Chapter 3 - How It All Ended. . . Or Did It?
"Mmmm. This smells very good! Where did the twins say they learned to make it?"
"From Lord Elrond. He knows a lot about herbs and things like that," Legolas said answering Tavor's query as he lathering the lump of dark soap between his hands. "It was very nice of them to help us."
Tavor snorted, smearing the soap over his face and hair.
"They have a younger sister, too," he said with a grin before ducking beneath the water to rinse off. "She is as fair as the night sky, " he murmured when he resurfaced, his eyes filled with a soft light that caused Legolas to stare dubiously at him.
"Legolas? Tavor?"
"This prank was the best thing we have done," Legolas continued rubbing the soap over his arms, eyeing Tavor suspiciously. "Now we won't get caught. We will have to do something nice for the twins."
"Legolas? Tavor?"
"Maybe they can help us think of some other pranks to play. They must be very good at it. Wouldn't it be great to play one on Old Sourpuss?" Tavor said with a grin, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment at his momentary lapse. He would have to be more careful. His grin widened at the thought of pulling something on the Master Archer, and actually getting away with it. Yes, best to think of that rather than the twins enchanting sister. . . at least when he was around Legolas.
"Legolas! Tavor! Look!!"
The two turned to frown at Brethil who was holding up his tunic, which he had stripped off to clean with the twins' soap. If anything it looked worse now for the washing than it had with the mud on it.
"It's ruined!" he cried. "My naneth will be very unhappy with me!"
"Maybe this soap wasn't supposed to be used on cloth," Legolas said with a frown. "Don't worry, Brethil. We will get it clean before your naneth can see it."
Brethil frowned down at his tunic, and then dunked it beneath the water several times. The dark stains still did not come out. He sighed, wondering how he would explain this away, when he gazed over at his two friends who were laughing and splashing one another.
"Legolas? Tavor?"
Surely they had washed their faces by now. If that were true, then why were they still that sickly greenish blackish color.
"Legolas? Tavor?"
The two turned to look at him, grins showing whitely.
"I said we will help you get it clean, Brethil," Legolas said.
"It is not that. It is . . . it," he gulped, and shook his head. "Didn't you already wash your faces?"
"Yes, we did. Why?"
Tavor gazed from Brethil to Legolas, and his eyes widened in horror.
"Legolas . . . your face. . . are you certain that you washed it?"
"What are you talking about, Tavor? Of course I washed it. Why?" But then the prince of Mirkwood notice Tavor's face. He swallowed uneasily. "Didn't you?"
They looked at one another, then down at their hands and arms. Everywhere the twins' soap had touched them, their skin was the horrid color of the mud.
"What is going on?" Tavor yelped. "What is this?" He stared down at the soap still clasped in one hand.
Legolas growled in his throat and threw the soap as far from him as he could.
"I can't believe it!" he hissed. "I can't believe it!!" He strode through the water, and clambered onto the bank. "Why did I ever trust them?!"
He stood on the grass staring down at his dripping body. Everywhere he had scrubbed with the soap was stained a dark murky brown. Tavor had whimpered slightly at the sight, fearing that he too would be similarly marked. Brethil merely stared at him, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"What are we going to do?" Tavor moaned. "I can't let anyone see me like this!"
"I don't know," Legolas muttered, wiping at his skin. He was very angry with the twins, but he was angrier with himself. He should have known better! They probably were laughing away somewhere, just waiting for the three to return to the palace.
"Oh no."
Legolas turned toward the new voice, and saw Aralith coming toward them, carrying clean dry clothing and towels. His blue eyes moved to Legolas face, and he grimaced.
"I am sorry, Legolas. I should have stopped them. I *knew* they were up to something." Thranduil's middle son shook his head. "I will go and speak to Lord Elrond, perhaps he knows of some way to counteract this. Here are your clothes. I must warn you, Adar and Tanglinna are awaiting you. Tanglinna does not look happy at all, you know how he dotes on Laerlend."
Legolas grimaced, taking a towel and drying off, hoping beyond hope that the stain would rub off, but it didn't. He sighed.
"I knew we wouldn't get away with it," he said with an apologetic look at Brethil, who had murmured 'I told you so.'
"You never do. I am sorry, Little Greenleaf. I will be back soon." Aralith laid a comforting hand on his brother's bare shoulder. "Don't worry. I will think of some way to get back at them." He winked then, and turned to vanish into the trees.
Brethil climbed out of the water and dried off, frowning at his very odd looking skin.
"It is rather a nice color," he said quietly.
"It is not!" Tavor yelped. "Look at me! I look horrible! I *do* look like an orc! Arwen is never going to fall in love with me now! What am I going to do? I can never get out of this water! Never!"
"What?"
Both Brethil and Legolas turned to stare at him. Then Legolas giggled.
"Arwen?" he said. "Arwen?! I thought I was imaging it!""
Suddenly the two began to laugh, Brethil managing to forget his tunic for the moment, as they teased Tavor until he finally did emerge, wet and angry.
After a few moments, Tavor muttering imprecations at them as he dressed, the three climbed a tree, figuring they were less likely to be spotted by anyone just happening by.
"Do you think Lord Elrond will have something that will help us?" Brethil asked, staring down at his muddy tunic, which had been piled with all of their dirty clothing in the hollow of a dead tree nearby.
"I certainly hope so," Legolas breathed, grabbing a handful of his no longer blond hair and staring at it, "though it might be easier to hide if we are this color. More foresty. Maybe we can just hide here until it wears off."
"What do you suppose Aralith will think of? He is not as good at thinking up this sort of thing, not as much as we are." Tavor said doubtfully, trying *not* to grab at his hair and look at the mess it was now.
"He will think of something. He was not at all happy when he and ada returned from Imladris after we sent the. . . " A smile appeared on his lips, "after the Morn Nen Incident."
"Is Lord Elrond going to say something about that?" Brethil asked, his eyes wide.
"Well, perhaps," Legolas said, with a grin at Tavor.
"If he can remember to!" Tavor laughed.
Brethil watched as his two friends began to giggle and laugh, making jokes about the Morn Nen laced wine, and Elrond's memory of it. He still felt somewhat bad about that little unfortunate accident, but it was rather silly too. He felt a smile tugging on his lips, and then he did smile. He was certain that someone like Lord Elrond was very forgiving, he had to be with sons like the twins, who must be constantly in trouble.
Soon all three boys were laughing and joking with one another, and trying to figure out what Aralith would do to avenge them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aralith returned later, coaxing them from their leafy perch. Elrond had been very upset with the "Els," and what they had done. He immediately offered to fix something that might help the three younglings.
Legolas, Tavor, and Brethil were elated to hear this, and Legolas dropped to the ground to give Aralith a hug.
"I am sorry, Greenleaf," his older brother said slowly, regretting what he had to say now, "but Adar said that you would have to let the stain wear off on its own."
"What?! Aralith! No!!"
The young elf warrior frowned sympathetically, laying one hand on Legolas' shoulder.
"I wish that it was not so, but that is what Adar said. He seems to think that it is a just punishment for what you did to Laerlend."
Legolas' mouth sagged open, and he gazed back at Tavor and Brethil. Tavor looked stricken, and he stared at his darkened hands and wrists that poked out of his shirtsleeves in horror. Brethil had retrieved his drying tunic, a look of dismay on his face.
"Do you think that King Thranduil will let Lord Elrond give me something to clean this?" he asked, turning bleak grey eyes to Legolas' brother.
Aralith studied the three young faces before him, and felt his need for revenge on the twins double. It was true that he had on occasion teased these three himself, and even played small pranks on them, but never anything like this. It was bad enough when the twins had teased him about something that had happened in Imladris a couple of years before, but they had gone too far this time. He was not alone in his assessment of the situation, and a glint of mischief sparkled in his blue eyes. He wondered what was even now being done about it.
"I am certain that he will, Brethil. I will ask him when we return."
"We have to go back?" Tavor asked, yanking on his sleeves and wishing they were long enough to cover him all the way to his fingertips. "I can't go back! Not looking like this!"
