AN: Watch out, this chapter's a bit sad. Also, a little short, but I honestly couldn't make it any longer.

Chapter Fifteen: The Company Departs

The next few days passed quickly as the elves from Mirkwood and Lothlórien recovered from the battle with the orcs. At Lord Elrond's urging, Luinlothiel had slowly begun to distance herself from her brother, letting him grow attached to Elladan and Elrohir.

The hardest part had been the first night he stayed with the twins. Luinlothiel had been detained after dinner visiting the other elves in the healing wing, and had come to Legolas' room to find that the elfling had fallen asleep leaning against Elladan. She knew it was a good thing that he was able to trust the twins even though he hadn't known them for very long, but she was also saddened as it meant the Mirkwood party would be leaving soon.

All too soon for Luinlothiel, the day of their departure arrived.

The injured elves had healed enough for the journey, even those who, like Brithdil, had come close to death from poisoned wounds.

Because they had been preparing Legolas for this separation for a few days now, the good-byes were a bit less traumatic than those said when the company was leaving Mirkwood.

All the same, Luinlothiel's throat was tight with tears as she kissed her brother one final time. Gilfaroth had promised that they would come back to visit, but part of her was still afraid that it would be decades before that could happen.

Legolas wrapped his arms around her neck, squeezing her tightly in a hug. "I'll miss you, Luni," he whispered.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around him. "I'll miss you, too," she whispered back. She glanced up, catching the concerned eyes of Lord Elrond's sons. She did not know if it was some gift inherited from their father or grandmother, but in a handful of days Elladan and Elrohir had done more to help her brother recover than the Mirkwood healers had done in a week.

Legolas pulled away, his blue eyes sad. "Don't cry Luni," he said, gently patting her hand. "It's not forever."

Luni almost laughed, biting her lip as she could no longer hold back her tears. "Don't grow up too fast, Legolas," she said shakily.

As though by some hidden signal, Elrohir gently lifted Legolas down from Luinlothiel's mare. For a moment she was afraid the elfling would cling to her, like he had to Thranduil before, but to her relief he hesitantly went with the dark-haired elf.

"Watch over him?" the she-elf begged.

Elrohir nodded solemnly. "Have a safe journey."

Luinlothiel wiped at her eyes, shooting Tirá a grateful glance when the younger princess reached over to squeeze her hand in support. Meluial, on Tirá's other side, smiled sadly.

She barely heard what Lord Elrond spoke over the company, numbly following her husband and the others out of Imladris.

She had cared for her brother for ten years, but now that time was ended.

It was time for someone else to take care of him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Elrohir stood beside his brother, watching the Mirkwood caravan disappear from their sight.

The elf-prince in his arms wiggled a bit and sighed heavily, leaning his head against Elrohir's shoulder with an audible sniff.

"Ada?" Elladan asked quietly. "Is he really staying until he comes of age?"

Lord Elrond glanced over at his sons and the prince, his expression grave. "Yes," he replied with a short nod. "Mirkwood is no longer safe."

Elrohir sighed, tightening his grip on Legolas just slightly as he felt the elfling begin to cry. "It will be all right," he murmured.

His father placed a hand on the young elf's back, a kind smile on his face. "You will be safe here," he said gently. "Nothing can enter this valley that could harm you."

The elfling nodded, his face still buried in Elrohir's shoulder.

It was Elladan's turn to sigh, and when Elrohir looked over at him he could see some plot brewing in his twin's mind.

"Remember what Haldir did that first summer Ada sent us to stay in Lothlórien?" Elladan asked, a slight spark of mischief in his eye.

Elrohir shook his head in mock exasperation. Haldir was nearly a century older than the twins, and he had already come of age when Elrond decided to send the twins to stay with their grandparents for a time. The twins had been very upset when their parents left, and Haldir (with a little advice from some of the older elves) had immediately involved Elladan and Elrohir in as many activities as he could. By the end of the day the twins were too exhausted to be sad.

Their father chuckled knowingly. "Just remember, he's still a very little elfling and not exactly in the best of health."

Elladan shot his father an innocent look, and turned to maneuver his crutches up the steps of the house (even though he thought his ankle was healed, Emyntur insisted that he stay on the crutches—though Elrohir knew Elladan suspected it was some twisted sort of revenge on the healer's part).

"Um, 'Dan?" Elrohir murmured, glancing up at their father's retreating back. "What exactly is your plan? You aren't exactly in any shape to do anything either, you know."

The older twin made a face. "I would be except for Emyntur," he grumbled. "He's a menace."

"You did promise Ada that you wouldn't do anything," Elrohir happily reminded his brother, easily dodging a swat from him and pausing to roll his eyes theatrically when Legolas looked at him. "Elladan is so grumpy when he has to obey the healers," he whispered loudly, earning a glare from his twin.

Elladan shook his head. "Anyway, Elrohir," he continued, emphasizing every syllable of his brother's name, "I was thinking we could visit the library."

Elrohir grinned. He had taken Legolas to the library one day while Elladan was still recovering, and the elfling had loved it. "And then perhaps out to the gardens?" he suggested.

"Of course," Elladan nodded.

Settling the elfling on his hip, Elrohir slowly followed his brother up the stairs.

End of Part One

Reviews? Flames? Tar and Feathers?

Note: this is NOT the end of the story, just the first part. The second will pick up about a month after this chapter ends.

I am going out of town on Thursday, so rather than post the first chapter of the next part and then wait a week to post the next, I'm going to wait until I get back to start part two of the story (wish me luck—I'm trying to find a job as I'm planning to move there within the next month).