Chapter 4: A day out with Arachnids.

I do not own LOTR. All the recognizable characters belong to the great J.R.

Palace of Green wood

The golden and rosy glow of dawn was spreading at the slow arrival of dawn. And the "fairest elven prince of all middle earth" was bound and stuck in the bed spreads.

'Valar, not again! I am going to feed Merilwen to the spiders.' muttered Legolas mutinously as he tried to untangle himself from the rather tightly bound bed spreads.

"Legolas! What are you doing on the floor?" asked a deep and amused voice that he recognized too well.

"Adar, Will you please help me out of this mess?" asked Legolas feeling rather sheepish and slightly embarrassed.

Thranduil released Legolas. "Your sister is gaining revenge on you for your action, haven't you noticed Legolas?"

"All I did was leaving one of those infernal tunics in the forest. It was perfectly reasonable!" exclaimed Legolas.

"Indeed. And that tunic happened to be made of silver velvet and silk adorned with gems. This happens to be one of your sister's choices for you for the upcoming one week spring celebrations. You are inviting her wrath through your actions. If you continue to do this I shall aid your little sister." Thranduil said wryly.

"Adar, you know how I hate those shiny and uncomfortable garments. The collars are so itchy and…" he paused at the look on his adar's face.

"Fine." Legolas grumbled and walked out of his sleeping chambers muttering about scary sisters and unfair adars.

Thranduil was watching him fondly. 'Legolas is millennias and Merilwen centuries old but both still behaves like spoiled elflings.' With an exasperated sigh Thranduil left for his study.

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Merilwen was humming one of the several songs made by Sindarin elves as she braided several spring flowers into a garland. Near her feet was resting a small pile of garlands. "Preparing for the Spring Festivals?" asked a clear and ringing voice. Merilwen sighed on recognizing the voice of her prat of a brother. "Remember gwandor if you did not wear what I choose on the following days I am going to complain to ada that you are not complimenting the beautiful collection of precious adorned garments adar gifted you."

"Can't one even ask a question in this palace?" muttered Legolas as he left his sister to deal with her flowers.

Legolas strode blindly only to walk into someone and both elves stumbled. "Pardon me your highness, but you seem rather unaware of the surroundings. You are very engrossed in thought on this fine morning!" said Aglar, the bow master.

"Excuse me Aglar. I was not paying attention." said Legolas.

"Legolas" called Callon from the entrance hall.

"I shall leave you to your friends my prince. "Smiled Aglar.

Callon and Gaildir were waiting for him rather impatiently.

"We have to leave for overseeing the Spring Festivals" said Callon.

"Indeed. There would be charming elleths… Archery games, mock fights, competitions. This week is going to be wonderful." gushed Gaildir as both the friends rolled their eyes and pushed him in the direction of the royal stables.

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A forest clearing several hours later

"Estel, we have been riding for hours. When will we reach Greenwood?" asked Tindir looking curiously at their surroundings as their horses galloped in full speed as though they are very eager to reach Greenwood.

The horses were indeed trying to reach the forest of Greenwood so that they could take their young masters to the safe hands of wood elves. The horses knew that though wood elves might appear ferocious to other races like dwarfs and men, but on the other hand are kindred spirits and would take good care of the young ones till lord Elrond and party arrive.

"I think we will reach the forest in two days with the speed we are going." Said Estel checking the map they took from Imraldis.

Tinnuroch snorted on hearing that. 'We shall reach your destination in one day silly youngling. I will not allow you and your companion to come to harm.' thought Tinnuroch.

Tindir was munching on a piece of lembas as they passed the wilderness with incredible speed. Both young ones were in fact clinging to their horses so that they will not fall off.

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Night time, Imraldis

All the elven guards were running around Imraldis looking for the youngest members of Elrond's house and the missing horses. At first none were so bothered at this fact as both of the young ones are well known in making troubles for all elves residing in the house of Imraldis. But as time passed they began to worry and formed search parties for the children.

Lord Elrond was pacing the hall and his twin sons sat by the fire place with a worried expression.

"Estel and Tindir. Not only the young ones but the horses as well. All the weapons made for Estel are missing as well. The boy also packed his overnight bag with some of his clothes and supplies. Surely the young ones had planned something." Mused Elrond aloud. The twins shared each other a bewildered look as they wondered what would have caused such an action from Estel.

Suddenly Erthor, Tindir's father entered and informed Elrond that his son along with several supplies has taken his extremely detailed map to Mirkwood.

This brought the twins quite a shock as that jumped up with a loud "What?" They stared at each other in silent shock as they remembered the story they told Estel and Estel's horrified and sympathetic expression.

They turned only to face an extremely irate and worried elven lord and father. They gulped and one single thought shone in their mind.

"Oh Valar….."

A/N: Happy New year to all readers. Here is the new chapter. The story is coming along rather nicely. (I love canon. But for the sake of the story I may have decreased the distance between Imraldis and Greenwood. I cannot leave my little Estel and Tindir in the unyielding forest and weather for days. Please forgive me my readers). Here is a small index about the meaning of the elven names of the OCs and horses. Merilwen - 'Rose maiden' (younger sister and only sibling of Legolas.) Tindir – 'spark young man' (elfling friend of Estel.) Erthor -'Uniter' (Tindir's father) Callon - 'hero' (Friend of Legolas); Gaildir - 'Bright light' (Friend of Legolas) Tinnuroch –'horse of starry night' (Lord Elrond's horse, now steed of Estel.)