"You can't hide here forever, Tavor," Aralith said, gazing down at their dirty clothing. He almost commented that their clothing was probably a lost cause, but then he saw Brethil staring forlornly at the tunic he had tried so desperately to clean, and decided that discretion was best.
"Let's go. It is best to get the shrieking out of the way first thing," he said, deciding to leave the other clothing where it was.
"Do you think that Adar is going to shriek very much?" Legolas asked, staring at his hands.
"Well, only a little. It was actually Laerlend that I was thinking of," Aralith said with a wry grin as he led them back toward the palace.
Legolas felt a smile touch his lips.
"She did look very silly when she screamed," he murmured, placing a hand over his wayward lips.
Tavor stared over at him, still bemoaning his looks. Then the image of the shrieking princess drifted to his mind, and he giggled.
"She did. We really scared her this time," he commented with an undignified snort. "But did you notice that Lady Arwen wasn't frightened at all? She is very brave."
Aralith chuckled quietly. It was rather amusing to see Tavor so smitten.
"Come along, you three. Let's get this over with."
Aralith quickened his pace, his own impatience to see what was transpiring with the twins getting the better of him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A feast was being given in honor of Lord Elrond's visit that evening, and though they protested vehemently, the Tricksy Trio had been told to attend in all their stained glory. Elrond has given Brethil the soap for his tunic, and had even helped the elfling to clean his sodden garment. He had accompanied the child home, surprising Glaurhunant and helping to ease her annoyance with her son's antics. She had invited Elrond in to have some tea, which he graciously accepted.
After he had gone, Glaurhunant had shaken her golden head, kneeling swiftly before her child, tipping his chin up with one finger as he stared at the floor, feeling very remorseful, and knowing that now that Lord Elrond had gone he would face The Lecture.
"Do not worry, tithen mistlam (little wandering tongue)," she assured trying not to let him see the shock she felt as she gazed at his darkened face. "I think you have been punished enough for this prank. You shouldn't tease the little princess, dearest. She is younger than you, and . . . "
Brethil suppressed a sigh as he listened to her lecture, knowing quite well that the next time Legolas and Tavor planned a prank against Laerlend - though he knew it would be quite some time before they dared - he would be right in the middle of it whether he wished to be or not.
Elsewhere Tavor was also receiving The Lecture, though it was not given to him in such a quiet, gentle manner. Laureahiril was glaring down at him as she gave her version of the Lecture, shaking a slender finger at him, her voice shrill and filled with bitter disappointment. After a time, he was able to ignore his grandmother's voice, filling his mind with visions of the lovely Arwen. She had smiled at him when they had returned to the palace despite his appearance, and she had even winked! He sighed happily, causing the volume of Laureahiril's voice to rise even further because of his inattentiveness, but that mattered not to him. Arwen had smiled and winked at him, and all was right with the world.
Legolas was not making out quite as well as his comrades. Thranduil had indeed shrieked at him, though Legolas thought he detected an amused smile on his ada's face from time to time. Tanglinna had glared down at him, arms folded across his chest, no hint of anything remotely resembling amusement anywhere on his face. If that had been all the punishment he was to receive, he would have felt himself fortunate, but alas! Laerlend didn't will it to be so.
The young prince had been amazed that when she entered the room, she didn't shriek or fly into him as he expected. She had merely regarded him imperiously, taking in the way he looked. She didn't burst into laughter as he thought she might, which scared him. What was she planning?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The formal dining hall looked very splendid that evening. Quiet strains of music filtered through the halls, the scent of summer flowers that were placed in garlands over the doorways, and on the mantle, which held no fire this summer evening, but had been swept clean and filled with a huge arrangement of flowers and berries. Tall vases were filled with roses of every color of the rainbow. Scented candles had been lit, their light dancing on the silver settings on the table. The cooks had outdone themselves, after all it was Lord Elrond they were entertaining, so the delicious smells of their dishes added to the festivities.
The guests had begun arriving, and soon the long carved table was surrounded by chattering, happy elves. Thranduil and Elrond had watched this from a private alcove overlooking the room, waiting for the moment that their sons would arrive.
"You are certain that they will not find a way to get out of it?" Thranduil asked, running a hand over the rich green silk of his new robe. He was very happy with it, and he smiled in appreciation of its beauty.
"They wouldn't dare," Elrond commented, adjusting the twining circlet on his brow. It was of plain silver, and had been adorned with ivy and flowers. It was a bit fussier than he was used to, or was even comfortable with, but as then, as the old saying went "When in Mirkwood . . . " He smiled picturing his twins' faces. "Laerlend wouldn't let them."
"No, she wouldn't. Shall we go down and wait for them?" Thranduil said with a chuckle. "Laerlend does know how to make an entrance."
"Just like her adar," Elrond commented wryly.
Thranduil turned to regard him, arching one brow.
"Indeed. Shall we?"
The two powerful elves entered the dining room side by side, regal heads held high. Silence descended on the assembled guests as they gazed in appreciation at them, rising to their feet.
Thranduil tipped his flower-bedecked head in acknowledgement. Even after all this time, he still enjoyed this sort of thing. The only person not properly awed by his magnificent appearance was Tanglinna, who was seated beside Lady Glaurhunant. Thranduil's composure slipped somewhat as his gaze fell upon the Master Archer's robes; they were an exact duplicate of the Wood Elf king's own new green robes. He saw Tanglinna bow slightly, and mouth "Gwanuig nin (my twin)."
~ I will really have to speak with Ceredirhammad about this, ~ he thought in annoyance, wondering how Tanglinna had gotten the seamstress to copy the king's robes so exactly. Even down to the tiniest silver oak leaves embroidered on the hem of the sleeves, and collar.
Elrond chuckled appreciatively, but cleared his throat, looking away as Thranduil's gaze moved to him.
"You both look very nice," Imladris' lord commented, raising one hand to his lips to cover his smile. "One would say almost like twins."
Thranduil scowled as they moved past the Master Archer who had a most annoying smirk on his face.
A moment later, after Thranduil had seated himself at the head of the table with Elrond at his right hand, Laerlend made her appearance. She was wearing in a frilly dress of pale green and gold, a delicate crown of daisies on top of her golden head. She made certain that all eyes were on her before curtseying. Behind her stood Arwen, dressed in a similar dress of pale blue, her dark hair crowned with daisies also.
Thranduil raised his brows at this, knowing that Laerlend was usually the only one permitted to wear the Daisy Crown. She must think very highly of Arwen indeed to allow this! Then to his surprise he saw Mirithil come to stand behind Arwen, daisies wreathing her golden brown locks. Thranduil's eyes slide to Celebross, and he was not disappointed in his son's reaction. His silver haired heir's jaw dropped as he saw Mirithil standing there, a vision in rose colored silk. He started to his feet, nearly knocking his heavy chair over on the floor. Mirithil giggled and winked at him, and he smiled, face pleasantly flushed.
"Sit down, won't you, Celebross!" Thranduil said, his eyes narrowing.
The heir to Mirkwood grinned sheepishly, and took his seat, his eyes going once more to Mirithil.
The king sighed. Well, the girl certainly knew how to handle herself, and she did have a remarkable sense of humor, which one needed if one was going to be a part of this family. He wondered when the betrothal date would be set.
Laerlend lifted her head proudly, very pleased by the murmur of appreciation that rippled through the room at her appearance. She tipped her head, and entered, leading her lovely guests to their seats.
Elrond leaned over, and quietly murmured in Thranduil ear, "Where are our sons?"
Thranduil smiled at Laerlend as she took her place near him.
"They will be here momentarily I suspect. Won't they, nin iell (my daughter)?"
"They are on there way here now, Ada," she said, inclining her head to Elrond. "They look very nice, too."
Elrond raised his brows, his eyes moving to Arwen, who was looking entirely too pleased with herself.
"Don't worry, Adar. They are on their way here," she said with a smile, and then glanced at Mirithil who grinned at her.
