A loud blast on the horn above the rampart alerted dwarves visitors were approaching. Dori was in the burgeoning market looking for anything that caught his eye. He didn't know what to spend his fortune on and a life of poverty had him hesitating to part with the gold warming his pocket. He briefly wondered if the feelings would fade in time. It was his turn to monitor the rampart and report anything needing the king's attention. Thráin called upon the remaining Company to take turns, even Ori. He hurried through the repairs and up the steps. He looked over the stone balustrade and saw nothing approaching from either Dale or further away in the direction of the lake. He looked at the trumpeter and the dwarf pointed to the sky. Shifting his gaze up, he spotted them; two Great Eagles. He looked carefully and couldn't see any riders. He turned to a guard, "Run an tell the king eagles are coming."

By the time Thráin ordered the large doors opened and strode outside in air warmed by the south facing stone heated from the sun this clear spring day, the eagles were landing. He bowed before the great birds. "Welcome. Are ye the ones who took my son ta Elrond?"

"Yes; I am Gwaihir and my hatchmate, Landroval."

Landroval lowered his large head and a satchel with a long leather strap slid to the dirt. "Lord Elrond asked us to bring this. It is for you, King under the mountain."

"We fly south and join our young who went with the wizard." With no further communication, they moved back and jumped skyward.

Thráin took the satchel and marched back inside when he realized his self-appointed Durin guards were missing. Many dwarves gathered to watch the eagles and he felt vulnerable with just Dori as his protector. Although the elven sword was strapped to his side, it was no match if attacked by several of the finest warriors Dáin trained, who were mingling with many civilians. A few untrained miners he could handle, but felt the time of age slowing his gait and swing.

Dori also looked for them and his concern grew. He moved to the king's side and tried to look intimidating. "Where are they?" He spoke sideways in Sindarin.

"Don't worry, Dori," he replied in kind. "We are almost to my office."

Safe behind the door Dori closed; they both breathed a sigh of relief. Thráin tossed the satchel on his desk and turned to Dori. "Find out why Lötun, Balin and Dáin ignored the horn." Done with his request, he motioned for the other to leave. Alone, he worked the iron buckles on the flap and pulled several books. Spotting a letter under the flap of the top book, he and sat behind his desk breaking the wax seal with one of the many knives tossed carelessly across the large surface.

Greetings King Thráin,
Erestor explained the situation with your Longbeards coming from the east and you have my support should they be in need. Thorin will receive the utmost care and I thank you for the opportunity to strengthen our friendship and the trust you place in me and shall endeavor not to fail him or you. Thorin's chest is infected, but that is normal for burns. I commend Lord Dwalin and his swift actions in breaking the strangling bands. Those are minor injuries to treat. My goal is to have him return at the head of your dwarves he so long ruled in your stead.

I will take several warriors to guide and guard them through the mountains and insure your daughter arrives safely. No matter how old my only daughter grows, I worry when she is beyond walls that protect her. Your grandsons stayed here the winter solstice week and left with my sons and Bilbo Baggins for the Shire and beyond. I haven't heard from them outside a few reports from Galadriel that her mirror divulged.
I look forward to visiting around mid to late summer. Elrond

Thráin picked up the first book as a knock rapped on his door. "Enter," he bade and glanced up to see his three protectors bearing guilty expressions. "I'm sure leaving me with just Dori by my side has ah plausible explanation that I will wholeheartedly approve."

"No excuses, Thráin…." Balin started and broke off when the king glared at him.

"It's my fault," Lötun took his turn. "I invited them ta watch ah match involving young Thorin. The lad is excelling an I figured the proud father would want ta watch. With all the shouting, we missed the horn's signal."

"It won't happen again, although I'm sure there were enough loyal guards no harm would befall ye," Dáin concluded. "Tomorrow I'll get Fræg making rounds an telling the truth. Also, if anyone else lifts ah hand against ye, I'll personally kill them as an example."

