For Disclaimer, Summary and Warning check in previous chapters.
Beta: Aranel
2.
At dawn…
Lord Elrond sat on a sturdy branch with King Thranduil next to him as they watched the contest.
The twins were ready for the contest and they were only waiting for Prince Legolas to show up.
King Thranduil had not see his son anywhere but knowing his recent temperament, he did nothing. He did hope that Legolas would be there on time. He did mean what he had said. Legolas was the pride of Mirkwood.
Prince Legolas finally came from the forests, holding his bow regally. The twins could sense the determination in his eyes. His gaze was sharper and colder than the keenest blade.
The announcer of the contest looked over at the king. Thranduil nodded his confirmation for the games to begin.
"Day one, first game: Elladan versus Legolas," the announcer said with a tense voice, reflecting the mood of the elves. "Today's contest is comprised of straight shooting, shooting from horseback, shooting with possible distraction, night shooting and blind shooting."
Legolas looked sharply at Elladan, a confident smile on his face.
Elladan tried to ignore the prince's hostility. Wordlessly, he turned to his brother and smiled in gratitude for his embracing gaze.
Legolas looked at his father who had stood up on the branch. He would make him proud.
"Let the games begin, and let our friendships grow," Thranduil proclaimed.
The first game was announced. Straight shooting. Elladan would start.
As Elladan stepped into position, he passed the prince and clasped his shoulders in respect. The prince returned the gesture but said nothing. What mattered more was that he would win.
First contest: Elladan vs. Legolas
Game 1
Straight Shooting
Elladan stepped up to the shooting line and nodded as he spotted his target.
He turned to his father, who gave him an encouraging smile. He prepared his first arrow, aimed at the bull's-eye, then shot.
"Ooh, that was a close one," the announcer declared as gently as he could.
Elladan saw the first arrow, indeed very close to the bull's-eye. He allowed himself a little smile.
His father and brother were cheering him on. He smiled to reassure them.
"And now for our pride. Prince Legolas, take your place," the announcer said, encouraging his prince.
Legolas stepped up, smiling as he raised his bow, drawing his green arrow deliberately from the quiver. He nocked it, drew the bow, aimed with a sharp eye, and released.
"He hit the mark!" The announcer and the elves rose in applause.
Prince Legolas turned to his father, who was seated, a pleased grin on his face. "Well done, my son. Keep it up!"
Elladan stepped up without waiting to be called on. He aimed his blue arrow at the target. More than hitting the target, he wanted to pierce through Legolas's arrow, to break his pride.
"Impressive! Now our prince will have to up that," the announcer commented.
Prince Legolas turned to his father. He had risen to his feet, seemingly more contented with the peredhil than with him. Did his father not love him any longer? But he was the pride of Mirkwood, he could still prove himself. He stepped forward, aimed and shot. He split the other arrow neatly.
"Second victory for our prince. Well done!" the announcer cheered.
"One arrow to mark the victory of this game, and then we will move to our next game, shooting from horseback." The announcer reminded them of another contest.
"It is your turn," Legolas pointed to the elf, and then he stood to take aim, before he turned around and let Elladan knows, "I will beat you, and my father will be proud of me."
Legolas pulled an arrow from his quiver, aim it in the bow, and nocked the arrow, hitting another target.
"Are you certain that you will win in every one of the game contests? Are you that naïve?" Elladan asked and took his stand to aim as he mocked the prince, "We came here as guests, friends and you did nothing but insulting us, I do hope that you will lose, even your father wished it."
With that Elladan hits and his arrow split Legolas' in two.
"Elladan wins," The announcer called and then he continued, "Prince Legolas everything is open, the game is still on."
Legolas turned to look at his father, his noticed how close he was as he was talking with Lord Elrond, noticed the smile toward the other elf, but no cheering came from the king. Legolas hoped that his father will cheer him on the other contest.
End of Chapter 2.