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The Monster
by Danielle
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Part 1: Mandos!

Glorfindel is a Mandos-addict. He continually fakes his death so he can visit... They eventually sent him to Elrond, to see if Elrond could manage to keep him there. But little to Elrond's knowledge, when Glorfindel was sent to find movie-Frodo, he sent Arwen and Glorfindel faked his death--yet again. And that is why Glorfindel is not in the movie... He's in Mandos because of the deal he made with Arwen. Arwen is a conspirator. They take turns helping each other into Mandos.

For the moment Arwen is trying to find a way to bring Aragorn with her...

And of course she ropes Legolas into trying to help her. Not that, you know, Legolas is calm enough to plan anything. Poor Legolas doesn't know what he's gotten himself into, and he's still trying to figure out where Glorfindel is and why Elrond looks so vexed.

He cannot tell what to do--go against Arwen, who will assume he's trying to take Aragorn for himself--or Elrond, who is just Damn Scary When Angered.

The obvious choice is Arwen, but in his sugar-clouded mind he just doesn't see that. Poor guy... He then decides that he just needs to go buy some more ice cream.

Poor Legolas, somehow convinced by Glorfindel, decides to help Arwen get Aragorn into Mandos. And besides--there's an ice cream special today.

Elrond then has to get help from Celeborn to go get his mislead daughter and friends from Mandos, since a concerned father must do these things. Poor Celeborn, fearful for his life, makes the long trek to Mandos, only to find that hey! Ice cream! And joins Legolas for a vanilleeis.

Elrond, frustrated beyond belief, decides that if you want something done right you must get Galadriel to help you, so he calls Galadriel over to get her wayward husband.

Galadriel, also being Damn Scary when Angered, of course will help Elrond to retrieve her husband, granddaughter, and other assorted but quite not dead elves from Mandos.

Elrond, not exactly sure how to go about this, requests Gandalf's help. Gandalf is a wizard after all, and, by Elrond's definition, must know something about the whole "play dead to get into Mandos" routine. Gandalf, unfortunately for our poor vexed Elrond, has been detained in a meeting with Saruman. Utterly frustrated, he decides that he needs to Create A Plan.

This was something he had heard mentioned before, but didn't exactly know how to do it, since he was just the "All Wise Elrond" not a plan maker. With a stroke of brilliance, or so he believes, he asks Galadriel if her "All Seeing Mirror" could help them.

Galadriel looked blankly at him for a moment, then realized what he was talking about. So they made the not so long trek to Lorien and the All Seeing Mirror of Galadriel. (And NO FRODO you CANNOT wash your hands in it.)

Once there, Haldir and Bro. decide to interfere. They decide that it would be incredibly funny to play a little joke on the group, and fill the pitcher full of ginger ale, just to see what would happen.

And so Galadriel, being rushed by the Uppity Elrond, pours ginger ale into her Beloved Mirror. The two peer into it, seeing nothing but their reflections. They look at each other, and Elrond says: "Er...I thought it was...more than a mirror?"

Galadriel then promptly thumps him on the head with her pitcher. "It is; you must be patient." Then pauses. "But I don't think it's working." Then she notices an odd smell and looks around trying to figure out where it came from.

Haldir and company simply had to watch as their practical joke went into effect and snickered mercilessly as Galadriel looked around the glade.

Of course, with her wonderful Elf hearing she picks up the sound and stomps over to the crew of mischievous Elves with her pitcher in hand. Picking Orophin up by the ear, she demands to know what they think they are doing.

The Mischievous Elves, fearing for their lives, confess that they were bored and wanted some amusement. Galadriel, as said before, being Damn scary when Angered, sent them to weave rope with the Ladies.

Elrond, now quite vexed and more than a bit frightened, asks Galadriel if they can try it again. Galadriel agrees, now fully satisfied that Haldir and Co. will not pull that again for another millennium or two.

And so they come to find that the Mirror will show only what it wants to, and they spend the better part of an hour staring at the Eye. If this were a lesser story, the Rings would have started glowing or something, but it's not, so they didn't. Eventually, after the Mirror had its little fun, it shows a picture of Celeborn and Legolas surrounded by mounds of empty ice cream bowls and with their trusty bottle of antacid. Elrond, very excited, begins to shout, "That's them! That's them!"

Galadriel sighs at Elrond, because she is not Stupid, and can recognize the Prince of Mirkwood and her own husband, after all. "But...what are they surrounded by?"

Elrond, his intelligence insulted, just answers, "I don't know. How should I know?" He then huffs and looks away pouting. The Mirror, possessing a sick sense of humor, then decides to show Haldir and Co. weaving rope.

Galadriel splashes the water in the Mirror, which is apparently how she punishes it. She would scold it, but then she would be talking to a mirror. And hell, this isn't Snow White. She asks: "Now, dear Elrond, it hasn't shown anything of Lady Arwen or Estel."

A very confused look crosses his face. "I know she has gone there. She has been complaining that our ice cream and room service in Middle Earth did not measure up to Mandos'. Where else would she go?"

The Lady Galadriel sighs once more. "Yes, yes, but she took Aragorn son of Arathorn with her, did she not?"

He nods slowly, unable to make a connection. "Yes, but I do not understand the relevance of that question. It matters little who she took with her."

Galadriel of the Wood rolls her eyes. "Are you blind, Elf? She loves Aragorn!" She flushes slightly, knowing she gave a bit of the story away. 'No matter,' she thinks.

"What?" Elrond begins to digest the piece of information. "So... in this case, it does make a difference, doesn't it?" He smiles a bit sheepishly.

She smiles. "Yes, it does, Elrond. What did--no, never mind. I don't want to know the details of yourself and Celebrian."

He blushes slightly. "Oh dear. We do have a problem." He looks contemplative, then becomes angry. "If they think they can trick us-" He is unable to finish the sentence, becoming more and more upset by the moment.

Galadriel laughs. "Poor sweet Elrond. I fear not for Arwen. I fear, more so, for Aragorn."

He glances to her very confused. "What?" He raises his eyebrow.

"You cannot tell me that you do not know of your daughter's...well, ferventness when it comes to Estel?" Galadriel suppressed a smile. Arwen was quite a force to deal with.

"I- uh... well, I guess so," he answers, pouting a bit, since fathers are just like that. He didn't enjoy thinking about these issues when they concerned his little girl.

"No matter, we know they are in Mandos. Now I suppose we must get into Mandos...but how?" Galadriel pondered.

"All I know is that if Glorfindel has managed it hundreds of times over, then I suspect we could," Elrond offered, his pride a bit damaged. "I do have a vast library. Perhaps we could find something in there."

Galadriel nodded, and they trekked once again to Imladris, determined to figure out how to get in to Mandos. But irony of ironies, who was there to greet them but Celeborn and Legolas? Back from their ice-cream extravaganza, they had returned to Rivendell.

Elrond raises an eyebrow abnormally high. "Greetings. Glorfindel, I have never known you to come back from Mandos willingly, and Legolas, why did you go in the first place." Disdainfully, Elrond shook his head.

Celeborn blinks at being called Glorfindel, and Legolas bounces and replies: "ICE CREEEEEEEEAAAAAAMMMM!"

Elrond blushes. "Erm... I see. Perhaps you two can help us with our quest. We must find a way into Mandos." A smile finds its way onto his red face.

Legolas looks queasy at the thought of even MORE ice cream (though he doubts the store could have restocked so quickly), and cries: "Of course!" He lowers his voice to a conspiratory whisper. "See, to get into Mandos, you've gotta fake your death."

Elrond blinks. "Um... Well then. I suppose we must fake our death, Galadriel?" He turns to look at her, figuring that she is probably in better shape to make any decisions.

Galadriel nods. "Yes. We could...." she thinks for a moment. "'Fall' off the platforms in Lorien? Hmmm...drown in a river?" She ponders. "Celeborn, Legolas, any ideas?"

Legolas is busy rummaging through his pack, desperate for antacid. Celeborn, meanwhile, clears his throat and begins to speak. "I think... It is a lovely little idea," he smiles then rushes to the bathroom with as much grace as he can muster.

Galadriel blinks. "Oh my." She turns to Elrond. "I suppose we trek back to Lorien?" After looking around, she adds: "Or there are plenty of balconies here..."

Elrond nods vigorously. "Yes! We have the best balconies around. Why numerous people have jumped from them! Most of which died though..." He looks thoughtful.

The Lady of the Wood holds up her hand. "Yes, but we have two of the Three. Surely, if we choose one of the lower balconies, we shan't really die..."

Elrond gave a slow nod, trying to determine if this was worth risking his immortal life for. "I suppose that would work." He pauses, then shrugs. "We should at least give it a shot."

Galadriel has an idea, however! "Maybe if we cushion our fall somehow..." And thus led to Elrond and Galadriel throwing pillows and blankets over the lowest balcony in Rivendell.

Elrond looks a bit dubious, those were his best blankets and pillows. "You know... those were pretty expensive." He then shrugs. "Ah well. If Mandos is as nice Glorfindel says then I suppose it's worth it."

Galadriel chuckles. "My dear Elrond, they are Elven blankets and pillows. They repel dirt and mud and such. And now, to jump!" And so the beautiful Galadriel jumps off the balcony.

Elrond sighs and follows, figuring if the Lady can do this so can he.

The Lady, however, finds it utterly hilarious, and cannot stop laughing. She would say something, but she is laughing and---Elrond fell on her. "Owwww..." she moans.

Elrond looks around from his current resting spot sitting on Galadriel's legs. "Galadriel..." he questions, "How exactly does this Mandos thing work? Do we go there instantly or what?" He glances down to the form under him.

Galadriel ponders this. "I am not sure. Perhaps we must trek there?" She pales a little at this, for they have done much trekking lately. "Perhaps we shall ask Celeborn or Legolas?"

"I would ask Celeborn. He is a bit more... level-headed than our archer friend, especially when Legolas has eaten buckets of ice cream." He nods. "Yes. Celeborn. He is more sensible."

Galadriel nods, and then very unladylike she shouts: "CELEBOOOOOOOORN!"

Elrond, quite startled, looks up to see a very pale Celeborn glancing over the balcony. "Yes, Galadriel?" he asks meekly, obviously fearful.

She smiles at him. "Celeborn, darling, could you tell us how exactly to get to Mandos?"

"Erm..." His eyes dart around. "Well... I... um... all I know is that you must fake your death... or actually die." He looks at her lovingly then runs back into the house.

The Lady looks angrily in the place where her husband was present. "Well, bugger. I suppose we trek to Mandos, then." And she heaves a great sigh.

Elrond nods affirmatively. "Yes. We must trek more. I wonder how Glorfindel manages this. Until recently he had been escaping to Mandos once a year."

Galadriel returns: "Apparently the food is the best, and the board is spectacular. And there's tons of free ice cream and other activities." Galadriel sighs again.

Elrond looks thoughtful. "I do wonder if they have gummy worms for free there." He shakes his head to bring himself out of his daze and looks down to Galadriel. "I suppose we should get started on our trek or we shall never get there."

After much trekking, Elrond and his mother-in-law finally reached the Halls of Mandos. "Hello, and welcome to Mandooooooos!" a familiar voice cries. They look to see none other than Gil-galad.

Elrond looks incredibly confused. "Gil-Galad? I know you're dead but... I didn't expect to see you welcoming visitors." A nostalgic look comes over his features.

Gil-galad smiles quite, er, seductively. "Well, normally I don't. But I heard you were coming, Elrond, and..."

Elrond becomes quite flustered and looks to Galadriel with embarrassment written on his features. "I- er... um... It's been awhile. Uh... So... how did you figure out that I was coming?" At this point Elrond looks very uncomfortable.

Galadriel smiles at the two, and wanders off to find her granddaughter (or perhaps ice cream.) The ancient elf grins. "Well, I have my ways, Elrond-nin."

Elrond smiles. "Well, I actually came here to look for my daughter, but I suppose I could take out time for an old 'friend'."

"I'm...glad..." says Gil-galad, and takes Elrond's hand. "I've missed you."

Elrond's grin becomes wider and his blush lessens. "And I you. Though I must confess, my sons and daughter have kept me rather busy."

Gil-galad laughs. "I am sure, for I see them often in Mandos. They tell me much of you, and..."

"Yes?" Elrond motions for him to continue his sentence. "And..."

Gil-galad, sensing the fangirls' relentless need for slash, moves in for the kiss. "This..."

Elrond, incredibly happy and completely oblivious to the world around him (he hasn't had a boyfriend for centuries!), proceeds to snake his arms around Gil-Galad.

For the sake of keeping this clean, however, they do not indulge in the fangirls' wishes and sneak off to a quite private (and very posh) bedroom. So now we return to Galadriel, still having no luck finding Arwen or her beloved Aragorn. Until...

She spots Glorfindel playing some Mandos game. Upon seeing him she rushes over to his side, ready to demand where Arwen and Aragorn have gone off to.

Glorfindel looks up from his game at the quickly approaching (and Damn Scary) Galadriel. He smiles weakly. "Um, Hi, Galadriel. Fancy meeting you here?"

"Excuse me." She nods to the other Elves lounging around playing with Glorfindel. "Come with me..." she commands through gritted teeth and promptly leads him to some remote place.

"A-ah...yes, Lady, oh Beloved Lady of the Wood? You request my presence?" Glorfindel's face is sheened with sweat.

"How did Arwen come to get involved in this Mandos racket with you and where is she?" Galadriel glares at him menacingly. "I would advise you to relate the story quickly."

Glorfindel holds his hands up in a sign of innocence. "Look, I have nothing to do with Lady Arwen coming here. I've been coming here since before the second Age, you know." He takes a deep breath. "Anywho, I believe she and Estel are watching the Ainur Concert in the big hall. Can't miss it."

Galadriel gives a curt nod. "I surely hope you are being truthful." She then proceeds to head over to the hall, muttering something unintelligible under her breath.

Glorfindel, having had the crap just scared outta him, heads towards the ice cream shack. Arwen, at the Ainur concert, looks lovingly to Aragorn and sighs. Aragorn looks at her nervously.

Aragorn smiles sweetly and puts his arm around her. He didn't try anything more, fearing Elrond, Celeborn, and Galadriel's wrath. Not to mention Arwen's. She, however, doesn't notice Aragorn's reluctance to be overtly physical with her. She is about to ask how he likes the concert when she feels a tap on her shoulder.

She turns around quite cheerfully only to find her grandmother glaring at her and Aragorn. "Hello Galadriel..." She gives a sweet smile. "Um... where is my father?" she asked hesitantly, sure that he was here if Galadriel was.

Galadriel coughs. "Your father had other....business...to attend to." She puts on her most stern face. "Now, come with me." They start to leave the Ainur concert, and get out of the door only to see Elrond and Gil-galad, arms wrapped around each other. Gil-galad winks at them.

Arwen suddenly becomes very pale. "Oh goodness... Does that wink mean what I think it does?" She looks to her father, who in turn, appears to be overjoyed at the fact that he is in Gil-galad's arms.

Galadriel's eyes widen. "I...I am not sure. What...do you think it means?" Her son-in-law and his lover pay them no mind. Aragorn represses a laugh.

Arwen looks to Aragorn, very upset. "This is not funny! My father shouldn't have a relationship with a dead Elf!" She then pouts and turns to Galadriel. "Grandma! Tell father that he can't do that!"

Gil-galad looks at Elrond, then his daughter. "Girl, do you know who I am? And--" he coughs-- "who I've been with when I was alive?"

Arwen looks at him defiantly. "I don't know, but I'm sure it doesn't matter. After all, that is my father you're latched onto." She crosses her arms over her chest.

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow at Elrond's uppity daughter. "Girl, have you heard of Gil-galad, the Elven king who led the Last Alliance with Elendil?"

She raises an eyebrow, fully understanding, but still unwilling to back down. "Of course. Every Elf has, but I fail to understand what it has to do with you." Arwen looks at him with a slight smirk.

Gil-galad smirks back. "Well, Lady Arwen, my name--my last name, at least--is Gil-galad. The selfsame one who formed an alliance with men." He was going to mention something about being her father's first, but didn't want to make the situation worse.

At first she falters. "I..." Arwen pauses to recollect her thoughts. "Well... That is an interesting bit of information, though it doesn't have the intended effect on me. It matters not what your name is or what alliance you formed." She cocks her head to the side, daring him to continue.

Gil-galad laughs mirthlessly. "You are a foolish girl. You love a mortal man, and yet you condone your father's also unique relationship?"

"It is in my blood to love mortals." She glares, becoming angry. "I do not know what makes Father choose what he does."

"Silence your disrespectful mouth, girl, before you make my hand do so for you." Gil-galad seethes, and the other Elves (and Aragorn) back away.

She bows her head. "I apologize for my disrespect, but my opinion is not changed. I still do not understand."

"Love is a difficult thing to understand, daughter," Elrond says softly. "Just as I am not fond of your relationship with Estel--though I like Estel himself--I respect your decision, because you say you love him. And you should respect mine, because I love Gil-galad."

Arwen gapes at her father, who was being so soft-spoken but still authoritative. "I... I... I do not know what to say. Perhaps you are right. You are the wisest Elf I have ever heard of, so I will not doubt your choices."

Elrond has a faraway look in his eyes, remembering the day he lost Gil-galad. "You are young still, and know not all that you will. You shall understand, Arwen."

Arwen nods, not having a response. She feels there was more to their relationship and love than her father wished to speak of, so having caused enough trouble and arguing she decides to just listen to the Elder Elves' advice.

Elrond finds a spot by Gil-galad's side and his hand finds his lover's happily. Gil-galad looked at him uncertainly, but the younger elf's eyes shone with determination.

Galadriel coughs.

Arwen turns to find Aragorn, but he has left in search of Glorfindel, not feeling comfortable listening to the Elves talk of their love. She turns back to her father and his lover and gave them a small smile.

Part 2: Love Story! I

Galadriel coughs. "Um...who wants ice cream?"

Arwen looks to her, thinking that anything would be better than this. "I do!"

The two maidens leave, and remaining are the two male elves. They look at each other and Gil-galad leers at his partner. "We're...all alone now..."

Elrond grins. "So we are." He pauses. "I apologize for my daughter's disrespect." Shooting Gil-galad a helpless look, he shrugs.

The ancient elf looks serious. "A spruce sapling cannot help what it learns from the big oak. She spends time with Men, and--after all--she is your daughter." He smiles at the last bit.

Elrond gives Gil-galad a look of mock hurt. "What do you mean by that? I'm offended."

Gil-galad captures his lover in his arms. "You, Elrond-nin, were not exactly always..." He pauses. "Obedient would sound wrong, wouldn't it?"

Elrond looks thoughtful. "Perhaps..." A mischievous grin crosses his face. "But not altogether untrue..."

Gil-galad leers. "No, no, you are correct." He sighs. "Ah, you make me young again. Mandos is great, sure, but not so much so without someone to care for you."

"It is wonderful to hear you say so..." He smiles up into Gil-galad's face. "Mandos would be lonely without a lover. Though, I think I shall always love Middle Earth than I could ever care for Mandos."

Gil-galad ensnares Elrond in a kiss, and slowly breaks it off. "Perhaps if the living can sneak into Mandos, the dead can sneak out..."

Elrond looks hopeful. "You could return to Middle Earth with me! Do you think it would work? I believe it would be harder to go back to Middle Earth than sneak into Mandos."

Gil-galad's hair is swept up in a random breeze. "It might work, except..." He grabs Elrond's hands and holds them to his chest. "We must be silent about it. After all, Glorfindel has been here many times, and they don't notice for quite a while. And Mandos himself is visiting his sister Nienna, so..." He shrugs.

Elrond presses his face to Gil-galad's chest and murmurs his assent. "How lovely it would be to have you back in Middle Earth..."

"And how lovely to have you back in my arms..." The two elves are caught up in their loving that they don't see Aragorn walk up, an ice cream cone in hand. He coughs.

Elrond lifts his face to see Aragorn and his ice cream cone. "Hmm? Did you wish to speak with us?"

Aragorn sweatdrops. "Er...no, no, sorry to interrupt..."

Gil-galad leers. "Does it make you...uncomfortable?"

Elrond smiles. "I don't doubt it." An amused look crosses his face. "Estel... do you have a purpose for being here?"

Aragorn looks around nervously. "Um...no, no, sir...um...oh, boy. Do you know where Arwen is?"

A chuckle escapes Elrond's lips. "No, no. I would have expected her to find you at the ice cream shop."

Gil-galad smiles at the (to him) young man, no more older than, well...something really not old. "Estel. That is your given Elven name? Hope? Yes, I see it. You are Elessar. Come, join us."

Aragorn gapes. "Join...you...?"

Elrond looks to Gil-galad with an amused expression. "Of course, you should join us Estel. I am sure you have always wished to meet the great Elven hero Gil-galad, have you not?"

Aragorn nods slowly. "Yes, but, um, I mean to say--not like this, I thought..."

Elrond looks to his lover. "You know, dear, they wrote a song about you."

Gil-galad looks amused. "Oh, really? Boy, do you know it? After that, you may join us."

"I- um... I..." He looks to Elrond helplessly, trying to signal that he was completely uncomfortable.

His foster father smiles at him. "Estel, I am quite sure I taught you 'The Fall of Gil-galad."

"I... I... I'm sure I've learned it when I was young..." Aragorn is completely red, wishing desperately that he had not come here. He is damning everything at this moment, from Arwen to that little thing he and Legolas had that one time..."A-all right, fine. 'Gil-galad was an Elven-king / of him the harpers sadly sing: / the last whose realm was fair and free / between the Mountains and the Sea. / His sword was long--" Gil-galad laughed at that, and Elrond thwapped him. "his lance was keen / his shining helm afar was seen / the countless stars of heaven's shield / were mirrored in his silver shield. / But long ago he rode away / and where he dwelleth none can say / for into darkness fell his star / in Mordor where the shadows are."

Elrond nods approvingly. "It did take you awhile Estel." He then turns to Gil-galad. "Did you enjoy this lovely song created in your honor?"

Gil-galad laughs. "Did you put in that bit about 'long swords'?" He glances at Estel for a moment (still red as a tomato) and then turns back to his lover.

Elrond grins mischievously. "Maybe I had something to do with it..." He shrugs. "But then again, maybe I had nothing to do with it..."

"Why, you...!" Gil-galad mock-glares and turns to Estel. "So, Estel, that was a lovely recitation of the poem in my honor."

Aragorn nods gratefully, fidgeting. "Thank you sir." His eyes dart back and forth from Gil-galad to his lover.

The mighty, yet former, King of Elves was going to say something when he was rudely interrupted. Legolas had come up from behind and was jumping up and down shouting unintelligible things, just being generally obnoxious. Elrond glares at Aragorn. "Did you give him more ice cream?"

Aragorn shakes his head madly. Gil-galad looks at the young elf on his back. "Um, yes I am the one and only Gil-galad and no you can't! ...Kids these days..."

Elrond raises his eyebrow. "You could understand that?" He shook his head. "You always were amazing..."

Gil-galad grins. "Why, thank you, Elrond-nin." He looks at the young Prince of Mirkwood and removes him from the Great's back. "Okay, Estel, why don't you two kids run off and have some fun, okay?"

Elrond nods. "And no sweets for Legolas! We don't need him any more excited than he already is." He waved his hand, urging the children to be off.

As the two leave, Aragorn dragging Legolas by the hand, Gil-galad mock-glares at Elrond. "Now, you...You wonder where Arwen gets it from, disrespecting your elders like that..."

Elrond tries to look completely indignant. "I don't know where she would have gotten from." He looks at Gil-galad with big eyes. "I'm never disrespectful. Ever."

"Elrond-nin, I knew Celebrian. She was the perfect Elven Maiden. Never disrespectful. Arwen definitely didn't get it from her."

"It must have been from Elrohir and Elladan. They always were a bit rebellious." Elrond nodded. "Yes. That is it. She was spending too much time with her brothers."

The king raises an eyebrow. "From what they say, she's been in Lothlorien for quite some time."

"Erm..." Elrond pauses. "Then I haven't a clue..." He smiled at Gil-galad.

"Why, you little..." Gil-galad crosses his arms. "See if I try to sneak out for you..."

Elrond pouts. "Come on... I'll let you stay in Imladris, and everyone would be so happy to have you in Middle Earth." He paused. "Especially me..."

Gil-galad resists temptation. "No, no, you disagree with me too much, Elrond. Very uppity. You always were."

"Please?" He pleads to him with big, wobbly eyes.

"No, no, I can't put up with any more uppity...um...ness."

"I'll try to be not uppity. You'd even be a guest of honor in Rivendell." He smiles hopefully. "Please?"

Gil-galad shrugs. "I think you'll have to convince me, Elrond-nin."

A sneaky look appears on Elrond's face. "How exactly am I supposed to do that?"

Gil-galad turns to face him. "However you deem necessary, I suppose. I need a good reason to come back, you know."

"I can think of a few ways but..." Elrond pauses. "They couldn't be worthy of the mighty Gil-galad. Besides... I might get too uppity."

Gil-galad frowns. "I thought you were not the uppity one, Elrond."

Elrond shrugs. "If you say I'm uppity I suppose I might have to live up to your expectations of me."

"Oh, you are uppity, my dear Elrond. And I suppose that in convincing me to leave, you may be somewhat uppity. And to not judge what is 'worthy' of me. I shall do that, thank you."

Elrond shrugs dismissively. "Yes, yes... Then come this way." He motions him to follow him. "I suppose I might as well give you a treat so that even if you weren't convinced to come, you could have a special memory of me..." He winks at Gil-galad suggestively.

Gil-galad's eyes widen slightly, not remembering his Elrond ever being this "uppity." He follows. "A treat, eh? I hope it doesn't involve ice cream...?"

"It may..." he answers nebulously.

"Because, you know, ice cream is quite sticky if you don't clean it properly. And you've never been patient, nurim."

Elrond eyes him critically. "Yes... I suppose so, but then again when it came to treats, neither have you."

Gil-galad looks at his lover surprised. "I have never known you to be this uppity to your elders! I can be incredibly patient. A couple Ages in Mandos does that to you."

Elrond sighs. "Of course. And Ages in Imladris with nothing but loneliness and evil tidings can do that to one as well."

The king smiles appreciatively. "You have not taken a lover, besides Celebrian, after I? You may not be as uppity as I thought."

"I have not had the heart to." Elrond tries to dismiss the subject.

"I thank you, nurim." He runs a hand down Elrond's cheek. "...I think I have been convinced to leave, and even without treat."

Elrond leans into the touch. "That may be a good thing. I do believe the ice cream idea may have caused a bit of controversy." He chuckles.

"Not to mention be extremely messy," he says, voice husky.

"And the other customers would not have been one hundred percent satisfied with their ice cream..." He grins.

Gil-galad laughs, pulling his Elrond closer. "Though you are extremely uppity, I suppose it can be forgiven. A couple of Ages apart, I reckon you have been..."

Elrond looks up at him. "I have been...?"

Gil-galad looks embarrassed. "I forgot. Lost my thought." He moves in even closer. "But...this shall make up for it." He closes the gap between him and his lover, their lips celebrating at being reunited.

Elrond pulls away from the kiss and lays his head on Gil-galad's chest. "It's been so very, very long..."

The elder elf closes his eyes. "It seems like forever has passed...and yet we can have forever again, together..."

"Yes... I think that would be lovely..." He nuzzles closer to his lover. "Though I fear Elrohir and Elladan will take this worse than my daughter. They are still frozen from their mother's misfortune."

"It's not like they must call me 'Mother'..." Gil-galad chuckles slightly. "And I am not wearing a dress...I can't cook...can't sew..."

Elrond pokes him in the stomach. "You would look stunning in a dress!" A very sneaky look crosses his face.

"Sorry, love, I'm not cross-dressing for you, no matter how stunning I would look." He looks mischievous. "I am sure I would look stunning out of a dress, though."

"Now, now... we both know what you look like out of a dress, and it is not bad at all..." Elrond smirks.

"The same could be said of you, Elrond-nin..." He leers. "And I am glad I was the first to see it..."

Elrond blushes fiercely. "Knowing you, I'm sure that pleases you."

"It does, nurim, it does." He strokes Elrond's cheek. "Though blushing is quite becoming on you as well."

"I suppose I shall have to remember that..." he answers softly looking at the ground. "For I love to please you above all else...."

"Ai, nurim, you do. Even when we were spilt for the Ages, you pleased me. Do not mourn the death of the ones not truly dead. For as long as you love me, I am alive."

Elrond looks away. "Yes..." He nods. "I will not mourn any longer."

Gil-galad smiles. "When I saw your children, I was surprised that you yourself had not come to visit me. You made me wait, nurim."

"I did not know they were coming here. They were being... disobedient." Elrond gives a slight chuckle. "If I had thought that I would meet you I would have been here sooner."

"I am sure. But in the end, their inherited disobedience worked out to your favor, did it not?"

"It did." He presses himself against Gil-galad. "And for that I am very happy."

Gil-galad wraps his arms around the warm body. "I as well." He leers. "Now, we may not have ice cream---but Estel and Legolas do---but I never got a treat of any kind." He pouts.

"Scoundrel! You shall have to wait until we return to Imladris," he reprimands.

He pouts more. "But nuriiiiiiim, I've waited so long for you, and I get nothing for my wait?"

Elrond grins. "We-ell... I suppose I could do something for you..."

"Now, about this 'something, Elrond-nin..." the ancient elf leers.

"Well..." Elrond looks thoughtful for a minute. "I suppose I could find this something..." He grabs the elder Elf's hand. "Come on."

Gil-galad laughs. "And where shall you take me, Elrond? Hopefully someplace private?" He pauses. "Not that I would ever be ashamed of you, my star."

"Yes, yes. It would be a little more... courteous to the other residents of Mandos if we went somewhere private..." Elrond pauses. "Of course, I do not know where exactly we could find a private place. I am new to Mandos..."

"So you are. Come, I think I know of a quiet glade--the perfect place for merry making." Gil-galad spirits them away to this place. "Beautiful, isn't it? Though nothing compares to your beauty..."

Elrond nods, looking at the lovely glade. "It is wonderful..." He turns to Gil-galad and smiles.

"Now, what is this treat you have for me?" Gil-galad grins. "I am quite anxious to receive any treat from you."

Elrond grins at him. "We-ell..." He pauses. "I'm not exactly sure what I was going to do... I figured I think of something once I got here." He lays his head on Gil-galad's shoulder. "But I'm all out of ideas... for the moment."

They stay like that for a moment, and then the ever-wonderful Gil-galad gets an idea. "I suppose the only thing to do now is too sneak out, eh?" he asks.

Elrond nods. "Yes. That sounds good." He looks around. "Have you, by any chance, seen my sons? They were going to go orc hunting, but now I doubt that, seeing as they seem to come to Mandos a lot."

"I have not seen them here for a while, actually." He grins. "Your children have been taught well, and are not nearly as disobedient as some." He coughs.

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "That is a good thing to know. My Arwen though..." he shakes his head, "she is a bit on the rebellious side."

Gil-galad sighs. "Yes. Consorting with men. That would be a problem, but this Estel seems different from the Men I have known."

"Yes, yes, he is." Elrond grins. "But then again, I was the one who raised him."

Gil-galad laughs and pulls his Elrond closer. "Then I know why he is better. He will be great in his own time, won't he?"

"Yes. Though I do worry about Arwen and her relationship with him." He frowns. "It doesn't exactly please me, but I suppose I will trust her judgment."

The elder elf laughs. "And my relationship with you doesn't exactly please her, but let's see...it was the Second Age, was it not? And you were but a little Elfling." He kisses Elrond's forehead. "You were very cute."

Elrond blushes and buries his head in Gil-galad's chest. A muffled reply comes from the elder Elf's chest, "I suppose I was, but you were a very handsome Elf."

"Thank you, Elrond-nin." He chuckles. "Now, now, don't hide yourself! Didn't I tell you blushing was quite becoming on you?"

Elrond nods, face still nuzzled against Gil-galad. "You did..." He lifts his head and kisses Gil-galad on the cheek. "But I do not believe you."

"Are you still that shy Elfling you were when I first met you, Elrond-nin?" Gil-galad asks, looking Elrond in the eyes. "You are beautiful--even more than Luthien the Fair."

"I..." Elrond looks away. "I suppose I am shy... when it comes to something like this." He looks up to Gil-galad. "Thank you. I fear the years have done much to me... even though I am immortal."

"You are just as I first met you. If the years have done anything, it would be to improve on the already perfect." Gil-galad pulls his lover in for a kiss.

"I appreciate your words of kindness." Elrond sighs, leaning against Gil-galad. "There is so much to worry about... Being wise is a great weight I have on my shoulders." He smiles ruefully.

The warrior strokes his former herald's hair. "I am here now, and you have naught to worry for. We can accomplish anything---right, melnin?"

Elrond gives a small nod in agreement. "Yes. At least it has always seemed that way."

Gil-galad smiles confidently. "Now, then, let's see to this sneaking out business, eh?"

"Of course. I think we should go find the others. Especially Glorfindel..." Elrond grimaces. "I was supposed to watch him so he doesn't sneak off to Mandos. I think it is safe to say that I have failed this time."

Gil-galad laughs. "Love, that is a trivial failure, if you would call it so. I can only hope Legolas has not harmed Estel in any way."

Elrond's face takes on a green tint. "Oh dear... That is something to worry about..."

The other pales. "I believe we must hurry--I fear for Estel's--" He coughs something out.

"Excuse me? I don't think I caught that." Elrond raises an eyebrow.

Gil-galad's cheeks turn slightly pink. "Um...health?" he tries.

Elrond shakes his head and grins. "I suppose that will do..." He motions Gil-galad on. "We should go find them; I fear for Estel's 'health' also."

Gil-galad smirks. "Ice cream place would be the most logical place to start, hmm?" He takes Elrond's hand. "You are staying by my side though, Elrond-nin."

"Where else would I go?" He smiles up at Gil-galad. "I cannot think of another place in Mandos I would rather be."

"Come now," Gil-galad says, smiling. "We must make haste to the ice cream shop--before Legolas eats them out again."

"Yes. I believe that would leave more than just one problem on our hands," Elrond agrees, following Gil-galad.

As they walk, Gil-galad hums. "Elrond-nin, just what have you been up to these long, long years? Surely you have done more than raise children?"

Elrond shrugs. "I have taken care of Rivendell and my children, of course. Recently, I have been in contact with Gandalf."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "What has Middle-earth been up to while I have been away? Surely Orolin came to visit---and nothing serious?"

"Well, I must say, I've been here for so long things seem to dim in my mind; they become of less importance as the years pass. I fear though..." Elrond pauses. "I fear the Ring is still whole, or so Gandalf's reports have led me to believe."

Gil-galad closes his eyes. "And so Sauron's spirit, at least, is still roaming Middle Earth." He hangs his head. "The last Alliance failed."

"No... The Last Alliance did not fail. It stopped Sauron's triumph over Middle Earth. It paused his destruction, though the Ring was not destroyed." Elrond looks away. "I do not wish to think of what evil it could be doing right now."

Gil-galad looks up at his lover, determination shining in his eyes. "Then we must hurry and escape Mandos, for Middle Earth needs us."

"It does. I do not know where the Ring resides or who its bearer is though. We must speak with Gandalf about this." Elrond smoothes Gil-galad's hair. "You have already done so much... You may rest in Mandos while others fight. You have done your part against Sauron."

Gil-galad shakes his head slowly and caresses his lover's cheek. "No, I shall stay in Imladris, with you. I will do what I can to fight against the Evil."

Elrond sighs. "You are an obstinate one... It would be easier for both of us if you stayed here. I do not wish to see you leave again, or for you to ever see me leave." Elrond wipes a small tear from his own eye. "But, I understand that you want to protect Middle Earth."

The warrior kisses Elrond's forehead. "Love, I cannot die again. And, if you were to die, we would both live in Mandos." He sighs. "And you will not fight in this war, I can see that."

"I won't? Then who shall?" Elrond shakes his head. "It is not something that I would like to think about, but I must."

"I'm not sure, love, but you shall stay in Imladris." He smiles encouragingly. "That is not to say you will have no part, you know."

"Yes, yes. I just wish to see what lies ahead. I have grown very fond of Middle Earth and I have many possessions here that I do not wish to be harmed." Elrond sighs, looking downtrodden. "Once you live here for Ages you become attached."

Gil-galad takes the younger elf in his arms, trying to comfort him. "Shhh, elenin. It'll be fine, don't worry."

"I shall try not to. I can find comfort in a great many things that Middle Earth has to offer." He gives Gil-galad a half-smile. "And what Mandos has to offer..."

"Of that I am doubly glad, elenin." He smiles. "Now, let us gather the others and go to Imladris, yes?"

