11 years before the quest

Twins POV:

"Ada, on our travels, we came across a bush that doesn't grow round here. So we brought a cutting to plant here." Elrond looked suspicious, he knew them well and if they showed an interest in something that they didn't normally, then it wasn't a good sign. Still, he sighed and gave them his permission to plant the cutting, as long as it didn't disrupt anything already growing and that they had to care for it themselves. The twins hastily agreed, knowing that a deal like that was to be seized immediately, for another wouldn't come again soon. They planted and nurtured the cutting until it grew into a fully grown bush and could be left alone.

Five years after the twins met Fili and Kili, Elrond had deemed it safe to invite Thranduil to Rivendell. The twins were sent away with the Rangers of the North, the Dúnedain, for the fortnight leading up to Thranduil's arrival. Unfortunately, the twins had already got their prank sorted, courtesy of Fili and Kili. They had prepared a juice and planned to switch it with their fathers hair soap.

Elrond pulled the twins aside, shortly before Thranduil's arrival.
"I want you to be on your best behavouir. Just for Thranduil. I know that you can behave properly, so just for this once? Swear that you won't do anything that I wouldn't want you to do."
"We swear." And they meant it. They weren't going to do anything, it was already done.

Elrond and the twins rode out to meet Thranduil and his escort. He had also brought his son, Legolas, who was a friend of the twins. They chatted amicably on the way back. The twins had decided not to share their plan with their friend, for the prank would be better if it came as a total surprise. Also, he might ask about the berries and then they would have to explain dwarves, which Legolas wouldn't understand. The hatred between elves and dwarves went both ways.

A week into Thranduil's stay, when Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas were at breakfast, they heard a roar of anger, pure fury. They all exchanged worried looks.
"That was my father." Commented Legolas, not quite worried, but slightly concerned.
"I'm sure it can't be too bad." Elrohir reassured. "What harm could befall him here?"
"Yes, you must be right."

It was at that moment that Thranduil stormed into the room, a blaze of fury.
"What abomination is this?!" He bellowed.
The twins looked up and were in for a shock.
Thranduil's hair was pink.

The twins and Legolas were still gaping in horror, when Elrond came in, still furious, but less so.
"What has happened here?" Enquired Elrond politely.
"My hair is pink." Thranduil said through gritted teeth. "What does it look like?"

"I'm sure something can be do to fix it. If you go back to your room then I will have food brought to you. I will ensure that everything will be done to fix this." Elrond said, trying to calm Thranduil down. Elves take pride in their hair, not as much as dwarves, but still take pride in it.
"I look a fool!" Was Thranduil's reply, before he stormed out, to go and hide.

Once he had gone and was out of earshot, Elrond turned to the three of them and asked,
"Did you do this?" There were a few shifty looks exchanged between the twins before Elladan blurted out
"Nope."

"Too fast. What did you do?" Elrond was not stupid, he was, in fact, one of the wisest elves in Middle Earth.
Elrohir sighed, knowing that Elrond was going to get the truth sooner or later, and it was easier for everyone if Elrond knew now.
"We meant it for you." Elrohir said. Elladan felt like it needed more explanation, so he added,
"We added some berry juice into your shampoo and it would've turned your hair pink. It washes out after a few days." The look on Elrond's face said that the explanation was not helpful.
"Does that mean that my father is using your hair products, Elrond?" Legolas asked, with a curious face on. "That would explain a lot. My shampoo is always going missing- sorry, do carry on." Elrond was frowning, remembering that there was a reason why Legolas and his sons didn't see each other very often.
"Elladan and Elrohir, once Thranduil has left, you can go find the Dúnedain and spend at least a decade with them. I don't have the patience for you two at the moment!" Elrond threw his hands in the air and walked off, only the twins could make him that irritated.

Once they were sure Elrond was out of earshot, the twins started cheering.
"Success! The hair dye works and we irritated Ada! It normally takes ages to wind him up properly!" Elladan was amazed with how well it had worked out.
"We can try it on the unsuspecting Dúnedain as well now!" Elrohir was excited as well.
"That was amazing! How did you do that?" Legolas was in awe of the twins, he would never say it, but he secretly wished he was like them. He spent most of his time killing spiders with his best friend Tauriel, not making everyone laugh.
"You will never believe where we got our idea from."
"Where?" Legolas asked, knowing that it wasn't really a question, but he genuinely wanted to know.
"Dwarves."
"WHAT!" Legolas looked appalled, his father hated dwarves and it rubbed off on him.
"These two were like us. Mischievous. And they pranked us first. Then complimented us. You might like them." Elrohir felt honour bond to defend their friends in their absence.
"I don't think so."
"If you meet them, you can make you own mind up."
"I will do." Legolas still looked doubtful. He believed that all dwarves were irritating and smelt bad, which was a little harsh.

Legolas and the twins said their farewells the next morning, for Thranduil still furious and refused to stay after the pink hair accident. Elrond had found some white cloth dye to cover up the pink until it faded, but it still looked a bit odd. Once Thranduil and his escorts were out of Rivendell's borders, Elrond came up to the twins and they knew immediately that they were in trouble. They left to spend time with the Dúnedain that very night, not wishing to incur the wrath of their father for a second time.

I hoped you liked it! Fili and Kili in the next chapter!
Please review, it really helps my writing! Also, if you have any idea for pranks or tricks, feel free to PM me!

:)