This is a collaborative effort of a whole bunch of us - me, Elanor, Finrod, Gilrean, Holly, Lana, Nimbrethil, Witch King and Wizard. Other than the respective characters ie. me (Laurendil, Mas); Elanor (Elanor, Haldarin), Gilrean (Gilrean), Holly (Holly), Lana (Lena), Nimbrethil (Nimbrethil), Witch King (Beomir) and Wizard (Wizard), we do not own any of the other great Tolkien works. This was originally an RPG we played and have put together as a story. Hope you enjoy it.

In the meantime, Laurendil was stumped. She had been chasing after Elladan and had him in her sights the whole time … until he turned that corner. She surveyed the area, her eyes piercing as she tried to see him somewhere in the vast grounds. Darn it, but that elf could run and hide very well. He would be, considering the amount of pranks that he and his twin had gotten away with over the years. And this was his home ground. There were more pathways and passages that entertwined and went all over the place like a labyrinth of rooms and secret passages. One could get lost here easily, she knew, but it was also perfect for pranksters like Elladan and Elrohir. She remembered Bilbo being lost in this place the first time he was here.

Laurendil was startled out of these thoughts and turned around quickly after feeling someone putting his hand on her shoulder. Laurendil had been so lost in thought – or perhaps the other had been so silent in his walk – that she had not realized anyone was near until that moment. She sees it is the rider in black, the same one that had ridden off into the shadows earlier before anyone could greet him. At closer look, it is apparent that he is a Lord of Gondor for the insignia of the White Tree of Gondor could be seen on his wrist guard.

"You seek Aragorn. I assure you he will soon arrive. This reunion means more to him than you know," he said cryptically before slowly turning away and walking off.

Laurendil's eyebrows shot up in surprise at this turn of events, thinking that this reunion was seeing more strange people than she had thought possible. Still, he had surprised her. When he had touched her shoulder, she nearly jumped out of her skin. That was twice in one day that she had been caught unawares. She mentally chided herself. This would not do for an Elf, more so for her, when she had been around longer than everyone else here … well, except for Finrod. As usual, the moment his name or face cropped up, she got agitated. Muttering about how insane she was feeling, she took one last look around and had to admit that Elladan had managed to give her the slip. Again. Looks like her revenge would have to come another day. Ah, but what a sweet revenge it will be ... she smiled to herself as she thought of various ways to get back at him.

With the smile still plastered on her face, she walked back to Legolas and his group of friends, nearly faltering when she saw that Finrod had joined them. Darn elf Taking a deep breath, she marched on. She would not let him intimidate her ... even though he had been the King of Nargothron. Why didn't he go back there instead of coming here?? Okay, so there was nothing to go back to … and this made her feel a little sad, so she could actually face him this time. As she walked over, her efficient side was working overtime. She scanned the rest of the group who had arrived, and made a mental note ... "Éodan" had not come out of the stables yet. She would have to check up on that. Later. For now, it's off to face a harder battle…er, meeting.

Legolas saw Laurendil coming towards them, and he excused himself from the others. He told them to continue their revelry and catching up while he kept their weapons. They all agreed, and handed them over to him. Laurendil reached them about then, and helped him gather the weapons as Legolas asked with a smile, "I take it from your slight scowl that you did not manage to catch him?" asked Legolas with a smile.

Taking quivers and a few elven knives, Laurendil answered, "He's too much of an eel for me to do so. Too slippery. Oh, but I have plenty of time to get back at him, don't you worry."

"I'm not. Although I did think that we were only getting the entertainment during the mealtime. A pleasant surprise," replied Legolas with a laugh.

Laurendil punched him playfully on the shoulder, "You're getting to be as bad as he is! Would you like to put these in the armoury or in your rooms?"

"The armoury for the time being. We can get them from there once we retire to our rooms," answered Legolas. Laurendil nodded, and she led him to the armoury where they carefully placed all the weapons on the table.

Nimbrethil watched Laurendil and Legolas go, and decided to take a walk around Rivendell. She was tired, and the constant laughing and revelry was making her more tired. She needed some peace and quiet for a while. It had been long since she had seen the city, and had greatly missed it. She started out along a path that lead to a high precipice. When she reached the top, she gazed out at beautiful Rivendell. Just as she was winding down, she heard something in the bushes behind her. She turned around to see Elladan come out of the foliage. He was laughing and seemed very pleased with himself.

"And what has you in such a high mood my Lord?" Nimbrethil asked with a smile.

"Well, I've manged to slip away from Laurendil again. She hates it when I tease her, but it's just so funny...I can't help it!" he laughed, thinking of Laurendil's laugh and furiously embarrassed face.

"Well, if I were you, I'd watch my back. She has it out for you!" replied Nimbrethil.

