A/N: I can't help but keep putting Legolas and Arwen in funny situations, I don't ship them I just see them as very old friends with a close sibling like relationship. They are almost childlike in their dealings with each other, I see elves as a race being comfortable and practical with each other and not thinking anything suspicious with the way they behave.
Slight confession, I was watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl and it inspired this chapter.
It was the day before Aragorn's birthday, the white city was buzzing with excitement. Food was madly being prepared for the feast, dignitaries were arriving and the main hall was being set out with tables and decorations.
Arwen stood in the middle of the chaos calling orders out to harried looking staff, Legolas smiled through the doorway not wanting to interrupt the preparations but Arwen turned and caught him, a wide smile appearing on her face "Legolas, there you are, I am desperately in need of your services"
He looked around at the numerous people already rushing around the room "I think you have enough aid already"
She shook her head "I am afraid your skills are needed here more than ever" he had the distinct impression he would not like this and was unsure what exact expertise he possessed that she needed, but by the wide smile on her face as she presented him with the end of a long piece of silken fabric it soon became apparent.
Elladan and Elrohir walked into the hall, amused at how their little sister appeared to be organising the chaos with ease "El, I never realised how demanding our sister could be" they smirked at each other as Elladan looked up "Yes it appears no-one is safe from her tyranny"
Elrohir followed his brother's gaze stifling a snort of laughter.
Legolas was perched on one of the wooden beams around the ceiling, tying the end of a long length of fabric to it. The coloured silks were being put in place to cover the old wooden beams. He must have been at this a while for the amount of cloths that had been already put in place, easily using his agility to move carefully along the beams and balancing on the narrow stone shelving around the edge to secure the decorations in place. People kept looking admiringly up as he fluidly navigated his way round.
"Mae govennan" Legolas looked down at the called greeting, groaning to himself as he saw the two brothers.
Elrohir had an infuriating smile on his face "I cannot help but wonder what an Elven Prince would be doing up in the rafters"
The prince scowled, dropping down to sit on one of the lower beams, "Speak to your sister, the Lady Arwen can be quite forceful when she wants to be"
The twins laughed "Of course, why do you think we have kept out of her way, she can truly be a terror when she wants to be"
They noticed that Legolas' face had frozen and he was looking at something just behind them, as one the brothers winced, turning. Arwen stood with her arms folded, glaring at them "So nice of you to join us, I can still find plenty of tasks to keep the two of you out of trouble. You can start with these" she pointed to a large table that had decorative wreaths and floral displays on "they need to be hung at intervals along the walls"
They could hear Legolas laughing at them, Elladan picked up a pine cone left over from one of the displays and was about to throw it when Arwen cleared her throat, he dropped it instantly causing the elf above to laugh harder.
Arwen turned to give orders to someone else, thus freeing the twins from her scrutiny. They both had identical mischievous smiles as they looked up, "I think we should teach the elfling a lesson, don't you El?"
Legolas instantly got his feet under him, crouching defensively as he called down "And do you believe you are the ones to do that?"
Elladan growled shooting up after the Prince as Elrohir stood underneath laughing at them as he called up unhelpful advise, as fast as his brother was he couldn't match the pace of the lithe wood elf as he nimbly navigated the beams.
"If you three are quite finished?!" They stopped dead, finally noticing that their antics had distracted all of the other people in the room, Arwen stood with her hands on her hips glaring up.
They mumbled apologies looking like chastised elflings as they carried on attaching the silks to the beams. Elrohir passing the decorations up to them.
Legolas was over by the far doors securing the final silk in place when Arwen entered carrying a small tray calling up to them "I have a treat as you have worked so hard" The three looked at each other, an obvious challenge in their shared gazes. Elrohir took off first, he was still on the ground so should have had the edge in the race but he had to swerve to get around staff and bypass laden tables. Elladan had been over to one side perched high up on one of the wooden beams, he jumped over to another of the supports then carefully slide down the chain holding one of the two metal chandeliers in place, ending up in front of his brother.
Legolas had been the furthest away but was determined not to lose to the brothers, he leapt from the beam he was on, running over the rafters and jumping onto the iron chandelier. He was moving so swiftly that it did not move until he leapt across to grab hold of the central support beam, using it to swing himself over to the second chandelier. He dove off the edge of this one grabbing hold of one of the heavy drapes and used it to slide down the wall. He landed just in front of Elladan who stopped short causing Elrohir to slam into his back.
