Immortal
Scheming
Legolas was among those who found the wife of Lord Elrond after her ill-fated attack on the way home from Lothlórien. His investigation of the matter lands him into trouble, not to mention painful, haunting memories. (Heavy on Legolas and Elrond plots, non-slash)
Elladan could be quite convincing and charming when he wanted to be. He had a handsome face with large, gray eyes that pierced the hearts of young ladies. He made promises that he knew would gain your favor—and made good on his word. His voice was disarming, his personality charismatic and noble. None of these things worked on his little sister, however. Wearing one of his most pleading expressions, Elladan said, "Please, Arwen, do this for your favorite brother, hmm?"
Lounging on a chair, his leg slung over the arm, Elrohir snorted and watched the little encounter with amusement. Arwen, his once tiny sister who had grown into a woman somewhere along the way, shook her head firmly, her arms crossed and her eyes twinkling. "How do you know you're her favorite brother?" he asked mildly.
His twin gave him a sly grin. "Of course I am, Elrohir. I give her sweets and you give her grief."
Elrohir blinked at this. "Dear Arwen, do I give you grief?"
"You both do," the princess stated calmly, moving from Elladan's influence into a chair placed before a window. She curled her fingers around the arms of it, looking at her brother speculatively.
"I've seen that before," Elrohir remarked thoughtfully, then brought his brows up. "Mother. That's how she looks when she's willing to 'negotiate'. You know how that goes."
Elladan gave her a mournful look. "Not you, little one. Please." He wandered to the couch opposite her and flopped down. "Ada's been too wrapped up in his work of late, Arwen. You can make him smile."
Arwen tilted her head, her blue eyes twinkling. "I do not have to play a joke on him to make him smile." She blinked, studying his face, gauging his reaction. He seemed to be breaking, so she pressed on. "Why is it, Muindor1, you want so badly for me to do this?"
The twins exchanged glances, the younger grinning at his scheming elder brother. "She's got you there, Elladan. What is it you're playing at, anyway?"
"Must I be playing at something?" he retorted very innocently. He usually had another agenda when bargaining for Arwen's aid, but there were some few times where his motives were solely intent on teaching her the higher points of having fun by way of pranks. This time neither Arwen nor Elrohir could quite tell for certain which it was, but by the persistence Elrohir guessed there was some reason Elladan wished his father to be distracted. "Is it so terrible a thing I ask?"
"Mmm I don't know, Elladan. Tell me again what I must do." Arwen smiled obligingly.
Widening his eyes, Elrohir sat up quickly, very dramatically. "Where is it I have seen that face? By the Valar, Elladan, she looks like you!"
The elder twin frowned as his brother sat back with a chuckle. "All right, little one. Father is dining in the gardens for lunch. I will commandeer the tray from the maiden that delivers it and give it to you. Elrohir will hold the plate while you place the mouse I captured on the tray in its place. Give it to Ada."
"Now he inducts me into this filthy little scheme," the younger muttered. Elladan gave him a little look.
Arwen nodded as if processing the information, then gazed up with a question. "Where does the maid go? She is supposed to be on duty, is she not?"
Silence filled the little sitting room. The siblings looked at each other, then Elrohir laughed. "She's a very smart little thing. She knows you through and through, Muindor."
"Quiet you," Elladan breathed, trying desperately to reason with his brother and sister. "Arwen, love and light of my life. Princess. One of these days there will come a handsome young stable boy, or page, or whatever into your life and for some very obscure reason, Ada is bound to disapprove. Especially where you're concerned, I would imagine. Who is it you will turn to when you need help of this sort? And I promise you, it will happen."
"Why should I do this for you?" she asked very plainly.
Her brother smiled. "Because you love me?" Arwen sighed at his response and he added, "Because I know a young lady that has been wanting to ride out of Imladris to test her horsemanship in the open wilds. She has a brother that would be willing to take her, for if he does not she may well remain in the safety of her home until she becomes an old maid for the love of her protective father."
The princess blinked. "What if Ada gets mad about the mouse? He has been irritable of late."
Seeing his goal so close to being achieved, Elladan waved his hand dismissively. "Forget the mouse part. Just give him lunch because you love him and he will smile adoringly. You win on all counts. What say you, little one?"
Arwen drew a speculating breath, looking for the truth within her brother's eyes. He may just have a point in saying someday she would understand the true meaning behind his playful pastimes with the fair maidens of Imladris. Nodding once, she agreed. "I will. But you must take me riding soon, Elladan."
He was on his feet in an instant, a grin gracing his handsome features. "I will, Arwen. I promise. Meet me at the south exit into the gardens."
