"Mama?"

"Yes Legolas?"

"When will Papa be home?"

"Probably not for many days, dear."

"Oh."

"Where is Adela?"

"Helping Danini make cakes, I was as well and I'm going back to help but we were wondering when Papa would be home," Legolas told her.

"Ok then sweetie, that nanny of yours is a real blessing," his mother told him.

Legolas giggled, "She's great," he told his mother.

"I know," she told him whilst opening one arm to him. Legolas went over and gave his mother a hug.

"I'm going to go back and help Danini and Adela now, ok?" he asked.

"Of course, honey. And don't you and Adela give Danini any trouble," she told him.

"We won't Mama," Legolas solemnly told his mother and ran off.

Meanwhile Thranduil had just entered the borders of Mirkwood and made his way towards his home as quickly as possible. At best this would take him about two hours and he hoped he wouldn't be delayed any longer than necessary anywhere.

By the time Thranduil reached his home the cakes where finished and the twins were outside running off some pent up energy. Dismounting his horse Thranduil called to them. "Legolas! Adela!"

"Papa!" came the cry back and the twins raced towards him. He bent down and swept them both off their feet in a gigantic bear hug. After placing them down, Legolas pulled back first.

"Mama said you weren't expected back for days," Legolas told him.

"I wasn't, but I have something very important to discuss with your mother, understand?" he asked them.

"Yes, Father," they chorused in unison.

"Good, now I must go speak with your Mother. Do not stay out too long for you will be expected to study for an hour before dinner, understand?" Thranduil asked his youngest two.

"Yes Father," came the chorus back.

"Good."

The twins spent ten more minutes outside and then ran to their house. The ran and changed out of their work clothes, shorts that came down to their knees and a long sleeved top and changed into their uniforms, pale blue shorts which came to just above their knees, a pale blue long sleeved top with a v-neck collar and green edging, white ankle socks and white shoes. Legolas re-tied his braids at the side of his head to keep his hair back and Adela tied the front part of her hair back in very tight scalp plaits which allowed the rest of her hair to hang loose down her back.

They then made their way towards the schoolroom where three of their older brothers were waiting. Thranduil had ten children altogether but the oldest three didn't take lessons with them anymore because they had grown up and now helped Thranduil keep everything running properly in Mirkwood.

After an hour of studying with their tutor, despite the fact hat it was summer and other elven children only had lessons between autumn and spring in Mirkwood, the seven of them went to have dinner with the rest of the family. All of them were dressed in their uniforms, as were their older brothers, who really weren't that much older but Thranduil was grooming them for leadership. The only difference in the uniform was that they had full-length trousers instead of shorts.

Dinner was a quiet affair and the children sensed that something was up with their parents so they stayed silent.

Once they had finished eating, Thranduil sent all of the children apart from Legolas and Adela to do another hour of studying and then lead the twins to his private study. Sitting down in a massive armchair, Thranduil pulled both of the twins onto his lap and hugged them close to his heart for a minute or two.

"What is it Papa?" Legolas asked. "Have we done something wrong?"

"No, my son," Thranduil replied with a sigh. "But upon orders from the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn you have to go and be raised by Lord Elrond in Rivendell for a little while," Thranduil explained.

"Lord Elrond?!"

"Rivendell?!"

Both twins were shocked and let it be known.

"I know, I know, but your mother and I have decided that we can not go against the wishes of the Lady and Lord of the Golden Wood, so here it stands. I will take you to Rivendell just before the summer is out and before the first leaves begin to fall," Thranduil told them.

"Why us?" Adela whispered.

"Because you are my youngest and the Lord and Lady wish to build trust between Rivendell and Mirkwood," Thranduil said gently.

"Oh..." Legolas trailed off.

"You should go and get some rest," Thranduil told them, "this has been quite a shock and no doubt you wish to be alone with each other for a while," Thranduil showed that he knew his children very well with a slight smile.

The twins gave their father a tight hug before jumping off his lap and making there way to their room. Collapsing on his bed, Legolas spoke to his twin. "This is not fair!"

"It is not for us to decide," Adela reasoned softly, although she did not like the idea anymore than her brother did.

"We shall have to make the most of this summer," Legolas decided for the both of them.

"I wonder what will happen to Danini?" Adela asked.

"We'll ask father later. And speaking of Danini do you think she'll bring us one of the cakes we made when she brings us our glass of milk before turning out our lamp?" Legolas asked hopefully.

"Hopefully," Adela told him with a giggle, "but for now shall we read?"

The twins settled together on their high windowsill and read a page at a time to each other from the book they were currently reading together.

All too soon they were tucked up in bed for the night and they still had not come to terms with the news that they would have to leave Mirkwood soon.