Chapter 42

Three Months later

                  Glorfindel shook Elladan and then Elrohir.

                  " You have an approximation of ten minutes to get ready and be standing with your father."  The twins began to stretch and slowly sit up.  Glorfindel chuckled, raising his voice.  " And that is if they remain at the slow pace they are at.  If they break into a gallop, there is nothing I can do or say that will save you from your father's wrath."

Two identical bodies flew by him towards the baths.  Glorfindel turned from the door.

                  " I have created a new art form.  How to get two lazy Elves out of their bed before breakfast."  He laughed to himself, causing many Elves to watch him walk by.

~*~

                  Elladan and Elrohir sprinted down the hallway.

                  " We are late."  Elladan hissed through clenched teeth, breaking into a run to keep up with his swifter younger brother.  "  Ada is going to skin us alive."

The two jumped down endless flights of stairs sliding to a stop beside their parents.  Elladan leaned over his knees, his breaths coming out in short gasps.

                  " You are late."  Celebrían was the first to speak.

                  The two glanced up at their silent father.  He wore the barest hint of a smile signaling that he was still in high spirits.

                  " Forgive us, Ada and Nana."  Elrohir was not as out-of-breath as Elladan was.

Elrond came to Elladan's side, placing a hand on his back.  The oldest slowly straightened, sending his father a thankful glance for the healing touch.  A glint of gold caught their eye as it emerged from the trees.  Propriety promptly set in.

                  Thranduil himself had come to escort his children.  The dark haired Elf dismounted with all the grace and charisma of the Firstborn.  Elrond sent his sons meaningful glances.  They closed their jaws.  Elrond moved forward, a warm smile on his face.

                  " Many years have passed since our last meeting, Thranduil, son of Oropher."

Thranduil waved away the manners, catching Elrond's forearm.

                  " Always so proper, Elrond.  I cannot begin to remember a time when you did not greet me this way."

Elrond simply shrugged, turning to include the rest of his family.

                  " My sons, Elladan."  Elrond bid the eldest forward first and then Elrohir.  " And Elrohir."

Thranduil's appraising eyes swept over the two before beginning to dart between them.

                  " Identical down to the last tip of hair.  I hope you two do as well with a sword and bow as you must do with the maidens."

Elrond simply raised his eyebrows at Elrohir.  A flush swept over Elrohir's cheeks to the amusement of Thranduil.  Elrond then turned to include another, vital part of his family.

                  " And you remember Celebrían, though she was not my wife then."

                  Thranduil nodded, taking her hand and kissing it gently.

                  " My lady, it has been many years since I have seen you.  I cannot believe that you are still by this old Elf's side."

Celebrían laughed, the sweet sound setting everyone into high spirits.

                  " Neither can he."

Thranduil motioned to the bulge protruding from the high waistline of her dress.

                  " And I give my congratulations to both of you with the upcoming child."

                  " Thank you."  Celebrían smiled.  " Now where are yours?  I want to see these that you have hidden away."

Thranduil turned, seeming to be hesitant.

                  Elladan's eyebrows rose and he glanced sharply at his brother before rolling his eyes.

*Should have known…

Elrohir was seemingly entranced, his eyes fixed.  Thranduil motioned to each.

                  " My daughter Kalaina, I believe she is the twins' age, unfortunately."

Elladan nudged his brother.  Thranduil had caught onto Elrohir's gaping.  Elrohir composed himself with a cheery smile that had always gotten him out of everything.  Thranduil glanced at Elrond who merely shook his head.  Thranduil turned again, motioning to a painfully young Elf.

                  " And my youngest, Legolas."

Seeing the young one, both twins sent their father unreadable glances.  Elladan glanced at his brother.

*Ada lied.  We will be babysitting an Elfling.

                  Even Elrond seemed surprised.  He took in the young Elf with a hint of scorn. 

                  " Well then."  Elrond clapped his hands.  " A great feast has been prepared in your honor if you can stay."

Thranduil shook his head.

