Disclaimer – of if only I could! The only elves I own are Sarlinna and the four eldest Mirkwood children! The rest are stolen or should I maybe say borrowed property!
Of Young Minds
Chapter One - Introductions
If you happened to wonder through the trees on this warm summer morning, you would happen to hear peals of laughter. It floated through the trees, carried onwards by the faint breeze. You would know that all was at peace and joyful in the world.
Now if you were curious about this laughter, you would follow it as it drew you ever onwards until you chanced upon a clearing. If you were like me and had just stepped out of the trees you would stop and stare at the beauty that was presented to you. A cliff rose to one side, water tumbles over the edge into a perfect swimming hole. Your attention would be drawn back to the laughter.
Squeals of protest can be heard from girls as the water is disturbed by the splashing of boys. Four adults rest away from the water, a picnic spread out before them. Two have dark hair while two have golden locks. If you looked at the water you would see several things at once. Four children climb up the cliff, one you realise is a girl, and all have dark hair. Two smaller girls with inky black hair are racing towards the waters edge, shouting at the four climbers. One girl, smaller still sits by the edge with her head tilted back, watching the clouds. A tall golden haired man is standing in the water with a golden haired child in his arms.
The climbers have reached the top.
Two stand forward and you have to rub your eyes. They are the same person. But of course they cannot be, they are twins. Elladan and Elrohir of Imladris. Their parents are sitting with the picnic, Elrond and Celebrian. At a shout from their little sister, the cloud gazer, they jump. In perfect harmony they flip and land in the water with barely a splash. Shouts from the golden haired swimmers are heard but once they surface, all attention is back to the cliff.
These two are brother and sister, the brother older by a year. It is hard to tell but it is possible to tell that their hair is two tones lighter than that of the twins. They nodded at the little cloud gazer to let them know they were ready. Arwen, for it was she who was the cloud gazer, gave a shout and the two jumped. It was almost as good as the twins, but as they were not twins and did not have the closeness of their nature, the older one, the boy, hit the water first. They too rose to the shouts from the golden haired swimmers. But what has happened to our little angry girls.
They had climbed up the cliff and were now peering over the edge. Then with equally loud shouts, they jumped over holding the others hand tightly. Too be fair to them, they got shouts of praise from all for being so brave and were even hugged by little Arwen. But who are these other elves you ask. Yes it is true, they are all elves and to be kind the tall golden haired elf in the water is none other than Lord Glorfindel, the Balrog slayer. But first we must start at the beginning, for all good introductions must always start there.
First to be introduced is Thranduil, king of Mirkwood, though he would have it called Greenwood. He is one of the golden haired parents. His wife is the total opposite to him with her inky black hair. She is called Sarlinna, queen and most beloved by all. They have five children, only one has golden hair.
The eldest is Crown Prince Carnil, whose name means red star. Closest to him is his sister Ninniach, the rainbow. Two years younger is Telperion, so named for the beloved white tree. Her hair is like her mothers while the older two have a golden brown hair. Her best friend is her little sister by a year, Elerrina. The two look very similar, but Elerrina is the smaller. Five long years separate her from the youngest of that family.
Four-year-old Legolas was graced with golden hair and his mothers blue eyes. He had found safety in Lord Glorfindel.
The family from Mirkwood, or Greenwood were currently spending some time visiting their friends in Imladris. Lord Elrond is the lord of this elven community and has shown that he can cope very well with his responsibility and with the role as father towards three wayward children. His wife is the silver haired daughter of Lord Celeborn and Galadriel, Lady of the Light. Unfortunately, the only thing her children have received from her is her graceful nature and grey eyes, though Elrond too has grey eyes, his are more blue than silver.
The twins are of an age with twelve-year-old Ninniach while Arwen is only seven, making her two years younger than Elerrina and three years older than Legolas. Thus she was often left behind by the older elves. At the young age of only seven you could tell that this little elf maid was going to equal, if not pass, her mother in beauty, making her one of the fairest beings in the world. The other would be young Legolas, with his lean frame and pale skin, add to that his golden hair and bluer than blue eyes and you result is one of great beauty. At the age of four, this little elf was already beautiful, but some could not see past his skinniness. And thus we come to part of the reason for the visit to Imladris.
Of course Thranduil would have you think it was one of pleasure but in truth that is only half true. Ever since they had started Legolas on solid food a year ago, he had been throwing up and not eating, when they tried to make him he grew violent and screamed. The four older children paid no attention to this youngest prince, but it greatly distressed their beloved mother. So far, over the past week, only Glorfindel could get this prince to eat. Not wanting him to starve, they had started him on the solid food and then given him baby food to give him the proper nutrients. But let us not sadden this chapter with sad tales. For if you are anything like me you will want to know the outcome of the diving contest.
Arwen and Legolas had been the judges. They had awarded first place to Telperion and Elerrina. Now they awaited the final verdict. In fact even the adults awaited the decision with baited breath. It must be under stood that the older children from each family did not get on very well. Sure they were polite but as far as interaction between them, it did not exist. Arwen was now seated on Glorfindel's shoulders while Legolas was still in his arms. The two were whispering together and asking Glorfindel questions. Finally they looked up and towards their older siblings.
"We have decided that second should go to Carnil and Elladan!" Arwen said, naming the eldest of each pair.
"What?" asked Elrohir and Ninniach together. Ninniach and Carnil had been ready to jump around and gloat, teasing the twins for only coming third. Arwen and Legolas smiled. Carnil and Elladan were too busy laughing and congratulating each other.
"You came third Ninniach!" Legolas grinned clapping his hands.
"So did you Elrohir! That way it was fair to all!" Arwen said as she slid off Glorfindel's shoulders and made her way to her mother. Elrohir did not mind this outcome but Ninniach was still upset.
The parents of these unhappy children were glad of the outcome of the event. After making everyone come out of the water, they sat down for lunch. Then when all were dry and sleepy from the sun, they decided to leave for the halls of Imladris. Each child was placed on a horse; the younger ones were placed with an adult as they were all falling asleep. Thus they rode home. If you are curious about the riding arrangements then I will tell you. Legolas rode with Glorfindel, as he would not be parted from him, even in sleep. Celebrian carried Arwen in front of her while Elrond led the horse that carried his twin sons. Sarlinna had Elerrina while Thranduil had Telperion. Carnil and Ninniach rode together and they too were led by Elrond on the other side. Thus with only one argument for the whole day, the parents were very pleased with the outcome of the day. They just hoped that their children would grow to become good friends. But my dear reader, not all these children were sleeping. Elladan and Elrohir were only pretending. In fact these mischievous sons of Elrond were secretly planning a prank to play on Ninniach. Now do not start thinking they were mean or spiteful, they just wanted her to stop being so formal, for they had seen a better side of Carnil that day and they liked it, if only the same could be said of Ninniach. So without letting on that they were not sleeping, they planned. Of course, Arwen would need to be told the next day but that could wait, they had to form and outline for their plan…