As Estel entered the hall, he heard a loud crash that seemed to come
from the stairs. He looked and saw Legolas and Elladan sliding down
the steps on silver trays. Elrohir was getting ready to slide down
the banister. " You are supposed to be in your rooms," he
said.
Glorfindel came out into the hall. " Your Ada will not be happy
to
see you using his trays as sleds. Now stop this nonsense and return
to your rooms!" he told the three miscreants.
"Oh, very well. But just you wait. We will have our revenge!"
Elladan cackled as he and his brother returned to their rooms.
Legolas followed.
"Estel, would you please return the trays to the kitchen? It
would
be appreciated. I have a meeting with Lord Celeborn and King
Thranduil shortly."
"I will return them, Glorfindel. Perhaps those three will settle
down."
Glorfindel privately thought that highly unlikely, but kept his
doubts to himself.
Having finished his task, Estel went to his father's study to
retrieve a book he had been reading. He would finish it before the
dinner bell rang.
As he entered the hall, he saw the door to his room shut. He was
instantly alert, as he remembered shutting it before he left on his
errand. As Estel entered his room, he thought he saw someone leap
from his balcony. "What is going on?" he muttered.
As his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room, he noticed
something near the bed. His eyes widened as he saw it. "ELLADAN!
ELROHIR! LEGOLAS!" Estel's roar could be heard throughout
Rivendell,
and perhaps almost to Mirkwood! "GET IN HERE NOW!"
Glorfindel looked into the room. "Estel! Must you make so much
noise? I almost lost a finger. I was making a new quill for
your…Oh,
My!" Glorfindel stared at what was in the room.
A miniature pond sat in the middle of the room, complete with frogs,
water, lilies and various fish.
Estel and Glorfindel looked at the pond, then at each other. The
three aforementioned elves were laughing hysterically at their
friend and brother.
Just then, Elrond returned. He had heard Estel roar and thought it
best he be there. As he saw the problem, he could feel a headache
beginning. He looked at Glorfindel, who also appeared to be getting a
headache. It apparently was catching.
Elrond told all three "CLEAN IT UP!" "NOW!"
"Yes, Ada," said the twins with a smirk.
"Yes, Lord Elrond," replied the Mirkwood prince with an
innocent
look that fooled no one.
"When you are finished, you will return to your rooms until
dinner.
Is that clear?" Elrond could only hope that they were somewhat
sober. He really did not believe it, however.
The twins and Legolas, with a lot of help from their brother,
finally managed to get the room cleaned and straightened to some
degree of normalcy.
As they cleaned, the three were whispering among themselves. Estel
could only hear "Glorfindel", but nothing else.