Poison

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The Hall of Fire was crowded for the feast to celebrate the return of the twins and Aragorn. Erestor hardly let himself a moment of peace before the meal started, speaking with staff to ensure that everything went smoothly. Glorfindel watched his friend move from table to table before finally getting up and pulling Erestor to the seats they were given.

"Sit, relax, enjoy, Erestor. All will be well."

The dark-haired Elf sighed and took a deep breath. "Yes, yes. I had just wanted to make sure some was put aside for Legolas."

Glorfindel smiled, "Of course there was. No one will forget him."

Elrond sat in his usual place of honour, his sons on his right and Arwen on his left. Glorfindel sat across from Elrond, with Erestor a few seats down to the left. Gandalf, coming late but telling Elrond that Legolas was resting well, sat on Glorfindel's right and across from Arwen.

The Elf-princess smiled, "How is Legolas?"

"He will be well," Gandalf replied. The Istar gave the twins a knowing look, "Though he seemed a little bored. Some company may lift his spirits later."

The twins grinned and Elrohir answered. "We will be sure to cheer our little prince up."

Elrond sighed, "Do not let him leave his bed until I allow it. I will be in shortly after dinner to check on him."

Elladan tried to feign a look of innocence, "Do not worry, Adar. We will only regale him with stories of our adventures."

Arwen smiled, "I will make sure that they behave."

Elrond gave his children a skeptical look, "I am sure you will, Arwen."

Glorfindel smiled, but hid it behind the rim of his wine glass. Erestor tried to look uninterested, but failed to hide his amusement. Aragorn simply smiled and continued his dinner. And Gandalf chuckled at Elrond's frustration.

"Not a day, and you two are already planning your games..." Elrond muttered, shaking his head and continuing his meal.

Aragorn chuckled, "I have had them for four years, out in the Wilds and with a troop of Dunedain. I believe it is your turn to babysit."

Elroave ave his foster son a weary look, "And I have had them centuries before your birth. Next trip to the Wilds, perhaps you could find a way to send them West."

Elrohir grinned, "He would have to have us bound and gagged for that, Adar."

"I am sure there are more than enough volunteers here in Imladris," Erestor said.

The twins gave Erestor a hurt look, "You wound us Erestor," Elrohir said. "Surely you do not suggest that you do not like us?"

"Ai! Erestor shows his true malice," Elladan said, grinning all the while. "I believe we now have a right to vengence."

Glorfindel laughed and Elrond glared at him. "Do not encourage them," the Elf-lord said. Settling into a comfortable pattern of banter and conversation, the meal was passed with no incident (much to Erestor's relief) and followed shortly with other festivities while clean up began. Arwen followed one of the servants to the kitchens to collect the plate of food made for Legolas, while the twins agreed to meet her at the young Elf's door.

Gathered together, Elladan knocked on the door. "Legolas? We have brought you dinner."

There was a call of "come in" from beyond the door and the siblings entered. Arwen quickly placed the tray on the small table near the bed and smiled. "You look well. The rest must have done some good."

Legolas smiled, "Aye. I feel much better."

Elrohir settled into a chair while Elladan brought two others over. "Well Adar says that you are to remain in bed until he says otherwise. So we are here for a visit."

"And I suppose that hindered your other plans?"

Elladan grinned, "Of course it did. We meant to steal you away to the gardens to tell you stories of the Rangers."

Elrohir sighed, "But I suppose that that will have to wait for later."

"I do not mind," Legolas said, picking at the food that had been placed for him. "But I fear that Elrond will not want me to spar with Glorfindel until he is convinced that I am healthy."

Arwen helped herself to a piece of vegetable from the plate, "Oh, I doubt it will be so difficult."

Elrohir grinned, "And if it is, then Elladan and I will just have to sneak you out to practice."

Legolas smiled, "I do not think that it will come to that."

"A pity if it does not," Elladan said.

Arwen smacked her brother's arm lightly and Elrohir started asking Legolas what had happened while they were away. After only a few minutes, there was a knock on the door and Elrond entered at Legolas' call.

"At least you are behaving," said Elrond. "Haldir wishes to speak with you two," he said to the twins.

Elladan and Elrohir smiled and excused themselves, promising to return later. Arwen picked up the unused tray and excused herself as well. With the siblings gone, Elrond sat he bhe bed and looked Legolas over.

"Are you feeling well?"

Legolas nodded, "Very much so." He reached over to place the plate on the small table where the tray had been before getting himself settled again.

Elrond checked Legolas' temperature and pulse quickly and sighed. "Well, you seem well enough. And I know you would rather not be confined to your bed right now."

A glance out the window showed the valley painted with the final colours of the setting sun and Elrond stood. "Just be careful. And if you feel ill at all-"

"Come back," Legolas finished the usual statement. "It will be late soon, so I will not be far from my rooms anyway."

Elrond nodded, "Very well. But I do expect you to be at the library after the morning meal for lessons tomorrow if you are feeling so well."

Legolas was already smoothing the covers on his bed and smiling. "I will not be late."

The elder Elf smiled and shook his head. "Just do not stay up too late."

"I will not," Legolas said as he left his room to find the twins.

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Heh, it was tempting to write "elder Eldar" there...

Next chapter up as soon as I can get it out of what is known as my mind.