And so it began: another rousing game of 'let's see who can push Boromir the farthest before he cracks'. As of late, Merry had been the dominating player, Pippin in close second. Poor Legolas was falling behind and with the two hobbits nestled comfortably in Boromir's boat, it looked as if Legolas wasn't going to be catching up any time soon. Legolas sighed.
Gimli studied his newfound friend. "What seems to be the problem, Elf?"
Legolas gestured over towards Boromir with his paddle. "Looks like I'm going to miss out on the festivities today as well."
The chant had already begun. Two little hobbit voices and their annoying "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" could be heard from the boat Legolas and Gimli shared.
Gimli chuckled. "I know what you mean. I've fallen so far behind that I'm fighting Aragorn for fifth place."
"Arg! Infernal halflings - quit your babble!!" Boromir sounded annoyed - but not quite there yet. After a few moments of silence, a new chant began, slightly altered. "When are we going to get there? When are we going to get there?"
Legolas laughed. "I would never let myself fall that far behind, Dwarf."
Gimli sighed. "Ah, well. I suppose sharpening my axe to hew orc necks and stay alive is much more important as to get in the way of grooming and sneaking berries into Boromir's boots whilst he his bathing."
"Will you shut up already?!" Almost there... The old chant resumed.
Legolas snorted. "In the way of grooming, indeed."
Gimli turned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Legolas smiled - Gimli smiled back.
"ARGH!!!"
Splash!
The chanting had stopped, and a very happy Pippin was treading water in the middle of the Anduin. "Looks like we're tied now, Merry!" he called.
Splash!
Well... no need to shout anymore. Boromir was paddling fast now, heading off the group and mumbling to himself. Legolas could hear Merry and Pippin's protests close behind him. Two curly, wet hobbit heads popped up on both sides of the boat.
"Mind if we bum a ride?" Merry asked casually.
"Sure," said Gimli. "Hop on in."
As the two soaking hobbits clamored into the boat, Legolas realized that it just wasn't going to work.
"Ai! Ai!" he protested. "What are you doing? We can't all fit into the boat!"
"Sure we can," Pippin argued. "It's made of Elf magic."
Further up the river, Aragorn looked over at Boromir. "You ok, man?"
It was then that Legolas' shouts were cut off by another splash and immediately followed by a very loud screech.
Boromir smiled. "I am now."