Note to Sivan: I'm using Quenya; just because I like it. Thanks to The Grey Company for the translations
After everyone had eaten their fill, they then went to the Hall of Fire. The four friends were walking together, with Elrond and Thranduil walking behind. The two elf-lords smiled as they listened to the laughter as Estel wound up a rather lengthy, albeit somewhat implausible story about Legolas stalking a large wild animal through the woods of Mirkwood. Estel finished, saying, "Would you believe it turned out to be a rabbit?" Legolas, with what dignity he had, replied, "Well, it was a very huge rabbit." With that, he swept into the Hall of Fire, leaving his companions outside. Estel caught up with his friend, and said with a smile, "It certainly was large." Legolas glared at him, then started to laugh as well. They waited until the twins had joined them, and all four sat together to listen to the songs and tales that would be sung and told that evening. Thranduil and Elrond came to the center of the hall. "Vedui' il'er. The singing will start shortly. However, King Thranduil and I would like to take just a few minutes of your time. Lle auta yesti', Thranduil." King Thranduil joined Elrond. "Ta naa amin saesa. Legolas Thranduilion; Aragorn, son of Arathorn; Elladan Elrondion; and Elrohir Elrondion, please come forward." The four named looked at each other, then moved in front of their fathers. Elrond smiled at them. "Don't worry, you have done nothing wrong. We have something we wish to say to all of you." Thranduil nodded at Elrond's words. "It has been my pleasure to welcome the sons of Elrond to Mirkwood many times. Therefore, tonight, with Elrond's permission, I would like to welcome Elladan and Elrohir into the house of Thranduil. You have been a friend of my son's and I wish that, for the rest of your lives, you would always be in my heart as sons of Thranduil. Please accept these gifts as a token of my esteem." With that, he presented each of the twins with a small mithril-bound box. Upon opening them, they saw a brooch, with the crest of Mirkwood entwined with the crest of Elrond. "Wear them in good health," said Thranduil. The eyes of Elladan and Elrohir were both bright with unshed tears, and they bowed their heads with a whispered "Diola lle, Ada." Both Elrond and Thranduil smiled and replied, "Lle creoso." The king then turned to Estel. "Estel, I have something special for you. I have seen the friendship between you and Legolas grow into a bond that nothing will ever break. That bond is one of brothers. Greater love has no one but that he will give his life for his brother. Many times I have seen both of you return, injured, with your only concern being the other should be treated before yourself. I have envied this love, and now I wish to honor it. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, I name you as brother to Legolas Thranduil, with all its privileges. I will always keep you in my heart as a son. I believe Lord Elrond has something he wishes to say." With that, Thranduil stepped back. Elrond smiled at Estel and Legolas. "I, too, have seen the friendship and brotherly love develop between the two of you. Legolas Thranduilion, I hereby welcome you as brother to Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir with all its privileges. I, too, will always keep you in my heart as my son. You will always be welcome to the house of Elrond." The two Lords then beckoned Estel and Legolas to come nearer. Two boxes of gold bound with silver were presented to the two. The two friends opened them. Inside, nestled on a swath of blue silk, were rings made of mithril, with the crest of Mirkwood and Rivendell entwined. "Welcome, my sons. May your friendship ever endure." Both Legolas and Estel had tears in their eyes. Finally, when he could trust his voice not to betray his emotions, Estel hugged both Elrond and Thranduil, and said, " Amin harmuva onalle e'coramin. Diola lle." Legolas could only smile through his tears, and say, huskily, "Diola lle." Both fathers were also trying, without much success, to control their own emotions. "Lle creoso, ion nin." With that, the nights' entertainment began.
Translations Vedui' il'er: Greetings everyone Le auta yesti': You go first Ta naa amin saesa: It is my pleasure Amin harmuva onalle e'coramin: I shall treasure your gift in my heart Diola lle: Thank you Lle creoso: You're welcome
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