I do not relish the thought of speaking with Eliria."

---

By the time Celebrian settled the twins into her bed and called for Erestor to watch over them, should they wake and feel the need for more mischief, she was certain Eliria had called her father to the garden. Rushing down the stairs she recalled the last time Eliria's garden had been tainted. When a certain three brothers had done a similar thing and she had been forced to stand up for them in the face of the uptight elven woman.

Reaching the ground Celebrian flitted across the grass gracefully, pausing only at the strange sight of one of her guards hauling water. "Galmir?" she called in surprise as the friendly dark-haired elf looked up, setting down his pails and bowing. "What are you doing?"

"Carrying water, my Lady. I believe the Lady of the garden wishes to flush the soil," he answered simply, casting a wary look toward the garden as if he expected some creature to come out snapping.

"That is not exactly what I meant," Celebrian said with a furrowed brow. "Why are you helping? I was unaware you had any talent in gardening."

"And I assure you I do not, my Lady," Galmir said with a laugh. "Truth be told. I am not entirely certain why we are helping," he cast a glance back toward another of her guards, slowly making his way up the path with an empty bucket. "Vorgnor and I were passing the garden when a Lady came out and requested…"

"Demanded," Vorgnor corrected as he came to stand beside his comrade, bowing respectfully to Celebrian.

"Demanded then," Galmir amended with a shrug, "that we help her in getting the frogs out of the garden."

"It is good of you to help her," Celebrian said, wishing her sons had picked any other elf to cross. It was not that Eliria was mean spirited; in fact she was a gentle spirit in most instances. But she simply spent too much time alone with her plants, to the point her ability to deal with other elves was severely lacking.

"I was not under the impression we had a choice," Vorgnor said with a resigned sigh. "She mentioned something about the little Lords. Might I ask if they were the cause of this?"

"Not entirely of their own planning, but yes," Celebrian sighed. Galmir smirked at the admission, while Vorgnor just shook his head. "Now, if you will excuse me, my friends, I must go and speak with Eliria."

"I do not envy you," Vorgnor said as Galmir picked up the pails of water and continued on his way. "Last I saw she was in the lower level speaking with the Lord of Lorien."

"My thanks," the Lady of Imladris replied with a bob of her head as she turned and entered the labyrinth-like hedges of the garden and hoped not to become lost. However, despite the many turns, it was easy to find the enclave she sought by the sound of Eliria's voice.

Celebrian grimaced as she found her way into the large, round clearing where Eliria and Celeborn stood. She frowned at the indignant sound of the elven woman's voice and offered her father an apologetic look. He nodded to acknowledge her presence and Eliria stopped her tirade, whirling on her heels and pinning Celebrian with a disapproving stare.

"You do realize this is the water snake incident all over again," she said simply.

"My sons did not intend to harm your plants with their frogs any more than Haldir and his brothers did with their snakes. They only thought the creatures would like your garden as much as they do," Celebrian said diplomatically, holding up her hands in surrender. "You must believe that."

"I do believe your sons meant no harm, my Lady," Eliria said as her expression softened somewhat, "but I also know that Haldir, Orophin and Rumil played a part in this. They should know better."

"Can you not over look it just this once?" Celebrian asked hopefully.

"I am not the only one that has been wronged here, my Lord," Eliria beseeched, turning her attention back to Celeborn. "There was a gathering of maidens drawing flowers and foliage. The sudden onslaught of creatures frightened them. Aurelin's drawing was completely ruined and her folio scattered. She is still searching for the missing pages."

At the sound of Aurelin's name Celebrian felt a familiar sinking sensation and swore to string Haldir and Orophin up by their toes if her notion was correct. She pushed the thought aside momentarily as she attempted to placate Eliria. "The involved parties will apologize," she promised. "Even if it was a good faith error on my sons part, they will apologize for the grief they caused."

"I do not care for the frequency in which this happens," Eliria sighed, even as her anger seemed to subside. "Next it will be squirrels running amok." She sustained her gaze toward Celeborn as she waited for his dictate on the matter.

"As there was no intended malice, and I have yet to see a single plant wilting," Celeborn said after a moment of thought, "I believe an apology and aid in cleaning will be enough. Do you agree, Eliria?"

The elf pursed her lips. "If any complications arise with the health of my garden will you assign a certain three brothers to help me fix them?"

"I believe that is fair," Celeborn nodded.

