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.

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Chapter Thirteen

"You must make sure that no one but Thranduil sees this message," Celebrían told the messenger who was preparing to depart for Mirkwood. "If you are refused audience with the king, refuse to part with the message. If questioned, say it is a private note from the Lady of Imladris, concerning the well-being of the prince."

"Yes, my lady," the messenger bowed. "By your leave?"

"Go quickly, my friend," Celebrían replied. "May the Valar bless you." The messenger turned and mounted his horse, kicked the horse into a gallop, and disappeared from the courtyard. Celebrían took a deep breath before returning to the kitchens where she was helping with the final touches of the feast.

"Nana!" she heard called as she rounded the corner to head into the main kitchen. She turned to see one of the twins hurrying towards her.

"What is it, child?" she questioned.

"Ada says I am to help you in the kitchens this morning," Elrohir informed her. Celebrían smirked at this.

"That is not what he told me this morning. You and your brother are supposed to be helping set up in the dining hall."

"He has changed his mind," Elrohir insisted, his large pewter-colored eyes begging her to acquiesce.

"Well, if that is the case, what can I say?" she smiled. "Come child, and I will show you how to make a treat any elleth will love."

"I am not a child," Elrohir argued. "And this has nothing to do with an elleth."

"No? How convenient that the little redhead is also helping her mother cook today." Elrohir couldn't stop the flush rising in his cheeks despite his insistences that he had no idea she would be there as well today.

Menelluin was very pleased with the feast Imladris held in his honor. He tried to hide that fact by critiquing the assortment of pies or fresh fruits and complaining that he would not have chosen veal as the main meat, but he could not hide his smile for long. He ate more than anyone else, claiming that he was ravished from the long trip back from Lothlórien. None believed him and by the time the minstrels, including Lindir, started playing upbeat dancing songs, the whole of Imladris was in merry spirits. Many of the elves started intricate dances, spinning around the garden in flashes of brilliant blues, reds, and greens.

Elrond asked Celebrían for a dance. She accepted and her husband whisked her into the middle of dancers, leaving little Legolas in the care of Erestor. At one point, during a fast spin, Celebrían happened to glance upon her younger child. "Elrond, look at Elrohir," she laughed gaily. Elrond glanced over her shoulder on the next turn to see the twin sitting rather close to the redheaded elleth, their heads bowed together as they exchanged secret words.

"I see he has inherited his father's skill with the fairer sex," Elrond commented, risking missing a step to lean in and kiss his beautiful wife.

"If you call your minute luck a skill," Celebrían teased. "I don't recall being very impressed the first time I met you."

"I don't recall trying to impress you," Elrond retorted with a sly smile.

"No, you were trying to drown one of my father's Galadhrim."

"I was not drowning him," Elrond laughed. "I was trying to clean out a wound in his side and he suddenly fainted."

"A likely story," Celebrían grinned. "Look how adorable they are," she changed the subject.

"Quite cute," Elrond agreed. To be honest, he'd rather his youngest not be interested in females for at least another ten centuries. Elladan spent enough time flirting with the young maidens for both of them.

"I want another one," Celebrían sighed wistfully.

"Another what?" Elrond asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

"Baby, of course."

"Aren't two enough?"

"No," Celebrían pouted. "I want a little girl." Elrond couldn't respond because their oldest, Elladan, appeared suddenly, requesting to dance with his mother. Elrond gracefully bowed out, returning to Erestor's side as Celebrían tried to lead Elladan through the complicated steps of the new dance.

"How are you doing, Legolas?" Elrond inquired, brushing a hand over the elfling's head.

"I am well," he replied softly.

"Are you still tired?" Lindir had informed the lord of how Legolas had slept most of the morning down by the river.

"No," Legolas shook his head. "I like watching the dancers."

"They are quite a sight, are they not?" Elrond agreed.

On the makeshift 'dance floor' Celebrían guided her son through the steps of the dance, impressed by how quickly he picked up the pattern and how gracefully he was able to execute the twists. "You are doing very well, Elladan," she complimented him.

"Thank you," he replied with a tight smile. He didn't want to distract himself too much.

"Relax, sweetness," Celebrían encouraged. He did so gradually, becoming slightly more confident as the movement became more enjoyable. "Much better."

"It is," he agreed, finally taking his eyes away from his feet and looking up at his mother.

"So tell me, what do you think of your brother's new friend?" If Elrohir had confided in anyone, it would have been his twin.

Elladan glanced over at the two youths sitting on the stone bench, still speaking in soft voices. He turned back to Celebrían, surprising his mother with his answer. "I do not like her," Elladan said seriously.

"Why ever not?" Celebrían asked. Her first thought was that perhaps Elladan was jealous, but she quickly pushed that thought away. Elladan had always been more comfortable with the ellyth and had simply chosen not to become serious with any of them. Besides that, Elladan was hardly ever given to jealousy. If either were to envy the other, Elrohir would be the one in the company of the little green monster.

"I do not believe she is as serious about 'Ro as he is about her," Elladan responded.

"Perhaps she simply needs more time to know him," Celebrían suggested.

"No, I do not believe so. I have told no one this because I do not want to upset Elrohir, but just two nights ago I was seated by myself on the balcony of the Hall of Fire and that elleth came to me," he confided to his mother. Celebrían did not miss the way he nearly spat the word elleth. "At first, I thought she simply confused me with Elrohir in the dim lighting, but even after I gently turned her away she continued to force her presence upon me. I came to the conclusion that she did not care who I was, as long as I was one of the 'twins.'"

"That is quite an accusation," Celebrían frowned. She looked upon her youngest again, now regarding the young maiden in a new light.

"She does not care for Elrohir, but rather for father's influence in the world. I do not like her, but we must not say anything to Elrohir. He will not take it well and accuse us of not wanting his happiness."

tbc…

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Thank you:
Arialas – Legolas hasn't been sleeping well because his nightmares about the murder and he's worried about Thranduil now that he let the cat out of the bag.

Andromedia – I hope your computer didn't suffer too much damage!

Coolio – I'm really glad my portrayal of Rúmil has been so well received. Thank you so much for taking the time to review.