Chapter Fourteen Training Skills: Surprises and Questions

A week later Elladan and Elrohir were racing around in the gardens, without a care in the world. Elrond stood at the window watching his son's fly around tagging each other laughing heartily. He shook his head, a smile spreading across his lips satisfied at his son's healing progress. Today was the first day his eldest had been allowed from his confined bed, and he had been so excited he barely contained himself long enough to dress. A few times Elrond had to catch his son's arm, as an item had been forgotten, or a shoe had been placed on the wrong foot, even once his tunic had been placed over his head inside out.

Turning from the window, Elrond sat down in his chair and began his inventory for his healing supplies. It was drawing near to Yule Tide, and he knew that the festivities would cause many elves or men to wander into his healing rooms looking for hangover droughts, or something to ease an unsettled stomach.

Elrond frowned suddenly remembering two days ago the punishments he had set out for the children who had attacked his son. He had issued them with the task of rewriting the legends of the ents, and also cleaning up the kitchens over the Yule Tide festival.

They had been upset over the punishments, but it had been nothing compared to what Galathil had laid before them. The boys were no longer welcomed to training lessons, nor were they permitted to handle a weapon without supervision. Once the lessons were finished they were set with the task of polishing the fine wooden bows of all Galathil's students, and the oiling of the swords.

Elrond sighed satisfied with the result of Galathil's punishments also. He had proven to be a good teacher, and one filled with understanding and incredible patience. Elrond chuckled. 'He would have to be, teaching my twin's.' He silently thought to himself.

Shaking his head, he bent down over his inventory once more before his thoughts dragged him to another distraction. Sure enough, Elrond's mind wandered to his wife, who had been long away in LothLorien. She was scheduled to arrive at weeks end, and Elrond had been asked to keep her home coming a surprise for their son's. He felt his heart lighten at the thought of his wife's return and he felt another smile drift across his face lazily. Quickly he dislodged the thoughts that ran through his mind and he groaned. At this rate he was going to accomplish little to nothing.

Again his mind wandered, but this time back to the months past. He shuddered thinking back on the abduction of his eldest son. The man had been released after a week's interrogation, and Elrond still to this day did not understand, nor know why his son had been taken. The man had said he knew nothing of the attempts, nor that he knew that they had a child amongst the party. All Elrond was able to understand was that the man who had taken his son and also risked his youngest son's life had recently lost his wife and new born in childbirth. Elrond had come to the conclusion that that was the reason why he had taken his child from his home. Shaking his head furiously, he stood up from his desk. It was pointless to remain in his study with so many thoughts racing through his mind. He sought out more productive things to do. With that, Elrond closed the door to his study and disappeared down the halls.

Elladan laughed holding his sides. His brother was telling him about his fishing trip with Figwit. Secretly, Elladan was jealous that his brother had been able to go fishing while he had been confined to his bed. However after hearing the tale, he knew his brother had only been lonely, and had only been hanging out with an elder. What fun was that? Elladan thought secretly, laughing again.

He watched as Elrohir climbed the same tree where he had ambushed Figwit, and he sat down on the grass underneath the great oak tree. He laid back and looked up at his brother who perched precariously on the branches above, and he grinned, happy that he was now free to race around.

"Ro?" Elladan said after a moment of silence.

"Hmm?" The response came tiredly.

"Have you been to training since I was injured?" Elladan propped himself up on his elbows.

Elrohir's eyes appeared over the side of the branch. "No. I wanted to wait until you were better, and father said it was alright."

Elladan nodded satisfied and laid back on the grass.

Elrond walked down the steps of his house, wearing a plain tunic and leggings. Slung over his shoulder was his spear, he had not drawn his spear since the last alliance and now was eager to release his frustrations out in the training fields. He did not notice the silent figure following him in the shadows, nor did he notice the mischievous smirk that appeared on the face of the one following him.

Glorfindel waited patiently as Elrond drifted out of the house in the direction of the training fields. He disappeared through the halls and retrieved his weapons from their pegs in the weapons hall. It had been a long time since Glorfindel held the delicate weapon in his hands, and he grinned anxiously. He was feeling feisty this day and he decided to join Elrond in the training grounds for a bit of practice. He drifted down the halls holding his long elvish spear in his hands with out notice, and he quickly made his way to where he knew Elrond would be.

Elladan sat up quickly, and stood up at the sound of ringing swords. He shivered and wrapped his arms around his sides and he looked up at his brother who had also sat up with interest. Elrohir glanced down and asked. "What do you suppose?"

Elladan shrugged and he watched his twin jump from his branch and almost gaped at how fast and far his brother had jumped from. He quickly closed his mouth and followed his brother as he raced from their little hide out towards the singing swords. Elladan called to his brother and asked if it was a wise idea to go to the training grounds without permission, but the only response he received was. "Do not be afraid, I am with you this time."