Eliria turned to face Celebrian again. "They, your sons and the brothers, will apologize to everyone. Not just myself, correct?" she asked.

"Of course," Celebrian agreed with a sigh of relief. It was rare that Eliria was so amendable in anything concerning her beloved garden. There was something afoot, but she dared not ask, lest the elven gardener become irate again. She gave Eliria a slight smile and the woman smiled gently back, though she refused to meet Celebrian's eyes.

"Then I am satisfied," she relented.

---

Celebrian crossed her arms as she marched the five elves toward the garden. Her sons walking as if they were being sent up the slope of Orodruin itself, and Rumil not looking much better. Haldir and Orophin, however, seemed fairly pleased with themselves and she was slowly developing better idea of why.

"What in Elbereth's name are the two of your smirking about?" Celebrian whispered as they began to navigate the hedged maze in search of Eliria.

"Why do you always assume there is some mischief in us?" Haldir asked with a charming grin as Celebrian shook her head and looked hopefully to Orophin who just shrugged and murmured, "you'll see, my Lady."

"That is what I am fearful of, my friends," Celebrian frowned, leaning away as they cleared the maze and for the second time she arrived at the first level enclave. Celeborn had left to attend to other matters, leaving only Eliria to greet them. She stood waiting with her arms akimbo – the imposing form of a self-possessed elf, her silver hair drawn back into a golden clasp, and her mouth set in a grim frown as she waited. Celebrian felt herself shiver slightly, glad it was not she that had to face Eliria.

The sextet walked toward the gardener and Celebrian dropped away, giving Haldir a shove when he tried to wait beside her. Finally they came to a stop a mere arms length away.

"Welcome to my garden," she said coolly. "I believe you have all been here before."

"Many times, Lady Eliria, it is quiet lovely here," Orophin said with a bow and the elven woman glared at him as if an orc had invaded her precious realm. "And I fear we shall grace your presence many times in the future as well."

"A fear I share," she responded, little inflection in her voice as she looked down her nose at the twins. Elrohir physically winced away from her gaze, but Elladan held his ground and met her eyes. Though Celebrian could see that he clutched his brother's hand tight, and all his weight was on his left leg, as if he meant to run should things prove ill. "And do the two of you, my young Lords of Imladris, find my garden lovely as well?"

"Yes," Elrohir squeaked.

"We're sorry, Lady Eliria," Elladan said, pulling his frightened twin to stand a little closer. Celebrian let out a thankful sigh. She had begun to fear she would have to prod the apology out of her sons; as it was Elrohir who usually apologized and he was clearly terrified of the gardener.

The elder twin continued. "We truly didn't mean any harm by bringing the frogs here. Neither Elrohir nor I wanted to upset you or the other elves. We'll make sure to get all the frogs back to the pond and apologize to the others. Really."

Celebrian raised an eyebrow as she sat on one of the marble benches. Elladan had not shifted the blame to any of the brothers, which surprised her. As they had been involved it would have been easy to do and she could not have been upset with him for it. She smiled a bit. Her son was growing up.

"My brothers and I meant no harm nor offense either. Though much of it was mine and Orophin's idea," Haldir said with a charming grin that Eliria clearly did not trust, "and will assist in the clean-up as we did last time, while Rumil makes rounds to apologize to those elves the creatures disturbed." Rumil jerked and gave his brother a horrified look, but, under the scrutiny of Eliria, said nothing.

"Yes, you will aid in the cleaning effort," Eliria said, turning her gaze back down upon the twins and noticing their confused looks as she ignored the three brothers behind them. "Did they tell you of their escapade with the water snakes?"

"No," Elladan said, glancing at Elrohir who shook his head.

"Well then, once all the frogs are accounted for, would you like to hear the tale?" she asked, raising her gaze to the three brothers, "while the three of your finish cleaning, of course."

"Of course," Orophin nodded while Rumil winced uncomfortably.

Elladan looked over at Elrohir, who nodded, before looking back up at the imposing elven woman. "We would like to hear the story."

Eliria smiled a bit and nodded. "So it shall be. But now, tell me, how many frogs were there little ones?" she asked, kneeling down to their level. "I believe the elves that came with you from Imladris have managed to find nineteen thus far."

For a long moment neither twin said anything as they looked at one another, cocking their heads in thought before answering. "Thirteen in one bucket," Elrohir said softly as Elladan added, "and nine in the other."

