Review answers:

to Catmint: Yep, elflings are cute. Especially Legolas and the twins. I wouldn't be writing this otherwise. Thanks a lot for your review.

to robyn: I like the word elfling too. I've actually added it to the computer dictionary. Thanks for your review.

to elven maiden: Thanks for the excellent rating.

to Haldir's Heart and Soul: Glad you enjoyed it.

to mistopurr: Yeah, elflings (and other kids) can learn a lot of mischief from stories.
Well, next update is there. And I'm so glad you like my story.

to nychick8990: Hah. I'm updating at long last. More cute elflings. Thanks for the review.

to that Undomiel chick: Yeah, Glorfindel shouldn't tell them too much. But the way I describe him in this story is just the way I think Glorfindel would be if one knew more about him. But it's just as well one doesn't. It leaves a lot to your imagination. By the way, nice name you got there.

to Lomabadia Greenleaf: I'm glad you think it's funny. I was actually laughing myself when I wrote it.

to Elf of Sirannon: Hm... Legolas Ada? I didn't really give that much thought, I must admit, since Legolas is already in Rivendell when this story starts. But maybe Legolas was sort of escorted there and someone will pick him up sometime. Since elves are immortal, they sort of have a lot of time and I imagine Legolas spends quite some time in Rivendell. But thanks, because your question just gave me an idea. But you'll have to continue reading to find out.

to Jedi Gollum: You really do seem to like elflings. By the way, your story about Leggy and the twins is so cute too. Thanks for your reviews. All three of them.

Author's note: Well, I'm back. I had a great time on my school trip and I was so happy when I got home and checked my mails and found so many review alerts. You're great girls. Unfortunately things started happening and I suddenly had a life. So I'm ever so sorry about the long delay. I also felt I had to update my other story, so I wrote two chapters for that. And between all that my computer was down for like forever due to a lack of people who know how to deal with certain technical problems. But here's the next chapter about our beloved elflings. By the way, if some of this sounds weird, I wrote part of it between practising with a drama group.

I'm on vacation in England right now, visiting my aunt. That is where I finally finished this chapter.

So, n joy.

Chapter four: secret passages

The next day the weather was getting better, though it hadn't quite stopped raining yet and a thick mist still hung over the valley of Imladris.

Elrond had managed to come up with a concoction to remove the blue colour from Glorfindel's hair, but there were still the faintest streaks of blue to be seen. Legolas and the twins were mostly trying to stay out of Glorfindel's way, though he wasn't mad at them anymore, the elflings had the suspicion that Glorfindel would think up a suitable prank in revenge. He had done so before, for the elf lord had a rather 'humorous' nature himself.

It was late afternoon and the three elflings were in the twin's room. Elladan and Elrohir were engaged in a rather heated game of chess and Legolas was lying on the bed, reading a book.

Legolas shut his book with a 'thump' and then got down from the bed and plopped down on the floor next to Elladan and Elrohir. He watched them for a while as they each made their seemingly well calculated moves.

"I wonder if we would be allowed to practise archery in the next few days." Legolas voiced his thoughts.

"Oh, Ada says we're allowed to practise any time we like, as long as long as there's someone with us who knows what he's doing." answered Elrohir, disposing of Elladans second knight with a flurrish.

"That's a great idea." Elladan interjected. "I wanted to practise more anyway. I hope to be good enough to partake in a tournament soon."

"But we'll have to wait another one or two days, because it is still too windy at the moment. It's more fun when the weather is nice, anyway." Legolas pointed out.

They fell into silence and Elrohir and Elladan concentrated on their game of chess once more. Legolas lay back on the floor, staring at the ceiling and listening to the twin's now constant bickering about moves and rules. t grew quiet again, then another piece clattered to the floor. Legolas sat up again. He had been lost in a daydream for quite some time.

He was now staring directly at the wall. Ten something caught his eye. Legolas was studying the intricately carved pattern on the wall. There was something strange about part of it. He couldn't exactly discern what it was, but something about it just didn't look right, distinctly different.

Legolas was brought back to the present when someone knocked at the door. It opened and Erestor poked his head in, informing the elflings that dinner would be ready in five minutes.

"We'd better go then." Elladan said. "Come on."

Legolas took another unsure look at the carving in the wall and then followed the twins out of the room.

Eating dinner took ages, or so it seemed to Legolas. He was impatient. He wanted to find out what exactly was wrong with that wall. It seemed stupid to him, really, it was after all only a wall. But it kept popping into his mind and distracted him thoroughly.

"Legolas, would you please pass me the sauce?" Elladan asked. No reply. Legolas was just sitting there, staring blankly at his plate. " Legolas?" Elladan asked while Elrohir waved his hand in front of Legolas' face. Legolas snapped back to reality, realising that someone had tried to talk to him.

"Oh, sorry. What did you say?" he asked.

"I asked you to pass me the sauce." Elladan replied. "Oh." Legolas said and passed the sauce over hastily. Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other puzzled and shrugged, returning their attention to their dinner. Legolas continued eating too.