"Yes. I am dreading the state we will find Legolas in..." Elrond pauses to contemplate. "Not to mention Estel."

Gil-galad laughs at that. "Yes. I hope that one knows how to calm him down." He pales a little. "And it shall not be myself."

"Perhaps Estel knows, they seem to be well-acquainted," Elrond responds, with a slight gleam lighting his eye. "Or then again we may have to bind him and carry him back."

"Indeed, indeed. But I for one want nothing to do with either the 'calming down' or the binding." Gil-galad flashes a charming grin. "I recommend Estel."

"Of course, I believe he is the only one Legolas would let bind him. Though Arwen may disapprove." Elrond shakes his head amusedly. "Children..."

The look in the elder elf's eye gives away his bemusedness. "I think Arwen and her delightful grandmother may have gone back to Lorien, though." He shrugs. "So she shall not have to witness the Binding of Legolas."

"That will be a relief. Arwen's wrath is something to be feared." Elrond grins. "I do worry for her brothers at times."

"Oh, and why so?" Gil-galad volleys.

"I must say I would not want to be in their shoes when they are rude towards her or bothersome." He shakes his head. "I have not seen her do anything too... harsh, but I do not doubt she would."

"Ay, she is indeed a force to be reckoned with." He pretends to ponder. "I wonder where she could have picked that up from..."

Elrond pauses to mock glare at Gil-galad. "I am not one to lose my temper over petty things." He grins. "Never."

Gil-galad coughs discreetly. "Never, love? Hmm...then my memory fails me, it seems..."

" Come now, when did I raise my voice over petty issues?" Smiling, he pokes Gil-galad in the side. "Hm?"

"Oh, never, never...I am old, you must forgive me." He looks ahead. "Come, we must go to the others..."

Elrond nods and entwines his arms with Gil-galad's. "Of course."

As they merrily walk along, Gil-galad coughs out something that sounds suspiciously like "Isildur."

"What was that I heard, hm?" Elrond looks up at his lover, mischief dancing in his eyes.

He blinks owlishly. "Um...Isildur?"

"Hmp. Isildur." A childish pout covers his face.

Gil-galad laughs. "Surely you remember?"

"Ah well... Yes..." He pauses thoughtfully. "But that doesn't count!" he argues, with a smile.

But Gil-galad is still reminiscing. "Yes, Isildur said some inane comment I can't even remember now, and you snapped." He grins charmingly. "Of course, who can blame you, you didn't get much sleep the night before..." He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.

"Argh..." Elrond rolls his eyes. "Of course I didn't have much sleep, with you around how could I ever have a full night's rest?"

The king pauses in mock-consideration. "I suppose it would be hard to ignore, wouldn't it?"

Elrond pouts. "Anyway... why don't we focus on your character faults? We've already discovered that I am uppity, disobedient, and anger over small things." He counts on his fingers.

Gil-galad blinks. "My character faults?" He smiles as innocently as possible. "I've got character faults?"

"Yes. That's how it is... You were the great Gil-galad; how could you possibly be less than perfect? No one remembers your character faults, while mine seem to be public knowledge." Grinning, he pokes his lover. "I suppose if you're a hero you are immune to that kind of thing."

He smiles his now-apparently-patented charming smile. "And you are not a hero? At the very least, you are hero to a king...And besides, your faults are only knowledge to me because of our...intimacy."

"I fear that I shall not be a 'hero.' No, only a herald." He grins devilishly. "Not that I mind it..."

"Ai, now, what's this about my character faults, love?" Gil-galad smiles innocently. "You find fault with me, Elrond-nin?"

Elrond snuggles against him. "None at the moment..."

He blinks. "Surely you must have some in mind, or you would not have mentioned it..." They continue walking towards the ice cream shop, of course, as they discuss.

"Nothing in particular." He shrugs. "I was honestly just trying to divert the attention from my faults... especially the fact that I am easily vexed."

Gil-galad laughs. "But I would have you no other way." He pauses for a moment. "Did you hear that?"

Elrond looks around curiously. "I think I missed it."

"It sounded like screaming, and then laughing." He shrugs. "But it was far away. Surely nothing we should worry about. Now back to this character fault business..."

Elrond looks thoughtful. "Hm." Then peers up at Gil-galad. "What else about these character faults?"

He pouts. "You have made me terribly curious. First no treat, now this character fault thing..."

Elrond shrugs, grinning. "I haven't anything else to say."

"Remind me why I love you, again?" the elder one remarks dryly.

Elrond kisses Gil-galad on the cheek. "Aww, I can't answer that question, for I haven't a clue why you would love me."

He smiles and kisses Elrond. "I think you just proved it again."

"What can I say? Perhaps I'm just lovable?" He looks to Gil-galad.

Gil-galad wraps him in a hug. "Yes," he whispers. "Very." And he snogs Elrond again.

"Mm. It's hard to feel unloved or lonely when I am in your presence." Elrond leans his head against Gil-galad's neck.

"And it is hard to feel old or lonely when near you, love," he murmurs. "You have my heart..."

"And you mine..." he gazes at his lover softly. "But seeing that we are by the ice cream parlor we should probably go get Estel and Legolas."

Gil-galad chuckles. "So we are, and they they are...though I think I shall refrain from asking what they are doing."

Elrond pales. "I believe we shall have to 'forget' to tell Thranduil. He would not take it so lightly..."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "Hmm...I gather he takes after his father more than we thought originally? And he was such a nice elfling, too," he muses.

"Yes, I suppose," Elrond answers. "I did think he would turn out a bit differently, but with a father like Thranduil, it is hard to be otherwise."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "Funny, I don't remember Thranduil's father being named Thranduil..." he says bemusedly.

Elrond blushes. "Er... I confused Legolas and his father." He shakes his head. "Um..."

Gil-galad smiles. "You know, in a completely different reality there is a holiday today?" He leers. "It celebrates lovers..."

"Hm? That is interesting. Who would have thought that such a holiday existed?"

Gil-galad shrugs. "Speaking of lovers, I think we should do something about Estel and Legolas before they start doing inappropriate things on that table."

A flustered look crosses Elrond's face. "I hate it when they do this..." He strides over to their table.

Gil-galad follows, wondering just how often this has happened. He clears his throat. "It's amazing what sugar highs can do to people," he murmurs.

Elrond grumbles, "It's not just sugar highs..." He then clears his throat. "Eh hem. You two..."

Gil-galad smiles as the two children jump apart, Estel with a face the color of a tomato, and Legolas with a grin like that of a Cheshire cat on his face.

"I don't see why you two always insist on doing this in public," Elrond chides. "It makes one become very... disreputable."

Gil-galad coughs. Legolas smiles. Estel blushes even more and mutters an apology. "We knew not what we were doing, my Lord."

"Yes, that I can see." He motions to the melted ice cream splattered all about, and the surrounding customers looking quite perturbed.

Gil-galad laughs aloud. "Well, Elrond, I suppose boys will be boys, eh?" Aragorn continues blushing as Legolas decides to drape himself all over the Man.

"Aye. Yes, they will, and we can do nothing to stop them." Elrond holds a hand against his forehead in an exaggerated position of distress.

The great elf-king tugs on Elrond's sleeve, and lowers himself to whisper in his ear. "I think that Legolas' hormones are a bit out of control, love."

Part 2: Love Story! II

"Estel! Come here!" Elrond points to the space next to him. He mutters into Gil-galad's ear, "Take care of Legolas; don't let him out of your sight." Then he tugs on Aragorn's shirt. "Come."

Gil-galad sighs and looks at Legolas. "So, boy, you are the Prince of Mirkwood, I hear?"

Legolas grins and nods vigorously. "Yes."

The king tries to look as regal as possible. "And you..." he coughs. "Love this Estel?"

Legolas bounces around. "Umm... I think..." He smiles. "He is lovely, and nice..."

Gil-galad smiles as well. "And Lady Arwen's."

He pouts. "I know... but I think he likes me a lot too." He nods again. "Yes, I think he does."

"I trust you know that Lady Arwen is quite a force to be reckoned with?" Gil-galad suppresses a shudder.

He scuffles his boot along the ground. "Yes. I suppose I should just leave him be, shouldn't I?"

Gil-galad motions for the boy-prince to sit, and does so himself. "Now, I am not exactly the one to be talking of love, seeing as I have been in Mandos for a few Ages, but..." He sighs. "What does your heart tell you?"

"It seems undecided." Legolas moves his hands around nervously. "I like him... very much, but if he would be happier with Lady Arwen," he shrugs. "Then so be it."

Gil-galad laughs. "You children are so fickle! Have you asked him of the matters of his heart?"

He shakes his head. "No, but he is a man. Men's heads are easily turned, and their desires easily changed."

The ancient elf nods slowly. "And they are quite fickle, I know." He remembers the Men of Isildur's kind, stubborn and proud. "But I think Estel is quite different..." he adds.

"He may be, but I still don't completely trust Men, especially not in the matters where my heart is concerned," Legolas half-smiles.

"Few people trust at all in matters of the heart--but is that not what love is?" he asks the boy-prince.

"Perhaps. I am still unsure. Surely, you can relate?" He glances to Gil-galad hopefully.

The great Gil-galad blinks, and his cheeks turn slightly pink. "I was unsure of my own heart because of a slight age difference. But of which you mean to relate me, I am not sure..." He looks around for any sign of his lover and foster-son.

"Eh." He shrugs. "There is a definite age difference between Estel and myself. Not to mention the fact that Mortals have a very short life span."

"Yes, yes. The lives of the Unscrutable pass like the blink of an eye. But I believe that Arwen has offered to give up immortality for her love." He ponders. "But I am not sure if that applies to all Elves, or just Peredhil, like Elrond-nin."

"I do not know, and I am not sure that I would be willing to try." He sneaks a look at Gil-galad. "And what about your love? I believe you are a lucky Elf."

"I am a lucky Elf indeed," Gil-galad says, a smile coming to his face. "But alas, I have a feeling you have all the fangirls, yes?"

He shrugs. "What does it matter girls are of no interest?" He pauses. "Well... I do get gifts..."

Gil-galad laughs. "I am not sure I would like to inquire what sorts of gifts you get, young Prince." He glances around. "Though I would like to question where Elrond-nin and Estel are..."

"Elrond is probably reprimanding him." Legolas shudders. "Lord Elrond is frightening when angered. He becomes a peculiar shade of purple..."

The regal king laughs. "Purple, eh? Such a nice color...the color of royalty, they say. Myself, I prefer blue, but...purple...purple is nice." He waggles his eyebrows suggestively. "Estel turns a nice shade of red, you know. And quite often, it seems."

"Yes, and many times I seem to be the cause of it." He grins up at Gil-galad. "Though, Lord Elrond turns many colors when you are present."

"Aye, that is true as well, and all of them are very becoming on him." He pauses. "Though I do feel bad for Estel, for I know how easily Elrond can be vexed...he blew up at Isildur, once, you know."

Immediately Legolas' interest is piqued. "Oh really? I would love to hear the tale."

Gil-galad laughs, and nods. "You see, we were to have a Council about the Last Alliance. Elendil and his son--Isildur--were of course present, as was Elrond-nin. Isidlur was at his father's side, and Elrond was, of course, at mine. We were discussing battle plans, and Isildur made some inane comment I can't even remember now." The great Gil-galad starts laughing.

"I wish I could have seen the look on Isildur's face! When you are in Elrond's way when he is in a rage..." Legolas shakes his head. "It is a pitiable situation indeed."

"Aye, but the story is not over yet." Gil-galad clears his throat. "Elrond was quite angry, and stood up, shouting at Elendil's son. Isildur started cowering, and when Elrond was finally finished, he sat down--very calmly, mind--with this smug look on his face, and--" At this very moment, Gil-galad happens to look right into the face of his beloved. "Um...hello, dear." He smiles hopefully.

Elrond raises his eyebrow. "Mm hm... Telling of my faults to others?" He then pouts. "Though I think Isildur must have deserved it... not that I can remember exactly what was said, but it must have been of some importance, right?"

Gil-galad tries to look as innocent as possible. "Of course, love. Though I'm sure you could have done it later, in a more private setting?"

He shakes his head. "My anger was fresh. There was no better time for me to do that, later I may have been less severe."

"Of course, dear." He smiles. "I hope that Estel has been spared from your seething anger?"

He shrugs. "I supposed that I shouldn't be too harsh. In my youth I was known to do things of that sort."

"Where is Estel?" Gil-galad asks, before looking back at Legolas to see the Man sitting, very calmly, behind the Prince. "Never mind..."

"Now, I shall let you two walk together if you do not act as animals in heat. Do you think you can manage?" He looks at the two youths.

Aragorn blushes yet again, and Legolas sighs and nods. Gil-galad grins at his lover and wraps his arm around Elrond's waist. "Off we go, then."

Elrond nods. "Yes." He turns to look at Legolas and Aragorn. "Now, we must be careful and quiet about our leaving."

The children look at the elders curiously. "You are all alive, right?" They nod. "I am...not. Thus I am supposed to stay here. But I'm...not. Understand?"

Legolas grins. "Of course." He looks to Elrond and then to Gil-galad. "I think love has not small part in this decision; am I correct?"

"Quite correct indeed, young Prince." Gil-galad smiles at the boy. "I recommend letting your own heart free, my friend."

Legolas bows his head. "I shall try, though it is no easy task."

Gil-galad smiles comfortingly at the boy. "I know, Legolas, but try." He pulls Elrond closer at the questioning look he is given, and starts to walk towards the exit.

Legolas glances shyly towards Aragorn. "What kind of lecture you receive?"

Aragorn sighs. "The 'don't act like animals in heat' one again." He glances at the two happy lovebirds in front of them. "I wish, Legolas, that love was as simple as theirs. They are happy when they are near each other." He looks at the ground and starts following his foster father and the elf-king.

"I fear it was not simple for them..." Legolas looks at the Elves in front of him. "Though, they are lucky to love one of their own race."

Aragorn looks at Legolas. "What do you imply, friend Elf?"

"Hm?" He shakes his head. "Nothing."

Aragorn smiles sadly. "If you say so..." he strides ahead.

Legolas skips up (yes, skips... still hyper) to Aragorn. "You seem saddened. You have your Arwen, and she has given up her immortality. I assure there is no greater gift you could ask of her."

"Aye..." Aragorn sighs and looks at his elf-friend. "Legolas, tell me...is it wrong for me to doubt my feelings for her?"

He shrugs. "I do not think so. Just because she loves you does not mean that you shall feel the same for her. No, it is not wrong. Perhaps it is the most kind thing you can do for her."

Aragorn smiles crookedly. "I do fear the Wrath of Arwen, though. She has a terrible anger--and a terribly obsessive mind as well. She has a worse temper than her father, even." At that, Elrond looks back at the two children and Estel smiles sweetly.

Legolas grins. "It is a shame that she did not inherit her mother's temperament. I would have gotten away with far more indiscretions than I have."

Aragorn raises an eyebrow. "Which indiscretions do you speak of, fair Legolas?"

He shrugs. "Thankfully she has never caught me around you." His grin widens. "But I am known to trample through her gardens, disturb her in her reading, say rude things, etc."

Aragorn laughs. "One would think you do that on purpose, fair Legolas. It is quite easy to avoid those things--though perhaps the last is not as easy for you, dear."

Legolas harrumphs. "I can hold my tongue." He blushes. "Though sometimes it takes a great deal of effort."

"Aye, I can be sure." Aragorn looks at the lovers in front of them. "They're awfully happy, though, aren't they?"

Legolas nodded. "Yes indeed. It would be lovely to be so happy. They went through their trials though. I cannot imagine losing someone as Elrond lost Gil-galad."

"Nor can I." Aragorn looks retrospective. "Though I suppose I did, long ago. But I remember not my mother or father."

Legolas looks at Aragorn. "Yes... Though I must say, you had enough luck to be taken in by Lord Elrond. Otherwise, I sincerely doubt you would have met Lady Arwen."

"Sometimes I question if that is luck. Nay, I know it was luck to be taken in by Lord Elrond, for he is an excellent father...but Lady Arwen...I am not sure."

Legolas pushes Aragorn's hair behind his ear. "That is something I think you must decide."

Aragorn looks suddenly to Legolas. "And what of your heart? What does it tell you?"

Legolas stutters, surprised. "W-what exactly are you inquiring about?"

"Whom does your heart love?" He sternly looks at Legolas. "What does it tell you in the matters of love?"

Legolas studies the ground. Quietly, he responds, "I do not know."

Aragorn lifts his face up with his index finger. "Surely you do. I desire to know."

He strokes Aragorn's face. "You are different." He pauses. "Yes, I suppose it would do you good to know." After another short pause he continues, "I do not know if you see it, but I do like you, perhaps, if my heart is not too rash in deciding, I may love you." He turns his head away.

"You will look at me when telling me such things, fair Legolas," Aragorn says sternly--and very kingly, too. "For I love to look at you, and wish to do so."

He looks to Aragorn. "What more am I to say?"

"Nothing." Aragorn smiles softly. "Just allow me time to let my own heart decide."

"Of course." His gaze returns to the ground. "Though, sometimes I doubt whether my heart has made a wise choice."

"Is the ground so much more interesting than myself?" Aragorn asks. "Now why do you doubt your heart so?"

"I fear loving a Mortal. In all of my few years, I have thought that I would love an Elf. How could this love end in anything but pain and loss?" He shakes his head ruefully.

"Love is a painful thing, Legolas. No matter which race you love. I have the unfortunate luck of trying to decide between two Elven beauties. I know they both shall outlive me--even if immortality is given up."

"Would that be so bad? At least, you would not see your beloved die, and have to live on for years afterwards. I fear what my response to this would be."

Aragorn sighs. "Love is a silly thing, and yet that is what we all need. I think there is more time to be had before any decisions are made."

Legolas sighs. "I believe you are right, though I won't have you giving me any false hope." He glares playfully at him. "I do not like to be excited and then let down."

"Come now, Fair Legolas, when has that ever happened?" Aragorn smiles.

He raises an eyebrow. "Aye. Just don't say anything prematurely."

Aragorn kisses his forehead. "I shall try."

"No more table fun either. I shall have to restrict myself in that area. I do not think it would be wise to bring on the wrath of Arwen before you have decided who you desire. Do you agree?"

"I agree fully." He leers, reminiscent of Gil-galad himself. "But, you know, I hear the beds are wonderful too..." he trails off.

Legolas swats at Aragorn. "Of course! But I fear that shall have to be off limits too."

Aragorn sighs. "I suppose that would make terraces off limits as well?"

He shrugs. "Yes, I think the same rules apply."

"Is there anywhere where they may not?" Aragorn smiles innocently.

"I am thinking that the answer would have to be no. Unless you can come up with a suitable one."

Gil-galad turns back at them at this point. "If you would kindly stop trying to think of place suitable for certain activities, we are near the exit now."

Legolas suppresses a giggle. Then, put his finger to his lips and whispered. "If Gil-galad is to get away with this, then we must be silent."

"Aye." Aragorn grins as the two children tiptoe behind their elders. "It would be something to get away with."

"Gil-galad..." Legolas hisses, "aren't you supposed to be a role model to the younger generation, especially to Mortal Men?"

Gil-galad glares mockingly at his young friend. "Shush, Legolas, before I show you what Elven punishment used to be." He tries and fails to suppress a leer, much to the chagrin of Elrond.

"Quiet now!" Elrond whacks the back of Gil-galad's head. "There is no need to fill them in on those things. It would give them ideas, not to mention cast a bad light on us."

Gil-galad whimpers. "Aye, love. Now you two must be silent as little mice, which I know you were both trained to do." He turns around, and for a minute or two they sneak along fine, until a beautiful maiden with tears running down her face appears before them. Gil-galad gasps. "Lady Nienna..."

Elrond looks to Gil-galad quizzically.

Gil-galad just shakes his head slowly, and the lady speaks. "Ereinion Gil-galad...you are not alive...and yet escaping the confines of the dead." More tears spill out. "You are in love."

Elrond looks from the maiden to his beloved, completely confused.

"Aye, Lady Nienna." Gil-galad bows. "I am needed in Middle Earth."

"Gil-galad?"

The Lady smiles, and more tears fall down her face. "I shall let you leave, Fair Gil-galad."

Elrond pouts, not enjoying feeling ignorant.

The fair maiden leaves, and Gil-galad sighs, the others looking at him curiously. "That was the Lady Nienna, a Valar Queen and sister to Mandos."

"She seemed distressed about you leaving." Elrond comments.

Gil-galad smiles. "Lady Nienna grieves for the hurt of all, the hurt of Arda. She was distressed little, if at all, by my leaving."

"I suppose we must continue along on our trek." Elrond glances back to the two children.

Aragorn is slightly pale. "That was...one of the Valar?! Wonders never cease...first the great Gil-galad, then a Valar queen..."

Part Three: Party! I

Elrond grins. "Your awe is such a wonderful thing!" He looks to Gil-galad. "Wouldn't it be lovely if we were that young again?"

Gil-galad blinks. "I suppose..." He smiles. "You are quite fetching, now, however..." He pulls his lover in for a kiss.

Legolas sighs. "How sweet!" He elbows Aragorn. "You didn't know your 'dad' had it in him did you?"

Aragorn turns an interesting shade of red. "Um . . . no. Nor did I want to know."

"Aw! What person wouldn't pay to see Lord Elrond in such a state? He's completely incapacitated!" Legolas giggles.

Aragorn whimpers. "They're still going at it..." He glares at Legolas. "Would you want to see your father doing...that?!"

"How do you think it makes him feel seeing his foster son and his daughter 'going at it?'" Legolas winks.

Aragorn blushes. "Well..." He pauses. "Bugger." And takes Legolas into his arms.

Legolas' eyes widen. "What?"

He smiles. "Well, if they're going to go at it, we shouldn't feel left out, eh? It's a fine time for celebration..."

Legolas' eyes narrow. "I see..." He then promptly captures Aragorn's mouth in a kiss.

And so there are now two pairs, snogging the bloody daylight out of each other. A cough is heard, and they break apart to see the Lady Galadriel, luckily for them without the Lady Arwen.

Legolas looks up and grins cheekily. "Hello. We thought you had left."

Galadriel raises an eyebrow. "I did. And so have you, apparently." She looks questioningly at Gil-galad, who smiles his patented charming smile.

"Oh." Legolas glances around. "So..." He pauses. "Where is Lady Arwen?"

"Back in Lothlorien, luckily for you two." She looks pointedly at the two children. "I will not ask what you thought you were doing."

Legolas smirks at Aragorn. "It's probably better that way, right?"

Aragorn blushes, and Gil-galad smiles. "We were merely celebrating, my dear Lady."

Legolas snickers. "It is one of my favorite kinds of celebrations. If this happened on my birthday..." he leaves the sentence hanging.

Gil-galad looks at Legolas and makes a slitting motion across his throat. "Lady, perhaps we could continue a less hormone filled party in the Golden woods?" He bows.

Elrond gives an exaggerated pout.

Gil-galad blinks at his lover. "Only slightly less, love," he murmurs.

Elrond snuggles close to him. "Good..." Legolas proceeds to roll his eyes.

Gil-galad smiles. "On to Lorien, then!" And they set off to the Golden Wood of Galadriel. To save our heroes some time, however, we'll pretend like they're there already.

Legolas looks around. "It's so pretty.." Then he turns to Galadriel. "Do you all have ice cream here?"

Galadriel would sweatdrop, if she was in an anime. But she's not. "Well, we do, but...I would advise against it..." she says darkly. "We have quite the trio of practical jokers here."

Legolas perks up. "Could I meet them?" He makes big eyes that could melt the heart of any Elf. "Please?"

Gil-galad tries to warn Galadriel, but she nods slowly. "Estel!" He calls. "Go...watch after him, please."

Legolas glances back at Aragorn. "This is going to be soooo much fun!"

Aragorn smiles nervously. "Of course, dear."

"Lady Galadriel, where are they and what are their names?" Legolas smiled sweetly.

Galadriel sighs. "You have heard of Haldir and his brothers?"

Legolas looks thoughtful. "I may have heard them mentioned once..."

"They have also been called the Pranksters of Lorien." She shakes her head. "They are very disobedient at times...now, about this ice cream..."

Legolas begins to drool. "What flavors do you have?" He smiles at Aragorn. "We get more ice cream!"

Aragorn turns slightly green. "So we do..."

Galadriel ponders. "I am not sure..."

Legolas blinks. "What?"

"I am not sure of all the flavors we have, dear Legolas." She smiles. "I am sure you shall find something to your liking."

"Yes! I'll eat just about any ice cream! Isn't that right Aragorn?" He looks over to his companion.

Aragorn smiles and nods. "That is true...quite true."

Galadriel laughs. "So have I heard about you eating the ice cream parlor in Mandos out..."

A slight blush spreads across his face. "Well... it wasn't intentional. It was so yummy that I just kept eating." He pauses, having a sly look on his face. "Though there was quite a bit of it that I didn't eat..."

Galadriel tries to look stern. "I hear you roped Celeborn into eating much of it with you."

Legolas tries to look innocent. "I would never do such a thing! I merely asked him if he would enjoy eating ice cream with me. Apparently the man loves ice cream."

"Quite." She smiles. "He shall not be joining you like that for a while, I'm afraid. The poor dear's made himself sick..." Galadriel looks back to Elrond and Gil-galad, pleasing themselves by groping each other. (Very romantically, I'm sure.) "Now about this party...surely you two will come?"

"I would love too! Though, I do believe that I may need a companion, for Aragorn will be preoccupied with Lady Arwen." Legolas stops to think for a minute. "Perhaps... Haldir and his brothers would join me?"

"Perhaps." Galadriel leaves to busy herself with making plans for the party, and to convince the two older lovers to find somewhere a bit more private for their fun. Aragorn looks at Legolas, an eyebrow raised.

"What is that look for?" Legolas queries.

"I will be preoccupied with Lady Arwen?" he asks. "I'll have you know I shall need equal time to make up my mind..." He grins.

Legolas shrugs. "I just figured it would be more... acceptable if you were with her. I believe the Elves here have heard much about you from her."

Aragorn shrugs as well. "I care not for what is acceptable or not." He cringes slightly as a less-than-innocent thought enters his mind.

Legolas chuckles. "It is hard to believe that you are the man that Lady Arwen gave her heart to. You are a lot different from our beautiful princess."

He grins. "I am merely who I am. Strider, Aragorn, Estel, Elessar. They are all the same. I cannot be asked to reason why Evenstar gave her heart--and immortality--to me."

Legolas laughs. "I shall remember to inquire about this next time I speak with her."

"As long as you do nothing to invoke her wrath..." Aragorn shakes his head. "Which you seem quite able to do."

Legolas huffs. "She just doesn't like me! I don't know why..."

"I wonder..." Aragorn says dryly, avoiding a thwack from the Elven prince.

"Hmph. I think she just finds that I am too fun loving and carefree for her tastes. That's why she like you... the stoic." He grins.

"I am a stoic, now?" Aragorn frowns. "If you think so, perhaps that shall persuade me to bed with Arwen..."

"Meh? I merely meant that you are not as fun and open as I am." He nods.

Aragorn shrugs. "If that is how you feel..." He sighs. "I am sure Arwen will appreciate my...my...stoic-ness."

He throws himself on Aragorn. "Aw! I love your stoic-ness! That's what makes you Aragorn."

Aragorn laughs. "Love, eh? Just earlier you were afraid of being too hasty in using that word, were you not? Has your heart reached its conclusion?"

"Erm..." Legolas hops off of Aragorn's shoulders. "Perhaps, without me knowing about it..."

Aragorn sweeps the elf in his arms. "I wonder if Arwen has any trysts I know not of..."

Legolas smiles. "That you may have to discuss with her."

"I think I might." He grins. "It might just be beneficial to us..."

"Perhaps you would have better luck discussing it without me in your arms?" Legolas looks him. "She doesn't like me much, but this would not help."

Aragorn plants a kiss on Legolas' forehead. "Perhaps...I say, this party is winding up to be an interesting event..."

"Yes it is... But I want my ice cream!" Legolas pouts.

"Then you shall get your ice cream." Aragorn pales. "But I am afraid I will not be able to join you, for coming this way is the Lady of our discussion..."

Legolas snickers. "I'm glad I wasn't the one she chose..." Then, before he can be reprimanded, scurries off to find ice cream and Haldir.

Aragorn sighs and bows his head at Arwen. "How do you fare today, Lady?"

"Quite well, thank you." She smiles at him. "I am thankful you are back from Mandos. For a moment I almost thought you might have stayed there."

"Nay, it is nice there, but Middle earth is my home." He sits down on the flat, legs dangling over the edge. "You have heard about the mighty Gil-galad leaving, I am sure?"

"Yes. It shall be interesting to see him at the party tonight. I fear he has little reason to like me."

"I believe he has every reason to like you. You are the daughter of his love--not that he expects you to call him 'mother', I'm sure." He laughs.

"Yes, yes. I did treat him and my father rudely though." She paused. "I suppose I shouldn't impose upon matters that don't concern me."

They sat in silence for a few moments. "Perhaps you should apologize at the party, if you feel badly..."

"I may. I still do not agree with my father's choice, but I had no right to treat him with such disrespect. It is shameful."

"Why do you not agree, Lady Arwen?"

"I may be too young to understand, but it does not seem right for my father to love another man." Arwen shrugged.

Aragorn coughed. "Shouldn't love transcend the barrier of gender, fair Lady?"

She sighs. "I do not know. Maybe it should..."

"Arwen, dear, have you ever loved...another?" Aragorn tries to ready himself for the answer.

She smiles. "Not as I have loved you."

Aragorn gulps. "Never?"

"Never loved. Perhaps I have favored another for their beauty or something of the sort." She shakes her head then sighs. "My father has only loved once as well..."

"Oh..." He sighs, looking down at the ground far beneath him. "What would you do if you loved two, equally, at the same time?"

She eyes him oddly for a bit. "Well, I suppose that would be a dilemma, wouldn't it? I wouldn't know what to do. As I have mentioned, I am young. I still do not know much in the ways of love."

"You may be young for an elf, Arwen, but to a Mortal Man, you are extremely old." He sighs again.

She studies him for a moment. "Tell me. You are carrying a burden, though I think I know what it is."

"I carry no burden, Lady, that you shall know." He looks at her. "I do love you, Arwen, and I mean you no harm." He takes her hand and kisses it. "No matter what."

She nods slowly. "Yes. I think I shall leave to go discuss the plans for the party with my grandmother." Quietly, she turns and leaves to find Galadriel.

"I am sorry, Arwen..." He murmurs. "For any hurt I cause you."

She sighs in the distance, fearing what may come of this.

Aragorn hears a slight movement behind him, and looks back to see his foster father, a sympathetic look on his face.

Elrond walks over to his son. "Problems of the heart?"

"To say the least. I am not well-versed in these matters, and am terribly confused." Aragorn keeps his gaze down. "I don't want to hurt either of them."

Elrond settles next to him. "I knew this day must come." He sighs. "I am not well-versed in matters of the heart either. I have only had one love in my lifetime."

"Lord Gil-galad?" Aragorn smiles partly. "Then you are lucky, my Lord."

Elrond smiles fondly. "Yes, I have been. I fear I am of no help in these matters. You may wish to speak to another for counseling in this area."

"Who?" Aragorn shakes his head. "Arwen says she has loved none other. Is that the truth? There has been none other, besides me? No long lost love, that left her heartbroken? Nothing?" Aragorn searches.

"I know nothing of this. I am ashamed to say until recently I have left those matters alone, not inquiring about them." He sighs. "Perhaps she had some other besides you, but she did not tell me. If anyone she may have told Celebrian."

"And her mother is away in the Havens." Aragorn sighs yet again. "It is useless..." he gets an idea! "Unless Lady Galadriel knows! I know they are close, and Arwen spent much time here..."

Elrond shrugs. "She may. Why do you wish to know? Will it help you with your decision? Or perhaps with your conscience?"

"Perhaps both." Aragorn crumbles. "I know not what to do. Do you have any suggestions, Father?"

"I wish I could help you, but even if I could I would be partial. Perhaps Lord Celeborn could help? I do not know if he has had troubles of this sort, but he would be impartial, as Galadriel and I could not be."

"Aye...do you know where he is?" Aragorn leaves to go find him, and Gil-galad approaches his lover.

"You did the right thing, love."

Elrond sighs. "It does break my heart to see them like this. I am said to be wise, but I feel utterly helpless."

Gil-galad wraps his arms around Elrond. "You are wise. Love is something the children must figure out on their own. It is a complicated thing. I think no one understands it."

"I just wish I could have helped them more... It pains them so much." Elrond sighs. "I was a lucky Elfling when I met you wasn't I?"

"I know not. I do know that I was quite lucky that you were not weary of my advances." He kisses Elrond's cheek.

"You are lucky that no one whapped you for pursuing one so young!" Elrond grins.

Gil-galad laughs. "You were not so much younger...And I had none to whap me, besides." He smirks. "And aren't you glad?"

"Of course, if I wasn't I would have moved on." He smiles up at him. "Yes, I suppose we were luckier than some."

"Than most. I fear for the hearts of our young friends--two of your children. There will most definitely be heartbreak."

He looks at the ground sadly. "I wish my children would not find heartbreak in this, but I can't wish that on the poor princeling from Mirkwood. He does not deserve it either."

"No one does, love." He hugs the elf lord closer. "But it happens nonetheless."

"Perhaps we should find Legolas to make sure he is not causing any undue trouble. I fear if he eats ice cream and finds those pranksters we may be in for a bit of trouble. Especially with those pranksters..."

Gil-galad blinks confusedly. "I am not sure what you mean, but I shall help."

"You must meet Haldir and his brothers... Perhaps you could straighten them out." Elrond grins.

"Haldir the one who was killed by orcs?" Gil-galad asks.

Elrond becomes thoughtful. "I do not think that is the same one."

Gil-galad shakes his head. "Nor do I, for that Haldir was definitely not a practical joker." He grins.

Elrond smirks. "This Haldir may be a joker, but I do fear for him if Legolas is about on a sugar rush. Estel is not around so Haldir and his brothers may be Legolas'... er... victim. Legolas is known for enjoying fair faces." Elrond grimaced.

Gil-galad laughs. "All three at once, now? That is quite a feat, and he shall be competition in the title "great", I'm sure." He leers and snuggles Elrond.

Elrond grins. "I would not doubt that he could do it for a second. He is rather talented."

Gil-galad looks hurt. "You think I am not, love? Bah! I could prove it to you!"

Elrond's eyes widen. "How exactly is that to be taken?"

He leers. "However you want?"

Elrond shakes his head. "Yes, yes. You have been in Mandos for too long."

The mighty Gil-galad pouts. "You don't think I could handle it! Fair Legolas may be younger than I but..."

Elrond pokes him. "But what? Hm?"

"I am still just as I was before!" He mock-glares. "I could handle it. I am sure."

"I'm sure you could, but I wouldn't want you to exert yourself."

He smiles sweetly. "What are you trying to imply, love?"

"Oh nothing dear." Elrond kisses Gil-galad's cheek. "I didn't mean anything by that."

Gil-galad pouts. "I could handle it, I'm sure."

Elrond smiles. "I'm sure you could sweetheart."

"I could." He continues to pout.

He kisses Gil-galad's forehead. "Of course."

"I could prove it!" He smiles, then glares at his lover. "And you stop patronizing me!"

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "And how would you intend to prove it?"

He leers. "Weeeeeelll..."

Elrond gulps. "You don't have to..."

"Are you sure, melnin?" He smiles angelically.

Elrond nods slowly. "I think so..."

"Really, really sure?"

"Um... What were you planning on doing?"

Gil-galad shakes his head. "Nuh-uh. First you have to tell me if you're suuuuuuuuuuuure."

"I'm sure..."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "You're sure you want me to prove it?"

Elrond bites his lip. "Umm... yes."

Gil-galad laughs and glomps Elrond. "This shall be great fun, love!" He whispers something into his lover's ear. Elrond looks at him and blinks. Gil-galad smiles.

"I did agree to it." Elrond kisses Gil-galad's neck.

Gil-galad quite literally sweeps Elrond off his feet. "But for now, love, I think we have quite a lot of...catching up to do."

Elrond nods vigorously. "I agree completely."

The king kisses his lover. "Where to start..." he murmurs.

"Does it matter my love?" Elrond kisses Gil-galad's ear.

"Hey! That tickles!" He nuzzles Elrond's neck. "But no, I don't think it does," he whispers, huskily.

"As long as I am with you..." Elrond said, barely audible.

"I am complete..."

"Perhaps... we should find a place more private, with the pranksters around and whatnot..."