                  " I cannot leave Mirkwood for long.  I left my eldest in charge of it."

Everyone caught the younger children of Thranduil seem to roll their eyes.  Thranduil clasped his youngest's shoulder before moving off without a goodbye.  Elrond began to usher the two children towards the hall.  Elrohir had quickly followed.  Celebrían laid a hand on Elladan's arm.

                  " Give the little one a chance."

Elladan sighed.

                  " I do not wish to babysit, Nana."

Celebrían sent him a smile.

                  " Tis what you shall be doing once this child is born, so you might as well become accustom to it."

Elladan joined in with her laughter, hugging her.

                  " Love you, Nana.  I do not know what I would do without you."

~*~

                  Elladan glanced at the young one across from him, pushing around food in his plate.

                  " So, are you the great marksman?"

The head shot up, sending him a surprised glance.

                  " Pardon?  I did not hear the whole question."

Elladan sent him a small smile.

                  " Are you the marksman?"

Legolas gave a small nod.

                  " Aye, sir."

                  " Elladan."  Elladan corrected.  " The one that you will see always with a she-Elf will always be Elrohir."

Legolas gave another small nod.

                  " I cannot tell the two of you apart."  The Elf seemed to then draw back into himself, murmuring an apology.

                  " Do not apologize.  Even my father cannot tell us apart when we chose to not reveal it."

                  Elrohir then leaned over.

                  " Whatever this rogue tells you about me, it's not true."

Elladan only raised an eyebrow.

                  " I am surprised you could tear yourself away from your conversation, Elrohir."

Elrohir shrugged.

                  " At least I am amiable, brother, and try to make conversation."

Elladan raised an eyebrow.

                  " What are you saying?"

~*~

                  Elrond glanced down to the end of the table, seeing the wide eyes of his guests.  He shook his head at the twins, but neither caught it.  Celebrían laid a hand on his arm.  Rising slowly with a hand on her stomach, she walked down to her sons and laid a hand on each of her sons' shoulders.

                  " I believe it is best not to scare the guests until after they have been here a while.  Spar later if you do not mind."

Two identical smiles met hers.

                  " Yes, Nana."

She smiled towards the two guests.

                  " While in Mirkwood, I realize you worry about spiders crashing into your dinners."  Her impish smile increased.  " Here, we worry about these two dueling during the meal."

Kalaina grinned at the lady of Imladris.

                  " I see.  In Mirkwood, we are allowed to kill the Spiders."

                  The twins exchanged wide-eyed glances.  Celebrían just shrugged.

                  " I give you permission to deal with it how you wish, Princess Kalaina."

Kalaina's impish grin matched Celebrían's.  Elladan glanced at his brother.

*Seems as if the one you are favoring would like to skin you.

Elrohir just frowned.

*She has a sense of humor at least.

Elladan hid a laugh.

*Or something…

~*~

                  Elladan sat alone.  He caught sight of the young fair haired Prince of Mirkwood stealing from the house.  Elladan watched, knowing exactly where he went.  Elladan finally climbed down seeing that the young one was turned around.

                  " The archery ground is that way."

Legolas spun around.

                  " How…you…forgive me."  He stammered.

Elladan waved a hand.

                  " Many of our guests wander their first night here.  Come on.  I will show you the way."

Legolas shook his head.

                  " I will just go back to my room."

Elladan let him by, shaking his head.

*I guess I am more formidable than I knew.

~*~

                  Elrond watched his youngest seem to fawn over the caramel haired Mirkwood princess.  He shook his head.  Celebrían linked an arm through his.

                  " Reminds me of us."

Elrond glanced down at her.

                  " Please tell me I did not look that infatuated."

Celebrían just smiled.

                  " No, the infatuated one was me."

Elrond chuckled, gathering her to his chest as an idle hand traced a pattern over her stomach.

                  " Propriety, meaning politeness, decorum, is all I have to say."

                  The two glanced at their eldest as he collapsed in a chair.

