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 Eight

"How was training this morning?" Elrond asked his twin sons over their light lunch.

"It went well," Elrohir replied. "Today was our last day with long knives and tomorrow we'll be working with the swords."

"I am looking forward to that," Elladan added.

"Will you be joining me in the Hall of Healing this afternoon?" Elrond asked his oldest son.

"Yes, Ada."

"Good. I will be showing you how to mix herbs to treat fevers from infection. Elrohir, I will expect you to be there as well."

"Yes Ada," Elrohir sighed, looking disappointed that his afternoon had been taken over. Erestor had given him a book to read the night before and he was looking forward to starting it. Even though Elladan was studying to become a healer and Elrohir a diplomat, Elrond still deemed it necessary that they be proficient in all aspects of running his household, so Elrohir would learn basic medicine and Elladan would learn the rules of court.

"How was your morning, Legolas?" Celebrían asked, turning to the prince who sat silently beside her, picking balefully at his lunch.

"It went well," Legolas replied, knowingly echoing Elrohir's earlier statement. His response was barely audible.

"What did you and Lindir do?" she persisted, trying to draw him out of his shell. She knew that he was uncomfortable in large groups of strangers, but she hoped he had least opened up somewhat to Lindir during the hours they were together.

"Played the harp," Legolas answered.

"I didn't hear any music," Elrond mused. His study was near enough to the Hall of Fire that he would have heard someone practicing an instrument.

"We played in my room," Lindir explained for Legolas. Four pairs of surprised eyes turned to look at him. Only Erestor didn't seem taken aback, as he had found them there before lunch.

"You let a half-pint touch your precious harp, but you've never let 'Ro or I near it?" Elladan questioned, pretending to be insulted. Legolas looked worried that the two identical elves would be mad at him because Lindir had shown him favor but Lindir was not worried at all.

"Legolas was properly moved by the splendor of the harp. You two have only ever wanted to torment me with your facetious attempts to do it harm."

"Did you hear that Ada?" Elladan asked his father. "Lindir says we torment him."

"He is not the only one you torment," Elrond replied, causing all at the table to laugh except for Legolas, who was still worried that the twins would be annoyed with him.

"Come, Legolas, it is time to meet Glorfindel at the archery range," Lindir said when the help began clearing their dishes from the long table. Legolas slid off his chair, happy to escape the company of the curious Noldors.

They walked down to the archery range leisurely as Legolas asked question after question about playing the harp and reading music, which Lindir had also attempted to teach him that morning. Lindir answered his questions happily, glad to be able to speak with someone who seemed to like music as much as he did. He found himself liking the little prince a lot and decided that instead of mourning for his rocky relationship with Glorfindel, he would focus on teaching Legolas all that he could during the prince's brief stay.

Legolas had his junior-size bow and quiver full of green-fletched arrows strapped to his back and was wearing the same clothes he had been all day. Lindir also still wore the jerkin and leggings he had changed into, which meant he would have to change again before joining Erestor in the study that afternoon.

"Mae govannen!" Glorfindel greeted them with a wide smile. "How are you my little prince?"

"I am well," Legolas grinned. "I am learning to play the harp."

"You are? Who is teaching you that?"

"Lindir, of course," Legolas replied. "He even let me play on the special harp."

"Did he now? That was very generous of him," Glorfindel responded, glancing over Legolas' head to where Lindir was vacillating between staying to say good-bye to Legolas or sprinting back to the main house to avoid Glorfindel.

"You wouldn't truly throw his harp in the Bruinen, would you?" Legolas asked, looking concerned for his new friend's prized possession.

"I might, if he started playing in the middle of the night again," Glorfindel teased. "Come now, it is time to practice a more manly endeavor," he stage whispered to Legolas. Legolas' eyes widened and he looked back at Lindir, who now stood with his arms crossed over his chest and shooting death looks at the older elf.

"Do not listen to him Legolas. Glorfindel has nothing but orc-guts floating around in his head anymore. He's all brute and no brains," Lindir shot back.

"Those are fighting words, young minstrel. Care to back them up?"

"Perhaps at a later date. I need to help Erestor with the running of Imladris," Lindir answered. "Have a good afternoon, Legolas."

"Good-bye." Lindir turned on his heel and stalked back towards the house, his good mood destroyed. He knew Glorfindel was only teasing him. Glorfindel had teased him his entire life for choosing to be a minstrel over a warrior. Why did it bother him so much now?

He sat down in a huff at his desk in Elrond's study after changing into more appropriate attire. Erestor looked up in concern. "Is all well, child?" he asked.

"There is more to life than brutish killing and swinging a sword around like a castrated orc," Lindir snapped as he yanked open his drawer and pulled out a blank parchment, quill, and pot of ink.

Glorfindel, then, Erestor thought to himself. To Lindir he said, "I shall keep that in mind." They turned to their own work in silence, though every once in a while Erestor would check to make Lindir had not torn holes through his parchment by pressing the point of the quill down too hard.

tbc…

please review.

Thank you:
Arian – Don't worry, I like all the reviews, especially since it means you really are willing to take the time to leave me one. :)

Andromedia – I am glad you like little Legolas… he's a complex little guy and I worry that I don't do him justice.

Seeing-spots – Maybe that's why I never improved on the flute. :p

Arialas – Thank you for your compliments. Concerning the lesser known characters in my stories, and even the more common ones, I basically make up their personalities to fit the story, but they are strongly influenced by my peers. You might notice similarities in the relationships of Glorfindel and Erestor, Elladan and Elrohir, etc, to other stories. I have adopted what seem to be the most popular characterizations in the fandom, but I always try to add my own twist.