Gil-galad smiles. "Of course, love." And he spirits them away to a spare bedroom. "Is this better?"

Elrond nuzzles against his neck. "Very much so..."

He snogs Elrond. "Now where were we...?"

"Not exactly sure..." Elrond murmurs. And Gil-galad snogs Elrond some more. "Do we still plan on attending that party tonight?" Elrond murmurs into Gil-galad's ear.

"Perhaps," he whispers, kissing Elrond's nose, "if we're not busy already..."

Elrond gives a slight chuckle. "Yes, yes... if we're not busy..."

Gil-galad smiles. "Do we plan to be busy, love?"

"I'm not sure... maybe."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow, falling back on the bed. "Maybe?"

"Probably." Elrond amends, following Gil-galad.

Gil-galad laughs. "Your children will probably be expecting you, you realize. And Galadriel and Celeborn..."

Elrond pouts. "And I should be there to do damage control for whatever Estel and Legolas do..."

Gil-galad kisses Elrond. "Melnin, I think they have enough common sense to do nothing of the sort in front of Lady Arwen." He pauses to consider. "Unless Legolas has gotten into the ice cream, which seems to make him very hormonal..."

Elrond blinks. "Well, Legolas is eating tons of ice cream as we speak, so..." He pauses as a thought crosses his mind. "Hm... by any chance, does ice cream have the same effect on you?"

Gil-galad grins. "I'm not sure, love. I don't normally eat that much ice cream, and when I have there's never been someone around for me to act upon any urges I may have..." He smirks. "Why? Do you wish to do some experiments?"

Elrond shrugs coyly. "I don't know..."

Gil-galad pounces his lover. "Don't know, eh?" He plants a kiss on Elrond.

"Yes... I'm not sure what change might come over you. It could be very different than Legolas'."

"That is quite true...but we'll never know until we try..." He glances around. "Can we get room service here?"

"Probably. I'm not sure how though..." Elrond peers about the room.

Gil-galad finds a little rope hanging from the ceiling (luckily right next to the bed...) and pulls it.

Elrond looks at the door. "I wonder how long it will take..."

A Random Sexy Elf shows up. "Hello!" He smiles innocently, not choosing to notice the half-nekkid-ness of the other two elves. "What can I get you?"

Elrond grins. "We would like some ice cream."

"Alright!" The Random Sexy-yet-innocent Elf exclaims. "It'll be right here!" And he disappears out of the room.

"Hm." Elrond looks at Gil-galad.

He grins. "Good service, I'd say." He graciously accepts the cart of ice cream another Random Sexy Elf has brought. "Thank you."

"I wonder why they use those Elves for the room service..." Elrond smiles.

Gil-galad puts on his best innocent look. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Erm... Those were very pretty Elves..." Elrond raises his eyebrows. "Do you think that there might have been a purpose behind that?"

Gil-galad shrugs. "Perhaps...I'd even call them sexy..." He smiles, capturing Elrond in his arms. "But not as much so as you are..."

"Well, then you have a quite a high opinion of me, my dear Gil-galad." Elrond snuggles against Gil-galad.

"I think only the truth, love."

Elrond blushes. "I think love blinds you."

"'Love looks not with the eye, but with the mind / and so wing'd Cupid is painted blind,'" he quotes.

Elrond smiles up at him. "Yes, yes..."

The warrior-king strokes Elrond's cheek. "You are beautiful, my love..." He grins. "Now! For the experimenting..."

Elrond nods. "Of course!" He shoves a bowl of ice cream at Gil-galad. "It's vanilla..." he pauses. "Well, I hope."

Gil-galad laughs. "Perhaps Legolas has already gotten to this ice cream..." he says darkly.

Elrond wrinkles his nose. "That is for you to find out."

Gil-galad sniffs it. "Hmm..." He looks to the cart of ice cream. "Is there any chocolate? You do know what they say about chocolate..." he trails off.

Elrond turns a bright shade of crimson. "Yes, I believe I do."

"'Tis an aphrodisiac, it is," Gil-galad muses. "Thus, I rather hope that's not what Legolas has been eating--I would think that if other ice cream makes him hormonal, chocolate would doubly."

Elrond's face turns a sickly shade of green. "I hope that those practical jokers don't feed him tons of chocolate." He shakes his head. "Oh dear. I would fear for them then."

Gil-galad laughs and takes a spoonful of the (what he has deduced to truly be) vanilla ice cream. "Yes. As would I."

Elrond grabs a bowl of purplish ice cream. "What do you suppose this is?"

He shrugs. "Try it." And he takes another spoonful of vanilla.

"No thanks." He sets it carefully on the cart.

Gil-galad blinks innocently. "You do not wish to partake in the experiment?"

"Maybe... but not by eating purple mush." He scrunches up his face.

"Oh, come now! It could be...um...some sort of fruit ice cream." He laughs. "You'll never know until you try..."

"No. It looks icky."

"Bah." He finishes up the bowl of vanilla. "Is there any chocolate?" He searches until he finds two bowls. "Will you have chocolate with me, Elrond-nin?"

Elrond shrugs. "Why not? At least I know what that is..."

Gil-galad giggles.

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "Here. Give me the bowl of chocolate." He holds out his hands.

Gil-galad eyes his lover like a cat would a mouse, and hands it over.

"Eep." Elrond takes the bowl carefully.

As Elrond is about to set it down, Gil-galad tackles him onto the bed. "Hello there."

Elrond's eyes grow as big as saucers. "Erm... I suppose the experiment had the intended effect?"

Gil-galad just smirks and kisses Elrond roughly.

Elrond grins. "This is new..."

"I could stop..."

Elrond shakes his head. "I doubt you could, but I wouldn't want you to."

"Good." Another kiss. "I don't want to."

Elrond purrs, kissing his lover.

Gil-galad snogs his love some more, when comes a knock on the door.

A muffled call issues from under Gil-galad. "Who is it?"

A chipper voice trills: "'Tis Legolaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas!"

A panicked look crossed Elrond's face. "What should we say? I don't think we want him in here!" Elrond hisses to Gil-galad.

"Well, we could tell him the truth..." He dodges a swap. "Fine, fine..." He sighs and gets up, opening the door. "What is it, Legolas?" When he comes back in, he has an attachment.

Elrond sighs. "Goodness..."

Legolas cuddles up to Gil-galad, babbling about something in Elvish. "What shall we do?"

Elrond ponders this for a moment. "I'm sure that Haldir, R?mil, or Orophin would take him... Gladly, I'd wager."

Gil-galad nods. "I'm sure." He looks down at Legolas after the latter says something quite...inappropriate.

"Thankfully, he's not attached to me. I do not like to think about what he's saying."

Gil-galad looks wearily at his lover. "He keeps propositioning me! I wonder why he has taken up such a fascination with me, when Estel is not around."

Elrond shrugs. "You are a lovely Elf."

"Bah. You are far more lovelier than I."

"Apparently the princeling does not think so." Elrond gestures to Legolas.

"Bah. Again." Gil-galad looks down at the aforementioned princeling. "Legolas, dear, could you please remove yourself from my ribcage?"

Elrond snickers as Legolas shakes his head vehemently.

Gil-galad sighs. "And why not?"

Legolas giggles and looks up at him. "I don't want to."

Gil-galad sighs. "And what of Estel, eh?"

Legolas blinks, trying to clear his fogged mind. "Estel? Um... He's not here right now."

"And why have you chosen me for your hormone-induced folly?" he asks dryly.

Legolas shrugs, not exactly sure himself.

"Legolas, what is it you want of me, exactly?" He glances quickly at Elrond.

Legolas pouts. "Could I stay in here with you guys? I wouldn't be a problem. You could go along with your business." Legolas smiled sweetly, knowing very well what was going on.

Gil-galad laughs. "Are you here for ice cream, or something more?"

"I merely wish to watch you." He grins, then adds. "Maybe some ice cream would be nice though..."

Gil-galad chuckles softly. "And what does the Lord Elrond think of this?"

Elrond grimaces. "Perhaps we should give him ice cream and shove him out... hand him over to some lovely Elf that wants him."

Gil-galad laughs, taking the whole thing in stride. "Legolas, what have you to say of that?"

"What lovely Elf would want me?" He looks thoughtful.

Gil-galad shrugs. "I am quite out of touch with who want whom nowadays. Except that Estel apparently wants both you and Arwen (though perhaps not at the same time), and you want Estel, and so does Arwen." He grins. "And you also apparently want me, as your gestures show."

Legolas looks perplexed. "So... are there any other lovely Elves about?"

"I've no idea." He looks to Elrond. "Do you know?"

"Um... Well, let's find Haldir..." Elrond gestures to the door.

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "I think we should perhaps get dressed all the way, love."

"Eh? Of course, of course." He scurries over to the pile of their clothes.

The king looks to his attachment. "I'm afraid you'll have to let go so I can pull a shirt on."

Legolas lets go of Gil-galad, but watches the two intently.

Gil-galad scoots over to Elrond. "I think he's a voyeur, love." He gets dressed slowly.

Elrond chuckles. "He's making me nervous," he says through gritted teeth to his lover.

"As he is me," he murmurs. "What if we just give in to what he wants?"

Elrond shudders. "He wants to watch us. Let's just find a lovely Elf that we can dump him on."

"Aye, aye." Gil-galad walks over to the young prince. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes." He nods slowly, watching Elrond shrug on his last layer of clothing.

Gil-galad's voice drops to a whisper. "You really wanted just to watch us?"

Legolas shrugs. "Mm hm. And eat some more ice cream." He grins and adds: "Maybe in the back of my mind I thought that you would ask me to join you..."

"And why would you want that, fair Legolas?"

Legolas replies meekly. "You both are very lovely to behold..."

Gil-galad casts a look to his Love, a look of trust in his eyes. He looks back to Legolas and captures the young elf in a kiss. "Is that what you wanted, Princeling?"

Legolas' eyes boggle. "Yes..." he murmurs in a daze.

Gil-galad stands up straight. "Right. Well, let us be off." He moves out the door.

Elrond giggles watching Legolas follow Gil-galad.

Gil-galad sighs, wondering how many more elves hold him in such...high regard.

"They all adore you..." Elrond says softly, sensing his lover's question. "You are an idol and hero to the young ones."

Gil-galad snorts. "Apparently. But I had no idea I was such an object of lust!"

"Love, you are gorgeous... not to mention it was your effort that saved Middle Earth. I'd imagine that there are many that are jealous of me and my good luck." Elrond smirks.

Gil-galad smiles as a slight pink colors his cheeks. "I am glad you are not terribly jealous that I kissed the Princeling." He laughs. "It was terribly amusing though, the look on his face."

"How could I be jealous? You are my lover after all." Elrond chuckles and nods in agreement. "I haven't seen that look on his face before."

"I am yours indeed, Elrond-nin." Gil-galad laughs. "Watch out, I may be tempted to do it again!" Legolas hears and perks up.

Elrond growls at Legolas. "I don't think so. Once was quite enough."

The king laughs. "I thought you weren't jealous, love!"

"I'm not... just don't try it again." Elrond grins. "Not that it was not a delicious picture."

"I think you are becoming quite the voyeur yourself," Gil-galad whispers with a Cheshire-cat-grin.

Elrond shrugs. "Though I must say I'd rather watch myself kiss you..."

Gil-galad blinks. "That would be rather hard to do, love, unless perhaps there were two of you..." He looks perplexed.

"Wishful thinking I suppose..." Elrond grins.

"Oh, you..." He kisses his lover, forgetting for the moment of the princeling following them.

Legolas is drooling all over himself. "It is a shame that a threeway kiss is nearly impossible..." He smiles slyly, "Though I can think of other things that aren't..."

Gil-galad snorts. "Does anyone else know that you think of such perverse thoughts, prince?"

Part 3: Party! II

"Most do not... some do though."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "And who knows of these thoughts?"

"Aragorn has heard a few... not this one exactly, but..."

"You desire too many, boy." Gil-galad continues on his way.

"It is easy for you! There is only one that you desire! I just have an appreciation for fair faces!" Legolas exclaims following Gil-galad.

"An extreme appreciation, I'd say."

Legolas pouts. "Perhaps. I just love looking upon fair creatures; it is not as if I desire anything breathing!"

Gil-galad's eyes widen. "You are a necrophiliac, then?!"

"Stop it! I am finished with this conversation!" Legolas shouts. "I've had quite enough..."

Gil-galad laughs. "You said you did not desire anything breathing." He pauses to consider something. "Though I suppose you both are necrophiliacs, if you desire me, because I am dead, and--" he is interrupted.

R?mil halts, making an effort to greet them normally. "Hello. I'm R?mil." He says in gasps, out of breath from running. "It is nice to see you Lord Elrond! You have not visited in decades."

Gil-galad blinks. "Surely you are not the selfsame Rumil who...no, never mind..."

Elrond grins. "It is Haldir's brother, the ones that we have heard ever so much about."

"I see..." He looks back at Legolas. "Well?"

Legolas glares at them darkly. "What?"

Gil-galad looks at Elrond and Rumil, then to Legolas. He walks over to the young prince. "Legolas, why has your mood blackened so?"

Elrond looks to Gil-galad and whispers discreetly. "The ice cream is wearing off and the mighty Gil-galad was just teasing him."

Gil-galad hisses at his lover, "Are you saying he desires none now? Including myself?"

Elrond shrugs. "He is perplexing. Perhaps we could pass him off to this lovely Elf." He looks to R?mil.

"Perhaps I shall have a talk with our Princeling first..." He stalks over to the young prince. "Come with me." Legolas follows, worried. They walk to a somewhat secluded place, and the great king looks at Legolas. "What has darkened your mood so, boy?"

Legolas shrugs. "I am worried... about Aragorn and his decision and Arwen and myself." He pauses and looks to Gil-galad sadly. "I do not want to be the cause of their distress or Arwen's broken heart. Nor do I wish to become hurt because Aragorn would choose Arwen over me."

"And so you took your sexual frustration out on myself and Elrond?"

Legolas shrugs. "I suppose so." He sighs deafeatedly. "I believe I should just leave Arwen and Aragorn alone. I believe that they would be happier without my interference."

"You have little self-confidence, my friend."

"Is that it? I do not know. I just think I have caused undue trouble in their lives."

"Do you love him? Or is he just an object for your lust?"

"I think I love him... but I'm just not sure."

"And have you talked to him of his feelings?"

Legolas sighs. "Yes, yes I have. He is as unsure as I am. He does not know which one of us he loves more..."

"And Arwen's heart is decided, I am correct?"

"Yes. She is as firm as ever in her decision."

"As she should be, I suppose." Gil-galad sighs. "Though all this still does not explain your desire to 'join in' with us."

"You are one of the more beautiful creatures I have set my eyes upon, as is Lord Elrond..." he shrugs. "Besides, Aragorn deserves Arwen and she deserves him. I know they must be together. Tell me, how would Aragorn's bloodline continue with me as his lover?"

Gil-galad smiles sympathetically. "I am sorry, friend Legolas, that that is what you think it must come to." He takes the younger elf in his arms, trying to provide some comfort.

Legolas lets out a small sob. "It must. I cannot bear him any children. How could I be the right decision?"

Gil-galad strokes the elf's hair. "You are a wonder upon yourself, Legolas. Just because you can bear no children does not lessen your worth at all. Do you think Estel would even be considering you if he did not hold you in some regard?"

"Does it matter? I may be held in high regard, but neither of our bloodlines would have heirs. We are both of royal blood; we must have children. I fear the decision may come down to that fact."

"And what if it does?" The king continues to stroke Legolas' hair. "What shall you do then?"

Legolas shrugs shakily. "I do not like to think about that."

"I think you must."

"What shall I do? I do not know! I suppose I should find myself some other person, preferably an Elf, since I do not wish to outlive my husband or wife..."

"I think you must take it in stride," Gil-galad murmurs, placing a kiss on the younger elf's forehead. "And you can always find me out for council."

"For that I am grateful." Legolas smiles uncertainly.

"Now, shall we return to the others, or do you have more tears to spill?" He smiles comfortingly.

"I have cried enough for today. Though, I think it would be wise of me to avoid Aragorn for the rest of the night. I fear that I would burst into tears again," Legolas admits.

Gil-galad smiles. "You may remain with us at the party, if you so desire."

Legolas grins. "I might stay with Haldir and his brothers; they seem to know how to have fun."

"All three at once, fair Legolas?" He smiles. "I think you might wear yourself out by the end of the day."

"Then I may have a restful sleep if that happens."

Gil-galad laughs. "Just as a little elfling!"

Legolas smiles. "Come, I fear for your lover's health if he has decided to entertain Rumil."

Gil-galad pales. "Wherefore do you say that?"

Legolas shrugs. "He has interesting ideas of fun. Though, he may not play any tricks on Lord Elrond. He has seen him in a fit of anger."

"Aye, then let us return, ere Elrond is shown any 'fun.'" And so they journey back to their previous spot.

Elrond looks up to see them and smiles gratefully.

Gil-galad strides over, taking Elrond in his arms. "Hello, lover."

Rumil looks confused. "Who is this lover of yours, Lord Elrond?"

Gil-galad laughs. "Have you ever heard of Gil-galad the great, my lad?"

Rumil pales. "Do you mean?"

"I am the selfsame Elf."

"And you are lovers?" Rumil asks, incredulous.

Gil-galad smirks. "Does it make you nervous?"

"Um... not really. It just seems kind of weird. I mean, you are supposed to be dead, right?"

"Well, yes." Gil-galad sighs.

Rumil looks slightly confused. "O-kay..." He starts again. "What about Lady Celebrian? I know she crossed over the sea, but..."

Gil-galad shrugs. "Talk to him about it..."

Elrond glares at his lover, then turns to Rumil. "Do not worry yourself over it. He is my love."

Gil-galad smiles sweetly. "Why thank you." Elrond shrugs and smiles back, blushing. "I would tell you again that blushing is quite becoming on you, but I fear that would be redundant." He grins.

Rumil sighs. "How cute..."

Legolas frowns.

Rumil raises an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing." Legolas glances around.

Rumil grins. "Eh. They are lovely..." He turns around. "I wonder where my brothers are."

Legolas shrugs, determined to be as bitter as he can.

Rumil harrumphs. "You are no fun."

Legolas sticks his tongue out.

Rumil leers. "I would not do that."

Legolas raises an eyebrow. "And wherefore not?"

"You are a fair sight to look upon..." Rumil shrugs.

"And is that all?" Legolas inquires coyly.

"Maybe. It is an enticing picture..."

"Oh?" Legolas says. He eyes the two older elves, still going at it.

Rumil nods. "But... I'm not sure if Orophin would be all too happy with me."

Legolas blinks. "And what does that mean?"

"Nothing..." Rumil replies.

Legolas moves closer to the wood-elf.

Rumil grins. "You are something else."

"Oh? And what am I, then?" Legolas asks quietly.

Rumil laughs. "You are exactly like I've heard."

Legolas smiles innocently. "And what have you heard?"

"That you are interesting, especially after eating ice cream."

"And what if I have not eaten ice cream?" Legolas smiles serenely. "What am I then?"

"I have heard you are very sweet, but quite trying."

Legolas smirks. "Trying, eh? And who told you that?"

"Erm... that bit was from Lady Arwen." Rumil shrugs.

Legolas laughs. "Lady Arwen is too uptight." He smiles. "She needs to have more fun."

He chuckles. "Yes, my brothers and I have stopped playing any pranks on her."

"I have heard much about this prank-pulling." Legolas smiles. "Do you do anything else?"

"What exactly do you mean? I mean, we do eat and talk... normal things like that..." Rumil looks to him, slightly confused.

Legolas looks around. "Well, yes, of course. But what else do you do besides practical jokes?"

"We are archers and we guard the northern border of Lothlorien." He smiles. "We aren't exactly the most exciting people in Middle Earth."

"I am sure that is not so," Legolas replies slyly as he moves closer to the other elf.

"It is. My brothers and I are each other's constant companions, and having lack of variety can lead to boring personalities..." Rumil watches Legolas.

Legolas smiles like a Cheshire cat. "What variety do you like, fair Rumil?" In the background, the two elder elves watched with a fair sense of amusement.

"Nay, variety is not what I crave." He smirks. "My brothers satisfy me just fine..." He pauses to contemplate. "Though... you are something that I could grow to like."

"Ai." Legolas moves even closer to Rumil. "You could grow to like? You do not already?"

"I would say I like you well enough..."

"And how well is that?" Legolas whispers, pushing a strand of hair behind the other elf's ear.

Rumil shrugs. "I do not know... Quite well, I'd say." He smiles coyly at Legolas.

Legolas smiles at the other elf before pulling him in for a kiss. "This well?"

"Yes, yes. This well." Rumil says happily.

Legolas laughs. "You Galadhon are strange creatures!"

Rumil raises his eyebrow. "Oh really?"

"Yes." He grins. "Quite different, I'd say."

"How so, I wonder?" Rumil inquires.

Legolas looks perplexed. "You just are." He nods his head.

"Okay... We probably are..." Rumil nods unsurely. "Anyway..."

"That does not mean I care not for you." Legolas smiles. "What shall we do now, Fair Rumil?"

Rumil shrugs and responds demurely. "I do not know."

"I know what Lord Gil-galad and Elrond do in their spare time now," Legolas quips with a grin.

Elrond glares in their direction, overhearing Legolas' pert statement.

Gil-galad grins lazily. "Aye, and so will everyone." He kisses Elrond. "Not that I mind so much..."

Elrond huffs. "I don't know. It irks me that everyone knows what we do..."

"Oh, shush." He pouts. "Are you that ashamed of me, love?"

"No, but our private life is ours." Elrond complains. "It isn't bad that everyone knows about us, but I don't need them knowing what we do."

Gil-galad grins. "I suppose it's partially our fault. ...Shall we go back to that lovely little room?" he murmurs.

Elrond nods. "I believe it would be wise to leave these two alone..."

The former-king looks at the two children. "Aye, they look as though they might want some privacy..." He leers at them while Legolas glares.

Elrond laughs. "Yes, I can tell what is going on in their minds, whether they will admit it or not."

Gil-galad chuckles. "Aye! Children are so fickle and hormonal these days..." He pauses to ponder. "I do not remember being young and hormonal." He frowns.

Elrond laughs. "Oh, I remember my younger days..."

Gil-galad leers. "I remember your younger days as well..."

Elrond blushes. "Of course you do..."

"You blush quite often around me, Elrond-nin." He grins. "Do you always blush this much?"

"No one gives me reason to blush besides you..."

Gil-galad laughs and takes Elrond in his arms. "Ai, you just need to readjust, I think."

"Perhaps..." Elrond shrugs. "Or you speech gives me cause to blush, unlike it did before."

Gil-galad shrugs. "Come now, let us to the room go!" He takes Elrond's hand.

Elrond nods, following at a quick pace. "Yes, yes."

Soon they arrive at the room, closing (and locking) the door quickly. Gil-galad grins. "Now...where were we?"

Elrond plops onto the bed and shrugs. "I don't know..."

Gil-galad crawls onto the bed, moving like a cat. "Well I suppose we'll have to guess, eh?"

"I think so..." Elrond grins

Gil-galad kisses his lover. "Where to start...?"

"I do not think that matters either..." Elrond scoots back a bit to the headboard.

Gil-galad laughs. "Well...then I suppose this shall do..." He kisses Elrond passionately.

"Mmm... That does just fine..." Elrond nibbles along Gil-galad's neck.

Meanwhile, with our friends Legolas and Rumil...

Legolas sighs. "You know what they're doing, don't you?"

"Yes, that much was obvious, if not by what they said then by the looks on their faces." Rumil chuckles. "Those two... who would have thought Gil-galad was like that."

Legolas laughs. "Well, we don't know much about him, only that little song." He hums the tune.

"That is true. I just never would have pictured him like that."

"Truthfully, I don't think I would have either." He shrugs. "But I have learned not to trust everything I hear..."

"Oh really?" Rumil chuckles. "I'm working on that one."

Legolas wraps his arms around the other's neck. "And tell me everything you have heard of me, dear." He looks at Rumil with big, wide, shiny eyes.

"Nothing all too bad... I have heard that you were quite lovely." Rumil grins. "And they were not exaggerating..."

"That is all?" Legolas pouts. "I have a personality, too."

"We-ell... They mentioned that you were very hyper..."

"Only when I eat ice cream!" Legolas argues.

"Really?" Rumil looks at Legolas. "You are an intriguing elf, not to mention just as lovely as I have heard."

Legolas kisses his new friend. "You are quite lovely, too."

"You flatter me..." Rumil looks away. "Only my brother ever tells me I'm beautiful..."

"Your brother is correct, then." Legolas smiles. "And which brother are we talking about?"

"Orophin..."

Legolas smiles, though confused. "And what of Haldir?"

"What of him?" Rumil asks.

Legolas blinks. "Well...um...does he...er..." He blushes slightly. "Ne'er mind."

Rumil pokes him. "Wha-at? I want to know!"

"No, no, it is far too embarrassing to say." He blinks. "I suppose."

Rumil nudges him. "No, it's not... Come on..."

"Well..." Legolas blushes and harrumphs. "Are all three of you...er...involved?"

Rumil giggles. "Well, sort of..."

Legolas turns a nice pink color. "Isn't it a bit...strange, though?"

"Nope." Rumil grins. "I love them both dearly..."

Legolas frowns. "But they are your brothers."

Rumil shrugs. "It seems only natural. Are Lady Arwen and Estel not brother and sister?"

"Er...not by blood. They're, like, far-distant cousins, though." Legolas looks quite perplexed.

Rumil sighs, exasperated. "It does not matter that we are brothers."

Legolas shrugs. "I am merely curious, as I am not at all in love with my brother." He crinkles his face.

Rumil laughs. "My brothers are hard not to love... They are as beautiful as they are kind."

Legolas blinks. "Well, I suppose my brother is fair, but...well, I don't know. We never really spent much time with each other."

Rumil nods. "That is a shame. Not knowing one's brother..."

Legolas laughs. "My brother is a pain, I know that much. He treats me like a pest." He ponders something. "Which, I suppose, I am--at least to him." A devious look appears on his face.

Rumil laughs. "Of course! You seem like you have the ability to be a pest."

Legolas pouts.

"I did not mean it in a bad way! I have the ability to be a pest too."

He pouts further.

"Stop pouting. It is too becoming on you." Rumil pinches Legolas' cheek.

"If it is becoming, why should I stop?" Legolas asks coyly.

Rumil pouts in return. "I'd rather see you smile."

Legolas grins and bows. "For you, of course, Fair Rumil." He takes the other's hand and kisses it.

"You are quite the charmer, Legolas." He looks at the other elf. "Perhaps you should meet my brothers."

Legolas laughs. "That may be so, but do you think I am quite ready for three of your brood at the same time?" He leers, reminiscent of Gil-galad.

"I would hope so. They would love to see you..." Rumil cocks his head to the side. "And I'm sure that you would like them if you met them."

"If they are as lovely and kind as yourself, then I am positive you speak the truth." Legolas smiles.

Rumil blushes. "Erm... I believe that they are far more beautiful than I."

Legolas laughs again and kisses Rumil. "Then they must be like Valar..."

"You flatter me. I do not need this; you shall make my head big."

Legolas grins. "I speak only the truth, Rumil the Fair."

Rumil shakes his head. "No more of this." He grins. "My ego is in no need of inflating."

Legolas leers. "I could go on..."

Rumil shakes his head. "No, no..."

Mirkwood's princeling sighs. "Fine, fine. I could go back to Gil-galad and Elrond..." A look of deviousness crosses his face.

"No! Do not do that! It would be better that you stay with me."

"Oh?" Legolas sniffs. And pouts. "Wherefore so?"

"I wouldn't want you to desert me for those old elves. I would prefer that you are with me. As I have said numerous times, your face is lovely to behold."

"They may be old, but they are also very..." Legolas coughs. "Er...lovely."

Rumil huffs. "Yes, I suppose they are, but I am inclined to think that you are more beautiful."

The prince blushes slightly and grins. "And I am the flatterer?"

"Yes you are. My flattering is not nearly so severe as yours."

Legolas smiles widely. "I said before, I speak only the truth."

Rumil grins. "Yes, yes. I suppose I'll believe you..."

"And I suppose I am not the only one to say so..." He points to two Elves approaching.

Rumil waved. "Hello! Would you care to meet the lovely Legolas Greenleaf?"

Legolas tries to look innocent. "Um...I am a prince? Of Mirkwood?"

Rumil nudged Orophin and Haldir. "And very comely he is!"

Legolas blushes.

Orophin looks at him. "What a bright shade of red he turns!"

Legolas frowns. "It is not everyday you are examined by three wood-elf brethren!" He pouts.

Rumil laughs. "That is a rare occasion!" He pokes Haldir, "So what do you think of him? Is he as lovely as they say?"

Haldir quietly moves around the young princeling. "I think..." he murmurs. Then he kisses Legolas. "Yes...he is definitely as lovely as they say."

Rumil pushes Haldir, pretending to be aghast. "So forward! You were not like this with me!"

Haldir looks at his brother and shrugs. "Forgive me."

Rumil sighs. "So endearing... all of you..."

Legolas nervously looks at them. "Um...this is still very, very, extremely new to me."

Orophin chuckles. "We're not going to jump on you or something."

Haldir nods. "We must know you at least a day..." he smiles. "Though I know not what you may have already done with Rumil-lad..."

Rumil looks shocked. "I would never do anything without checking with you two." He kisses his brother's ear. "It is your love I value most.."

Haldir kisses Rumil's forehead. "Aye, I know. I was merely teasing..."

Orophin laughs. "Do not mind them Legolas. They are very open about their relationship. In fact, I believe they often do this to show off."

Legolas blushes. "I believe it shall take quite some time to get used to it..."

"If you ever do. Many of Lothlorien's occupants haven't even after all of this time." Orophin shakes his head.

Legolas smiles. "It is a little strange..."

Rumil is cuddling up to Haldir. "I suppose..."

Haldir smiles. "...to those who do not know us..."

Rumil nods. "...quite strange indeed."

Legolas boggles. "They just did...twin-speech..."

Orophin chuckles. "Yes. That they did. They are known for that."

Legolas shakes his head. "It reminds me of Elladan and Elrohir...though they are not quite as affectionate as Rumil and Haldir..."

"Are they... together, like us?" Orophin queries.

Legolas shrugs. "I am not sure, though they are very close." He smiles.

Rumil nips at Haldir's neck. "That is interesting..."

Haldir looks at his brother. "You..." He smiles. "Not while we're trying to hold a conversation, aye?"

Rumil puts on a childish pout. "Fine, fine."

Haldir pokes Rumil. "And you desire the Princeling, fair brother?"

"Meh?" Rumil looks up and shrugs. "Perhaps... though..."

Part 3: Party! III

"Though what?" He smiles serenely.

"You are the only one I truly love and desire..."

Haldir snogs his brother. "And Orophin?"

"Of course I love him! You are just so much more... open and vocal..." Rumil smirks.

Haldir blinks. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Rumil shrugs. "Nothing..."

Legolas scuffs his boot on the flet. "Um....the Lady is having a party tonight...it is shaping up to be quite interesting..."

Rumil nods vigorously. "That it is!"

Legolas looks down. "Lady Arwen and Estel shall be there."

Rumil looks at him. "Well..." He pauses studying Legolas. "That should be interesting..."

"Indeed..." the Mirkwood prince whispers.

"Would you care to say anything more about this?" Rumil inquires gently.

"..."

"You don't have to say anything to us." Rumil grinned. "I don't know how many people would want to share feelings or the like with us."

"How is it you can all share your love?" Legolas asks suddenly.

Rumil's eyes widen. "I- I'm not sure."

Haldir looks at the prince. "It is what is natural for us." Concern is written on his face. "Does this have to do with Elessar and Lady Arwen?"

Orophin looks at him kindly. "You can tell us... We are good listeners... despite all of the rumors otherwise."

"I think I love Estel." Legolas continues looking at the flet. "But he loves Arwen, as well."

Rumil appears slightly uncomfortable. "That is a hard position. I wish I could help... but I have not known such a feeling."

"Neither have I."

Orophin shrugged. "I haven't truly felt so..." He paused. "Well, perhaps something close."

Haldir sighs. "There is no easy solution..."

Rumil shakes his head. "It is horrible that one as lovely and kind as you must go through this."

Haldir pulls his brother closer, stroking his hair. "He tells the truth, fair Legolas."

Rumil sighs, leaning into his brother's touch. "Yes... I fear I am a lucky one to have my love so close to me..."

"Aye," Legolas sighs before he rushes out into the surrounding area.

Rumil looks to Haldir. "That was a bit strange..."

Haldir sighs softly. "Legolas' pain is still fresh."

Rumil nods. "I wish I could help him..." He snuggles closer to his brother.

"As do I..."

Orophin sighs. "Perhaps we should try to offer some advice next time?"

Haldir looks at Orophin. "I am afraid I have no advice to give, dear Orophin."

He sighs again. "I know, but I feel as though I should have been more helpful."

Meanwhile, with Gil-galad and Elrond...

Gil-galad snuggles Elrond. "Wow."

Elrond grins. "Hm?"

"Been a while, hasn't it?" Gil-galad lays comfortably on the bed, Elrond at his side.

Elrond cuddles closer to his lover. "Yes... far too long."

"Yes..." Gil-galad sighs happily. "That was nice."

"Hopefully..." Elrond pauses. "Hopefully, there wasn't anyone occupying the room next to us. I would feel pity for them."

Gil-galad laughs. "I am much too happy to feel pity for anyone." He leers. "At least they would not be trying to sleep..."

Elrond nods. "Yes, yes. Even if they were they would have been smart enough to find a different room."

"I should hope so." He smiles, completely content. "That was nice..."

"Yes... but did you expect anything else?" Elrond grins lazily.

Gil-galad leers. "Of course not, love."

"I had hoped not." Elrond stretches. "I would say that we should get ready for the banquet."

Gil-galad sighs. "Of course, of course." He sits up and looks at Elrond. "Let me braid your hair, love."

Elrond bounces up from his position. "Yay! It's been so long since anyone else braided my hair, much less you."

Gil-galad laughs. "Let me get a bit more dressed, love, and I shall. Go find a brush, won't you?"

Elrond nods and scrambles to go find a brush.

Gil-galad pulls some pants on and sits on the edge of the bed.

Elrond holds up the brush triumphantly. "I have a brush!"

"Good," says Gil-galad, motioning for Elrond to sit in front of him.

Elrond claims the spot with a bounce. He beams happily at Gil-galad like a child who has had too much candy.

Gil-galad starts brushing Elrond's hair out. "Remember when you were younger..."

Elrond leans his head back to grin up at Gil-galad. "Mm hm..."

"And when we first met?" Gil-galad starts to braid Elrond's hair.

"It is hard to forget something so important to one's life..." Elrond said softly.

Gil-galad smiles, continuing to braid the silken hair. "Aye..." He pats the top of Elrond's head. "Done."

Elrond grins. "My hair looks lovely!" He does a little twirl.

"As do you," Gil-galad says with a smile.

"Thank you my lord." He plants a kiss on Gil-galad's forehead.

Gil-galad laughs. "'My lord', eh? Very proper all of a sudden, aren't you?"

Elrond nuzzles up to him. "Nooo."

"Well, my little herald, what shall we do now?" He looks around. "We could have a bit more fun before the party, I'm sure..."

Elrond looks up at him, feigning innocence. "What kind of fun?"

"Well..." Gil-galad smiles sneakily and kisses Elrond. "Not quite as much fun as we just had, but...close."

Elrond blinks. "Oh really... I would be happy to hear what it is..."

"Bah!" Gil-galad sighs. "You, my love, are quite impossible."

Indignantly he responds, "I am not!"

Gil-galad nods. "You are, my little third-cousin."

Elrond crosses his arms. "I don't believe you."

The regal king raises an eyebrow. "Oh, really? And why not?"

Elrond shrugs and kisses his lord. "Never mind. It doesn't matter..."

"Oh, no you don't." Gil-galad fixes a stern look on his face. "Why do you not believe me?"

Elrond shrugs again.

Gil-galad sticks his tongue out, looking quite un-regal.

Elrond tsks. "Do not tempt me with that lovely tongue..."

Gil-galad grins. "Is it not my job to tempt you?"

"Perhaps... but do I really need to be tempted?"

Gil-galad shrugs. "I do not know. You are far too difficult for me to try and figure out..."

"Really? You are even more of a mystery to me." Elrond grins.

"Eh? What do you want to know, love?" The elder elf looks quite curious.

Elrond looks contemplative. "I think... I would like to know..." he pauses, "everything."

