Chapter 24 - The Problem with Dwarves
Author's Note - I am so sorry for the delay. I must have done something to offend this muse and it took quite a while for it to speak to me again. Thanks to alliwantisanelfforchristmas for brainstorming with me and for getting me back on this track! It is actually almost entirely worked out in my head now. (I hope) Thank you for your patience with me, and this rather irritating muse! Now, shall we begin?
Over the next few days Bilbo had several conversations with Thorin. He didn't tell the Dwarf of his plan as he was still working out the details, but he assured him that soon they would be on their way.
"It had better be soon, Mr. Invisible Baggins," Thorin had said. "It is still some way yet to our . . . destination." He ended in a whisper, ever fearful that sharp elven ears might hear any carelessly chosen word he uttered.
"I am working on it, Thorin," Bilbo assured him. His plan was fairly simple and should - he hoped - work quite well. It was the Dwarves' willingness to leave that troubled him. He sighed as he crept away from Thorin's cell. Most were more than ready to be rid of this place, but Bombur and Gloin were reluctant to depart. He decided to visit them first and perhaps persuade them that it was indeed time to flee the hospitality of King Thranduil.
Bombur was alone for once, humming happily to himself.
"Bombur! Bombur! Can you hear me?"
The Dwarf turned then stood, a smile lighting his face.
"How are you, Bilbo?" he asked politely.
"I am quite well, thank you. How are you?"
"Oh, I am very well," Bombur said sounding very pleased and excited as he came top whisper at the keyhole. "You will never guess what is going to happen!"
"Well, no. I don't suppose that I could." A feeling of apprehension filled the Hobbit. He was certain that it would mean the Dwarf would be even more reluctant to go.
"Then I will tell you! Oh, Bilbo," he gasped, clapping his hands together in glee. "The Elves have asked me to make something for the King's feast!"
"What? The king's feast? But, Bombur," he spluttered, blinking rapidly in surprise. "When is the king's feast? My goodness! Those Elves certainly do like their feasts! Not that I blame them, but Bombur.we will be leaving soon!"
"Oh, yes. I know that. You don't suppose the others could be convinced to stay? Just a little longer," he said hopefully.
~Oh, bother! Here we go again! ~ Bilbo thought wearily.
"No, Bombur. I can't see them wanting to stay locked in their cells any longer than is absolutely necessary."
"That is too bad. I have rather enjoyed it here." The Dwarf heaved a great sigh. "We will be here for the feast, won't we? It will be in just a few days." That wasn't entirely true, but Bilbo wouldn't know that.
"Well, I suppose we will," Bilbo conceded, frowning slightly. "Bombur, is this to be a big feast?"
"Oh, yes! A wondrous feats! With lots of singing and music and dancing! And food!" He sighed, clasping his hands together in delight. "Oh, I am so excited! The Elves have promised me that I may sample everything!"
Bilbo was only half listening to the raptures of the Dwarf. He knew that if it were a large feast then there would be plenty of empty barrels to float down the river; plenty of barrels for the Dwarves to ride all the way to Lake Town in. He felt a swell of excitement himself.
"I am very happy for you, Bombur. I am sure the king will be quite thrilled with whatever it is you will prepare for him."
"Oh, yes! I am quite adept in the kitchen, you know. You must excuse me, Bilbo. I must decide what to fix. Oh! Please tell the others about it. I am sure they will feel honored that I was chosen to do this!"
Being dismissed Bilbo moved on to speak with each of the Dwarves, bearing messages from one to the other.
Balin was pleased to hear of their imminent release. He spoke at some length on what he would do once they had rid themselves of the Dragon.
" . . . and then I should like to reclaim Khazad-dum," he finished with a wistful sigh. Ever his thoughts seemed to turn to the other lost kingdom.
~I only hope I won't have to help you reclaim that one! ~ Bilbo thought wryly.
Just as he was turning to leave the white bearded Dwarf called softly to him.
"Are you quite sure, Bilbo, that the fair maiden is really the king's *son*?"
