Chapter Fifteen Greeting Skills: Homecoming

The house was in a flurry of motion. Children were racing about excitedly, and parents were smiling broadly at their antics. Advisors, guards, lords, and ladies all alike were also smiling, at ease with the drawing of Yule Tide. Maids, and cleaning staff had been given the day off to celebrate with their families, and guards were being released to celebrate in their own way.

Unmarried ladies were quickly putting the finishing touches on their gowns, and the unwed lords were helping with the heavier decorations, placing them up high and making sure they were tightly secured so not to fall.

Elladan and Elrohir stood outside their bedrooms frowning in confusion at the bustle of activity. They had been rudely awoken by noises and they had both come to investigate. The younger twin crossed the hall quickly and clutched his brother's arm.

"I thought Yule Tide was tomorrow?" He asked worried.

Elladan nodded. "Do you think we slept right through it?" Elladan asked panic etched into his words.

Elrohir gasped and frantically shook his head. "Ada would not let us." With a startled yelp, the twins raced down the halls towards their father's study.

Elrond threw back his head and laughed. Erestor was informing him of his twin's antics. "I see nothing funny, my lord."

Elrond quickly gained control and sat down holding his sides. "Erestor. Please."

"Those two are-" Erestor glared at his lord who burst into renewed laughter. "Are nothing short of trouble."

Elrond shook his head. "It is the day before Yule my dear friend. Be at ease. They are excited, and most certainly full of mischief."

"They tied me to my chair!" Erestor protested.

Elrond burst into renewed laughter.

Throwing his hands up in defeat he turned and left the room slamming the door behind him.

Elrond finally got himself under control and stood up straightening his robes about his frame. He heard a light chuckle from the shadows and he smiled slowly. Raising an eyebrow he turned around and stared into the shadows. "You can come out now, my friend."

"They tied him to his chair?" Glorfindel asked slipping from the darkness.

Elrond nodded putting a hand over his mouth to muffle the chuckles. "I found him this morning."

"Oh Valar!" Glorfindel laughed. "Elrond?"

Elrond raised his eyebrows curiously. "Glorfindel?"

The golden haired elf lord frowned. "Does your wife not arrive today?"

Elrond was about to confirm it verbally, but his study doors burst open revealing two slightly dishevelled twins. Elrond looked them both over, looking at their sleeveless nightshirts, and their loose fitting pants. Their dark hair was uncombed, dark hair sticking out at odd angles, their large deep grey eyes were sleep filled, stating that they had only been awake a short while. Their pale faces still slightly flushed from sleep. Elrond smiled kneeling down to gather his twins in for a hug.

"Good morning you two trouble makers." Elrond smiled wrapping his arms around them when they flung themselves into his arms.

"Did we sleep through Yule, Ada?" They both cried out in unison.

Elrond laughed. "Nay, you did not. Tomorrow is Yule, my son's." Elrond felt their small bodies relax with sighs of relief. "Now, why are you racing around still in your night clothes?"

Elrond listened to his son's as they explained themselves.

"It was so noisy." Elrohir explained.

"There was a big bang." Elladan said.

"Lots of people." Elrohir smiled widely.

"Lots of colours." Elladan grinned broadly.

Elrond sat down at his desk and smiled impishly. His own excitement was getting the better of him, and he turned his eyes longingly at the window. Glorfindel was standing in front of it causing Elrond to frown in annoyance. "You are standing blocking my view of the window, Glorfindel."

The golden haired elf turned surprised. "Truly?" He cocked his head to the side amused. Grinning he turned around and looked out the window again.

Elrond narrowed his eyes and turned his attention back to his son's. He noticed them staring at him curiously, and he grinned widely silently motioning them to him. He leaned over and whispered in their ears softly. Elrond sat back and watched their eyes widen in shock, and their mouths drop open in surprise.

Elrond picked up the pitcher on his desk and he glanced over his shoulder once to make sure Glorfindel did not notice and he passed it to his eldest son, who gripped it and stood there dumbfounded. Elrond placed a finger to his lips and pushed his son towards the door. Nodding then to his youngest who hesitated at first, but then slowly gained courage, edged forward and poked Glorfindel in the side. To Elrond's satisfaction, the golden haired elf moved slightly out of the way of the poking finger.

Glorfindel glanced down at the small elfling who poked his side. Now that Elrohir had his attention he figured the poking would stop, but to his dismay, the poking increased. Glorfindel moved away from the poking finger only to be onslaught with another on his opposite side. Glorfindel turned his head and saw Elladan also poking him. Before he realized what was happening, the golden haired elf was being tickled with four little hands, quite skilled in their attacks. Giggling uncontrollably, to his dismay, Glorfindel slipped down the wall trying unsuccessfully to catch the small hands that attacked his sides unmercifully. Giggling was something he had prided himself in not doing, but these small elfling's got the better of him.

The twin's squealed with joy at subduing the golden haired elf lord. Elrond stood and watched grinning broadly, holding the pitcher his son had passed to him. Glancing at it, he then inched forward. Quickly, he called out to his son's who scrambled away and Elrond dumped the contents over his advisor who lay there shocked at first. Sputtering through the water, he glared up at Elrond who stood grinning from ear to ear.

"There." Elrond said nodding his head satisfied. Still feeling a bit mischievous, Elrond frowned. Glorfindel stood up and wrung out his tunic protesting against such behaviour, and was once again attacked by the small elfling's who prodded and poked his sides again.

