Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places
thereof
*****
Elladan and Elrohir traded glances. Where were Estel and Legolas? Why, they were so late to supper Elrond was likely to lose his temper simply by their tardiness! Just as Elladan was ready to suggest that he go and retrieve the younger boys, there came quite the commotion from the corridor and Legolas entered, his tunic inside out.
"I beg your pardon for my lateness," Legolas said, bowing politely before sitting down in Estel's usual place.
"See that it does not happen again," Elrond said. "But it is none of mine to accuse when my youngest is yet absent. Do you know Estel's whereabouts, Legolas, by any chance?"
Legolas looked guilty. "Estel? No, why should I know where he is? I have not seen him, no."
At that moment Estel did arrive, straightening his clothes as he entered, bowed, and apologized. He was invited to have a seat, then looked about. When he and Legolas had plotted their evening, Estel had not realized that the entire crew would be present: not only Elrond, Erestor, and Glorfindel as he was ready to be a fool before, but also Thranduil, Celeborn, Galadriel, and--oh, no! Lady Arwen!
Estel's breath caught in his throat. He nearly lost his nerve, but then Arwen smiled at him and held up her hands, motioning: it's all right. Elrohir told me! And Estel could breathe again.
"Ada," Estel said in his most whiny voice, attracting the attention of everyone in the room, "Legolas is sitting in my seat!" It was all he could do not to burst out laughing at this, feeling like an absolute child.
Elrond, much to the surprise of the boys, answered calmly, "Well then you may sit in his."
"Oh, thank you!" Estel answered over-enthusiastically, and sat himself down right in Legolas--not in Legolas's seat but on his lap! Quite a few eyes bugged at this gesture and more than one jaw went slack. Estel cuddled against Legolas, which Legolas did nothing to prevent.
"Cheaters!" Elrohir hissed. Estel smiled ethereally, a habit he had learned from Lady Galadriel.
As the meal commenced, in much the manner of newlyweds everywhere, Estel and Legolas proceeded to consult on every food item they took and put on their shared plate. Elladan and Elrohir felt their advantage slipping away, even more so when Legolas handled the cutlery and fed both himself and his puppy.
Arwen covered her mouth to keep from giggling at this display, but mostly managed to focus on her own plate. Erestor and Glorfindel watched from the sides of their eyes discreetly. Elrond ignored the two, and the others followed his example. The twins felt much brighter. Estel and Legolas weren't earning any attention at all!
"So, Elladan," asked Elrohir innocently, "how is...um...Mister Happy today?"
At that Arwen really lost herself and spit a mouthful of wine into her napkin. Quickly she pretended to cough, covering for this mishap. "I do apologize, how embarrassing, I swallowed strangely."
After an awkward silence, Elladan said, "My pony is in high spirits today, Elrohir, thank you for asking!" Seeing the questioning, amazed faces around him, Elladan realized that Legolas and Estel had truly paved the way for the twins by putting everyone in the right mindset. Speaking fondly of a creature, Elladan said, "My Mister Happy, my pony, has a mind of his own! He ran off and got himself caught up in that thicket of hazel near the north border."
Elrond choked. "Hazel?" he asked.
"Yes, you know, that thicket growing near the valley's lone poplar?" Elrohir asked. "Well, his little pony got himself into a bit of trouble thereabouts and, well, he has not been well."
"And it's been quite the bore for Elrohir; he's spent hours and hours playing with his daggers out of sheer boredom!"
Seeing his advantage waning, Legolas jumped in, "Yes, Elrohir, I had noticed your sword arm regaining much lost muscle. You must have been practicing quite a bit lately!"
Unfortunately Celeborn lost his temper at that point, and quickly changed the subject. The boys let sit their discussion of the fictional Mister Happy, each making plans for the next morning, when kissing would be allowed.
*
Later, as Arwen lay sprawled on her bed thinking about the hysterical antics having just taken place, there came a knock at her door. "Come in!" she called out, suppressing giggles.
"Arwen." Galadriel sat on the edge of the bed and spoke in a no-nonsense tone. "What happened at supper tonight? I know you understood. Tell me."
Arwen sat up, tucked her legs beneath her, and answered honestly. She hated having her mind poked about at. "The boys have a bet going concerning who can annoy Elrond the quickest. They are using sexual tactics. It's all very amusing, isn't it?"
Galadriel felt her eyes widen. "And you have no qualms with this? Arwen, what of Aragorn?"
Arwen laughed. "Let him have his fun, that's what! He does not truly have those feelings for Legolas." When Galadriel gazed evenly at her, Arwen sobered. "It is only a bit of fun. There is no harm in it. I do not worry, for my faith in Aragorn cannot be moved by a game."
Galadriel considered it. They meant no-one any harm..."I suppose it is truly Elrond I pity. They will have him over a barrel on this one! That Prince of Mirkwood is of such a mind..."
"I think the twins will really get to him. They have home-field advantage."
Galadriel narrowed her eyes. "How much are you willing to bet?"