"Ye really are sore that Dwalin killed yer guard, aren't ye?" Thráin felt his good mood returning. After all no harm befell him and he survived much worse in Dol Guldur.

"The next head rolling better be my kill," Dáin growled.

"Please spare Dori any further panic an have at least one of ye on standby. Now, about our visitors. They were the eagles, coming with messages an books from Elrond for me. I will be occupied reading, making guarding me much easier. I swear I had more freedom in Dol Guldur," he jokingly complained.

"Anything of interest in the messages?" Balin asked.

In response, Thráin handed him the letter and watched them crowd close to read.

"That bugger wrote in Sindarin," Lötun complained, while the others laughed. "Read the blasted message ta me."

Balin complied.

"Would ye three leave," Thráin ordered and picked the book up he set down when they entered.

"I'll be nearby," Balin offered and motioned his compatriots ahead of him. He wanted a private word with Dori and see if anyone looked interested in attacking the king.

Thráin looked at the titles of the three books Elrond was so kind to send. Warrior Twins; Dwarves and Elves, The Third Age of Elrond and Celebrían. Wishing to continue with the twins adventures, the first title intrigued him, so he snagged it as he rounded his desk and moved to his comfortable chair in front of the fire. Throwing two pine logs onto the dying embers, he poured ale and opened the book.

King Thráin, this book carries on the adventures of my sons and their entry into the wars that plagued us in the Third Age. Mithrandir told me you read the first book in its entirety and expressed interest in additional works written by elves. Lord Elrond, TA 2942

Thráin opened to the first bit of writing.

Prologue

In covering the first millennia of the twins, I divided crucial events of the Third Age into their growing years and the profession they trained for. This book runs simultaneous with their youth for several hundred years, but focuses on their lives as young soldiers and protectors and a few adventures that doesn't include slaying foul beings. I, Erestor, when including my small parts in the book shall address myself in the first person. However, many of the stories were brought to me and I will attempt to recreate their narratives.

Thráin turned a page and looked at the index of chapters. One chapter title caught his eye and he turned to it.

Royal Pain

Elrond paced his office and then the Last Homely House east of the sea and finally the grounds. Returning from his brisk walk, he sank into his chair at the head of the table in the common dining area. "They are overdue," he raged at Celebrían and me.

"Just don't yell at them when we first reunite," Celebrían implored with placidity in her voice.

Elrond tried to calm his raging fëa. "It's the first time I've sent them alone over the mountains to Thranduil and you know trouble finds them. I know Glorfindel guided them safely to your father's kingdom when they were younger and they've wandered this side of the mountains alone, but they are…"

"Our iôns," Celebrían finished and took his hand. "How do you think Gil-Galad felt when you just up and disappeared all those centuries ago?"

That got her desired result and Elrond slumped in his chair with a petulant look on his face while the lady motioned for us to be served. I wisely stayed out of their snipping.

Glorfindel chose that moment to join us. "I apologize for my tardiness, Celebrían." He favored her with a smile, which was reciprocated.

Elrond cast him a glare and shoved a piece of salad in his mouth to hold back what I'm sure was a frustrating retort.

"You still thinking of sending scouts before the pass closes?" Glorfindel broke the silence at our table while we satiated our hunger.

Setting his fork down, Elrond contemplated an answer. "Maybe I am just being overprotective. After all, they are only six months overdue. I send them on one simple errand; deliver a message to Thranduil and hurry home."

"I'm sure Thranduil entreated them to stay the summer," I added helpfully. "Or they may have gone south to their daerodhrons for the winter."

"I'm sure Galadriel would have contacted me," Elrond griped. "The fact I haven't heard from her is also troubling. I hope they aren't under attack again."

The trumpeting of the horns had us springing to our feet and sprinting to the balcony. Just cresting the hill were the objects of our worry. As we ran down the long flight of stairs, I thanked Lady Elbereth for their safe return. We watched them lope easily across the bridge and dismount. We waited for an instant until the twins made their choice. They rushed their mother with hugs and kisses.

