Lhasbelin O Uir

For Nina, just 'cause I'm bored and feel like it. ;)

I'm taking liberties with Legolas' age, simply because I don't think he can be much older than 400-800.
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Aragorn grinned, "This should be an interesting surprise."

His guests were smiling as well, with a few minutes before he expected everyone to be coming. The table was set, and the first of the guests, the 'surprises' as Aragorn seemed to enjoy calling them, were mostly sitting.

"Will you not sit, Thranduil?" Celeborn asked from his seat, playing with the stem of his wine glass.

The Mirkwood King shook his head, "You do not raise an Elf like Legolas without the knowledge that you must always be standing when you first see him after a long seperation. Lest he knock you, and your chair, over."

There was a round of laughter and Elrond gave his friend a rare sly look. "I suppose there is a story behind that. Perhaps one that would come out later tonight when we enjoy the company of our children and friends."

Thranduil smirked, "Of course, but I've heard many similar tales of the twins."

Celeborn grinned, "That, I must hear later. Really, the boys are always so well behaved."

Aragorn and Elrond both gave Celeborn a strange look before turning to the door. There was an almost immediate triple cry of 'ADA!' and both Elrond and Thranduil found their arms filled with their sons. The room was quickly filled with happy talking and the light clatter of the guests helping themselves te mee meal laid before them. Aragorn explained that his wedding would be in a week, and that Elrond was steadfastly making sure everything went accordingly to his daughter's plans. Gimli had yet to make his appearance.

"Nimelen has come as well," Thranduil said to his son. Vaguely aware of the twins nearby. "He has gained leave to not only repair the gardens of Minas Tirith, but to begin a colony in Southern Ithilien."

Legolas smiled and sipped his wine. "That is good. He should enjoy it."

Thranduil smiled and placed a feather light touch on Legolas' bound right arm. "You've surpassed any and all expectations, my Little Greenleaf. I am very proud of you, all of Eryn Lasgalen is."

Legolas grinned at hearing the new name for his forest home. "Ada..."

All turned to see the late arrival of Gimli. The Dwarf bowed, "Forgive my tardiness, there seemed to have been a bit of trouble with the mithril I was using at the forge."

Aragorn nodded, "Well, I think the Hobbits eating your share of the meal is enough penance. Come, Gimli, enjoy what is left."

They all caught the wary look Thranduil and Gimli gave each other and Legolas cleared his throat. "Ada, this is my friend, Gimli."

The Dwarf gave a slight bow and Thranduil suddenly smiled. "Well, Master Dwarf, I think I should first appoligize for that mistake involving the little group of Dwarves so long ago. And I trusts my son's judgement enough to know that yust ust be a stout friend."

Gimli blinked, not expecting that, "Erhmm...Thank you, King Thranduil."

The twins were holding back laughs, and the other two Elven-Lords present were smiling. All knew Thranduil's reputation for being a 'cruel and greedy Woodking' was nothing more than an exaggeration of Thranduil's fierce protection of his borders and people, as well as his appreciation of jewels. In truth, the King was a kind man, stern at times, as any father is, and a natural leader and protector of his family and anything or one left in his care.

The meal continued on until Aragorn was inevitably called away to attend his duties. Celeborn and Elrond wished to see more of the city and Merry and Pippin were all too happy to show it to them. Sam and Frodo decided that a peaceful walk would do them good. Gimli returned to the forge, promising to be on time for the next meal. Thranduil suggested that he, Legolas, and the still present twins should find a quiet place outside if they wished to continue to talk.

The King walked a few paces ahead as they moved to the outer walls, not intent on any one place. "So I understand that the three of you are bonded now."

The twins' steps faltered, unsure of what to say. Thranduil turned and looked at them, still smiling. "Though I would have rathered a formal courting, and proper measures taken, I see no problem with this."

Legolas sighed, sensing sar rar relief from the twins. Thranduil continued, "Elrond sensed it, of course, and we spoke at length. Neither sees anything wrong, so you have our blessings."

Legolas put an arm around his father in gratitude and the twins hurried to catch up.

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It was well after the sun had set and the moon had risen before the group found itself together once more, this time with Gandalf among them. Wine was passed about, a fire was lit in the hearth of the lounge Aragorn had chosen for them to relax in, and they were are quite comfortable, intending to spend the whole of the night, awake or not, in each other's company. Even Elrond and Celeborn had shed their lordly exteriors in favour of the simple enjoyment.

"I believe you owe me a story, Thranduil," Elrond said from his seat in a large chair by the hearth. Thranduil was in a similar chair, and Celeborn in another. Legolas had his father's gift, a deersking blanket, as white as snow, over him from his place in Elladan's arms, with Elrohir close enough to keep one hand on the younger Elf's waist. Their bonding was announced early in the evening to those there, causing Aragorn to happily use that as an excuse to open the first bottle of wine.

Gandalf sat in a chair by a window, watching and puffing away on his pipe. Frodo and Sam were at the table with Merry and Pippin, picking fruit off of a platter. Faramir was on the floor in front of the hearth, next to Eomer, who had decided to take Aragorn's invitation. Aragorn himself was quite happy sitting cross-legged on one of the tables (for the lack of chairs and floor space now). All eyes turned to Thranduil.

"A story of what, Ada?" Legolas asked.

