Disclaimer
I dO nOt OwN aNyThInG.!.!.!.! sorry for the cap-nocap want to make it look Puuuuuuurty!
The group cramped up behind the painting all breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Elrond leave. It was getting a little hot in there anyhow. Elrohir suddenly said to no one in particular,
"I'll race you to the kitchens!" Everyone looked at each other.
"You're on!" everyone replied Sarah, Elladan and Izzy in unison.
"Well I'll tell you something. I bet I can beat all of you there!" challenged Glorfindel.
"You! In your dreams my dear elf. You would probably tire out by the end of the passage." Taunted Erestor.
"Whatever!" came the quick reply from Glorfindel. "I could beat all of you together. How's this. All of you versus me!"
"Very well!" replied Elrohir as Erestor looked incredulously at him. "But…."
"But what?"
"You have to take the passage here. The one behind you."
"What are you trying to do. Lose now? That will only be a short-cut to me!" said Glorfindel but Elrohir just shrugged. Erestor had been watching this exchange interestedly but realized something. Elladan wasn't there. Just before Glorfindel said 'Lose now?' though, Elladan came back quietly and winked to Erestor.
"Ready, set, go!" interrupted Izzy as she removed the painting, and sped off with Sarah behind her. Erestor just shook his head in amusement and Elrohir and Elladan did the same. Glorfindel was already off so Erestor was left to replace the painting back to its original state.
He easily caught up with the rest, which was strange because it was a known household fact that Erestor would never be hurried, and hardly anyone had seen him run.
"That was quick 'Tor but we needn't hurry. You were right when you said he would be out of breath by the time he got to the end of the passage!"
"How so young one?" Erestor asked curiously.
"There are two passages that lead from behind the painting. One is relatively short, but the other one goes around in circles, and ends at the end of the passage, after what seems two hours of walking!" replied Elladan.
"And your point being…..?"
"Well, they look identical, but the short one is marked with a small stone in the middle of the entrance. We happened to find that passage a few months back, and remarked to Glorfindel how we put the stone in the entrance of the short passage. I doubt he would have forgotten that!" said Elrohir.
"You know old Glorfy. Stores everything in that mind of his for future reference!" finished off his brother. Sarah started laughing while Izzy looked on confused. Erestor hid a smile while Elrohir and Elladan also started laughing.
"I don't get it…." Said Izzy. Elrohir and Elladan laughed even harder when they heard that.
"They swapped the stone to the long passage Izzy," whispered Sarah discreetly.
"Ooooooooooh………" said Izzy…and then began to giggle.
"But we better hurry though. That gave us a bit of a chance against Glorfindel but he's still as quick as a hare!" said Elladan knowingly so he, Elrohir and Izzy sprinted off and Sarah started to follow but stopped when she saw Erestor just standing there.
"Aren't you going to come?" she asked. He just looked at her and smiled.
"Pleeeeeeeeease….pretty, pretty please with icing sugar and a cherry on the top?" Erestor looked slightly confused but the relented.
"Oh alright then," he said and sprinted off after the twins and Izzy leaving Sarah in his wake. at least waited for me!" grumbled Sarah as she followed.