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.

A/N: I hate to post two chapters at a time (though you guys probably don't mind ;) ) but due to my time constraints, it's the only way I can finish posting the whole story before I leave. Enjoy.

Chapter Seventeen

"Has he arrived yet?" Glorfindel asked upon entering the Hall of Fire where Erestor was overseeing last minute decorations for the festivities that night. Thranduil had arrived too late in the day for a feast but the elves could still celebrate his safe journey with dancing and music. They could eat heartily tomorrow.

"He has," Erestor replied. "Where were you?"

"I was delayed."

"Oh, I see," Erestor said smugly.

"Do not take that tone with me," Glorfindel growled.

"Are you growling, torco?" Erestor questioned, pausing in his work to regard the warrior with a raised eyebrow.

"No… yes. You irritate me sometimes, ango."

"Only sometimes? I must be slipping."

"What has you in such a mood this night, Chief Advisor?"

"I was not able to hide away pathetically this afternoon, Seneschal."

"Pathetically, you say?" Glorfindel's eyes narrowed at the challenge.

"Pathetic… like a kicked puppy," Erestor smirked.

"Oh, 'Restor, I knew you were cruel, but victimizing baby animals? That is a new low."

"On the contrary, my simple minded friend. That was a simile. Please, allow me to explain since I know grammar was never one of your strengths."

"I know what a simile is," Glorfindel interrupted. "Here is an example: Erestor is annoying like a pregnant fly about to procreate on a frosted sweet roll."

"That is quite an amateur effort, my lord. Try this: Glorfindel is as dimwitted as a dwarf who has imbibed too much ale and was dropped on his head as a infant… multiple times."

"Are you two insulting each other with similes?" Lindir questioned from across the room where he was setting up the musicians' corner with the other minstrels.

"We are," Glorfindel answered, not looking the least bit ashamed at being caught acting so immaturely. If anyone called him on it, he could easily point at Erestor as well. "Whose do you think was better?"

"I think you are both acting like elflings who have been raised by wargs," Lindir replied.

"A simile!" Glorfindel exclaimed. "Come here and I will show you a simile," he threatened, stalking across the room towards the minstrel with a predatory grin.

"No, leave me alone. I am quite busy," Lindir insisted, trying to place a chair between himself and the balrog-slayer. Glorfindel was quicker and caught him around the waist, spinning around with the younger elf securely in his grip.

"Lindir is ticklish like a-"

"Stop!" Lindir cried out around laughs as the Elda's fingers dug into his sides. He struggled vainly to escape but Glorfindel was much stronger than him. The experienced warrior easily countered each twist of the lithe body within his grasp and continued his assault on the minstrel's most ticklish spots.

"Like a-"

"No no no!" Lindir protested as he struggled to catch his breath. "Stop before you-" A music stand crashed to the floor. "Knock something over."

"I think I'm missing something," Rúmil laughed as he entered the hall. Glorfindel finally ceased his attack and regarded the Galadhrim warrior coolly while supporting a gasping Lindir.

"No, you haven't missed a thing," Glorfindel replied. "I was just helping set up the musicians' corner." He ignored the reprimanding looks from the rest of the minstrels as they observed his "help."

"What was that crash?" Elrond demanded as he stepped into the brightly lit room. He was followed by Thranduil and Legolas.

"Glorfindel and Erestor were having an insulting simile contest and it got slightly out of hand," Rúmil informed the lord of Imladris. He had listened in amusement from one of the entryways before making his presence known. He glanced over at the king of Mirkwood. "Hey Thranduil," he greeted with a sly grin. "Has Legolas shown you the new archery trick I taught him yet?"

Thranduil looked incredulously at Elrond. "You let a Galadhrim with a bow within a league of my son?"

"Finally, my lord," Glorfindel smirked, throwing an arm across Thranduil's shoulders. "We agree on something."

Elladan followed the sound of his mother's melancholy song until he found himself standing below the balcony to his parents' bedroom. He couldn't see her standing on the open platform, but at least he knew she was within the suite. He glanced at the towering tree off to the right of the balcony. It was the quickest way up.

Elladan had ignored the strange ache in his heart as long as he could, knowing it came from his strong link with his twin and not from within himself. He worried that Elrohir would not receive him well, given his current role in his brother's suffering. He had seen Celebrían rush his twin from the library and then overheard Legolas tell Elrond what he and Elrohir had seen. It made him ill to think his brother had witnessed that female's deceit. However, he could wait no longer to find Elrohir. Whether Elrohir embraced him or shunned him, he would show his twin that he was there for him.

He scaled the tree effortlessly and leapt from a branch to the balcony. He landed silently. Glancing around him, he did not see anyone so he headed towards the gently swaying curtains that divided the outside world from the inside. He slipped inside. Immediately the song stopped. His mother must have noticed him.

"Hi Nana," he greeted softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He slowly approached the alcove she was tucked into.

"Elladan, dearest, how many times do I have to ask you not to treat the house like a climbing toy?" Elladan smirked. He knew his mother was not upset with him, just worried for his safety.

"I guess one more time," he replied. His mirth faded when he finally found his brother. Elrohir was tucked against Celebrían's side, between her and the low rail in the window, his forehead resting against the curve of his mother's elegant neck. Tear tracks were easily detected on his fair cheeks. She was stroking his long, dark hair idly and Elladan noticed that it would have been in time with the song she had been singing when he arrived.

"You know what happened?" Celebrían asked quietly.

"I know he overheard me having words with the elleth. Her conniving deceit was revealed." Elladan sat down gingerly on the other edge of the bench, cautiously resting his hand on his brother's ankle. When Elrohir didn't kick him off he relaxed slightly.

"What took you so long to arrive?" Celebrían inquired. The twins had always turned to each other first when an ill took place. They seemed to have a sixth sense for each other's well-being.

"I worried he would not want me here," Elladan admitted. "I have caused him much pain, albeit unintentionally." He frowned deeply. Celebrían was struck by how old he looked just then, despite being seven years from his majority. Her babies had grown up too fast.

She felt Elrohir shift away from her so she moved her arms to let him sit up. "Oh El," the younger twin sniffled. "I know it is not your fault. I thank you for standing up for me."

"Of course, little brother!" Elladan affirmed. "I will always protect you." He wrapped Elrohir in a tight hug and sent a mental prayer to the Valar, thanking them that his twin was not upset with him.

tbc…

please review.

I did a sketch to accompany this chapter. I warn you, it's not very good and the coloring is atrocious, but it's of Elrohir and Celebrían. If you're interested, here's the address: www-dot-geocities-dot-com/firestar385/deception17-dot-jpg.

1 torco "troll" Q

2 ango "snake" Q