A/N: there will be no reading in this chapter for it is a little interlude to get our new reader into things…

XI. A hard night and a new arrival

Just as the parents and guardians had predicted it were the elflings plagued by nightmares of evil rings, black riders, undead and of course dangerous willows trying to eat them. It gave the adults a hard time calming them with they singing and smoothening words of reassurance. It was true that elves didn't need to sleep as much as men, but they children were still young and needed they rest. It should also be noted that Lord Elrond found himself at least three times on his bedroom floor instead on his bed and the strange thing was that Elrohir only tended and still tends to kick him out of the bed while he lets the others sleep. In the end, he decided to sleep on the couch like in the past.

In the morn it was decided at the breakfast table that they would continue reading after lunch so that they could also rest a bit and those of them who think that they need a few extra hours of rest, the books will not run away from them and they got only a few hours of sleep last night. Everyone agreed to this decision, even thought some reluctantly and thus made they ways to they assigned bedrooms, in the case of they guests.

It was sometime around ten that Elrohir woke up, he didn't wish to rest further, but also didn't wish to wake up his twin, Dan could be scary if woken up. So he climbed out of his bed and made his way over to they shared sitting room, only the bedrooms were separated, and sneaked out. Wandering aimlessly around the halls and spotting here and there some servants whispering in confusion about the strange sounds coming from the garden were apparently they lord and guest were reading a book, found he himself outside in the gardens. He hadn't even noticed that he had taken this route and was already about to turn around and go back inside when suddenly the sound of singing hit his ears. Turning around he made is way curiously in the direction of the sweet melody, it hadn't taken long and he stood in the rose garden not all to far away from the fountain he and Elladan had once 'fixed', so that instead of water it let out bubbles which when exploding covered you in a sticky substance as they poor ada found out and his romantic night with they nana turned into a night of scrubbing to get the goo off of him and out of his hair. There were also a few carved marble benches there and on one of those sat the source of the melody he had been following. Looking the stranger over he noted that they were somewhere around his and Dan's age, by elves was it hard to tell, cream coloured skin, slender build, but definitely not an elleth, shoulder length blonde hair, nearly the colour of elanors. He was playing on a harp while singing a soft tune of lush fields in the light of the stars. A smile spread over his lips as he figured out who the strange elfling might be. Sneaking a bit closer to the other who was luckily to much pre-occupied with his work to notice his approach when finally only two steps away he cleared his throat in the way his ada usually did to get someone's attention, namely his two advisors if they have a disagreement about an idea. He watched how the blonde jumped slightly before finally turning around and jumping up from his seat looking embarrassed.

"I…I'm…sorry my Lord…it wasn't in my intention to ignore you…" he stammered while bowing, a soft pink blush covering his cheeks. Lindir could have screamed at himself, he had arrived in that morn, but his uncle told him that the Lord and they guests went back to sleep, but he couldn't fully elaborate why so he used the time to go out in the garden and practice some of his self-made songs.

"Don't mention it, but stop with the 'Lord' thing, that is my adar's and daeradar's title not mine. Just call me Elrohir." he said grinning as he took a seat on the bench and pulled a still flustered Lindir down beside him.

"I'm Lindir…" the young minstrel in training said unsurely, he didn't think that he would be received this forwardly by one of Lord Elrond's sons.

"I know, your uncle mentioned yesterday that you would come." Elrohir said smiling "What was that song your were singing before I interrupted you?" he asked curiously.

"Uhm…it…it is one of my own creations, but I don't think that it is any good…" Lindir admitted while looking down at the harp resting in his lap. No matter how many songs he wrote, they just never sounded right.

"Really? That is great, you will probably make a great minstrel." Elrohir said reassuringly "And by the way, I personally liked your song so, would it be a bother if I asked you to play it again?"

Lindir only looked at the other taken aback, till now had no one ever said that they liked his self made songs and wished listening to them. Mayhap being sent to live her by his aunt was really a great thing for at least had he found one person who he would probably spend his time with.

"Aye, if you wish so my – Elrohir." he corrected himself before saying "my Lord" tough now the sentence come out a bit awkwardly which made Elrohir blush, but Lindir didn't seem to have noticed for he was now playing again on his instrument and singing the song which he had sung mare minutes ago.

Deciding to not dwell on it and just enjoy the sweet sound of the young sindarin minstrel Elrohir closed his eyes to enjoy the soft music mixing with the sweet singing and the splashing of water. He could certainly get used to the other's presence, now he will later need to get him to join in they reading so that they could spend more time together, but all this has to wait for some time.

To be continued…