"I hope someday they have iôns that act just like them," Elrond muttered and then was engulfed in hugs, which he returned enthusiastically. "I want a detailed report," he ordered.

"We are starving," Elrohir complained.

"You just missed supper," Elrond growled.

"ELROND!" Celebrían's screech had everyone on the landing laughing. She took a hand in each of hers. "You will get sustenance before bathing."

As we followed, we heard Elladan say, "We lost our food at the caverns in High Pass. It's been a week since we ate anything outside berries that are all but gone and we had to dig in snow for those."

"Why didn't you stop and hunt?" Glorfindel asked.

The twins threw grins and winks over their shoulders and we knew the show was to gain their mother's sympathy, and I must add it worked for she led them directly to the dining hall, motioning for servants to bring copious amounts of food and let us suffer the smell of unwashed bodies.

They really were hungry and we let them devour a large amount of elk roast, mashed potatoes and salad before they slowed to talk. "We don't know where to begin, but did bring letters."

"I suggest we adjourn to the family wing and you two can bathe and join us," Elrond commanded. He motioned Glorfindel with him and they went to check on the mounts and retrieve their gear from horses already in their stalls with a good rubdown and plenty of corn in the feed trough and hay on side.

A short while later, freshly bathed and in clothes that didn't walk by themselves, they settled in front of the fire with wine and we gathered to hear their adventures.

Celebrían uttered an audible prayer of thanks for their safe return and then added, "I will have the cooks fix your favorite food tomorrow in honor of your safe return."

Elrond gave her an exacerbated look. "You are aware they played all summer while others worked?"

"I am aware I missed them."

I sorted the mail into piles and handed the ones to my lord and lady and Glorfindel, while saving one for me until later.

Elrond set his aside. "I have waited long enough, iôns-nín."

"There are large amounts of orcs moving on the other side of Thranduil's kingdom. Thranduil thinks they are going to attack Gundabad again and drive the dwarves south to Khazad-dûm. We scouted with Thranduil around the big lake and they are holing up in caves inside the Lonely Mountain," Elladan stated.

Only half listening as she opened her first letter, Celebrían let out a squeal of joy. "I don't believe it, Ríllas is with elfling. Just when I gave up on them!"

We sat stunned at the thought Thranduil was going to be a father. He and Glorfindel were the two most unlikely lords I would pick to be responsible fathers. "Does it say when she is due?" I asked.

"Hmmm, it says in the summer, but not what they are having. Rats, I don't know what to make for them. I'll have Elrond contact Naneth and see if she has more information."

Glorfindel took that moment to laugh at me. "Why don't you spend the winter knitting tiny caps and booties with Celebrían?"

Elrond shook his head in disgust and growled back at his sons, "Why did that take six months?"

"Adar, we were asked by Thranduil to help him. He said he is understaffed with natural leaders and is even going to ask Daeradar for the loan of Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin for a few years because he is going to be tied to a crib like you were when we were young. He is going to try and flush them out in spring and we only returned because we knew you and naneth would worry. We would like to return and winter with Thranduil."

"That's a wonderful idea," Celebrían announced. "If we hurry we can beat the closing of the pass."

"Huh?" Elrond looked at her in confusion. "We and they are staying right here for the winter."

"You may stay. I am going east to help Ríllas in her time of need. I'll not leave the tending of Círdan's great niece to Silvan elves." We saw the fire in her eyes and I wasn't sure who she looked like the most at that moment, her mother or father. We knew one thing; when Celebrían said jump, it was a matter of time before Elrond asked how high.

He did jump; right off his chair and stalked to the balcony. We followed in anticipation of the conversation he was sure to have with Galadriel.

"Galadriel," he verbally called and reached out over the great distance, searching for her whereabouts. "Harken unto me."

'I'm here, Elrond. Is Celebrían okay? Did your iôns arrive home in one piece after their encounter with the goblins in Goblin-town?'

We all threw looks at the two skulking in the background.

