Chapter 11: Dressed to Kill

"Hurry back!" the woman giggled as Loki and Thranduil departed with Mark.

"Ladies, follow me!" Miss Stencil commanded, marching them to a small room. She ushered the ladies in, the clapped her hands. "Staff! We need outfits…" she peered at each woman individually. "And makeup and at least three hair stylists!" She stepped over to Tauriel, and flicked her fingers through the she-elf's hair. "This look has to go."

Sif snickered, catching Stencil's attention. "Oh, don't think you're getting away without a style. You're not much better. That hairdo is so… so… " Stencil shuddered, unable to think of a word to describe her opinion of Sif's hair style.

The room filled with various staff, each attending to various tasks. Some measured the ladies and scurried off returning with armfuls of gowns for them to try on. Sif found herself pushed back into a chair and the leather band that held her hair in place was cut off and a comb was being pulled through her long black tresses.

"OUCH!" Sif winced in pain as the comb caught in a tangle.

"Sorry, miss. But we only have twenty minutes," the stylist replied. "Marge has picked out a dress for you, so as soon as I finish with your hair, you can get dressed."

The twenty minutes passed in a flurry of activity as the women were poked, prodded, and eventually dressed and made up. Each woman had been attired in a dress that complimented their looks, and their coifs were beautifully done. A box was brought in and jewelry was displayed for each woman to choose some pieces to wear.

Sif scoffed at the fancy jewels. "I do not need anything."

"Sweetie, take what you can. It ain't often you get to spend a night with Tony Stark, and those two hunks he's got working for him," Em said. "Pick something out. That ruby and black diamond necklace would look stunning with that dress."

Sif was wearing a sleeveless red silk halter gown with matching sling back heels. The V-neck front flowed to a draped floor length skirt. She glanced at the necklace. "I guess it would look pretty," she said grudgingly.

"Try it on." Em helped her put it on, then turned her to face the mirror. "See! And don't forget the earrings."

"Not bad," Tauriel said.

Sif looked at the she-elf. Tauriel's hair had been braided into an intricate pattern. She was wearing a green gown with a sweet-heart neckline and full skirts. She had chosen a golden leaf necklace with matching earrings.

Sif giggled. "Look at the pair of us. We're warriors, not silly pieces of fluff."

Tauriel shrugged. "I guess this is what they do here on this world. I miss my bow."

Miss Stencil clapped her hands. "Ladies! We are overdue in the foyer. Come along!"

The ladies filed back into the waiting area by the elevator.

"Oh wow! Are they not just… just yummy?" One woman practically drooled as she looked at the three men. Stark stood there, along with Thranduil and Loki. All three were now wearing tuxedos. Stark and Loki both in black flanked Thranduil who was dressed in silver grey.

"Seriously, are you ladies for real?" Sif asked.

"What? Jealous?" one said snidely.

Sif recognized the lady speaking as one who had been hanging on to Loki. "Of you? Hardly. You may keep him if you wish. I want nothing to do with him."

Loki snickered, and walked over to the ladies. "She prefers my brother, don't you Lady Sif?"

"Loki," Sif growled.

"Ravishing, Sif. Just ravishing." Loki looked her over. "Perhaps, if you had dressed like this more often, he might have noticed you and not that insipid mortal he's fallen for."

Sif shot daggers at him with her eyes. She raised her hand to slap him. Loki grabbed it and looked down at her. "Now, now… "

"Go fool around with your lady friends. Leave me alone!" Sif snapped.

"Gladly." Loki released her arm.

"Are we ready?" Stark asked. He glanced at Mark. "Send the bill to Ms. Potts."

Mark nodded. "It is always a pleasure doing business with you."

"I can imagine," Stark said under his breath. Raising his voice, he shouted over the voices of everyone. "Folks, we need to get back to the limo. Can't be late for our reservations."

Everyone crowded back into the waiting elevators. They exited into the store and walked briskly back out to the limo. Once everyone was back inside, the limo glided away from the curb and headed into traffic.

Ten minutes later they arrived at the entrance to Lutece. The driver scurried to open the door, assisting the ladies to exit the limo.

"Oh my gawd. I cannot believe I am actually going to eat here," one lady gushed.

"Me either, and with them," another sighed.

Sif rolled her eyes at the comments. "If you only knew them…"

Tauriel laughed. "Indeed!"

"Good evening, Mr. Stark. Miss Potts has arrived already," the maître d'hôtel greeted them as they entered the restaurant. "Your table is ready if you are."

"Right, Pepper is here already?"

"Yes, she took the liberty of ordering for the party. I hope that is acceptable," the maître d'hôtel said.

"I'm sure she did a great job. I wouldn't know where to begin with this group," Stark said with a laugh. "Lead on!"

They were whisked into the main dining room to their table. People tried not to stare, but a party that included two elves, Loki, Sif, and a gaggle of women practically drooling over the men was hard to not gape at.

Pepper rose when she saw them. "Tony! You're on time… for a change."

"Pepper, not now."

"Are they all coming with tonight? To the Met?" she asked.

"What is this met?" Thranduil asked.

"It is an opera house," Pepper replied. "Music. Tonight they are featuring Beethoven." She turned her attention to Tony. Lowering her voice, she whispered. "I do not think we can get this many tickets."

"What is a beta oven?" Thranduil asked the lady sitting next to him.

"You've never heard of Beethoven?" the woman giggled.

"Perhaps it bakes bread? To music?" Loki replied, mischief dancing in his eyes. He was glad of the time he had spent reading, it had not been all fiction he'd devoured. His knowledge of the nine realms was extensive.

"Bakes bread to music?" Thranduil considered that. "I would like that. Tauriel! Make sure we add music to the kitchens of Mirkwood."

"Right," Tauriel sighed. "Music in the kitchens. That will be a first. Pretty soon Mirkwood will look and sound like Rivendell. Cannot complain about that though."

"What is Mirkwood?" Sif asked.

"It is where we live… or did live until we ended up here. I do hope we get back soon."

"Are you not enjoying yourself, my lady?" a man asked from behind her.

"Oh! I did not realize you were there. I am sorry," Tauriel said apologetically, staring up at the handsome man.

"For what? Being beautiful? May I introduce myself? I am…"

A loud explosion erupted from the kitchens.