*****
To be continued
*****
Elladan and Elrohir traded glances. Where were Estel and Legolas? Why, they were so late to supper Elrond was likely to lose his temper simply by their tardiness! Just as Elladan was ready to suggest that he go and retrieve the younger boys, there came quite the commotion from the corridor and Legolas entered, his tunic inside out.
"I beg your pardon for my lateness," Legolas said, bowing politely before sitting down in Estel's usual place.
"See that it does not happen again," Elrond said. "But it is none of mine to accuse when my youngest is yet absent. Do you know Estel's whereabouts, Legolas, by any chance?"
Legolas looked guilty. "Estel? No, why should I know where he is? I have not seen him, no."
At that moment Estel did arrive, straightening his clothes as he entered, bowed, and apologized. He was invited to have a seat, then looked about. When he and Legolas had plotted their evening, Estel had not realized that the entire crew would be present: not only Elrond, Erestor, and Glorfindel as he was ready to be a fool before, but also Thranduil, Celeborn, Galadriel, and--oh, no! Lady Arwen!
Estel's breath caught in his throat. He nearly lost his nerve, but then Arwen smiled at him and held up her hands, motioning: it's all right. Elrohir told me! And Estel could breathe again.
"Ada," Estel said in his most whiny voice, attracting the attention of everyone in the room, "Legolas is sitting in my seat!" It was all he could do not to burst out laughing at this, feeling like an absolute child.
Elrond, much to the surprise of the boys, answered calmly, "Well then you may sit in his."
"Oh, thank you!" Estel answered over-enthusiastically, and sat himself down right in Legolas--not in Legolas's seat but on his lap! Quite a few eyes bugged at this gesture and more than one jaw went slack. Estel cuddled against Legolas, which Legolas did nothing to prevent.
"Cheaters!" Elrohir hissed. Estel smiled ethereally, a habit he had learned from Lady Galadriel.
As the meal commenced, in much the manner of newlyweds everywhere, Estel and Legolas proceeded to consult on every food item they took and put on their shared plate. Elladan and Elrohir felt their advantage slipping away, even more so when Legolas handled the cutlery and fed both himself and his puppy.
Arwen covered her mouth to keep from giggling at this display, but mostly managed to focus on her own plate. Erestor and Glorfindel watched from the sides of their eyes discreetly. Elrond ignored the two, and the others followed his example. The twins felt much brighter. Estel and Legolas weren't earning any attention at all!
"So, Elladan," asked Elrohir innocently, "how is...um...Mister Happy today?"
At that Arwen really lost herself and spit a mouthful of wine into her napkin. Quickly she pretended to cough, covering for this mishap. "I do apologize, how embarrassing, I swallowed strangely."
After an awkward silence, Elladan said, "My pony is in high spirits today, Elrohir, thank you for asking!" Seeing the questioning, amazed faces around him, Elladan realized that Legolas and Estel had truly paved the way for the twins by putting everyone in the right mindset. Speaking fondly of a creature, Elladan said, "My Mister Happy, my pony, has a mind of his own! He ran off and got himself caught up in that thicket of hazel near the north border."
Elrond choked. "Hazel?" he asked.
"Yes, you know, that thicket growing near the valley's lone poplar?" Elrohir asked. "Well, his little pony got himself into a bit of trouble thereabouts and, well, he has not been well."
"And it's been quite the bore for Elrohir; he's spent hours and hours playing with his daggers out of sheer boredom!"
Seeing his advantage waning, Legolas jumped in, "Yes, Elrohir, I had noticed your sword arm regaining much lost muscle. You must have been practicing quite a bit lately!"
Unfortunately Celeborn lost his temper at that point, and quickly changed the subject. The boys let sit their discussion of the fictional Mister Happy, each making plans for the next morning, when kissing would be allowed.
*
Later, as Arwen lay sprawled on her bed thinking about the hysterical antics having just taken place, there came a knock at her door. "Come in!" she called out, suppressing giggles.
"Arwen." Galadriel sat on the edge of the bed and spoke in a no-nonsense tone. "What happened at supper tonight? I know you understood. Tell me."
Arwen sat up, tucked her legs beneath her, and answered honestly. She hated having her mind poked about at. "The boys have a bet going concerning who can annoy Elrond the quickest. They are using sexual tactics. It's all very amusing, isn't it?"
Galadriel felt her eyes widen. "And you have no qualms with this? Arwen, what of Aragorn?"
Arwen laughed. "Let him have his fun, that's what! He does not truly have those feelings for Legolas." When Galadriel gazed evenly at her, Arwen sobered. "It is only a bit of fun. There is no harm in it. I do not worry, for my faith in Aragorn cannot be moved by a game."
Galadriel considered it. They meant no-one any harm..."I suppose it is truly Elrond I pity. They will have him over a barrel on this one! That Prince of Mirkwood is of such a mind..."
"I think the twins will really get to him. They have home-field advantage."
Galadriel narrowed her eyes. "How much are you willing to bet?"
*****
To be continued