"They are here and Celebrían is once again displaying her superciliousness to us lesser royals who aren't the second generation from the High King, and she is throwing unreasonable demands around. Has your mirror told you about Ríllas?" He braced for the smack that landed on his shoulder and actually threw his wife a grin.

'No. Celeborn is fighting alongside King Ciryaher against their old nemesis, the Haradrim. He has been gone for months and took Amroth so he had two kings to jump when he issued an order. He sometimes grumbles you should have taken the mantle of High King so you and Amroth could jump together at his growling. I've been quite busy ruling and haven't had time at my mirror to survey events upon its magical waters.'

"That's what you came to Middle Earth for," Elrond reminded her, slightly miffed at her hint that he jumped to Celeborn's commands. "Ruling is quite time consuming when attempting to keep the proletariat from rebelling when forced to take orders from a Ñoldor."

'Tell my child I said hello.' She changed the subject before they started yelling at each other. It was obvious he was in a foul mood by his disagreeable tone.

"She heard through our link, as do Erestor, Glorfindel and the twins and they are all eavesdropping. How is Arwen? Is she behaving and helping you?"

'Arwen is a joy and I'm relieved she came back with us on our last visit. My mirror has shown her spending much time here.'

Elrond felt a tapping on his shoulder. "Did you know Ríllas is expecting?"

'Why no! That's wonderful.'

"No it's not. Your daughter wants to travel to Thranduil's realm for the winter to assist with the birth of another royal pain in my backside. I don't know why royals can't have births like all other elves. I was going to ask you and Celeborn to attend Ríllas, but that is now out." Elrond let frustration creep into his tone. "I will take Celebrían over High Pass."

'Thank you, Elrond. I have pressing business right now. Take care.' In a manner so unlike her, she cut the link leaving him to wonder what the emergency was. Little did he know a rider just entered with a message from Ríllas.

That settled, we hurried to ready ourselves and Elrond left Eárthellon in charge and took his young son, Figwit, who hadn't traveled much from the hallowed valley. The day before we left a band of Dúnedain arrived and insisted on speaking to Elrond alone. Glorfindel took it in stride, but I was put out they could demand of his valuable time alone on the eve of a trip.

Elrond kept the snow at bay in High Pass and we moved day and night with short stops for the horses until dropping down to camp near the backdoor of the goblins. For the first time in a week, we pitched tents and crawled tired bodies into bedrolls. We were sleeping soundly with several elves per tent, except our lord and lady who slept alone. Glorfindel and the twins bunked with me and the younger ones were on guard duty for four hours from an hour before a new day to three in the morning. They assigned six other guards that were dispersed around the perimeter of our camp. The horn I came to hate during the war once again blasted through the thin walls of our camp, bringing Glorfindel and I to our feet. We both slept in our boots, so with sword in hand, we joined our guards. In the dying fires, we saw the camp overrun with goblins and they were welding clubs ineffectively, but their sheer numbers had us swinging and striking at least three at a time.

Some had rudimentary bows and arrows pinged off our advanced armor. Elrond showed up with shirt tails flapping, and taking stock of enemy numbers. "Didn't the boys say they lost their food at Goblin-town? What did they do to make these little buggers send the entire town against us? Get one of my iôns over here." Done shouting instructions, he jumped into the fray, Hadhafang singing in the crisp night air.

To my dismay, Celebrían was fighting valiantly, her sword Hadhafang2, already stained red. "Do you know your wife isn't following your orders?" I shouted over the din to Elrond.

"I'm not surprised. I have no control over her, even when it's in her best interest." While I was fighting and talking to Elrond, Celebrían spotted something that belonged to her beloved sons on the shoulder of a goblin and gave chase.

Elladan found us as word spread of our location. He held his left hand up and a lucky strike from an arrow was sticking equally through each side.

"I am aware goblins sometimes venture out at night to hunt or rob travelers," Elrond began and I ceased my mindless slaughter to guard his back. Of Glorfindel, there was no sign, but I knew his direction by the littered bodies. "What did you and your brother do to invoke the entire population to attack? This isn't their normal pattern." As he spoke, he snapped the shaft and reversed the end with feathers through the hand.

