Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
A/N: Hey there! Thank you all so much for your lovely reviews. They truly make my day! Many thanks to enb2004 for being my excellent beta and who is also a very very excellent writer who has a great couple of Harry Potter stories, so go read them! I am glad that you are enjoying and, as promised, here is chapter five! Enjoy!
Once their father had left the room, Elladan and Elrohir turned their attention fully to their little brother, who was still nestled in Elladan's arms. "So, what do you want to do tithen pen, if you wish not to sleep?" Elladan asked, trying to keep his voice cheerful for Estel.
Estel looked between his twin brothers and pondered in thought for a few seconds. "Tell me a funny story!" Estel said, though it came out more as a demand.
Elrohir and Elladan nodded. A funny story would cheer all their hearts and hopefully make Estel forget about his nightmare. "all right tithen pen, what would you like to hear about. Elladan and I know many stories," Elrohir said grinning deviously.
"One about you and Dan," Estel said. "Hmmm, I don't know Ro, we don't have that many funny stories about us," Elladan said teasingly. "Oh, that's okay Dan," Estel said disappointedly.
Seeing his little brothers disappointment Elrohir smiled and plucked Estel onto his lap. "Oh, I don't know Dan. I think I have something even better in mind. I think that we should tell Estel a funny story about Prince Legolas, after all, he is quite the clumsy elf," Elrohir said, eyes sparkling at the thought of what Legolas would say had he heard what Elrohir had said.
Elladan grinned at this. It would be much less embarrassing and it would put the spotlight on Legolas for a change. "Yes, I think that's a great idea, and I know just the story to tell," Elladan said deviously. "What? I want to hear! Please?" Estel asked.
The twins just laughed. "Of course Estel. Prince Legolas is our good friend from Mirkwood," Elladan said. "He is the youngest of Thranduil's seven children and closest in age to us. He also despises being called Prince Legolas," Elrohir continued.
Elladan rolled his eyes at his twin. "Anyway, we were out riding a few years before you were born. We had decided to stop for the night by the river and enjoy the scenery," Elladan told Estel.
"That night, it was Legolas job to tend to the horses. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but we "forgot" to tell Legolas that Elladan's new horse was a bit temperamental. When Legolas went to brush her, he didn't ask for her permission, and the next thing he knew, he was in the lake, having been pushed in by Elladan's horse," Elrohir said laughing freely at the memory of the look that had been on Legolas face. Rarely had he seen the youngest prince of Mirkwood so disgruntled looking.
"I too seem to remember that incident. If I recall correctly, not a day later the two of you came running home and were trying to hide behind me," a familiar voice said dryly from the hallway.
"Ada!" Estel said reaching his arms out in the universal signal that meant he wanted to be picked up. "Elladan, Elrohir, I thought that you were not going to corrupt this poor innocent little boy," Elrond said as he picked Estel up, holding the four year old tightly to his chest.
Elladan and Elrohir did their best impression of looking innocent. Needless to say, it didn't fool their father for a second. "Us? Corrupt our little Estel? Ada you wound us with your words!" Elrohir said dramatically while his twin nodded his agreement.
Elrond rolled his eyes. "What am I going to do with you two? Maybe I should let your Grandmother deal with you when she arrives. Hmmm, yes, that is exactly what I shall do.
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged horror filled glances. Their father had a glare that could scare any orc or warg away without even trying. Their grandmother's glare could quite possibly rid Arda of Sauron should she turn her eye on his eye! "Oh no, no Ada, that's perfectly all right. We'll behave, right Elrohir?" Elladan said digging his elbow into his twins side. "Oh yes Ada, we'll behave, no need for worry," Elrhoir added quickly.
Elrond just shook his head while Estel looked on with confusion. "Just ignore your brothers Estel and pay attention to me. Valar willing you will turn out like me and not them. Come, do you wish to sleep with me for the rest of the night?" Elrond questioned his youngest.
Estel nodded sleepily, too tired to answer out loud. His nightmare all but forgotten due to the story about Prince Legolas. Elrond smiled fondly down at Estel, who was practically asleep already.
"You two should go to bed as well. These next few days won't be quiet and our guests will be arriving earlier than expected," Elrond said to the twins. "All right Ada, we're going to bed. Wake us though if Estel has another nightmare, all right Ada?" Elladan asked. Elrond smiled. "That is fine my sons. Goodnight, I love you my sons. I shall see you later in the morning," Elrond said quietly and walked out of Estel's room with Estel and walked down to his own room, planning to sleep a bit more before the day started.
It was three days later and Glorfindel was beyond tired, but he did not let that deter him from his purpose. Only three days ago, Elrond had roused him at an ungodly hour, saying he needed to speak with him and Erestor urgently and to come down to his office as soon as he was dressed.
Glorfindel had been worried about what was causing his long time friend and Lord to be in such a state, and he had hurriedly dressed, hoping nothing was dreadfully wrong. Once he had reached the office, he found Erestor wearing a confused expression with a hint of worry in his face. Glorfindel knew that he had to have had the same look as well. It was rare for the Lord of Imladris to be so high strung, and it had worried the two advisors immensely.
Moments later, Elrond had appeared and handed them both a letter. Elrond had said to him "Glorfindel, you must take this letter to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn immediately. Do not stop for anything but rest for your horse and yourself. Please mellon nin, much depends on the haste of this letter," Elrond said. Elrond had said much the same to Erestor, only Erestor's was going to Gandalf.
When asked as to what the messages contained, Elrond didn't reply right away. "I am sorry my friends, I am unable to say for fear if you were caught, you would inadvertently tell the message, which would end in disaster for all", Elrond had said morosely.
He and Erestor had understood, and didn't take it personally. There were some messages that were just to risky to be told of until they were safely delivered. So, true to Elrond's wishes, Glorfindel barely paused in his journey to Lothlorien, only allowing time for his horse to rest for brief periods of time. Glorfindel sighed with relief when he saw that he was entering the golden realm. In truth, he actually pitied poor Erestor. Erestor had the same task as he true, but Erestor also had to find Mithrandir first, a challenge to be sure. The old wizard was quite adept at hiding when he did not want to be found. Seeing the Lothlorien guards ahead, Glorfindel urged his horse to go even faster. Elrond had said to deliver the letter with haste, then by the Valar, that was what Glorfindel would do.
Translations:
Ada: Dad/Daddy
Ion nin: My son
Tithen pen: Little one
Tithen gwador: Little brother
Arda: Middle Earth
Mellon nin: My friend