As Estel and Legolas were leaving the dining hall, Elrond called out
to them. "Estel, please make sure ALL the pebbles are returned to
where they belong." Celeborn and Thranduil both chuckled.
"Yes, Ada. I will make sure they are returned." As the two friends
were nearing Legolas's room, Elladan and Elrohir caught up with
them. "I thought I heard a small sound, perhaps a very small stone
falling on the floor," said Elladan.
"Why, I do believe you might be right," replied Elrohir. "I can not
fathom why, or how, such a thing might come to pass. Perhaps one of
you might enlighten us."
Estel just gave them a look, and entered the room. Legolas shook
his head. "Are you going to help us?" asked the prince.
"I am so sorry, mellon nin. We have very pressing business with…
someone." With that, the twins left, laughing at the thought of
Estel carrying all the pebbles back outside.
"I'll help," came a voice from the doorway. There stood
Celeborn. "It will not take very long. I believe we could pour
them from the balcony onto the path, then carry them from there."
He then his words into action, by taking a basket, filling them with
the pebbles, then dumping them over the balcony.
Suddenly, they heard a dwarven curse from below. Celeborn came back
in, and with a twinkle in his eyes, whispered, "Perhaps that is not
such a good idea, especially with Glorfindel and Elrond walking
below. We will take them out the back."
Lord Celeborn walked back onto the balcony and called
down "Glorfindel! You really should be more careful of your
language! We have two very impressionable young ones here. We do
not need them to learn such things." With that, he came back, and
gave the two a wink. Both Estel and Legolas were laughing.
Finally, all was finished. The path was redone, and there were no
more to be seen. Even the ones in Legolas' quiver had been removed.
"Elladan and Elrohir have yet to feel the wrath of Estel Elrondion,"
smirked Estel. "Would you be willing to assist, muindor? I have a…
present for both of them." He tried to look innocent - and failed.
Legolas returned the look and with the same results - failure. "Let
us go and repay the sons of Elrond." With that, the two departed
for Estel's room.
"What are you planning, may I ask?" Legolas watched as Estel went to
his wardrobe and searched in the bottom.
Estel straightened up, holding two vials in his hand. "Why, I do
believe gwadors nin really need something done about their paleness,
do you not agree, Legolas Thranduil?"
"Why, yes, I do, Estel Elrondion. They are entirely too pale. I do
have one question, however. Should we not be ready to ride out
quickly? I enjoy living, and do not wish to go to Mandros' halls at
the hands of those two!"
"I agree. I will have our horses ready to ride. We should be gone
before they are aware of their…condition. I will tell Adar that we
plan to be gone."
There was a knock on the door. The two conspirators glanced at each
other. Estel put the vials in his tunic pocket, and answered the
door. "Adar! I was coming to see you. Legolas and I would go
hunting, tonight, if we have your permission."
Elrond raised an eyebrow and said, "Very well, you may go. Please
make sure you also have King Thranduil's permission as well. I feel
your brothers are not to know where you have gone, am I correct?" he
asked with a sigh and a sparkle in his eyes.
"Why, Adar! Whatever gave you that idea?" laughed Estel, while
Legolas rolled his eyes.