By the end of dinner Legolas had managed to make Elladan and Elrohir really nervous. They could hardly wait to get out of the dining hall. The three elflings had to wait another few minutes before Elrond finally let them leave. Once they were ou of the hall and had rounded a corner, the twins could at last ask Legolas the questions they had.

"What's wrong? You've been acting all queer since before dinner." Elrohir exclaimed.

"There's something I have to show you." Lgolas stated simply, starting to lead the way. Now he had Elladan and Elrohir worried. Legolas led them up several flights of stairs and finally to their own room.

"You want to show us something in there?" Elrohir asked unbelievingly as they entered.

"Legolas. This is our own room. We know everything there is to know about it." Elladan said, exasperated.

"Are you sure?" Legolas asked with sham gravity. He went to stand in front of the wall, facing it.

"Come and look at this." Legolas gestured to the twins to come and stand next to him.

"Is that why you've been acting all strange the whole evening? The wall?"

"Of course not only the wall." Legolas answered, annoyed. "Look at this part of the carving." Legolas pointed to a place where the stem of a flower carving curved upwards. "Do you see those two thin lines? And this section of the carving is slightly darker than the rest." Legolas ran his finger along the carving. It felt rougher than the other places too.

"So even if it's different. hat is this all about?" Elladan's impatience was finally getting the better of him.

"I don't know what it is." Legolas said, looking to the ground. "I just noticed."

Elrohir sighed and leaned against the wall in question. Suddenly, he shrieked and fell backwards as part of the wall slid to the side noiselessly, revealing an entrance to a dark beyond, the size of a door.

"We've found a secret passage!" Elrohir exclaimed, picking himself up from the floor.

"All right." Legolas said mockingly. "You know all there is to know about your room?"

"Well, maybe not." Elrohir admitted.

"That must be one of the old escape passages Erestor told us about in his oh so interesting history lessons." Elladan concluded.

"You actually listened? Elrohir asked, scandalised.

"Only a little." came his twin's reply.

"Let's find out where it leads to." Legolas suggested excitedly.

"Of course we will do that..." Elladan said, only to be interrupted by his brother and Legolas: "Let's go then."

"But not tonight." Elladan tried to calm the other two down, acting all older-brother-like.

"Why not?" Legolas whined.

"Because it is quite late and Ada will be coming to say good night soon."

"Oh."

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door and Elrond entered his sons' room.

"It is time to go to bed, boys." he said

Elladan sighed and Elrohir rolled his eyes.

"Now, where is Legolas going to sleep tonight?" Elrond asked.

"He's staying here." The twins quickly said in unison. Legolas nodded.

"Well then, get ready. I'll come in a few minutes to say good night.

"So. We all still know where the entrance to the passage is?" Elladan asked when Elrond had left the room. The other two nodded.

"Good. Then let's get ready and we'll make plans when we're in bed later."

When Elrond came back to say good night he found his sons and Legolas in bed already. He tucked the elflings in and told them a short bedtime story. Nothing too exciting though. He didn't want them to be too scared to sleep. If only he knew what Glorfindel sometimes told them. After leaving his sons' room Elrond did wonder why the little ones didn't put up more of a fight, which they did more often than not.

"He's gone." Elladan whispered after Elrond's footsteps had died away. He jumped out of bed and lit a candle which he placed on the bedside table.

"So what are we going to do?" Legolas asked.

"Well, tomorrow Ada has got a meeting with a representant of Lothlorien and Erestor will be there too. Glorfindel is somewhere on border patrol again. No one will be around to stop us." Elladan said. "So all we need to do is go into the passage and see where it leads."

"We need to take enough torches and matches." Elrohir added.

"And we need string to make sure we find back." Legolas suggested.

"Good. So that's settled." Elladan concluded. "Let's sleep now."

The next morning the three litlle ones woke up extra early to make sure they could get all the things they needed.

"Do you think we should tell anyone?" Elrohir a sked while sorting through a chest cluttered with torches and candles.

"No." said Elladan. "They'll only try to stop us. You know what Ada's like. He dreads that something is going to happen the moment we leave the house." Elladan was wrapping up a very long piece of string around his hand. Legolas was holding another one. When they were done they took the string and torches to the twins' room and then headed down to the great hall for breakfast.

They sat down and started eating.

"Ada?" Elladan asked. "Do you think we could practise archery any time soon?"

"Well," Elrond replied " I won't have time for the next few days, but if you find someone else to accompany you, you can go."

The three elflings grinned at each other and Elladan said "Let's ask Glorfy when he gets back."

"Good idea." The other two said.

There was a loud knock on the massive oak door and a servat entered. "My Lord. " He adressed Elrond "Haldir of Lorien has arrived. He will be waiting for you in your office."

Elrond sighed. "Well, behave yourselves." He told the little ones and went off to begin a very long lasting and exhausting meeting.

Elladan jumped up as soon as his father was out of sight. "Let's go then." He urged his brother and Legolas.

"Race to your room?" Legolas suggested. "Sure." the twins agreed at once. They bolted out of the room and up several flights of stairs landing with a leap on the bed.

