Thank you very much for my reviews. They were all very amiable.
Kitsune – You liked the song'? Ok then! Thanks for reviewing.
Rayame325 – I love Flugo, he rules! Glad you liked it, thanks for reviewing.
Elerrina – Grand entrances are FANTASTICO! My own word. I added the end 'o', see? I'M HYPER!
Comic relief is a superb way to describe Flugo and Asar. They're the Elven versions of Merry and Pippin. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 4: Realisations and Riding.
(Rivendell.)
Thrálindë walked quietly through the gardens, listening to the River and watching other people walking around, in groups or alone. She could see couples going round hand in hand, stopping briefly for a feathery kiss every now and then. She would look away, as she could so easily imagine that couple to be her and Elrohir.
She had been in Rivendell for a week now, and had purposefully stayed alone. Her parents were in Lothlórien, and she had only allowed close friends to see her. And she would only see them.
Her plans were now in tatters. How could she make Elrohir notice her? She could just grab him and kiss him into oblivion, but she knew it would never work. And Elladan would have her banished.
She had never really liked the older twin. Mainly because he had never liked her. She could always sense when someone didn't like her, and the signals were coming out loud and clear where Elladan was concerned. He had always made it crystal clear that he disapproved of her and Elrohir being together.
It was Elladan that had been the main source of their arguments. She would tell Elrohir what she thought of his brother, and Elrohir would argue with her, saying that all she was telling him was a load of rubbish.
"Dan is happy for us! He would never, ever, try to split us up."
"But you haven't heard what he's been saying! He really doesn't like me Elrohir. He hates me in fact."
"Oh don't be so stupid Thrálindë. He doesn't hate you."
"Yes he does."
"How do you know he hates you? Has he told you to your face?"
"No, but I can just tell."
"I'm not listening to this anymore. Dan does not hate you, he's happy for us, end of story." The door slammed shut behind him.
Thrálindë scowled and kicked a nearby stone down into the raging river. That particular argument had lasted for ages. Afterwards, it was downhill from there.
"Thrálindë!"
Thrálindë turned round to see Torfithien running towards her. She smiled. "Torfithien! It's great to see you."
They embraced each other. "It's been too long," Torfithien said, linking her arm through Thralind's.
"Yes, far too long," she agreed.
"So, what finally made you come back?" her friend asked as they walked along, arm in arm beside the river
"I missed you lot."
"Whatever. With all those silver-haired male Elves in Lothlórien. I seriously doubt it!" The two friends laughed. "So, were they as nice as we predicted?"
"Ooh, definitely. Especially the border patrols. They are very toned!"
"Thrálindë!"
"What? I went swimming with a few."
"Just swimming?"
"Yes, just swimming. Nothing more, I promise."
"I don't suppose you mentioned me at all?"
"Of course I did. A couple are rather interested."
"Ooh! When are we leaving then?" They laughed again.
"Actually, Tor, one of the main reasons I'm back, is because of…"
"Elrohir?"
"How did you know?"
"I am superb at guessing things. Plus Elladan's' been looking really moody recently. Then I found out you were back, put two and two together and made…"
"Five?"
"Hah, hah, very funny. So, why do you want to see Elrohir?"
"I just want to talk to him."
"Sure you do."
"I do! It's all perfectly innocent."
"You do know he's with someone else?"
"This Dolenmíl girl? Yeah, I've heard all about her. From Mirkwood isn't she?"
"Yes. Very close friends with Prince Legolas I believe."
"How close?"
"Just good friends. Not 'together', don't worry. She isn't cheating on Elrohir."
"She'd better not be. I want to talk to her as well."
"You'll have to be quick. I've heard a rumour she's going home for a bit. To see her friends in Mirkwood."
"Really?" Thrálindë grinned to herself. "That could be just about perfect actually. With her out of the way, I can talk to Elrohir easily."
"Just two problems?"
"What?"
"One: Elladan."
"He's easy to sort out. And the other problem?"
"Elrohir's probably going with her."
"Damn!" Thrálindë frowned. "When are they leaving?"
"Don't know. And it's only a rumour. She might not be going back at all."
"True. Oh well, I expect we'll find out sooner or later. But I really do need to talk to Elrohir."
"Don't bother asking me for help. After you left, we hardly spoke. It took years for us even to acknowledge each other in the hallways. At least we are on relatively good speaking terms now. As long as I don't mention you, we get along ok. I don't want to ruin that. And Dolenmíl is nice, once you get to know her."
"Sure she is. Everyone says that about the new girl." She frowned thoughtfully for a moment. "Are there any dances or feasts organised for any time soon?"
"Probably. They always dine together, and music is always being played in the Hall of Fire, you know that. Just corner him in there."
"Alright. As long as you stand nearby to rescue me if things get messy."
"As I always do."
"Thanks." They stopped and sat down under a willow tree. "Elladan has already spoken to me. Threatened me with banishment if I mess things up between Dolenmíl and Elrohir."
"And you know he'd go through with it. He's very protective of his younger brother. It's never a good idea to make enemies with your lover's brother. Especially if they're twins. The arguments can get very…er…"
"Colourful?"
"Yes, colourful. And Elladan is the older twin, so is naturally more protective of Elrohir. You're such a dipstick sometimes Thral."
"I know. Can't be helped. Must run in the family."
"I take it you're talking of your sister."
"Well obviously!" They laughed again.
"Come on, I'm hungry." Torfithien pulled her friend to her feet. "Let's go and nab some food from the cooks." They walked back to the House together.
"Are the rumours true?"
"What rumours?"
"About you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Is it true that you're leaving?"
"No! Wherever did you hear that?"
"It's all over Rivendell."
