Elladan waded across the creek, his bare feet poking into the pebbles. Legolas came behind him, dressed in a leather tunic and trousers, his feet bare. Mud swirled up under their feet and washed away downstream.

"Ada says the greatest of warriors can walk across a creek and not even stir up the mud!" Legolas said, as he climbed up onto the grassy bank, and let the sun dry his feet as he walked.

Elladan looked at his companion, out of his own robes, and in similar garb as Legolas to give him more freedom with his movement. "That is indeed a remarkable feat."

"Hyrondal can do it," Legolas continued. His eyes twinkled. "I showed the same doubt as you now, but he showed me; I had to believe him then."

"He came to Rivendell and played the harp," Elladan said, casting his mind back.

Legolas nodded. "Yes; the music was killing us all. We prefer merry sounds to dull ones."

Elladan grinned as he cocked his head to one side, and listened to the sounds of the birds singing in the trees, leaving beneath his feet, and the creek gurgling to itself as it swirled in and out of pools, and around rocks.

"I prefer this natural music to," he said. "But ada likes form—form—" His face puckered into a frown as he struggled with the word. "Formality!" he announced triumphantly. "Especially when he has guests."

Legolas considered. He nodded wisely. "Yes, I could tell."

"Your father is not as formal as ours," Elladan added.

"No," Legolas agreed. "He prefers freedom." He gestured to the trees around them.

"He has a giant kingdom," Elladan said.

Legolas lifted his nose into the air and answered, "That is why he is a king and your Elrond is only a lord."

Elladan made a grab at him but Legolas ducked and darted away, laughing. Elladan ran after him, the moss and leaves soft under his feet. He winced as he ran over sharp sticks and stones, frowning as he saw Legolas weaving his way over the soft spots without even watching where he was running.

Legolas splashed across another creek, and slipped on the mud of the bank. He let out a yell, and sat down hard in the water, a great wave of water careening over his head. Elladan stood on the bank, and doubled over with laughter.

Legolas crawled out of the water, and shook the wet mud off his hands, scowling as he wiped a clean hand across his face. He joined Elladan dripping, and punched him on the arm. "It is not funny! It might as well have happened to you!"

"Ha!" said Elladan, and wiped his eyes.

"Anyway, ada says I cannot take a trip around the entire kingdom until I am older," Legolas continued. "And all of the warriors refused to escort me. They said it would take weeks. But ada said I may begin my training soon!"

"Are you excited?" Elladan asked. He looked down at his reflection in the creek, the ripples coursing across his face. He knelt down and studied his face, noticing his eyes seemed brighter. He dipped a hand into it, and his face vanished into a swirl of sand.

"Thrilled," Legolas answered. "I can hardly wait to begin. Where is Elrohir?"

"He elected to stay at home and draw," Elladan answered. "Should we go back and find him?"

Legolas peered up at the sky. Finding no sign of it through the heavy foliage, he examined the ray of lone sunshine near him. Judging it to be near evening, he nodded. "If we run, we will make it back in time for dinner. Race you!"

Both elflings arrived breathless at the gates, and looked up at the projecting balcony to their left. Elrohir was not sitting there to welcome them.

"I will change while you go to the dining room," said Legolas, and made for his room.

Elladan knew the way through the palace by heart now, and he walked with intention though he did not need to think about where he was going. He met Thranduil and his twin entering the room ahead of him, and hurried to grab Thranduil's other hand.

Thranduil looked down at him with a smile. A frown crossed his face as he asked, "Where is my Greenleaf?"

"He fell in the creek," said Elladan. "He was dripping mud, so he went up to his room to change."

"I can tell from the sparkle in your eyes you and him must have had a wonderfully rough time," Thranduil said, letting go of the two hands as he slid into his seat at the table.

Elladan nodded, cast a brief glance at dinner, and then looked up at his twin with the silent question of 'what have you done today?' in his eyes.

"I drew," said Elrohir. "I will show you the picture before we sleep tonight."

Elladan pursed his lips. "I have not seen Landion today. Or Harune. Where have they gone?"

"Harune and Landion went out for a picnic together," Thranduil answered.

"I can hardly believe they went without us!" Elladan exclaimed.

"Harune and Landion have not been father and son for as long as you might imagine," said the elven king. "They like there alone time."

"Sorry," Elladan mumbled.

"There is nothing to apologize for," Thranduil said, with a quick shake of his head.

Elladan felt a flush rise into his cheeks, but he remained silent. He twisted in his chair as Legolas dashed into the room and sat down, wrestling with the ties on his clean shirt. His hastily combed hair he tucked behind his ears before he looked expectantly at his father.

"A hurricane seems to have whirled in," Thranduil teased, leaning over to kiss Legolas on the cheek.

"It did not blow anything over," said Legolas, with a grin.

"Thank the valar," said Thranduil. He ran a hand over the smooth, rosy cheek. "The list in my office is growing old."

"Collecting dust," Legolas said.

"For you to clean," Thranduil finished.

The elfling pouted. "My roughness has touched up the twins a little bit, ada, while their meekness has knocked off my rough edges."

"Where on middle earth did you hear that?"

"Harune told me," Legolas said. "Where is he? Is he eating with us?"

Thranduil shook his head. "No. It has been so warm at night, he and Landion have gone to spend some bonding time in the forest for a few days, leaving me to deal with you three hooligans. Now eat up."

"Imagine Harune abandoning you like that," Legolas teased.

Thranduil closed his eyes. "I. Will. Survive."

Legolas burst out laughing and reached for his fork. "I will help you live, ada. If you died, I would be alone again."

Thranduil chewed on a mouthful of salad and smiled as he thought about how lighthearted and happy Legolas was. The nightmares Lord Katar had brought upon the royal family seemed a long time ago, buried in the dimness of the past. He looked at the twins, and was glad to see the bright color of their eyes, and the pink of their cheeks, even if they were fighting over the flat bread.

OoOoOoO

Elladan peeked at Elrohir as his twin poked him in the side and groaned. "Trying to sleep here, muindor."

"Are you awake?" Elrohir whispered.

Elladan rolled onto his back and pulled the blankets up to his chin. "I am now. What is it?"

"Have you noticed we look different?" Elrohir asked.

Elladan nodded. "Yes. While I was with Legolas, I saw myself in the creek. Our eyes are brighter."

"And the joy our souls know is glowing," Elrohir murmured.

Elladan yawned. He stretched and tossed off the blankets. He crossed the room to the window, and opened the curtains to let in cool air. He leaned on the sill and stared out at the night sky, admiring the stars. Elrohir came to join him, draping a sheet yanked from the bed around both of their shoulders. He rested his cheek on his hands watched the moon as it appeared to move across the sky.

Thank you all for reading. Knowing you are enjoying this story brings a smile to my day.