                  " Am I late for lessons?"

Elrond shook his head, gazing at his unflappable son.  While Elrohir was the outwardly emotional one, Elladan relied on cold indifference.  Elrond sighed.

*So much like me…

Elladan tapped his father's knee.

                  " Ada, come back from where ever your mind has taken you."
Elrond glanced down at him.

                  " Sorry."  Elrond rose, clapping his hands.  " Elrohir, Kalaina, Legolas, come in here please."

                  Elrohir and Kalaina entered with smiles.  Even Elrond missed Legolas slip in.  Elrond shook his head slightly, believing he was seeing things.

                  " For five days a week, we shall meet in here after breakfast.  I have added you three males onto rotation for Imladris boarder security.  Glorfindel shall speak with you soon.  I have no doubt you will do fine."

Elrohir's face had screwed up.

                  " Ada, rotation is with two."

Elrond raised his eyebrows.

                  " Last I heard, Glorfindel had no rotation partner.  I shall tell him you volunteered, Elrohir."

Elladan hid a snigger behind his hand.

                  " Did you just ridicule my brother?"  Kalaina's eyes were lit with an eerie light.

Elrohir glanced at her with wide-eyes.  Her eyes were cold as she regarded him.

                  " He may be young, but he can beat you at anything."  Kalaina finished.

Elladan recognized the contempt in his brother's eyes as he glanced back at Legolas.  Elladan caught his father's steely eyes.

*Elrohir, Ada will be talking to you afterwards now.  Lose the attitude, brother.

Elrohir rose stiffly.

                  " Excuse me.  I will tell Glorfindel myself that I wish to be on rotation with him."

                  An awkward silence fell.  Elladan turned with an apologetic smile.

                  " Ignore him.  Elrohir speaks before he thinks."

Legolas just nodded, his eyes never meeting the twin's.  Elladan glanced up at his father with an expectant look.  Elrond clapped his hands, causing nearly everyone to jump.

                  " Well, Elladan and Legolas, go ahead and start off for the training field.  No doubt Glorfindel is there."

The two males exited.

                  Kalaina rose also.  She planted herself in front of Elrond.

                  " I will not tolerate anyone ridiculing my brother."

Elrond shook his head.

                  " Elrohir shall be dealt with for speaking like that."

Kalaina gave a short nod.

                  " Imladris is different than Mirkwood, Lord Elrond.  In Mirkwood, it is not looks nor power that obtain respect, but how well you manage against orcs and spiders."

                  Elrond extended his arm to her and then his wife.

                  " My sons have a cocky nature in them that I have been trying to beat out since they became of age.  No one in Imladris, save I alone, can challenge them with a weapon."

Kalaina's lips curved slightly.

                  " I ask permission to deal with Elrohir in my way."

Elrond raised an eyebrow.

                  " May I inquire why?"

Kalaina just smiled.

                  " It brings a male's arrogance down a bit to be outdone by a female."

Elrond chuckled.

                  " You have a definite point there, Kalaina.  I give you full permission to do what you shall with Elrohir, short of killing him, of course."

Kalaina's expression fell a bit, though her eyes continued to twinkle.

                  " My lord, you have robbed me of the best part."

~*~

                  Celebrían ran a brush through her waist length hair.  She felt a soft kiss on her neck before the brush began to move in her husband's hands.

                  " Kalaina is comfortable here and for that I am glad."  Celebrían commented.

Elrond nodded.

                  " Aye, Elladan gave Legolas high praise after the training.  Glorfindel says that short of allowing Legolas to gain what little experience from border patrol, there is little he can teach."

                  Celebrían smiled.

                  " I want to know what Kalaina is planning."

Elrond chuckled.

                  " I have no doubt that our youngest shall be in the palm of her hand in no time."  Elrond then sighed.  " Tis the young one I worry about.  Imladris is not healing him like I had hoped."

Celebrían slowly rose.

                  " And what shall you do?"

Elrond shrugged.

                  " I have no inkling of an idea."