Before Elrond could utter another word, sounds of hoofs rose to his ears. His head shot up and he grinned. "Boys." Elrond called quickly. They looked up curiously and smiled at their father who was grinning foolishly. "Listen."

Elladan and Elrohir cocked their heads to the side listening to the sounds around them their small faces scrunching up with concentration. They glanced back at their father once again shaking their heads.

Impatiently, Elrond shook his head. "Someone has arrived from a long journey. Come." He held out his hand and he and his sons left, leaving a very wet elf lord in their wake.

She pulled the cowl from around her face and breathed in deeply. Smells of fresh flowers, and cut grass reached her nose indicating that she was indeed, home. From somewhere to her left, squeals of joy could be heard and she smiled happily. Turning around quickly and lowering herself to her knees, she was bombarded by two very happy and excited elflings.

"Nana! Nana!" They both cried together wrapping their small arms around her neck.

"Hello, my sweetlings." She purred. "Have you been good for your father?" She asked placing a kiss on each of their cheeks.

They both nodded quickly. She looked up over their shoulders and saw her husband standing their grinning like a fool. Chuckling to herself she rose and raised an eyebrow in question. Nonchalantly, she brushed past him; only to have her arm gripped which stopped her teasing manoeuvres. She was swung around and caught in a very tight and loving embrace.

She felt his lips brush against hers and she sighed happily.

"Eww." She heard from behind her and she giggled against Elrond's kisses. She placed her hands against his chest and pushed slightly to catch her son's faces as they stuck out their tongues.

She felt her breath catch in her throat as soft whispers blew against her ear. Celebrien blushed and pushed her husband away.

"Stop, you flirtatious elf." She leaned back and tilted her head back to whisper in Elrond's ear. "Certainly not in front of the children."

Elrond grinned and nodded. He stood there and watched as his son's drew their mother away in excited tales showing her all the decorations and wonders around them. Relieved that she was now safe, Elrond followed a little further back listening to their constant chatter and endless questions on the golden forest realm of their grandparents.

Elrohir pouted sitting on the floor of his room. He wanted to make special presents for his parents, but he did not know what to do with all the objects before him. He had paper, and ribbons, small pieces of jewels that had been too small for necklaces or rings. There were different colours of ink and various quills; he even had quite a few broken chains from the jewellers he had been allowed to collect.

Elrohir was about to get up from his seated position when he remembered that his brother was at the jewellers making his presents, and he almost broke into tears at the memory that he had not been allowed to go make his presents. Frustrated, Elrohir wiped at his eyes with his sleeve.

"Trust Elladan to have some skill with working in the jewellers parlour." He mumbled. Defeated, the small elfling rose from his position and left his chambers. It was getting closer to dinnertime and he still had yet to make his gifts. He was running out of time, he paused briefly. Elrohir quickly spun around and scrambled back into his chambers and flung himself on his bed.

He paused at his retreat down the halls when soft sobbing perked his ears up. Frowning he followed the sounds to a small elfling's chambers and he licked his lips nervously. Gently he knocked on the door and heard the muffled 'go away.' He was about to do just that when guilt over ran his senses and he walked into the room shutting the door quietly behind him. The elf nearly stumbled over the many art pieces littering the floor and he smiled.

"I wonder what causes such a small elfling to cry when it is so close to Yule?" He whispered loud enough for the child to hear. The dark haired elf knelt beside the objects littering the floor and touched a few of the items. Memories of his youth filling his mind causing him to smile.

"I have yet to make something special for ada and nana." The elfling sat up whimpering.

"Ahh." The elf nodded and glanced up at the tear stained little face. "Perchance you would like a bit of help?"

The young child's face brightened immediately, and he nodded. "Oh would you?"

Erestor nodded and crossed his legs on the floor waving the small elfling over.Erestor closed the door silently behind him after tucking Elrohir under the covers. The small elfling had fallen asleep on the floor after they had finished their creative task of present making, and he felt it was time he went back to work. He grinned remembering Elrohir laughing as one of the small jewelled gems flew out of his fingers landing some feet away from their work area. They had completed an amazing gift for the lord and his lady and he smiled again.

"Bright is the day when Erestor grins from ear to ear." An amused voice rang out.

"Bright is the day when a certain elf does not instigate a fight with the fore mentioned elf." Erestor threw back. He lifted his head and nodded at Figwit who stood with his arms crossed leaning against the wall.

"I was wondering what had kept you." Figwit pushed away from the wall and fell instep beside his teacher.

"I was delayed." Was all the answer Erestor felt Figwit needed and grinned impishly.

"Are we all set for tomorrows festivities?" Figwit asked.

Erestor shook his head. "We have a long night a head of us young one." He stated. "One which I fear leaves us both without rest."
Figwit groaned and hung his head defeated.

Elrond carried his small son to his chambers and quickly tucked him beneath the green quilt. He frowned wondering what had happened to his youngest and he made a hasty retreat out of his eldest son's room. Slowly he pushed open Elrohir's door and peeked in. His son lay amongst the blue quilt fast asleep and he smiled. Leaving just as quietly he retreated to his own chambers anxious to see his wife.

Pleased that the night would bring peace and quiet, Elrond slipped unnoticed to the gardens for his wife's favourite flowers and a quick stop at the kitchens for his wife's favourite tea.

Once satisfied with his gifts, Elrond slipped through his chamber door and closed it solidly behind him.

The only sounds through the halls that night were the faint sounds of giggling echoing from the Lord and Lady's chamber. The stars twinkled overhead, showering the valley with their white light, and the first signs of winter floated to the ground without a care and without witness.