Glorfindel Says …

Snow had fallen overnight – deep, lovely snow that covered the lawns and pathways with a carpet of white, marked only by the runic prints of birds. 

In the grey light of dawn Elladan and Elrohir burst into their parents’ room and leaped onto the bed.  “Ada!  Nana!  It’s been snowing!  Can we go outside and play?”

Celebrian sighed as she sat up, knowing full well that it would be pointless to refuse.  “Very well.  But you must dress warmly.”

“We will!” Elrohir promised.  He shivered theatrically.  “It’s cold.  Glorfindel says it’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a Balrog!”

Raining Cats And Dogs

When Elrohir came in he was soaked to the skin.  Water dripped from his cloak and formed small puddles on the library floor.  He shook himself and sneezed. “Valar!  It’s raining cats and dogs out there.”

Estel had been staring glumly at the teeming rain, but he turned, his eyes widening.  “Really?  Let me see!”  He dashed past Elrohir and out into the downpour.

“Estel, I didn’t mean … come back!  You’ll get soaked!”

Minutes later Estel splashed back through the puddles, wet through and triumphant; bearing a small, bedraggled grey cat he’d found sheltering under the bushes.

“Look!  I found one!”

O! Water Is Fair That Leaps on High

Estel traced the sound of hammering and cursing and found Elrohir, struggling with the sluice wheel controlling water to the stables.

Elrohir glanced up, rubbing his face with a grimy hand.  “Estel!  Come and help me.   The horses had no water this morning, because some idiot had turned it off.  When I say, pull.”  He swung the hammer at the pin that held the wheel.  “Now!”

Elrohir’s hammer blow must have loosened something.  The wheel moved easily when Estel pulled, and he stumbled backwards, still clutching it.  A jet of water shot skywards, drenching them both.

“Estel!  Not like that!”

Diversions

The distant sound of splashing, cursing, and peals of high-pitched laughter drew Erestor.  The twins were supposed to be keeping Estel out of the house during preparations for his birthday feast, but they had not returned when expected.  Erestor followed the noise and stood on the bank, looking down at the scene below him.

Estel was soaked through, and his brothers were little better.  Elrohir’s hair hung in limp strands and Elladan was knee-deep in the rushing waters, clutching a great stone.  He placed it carefully, then looked up and waved.

“Erestor!  We’re showing Estel how to dam the river.”

A Riddle In The Dark

Erestor did not need a candle.  He knew every step, every inch of the cellars, and could put his hand on anything required even in total darkness.  But as he neared the foot of the stairs he suddenly stepped into unexpected water.

Standing quite still, he reached out and took matches and a candle from a shelf.   The flame reflected off dark water, for the cellar had unaccountably become an underground lake.  Barrels and casks floated here and there, and water dripped in the distance.

He stared in disbelief, then turned and bellowed up the stairs. 

“Elladan!  Elrohir!  Come here!”

Sea Fever

The splashing waves sent glittering drops flashing in the sunlight.  Another broke over the bow of the little boat as it danced across the sun-capped waves, splashing into Elrohir's face. He licked his lips, tasting the salty tang; and laughed with the sheer exuberance of being alive, awed at the immensity of the ocean.

Silvery shapes flickered in the water and he leaned closer to watch. "El, come here and see the fish!"

"No."

He turned at the bleak tone to see Elladan huddled in the stern, thoroughly miserable.  "Can we go back? I don't think I feel very well."