Comeuppance
"Ready ta have a go princeling?" Dwalin asked as he twirled his axes in his hands while the elf sneered at him.
"I should be the one asking you dwarf. Are you ready?" Legolas asked, his sneer turning to a smirk as he twirled is daggers.
"I only ask because those letter openers ya have there don't look like they could cut much. Maybe we should be givin' ya an axe or a warhammer, somethin' with heft." It was Dwalin's turn to smirk as Legolas narrowed his eyes.
The prince had no idea why the king had requested this sparring match. His Captain was only going to get humiliated and the elves would prove victorious once more. He found his smirk growing wider as he thought of what he could do to this dwarf who used his strength to intimidate others in battle and his stature to intimidate other dwarrows. Legolas was no dwarrow and he knew his own strength. Dwalin , son of Fundin, would know this strength well by the end of their bout, Legolas was sure of that.
"Let us stop talking and let our weapons speak in our stead...Master Dwarf." Legolas' smirk turned into a full-out grin as Dwalin growled and the elf knew his victory was even more assured.
Without further ado a bell was rung and the combatants circled one another. Dwalin's circle grew tighter as he moved and Legolas tried to keep up the distance without leaving the ring drawn on the practice field in chalk, glaring as the dwarf came ever closer. Finally spotting an opening Legolas moved left and lashed out with his daggers. This was of course blocked by Dwalin who raised an eyebrow in such a manner as if to say, "Is that all you've got?" Legolas narrowed his eyes once more and changed direction which Dwalin matched and began to move away, completely confusing the elf. This caused Legolas to lash out once more and forced Dwalin to retaliate by blocking the attack and hitting Legolas in his midsection with one axe while the other stayed at the ready. After that there was a flurry of movement from the center of the ring as attacks were blocked and thrusts were parried. Legolas became more and more frustrated while Dwalin laughed and congratulated him whenever a hit found its mark. Eventually the sun rose high in the sky and Dwalin grew tired of playing with the lad and decided to end their battle once and for all.
"Ready to concede princeling?" Dwalin asked, his voice smug and eye shining with mirth.
"Never, dwarven filth. I am just getting started. You will rue-" Legolas started but never got to finish as the flat of Dwalin's axe hit his head and knocked him out cold.
As the healers attended the prince Dwalin turned to the edge of the practice field and bowed low to his king before he acknowledged Thranduil with a slight incline of the head. When the gesture was grudgingly returned Dwalin moved back to Legolas and extended his hand to the, now conscious, prince. Legolas looked at his hand for a long moment before he took it and allowed the dwarf to let him up. He gave Dwalin a small smile, a slight upturn to the corners of his mouth nothing more, and inclined his head. He had underestimated his opponent and he would never make that mistake again. Even if his opponent was a dwarf.
...
Author's Note: This chapter was largely inspired by the look of pure loathing that Dwalin gives Legolas after the elf stands on his head during the battle in the barrels. Also Legolas is a total asshat and I felt that he needed to be taken down a peg or ten.