Chapter 12

The last day of the celebration had dawned fair in the hidden vale. The staff of Elrond’s household buzzed about frantically, having much to accomplish before the festivities began. The inhabitants of Imladris, as well as their guests, looked forward to a last evening of excess before life became somewhat more normal again - at least until time for the winter’s feasting.

Surrounded by this all-encompassing atmosphere of excitement and cheer, Legolas found himself increasingly glum. No matter how hard he tried to think of other things, no matter how determinedly he focused on his excitement over the gifts being prepared for the twins, the fact remained that this was to be his last day and night in the valley. Tomorrow, quite early, he would leave with his small personal guard to begin the long journey back to Mirkwood.

Even the thought of going caused him to wince. The reality would be excruciating. Though he truly looked forward to reuniting with Thranduil and the rest of his kin, he felt the strength to leave Elladan and Elrohir behind might well be beyond him. Only the promise of their arrival in the Wood soon-as-may-be gave him hope of leaving Imladris with his pride intact.

So deep was Legolas in his sorrowful musings that he jumped, startled, when he felt a soft kiss on each side of his neck. "It is not yet time for such brooding, ‘Las," Elladan said, slipping a comforting arm around his lover.

"’Dan is right, anor nín," Elrohir agreed. "Come with us. It will not hold off tomorrow to waste today."

"Where are we headed?" Legolas asked, curiously eyeing the basket Elrohir carried, even as he allowed himself to be led out the chamber door.

"To the falls," Elladan answered with a grin, the door banging shut behind them.

**************

Late morning found Elladan - sans braids, tunic half-fastened - prowling in the kitchen, heedless of the difficulty he was creating for the staff. Hearing the buzz of conversation and the lack of productive noise, the head cook stepped from her room, eyes ablaze, tongue ready with sharp words.

Seeing the cause of the interruption, she stopped suddenly, her lips curling in a tolerant smile. "What are you seeking, 'Adan?" she demanded, her twinkling eyes belying her stern words. "You have upset my kitchen, young one, at a most awkward time."

Unchastened, Elladan merely grinned, pushing back the hair that was once again in his eyes. "I have need of more cinnamon buns, Taurwen. And another tub of your honey butter."

Shaking her head good-naturedly, the mistress of the kitchen repacked the basket, also tucking in three chunks of cheese, and a handful of dried meat. "I daresay you two and your prince will miss the lunch we are trying to prepare, so you had best eat these, also, or the afternoon will find you too giddy to walk."

Raising one eyebrow in question, Elladan remained silent.

"I packed the first basket, too," Taurwen explained sternly, though her eyes twinkled with laughter. "There were three bottles of sparkling apple wine in it, so do not lift that brow at me, lordling. Just like Lord Elrond, you are. And 'tis him I do not want looking for me when you pull some foolish trick later."

Chuckling, Elladan started to leave, then stopped, turning to the cook. "How did you know it was me?" he asked curiously. "I have no braids, nor beads just now."

With a smothered burst of laughter, Taurwen answered, "It was an easy thing, híren. 'Rohir would not have bothered to don his tunic at all."

************

Lord Elrond sat in one of the many informal gardens that decorated the hidden vale, deep in discussion with his most trusted friends. "I wish there was some way to avoid it, but I know of none," he said soberly, twisting a fallen leaf in his fingers.

"Aye, I know," Glorfindel replied. "But it is not something you can alter, Elrond. They all have responsibilities. High station brings duties as well as rights."

Erestor sighed heavily. "The timing is bad, though. Legolas will be apart from them at least three moons, maybe four, before the trip will be possible. It is a young bond to suffer such strain."

Looking intently at his chief advisor, Elrond said, "You deem it a bond, then, my friend? It is a strong word."

"It is a strong triad," Erestor answered promptly, his face serious. "Have you not noted the odd silences? I would wager they all share thoughts."

Elrond arched an eyebrow thoughtfully. "Indeed? You think Legolas able to mindspeak with the twins? He is quite young and untrained in the art, to my knowledge. It would be convincing evidence of a bond, if it is true. What is your mind, Glorfindel?"

"I would agree with Erestor. I have been witness to some odd silences, and even odder laughter," Glorfindel replied.

Brightening somewhat, Elrond mused, "Thranduil is quite adept at farspeaking. It will be a great boon to them later, if Legolas has inherited his abilities."

"But little help now," Erestor said wryly. "It looks to be a hard winter. For all of us, I imagine."

"Aye, most likely it will be," Glorfindel began. "There is naught so painful to see as a love-sick...wait...here they come." There was a moment's pause, then Glorfindel snickered suddenly. "I do believe they have been drinking, Elrond."

Following his captain’s gaze, Elrond caught site of the three walking across the field toward the garden. Walking rather unsteadily, and leaning on one another for support. Even as he watched, they burst into laughter, collapsing to the ground. With some perturbation, he repled, "They have not only been drinking, they are drunk. I hope..."

Elrond’s hope was never revealed, for at that moment it became quite clear, even from the garden, why the fallen elves had not risen. A pair of legs, mercifully still clad in leggings, snaked upward, curling around another still-clothed form. "What are they doing?" the scandalized father hissed, half-rising from his seat.

