A/n: I'm back! Sorry it took so long, but I needed a good head of steam to finish this. 2 of my friends took care of that: one of them is oblivious and the other is being a brat!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

So, our visitors from Middle Earth stayed the night in the great castle, each had their own rooms, and all secretly wondering what other sorts of tests King Aragorn had set up in order to test the child monarchs.

"Are you nervous, Legolas?" Pippin questioned from his position on a rather soft couch that really almost swallowed him. Gandalf had insisted he rest, and then gone of to find the little queen who had apparently healed him; he wanted to know where that potion came from.

"My only fear is of embarrassing the child." Legolas mumbled.

"I think you are under estimating them!" Frodo said, leaning against one wall. "They are supposed to have beaten this witch who had the power to make it always winter here. That doesn't sound all that bad to me."

"Hah. Master hobbit, listen to an old dwarf. They're too young to have done anything really important." Gimli scoffed. "Legolas will crush the child, and that'll be the end of it. I don't even know why Aragorn puts up with this. I'd rather just go home." The king of Gondor stepped in at that moment.

"Friend Gimli, we have cast doubt upon their ability to rule. They must regain their honor." He tossed a blanket at the dwarf. "Now go to your room and rest. Tomorrow may be more of a challenge than you think.

In the Morning

The fellowship was woken up by a rather hyper Pippin. Believe me, if there's one thing that you don't want to face, it's a hungry hobbit when there are mushrooms around, and this particular hobbit had been woken up by the intoxicating odor of bacon, eggs, and mushrooms wafting through the hall. It was so bad that one of the centaurs almost gave Pippin an additional knock on the head; for fear that he had somehow contracted rabies or something like it. Fortunately, King Edmund had been on his way to summon his guests, and correctly judged that it was hunger, not madness that drove the hobbit into a drooling frenzy. He thusly allowed Pippin to dine early, and was shocked at his consumption. I think there was a song written about that particular epic breakfast later.

After breakfast, the games began. Queen Susan appeared looking lovely as perhaps even Lady Arwen. Or at least that's what Merry said, but Aragorn glared at him and he became quite interested in his shoes. Regaurdless, it was the truth. Queen Susan the Gentle appeared bareheaded, her long dark hair braided tightly and falling down her back and clad in a forest green dress with a white quiver slung over one slender shoulder. All bowed to her, as her brothers glared threateningly at all males present, as she made her way to stand beside the Elvin prince.

"Good day, my lord." Legolas bent his head in response.

"Queen Susan." All was quiet, which was surprising, for there really was a great crowd of creatures surrounding them.

"What shall we make the target?" She asked, taking her bow down from one shoulder, and notching an arrow to it carefully. Legolas did the same.

"Perhaps that tree over there." He pointed. There was a gasp of horror from the crowd. "What?" With a smile still on her face, the dark queen whispered.

"That's a tree."

"So?"

"Trees have spirits in this land. Hurt the tree, and you hurt the spirit of the tree."

"Like Ents!" Frodo whispered. Legolas turned cherry right to his roots. Still seemingly focused on him, Queen Susan pulled the arrow on her sting back and let it fly. A sound rather like that of someone biting an apple invaded the breathless silence. Legolas turned to see her shot. 100 meters away, her arrow rested on the ground, speared through an apple. Our master dwarf's mouth dropped. King Peter stepped forward and raised his arms.

"This is the contest! Our royal sister and the Prince Legolas shall shoot at the apples into the orchard, each shot but a little further away than the last, until one of them misses. The one who doesn't miss will be declared champion. Legolas nodded. It was a good test, and maybe the girl would be a worth opponent. He aimed and shot.

"Blast! Are they ever going to miss?" Gimli complained from his seat on the ground. An hour later, the 2 archers were still competing, until the competitors could barely see the apples that were being destroyed; much less hear the wet 'thwack' of impact. A snore from Pippin was his only answer. The others were dully engaged in getting whiplash from turning their heads to follow the arrow, and back to see another one released, then on and on. Queen Susan released her arrow, yet again. Gimli awaited the inevitable thwack. Silence. It never came. Everyone suddenly became interested, standing and straining to see the final shot. Legolas calmly took aim. Thwack.

The Elvin prince calmly placed his bow on his back, as did the queen. Legolas bowed to the queen and took her hand in his own. "You are indeed a worthy opponent, Queen Susan. Never have I seen a human shoot so well." She curtsied in reply.

"In a few years, sir, we must do this again. I believe by then I will be your match."

"Perhaps you will."

"Our guests have won the first round!" King Edmund proclaimed while his elder brother and younger sister ran to embrace their sister. The fellowship also went up to address her.

"You were incredible Su!" Little queen Lucy yelled. She hugged her sister around the middle. Peter just beamed.

"Your best match ever, I believe."

"Indeed, your highness. I know of many full grown monarchs who cannot compete with an elf as skillfully as she just did." Legolas commented, and then bowed. "She also lost with grace and courtesy."

"A good quality in a ruler." Aragorn added. Frodo nodded happily.

"So the lass is good with a bow! That mean's nothing on the battle field." Gimli muttered.

"Indeed, then what does?" King Edmund asked the sulking dwarf.

"Skill with the blade." The short man said.

"Then would you face me with the blade?" Edmund asked.

"I wouldna want to hurt ye lad." Edmund smirked.

"I'll take my chances."

"Fine then! Gimli verses King Edmund after lunch!" Aragorn proclaimed. Both opponents glared at each other.

A/N: Heh heh. 'Kay. Watcha think? Who will win? REVIEW!!!!