The 'Life in Imladris' Arc – stories focused on the inhabitants of Rivendell.
Deception and Heartbreak

Disclaimer: This fictional story is completely made up for fun and no profit is made from it. Any similarities to real events or other writings is purely coincidental.

Please leave me a review or constructive criticism. I want to be a better writer. Translations are at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Three

"There is deceit within the halls of Thranduil's keep," Elrond sullenly told his beautiful wife. "An unknown perpetrator has gained access to the palace and is trying to upset the throne. Thranduil sent Legolas here out of fear for his son's safety. Legolas' keeper was murdered the day before the escort left Mirkwood."

"Oh, the Valar," Celebrían gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. "He must be terribly upset." She thought of the prince, left alone in his strange room, most likely traumatized by the death. She did not know how her own sons would react and they were only seven years from their majority. Legolas still carried a child's bow.

"This is grave news indeed, for Thranduil is wary of strangers. Only an elf could have found himself alone within the palace."

"A kinslaying?"

"I am afraid so," Elrond said softly. "By your grace, I will keep him here until Thranduil comes for him himself."

"I would not allow you to make any other decision," Celebrían replied. "I will go to him now. I do not want him to be left alone."

"That is well. I will inform Tavor of my decision so he can return to Mirkwood with all haste. I will also request that the twins be released from their studies and training tomorrow so that they might spend time with Legolas. It will be good for him to be around elves his own age."

"While you are near the kitchen, would you please have something light sent to the prince's room?" Celebrían requested.

"Of course, melda," Elrond replied. He pressed a loving kiss to her cheek and then parted. A few minutes later Celebrían left their bedchamber as well, heading towards the guest rooms.

Lindir wanted to ignore the tentative knock on the door to his bedroom but he worried that it might be Erestor sending for him and he did not want to annoy the advisor, especially during this time of stress. Against his wishes, he called out, "Enter!"

The door opened and it was not a messenger from Erestor who entered, but one of Elrond's sons. "Am I bothering you, Lindir?" the dark haired half-elf asked, stepping shyly around the door and closing it gently.

"What do you need, hina?" Lindir questioned, not answering the question posed to him. In truth, he'd rather be left alone but he did not want to hurt the other's feelings. The twin approached the bed and didn't seem to notice that Lindir was struggling to identify him. The room was dim, so the minute physical differences between him and his twin were blurred. By the younger one's actions, Lindir guessed he was Elrohir, but did not want to be proven wrong.

"We missed you last night in the Hall of Fire," the twin replied, growing more confident and walking purposefully towards the bed on which Lindir was reclining. "You said you had a new song."

"I did not finish it," Lindir responded, unable to completely hide the anger in his tone. He had begun to resent Glorfindel for the way the older elf treated him as of late. "Where is your brother? Hopefully not playing some ill-conceived joke while you distract me."

"You think so lowly of us!" Elrond's son laughed, sitting on the edge of the bed next to Lindir. "But nay, Elladan is helping Ada in the healing wing and Nana is preoccupied with the prince. Erestor is too busy preparing for the feast to tell me more of Arda's history. I have been left to my own devices this day."

"What madness has taken your parents to leave you without supervision, young lord?" Lindir joked, feeling slightly better. There were none better at lifting the hearts of others than Elrond's sons. Lindir wished they had not grown so quickly. Within a few years they would be permitted to join Glorfindel on patrol missions and with the knowledge of the dangerous world outside of Imladris would come the death of their childish innocence.

"No madness," Elrohir grinned. "Simply distraction. Come now, I am bored and I want to hear your song. Surely it is finished by now. You said it was quite near completion yester eve."

"I have not finished it," Lindir said, his brief contentment leaving him again. Elrohir looked surprised but then narrowed his eyes at the blond minstrel. Lindir held his gaze confidently, watching the wheels turn behind the twin's dark eyes. Something seemed to click into place.

"Glorfindel was not attendance last night, either," Elrohir said matter-of-factly.

"Is that so?" Lindir questioned.

"Yes." Elrohir paused. He eyed Lindir critically for another moment before jumping up from the bed and walking towards the shrouded window. He pulled the curtains open, letting the afternoon sun spill into the room, catching Lindir almost by surprise. He shielded his eyes until they adjusted. "Having not finished the song means that I am still bored and now with naught an idea of how to entertain myself." He turned back to Lindir and his eyes flashed with some clever ploy. Lindir didn't like the look at all. "You, as the reason for my lack of productive activity, are therefore charged with keeping my attention, lest I find it within myself to terrorize the whole of Imladris."

"You are a crafty little dwarf-spawn, hear me?" Lindir informed him. "I suppose you would then, in the midst of your most certain berating, attempt to lay the blame on me?"

"That is a sound idea," Elrohir smirked, crawling onto the bed and kneeling next to the older minstrel, his knees almost touching Lindir's side.

"Fine, you have trapped me. Inform your father that I will be escorting you to the river."

"Thank you," Elrohir said sincerely. He grew serious. "I promise you will feel better Lindir. You just need some sun."

"I am sure the sun is just what I need," Lindir smiled, tugging on one of Elrohir's braids.

"Of course it is," Elrohir smiled again. He leaned forward to peck Lindir quickly on the cheek and then bounded from the room to find his father. Lindir waited until the door had closed behind him to sigh audibly. "Somehow, I do not think the sun is enough to explain Glorfindel's actions."

tbc…

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Translations:
hina (Q) – "child"
Ada (S) – "dad/daddy"
melda (Q) – "beloved"