The king laughs. "Everything? Elrond-nin, that may take quite a while. Anything that would take a bit less time?"

"No... not right now..." He snuggles close to his lover.

"Good," Gil-galad purrs, kissing Elrond.

"You are so lovely..." Elrond says, looking as if he was in awe of his lover.

Gil-galad shakes his head. "No, you are the lovely one," he says, caressing Elrond.

"Let's not argue with me, hm?" He presses a finger to Gil-galad's lips. Gil-galad's eyes shine. He nods. "Why else would all of the young elflings practically swoon in your presence?" Elrond says softly pushing Gil-galad's hair behind his over his shoulder.

Gil-galad shrugs, pleased at Elrond's burst of if-it-didn't-sound-so-effing-wrong-domination.

Elrond shakes his head. "Nay, I think you are humoring me." He paused. "I don't believe it matters though..."

Gil-galad looks at his lover questioningly.

"What a look!" Elrond giggles.

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow, apparently a mute now.

"Come on! Talk!" He tickles Gil-galad.

Gil-galad laughs and shakes his head.

Elrond pouts. "Meh." He drops a kiss into his lover's hand. "Not even to tell me that you love me?"

Gil-galad whispers something in Elrond's ear.

"You are so endearing..." Elrond practically growls as he kisses Gil-galad.

Gil-galad beams like a child hyped up on too much sugar.

"Why do you grin so?" Elrond smiles at his lover and caresses Gil-galad's cheek.

Gil-galad took Elrond's hand, kissing the palm. "I yield to you."

"What a lovely thought that is..." Elrond smirked, looking Gil-galad up and down.

Gil-galad shrugs.

"You seem indifferent." Elrond eyed him, frowning.

Gil-galad smiles innocently.

Elrond snorts amusedly and rather unbecomingly. "Don't give me that innocent look."

Gil-galad smiles, as if to say "What innocent look?"

"Argh. You're a mute again, are you?" Elrond looks at the older elf.

Gil-galad just smiles.

"You are infuriating..." Elrond crosses his arms across his chest and pouts.

Gil-galad whispers something in Elrond's ear.

"What was that love? A little louder?" Elrond raised an eyebrow.

He whispers slightly louder.

He kisses the tip of his lover's nose, sighing. "You are still so very endearing, even when you're trying my patience..."

Gil-galad grins. "I like it when you take charge for once, love."

Elrond gives a slight grin. "Really?"

Gil-galad nods. "Yes. It's quite refreshing."

Elrond smirks. "Refreshing, eh?"

Gil-galad nods again.

Elrond lets out a soft growl and practically pounces on his lover. "How could one resist you?" He whispers into Gil-galad's ear.

Gil-galad shrugs, taking up being a mime again. Because it amuses him.

Elrond jumps off of his lover. "Hmph." He sits at the edge of their bed. "I did not know when I fell in love with you that I would have to deal with a mute..." he grumbles.

Gil-galad does his best to look like a very innocent and adorable little elf, complete with big shiny eyes.

Elrond scowls at him. "You are incorrigible." The king keeps up the look. Elrond hums lightly to himself. "It has no effect on me..." And continues. Elrond squeezes his eyes shut. "I can't see you!"

Gil-galad sighs. He ponders for a moment, then kisses his lover passionately.

Elrond blinks, taken by surprise. "Eh?" He looks at Gil-galad.

The elder sits back and looks completely innocent.

"Gah!" Elrond throws his hands up in the air. "Only you and my sons could possibly put me in this state of aggravation!"

Gil-galad feigns innocence, but gestures for Elrond to come closer. Warily, Elrond crawls closer to his king.

Gil-galad kisses Elrond sweetly and whispers, "I love you, Elrond-nin."

Elrond nestles himself in the crook of his lover's arm. "And I you..." he responds quietly.

Gil-galad smiles, still enjoying being a mute.

Elrond returns the smile. "Endearing... even at your worst..." he snuggles closer to Gil-galad.

Gil-galad looks around, grabbing a piece of parchment and some ink and such. He writes, "I like when you are in charge, Elrond. Perhaps that is a hint." And grins innocently.

Elrond gives him a playful shove. "And what if I don't want to be in charge, hm?"

Gil-galad pouts.

Elrond pinched his cheek. "Don't do that!" He continues to pout. "Please?" Elrond tilts his head to the side and crawls onto Gil-galad's lap. "Pretty please?"

Gil-galad fidgets. "..." he says, distraught.

"What?" Elrond inclines his ear. "Why is the lovely one looking so uncomfortable?"

Gil-galad whimpers. "..."

Elrond sits next to him. "Enough whimpering... what are you trying to get across?"

Gil-galad pouts for a moment, before kissing Elrond roughly.

Elrond strokes his lover's hair. "Is that so?"

Gil-galad nods.

Elrond chuckles. "You never cease to entertain me."

Gil-galad sticks his tongue out.

Elrond tsks, grinning. "You are so childish, my love!"

Gil-galad glares mockingly.

"Now, now," Elrond scolded, "there is no reason to glare."

Gil-galad pouts some more, and is about to ravage Elrond or something when there is a knock at the door.

Elrond looks up, quickly regaining his composure. "Yes?"

A random-sexy-elf enters, not noticing really what the two had been doing. "Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel have said that the party is to be held quite soon. Thank you." And he exits.

Elrond looks at Gil-galad. "I suppose that means we should get going."

Gil-galad nods. "Indeed."

Elrond looks to him. "Be careful though, we don't need any random elfling attacking you dear, you are so lovely after all." He smirked.

"Oh, shush you."

Elrond grinned. "You know it's true!" He hopped off of the bed.

"It is not." Gil-galad stands up and pulls on his shirt, starting to clasp the clasps.

Elrond shrugs on his robe and pushes his hair behind his shoulders.

"Bah." Gil-galad finishes dressing, and stands near the door.

"It's a shame that we have to act respectable at the banquet..." Elrond lightly touches Gil-galad's cheek as he passes through the door.

"But what of the party afterwards?" Gil-galad asks with a leer.

Elrond shrugs nebulously. "I don't know..."

Gil-galad laughs. "Whatever happens, it is sure to be interesting..."

Elrond nods absentmindedly. "Yes... I think it will be. I can only imagine what other young elves will be there besides our Legolas."

"Well, Galadriel and Celeborn aren't young, I'm sure the young pranksters shall be there (though I hope they don't lust after me), but I know of no other young elves..." Gil-galad sighs. "I am much out of the loop."

Elrond gave his lover a peck on the cheek. "That you are love." Elrond gave an exaggerated sigh. "Though I fear I shall be incredibly jealous of all of those youths that will undoubtedly be hanging all over you."

Gil-galad sighs exasperatedly. "I know not why they should..."

Elrond lets out a soft growl. "Why, you are irresistible, even to the younger generation!"

"But I see not why." He looks around. "I can see why you might be, but not myself."

Elrond pokes him savagely. "Bah! You are a wonder to them! I am just an old codger in their eyes, Arwen's grouchy father."

Gil-galad shakes his head. "Not to Legolas." He grins. "You are as beautiful as the Valar themselves, love."

"Flattery!" Elrond shouts. "Perhaps you mean what you say, but I doubt many others agree with you. Our love blinds us to these things..."

"I am positive others agree. I know of at least one." He ponders. "Of course, I am not up to speed with who is around and who is not, so..."

"So who is this one person? I am very curious; these admirers are very rare for me."

Gil-galad laughs. "Do you not remember how Legolas wanted to 'join in' with us?"

Elrond nudged Gil-galad. "It was merely you he was referring to! He would have been just as content if I had left the room and let you two alone."

"I'm sure he would also have been content if I had left the room--" He is interrupted by a clearing of a throat.

Legolas raises an eyebrow at the two Elves.

Elrond grins at him. "Yes?"

"I think you are both--yes, even you, Lord Elrond--extremely beautiful," he says quietly. "And I would have rather you both stayed, if anything."

Elrond blinks, taken aback. "Well..."

Gil-galad smiles. "See?"

Elrond glares at him, sticking his tongue out. Legolas is still quite mellow. Elrond looks at Gil-galad and discreetly whispers. "What do you think happened to him?"

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "I think the more appropriate question would be what hasn't."

"Oh really?" Elrond eyes Legolas. Legolas looks at the elf-lord. "You seem... unnaturally calm..." He tilted his head to the side questioningly.

"Aye, and what of it?" Legolas asks quietly.

"I am wondering what has happened to make you so subdued."

"Everything," the young Elf whispers.

Elrond looks to Gil-galad and motions that they should be on their way.

"Gentle Legolas, come to the banquet with us," Gil-galad says softly (and hopefully soothingly), motioning for the princeling to follow himself and Elrond.

Elrond fidgets, not knowing what he should say, and feeling rather uncomfortable with such a downtrodden Legolas near.

"Aye," he sighs. Looking at Elrond, he smiles and says: "Do not fear me, Lord Elrond, I shall be fine."

"Yes, one with such a strong heart should be." He smiles at the young elf. Legolas smiles and hugs his elder. Elrond, stiff at first from this unexpected display of affection, becomes comfortable and hugs Legolas in return. "Dear, dear... No wonder Estel cannot decide between you and my lovely daughter..."

Gil-galad smiles. Legolas stiffens at the mention of Estel. "Lord...please, do not mention either of them..."

"Of course..." Elrond nods, patting Legolas' back affectionately.

Legolas snuggles up to Elrond. "Thank you."

Elrond grins down at the youth and then looks up to Gil-galad.

Gil-galad smiles. "Legolas, dear, it is time to go to the banquet. Will you join us?"

There is a nod from the head buried against Elrond's chest. Gently, Elrond pries the elf from his body.

Legolas half-smiles. "Let us go, then," he says quietly.

Elrond grasps Gil-galad's hand and begins to walk down the hallway.

Gil-galad chuckles and Legolas follows. Soon they arrive at the dining hall. Galadriel and Celeborn (poor prop-Elf...) greet them.

Elrond smiles at the elves. "It has been so long since I have stayed in you lovely home."

Celeborn smiles, and is about to say something, but is interrupted by Galadriel. "Elrond! It is lovely to have you in Lorien! You have not visited in at least a century! Legolas, Lord Gil-galad, it is a pleasure to see you, as well."

Elrond squeezes his lover's hand tightly and looks up at Galadriel and Celeborn. "How are you doing? It has been long, too long, since I have heard much news about Lothlorien."

Celeborn again opens his mouth to say something, but is again interrupted by his wife. "Not much comes to pass in these woods, I'm afraid."

"Much the same with Imladris I suppose. I fear I have grown dull and stagnant in my old age." Elrond smiles somewhat ruefully.

Gil-galad pokes him. "You are never dull or stagnant, love!"

Elrond chuckles. "You have not seen me at my home recently!"

"Oh, hush." He grins. "You are not."

Celeborn shoots a look in Galadriel's direction. Galadriel smiles sweetly at him.

Elrond clears his throat, thinking that now would be a good time for them to leave the Lord and Lady's presence. Gil-galad realizes this and ushers the three of them away, saying something about "being starving."

"Smooth..." Elrond teases, grinning widely at Gil-galad.

Gil-galad pokes Elrond. "I am starving. That ice cream did not fill me up."

Elrond grins. "You are so cute!"

"Bah. Am not." He grins. "I am ruggedly handsome."

Elrond scoffs. "I do not think so!" He pinches Gil-galad's cheeks. "You are too adorable!"

Gil-galad regards him with an almost-withering look. He very unregally sticks his tongue out. "Am not."

Elrond ponders this for a moment. "Well... I could have said you were sultry..." He snickers to himself.

Gil-galad laughs, slight tinges of pink coloring his cheeks. "Oh, do you really think so?"

Elrond shrugs coyly. "You are very alluring..."

Legolas decides to go find some food at this point. Gil-galad leers. "Oh?"

Elrond nods vigorously. "Yes. Your charms are numerous..."

"Hmm." Gil-galad looks intrigued. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Elrond smiles widely.

"Then I shall say nothing of what I think of you." Gil-galad grins. Moving closer to Elrond, he whispers, "But perhaps I'll show you later..."

Elrond's eyes widen to an unnatural size. "Yes, yes, I suppose you should."

Gil-galad smiles somewhat seductively.

Elrond quickly looks away, red staining his cheeks. "We should eat..."

Gil-galad laughs. "Of course, of course. I am after all, quite hungry."

Elrond scurries over to the oversized table, motioning for Gil-galad to hurry. "We must get seats next to each other!"

Gil-galad follows, though probably not as fast as Elrond would like, taking a seat next to his lover. He blinks.

Elrond glances to him quizzically. "Hm?"

Gil-galad smiles at him. "Nothing, love."

Elrond pouts. "I doubt that..."

Gil-galad looks at Elrond. "Come now, have I ever steered you wrong?"

Elrond thinks on this. "Noooo... not that I can remember."

Gil-galad grins, taking Elrond's hand and kissing it. "Then trust me."

Elrond nodded, grinning at his lover.

The king looks around. "Alright...so where's the food?" His stomach growls.

Elrond shrugs. "I do not know. Perhaps if we could find Legolas he would know where it is."

Gil-galad looks around. "Ah! Fooooooooood!" He grins.

Elrond shakes his head. "So cute..."

Gil-galad sticks his tongue out. "I'm huuungry. I have the right to regress."

Nodding, he concedes, "Of course, of course. It would have nothing to do with you constant cuteness, would it?"

Gil-galad pouts. "I'm not cute, I tell you. Ruggedly handsome."

Elrond kisses Gil-galad's forehead. "Mm hm..."

Gil-galad glares. "Stop patronizing me." He grabs some food and starts eating. Elrond nibbles, watching Gil-galad out of the corner of his eye contentedly. Gil-galad, on the other hand, forgets all of his royal training and bloody digs in. Elrond chuckles, almost inaudibly, continuing to eat his food rather daintily. Gil-galad manages to stick his tongue out at his lover in between bites.

Elrond shakes his head, almost disdainfully. "I suppose this eating politely thing is a habit I've fallen into over the years..." He grins pertly.

"I'm. Hungry," is all he gets in response.

Elrond nodded. "Yes and it seems reasonable to abandon all manners in hunger." He nods again. "Understandable." But alas, poor Elrond is ignored, Gil-galad choosing food instead. Elrond sighs and decides to strike up conversation with the elf next to him, who just happened to be Orophin. "Hello."

Orophin blinks, in the middle of taking a bite. "Mmmhhhggrm."

Elrond returns to his food, completely exasperated.

Orophin swallows, and turns to the elf-lord, slightly pink. "Please excuse my horrid manners."

Elrond waves dismissively. "Do not worry over it. My lord, Gil-galad, is in a worse state than you."

Orophin leans slightly over the table, to see said lord still inhaling food. "Ah...I...see..."

Elrond nods. "Yes, apparently he is very hungry."

Gil-galad pauses for a moment in his inhalation and tugs Elrond's sleeve.

He looks over to Gil-galad with a questioning look on his face. "Yes? What has enough merit to turn your attention away from the food?" Gil-galad smiles and kisses Elrond. Elrond grins. "Was that all?" Gil-galad nods. Elrond practically squeals. "You're so sweet!" He pauses then adds slyly. "And adorable..."

Gil-galad pouts, murmuring something that vaguely sounds like "am not."

Elrond kisses his ear lightly, whispering. "Yes you are..."

Gil-galad shakes his head.

Elrond shrugs and resumes eating.

Gil-galad makes a vague "harrumph" sound at being turned away from, sulking as he eats his food -- albeit at a much slower pace than before.

Elrond chuckles, barely audible, at his lover's display.

Gil-galad shoots him a sidelong glance.

Elrond, without turning to look at him, smiles and pats Gil-galad on his back.

Gil-galad pouts.

Elrond laughs outright this time. "You can't convince me that you're not cute with this pouting and miming that you do..."

"Bah."

Elrond ignores him and continues eating.

Gil-galad pouts some more, trying to decide whether to go with "cute" or argue for "ruggedly handsome." While Gil-galad is in his slightly contemplative mood, Elrond sneaks a kiss. Gil-galad looks at his lover and blinks.

"You look confused," Elrond states the obvious.

Gil-galad nods absentmindedly.

"What is this? I have a feeling that you're not devoting your attention to me or what I'm saying."

Gil-galad sniffles. "I'm trying to decide whether to just settle for 'cute' or argue for 'ruggedly handsome.'"

Elrond hugs him, grinning, trying his best to be endearing. "Cute! Everyone knows you're more cute than ruggedly handsome!"

Gil-galad pouts, resisting the urge to say "am not."

Elrond smiles contentedly and returns his attention to eating.

Gil-galad turns back to his food, staring at it for a moment before turning back to Elrond and asking, "Really?"

Elrond nods. "Yes! I bet that you could ask Legolas and he'd tell you too!"

Gil-galad sighs. "I suppose I shall just have to settle for being 'cute.'"

"I knew you would!" Elrond squeezes him. "You are just cute! There is no getting around the issue!"

Gil-galad smiles. "Am I anything else, though?"

Elrond looks thoughtful. "Hmm... yes, yes, you are incredibly lovely and, if I may say so, also quite alluring." He paused, then continued, "You have a good, honest heart and are so sweet..."

Gil-galad laughs and kisses his lover, not particularly caring if anyone sees. "Quite enough, thank you," he murmurs.

Elrond put his head on Gil-galad's should for a moment. "I love hearing you laugh..." he mumbles.

"And I love you..." he murmurs. If the two had been paying attention to their surroundings, they would have noticed numerous people "aw"-ing at them, Orophin included. So it was probably for the best that they didn't notice.

Rumil nudged Haldir and discreetly pointed to Elrond and Gil-galad. "Aren't they so cute?!" he whispers.

Haldir smiles. "They are."

Rumil pauses slightly. "Do you think our relationship would be so warmly accepted?" he muttered contemplatively.

Haldir looks out over the crowd thoughtfully. "I know not, fair Brother."

"I hope so... because one day we shall have to tell them." Rumil said quietly, resuming eating.

Haldir leans in as if to whisper something and kisses his brother's ear. "Do not worry."

Rumil smiles and nods. "I will not. I am not one to fret of these things for very long... It would just be nice to have that kind of reception."

"Indeed..." Haldir says softly.

Meanwhile, back with Gil-galad and Elrond...

Elrond looks to Gil-galad. "Do you feel as if we are being watched?" he asks softly.

Gil-galad grins. "It matters not."

Elrond beams. "I knew you'd say that!"

"Your perception amazes me, love," the Noldor elf says dryly.

Elrond scowls. "You're not funny."

Gil-galad pouts. "I'm not?"

"Only sometimes," he decides.

Gil-galad continues to pout, figuring if he's "cute", he's going to milk it.

Elrond pats his cheek. "Aw, no pouting."

Gil-galad sticks his tongue out. "Is it almost time for the party-party?"

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "Eh?"

Gil-galad smiles. "See, this is the banquet-party. But the party-party should be fun."

"Uh-huh..." Elrond nods slowly looking slightly confused.

Gil-galad smiles almost patronizingly. "It's okay dear. Just eat."

Elrond nods again and returns to his food. Gil-galad hums happily. Elrond shoots him a look as he continues eating. Gil-galad smiles quite childishly. Elrond ignores him and concentrates on his plate. Gil-galad blinks, then turns dejectedly to his food. Elrond munches on happily, not taking notice to the self-pitying elf sitting next to him. Gil-galad pokes Elrond with a vengeance. Elrond continues ignoring the elf. Gil-galad curses under his breath, deciding to take a new tactic. Elrond smiles into his glass that he is sipping out of. Gil-galad licks Elrond's cheek.

Elrond's eyes go wide and he drops the glass he was holding. "Wha-?" He looks at Gil-galad.

Gil-galad grins seductively.

"Um..." He looks at Gil-galad with a completely surprised look.

"..." says the ever-seductive-Gil-galad.

"Gah." Elrond glowers at Gil-galad and tries to return to eating his food. Though, he's having a difficult time with Gil-galad's eyes on him.

Gil-galad continues smiling seductively at Elrond, swirling his glass of let's-just-call-it-wine slowly.

Unsuccessful at eating, Elrond turns to starting conversation with Orophin again.

Orophin blinks. "Um...Lord Elrond...Lord Gil-galad is staring at you rather strangely..."

Elrond grimaces. "Yes, yes, I know..." he responds, eyes darting back to Gil-galad for a moment.

"Would I be too uppity if I inquired why, sir?" Orophin asks, sneaking a glance at Gil-galad himself.

"He's... er... trying to get my attention..."

As Elrond says that, Gil-galad carefully pulls back his hair and licks Elrond's neck.

"Eep!" Elrond starts, practically falling off of his chair.

Gil-galad almost laughs, but manages to keep his seductive-ness.

"So..." Elrond collects himself and continues to try and talk with Orophin. Orophin tries to hold in his laughter. Elrond taps his fingers on the table. "Um... how are your..." he pauses, "brothers?"

"My brothers?" Orophin asks, cheeks slightly pink. "They're, um...they're fine."

Elrond half smiles. "That's good."

Orophin prays that his brothers aren't doing anything too inappropriate. "Um...um..."

"Where are your brothers anyway?" Elrond asks curiously.

"Er...they're around here somewhere..." the young elf says nervously.

Elrond glances around. "Hm... they seemed like rather nice young elves."

"Oh, they are," Orophin says, hoping his voice doesn't give away the shades of meaning there.

Elrond gave him a sort of crooked smile and quickly glanced over his shoulder at Gil-galad.

Gil-galad is continuing his seductive behavior, and quite enjoying swilling his wine in the cup.

Elrond turns his head back to Orophin, his mouth set in determination. "So..."

Gil-galad sets his glass down and starts nibbling on Elrond's neck. Orophin, looking over Elrond's shoulder, is quite nervous and his eyes widen to unnatural proportions.

Elrond tries to swat Gil-galad away without anyone noticing. He looks at Orophin, grinning. "Yes? What is that look?"

Orophin points at Gil-galad, who has merely moved to Elrond's other side. "Shouldn't you, like, um...pay attention to him or...or...something?" Under his breath he murmurs, "Not even Haldir nor Rumil are this bad..."

Elrond throws a casual glance at Gil-galad. "No, no, that's exactly what he wants me to do. I won't let him have the satisfaction."

Orophin nods slowly, not really understanding. Gil-galad smiles seductively once more, continuing his nibbling and letting an arm drape over his lover.

Part 3: Party! IV

Elrond gives the arm a nervous glance. His eyes dart around trying to find a topic of conversation to distract his mind from Gil-galad.

Gil-galad continues his ministrations, and Orophin has now turned a brilliant shade of red. "Er...are you sure you don't want to pay attention to him?"

Elrond shakes his head passionately. "No, no. I can't give into him. No, it would just undermine the point I'm trying to prove."

Gil-galad licks Elrond's neck and moves to the other side, arm still draped. Orophin looks extremely nervous. "What point is that, my Lord?"

"That I won't always give into his cuteness or seductiveness or annoyance..." Elrond nods. "Yes, this would prove my point splendidly."

Gil-galad nips at Elrond.

Elrond starts slightly and continues. "This kind of stuff just won't do it... I won't respond to his every beck and call."

Gil-galad moves up to Elrond's ear and whispers extremely quietly, "I said I'd yield to you, Elrond-nin."

Elrond's eyes widen. "Erm... that's not the point!" He paused. "Besides, if I can resist this, I can resist anything..."

Gil-galad nuzzles Elrond's neck, then licks his cheek again. "Alright..." he murmurs. "I'll just enjoy myself, then."

"Enjoy... your... self?" He asks haltingly.

"Mmm-hmm," comes the response, as Gil-galad softly kisses Elrond's neck.

Elrond's face looks strained. "Um..."

Orophin looks even more nervous, if that's possible. Gil-galad drapes his other arm around Elrond's waist.

Elrond grasps Gil-galad's hand around his waist, as if for support. "I... uh..."

"What, love?" Gil-galad's voice comes low and husky, seductive in tone.

Elrond squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head, trying to clear it. "Nothing, nothing..."

"Do you want me to stop?" he asks, kissing the neck before him. Of course, the silly Elves around them haven't noticed anything yet, being either too drunk to care or completely dense. Well, besides Orophin.

Elrond looks dazed, but smiles, almost nervously, and responds, "No, no, quite all right..."

Gil-galad smiles slightly. "Good..."

Elrond clears his throat and tries to, again, strike up some semblance of conversation with Orophin. "Erm... uh... so..."

Orophin looks slightly worried. "Lord...um..." He gives up talking and just points to Gil-galad, whom is alternately kissing, licking, and biting Elrond.

Elrond grins and waves his hand dismissively. "It's nothing..." Slowly, he picks up his glass, hands trembling.

"Nothing?" Gil-galad whispers in Elrond's ear.

Elrond visibly gulps. "Nothing, nothing. Yes, that is what I said."

Gil-galad smiles his lovely seductive smile. "You're not acting like it's nothing, love." He kisses Elrond's ear.

Elrond takes a deep breath. "I... er... Well, it isn't much..." He throws Orophin a look, almost imploring.

Orophin shakes his head. "I cannot help you, Lord."

Elrond shrugs and returns to his glass.

Gil-galad, while continuing what he has been doing for quite some time now, contemplates what more he could do, save picking his lover up and carrying him off to a bedroom. Which he is seriously considering.

Elrond rolls his eyes and manages to take a bite of his food.

And so Gil-galad sighs resignedly (if that's a word) and picks Elrond up out of his chair, the guests being too sloshed to notice. Or care. We're not sure which.

Elrond hisses into Gil-galad's ear. "Love, we were supposed to stay the whole time." He pouts, though secretly relieved since he didn't know how much longer until he would have pounced on his lover.

Gil-galad smiles mischievously. "Do you want to stay?" he whispers back.

"I... I..." Elrond looks back at the table. "I don't think I can stay without making a spectacle out of us..."

Gil-galad grins, kissing Elrond on the lips. "Serves you right."

"Hmph. Never mind, I retract that statement. I could have held out for the rest of the evening." He sticks his tongue out at Gil-galad.

"I bet you couldn't..."

Elrond crosses his arms stubbornly. "Oh yes I could."

"Would you like to prove that?"

Elrond shrugs indifferently. "It matters not."

Gil-galad smiles. "I could drop you right now," he murmurs somewhat threateningly.

Elrond looks away. "Hmph. I'm sure you could and you'd probably do it too."

"You are simply impossible."

Elrond grins cheekily. "I do try my best."

Gil-galad doesn't feel the need to respond to that, and merely carries Elrond off to the lovely room they were in before.

"You always get your way, don't you?" Elrond chuckles.

Gil-galad shrugs, still smiling seductively.

Elrond glowers. "You think you're soooo charming, don't you?"

"Aren't I?"

Elrond turns his head away. "Nope," he answers childishly.

Gil-galad moves closer. "I'm not? Really, Elrond love?"

"Yep. I don't know what all of those young elflings see in you."

Gil-galad fluidly moves at Elrond, placing a passionate kiss on his lips and pinning him to the bed.

Elrond's eyes flutter open and he looks up at Gil-galad. "Hmm... maybe I can understand." He pushes a stray piece of Gil-galad's hair out his face.

"That's what I thought."

"You are quite a vision too..." Elrond chuckles. "You haven't a clue how much self-control I've been exerting."

Gil-galad laughs. "And why have you been doing that, beautiful?"

"Come now, I couldn't let myself give into you right away."

Gil-galad resists pouting. "Why not?"

Elrond pats his cheek. "Love, I can't have you getting spoiled with all of my affection all the time, besides we were at a dinner table."

"I wouldn't get spoiled, love. Just making up for time lost." Gil-galad kisses Elrond again.

Elrond smiles at him. "You can sweet talk your way out of anything..."

Gil-galad smirks. "What are you trying to imply, love?"

Elrond shakes his head. "Nothing."

"Alright then." Gil-galad presses his body to his lover's. "I love you, Elrond-nin."

Elrond smiles up at him happily. "I love you..."

From a chair in the corner comes a cough. Gil-galad looks over. "Hmm...it seems to be our manic-depressive friend," he says dryly.

Elrond sighs. "I suppose we should see what he wants..."

Gil-galad nods. "Oh Legolas, dear. Come over here, won't you?"

Elrond smiles and motions him over. "This is becoming ridiculous..." he whispers to Gil-galad.

"I think your foster son needs to make his mind up a bit more quickly," Gil-galad murmurs, carefully getting off of his lover and sitting on the bed.

Elrond gives him a strong look. "You cannot rush these decisions."

"True, but...I wish he would just choose one or the other and get the heartbreak over with." Gil-galad sighs as Legolas sits at the end of the bed.

Elrond looks at Legolas. "What is it, princeling?"

Legolas sighs. "I'm not too sure."

Elrond looks at him and asks, in an overly sweet tone. "Don't you have anyone else to... talk with?"

"No."

Elrond continues in his sweet voice. "So, do you have anything in particular you wish to discuss? Or are you just here to watch?"

Legolas blinks. "I would settle with watching, but I think that would make you both too uncomfortable."

"Yes, that would." Elrond nods. Gil-galad shrugs. Without turning to his lover, Elrond whaps him on the head. "It would make us uncomfortable."

Gil-galad smiles. "Of course, love." He coughs out something that sounds suspiciously like "Isildur." Both of his company turn and look at him strangely.

Elrond glares at him and hisses, "We'll discuss that later..."

Gil-galad, not feeling the need for seduction anymore, smiles childishly. "Of course, love."

Turning his attention back to Legolas, Elrond asks, "So are wanting to say anything or should we just throw you out?"

Legolas blinks. "Throw...me...out?" He whimpers.

Elrond sighs impatiently. "That is what I said."

"But..." Legolas pounces the lord of Imladris, clinging to him. "I've no one else!"

"You haven't got us, I'm afraid," Elrond responds gruffly.

Gil-galad pokes his lover. "You wonder why the elflings don't like you!" He puts on his best shame-on-you look. "You're so mean to them!"

"Only the ones that come romping into our bedroom..." Elrond huffs.

Gil-galad thinks for a moment. "Actually, I think we are the ones who came 'romping' in. Legolas appears to have been here, waiting for us." He smiles lovingly.

Elrond crosses his arms, pouting. "I don't care. It is our bedroom."

Legolas sighs, downtrodden. "Fine. I will leave you to have your discussion about Isildur. I do not think I wish to stay..." He moves to leave.

Elrond glowers grumpily. "If you had something to say then say it, but if you just came in here to sit with us then there is no reason for you to stay."

Gil-galad's eyes widen at his love. "Elrond!" he admonishes.

Elrond makes a noise of annoyance. "What?"

"Put yourself in his position, for Valar's sake!"

"Look, I told him to talk to us if he wanted, but he doesn't say anything, so what is the point of him staying here?" Elrond asks, still pouting.

Gil-galad looks at Legolas (who looks as though he's going to burst into tears. Poor dear.) and says: "Legolas, dear, I'm sure we'll talk later. Don't do anything drastic, though, okay?"

Elrond sighs and mumbles. "I told him to talk if he needed to... I'd be more than happy to talk... but he doesn't want to..."

Gil-galad kisses Elrond as Legolas leaves, probably to go mourn by some river or something. "Shush."

"The young ones take everything so personally," Elrond complains.

Gil-galad coughs, sounding suspiciously like "Isildur".

Elrond gives him another good whap on the head. "Stop it. Come out and say something."

Gil-galad rubs his head. "Owww...well, you said the thing about being uncomfortable being watched. And...well...Isildur."

Elrond harrumphs. "You're speaking in riddles."

Gil-galad blinks. And sighs. "Well, there was this one time, and I think that Isildur may have been hiding in the closet." He glares up at the ceiling. "No pun intended."

Elrond raised his eyebrows. "Eh... even mortals find you lovely." Elrond grinned.

Gil-galad shakes his head. "Um...love? He wasn't watching me. He was watching you."

Elrond sighs, he had hoped Gil-galad wouldn't bring this up. "Mm hm..."

Gil-galad blinks curiously. "Did you know?"

Elrond shrugs. "I didn't know he was watching us..."

"You seem nonplussed." Gil-galad gathers Elrond up closer to him.

Elrond shrugs again. "That man disgusted me..." He looks up at Gil-galad with wide eyes. "He was icky."

Gil-galad growls. "He didn't...do...anything to you, did he, Love?"

Elrond's eyes get bigger and he shakes his head.

Gil-galad sighs. "Good."

"He liked me a lot though..." Elrond whimpered. "And he was icky..."

Gil-galad sighs again. "Well, he's quite dead now, so...don't worry." He hugs Elrond even closer. "And even if he wasn't, I'd make him so that he was."

Elrond sighs happily. "Then again... you should be quite dead."

Gil-galad smiles. "Only because of Sauron. If I hadn't gotten too close, I would still be quite alive."

Elrond nods. "Yes..."

"So even if Isildur hadn't been taken down, he would be dead." Gil-galad laughs even though he probably shouldn't.

Elrond nods again. "It's nice that he's gone... it's just us..."

"Mmm hmm." Gil-galad smiles, content. "Though it was a bit weird, him being in the closet." He grins. "Pun completely intended this time."

Elrond pales. "I don't like the thought of him being in our closet..."

"Or the thought of him watching us." Elrond shudders. Gil-galad represses the urge to shudder. "But on to happier things..."

Elrond looks up at him. "Yes?" Gil-galad kisses Elrond. "Yes, that is a bit happier..." Elrond strokes Gil-galad's face.

"Only a bit?" Gil-galad asks mischievously.

Elrond looks contemplative. "Okay, a lot better."

Gil-galad kisses Elrond's forehead. "I have missed this."

Elrond nods silently, clinging onto Gil-galad.

"Are the twins coming for the party?" he asks, making small talk.

Elrond shrugs. "I do not know. I hope so; I would like to see my sons and, of course, have you see them."

Gil-galad smiles. "I have seen them in Mandos a couple times. But I would love to be formally introduced."

"They are wonderful children," Elrond says fondly. "Very wonderful..."

"They have a wonderful father. How could they not be?"

Elrond plants a kiss on Gil-galad's neck. "You flatterer..."

"I am not. I speak only the truth." He smiles.

"So you would have me believe. It is a good thing I am no longer an elfling; I would have been completely swept off my feet by your comments." Elrond looks at Gil-galad affectionately.

Gil-galad laughs and pulls Elrond as close as he can. "I am not sure how to take that, love."

"I believe it can be taken anyway you like..."

"Well, then..." Gil-galad leers, taking them both down to the bed.

"You are nothing less than amazing." Elrond chuckles and then decides to add on, "and, of course, completely charming."

Gil-galad shakes his head, smiling. "And you call me the flatterer."

Elrond buries his head into the crook of Gil-galad's neck and a muffled response comes, sounding something like, "You are, my love..."

"If I am, then you are as well..." Gil-galad murmurs, curling up to his lover.

Elrond shrugs and replies, "So be it..."

Gil-galad laughs. "So complacent at times..." He finds Elrond's hand and kisses the palm. "I yield to you, love."

Elrond drapes an arm around Gil-galad's neck and smiles. "You are a wonder..."

Gil-galad smiles, cheeks tinted pink.

Elrond caresses Gil-galad's face. "I am so lucky..."

Gil-galad shakes his head. "I am the lucky one."

Elrond shrugs. "If you wish to see it that way."

"I do..." he murmurs.

Elrond shakes his head. "You are more stubborn than I am." Gil-galad smiles. "Good! For once you are not being contrary!"

Gil-galad smiles and only repeats, "I yield to you."

Elrond whines. "I don't want to be in charge!"

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Gil-galad purrs.

"I don't want to!" Elrond whines more.

Gil-galad harrumphs. "And why not?"

"I don't like it!"

"Fine, then." Gil-galad pounces on his lover, kissing him.

Elrond puts his arms around Gil-galad. "Yes, this is better..."

Gil-galad chuckles. "Oh, it is?"

Elrond beams. "Yes!"

Gil-galad sighs. "You and your um...can't think of the word..."

Elrond kisses the tip of his nose. "That's quite all right."

Gil-galad smiles. "I think the banquet is over by now. We can go to the party-party."

For a moment indecision flashed across Elrond's face, then he replied, "Of course. Let's go."

Gil-galad bounces off the bed. "Of course, I hope nothing happens between Estel and the children."

"Hmph. Somehow I doubt that..."

"Well, Legolas is probably off angsting, and..." Gil-galad frowns. "I think your daughter is the main problem, love."

Elrond sighs resignedly. "I know, she always has been."

"Well," Gil-galad sighs with a grin, "this night is for us, so let's have fun."

"Of course." Elrond links his arm in Gil-galad's.

Gil-galad grins. "Let's blow them out of the water, love." And so they trot off to the banquet room, now dressed up for the party-party, in Gil-galad's words.

