Author's Note: Thank you for your patience. I wish had I more time to write, but things keep getting in my way. Please enjoy this chapter… and who knows where we will wander off to next!

Chapter 38 – War and Peace – the Short Version

"Boys…" one of the uniformed security guards started, then realized there were at least two women in the group. "And, ah… ladies." He glanced quickly at Legolas and Thranduil, not 100% certain which category they fit in. Deciding he had covered his bases, he went on. "You're going to have to get off the playing field. Half-time doesn't start until the quarter is over."

"What is this half time that you speak of? You take breaks during your battles? And allow spectators?" Thranduil asked imperiously.

"Where are their handlers?" The head of security whipped out his radio. "Can someone come here and get the half-time show back into the green room?" He listened for a few seconds. "Whaddaya mean they are in the green room? Who the hell is this out here on the playing field? They stopped play with 32 seconds to go in the second!"

The players had surrounded the group by now, grumbling about the stoppage.

"I woulda had that ball if they hadn't stumbled onto the field. We woulda been ahead by a touch down!" one growled.

"In your dreams," another player snorted. "I had you pegged in my sights. You were going down, boy." He bumped up to the first player, glaring at him.

"Now, now… boys. Let's keep it calm. We'll get this situation figured out and restart the play." One of the referees intervened.

"So we gonna restart the whole play?"

"Yeah, cause it ain't fair these twerps popped up out on the field before half time."

"Boys, we'll make a decision regarding that, once we get them off the field," the ref replied. He glanced over at the security men. "How long till you can clean up the field?"

"Gonna be a bit. Someone says this ain't the half-time show." The head security's radio crackled as someone started speaking. "Huh? What?" His eyes flew over to Thor and company. "You're kidding, right?" Shaking his head, he put is radio away. "We'll have them off the field shortly."

The players were starting to get restless.

"So what's the holdup? You gonna get these pretty boys off the field or do we get to toss them in the air too?"

"Toss 'em in the air? Hey! Are you insinuating you've been tossing us in the air? We're about to go ahead in case you didn't notice. We got the ball and you don't."

"So, don't mean your gonna keep it."

"Boys, just calm down, we'll have them off and we've decided to restart play."

"RESTART! All because these idiots didn't follow directions! They're just they're just dumb entertainers. You know you can't fix stupid. You can't let them make us lose momentum."

"You never had momentum, you idiot!"

"Wait, are you calling us dumb?" Thranduil's icy voice cut through the noise of the arguing players.

They are turned to focus on the elven king.

"Yeah, and what are you gonna do about it fancy pants? What are you, a singer or a dancer?"

"Bet he's a dancer with those fancy clothes… prancing around the stage." The player who spoke started mincing around the field.

"Looks just like you when you're running!"

This remark was met with laughter from the other players.

The player sneered. "You'd better watch your back on the next play then." He jerked a thumb towards Thranduil. "That's the fancy pants pansy, not me. He's even dressed for the part in that dress."

The sound of a blade being pulled from a sheath captured their attention. "What the hell? Put that toy away"

The point of the sword lightly touched the chin of the player who had been speaking. "You dare to call me a pansy?" Thranduil asked, even though he wasn't one hundred percent certain what a pansy was, the tone of the player's voice had not been very respectful.

"I highly suggest you retract your words," Loki added, stepping up next to Thranduil with a menacing look. Thor joined them, raising Mjölnir.

The player swatted at the tip of the blade, slicing his palm open. "Hey! That's real!" Blood started dripping from the cut.

"Call medical!" one of the refs shouted.

"Of course it is real, you fool." Thranduil replied. "What were you expecting?"

"I thought it was just a prop." The player was staring at the blood. "I'm bleeding!"

Loki rolled his eyes. "Really? How nice of you to notice. Now, if you will excuse us…"

"You just hurt my buddy!" another player roared.

"Seriously? He hurt himself by being an idiot," Loki smirked.

"You better take that back or I'm gonna flatten you! Both of you, you la-dee-da fancy pants pansies."

Loki sighed. "Really? I highly doubt that…" Before he could finish his sentence, the player ducked his head.

"Raj, NO!" One of the refs shouted. "Stop him!" But it was too late, the player rushed at Loki and Thranduil, planning to tackle them.

