Lord Ferdan paused at the base of the tree and turned to Celeborn, but spoke to all that had accompanied him, "I suggest you all take a moment to prepare yourselves before you and your archers enter the barracks."

Celeborn looked at him like he might actually have gone crazy this time, "My archers and I have seen and spent much time in countless barracks'. I do not see why we ought to prepare ourselves specifically for this one."

"Because you've probably never set foot in a barracks such as this," Farlen said from behind them, a smile clearly evident in his voice even if a glimpse of his face was impossible.

"My Lord Ferdan," another one of the greenwood archers reminded gently.

"Ah yes," Lord Ferdan said, and once more addressed Celeborns entire company, "Within the barracks, all official titles, ranks, and status are irrelevant. Especially somebody from a different land than ours."

Celeborn raised his eyebrows at this very specific and unusual rule, "Am I allowed to ask why this is a rule?" He was quick to add, "Not that I am objecting to it."

All of the Greenwood's warriors' eyes turned to Ferdan, all of them looking like they were ready to answer the question in detail should they only be given a chance. He did not present that chance to them, "Most of the warriors you will find here are home only a fraction of their lives, the rest is spent out here in the relative solitude of the forest. Of that eighty percent of their lives spent out here, perhaps fifteen percent of that is spent here in the barracks and not on active duty."

He stopped for a moment to make sure each of Celeborn companions had paid attention to the words, to see if they had noticed his point or not. Then he continued, "I refuse to make them be something other than themselves for longer than I have to."

Then he climbed the tree, the Greenwood archers following as one with their master. Celeborn followed, expecting his own warriors to do the same.

After they reached the platform Celeborn was surprised at the size of the barracks, and even more surprised that Thranduil's magic to conceal it from view until you stood on top of it.

There were multiple connected levels expanding little ways into the trees around them he assumed were wings for sleeping arrangments. The way it appeared to be built, aside from entering at the front, there was no other entrance or exit into the maze of a building.

Somehow, all was perfectly silent around them even though he knew there ought to be at least a low hum of sound from the bodies that had to be occupied within. Ferdan opened the door and ushered them all inside.

A wave of music, warmth, and good cheer slammed into Celeborn full force before he was even halfway through the doorway. Once he was through, there was an additional surprise to find themselves in a huge space halfway between a pub, library, dining, and sitting room all at once. But the strongest impression he got now was from the pub aspect.

This indeed was like no barracks he had ever seen before.

"Farlen!" An elated voice cried, the only warning before a body launched itself from the crowd, across the back of one of the couches and collided with him. Wrapping their arms around his neck and legs around his middle rather than waist due to their size difference.

The surrounding space and air were crammed with every kind of life that it possibly could have been, and so it took the room what felt like two entire minutes to even notice that they had visitors that did not usually belong among them. Either that, or it just took them that long to decided to care.

The greeting to many of their escorting Greenwood warriors seemed much too important to handle first, and indeed each one was greeted enthusiastically. Farlen did not let go of the first warrior to get ahold of him but merely shifted her petite form, even by elven standards, to the side to make room for the others.

It was then Celeborn recognized her as Avaleina. He genuinely did not know the last time he had seen her, for every time he arrived in Greenwood, Legolas was called home and Avaleina was sent to take his place. Had it not been for the distinct and characteristic peace and good cheer that lingered around her, he might not have recognized her at all from the dramatic changes wrought on her by the war.

Leaning backward from Farlen until her torso was horizontal and supported entirely by her legs around his stomach to try and get herself as far away from sensitive ears as possible before yelling at the top of her lungs, "Legolas! Visitors!"

Ferdan turned to Celeborn with a smug expression, "Warned you."

"You did," He agreed easily, "I should have just assumed your warriors would be able to create their own perfect bubble, practically bursting with love and light."

"True." Ferdan observed the swelling mass of warriors with near glowing pride and affection, "If you were hoping for a restful night before you set out for home tomorrow I fear you will not find it here. I did not realize that patrols two, three, and five were all here at once. As well as two others."

Celeborn smiled, "Good times and good cheer is often more restful than sleep, anyway."

Legolas appeared from somewhere above them and after seeing where Avaleina was still perched, ran at his friend in full force to do the same thing on his other side. At least Legolas' legs could reach his waist.

The three of them collapsed to the floor under the weight of their hysterics .

"You say that now," Ferdan warned with a sly smile, "You say that now."

"I put up with you, Thranduil, and Luthien for centuries. How much worse could they be?"

Ferdan barked a laugh, "How you have gotten to the third age and remained so naive, Celeborn, I will never understand."

"I did not give myself a truly impressive headstart out of being naive at a young age out of sheer stupidity," Celeborn said airly.

Ferdan countered, "You just did other things out of sheer stupidity."

"Naturally."

.

Hello everybody!

As of two days ago, Little Moments had its second birthday!

And as of this upload, it will be around 7000 words longer the hobbit!

There are no words to express how deep and glowing my gratitude is to each and everyone one of you for your parts to play in these last two years. No matter how big or small, I appreciate you all so much. Truly the best readers any random little fanfiction writer could ever ask for. I'm in love with all of you!

Moving forward, for now, I will be continuing to (try to) upload a chapter every weekend, but I have just recently started work on my own original novel (FINALLY!) so I might switch to updating every two weeks.

I will let you know.

Thank you again for all of your love and support, I'm in awe of every single one of your kind hearts.