"All right," she assured him, sweeping her hair behind her ear. Elladan left with a parting smile, closing the door behind him. Standing, Arwen smoothed her skirts and gazed at Elrohir. "Bring the mouse, will you?"
Her brother shook his head and laughed, taking hold of the box on the table beside him.
The plan went accordingly. Arwen and Elrohir met their brother as planned and right away Elladan handed off his burden to his little sister, then with murmured thanks departed for his own fun. Pursing her lips, Arwen lifted the cover from the tray and motioned her remaining sibling to do his part—a task he was only too glad to do. He grabbed the plate and set it on a bench, then opened the box. "Come, my furry little friend," he said, easing the little rodent out by its tail and setting it on the tray.
Arwen quickly replaced the cover, then made her exit from the residence, Elrohir closely in tow behind her. They made their way along the trees, down the pathway that led to where their father inevitably would be reading or composing a letter. When they saw him with his back turned, seated at a table beneath a blossoming tree, Elrohir stopped and hid behind a the shade of a willow while his little sister did her part.
"Ada," she said in a very convincingly sweet voice as she approached. Elrohir chanced a look and saw his father turn with a wan smile, reaching to touch his daughter's face. "I brought this for you." He grinned at her flawless act.
Elrond took the tray and set it on the table, motioning Arwen to sit across from him. She complied, of course, gently nudging the tray towards him very subtly. "Have you eaten, child?"
Arwen bit her bottom lip and nodded, glancing over their father's shoulder. Elrohir made a face and she coughed to hide her sudden smile. His father went back to his writing, having yet to even touch the tray beyond setting it down. It was a trap. Elrohir could sense it a mile off. Still, he couldn't help but wait and see what happened. Picking a small carrot off his father's plate and popping it into his mouth, he leaned against the tree to wait.
The little princess knew to pull this off she would have to press the issue, but had the presence to realize appearing too eager would tip him off. "Maybe I'll have a little something," she decided, looking at the tray expectantly. Elrohir could just picture their father's smile.
He nudged the tray towards Arwen. "Go ahead." Now, that would not be the end of it, he knew. There was still one trick she had that though she was a woman now, would still appear charming to her doting father. Elrohir snorted at the idea of it. If he or Elladan tried what she would inevitably do next it would fail. A quick look showed her poised for her last, devastating attack on their poor father. She made a pouty little face and pointed. Far be it from Ada to deny her now, Elrohir thought with a smirk. He took another carrot.
Elrond pulled the tray before him, resting his hand against the handle and lifting slowly. "There's nothing there," he said plainly.
"What?!" Arwen exclaimed, sitting up and peering at the tray. Elrohir leaned around the tree, watching openly now as his father lifted the lid. She looked suitably puzzled, her brow knit and her fists in a clench on the table's surface. He watched his father move his hand beneath the table. Any moment now…any moment. Arwen scratched her cheek, then looked up at Elrond suspiciously and it was then she began to realize she was not alone anymore. Pushing back from the table, she looked down into her lap and gasped. By then their father had his hands folded neatly on the table before him. Arwen picked the mouse up and gave it a pet, sighing as she said in a chiding tone, "Ada."
Elrohir laughed, stepping around the tree and coming to the table. He snatched another carrot and gave his father the plate. Elrond gave him a look as he cleared his correspondence away. "I suppose having one child that did not scheme against me was too much to hope for."
"Scheme against you? You pain me, Ada," Elrohir retorted, sitting and reaching towards his father's plate again. Elrond smacked his fingers away, then picked up the last carrot and handed it to his son.
Elrond lifted an eyebrow as he spread his napkin across his lap. "Yes, well, be that as it may, I am glad for your company. We have things we must talk about." He slid his gaze to Arwen with a gentle expression. He was still so very protective of her. "Would you spare me a kindness and go pour me some water?"
Her expression was unguardedly long-suffering, but she did not show disrespect for his wishes despite her curiosity. All three of them knew this tone, knew there was no use in arguing against it. Something was troubling him and he did not want to burden his youngest with the worry just yet. Elrohir marveled at her unquestioning understanding as she departed from their presence.
Once she was in the house the Lord of Rivendell looked up. "I am concerned about your mother."
Author: Ruse – jedinineofninehotmail.com
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings isn't mine and nor is Elrond, unfortunately, nor Legolas or Aragorn. No infringement intended.
Sindar:
1 – Muindor – Brother.
A/N: Thanks again to everyone that's reviewed!! I hope you continue to enjoy the tale, sad though it is. :X :)