"Aerthor, why do you look as if you are up to no good?" The young elfhorse startled guiltily and swung his head towards his father's. The King's brows were slightly furrowed as he contemplated the young elfhorse.

"I must confess I am up to no good. In fact it is why I am here, to ask your permission. Aerlaer and I would very much like to leave for Rivendell along with Thenid, Baran, Narthan and Glaurandir to visit our cousins and friends." Aerthor said, deciding there was no point in trying to hide the fact he was up to no good. He'd just use it to his advantage.

The tall, copper chestnut considered his son's request. Flicking his banner of a tail in thought. Aerthor tried not to fidget as he stood beside him. He noticed his wither was now level with his father's. When had that happened? He wondered. While he and Aerlaer were twins, they were not identical, unlike their Rivendell cousins who were sometimes hard to tell apart. Aerthor like his father was a copper chestnut while Aerlaer had a pale, creamy coat. Aerthor looked more like his father, tall and muscular in both elf and horse form while Aerlaer was a mix of both their parents but she had inherited much from her grandmother who dwelt in Lothlórien. Her eyes changed depending on her mood and her hair had a tendency to spark, a reminder of some of the inner power she had inherited from the Lady of the Golden Woods. She had finally grown into her long, fleet legs and was tall for a female elfhorse, something she had undoubtedly inherited from her father. She was strong and swift like he was too, swifter even for she was more refined much like her mother. The two main similarities in both he and his twin lay in their mischievous and competitive nature and knack for getting into trouble and their unique hair which consisted of strands of browns, chestnuts, creams, blacks and golds; marking then both as descendants of the royal line. It was that hair they would have to disguise to get into Thranduil' s party. Hopefully Aerlaer has found some walnuts.

"When do you wish to go?" King Falas finally asked his son, disturbing him from his thoughts.

"I was thinking tonight Ada?" Aerthor asked tentivley. "The moon will be bright and full for the next few nights and it will be much safer travelling by night where we might pass across the land as swift shadows." He explained, hoping his father would allow it.

"That is a very mature and thought out plan." Falas murmured kindly and Aerthor felt a stab of guilt for he was planning on doing something reckless as usual. "I will allow it. How long do you plan to be away in Imladris?"

"No more than four weeks." Aerthor replied and Falas nodded.

"Well you best start preparing if you are leaving this evening."

"Thank you Ada, Aerlaer will be overjoyed." He answered and turned to head down the knoll his father stood upon towards the trees to find his sister.

"Aerthor, don't get up to too much mischief while you are away." Falas snickered and Aerthor snorted derisively as he cantered down the hill. We are going to Mirkwood!

...

Aerlaer had packed a bag of clothes, having picked out a favourite dress for the party they were sneaking in to. Then she and Baran had rummaged around unnoticed up in a talan used for storage and found a collection of masks and had selected four which they thought would suit their companions. Aerlaer chose a deep blue and gold one for herself which was inlaid with diamonds which trailed elegantly where ones brow would be on each side. Stashing the masks in a bag they each snuck out of the talan and to their own to finish preparing for their departure.

Aerlaer pulled on a rather ordinary but light and flowing, green dress suitable for travelling in and over that she strapped her sword belt and slung her bow and quiver over her shoulder followed by her bag. Her mother had travelled to Lórien three days prior with a small party so she did not need to seek her out to bid her goodbye.

She left her family's large talan and shifted into horse form and shook out her coloured mane. She had steeped crushed black walnuts in hot water and poured the substance into a water-skin so once the six of them were far enough away, the twins could change their hair. Everything was going to plan. The sun was just over an hour from setting and they were ready to set out.

…

"Now I do not want to hear word from Lord Elrond that you have terrorized his halls with your antics. You cannot use the excuse of being an Elfling anymore." Falas addressed the group but he was eyeing his son and daughter. They nodded solemnly to him.

"We'll behave Ada." She said sweetly and he nodded fondly to her, touching his nose to hers and then to Aerthor' s.

"Be safe, may Silaear's spirit give you wings." Falas farewelled them and the group of six young elfhorse's sprung into a gallop, racing each other across the plains, in a Rivendell direction.