"So. We've got the string, torches and matches." Legolas said. "And," Elrohir added "we've got Mallorn toffies." He held up a jar of extremely sticky yellow toffies.

"Where did you get those from?" Elladan asked.

"Oh, I slipped into the kitchens this morning when no one was looking. Just in case we get stuck."

"Briliant." Legolas said.

They stepped up to the wall and elladan said "Ready?" The other two nodded with detemination and Elladan pressed the carving. The entrance revealed itself. Legolas lit a torch and the three of them entered.

Inside, Legolas held up the torch to illuminate the passage. It was high and quite wide, probably to allow a lot of people to use it at the same time if need be. There was a little stone switch, the shape of a flower, to close the sliding door from the inside. Elrohir pressed it and soon the twins and Legolas were on their way down the long dark passage.

"Where do you think it leads?" Legolas asked after a while.

"Maybe to the kitchens." Elrohir mused.

"Oh, Ro. Is that all you ever think about?" Elladan groaned. "I hope it leads to the armory."

They walked in silence for a time until the passage forked into two other passages.

"Where to now?" Elrohir asked. "Left or right?"

"Right." Legolas and elladan said at the same time. Elrohir didn't really have a choice but to agree.

"We should start using the string now." Elladan suggested. Legolas gave Elrohir the torch to hold and started to unravel the string. He bound one end to a small piece of rock that was sticking out of the wall. The three elflings then started to make their way down the right passage each letting the string trail through their fingers as they went.

After quite a long time they still hadn't found anything.

"Where ever does this lead?" Elladan moaned as they rounded yet another corner.

"Outside." Legolas said matter-of-factly.

"What?" Elladan said.

"This passage leads outside." Legolas informed him.

"How do you know?" Elrohir asked curiously.

"Because the air is getting cooler and the walls damper."

"You never fail to surprise me, tithen-pen." Elladan said with a grin.

"Elladan!" Legolas groaned,annyoyed.

"Let's get going then." Elrohir urged.

So on they went. The passage stopped winding so much, but started winding steadily upwards. Suddenly, Elladan, who was in the lead, stopped in his tracks. Elrohir and Legolas nearly bumped into him.

"What is it?" Elrohir asked anxiously.

"Can you hear that?" Elkadan ased. The other two listened.

"Yes." Legolas said. "Water!" Elrohir supplied. "Exactly."

"Let's find out where it comes from." They ran around a corner and suddenly stood at the foot of a steep flight of stairs. As they climbed them the sound of thundering water grew constantly louder. When they finally reached the top they all three gasped in wonder. They were standing in a spacious cave, the walls glittering in the sunlight that filtered inthrough the great waterfall that concealed the entrance.

"I believe we've found the source of the water." Elladan said in wonder as he stepped further into the cave. Legolas and Elrohir came up next to Elladan and looked around them.

"This place is wonderful!" Legolas exclaimed.

"Yes, it is." Elrohir agreed.

"Look. There are something like benches set into the wall." Elladan jumped up on an outcrop in the wall. Legolas went directly behin the waterfall and peered downwards. "There are some steps here leading to the ground." He found out.

"Look how glittery the walls are." Elrohir said while jumping around the cave joyfully.

"Come here, you two." Elladan called to the others. " I just had an idea." He junped from his perch as Legolas and elrohir came up.

"How about we make this our very special secret place." he suggested.

"Brilliant idea!" the others agreed. "We make a promise." Elladan continued. They all held out their right hands an layed them ontop of one another. "We will never tell anyone else about this place. It is our secret. We will be friends forever and always help eachother in all situations."

"Promise." they all said together. Then Elladan picked up a stone that was lying around and used it to engrave their initials ion the wall above the stone bench. Satisfied he turned to the others. "Now, it really is perfect." he said plopping down on the bench contentedly.

"Toffies, anyone?" Elrohir asked.

"Sure." said the others.

They sat there for a while munching away at the sticky sweets.

"We should go back." Legolas said. "the sun is setting already."

They climbed down the stairs and rolled up the string as they went on. When they reached the twins' room they quickly concealed the entrance again and placed the torches and string in a wooden trunk under Elrohir's bed. They were almost late for dinner. They burst throuhg the doors of the dining hall at a run. Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor were already waiting there for them.

When they had started eating elrond asked " So, what have you three been up to today. It is very unusual for you to be late for dinner."

"Oh, we were outside, playing games. We nearly forgot the time." Elrohir supplied quickly. Elrond exchanged suspicious galnces with the other two elflords but chose not to comment. He was sure he would have heard if the little ones had been up to some mischief.

"Glorfy?" Elladan turned to the blond balrog slayer. "Would you go to practise archery with us tomorrow? Please?"

Glorfindel looked to Elrond for approval. "Go ahead." Elrond said.

"That's settled then." Glorfindel announced. "But we must be out early."

Author's note: OK. I think this chapter was slightly weird and I'm not exactly satisfied with it. But it won't get any better by waiting longer.

To anyone reading "Halfway to anywhere.": Watch out for chapter two in the next few days. As always, please be so kind and send me lovely reviews.