Bilbo grimaced at the slight quaver in the other's voice. Really! Perhaps their privations in the forest had affected their eyesight.
"I am quite certain, Balin. I am so sorry, but he is the King's son."
Balin sighed deeply and shuffled away from the door.
"That is really too bad. He is quite pretty though, isn't he?"
Bilbo shook his head in amusement. These Dwarves were really rather funny at times.
"Yes, Balin. I suppose he is." Shaking his head in dismayed amusement Bilbo moved off down the corridor and back to his storeroom to consider his plan more carefully.
Gwibess studied her three masters, trying to keep the rather bored expression from her face. Since they had run away three days earlier they had camped out under the stars enjoying the peace and quiet of the forest. Camping was fine, she had decided, if one didn't have to do it for more than a few hours at a time. There were no sparkly things to amuse here out here at all! She had not been very pleased to flee the palace at such great speed either, with Thrumb Dumb shrieking after them and the other Elves looking at them with strange expressions on their faces. She had become rather fond of her quiet life as a tame spider and even this small departure from it was wearying.
"Masters? When are we going home?"
But the three Masters were engrossed in their own worries. Tavor was looking rather dejected and throwing bits of grass and dead leaves into their small fire; Brethil for once, was quiet, staring into the woods beyond them; Legolas was scowling at nothing. Things had not worked out well. They had brought no food with them, or water. And only Brethil had a bow. The three sighed simultaneously.
"Can we go home yet?" Brethil asked. "I really don't want to stay out here anymore." He glanced at their spider. "Gwibess wants to go as well." He smiled over at her and she moved to stand beside him gratefully.
Tavor looked hopefully to Legolas. He didn't want to be the first to broach the subject, but since Brethil had he was ready to agree.
Legolas gazed at his two friends and the spider, amazed at the pitiful looks on their faces. He sighed again, digging in the ground before him with a stick.
"Yes. We will go home. But first," he interrupted their cries of happiness. "We have to go and get the jewels the other spiders took. Perhaps that will lessen the punishment we are going to get."
Tavor grimaced. Not again. How many times could they be punished in such a short amount of time? In one lifetime?
"Your father must surely be out of punishments by now," he muttered, rising gracefully to his feet. "Even he cannot possibly think of any more ways to humiliate us."
"Oh, I am sure he could, Tavor," Brethil began, standing also and stretching then scratching Gwibess on the head. He drew a breath and opened his mouth.
"Shut up, Brethil," Legolas and Tavor moaned.
"Come on. We need to find the spiders. Do you have any idea where they are?" Legolas asked, looking at the others.
Gwibess raised one spindly leg.
"I do, Master." She said reluctantly.
"Really? Where are they?"
"They are near the Magic Water. Where your boat floated away and I fell in."
"Good! That is not too far . . . ." Legolas stopped and looked at her. "You remember that?" His eyes slide to his friends. He wasn't certain what would happen when the effects of Morn Nen wore off.
Tavor frowned, brows knit.
"How can she remember? The effects can't wear off."
"Yes, they do eventually." Legolas stared at the spider. She looked abashed and regretful about having spoken out. She feared they would send her away now.
"They do not! Brethil pushed me in and I still don't remember it."
Legolas smiled for the first time in days. Brethil giggled, covering his mouth with his hand.
"What are you two laughing at?"
The two grinned at one another. Having decided that the little trick had served several purposes they decided the game was up.
"You never fell in. We just made that up. We had that game planned for some time. When Brethil called me a Prince of Singing Orcs I decided to start it. He took the blame and the fun began!" Legolas said, then he began to laugh.
"What?! What?!!" Tavor spluttered glaring at them. "You made it up! Why I ought to. . . !" He leapt at Brethil who was the slower of the two, but Gwibess blocked his way and Brethil managed to escape into the trees, trailing after Legolas. Tavor growled at Gwibess. "Get out of my way, Gwibess!"
"May I go home now, Master Ta Worm?" she asked, ready to pin him to the ground if he refused her. Though she feared that he would then tell her not to return home. Ever. That she could not bear.