"Twenty-two altogether then," Eliria mused as she rose to her feet again, "that leaves three more."

"Make that two, my Lady gardener," Galmir's voice said as he rounded a hedge and proudly held up a bucket. "And I believe Vorgnor saw another hiding amongst the tiger-lilies."

"Oh! We'll find it and the other one," Elrohir volunteered, yanking on his twin's arm. "And we'll be back to hear the story," Elladan called over his shoulder as they disappeared around into the hedge maze after Galmir.

Celebrian pursed her lips and wondered if she should follow, but decided to trust that two guards could keep her little terrors from causing more trouble. At least she hoped so. Her attention turned back to Eliria who, with the children gone, was giving Haldir a piece of her mind while Orophin ordered Rumil to begin apologizing.

When the defeated blond disappeared from sight Orophin came and sat beside her with a childish look on his face. "I know what it is you are doing and I cannot believe you are doing this to your poor brother," she said as the future marchwarden rewarded her with a cheeky grin. "I ought to pin your ears to a tree for involving my sons in it."

"I thought you told Haldir you would help us," Orophin said innocently.

"I had assumed you would mention the plot to me beforehand rather than letting me puzzle it out," Celebrian said, looking up as Eliria waved Haldir away in annoyance and set to working her garden once more, awaiting Elladan and Elrohir's return for their story.

"What are you two still doing here?" Haldir said, cocking an eyebrow. "If we do not hurry the show will have begun without us."

"Coming, my Lady of Imladris?" Orophin asked as he leapt from the bench and held a hand out to Celebrian. With a sigh she accepted it and was unceremoniously pulled into a swift jaunt through the hedges, Eliria's voice echoing after them with orders not to run.

"How do you know where they will be?" Celebrian asked as she imagined how ridiculous she must look being whisked through the garden in such a way. She was glad no one in Imladris could see it. They were under the silly impression she was a proper lady. "I imagine there are many maidens that you have sent Rumil to apologize to," she said as Orophin jerked her to one side and they nearly avoided a low branch.

"A season spent back in our midst and you still do not remember how crafty we can be," Haldir laughed. "Aurelin only frequents one part of the garden, 'twill not be hard to find her, and there are no other maidens… nay, elves within the garden. Other than ourselves, your sons, the guards and Eliria, of course. Orophin and I have already apologized to them, explained our intrigue, and gained their blessings."

"Eliria did not appear to be blessing you moments ago," Celebrian pointed out as they took a quick turn around a corner and her feet nearly slipped out from under her. Fortunately Haldir grabbed her shoulder to help her keep her balance as they continued on.

"Eliria must remain in the dark. She would ruin our carefully laid plans out of spite. Though, when she does learn, I imagine we will be thoroughly berated for using her garden as a meeting hall," Haldir explained somewhat soberly.

"If this does not work I will pin your ears together for using my children in such a way. The two of you have the humor of orcs, manipulating elflings for your own means," Celebrian chided, though there was no real anger behind the statement.

"Just a moment ago it was our ears to a tree, brother," Orophin sniggered, releasing Celebrian's hand as they slowed their gait. "She is lightening her punishments."

Before Celebrian could manage a reply Haldir hushed them both and silently urged them to duck behind a bow shaped hedge. "There is Aruelin," Haldir whispered as he peeked over the top of the shrubbery, Orophin and Celebrian peeping around the side.

For a brief moment it rankled her. A Lady of her quality crouching among the hedges, being hushed by juvenile marchwardens. Not even marchwardens, marchwardens in-training. But the momentary annoyance left her almost instantly when Rumil stumbled into the enclave, looking around with a blush as he caught sight of Aurelin and standing a bit straighter. Suddenly she didn't mind Orophin and Haldir crowding her so closely or the dirt staining her dress.

"Aurelin," Rumil said, shuffling his feet slightly in the grass.

"Rumil," the maiden nodded, and Celebrian noticed the way she smoothed her dress and carefully closed her ever-present folio. "What may I do for you?"

"Ah, I have come to apologize for the earlier scare with the frogs," he said, making a sweeping motion with his hand. "'Twas the fault of my brother's and I that Celebrian's twin sons released the creatures in the garden and caused you so much trouble."

"No trouble at all," Aurelin said with a shake of her head, and Celebrian recognized the self-conscious way she smoothed her hair. "The drawing I was working on was not turning out as I had envisioned anyway," she laughed nervously. "Just a matter of picking up the things that have been misplaced in the chaos. Eliria is the only one that seems truly upset."