Arwen smiled at their antics, then noticed their appearance and pulled the tray of honey cakes away "You are filthy, you can have one once you are clean". They all looked down at their hands, that were covered in dust from the beams above. Elrohir whined at his sister "Oh come on Arwen, we're hungry and we've been working hard" she pulled the tray back as he made to grab for one of the cakes.
"Oh I know who out of the three of you has been working" she broke off a small piece of still warm cake and offered it to Legolas. He ate it from her fingers, shooting the twins a smug look as the brothers walked away grumbling "I always knew you liked him better".
Arwen laughed then wrapped the rest of the cake into a napkin offering the small parcel to the Prince. He gave her a questioning look "Go, I release you from my tyranny"
Legolas took the cake giving her a brief kiss on the cheek before hurrying from the room, eager to escape before she changed her mind.
###
Legolas could still hear Arwen's fair voice carrying through the open door way to his balcony way above the commotion below. He leaned further forward sitting precariously on the railing with one knee up, he was always given this room as it had the best view of the gardens beyond the hall.
He shook his head laughing to himself as he heard Arwen asking loudly where the King was.
His door suddenly burst open showing Aragorn, who stood slightly out of breath in the doorway "You have to help me!"
The elf slid from the balcony concerned "Whatever has happened?"
The man quickly closed the door looking like a cornered animal "I cannot take it anymore, I have not had a moments peace in days. I just wanted this to be a small celebration with my friends but it has turned into a spectacle for the whole kingdom to see"
Legolas laughed as he realised there was no real danger to his friend "Welcome to the running of a kingdom Mellon nîn. You should be thankful the people love you and wish to share in this celebration"
"I had no idea my wife could be so demanding" the elf laughed "She has mellowed over the years, be thankful you did not know her over a thousand years ago"
Aragorn's eyes widened in horror as he processed this thought.
"There you are, we are already late" Arwen stood in the re-opened doorway and was glowering at her husband who quailed slightly "Ah…Arwen I was just…" he shot the elven prince a pleading look.
Legolas rolled his eyes taking pity on the man "Estel was just telling me that he has very important meeting that slipped his mind, he has asked me to assist you in his stead"
Arwen looked suspiciously between them then looked over Legolas' form making him shift uncomfortably "Yes, I suppose that will work". She stepped closer to the two comparing them "You are the same height and I can overlook the build" she took Legolas firmly by the arm "Come we are already late to see the seamstresses"
The elf gave the man an annoyed look "Seamstresses!?"
Arwen pulled him towards the door "Yes, we need to make sure the outfits for tomorrow night are suitably finished"
Legolas shot the man a look that clearly said he would have revenge for this later as he disappeared through the door.
Aragorn laughed, revelling in the small amount of freedom he had bought himself. He couldn't leave the room without being accosted by someone so he sunk down onto the bed, lying back and relaxing. Maybe a short nap would make him feel better; he dozed, amusing himself with images of Arwen forcing the unhappy elven prince into different outfits.
###
Legolas found himself being dragged along an unfamiliar hallway, noticing the odd looks he was being given as he passed by the staff.
"Arwen where are we going?" he sighed, wishing he had not offered himself in Estel's place, he would make the man pay for this.
The Queen laughed and opened the door to a large room, there was a huge high window which kept the room brightly lit, a small dais with a three large mirrors to the left . Two large tables covered in pins, threads and various offcuts of material and a large screen for changing behind were over to the right.
A woman looked up from behind one of the tables as they entered "Oh, your majesty!"
Arwen raised her hand to placate the startled woman "It is alright Erin, I had to fetch a suitable substitute as my husband is busy at the moment. My apologies for being late"
Erin's eyes widened in surprise as the Queen apologised to her "It is quite alright your highness," her gaze flickered over to her companion "I did not realise the Prince would be here, I have not brought his tunic"
Legolas cast a look over to Arwen "My tunic?"
Arwen laughed "This is a special celebration, you did not bring anything with you from Ithilien"
"I have tunics already in my room" he was puzzled.
She shook her head "I have had something specially made that will make you look splendid, you wouldn't insult me by refusing would you?" she pouted slightly.
Legolas knew he was being manipulated, he rolled his eyes "Fine, I will wear it"
"Excellent" she pushed him into a chair, turning to Erin "May I see your hard work?"
Erin smiled at the two, she had heard some very odd rumours around the palace but could only see a close friendship between them, honestly people would believe the strangest things. "Of course" she moved over to a hanging rail removing a deep blue dress with intricate silver detailing around the bodice and sleeves. Small pearls were sewn around the neckline, the material seemed to shimmer in the light making it glow.