With a smile, Elrond questions Gil-galad, "Love, do I look okay? My hair and such?" He grins wider. "Not that it matters since it will get messed up within the hour or so anyway."

Gil-galad rumbles with laughter. "Elrond-nin, you always look spectacular." He leers. "And who would mess up the hair I so lovingly braided?"

Elrond smiles. "You are the one that would be terrorizing my hair."

"Terrorizing?" Gil-galad asks with a smile. "I love your hair dearly, Elrond-nin."

"You know what kind of terrorizing I meant." Elrond mock-glares at Gil-galad.

Gil-galad grins. "I do?" he asks as they enter the room, filled with many dancing elves. Completely sloshed elves, that is.

Elrond kisses his ear. "I think you do."

Gil-galad grins. "Perhaps I do."

"You are pure evil, love." Elrond takes a hold of his hand.

Gil-galad spins Elrond closer to him. "Then it must be evil that you love."

"I believe it is..." Elrond touches Gil-galad's face gently.

"And what of you?" he asks in a whispered voice, twirling them to the tunes. "What are you? Can an angel love evil?"

"An angel..." Elrond pauses, with a tender smile. "Yes, I think so."

"Well then, I suppose that works to our advantage." Gil-galad stops the spinning and kisses his angel-lover.

"You are a charmer," Elrond whispers, with his head resting on Gil-galad's shoulder.

Gil-galad wraps his arms around Elrond. "And would you have me any other way?"

"Absolutely not."

And as fate would have it, they happen to bump in to none other than Elladan and Elrohir. Gil-galad's eyes widen a bit, preparing for the inevitable twin-speech. Elladan grins up at Gil-galad. "Hello. You must be my father's boyfriend..." His grin becomes a bit more mischievous.

Elrohir smiles at the two of them. "The one that's dead..."

"We've learned quite a bit about you..." Elladan's grin continues to widen.

"...from Glorfindel..."

"...and our father, of course." Elladan's grin turned into a smirk.

Gil-galad pales a bit. "Um..." He looks at Elrond, an imploring look on his face.

Elrond looks at his sons sternly. "Why don't you two run off and find some elflings to entertain? They'd love your stories of orc hunting."

"But Father..." Elrohir begins.

"...we'd much rather stay here with you!" Elladan finishes.

Gil-galad looks around anxiously. "Um...it's nice to meet you, Elladan, Elrohir. Why don't you go find your sister?"

Elladan looks to his brother. "What do you think?"

Elrohir shrugs. "Whatever you want to do, dear brother." He smiles cheerily at his slightly-older brother.

Elladan starts to smirk again. "We should let them be... I wouldn't want to be interfering with anything."

Elrohir smiles. "Do you think they would do anything like that in public?"

"I wouldn't doubt it for one minute."

Elrohir links his arm in his brothers. "Let's go find Arwen and Estel, then. Perhaps even the lovely Legolas..."

Part 4: Mystery!

Elrohir nuzzles his brother. "That's true."

"I'm sure you've heard many a maiden say this, but you are adorable." Elladan places a chaste kiss on Elrohir's forehead.

Elrohir smiles innocently and sweetly. "But Elladan, we don't know any maidens, really, except for Arwen." He pouts. "And she always calls me a pest."

"Awww." He pats his brother's head. "We'll find you a lovely maiden here, and I'm sure that she would tell you that you are adorable."

Elrohir shakes his head. "I don't want a maiden! I like spending time with you, Elladan!"

"Well," a blush engulfs Elladan's face, "I suppose you don't have to have a maiden."

"Good!" Elrohir smiles innocently.

Elladan lets out the breath he had been holding. "Um... Why don't we go talk to some maidens though, hmm? It will make their day."

Elrohir smiles. "Okay!" He waves back at his father and Gil-galad.

Elrond looks up at Gil-galad. "So? What do you think about my sons?" A proud smile graces his face.

Gil-galad blinks, then smiles. "They're beautiful. Although I think I heard Elrohir talking about not wanting maidens..."

Elrond ponders this. "I do not know. I heard this too, but I'm not sure how to take it."

Gil-galad shakes his head. "Do not worry of it tonight." He nuzzles his lover. "Tonight is for us."

"Yes, it is..." Elrond looks at Gil-galad happily.

Gil-galad looks around, curious. "Did you hear that? I distinctly heard someone swoon..."

"I did not hear anything," he admitted, somewhat embarrassed.

Gil-galad shrugs it off. "It is no matter."

Elrond ponders. "Probably not. Though, I do worry in case it is one of our friends or my children."

"True enough." He grins. "Shall we investigate?"

"I would have to say it would be wise. I never know what my offspring shall get themselves into."

Gil-galad laughs. "They are a bunch of wild ones, I'd say."

Elrond sighs and half smiles. "I wish I had someone else to blame it on, but their mother was a saint and Glorfindel is wise, so I believe the fault lies in me."

Gil-galad kisses Elrond's forehead. "It is no fault, Elrond-nin."

"I must say, in general it is." Elrond shakes his head. "They get into more trouble than I can get them out of."

"Enh?" Gil-galad...squeaks?

Elrond looks at him, confused. "What?"

"What kind of trouble is that?" Gil-galad smiles.

Elrond shrugs. "Things here and there. Arwen isn't exactly ladylike and that causes some problems. Estel continually gets into scuffs with everyone. The twins are always off orc hunting. And of course, all of them escape to Mandos." Elrond's shoulders sag. "It is difficult keeping up with them."

Gil-galad laughs and hugs Elrond close. "There, there, love. Let's go investigate the swoon now."

Elrond nods. "Yes." They move in the direction that the twins had gone not too long ago, in the direction of the swoon. Elrond looks around. "So far everything looks rather average."

Gil-galad peers around. "I don't see any of your darlings in the place, love."

Elrond chuckles. "Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, I do not know."

Gil-galad pouts and turns to one of the not-quite-as-sloshed elves, asking them if they'd seen any of Elrond's children.

The slightly slurred answer came out resembling, "Whose children?"

Gil-galad's hand moves to his forehead in a gesture of frustration. He grabs his lover's hand and stalks away. "We will get to the bottom of this."

Elrond pouts. "Argh. I would bet that Arwen and Estel are causing some trouble, which Legolas, no doubt, is in the middle of and the twins are probably watching laughing; Elrohir realizing he was right in not wanting a maiden."

"We shall see," Gil-galad says darkly, ushering them out of the crowded ballroom.

Elrond sighs. "I do not see anything of importance. It would probably be just as useful to turn around and go back."

Gil-galad sighs. "You have no sense of adventure, Elrond-nin."

"I do!" Elrond whines.

Gil-galad sits down at the edge of the flet. "Then what do you want to do?"

Elrond shrugs. "I don't care."

"Bah."

"You decide. You lead better than I do." Elrond nudges him.

"Bah."

"No more bahing." Elrond sets his face in a firm pout.

"Pfft." Gil-galad looks up at Elrond. "I don't know what we should do."

Elrond shrugs. "We could continue looking." He shrugs again. "It doesn't matter."

Gil-galad stands up. "We could. What do you want to do, Elrond-nin?"

"Let's continue looking. It's not as if we have anything more pressing planned." He slowly drags himself up from his sitting place.

"Alright." Gil-galad smiles and kisses Elrond's forehead.

"So..." Elrond glances around. "Where should we be off to next?"

Gil-galad blinks. "Weeeeeelllll...if you were a large group of elflings, where would you go?" he asks.

Elrond looks thoughtful. "I do not know. It has been so long since I was an elfling."

Gil-galad looks thoughtful as well. "Even more so for me."

Elrond snickers. "When I was an elfling I probably would have been off somewhere with you."

Gil-galad laughs. "That is true...but not exactly helpful." He leers. "Unless you're suggesting we leave the whole thing for a while, and go do something..." He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.

Elrond chuckles. "No, no. I feel responsible for finding my offspring... I can't turn them loose in this place."

Gil-galad pouts. "Alright. Well...they probably went somewhere at least semi-pri..." Mid-word he gets an idea. "Galadriel's mirror. She's still got it, right?"

Elrond throws a doubtful look in Gil-galad's direction. "It has a mind of its own."

Gil-galad shakes his head. "No, no, but it's in a nice little glade, isn't it? A nice private glade?"

Elrond nods. "That it is."

"And elflings, I'm sure, would want a nice private place to go, if they were to get away from the party..."

"Yes, your reasoning is sound..." Elrond looks thoughtful. "We might as well venture over there and try it." Gil-galad smiles, taking Elrond in his arms. Elrond leans against him and beams up at him.

Gil-galad smiles more. "You are adorable."

Elrond puts on his sweetest face. "Thank you," he replies, blushing slightly.

Gil-galad laughs. "Now, let us to the elflings!" he says with a dramatic pose.

"Yes, before they do anything too rash."

And so our intrepid heroes meander along to the Glade of Galadriel's Mirror. Elrond glances about them, and whispers, "I do not hear any young elflings or mortals..."

Gil-galad holds up a finger to shush him, listening quite keenly. Elrond is quiet immediately, now following Gil-galad's lead and listening intently. "I heard laughter..." he says as he is glomped from behind by a blonde blur.

Elrond pales. "Erm... I think we have found them..."

Gil-galad mutters something, Legolas sitting on his back.

Elrond looks at Legolas. "Come on, get off of his back. I don't think he appreciates having little elves such as yourself on him."

Legolas grins maniacally (being now manic-depressive and all) and shakes his head madly.

"Umm... have you, by any chance, see my children?" Elrond asks, deciding that he could do little to help his lover.

Legolas smiles mischievously. "Maaaaaaaybe."

"Where are they?" Elrond prods.

Legolas shrugs, mischievous grin still on his face.

"Argh!" Elrond picks up the smaller elf and plops him on the ground in front of him. "Come on, if you know where they are you can ride on mine or Gil-galad's back."

Legolas' eyes widen and start to shimmer. "Well...they're by the riverbank," he murmurs.

"Where by the river bank?"

Legolas blinks. "I could show you..."

Elrond nods. "Then why don't you do that?"

Legolas smiles and nods his head. As Gil-galad gets up, brushing dirt off his robes, Legolas attaches himself to the Noldor elf. Elrond smiles, having known that this would happen. Gil-galad sighs, and Legolas starts to give them directions to where he last saw the other elflings (and Estel).

Elrond sighs. "I'm sorry, Gil-galad." He gives Gil-galad a pained look. "It's the only way I could get him to help us."

Gil-galad shakes his head. "It is a minor price to pay." He considers something. "As long as he doesn't try anything inappropriate," he says pointedly.

Elrond holds back a snicker. "I wouldn't put it past him."

Gil-galad does his best to look stern. "If he does...why, I'll just show him what Elven punishment used to be."

Elrond hides a smile. "You just do that then."

Gil-galad nods. "I will." He looks back to his attachment. "You hear that, Legolas?"

Legolas blinks innocently. "What?"

Gil-galad tries to look stern again. "If you try anything...inappropriate, I'll have to show you what Elven punishment used to be."

Legolas chuckles. "Me? Inappropriate? I am the paragon of virtue."

"Aye, and I'm Queen of the Wood," Gil-galad says with a slight growl. (Wherever she is, Galadriel sneezes. Celeborn blinks and says "Gezundheit!")

Legolas grins. "You'd be a lovely Queen of the Wood."

Gil-galad growls. "You want to know Elven punishment, don't you?"

Elrond pinches Gil-galad. "Dear... let's not be so rude..."

Gil-galad sighs and follows Legolas' directions, leading them to a lovely open glade near the river. Too bad it's empty. Legolas cries, "They were here before!"

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "They were, were they?"

"Yes!" Legolas grins as a crazed Elf. "It's a mystery~! We can be detectives!" He smiles impishly.

Elrond harrumphs. "I suppose we could. At least I know Elrohir and Elladan won't be off with any maidens." He smirks at this.

Gil-galad laughs. "Legolas, dear, who else was with you?"

Legolas shrugs. "I dunno..."

"Elladan, Elrohir..." Gil-galad trails off. "Were the three brothers with you? Arwen? Estel?"

Legolas looks thoughtful. "Yes, I think so."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow at Elrond. "Your twins may not be with any maidens, but if those pranksters are with them..."

Elrond pales. "Oh goodness..."

"Exactly." Gil-galad looks to the elfling on his back. "Fair Legolas, where do you think the others may have gone?"

"Umm..." Legolas looks thoughtful. "We-ell..." He shakes his head. "Nope."

"Gah." Gil-galad sits by the edge of the river, Legolas still clinging to him.

Elrond surveys the area. "I'm completely out of ideas." He shrugs. "Back to the 'party-party'?"

Gil-galad pouts. "And I was so looking forward to some excitement."

Elrond grins. "We could continue looking."

"We could," Gil-galad says with a grin.

Elrond looks to Legolas. "What do you want to do?"

Legolas grins. "I wanna play detective!"

Elrond shrugged. "Why not?"

Gil-galad grins. "Alright, princeling, where should we look first?"

For a moment Legolas is stumped, then his face lights up, "We should see if there are any clues in their rooms!"

Gil-galad looks to Elrond. "Seems sound enough. You do know where their rooms are, right, Legolas?"

Legolas shakes his head, then reconsiders. "Well... I know where Estel's room is... and Rumil's too..."

Gil-galad laughs. "Are you quite familiar with the beds, as well?" he asks with a leer.

Legolas tries to look hurt. "Hmph! I have no intention of answering that!"

Gil-galad looks mock-seriously at Elrond. "I suppose we know the answer to that question, then, hmm, love?"

Elrond grins. "I think we knew the answer before you asked."

Gil-galad laughs again. "You are entirely corr--ow! You do want Elven punishment, don't you, princeling?!"

Legolas grins at him. "We-ell... if you will be the one punishing me..."

Gil-galad sighs. "You're impossible." He looks at Elrond. "The BOTH of you."

Elrond's eyes widen and he throws Gil-galad an innocent look.

Gil-galad smiles back at him. "Now, to Rumil's room first?"

Elrond nods. "Why not?"

So, after getting a bit lost, they follow Legolas' directions to a rather nice room. "Hmm...now, here to look first?" Gil-galad says, looking around.

Elrond chuckles. "The closet?"

Gil-galad shoots Elrond a look. "Are you trying to imply something, love?"

"Maybe... maybe not..." Elrond grins at him.

Gil-galad sticks his tongue out. "Impossible..." he murmurs, rummaging around the room.

Elrond smiles to himself as he looks about, trying to determine where a pack of elflings would hide.

"Aha!" cries Legolas from his perch on Gil-galad's back. He points to a leather journal.

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "Would you like to go get it?"

Gil-galad picks it up and starts thumbing through the pages. "Hmm. The boy leads an interesting love life, that's for sure..." Legolas blushes pink.

Elrond raises his eyebrow again. "Oh really?"

Gil-galad nods. "It seems he and Orophin and Haldir are all involved."

"That is interesting..." Elrond looks thoughtful. "Does he go into any detail?"

Gil-galad thumbs through some more, wrinkling his nose at one entry. "Unfortunately."

Elrond chuckles. "Hmm... is he any good at writing?"

Gil-galad smiles up at him. "Well, yes...but I didn't particularly care to know some of these facts." He looks back at Legolas. "Did you know about these trysts?"

Legolas shrugs. "Er... not really, but sort of."

Gil-galad laughs. "No mention of any secret places yet...well, um, okay, there's one--but I don't think they went there."

"Where is it?" Elrond asks curiously.

Gil-galad shakes his head dismissively. "Oh, somewhere in the forest--but it's the brothers' secret, er...'meeting' place."

Elrond struggles to keep a straight face. "Er... we probably wouldn't want to go there anyway."

"Exactly." Gil-galad sighs and adjusts Legolas on his back. "Aha! Here's the place!" He hands the journal to Elrond.

Elrond studies it for a moment. "Hm. Okay."

"Let us go, then! And be detectives!" Legolas cries.

Elrond shakes his head in amusement. "Sure."

Legolas beams at him. "You're my favorite Lord of Imladris, Elrond!"

"That's pretty impressive, considering all of the competition I have." He smiles at Legolas. Legolas grins cheekily. Elrond looks at Gil-galad. "Shall we be on our way?"

"Indeed, mon amour!" He grins. Our heroes make their way to the spot scribed in the journal, only to find a scrap of parchment attached to a tree. Elrond pulls it off and hands it to Gil-galad. Gil-galad snorts. "Follow the trail of clues. You're almost there. Go back to the Mirror and look inside." He sighs. "Pranksters."

Elrond rolls his eyes. "Shall we go?"

"YES!" Legolas shouts, then grins sheepishly.

Elrond looks at Gil-galad questioningly.

"You know, love, I think he may know something we don't," Gil-galad says in a conspiratorial tone.

Elrond looks at Legolas. "Really? And what would he get by leading us to this place?"

Legolas smiles innocently. "Lord Elrond...have I ever told you you're quite lovely?"

Elrond narrows his eyes. "What part do you have in this?"

Legolas pouts. "I don't know anything. I just want to be detective."

Elrond give Gil-galad a doubtful look.

Gil-galad sighs. "Let's just go along with it, Elrond-nin. Nothing to lose." Pause. "I hope."

Elrond continues to look doubtful. "O-kay..."

And so our lovely Elves trek back to Galadriel's mirror, peering inside. Elrond chuckles as he pulls a note out that was floating in ginger ale. Gil-galad snorts and starts laughing as the note drips. "Well, what does it say, love?"

Elrond pouts. "I can't decipher it..." He squints, peering at it. "It's too smudged."

Gil-galad reaches for it. "Hand it here..." Squinting at it, he reads: "Your journey's closer than it was be...well, I hope that says 'fore'...before, just go read the note on the door." He blinks. "Elfstone."

"Well..." Elrond smiled. "I suppose we should get a move on..."

Gil-galad nods. "Legolas, you know where Estel's room is, right?" The blonde Elf nods. "Then we shall go."

Elrond snickered quietly, as they began to travel towards Estel's room.

Legolas, upon reaching the door, reaches over Gil-galad's shoulder and rips the note off. "It says...'You're getting ever closer, just make sure you stay together. Go back to the riverbank.'"

Elrond sighs. "This is getting tiresome."

Legolas yawns almost as if agreeing. Gil-galad chuckles and asks, "Tired, young one?"

Legolas starts. "No! Why would I be tired?"

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "Oh, I don't know. You're yawning incessantly and starting to lean more against me."

Legolas pouts. "I'm not tired..." he insists.

"If you say so," Gil-galad says with a grin. "Now, on to the bank!"

Elrond looks up at Gil-galad. "Are you getting tired of carrying him?"

Gil-galad grins at his lover. "Nah, I'm fine." He leers. "Why, do you want to carry him, love?" He feels the arms around his neck constrict, and shoots a glare at the young Elf.

Elrond waves his hand about dismissively. "No, no... I figured if you did not want to carry him I would. I feel sorry for you."

Legolas glares at the Elf-lord. "I am not heavy, if that is what you are implying!"

Elrond grins. "You? Heavy? After all of that ice cream?"

Gil-galad sighs as Legolas starts squirming around threateningly.

Elrond smiles and speeds up his pace a bit, so he could get in front of them.

Legolas sticks his tongue out at Elrond's back, accidentally licking Gil-galad's cheek. "Ai!" cries Gil-galad, having slipped into a rather...ah...contemplative state.

Elrond twirls around. "What was that?"

Legolas blushes a lovely shade of red, and Gil-galad sputters: "He licked me!"

Elrond pales. "Hey! I don't think that was appropriate!"

Legolas whimpers. "I didn't mean too..."

Elrond pouts, continuing with his fast pace. "Yeah... right... I cannot believe that. Many elflings will be so jealous if you tell that story."

Legolas whines. "But I didn't!"

Elrond shrugs. "Mm hm."

"You believe me, right, Lord Gil-galad?" Legolas whines.

Gil-galad pales.

Elrond sighs, exasperated. "Admit it. You did that on purpose."

Legolas pouts. "I did not! I'm not that kind of Elf!"

Gil-galad flushes slightly.

"Yes you are." Elrond grins.

Legolas shakes his head. "No, really! I'm not!" He sighs. "What can I do to make you just believe me?!"

Elrond shakes his head. "Nothing. It's hard to believe that. How can you accidentally lick someone?"

Legolas flushes. "Well...um...iwasstickingmytongueoutatyouandikindamissed."

Elrond turns around to face them again. "Hm. I think I got that."

Legolas' face lights up. "So you believe me?"

Elrond shrugs. "Maybe..." He turns around again and begins to walk.

Gil-galad sighs and points just ahead of them. "We're almost there."

Elrond nods. "Yeah... just about."

Soon our heroes reach the opening, Legolas still pouting. Upon closer inspection, it appears their newest message is written out in small stones.

"Argh! Those children!"

"At least it's not in Quenya," Gil-galad says with a laugh.

"I wouldn't put it past them..." Elrond grumbles.

Gil-galad looks thoughtful. "Yes, but I suppose it might be a bit difficult with stones, hmm?"

Elrond smiles. "Yes. What does this next stone say?"

"Almost complete is your journey. Follow the trail to your next clue." Gil-galad's eyes follow the piece of yarn that starts (ends?) at the end of the message, going into the forest.

Elrond rolls his eyes. "This is getting ridiculous..."

Legolas laughs. "But it is entertaining!"

Elrond shrugs. "I'd rather be curled up in my bed." Gil-galad leers. "What is that about?" Elrond queries, grinning.

"Your bed or mine?"

"Well... that is a hard question... not one for young elf ears to hear."

Gil-galad pouts. "Fine, then. Let us follow this rope-trail, then." And they do so.

Elrond looks to Gil-galad curiously. "What do you think awaits us at the end of this rope?"

"I'm almost afraid to guess," he remarks dryly. "Do you know, dear Legolas?"

"Me? I haven't a clue." He smiles innocently.

"Of course not." Our lovely King, Elf-lord, and princeling follow the rope, which leads to...oh anticlimax of anticlimaxes, another note.

Elrond grrs. "Argh! This is enough!" He then stops to collect himself. "Okay. Let's see what is on the note."

Gil-galad scoops it up. "'You're almost there, don't lose your temper quite yet, Lord Elrond.' Heh. 'But don't expect your search to get any easier. Where you will find us you will also find mallorn.'"

Elrond looks confused. "Eh? We are surrounded by mallorn trees!"

Gil-galad frowns. "Well, they said it wasn't getting easier, love."

Elrond continues to grumble about how ridiculous this was.

Legolas, still quite attached to Gil-galad's back, appears deep in thought.

Elrond glances to Legolas. "Do you have any idea?"

"Maybe."

"Well?"

Legolas smiles. "Maybe if there is a place where--no, no, that can't be it..."

"Yes, yes, it could be. Tell us." Elrond looks at him sternly.

"Well, I was going to say maybe if there's a place where there are many mallorn trees, we could find them. But that makes no sense."

Elrond looks at Gil-galad. "Well?"

Gil-galad frowns. "Hmm."

"What do you think love?" He pauses. "Or should we just go to bed?"

He sighs. "I think if we chose the latter, we would have an extra companion. But I've no idea where to look."

Elrond sighs. "I don't know either. This is rather confusing."

"Mallorn, mallorn..."

Elrond plops on the ground. "I'm thinking..."

Gil-galad frowns. "Well, what does one normally associate with 'mallorn'?"

"Ermm... trees... gold..." Elrond muses.

"Galadriel..."

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "Do you think?"

Legolas grins madly. "Galadriel's throne room thingie!"

Elrond grins. "How brilliant! You are useful!" He drops a hasty kiss on Legolas' cheek.

Legolas flushes. "Thank you, Lord Elrond," he manages to mumble out.

Elrond grins at them. "Let's go!"

Our intrepid heroes trek off to Galadriel's throne-room-thing, blessedly empty for the party.

Elrond glances around. "Do you see anything?"

Gil-galad looks around as well. "I thought I heard something, but..."

Elrond shrugs. "I do not hear anything. I'd bet they have another note for us..."

Gil-galad sighs. "And I was kinda hoping they'd be here."

Elrond nods. "As was I."

Legolas smiles and looks around. "I've nothing better to do."

"I know you don't, but I can think of something I'd rather be doing." Elrond throws Legolas a look.

Legolas beams. "Lo-" he starts, but is cut off by Gil-galad. "We'll have none of that, Lord Legolas. Or it's Elven punishment for you."

Elrond smirks. "I wouldn't tempt him with that..."

"Oh, shush you." Gil-galad glares at his lover and glances around. "Hey! I think I see a note over there!" Elrond snatches it up and hands it to Gil-galad. Gil-galad frowns. "You're really almost there, and it's not any easier than before. To find what you are seeking, go where..."

"... where...?" Elrond looks at Gil-galad. "Is that all it says?"

"Well, no, but the last word is a bit smudged." Gil-galad frowns.

Elrond squints. "I can't make it out... Perhaps our lovely Legolas would be of some help?" Elrond smiles at him.

Legolas beams at him. "I'll do it if I can!" He snatches the note. "Where...um...hold on..." He peers at it.

Elrond looks at him doubtfully. "Can you make it out?"

"Hmm." He inspects it closely. "Go where...aha! It's not one word, it's more! 'Go where the past lies.'"

Elrond lets out an exasperated sigh. "This is foolish!"

"Aye, I'm beginning to think so," Gil-galad sighs.

"Well... should we go on?" Elrond then glances at Legolas. "Ah well. We might as well. I don't think we will get him out of our way if we don't..." He looks at Gil-galad with big eyes. As does Legolas.

"Aye, of course we will. Must see it through to the end. Now...'where the past lies.' Where on Middle-Earth would that be?"

Elrond gives a careless shrug. "I don't know. There is past everywhere; Imladris, Mandos, Lothlorien..."

"The past of whom seems to be the question here," Legolas says quietly in a burst of knowledge.

"Eh?" Elrond looks completely confused.

"'Where the past lies'. Whose past? Then we can figure out where it lies."

Another doubtful look flashes across Elrond's face. "There are a lot of people in Middle Earth, you know."

"Oh, yes, an incredible amount." Legolas smiles almost to himself. "Here, Lord Elrond. Is this the handwriting of any of your children?"

Elrond studies it carefully. "I'd say... it's Estel's, but I can't be sure. He and the twins have similar writing styles."

"But it is definitely one of theirs?"

Elrond nods. "I'd say so."

Legolas smiles. "Well, what history do they have in Lorien--for I'm assuming they wouldn't go all the way to Imladris--any of them?"

Elrond shakes his head. "I haven't a clue. Their mother visited Lorien often, but... I don't know."

Legolas ponders as Gil-galad quietly watches. "Well...Lady Galadriel is their grandmum, but...hmm."

Elrond sighs. "I don't know. There aren't many important events in their lives that occurred in Lothlorien."

"Are there any?" Legolas inquires.

Elrond sighs again. "I can't recall any..."

"Well, then..." Legolas grins. "We could always ask Lady Galadriel."

Elrond nods. "I suppose that would help. She does know more about the happenings in Lorien than I do."

"Off we go, then!" Gil-galad says, moving towards the party room.

Elrond grins. "Do you think she'll be sober?"

Gil-galad pauses. "Perhaps Celeborn?"

"Well... one of them has to be sober."

"Celeborn." Gil-galad gets a "look" on his face. "Of course, we'd have to get him away from Galadriel--she never lets the poor Elf talk."

"Yes. How should we do that?" Elrond contemplates this.

"Very carefully."

Elrond gives him a look. "That much I knew." Gil-galad grins impishly. "Perhaps, Legolas could talk to Galadriel and you and I can lure him away..." Elrond muses.

Legolas pouts. "But I wanna come tooooo!"

Elrond gives him a stern look. "We let you come this far. Could you just do as we ask?"

Legolas whimpers. "I will," he says softly.

Elrond smiles gratefully at him. "Thank you." He pats his cheek. Legolas half-smiles. Elrond looks to Gil-galad now. "So, how should we go about luring Celeborn away?"

Gil-galad shrugs. "Seductively?"

Elrond grins. "I think we could manage that."

Gil-galad grins as well. "As do I." He cranes his neck to look at Legolas. "You'll have no problem with Galadriel, right, little one?"

Legolas shakes his head. "I don't think so."

"Good," Gil-galad says with a grin. "Let us go, then."

Elrond nods. "Where is Celeborn?" He shakes his head. "Never mind. That was a ridiculous question. He's with Galadriel."

So the three move through the crowd with sufficient ease, making their way around the Couple of Lorien. Gil-galad and Elrond slink behind Celeborn, while Legolas distracts the Lady.

Elrond looks at Gil-galad and whispers, "I'll watch... You go and be seductive. I can't."

Gil-galad sighs and, approaching Celeborn from behind, wraps his arms around the Lord of Lorien. "Shh. Celeborn, don't say anything."

Celeborn looks startled. "What?" He hisses to the figure behind him.

Gil-galad kisses Celeborn's cheek, trying to keep from laughing. "Come with us..."

Celeborn grins then looks frightened. "I can't! What would Galadriel say?"

Gil-galad nuzzles Celeborn, and kisses him. "Does it matter?"

Celeborn looks indecisive. "I... well.... I... she is my wife."

"So?" Gil-galad purrs, looking as seductive as he can. "We won't tell..."

Celeborn is a bright red at this point. "... um..." He glances over to Galadriel, who is completely ignoring him.

"Come with us," Gil-galad murmurs, licking Celeborn's cheek.

"I... I..." He takes one last look at Galadriel. "Okay..."

"Good." Gil-galad takes Celeborn's hand, and as he passes Elrond, grabs his hand too, hightailing it outta there.

Celeborn looks at the two elves, finding that they are very pleasing to look at indeed, just like the young elflings had said. "Where are we going?"

But the only response poor Celeborn gets is: "To a place we can have privacy."

Elrond looks fondly at his lover and whispers in his ear. "You are magnificent, love!"

Gil-galad grins and plants a kiss on Elrond's cheek. "Thank you. Now let's get this one in to a room for interrogation."

Celeborn looks at them. "What?"

Gil-galad smiles innocently at him. "Hmm?"

"I thought I heard you say something about interrogation."

The Noldorian king smiles sweetly. "Just trust us."

Celeborn shakes his head. "I'm not so sure I can do that..."

Gil-galad winks at Elrond, and moves closer to Celeborn. Voice husky, he asks, "Why not?"

Celeborn almost shies away. "You just don't seem to be acting too trustworthy at he moment."

"What would make us seem untrustworthy, Celeborn dear?"

"Umm... You did just lure me away from my wife..."

"Psh." Gil-galad smiles seductively. "She wasn't paying enough attention to you."

"I know that! But she is my wife..." He trails off, looking at Gil-galad.

"And?" Gil-galad prods, looking seductive and impatient at the same time.

"Nothing..." he shakes his head.

The should-be-dead-King looks at Celeborn. "Do you want to go back?"

"No!" He practically shouts. "I'd much rather be here with you."

Gil-galad smiles. "Good." The three continue to a room. Elrond is grinning from ear to ear, thinking that this will be immensely entertaining.

Upon the arrival of the room, Gil-galad sits Celeborn on the bed, and tells Elrond to drag over two chairs for themselves. Elrond puts the chairs in front of the bed and plops down on one.

Gil-galad does the same. "Celeborn, we've something to ask you."

Celeborn looks at them expectantly. "What?"

"What history do Estel and Elladan and Elrohir have here?"

"Eh?" He looked at the two confusedly.

Gil-galad leans forward and kisses Celeborn's cheek. "Do you know?"

He shakes his head slowly. "Uh... they visit often..." he responds dumbly.

Gil-galad rolls his eyes. "Yes, we know. But has anything significant happened to them here?"

"Umm..." He pauses. "Let me think..." The other two Elves wait patiently. "Umm... I..." He pauses again. "Erm..."

Gil-galad sighs. "Would Galadriel know?"

Celeborn shrugs. "Maybe..."

He looks at Elrond. "Shall we?"

Elrond sighs. "Might as well."

"All right then." Gil-galad stands up. "Thank you for your time, then, Celeborn. Oh, and you may want to try standing up to Galadriel a bit more..."

Celeborn's face goes slack. "But, I... that's all you wanted?!"

Gil-galad's lips curve into a smile. "Did you want something more?"

"I... well... I thought there might be..." Celeborn is blushing fiercely.

"Might be what, Celeborn?" Gil-galad grins.

"More?" he squeaks out.

"More what?" Gil-galad prods, quite enjoying himself.

"Umm..." he stutters. "Well... intimate things happening...?"

"Do you want that, Celeborn?"

"Uh... yes... I think so..." Celeborn looked slightly confused.

"You think?" Gil-galad says, raising an eyebrow in bemusement.

"Yes... I'm not sure..."

"And what makes you unsure?"

"I have a wife. A scary one..."

Gil-galad chuckles. "That is quite true." He turns to Elrond. "What do you think, love?" Elrond shrugs. "I don't know, whatever you think."

Gil-galad laughs. "I think poor Legolas shall be wondering where we have taken Celeborn and what exactly we are doing."

"That doesn't matter!" Celeborn interjects.

"Oh? And what would you have us--for I take it you want us both--do, hmm?"

Celeborn's eyes widen. "I don't know!"

"Do you want us to do this?" Gil-galad kisses Celeborn's mouth. Celeborn nods, speechless. Gil-galad smiles. "Or do you just want to watch?" He takes Elrond into his arms and kisses him. Celeborn shakes his head confusedly. "I don't know!"

Gil-galad kisses Elrond again. "What do you want to do, love?" Elrond shrugs, kissing Gil-galad's neck. Gil-galad laughs. "Am I always surrounded by Elves who cannot make up their bloody mind?"

Elrond chuckles and whispers into Gil-galad's ear. "Celeborn is just so overcome with lust that he doesn't care, love."

Gil-galad sighs mockingly. "Oh, but aren't they all?"

"Yes... but not that I can blame them..."

"You are a flatterer, love." Gil-galad smiles and kisses Elrond again.

"Mmm..." Elrond nuzzles into Gil-galad's neck.

"Celeborn, have you made up your mind yet?" Gil-galad asks, though it's more to Elrond's hair then anything.

Celeborn looks at the two. "I don't care!" He then motions them to come over. "If I have to pick though... come here..."

Gil-galad's eyes widen imperceptibly and he moves closer. "Yes?"

Celeborn holds out his arms. "You both are so lovely... It is a shame you found each other first..."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow, turning to his lover. "My, but everyone seems to think we are the fairest Elves of them all."

Elrond grins. "Perhaps we are fairer than we believe."

"Perhaps, love." The former king grins as well.

Celeborn looks at them impatiently. "So?"

"So what?"

"Aren't you going to come over here?" Celeborn becomes even more impatient.

"Do you want us to?" Gil-galad asks innocently.

"Of course!"

Gil-galad shrugs. "I suppose so, then."

Elrond giggles. "I've never seen the Lord of Lorien so lustful... This is so much fun!"

Gil-galad laughs. "Anything to please you, love."

The Noldor elf blinks. "Eh?"

"Come here!" Gil-galad looks a tad apprehensive as he walks over to the Lord. After all, he is quite used to being the dominant one in these sorts of things. Celeborn practically giggles in delight. "You look nervous..."

Gil-galad laughs nonchalantly. "Only a bit."

"Don't be..." Celeborn reaches out and touches Gil-galad's cheek.

"Well..." Gil-galad says with a grin. "The truth of the matter is...the only person I've been with is my dear Elrond."

Celeborn blinks. "Well... that is something isn't it? He's certainly a lucky one." Elrond blushes and looks away.

Gil-galad shrugs. "I'd say I am the lucky one."

Celeborn grins widely. "You both are lucky..."

Gil-galad looks away, hiding his playful look. "And what of yourself? You have a lovely--albeit frightening--wife of an Elf."

Celeborn shrugs. "She is lovely." He shakes his head. "But... I don't know."

"You don't know what, milord?"

"I'm not sure how much longer I can deal with this life, and her." Celeborn's shoulders sag.

Gil-galad moves fluidly towards the older--albeit slightly--Elf and kisses his forehead. "Whatever do you mean?"

He sighs. "I do not wish to stay here with her any more. You have spent small periods of time with her, but to live with her is much worse."

Gil-galad sits in the chair, a slightly worried look on his face. "What do you mean by that?"

"She is overbearing and critical. In so many ways she is perfect, so all of us must live up to her." Celeborn shrugs.

Gil-galad smiles. "Maybe you should try standing up to her."

"Perhaps..." Celeborn sighed.

Gil-galad grins. "Now...is there anything we can do to help?" he asks. A mere moment later, he wrinkles his nose. "Ai! Did I just say that?"

Elrond drops a kiss on Gil-galad's head. "Yes, love, that is precisely what you said."