Unable to stifle a chuckle, Glorfindel replied, "I find it fairly obvious what they are doing, híren."

"The question was rhetorical, Glorfindel," Elrond snapped, glaring at his friend.

Erestor intervened, smiling slightly, "We had best address ourselves to ending the episode, rather than defining it, I think. Though if they are really so drunk..."

"They are very young," Glorfindel broke in. "It would be foolhardy to count on drink to prevent them..."

"Then do something!" Elrond snarled with unusual lack of control, rising quickly from his seat. Regaining some semblance of calmness, he added, "Come, help me fetch them," and headed for the trio with long strides, his face carefully controlled.

Erestor and Glorfindel followed rapidly, their amusement less well concealed. Catching Elrond’s arm, the chief advisor said, "If you will take Legolas, híren, Glorfindel and I will manage the twins. It will be easier that way."

"Aye, easier, and less likely to end in bloodshed," Glorfindel snickered under his breath, as the three approached the objects of their errand.

Having steeled himself to find his sons in some graphically compromising position, Elrond was relieved to discover nothing more than a giggling pile of half-dressed bodies. Unable to reach his assigned prince, he cocked an eyebrow at his friends, and stood waiting. "Any suggestions as to how we might proceed?" he asked wryly.

"Aye. We begin at the top," Glorfindel said with a grin. Bending down, he gripped a generous handful of ebony hair and pulled. Hard.

As one twin rose from the pile of tangled limbs with a howl, Erestor grabbed the other, hauling him up into a steadying embrace. "Let us go to the house, Elrohir," the advisor said soothingly, partly fastening the younger twin’s tunic. "It is not a good place to snuggle, here in the meadow."

"Nay, it is not a good place at all, young one," Glorfindel told Elladan, who was still rubbing his scalp. "I will help you back to your chambers."

"You pulled my hair," the elder twin fumed, glaring at Glorfindel, even as he grabbed the captain’s shoulder for support.

"Aye, I did," Glorfindel said cheerfully, offering no further explanation, but putting a friendly arm around Elladan to hold him steady.

Elrond smiled down at Legolas, who remained on the ground, looking more than a little confused. "Come on, Legolas," Elrond said kindly, tugging the prince to his feet. "It is time to go back indoors for a while. You need a soak and a rest before the festivities begin, I believe."

When Legolas nodded affably, Elrond chuckled and put a supporting arm around the prince. Leading the way to the house, he looked back at Glorfindel and Erestor. "I believe a cool bath and a tonic are in order for these younglings. Will you be so kind as to monitor the bath while I mix the tonics? I do not wish to mar this day with a triple drowning."

***********

A good while later - washed, dressed, and braided - the three offenders sat in Elrond’s library, under the stern eye of the Imladrian lord. "It was very irresponsible of you, 'Adan, to behave in such a manner," Elrond said soberly, his gaze fixed on his eldest son.

"Aye, Ada," Elladan replied with a sigh, "it was. I am sorry."

"I am sorry also, Ada," Elrohir added. "We should not have taken so much apple wine so early in the day."

"No, you should not have done so, 'Rohir. But no real harm has been done, and perhaps you have learned a lesson. You have my pardon. I want the two of you to retrieve the basket you discarded at the falls. Taurwen will be livid if it is not returned."

"But, Ada," Elrohir began, "’Las..."

"I wish to speak to Prince Legolas," Elrond said with finality. "Off with you."

With reassuring looks at the anxious prince, Elladan and Elrohir left to do as they were bid.

The Library was silent for a long moment before Legolas forced himself to speak. "Please, accept my apologies, híren. I am sorry to have abused your hospitality in such a manner."

Looking intently at the prince, Elrond’s face broke into a kind smile. "That is alright, Legolas. You have not abused my hospitality. And I do have some inkling of how you must be feeling. It is not easy to leave, is it, young one?"

"Nay, it is not," Legolas answered, his head bowed. Raising his head to meet his host's gaze, he said, "Lord Elrond, I thank you for your kindness these weeks. I am not sure how you feel about all that has occurred, what hopes you may have...but I am grateful for the acceptance you have shown me."

"My only hope in this instance is that my sons be happy," Elrond said soberly, "and they are quite happy these days. You have my blessing, Legolas, for what value it holds."

"It holds immense value for me, híren," the prince replied, impulsively clasping Elrond’s arm, "as do Elladan and Elrohir."

Smiling warmly, Elrond pulled Legolas to his feet, embracing him momentarily. "Then all is as it should be."

As Legolas turned to leave, Elrond laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. "I nearly forgot," he said, handing a package to the prince. "This was left for you by one of the tradesmen."

Legolas’ grinned broadly as he took the parcel. "Thank you," he replied, eyes sparkling. "I cannot wait to open it."

Raising one eyebrow speculatively, Elrond asked, "Is it possible that I may see the contents of that box at dinner this evening?"

"Aye, you may indeed," Legolas answered, his face beaming. "In fact, híren, I hope you will see the contents of this parcel every evening, for many years to come."

