Still simmering, Legolas followed Adrian until they arrived at a set of stone stairs. The Ranger limped down them and Legolas bounded to the ground in two graceful jumps. He swept his hair out of his eyes and saw Adrian staring at him with a withering gaze. "Always such a show off," he muttered. Legolas forced himself to smile at the Ranger, but he would have much rather swallowed poison. "I would try to keep a civil tone," he said slowly, as if speaking to a child. "People might start thinking that you find me repulsive." He laughed inwardly at the murderous expression on the imposter's face and set off down the courtyard, his steps a little lighter.
The breeze tickling his face was pleasant, the autumn leaves chasing each other around him slim frame. The Prince of Mirkwood felt his mask slipping off his face, and for once, he did not care. He tried not to let anything trouble him as he mentally prepared himself for the meeting with Elrond. He supposed there would be some kind of a contest to measure strength and endurance, after Legolas proposed his idea. Actually, he had no idea, really. But knowing Elrond, he would think of something tricky and clever. Legolas smiled again, this time for real. Tricky and clever? That was what he did best.
There was no one else in the courtyard, which left Legolas wondering where everyone was. With a pang, he realized that he might have missed some sort of meeting. What if it was important? He palmed his face in shame. Here he was, going about his own affairs, when there were much bigger things at hand! After standing there awkwardly for a few minutes, he glimpsed a small crowd filing out of the meeting hall to the east, the same hall that he had sat in on that fateful night when Adrian had joined the Fellowship.
Oh! It was just lunch! Legolas wanted to kick himself. He heard an odd noise and looked down in alarm at his stomach. He had mistaken the squirming in his gut for nerves, but now he realized it was just hunger. Legolas remembered that he hadn't even eaten breakfast. His brow furrowed as he thought. He had never missed a meal in Mirkwood. This time spent in Rivendell had changed him, of that he was certain. He hadn't quite worked out if it was for better or for worse.
With his excellent eyesight, the Prince could clearly see Lord Elrond standing at the top of the steps of the hall, conversing with the wizard Gandalf. He couldn't make out what they were saying from here, but it probably concerned Frodo and the Fellowship. Finally, Gandalf descended the steps, and Elrond was alone, his pale red robes snapping in the wind. Legolas started towards the meeting hall at a brisk pace. He looked to the side and noticed that Adrian was right by his side, perfectly matching his stride even with his bad leg. The Prince frowned. Had had never met anyone, man or Elf, who was faster than him. The Prince decided to try him out. Gradually, he increased his stride until he was almost running.
Did Adrian snort, or was it just his imagination? The wind whipped Legolas' hair back, and he seemed to almsot float on air, never tiring, like he had trained for this all his life. Maddeningly, Adrian could keep the pace! Legolas tried not to let his anxiety show and broke into a flat-out run. They were nearing the hall, and Legolas could see Lord Elrond back up in confusion. Man and Elf were neck and neck, flying along like horses set free. Sweat poured off the Ranger's body, though he looked like he would never slow. Legolas felt no strain but was afraid he could go no faster. With a giant leap, they were at the steps of the meeting hall, arriving at precisely the same time.
Adrian collapsed at the foot of the stairs, coughing and sputtering. Legolas was slightly winded, though he would never show it. He re-arranged his hair and fixed his belt, making sure all his weapons were present, while allowing his heart rate and breathing to return to normal. After a few moments Adrian dragged himself to his feet, wheezing like a wounded boar. Though he was in the presense of a king, the Ranger only had eyes for his competitor. "I won," he coughed, sputtering on the words as if they cost him a great effort. "You wish, human," hissed Legolas out of the corner of his mouth. In spite of himself, his heart was pounding again, not out of physical strain, but out of anxiousness. He sank to knees before the Lord of Rivendell, raising his head just a bit so that all he could see was Elrond's fine dragon-hide boots. "Most gracious Lord Elrond," he said through a curtain of golden hair. "I ask your permission to make a humble proposition."