The past week had been an interesting one to say the least for the residents of Rivendell. The prank war between the twin sons of Lord Elrond - Elladen and Elrohir - against their adopted brother Estel and his friend, fondly known as the terror of Mirkwood, Prince Legolas, had escalated beyond anything that had been seen before. The senior elves viewed this with prank war with a weary sigh, knowing that it was only for a week and that for elves, a week was not a lot of time. Feathers, water, paint, dye, even honey at one stage, had been used in various forms against each other. Elrond was over heard to declare at one stage that he didn't care what they did as long as they didn't kill each other so that he'd have to patch them up again - or destroy the house; he was fine with what they did. This was just as well, as some of the pranks were quite inventive.

It was early evening on the very last night Legolas was going to be in Rivendell and a feast had been held in his honour. Estel was going to travel with Legolas and spend some time in Mirkwood before heading out with the Rangers again. The feast had gone on for a long time before everyone had retired to the Hall of Fire. The twins had been keeping a close eye on the two friends all evening, as no pranks had been played since yesterday morning and they were becoming quite paranoid again. But they were also sad to see their brother leave, as he had only been home for two weeks. Estel and Legolas were seated together near the fire on some cushions, a glass of fine wine in their hands and they were quite relaxed, listening to the various tales and songs. Estel sighed and Legolas looked over at him, raising an eyebrow at him.
"What troubles you Mellon nin?" Estel just gave a tiny smile and looked over at his friend.
"Just that I've just realised I miss this more than I thought I would." Legolas tilted his head to one side slightly, studying his friend.
"You mean, you miss your family and friends more than you thought you would while you're off wandering Middle Earth." When he got no response Legolas continued. "You know that no matter what happens Estel, this will always be your home, they will always be your family and they will always love you," and the pure mischievousness in Legolas's tone couldn't be helped as he spoke again, " no matter what torture we put the twins through." This got a soft but true laugh out of Estel, which had been Legolas's intention. Estel looked over at his friend, his grey eyes shining with mirth and love for his dear friend.
"No matter what the situation mellon nin, you always know what to say to lighten my mood. Wish that you could travel with me always." Legolas smiled and placed his hand gently on Estel's chest.
"I am always with you Estel, in here, and always will be. No matter what."
"Hannon le mellon nin." Legolas smiled at him, his brilliant blue eyes sparkling in the light of the Hall of Fire. He grinned at Estel and slightly tipped his head in the direction of the twins.
"Always and forever Estel. Now, everything is set for this evening's later entertainment?" Estel's grin was rather predatory.
"Oh yes mellon nin, everything is prepared and ready." Legolas smiled at Estel.
"Those two will not know what has hit them."
"No, they will not." The two of them looked at each other for a moment longer and then unable to help themselves, burst into soft laughter that boded ill for a certain pair of elvan twins.

~*~

It was later on in the evening and all of Rivendell's inhabitants had retired for the night. Two figures slowly crept along the hallway, their feet making no sounds. Nodding at each other, the two spilt up each of them moving to an identical door opposite each other. With consummate ease, the doors were opened and the two figures slipped inside with no noise what so ever. The ultimate prank was about to be played.

Legolas approached Ellandan's bed carefully. He had volunteered to do Elladan, as he knew the elder twin - only by five minutes - would be harder to catch unawares. Legolas approached his bed and grinning slightly at the figure lying on the bed. Reaching down carefully he placed the cloth that he had in his hand gently over Elladan's mouth and nose. On the cloth was a harmless little draught that Estel had made up earlier. It would put the twins into a harmless deep sleep with no after effects, so they wouldn't know they had been drugged. Elladan twitched restlessly and then stilled and Legolas grinned even wider. He pocketed the cloth, careful to keep it away from his mouth and nose and set to work.

Estel had crept into Elrohir's room, trying really hard not to start laughing. The prank Legolas wanted to pull on the twins was sheer genius and he made a promise to himself that he'd never, ever get Legolas so badly that he'd do something this dreadful to him. Moving softly to his brother's bed he leaned gently over and placed the cloth over Elrohir's mouth, careful not to breathe in its fumes himself. Elrohir twitched a moment and then settled down. Placing the cloth in his pocket, Estel got to work. After almost an hour, the two friends met in the hallway, their voices low and soft.
"Have you done everything?"
"All bar the last. You?"
"The same. I'll help you with Elladan and then you help me with Elrohir?"
"Done mellon nin. Do you think that they will ever let us live this down?" Estel grinned at his best friend, his silver grey eyes full of mirth.
"Probably not, but I'm going to blame this all on you." Legolas grinned back at him.
"And I'm sure that they'll believe your innocent mellon nin. Come on; let's get this done and then get some rest ourselves. Tomorrow promises to be a long journey."
"Alright, but I can't wait for the look on their faces." The two friends grinned at each other and moved as one into Elladan's room. After twenty minutes or so, they came out and went into Elrohir's room. Almost an hour later they were finally finished and made their way back to Estel's room, flushed with their success. They shut the door and made their way over his balcony and then they finally gave into their laughter and keeping as quiet as they could, laughed heartily. Finally after a little while they got themselves under control. Legolas gave Estel a gentle push towards his bed.
"Go on Estel, get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning when the explosion hits." Estel grinned at Legolas as he lightly leaped onto the balustrade and made ready to leap over to his balcony.
"Alright mellon nin, I'll see you in the morning." With a wink and wave, Legolas was gone and Estel made his way to his bed. Shrugging out of his jacket he crawled under the covers and was soon asleep.

