Waking up slowly their situation dawned on the twins immediately. Adela got out of bed first and quickly dressed in her uniform, they had to study all day today.
"Just think, after this summer we aren't going to wake up in this room anymore," Legolas said glumly.
"Let's not dwell on that thought, the summer will be over before we know it and thinking about the end will not help us," Adela suggested.
"Yeah, good idea. At least we have an afternoon of history with Danini today," Legolas said brightening up.
History was the twins' favourite subject and they both excelled at it. They were good students in everything and very quick studies but because they enjoyed history they put a lot more time and effort into it than they did with their other subjects. Going towards the dining room quickly they met their father and fell in three steps behind him and slightly to the right, how they'd been trained to all their lives. Reaching the dining hall they were instantly hugged by their mother who shared a worried look with their father. This done nothing to make the twins feel any better. When their older brothers came in their father motioned them all over to him and the twins were once again engulfed in a hug from their mother. They knew that their father was telling their brothers about what was going on and they instantly got sympathetic looks from their older brothers. But this wasn't such a bad thing because it meant that they would probably spoil them rotten for the rest of the summer. Legolas and Adela weren't about to complain!
After breakfast all of Thranduil's children made their way towards the schoolroom where they would be sorted into groups to do different tasks. Legolas and Adela were to go with their oldest brother to have a lesson in Literature. The best place for this was the library. The twins loved the library and since their older brother was teaching them it was even better. He wasn't as strict on them as their tutor was.
After a very enjoyable Literature lesson the twins were given an hour off and went outside to walk one of their favourite trails through the wood. They didn't say that it might be the last time they walked it for a while but both knew that the other one was thinking it.
After a quick lunch the twins made there way to the school only to leave it again when Danini told them that they would be having their history lesson outside. The twins were delighted but they both knew that everyone was being extra nice to them because they had to go to Rivendell to stay will Lord Elrond.
The weeks flew by and Legolas and Adela soon began to dread each coming day. Summer was drawing to an end and the wind from the north was picking up. The departure date drew nearer and a heaviness sat of the hearts of the twins. They didn't want to leave Mirkwood!
All too soon they were helping their mother and Danini pack their bags with their uniforms, work clothes, winter clothes and nightclothes as well as exercise books, text books and reading books. They also packed small bags for themselves into which their identical teddies went as well as some writing pads and ink went.
The night before they set off for Rivendell the twins' were very quiet. They went out into the back gardens of the house and sat and talked. At dinnertime they didn't eat much, they were too nervous and very scared. Going to bed early Danini brought them some chocolate as well as their usual glass of milk and tucked them in tightly. A little while later their mother and father came in to bid them good night and sweet dreams.
"This is the last night we'll sleep in here," Legolas said into the darkness in a very choked voice.
"I know," Adela told him. "But one positive is that we're both going to Rivendell. I don't think I'd be able to stand it if I were going to Rivendell alone or if I was left here and you went alone," Adela told her twin.
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Legolas told his twin. "It would be terrible if we'd been separated."
Without realising it sleep overtook both twins and all too soon the faint sunlight was coming in through their window and Danini was in waking them up. Putting on their riding clothes the twins ate one last breakfast with their family and got hugged very tightly by their mother who fussed over them and told them to take care.
"Don't worry, we will Mama," Legolas told her giving her one last tight hug before heading out to the stables with his father and sister.
Mounting their horses Thranduil and his twins began their journey to Rivendell, all of them silent. Thranduil couldn't help thinking what it would be like on the journey back when he wouldn't have to twins. He hated the thought that he had to leave them in Rivendell. It wasn't fair on them, they were still very young.
"Papa?" Adela's voice broke into his thoughts.
"Yes, Sweetie?"
"We were wondering, will you be able to visit us in Rivendell, before the snow becomes too much?" she asked quietly.
"Of course, darling, I'll make sure I can. And I'll bring along one of your brothers as well," Thranduil told them.
Both twins smiled.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Papa," Legolas told him.
"And I'm going to miss my two little twins but for now why don't we just enjoy the scenery," Thranduil told them.