As the three elf princes rode in sedate circles, Elladan pitied young Legolas. Was this his idea of entertainment? Perhaps Thranduil was right in being concerned, for it seemed the princeling had no inclination towards fighting the fetters that had been put on him. And it would have been so simple to slip out some door, to be outside in the fresh air. No child he knew would let themselves be cooped up so.

Elladan had to pull his mount sharply to one side in order to avoid Elrohir, who was currently galloping in circles and laughing in an adrenaline fueled sort of way. "What are you doing?" he snapped, more out of surprise than anger. Elrohir opened his mouth, realized saying he was bored could be offensive to their host, and shut his mouth.

"I thought it was rather amusing," Legolas interjected, attempting to wipe a grin off his face. He looked around and seeing no one, spoke again. "I know Sadorant here is quite restless. Perhaps a quick run would do him good."

Of course, it seemed to benefit the princeling more than it did his horse, who looked as placid and content as he had before. Legolas, however, had roses of color in his cheeks, and he seemed more merry than he had been the whole time.

When they were untacking, Legolas seemed to grow distant again. It was as if he had decided that he should not be so informal with strangers and returned to his strictly courteous manner. When they were all finished, he led them out and began walking somewhere.

"What if we go out, just the three of us? Dan and I can protect you if necessary, so you will be safe." Elrohir looked tousled and wide eyed like a mad genius who is a little touched in the head. Elladan did not in any way blame Legolas when he objected.

"My father would never consent," he said somewhat sadly, "but thank you for offering."

"Ah, but he does not have to know," Elrohir said.

"Ro!" Elladan admonished. "We are not such great warriors that we can defend ourselves in unknown territory and Ada will kill us."

"He does not have to know either." Elladan rolled his eyes. "Just think about it, will you?" Legolas offered a noncommittal shrug. He seemed just as good at deflecting the ebullience of Elrohir as Elladan himself.

A bell rang, reverberating through the very walls. Elladan felt it in his bones. "What is that?"

"Call to lunch, we can have it in my room," Legolas said offhandedly, as if he had meals delivered to his room every day.

Elladan perused the library when they were done with lunch, fascinated by the floor to soaring ceiling collection of dusty tomes. Elrohir picked out several to bring back to his room, and then went with Legolas to do so. He said something about exploring too.

Elladan had only just started on a particularly fascinating part of one book when his little brother poked his head in. "We found a door left open."

"No."

"Yes, don't be such a boring old bookworm for once." Elladan didn't admit it, but that got under his skin. He thought reading was a good thing.

"Alright, I'll go. To take care of you. I thought Legolas was more sensible than that."

"He was only being sensible because you have such a dampening personality. Come on," he urged, hurrying off.

"This is a horrid idea," Elladan muttered, following.

Outside, some of the original stillness and reverence of the grandiose settled over the elves, but was repelled by their apprehensive happiness at this disobedience. Elladan had his bow in his hand, following a little behind so he could survey above Elrohir and Legolas' heads.

They came into a clearing cut through by a merry stream that burbled over a sharp drop, foaming at the bottom. The land along side sloped gently so that it reached the same level as the bottom of the falls somewhere in a copse of trees though it had random rocky outcroppings that could serve as a giant's step stool.

Elladan surveyed the raw power of the water from a distance as it rushed almost angrily around the rocks that obstructed its path. A shiver ran its way up his neck, a faint prickling.

"Have a look, you don't have to be so tense," Elrohir said. Elladan resisted but Elrohir shoved him forwards and he stumbled over a thick tussock.

He felt himself tipping past any ability to get up again. His eyes were met with the cerulean water, interspersed with white, and he heard Elrohir shout.

For a strange moment, it felt like the air would catch him. But it did not.

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