Chapter 29—The Hair Incident

Estel and his brothers had been talking late at night as was becoming their habit one night when the trio got a wonderful idea. "Elladan, have you noticed how stuck up Haldir has become? I think that we should humble him a little bit. What say you?" Estel and Elladan grinned. They were known for their pranks throughout the whole of Imladris, but here was a different story. Estel had actually been quite good, keeping them to a minimum on this trip when he was alone, but now that his brothers were here they could have some fun.

"Yes, I have noticed. It is rather annoying at times, isn't it? But I don't want Estel to get in trouble or be sent home before the training is finished," Elladan replied.

"Don't worry about me. I am strong enough to take care of myself," Estel retorted while sticking his tongue out at his brother. "That's mature. If you say so, but I still do not wish for you to bring trouble upon yourself."

Elrohir had been watching the exchange and spoke up. "Okay, you two that's enough. If you must know, I already have a plan and if it comes to it, I will take full responsibility."

Elladan and Estel leaned in closer to hear the plan.

---------a few days later-------------

Galadriel, Celeborn and Elrond were talking during tea when they were interrupted by a commotion at the door. They turned just in time to see Haldir storming into the room. He bowed respectfully to the three, and then spat out, "Elrond! Do you see what YOUR children have done to me?" Taking one look at Haldir, it was impossible to not see what damage had been done. It took all their will power to not laugh at the Marchwarden's now pink hair. Galadriel and Celeborn looked at each other in amusement as Elrond looked down covering his mouth with his hand. "It is not funny," Haldir said evenly.

Elrond cleared his throat and straightened his face before he attempted to speak, "No. It's not. How can you be sure that it was my children and not a joke from one of your patrol members?"

"Oh yes. I am quite sure. Who else would it be?" he ground out.

There was some more commotion at the door and two guards brought in the reluctant culprits. They walked slowly, eyes downcast but what the three elders saw was too much. Estel and Elrohir almost had the same color hair as Haldir. Their dark hair made it a little more conspicuous. Elladan seemed to still have his black locks.

"Oh dear," Galadriel gasped covering her mouth to stifle the laugh. Haldir looked at his Queen; he had never seen this amount of merriment in her eyes.

"I see what you mean," Elrond choked out. "Get over here now," he beckoned as sternly as he could to the trio. "Are you responsible for Haldir's…new look?" Haldir glared at Elrond as a chuckle escaped him. They slowly nodded their heads with eyes still unable to face their jury.

"And how did you two manage to get the same look?" Celeborn asked. "Elrohir and I had gotten some of the shampoo on us so we went to clean up after we put the bottle in Haldir's room. I think we mixed them."

"How many bottles did you make?" Galadriel asked incredulously.
"Two," Estel answered at a barely audible pitch.
"Who was the other one for?"

They were shocked at this question for fear of more punishment from the other intended target. Elladan stole a look at his father and quickly ducked his head back down. Suddenly this wasn't as funny to Elrond anymore, although Haldir started to chuckle. Elrond glared at him.

"I see," Galadriel said. She stood and walked around Elrond to face the conspirators. "Well I would say a punishment would be prudent, but as the trick seemed to backfire on at least two of you, I think walking around with pink hair until it grows out is enough punishment." She stopped in front of them and forced them all to look her in the eye. When she noticed Elladan's smile, she added, "I think to be fair though ALL of you should be the same color," looking pointedly at Elladan. His smile faded. He was about to protest but clamped his mouth shut when his grandmother raised her eyebrow.

"I'll see that it is carried out," Elrond said grimly as he walked up to them and pointed to the door. They reluctantly obeyed knowing they were in for some more talking to on the way to the baths.

"What am I suppose to do while this grows out?" Haldir asked when Galadriel turned to him. "I can't be on patrol. To the orcs I will glow in the dark!"

"Not to mention what the other elves will say," Celeborn put in unable to help himself. Haldir's face fell. He hadn't gotten that far in his thinking. His men would have a field day with this. "Not to worry," Galadriel assured patting him on the shoulder. "I have a way to take the color out. We just won't tell those three. Go back to your flet and I will send someone with the potion."

"Thank you my lady, but of the issue of Estel's training. Is it legal for me to increase the intensity because of this? If this had been one of the guards they would not have gotten off so easily, be they Elrond's son or not."

"I will speak with Lord Elrond and see what he says, but until you are told otherwise, no you may not increase his training."

Haldir bowed then briskly walked out of the room grumbling about the lack of respect the three had for their elders. As soon as he was safely out of the room and the doors closed Galadriel and Celeborn looked at each other then burst out laughing.