~*~

Legolas and Aragorn were dressed, packed and ready to leave for Mirkwood by the time first light hit the Last Homely House. They met in the hallway with their packs on their backs and made their way to the stables. They just grinned at each other, not speaking yet as very few elves were up and about already. They quickly saddled their horses and got them ready to leave. Finally Legolas broke the silence.
"So, shall we brave your Ada and the others for breakfast?" Aragorn thought a moment and then nodded.
"I think we should at least have something to eat before we leave. And besides, any minute now, the twins will awake and find out what we've done." Legolas clapped Aragorn on the back and laughed softly.
"I'm actually looking forward to the look on your Ada's face." Aragorn winced.
"Let's leave now shall we?" Aragorn made a halfhearted effort to turn and go back to the horses but Legolas stopped him.
"No mellon nin. You helped me; you help me face their wrath so to speak." Aragorn just gave a weak grin to Legolas.
"You know something Legolas,"
"What?" Legolas's blue eyes were so bright and mirthful this morning it was a pleasure to look into them.
"Remind me never to get you with a prank so badly that you do something like this to me." Legolas laughed and clapped him on the back as they entered the hall where they ate their meals. Elrond and Glorfindel were walking down the staircase and Elrond raised an eyebrow at the two young ones before him. He decided not to turn slightly and cuff Glorfindel around the head when he heard his long time friend snigger at the sight of them all ready to leave Rivendell. Elrond gave a barely perceptible sigh of someone preparing themselves for a long day, a very long day.
"Alright, where are the twins and are they all right?" Aragorn put his hand on his heart and affected such a look of wounded innocence that Glorfindel snorted with laughter this time and quickly duck the blow aimed at his head.
"Why Ada, you wound me deeply with your words." Aragorn grinned. "Besides, the twins are where we last saw them, aren't they Legolas?" Legolas nodded and smiled innocently at Elrond. With that Elrond decided that he was never, ever letting the Prince of Mirkwood near his youngest son, ever again.
"That's right my Lord. They were safe and sound asleep when we last saw them." Frowning slightly but knowing he'd never get anything more from the two hooligans, Elrond made his way to the dining room. Glorfindel fell into step beside the two friends, his grin wide and mirth shining from his eyes.
"Just what did you two do?" Aragorn chuckled.
"You'll see Glorfy, you'll all see. And by the time they realise what we did, we'll be safely half way across the Misty Mountains."
"You hope Aragorn. I've seen the twins move pretty fast when they're angry." Legolas laughed softly and the three of them took their seats in the dining room, waiting for the explosion. They didn't have too long to wait.

~*~

Elladan was the first one awake and he wasn't really a morning person. It usually took him a few minutes to wake fully. He stumbled out of his bed and eyes half out of focus still, he stumbled towards his bathroom.

Only to run smack dab into a wall that shouldn't have been there.

Stumbling backwards and absently rubbing at his bruised forehead Elladan blinked a few times to bring his eyes into focus and when he did, they widened with surprise. He opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out as such was his shock. He looked around again, his eyes taking in everything. He stumbled to the centre of the room and just stood there, looking around, turning circles as he couldn't believe his eyes. After a few minutes he finally regained control and his expression hardened from one of disbelief to one of anger and then rueful acceptance. Shrugging, he made his way to his door and opened it, stepping into the hallway. And there he laughed. As he expected, he was in Elrohir's room, and he would lay money that Elrohir's stuff was the same as his. As if thinking his brothers name summoned him, the door opened and Elrohir came out, looking as bemused as his brother.
"Your room is the same I take it El?" Elladan shrugged and looked at his brother. Even their clothes had been switched.
"Yes." Suddenly they had to laugh. Somehow, Aragorn and Legolas had snuck into their rooms, switched everything around so that it was back the front and in the other's room. And then switched the two brothers around as well. They let their laughter fade and Elrohir shrugged.
"Well, Legolas did say he was going to get us. Shall we let them know that we've sprung them?"
"I think we shall." Grinning at each other they opened their mouths and let out an almighty yell.
"LEGOLAS! ARAGORN!"

Down in the dining room cutlery was dropped with a clatter and the two friends sprinted out of the room.
"See you soon Ada, Glorfindel!"
"My lords!" And the two miscreants were gone and moments later, the clatter of horses' hooves could be heard. Elrond sighed and looked at Glorfindel.
"Come on, let's see what they did." The two Elf Lords made their way to the twins rooms and both had to admit, when it came to pranks, this was the best one they had ever seen in all their very, very long lives.

And Elladan and Elrohir began planning a trip to Mirkwood and revenge….

The End.