"It is beautiful." Arwen smiled over her shoulder at the seated prince as he spoke then turned back to Erin, "Will you help me into it?"
Erin nodded and followed her behind the screen, helping to lace up the silver ribbons at the back, she noticed it seemed tighter than it should have been. The seamstress did not want to point out that the queen must have put on weight so merely pulled the fastenings tighter so the sides would line up as they should, she stepped back "Oh my Lady you look wonderful"
Arwen smiled placing a hand on her stomach where the dress was pinching tightly, it was inhibiting her breathing a little but as she didn't want anyone else to know of her condition she hid her discomfort, moving out to the mirrored dais.
"Arwen you look truly breath-taking, Estel will not be able to take his eyes from you" she smiled to Legolas' reflection as she admired the detailing on the dress, it was an exquisite piece of work.
She turned expectantly to the Prince "Now it is time for your assistance Penneth" He rolled his eyes and stood resigning himself to his fate. She laughed and turned to Erin "Do you have the King's tunic to hand?"
Erin looked puzzled "Yes my lady?"
"Excellent, Legolas has kindly agreed to try it on for him"
The woman bowed her head and removed a tunic from the rack; it was the same material as her dress and had matching silver detailing.
Legolas ran his fingers over the embroidery then realised they were looking expectantly at him, he took the tunic and headed behind the screen to change.
Arwen admired the dress in the mirror once more before turning to Erin "Would you fetch the Prince's tunic, he may as well try it on while he is here"
Erin nodded and left to fetch the requested clothing.
Arwen stepped from the dais stumbling slightly as the dress pinched tightly, she was finding it hard to breathe.
"Are you alright?" Legolas called from behind the screen.
"Yes, I just stepped on the hem, this is longer than my other dresses" she made it to the desk leaning over and gasping for air.
"Arwen!" the world began to tip sideways…
Legolas sighed as he looked at the tunic, why was he unable to say no to his friends. He removed his tunic then on seeing a matching shirt with the one he going to be modelling he removed his own hearing Arwen stumble as he did "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I just stepped on the hem, this is longer than my others" was it his imagination or did she sound out of breath. He peered around the screen his eyes widening as he could see her leaning on the desk having trouble breathing. "Arwen!" he rushed over helping to support her, unsure what to do. She gasped breathlessly "too…tight…" realising it was the dress causing the problem he quickly undid the silver cords. Instantly she began to take large breaths as the dress loosened.
Legolas placed a supporting hand around her speaking softly in her ear "Please do not do that to me" she let out a small laugh continuing to breathe heavily.
"My lady I have OH!" Erin froze in the doorway taking in the site of the two elves. The queen was leant over the desk panting heavily, the prince standing behind her one arm around her waist. Her dress looked like it had been unfastened in a hurry and had slipped off one shoulder. He was bare chested, leaning forward so their bodies were pressed together. The three blinked at each other before Legolas calmly spoke "Would you mind getting some water, the Lady Arwen was overcome but I believe she is feeling better now"
Erin nodded not quite trusting her voice and closed the door…maybe the rumours around the palace were true!
Legolas carefully lifted Arwen into his arms and carried her to the chair "Are you feeling better?"
She nodded, holding onto his hand "Yes, I may have put on a little weight since I was measured. I will just have to make sure they do not tighten it as much tomorrow night"
The prince smiled at her "Please do, I do not wish to see you like that again"
Legolas helped her change into her original dress which was a much looser fit and she was feeling much better by the time Erin returned carrying a tray. The seamstress was startled when the prince poured the water into one of the cups and took it over to the queen.
Arwen took it smiling her thanks as she sipped the cool liquid, he spoke quietly in elvish "Are you sure you do not wish me to get anyone? I can fetch Estel if you do not want any of the healers to know"
She shook her head "I am fine now, it was the dress, nothing more" she seemed to finally notice his unclothed state "You should get dressed otherwise you will cause quite a stir?" He looked down blushing as he realised his undressed state, he stood quickly heading for the screen, picking up his green tunic.
"Do not forget we came here for a reason" Arwen's voice sounded amused, he sighed "You are tenacious" he picked up Estel's formal tunic, hearing her giggle as he slipped it on.
AN – I have noticed I have Arwen serving a lot in this story, I'm in no way trying to say she is weak or subservient, I just think that she has done a lot of tasks for herself for many years before being queen and likes to be helpful. Now she is pregnant all of the men in her life will try to stop her from doing anything, but providing food is a way of still feeling useful.