"Ugh. I sounded like some sort of horrible call girl..."

Elrond looks thoughtful. "Not a bad idea..."

Gil-galad pretends to look shocked. "You want a call girl, love?!"

"I would want you for a call girl..." Elrond smirks.

Gil-galad leers. "Oh, really?" He coughs something out that vaguely sounds like "Mitzi."

Elrond pouts. "Shush."

The elder elf grins. "Mmm?"

"You are incorrigible." Elrond sticks out his tongue.

"Yes, yes, I know." He turns back to Celeborn. "Now...what shall we do about you?"

Celeborn shrugs. "It does not matter."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "You certainly are indecisive."

"I do not wish to stay here, but I would rather be here than wandering about aimlessly."

Gil-galad sighs impatiently and kisses Celeborn fiercely. Elrond and Celeborn look at Gil-galad, amazed. "What?" he asks, slightly annoyed.

"I... I wasn't expecting that," Celeborn stutters, quite pleased.

Gil-galad smirks. "Of course you weren't."

Elrond drapes his arms around his lover's neck. "He's amazing, isn't he Celeborn?" He kisses Gil-galad's ear. Gil-galad laughs.

Celeborn grins. "Positively amazing..."

"Flatterers, the both of you."

Elrond grins. "What reason would I have to flatter you?"

Gil-galad shakes his head. "What reason do you have to love me?" he asks, coy grin set on his face.

Elrond kisses him. "Every reason..."

Gil-galad smirks. "You say I am incorrigible..." he says, punctuating the statement with a kiss.

"I learned from the best, love."

Gil-galad laughs. "Perhaps I should have waited until you were not an impressionable young Elfling..."

Elrond chuckles. "I do not think so. That would have been too long to wait for a treasure such as yourself."

"I agree..." Gil-galad pulls his lover closer.

"What would have happened if we did not meet each other?" Elrond snuggles into Gil-galad's embrace.

"I care not to think on it, love."

"Me either."

Celeborn lets out an annoyed cough. Elrond looks up from his embrace. Gil-galad smiles at Celeborn. "Yes?"

Celeborn shrugs. "Just making sure you remembered that I was in the room."

Gil-galad smirks. "You want attention?"

Celeborn shrugs again. "Sure, I love attention."

"I fear you've been starved for attention, haven't you?" Gil-galad says, moving closer to Lorien's Lord.

Celeborn nods slowly. "I'm afraid I don't get very much." The Noldorian king kisses Celeborn again. Celeborn twines his arms around Gil-galad's waist, practically purring from the attention.

Gil-galad smiles coyly. Elrond grins happily watching the two. "Voyeur," Gil-galad calls him. Elrond nods, continuing to watch them. "Well?" Gil-galad asks Celeborn.

Celeborn looks at him. "Hmm?"

"I thought you wanted to ... take control."

Celeborn pauses and looks contemplative. Then, he pulls Gil-galad closer to him and begins to kiss him. And Gil-galad responds appropriately. Elrond giggles at the two. The word "voyeur" is heard again. Celeborn leaves a trail of kisses down Gil-galad's neck trailing down to his collarbone.

Gil-galad smiles. "Didn't know you had it in you." He kisses Celeborn's cheek.

"Neither did I..." Celeborn kisses Gil-galad's shoulder.

Gil-galad vaguely motions for Elrond to come over as he kisses Celeborn. Elrond looks at Gil-galad questioningly. Gil-galad pulls him on the bed and kisses him possessively. Elrond moans and twines his hands in Gil-galad's hair.

"Love you," he murmurs.

Elrond nods and murmurs his agreement. "You too..."

"Beautiful..." Gil-galad murmurs with a passionate kiss. He turns a bit and kisses Celeborn as well.

Celeborn takes Gil-galad's face in his hands and drops light kisses all over his face. Gil-galad reaches for Elrond's hand and grabs it, planting more kisses on Celeborn. Elrond looks up at him wonderingly as Celeborn nuzzles his face into the crook of Gil-galad's neck. Gil-galad gazes at his lover, love and lust combining in his eyes. Elrond nibbles on Gil-galad's neck, gazing up at him with expectant eyes.

"Love you so much." Gil-galad pulls Elrond closer. Elrond murmurs his assent. Gil-galad shakes his head. "Not now..." He moves off the bed, still hazy from hormones and such. "Now we finish the mystery."

Elrond takes a deep breath. "Okay." He tries to steady himself. "Let's go..."

Gil-galad smiles. "I'd almost say a cold shower is in order..."

Elrond chuckles. "Yeah... It's a shame we don't have time," he says suggestively.

Gil-galad coughs. "Well, then...let us to Galadriel." Elrond nods, smoothing out the folds in his robe. The former king grins. "Care to join us, Celeborn?"

Celeborn shakes his head. "No, no. I see her on a daily basis. You two can do this alone."

"Alright then." Gil-galad winks. "Have fun. Shall we send Legolas along this way?"

Celeborn blinks. "Umm... that's okay..." he responds remembering time spent with the young elfling, while on sugar.

Gil-galad shrugs. "I'm sure he has had more than enough of Galadriel." He grins at Elrond. "Hopefully he does not attach himself to me again."

Elrond shakes his head. "I'm sure he will... You must be something of an idol to him. An idol he has a crush on, but still an idol."

"More like an object for his lust," Gil-galad mutters.

Elrond laughs. "That too..."

"Ai...my head shall grow quite large from all this attention, I fear."

"I'll be sure to deflate your ego whenever I am needed." Elrond grins.

Gil-galad laughs. "And how might you do that, love?" He waves to Celeborn, ushering Elrond out as well.

"I'll think of a way."

Gil-galad kisses his lover. "I'm sure you will."

Elrond beams. "Yes, I think I must contemplate that. Start drawing up some plans."

Gil-galad groans. "What have I started?"

"I'm not sure love, but whatever it is..." Elrond grins, "I'm in on it."

"Oh, shush." Gil-galad sneaks them into the party room again. Poor Legolas has fear in his eyes as Galadriel blathers on about something or other.

Elrond surveys the situation with a pitying glance. "Oh dear. That poor elfling."

"Come, let us go save him." He strides up to Galadriel. "Hello, Lady." His eyes widen slightly as he realizes that she is sloshed and begins to hang all over him.

Elrond stifles a laugh. "My, my, the Lady is fond of you."

Gil-galad glares at him. "She's bloody drunk." He pushes the Lady away. "Um, Galadriel--you've got to listen."

Elrond leans over to Gil-galad. "Dear, I don't think we're going to get any good answers from her."

"Well, bugger." Gil-galad pouts.

Elrond kisses him. "We could just go back to our room..."

Gil-galad leers. "We could..."

Elrond's eyes shine. "Really?"

Gil-galad grins. "For a little bit--I'm sure Legolas will find something to occupy himself."

Legolas blinks. "Oh really?"

The Noldor gets a nervous look on his face. "Why, hello there, dear Legolas. I didn't know you were listening..."

Legolas glares. "Were you intending to leave me with a drunken Galadriel?"

"Um, no, of course not, dear."

Legolas nods. "I would hope not."

"What...um, what do you want to do?"

Legolas grins. "I don't know..."

Gil-galad looks at Elrond, silently imploring him to help. Elrond smiles gently at Legolas. "Why don't you go wait for Estel or one of the brothers in their rooms?"

Legolas frowns. "Well...I'm sure Estel is with Arwen, and..." He looks at the ground. "I wouldn't want to intrude."

Elrond laughs. "I doubt that! Arwen is probably at this party." He crosses his fingers behind his back. "Estel is probably waiting for a friend to enter his room."

Legolas shakes his head. "I've not seen Arwen at all tonight."

Elrond sighs exasperated. "Okay, fine. Why don't you go to one of the brothers' rooms?"

"Why can't I just stay with you? Aren't we going to finish the mystery?"

Elrond shakes his head. "No, no. It's too late, and Gil-galad and I want to get some sleep."

Legolas looks at them suspiciously. "Whatever."

Elrond grins at Gil-galad. "Shall we be on our way?"

Gil-galad grins back. "We shall, we shall." They spirit away to their room.

Elrond sighs with relief. "So lovely to be back in our room."

Gil-galad leers. "All alone..."

Elrond grins. "Mm hm... no sneaky little elflings."

Gil-galad tackles Elrond to the bed. "Mmm..."

Elrond grins up at him. "Good thing we didn't take cold showers, eh?"

Gil-galad kisses his lover possessively. "Yes."

Elrond tangles his hands in Gil-galad's hair. "You are in a hurry, eh?"

Gil-galad peers down. "Do you want me to slow down?"

Elrond shrugs evasively. "Not really..."

Gil-galad moves off him and rolls over on his back beside him.

Elrond looks confused. "Hm?" He glances at his lover.

Gil-galad puts his hands behind his head.

Elrond pulls himself up into a sitting position. "So?"

"So what?"

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

Elrond sighs. "I can tell. What should you be doing?"

"Sleeping is my bet." Gil-galad forces down a smile.

Elrond's face goes slack. "What? Sleeping? On such a nice night as this one?"

Gil-galad shrugs, even though his hands are still behind his head.

Elrond sighs again. "Fine. I'll go get changed..."

"Changed?"

Elrond shrugs. "I need to go put on my bed clothes, if we are indeed going to sleep."

Gil-galad leers, though it seems a bit directed at the ceiling. "Why do you need bed clothes?"

Elrond shoots him an exasperated look. "To sleep in."

"Do you want to go to sleep?"

"If you're going to sleep."

"Do you want me to go to sleep?"

Elrond pouts and gets off of the bed. "I'm going to go find those clothes." He then turns and sticks his tongue out at Gil-galad.

"Love you too, dear!" Gil-galad calls after him.

"No doubt..." Elrond grumbles, pulling out a sleeping gown.

Gil-galad sits up, pouting. "You don't love me?"

"Aw..." Elrond looks to him. "I love you very much."

"Then get over here." Gil-galad grins.

Elrond saunters over to Gil-galad. "Yes?"

Gil-galad pulls Elrond onto the bed. "That."

Elrond kisses his forehead. "This is better."

Gil-galad shrugs. "Is it?"

Elrond nods. "Yes, it definitely is."

"Well, then." He grins. "Anything to please you, love."

Elrond gives him a coy smile. "You are lovely, dear."

"As are you." Gil-galad smiles serenely.

Elrond smiles. "Why, thank you..."

"You're quite welcome." He kisses Elrond's forehead. "What do you want to do, love?" Elrond nuzzles against his face and shrugs. "This?" Gil-galad murmurs, kissing Elrond passionately. Elrond nods, unable to speak. So, naturally, Gil-galad repeats the process. Elrond whimpers, smiling blissfully. "Love you." Gil-galad kisses Elrond again.

Elrond murmurs, agreeing.

As random layers of clothing are being shed, the noise of something being tacked to the door is heard. Elrond sighs. "Do those elflings never stop?"

Gil-galad frowns. "I don't think they do." He kisses Elrond then opens the door, grabbing the note and slamming aforementioned door. Elrond looks over his shoulder, trying to read the paper. Gil-galad clears his throat, and reads: "You cannot give up yet! We know the last clue was a bit too hard, so just meet your companion for the next note!"

Elrond blinks. "Legolas?"

"Well, Celeborn wasn't our companion, perse," Gil-galad says dryly.

Elrond shrugs. "I suppose we should go find Legolas..."

Gil-galad sighs. "And just when it was getting good, too..."

Elrond shrugs, offering him a hapless smile. "This does happen to us often."

"I suspect everyone takes enjoyment out of it." Gil-galad moves toward the door. "Off we go, then."

Elrond follows, shrugging on his long robe.

"Let's just hope Legolas is where he was before..."

Elrond shakes his head. "That boy... I'm not sure. He could very well be in Estel's room... or even Celeborn's."

Gil-galad laughs. "Aye, but he is our Legolas."

Elrond sighs. "That he is."

And with that, they head towards the party room, to attempt to find Legolas.

"Hm..." Elrond looks around the room.

"There! Looking nervous with the elf-lass coming on to him!"

Elrond chuckles. "He doesn't like women much does he?"

Gil-galad shrugs. "All I know is that he and Arwen don't get along very well."

"Understandable. I wouldn't get along well with any woman that was in love with you," Elrond responds with a smile.

Gil-galad laughs. "I'm not sure there has been one." Which apparently means Gil-galad is deaf to the swoons of little elf girls all over--not to mention at least two mortal girls.

Elrond shakes his head. "Right. I just don't let them get close to you."

Gil-galad shrugs. "Let us go save Legolas then."

Elrond nods, heading over to Legolas and the little elf maiden. Legolas notices them, a look of relief on his face. Which, of course, the elf-maiden takes as a sign of interest in her. Elrond grins politely at the two, and greets Legolas. "Hello."

"You're Lord Elrond, aren't you?!" the elf-girl swoons.

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "Yes, I am."

"You're so PRETTY!"

Elrond's eyes dart around. "Erm... thanks..."

Gil-galad coughs. "We are here to retrieve Legolas."

Elrond smiles, almost haughtily, at the girl.

The girl frowns. "But the Prince is keeping me company!" she whines.

"Not voluntarily..." Elrond mumbles under his breath.

"Enh?" the girl squeaks.

Elrond looks away, grinning.

Legolas bows, a look of mock sorrow on his face. "Forgive me, Lady, I have...business to attend to." Elrond waves his goodbye to the young lady. She stands there, looking somewhat dejected. Legolas grins up at his saviors. "Thank you!"

Elrond looks down at him fondly. "I'm sorry we got there so late. I would not enjoy that kind of company."

Legolas wrinkles his nose. "'Tis alright. She wasn't there very long."

Elrond looks at him slyly. "So you don't really like the maidens, do you?"

Legolas shrugs. "I don't really know. I've not met many of them. I was overly protected as a child, and I've met Arwen, who doesn't exactly like me, and the fangirls."

Elrond smiles. "Girls aren't anything special." He looks up at Gil-galad.

Gil-galad looks blankly at him. "I wouldn't know."

Elrond laughs. "You're far better and lovelier than any maiden I've ever met."

Gil-galad smirks. "Why thank you, love. I can say the same for you. And I've met Luthien."

Elrond blushes. "Umm..."

Gil-galad grins.

Elrond smiles. "So..."

"Oh!" Gil-galad cries. "Legolas, turn around." Legolas turns around unsurely. Gil-galad grins and takes the note off of his back. "Thank you."

Legolas turns his head around. "What are you doing?"

Gil-galad waves the note. "Getting this."

Legolas blinks. "Oh. Hm."

"'You can see into the future, you can see into the past. You can see into ginger ale, too, but not as well.'"

"The mirror?" Elrond looks at Gil-galad.

Gil-galad nods. "That would be the most logical answer...though I'm not sure about the ginger ale part...?"

Elrond stifles a laugh. "I think you'd have to be there."

"O...kay..." Gil-galad shakes his head. "Off to the mirror, then." Elrond follows after him. As does Legolas. They stand around the mirror. Gil-galad looks around. "Should we look in the mirror?"

"Probably not. Knowing those guys." Elrond shrugs. "We should though."

Gil-galad looks around. "I don't think I hear anything..."

Elrond shakes his head. "Neither do I."

But alas, the two elder elves are wrong, for there is a group of elflings (plus one mortal) lurking in the back. Rumil looks to Haldir and grins happily. Haldir smiles at him and kisses his cheek quietly. Rumil presses himself to his brother and whispers in his ear, "This is fun!"

"Mmm. What should we do now?"

He shrugs. "I don't know..."

"Grab Legolas."

"Why?"

Haldir smiles. "It is something to do?"

He shrugs. "Why not?"

And so, with a squeal-gasp, Legolas is plucked from the company of Elrond and Gil-galad. Rumil kisses his ear. "Shh."

Legolas' eyes widen. "What are you doing?" he hisses.

He shrugs. "What I was told."

"What?!"

"I'm doing what I was told."

Meanwhile, Gil-galad looks around. "Love...where is Legolas?"

Elrond looks up. "I don't know. He probably ran off to find a pretty elfling."

"Hmm." Gil-galad ponders this. "That seems a bit suspicious."

"Yes, it does." Elrond glances around.

"Do you think it was the group of elflings?"

Elrond contemplates this. "Probably..."

"That means they must be near."

Elrond nods. "I think we should find them, before they jump out at us."

Estel looks nervously at his companions. "We have to get out of here if we want the game to go on," he hisses.

Rumil looked up from his captive. "Eh?"

"They're looking for us!"

Rumil smiled. "Perhaps we should go."

"Well, if you want the game to go on!" Estel ponders something. "But then, they might just go back to their room to shag or something."

Rumil smirks. "Maybe we could follow their example..."

Arwen glowers at Rumil. "What are you suggesting, fair Elf?"

He kisses Haldir's neck. "Nothing..."

Arwen wrinkles her nose. She steps--gracefully, of course--out into the open, curtsey-ing at her father and his lover. "Father, Lord Gil-galad, I would like to apologize for my behavior before." She glances back at the others.

Elrond looks at her, confused by the suddenness of it. "Huh?"

She smiles sweetly.

Elrond looks at his lover.

Gil-galad blinks. "You are forgiven, lass."

Elrond nods, looking at his daughter fondly. "Of course."

She turns them away from the other's hiding spot. Rumil looks up at Haldir quizzically. "What shall we do?"

Rumil sighs. "I don't know."

"I think the game has been well worn out." Haldir smiles. "We shall confess ourselves."

Rumil nods. "Okay. Then can we go to your room?" He smiles endearingly at his brother.

"Of course." Haldir grins. "You know I cannot resist you."

Rumil smiles. "That's a good thing."

Haldir smiles at his brother and stands up, offering a hand. Rumil takes his hand gratefully. As the others stand up as well, they walk out of their hiding place. Rumil trails behind the others. Gil-galad hears them, and turns around. "Ah, love, I think the elflings have decided to come out."

Orophin grins. "Yes." Estel grins sheepishly.

Elrond looks at them. "How surprising."

"Well," Gil-galad says with a grin. "I suppose that concludes the mystery."

Elrond nods. "I think so."

Gil-galad smiles at the elflings (and Estel). "Well, it's been fun. I'm afraid we must retire to our room now..." Rumil snickers. Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "What, like you're not going to do the same?"

Rumil blushed. "No, I'm not." Haldir looks at his brother, eyebrow raised. Rumil elbows him.

Gil-galad bows at the elflings, bidding them farewell. "Let's go, Elrond."

Elrond grins giddily and follows. Gil-galad smiles and, taking Elrond's hand, starts back towards their room. Elrond waves to the young elflings, grinning widely.

"Come, now maybe we shall not be interrupted."

"I doubt that..." Elrond grumbles, eyeing the children.

Gil-galad grins. "Perhaps...we can get a little 'Do Not Disturb' sign to hang on the door?"

"That would only encourage them, I fear." Elrond chuckles.

"Hmm." The elder elf ponders as they continue to the room. "Perhaps a 'Do Disturb' sign? Reverse psychology?"

Elrond laughs. "That has a better chance of working. I think that they just like interrupting us though."

Gil-galad's eyes gleam. "Maybe if we got a different room...!"

Elrond becomes thoughtful. "That may solve all of our problems..."

The look on Gil-galad's face becomes mischievous. "Let's do it, then."

Elrond nods. "It's got to work."

So they scurry off to a new room, after retrieving their things from the other one. Gil-galad grins, and right before they leave the old room, he hangs a 'Do Not Disturb' sign up.

Elrond laughs, shaking his head. "That should trick them!"

Gil-galad grins widely. "Let us move on quickly."

"That would be advisable, since I'm betting the children, or at least Legolas, aren't far behind us."

So they hurry off to a new room, throwing their stuff down to...test...the bed. Elrond plops onto the bed and then rolls over on his back. "It's nice and soft! Very comfortable."

"Even more comfortable in your arms, I'd wager." Gil-galad grins, flopping on the bed.

"Why I'm sure it would be." He holds out his arms. Gil-galad snuggles up to his lover. Elrond rests his head on Gil-galad's, cuddling contently with him. "This is so nice... just us..."

"Again." Gil-galad kisses Elrond. "It's good to be out in Middle Earth again."

Elrond nods drowsily, looking down fondly at the older elf. "It's a dream come true to have you here again."

Gil-galad smiles. "You seem tired. Would you like to sleep, love?"

Elrond shrugs carelessly. "It doesn't matter... Though, I do feel as if I'm too old for this romping around solving mysteries stuff."

Gil-galad gathers Elrond closer. "If you're too old, then I'm ancient and decrepit..."

Elrond buried his head in Gil-galad's chest. "Mm hm... That you are love..." He chuckles.

"Oh, why thank you so much, love," Gil-galad says, sarcasm dripping.

"But I wouldn't have it any other way..." Elrond chuckles again. "You're just too wonderful how you are..."

"Yes, the ancient one," Gil-galad replies, still sarcastic.

Elrond sighs into his chest. "What a marvelous creature you are... to put up with me and my crazy family."

"And yourself? You put up with a decrepit old Elf," the elder one (still sarcastic) says.

"That's how I like my elves..."

Gil-galad sighs. "Love, I think you're a necrophiliac. And Legolas, too. Celeborn, while we're at it. For Eru's sake, every one who bloody lusts over me!"

"Love, that would be everyone." Elrond grins up at him.

"Shush, you."

Elrond shrugs. "You know it's true."

"That is impossible." Gil-galad pouts.

"Everyone who meets you has fallen for you! You are an incredible creature!" Gil-galad pouts. Elrond grins. "You know it's true..."

"Bah."

"Don't be so modest!" Elrond swats at him. Gil-galad sticks his tongue out. "I've never seen an elf as unwilling to accept their beauty as you are." Elrond shakes his head disdainfully.

Gil-galad grins. "You."

"What?" Elrond looks at him. "No, no, you are the one with the astounding beauty in our relationship."

"Point in case." The king smirks.

"What? Hey, that was tricking me!"

"No, no, I didn't trick you." Gil-galad shakes his head.

Elrond pouts. "Yes, you did."

"Would it make you happy if I said yes?"

Elrond smiles. "It would."

"Then yes." Gil-galad smiles. "Now can we do something more productive than argue over beauty?"

"Like what?" Elrond replies.

As Gil-galad is wont to do, he kisses Elrond and says: "This."

Elrond nuzzled against Gil-galad's neck. "You are so... devious, my love."

"And decrepit," he reminds Elrond.

"Yes, that too..." Elrond giggles.

Gil-galad smirks and kisses Elrond again.

Part 5: Imladris!

Meanwhile, with Elrond and Gil-galad...

Gil-galad sneaks out from Elrond's sleeping embrace, tiptoeing to the door, hoping not to awaken his lover. And of course, he fails. Elrond sits up, bleary-eyed. "What are you doing?"

He sighs. "I didn't want to wake you, love."

"I had figured as much, but what are you doing?" Elrond looks at him.

Gil-galad shrugs. "I was going to go for a walk."

Elrond nods. "Do you wish to go on your own or would you have me join you?"

Gil-galad smiles. "I would love for you to join me." Elrond hops out of bed and drapes a robe over his shoulders. Gil-galad offers his arm. "Ready, then?"

"Yes, I am." Elrond gratefully accepts his arm.

"Did you sleep well, Elrond-nin?" he asks as they stroll out the door into the cool night.

"Quite well, better than I have in years." Elrond smiles.

"I am sure, and glad of that." He smiles and looks up at the sky.

Elrond looks at him fondly. "Were you having any trouble sleeping?"

"Not particularly." He looks down at Elrond. "But I had awoken, and started thinking." Elrond makes a questioning noise. Gil-galad frowns. "When I was in Mandos, I had stumbled upon a rather familiar personage."

"Yes?"

The king closes his eyes for a moment, and when he opens them they shimmer. "Elros," he murmurs.

Elrond makes a small nod. "Oh... I wish I could have visited with him."

"He seemed different, love."

Elrond's face becomes worried. "How so?"

Gil-galad gets a far-off look in his eyes. "I can't really say. I left him as quickly as I could..." He smiles wryly. "He reminded me too much of what I had lost."

Elrond smiles and whispers softly, "I love you, dear."

Gil-galad smiles and kisses Elrond. "I've never stopped."

"I did not either." He gazes at him. "Though, I never expected to see you again."

Gil-galad opens his arms and embraces Elrond. "I did not expect to see you, either."

Elrond sighs happily. "Such a lovely surprise."

"Indeed." He smiles. "But...tell me of Lindon and the Kings after me."

Elrond sighs. "Do really wish to hear that?"

Gil-galad nods. "I think I must."

Elrond looks at him. "Why?"

"Because I would like to know what happened to my country after...after I fell."

Elrond sighs and shakes his head. "Of course..."

Gil-galad strokes Elrond's cheek. "If it pains you, love, I will find out some other way, in a book or something."

Elrond smiles at him. "I could tell you, but..." He pauses. "I'd rather not."

"I understand, love." He grins. "But will you tell me anything at all of the time after my death?"

Elrond sighs. "What should I tell you?"

"Whatever you wish." He smiles. "Tell me of the joys you have had in Middle-earth."

Elrond smiles. "Precious few, my love. My children are my what I take greatest joy in."

"Then tell me of them." Gil-galad smiles, ushering them along on their walk.

"Well... I suppose I'll start with Arwen, my Evenstar." He smiles. "She is very beautiful, as you have seen and heard, I'm sure. Her temper is well beyond me. But she can be an extremely kind and loving person, when she is not complaining." Gil-galad listens aptly. "Elladan and Elrohir are completely inseparable; whether or not this is good, I do not know. They are constantly hunting orc. That is why their presence here was rather surprising."

"Why do they hunt orc so completely?"

Elrond smiles, almost ruefully. "Their dear mother was wounded by an orc blade and they have never forgotten it. This wound was what prompted Celebrian to cross to the West."

"I am sorry." Gil-galad presses a kiss to Elrond's forehead.

Elrond shakes his head. "No, it is better for her. I could never love her as completely as I love you."

Gil-galad smiles. "And what of Imladris? How has that fared?"

"Quite well. It has thrived. Many do not even believe that it exists."

The king laughs. "Well, it is quite hidden away."

"That it is, and I am glad of that."

"As you should be."

Elrond sighs. "It lends itself to peace and quiet."

"Which you have always enjoyed," he says with a grin.

"Yes. Though, I must admit with my children it is not exactly peaceful or quiet."

Gil-galad leers. "Nor will it be with me, either, I suspect."

Elrond laughs. "No, it will not; of that I am sure."

"And I also suspect you enjoy that even more than the peaceful quiet."

"I think I do." Elrond kisses the older elf.

Gil-galad laughs and kisses in return. "I love you, Elrond-nin." He embraces the younger. "I don't want to lose you again."

Elrond shakes his head. "It would be horrible. Like seeing you die a second time."

The king holds his lover closer. "When shall we go to Imladris?"

"Soon." Elrond kisses his cheek.

"And will any join us on the trip to Imladris?"

Elrond smiles. "Glorfindel."

"I take it Arwen and Estel shall remain here, then?" He smiles.

Elrond looks thoughtful. "Arwen and Estel haven't said anything about it."

"It is no matter." He grins. "I enjoy Glorfindel."

"As do I. He is a wonderful companion," Elrond says in agreement.

"Does he stay at Rivendell often?" he asks curiously.

Elrond nods. "Unless he can get into Mandos."

Gil-galad laughs. "That may change if he finds someone to love."

Elrond nods. "That is true." He smiles up at Gil-galad.

Gil-galad smiles back. "You are cute."

Elrond blushes. "And you are very cute yourself."

Gil-galad laughs and rolls his eyes. "If you say so, my love." Elrond kisses Gil-galad's cheek, smiling. Gil-galad smiles sweetly. "Have I ever told you I love you?"

Elrond shrugs shyly. "Maybe once or twice..." He grins up at Gil-galad.

Gil-galad laughs. "Well, I do."

"And I you." Elrond continues to grin at his lover.

Gil-galad grins as well and raises an eyebrow. "Why do you grin so, love?"

"I am just unbelievably happy; it is like a dream to be with you again," Elrond explains.

Gil-galad grins mischieviously. "You know...after we go to Imladris...we should go to Lindon."

"Oh really?" Elrond looks at him.

Gil-galad nods. "You know...the secret hideaway place...?" He winks.

Elrond laughs. "Of course, of course."

Gil-galad grins broadly. "I didn't think you'd have forgotten..."

"It's something that is hard to forget, love." Elrond smiles.

He laughs. "Oh, I'm sure."

Elrond nods. "You and all the time that I've spent with you are things I hold very dear to my heart."

Gil-galad sweeps him into his arms and kisses him. "Good," he murmurs.

"You are so charming." Elrond giggles.

Gil-galad, holding up to the accusation, smiles charmingly. "Oh, really?"

Elrond nods. "Yes, really."

He kisses Elrond again. "Good."

Elrond grins. "I suppose it is good, except for those poor young elflings that happen to fall for you."

Gil-galad snorts. "It's not like I want them to."

Elrond shakes his head. "You're just naturally charming?"

"I suppose so." He laughs.

"Amazing. You were just born charming and can't keep those little ones away." Elrond chuckles. "What a gift."

Gil-galad rolls his eyes. "Oh, yes, an amazing gift."

Elrond shrugs. "Well, it's closer to a gift than a curse."

Gil-galad smiles. "Well, it apparently got me you, so I guess I can't complain."

Elrond laughs. "And neither can I, even though all of these elves are chasing after you."

"Rawr." Gil-galad smirks. Elrond chuckles and his cheeks turn slightly pink. Gil-galad laughs. "Oh, you like that, do you?"

Elrond shrugs, still blushing. "Umm... maybe."

Gil-galad grins evilly. "Raawr."

Elrond puts his hand over his mouth to stifle a chuckle. "Goodness. You are something else." He leans over and kisses him.

"Rawr?"

"In a question form this time?" Elrond gives him a questioning look, grinning from ear to ear.

"Raaaaaawr."

Elrond buries his face in Gil-galad's shoulder, chuckling. "You are so incredibly adorable!"

"Rawr?"

Elrond looks up into Gil-galad's face. "You are too cute! I completely adore you!"

"Rawr." Gil-galad kisses Elrond.

Elrond runs his hand through Gil-galad's hair. "Communicating with only one word?" Gil-galad smirks. Elrond rolls his eyes, smiling. "You are so difficult sometimes." Gil-galad nods and kisses Elrond again. Elrond kisses him back. "Have you now come to the point where you no longer use words to communicate?"

He shrugs.

Elrond kisses Gil-galad's neck. "So you aren't using words anymore."

Gil-galad laughs and winks.

Elrond pinches Gil-galad's cheek. "You are so lovely!"

Gil-galad pins Elrond to the nearest wall and kisses him fiercely.

Elrond grins. "Ah, you are wonderful." He returns the kiss with the same ferocity.

Gil-galad grins back, hair falling in his face. "I don't think I can get enough of you."

Elrond beams. "That is a good thing, since I shall never tire of you, my love."

"Hush." Gil-galad kisses Elrond possessively. Elrond nods, drawing himself closer to his king. Gil-galad looks at his vice-regent, murmuring, "I would bind myself to you until the end of time."

Elrond nods again, mumbling his assent. "Yes, love, as I would bind myself to you."

Gil-galad shakes his head. "No. What I mean to say is...I want to."

Elrond looks at him. "You do?"

He nods. "Yes."

Elrond pulls Gil-galad closer to himself. "Hmm... I would like that very much."

Gil-galad smiles. "Good."

Elrond kisses Gil-galad gently. "I love you."

Gil-galad strokes his cheek. "And I love you, too." Elrond rests his against Gil-galad's chest silently. Gil-galad closes his eyes. "How will your children take this?"

Elrond lifts his head. "I do not know. Arwen will not deal with it so gracefully, but I think my sons may handle it better."

Gil-galad opens his eyes and smiles. "And of the other elves?"

Elrond shrugs. "I do not know how they would take it..." He pauses. "It is not something often practiced."

Gil-galad smiles. "That is quite true."

"That is just as well though. We shall be one of the first, if not the first." Elrond grinned at him happily.

Gil-galad laughs. "That would be impressive." He grins crookedly. "The last High-King of Lindon, and the first...er..." He blinks.

Elrond chuckles. "I haven't a clue what you would call it."

Gil-galad grins. "Me neither."

Elrond shrugs. "It's still impressive."

"Very." He laughs and kisses Elrond again. "But you're even more impressive than any binding known to the Children of Iluvatar."

Elrond smiles at him and drops a small kiss on Gil-galad's cheek. Gil-galad smiles and looks up. "The stars are quite impressive tonight."

Elrond looks upwards and nods. "Yes, they are."

Gil-galad smiles again. Elrond looks up into Gil-galad's face and sighs contentedly. "Now I have to wonder how I ever survived -- er, that's probably the wrong term -- in Mandos's halls without you by my side."

Elrond chuckles. "I wonder the same thing, though I had my children and Celebrian."

Gil-galad grins. "I ran into a few people. But, er...none like you, love."

"What was that 'er' thrown in there for?" Elrond smirks.

Gil-galad laughs. "Well, love...there's a reason...I'm just not sure of it yet."

Elrond rolls his eyes. "Okay." Gil-galad grins and kisses his lover. Elrond sighs and leans against him. "Hm. This is lovely, so perfect."

Gil-galad smiles softly and gathers Elrond closer. "I don't see how any moment spent with you could be anything less."

Elrond blushes. "You are a charmer." He rolls his eyes.

The king gasps. "I am nothing of the sort!"

Elrond laughs. "Oh yes, I believe you are!"

Gil-galad shakes his head. "No, no, I just speak the truth."

Elrond shakes his head. "You are a charmer." He kisses Gil-galad.

Gil-galad shrugs. "But look at the rewards it reaps." Elrond grins, blushing even more. "See? I could never resist something as wonderful as you."

Elrond shakes his head, grinning. "Oh dear. You are quite a piece of work, love."

"And what is that supposed to mean, hmm?"

"It means that you are incorrigible, but completely dear to me." Elrond kisses him.

"Well...good." Gil-galad smiles.

"Yes, I suppose so." Elrond looks at him.

Gil-galad laughs and looks back up at the stars. "What do you want to do now, my love?"

Elrond shrugs. "I just like to be close to you."

The Noldorian elf leers. "We could go back to the room and have fun."

Elrond chuckles. "Sounds good to me." So Gil-galad leads them back to the room, kissing as they go. Elrond laughs. "I wonder if all of Lorien knows what is going on in here by now."

Gil-galad laughs, tossing his tunic on the floor. "And if they do?"

Elrond shrugs. "It doesn't really matter, just an observation."

Gil-galad pounces his lover. "Good."

Elrond kisses him. "This is so unbelievable..."

The elder elf nods, a serious look on his face. "Yes. We have unbelievable stamina."

Elrond rolls his eyes, smiling. "That too."

Gil-galad laughs, kissing Elrond fiercely. Elrond beams, stroking Gil-galad's cheek. Gil-galad smirks. "Rawr."

Elrond kisses him. "Rawring again are we?"

"Perhaps." He leers.

Elrond rolls his eyes. "It's impossible to communicate with you when you're like this."

"No, love, it's just a different sort of communication." Gil-galad laughs and kisses Elrond passionately.

Elrond sighs. "I see."

"You know you love it."

"Of course, of course, but only because you're so cute when you do it." Elrond grins.

Gil-galad decides not to dignify that with a responce, and instead kisses Elrond roughly. Elrond latches his arms around Gil-galad's waist. Gil-galad grins disarmingly, hair falling into his face. Elrond sighs and kisses him without abandon.

"I love you, dearest."

Elrond nods. "I love you too..." he mumbles.

Gil-galad, having nothing more to say, resigns to kissing Elrond passionately. Elrond, silenced by Gil-galad, entangles his hands in his lover's hair.

"I've missed you so much," Gil-galad murmurs in between kisses.

Elrond nuzzled against him. "You wouldn't believe how much I missed you..."

Gil-galad smiles wryly. "You want to bet?"

Elrond rolled his eyes. "Nevermind, I guess you would."

Gil-galad nods. "Indeed I would."

Elrond grins. "You are so lovely."

Gil-galad kisses his lover. "Not nearly as lovely as you."

"Such sweet words..." Elrond kisses Gil-galad's neck.

"But it's true!" The elf smiles and kisses his herald. "You have the blood of not only elves, but of men and Maiar, too."

Elrond grins at him. "You flatter me..."

"I speak the truth, love." Gil-galad laughs.

"You would have me believe it, but I don't think so." Elrond chuckles and kisses Gil-galad gently.

Gil-galad returns the kiss. "Surely you know your own blood line, love?"

"I know that. I was referring to the beauty you were speaking of." Elrond pulls himself closer to Gil-galad.

