The Mirkwood party rode through Rivendell's gates. Lord Elrond and his twin sons - Elladan and Elrohir - were waiting for Prince Legolas to be delivered to them. There would be a marriage between Legolas and Elladan, who was less than thrilled to accept the blonde Elf as his husband.  Elrohir had initially offered to accept Legolas, as he knew that this was to stop the conflict between Mirkwood and Rivendell; bring them together. But Elladan was the older twin, and it was law that the heirs to both realms must marry to unite them.

        Elladan stood at his home's entrance, fuming as the Mirkwood Elves came into the front courtyard. Legolas was much younger than the twins, a few months away from his majority, and Elladan did not feel that it was appropriate for him to be promised to the blonde Elf. His dislike of Woodland Elves caused by the conflict between them and the Noldor Elves strengthened his anger at the situation even more.

        Legolas dismounted his horse - as did the two guards that were with him - and approached the three Noldor Elves that were waiting for them. He smiled at them and bowed.

        "Vedui' {Greetings}, my Lords," Legolas said. "I am pleased to meet you."

        Elrond smiled at the Wood Elf, "The pleasure is ours, I'm sure. How was your journey?"

        "Our journey was fine, Lord Elrond. Hannon lle {Thank you}."

        "These are my sons," Elrond continued, referring to the two identical Elves standing on either side of him. He put a hand on Elrohir's shoulder, "This is Elrohir."

        Elrohir stepped forward and clasped forearms with Legolas, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Legolas."

        "And you as well, Elrohir!" Legolas replied.

        "This is Elladan," Elrond introduced, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

        Seeing that Elladan wouldn't say anything first, Legolas bowed to him, politely, saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Elladan."

        Elladan's stony face didn't change and he didn't move, "I suppose."

        Legolas smiled politely, but the hurt was evident in his eyes. Elrohir frowned at his brother and then grabbed Legolas' wrist, "Come, Legolas. I'll show you around. We'll go to your room first. And maybe we can sneak some time in on the archery range before supper."

        Legolas' eyes lit up as Elrohir pulled him into the home. As the door closed behind them, Elrond faced his oldest son, "Mankoi lle uma tanya {Why did you do that}, Elladan?"

        "I do not want to marry a Woodland Elf. Especially one that is not yet past his majority," Elladan spat.

        "He will reach his majority in a few months, and then it will still be a few months until you are wed. Saes {Please}, Elladan, do not make this more difficult for you and the rest of us. Be decent to Legolas, as he has been to you. I doubt he likes this any more than you."

        "I will try, Adar {Father}. But I cannot promise anything."

        Elladan turned and strode into the house. Elrond sighed. The next few months would be difficult.

~

        Elrond made his way to the archery range. He knew that Legolas and Elrohir would be there and he wanted to make sure they had time to clean up before supper. As he walked through the gate, he saw Legolas fire three arrows in rapid succession at three different targets, and hit them all dead centre! He repeated the action and split the first three arrows in half. Elrond applauded as he approached the two Elves. Legolas and Elrohir spun around and smiled when they saw Elrond.

        "Very nice, Legolas! Lle naa curucuar {You are a skilled bowman}. I'm sure I've never seen such accuracy before," Elrond praised.

        Legolas dipped his head, "Hannon lle {Thank you}, my Lord."

        "Saes {Please}, call me Elrond."

        Legolas nodded.

        "What can we do for you, Adar {Father}?" Elrohir asked.

                "We will be eating soon. Come inside and clean yourselves up. I take it you two became fast friends?"

        "Oh, yes, Adar {Father}! Legolas is simply wonderful to be around."

        "As are you, Elrohir," Legolas replied.

        "I am glad," Elrond stated.

        Elrohir and Legolas washed their hands and faces and went to the dining hall for supper. They joked with each other on the way down and were laughing when they entered the dining hall. Elrond smiled and so did the officials that sat with them at the table, but Elladan's hard expression didn't move. Elrohir pulled Legolas' chair out for him - the seat next to Elladan - and then sat next to him on the other side. As they ate, Legolas felt a spiteful aura coming from Elladan and became uncomfortable. Elrond noticed Legolas' discomfort and sought to distract him for a while.

