The Fishing Contest
Saraman
Legolas threw a line into the pale eddying water and watched it disappear with an almost indiscernible ripple. Gimli was hauling in fish after fish beside him. No one was counting, yet. But somehow, both knew that it was a competition. The elf took a fleeting glance over at the pile of fish that lay at the dwarf's feet and his gaze gradually wandered to his own meager pile.
The pallid clouds were rolling in and reflecting gray upon the river. A few drops of rain thudded on the bank, and rustled in the grass, and rippled on the water. Legolas pulled in one last fish and stopped to regard Gimli.
"I think that's enough," he sighed, hooking the line back on the pole. He watched Gimli haul in a river crab. Perturbed, the dwarf grabbed the crab and hurled it over his shoulder. He swiftly looked down and studied his rather large catch. He kicked the top few fish off of the stack, seeming to count carefully. Legolas nearly unnoticeably did the same.
"Final count, twenty-five," the elf apprised.
"Well, I'm sitting pretty on twenty-seven," boasted Gimli. With hands swifter than sight, Legolas drew out his long-bow, knocked an arrow on the string, and skewered two of the dwarf's fish at once.
"Twenty-seven," said Legolas, satisfied.
"They were mine!" growled Gimli.
"They were flipping!" said Legolas.
"They were not!" yelled Gimli. "They were already dead!"
"Well," countered the elf, "if they were completely dead, then they would not have been flipping. As they were flipping, they were still alive. And as they were still alive, they were fair game."
"But, but-" Gimli protested.
"And then you would only have twenty-five," continued Legolas, "and I would have a final count of twenty-seven."
"But- well- no-" stammered Gimli, flustered. He gestured angrily at the pile. "This is more! You pointy-ear don't know how to count!" Legolas chuckled softly and threw his bow back over his shoulder.
"Dwarves can never be bested, can they Gimli?" he laughed. Gimli only snarled something unintelligible and stormed heavily away, leaving the fish where they lay.
"Twice as many for me!" Legolas called after him.
Finis