It wasn't often you saw anybody unexpectedly this far out from any city, even less so this late into the fall, and most certainly not in the wee hours of the morning.
The only reason Elrond, his twin sons and two foster fathers were here was because of Celegorm, who had drug his family out into the middle of nowhere to show them one wonder or another. That had been a week ago and so far they had simply been disinclined to return home just yet. The wilds were too peaceful yet to return to the sounds and smells of the city.
The elves in the moon bathed glade below them stilled most of their playful movements, but were still talking amongst themselves merrily rather than stare up the hill to where Elrond and Maglor now stood in full view.
"That's Thingol." Maglor said to nobody in particular, voice only slightly telling of his dislike their colored past.
"Have you seen him since he was released from the halls?" Elrond asked, and Maglor only shook his head. After so much time spent wandering alone, he wasn't one for unnecessary speaking.
Elladan and Elrohir wandered from where they had been pestering Meadhros to tell them one story or another and to the crest of the hill to investigate for themselves. Elladan asked, "I'm assuming he's the tallest?"
Maglor just grunted with acknowledgment.
Elrohir squinted at the other silhouettes sensing something achingly familiar about one of them, just as the smallest of the four shadows raised a hand and waved it high in the air.
The twins broke out in matching grins and enthusiasm,"It's Legolas!"
They ran down the hill to see him, and Legolas met them halfway across the field. There was a cry of surprise and then laughter when both twins leapt onto the prince at once, knocking him to the ground.
The older elves on either side wandered forward in a much more measured manner.
Elrond and his foster parents approached in silence.
The other two shadows who he had come to recognize as Oropher and Thranduil however, continued to mutter and laugh amongst themselves.
However they all stopped equal measures between one another with Legolas and the twins in the exact middle, still chattering happily and completely unaware of the near invisible line in the sand between the two families.
Oropher said something too quiet for Elrond to hear, and Thingol and Thranduil didn't bother to stifle their laughs. Maedhros and Maglors exchanged glances.
Looking past the twins, Legolas' keen eyes came to rest on Elrond himself, and he was impossibly pleased to see the renewed excitement in the younger elf's features. "Elrond!"
He pulled forcefully away from the twins and made for Elrond eagerly, who mirrored the movement and the enthusiasm. Line be damned. He hadn't seen Legolas in nearly a century.
Not caring in the slightest about the four sets is scrutinizing eyes, Elrond held him close for a long as Legolad would allow. There was still a distinct absent silence none had yet been able to fill since Legolas had moved out of his halls and back with his father and their people.
Pulling away, Legolad smiled widely, "I missed you."
Elrond pressed a loving hand against his cheek and then tucked some hairs behind his ears, "I missed you too, Greenleaf. You are always more than welcome to visit whenever you'd like, you know that."
"I know, I keep meaning too. But you know how well I keep track of time, I've accidentally stayed with King Thingol for…" He trailed off and glanced behind him to where the three Kings still stood waiting, shoulder to shoulder. Their various masses of blond and silver hair mingling into one seamless sheet of silky sheen.
Without waiting for the question to be asked Thingol answered firmly but with kindness and affection in his eyes, "Four years the first time, five the second."
"Ah, yes." Legolas said and turned back around to face Elrond, "I kept meaning to leave but it never ended up happening. Something always came up to steal my attention..."
"You will never hear me complain of your company, leafling." Thingol said once more with the same fondness Elrond had realized was the natural reaction to Legolas. "Or Avaleina's."
Legolas looked back again long enough to send another dazzling smile to King Thingol, before he looked beyond Elrond to the two Feanorians standing behind them. Stepping around Elrond, Legolas crossed the invisible line in a near skip, and came to stand near but not too near.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lord Maedhros and Lord Maglor. I am glad that you are well."
Their expressions remained neutral, and Maehros answered for both of them. "And you, Prince Legolas. Tyelepe is eager for the two of you to work together again, he's been pestering absently for Elrond to invite you for months now."
"Oh!" Legolas said, nearly glowing brighter, "I have entire books fool of idea's I wanted his thoughts and help with! Is your camp nearby? Perhaps I could drop a few of them off tonight or tomorrow?"
Elladan went to answer, but clamped his mouth shut and glanced questioningly to Meadhros, who nodded once for permission. "We're only a few miles back! When we get back to camp, we'll tie a ribbon to a tree so that they can direct you right to us. Perhaps you could travel back home with us after?"
"We already have plans for the next week but after that I can!" And then like he forgot something he cringed in retrospect. Uh-" Legolas faltered, and looked behind him again. "Grandada? Is that alright with you?"
Oropher raised an eyebrow, "Since when did you ask anyone permission for anything?"
"Since I am trying to be polite and considerate."
"You must have learned such a thing from Galion," Oropher gave a hint of a smile, "Of course that is alright with me, Leafling. We have hogged your time and company for enough years, I suppose it is time we allow you to share yourself once more. What shall I tell your Grandnana of the crab festival?"
Legolas looked back to Elrond, "Could you tell me when I would have to leave to travel for the festival?"
"Of course I can. And if not I, then Celebrian."
Thingol cleared his throat delicately, "Elrond, you and your family are welcome to come as well, as my personal guests. I will have rooms prepared for you all."
To make his point even more clear, Thingol level his gaze on Maedhros and Maglor, "All of your family."
They both dipped their heads with acknowledgment and thanks, again Maedhros answered for both of them, "We'll speak to our brothers and have Legolas let you know."
"Very well."
Legolas gave another hug to each Predhel and returned to the ranks of his family, "In a week."
"In a week." The twins repeated.
And then the two groups parted ways, Elrond glanced back only once but saw no sign of the line that had been so clearly drawn in the sand beforehand.
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Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed and I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
