Meanwhile in Mirkwood...

"Aren't you going to search us?" asked Kíli. "We could have anything down our trousers!"

"You're messing it up!" Fíli protested. "You're supposed to start off with 'what's a pretty Elf-maid like you doing in a place like this'."

"What's a pretty Elf-maid like you doing in a place like this?" asked Kíli.

"I am NOT an Elf-maid!" Legolas cried.

"Oh," said Fíli. "My bad."

"Come back!" Kíli called. "I could still have anything down my trousers!"

"Lads," Gimli grumped, stumping over. "Enough already, or you'll be bringing your pretty skulls to my axe!"


"But I heard you," Legolas whined later that night. "I heard you call them pretty! You think they're prettier than me, don't you?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Gimli said, cursing both Elf-ears and sarcasm alike. "How many times do I have to tell you? You're STILL the prettiest."