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 Twelve

Lindir answered the knock on his bedroom door early in the morning to find Celebrían and a sleepy looking Legolas on the other side. "Good morning dear," Celebrían greeted. "I hate to ask this of you, but could you watch Legolas for a few hours this morning?"

"It is no trouble," Lindir answered. "Rúmil and I were going to go down to the river so we would be out of the way of the final feast preparations."

"That sounds wonderful," Celebrían smiled. "I will come find you when I am finished."

"That's fine," Lindir nodded. "Are you tired, Legolas?" he asked the prince once Celebrían had left.

"No, I am fine," Legolas replied quietly.

"You don't seem very fine," Lindir commented, wondering why the youngster seemed so downcast.

"I am," Legolas insisted. Lindir decided to not bother him about it anymore.

"So, do you always have to watch the Mirkwood runt?" Rúmil asked as he walked down the path towards the river with Lindir and Legolas. At the question, Legolas turned at glared at him around Lindir, who had a tight grasp on his hand.

"No, just when Celebrían is busy. I don't mind though," Lindir replied. "We had fun last time, didn't we?" he asked Legolas, hoping to distract the elfling from the focus of his harsh glare. He was somewhat surprised that one so small could look so angry.

"Yes," Legolas answered shortly. He didn't know why the dumb 'Lorien guard had to come with them that morning. Rúmil shrugged as if he didn't believe Lindir but wasn't going to say anything about it.

"When are you going home Legolas?" Rúmil questioned.

"When my ada comes to get me."

They reached the river at that point and Rúmil immediately began stripping down to just his loincloth, intent on enjoying the cool river as the morning air was already rather warm.

"Do you want to swim?" Lindir asked Legolas.

"No, I will just watch," Legolas replied.

"You are sure?"

"Yes." Legolas offered him a weak smile and once again Lindir wondered what was wrong with him, but he still refrained from saying anything.

"Stay close to the bank," Lindir instructed.

"I'm going to sit under that tree," Legolas told him, pointing to an old oak that was a few feet away from the riverbank. Lindir nodded and then stripped down to his own loincloth to join Rúmil in the water. Rúmil immediately started splashing his old friend and Lindir wasted no time in retaliating. It felt good to relax in the cool water.

"So tell me of your recent adventures," Lindir requested once the splashing war had ended and the two simply let the shallow river water run over them.

"Well," Rúmil started, a lazy grin spreading across his face. "I have mainly been on patrol, guarding the borders of 'Lorien. From the east there is heightened orc activity and no shortage of warg attacks. Fortunately, the fell beasts still seem somewhat nervous along the edges of the forest, so none have tried to invade. Most of the foolish creatures are already injured, having escaped death but not pain at the hands of the Mirkwood warriors."

"Does not Mirkwood ask for aid?" Lindir questioned.

"From Celeborn? Nay, they do not," Rúmil replied with a cynical laugh. "It greatly surprises me that Thranny dumped the pipsqueak off here."

"Such disrespect," Lindir tsked, shaking his head with an amused smirk.

"I will show you disrespect," Rúmil laughed, grabbing Lindir and dunking him under the water. Lindir twisted out of his grasp and tried to return the favor but Rúmil was difficult to overpower, what with all of his years of warrior training. Lindir ended up spending more time held underwater than his friend, but he did manage to best Rúmil a few times.

"We should head back to the house," Lindir suggested after a while. "We are definitely not in a state to attend a feast."

"I think we should skip the feast. Menelluin is a pompous old elf anyway," Rúmil suggested, stretching out to float on his back.

"You and your opinions of others," Lindir laughed, sending a small wave of water at his friend. "It is no wonder Glorfindel regards you with such trepidation. Besides, the last time Legolas missed a meal, Elrond nearly had an anxiety attack. I do not want his anger focused on me."

"Oh, right. I had forgotten about the tot." Rúmil and Lindir both looked over to the large oak tree. Lindir was relieved to see his charge curled up against one of the roots. Had he forgotten about one of the twins at Legolas' age, it would have been a disaster.

"He is much more well-behaved than either of the twins," Lindir commented. "They could not have been left unattended for so long without getting into trouble."

"I recall stories of the twins that Celebrían would relate to Galadriel," Rúmil laughed. "Why is he sleeping?"

"He is tired," Lindir shrugged. "I do not think he slept well last night, though he would not confide in me as to what bothers him."

"He probably misses his cave," Rúmil jested, but there was not much humor in his voice. Lindir smirked. Rúmil liked to pretend he was above caring for others but his selfish attitude hid a very selfless heart.

The two elves left the river and dried off as well as they could before dressing. Lindir collected their over tunics, which were left off in favor of just wearing their silk undershirts. Rúmil knelt down beside the sleeping prince and poked him gently in the side. Legolas' brow furrowed minutely but he didn't stir.

"Let him be," Lindir chastised. "Here, take these clothes so I can pick him up."

"I will carry him," Rúmil offered. He lifted the elfling up and settled him against his chest, making sure Legolas' head rested comfortably on his shoulder.

"You like him after all," Lindir teased.

"No," Rúmil laughed. "I plan to inform Thranny on my next visit to Mirkwood that I was responsible for his precious son at one point. It will surely incite him to great anger."

"You are such an antagonist," Lindir accused him, shaking his head mirthfully.

tbc…

please review.

Thank you:
Arian – Yeah, thinks are looking up for Lindir.

Arialas – Even I'm not sure exactly what has happened between Thranduil and Celeborn, but the rift is fun to write about.

Seeing-spots – I agree… I like how it also makes the three seem like more major characters who would actually be friendly with the other Elvish lords and ladies.

Andromedia – I'm glad you like Rúmil. I think he's a cutie, lol. It's also entertaining to write the conversations between him and Legolas.