Sorry for not writing more this time! This is just a post to fill in the gaps. From now, we can knuckle down to the actual story. I don't actually have a set plot for this, nor do I know how complicated it will get. I'm a pretty simple writer and I tend to doubt my own ability to weave an intricate plot. But hey, I might surprise myself.
To read more about the time frame of this story, and where it slots into the timeline of Middle Earth, see the bottom of this fic. I will post it there for all the people who don't want to read it can skip it. Please read and review, and thank you for those who have reviewed, followed, or added this story to their favourites already! I am also still looking for a beta reader, to help me along the way :D

Chapter 2

"Give it back!"
"Why? It is ours!"
"You said I could use it!"
"We didn't say how long you could have it for, though!"
Elrond sighed and looked up from his paperwork, having decided that he could no longer simply ignore the conflict raging before him. Arwen was trying to regain possession of a book and failing miserably in the attempt; Elladan and Elrohir were tossing the object back and forth between them. Though the situation was obviously unfair to his daughter, Elrond was loathe to put an end to the antics of his sons. It had been too long since they had looked so carefree. Yet, a glimpse of his daughter's furious face made up his mind.
"Elladan, Elrohir, stop tormenting your sister."
"Sorry, ada." Identical voices rang out in unison. Both youths had stopped their teasing to look at their father and now Arwen took advantage of the distraction by rugby-tackling Elladan, knocking him to the floor and snatching the book in the process.
"Such unladylike behaviour, Ari!" Elrohir laughed, only to be met with an even more unladylike scowl. Elladan was about to say something else when a knock on the door made the room's occupants freeze.
"Enter," Elrond called out. Erestor swept into the room with Glorfindel close behind. Both wore serious expressions. Elrond stood to greet them. "Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen..." he gestured to the door. All three frowned at being left out of the impending discussion but none voiced their complaint as they swiftly left the room, Arwen closing the door behind them. Elrond immediately turned to his long-time friends and advisors. "What is it?" Erestor thrust a letter at him.
"This has just arrived, from Mirkwood." The Lord of Imladris looked at the letter's open seal and surmised that his two most trusted friends and advisors had already read its contents. Elrond took the letter from the envelope and began to read. He got no further than a couple of lines before he sat back, blowing out his breath through his mouth.
"Truly? Lostariel is dead?" He shook his head. "This is not good. How is Thranduil coping? And with a young elfling, no less?" He gazed determinedly at each of his friends in turn. "We were going to visit them anyway. It is long overdue as it is. Maybe...maybe, having been through a similar...loss, we can help."
"Is it wise, to still take the children? They have never recovered from Celebrian's choice." Both Glorfindel and Erestor noticed Elrond wince at his wife's name. Nevertheless, Glorfindel continued. "Will this only serve to re-open wounds that are still healing?" Erestor shook his head.
"It will, at least, give the twins something to think about - other than butchering orcs. It will also provide them all with the opportunity to escape Imladris...and, the painful memories it currently holds for them."
"They are already grieving, and struggling to release that grief. Seeing Thranduil and his elfling struggle through a similar loss, and endeavouring to aid them along the way...I believe it would help them more than we yet know." Elrond said decisively. "Now, would you both be so kind as to finish preparing for our journey? I will inform the Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen of our decision."

XXXXXXX

Elrond found his children in their naneth's garden. Arwen was curled up on a bench next to Elrohir, thoroughly engrossed in the book she had won earlier. To Elrond's dismay the twins were scouring a map, engaged in a hushed discussion about future orc-hunting locations. Elladan and Elrohir ceased their talk and looked at him guiltily as he stepped onto the patio. Then, upon glancing at her adar's forlorn expression, Arwen sat up and dropped her book into her lap.
"What is it, ada?" Elladan asked gently.
"We must go to Mirkwood –" Elrohir cut in.
"We were going anyways! Why so hasty all of a sudden? What news did Erestor and Glorfindel bring, ada?" Elrond took a deep breath.
"Lostariel is dead, killed by a spider while out in the forest." The twins were stunned. They had frequently visited Mirkwood since their tender years due to their naneth's strong friendship with its queen, and they had adored her as she did them. Arwen had known her less well, and had conversed with her mostly through letters; but nevertheless would miss her presence and guidance dearly. Tears welled in her eyes. Elrohir placed an arm around his sister's slender shoulders. The twins were stoically refusing to acknowledge their tears, Elrond saw. They had shown increasingly little emotion since their naneth's departure.
"Yes, ada, the sooner we leave the better. Thranduil will need our support, I think." Elladan said softly. The flicker of pain in his eyes did not go unnoticed by Elrond. Elrohir smiled grimly even as his sister rested her head on his shoulder.
"Then what are we waiting for?"

XXXXXXX

It took the rest of the day for the party to sort their affairs and make ready to leave. The morning after the letter was delivered saw Elrond, his children, Erestor and Glorfindel leave the valley and begin their journey to Thranduil's halls.

Elladan and Elrohir are twins in my story, which is never explicitly stated by Tolkien but considering he places their births in the same year, can be safely assumed as canon. Technically, they are much older than Legolas as is Arwen – Elladan and Elrohir were born in TA 130, and Arwen in TA 241. I believe that we can safely assume that Legolas wasn't born until after TA 1000. Sauron relocates to Dol Guldur in TA 1050 and takes up the disguise of the "Necromancer", but flees when he thinks he is about to be found out. He returns in TA 2460, and it is well after this that I am placing Legolas' birth. I am, for the sake of this story, disrupting canon and moving Elladan, Elrohir and by extension Arwen's birthdays forward, so they are not so old compared to Legolas. They are all older than him still, and all have reached their majority and are thus counted as adults – and have been for some time.