"Yes. Go home. Just . . .just stay out of trouble!" He danced around the spider and sprinted into the trees.
Gwibess gleefully headed in the opposite direction, glad to be on her way back to her sparkling nest at last. She hissed and creaked merrily as she trotted along, then took to the trees. She failed to see the small group of Orcs that were hunting for a place to rest for the day as the dawn approached.
"Are you sure this is where she is?" one asked, looking about him. "It was quite a while ago when she was heard."
"It was here somewhere. I thought I heard voices earlier, but no one was singing."
"Won't it be wonderful when we find her," a third one sighed happily.
"Yes," the fourth and fifth agreed. "We have been hunting her for quite some time now."
"She has the most beautiful voice. She really scared those stupid Dwarves away! Fools! How could they not like her singing? Though they should throw themselves at her feet and thank her for saving their miserable lives. To think we had tracked them all the way from the Misty Mountains to here only to let them go." The Orc smiled recalling the eerie voice they had heard singing in the woods. "I will throw myself at her feet when we find her."
"I wonder what she looks like?" the sixth and final one said, a silly grin on its ugly face.
"Let's go," the leader called "Hopefully this night we will find our Singing Orc Princess!"
Well, I guess you know what is coming!
Plug for my beta reader on "Bells of Silver"! Please go read a couple very humorous little chapters by alliwantisanelfforchristmas entitled "Elvish Lessons". It will tickle you mightily as it did me! 'Tis great fun! Plus you owe it to her for getting this fic started again!
Plug for my favorite fic, too! The last few chapters have really wowed me, though the entire story is glorious! Katharine the Great's "The Weeping Wraith" is well worth the time it takes to read it all. I have read it twice at present! So please go and read this wondrous tale as well!
Response to Reviewers
JastaElf - Ohhh! I would love to meet your kitten named Thranduil! Well, I am sure know how it goes when you sit down for a relaxing cup of tea. Chaos ensues! Kids and their friends run in screaming, the dog starts barking, telemarketers on the phone, even cute kittens jumping on your lap or in your tea!! (Grin) Dodge is definitely a good place to get out of as quickly as possible!
t - Wow! You really summarized that last chapter quite succinctly! That is indeed about the size of it: insanity and payback!
annakas - I am glad you liked that one so much! It started out quietly enough, but definitely didn't stay that way. Thank goodness! (Grin) For some reason while I was writing about Gwibess being stuck fast in the window I kept seeing Winnie the Pooh stuck in Rabbit's hole! As to Gwibess' prayer, I guess that spiders have to pray too.
No one - Well, I stopped there because I ran out of steam! That chapter wore me out and gave me a headache! Yes. I get the idea. I will crank chapters out as long as I can!
Irena - Well, I guess you liked that chapter. But how does your husband feel about that??
Angaloth - I am not sure just what Thranduil will do to them when they return from the camping trip with Gwibess. MTR (more thought required)
Rings of the cosmos - If you go into the woods in your back yard the spiders will find you! Trust me. I know this! (Grin) Some day you may conquer your fear. I have nearly.almost..well..I am working on mine, too! But you know what really freaks me?? Cave crickets! Those brown ones with the really long back legs! (Shudders) Now they scare me!
Nancing Elf - Do not fear. Gwibess is fine and going camping with the Masters so she is quite happy. I think they need a good case of clampupyourmouthosis at Mirkwood. I'll bet your hair is quite beautiful! Spiders are so talented!
Puterpatty - Oh, thank you so much! You're so nice to me!! (author hugs herself in happiness) Well, I don't think that Brethil will ever learn, too much a way of life at this point. I enjoyed the shrieking contest myself. My friends and I used to do that when we were kids, just scream to see who was the loudest. Very rough on your throat though. I can just hear you singing "Legolas and Gloin sitting in a tree." (LOL) But please do not bite him too hard. There are many other people lined up to do it too!
Katharine the Great - First- don't kill Legolas!!!!!! Well.I thought you already had! Does this mean that you know of a way to fix it?? (TreeHugger prays to Elbereth that it may be so!) I liked the shrieking for the kingship contest pretty well myself. 'Twas quite fun! Yes, the poor hurt semi-conscious cute guys will get you every time!
Karina - My Legolas action figure is covered with cobwebs, too. I killed a long skinny spider the other night near it. Bad spiders! I love the name for your Mental Health Clinic - Mirkwood Health Clinic for the Elvishly Insane. We can call it MHCEI for short (just like hospitals on our own world!) They really, really need you! Desperately! By the time this tale is done I think I will need to check in myself!! Spiders with Warrior braids?? Hmmm.. That's an idea! Yes! I can be the Queen of Quick on occasion!
Lakergurl13 - Sorry about the bitten/not bitten confusion. I rather changed my mind at the last minute. The Dwarves are tucked safely in their cells, probably overhearing strange conversations in Elvish spiced with much laughter that they don't understand. Though since Gloin is learning that language slowly, he may be able to piece some of it together. I must say that is unfortunate that you are probably right about Legolas getting his hair cut once every age. Too bad!!! Otherwise you would have a thriving business, selling strands of his hair to his obsessed fans and making a fortuned greater than Thranduil's himself. Hmm. I wonder if Thranduil has thought of that? (Grin)
Taraacaiel - Wow! Thank you for that glowing review! I made my morning when I read it! Legolas is my favorite character, too. I think there are many of us Lego-lovers out there! I am really enjoying this portrayal of him even as OC as it has gotten and I am glad that you are as well! Thank you so much for reviewing!!
alliwantisanelfforchristmas - The Tricksy Trio does not need to be together to get into trouble, which is why they get into so much trouble when they are together! As for Hiwdil's bite, he had bitten him right up to the last second when my muse said "Nuh uh. He missed." Ah, the whims of our muses. (grin) I never realized that stressed spelled backwards was desserts. Kudos to your mother!
Anonymous - I don't think anyone's mouth is as big as Brethil's! He is the King of the Big Mouths and has made quite an extensive study of it. I agree that Legolas is overdue for an extended vacation somewhere as far away from Mirkwood as possible. We all do silly things to get out of trouble, little realizing that it only gets us into more trouble. When we realize that we just learn, as you said, to stay out of trouble. Older brothers must be nice. Mine is younger than me and I thought he was a royal pain most of the time! Luckily we outgrow that, too! I really like Bombur, too. He has a lot of likable personality traits. Very cool Dwarf! I think it is great that your mom likes the Hobbit and LOTR. Perhaps your dad will come around in time. I thought that the battle scenes in the movie were really great, though I never thought of them in terms of bloodiness. The scene in Moria was out of this world!! Mimicry is so much easier than reading and using the pronunciation guides. Someone should make a sight with all the Elvish words spoken. That would be very neat! And helpful. I am glad you are enjoying this story and I love your loquacious reviews!!!
phoenixfeather - You complimented my quick updates and look at how long it took me to get this chapter written! I am so sorry!! But I think it is going to cooperate now and updates will come a bit more quickly than this one.
Lirenel - I hope you have seen my new story "Once Upon a Time in Hollin", which deals with the Fellowship finding out about the craziness when the Dwarves "visited" the Elf King's Hall. That secret doesn't stay secret for long!
Blueberry Pancakes - Legolas wanted to get bitten because he thought it might delay his being in trouble - again! Not exactly sound reasoning perhaps, but he was rather desperate!
seventeens stalker - You may not have as many names as Aragorn, but you are getting close. I don't have any names yet! Shoot! I am sure you have become very impatient with me over the long, long, long delay. I hope this doesn't mean that I won't be the queen when you die! I am so sorry! Please forgive me O Queen of the White Fox, The Loudest in the Land, 17's_stalker, One with the Elves Behind her Foot! (bows in apology to the Queen
The Sadistic Cow - Love the name! Thran can bellow greatly!! Thank you for reviewing even one chapter! I love it!
ziggy - I hope you had a great holiday! As you see I too had a holiday from this fic. Unplanned and overlong! It was not fun on Writer's Block Island in the Middle of Nowhere! And yes. The king is wise and good and very, very loud!
black fey - Thank-u 4 the wonderful review! Making you laugh makes me laugh - with joy!
Author's Note - I am so sorry for the delay. I must have done something to offend this muse and it took quite a while for it to speak to me again. Thanks to alliwantisanelfforchristmas for brainstorming with me and for getting me back on this track! It is actually almost entirely worked out in my head now. (I hope) Thank you for your patience with me, and this rather irritating muse! Now, shall we begin?
Over the next few days Bilbo had several conversations with Thorin. He didn't tell the Dwarf of his plan as he was still working out the details, but he assured him that soon they would be on their way.
"It had better be soon, Mr. Invisible Baggins," Thorin had said. "It is still some way yet to our . . . destination." He ended in a whisper, ever fearful that sharp elven ears might hear any carelessly chosen word he uttered.
"I am working on it, Thorin," Bilbo assured him. His plan was fairly simple and should - he hoped - work quite well. It was the Dwarves' willingness to leave that troubled him. He sighed as he crept away from Thorin's cell. Most were more than ready to be rid of this place, but Bombur and Gloin were reluctant to depart. He decided to visit them first and perhaps persuade them that it was indeed time to flee the hospitality of King Thranduil.
Bombur was alone for once, humming happily to himself.
"Bombur! Bombur! Can you hear me?"
The Dwarf turned then stood, a smile lighting his face.
"How are you, Bilbo?" he asked politely.
"I am quite well, thank you. How are you?"
"Oh, I am very well," Bombur said sounding very pleased and excited as he came top whisper at the keyhole. "You will never guess what is going to happen!"
"Well, no. I don't suppose that I could." A feeling of apprehension filled the Hobbit. He was certain that it would mean the Dwarf would be even more reluctant to go.
"Then I will tell you! Oh, Bilbo," he gasped, clapping his hands together in glee. "The Elves have asked me to make something for the King's feast!"
"What? The king's feast? But, Bombur," he spluttered, blinking rapidly in surprise. "When is the king's feast? My goodness! Those Elves certainly do like their feasts! Not that I blame them, but Bombur.we will be leaving soon!"
"Oh, yes. I know that. You don't suppose the others could be convinced to stay? Just a little longer," he said hopefully.
~Oh, bother! Here we go again! ~ Bilbo thought wearily.
"No, Bombur. I can't see them wanting to stay locked in their cells any longer than is absolutely necessary."
"That is too bad. I have rather enjoyed it here." The Dwarf heaved a great sigh. "We will be here for the feast, won't we? It will be in just a few days." That wasn't entirely true, but Bilbo wouldn't know that.
"Well, I suppose we will," Bilbo conceded, frowning slightly. "Bombur, is this to be a big feast?"
"Oh, yes! A wondrous feats! With lots of singing and music and dancing! And food!" He sighed, clasping his hands together in delight. "Oh, I am so excited! The Elves have promised me that I may sample everything!"
Bilbo was only half listening to the raptures of the Dwarf. He knew that if it were a large feast then there would be plenty of empty barrels to float down the river; plenty of barrels for the Dwarves to ride all the way to Lake Town in. He felt a swell of excitement himself.
"I am very happy for you, Bombur. I am sure the king will be quite thrilled with whatever it is you will prepare for him."
"Oh, yes! I am quite adept in the kitchen, you know. You must excuse me, Bilbo. I must decide what to fix. Oh! Please tell the others about it. I am sure they will feel honored that I was chosen to do this!"
Being dismissed Bilbo moved on to speak with each of the Dwarves, bearing messages from one to the other.
Balin was pleased to hear of their imminent release. He spoke at some length on what he would do once they had rid themselves of the Dragon.
" . . . and then I should like to reclaim Khazad-dum," he finished with a wistful sigh. Ever his thoughts seemed to turn to the other lost kingdom.
~I only hope I won't have to help you reclaim that one! ~ Bilbo thought wryly.
Just as he was turning to leave the white bearded Dwarf called softly to him.
"Are you quite sure, Bilbo, that the fair maiden is really the king's *son*?"
Bilbo grimaced at the slight quaver in the other's voice. Really! Perhaps their privations in the forest had affected their eyesight.
"I am quite certain, Balin. I am so sorry, but he is the King's son."
Balin sighed deeply and shuffled away from the door.
"That is really too bad. He is quite pretty though, isn't he?"
Bilbo shook his head in amusement. These Dwarves were really rather funny at times.
"Yes, Balin. I suppose he is." Shaking his head in dismayed amusement Bilbo moved off down the corridor and back to his storeroom to consider his plan more carefully.
Gwibess studied her three masters, trying to keep the rather bored expression from her face. Since they had run away three days earlier they had camped out under the stars enjoying the peace and quiet of the forest. Camping was fine, she had decided, if one didn't have to do it for more than a few hours at a time. There were no sparkly things to amuse here out here at all! She had not been very pleased to flee the palace at such great speed either, with Thrumb Dumb shrieking after them and the other Elves looking at them with strange expressions on their faces. She had become rather fond of her quiet life as a tame spider and even this small departure from it was wearying.
"Masters? When are we going home?"
But the three Masters were engrossed in their own worries. Tavor was looking rather dejected and throwing bits of grass and dead leaves into their small fire; Brethil for once, was quiet, staring into the woods beyond them; Legolas was scowling at nothing. Things had not worked out well. They had brought no food with them, or water. And only Brethil had a bow. The three sighed simultaneously.
"Can we go home yet?" Brethil asked. "I really don't want to stay out here anymore." He glanced at their spider. "Gwibess wants to go as well." He smiled over at her and she moved to stand beside him gratefully.
Tavor looked hopefully to Legolas. He didn't want to be the first to broach the subject, but since Brethil had he was ready to agree.
Legolas gazed at his two friends and the spider, amazed at the pitiful looks on their faces. He sighed again, digging in the ground before him with a stick.
"Yes. We will go home. But first," he interrupted their cries of happiness. "We have to go and get the jewels the other spiders took. Perhaps that will lessen the punishment we are going to get."
Tavor grimaced. Not again. How many times could they be punished in such a short amount of time? In one lifetime?
"Your father must surely be out of punishments by now," he muttered, rising gracefully to his feet. "Even he cannot possibly think of any more ways to humiliate us."
"Oh, I am sure he could, Tavor," Brethil began, standing also and stretching then scratching Gwibess on the head. He drew a breath and opened his mouth.
"Shut up, Brethil," Legolas and Tavor moaned.
"Come on. We need to find the spiders. Do you have any idea where they are?" Legolas asked, looking at the others.
Gwibess raised one spindly leg.
"I do, Master." She said reluctantly.
"Really? Where are they?"
"They are near the Magic Water. Where your boat floated away and I fell in."
"Good! That is not too far . . . ." Legolas stopped and looked at her. "You remember that?" His eyes slide to his friends. He wasn't certain what would happen when the effects of Morn Nen wore off.
Tavor frowned, brows knit.
"How can she remember? The effects can't wear off."
"Yes, they do eventually." Legolas stared at the spider. She looked abashed and regretful about having spoken out. She feared they would send her away now.
"They do not! Brethil pushed me in and I still don't remember it."
Legolas smiled for the first time in days. Brethil giggled, covering his mouth with his hand.
"What are you two laughing at?"
The two grinned at one another. Having decided that the little trick had served several purposes they decided the game was up.
"You never fell in. We just made that up. We had that game planned for some time. When Brethil called me a Prince of Singing Orcs I decided to start it. He took the blame and the fun began!" Legolas said, then he began to laugh.
"What?! What?!!" Tavor spluttered glaring at them. "You made it up! Why I ought to. . . !" He leapt at Brethil who was the slower of the two, but Gwibess blocked his way and Brethil managed to escape into the trees, trailing after Legolas. Tavor growled at Gwibess. "Get out of my way, Gwibess!"
