Rúmil of Lórien wished heartily that Elrond had assigned Elrohir to take him and Orophin to their quarters rather than Elladan. He had certainly noticed that Elladan had been avoiding him for the last century, and it bothered him. Last time they had seen the prince, Rúmil had tried to speak with him, to clear up the misunderstanding between them, but Elladan had fled his presence. Now, he seemed to be rushing them along down the corridor to the east wing, no doubt eager to be rid of them.

They reached the end of the hallway and Elrond's son held the door open for them. Orophin stepped into the ornate bedchamber and Rúmil made to follow him, but his host put a hand out to stop him. Rúmil turned and looked deeply into the grey eyes of the other elf with some surprise as a slow, wicked smile crept over his captor's face. Rúmil suddenly found himself being kissed, and hard. He immediately melted and kissed Elrond's son back.

"Elladan," he gasped when his mouth, thoroughly bruised, was released. From the corner of his eye he could see Orophin standing there gaping at them.

"No," he said, grinning at Rúmil. "I am Elrohir. Elladan and I switched places."

Orophin laughed. "And why did you do that, my friend?"

"So I could take your brother by surprise," Elrohir said slyly.

"You certainly did," said Rúmil calmly, trying not to show how much so. He made no effort to free himself from Elrohir's embrace, however. "Still, it is almost a shame. For a moment I thought I had earned your brother's forgiveness."

"For that ridiculous misunderstanding he still refers to as 'the incident'? Rúmil, Rúmil. He will never forgive you."

Elrohir was teasing, but it stuck in Rúmil's throat and he pushed himself away from the brash prince. He turned away and took his pack over to the bed to start unpacking his spare clothing. No doubt they would have to attend several feasts over the next few days and he wanted to look his best. Haldir was merciless when his brothers showed up in wrinkled leggings, tunics and robes.

The chamber they had been assigned was spacious and elegant. The bed was on a dais and large enough to accommodate at least five elves comfortably. That meant endless possibilities to Rúmil. There were large open windows that looked out over a wood, and with a little straining one could see the stables as well. Filmy curtains covered the windows and they shimmered briefly in the breeze. The floor was marble but covered with thick fur area rugs. A few plush armchairs were scattered through the room, as well as a table and several wardrobes in which they could store their meager belongings. It was far more fancy than their small talan back home.

"Have you no kiss for me, Elrohir?" Orophin said.

"Do not disappoint me by saying you will be satisfied with just one!"

Rúmil stared at his pack so he did not have to see it. Normally he would have been thrilled to see Elrohir and would even have forgiven him for playing a trick on them but the brutal reminder of Elladan's hatred of him was vivid and painful. It had been an accident. He certainly had not meant to cause Elladan so much pain, and he had been suffering a long time for it. The loss of a good friend was almost too much for Rúmil to bear.

A moment later Rúmil found himself thrown face down onto the bed, his pack knocked to the floor and his clothes scattered everywhere. He twisted his head and saw that Orophin had tackled him and was now sitting on his back, pinning him down. Elrohir stretched out onto the bed next him and ruffled Rúmil's hair. He winked at Orophin.

"You are not going to sulk the whole time you are here, are you, Rúmil? You used to be so much fun."

"I am still fun," Rúmil growled. "Orophin, let me up."

"I can but do as the prince commands," said Orophin, smacking Rúmil's behind with the flat of his hand.

"I am going to kill the both of you."

"That would not encourage us to let you up, would it?" asked Elrohir idly, twirling a lock of Rúmil's hair around his finger. "Listen, my dear elf, you really must not let my brother get you down. I have tried to speak to him on your behalf many times, but he really does not wish to hear about it, so let it go. You have my friendship and goodwill. That will have to serve you."

Rúmil sighed. "I suppose it will. Now are the two of you going to let me up or not?"

Elrohir grinned wickedly. "I rather like seeing you prone and helpless, noble warrior of the Galadhrim."

Orophin started laughing and Rúmil bucked against him, sending his brother to the floor in his moment of weakness. He reared up and grabbed Elrohir, flipping him onto his back and pinning him down with his hands over his head.

"Now who is prone and helpless?"

"This is more like it," sighed Elrohir. He lifted his head and kissed Rúmil. Orophin grabbed Rúmil around the waist but could not pull him off of Elrohir. Rúmil elbowed his brother and heard Orophin gasp in pain.

"You little--"

"Ah! I am sorry, Oro, but you should not have meddled in this affair!"

Elrohir pushed as Orophin pulled and Rúmil found himself subdued again, this time on his back with both of the others sitting on top of him. He grinned. This wrestling was lifting his spirits along with other parts of his anatomy. Elrohir was already trying to undo Rúmil's tunic and Orophin was working at the ties of Elrohir's leggings. Suddenly, however, something else occurred to Rúmil.

"Wait!" he gasped.

"Why?" muttered Elrohir. He bent his head and began sucking at Rúmil's throat, which nearly made him lose his train of thought.

"If we assumed that you were Elladan, no doubt Haldir will do the same in reverse. He must think he is with you."

"Yes, and no doubt he will be disappointed. Orophin, are you having trouble with that tie? You used to be able to get my leggings off much faster than this. You must be out of practice."

"Certainly he is," Rúmil said, smirking. "How long as it been for you now, Oro?"

"I am simply more discerning in my choice and quantity of bed partners than either of you," Orophin said haughtily, "But Rúmil is right, Elrohir, there may be a problem if Haldir thinks Elladan is you."

"What sort of problem?" Elrohir sighed.

"Haldir mentioned how he was hoping to…get to know you better during this visit," Orophin said, climbing off of the bed and standing up.

Elrohir grinned. He did not let go of Rúmil. "Did he? I might like that. After all, then I will have lain with all three of you…"

"Elrohir," Rúmil said seriously, "Elladan already despises me because I mistook him for you. Would you wish the same on Haldir?"

"Elladan was the one who asked me to switch places with him, but I do see your point. He really is too naïve to realize that Haldir might be interested in me," Elrohir said smugly. "I suppose we should go untangle the mess."

"I think you and I should go," Orophin said slowly, his eyes meeting Rúmil's as Elrohir climbed off of him and straightened his clothing. "Rúmil can stay here and unpack."

"Very well," Elrohir said. He clapped Orophin on the shoulder and the two of them headed out, leaving Rúmil alone to calm himself down and to reflect on the incident which had made Elladan despise him so.