"We may have entered Goblin-town and killed the king's favorite son," Elladan admitted with a smirk.

"And so they are attempting to kill my favorite son. Well, they missed," Elrond snarled. "My favorite son is the one who isn't careless enough to get an injury of this nature. You were taught to catch these tiny arrows."

"That's what I was trying to do," his firstborn defended his actions. "The arrow was headed towards Naneth…," he paused. "What was she doing out of your tent?"

"Being the offspring of Celeborn and Galadriel. Now continue your feeble explanation," his father ordered as deft hands cleaned the wound by pouring water over the hand. His own began to glow as soon as he placed them on each side of his son's.

"We made a run for it afterwards and in our haste to get away, we lost our food bag with our family crest, so they know who did the deed."

Elrond shook his head in disgust and finished healing the duel wounds. He motioned for a healer's bag and wrapped the hand. Exchanging the bag for Hadhafang, he looked around for his wife. "Elladan, find your mother and brother and they better be together."

Glorfindel's bright appearance accompanied him as he escorted Celebrían to Elrond before Elladan or I took our search beyond firelight. "Did you lose something, Elrond?" he asked cheerfully, while Celebrían looked annoyed.

"At least I got it back," she announced, as if that excused her actions.

"What did you retrieve from those filthy things?" Elrond demanded.

She proudly held up a bag marked with the seal of the House of Elrond. "When our iôns fled the caves, they lost their food bag. Although empty, it is intact."

"You risked your life for a bag I could have made in an afternoon?" Elrond thundered as he ripped it from her grasp. In distaste, he held it to his sensitive nose. With a disdainful flick of his wrist, it was tossed into the fire. "We will replace it," he spoke in a kinder tone.

We saw the regret fill her eyes that she tracked down and slew the fleeing goblin over something so trivial. Before anyone could offer a word of comfort, Elrond moved and she was in his arms. "I appreciate your effort, meleth-nín. I know you were the one to paint the engravings. We will together make a better one for them."

The battle was winding down and goblins fleeing back into their hole. Glorfindel captured one and told it all the bodies better be gone when next we traveled this way.

Arwen woke with a scream on her lips. Before she fully became aware of her surroundings high in her chambers of the tallest Mallorn, her grandmother was at her side, sinking onto the soft mattress and taking her hand.

"You had a nightmare, pen neth. Tell me all you saw."

In the full light Ithil bathed the room, and Arwen, tears creasing the outside of her blue eyes, disclosed her dream. "It was as if a great distance away and Naneth was under attack. I didn't see who or what, but it was awful." She allowed tears to fall and felt the comforting arms of her grandmother.

Servants invaded at the anguished fëa and their personal guard, Emoth, whom Celeborn left behind with instructions to guard his beloved elleth's, was welding a sword at shadows in the bedchamber.

Galadriel motioned for them to leave and addressed the reluctant Emoth. "It was a nightmare, nothing more. I will sit with her."

"My Lord Celeborn?" Emoth questioned with fear in his tone and dread in his eyes.

"No. My mirror tells me of a great victory over the Haradrim and he is celebrating in Gondor. Also, a messenger arrived from the Halls of Thranduil and confirmed that Ríllas is with elfling." A wave of her hand dismissed Emoth and she focused on her granddaughter. "I saw your parents fight goblins and descending this side of the mountains through High Pass. I am writing letters first thing in the morning for the messenger, as he told me his orders are to return immediately."

"I want to see naneth," Arwen pleaded. "I'll ride north with the messenger."

"Not without chaperones. What did I just say?" Galadriel lamented at her own caution she normally would throw to the wind. "What I mean is wait for Daeradar and we will all go north in the spring. Winter is driving down the mountains and I don't wish to camp in the cold."

"I've never traveled in the winter for a hundred years. It's always the same, wait until warmer temperatures. I've made up my mind. I'm going with the messenger unless you place me under guard."

