Chapter 7: Laughter

They were both getting better. Lord Elrond had been watching Estel and Legolas for quite a while now, getting distracted from several letters he had to answer—and which the twins should have finished off the previous day, but then, he could hardly blame them for not being interested. He certainly didn't enjoy these letters. Watching Legolas improving in spotting what was going wrong where, correcting the tiniest of things in the bend of Estel's knees or the position of his elbow, and Estel getting slowly but steadily better, was a much-appreciated distraction.

The door to his study opened, and Elrond didn't have to turn around to identify the soft footsteps. Erestor stood next to him at the window, and they shared the silence for a moment. Then Elrond asked, "Did Legolas tell you how long he would be staying?"

"No," Erestor said. After a few moments, he added, "He has not told you?"

Elrond shook his head, his eyes still on the pair outside. Legolas was now demonstrating something, drawing an arrow and nocking, as Estel watched intently. Estel said something, and Legolas repeated the actions, this time a little slower. Elrond had to smile. Impatience was a rare quality amongst Elves, but it seemed that Estel and Legolas had found kindred spirits in each other. He was now only worried that Legolas would leave too soon. While it was true that in these times Eryn Galen needed her Prince and one of her best warriors, the Prince himself also needed time away from the darkness of that forest. Besides that, Elrond had a completely selfish reason for wanting Legolas to stay longer—he often missed the young Elf.

"If he decides to leave after a few days again, Erestor, I will do something to make him stay here."

Erestor chuckled. "I think everybody would appreciate that, hir nîn. Especially your sons."

Elrond could not help smiling then. Legolas and the twins had been friends for long, and had helped each other out of–and landed each other in–several dangerous situations. While Estel was growing as close to Legolas as 'Dan and 'Ro were, Elrond fervently hoped their friendship would be slightly less dangerous. He turned away from the window, remembering why he was in the study in the first place.

"Erestor?" he asked. From the look on Erestor's face, though, Elrond suspected that he had already guessed what Lord Elrond was leading at. "Would you help me with the letters?" He tried not to make this sound like it wasn't a recurring event, but he was not having much success.

Erestor smiled and shook his head. "I thought," he said, approaching the desk and eyeing the rather large stack of letters on it, "That you had gotten Elladan and Elrohir to read these unimportant ones."

"They could not finish them," Elrond said, sighing, "And more have arrived."

Erestor laughed softly. "I do not blame them." But nonetheless, he sat down and picked up a letter. As Lord Elrond sat down and began reading a letter himself, the scribe began talking, relating some tale or the other that Elrond could not recall having ever happened, despite Erestor's assurances that it had happened here, in Imladris. Elrond did not mind at all—it made the whole process much more enjoyable.

Legolas grinned as Estel's arrow hit the target perfectly, for the third time in a row. Estel was smiling as well, clearly pleased. Glad that they had reached somewhere, Legolas led the way to the benches at the edge of the field, a clear sign that they were finished for the day. He saw Estel's grin widen a little more, and they sat down on the bench, shedding bows and quivers.

"Thank Eru," Legolas said, glancing at Estel. "I was terrified I would be completely incompetent at teaching archery."

Estel laughed. "Maybe not completely competent," he said, with a mischievous smile that reminded Legolas just whose brother he was, "But you have rescued me from Glorfindel, for which I am eternally thankful."

Legolas grinned in response and looked up. The sun shone pleasantly on Imladris; there was none of the bite with which it heated the pavilions of Eryn Galen. He was glad that Estel was now comfortable enough to tease him, but while Estel had also stopped calling him 'Prince', he had yet to call him anything.

"Shall we go inside?" Estel asked, again, not referring to him by his name.

Legolas stood up. "By all means." The sunlight was beautiful, but, even in Imladris, midday after a training session was not the best time to admire it.

The day passed uneventfully enough. Legolas spent the afternoon and evening in the company of the three brothers, who had decided, after he voiced his love of the sunlight in Imladris, to take him to the Garden. There were many gardens in Imladris, but this one was special—it had been the Lady Celebrían's garden, that she had tended herself, and was even now given the most care of any of the gardens. Legolas had visited it often, but this was the first time he had spent hours in it.

From Estel's and the twins' behaviour, he guessed that it was something they did often. He did not blame them. It was a beautiful place, shaded by trees and filled with flowers from Imladris and Lórien, the air sweet and cleansing and cool, radiating a strong sense of peace and comfort. They had stretched out on the grass, uncaring of the mud stains; they had joked and teased each other; Legolas had introduced and reacquainted himself with several trees; Elrohir had told tales they all knew, never managing to finish any of them because Estel and Elladan would jump in and finish his sentences; Legolas had been coaxed into attempting to compose poetry on the twins. The last one had, thanks to Estel, been a success—the boy was sharp, and quite keen on poetry that threw not-so-subtle jibes at 'Dan and 'Ro.

The twins had, at first, attempted to act upset and hurt, but they had failed miserably, and soon they were all reduced to tears of mirth, as Legolas tried to find a rhyme for 'Head as thick as a Gondorian wall'.

When the sun began to set and they finally got up and left the garden, Legolas could not help thinking how much he would miss Imladris. He knew he would have to leave soon—it was not a time of peace, no matter how much he wanted to believe it, and he had duties. But then he reminded himself that he did not need to leave just yet, and he focused on the present.

Still laughing, they made their way into the Last Homely House. They tried to control their laughing, but every time someone regained their composure, another person–usually Estel–would exclaim, 'Wall!' and they would be in fits of laughter again.

When they reached the dining room, still giggling, they were greeted with such looks of disapproval from Glorfindel and Lady Gilraen that they sobered immediately. Then Lord Elrond asked, "What have you been doing? Rolling in the dirt, swimming in the mud, or climbing walls?"

Legolas was quite sure they could not be blamed for the rather undignified way they began laughing in the dining room. Lord Elrond had, after all, asked for it.

A/N: As an advance apology of sorts, you get a light-hearted chapter. Sort of. I'm very inexperienced in the humour field, and it really shows here. Suggestions and criticism, please?

I have acquired a Beta (yay!) but the beta-ing process might not start until after November, since NaNo is going on and everyone is busy. However, posts will remain on schedule (un-Beta-ed, as they have been) and I might even get out a one-shot this week. More Imladris for all of you!

Question: Would you prefer translations for the Sindarin terms used here, or would you rather not? I was planning on just putting up a link to a list of common words on my profile, since it would save the hassle, but I need your opinions.

In the meantime, le hannon to lurkers, favouriters, followers and reviewers! Best of luck to everyone doing NaNoWriMo, and see you again next week!