Thranduil smiled, "Why one must be standing when greeting you, Little Greenleaf."

There was a chuckle from Gandalf and a few eyes turned to the Istar. "I believe I could recount a few interesting tales of Legolas' enthusiasm, myself."

Legolas blushed and nuzzled against Elladan's chest. The Men were interested now; Faramir and Eomer not believing that the brave Elven Warrior-Prince could act in any way that was not dignified. Indeed, they were surprised enough to see the Elf so eager to accept a place in the protective embraces of the twins.

Thranduil took a sip of his wine, enjoying the attention. "Well, of course, Elrond, you understand that you will need to tell your own story of the twins as well."

There was a nod and a weak chorus of 'Ada' from the three sons in question that sent the others into an amused laughter. Thtranduil just grinned.

"Perhaps three centuries ago, if I recall correctly, I had made a trip to the borders with my second eldest son. Legolas, only 159 and barely near his majority, was left in the care of Nimelen, I believe you met him earlier. Well, after only two weeks of absence, I chose to dismount from my steed before reaching the gates. Barely had I crossed the threshhold of my own home before I found myself flat on the ground with Legolas grinning above me and asking all sorts of odd questions."

Legolas blush sent the rest into laughter. All were in good spirits because of the wine; Aragorn having opened the second bottle of the night and offering it around. Elrond cleared his throat and lifted his glass.

"I believe, Lord Thranduil, that while I can accept Legolas being quite the entertaining bundle of energy; you have never had twins."

The twins were grinning now, Elrohir getting up to both stretch his legs and fetch the wine from Gimli. "You should have had Glorfindel come, Adar. Surely Elladan and I had caused him more grief than you."

Elrond chuckled, "Aye, that you did. But no, the tale I have in mind was when Glorfindel was off to escort Arwen to Lorien for that trip...oh...I believe it was six hundred years ago. You were both well past your majority."

"Oh..." Elladan started, the blush already forming.

Elrohir returned to his place refilling the three glasses before passing the wine to Eomer. "I think I remember that time..."

Eomer took the bottle, grinnig and filling his glass. "And pray tell, Lord Elrond, what could these two magnificent warriors have ever done to warrant such reactions?"

Elrond grinned, "Already, these two had decided to use their similarities to confuse my household staff, making them mistake one for the other and other such mischief. During this time, I was in my study, transcribing an interesting tale from Doriath concerning the line of Oropher," Elrond gave a sly look to Thranduil; "when Erestor, and advisor, comes in to report that Elladan had gotten into trouble in the stables. On my way there to see what the matter was, a kitchen aid comes to tell me that a bag of flour was missing from the kitchens. Now, having had these two imps for over two millenia already, I should have obeyed my survival instincts and returned to work. Instead, I followed Erestor to the stables. As I open the main door, the missing flour 'mysteriously' fell on top of me. Of course, I later discovered that it had been meant for Erestor, something about being denied a before meal snack."

The group was sent into another round of laughter, the image of the proud Lore-Master covered in flour playing in their minds. A few more stories were passed around grougroup, Elrond had a few about Aragorn and the twins; Thranduil had another of Legolas' first archery practices with his elder brothers and how the eldest Prince, Rhiernil, made sure he stayed well away from the archery ranges now; Eomer told what he remembered of his childhood in Rohan, including his eagerness to ride causing him to break his arm at one point; Faramir had stories of himself and Boromir as they had grown up; and Gandalf had more than enough about all of the Hobbits. Only Gimli and Celeborn were spared.

It was well past midnight when the second bottle was completely emptied and none felt like searching for another. The Hobbits now had come together into one mass covered by one blanket by the table, Pippin still clutching a half-eaten apple. Eomer and Faramir were suppressing yawns, finally finding their own places to rest. Aragorn fought sleep, claiming wanting to see what was in the bundle Gimli had brought in with him from the forge. Gandalf still stayed in his place with his pipe, while the Elven-lords and Princes eagerly waited for Gimli to reveal his surprise.

The Dwarf grinned and walked over to Legolas, unwrapping the twin long knives. Repaired to look like they had just been made. "I thought you might miss their sevices should you choose to wander. I've used the mithril I spoke of earlier to coat the edges, they should be sharper now. As well as nigh impossible to mar again."

Legolas gaped, "Thank you mellon. This is a great gift."

The Dwarf raised his chin at the compliment, "Use them wisely, Legolas."

The blonde Elf leaned forward to place a quick kiss on the Dwarf's brow in gratitude. Gimli blushed slightly, "Well, you may all think it very well and fine to sleep on the floor or in chairs, but my bones desire a soft bed and a fluffy pillow at the moment. I will see you all in the morning."

He was met with nods and left. Aragorn grabbed a few more blankets from a counter he had had prepared and passed them about the room. "While I know you thee Lords, and our dear Istar, will most likely not require them, I would like to get some sleep while the night is still such."

Aragorn found a comfortable place and thanked the Valar for his days as a Ranger. Legolas was curled in Elladan's arms, his head pillowed on the elder twin's chest. Elrohir spooned against the blonde, creating a 'barrier' around Legolas with Elladan. The three slept easily, comforted by each other and the presence of their sires.

The three Elven-Lords continued their conversations quietly. Being joined by Gandalf soon before dawn.

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Hope you enjoyed! This will get into the plot line I planned for it really soon, this may be one of my longest stories!