"They were having some problems with their wardrobe, I believe," Mirithil said, her gaze then sliding to Celebross. The look she gave him told that he had obviously had no trouble with his, as he looked very fine. Celebross' cheeks flamed once more, and Thranduil rolled his eyes.
"Where is Aralith?" he asked in an undertone. "I don't see him either."
"He is getting dressed, Ada," Laerlend said with a smile. "He was helping Little Greenleaf and his friends get ready first."
Elrond suddenly felt very sorry for his sons, and 'Little Greenleaf and his friends.' With these three females conspiring against them, they didn't stand a chance.
Not many seconds later, voices were heard in the hall.
"I cannot believe this," one hissed, in what surely the owner thought was a quiet tone that no one could hear. "I cannot believe Arwen did this!"
" Well, from now on, she had better watch out. We have been rather gentle with her in the past when it came to our pranks, but not any longer!"
Elrond drew a deep breath, and looked at his daughter once more.
"What did you do, Arwen?" he asked, wondering if he truly wanted to know.
But the lovely Evenstar only smiled enigmatically.
"I helped her," Laerlend chimed in, turning in her chair to study the doorway. "So did Mirithil."
"I almost feel sorry for them," Thranduil whispered to Elrond.
"I think we look rather nice," another younger voice said. "I am certain that Lady Arwen will think you look lovely, Tavor."
"Shut up, Brethil!" Tavor was heard to say.
"This is all your fault, Els!" Legolas could be heard to say. "If you hadn't given us that soap, none of this would have happened!"
"Our fault? Who was it that ruined his sister's tea party, and started this entire mess?"
"Exactly. It is all your fault, the three of you!"
"It is not! Tell him, Legolas! We would have gotten away with it, except for their smelly soap!"
"You said it smelled good, Tavor."
"Shut up, Brethil. I wasn't talking to you!"
Laerlend suddenly jumped from her chair, and marched toward the doorway, stopping only once to hug Tanglinna who was smiling in delighted anticipation.
"I got them, T'linna," she chortled. "Just wait 'til you see them! You look very nice tonight. Just like Ada!"
She moved away from the Master Archer, and everyone watched as she went to stand in the doorway, her hands on her hips as she stared into the hall.
"My little Orclings!" she said in a clear voice that carried very well. "You are making entirely too much noise! Mind your manners! Now please come and greet our guests. One at a time, if you please."
She waited until she was certain that she was being followed by her 'little Orclings' before turning to gaze into the room.
"May I present my little Orclings to King Thranduil and Lord Elrond."
Thranduil and Elrond exchanged bemused glances as Elladan and Elrohir entered the room.
"Arwen, you didn't?!" Elrond gasped, staring in shock at his sons.
"I didn't what, Ada?" the lady in question answered sweetly, as she turned to look at her brothers. Their skin was stained the same shade as the Trio's had been, a rich greenish brown. "I guess they got mixed up when they were bathing and used that horrible Gwaur Gludh. I can't imagine how that happened. Can you, Mirithil?"
Mirithil shook her head, causing her curls to dance slightly. Celebross gasped audibly at this wonder, which made Mirithil gaze over at him, her eyes alight with amusement.
"I said one at a time," Laerlend said in a reproving voice to the twins. "I am willing to overlook this since you are twins though. I would like to present Gromgash and Ufku to our most esteemed guests. Please bow, Gromgash and Ufku."
They were dressed identically in short tunics of Imladris blue, with matching breeches tucked into thigh-high boots of black leather. The twins gazed forlornly at one another, noting the other's floral crown with dismay.
"I knew there was a reason that I didn't want to come to Mirkwood," Elladan said with a sigh as he and Elrohir bowed gracefully.
"Yes, it is too bad that we couldn't recall what it was before we came," Elrohir murmured as they took their seats near their father, who raised his brows and smirked at them.
"This is Lughosh," Laerlend continued, naming her little Orclings as they entered.
Tavor was for the moment very glad that his face was stained so dark, as it hid the furious blush that painted his cheeks. He saw Laureahiril was present, with an empty chair at her side. He tugged at his own tunic of pale russet, and sighed, shoulders slumping as he bowed as per instructions from Laerlend. He resisted the urge to grab at the wreath of flowers on his own locks when he saw Arwen smiling at him. His heart leapt, and he straightened, only to bow to her, his grey eyes filled with delight.
"I think you have made a conquest, Lady Arwen," Mirithil laughed quietly.
"It would appear that I have," Arwen agreed, watching as Tavor made his way to the seat by his grandmother. "Do you think it would be alright if Master Lughosh were to sit by me for this night?" she asked King Thranduil politely.
Thranduil gazed down the long table at the elfling who cringed as he was about to take his seat.
"Of course. Lady Laureahiril?" he called, "Lady Arwen has requested that Master Lughosh sit by her side for the dinner this night. Does he have your permission to do so?"
Laureahiril raised one brow, but looked at the Lady Arwen. Marrying this silly one off to her when he was older could be rather advantageous. So she inclined her head, and Tavor could barely restrain the cry of joy that wanted to leap from his mouth as he bent to kiss his grandmother's cheek before hurrying as gracefully and elegantly as he could to Arwen's side.
"This is Bazhosh," Laerlend continued as Brethil moved to her side. "He promises to be quiet tonight, don't you, Bazhosh?"
Brethil gazed solemnly about the large room, and nodded. He was dressed in a light grey tunic that matched his eyes perfectly.
"Yes, Princess Laerlend, I did say that I would be quiet. No one will know that I am here. Everything looks so very nice, doesn't it? You see, Legolas? This is going to be a very nice dinner, not boring like you said it would be. You do look very nice with your flowers, too. I told you everything would be alright, didn't I? In fact -"
"Shut up, Brethil," the last Orcling muttered, his fingers knotting on his pale green tunic to keep them from ripping the flowers from his hair.
"Go sit down, Bazhosh. Master Tanglinna and your naneth will keep you company. Now come in here, Burzzag," Laerlend grabbed her brother's tunic sleeve and yanked him to her side.
"This is Prince Burzzag," she said, adjusting the ring of flowers on his mud colored hair. "He and his friends Lughosh and Barhosh have promised to serve at my next tea party dressed as I want them to be. Haven't you, Prince Burzzag?"
Legolas grimaced, but nodded, his eyes on the floor. Like Thranduil he was dressed in rich green, though instead of silver oak leaf embroidery, his tunic bore tiny green leaves on the hem and collar.
Thranduil smiled, and stood.
"Welcome to Mirkwood, Orclings. We are delighted to have you. Just try to behave yourselves tonight."
"Oh, they will behave, Ada," Laerlend said moving once more to take her seat, followed by a trudging Prince Burzzag. "They have learned their lesson, haven't you, my little Orclings?"
The five "little Orclings" nodded, murmuring that they had indeed learned their lesson.
When everyone was seated and the food was being served, Thranduil turned to Laerlend once more.
"Where did you say Aralith is?"
"He was getting dressed, Ada. He should be here."
Elrond noted that the twins had glanced quickly at one another, eyes alight with amusement.
"Oh no," he groaned, leaning toward them. "What have you two done now?"
"Done? I don't know what you are talking about, Adar. We have done nothing." Elrohir answered, his eyes now devoid of all guile.
Elrond grimaced slightly, and turned to Thranduil.
"I am apologizing now for anything that has befallen Aralith at the hands of these two . . . these two . . ."
"Miscreant Orclings?" Thranduil supplied with a laugh, taking a succulent slice of venison from the proffered tray. "He is fine I am sure. He will be here any moment now offering his apologies. You did not make *him* dress for a tea party, did you, Laerlend?"
"No, Ada. I did not. He told me that he does not like flower crowns, especially ones with periwinkles. I don't know why he said that, for they would look go rather nicely with his eyes."
The twins snickered at this innocent comment, and were hushed by a glare from their esteemed father.
"Enedbal will be here shortly, never fear," Elladan said with a grin at Elrohir. "In fact I think we will hear him before we see him."
Elrond frowned. What had they done?