"She has a habit of that," Rumil said with a slight smile as their eyes met. Celebrian grimaced as they both turned away and shifted nervously. This was becoming a bit painful to watch and she wondered if her own early days with Elrond had been so painful to observe. "I have yet to find anyone else within the garden other than those aiding the clean up and you," Rumil finally managed to add.

"That is odd," Aurelin frowned in thought. "Then again, few wish to cope with an irate Eliria. I only returned to make sure I found all the papers that had become scattered." She nodded toward the folio sitting on the bleached bench. "There seem to be a few missing, but I cannot find them here."

"I wonder why that is," Haldir smirked as Celebrian felt a flutter of parchment against her cheek. She looked up to find what she assumed must be the missing parts of the folio. Frowning she fixed Haldir with a disapproving look. "They were flying around the garden. I did not steal them," he said with a quiet laugh at her unspoken accusation.

"We just thought to put them to a better use than simply returning them," Orophin whispered, nodding toward the two elves before them. They had gone silent and were looking at everything but one another. "This is becoming tedious to watch. Rumil never was any good with maidens, much to his own dismay. He needs a bit of help, wouldn't you say?"

"I will concede that," Celebrian sighed in agreement, watching as Rumil began to turn away and Aurelin continued to fiddle with the ties of her dress.

"Why can a brother of ours not be more forward with what he wants?" Haldir sighed, tossing the papers over the top of the bow-like thicket and into a fortunate gust of wind. "I am out of thoughts if this does not work."

"Wha…" Aurelin turned her head as the pieces of parchment flittered around her, six pages in all, twisting in the air and to her horror and floating toward Rumil. She dove and snatched five from the air, but sixth wrapped around Rumil's ankle before she had a chance. He leaned down and picked it up, turning it in his hand as Aurelin launched herself halfway toward him. "That's mine," she blurted, holding out her hand before she could stop herself. She let out a gasp of dismay, covering her mouth as she realized her mistake.

"One of my poems?" Rumil said in confusion as he looked at the script clearly written in his own hand. He turned the page around, examining it again and looking up at Aurelin. "Where did you get this?"

Aurelin brushed a stray bit of hair behind her pointed ear as she flushed a bright cherry color, turning from him and stuffing the other pages into her folio. "I found it in the scraps for the celebratory fires," she answered, shuffling the papers and trying her best to not look in his direction. "I thought it was quite good, so I kept it." The color in her cheeks seemed to deepen. "I hope you do not mind."

"No," Rumil said, shaking his head quickly as a slight blush began to form over his high cheekbones. "It is just that I did not think them worthy of another look. Especially not from one so well read as you."

"What are you saying?" Aurelin gasped, spinning on her heels and brandishing the folio in his direction, all of the shyness seeming to disappear. "These are masterfully crafted. I have never read such beautiful words. When I read them it is like," she paused, spreading her arm and looking up as if searching for the right words, "it is like reading the songs of the Valar themselves."

Rumil blushed a brilliant crimson to the tips of his ears. From behind the hedge both Haldir and Orophin balked as Celebrian cocked an eyebrow. "Is he really that good?" she asked as both the brothers shook their head and answered with a resounding, "no!"

"Forgive me. That was audacious of me to say to you," Aruelin said flustered as she covered her mouth and backed away, nearly tripping over the bench. "Oh, dear me. What have I said?"

"If he says nothing, I am dumping him in the pond with the frogs," Orophin murmured and both Celebrian and Haldir nodded in agreement.

"You needn't ask forgiveness," Rumil said in a muted voice, staring down at the half-hearted poetry in his hand. "I just did not think anyone would appreciate such tripe."

"Hardly tripe," Aurelin mumbled, clutching the folio to her chest. She stared down at the grassy floor below and bit her lip. "I would give them back, if you wished."

"No, no," he shook his head, holding out the page to her. "It's just that no one has ever really taken an interest in my writing before, perhaps…" he trailed off and Celebrian rolled her eyes, silently promising that if he proved any more inept at these courtship rituals she was going to reveal herself and order them together. "Perhaps you could tell me what you liked," he finally suggested and the three hiding behind the bushes let out a collective sigh of relief.

"I would be pleased to," Aurelin said with a blush as she shyly began to explain her liking of one of his earlier works and three figures behind the hedge contentedly stalked away.

