Elrond smiled slightly, putting an old, if not to say ancient, book aside. He heard his sons' voices down the corridor, arguing as usual. It was nice to have them both back to normal. This halls were so cold and empty without the twins' exited good-natured chatting.
All is well that ends well… Elladan was mending even quicker than Elrond expected. The young elf was up the minute his body allowed it. His constant whining about being not allowed to get up from the bad was driving crazy every healer in the stronghold. Finally even Elrond himself was fed up with Elladan's daily begging to be let out of the room. He agreed to allow short walks through the stronghold, but only under the vigilant surveillance of his twin.
Elrohir took the request close to his heart, shadowing his brother's each move. He was smiling and joking again, but deep in his eyes some alien, painfully mature spark had settled. The young elf has been so afraid to loose his brother that now was ready to blow each smallest speck off of his twin. Elrond hoped that it won't last too long for something bad could happen…
"Elrohir, for the last time, I'm NOT tired!" Came Elladan's frustrated voice. "Stop mothering me!"
"But you need to rest! You've been up for the whole morning…" Came concerned, almost bagging, voice of Elrohir.
The conversation was getting louder as the twins were coming closer to the Elrond's study. Elrond stood up gracefully, putting the book on it's place at the shelf and stepping out of his room.
Few minutes later two figures walked from around the corner, still arguing. Elladan's moves were still leaking the usual elven grace, he was slightly pale and week. But he was back to normal again.
"What's all the noise about?" Elrond asked, a mixture of amusement and wonder in his voice.
Both elves stopped simultaneously, looking up at their father. The look of shy innocence appeared at their faces. Despite the argument, twins were mirroring each other as usual. That look again! Elrond sighed inwardly. But he gave his sons a look of his own.
"I asked Elladan if he was fine…" Elrohir began. "And he told he was, but he didn't look like that, so…"
"I AM fine!" Elladan glared daggers at his twin.
"You aren't! You are supposed to be resting at your room. You almost fell at stairs."
"I don't need you shadowing my each move and telling me what to do!"
The twins had obviously forgot about their father. Elrond was listening amused and concerned. It was rare for his sons to fight like that. He needed to do something to stop this argument before it grew into something bigger.
"Enough!" Elrond exclaimed, his voice strict and powerful.
Both twins shut up immediately and looked up a bit guilty.
"Elladan, you'd better go to your room and have some rest if you want to have a trip to the gardens tomorrow." Elrond said calmly, ignoring Elladan's almost angree look and Elrohir's victorious one. "And you, Elrohir, after excorting your brother, is expected to help Erestor in the library. He's sorting scrolls there."
Now Elladan was grinning evily and Elrohir's face fell.
"Go now, my sons." Elrond smiled gently at them and give them a soft nudge in the needed direction.
"Sorting scrolls?" Came an amused voice. "You are too harsh with your sons, my friend."
Elrond smiled, turning to face Glorfindel. Golden haired warrior was dressed in the traveling clothes, a long sword attached to his side and a bow at his back.
"How was your trip?"
"Peaceful. I brought news from Lorien and Mirkwood."
Elrond nodded and waved toward his study. But the two lords didn't get the opportunity to discuss the news from other elven realms. One of the guards came running down the corridor. Elrond frowned. The warrior came from the direction both Elladan's room and library were situated.
"My lords." The guard bowed in respect. "Lord Elrohir fell from the stairs into one of the storerooms. He seems to be fine but we thought you'd like to know."
Elrond sighed. All was back to noirmal again.
The End.