Everyone turned to look once more at the doorway, wondering what surprise was in store for them now. Indeed, they did hear him before they saw him.
"Spider! Spider!"
Elladan smiled over at his brother, before his look turned to one of mock dismay.
"Didn't you tell him, gwador nin (my brother)?" he said, holding one hand to his cheek.
"Nay, I thought you did!" Elrohir said, sounding equally dismayed, but the glint in his eyes belied this fact.
A moment later Aralith skidded into the dining room, his fair face filled with terror.
"It . . .It. . . Spider!" He sprinted to where his adar was seated, his eyes wide.
"Aralith, really! There is no spider here. Will you please stop making a fool of yourself," he hissed.
"Adar, it-" He gasped suddenly, pointing toward the doorway.
A huge spider lumbered into the room, a grin on its face.
"Wicked! Wicked!" it hissed at Aralith ignoring the cries of surprise and horror that suddenly filled the room. "Wicked Enedbal! You forgot your crown!" Held delicately in his front to legs was a crown of periwinkles.
"Bastryn?!" Legolas yelped, staring at the huge arachnid in disbelief.
The spider's eyes swung to the Orcling, and he frowned.
"Greenie?" he creaked. "Wicked Greenie?"
"It IS Bastryn!" Brethil crowed, leaping to his feet in excitement. "Look how big you are, Lend Laes Bastryn!" He moved away from the table and came to stand before the confused spider. "It is your naneth lhing! Don't you remember me?"
"Naneth lhing? Naneth lhing?" The arachnid studied the child before him, then scratched the top of his head. "You are very small, naneth lhing. Your hair is not the right color either."
"I can explain that," Brethil said with a smile. "You see we were playing a trick on Wicked Greenie's sister. . . I mean Prince Legolas' sister. . . and-"
"Don't even start that, Bazhosh!" Laerlend said with a pout. "Gromgash, Ufku, take that spider out of here now!" She pointed toward the doorway.
Elladan and Elrohir grinned, bowing to her. They stood, and moved toward the spider.
"As you wish, Princess. You may visit with him later, Brethil. But I must warn you, he thinks Lord Glorfindel is his naneth lhing now."
Brethil's face fell slightly, even as Laerlend gasped with delight.
"Why didn't you bring Lord Glorfindel with you, Lord Elrond?" she chirped, turning to smile at him.
"I wasn't aware that we had brought the spider," Elrond said apologetically with a glance at Thranduil and then Aralith, who was still cowering behind the chair. He had wondered why the twins insisted on falling behind the rest of the party so often on the journey here. Now he knew.
"It is so . . .big! How did it get so big?" Thranduil said, staring at it in amazement.
"That would be Lord Glorfindel's fault," Elrohir explained, stroking Bastryn's head, which seemed rather tiny compared to the rest of him. "He spoils him entirely too much!"
"Actually, El," Elladan said with a wink at Aralith, who turned his eyes to the twins. Suddenly he didn't look quite so frightened, only angry. "He thinks that if he feeds it enough it will leave him alone, and not chew on him. Isn't that what you would do, Enedbal?"
"Enedbal!" Bastryn hissed loudly, waving the periwinkle crown over his head. "Your crown, Enedbal! Your crown!" He leapt forward, surprising everyone with his agility, to land in front of Aralith, who now sounded as though someone was strangling him. Bastryn placed the flowers on his blond locks, and smoothed down the hair. "You look so sweet!" he hissed loudly before moving away to join the twins.
"It touched me! It touched me!" Aralith squeaked as he shuddered in disgust. "It touched me!"
"Please take Bastryn out of here," Elrond said in as patient a voice as he could muster. "Now."
"Of course, Adar. He was merely helping Enedbal with his crown. That was very nice of you, Bastryn. You are such a good spider. You really are."
"Come and help us, Brethil," Elrohir said, holding his hand out to the child. "He has missed you. You can tuck him into bed. Enedbal was kind enough to offer to share his room with Bastryn. Aren't you, Enedbal?"
"My room!? My room!?" Aralith cried. "No! No! No! Adar, you can't let them put that spider in my room!!"
Thranduil closed his eyes, and shook his head.
"We will have to do this more often, won't we, Peredhil?" he murmured, his fingers straying to his temples.
Elrond watched as his son's left the room, with Brethil and the spider in tow.
"Yes. It has been most. . . interesting. I believe it is my turn to host this . . . this. . . whatever it is next, don't you?"
"Celebrian would never forgive you."
"She owes me after this," Elrond assured him.
The rest of the dinner was highly uneventful, though Aralith continued to mutter about sharing his room with a spider. He was pointedly ignored.
It wasn't until the guests had taken their leave, and everyone in the palace was preparing for to return to their rooms for the night, that Legolas suddenly remembered something. He sprinted after Tavor who was accompanying his grandmother out the door. Legolas apologized to Laureahiril, before pulling Tavor to one side.
"We didn't do 'that thing' that we were going to do, did we?" he whispered, gripping Tavor's arm tightly.
"What thing? Oh! *That* thing! No, of course not. We were in enough trouble without that!"
Legolas sighed with relief, and released Tavor's arm.
"Good. I was really worried. Mauraur (goodnight), Lughosh," he said with a smile.
"Mauraur, Prince Burzzag. Where is Bazhosh?"
"He is saying goodnight to Bastryn, I believe."
Tavor smirked.
"Is Bastryn really staying in Enedbal's room?" he asked with a laugh.
Legolas giggled slightly, glancing back at where Aralith stood, hovering at Thranduil's side, one hand clasped on their adar's robe.
"Yes, I just am not certain that *Enedbal* is staying in Enedbal's room."
The two snickered at this, until Laureahiril made a noise, which sent Tavor scampering to her side.
"Have you said goodnight to the Lady Arwen?" she asked her grandson.
"Oh! I will do it right now!"
Legolas watched as Tavor sidled up to Arwen, and took her hand in his own. He murmured some quiet words, and kissed the back of her hand. Legolas started to giggle again when Arwen bent to kiss Tavor's cheek. Tavor floated pasted him join his grandmother, a silly, dazed look on his face.
"I will see you tomorrow, Lughosh the Lover!" Legolas called, not certain if Tavor heard him or not.
He moved to join Thranduil, who was removing Aralith's hand from his robe.
"Have you bid your sister mauraur, Little Greenleaf?" Thranduil asked, slapping at Aralith's hand as it crept back onto his sleeve.
Legolas grimaced slightly, then shook his head apologetically.
"Then go now and do it. She has been remarkably patient with you and your friends."
"Yes, Ada. Mauraur," he moved to kiss his father's cheek. "Mauraur, Enedbal," he called as he started down the hall.
"Adar! Don't let him start to call me that!" Aralith protested.
"Why ever not, Enedbal? It is a rather sweet name, and NO! You may not sleep in my room tonight!"
Legolas trotted happily down the hallway toward the family quarters. He was humming the last tune played by the musicians that night, and feeling rather happy despite all that had happened. He rounded the corner in time to see Tanglinna bidding Laerlend goodnight, bowing gracefully to the little princess who smiled up at him. Legolas shook his head. He would never understand why Tanglinna put up with her. He rolled his eyes, which was when he noticed the bucket perched over Laerlend's door, which was ajar. He gasped! Tavor had said that they hadn't done that?! Then why was the bucket over her doorway?! Before he could move or even draw a breath to stop them, Tanglinna grabbed the doorknob to open the door for Laerlend.
Legolas watched as the bucket tipped, spilling the sticky mud onto the Master Archer and his sister. He stared transfixed as they stood in the hall the muck dripping from their heads, the bucket swinging on its rope. Then as one they looked up at him, and the shrieking that he had expected to hear earlier from Laerlend's pink lips started.
"LITTLE GREENLEAF!!!!!"
This sound echoed throughout Mirkwood forest, and was accompanied only by the sound of quiet laughter from the twins from Imladris.
I Methed (The End)
Author's Note - The "little Orclings'" names came from the Barrowdowns name generator.