---

By the time Celebrian and two of Lorien's famous three brothers made it back to the main courtyard of Eliria's garden, thoroughly pleased with themselves, the twins and the guards had returned and Eliria was half pitching a fit. The three stopped their pleasant chatter and watched the scene unfold, trying not to smile in amusement at the flushed color of the gardener's pale face.

"They'll do no harm in the pail, my Lady gardener," Galmir assured the addled elven woman as she bit at her lip and paced. "Vorgnor and I will take them to the pond. Have no fear of that."

"Yes," Eliria sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, "but could I convince you to do so now?"

"Come, Galmir, 'tis not polite to tease a Lady so," Vorgnor said, steering the overly amused guard toward the hedge maze and out of the garden. "We must go to meet with the rest of our ilk, and I cannot image the creatures enjoy this stifling atmosphere of the pail anyway." Noting Celebrian they nodded and half-bowed as they left. She gave them a thankful smile. She mentally reminded herself to thank Glorfindel for assigning her such helpful guards.

"We found them all, mother," Elrohir said happily as he latched onto her waist and held tight while Elladan helped Eliria move a few of the watering jugs.

"How good of you," she said, caressing the younger twin's dark hair and smiling as she wondered at the fact it was the obstinate, standoffish of her sons helping in the menial labor. Not that Elladan was ever rude about such things, she had raised him better than that, but he rarely volunteered for such tasks unless Elrohir did as well.

"Did everything work out well with Aurelin and Rumil?" Eliria asked, dusting the leaves of a small tree as Elladan balanced one of the jugs on a bench. Haldir and Orophin jerked and gave her an incredulous look as Celebrian raised a questioning eyebrow, both her sons asking what happened with Rumil and who was Aurelin.

"Oh, do not give me such looks," the elven gardener said, placing her hands on her hips and giving them an exasperated look. "This is my garden. You should not try to hide things from me within it. Now, how did your little plan fair?"

"Quite well," Haldir said, being the first to recover and giving Eliria a charming smirk as he mockingly bowed before her. "I fear you may have more elflings wreaking havoc in your garden soon enough."

"Such is my curse," Eliria said with a shake of her head, sitting upon the bench and waving for Elladan to come closer. "I am pleased for your brother and for my friend. But if you ever do such a thing again, you will all have to come with me to retrieve new flora."

"Of course," Haldir grinned and Orophin wrinkled his nose in distaste.

Celebrian let out a small laugh at them. Then turned to watch in mild amazement as her elder son happily came to sit beside the gardener, while Elrohir sniffed in annoyance at her side. "I have much to say to the two of you," Eliria's eyes glanced from Haldir to Orophin, "but such things are not said in front of the young, and I believe I promised the Lady Celebrian's children a story of your past folly."

Haldir let out a laugh as Orophin rolled his eyes and crossed his arm, when he opened his mouth to comment Celebrian fixed him with look and he stifled whatever comment he had to make. Eliria was calm and willing to tell her children a story, if he ruined that she was seriously considering pinning his ears to something. As Aurelin had said, no one wished to deal with an irate Eliria.

"Do you wish to hear this story as well," Eliria began to ask as she furrowed her brow and added, "young one."

Celebrian smirked at the clear confusion upon the elven woman's face. Sometimes she forgot it was hard for others to tell her sons apart. "Go on," she whispered, giving him a slight push. "She doesn't bite." He looked unconvinced. "Elladan will protect you." He gave her a defiant look as though he needed no protection, but it still seemed to convince him to join Elladan on the bench. Keeping his twin between himself and the gardener, of course.

"Your mother knows this one well," Eliria began, gesturing for Celebrian to take a seat as well while she began the story. "But several hundred years ago, when Haldir, Orophin and Rumil were very young, they decided that water snakes would enjoy mingling with my water-lilies…"

The Lady of Imladris smiled as she sat across the courtyard and listened to the story, giving Haldir and Orophin a sympathetic look as she remembered how three young elflings had come and hidden in her skirts to avoid an upset gardener all those years ago. Turning back she watched her sons become enraptured by the tale, Elrohir resting his chin on Elladan's shoulder.

Celebrian smiled. The sight reminded her of the eager way the twins listened to whatever story their father had to tell. She felt a chill in her heart and rubbed a hand over her arm, wondering what Elrond was doing at this very instant in Imladris.

TBC...