He strokes Elrond's cheek. "How could you be anything but beautiful, Descendant of Luthien?" Elrond blushes and lowers his face into Gil-galad's chest. Gil-galad chuckles. "You are so modest, love." Elrond smiles into his chest. Gil-galad sets Elrond in front of him with a kiss. "Love...you are beautiful."

"Thank you." Elrond kissed him. "But I will say that you are the most beautiful creature I have seen." He smiles, not sure what to say to that. Elrond grins. "It's probably better that you didn't respond."

Gil-galad growls playfully. "What, are you saying I'm not modest or something?"

"Perhaps..." Elrond smiles at him.

"I'll show you 'modest'..." Gil-galad pounces Elrond yet again, pinning him to the bed. Elrond chuckles, leaning up to kiss his lover. "Raaaawr."

Elrond rolls his eyes. "Talking in 'rawrs' again?"

Gil-galad just kisses his lover possessivly. Elrond wraps his arms around Gil-galad's neck.Gil-galad smirks and pulls Elrond closer.

"You are just delicious." Elrond nuzzles against Gil-galad's neck.

"Why thank you." Gil-galad licks his lover's cheek.

Elrond grins and leans up to nibble on Gil-galad's ear. "Welcome, welcome," Elrond murmurs.

"Love you."

Elrond nods slightly. "I love you too..."

"Then I am perhaps the luckiest elf I know." Gil-galad grins.

Elrond chuckles. "You are, are you?" He looks into Gil-galad's face. "I believe that I would be as lucky as you, love."

Gil-galad kisses Elrond. Elrond leans into the kiss. And at this moment, a note comes sliding in from under the door, followed by cackling. Gil-galad raises an eyebrow, picks up the note, and snickers.

Elrond peers over his shoulder. "What does it say?"

Gil-galad chuckles and shows him the note. "Gil-galad. DO NOT STEAL MY DADDY!!!!!!!!!!! --Arwen."

Elrond blinks. "Well... um... she is my daughter." Gil-galad collapses in laughter. Elrond looks at the note again, chuckling. "What did she think she would accomplish by this?"

Gil-galad opens his mouth to say something, but is consumed by giggles.

Elrond shakes his head and laughs. "Oh dear. She is undeniably my daughter..." The elf-king continues laughing. Elrond rolls his eyes and flops onto the bed laughing. Gil-galad tries to sober, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. Elrond glances at him with a bemused look on his face. "Well, this is funny."

Gil-galad sighs amusedly. "It's a bit more than funny, Elrond-nin."

Elrond shrugs. "Yes, I suppose it is."

"Oh, come now." Gil-galad grins. "If I had a daughter, and we were doing what we were doing, and a note from her slid under the door saying 'Don't steal my Daddy!', you'd be cracking up, too."

Elrond smiles at him. "I'm sure." He kisses Gil-galad's forehead.

"Though I must say, the idea of me having a daughter is a bit disconcerting."

Elrond smiles. "I suppose it might be."

Gil-galad rawrs.

Elrond chuckles slightly and kisses him. "So cute..." He grins. Elrond kisses him again. "It's hard to believe that some people haven't fallen for you."

Gil-galad laughs. "You mean there are actually some that haven't?"

Elrond swats at him. "I hope so!"

He grins. "Only joking, love. Only joking."

Elrond snuggles against him. "Of course."

"And even if all of Middle-earth, nay, all of Ea, loved me, I would only love you."

Elrond blushes. "That is a comforting thought, love."

Gil-galad grins. "I thought it might be."

Elrond looks at him fondly. "You are wonderful."

The elf of Lindon kisses Elrond forcefully. "Not nearly as much so as you."

Elrond smiles at him. "You say some of the most lovely things."

"I try." Gil-galad grins.

"I know." Elrond kisses him.

"Rawr." He smirks.

Elrond rolls his eyes. "Rawr."

Gil-galad chuckles and kisses his lover. "You're so adorable."

Elrond smiles. "I'm glad you think so."

The elder elf smiles serenely. "I'm glad to have you."

"And I can find no greater joy than having you by my side." Elrond grins up at him happily.

Gil-galad moves to lay on his side, propping his head up on his hand. "I have oft dreamed of something like this happening, and now it has."

Elrond kisses his nose. "As have I..."

"This may be hard to believe, but..." Gil-galad grins. "I really don't have anything to say."

Elrond makes a gasp of mock surprise. "I'm shocked!"

Gil-galad nods. "Sad, but true."

Elrond snuggles against him. "Yes, yes."

Gil-galad sighs happily. "You know...most sane people should be getting up about now..."

Elrond nods. "Those people who had more than an hour or so of sleep last night."

"Yes. The sane ones. " He grins.

Elrond laughs. "I suppose we are not sane, hm?"

"Hmm...well...maybe not." He grins wickedly.

Elrond rolls his eyes. "It certainly sounds as though we are not, since sane people got more than one hour of sleep last night and are getting up about now."

"But we had fun..."

"That I cannot dispute."

"Good." Gil-galad grins.

"That it is," Elrond agrees. Gil-galad, being speechless, decides to just kiss Elrond. Elrond murmurs. "Good course of action."

Gil-galad grins and kisses Elrond some more. Elrond wraps his arms around Gil-galad's waist, and leans up into the kiss. Gil-galad pulls Elrond even closer, and mumurs, "I love you."

Elrond pulls himself even closer and whispers into Gil-galad's ear, "I love you too."

The elfking kisses his lover's neck. "That makes me unbelievably happy. You make me unbelievably happy."

"And that alone makes me unbelievably happy." Elrond nuzzles into Gil-galad's neck.

Gil-galad smiles. "I don't think much more could make this moment any more perfect."

"It would be hard." Elrond grins at his lover. As he says that, Gil-galad's stomach growls. Aforementioned elfking smiles sheepishly. Elrond rolls his eyes. "How convenient."

Gil-galad continues to smile sheepishly. "Sorry?"

Elrond kisses his cheek. "No matter. I think you should get some food though, love."

"I think so too." Gil-galad smiles. "Do you think they'd be serving breakfast now?"

Elrond nods. "I think they would serve breakfast whenever you asked."

"Well...yes." Gil-galad smiles broadly. "But, I meant breakfast for everyone. I want to socialize."

Elrond shrugs. "They might."

Gil-galad bounces. "Yay!"

Elrond smiles. "Let's go see."

The supposedly regal elfking beams. "Alright!"

Elrond smiles. "You are so cute!"

Gil-galad just smiles and puts his tunic back on. "Come on, let's go!"

"Okay..." Elrond responds, pulling on his clothes.

"Hee." Gil-galad holds out his hand. "Now...where would breakfast be?"

Elrond shrugs. "I'm not here often enough to know."

Gil-galad sighs. "I guess we'll just have to wander around, then. Maybe it's in the hall where the banquet was last night!"

"Yeah, that is very plausible." Elrond smiles. "We might as well check."

The king beams and kisses Elrond quickly, before making his way to the banquet hall. Elrond follows behind, clinging to Gil-galad's hand. Upon arriving at the banquet hall, and entering, the two lovers find many passed-out elves. Galadriel being one of them.

Elrond snickers. "I find it hard to believe that she is the ruler of Lorien."

Gil-galad chuckles. "Ah, this is the part of life lore never captures."

Elrond laughs. "We should write a book, 'Behind the Lore,'" Elrond says, picking his way through the elves lying about the room.

Gil-galad laughs. "But that would be quite a mature book, wouldn't it?" He waggles his eyes suggestively.

Elrond swats at him. "You are incorrigible!" He pauses. "But you are completely correct."

"See?" He grins and squeezes Elrond's hand. "Maybe we should collect Glorfindel and head to Imladris?"

Elrond nods. "That might be best. I don't want to be around when these elves, especially Galadriel, get up."

The elfking cringes. "Yes. Let's go find Glorfindel, then. And hightail it out of here."

Elrond grins and turns around to walk out the door again.

"Now...where would Glorfindel be, love?"

Elrond shrugs. "In his room I suppose."

Gil-galad chuckles. "Of course, love. Now where is that?"

Elrond shrugs again. "I don't know. A very good question though."

They walk along for a bit, peeking into rooms when they see them, when they happen upon a Random Sexy Elf. "Excuse me!" Gil-galad calls. "Have you seen Glorfindel?"

The Random Sexy Elf smiles and answers. "Well, yes actually. His room is just down at the end of the hall... I believe it is the only on with a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on it."

Gil-galad laughs. "Thank you, lad. Now, be off on your way, hmm?"

Elrond chuckles, as the Random Sexy Elf scurries away down the hallway. "Hm. So I guess we just look for the 'Do Not Disturb' sign?"

Gil-galad grins wickedly. "That we do."

Elrond laughs, while heading down the hallway. "I wonder what is so important that he can't be disturbed."

"I could think of a couple things," Gil-galad says innocently, as he spots the aforementioned 'do not disturb' sign. Elrond rolls his eyes, and, without a thought for courtesy, reaches to open Glorfindel's door. "Helloooooo?" calls Gil-galad, and upon setting sight on the bed, grins and makes an "aw" sound.

Elrond peers over to the bed and looks at Gil-galad. "Who is that with him?" Elrond whispers.

Gil-galad snerks. "The Lord of Lorien."

Elrond's eyes widen. "Oh really?" He looks closer. "Hm. That is him."

Gil-galad sits down in a nearby chair, trying to hold in his laughter. Elrond sits down near him, waiting to see when the two will rouse. Almost as if on cue, Glorfindel sits up, rubbing his eye. Elrond giggles looking at them.

Glorfindel's eyes widen. "What the bloody hell are you two doing in here?!"

Elrond chuckles. "We were leaving and thought that we would come collect you."

Glorfindel glares. "Lovely."

Elrond chuckles and looks at him. "So, will you be joining us?"

"I hate you." He glares at Gil-galad, who is still trying to hold in his laughter. "And you, too."

"Come now, we're not being mean or anything." Elrond smiles happily.

"No, no, of course not."

"I think it's quite adorable." Elrond grins.

Glorfindel growls and reaches for some clothing. "You bloody would."

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "No need to be hostile, my dear friend."

"Why are we leaving this early anyway?"

"So we don't have to deal with the passed out elves when they get up. Especially Galadriel."

Glorfindel gulps. "I love you."

"Oh really?" Elrond smirks.

Gil-galad coughs. "Isn't anyone going to wake up Celeborn?"

Elrond shrugs. "I figure I'll leave that to Glorfindel."

Glorfindel grins sheepishly and shakes Celeborn's shoulder. "Wake up, dear, we've got company."

Celeborn blinks groggily. "Company?"

Glorfindel points to the High-king and his vice regent. "Company."

Celeborn's mouth drops open. "Well, um, good morning."

Gil-galad waves happily. "Good morning. Are you coming to Rivendell with us?"

Celeborn nods. "Um... yes... I think so."

Gil-galad grins. "Well, get dressed then. We're leaving now."

Celeborn looks at Glorfindel. "This is a little sudden, you do realize, don't you?"

Glorfindel raises his hands in a sign of innocence. "They were here when I woke up!"

Celeborn grumbles. "Well... I take it Galadriel is passed out?"

Gil-galad nods. "That is precisely why we're leaving now. To avoid hung-over elves, including your wife."

Celeborn nods. "I thought so. She'll be out for most of the day, I think. She usually is."

Gil-galad chuckles. "Then we may have a little bit longer."

Celeborn smiles. "That is good."

Glorfindel snorts. "You still may want to get dressed."

Celeborn rolls his eyes. "I wasn't exactly planning on walking out naked."

Glorfindel grins. "You never know."

"Rest assured that you won't find me walking around in public naked." Celeborn smiles at him.

"Good." Glorfindel grins and places a kiss on Celeborn's cheek. "Now, hurry and get dressed."

Elrond smiles. "They are so cute!" he says softly to Gil-galad.

"Aren't they?" he whispers back. "Ah...new love. It's always a marvellous thing."

Elrond nods. "I can agree with that."

Gil-galad grins wickedly. "You are a marvellous thing, as well, my love."

Elrond blushes and grins back at him. "Thank you. You are too, but I'm sure you've been told that a million times by everyone."

The elfking winks. "I really don't count."

Elrond grins. "A very good thing."

Gil-galad nods, a mock-sad look on his face. "Yes, I fear it would go to my head."

Elrond rolls his eyes, grinning. "I know it would go to your head."

"Oh, hush."

Elrond smiles and kisses him. "You know I'm right."

"Aye, I do." He grins. "And I love you for it."

Elrond giggles and rests his head on Gil-galad's shoulder. Gil-galad grins and pulls Elrond into his lap, while the other two elves finish dressing. Elrond chuckles and leans back to kiss his lover.

Gil-galad grins. "Do you think they're ready yet?"

Elrond shrugs and kisses him again. "I don't know."

"Me neither." Gil-galad kisses Elrond. "Maybe we should ask."

Elrond nods. "Are you two ready yet?"

Glorfindel looks at them. "We've been ready." He smirks. "Celeborn just needs to get a few things that aren't in this room."

Elrond nods again. "Okay."

Gil-galad grins. "Lead the way, Celeborn."

Elrond latches onto Gil-galad. "I think your stay in Imladris shall prove to be... interesting."

He smirks. "In what way, love?"

"Well, first of all, if any of my children are at home... that in itself will be interesting and now that we have Celeborn and Glorfindel with us..." Elrond shakes his head. "I think it will be lively."

Gil-galad opens his mouth to say something, but suddenly winds up laying on the ground with a certain blond elf sitting atop him.

Elrond looks down at Legolas. "What exactly are you doing?"

Legolas beams up. "I want to come with you!"

Elrond looks at Gil-galad. "What do you think?"

Gil-galad smiles wryly. "I don't think there's much we can do about it."

Elrond sighs. "Of course, you may come Legolas."

Legolas beams happily. "Yay!"

Elrond looks at him. "Wouldn't you rather be with Estel?"

The elfling pouts. "I can't find him."

Elrond looks a little worried. "Hm. Well... maybe we should look for him; we need to see if he wants to go come with us anyway."

Glorfindel pales. "But that means...Arwen...oh dear."

Elrond looks at him. "Unless she is too upset by the fact that her dad and tutor are bringing their male lovers with them."

Glorfindel laughs. "And then what makes you think Estel will want to come home, hmm?"

Elrond shrugs. "I do not know. I just figure that we should ask him if he does want to."

Glorfindel suddenly remembers something and pales. "But...um...neither of them know about..." He glances at Celeborn.

Elrond nods slowly. "Yes, yes. Um... are you planning on telling them?"

"Should I?" He frowns. "I mean, I think Arwen might faint or something. First her father and an elfking, then her grandfather and her tutor..."

Elrond laughs. "If you want to tell them you may, but if you're not comfortable or are worried about it, then don't do it."

Glorfindel raises an eyebrow at him and shakes his head. "You're so cute when you're in love, really."

Elrond blinks. "What?"

He nods. "Yes." He grins. "I think my worry has a very logical reason behind it."

Elrond nods. "I think so too." A smile comes over his face. "Though, her reaction would be hilarious."

Gil-galad coughs. "Um...does anyone want to get the elfling off my back?"

Elrond laughs. "Legolas, I think you need to get off of Gil-galad."

Legolas pouts, taking in what he's just heard. "So...Lord Celeborn...and Glorfindel..." He grins wickedly. "You're going at it?!"

Celeborn blanches. "Um..."

Gil-galad chuckles. Elrond looks down at Legolas. "Get off of Gil-galad."

"Fine, fine." Legolas hops off, allowing Gil-galad to get back up. "But I want to know...it's true? You two...are...you know?"

Celeborn looks to Glorfindel. "Well... um... you could say that..."

Glorfindel grins wickedly. "Yes. We are." Elrond snickers. The elf-lord glares at him. "Hush. It's not like you're not."

Elrond smiles. "This is lots of fun."

Gil-galad grins confusedly. "Weren't we supposed to be going somewhere?"

"Yes. We have to look for Estel."

"Look for me?" Estel walks up at that very moment.

"Yep. We're going to Imladris," Legolas chirps matter-of-factly.

Estel smiles. "Is Arwen going?"

Elrond shrugs. "I don't know."

Gil-galad looks around. "Um...where did Celeborn go...?"

Elrond glances about. "I haven't a clue."

Glorfindel sighs. "He probably ran off to collect his stuff." He looks at the others. "We'll meet you on the borders." And he walks off, presumbably to look for Celeborn.

Elrond squeals, "Oh my goodness! I haven't seen anything nearly as cute as those two!"

Gil-galad grins. "I have. You."

Elrond grins. "Well, I meant besides you."

Legolas looks at Estel, a wary look on his face. "Ugh."

Elrond looks back to them. "What?"

The elfling smiles sweetly. "Nothing!"

Elrond shakes his head. "Okay."

Estel smiles confusedly. "Maybe I'll just...go...find...Arwen..."

Elrond nods. "And ask her if she wants to come with us."

Estel nods. "Of course." He scampers off, quite hurriedly.

Elrond looks at Gil-galad. "Did he seem a little uncomfortable?"

"Oh, just a little." Gil-galad grins.

Elrond ponders this. "Well... what do you think was wrong?"

Legolas snorts. "Hmm, I wonder."

Elrond blinks. "Eh?"

Legolas rolls his eyes. "You know, for a wise elf-lord, you can be quite clueless sometimes."

Elrond pouts. "Whaaat?"

Gil-galad kisses him. "Legolas, dear, are you or are you not coming with us?"

Legolas bounces up. "Coming of course!"

Gil-galad chuckles. "How silly of me to ask."

Elrond nods. "You've got that right."

Legolas grins and attaches himself to Gil-galad. "It was."

Elrond grins and walks ahead of Gil-galad. "How lucky you are; he's hanging onto you again." He smirks.

Gil-galad sticks his tongue out. "Very funny, Peredhil."

"I know, I know."

"If I didn't love you so much, I'd hate you." Gil-galad smiles innocently.

Elrond laughs. "Of course! If people didn't respect me so much, they'd hate me.

Legolas sighs. "You two..."

Elrond laughs. "What about us?"

Legolas sighs. "You're both..." He looks up at them. "Very, very lovely."

Elrond's eyes widen. "Well... umm... thank you."

Legolas smiles. "You're quite welcome."

Elrond looks at him and grins. "I must ask though, why do you want to spend all this time with us?"

The princeling unattaches himself from Gil-galad and attaches himself to Elrond. "Because I like to."

Elrond looks at Gil-galad pleadingly and motions to the attachment on his back. The elf-king grins wickedly. "What is it, love?" Elrond glowers at him. Gil-galad blinks innocently. "Hmm?"

"Nothing." Elrond rolls his eyes.

Gil-galad grins wickedly. "Think Celeborn and Glorfindel will be ready to go?"

Elrond nods. "I think they should be, unless..." He smirks.

Legolas laughs. "Unless they started making out or...um...shagging?"

Elrond snorts. "Exactly what I was thinking."

Gil-galad laughs. "They'll have plenty of time to do that later, when Galadriel is far, far away."

Elrond nods. "Yes. Hopefully though they will take up a room not close to ours."

Gil-galad snorts. "Want to disperse the sounds, eh?"

Elrond thunked him on the head. "You are so rude!" he exclaimed, smiling.

"Yes. And?"

Elrond waved his hand around dismissively. "Never mind."

Gil-galad grins. "Let us onward, then."

Elrond nods. "Yes, yes."

Gil-galad holds out his hand. "And hopefully they have enough sense to hold their hormonal activities for later."

Elrond takes his hand gratefully. "I think they are both smart enough to do that."

Legolas grins wickedly. "I dunno. Hormones make people do some strange things."

Elrond chuckles. "That's the truth..."

"Not that any of us would know," Gil-galad says mock-seriously.

Elrond's eyes grow wide. "I wouldn't! How could you suggest such a thing?"

"Forgive me, my little Peredhil. I know not what I say." Gil-galad grins.

"Hmph." Elrond pouts. "I get the feeling you're patronizing me."

Gil-galad kisses him. "Would I ever do such a thing, love?"

Elrond rolls his eyes. "Yes, yes, you would."

The elfking grins. "But only because I love you."

Elrond chuckles. "Of course. The only reasonable answer." He smiles broadly. Elrond looks at him. "You are quite the beauty."

"If you say so, love."

"You know Legolas would back me up." Elrond tries to look at the elfling on his back.

Legolas beams. "You are, my Lord!"

Elrond nods smugly. "I am right."

Gil-galad grins. "Well, since I am apparentely outnumbered..."

Elrond chuckles. "Yes, you must concede to our victory." He grins at his lover.

"Fine, fine. I concede. Completely."

"It's not like you didn't realize this before." Elrond looks at him.

"Are you trying to say I'm vain?" Gil-galad raises an eyebrow.

Elrond shakes his head. "No dear, you're just well aware of your own beauty."

Gil-galad chuckles. "Unlike certain other elves I know."

Elrond blinks. "Of whom do you speak?"

"You, my love."

"Hey! I know that I look..." He pauses, and says with great effort. "Nice."

Legolas presses a chaste kiss to the halfelf's cheek. "You are beautiful, my lord."

Elrond smiles at the elf on his back. "Thank you, Legolas."

"You're very welcome."

Elrond glances over to Gil-galad. "I guess that means we're both beautiful?"

"No, of course not, love." Gil-galad grins.

Elrond shrugs. "Okay. I'm sure that I understand your logic, but that's alright."

"The only logic I was using there was sarcasm." He winks.

Elrond rolls his eyes, grinning. "I've had quite enough of both of you."

"Mm-hmm." He grins wickedly. "And whose bed shall you be visiting tonight?"

Elrond grins at him. "Yours... most probably..." He then looks defiant. "Or maybe... no one!"

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "Right."

Elrond widens his eyes. "I'm serious!"

"Of course you are."

Elrond's voice reaches an unusually high pitch. "I'm dead serious! I might want to stay in my own room, all by myself tonight!"

Legolas blinks. "Um...I think I've gone deaf."

Elrond ignores him and just pouts. Gil-galad rolls his eyes and kisses his lover fiercely. "Now...why would you want to be all by yourself tonight?"

Elrond blinks dazedly. "I wouldn't..." He grins at Gil-galad. "I love you."

"That's what I thought." Gil-galad smirks. "I love you, too."

Elrond pouts. "But if I wanted to... I could stay in my room all by myself tonight."

"Of course you could."

Elrond crosses his arms. "I could."

"Of course."

Elrond childishly stamps his feet. "Stop humoring me!"

Gil-galad looks at Legolas, a bit frazzled by the elf-lord's behavior. "Come now, Legolas. Off of Elrond, now."

Elrond grins. "Yes, if you want to get off, you can."

Legolas smiles confusedly. "At least he doesn't jump around or scream very loudly."

Elrond laughs. "Believe me, he does." Gil-galad blanches. Elrond looks at him innocently. "What?" Legolas snickers. Elrond beams at Gil-galad.

"Oh, for Eru's sake...let's just move on out, hmm?"

Elrond shrugs. "Okay."

Gil-galad sighs as Legolas hops on his back. He offers his hand to Elrond. Elrond grasps it, smiling happily at his lover. Gil-galad grins back. "Onward." They head towards the borders of Lorien.

Elrond sighs. "You would think they would be here by now, since we have been dallying for so long."

At that very moment, Glorfindel and Celeborn walk out of the surrounding woods, hair and clothing a bit mussed. "We've been here!"

Elrond looks at them warily. "Okay. I'm not going to ask what exactly you've been doing here."

Gil-galad snorts and points to Celeborn. "You've got a twig in your hair."

Celeborn hastily pulls it out of his hair, grinning uncontrollably. Glorfindel grins widely. "On to Imladris then." He pauses. "Don't forget your bag, Cel."

Celeborn nods, holding up the bag for all to see. "I have it."

"Good." The elf-lord smiles and kisses the Lord of Lorien.

Elrond awws. "They are a perfect couple!"

Glorfindel blushes and shoots a glare in Elrond's direction. Elrond giggles and clings to his lover.

Gil-galad laughs. "Let's just be on our way, hmm?"

Elrond nods, still hanging on Gil-galad.

To save ourselves a long, boring trip to Imladris, we'll skip ahead to the time they arrive. Elrond smiles at Gil-galad. "Back to Imladris."

"Back at Imladris."

Elrond nods. "Yes, yes."

Gil-galad smiles. "What now?"

Part 6: Notes!

Gil-galad smiles. "What now?"

Elrond shrugs. "Whatever you want."

As if on cue (happens a lot, huh), Gil-galad's stomach grumbles. "Eheh..."

Elrond rolls his eyes. "Let's go get some food for you, dear."

Gil-galad grins sheepishly. "Sounds good." Elrond takes his hand and walks with him in search of some kind of food. The elf-king smiles wickedly. "So what do you suppose Celeborn and Glorfindel are going to do?"

"Oh, I haven't any idea," Elrond says grinning at Gil-galad.

"Mmm. Sure."

Elrond smiles. "I think even a small elfling could figure out what they are going to do."

He grins. "Even Arwen?"

"Well... I think if she couldn't see it, it was because she doesn't want to."

Gil-galad snorts. "Very true."

Elrond smiles. "Yes, my daughter is known to be that way."

Gil-galad smiles sweetly. "Food?"

Elrond nods. "Of course, of course."

So our two lovely elves carry on their way, but not before Gil-galad finds a piece of paper. Now, this may not seem important. But this specific piece of paper had sent Gil-galad into conniptions. Elrond looks at him bemusedly. "Yes? What is it?"

Gil-galad grins. "'Do not steal my Daddy!" --A.'"

Elrond sighs. "Will she ever quit?"

"Probably not." He grins. "Until she finds out about you-know-who. And you-know-who-the-other-one."

Elrond laughs. "I can't wait."

"It should prove very entertaining."

Elrond nods. "Yes, it definitely will."

Gil-galad's stomach growls again. "Um..."

"I know, I know." He continues walking.

Gil-galad smiles. "I love you."

"I love you too." He kisses Gil-galad's cheek. Gil-galad grins, content. Elrond spreads out his arms. "Here we are. Find yourself some food."

"Yay!" Gil-galad rushes out and soon returns, arms full of food.

Elrond grins. "You are adorable."

The elf-king grins. "Only when I'm hungry."

Elrond shakes his head. "No, always." Gil-galad sticks his tongue out. "Aww... it's okay. You can't help it."

He pouts. "I'd...do something, but I can't think of anything. So I'm going to eat."

Elrond nods. "It's probably better that way."

"Hush." He pauses, then says, "Would you like to join me, melnin?"

Elrond looks contemplative for a moment. "I think I'll have a little."

Gil-galad smiles. Elrond grabs something off of the pile of food and begins to nibble on it. "You're so cute."

Elrond's eyes widen, as if to ask, 'Me?'

Gil-galad nods. "Especially when you do that."

Elrond blushes and returns to snacking on his food. Gil-galad grins, grabbing food and munching on it, all while watching Elrond. Elrond's face flushes more with Gil-galad's eyes on him; he turns and grins at his lover, then returns, again, to his apparently delicious food. The elf-king laughs, and continues watching his vice-regent. Elrond turns to eye Gil-galad. "You are watching me," he states simply.

"Well, what do you know. So I am." He grins.

Elrond knits his eyebrows together. "Why are you watching me?"

"Because I like too."

Elrond rolls his eyes. "You are like a child."

"Am not. I'm the High-King."

Elrond rolls his eyes again and makes a face. "That you are, but you act like a child more often than not."

"Do not."

"I don't think I will argue this point." Elrond begins to eat again.

Gil-galad grins evilly. "Because you know I'm right."

Elrond shakes his head, and responds sarcastically, "Yes, love, of course, because you're right."

"See?" He smiles.

Elrond sighs and continues to munch on his food. Gil-galad grins and continues to watch him. Elrond does his best to ignore him and eat his food. Pondering, Gil-galad continues to watch his lover. Elrond looks at Gil-galad out of the corner of his while trying to eat. The elf-king decides to use an earlier tactic (used, in fact, at dinner the previous night), and licks Elrond's cheek.

Elrond blinks. "Hey! I thought that you said you liked watching me!"

"I do." He grins.

Elrond looks at him blankly. "So... you licked me; that isn't watching me."

"Very, very good, melnin." Gil-galad smiles seductively. Elrond lets out an exaggerated sigh and returns to nibbling away at his food. "I like to do other things besides watching you," he whispers in Elrond's ear.

Elrond makes a noise, sounding something like 'Meep.'

Gil-galad smiles smally, still looking quite seductive. He licks Elrond's cheek again, then kisses it. Elrond turns his head and desperately tries to keep eating. Gil-galad moves Elrond's hair and licks his neck. Elrond stiffens and swats Gil-galad away with his free hand. Gil-galad catches the hand and kisses the palm. Elrond hurriedly pulls his hand out of Gil-galad's reach. Gil-galad frowns and grabs Elrond around the waist, pulling him closer.

Elrond pouted. "I thought you wanted to eat."

"I'm full," Gil-galad murmurs.

Elrond nods shakily. "As I figured..."Gil-galad nips at Elrond's neck. Elrond starts. "Stop that!" He tries to wiggle out of Gil-galad's grip.

Unfortunately for Elrond, Gil-galad keeps him there. "Why?"

"We are in public!" he hisses.

He looks around. "So?"

Elrond flashes him an annoyed look. Gil-galad just smiles seductively. Elrond bangs his fists on Gil-galad's arms. "Stop being seductive!"

"Why?"

"Just stop!" he whines.

Gil-galad licks Elrond's neck. "Why, my beautiful one?"

Elrond shudders. "Stoooop!"

Gil-galad chuckles softly. "You have so much less self-control now than you did before."

Elrond makes a face at him, but refuses to say anything. The seductive elf-king smiles and kisses the neck of his lover. Elrond struggles to keep his composure.

"You can't do it, love."

"Yes, I can," he says through gritted teeth.

Gil-galad nips at Elrond's neck again. "You can't."

"Can too!" Elrond's face is set in a look of great effort. Gil-galad kisses his cheek. Elrond shakes his head. "I'm not going to let you get to me."

"Of course, love." He licks the cheek. Elrond takes in a deep breath. Gil-galad pulls Elrond even closer, and kisses his neck. Elrond restrains himself from leaning back into Gil-galad's kisses and instead, with great effort, leans forward. Gil-galad smiles and wraps his other arm around Elrond. "Where do you think you're going, hmm?"

Elrond sighs and stops struggling, deciding to save his energy.

In a swift movement, Gil-galad stands and picks Elrond up. "Am I still acting like a child?"

Elrond pouts. "I refuse to answer that."

"Of course you do." He smiles and looks around. "Your room still in the same place?"

"As far as I know." Elrond nods.

Gil-galad smiles at Elrond, seductively, of course. "Good."

"Hmph. I should have known you were going to do this."

"Of course." Gil-galad rushes them to the room.

Elrond glares at him. "You think you're so charming."

"Mm. And so do you, I bet."

Elrond rolls his eyes. "Yeah right. Only little elflings fall for that kind of charm."

Gil-galad laughs. "You were a little elfling once, remember?"

"Of course." Elrond half smiles.

Gil-galad kisses Elrond. "And you fell, didn't you?"

"Of course, but little elflings are still falling for you today. I wasn't any different."

"Yes, you were. Are. Whatever." He smiles softly. "You're my Elrond."

"And you are my Gil-galad." Elrond looks away.

Gil-galad smiles. "You know, Peredhil, you don't have to call me Gil-galad. You could--" He is about to set Elrond down on the bed, when he discovers another note.

Elrond makes some annoyed sound. "Another one?!"

Gil-galad shakes his head. "She is your daughter."

Elrond gives him a "look."

"And I mean that in the best way possible." He smiles sweetly and picks the note up, after setting Elrond down, of course. Elrond sits down on his bed and looks at Gil-galad, waiting for him to read the note aloud. Gil-galad chuckles. "'You better not do what I think you're going to do!!!!!! --A.'"

Elrond lets out a large sigh and falls back on the bed. "Oh god. That girl is nuts."

Gil-galad laughs. "Elrond!"

"Yes?" Elrond raises his head to look at his lover.

He shakes his head and laughs. "Nothing."

Elrond shrugs. "Okay."

"Mmm." Gil-galad pounces his lover. "Now...do you want to disregard that note?"

Elrond grins. "Of course, was there any doubt? I could never just deny you of it because my daughter is insane."

Gil-galad blushes slightly. "I love you so much."

"Do my eyes deceive me? Are you blushing, my love?" Elrond smiles. "Such a rare thing."

"Hush, you," the elder says with a grin.

Unfortunately for the two, Glorfindel barges in. "Yes, yes, before you two get any further, I have something to ask."

Elrond nods. "Yes?"

"Did either of you make out with Celeborn last night? This morning...um. Whichever."

Elrond looks at Gil-galad. "Um, well...yes." Gil-galad smiles somewhat nervously. "He was a bit lonely." He leers. "But apparently he found some company, no?"

Elrond chuckles.

Glorfindel laughs. "I suppose he did. Well! Thank you...very, very much." He cackles as he exits.

Elrond raises an eyebrow. "What do you think that was all about?"

"I have no idea." He grins. "Now. Back to business."

Elrond nods. "Of course."

"Hmm. Where were we?" Elrond shrugs. "Alright, fine." He sighs, mock distressed. "We'll just have to improvise."

"Oh the horror." Elrond grins.

"I know, I know." He hangs his head. "You must be horribly disappointed."

"Yes, yes."

He grins and looks down at Elrond. "I guess I'll have to make it up to you, huh?"

"Yes, I'd agree with that."

"And how would the mighty Peredhil like to be made up to?"

Elrond shrugs. "I don't know."

Gil-galad rolls his eyes. Taking Elrond's palm and kissing it, he grins and says, "I yield to you." Elrond pouts at him. "Don't pout." Elrond pouts more. He growls. "Don't pout." He sticks his lower lip out further. Gil-galad rolls his eyes. "You're horrible, you know that?"

Elrond nods.

"Argh." Gil-galad kisses him.

He grins. "Thank you, love."

Gil-galad just looks at him. Elrond stares back at him. "Ugh." The king rolls over and stares at the ceiling.

"What?"

"You are hopeless."

"Wha-at?"

Gil-galad moves to his side, propping his head up with his hand. "You're just hopeless."

"I am not!" Elrond glares at him.

"Are too."

Elrond glowers darkly. Gil-galad snorts. "You are."

He crosses his arms.

"Oh, and what are you going to do about it, hmm, little Peredhil?"

"Absolutely nothing." Elrond sticks out his tongue.

Gil-galad mutters something about passive elves. Elrond raises an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"Nothing, love."

"I heard something..."

Gil-galad smiles sweetly. "I love you?"

Elrond looks at him sternly. "I don't think so."

"I do too!"

"I meant that I don't think that is what you said before."

"Um..."

"..." Elrond looks at him.

"C'mere, you." Elrond scootches over happily. Gil-galad sits up and holds his arms out. Elrond quickly places himself in Gil-galad's arms. Gil-galad laughs. They stay that way for a moment or two, and Gil-galad asks, "Elrond, love? There weren't any other kings after me, were there?"

Elrond blinks. "Hm? Why in the world ask this now?"

"I'm the master of bad timing. Now answer me."

Elrond sighs, frustrated that Gil-galad ruined the 'moment,' and answers, "No love, I do not think so."

Gil-galad giggles. "That means I'm still High-King."

Elrond rolls his eyes. "Oh dear..."

The High-King laughs and kisses Elrond. "At any rate..."

Elrond smiles. "Yes?"

"I dunno." Gil-galad shrugs.

Elrond kisses him. "You are a darling person..."

"Mm. So are you." He kisses his lover back. Elrond smiles happily and nods, nuzzling into Gil-galad. "Love you."

Elrond mumbles his agreement and sighs contentedly.

"Even if you are a horrible little stubborn elf."

Elrond flutters his eyelashes and asks, "Me? Stubborn?"

Gil-galad snorts. "No. Never."

Elrond nods. "That's right."

"...And I'm the Dark Lord."

Elrond sticks out his tongue. Gil-galad grins evilly and kisses his lover. Elrond nods appreciatively after pulling his face away from Gil-galad's. "That is very nice, love..."

"Mm. That's good." Gil-galad repeats.

Elrond nods again, murmuring something indistinguishable, then decides to kiss his lover.

"Dear..." Gil-galad whispers. "What would have happened if you had seen Elros in Mandos?"

Elrond sighs. "You are the master of bad timing, love." He paused. "I don't know..."

"Do you miss him?" Gil-galad prods softly.

Elrond smiles gently. "Of course, he was my brother."

"I'm sorry, mel-nin." Gil-galad pulls Elrond closer.