I hope you enjoyed this short romp. There will be more of them.
"Mmmm. This smells very good! Where did the twins say they learned to make it?"
"From Lord Elrond. He knows a lot about herbs and things like that," Legolas said answering Tavor's query as he lathering the lump of dark soap between his hands. "It was very nice of them to help us."
Tavor snorted, smearing the soap over his face and hair.
"They have a younger sister, too," he said with a grin before ducking beneath the water to rinse off. "She is as fair as the night sky, " he murmured when he resurfaced, his eyes filled with a soft light that caused Legolas to stare dubiously at him.
"Legolas? Tavor?"
"This prank was the best thing we have done," Legolas continued rubbing the soap over his arms, eyeing Tavor suspiciously. "Now we won't get caught. We will have to do something nice for the twins."
"Legolas? Tavor?"
"Maybe they can help us think of some other pranks to play. They must be very good at it. Wouldn't it be great to play one on Old Sourpuss?" Tavor said with a grin, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment at his momentary lapse. He would have to be more careful. His grin widened at the thought of pulling something on the Master Archer, and actually getting away with it. Yes, best to think of that rather than the twins enchanting sister. . . at least when he was around Legolas.
"Legolas! Tavor! Look!!"
The two turned to frown at Brethil who was holding up his tunic, which he had stripped off to clean with the twins' soap. If anything it looked worse now for the washing than it had with the mud on it.
"It's ruined!" he cried. "My naneth will be very unhappy with me!"
"Maybe this soap wasn't supposed to be used on cloth," Legolas said with a frown. "Don't worry, Brethil. We will get it clean before your naneth can see it."
Brethil frowned down at his tunic, and then dunked it beneath the water several times. The dark stains still did not come out. He sighed, wondering how he would explain this away, when he gazed over at his two friends who were laughing and splashing one another.
"Legolas? Tavor?"
Surely they had washed their faces by now. If that were true, then why were they still that sickly greenish blackish color.
"Legolas? Tavor?"
The two turned to look at him, grins showing whitely.
"I said we will help you get it clean, Brethil," Legolas said.
"It is not that. It is . . . it," he gulped, and shook his head. "Didn't you already wash your faces?"
"Yes, we did. Why?"
Tavor gazed from Brethil to Legolas, and his eyes widened in horror.
"Legolas . . . your face. . . are you certain that you washed it?"
"What are you talking about, Tavor? Of course I washed it. Why?" But then the prince of Mirkwood notice Tavor's face. He swallowed uneasily. "Didn't you?"
They looked at one another, then down at their hands and arms. Everywhere the twins' soap had touched them, their skin was the horrid color of the mud.
"What is going on?" Tavor yelped. "What is this?" He stared down at the soap still clasped in one hand.
Legolas growled in his throat and threw the soap as far from him as he could.
"I can't believe it!" he hissed. "I can't believe it!!" He strode through the water, and clambered onto the bank. "Why did I ever trust them?!"
He stood on the grass staring down at his dripping body. Everywhere he had scrubbed with the soap was stained a dark murky brown. Tavor had whimpered slightly at the sight, fearing that he too would be similarly marked. Brethil merely stared at him, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"What are we going to do?" Tavor moaned. "I can't let anyone see me like this!"
"I don't know," Legolas muttered, wiping at his skin. He was very angry with the twins, but he was angrier with himself. He should have known better! They probably were laughing away somewhere, just waiting for the three to return to the palace.
"Oh no."
Legolas turned toward the new voice, and saw Aralith coming toward them, carrying clean dry clothing and towels. His blue eyes moved to Legolas face, and he grimaced.
"I am sorry, Legolas. I should have stopped them. I *knew* they were up to something." Thranduil's middle son shook his head. "I will go and speak to Lord Elrond, perhaps he knows of some way to counteract this. Here are your clothes. I must warn you, Adar and Tanglinna are awaiting you. Tanglinna does not look happy at all, you know how he dotes on Laerlend."
Legolas grimaced, taking a towel and drying off, hoping beyond hope that the stain would rub off, but it didn't. He sighed.
"I knew we wouldn't get away with it," he said with an apologetic look at Brethil, who had murmured 'I told you so.'
"You never do. I am sorry, Little Greenleaf. I will be back soon." Aralith laid a comforting hand on his brother's bare shoulder. "Don't worry. I will think of some way to get back at them." He winked then, and turned to vanish into the trees.
Brethil climbed out of the water and dried off, frowning at his very odd looking skin.
"It is rather a nice color," he said quietly.
"It is not!" Tavor yelped. "Look at me! I look horrible! I *do* look like an orc! Arwen is never going to fall in love with me now! What am I going to do? I can never get out of this water! Never!"
"What?"
Both Brethil and Legolas turned to stare at him. Then Legolas giggled.
"Arwen?" he said. "Arwen?! I thought I was imaging it!""
Suddenly the two began to laugh, Brethil managing to forget his tunic for the moment, as they teased Tavor until he finally did emerge, wet and angry.
After a few moments, Tavor muttering imprecations at them as he dressed, the three climbed a tree, figuring they were less likely to be spotted by anyone just happening by.
"Do you think Lord Elrond will have something that will help us?" Brethil asked, staring down at his muddy tunic, which had been piled with all of their dirty clothing in the hollow of a dead tree nearby.
"I certainly hope so," Legolas breathed, grabbing a handful of his no longer blond hair and staring at it, "though it might be easier to hide if we are this color. More foresty. Maybe we can just hide here until it wears off."
"What do you suppose Aralith will think of? He is not as good at thinking up this sort of thing, not as much as we are." Tavor said doubtfully, trying *not* to grab at his hair and look at the mess it was now.
"He will think of something. He was not at all happy when he and ada returned from Imladris after we sent the. . . " A smile appeared on his lips, "after the Morn Nen Incident."
"Is Lord Elrond going to say something about that?" Brethil asked, his eyes wide.
"Well, perhaps," Legolas said, with a grin at Tavor.
"If he can remember to!" Tavor laughed.
Brethil watched as his two friends began to giggle and laugh, making jokes about the Morn Nen laced wine, and Elrond's memory of it. He still felt somewhat bad about that little unfortunate accident, but it was rather silly too. He felt a smile tugging on his lips, and then he did smile. He was certain that someone like Lord Elrond was very forgiving, he had to be with sons like the twins, who must be constantly in trouble.
Soon all three boys were laughing and joking with one another, and trying to figure out what Aralith would do to avenge them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aralith returned later, coaxing them from their leafy perch. Elrond had been very upset with the "Els," and what they had done. He immediately offered to fix something that might help the three younglings.
Legolas, Tavor, and Brethil were elated to hear this, and Legolas dropped to the ground to give Aralith a hug.
"I am sorry, Greenleaf," his older brother said slowly, regretting what he had to say now, "but Adar said that you would have to let the stain wear off on its own."
"What?! Aralith! No!!"
The young elf warrior frowned sympathetically, laying one hand on Legolas' shoulder.
"I wish that it was not so, but that is what Adar said. He seems to think that it is a just punishment for what you did to Laerlend."
Legolas' mouth sagged open, and he gazed back at Tavor and Brethil. Tavor looked stricken, and he stared at his darkened hands and wrists that poked out of his shirtsleeves in horror. Brethil had retrieved his drying tunic, a look of dismay on his face.
"Do you think that King Thranduil will let Lord Elrond give me something to clean this?" he asked, turning bleak grey eyes to Legolas' brother.
Aralith studied the three young faces before him, and felt his need for revenge on the twins double. It was true that he had on occasion teased these three himself, and even played small pranks on them, but never anything like this. It was bad enough when the twins had teased him about something that had happened in Imladris a couple of years before, but they had gone too far this time. He was not alone in his assessment of the situation, and a glint of mischief sparkled in his blue eyes. He wondered what was even now being done about it.
"I am certain that he will, Brethil. I will ask him when we return."
"We have to go back?" Tavor asked, yanking on his sleeves and wishing they were long enough to cover him all the way to his fingertips. "I can't go back! Not looking like this!"
