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. Thank yous are at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Five

"I do not think I have ever seen Ada so agitated," Elrohir whispered to his twin.

"He has lost the prince of Mirkwood," Elladan whispered back. "He is probably worried that Thranduil will attempt to attack Imladris."

The twin sons of Elrond watched their father pace across the length of the dining room, waiting impatiently for the searchers to return, hopefully with the errant prince of Mirkwood in tow. It had not been discovered that he had disappeared from his room until Celebrían had gone to retrieve him for dinner. In hopes that he would return on his own, dinner had been served and the elves of Imladris ate peacefully. Now, however, half an hour had passed since the dessert dishes had been cleared and the sun hovered heavily above the horizon.

"Please sit down, dear husband," Celebrían beseeched him. "I am sure he is safe. He is most likely allowed to wander the palace of Mirkwood as he pleases and does not realize that we worry about his whereabouts, especially after all that has transpired in that besieged land."

"What happened in Mirkwood?" Elladan questioned Elrohir quietly.

"How should I know? You are the one who spent all day with Ada," Elrohir hissed in return.

"Well, he did not say anything of it to me."

"Then do not ask it of me."

"I won't."

"Good."

"Good." They glared at each other until Erestor told them to behave and sit quietly or leave. Lindir had already retired to his chambers, claiming he was tired from his adventure with Elrohir. Elrohir was quite proud of himself for Lindir was looking much happier than he had that morning, despite the indignity he had had to face by being toppled into the river, clothes and all. He hoped Lindir was not actually sleeping, but working on his song.

The door to the dining room opened and Elrond looked up expectantly. To his relief, and that of the others present in the room, it was Glorfindel who entered looking rather sheepish and carrying a sleeping elfling dressed in greens and browns. He was flanked by one of the elves Elrond had sent out searching.

"Where did you find him?" Celebrían asked, stepping up to Glorfindel and gently taking the youngster from him. Legolas did naught but sigh tiredly during the transfer, his eyes remaining vacant in sleep.

"He was with me for the entire afternoon," Glorfindel admitted. "I came upon him firing arrows at the archery range and lost track of time as we discussed archery and swordplay. Truly, I did not realize the lateness of the hour until he grew drowsy."

"He is safe now, at least," Celebrían said softly. "I shall put him to bed."

"You did not think to send word of his whereabouts?" Elrond demanded of his seneschal once his wife had left to put the prince to bed.

"Do not lecture me on keeping others informed of the whereabouts of other," Glorfindel argued. "Need I remind you of the time-"

"No, you do not," Erestor interrupted, standing as well. "At least not in our current company." Glorfindel glanced over Erestor's shoulder to where the twins were watching the whole exchange with wide, excited eyes. It was not often that they heard stories from their father's fantastic past.

The presence of the twins did not stop Elrond from shooting invisible daggers at him from his eyes, arms crossed over his chest. They exchanged a silent look before Elrond said, "My study." Glorfindel nodded succinctly and the two left the dinning room, heading for Elrond's study.

Erestor turned back to the twins, who looked disappointed that they did not hear the story. "Come now, how about a game in the Hall of Fire?" Erestor suggested, hoping to distract them.

"Not a learning game, is it, 'Restor?" Elladan questioned, but he stood nevertheless to follow his mentor to the Hall of Fire. Elrohir tagged after him.

"No, not this time, child," Erestor promised.

Elrond entered the room he shared with his wife and shrugged off his robe, draping it over the back of a chair. He glanced around the room and noticed that the door to the nursery was cracked open. This was unusual, as the door had been closed since the twins were moved into their own rooms some years ago.

"You put Legolas in the nursery?" Elrond asked Celebrían.

"I did not want him in the guest hall by himself and this way he will be easier to keep an eye on," she replied. "Sámë placed a cot within and tomorrow he said he would have a real bed set up."

"That is well."

"You looked harried, dear," Celebrían noted with concern.

"I had a discussion with Glorfindel," Elrond replied but from the tone of his voice, she could tell he rather meant argument. He sat on the bed next to her where she was reading a book until it was time to find their own sons and retire for the night.

"I take it that you are not happy with the way it went?"

"I meant to remind him that he was negligent to not inform me of the prince's whereabouts, but instead it became a rehashing of every time I had not reported to him," Elrond complained.

"He does have a point, my love. How many lords and ladies have you angered by disappearing for days without word?"

"It is not the same. I was not only twenty-eight years old," Elrond reminded her.

"No, even worse, you were a few thousand years old and clearly knew better," Celebrían laughed. "I remember Adar being quite vexed with you one time. He almost forbade me from marrying you."

"It is a good thing that he reconsidered," Elrond smiled, leaning down to kiss her lovingly on the lips. "Of course, Celeborn was perfect and never upset anyone."

"Of course," Celebrían giggled. "That is why I am perfect as well. Like father, like daughter."

"I will not argue with you there. You are perfect," Elrond complimented her, stealing another kiss. That kiss turned into two, and then three, and soon the happy couple was lost in their own world.

tbc…

please review.

Thank you:
Seeing-spots – You inspired me to add a line to Chapter Five that wasn't there originally. :p

Arian – Such persistence! I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, Lindir wasn't in this chapter either, but he reappears in Six and gets a chance to shine in Seven.

Elf771 – Wow, I am very flattered! And no, I don't think it's sad… I enjoy the stories the most that make me react out loud. :)

Lilandra – Thank you for the awesome compliments. They make me want to work more a Severence, which is all Lindir and Glorfindel.

Nimrodel – As long as I keep getting such wonderful reviews I don't plan to stop writing in this arc for a while. I have a long list of ideas for stories. Nothing happens yet to Lindir and Elrohir, but neither are in the clear yet!