Galadriel sat back and studied her dark haired granddaughter. "Very well, I'll leave Emoth to face Celeborn and we will pack and go together tomorrow." She smiled at the relieved look she got in return. After all, they would be far away when Celeborn's anger was rent upon Caras Galadhon.

A steady freezing rain greeted us when we reached the bridge at Old Ford. Elrond looked at the slippery stone and called for the camp to be set up. Since this was a crossing for all races, fire pits were established for centuries along with stone buildings one could take refuge from the cold. While our servants chased rats from discarded sacks that once held grain, Glorfindel set the guard. "I'm sure the bear prowls, so be wary, but don't kill Beorn."

Elrond looked inside a stone hut with a fireplace at one end. "We'll take this one. Boys, bring enough firewood for the night."

I joined the twins and we chopped two downed pine trees into chunks and soon had a roaring fire inside and warmth replaced the damp chill. Celebrían spread our bedrolls and I saw her place one beside another and knew she staked those for her and Elrond. We settled around the fire with warm plates of food; the first hot meal since leaving Imladris. As much as I like Lembas, the venison stew warmed my aching fëa. Although elves are naturally resistant to cold and heat, days upon end suffering over a mountain in early winter wearied all of us and a good night's sleep was fast approaching. The blast of a horn announcing more arrivals had us on our feet reaching for weapons.

Elrond turned to Celebrían, "For once do as I say. Stay here. We don't know who approaches." Not waiting to see if she followed, he hurried after us.

In the last scintilla of light through the midst, we saw horses approaching from the south and our sentry called, "DARO."

The horses stopped and then approached cautiously. There was audible relief when the familiar cloaks of Lórien elves became more than a vapor our eyes couldn't see.

I was shocked when Arwen slid from a horse and cried, "Adar."

I could see disbelief on Elrond's face as he gathered her close.

Celebrían, feeling her mother's fëa nearby, pushed through the greeting elves and cried, "Naneth!" She gave her mother a tight hug and turned to her daughter and repeated the bone crushing gesture. "I thought you were waiting for Adar?" she asked her mother. She held up her hand, "Come, we have food and a warm place." Glorfindel, accompanied with his normal smile, motioned me back into the warm structure and I happily let him settle our two groups down for the night together.

Arwen concluded her story, while sitting by her mother. I could see Elrond was troubled so I quickly offered an explanation of it must have been our encounter with the goblins and dreams were fickle mistresses. I could see Elrond didn't believe me for a moment, but flashed me a smile for trying to comfort Arwen and allay her fears.

"Now that we are all headed the same place, you will be safer with our larger group….and I'll deal with you later, Galadriel," Elrond promised.

"Elrond, I've been traipsing these lands long before you were hatched," Galadriel retorted and once again I had a front row seat to a showdown of power.

"But you didn't take my only daughter with you on those harebrained trips. I'm sure Celeborn would have allowed his calmer thinking to prevail, had you bothered to wait for him."

Galadriel calmly took a bite of stew, as if that were foremost on her schedule. "If you don't like us here, I'm sure my group can ride on tonight."

"As long as my daughter stays, you can swim the river for all I care," Elrond peevishly groused.

"Elrond, you have been in a horrible mood on what should be a special occasion," Celebrían angrily countered for her mother. "I don't care who went where without proper guards. All that matters is they found us and I'm sure they rode hard to reach us before we entered the forest."

Elrond closed his eyes for a moment and reached for her hand. "You are correct, as usual, meleth-nín. You know how I hate what I cannot control and that would be my children, my wife and my mother-in-law." He leaned over and kissed her. "I promise to be happy and dance every dance with only you."

"You always say that when trying to worm back into my good graces," Celebrían murmured against his mouth and they shared a deeper kiss.

Glorfindel and the twins pushed the skin of the recently killed deer aside and entered. We hung the hide over the entrance for a measure of privacy and slow chill's unwelcome entrance during the night. The twins greeted their grandmother and turned to their sister.