"Oh melamin." Dolenmíl linked her arm through Elrohir's'. "I am not going anywhere. What's the point?"
"There's a rumour going round that you're returning to Mirkwood to see all your old friends."
"No, not yet. I'm enjoying life here too much." She reached up and kissed Elrohir's' cheek. "And anyway, if I was thinking of returning any time soon, you know I would talk to you about it first."
"I know." He kissed her back. "It's just…"
"Rumours are stupid. Ignore them. They mean nothing, and are nothing. I never take any notice of them." She pulled away out of Elrohir's' grasp. "Now, if you don't mind my Lord, I have work to do."
Elrohir grinned at her retreating back. She sat down at her desk and carried on writing her letter home to her friend. "I'll see you later then," he told her.
"Ok." She faced him and smiled. "Dinner at six?"
"As usual. Adar said he wants to talk to us about something. Goodness knows what; you know what he's like."
"Hmm. See you at six then."
"Ok." He left their room and made his way down to find his brother.
Elladan was out in the riding pasture, galloping round on his stallion Linta. Elrohir leant on the fence and watched. Various jumps were set up, made of logs and barrels, and Elladan was jumping over every single one, every single time. Elrohir could immediately sense his brother's bad mood.
He sighed. For the past week, Elladan had been unbearable to live with. He was in an incredibly foul mood over something, but he would tell no one what.
Elladan spotted his brother and trotted over. His face was slightly flushed from the riding. "Care to join me?" he asked.
"No. Just watching thanks."
"Where's Dolenmíl?"
"Writing to Maenas."
"So, you're just going to stand here and watch me ride around?"
"Yep."
Elladan shook his head. "You need to get out more dear brother," he told him, dismounting.
"Aren't you going to ride anymore?"
"In a minute. I'll let him have a drink first." He let Linta wander over to the drinking trough. He leant on the other side of the fence. "So, where have you been all day?"
"Library."
"The library?"
"Yes. I was looking for something."
"And did you find it?"
"Are you kidding? It is impossible to find anything you want in that library. It's so massive; it'll take you a whole week just to search one shelf!"
Elladan laughed. "True, true."
Elrohir smiled. It was good to hear his twin laughing again.
"Come on, come for a ride," Elladan pleaded. "I need someone to talk to."
"Oh, alright. I'll go fetch Horta."
"Brother horses for brother Elves."
"Of course."
Horta and Linta were brothers, Linta two years older. Linta meant swift, and Horta meant speed. They made a perfect match. Already, a foal had been bred from each of them.
Elrohir arrived a short while later, and together, they raced each other around the pasture. They had competitions to see who could jump over the most barrels and logs in the shortest time, raced to see who could gallop around the pasture the most times in a minute, and dared each other to jump over the pasture fence without getting caught by someone such as Erestor or Glorfindel.
Instead, Celebrían caught them. "Elladan, Elrohir!" she called sharply when they jumped over the fence.
They stopped immediately and trotted over to her. "Good afternoon Amil," Elrohir said graciously. "How are you on this fine day?" (Mother)
"I am fine thank you. You know what your father says about jumping over the paddock fence."
{Straight to the point anyway,} Elrohir told his brother through their connection.
Elladan smiled but said nothing.
"Anyway, that's not the reason I came out here. Arwen and I are journeying to Lothlórien shortly. We just wondered if you would like to join us."
"And leave Adar all by himself?" Elladan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, we couldn't do that," Elrohir concluded, stroking Horta's neck.
"Thank you anyway Amil," Elladan told her, smiling, "We'll stay here."
"Very well. Make sure you behave yourselves though. If I get any reports of misbehaviour..."
"We know, we know. Grounded," Elrohir smiled, finishing her sentence. "Don't worry, we'll be very good boys for Adar."
"You had better be," Celebrían told them sternly, but she was smiling.
"When are you leaving?" Elladan asked.
"In a week or so."
"I have an idea. We'll accompany you to the entrance to the Pass," Elrohir suggested. "Just to be on the safe side."
"If you insist," she agreed. "But I don't think we'll be in any danger."
"There have been quite a few sightings of Orcs in the Pass recently Amil. We just don't want you getting hurt."
"We'll be fine," she assured them. "Now, you carry on with your riding, and I'll see you at dinner. And no more jumping over the fence!" she called over her shoulder.
"No Amil," they called back in unison. They went back into the paddock, and continued riding around until dinnertime.
The next chapter is also based in Rivendell. Anyone worked out roundabout what time this is set? There will be more clues soon, and then it will be REALLY obvious.
I am currently working on a story called Time and Again. Its for my friend Emillie, and it's about her going to Middle Earth. My mate Lothliana says I should put it on here, but I don't know. So I'm asking you guys, cos you're the ones that read it. I already have one 'girl falls into ME' story – Love Conquers All, but would another one be going too far? Please tell me in a review, or e-mail me. Thankies!
Oh, and…I am putting up a new story next Monday when I update Demons of the Heart! It's called Runaways, and below is a short excerpt from the first chapter.
Chapter 1: Why me?
I hate my life.
It's quite simple.
Why can't anyone understand that?
For 160 years, I've had to live this life.
The life I hate.
I'm still treated like a seven-year old.
Why me?
Why did I have to be born into this family?
Why can't I just be a normal boy living with a normal family?
What have I ever done to deserve this?
I don't feel right here.
I feel like an intruder in the 'perfect' family.
Perhaps I am.
I know I'm not meant to be here…
…but no one else seems to.
People just laugh when I tell them.
They don't believe me.
It isn't fair.
I hate my life.
Sound good? Well, only a week to wait! And it'll be up. See ya's all next Monday!