Elrohir shifted restlessly, his legs cramped from what seemed hours of crouching in the confines of their hiding place. A quick dash away lay fading sunlight and fresh air, and there was no sign of those they hoped to evade. �Let us try, �Dan,� he whispered, �if we can but make it through the first door...�
Elladan shook his head decisively. �We barely managed to conceal ourselves. I think we had better not move out from here again, until it has gone quite dark.�
�We will be missed,� Elrohir insisted, �and they will search every crack and crevice. If we are going, best go now, before our absence is discovered.�
The clatter of rapid footsteps on stone and an angry call made it clear that time had run out. Their escape had been noticed.
�I turned my back to tend the fire,� a voice explained, �and they were gone. I sought them myself, but then the path seemed to indicate...�
�Do not berate yourself,� a second searcher broke in, �You were right to seek assistance.�
�They are coming!� Elrohir hissed as the footsteps drew nearer. �Now what?�
�Be quiet!� Elladan snapped, �and let me think.�
�We do not have that much time,� the younger of the twins growled darkly, his hand seeking his brother�s nevertheless. They would bear the consequences together.
There was a resounding thud and the would-be fugitives were blinking in the sudden light. Lindir stood before them, his face a study in amused exasperation above the rich burgundy silk of his best performance robes.
There was a moment�s pause before the twins slowly unfolded themselves, their own evening finery crumpled and creased. Lindir�s questioning gaze faded into insignificance beside the glare aimed at them by his companion.
Narrowed grey eyes, hard as mithril, bore into them one by one before settling on the jumble of gleaming fabric that littered the floor of their erstwhile hiding place. While the minstrel might chastise the twins for fleeing their artistic debut, the true offense, as anyone could see, lay elsewhere.
�Elladan? Elrohir?� Celebr�an demanded, her voice determinedly soft. �Why are you in my wardrobe?�
