Hmm. More stuff added on computer. Let's see if I can cope with all this technology! And it ain't mine – but then you knew that anyway…

Party Hard.

As the full horror of my situation occurred to me I decided that now would be the time to get the hell out of the room. Hopefully unnoticed. But first I had to get away from the Mary Sues. Then I felt something. Something very very bad.

I was weakening against their power! I could not bear to leave these beautiful ethereal creatures! How I'd managed for so long without them I couldn't comprehend. I fought an inward battle to free myself from their evil influence.

I backed away and staggered. The effort involved was just too much. I was surrounded, and I was going down.

***

Fortunately for me I fell against the wall. The wall gave me the support I so desperately needed and I edged away from the creatures and their essence of evil that permeated the air, their beautiful heavenly voices echoing in my head.

"Sirens." My mouth commented aloud dully as I tried to regain my senses. I was not the only one affected. Seemed that several of the more gullible elves were caught by the 'Sues'. The 'Sues' however had not yet sunk their claws into this willing prey, preferring to wait for Legolas.

***

"Enjoying yourself?" A voice whispered into my ear.

I turned and was faced with Veborion. A slightly pale looking Veborion who was obviously injured but still managing to look like a damn hot piece of elf. Part of me swooned. And then I noticed the severely pissed look he had on his face. Was he ever happy?

"What's up with you?" I asked, while I tried to reign in the mental drool that was threatening to drown my brain as I gazed at him.

"Nothing." He answered curtly before looking away.

"Fine. Whatever." I looked away exasperated by him. Did he always have to be so downright irritating? Then I noticed the table that was laid out for refreshments.

"Sod this for a lark." I muttered and left the very hot and very annoying elf where he was and made my way over to the table.

"After Mary Sues and Vebby," I commented as I picked up a rather large and very full of something-frothy tankard. "I think I deserve this." I knocked it back enjoying the taste of alcohol. Savouring it and letting the stress I had been carrying since Thranduil's somewhat surprising show of affection gradually slip away.

And then I knocked back another.

And another.

And another.

And another.

I began swaying in time to the music that was playing in my head. And drank another. Before picking up a bottle of whatever the heck was on the table and mixing it with the dregs that were left in my tankard. My vision blurred. And I didn't care.

***

Twenty minutes (and several more drinks) later I found myself in the middle of the throne room. And I was dancing. Badly. None of this waltzing gracefully around the room in the arms of a loved one for me. No sirree. I was dancing like the drunken loon at a wedding that nobody admits to inviting or knowing. You know the person I'm on about? Well in the throne room of Mirkwood's Palace that person was me.

Then I threw caution to the wind and decided that the time had come to teach that miserable bastard Veborion how to have fun. I marched over to where he was sitting, announced loudly "Vebby honey, come and dance with me!" grabbed his arm and dragged him back to my dancefloor.

And I made him dance. Oh boy did I make him dance.

And if looks could have killed I would have been sliced and diced in no time at all. But I didn't care.

In fact for probably the first time since my disastrous arrival in Mirkwood I would say that I was having fun.

Idiot.

********************************

Dedicating this chapter to my friend who I went out with on Saturday night. It got very messy.

Dancing and chasing balloons around the dancefloor in v. v. high shoes. I recommend it. It was great fun!

R&R please!