"It wouldn't be the first time. Don't you worry about her...." Elladan stopped and looked out over the valley, his eyes catching glimpse of a few riders in the distance. "Is that Lord Aragorn? Well, glad he showed up. A little later and Laurendil would have had a fit. She hates it when people are late."

"But he's early, isn't he? I mean, didn't Holly say earlier that he was going to be late?" wondered Nimbrethil, referring to the rather shy girl from earlier.

Elladan shrugged his shoulders, saying, "Perhaps Aragorn decided facing Laurendil's wrath was far scarier?" They laughed at that as they made their way back down the path to the Great Hall.

Laurendil had just exited the armoury with Legolas when she caught sight of Elladan laughing with Nimbrethil. Adopting a stern face, she placed her hands on her hips and pointing a finger at him, she started, "You …"

Elladan laughed, catching her offending finger as he said, "Calm down, Laurendil! I'm sorry about before. Besides, we've got wonderful news … we saw King Elessar coming in the distance. He will be here any minute. You had better tidy yourself and get down there."

"Tidy myself?! What do you mean tidy myself? I'll have you know I'm always presentable," said Laurendil with a wink, "Unlike you." She finished, pulling out a leaf from his hair.

"Well," said Nimbrethil, laughing at Elladan, "We just thought it best to warn you. After all, Finrod would be there greeting King Elessar, too."

"Finrod? What has he got to do with anything?" asked Laurendil in puzzlement.

"I think we could all sense the vibes between you and Finrod. You always did have a thing for him..." Nimbrethil joked.

Laurendil nearly spluttered out, her eyes wide open in shock, "WHY....I... UGH!!" Laurendil stormed from the Hall, waving her arms above her head in annoyance (yet managing to fix her hair quickly) as she muttered, "Hopeless! All of them .. hopeless! Me and Finrod? By the Valar … the things elflings think of these days … " True, they were hardly elflings but it made her feel better saying so …

While everyone else was distracted, only a few elves saw the rider in black ride off as silently as he had come. The "Dark Rider" headed in the direction of Gondor. He would, however, soon return. Lena was one of the elves that saw him leave. And she smiled, thinking that this was a man that loved being mysterious. A person after her own heart. She couldn't stand the inactivity any longer.

Walking over to Laurendil, she startled her with a curt, "Nice ring."

Laurendil was taken aback, for this silent elf had sneaked up on her and instead of the normal greeting like 'Hello', had admired her ring. Lena continued, "Although you might want to move it to a finger where it fits tighter. It's a prime target for thieves."

This was a surprise. "Thieves? Who would steal it? There aren't any here, I'm sure. And furthermore, what thief is good enough to steal a ring from someone's finger?" asked Laurendil.

Lena simply smiled, a knowing smile, didn't answer and said instead, "Do you know where I might find King Elessar? I have some information for him."

Laurendil shook her head, explaining, "King Elessar has yet to arrive. But Elladan assures us that he is on his way even as we speak. It will be but a matter of time."

Lena nodded, thinking. Laurendil tried to concentrate on the girl in front of her, but she found herself being distracted by Ellosse and Falas, the hounds of "Éodan". They seemed to be searching for their master, and Laurendil remembered that 'Éodan' had yet to emerge from the stables. Letting her curiosity take the better of her, she excused herself and followed the hounds into the stables. Silently she walked behind them, down the long rows until they reached a large stall in the back. On instinct, she stayed back in the shadows, as she watched the hounds go out of sight as they jumped into the stables excitedly upon finding their master.

Éodan had been dreaming happy things when he felt tongues licking his cheek and he awoke gradually to the breath of Falas. Ellosse had laid down for a nap and Lossefalme was lying so as not to disturb Éodan. "Ayy you dogs! What do you need to bother me! I was having a nice dream too!"

In the shadows, Laurendil's eyebrows shot up in surprise … the voice was higher than before, though drowsy with sleep. She continued to stay in the shadows, listening to the exchange and wondering what "Éodan" would be revealing.

Éodan continued to play with his hounds, quietly laughing and joking, until he heard a voice from outside the stables echo: "The King Elessar is arriving! He will be here within the day! Elladan saw him!"

Another voice murmured in agreement, "Yes, and a grand escort is following. Holly said that they would be here in a few days time."

The first voice continued, "We must hurry to welcome him. And if Elladan's eyes is as sharp as ever, King Eomer will be with him, too!"

The voices faded away ... but Éodan had gasped. The King Eomer? So soon? But no one else? "Aiyy Lossefalme!" Éodan cried in anguish, "Why must he come alone?"

Laurendil had already known about King Elessar coming, but not of King Eomer. She also let out a small gasp... but of delight. They would be here soon! She really should go, but just a little peek... she moved a drop closer so she had a clear view to the little party. The small movement started Lossefalme who sprang to her feet with Éodan at her side. On instinct, Éodan leaped up at the figure that he could only see barely in the shadows, his sword out. As he did so, the loosened helm slipped off and long, golden hair tumbled down out of it.