An instant before he reached the elven king, Loki flicked his wrist, sending the man flying backwards. He landed on his back, the wind knocked out of him. Slowly he sat up. "What the hell? Who stopped me?" he growled, staring at the other players. They all shook their heads, starting to back away from Loki slowly.

"Now, uh, sir?" One of the security guards spoke softly. "Could you please put the sword away so no one else gets hurt?"

Thranduil started at him a moment before complying.

"Thanks, now…" his radio crackled. He listened, nodding as instructions were given.

"Right, uh, Mr. Stark just called the head office and said as how we're to escort you to the sky box. So if you boys… and girls," he nodded towards Sif and Tauriel, "will just follow me…"

"A box in the sky?" Thranduil looked up. "Where is this precisely?"

"Um, he said we're to treat you like royalty."

Thranduil lifted his eyebrows sardonically. "Considering I am royalty; I would expect nothing less." He followed after the security guard as their group was led off the field. Once in the stadium, several more guards rushed up.

"Thank god you got them off without any more mishaps. We got one injured player…"

"You call a minor cut an injury?" Thor asked incredulously. "What type of war is this they are involved in?"

"Uh, it's not a war, it's the Super Bowl… but I guess it is kinda like a war if you think of it. Only one team will win and they're the champions of football," their escort explained.

"They have balls for feet?" Sif asked as they continued walking with their security escort through the passageway. She started laughing.

"No, that's what the game is called. You gotta be from some weird foreign country if you ain't never heard of football."

They stopped at an elevator. "Come on, all of you inside so we can take you to the sky box."

As they crammed into the elevator, their escort's cell phone went off. He quickly answered it. "Of course, Ms. Potts. I will see to it…"

"Champagne?" Thranduil's sensitive hearing had picked up a few words of the conversation.

Their escort looked at him and nodded. "Yes, we can make sure there is champagne."

Pepper's voice floated out of the phone. "Best send some fruit and cheese as well."

Thranduil nodded. "Excellent."

"Sure, anything else? Cream puffs? Hot fudge sundaes? Green M & M's?" the man was being facetious at this point. Dealing with entertainers could get tedious with their insane demands.

"Yes to all of those!" Thranduil answered before Pepper could say anything.

The man rolled his eyes. "Fine. And Mr. Stark is going to pay for this?"

The elevator doors opened as they reached their level. A skybox attendant was waiting for them. "This way, ladies and gentlemen. We have everything ready for you, courtesy of Mr. Stark."

As they entered the skybox, several waiters approached with trays of freshly poured champagne. A table laden with fruit and cheese was set up, along with several other items, including cream puffs. Legolas wandered over and picked one up. "What precisely is this?" He sniffed it.

"That is a cream puff. A dessert," one of the waiters explained.

Legolas bit into it. He chewed thoughtfully, then nodded. "It shall do. Father, do try one."

Thranduil, having just finished his second glass of champagne accepted one from the attendant. Eating it slowly, he finally finished it. "It shall do. More!"

Loki tried one. "It is good." He washed it down with a glass of champagne. "So, is Tony Stark here?"

"Ah, no, sir. He will be joining us shortly I believe. He insisted that you wait for him."

Loki shrugged. "I'll try, but I cannot promise." He picked up another bottle of champagne… and then disappeared.

Seeing Loki disappear, Thranduil quickly grabbed two bottle of champagne and a platter of cream puffs. Seconds later, he was gone.

Thor glanced at Tauriel and Sif, wondering if they were going to be left behind this time. He really wouldn't mind staying here with all the food. "Just in case…" He grabbed two platters of cheese and fruit, tucking a bottle of champagne under his arm.

He stood there for several minutes, waiting. Nothing happened.

Sif laughed. Thor shot her a thunderous look.

"Guess we're stuck here," Sif grinned. "With the rest of the champagne. Poor Thranduil. He will miss all this." Her arm swept around the room at the buckets of champagne scattered about. She walked over and picked up a bottle to pour herself a glass… and disappeared.

Legolas looked at the remaining members of their party. "Well, I suppose father would like more cream puffs." He picked up another platter of the desserts. "Tauriel, grab some champagne." Seconds later, the two elves were gone.

Thor realized the attendants were all staring at him. He shrugged, just as Tony Stark burst into the room. "What the hell were you all thinking down there?" Then he realized only Thor was in the room. "Where is everyone else?"

Thor shook his head. "Who knows?" Then he was gone.

Tony whipped out his cell phone. "Pepper! They're gone again!"