"You can't hide here forever, Tavor," Aralith said, gazing down at their dirty clothing. He almost commented that their clothing was probably a lost cause, but then he saw Brethil staring forlornly at the tunic he had tried so desperately to clean, and decided that discretion was best.
"Let's go. It is best to get the shrieking out of the way first thing," he said, deciding to leave the other clothing where it was.
"Do you think that Adar is going to shriek very much?" Legolas asked, staring at his hands.
"Well, only a little. It was actually Laerlend that I was thinking of," Aralith said with a wry grin as he led them back toward the palace.
Legolas felt a smile touch his lips.
"She did look very silly when she screamed," he murmured, placing a hand over his wayward lips.
Tavor stared over at him, still bemoaning his looks. Then the image of the shrieking princess drifted to his mind, and he giggled.
"She did. We really scared her this time," he commented with an undignified snort. "But did you notice that Lady Arwen wasn't frightened at all? She is very brave."
Aralith chuckled quietly. It was rather amusing to see Tavor so smitten.
"Come along, you three. Let's get this over with."
Aralith quickened his pace, his own impatience to see what was transpiring with the twins getting the better of him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A feast was being given in honor of Lord Elrond's visit that evening, and though they protested vehemently, the Tricksy Trio had been told to attend in all their stained glory. Elrond has given Brethil the soap for his tunic, and had even helped the elfling to clean his sodden garment. He had accompanied the child home, surprising Glaurhunant and helping to ease her annoyance with her son's antics. She had invited Elrond in to have some tea, which he graciously accepted.
After he had gone, Glaurhunant had shaken her golden head, kneeling swiftly before her child, tipping his chin up with one finger as he stared at the floor, feeling very remorseful, and knowing that now that Lord Elrond had gone he would face The Lecture.
"Do not worry, tithen mistlam (little wandering tongue)," she assured trying not to let him see the shock she felt as she gazed at his darkened face. "I think you have been punished enough for this prank. You shouldn't tease the little princess, dearest. She is younger than you, and . . . "
Brethil suppressed a sigh as he listened to her lecture, knowing quite well that the next time Legolas and Tavor planned a prank against Laerlend - though he knew it would be quite some time before they dared - he would be right in the middle of it whether he wished to be or not.
Elsewhere Tavor was also receiving The Lecture, though it was not given to him in such a quiet, gentle manner. Laureahiril was glaring down at him as she gave her version of the Lecture, shaking a slender finger at him, her voice shrill and filled with bitter disappointment. After a time, he was able to ignore his grandmother's voice, filling his mind with visions of the lovely Arwen. She had smiled at him when they had returned to the palace despite his appearance, and she had even winked! He sighed happily, causing the volume of Laureahiril's voice to rise even further because of his inattentiveness, but that mattered not to him. Arwen had smiled and winked at him, and all was right with the world.
Legolas was not making out quite as well as his comrades. Thranduil had indeed shrieked at him, though Legolas thought he detected an amused smile on his ada's face from time to time. Tanglinna had glared down at him, arms folded across his chest, no hint of anything remotely resembling amusement anywhere on his face. If that had been all the punishment he was to receive, he would have felt himself fortunate, but alas! Laerlend didn't will it to be so.
The young prince had been amazed that when she entered the room, she didn't shriek or fly into him as he expected. She had merely regarded him imperiously, taking in the way he looked. She didn't burst into laughter as he thought she might, which scared him. What was she planning?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The formal dining hall looked very splendid that evening. Quiet strains of music filtered through the halls, the scent of summer flowers that were placed in garlands over the doorways, and on the mantle, which held no fire this summer evening, but had been swept clean and filled with a huge arrangement of flowers and berries. Tall vases were filled with roses of every color of the rainbow. Scented candles had been lit, their light dancing on the silver settings on the table. The cooks had outdone themselves, after all it was Lord Elrond they were entertaining, so the delicious smells of their dishes added to the festivities.
The guests had begun arriving, and soon the long carved table was surrounded by chattering, happy elves. Thranduil and Elrond had watched this from a private alcove overlooking the room, waiting for the moment that their sons would arrive.
"You are certain that they will not find a way to get out of it?" Thranduil asked, running a hand over the rich green silk of his new robe. He was very happy with it, and he smiled in appreciation of its beauty.
"They wouldn't dare," Elrond commented, adjusting the twining circlet on his brow. It was of plain silver, and had been adorned with ivy and flowers. It was a bit fussier than he was used to, or was even comfortable with, but as then, as the old saying went "When in Mirkwood . . . " He smiled picturing his twins' faces. "Laerlend wouldn't let them."
"No, she wouldn't. Shall we go down and wait for them?" Thranduil said with a chuckle. "Laerlend does know how to make an entrance."
"Just like her adar," Elrond commented wryly.
Thranduil turned to regard him, arching one brow.
"Indeed. Shall we?"
The two powerful elves entered the dining room side by side, regal heads held high. Silence descended on the assembled guests as they gazed in appreciation at them, rising to their feet.
Thranduil tipped his flower-bedecked head in acknowledgement. Even after all this time, he still enjoyed this sort of thing. The only person not properly awed by his magnificent appearance was Tanglinna, who was seated beside Lady Glaurhunant. Thranduil's composure slipped somewhat as his gaze fell upon the Master Archer's robes; they were an exact duplicate of the Wood Elf king's own new green robes. He saw Tanglinna bow slightly, and mouth "Gwanuig nin (my twin)."
~ I will really have to speak with Ceredirhammad about this, ~ he thought in annoyance, wondering how Tanglinna had gotten the seamstress to copy the king's robes so exactly. Even down to the tiniest silver oak leaves embroidered on the hem of the sleeves, and collar.
Elrond chuckled appreciatively, but cleared his throat, looking away as Thranduil's gaze moved to him.
"You both look very nice," Imladris' lord commented, raising one hand to his lips to cover his smile. "One would say almost like twins."
Thranduil scowled as they moved past the Master Archer who had a most annoying smirk on his face.
A moment later, after Thranduil had seated himself at the head of the table with Elrond at his right hand, Laerlend made her appearance. She was wearing in a frilly dress of pale green and gold, a delicate crown of daisies on top of her golden head. She made certain that all eyes were on her before curtseying. Behind her stood Arwen, dressed in a similar dress of pale blue, her dark hair crowned with daisies also.
Thranduil raised his brows at this, knowing that Laerlend was usually the only one permitted to wear the Daisy Crown. She must think very highly of Arwen indeed to allow this! Then to his surprise he saw Mirithil come to stand behind Arwen, daisies wreathing her golden brown locks. Thranduil's eyes slide to Celebross, and he was not disappointed in his son's reaction. His silver haired heir's jaw dropped as he saw Mirithil standing there, a vision in rose colored silk. He started to his feet, nearly knocking his heavy chair over on the floor. Mirithil giggled and winked at him, and he smiled, face pleasantly flushed.
"Sit down, won't you, Celebross!" Thranduil said, his eyes narrowing.
The heir to Mirkwood grinned sheepishly, and took his seat, his eyes going once more to Mirithil.
The king sighed. Well, the girl certainly knew how to handle herself, and she did have a remarkable sense of humor, which one needed if one was going to be a part of this family. He wondered when the betrothal date would be set.
Laerlend lifted her head proudly, very pleased by the murmur of appreciation that rippled through the room at her appearance. She tipped her head, and entered, leading her lovely guests to their seats.
Elrond leaned over, and quietly murmured in Thranduil ear, "Where are our sons?"
Thranduil smiled at Laerlend as she took her place near him.
"They will be here momentarily I suspect. Won't they, nin iell (my daughter)?"
"They are on there way here now, Ada," she said, inclining her head to Elrond. "They look very nice, too."
Elrond raised his brows, his eyes moving to Arwen, who was looking entirely too pleased with herself.
"Don't worry, Adar. They are on their way here," she said with a smile, and then glanced at Mirithil who grinned at her.