Elladan shrugged and urged his feet to move more quickly. Elrohir stopped quickly causing Elladan to run right into him. Both twins fell to the ground in a crumpled heap and they gaped at the sight before them. Elrond swung his spear around and caught that of Glorfindel's. The blades rang true releasing a melodious singing sound of metal against metal. Glorfindel spun out of the way releasing his spear from Elrond's, and he jumped in nimbly for the attack. Elrond smirked and sprinted out of the way, swinging his sword over his shoulder and in a downward arc. Glorfindel was prepared and caught Elrond's spear in an upward arc, and caused Elrond's blade to rebound off his with a clang. It bounced off his and Elrond quickly spun catching hold of his blade as it swung out of control briefly. With a muttered curse he held up his blade defensively. He narrowed his eyes at the golden haired elf and sneered. He tightened his hold on the long delicate handle and smiled slyly as the golden haired balrog slayer smirked and winked.

Elladan quickly scrambled to his feet and watched horrified that his father and friend were fighting. Elrohir stayed lying on the ground with his mouth open to the ground in surprise and shock. Elladan looked down at his brother and waved him to his feet, when his twin complied both twins raced out of the trees towards the two elves fighting.

"Ada!" Elladan cried. Elrohir raced behind his brother holding onto his tunic not wanting to be left behind.

Elrond and Glorfindel both glanced at each other in surprise and lowered their spears, points embedded in the dirt by their feet.

Elrond smiled as his son's raced up to him with horrified expressions on their faces. Elladan ran right into his legs and wrapped his arms around them tightly.

Elrohir stood in front of his father blocking any attack from Glorfindel. With the look that Glorfindel received from Elrond's sons he burst into laughter. He threw his head back and had to turn away to recollect himself.

Elrohir glared at the blond haired elf's back as he turned and walked away. Elrond knelt down and looked at his sons curiously.

"What is wrong?"

"Why are you and Orfinel fighting?" Elladan asked shooting the other elf a warning glance.

Elrond chuckled. "We are not fighting, Elladan. We are practicing."

Elladan pursed his lips thinking. "But why do you need to practice?"

Elrohir turned around and listened to his father curiously.

"We all need to practice, my sons." Elrond laughed. "It is a part of life, if one wants to keep fit for battle when it comes."

Both twins nodded satisfied with the answer and apologized to Glorfindel who had returned amused. He accepted their apologies and instructed the twins to sit and watch quietly as he and his father finished their practice.

Later that afternoon Elrond stripped out of his leggings and tunic and slipped into a hot steaming tub of water. With a sigh he leaned back and rested his head against the basins edge and closed his eyes. He felt his muscles start to relax within the water but quickly tensed as raised voices entered his chambers. Sitting up surprised and glanced at his twins who anxiously raced over to him. Elrond frowned as they scrambled over to the tubs edge and leaned over smiling mischievously.

"What are two up to?" Elrond asked reaching for a towel and exiting the tub.

"Nothing." They chorused together.

Elrond's frown deepened as he watched the two follow him into his sleeping chambers. "What are you two doing in my chambers when you should be helping with setting the dining table for dinner?"

"We have a question." Elrohir smiled.

Elrond raised an eyebrow. "We?"

Elrohir waved to his brother. "Ella, and me."

"Elladan and I." Elrond corrected.

Elrohir frowned scrunching up his face confused. "That's what I said."

Elrond chuckled. "What is your question?" He asked while drying his body off with a fluffy towel.

"Orfinel told us that Yule Tide is coming."

Elrond nodded as he threw the towel onto his bed. He walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out a fresh set of robes. "True."

Elladan piped up. "Actually, we have two questions."

Elrond almost groaned. "Finish with the first, then ask the second."

Elrohir nodded. "Orfinel also said that we are going to be allowed to stay up all night."

Elrond pulled a blue tunic over his head and tied the laces. "Perhaps part of the night. Not all night."

Elrohir frowned. "We did not go last year, but we are going to be there this year?"

Elrond nodded. "You are both old enough to come to the festival. You will have to learn some manners seeing as others will be attending besides your mother and myself."

"Mother will be there?" Elladan almost shouted with excitement.

"Yes, Elladan, your mother will be home by then." Elrond pushed his breeches up and tied the waist. He then reached for his robe and pulled it over his arms.

"When is she coming home?" Elrohir asked climbing onto the bed.

"I believe that is more then two questions." Elrond said as he belted his robes around his frame. "Come, time to help with dinner preparations."

"Ada?" Elladan asked taking his hand.

"Yes?"

"Who is all going to be at the festival?"

Elrond smiled hoping to keep the surprises under his belt, as this was their first attendance. It was a special time for elflings, however it was difficult to keep the children out of mischief during the singing and dancing. He had deiced to allow Erestor the task of teaching his twins' manners and nobility during the next few weeks. The elf lord smiled remembering his advisors reaction to the news. He had almost gone white at the news and his eyes almost fell out of their sockets as they widened in shock. Elrond chuckled to himself. The next few weeks were going to prove to be very interesting indeed.

He wondered what mischief his son's would come up with and took a deep breath dislodging those thoughts from mind. Elrond would have to wait and see what creativeness they had, and what sort of gifts and art they would present to their parents. Smiling to himself he led his children into the dining halls for dinner, soon his wife would be there to make sure they ate everything, and did not play with their food. It would surely prove to be a challenge for poor Erestor to teach his monstrous twin's manners.