"I want to talk to you."

The raven-haired Noldo was coming down the hallway, his clear-cut face stern. In his hand he brandished a book. "Would you like to tell me why this ancient relic has been drawn on?"

Arwen cringed. Elrohir turned very white. "I…because….you see…."

Erestor shoved the book in the twin's face. "Yes?" he rapped out.

Elrohir was moving back towards the wall. "Because…Estel drew on it!" he blurted out. This did nothing to assuage Erestor. "From my understanding, you were teaching Estel history. He was under your care."

"I know it doesn't look good, but Erestor, please." pleaded Arwen, standing by her brother.

Though her place as the youngest Elf in Rivendell had earned her a dear place with everyone, this standing did not work on Erestor. "Please what, Lady Arwen?"

"Well, what's the point of this?" argued Arwen. "You can't undo it, it's done, it will stay this way. I know books mean a lot to you, but this is just what Edain children do, I'm sure."

"And Elflings." snapped Erestor. He flipped to the inside of the cover. "What do you make of that, Evenstar?"
Arwen winced. Though probably unintelligibly to most of the Elves, she well remembered drawing the picture at about twenty years old, when her fondness for the blonde Elven-Prince had been quite strong. Thank Erù her brother did not know. Elrohir squinted at the shaky lines. "What is that?"

"Nothing." snapped Arwen, flipping the cover closed. "Lord Erestor, if you will just forgive young Estel, I will talk to him, I promise, and drive the lesson home."

"Right." snorted Elrohir. "That would take a Dwarven hammer."
Erestor glanced at the twin, and his lips twitched with a smile. "Very well, then. I shall forgive and forget…this time." he added warningly.

Estel kicked and thrashed, but there was no doubt. He could not sleep. Finally, he piled up all his covers and pillows on top of the bed, and sat and plotted on top of the mound, waiting for any welcome ray of light to shine into this dim prison room.

Nothing was forthcoming. He glowered even deeper and bounced rebelliously on his pile of blankets, as time spun it's long reel, tormenting him by the minute.
There was the click of a latch, and Estel sprang to his feet as a tall figure showed. "'Restor!" he sobbed in a paroxysm of gratitude.

The Noldo advisor smiled down at the little Adan. "Indeed. I see your care-takers have forgotten you."

"Forgotten me?"

"Conveniently, yes." said Erestor dryly, picking up the curly-headed child. "It is supper time now."

"What's for supper?" inquired Estel suspiciously.
"Something wonderful."

"I don't twust you."

"Do not fret. The feeling is mutual." returned Erestor, carrying him down the hallway.
Estel put his chubby hand in his mouth. "Oh."

The adviser set the child done, and straight away he dashed off to where the twins were seated. "You locked me!"

Elrohir winced. "No…we would have brought you food."

"I don't like bein' locked!" insisted Estel, righteously indignant.

"You weren't locked, you were locked in." muttered Elladan. "Because, and listen, I'll tell you why. You are an abject terror."

"What that?"

"A-a menace to all innocent life."

"Elladan, you're exaggerating again." said a gentle voice.

Elladan glanced up at his sister. "No."

"Yes."

"No."

"I'm sorry, but I'm right." said Arwen decidedly. "Estel, are you hungry?"

"Why are you acting so innocent?" grumbled Elrohir. "You were as much for locking him in as we were."

Arwen frowned. "Not for that long."

"Estel, over here!"

The child, after glaring at his brothers, trotted over to Erestor's side. "Yes?"

The Noldo pointed to an empty space. "Sit here. I need to talk to you."

Estel was growing alarmed. "'Bout what?"

"Something. Listen closely."

0~0

Elladan stumbled into his room, his eyes bleary. Untangling his braid, he picked up his comb and began to brush his hair. A minute later, a shout of rage echoed through Imladris that made even Elrohir, hardened prankster that he was, wince. Estel clung very tightly to Erestor, none too sure of the pity his brother would have on him. "Will he kill me, 'Restor?"

The advisor considered this for a moment. "Yes."

0~0

Elrond felt refreshed, he had to admit it, as the dawning breeze of summer carried the fragrance of flowers to him. The Orcs were gone, and Imladris was still standing. Arwen was right, this had been good for him.

He pulled his horse to a stop, as he saw two glowering figures standing on the bridge, arms folded. "Ada, I am assured you must hate us." said Elladan. Elrond noticed that his hair was cut. He frowned. "No, I do not."

Elrohir raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you make us watch over that little menace?"

"Estel? What did he do?"

"He put sap in my hairbrush!" spluttered Elladan in a rage. "Pine sap! I had to cut my hair!"

Elrond sighed. "Poetic justice, ionnath, I am afraid. Pardon me."

Arwen, sitting demurely on the wall, smiled to herself as she got down to greet her father. Now that they had been on the receiving end of trouble, she felt sure her brothers would not be so quick to play another prank. This had all worked out, brilliantly.