"They were having some problems with their wardrobe, I believe," Mirithil said, her gaze then sliding to Celebross. The look she gave him told that he had obviously had no trouble with his, as he looked very fine. Celebross' cheeks flamed once more, and Thranduil rolled his eyes.
"Where is Aralith?" he asked in an undertone. "I don't see him either."
"He is getting dressed, Ada," Laerlend said with a smile. "He was helping Little Greenleaf and his friends get ready first."
Elrond suddenly felt very sorry for his sons, and 'Little Greenleaf and his friends.' With these three females conspiring against them, they didn't stand a chance.
Not many seconds later, voices were heard in the hall.
"I cannot believe this," one hissed, in what surely the owner thought was a quiet tone that no one could hear. "I cannot believe Arwen did this!"
" Well, from now on, she had better watch out. We have been rather gentle with her in the past when it came to our pranks, but not any longer!"
Elrond drew a deep breath, and looked at his daughter once more.
"What did you do, Arwen?" he asked, wondering if he truly wanted to know.
But the lovely Evenstar only smiled enigmatically.
"I helped her," Laerlend chimed in, turning in her chair to study the doorway. "So did Mirithil."
"I almost feel sorry for them," Thranduil whispered to Elrond.
"I think we look rather nice," another younger voice said. "I am certain that Lady Arwen will think you look lovely, Tavor."
"Shut up, Brethil!" Tavor was heard to say.
"This is all your fault, Els!" Legolas could be heard to say. "If you hadn't given us that soap, none of this would have happened!"
"Our fault? Who was it that ruined his sister's tea party, and started this entire mess?"
"Exactly. It is all your fault, the three of you!"
"It is not! Tell him, Legolas! We would have gotten away with it, except for their smelly soap!"
"You said it smelled good, Tavor."
"Shut up, Brethil. I wasn't talking to you!"
Laerlend suddenly jumped from her chair, and marched toward the doorway, stopping only once to hug Tanglinna who was smiling in delighted anticipation.
"I got them, T'linna," she chortled. "Just wait 'til you see them! You look very nice tonight. Just like Ada!"
She moved away from the Master Archer, and everyone watched as she went to stand in the doorway, her hands on her hips as she stared into the hall.
"My little Orclings!" she said in a clear voice that carried very well. "You are making entirely too much noise! Mind your manners! Now please come and greet our guests. One at a time, if you please."
She waited until she was certain that she was being followed by her 'little Orclings' before turning to gaze into the room.
"May I present my little Orclings to King Thranduil and Lord Elrond."
Thranduil and Elrond exchanged bemused glances as Elladan and Elrohir entered the room.
"Arwen, you didn't?!" Elrond gasped, staring in shock at his sons.
"I didn't what, Ada?" the lady in question answered sweetly, as she turned to look at her brothers. Their skin was stained the same shade as the Trio's had been, a rich greenish brown. "I guess they got mixed up when they were bathing and used that horrible Gwaur Gludh. I can't imagine how that happened. Can you, Mirithil?"
Mirithil shook her head, causing her curls to dance slightly. Celebross gasped audibly at this wonder, which made Mirithil gaze over at him, her eyes alight with amusement.
"I said one at a time," Laerlend said in a reproving voice to the twins. "I am willing to overlook this since you are twins though. I would like to present Gromgash and Ufku to our most esteemed guests. Please bow, Gromgash and Ufku."
They were dressed identically in short tunics of Imladris blue, with matching breeches tucked into thigh-high boots of black leather. The twins gazed forlornly at one another, noting the other's floral crown with dismay.
"I knew there was a reason that I didn't want to come to Mirkwood," Elladan said with a sigh as he and Elrohir bowed gracefully.
"Yes, it is too bad that we couldn't recall what it was before we came," Elrohir murmured as they took their seats near their father, who raised his brows and smirked at them.
"This is Lughosh," Laerlend continued, naming her little Orclings as they entered.
Tavor was for the moment very glad that his face was stained so dark, as it hid the furious blush that painted his cheeks. He saw Laureahiril was present, with an empty chair at her side. He tugged at his own tunic of pale russet, and sighed, shoulders slumping as he bowed as per instructions from Laerlend. He resisted the urge to grab at the wreath of flowers on his own locks when he saw Arwen smiling at him. His heart leapt, and he straightened, only to bow to her, his grey eyes filled with delight.
"I think you have made a conquest, Lady Arwen," Mirithil laughed quietly.
"It would appear that I have," Arwen agreed, watching as Tavor made his way to the seat by his grandmother. "Do you think it would be alright if Master Lughosh were to sit by me for this night?" she asked King Thranduil politely.
Thranduil gazed down the long table at the elfling who cringed as he was about to take his seat.
"Of course. Lady Laureahiril?" he called, "Lady Arwen has requested that Master Lughosh sit by her side for the dinner this night. Does he have your permission to do so?"
Laureahiril raised one brow, but looked at the Lady Arwen. Marrying this silly one off to her when he was older could be rather advantageous. So she inclined her head, and Tavor could barely restrain the cry of joy that wanted to leap from his mouth as he bent to kiss his grandmother's cheek before hurrying as gracefully and elegantly as he could to Arwen's side.
"This is Bazhosh," Laerlend continued as Brethil moved to her side. "He promises to be quiet tonight, don't you, Bazhosh?"
Brethil gazed solemnly about the large room, and nodded. He was dressed in a light grey tunic that matched his eyes perfectly.
"Yes, Princess Laerlend, I did say that I would be quiet. No one will know that I am here. Everything looks so very nice, doesn't it? You see, Legolas? This is going to be a very nice dinner, not boring like you said it would be. You do look very nice with your flowers, too. I told you everything would be alright, didn't I? In fact -"
"Shut up, Brethil," the last Orcling muttered, his fingers knotting on his pale green tunic to keep them from ripping the flowers from his hair.
"Go sit down, Bazhosh. Master Tanglinna and your naneth will keep you company. Now come in here, Burzzag," Laerlend grabbed her brother's tunic sleeve and yanked him to her side.
"This is Prince Burzzag," she said, adjusting the ring of flowers on his mud colored hair. "He and his friends Lughosh and Barhosh have promised to serve at my next tea party dressed as I want them to be. Haven't you, Prince Burzzag?"
Legolas grimaced, but nodded, his eyes on the floor. Like Thranduil he was dressed in rich green, though instead of silver oak leaf embroidery, his tunic bore tiny green leaves on the hem and collar.
Thranduil smiled, and stood.
"Welcome to Mirkwood, Orclings. We are delighted to have you. Just try to behave yourselves tonight."
"Oh, they will behave, Ada," Laerlend said moving once more to take her seat, followed by a trudging Prince Burzzag. "They have learned their lesson, haven't you, my little Orclings?"
The five "little Orclings" nodded, murmuring that they had indeed learned their lesson.
When everyone was seated and the food was being served, Thranduil turned to Laerlend once more.
"Where did you say Aralith is?"
"He was getting dressed, Ada. He should be here."
Elrond noted that the twins had glanced quickly at one another, eyes alight with amusement.
"Oh no," he groaned, leaning toward them. "What have you two done now?"
"Done? I don't know what you are talking about, Adar. We have done nothing." Elrohir answered, his eyes now devoid of all guile.
Elrond grimaced slightly, and turned to Thranduil.
"I am apologizing now for anything that has befallen Aralith at the hands of these two . . . these two . . ."
"Miscreant Orclings?" Thranduil supplied with a laugh, taking a succulent slice of venison from the proffered tray. "He is fine I am sure. He will be here any moment now offering his apologies. You did not make *him* dress for a tea party, did you, Laerlend?"
"No, Ada. I did not. He told me that he does not like flower crowns, especially ones with periwinkles. I don't know why he said that, for they would look go rather nicely with his eyes."
The twins snickered at this innocent comment, and were hushed by a glare from their esteemed father.
"Enedbal will be here shortly, never fear," Elladan said with a grin at Elrohir. "In fact I think we will hear him before we see him."
Elrond frowned. What had they done?
