Disclaimer: See Chapter one

Chapter Three: Trouble In Paradise.

AN: If you have already read the first two chapters during April 15th or 16th 2005, and have skipped to chapter three, you should go back to the beginning. I have revised those chapters. From now on, I will try to seperate scenes better. Anyway, enjoy the show!

The twins had spent a few more hours in Elrond's study, trying to explain how they had happened upon Strider. Of coarse, as you know, this was a very difficult feat for no one could understand eachother. So Elrond just gave up and sent them off with a maid. Strider wouldn't stand for such actions and told Elrond so.

''How can you let people that we don't even know, walk freely amoungst others?''he demanded.

''They have not harmed anyone so far and I won't take actions until I find out more about them.''

''I still don't trust them.''

''And neither do I,''Elrond admitted. ''Which is why I will appoint you the task of looking after them.''

''WHAT?''

''I knew you'd see things my way.''

Elrond shooed Strider out of his study, either not reading the meaning of the younger man's outburst or not caring. Strider chose the latter option. He wouldn't disobey a direct order from the lord of the land and would indeed look after the girls. The only thing left to do, Strider thought as came to a fork in the corridors, was to find them.

Bianca gasped as she entered the room that they were to reside in for their stay.

''This place is ginormous!''

''Don't you mean, enormous?''asked her sister as she, too, looked around.

''Yeah. . .whatever. . .''

The room was done in light, neutral colors and there was silk positively everywhere. The ceiling was dome shaped and murals of elves were painted on it. One large bed sat against a wall with wooden side tables on either side. Two wardrobes carved out of oak stood against a far wall, a few feet away from a delicate, marble vanity.

There was a door across from the wardrobes that lead to a spacious bath although there was something missing.

''Uh, where's the toilet?''

Tanya pointed towards a brass chamber pot in the corner of the room and Bianca wrinkled her nose in disgust.

''Are these guys living in the past, or something?''asked Bianca.

''No,''Tanya said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, ''they're living in the future.''

''Man, the future sure is backwards!''

''Oh, I give up!''

Tanya walked towards one of the wardrobes and pulled out a long, pink, off the shoulder gown.

''What, exactly, is that?''asked Bianca.

She went over to her sister and pulled the material out of Tanya's grasp to study it more closely.

''Looks like aunt Debbie's old prom dress,''she noted. ''It just might have some potential though.''

''Potential for what?''Tanya asked, eyeing her sister with suspicion. It was no secret that Bianca was known for being extremely impulsive and full of surprises. Tanya, grudgingly, admitted that it was those traits that she loved about her sister.

Bianca didn't answer her but gave her a mischeivious smirk and started rummaging around the wardrobe until she came upon thread and a kneedle.

''Don't worry too much, sister dear. Just know that our clothes are in good hands!''

Tanya shrugged, pulled out what looked to be a night gown, and headed into the bathroom to cleanse herself from the dirt of the road.

It was now dark outside and the only light that could be seen were the light of the stars above. The evening meal had long since been finished and the new commers had not been present; Strider had wanted to jump for joy, but knew better than to do so in the presence of the lords and ladies. Lord Elrond had been quick to tell him that he would start his knew duty the next day, crushing the younger man's temporary happiness.

We now find our favorite ranger, sitting in the garden, pondering his past. Where had he gone wrong? He had killed many, yes, but they were only orcs and the occasional mad-man. Nothing serious. So why was the Valar punishing him by sending two annoying teenagers into his care?

''Why me?''he asked after letting out his frustrations in a long stream of curses; some original, some not.

Knowing that he had a very eventful day ahead of him, Strider sighed and made way back towards his room. Maybe, if he was lucky, he'd be shot by a rogue arrow or something. Anything that could get him out of his current predicament would have been welcome.

The next morning dawned bright and early and Strider found the girls still asleep. He tried to wake them up by pulling back the curtains so that the sun would wake him up. It didn't work. He tried to make annoying noises. It didn't work. Heck, he even tried water. (AN: Do I even have to waste space?)

Finally, Strider tried to shake them and managed to get one of them awake, but when he tried to wake the other, he saw that the awake girl scrambled away. Fear was clearly evident on her features as she vigorously shook her head from side to side.

Strider only gave the girl a confused look and shook the sleeping figure. A fist collided painfuly with his eye and his head snapped backwards. Another hit to the jaw sent the ranger to the ground. Tanya pride her eyes open to see Strider on the ground, clutching his bruised eye and came to all the right conclusions.

''I'm so sorry!''she gasped, but the man hurried out of the room, mumbling something in his language.

Tanya turned to Bianca and her sister only gave a slight shrug and said, ''I tried to warn him!''

They both bursted into a fit of giggles, remembering the look on Strider's face.

A knock was heard at Elrond study before it was thrown open by an angry and bruised Strider.

''Ah, what brings you here?''

Strider scowled at the amused elf and made himself comfortable in one of the chairs.

''Them!''he spat out then clutched his jaw in pain.

''What about 'them'?''

''One of the spawns of Morgoth attacked me. . .''

''And?''Elrond urged him to finish.

''In her sleep,''Strider admitted, grudgingly.

The door to the study opened even wider as a pair of twin elves came into the room, laughing their heads off.

''Getting hit by a female!''

''Oh, that is very manly, Estel!''

''Oh, do be quiet,''Strider hissed at the two, only making them laugh even harder.

''Elladan, Elrohir! Be silent,'' their father, Elrond, ordered and they promptly did so. He then turned back to Strider. '' You do know that this is no excuse. You still have to fulfill your duty.''

Elladan and Elrohir were now quite interested in what their father had Strider doing.

''Yes, yes. I have to look after the girls.''

''You don't mean that you have to follow them around all day,'' Elrohir said.

''That is exactly what he has to do,''Elrond clarified.

''Oh, I have to see this!''Elladan exclaimed and followed his brother and Strider out of the study.

Cliff Hanger!

Okay. . .Review Review Review! Sorry it took so long. I have major writer's block.

LoveRabby ()