*************

Opening the chamber door, Legolas looked around carefully. Seeing no one in the sitting room, he quickly tore into his package, breaking into a dazzling smile as he saw the contents. Celmon had done beautiful work. They were perfect. Slipping the pieces back into the box, the prince quickly stuffed it behind some pillows when he heard footsteps outside the door.

Scarce a second later, Elladan threw the door open, then stopped in surprise, seeing the prince’s glowing face. "It is nice to see such a bright smile, anor nín. What has so improved your mood?" he asked, enveloping Legolas in a tight embrace.

"Thoughts of you," Legolas teased, pressing a light kiss to Elladan's cheek. "Where is ‘Roh?"

"He had some errands to complete," Elladan answered evasively. "What did Ada have to say?"

"Only that I was not to be banned from Imladris. And that he approved, and thought you happy with me," Legolas replied, his eyes dancing. "Would that be true, el nín?"

"Looking for compliments, are we?" Elladan chuckled, squeezing the prince tighter. "Aye, that would be true, I suppose. I have become accustomed to golden hair on my pillow."

"As have I," Elrohir said with a grin, slipping through the door and laying a parcel unobtrusively on the side table. In response to Elladan’s arched eyebrow, he nodded slightly.

It is perfect. Shall we give it to him now?

Aye. I can not stand the suspense.

"Are we all dressed for the Hall?" Elladan said aloud. "I know Ada will want us to mingle on this last night."

"Aye, he will," Elrohir agreed soberly. Breaking in to a grin, he added, "But I doubt he will insist we stay after the feasting."

"So there is some compassion in him, after all?" Elladan joked. Turning back to Legolas, he said, "Come and sit down, ‘Las. We have something to show you." Dropping to a cushion in front of the fireplace, he urged Legolas down, also, watching with ill-concealed anticipation as Elrohir brought over the package.

"This seems to be meant for you, anor nín," Elrohir said with a smile, sitting down before handing Legolas the box.

Face beaming, Legolas carefully removed the lid and pushed back a layer of padding, then gasped in surprise. A spiral cuff of hammered mithril, wide as three of his fingers, glinted in the late afternoon sun. Picking it up, Legolas saw that it was inlaid with a center stripe of gold, edged with thinner inlays of lapis lazuli. The golden strip was engraved with intricately detailed oak leaves. "It is beautiful," he breathed.

"Here, try it on, " Elladan urged, slipping the flexible metal easily over the prince’s arm. The cuff curled halfway from Legolas’ elbow to his shoulder, moving easily over flexing muscles.

"You can wear it under your tunic, if you prefer," Elrohir explained, "and it is thin enough not to spoil you aim with a bow."

"I shall wear it on the outside of my sleeve until the feasting is done," Legolas declared promptly, "so that everyone can admire it." Leaning over to kiss each of the twins soundly, he said, "Thank you, el nín, rohir nín. It is perfect." Legolas smiled wickedly. "Later, we will see how it looks on bare skin."

"That we will," Elrohir agreed, pushing back a golden braid. "In fact, we may have time..."

"Nay, we do not," Legolas said sternly, forcing back a smile. "I have something for the two of you, also." Rising to retrieve his parcel, he warned, "You will have to close your eyes, both of you, until I tell you to look."

Obediently closing his eyes, Elladan heard the rustle of parchment, then felt something cool against his neck. After a moment, during which the noise was repeated, Legolas tugged him to his feet. "Do not look yet," the prince scolded, as he pulled Elrohir upright, carefully turning him to face his twin.

"I suppose this is better than any mirror," Legolas chuckled, then said, "Now."

Elladan opened his eyes, his gaze immediately going to his brother’s throat. A wide collar of mithril gleamed against the skin at the base of Elrohir's neck. In the center of the hammered metal sat a golden oak leaf, its veins detailed in mithril. On one side of the leaf was the six pointed Imladrian star, its center a piece of deep blue lapis lazuli. On the other side of the oak leaf was a mithril horse head, its eye a gleaming blue stone. Lifting his hand to his own neck, Elladan cocked one eyebrow thoughtfully.

As Elrohir raised his hands to his own throat, he frowned in confusion. Something was odd, as if...

"They are mirror images," Legolas said smugly, seeing the consternation on both faces. "’Dan, your star is on the left. ‘Roh, your horse head is on the left. When you stand as you are, it is exactly like looking in a mirror. They are nearly identical, but not interchangeable. Like you."

"They are beautiful, ‘Las," Elladan said, exploring the collar at his own throat carefully. Pressing a lingering kiss to Legolas' lips, he whispered, "Thank you, anor nín."

"Aye, they are incredible," Elrohir agreed, his face glowing. Moving close to the other side of the prince, Elrohir kissed him soundly. "Thank you, anor nín," he echoed.

Parting reluctantly, the trio glanced through the arches. "Come," Legolas ordered, taking a twin on each arm. "It is time to gather in the hall."

*~*~*~*~*

Ada, Adar - Papa, Father
anor nín - my sun
el nín - my star
rohir nín - my knight