Everyone turned to look once more at the doorway, wondering what surprise was in store for them now. Indeed, they did hear him before they saw him.
"Spider! Spider!"
Elladan smiled over at his brother, before his look turned to one of mock dismay.
"Didn't you tell him, gwador nin (my brother)?" he said, holding one hand to his cheek.
"Nay, I thought you did!" Elrohir said, sounding equally dismayed, but the glint in his eyes belied this fact.
A moment later Aralith skidded into the dining room, his fair face filled with terror.
"It . . .It. . . Spider!" He sprinted to where his adar was seated, his eyes wide.
"Aralith, really! There is no spider here. Will you please stop making a fool of yourself," he hissed.
"Adar, it-" He gasped suddenly, pointing toward the doorway.
A huge spider lumbered into the room, a grin on its face.
"Wicked! Wicked!" it hissed at Aralith ignoring the cries of surprise and horror that suddenly filled the room. "Wicked Enedbal! You forgot your crown!" Held delicately in his front to legs was a crown of periwinkles.
"Bastryn?!" Legolas yelped, staring at the huge arachnid in disbelief.
The spider's eyes swung to the Orcling, and he frowned.
"Greenie?" he creaked. "Wicked Greenie?"
"It IS Bastryn!" Brethil crowed, leaping to his feet in excitement. "Look how big you are, Lend Laes Bastryn!" He moved away from the table and came to stand before the confused spider. "It is your naneth lhing! Don't you remember me?"
"Naneth lhing? Naneth lhing?" The arachnid studied the child before him, then scratched the top of his head. "You are very small, naneth lhing. Your hair is not the right color either."
"I can explain that," Brethil said with a smile. "You see we were playing a trick on Wicked Greenie's sister. . . I mean Prince Legolas' sister. . . and-"
"Don't even start that, Bazhosh!" Laerlend said with a pout. "Gromgash, Ufku, take that spider out of here now!" She pointed toward the doorway.
Elladan and Elrohir grinned, bowing to her. They stood, and moved toward the spider.
"As you wish, Princess. You may visit with him later, Brethil. But I must warn you, he thinks Lord Glorfindel is his naneth lhing now."
Brethil's face fell slightly, even as Laerlend gasped with delight.
"Why didn't you bring Lord Glorfindel with you, Lord Elrond?" she chirped, turning to smile at him.
"I wasn't aware that we had brought the spider," Elrond said apologetically with a glance at Thranduil and then Aralith, who was still cowering behind the chair. He had wondered why the twins insisted on falling behind the rest of the party so often on the journey here. Now he knew.
"It is so . . .big! How did it get so big?" Thranduil said, staring at it in amazement.
"That would be Lord Glorfindel's fault," Elrohir explained, stroking Bastryn's head, which seemed rather tiny compared to the rest of him. "He spoils him entirely too much!"
"Actually, El," Elladan said with a wink at Aralith, who turned his eyes to the twins. Suddenly he didn't look quite so frightened, only angry. "He thinks that if he feeds it enough it will leave him alone, and not chew on him. Isn't that what you would do, Enedbal?"
"Enedbal!" Bastryn hissed loudly, waving the periwinkle crown over his head. "Your crown, Enedbal! Your crown!" He leapt forward, surprising everyone with his agility, to land in front of Aralith, who now sounded as though someone was strangling him. Bastryn placed the flowers on his blond locks, and smoothed down the hair. "You look so sweet!" he hissed loudly before moving away to join the twins.
"It touched me! It touched me!" Aralith squeaked as he shuddered in disgust. "It touched me!"
"Please take Bastryn out of here," Elrond said in as patient a voice as he could muster. "Now."
"Of course, Adar. He was merely helping Enedbal with his crown. That was very nice of you, Bastryn. You are such a good spider. You really are."
"Come and help us, Brethil," Elrohir said, holding his hand out to the child. "He has missed you. You can tuck him into bed. Enedbal was kind enough to offer to share his room with Bastryn. Aren't you, Enedbal?"
"My room!? My room!?" Aralith cried. "No! No! No! Adar, you can't let them put that spider in my room!!"
Thranduil closed his eyes, and shook his head.
"We will have to do this more often, won't we, Peredhil?" he murmured, his fingers straying to his temples.
Elrond watched as his son's left the room, with Brethil and the spider in tow.
"Yes. It has been most. . . interesting. I believe it is my turn to host this . . . this. . . whatever it is next, don't you?"
"Celebrian would never forgive you."
"She owes me after this," Elrond assured him.
The rest of the dinner was highly uneventful, though Aralith continued to mutter about sharing his room with a spider. He was pointedly ignored.
It wasn't until the guests had taken their leave, and everyone in the palace was preparing for to return to their rooms for the night, that Legolas suddenly remembered something. He sprinted after Tavor who was accompanying his grandmother out the door. Legolas apologized to Laureahiril, before pulling Tavor to one side.
"We didn't do 'that thing' that we were going to do, did we?" he whispered, gripping Tavor's arm tightly.
"What thing? Oh! *That* thing! No, of course not. We were in enough trouble without that!"
Legolas sighed with relief, and released Tavor's arm.
"Good. I was really worried. Mauraur (goodnight), Lughosh," he said with a smile.
"Mauraur, Prince Burzzag. Where is Bazhosh?"
"He is saying goodnight to Bastryn, I believe."
Tavor smirked.
"Is Bastryn really staying in Enedbal's room?" he asked with a laugh.
Legolas giggled slightly, glancing back at where Aralith stood, hovering at Thranduil's side, one hand clasped on their adar's robe.
"Yes, I just am not certain that *Enedbal* is staying in Enedbal's room."
The two snickered at this, until Laureahiril made a noise, which sent Tavor scampering to her side.
"Have you said goodnight to the Lady Arwen?" she asked her grandson.
"Oh! I will do it right now!"
Legolas watched as Tavor sidled up to Arwen, and took her hand in his own. He murmured some quiet words, and kissed the back of her hand. Legolas started to giggle again when Arwen bent to kiss Tavor's cheek. Tavor floated pasted him join his grandmother, a silly, dazed look on his face.
"I will see you tomorrow, Lughosh the Lover!" Legolas called, not certain if Tavor heard him or not.
He moved to join Thranduil, who was removing Aralith's hand from his robe.
"Have you bid your sister mauraur, Little Greenleaf?" Thranduil asked, slapping at Aralith's hand as it crept back onto his sleeve.
Legolas grimaced slightly, then shook his head apologetically.
"Then go now and do it. She has been remarkably patient with you and your friends."
"Yes, Ada. Mauraur," he moved to kiss his father's cheek. "Mauraur, Enedbal," he called as he started down the hall.
"Adar! Don't let him start to call me that!" Aralith protested.
"Why ever not, Enedbal? It is a rather sweet name, and NO! You may not sleep in my room tonight!"
Legolas trotted happily down the hallway toward the family quarters. He was humming the last tune played by the musicians that night, and feeling rather happy despite all that had happened. He rounded the corner in time to see Tanglinna bidding Laerlend goodnight, bowing gracefully to the little princess who smiled up at him. Legolas shook his head. He would never understand why Tanglinna put up with her. He rolled his eyes, which was when he noticed the bucket perched over Laerlend's door, which was ajar. He gasped! Tavor had said that they hadn't done that?! Then why was the bucket over her doorway?! Before he could move or even draw a breath to stop them, Tanglinna grabbed the doorknob to open the door for Laerlend.
Legolas watched as the bucket tipped, spilling the sticky mud onto the Master Archer and his sister. He stared transfixed as they stood in the hall the muck dripping from their heads, the bucket swinging on its rope. Then as one they looked up at him, and the shrieking that he had expected to hear earlier from Laerlend's pink lips started.
"LITTLE GREENLEAF!!!!!"
This sound echoed throughout Mirkwood forest, and was accompanied only by the sound of quiet laughter from the twins from Imladris.
I Methed (The End)
Author's Note - The "little Orclings'" names came from the Barrowdowns name generator.
I hope you enjoyed this short romp. There will be more of them.