        "Legolas?"

        "Yes, Lo... Elrond?" Legolas answered.

        "Have you met anyone else at this table besides my sons and myself?"

        "No. I have not."

        Elrond smiled and introduced the Elves in order of their seats, "This is Glorfindel, Lindir, and Erestor."

        Legolas smiled at them and dipped his head to them, "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am..."

        "Prince Legolas of Mirkwood," Lindir finished for him, too excited to have finally met the young man. "We have long awaited your arrival, Prince."

        "Seas {Please}, call me Legolas."

        The three nodded and all went back to their supper. As the dessert was brought out, the table engaged in friendly conversation.

        "Glorfindel," Elrohir said to the blonde official. "Legolas is a phenomenal archer! You should have seen him on the archery range today. He is the fastest and most accurate bowman I've ever seen."

        "Is that so?" Glorfindel mused, turning toward Legolas.

        The pointed tips of Legolas' ears began to turn pink, "I'm sure that's an exaggeration."

        "Are you jesting?" Elrohir cried. "Three arrows, three bulls-eyes, three more arrows splitting the first three, and all in a matter of ten seconds; or less!"

        Legolas' ears were bright red and his face was a pretty shade of pink, "It was nothing."

        "But Legolas..."

        "If he said it was nothing, he is likely telling the truth. You probably are exaggerating," Elladan girded.

        Legolas looked down at his plate and Elrohir glowered at his brother.

        "You weren't even there, Elladan. How would you know?" Elrohir chided, and then put a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "Really, Legolas, you're the best archer I've ever met. You heard what Adar {Father} said when he saw you, didn't you?"

        "Yes," Legolas said, his face beginning to return to normal. "But I really am nothing special."

        The rest of the Elves at the table knew that Legolas was aware of his skill. They also knew that there was something wrong. He was eating his food slowly, as if he felt he had no place at the table. Elladan was just being stubborn. But Legolas still felt the annoyance from Elladan and knew it was his presence that caused it. The other Elves saw the discomfort in his eyes, except Elladan who was trying to ignore the prince. When Legolas finished his dessert he turned his head to Elrond.

        "My Lord..." he began

        "Elrond," Elrond reminded him.

        Legolas smiled, shyly, "Elrond, may I be excused. The meal was wonderful, but I've had a long day and wish to retire."

        Elrond knew that wasn't all. He could see Legolas' discomfort. But he consented anyway. "Of course, Legolas.  Quel esta {Rest well}."

        "Hannon lle {Thank you}," Legolas replied, standing and leaving the room.

        Elrond watched Legolas leave and saw urgency in the way he moved. He turned to Elladan and saw that the elder twin had given no notice to Legolas' disappearance, and recalled that he had barely acknowledged the prince's presence during dinner either. He frowned at his son, who paid no attention. Glorfindel put a hand on Elrond's shoulder.

        "What troubles you, my friend?" Glorfindel asked, quietly.

        "I fear it may be harder for us to get them together as we had originally thought. I'll need your help, Glorfindel," Elrond answered, just as quiet.

        "I'll do what I can."

        Elrond nodded his thanks and then dismissed himself and any who were finished with their meal. He went to Legolas' room in the family wing and was about to knock when a sound reached his ears. Someone was singing. Legolas was singing. Well, praying more like: praying to the Valar for guidance. Elrond smiled to himself and let the young Elf alone to pray. He would check in on Legolas in the morning.

A/N  HELLO FAITHFUL READERS!! This is yet another LOTR fanfic and I will try to start something a little different soon. But for now, you will just have to enjoy this story. There will be nothing explicit, I SWEAR TO THE VALAR!  I hope you enjoy and can bear with me. Love you. Vote and comment for an update. BTW, the picture is of Elladan and Legolas.