"Would you like a bread roll, Legolas?"

Legolas eyed the plate in Aragorn's hand tentatively. On it sat four round objects that each looked more like an elfling's toy (the type hit with a stick) than anything remotely edible. Bread was supposed to be flat, wasn't it?

Perhaps Gondorian bread tasted so awful that it was designed to roll straight off of the plate.

And what made it so shiny?

"Thank you, Aragorn, but I'll have to say-"

Wait. The least Legolas could do was accept a piece of bread. Aragorn and Arwen were the most courteous of hosts; to insult them was nothing below a crime. Besides, what sort of warrior lacked the bravery to try a bread roll?

"Actually," Legolas decided, "I'd love to have one."

Aragorn looked pleased as Legolas plucked a role from the platter.

It seemed that ever since he took the throne, Aragorn had fully immersed himself in all things Gondor. And why wouldn't he? Legolas could only imagine the wonder of finally rekindling the flame that had been out for so long. And Arwen, loyal beyond description, had found no trouble embracing Gondor's culture.

Aragorn smiled at Arwen across the table. "Would you pass me a bread roll, A'maelamin?"

"But you have some right there…"

"Oh, I much prefer the ones closer to you, Arwen."

Arwen gave Aragorn a quizzical look as she passed him the other plate of bread rolls. Biting passionately into his fare, Aragorn turned to his right, towards his guest. "Won't you try your roll, Legolas? I had that kind made especially for you."

"I certainly will, Aragorn." The blond elf raised a knife to the roll,gently sawing back and forth to achieve two bite-sized pieces.

"Go on, Legolas! Try it!"

Arwen surveyed her husband with suspicion. His eyes, fixed intently on Legolas, were stormy with impatience, the corners of his mouth pulled up slightly as if he were suppressing a smile. With his friend's first bite, Aragorn's eyes widened madly. Perhaps Aragorn's fancy for spherical bread ran deeper than Arwen thought.

"Well, then," Arwen began, regaining her composure, "We couldn't be more pleased to have you for dinner, Legolas. Why, I couldn't remember the last time we-"

"Excuse me," Legolas cut in, "but may I ask what was in that bread roll?" The look on his face displayed obvious disgust.

"Well," Arwen bit her lip with concern. "Flour, salt, a bit of milk, I think, eggs, and-"

"A bath sponge!" Aragorn sputtered, then burst into laughter. "I-I..." he snorted, "I painted four bath sponges! You fell for it, Legolas! You really did! And to think you didn't notice!"

Ears reddening, the blond elf looked down at the now half-eaten bathtub accessory on his plate. "You-you made me eat a bath sponge? You hideous, worm-eaten troll!"

"And you should've seen your face!"

Legolas glanced down, muttering angrily to himself.

Arwen glanced helplessly around the banquet hall; first to the scarlet faced Legolas, then to her husband, who was still grinning complacently. Running a hand through her ebony hair, Arwen issued a rueful sigh. "Aragorn, that was not funny. Legolas is our guest. He deserves the finest of fare, not an old sponge."Aragorn's guffaw was quickly silenced by a disapproving look from the queen.

"And I sincerely hope," she continued, "that this never happens again. I am so, very sorry, Legolas."

Legolas' sky blue eyes met the queen in an instant. "Oh, it isn't a problem at all." The sides of his mouth turned up slyly. "After all, Aragorn has it coming. He'll be sorry soon."

Arwen shook her head as Legolas and Aragorn met each other with evil grins. She'd have to ask a servant to prepare a guest room.

This was just the beginning.