Galdor sighed heavily. The day had barely begun, but already his temples twitched and tightened, threatening a headache of the worst sort. Time had softened his memories, tinting them rosy and warm, and he had readily agreed to his task, anxious to escape long hours of heated debate with the visiting delegations.
He was, however, quickly being reacquainted with reality.
�I am the captain!�
�I am!�
�I am older!�
�And dumber!�
Water sloshed ominously, splattering Galdor�s boots. Visions of another time rose unbidden, memories of burning beards and stolen clothing and grey eyes sparkling with mischief. �That will be...�
�You take that back, orch-spawn!�
Bodies connected with a wet slap and a splash, sending a wave of water over Galdor�s leggings. �Elladan! Elrohir! Enough!� he roared, bringing about a highly satisfactory silence. Collecting himself, Galdor went on in a calmer voice. �That will be enough.�
Two identical gazes eyed him warily, then two voices sounded, a touch of accusation beneath the veneer of obedience. �Aye, h�ren.�
�Ada said you were his friend,� Elladan said suspiciously.
Elrohir nodded furiously. �You are supposed to play with us.�
�I received you for your safe-keeping, and also to do as I might bid,� Galdor replied sternly, �and I have not bid you empty the tub onto the bathing chamber floor.�
Crestfallen, the twins glanced at one another, their hands clasping briefly before Galdor lifted Elladan from the tub and wrapped him in a large towel. The morose silence lingered as Elrohir was toweled dry and dressed, until at last Galdor could bear it no longer and knelt on the floor before them, heedless of the water that still pooled on the uneven stones. �Come now,� he said kindly. �What shall we do today?�
�C�rdan said you would take us for a sail,� Elladan offered hopefully.
�But only if we were good,� Elrohir reminded his brother, and both blinked back tears of disappointment.
Galdor drew a deep breath, images of capsized boats, soaked clothing and drowned elflings dancing before his eyes, quickly replaced by memories of a lost Age...of sunny days, light winds and down-soft ebony hair blowing around ecstatic small faces. �Can you swim?�
�Aye,� two voices piped in unison.
Galdor smiled, extending a hand to each of the twins. �Then we must find a boat.�
*~*~*~*~*