Elrond shrugs. "It's fine."

"Are you sure?"

Elrond nods. "Absolutely."

Gil-galad smiles. "I know how much Elros meant to you."

Elrond nods again. "Yes... he meant very much to me..."

"My poor little Peredhil..." Gil-galad murmurs. "So much loss."

Elrond smiles slightly. "Mm hm."

"I love you." He chuckles. "I'm getting terribly redundant in my old age, aren't I?"

Elrond chuckles. "It's to be expected."

Gil-galad gasps. "And what is that supposed to mean, hmm?"

Elrond shakes his head. "Nothing, love."

"Hmph. Of course not." Gil-galad kisses his lover. "No matter." Elrond smiles at him. Gil-galad smiles back. Elrond kisses him on the nose. "I love you." Gil-galad grins.

Elrond giggles. "I love you too, dear."

"My darling Peredhil..." Gil-galad smiles. "All for me."

Elrond blushes. "Yes, all for you."

True to fashion, Gil-galad opens his mouth to say something, but is interrupted by a note flying through the window. He laughs at the absurdity of it.

Elrond sighs. "Oh dear. Do I even want to read this?"

Gil-galad snorts. "Probably not."

"Well... what does it say?" Elrond asks, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"'NOT all for you. Daddy-stealer. --A.'"

Elrond shakes his head. "How does she manage this?"

Gil-galad shrugs. "I'm not sure I want to know."

Elrond leans against him. "She has got to be watching us, which is pretty scary..."

"Even scarier than that time Isildur did."

"Goodness... I had forgotten that one." He glowers. "You had to bring it back up again, didn't you?"

"Um..." Gil-galad smiles meekly. "Master of bad timing?"

"That you are," Elrond agrees wholeheartedly. The king shrugs and kisses Elrond. Elrond pauses. "It doesn't really matter though... because your cuteness offsets it."

Gil-galad laughs. "Well...that's a good thing, then, I suppose."

Elrond nods. "I'd say so."

"Mm. You're quite cute yourself." Gil-galad grins and kisses Elrond possessively.

Elrond grins. "Why, thank you, dear."

"You're very welcome." Gil-galad pounces and pins his lover to the bed.

Elrond grins up at him. "It doesn't bother you that Arwen is most likely watching us now?"

"Um. No, not really. Maybe she'll get squicked to the point of leaving." Gil-galad grins.

Elrond nods. "Sounds good to me." He pauses. "Unless she decides to rush in here with a crowd of elves and try to get you to leave me alone."

Gil-galad laughs at the mental image. "That would actually be kind of amusing."

"Well... yeah... I guess."

"...but most likely not going to happen." He leans down closer to whisper: "I'm tempted to tell her about you-know-who and the-other-you-know-who so she can go bother them."

Elrond laughs. "That would be pretty funny..."

He grins evilly. "Should we?"

Elrond laughs and shrugs. "I don't care."

"It would be great fun. Well...until they found out how she found out..."

Elrond nods. "Even then... it would still be fun."

"It would. Maybe we could strike a deal with your daughter."

Elrond looks at him doubtfully. "Oh really? What kind of deal?"

A note flies in the door. Gil-galad opens it up and reads, "Yes...what kind of deal? Speak, daddy-stealer. --A."

Elrond chuckles. "We are both quite curious, dear."

"It seems that way, yes." Gil-galad laughs. "Alright. We'll tell her about you know who and the other you know who, and she takes us along, so we can see their reactions."

Elrond nods. "Sounds good to me."

"But she'll have to come in here," he says loudly, so she can hear.

Elrond chuckles. "Yes, Arwen dear. Come in here."

Arwen climbs through the window, Estel following her. "Alright. I agree to the deal. Now, tell me who it is!"

Elrond looks to Gil-galad, deciding to let him tell Arwen. The elf-king grins. "Welll...you know your grandfather?" Arwen looks at him like he's an idiot. "Of course you do. Well. Him and your tutor have decided to bed together."

Elrond grins, waiting for Arwen's inevitable response.

Arwen pales. "You mean...he...and he...and..." She faints.

Elrond blinks. "Well... that was interesting."

Gil-galad laughs. "Quieter than I thought."

Elrond nods. "I didn't expect her to faint; I thought she would be yelling."

"Exactly." Gil-galad notices Estel in the corner. "You got dragged into this mess, didn't you?"

He nods meekly. "Yes, I did."

You poor thing." He grins. "You know how to wake her up?"

Shrugging, he offers, "Well... you could try water..." He shrugs again. "I'm not sure."

"That's what I thought." Gil-galad gets up and fetches a pail of water. He laughs and splashes it on Arwen.

Elrond leans over, watching Arwen. She blinks up at them. "Glorfie and Grandpa?" she asks meekly.

Elrond nods. "Yes, that is who we are speaking of."

"They're...they're...you know..."

Elrond nods again. "As far as I know."

Gil-galad nods sagely. "Yes. They are."

Elrond elbows him. "We have no proof, but..." He pauses. "They do have their own room here..."

"Love," Gil-galad says calmly, "they all but said they were. You remember how we found them."

"Yes, yes," Elrond agrees.

He turns to Arwen. "Yes, they are. Now! for the deal."

Elrond chuckles. "Yes, you must keep your end of the deal."

Arwen takes a deep breath in. "Alright. I know where Glorfie's room is; that's probably where they are."

Elrond nods. "Most likely."

She stands up and smiles smally. "Alright, then. Follow me."

Meanwhile, with Glorfindel and Celeborn...

Celeborn grins at Glorfindel. "I wonder how Elrond and Gil-galad are faring..."

Glorfindel rolls his eyes. "It all depends, I suppose, on if Arwen has found them or not."

Celeborn nods. "This is true."

"I'm just glad she thinks we're discussing 'politics'," he says with a grin.

"I can't imagine the trouble we'd be in if she knew we weren't discussing politics..."

"Very true." He grins. "Now...politics..." He pulls himself closer to Celeborn.

Celeborn smiles. "Yes, that sounds very, very nice..."

Glorfindel kisses his new lover. Celeborn nuzzles closer to him. A note comes sailing in through the window, hitting Glorfindel on the head. He blinks.

Celeborn stares at the note. "What?" he asks, perplexed.

Glorfindel unfolds it. "Oh, for crying out...It's from Arwen. 'Granddaddy-stealer.'"

Celeborn blinks. "Well... I suppose that is directed at you..."

Glorfindel looks at him for a minute, then at the window. "I heard snickering. Snickering that vaguely sounded like the snickering I woke up to..."

Celeborn shakes his head. "I don't think it is..."

Glorfindel shrugs. "Whatever. But this--" he holds up the note-- "means that we are being watched."

Celeborn nods. "Yes... I'd say we are..."

"That also means that she somehow found out."

"Yes..." Celeborn agrees slowly. "Unless she realized what was really going on..."

"Oh, come now. This is Arwen we're talking about." Another note comes sailing through the window. "'I heard that.' Good for you, Arwen dear."

"Yes. You do have a point..."

"Of course I do."

"So... what are we going to do about it?"

"Well...we have two options: continue as we were, or invite her, or them, in."

Celeborn ponders this. "I don't know which is better."

Glorfindel leers. "Well, I know which is better..."

"Oh, you do, do you?"

"I do." He grins. "Which is more appropriate, however..."

Celeborn nods. "Yes, that would be the question."

Glorfindel sighs. "Arwen! Get in here, and bring whoever's with you too."

Celeborn nods in agreement, trying to look stern. There's a vague rustling outside the window. Celeborn waits for them impatiently.

Arwen slides through the window gracefully. "What?"

Celeborn looks at her skeptically. "Aren't there any others?"

At that moment, Gil-galad and Elrond tumble through the window, followed by Estel.

Celeborn nods. "Like you thought, Glorfindel."

"Told you so."

Celeborn rolls his eyes. Gil-galad laughs and sits down in a chair. Elrond smiles and opts to sit on Gil-galad's lap instead of the floor or some other surface. Glorfindel glares at them. "You told her, didn't you?"

Elrond shrugs. The High-king laughs and kisses Elrond's cheek. Celeborn glares at them. Gil-galad winks at Celeborn. Celeborn sighs, quite exasperated.

Arwen pouts. "Why?" she asks.

Celeborn looks at her strangely. "Why what?"

"You two," she says softly. "Why? What about Grandmum?"

Celeborn sighs. "You must understand..." He pauses. "There wasn't anything resembling love in that marriage." He sighs again. "I was very unhappy."

"And you'll be happy with...with him?" she asks, gesturing to Glorfindel.

"Well... I think so."

Glorfindel glares at him. "Think?"

Celeborn glares back. "I can't be sure until I've been with you for a looong time." He smiles. "But I'm almost positive."

Glorfindel mutters something that sounds like "indecisive."

Celeborn glares again. "I am not! I just take a long time to make good decisions."

"That's also known as indecisiveness."

"It is not! Indecisive people can't make up their minds! I just take in all the facts and make a good, sound judgment."

"Of course. Whatever you say." Glorfindel rolls his eyes and looks over to Gil-galad and Elrond. Elrond looks at him innocently. Glorfindel snorts. "And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the all-wise Lord of Imladris."

Elrond blinks. "What are you trying to imply?"

"Absolutely nothing."

"Yes, you are!"

"Of course I am, Elrond. Now what am I trying to imply?"

"I want to know!"

"Well, let me just say that when most people think of wise beings, they're not atop the lap of an elf-king."

Elrond merely glares at him. Gil-galad laughs. "And when people think of mighty elf-lords, they are not making out with each other." Elrond nods in agreement.

Arwen coughs. Elrond looks at her. "Yes?"

"I'm leaving now. Just...don't have an orgy or something. That would be too weird, even for you four." She shakes her head. "Come on, Estel."

"Well, guys, we're not allowed to have an orgy..." Elrond shakes his head. "Not like we were planning to."

Gil-galad laughs. Celeborn looks at them. "You can leave now."

Glorfindel blinks at him. "Wow."

Celeborn's eyes grow wide. "What?"

"You..." He shakes his head. "Never mind."

"Wha-at?"

Gil-galad laughs at this little exchange and pulls Elrond off his lap, exiting through the door. Elrond smiles. "They are so perfect!" he squeals.

"That they are."

Glorfindel grins at Celeborn. Celeborn sighs. "You are just lovely!"

"Thank you." He grins some more. "So are you."

Celeborn smiles. "What a nice thing to hear." He pauses. "I'm not used to hearing things like that..."

"I know." He laughs.

Celeborn rolls his eyes. "I think everyone knows."

"This is true." Glorfindel kisses Celeborn. Celeborn grins and wraps his arms around Glorfindel. Glorfindel smiles. "And now that we won't have anymore interruptions..."

Celeborn smirks. "That's what we thought last time too."

"Yeah, well..." Glorfindel laughs. "Oh! I know your secret, you know."

Celeborn eyes him warily. "Oh really?"

"Mm-hmm" He kisses the Lord again. Celeborn smiles at him and then plants a kiss on his nose. Glorfindel pulls him closer and whispers, "You did."

Celeborn glares. "And how did you come to this conclusion? I can't believe that you have talked to them about it already."

"Of course I have!"

Celeborn nods. "Right."

"I have." Glorfindel kisses him. "Don't you trust me?"

"I trust you, but not on this."

"I did! For Eru's sake, Celeborn..." He rolls his eyes. "Would you like me to call them back in here?"

Celeborn shakes his head vigorously. "Nope. I'd rather you didn't."

"Then just believe me."

Celeborn shrugs. "Fine."

"I think it's cute." He laughs. "I think you're cute."

"Hmph."

Glorfindel kisses Celeborn. "It's true."

Celeborn sighs. "Okay. I'm cute."

"Incredibly." He pauses. "You're many other things, too."

He raises an eyebrow. "Such as?"

"Beautiful, sexy, kind, nice, loving...should I go on?"

Celeborn chuckles and shakes his head. "No, no, you've gone far enough with that already." Glorfindel grins. Celeborn shakes his head. "You are a character."

"What kind of a character is that, hmm?" Glorfindel kisses Celeborn again.

"Just... a character."

"Just a regular old character? I'm hurt."

Celeborn rolls his eyes. "How about... you're an interesting character?"

"Better."

Celeborn smiles. "Well, I hope so."

Glorfindel crawls onto Celeborn's lap. "Oh, it is."

He chuckles. "Very good."

The elf-lord smiles, and cuddles closer to Celeborn, singing softly. Celeborn smiles happily. "I would almost say your voice is beautiful, but..." he pauses, "I'm sure you get that all of the time."

Glorfindel rolls his eyes. "Maybe I do, but it would mean the most coming from the one I love."

"Well then, I think your voice is lovely, and it adds to your all around beauty." Celeborn grins and kisses Glorfindel.

Glorfindel blushes slightly. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

He pushes a strand of hair behind Celeborn's ear. "I love you," he murmurs.

Celeborn drops a small kiss onto Glorfindel's cheek. "I love you too."

"Incredibly happy right now..." Glorfindel murmurs as he lays down, pulling his lover with him.

Celeborn nods, trying to pull himself closer to Glorfindel. "As am I."

"Good," Glorfindel whispers, deciding that the clothes were just separating them unnecessarily.

Celeborn grins happily. "It is so wonderful that they finally left us alone..."

"Isn't it though?" Glorfindel laughs.

"Rather amazing too." Celeborn smiles.

Glorfindel cuddles closer. "Not that I'm complaining or anything."

Celeborn chuckles. "No, no, it's definitely not something to complain about."

"For once..." Glorfindel grins. "I have nothing to say."

"That is amazing!" Celeborn laughs and kisses Glorfindel on his cheek.

"Yeah, I know." He grins. "And what do you have to say, hmm?"

Celeborn smiles. "Absolutely nothing..." He pauses. "I think."

"You think?"

"I think."

"So what do you have to say, then?"

"Um..." He pauses thoughtfully. "Umm... You're really adorable!"

Glorfindel laughs. "How very eloquent."

Celeborn pouts. "Hmph. I am eloquent."

"Then show me your eloquence." Glorfindel kisses the pout.

Celeborn pouts more. "Wha-at?"

"Your eloquence. I want to hear you be eloquent." Glorfindel smiles.

"I don't want to be eloquent."

"Then why did you say you were?"

"Because I can be eloquent if I want to."

"You're a tease, is what you are."

"A tease?"

"Yes."

"I am not."

"Are too."

"I'm not."

"You are."

Celeborn crosses his arms stubbornly. "I am not!"

"You are too."

"I am not!!!"

"You are too!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!"

"No, no, no!"

"Yes."

"No, no, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are."

"No."

"Yes."

"NO."

"Oh, for Eru's sake..." Glorfindel rolls his eyes and kisses Celeborn fiercely.

Celeborn grins. "I'm still not." Then, leans in to give Glorfindel a kiss.

He kisses back. "You are too."

Celeborn smiles at his lover. Glorfindel beams. "I love it when you smile!"

The elf laughs. "Well...good."

Celeborn nods. "Yes, good."

"Well, then..." Glorfindel cuddles to Celeborn. Celeborn grins, being sure to get as close to Glorfindel as he can. Glorfindel laughs. "You're so adorable."

Celeborn blinks. "I suppose that is a good thing."

"It is. It's a very good thing."

Celeborn just smiles at him and nods. Glorfindel raises an eyebrow. Celeborn, grinning madly, gives him a big hug. "I love you!!"

The other elf laughs. "I love you, too." He laughs more. Celeborn continues to grin and buries his face in Glorfindel's shoulder. Glorfindel laughs even more. "You are so completely adorable!"

In response, he only grins wider into Glorfindel's shoulder.

Glorfindel kisses Celeborn's shoulder. "Are you hiding?"

He raises his head, smiling. "No!"

"Then what are you doing?" Glorfindel smiles.

"Putting my face in your shoulder!"

"Oh. Of course. Silly me." He laughs.

Celeborn nods. "Yes, silly you."

"Now why exactly were you putting your face in my shoulder?"

He shrugs. "Your shoulder is nice."

Glorfindel laughs. "Well, that's good to hear. My shoulder is nice."

"It most definitely is. A very nice shoulder indeed."

"And, uh, I'm very glad you think so?" Glorfindel rolls his eyes. "Because I suppose the rest of me is just, you know, mediocre or something."

Celeborn laughs. "You are wonderful, very nice, as nice as your shoulder, in fact."

"Good to hear." Glorfindel smirks. "You're very nice, too. As is your shoulder, I'm sure."

Celeborn nods. "Well, thank you, dear." He chuckles.

"You're quite welcome." He kisses Celeborn. Celeborn smiles and kisses him back. "Rawr." Glorfindel pounces.

Celeborn chuckles. "So aggressive!"

"Well, one of us has to be."

"Hmph. I would almost resent that, but it's true, so..."

"It is true. You're certainly not aggressive."

Celeborn sighs. "Yes, yes. I suppose I'm not aggressive."

"You suppose?"

He sighs. "I am..."

Glorfindel kisses him. "But that's alright."

Celeborn chuckles. "It had better be!"

He laughs. "It is, love, it is."

Celeborn smiles. "Yes." Glorfindel kisses his lover passionately. Celeborn grins and cuddles closer. "It is a good thing that you are aggressive..." he murmurs.

"Good for you, or good for me?"

"Good for me..."

Glorfindel laughs. "That's what I thought."

Celeborn smiles. "Yep. It could be good for you too, though."

"Oh, really?" Glorfindel grins.

"Yes." Celeborn nods affirmatively.

"How so?"

Celeborn shrugs. "If you weren't aggressive then we wouldn't get anywhere."

"This is very, very true." He kisses the other again.

"We'd be quite stuck..." Celeborn kisses his lover.

"Stuck, huh? Yes, I suppose we would be."

"Yes... And being stuck is not good..."

"Mmm...no, it's not." Glorfindel kisses Celeborn. Celeborn kisses his neck. "I love you," Glorfindel murmurs.

"Love you too..."

At this point, a note comes sailing in the window. Glorfindel picks it up, scowling. "I thought they finished with this!"

Celeborn sighs. "Oh dear... what does it say this time?"

He opens it up. "'You're still a grandfather-stealer. --A."

Celeborn shakes his head. "Goodness... she doesn't give up."

"She certainly doesn't get it from you." Glorfindel shakes his head. "No, I'd say she gets it from Galadriel." He pauses. "Or Elrond."

Celeborn laughs. "That's for sure. Definitely not from me."

Glorfindel shakes his head again. "Definitely not."

"She's too loud and annoying to be like me." A note flies in, hitting Celeborn on the head. Glorfindel stifles laughter. "Uh oh..." Celeborn eyes the note warily.

Glorfindel picks the note up, grinning madly.

"So?" Celeborn asks.

He laughs. "'I am NOT loud and annoying!! -A.'"

Celeborn chuckles. "You are, Arwen, dear."

Instead of a note flying through, a voice shouts, "AM NOT!!!"

Celeborn laughs. "Whatever you say."

Glorfindel grins and calls out the window, "Arwen...go away!"

Celeborn shouts his agreement. "Yes! Leave! Go annoy your father!"

"FINE!!!" comes the response.

Have fun, dear!" Celeborn yells. Glorfindel laughs. Celeborn listens out the window. "Do you think she's gone?"

He sighs. "I hope so."

Celeborn chuckles. "Probably not though."

"Right now, I couldn't care less." He sighs again. "I'm tired of all these interruptions."

Celeborn smiles. "I am too."

Glorfindel grins like a Cheshire cat. Celeborn shakes his head. The other pounces. Celeborn smiles at him. He kisses Celeborn.

Celeborn grins. "So forceful..." He kisses his lover back.

"Like I said...one of us has to be." He laughs and kisses back.

Celeborn nods. "Mm hm..."

"And since you're not..."

"You have to be..."

"Exactly." He kisses Celeborn's forehead.

Celeborn nods, smiling sweetly at Glorfindel. "Of course." Glorfindel laughs. Celeborn grins at him. "I love it when you laugh!"

He laughs some more at that. "And I love you."

Celeborn snuggles close to his lover. "I love you very much."

"Good." Glorfindel smiles smugly.

"Of course, it's good for you!" He looks at him fondly. "What would you do if I didn't love you?"

He grins. "Probably my Mandos addiction would escalate, and they'd just stop kicking me out."

Celeborn laughs. "Oh really?"

"Oh, I'm sure." He chuckles. "Do you have any idea how many times I've faked my death?"

"I haven't a clue, but I trust you won't do anymore. I think it would give me a fright, thinking you're dead and all."

Glorfindel laughs. "Of course I wouldn't! Why would I want to?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. I figure that you still like Mandos."

The Mandos-addict rolls his eyes. "But I like Celeborn a whole lot more."

Celeborn grins, looking very happy. "That is a wonderful thing to hear!"

"I think I'll have to repeat that quite a few times over the next...er...long while. Galadriel's done quite a number on your psyche."

"She has?" He looks at him quizzically.

Glorfindel nods. "Yes. Or have you always been this meek and...um...meek?"

"Well... I don't know. It's been so long... I have been thinking it's normal..." He pauses. "I never really thought about it."

"Well. I think it may have become normal for you, but..."

"Not many people are this meek?"

"Sure." Glorfindel smiles. "Now. 'Politics.'"

Celeborn nods. "Of course. Politics."

Letting Celeborn and Glorfindel start with 'politics', we move now to Elrond and Gil-galad who have just finished their own sort of 'politics'.

Elrond grins at Gil-galad. "I love you, dear."

"I love you, too." He laughs.

Elrond smirks. "How could you not love me?"

"I honestly don't know."

Elrond laughs. "Of course."

Gil-galad shakes his head. "You're absolutely horrible."

"Me?"

"No, your twin."

Elrond raises his eyebrow. "Oh really?"

Gil-galad rolls his eyes. "Yes, I'm really talking to Elros right now. Sorry to confuse you."

"Oh yes, I was so confused." He laughs.

"I'm sure." He smirks. "Because you just know how much I'm in love with Elros."

"Yes, yes, and how much more adorable he is than me."

"And...oh, forget it." He laughs. "I'm not going anywhere near that topic."

Elrond looks at him. "What?"

Gil-galad shakes his head. "Nothing."

"Come on, tell me."

"No."

"Tell meee!"

"No."

"Yeeeeees!"

"Make me."

"How!?"

"I don't know."

"Just tell me!"

"Love, I can't even remember what we're arguing about."

"It was something about me or Elros! Tell me!" Elrond whines stubbornly.

"Um...I love you?"

Elrond crosses his arms. "It's not going to work."

"Well...fine."

Elrond sits quietly like that for a moment. Gil-galad sits as well, looking at his lover. "Tell meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" The king laughs. "I want to know!"

"I'm sure you do."

"Tell me now!"

"Elrond, love, dearest...I can't remember what I was going to say."

"Hmph. Sure."

"And I only meant that I didn't want to start discussing the differences and similarities between you two." He smiles confusedly. "I think."

"I highly doubt that." Elrond pouts.

"Well, then, what do you think I was going to say?"

"I don't know! But not that."

Gil-galad rolls his eyes and falls back on the bed.

"You said, 'I don't want to talk about that topic" or something," Elrond whines. "And I think you know what you were going to say, but just don't want to tell me."

"And what if that is the case, hmm?"

"Then..." he pauses. "I don't know!"

"Look, you said 'you know how much more adorable he is than me', right?" He looks at his lover. "And I said 'I'm not going anywhere near that topic'--but I was laughing! Joking! Love, it doesn't mean anything!"

He looks at him doubtfully. "Well..." He tackles Gil-galad. "Okay!"

Gil-galad laughs and rolls over playfully.

"You are so cute!" Elrond squeals, attacking Gil-galad again.

He grins and kisses Elrond playfully as well. "Yeah, I know."

"That's good. Though, I think I need to stop saying things like that; it will inflate that humongous ego even more." He grins at his lover. "Yes, I think I need to stop complimenting you."

Gil-galad pouts.

"No more compliments for you."

He pouts more.

Elrond grins at him.

"So you're not going to give me any more compliments ever ever again?" Gil-galad whines.

Elrond continues to grin. "Maybe..."

Gil-galad pouts.

Elrond smiles. "I don't know..."

He pouts more.

"I don't think you need anymore compliments."

"Why?" Gil-galad whines.

Elrond chuckles. "I think your ego is big enough already without my compliments."

The king gasps. "You think my ego is big?!"

Elrond laughs. "Just a little." He spreads his arms out to indicate just how big. Gil-galad frowns. "Awww. You know I still love you, even if you do have a huge ego."

He grins and pounces Elrond. "Good!"

He smiles and sighs. "I don't know anyone else who would put up with you."

The elder grins. "But apparently all these little elflings are falling over themselves to try, so..."

Elrond looks at him skeptically. "So?"

"I don't know." He shrugs. "I was just trailing off."

Elrond nods. "I figured as much."

Gil-galad kisses his lover. Elrond opens his mouth to say something, but thinks better of it, and closes it again. Gil-galad laughs. Elrond just shakes his head and kisses him. The elf-king cuddles up to Elrond. Elrond nuzzles into his lover's neck and pouts. "Why are you pouting, love?" Gil-galad whispers into Elrond's ear.

"It's hard for me to be around you and not compliment you. It's second nature to me!" he whines, continuing to pout.

Gil-galad laughs softly. "Poor dear..."

"I know! This is difficult..."

"Mmm...can I make it up to you somehow?"

Elrond smiles mischievously. "And how would you plan to do that, love?"

"Oh, I don't know..." Gil-galad grins. Elrond looks at him expectantly. He blinks.

"I think you need to make it up to me. Now." Elrond nods.

"Now?"

"Yes. Now."

"You're sure?" Elrond nods. "And how would you like me to make it up to you, hmm, Peredhel?" he says with a kiss.

Elrond smiles at him. "Anyway you wish."

"That's not an answer." Gil-galad frowns.

Elrond pouts. "Well, it's my answer."

"Fine." He kisses his lover roughly.

"This is acceptable..." Elrond returns the kiss.

"So glad it meets your approval."

"If it didn't, I might have walked right out of this room." Elrond smirks at him.

"And I would have been utterly heartbroken, love." He smiles smally.

Elrond gives him a soft kiss. "Really? Well, that is good to know."

"Really." He pauses. "Well...I probably would have run out after you, but I'd be really really sad."

Elrond laughs. "It's even better that you would have ran after me." Gil-galad smiles and shrugs. "You are so-" He stops himself in mid-sentence.

"So what, melnin?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

Gil-galad frowns. "You were going to compliment me, weren't you?"

"Maaaaybe."

"Then why won't you tell me?"

"I'm not allowed to compliment you."

"Then it was a compliment!"

Elrond smacks his forehead. "Oops."

Gil-galad grins and kisses his lover. "You're so wonderful."

Elrond blinks, then smiles. "Well... thank you."

"Modest, too." Elrond raises his eyebrows. "You are."

Elrond ponders this. "I guess..."

"Oh, come now. Elrond, modest, they go together."

Elrond shakes his head, grinning. "Sure, whatever you say."

"You're so beautiful."

Elrond blushes. "Er... Thank you."

"See?" Gil-galad smirks. Elrond continues to blush and shakes his head. Gil-galad opens his mouth to say something, when a note comes sailing in the room. He sighs, opens it, and reads: "'By request, I have been sent to bother you. So I am now bothering you. ---A.'"

Elrond rolls his eyes. "You don't really want to watch us, do you?"

Very quickly, another note comes in. "'Um, no, not really. But I'm bothering you, aren't I? --A.'"

Elrond looks at Gil-galad. "Umm... nope. Not at all."

Gil-galad blinks. "She's not bothering me." He shakes his head. "Not after that Isildur incident..."

Elrond rolls his eyes. "I'm sure Arwen doesn't want to hear about this."

Gil-galad picks up the note that has flown in. "'You are very right. ---A.'"

Elrond laughs. "So I'm sure you don't want to tell it."

"Love?"

"Yes?"

"Who wouldn't want to tell what?"

"You wouldn't want to tell about the Isildur incident."

"Oh." He smiles. "Of course."

Elrond nods approvingly. Gil-galad kisses his lover. Elrond grins and returns the kiss. And of course, Gil-galad continues it. Elrond breaks off the kiss. "You are quite-" He stops himself for the second time already.

The king pouts. "Ugh. You're so frustrating."

Elrond sticks out his tongue. Gil-galad gets a devious look in his eyes and licks it. Elrond blinks, completely surprised and somewhat taken aback. "What?!"

Gil-galad smirks.

"What?" he repeats again, continuing to stare at Gil-galad.

"Hmm?"

"What?" He asks, for a third time.

"Why do you keep saying 'what', love?"

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

Elrond, unable to form any coherent sentences, just sticks out his tongue and makes motions.

Gil-galad blinks. "Oooookaaay."

Elrond just shakes his head. "Yeah."

"You do realize, love, that that made absolutely no sense?" He smiles.

Elrond shrugs and smiles. Gil-galad laughs and kisses Elrond again, note flying through the window and hitting him. Elrond sighs and glances at the note. "She just doesn't quit."

The elder frowns and opens the note. "'You're still a daddy stealer, G-g. ---A.'"

Elrond sighs again. "What else would he be, Arwen?"

Gil-galad gasps. "I am not a daddy stealer!"

Elrond rolls his eyes and laughs. "Yes, you are, according to Arwen."

A note sails in. Gil-galad reads, "'You could be a Glorfie-stealer. I wouldn't mind. And Grandfather could go back with Grandmum and Daddy could be...Daddy. ---A.'"

Elrond bursts into peals of laughter. "What do you think about that plan, dear? Sound good to you?"

Gil-galad leers. "And what if it did?"

Elrond frowns. "That wouldn't be good!"

He laughs. "It wouldn't?"

Shaking his head vigorously, Elrond replies, "Not at all!"

"And why not?" Gil-galad asks coyly.

"Iloveyou!" He shouts and clings to Gil-galad.

The elder elf smiles and wraps his arms are Elrond. "And I love you, too."

Elrond sighs contentedly against Gil-galad.

"What, are you happy or something?" Elrond nods. "Good. So am I."

Elrond smiles and stops himself before he compliments his lover again. Gil-galad opens his mouth to say something, but is interrupted by a knock on the door. Elrond disentangles himself from Gil-galad. "Who is there?" he asks, in his I'm-the-Lord-of-Imladris tone.

"Elladan and Elrohir!" comes the reply.

Elrond looks to Gil-galad questioningly. Gil-galad blinks. "What do you think they want?"

Elrond shrugs. "I haven't the faintest." Then he calls to the twins. "What do you want?"

"We are holding a dinner for everyone who has returned to Imladris!"

Elrond looks to Gil-galad. "Well... I suppose we should get ready..."

"I suppose so."

Elrond grins and shouts to the twins. "When is it?"

"In two hours!"

Elrond nods. "Okay. We'll be there."

They hear the footsteps fade away. Gil-galad grins. "How long do you think it'll take us to get ready?"

Elrond chuckles. "I'm not sure; what do you think?"

"Well...I was just thinking that if it doesn't take us long to get ready, we can...have fun beforehand, and get ready right before." He leers.

Elrond grins. "Well, it sounds like a marvelous plan to me."

"I thought you might like it."

"Of course! It's perfect."

"Why thank you."

Elrond chuckles and grins happily at his lover. Gil-galad grins and kisses Elrond. Elrond murmurs some noise of approval and continues to kiss the other elf. And this continues for quite some time. Elrond pulls away from Gil-galad. "You are lovely," he says, deciding Gil-galad deserves a compliment by now.

"Why thank you." Gil-galad grins, kissing Elrond quickly. "And it's about time."

Elrond sighs. "Yes, it is."

He blinks. "You're agreeing with me?"

"...Yes..."

"Wow."

"Now, no acting amazed." Elrond mock-glares at him.

"But I am amazed!" He laughs. "No acting here."

Elrond shakes his head. "Okay."

"I wouldn't have thought you'd cave so soon."

"I'm not caving. Just every once and a while you deserve a small compliment," Elrond argues stubbornly.

Gil-galad smiles. "Of course, love." He kisses his lover.

Elrond nods. "Yes. Of course."

"I love you."

Elrond grins widely. "I love you too."

Gil-galad pulls Elrond closer. "Good."

"I'd say it is." Elrond snuggles up to him.

Gil-galad smiles. "I don't think we should have too much fun right now, though, love, since we'll just need to get dressed again soon." He grins wickedly.

Elrond sighs. "Yes, yes. I suppose so."

"Later love, don't worry."

Elrond nods. "Okay."

"Oh, don't sound so excited." Gil-galad laughs.

"Don't worry; I won't." Elrond sticks out his tongue.

"Watch out, I might just lick it again."

Elrond grins. "And maybe I wouldn't mind, hm?"

Gil-galad leers. "Oh, you wouldn't, would you?"

"...As long as I'm expecting it..."

"Well then, I guess you'll have to expect the unexpected, hmm?"

Elrond chuckles. "I suppose so." Gil-galad grins and licks Elrond's cheek. Elrond's eyes widen. "What!? Do you have some kind of strange fondness for licking me?"

He leers. "Among other things..."

Elrond blushes. "I left myself open for that one."

"Yes, you really did." He grins.

"Well..." Elrond pauses, looking for another conversation topic.

"Deep subject." Gil-galad laughs. Elrond shakes his head, chuckling. Gil-galad lays back on the bed, looking at the ceiling. Elrond plops himself on Gil-galad's stomach, grinning down at him. He laughs. "Well, now. Hello there."

Elrond waves. "Hello."

"And what do you want, little Peredhel?"

Elrond shrugs. "I don't know..."

Gil-galad raises an eyebrow. "You don't know?"

"Nope."

He pulls his lover down. "No idea whatsoever?" he murmurs.

"Well... this might be good..."

"Mmm." He finds Elrond's hand and kisses the palm.

Elrond chuckles. "Don't we have to go to the banquet soon, love?"

"Soon." He smiles. "But not now."

Elrond nods. "I think I can deal with that."

"Well, good. Because I wasn't going to let you up just yet."

"I didn't think you were." Elrond grins at him.

"Why would I?"

"I haven't a clue. You'd have to be crazy!"

Gil-galad laughs. "So I would." He kisses his lover. Elrond giggles and leans in for another kiss. He happily obliges Elrond.

Elrond sighs. "It's a shame we have to go to the banquet and look presentable..."

"Yes...quite a shame."

Elrond grins. "Oh well, it is a relief to be back home, far away from Galadriel."

Gil-galad laughs. "Indeed. Frightening drunk or sober."

Elrond shakes his head. "I don't know how Arwen can spend so much time around her."

"Well...you know what they say. Like attracts like." He pauses. "And yet, opposites attract."

Elrond grins. "Hm. What a little paradox. I suppose anything attracts anything."

"I suppose so." He grins.

Elrond shrugs. "It seems that way to me."

"Well, I know what I'm attracted to."

Elrond grins. "Me?"

Gil-galad says, perfectly deadpan, "No. Elros."

Elrond frowns. "You're not being serious."

"Of course I am."

Elrond shakes his head. "You are not."

"Yes, I am. Dead serious."

"Nah ah!"

"You wanna bet?"

"Yes!"

"Why wouldn't I be attracted to Elros?"

"Because you love meeeeeeeeee!"

"So?"

"Isn't that good enough? You can't be attracted to him."

"Why not?"

"Because I said so."

"And why would that stop me?"

"Well, it should. And that's that."

Gil-galad smiles softly. "If I were attracted to him, it would only be because he reminds me of you."

Elrond smiles and buries his head in Gil-galad's chest. "That's good."

"Now, love," he murmurs, "I think we should get ready for this dinner thing."

Elrond sighs. "I guess so..."

Gil-galad sits up, taking Elrond along with him. "Come on now, love, it won't be that bad. And plus we'll get to see Glorfindel and Celeborn try to restrain themselves. That should be at least a little amusing."

Elrond chuckles. "I would say that they're worse than us."

"Well, they've also just started their relationship." He grins.

Elrond nods. "That is true. They are hilarious."

"Think Glorfie's Mandos addiction is cured?"

Elrond grins. "If I were him it would be."

"Are you trying to say you're attracted to Celeborn?" Gil-galad grins.

Elrond shakes his head. "No! I'm saying if it was me and I met you and I had a Mandos addiction then it would be cured."

"Of course." Gil-galad plants a kiss on Elrond. "Now, we need to get ready."

The End

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~~~~~~~~~~~ The Monster by Danielle ~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 1: Mandos!

Part 2: Love Story! I

Part 2: Love Story! II

Part Three: Party! I

Part 3: Party! II

Part 3: Party! III

Part 3: Party! IV

Part 4: Mystery!

Part 5: Imladris!

Part 6: Notes!

~
The Monster
by Danielle
~