"Are you going so you can play nursemaid to the royal brat?" Elrohir teased.

"Careful, Arwen, you will take one look at a baby and force Haldir into wedlock just to have one of your own," Elladan added.

"Enough of that kind of talk; Arwen is too young. I don't know why I promised your naneth I would be happy; with you two idiots placing ideas into your sister's head she is way too young to entertain?" He flashed a sudden grin in Celebrían's direction. "We could have another if Arwen wants practice."

I laughed aloud at the thought Elrond mentally parted to us of twin terrors.

"I love the ones we have, but two more like them would make me sail and leave you alone raising them," Celebrían warned.

Elrond didn't reply, but by Galadriel's smile in his direction, we knew she found something amusing in his mind.

At dawn we were saddled and just extinguishing the fires when the horn sounded again signaling approach of another group; this time from the north.

"This is getting ridiculous," Elrond commented and swung on his horse to meet the party away from his female family members, should they prove to be orcs. We hastened to join him because only Glorfindel moved with sufficient speed to keep pace with Elrond.

In the early morning rising mist off the river trudged a bedraggled assembly of dwarves. They were wearing the clothes on their backs and looked to be starved.

Elrond immediately took charge. "Get those fires relit and make food." He swung off his steed and approached the leaders who were obvious warriors, and although still approaching had weapons at the ready. Elrond switched to Khuzdul. "Peace. I am Lord Elrond of Rivendell. We are friends of Durin V and offer assistance and food."

The dwarf in charge gave us a typical dwarven glare and marched to Elrond, craning his neck upwards. "I am Lord Veig of Gundabad. Orcs came with dragons an drove us from our stronghold. We lost over half our clan, an have no choice but ta push on ta Khazad-dûm an on behalf of my dwarves, thank ye for feeding us." He turned to his warriors. "Pass the word that the elves will feed us." We heard mutterings of relief and someone called out to feed the dwarflings first in case there wasn't enough for all.

Upon hearing that, Elrond motioned for Elladan and Elrohir to join him. "Hunt for these souls. Guide them south to the Halls of Durin and ride to your daeradar, who is still south of the Wold, and tell him where his wayward wife went. I'm sure he will want to rush to her side. If not, you may spend the winter with him enjoying a peaceful time without a nagging elleth around."

'I heard that, Elrond,' Galadriel spoke into his mind and didn't shield from those of us nearby. She joined us at our return to camp. "I have ordered the Galadhrim back also. They will assist and return home."

"In that case, the boys can come with us and see the new elfling," Elrond teased.

We watched them look at each other and turn as one on their father. "You think we have interest in a baby? We are here on the off chance our services as warriors may be required," Elladan replied first.

"In a hundred or two years, we'll think about showing interest in this elfling unless it's an elleth, then two thousand is closer to our timetable," Elrohir concluded so fast it sounded as if one spoke both sentences. The dwarves looked at them in amazement for they sounded and looked exactly alike, but we were used to it.

"I thought maybe we could spend some time together," Elrond offered.

"I'm sure you would rather sit with Thranduil and talk existentially on the joys of fatherhood," Elrohir countered.

"I can't think of any off the top of my head," Elrond bantered back. He motioned for them to say farewell to their mother and turned back to Lord Veig. "Forgive us talking in Sindarin. I was instructing my sons to help you. The warriors of the Galadhrim will also assist. Are you being pursued?"

Veig shook his head. "I think not. We haven't stopped walking for days for more than half an hour at ah time an are exhausted."

"Rest here for a few days and let my people take care of you." Elrond motioned for food be given the lord. He was impressed when Veig shook his head. "Eat, we have plenty. Your dwarflings won't have another hungry night." Elrond motioned for us to mount and led us across the bridge.

Figwit quickly mounted his horse and was last from the area and we heard many dwarves call their thanks to him for his effort to provide food and comfort. He even gave his blanket to a dwarrowdams with an infant in her arms.