Vegetables and Dye

Mischievous sparks entered the eyes of Lord Elrond's twin sons, Elrohir and Elladan. For the first time in several centuries, they had a chance to play pranks on dwarves! "What shall we start with?" Elladan asked secretly.

"Why not the old no-meat-on-the-table trick?"

"Good idea." The two snuck off to the kitchens, surreptitiously removing the meat from the platters that were being taken out.

"You're aware that Ada will likely be furious?" Elrohir hissed to his brother as they rushed to the balcony where their ada, Mithrandir, and the dwarves were gathered.

"Possibly, although we are playing a prank on dwarves, so he shouldn't be too mad. But even if he is, won't it be worth it?" He winked.

"Of course." The twins hid themselves behind a pair of pillars, waiting, watching, listening. Soft, lilting music could be heard drifting their way. As the food was brought out, grumbling mingled with the quiet tunes. Elrohir and Elladan exchanged amused grins. After several minutes, though, their ada's Sindarian words cut through the near silence. "Elrohir. Elladan. You have had your joke. See that the meat is brought out."

The two stepped out. "Yes, Ada," they chimed before hastening to the kitchens, still laughing. Had they hesitated for but a moment, they might have noticed the scheming glances shared by the two youngest dwarves. But the twins did not hesitate, and thus they would be completely unprepared for what would come.

The next day, Fili and Kili found themselves wandering the halls of Rivendell, rather bored with the Elven city. "So, Fee, what should we do?"

"Well, Kee, I've been thinking. Do you remember those elves who played a trick on us when we arrived?"

"Of course." Kili grinned. "I see. We're going get them back!"

"We can try. But, you know, we have to find them first."

"Not to mention...how do we prank an elf? I mean, they have superior hearing and reflexes, even if Uncle doesn't want to admit it."

"That's true. So how are we going to do it?"

"Perhaps you might appreciate some assistance," someone said.

Both turned to see the speaker. She was dark-haired, and they supposed she would have been beautiful by elvish standards.

"I assume you speak of my brothers, the sons of Elrond?"

"Uh, yes, lady, we do. May we ask your name?" Kili said respectfully.

She laughed. "I am Arwen. My brothers are well known as the most prominent pranksters in Imladris. Any chance to repay them is welcomed."

"I see," Fili said. "Well, we would certainly appreciate the help."

"Wonderful! Might I ask your names, my new allies?"

"I am Fili. My brother is Kili."

The lady raised her eyebrows. "The sister-sons of Thorin Oakenshield?"

"Indeed."

She smiled. "Well, shall we begin our planning?"

The three of them spent the rest of the afternoon trying to come up with a master prank, and soon, they thought they had it. That night, they put their plan into action. Arwen snuck into her brothers' rooms and stole every article of clothing they had (besides, of course, the nightclothes they were wearing). Fili then took one outfit from each pile and began to dye it pink, while Kili climbed up many trees, scattering the stolen clothes all around Rivendell. Finally, Arwen slipped back into the twins' rooms and replaced the now-pink clothes. The three conspirators went to bed, snickering.

The entirety of Imladris knew when Elladan and Elrohir had woken the next morning. Their shouts and promises of vengeance could likely have been heard in Lothlorien. Fili and Kili grinned. "Score," they whispered together.

Balin sighed. "What did you two do?"

A/N: So sorry, Nim, for taking so long to post this! Hope you liked it!