The Lesson of Dangle and Dance

Haldir sat the banquet table and swirled what remained of his wine
idly in his goblet. Having been on an extended liaison mission to the
underground palace at Mirkwood over the past few months he was more
than enthusiastic about spending a relaxing evening within the open
air of the Golden Wood. And indeed he had been enjoying the
festivities, perhaps too much. A crooked smile turned up the corner
of his mouth as he eyed Rumil across the courtyard trying his best to
win the attentions of a comely she-elf. The fair maid had all but
brushed off the youngster for most of the evening, a fact that amused
the elder Galadrhim to no end.

"You look quite pleased with yourself Haldir," chimed a voice from
over his shoulder, drawing the March Warden from his entertainment.

Galadriel's slender fingers slid over his shoulders as she bent low
to follow his line of site. Rumil was fawning all over this pretty
maid, preening and prancing like a peacock quite oblivious to the
spectacle he was creating.

Galadriel's moved forward and rested her cheek against the March
Wardens, whispering in his ear as she watched the younger Elves
interact.

"How much he reminds me of you, Haldir....in your youth you spared no
expense for the ladies."

Haldir took a long sip of wine before answering, boldly slipping an
arm around the Elf Queen's waist and pulling her to his lap.

"I was never a rogue my Lady," he purred, pouring yet another goblet
of crimson nectar. " In fact, I do believe the females quite enjoyed
the chase."

Galadriel lifted the cup from the March Warden's fingers and brought
it to her lips with a smirk.

"Do you now," she challenged, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Indeed I do M'Lady" replied Haldir recouping his drink with a salute
of the glass.

"And how come you to that wise deduction my dear March Warden"
questioned Galadriel playfully slipping her arms around the Elf's
neck.

" It is quite simple really," offered the Galadrhim eyeing the Queen
with the raise of a brow.
"Females elude and play hard to get so that the males will chase even
harder. Its is a simple trap of dangling the bait."

"Tell me you do not believe that" chuckled Galadriel tossing her hair
over her shoulder.
"Perhaps the ladies elude because they do not wish the attention of a
posturing poncing male."

"Indeed I do believe it," chortled the Warden leaning back in his
seat. " We dance and you dangle."

Galadriel frowned and shook her head in disbelief "Haldir of Lorien
you worry me! How are you to find a mate with ideas like that??"

"What need of I a mate? Have I not the most beautiful she-elf of them
all upon my lap," replied Haldir lifting her slender fingers to his
lips.

" You are incorrigible," she demurred narrowing her eyes.

" Indeed..." replied the Galadrhim with a grin moments before a
strong hand gripped his shoulder.

" Ah....only a day back in Lorien and already you have the lad rig right where you want them...including my wife ," mocked Celeborn
squeezing the Warden's shoulder amicably.

" I cannot help it if I'm irresistible," chided Haldir nodding in
greeting to the Elf Lord and receiving a groan from the Queen as she
extricated herself from her perch upon his lap.

" Leaving so soon? " Haldir winked as Celeborn helped his mate to her
feet.

" Well, yes.... the night is young and I have quite a bit of Dangling
to do" she replied pilfering Celeborn's goblet from his hand before
taking her leave.

" Do I even want to know?" grimaced Celeborn as he watched his wife
glide into the courtyard without even a backward glance.

" Probably not," replied Haldir offering Celeborn another goblet of
wine and clinking the two together. " Probably not."


The festivities continued into the early morning with much dancing
and revelry. A troup of gyspy travellers had set up camp near the
borders and had been invited to attend providing much of the
entertainment. Haldir danced and drank and enjoyed himself
immensely. In fact so much so that when a young gypsy brought him a
cordial as a token from the tall Elf Queen, he accepted it without
provocation and catching her eye raised his glass in salute before
downing the sweet contents.

Galadriel smiled as the young girl presented her with the golden
aperitif.

"It is a gift from the silver Archer" she had explained with a bow of
her dark head. Galadriel looked over to where the March Warden was
lounging against a Mallorn trunk and smiled. In return he raised his
glass. Bringing the small chalice to her lips, the Elf Queen let the
warm amber liquid wash over her tongue. It was sweet and honeylike
and tasted faintly of oak. Most likely something he had acquired
during his stay in Mirkwood.

Slipping back into the crowd unnoticed, the young gypsy made her way
towards the edge of the courtyard to where an old woman sat in the
shadows smoking small pipe.

" It is done....." she replied holding out her hand for a coin. " Now
what?"

Placing a token within the youngsters hand the old woman smiled and
blew rings of colored smoke into the darkness.

"Now we wait...', she explained tucking the youngling beneath her
cloak, " For the lesson to begin."

TBC