The Bridge

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or anything, just the story idea.

Author's Note: Thanks everyone for reading! Featuring all the characters from the previous chapters, here's the last chapter (of this main story) which I had prepared, and I hope you'll enjoy it. Reviews and comments are, as usual, welcomed.

(To those who were interested in another chapter involving Aragorn when he grows up, it is in the Epilogue :) )

Chapter 4: Elladan and Elrohir

This was a very regular day in Imladris.

The only rather irregular thing was that there were three, not just one, elves in Elrond's private office, out of bounds to almost all and especially the twins.

Erestor, Glorfindel and Elrond himself were seated in a round table, ready to discuss something very important.

Elrond was the first to speak.

"Now, I know all about the incidents on the bridge, and though they are my sons, I agree that they should be punished for their acts—"

"—so that they would grow up," cut in Erestor a little grudgingly.

"—so that they would understand how it is like to be pranked upon by experts," continued Elrond, ignoring Erestor's cut in.

The other two stared disbelievingly at Elrond. Was this still their Lord they were speaking to? He was actually endorsing pranks?

"Really Elrond," Glorfindel began, "surely you do not mean planning a prank on them?"

"Why not?" answered Elrond, "I'm sure it would be good. We, after all, do have a few hundred years of experience which they lack."

Silence.

"Alright," Erestor was the first to speak up. With that, he gave a short sigh, stood up and went to the door to ensure that no one (the twins) was nearby before once more locking the door.

Glorfindel looked at him like he was a stranger.

"What have you done to our Erestor, you imposter? Erestor would never agree!" said Glorfindel playfully.

Erestor gave Glorfindel a look and continued simply, "he just did. In fact, I already have a plan…"

Elladan and Elrohir were hurrying towards the conference room.

They had just received a note from their father to be at the conference room at noon sharp to discuss very important matters about Imladris. However, like the elflings they used to be, they had missed the time and were now going to be late.

Funny though, Elladan thought as he rushed towards the conference room, usually Ada reminds us at least a day before. Why did he only tell us about this by leaving a note today?

Before he could continue to contemplate about this very out-of-character act by their father, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a black robed elf who appeared in front of them looking at them severely.

"Elladan and Elrohir," said Erestor icily, which forced the twins to stop in their steps just slightly in front of the bridge, "my books. You're supposed to be cleaning the library."

"We're sorry Erestor, we will do it when we get back. Right now, we have something very important to attend to. Would you mind if you let us pass first?"

"I would most certainly mind. You promised me, my Lords. How are both of you going to take care of Imladris in the future, when you could not give me your promises? Do not try to escape, my Lords," Erestor's voice turned even colder and he gave Elrohir his famed Icy Glare as Elrohir tried to escape, "this is important. I thought you should have been drilled long enough when you were younger about promises…"

As Erestor was giving his lecture, Glorfindel and Elrond, who was carrying a small boy in his arms, ran swiftly and quietly on the bridge. As they positioned themselves for the best position for attack, Glorfindel stared at Erestor and whispered to Elrond.

"I never knew Erestor had such good pranking skills...and his ability to give impromptu lectures is amazing."

Elrond raised an eyebrow and replied simply, "how do you think I chose my chief advisor?"

The little boy gave a small tug at Elrond's hand and beamed at Elrond, nodding vigorously.

Elrond smiled and looked at Glorfindel. Upon receiving the affirmative nod, both of them swung the little boy out and let go.

"EL!"

"ARGH!" The twins turned immediately and as they saw little Estel flying towards them with his hands outstretched, they were badly startled.

They had very little experience with this type of pranks. Flying food, splashing water and homemade traps they had handled before and had indeed become an expert in handling them, but not this! Not pranks that involved a sibling as a prop, flying towards them who could get hurt if they did not catch him successfully!

And so they panicked.

Both of them started scrambling to take the best position to catch Estel, but unfortunately, the force at which Estel was coming at (partly thanks to the swinging provided by Elrond and Glorfindel) knocked them off their feet completely and the three collapsed in an undignified heap in front of Erestor.

Elladan was the first to look up at Erestor. He gave a cough and tried to help his twin and his brother up.

Erestor displayed no emotions. Elladan, sensing trouble, pulled his twin and Estel backwards. Elrohir, however, resisted his move and stood his ground, willing to take the same amount of blame as his twin.

And then—

Erestor burst out laughing.

In fact, he was laughing so hard that he collapsed onto the ground almost tearing. Soon, laughter could also be heard from the bridge and from Estel. As the twins looked around, they saw Glorindel and their father also laughing away.

At that instant, they knew what had happened.

"Glorfindel! Ada!" Elrohir protested, "what if Estel got hurt?"

"Quoting your brother, Elrohir, "you know Estel won't get hurt"," laughed Glorfindel.

"Erestor! You actually play pranks?" asked Elladan, wide-eyed.

Erestor ignored the question and continued laughing. "You should have seen your own reaction, Elladan, that was just precious!" At this, Elrond and Glorfindel laughed even harder.

The twins gave a soft "hmph" and looked at each other.

"Well Elladan, we've been pranked," Elrohir sighed, defeated. Shaking his head, he said, "I never knew Ada, Glorfindel and even Erestor were so good at pranking."

"You know what that means, 'Ro?", continued Elladan playfully, "we must get revenge!"

His other twin nodded his head and both of them turned to look at Estel, smiling naughtily.

"More, more, more!" exclaimed little Estel, thrilled. He recognized that twinkle anywhere, and that also meant that he would be getting more fun times ahead with his brothers – and maybe even with Erestor!

From that day on, Imladris was never safe.

-End of main story-

If you are interested in what happens after, click on the next button :)