Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings, all characters, places, and related terms are the sole property of J.R.R. Tolkien's estate.

Author's Note: Written for the Special Christmas fanfiction challenge at the Elfsheen boards.

Oh, Mistletoe, Oh, Mistletoe!

A Ban on Mistletoe

If someone going along the hallway were to peek through the huge double doors leading into the ballroom, one would see a great number of couples: humans, elves, dwarfs swirling across the floor. Merry music danced about the room, making one unable to stay still. And tables lining the walls were weighed down with drink and food.

But the two children did not reach the doors. Instead, they halted, and both tipped their heads back, their eyes full of puzzled curiosity. For a long moment they stared at the unusual sight.

"It is a funny name."

"What, mistletoe?"

"Yes."

Eowyn raised one eyebrow as she studied the plant dangling high above her and Aragorn's heads. The seven-year-old tilted her head to one side. "It is a bit silly to hang it up like that," she mused, jumping and stretching her arm up, but she came nowhere close to touching it. "What do you suppose it's there for?"

Aragorn also attempted to touch the mistletoe; but despite being a little taller, the nine-year-old could not reach high enough when he leapt up. "Don't know," he sighed, staring up at it, his hands on his hips. "Maybe it has to do with it being almost Christmas." He took a step forward, almost bumping into Eowyn, and narrowed his eyes.

"OH, MY!"

The loud exclamation startled the two and quickly turned their attention away from the mistletoe. They discovered Arwen, standing before them, gaping at them with wide owl-like eyes. For a long silent moment, the three children stared at each other. Slowly Arwen's expression turned to one of annoyed expectation; she impatiently tapped one foot.

"Well, get on with it!" she said with a wave of her hand.

"With what? What are we to do?" Aragorn asked, puzzled.

Eowyn's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Arwen rolled her eyes. Surely they must know! "The mistletoe." She pointed upwards.

The others briefly glanced up at it, then back to her with blank expressions on their faces.

"You're standing under it," Arwen went on.

"Obviously!" Eowyn laughed.

"So, you have to kiss. It is tradition." She smiled mischievously, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

With a speed that surpassed the famous swiftness of the elves, Aragorn and Eowyn separated, trying unsuccessfully to put more distance between themselves by pressing against the hard stone walls. They looked at each other in horror and then gazed up at the innocent-looking plant with disgust.

"That is not very funny," Eowyn exclaimed, glaring at the howling elf-girl.

"I am not joking," she said in between laughs.

"What kind of tradition is that supposed to be?" demanded Aragorn hotly.

"Well, it has only been around for several hundred years. I believe it is to bring more romance to the season." Arwen fluttered her eyelashes at the boy.

"Kissing, that's disgusting!" Aragorn said, ignoring Arwen's look.

"I will not kiss him," Eowyn put in. "Do you realize how strange that would be? He's my friend!"

"Yeah, we can't do it because we're not adults and not…in love," Aragorn choked.

"Oh, stuff and nonsense," Arwen dismissed their objections.

Aragorn gave her a death glare. "You wouldn't like it if you were in one of our places. Admit it!" He glared at the mistletoe. "The first thing I'll do when I am king is put a ban on this tradition," he spat the words, "of kissing under mistletoe."

"You were under the mistletoe, and you must kiss." Arwen stated, ignoring Aragorn's comments and starting towards them.

Eowyn and Aragorn bolted, racing in opposite directions down the hallway, afraid for their lives – and of one certain she-elf.