Friendly Wagers

Chapter Three


Haldir spent nearly the entire trip silent, glancing over his shoulder in the direction of Lothlórien.

“What troubles you, Master Elf?” asked Gimli as the trio neared their destination.

“I am not troubled.” Denied Haldir.

“There must be something. I have watched you take note of everything behind us for many miles now.” Gimli said as he half turned to look at the elf, careful not to lose balance.

“I know not of which you speak.” The elf almost took a peek over his shoulder again, but he was mindful of the dwarf watching him.

“There must be something amiss, and I imagine it must only affect you, for if it were of greater concern, Legolas would be showing just as much apprehension.” Gimli reasoned.

“Gimli…” hushed Legolas under his breath as Haldir edged his horse to match speed with the mare Legolas and Gimli rode.

“[Can not your dwarf remain quiet for a short journey such as this?]” grumbled Haldir in Elvish. His eyes were focused upon the castle ahead.

“[He is not my dwarf, and no.]” sighed Legolas, forgetting what little tolerance Haldir had of dwarves. It reminded him much of his own father, of what had happened when a party of dwarves wandered into Mirkwood. They had been locked up in the dungeons, from what he could remember of the incident, and somehow made their escape. It had infuriated Thranduil, and there was a war and a dragon later – just one of the many unpleasant dealings between his father and dwarves. Come to think of it, Legolas believed Haldir seemed a fitter son for his father than he was. He wondered how much of their logic would be similar, and then decided to push the thought from his mind. They were nearing the gates, and Legolas would have to do some quick thinking and quick talking to sort this situation out.

“[If he is not your dwarf, perhaps then you are his elf.]” Haldir slyly slid a sideways glance to the Prince of Mirkwood to see the reaction.

Legolas could not think of a retort to what he was sure was an insult, though the thought crossed his mind to bop the March Warden on the head with his bow if it would but reach. His silence revealed his frustration, and from the corner of his eye, he saw the other elf’s smirk grow as no reply was made. “We have reached the entrance of our destination.” Legolas finally said once they had passed through a guarded gateway. “Gimli will show you the way to the stables as I proceed ahead to announce our arrival to King Elessar.” Quickly dismounting and helping Gimli to the ground, Legolas jogged to the keep, not allowing Haldir the chance to question him further or protest the idea of being left to be led by a dwarf.

“Well, then, Master Elf, shall we stable our horses?” Gimli asked, motioning to the buildings and pasture nearby.

Haldir gave a brief nod, and directed the stallion to follow behind the dwarf and mare.

---

King Elessar was conferring with various members of council on the importance of crop irrigation. At each side, sat an elf, one impassive and silent as he simply listened to the concerns of the men in the room, the other intently interested and leaning toward her husband. Without warning, the double doors to the great hall were forcefully pushed inwards, and a lithe figure hurried himself in and straight up to an amused yet confused King of Gondor.

“Estel, there is an emergency. I must speak with you alone.” Legolas said after a quick bow to the king and a nod to the Lady Arwen. After a moment’s thought, the elf then turned to one of his kinfolk whom he did not expect to find in the room. “Lord Elrond – Why aren’t you in Rivendell?”

King Elessar made apologies on behalf of Legolas to the men in the room, ushered them ou the the hall, then sat down once again between his wife and father-in-law. “You have my full attention, Legolas, but I have little reason to believe this interruption is an emergency as you speak. Unless, of course,” he added, a smile tugging at his lips, “there is an enraged dwarf at your heels. Or elf, depending on what has transpired since I last spoke with you.”

Legolas shifted his gaze from Elessar, to Arwen, to Elrond, and back. “Estel, I really, really think we should speak in private.”

“I do not see reason why I should have to leave.” Elrond said calmly, slightly taken aback.

“And I am not leaving either. I have known you long enough, Legolas Greenleaf, to know something is to happen that will not make me pleased. I will not have it happening without my knowledge.” Warned Arwen.

Legolas would have liked to shoot a look to Elessar, conveying his amusement at the Lady Arwen's seeming power to control the mighty King of Gondor, but declined, not wanting to incur the wrath of both Arwen and Elrond. Sighing, and knowing Haldir and Gimli would not be long in coming to the keep, Legolas first filled in Arwen and Elrond on the bet made earlier in the week, carefully leaving out the exact wager made. He continued to explain to all three of them his plans for a festival, briefly mentioning that Haldir was already in Gondor, suspecting of nothing, and wasn’t it about time for a celebration of some sort anyhow?

Initially, the reaction from the trio wasn’t bad, however, it was not exactly good. All three traded looks among each other, waiting for one of the others to speak. Finally, it was Elrond, taking his queue from the silence. “While your plan would seem sound, even if it is not polite in regards to the Galadrim, there simply is no time in which to put it into effect. The celebration would have to be planned, guests would need to be informed and would need time to arrive.”

“Simply no time! I quite disagree, Ada. I have been dreadfully bored as of late, and not that matters of the affairs of the country do not concern me, I would welcome a distraction such as planning a festival. As for guests, we already appear to have a representative from Lothlórien, and also one from Mirkwood.” Arwen reasoned, inclining her head in the direction of Legolas. “There are many others close by who would not take long to reach. Within the month, I shall have a splendid celebration planned and commencing here in Gondor.”

“Forget not the representative from Rivendell.” Legolas added, turning to Elrond again. “You must forgive me, Lord Elrond, but I do not recall your reason for being unexpectedly in Gondor when it was believed you were in your own realm.”

“I gave no answer on that matter.” Elrond confirmed, and still gave none, as he spoke to Elessar. “Estel, you will have to make the decision in this matter. I advise against it, for if Haldir were to find out the true nature of the gathering, his pride would be much injured.”

“Or greatly inflated.” Arwen offered. “I would expect that if Haldir of Lórien were to find that a p wer were being planned entirely because of he and his secretive nature, he would more than smirk at the thought of the trouble it will cause us.”

“Before you decide, Estel, do remember, it was you who caused this entire affair.” Reminded Legolas. Elessar raised a brow, awaiting an answer to the accusation. “Had you not brought up the question to a drunken dwarf and a half-drunken elf, I would not be here now.”

“Could you not simply ask him?” Elessar shook his head. “No, you have already gone too far into this. Besides, perhaps there is a reason for this. Perhaps we are in need of a celebration.”

Arwen grinned at this revelation, but Elrond let out a very dignified grunt of sorts. “If none of the rest of you ask him, I shall ask him myself. I plan to play no role in this other than to end it.”

Elrond prepared to stand, but Legolas stood in his way, inclining his head in a slight bow. “I apologize for interrupting again, Lord Elrond, but my curiosity has not been sated. Your presence here, and not in Rivendell, confuses me. I had thought you to be in your realm, entertaining the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.”

Sinking back into his chair, Elrond crossed his arms over his chest. “It was necessary I came here to discuss matters with Elessar. Glorfindel has been placed in charge of taking care of their needs during their stay until I return.”

“It would seem as if most of your work here is completed, as the council appeared near decision. However, a celebration would detain you longer, and I can see how such a thing would be a burden to your immediate return.” Legolas nodded. “Now that I think of it, I shall ask Haldir myself, and avert his even entering the castle so that we might have him on his way back to Lórien within the hour.” Turning to leave, Legolas was staby aby a rather hastily placed firm hand upon his shoulder.

“It is of course Estel who is king, and not I. It is he who shall make decisions in this matter.” Elrond released Legolas, and looked to Elessar.

It was at this chosen moment that a heavy rapping came from the doors of the great hall.