"May I go home now, Master Ta Worm?" she asked, ready to pin him to the ground if he refused her. Though she feared that he would then tell her not to return home. Ever. That she could not bear.
"Yes. Go home. Just . . .just stay out of trouble!" He danced around the spider and sprinted into the trees.
Gwibess gleefully headed in the opposite direction, glad to be on her way back to her sparkling nest at last. She hissed and creaked merrily as she trotted along, then took to the trees. She failed to see the small group of Orcs that were hunting for a place to rest for the day as the dawn approached.
"Are you sure this is where she is?" one asked, looking about him. "It was quite a while ago when she was heard."
"It was here somewhere. I thought I heard voices earlier, but no one was singing."
"Won't it be wonderful when we find her," a third one sighed happily.
"Yes," the fourth and fifth agreed. "We have been hunting her for quite some time now."
"She has the most beautiful voice. She really scared those stupid Dwarves away! Fools! How could they not like her singing? Though they should throw themselves at her feet and thank her for saving their miserable lives. To think we had tracked them all the way from the Misty Mountains to here only to let them go." The Orc smiled recalling the eerie voice they had heard singing in the woods. "I will throw myself at her feet when we find her."
"I wonder what she looks like?" the sixth and final one said, a silly grin on its ugly face.
"Let's go," the leader called "Hopefully this night we will find our Singing Orc Princess!"
Well, I guess you know what is coming!
Plug for my beta reader on "Bells of Silver"! Please go read a couple very humorous little chapters by alliwantisanelfforchristmas entitled "Elvish Lessons". It will tickle you mightily as it did me! 'Tis great fun! Plus you owe it to her for getting this fic started again!
Plug for my favorite fic, too! The last few chapters have really wowed me, though the entire story is glorious! Katharine the Great's "The Weeping Wraith" is well worth the time it takes to read it all. I have read it twice at present! So please go and read this wondrous tale as well!
Response to Reviewers
JastaElf - Ohhh! I would love to meet your kitten named Thranduil! Well, I am sure know how it goes when you sit down for a relaxing cup of tea. Chaos ensues! Kids and their friends run in screaming, the dog starts barking, telemarketers on the phone, even cute kittens jumping on your lap or in your tea!! (Grin) Dodge is definitely a good place to get out of as quickly as possible!
t - Wow! You really summarized that last chapter quite succinctly! That is indeed about the size of it: insanity and payback!
annakas - I am glad you liked that one so much! It started out quietly enough, but definitely didn't stay that way. Thank goodness! (Grin) For some reason while I was writing about Gwibess being stuck fast in the window I kept seeing Winnie the Pooh stuck in Rabbit's hole! As to Gwibess' prayer, I guess that spiders have to pray too.
No one - Well, I stopped there because I ran out of steam! That chapter wore me out and gave me a headache! Yes. I get the idea. I will crank chapters out as long as I can!
Irena - Well, I guess you liked that chapter. But how does your husband feel about that??
Angaloth - I am not sure just what Thranduil will do to them when they return from the camping trip with Gwibess. MTR (more thought required)
Rings of the cosmos - If you go into the woods in your back yard the spiders will find you! Trust me. I know this! (Grin) Some day you may conquer your fear. I have nearly.almost..well..I am working on mine, too! But you know what really freaks me?? Cave crickets! Those brown ones with the really long back legs! (Shudders) Now they scare me!
Nancing Elf - Do not fear. Gwibess is fine and going camping with the Masters so she is quite happy. I think they need a good case of clampupyourmouthosis at Mirkwood. I'll bet your hair is quite beautiful! Spiders are so talented!
Puterpatty - Oh, thank you so much! You're so nice to me!! (author hugs herself in happiness) Well, I don't think that Brethil will ever learn, too much a way of life at this point. I enjoyed the shrieking contest myself. My friends and I used to do that when we were kids, just scream to see who was the loudest. Very rough on your throat though. I can just hear you singing "Legolas and Gloin sitting in a tree." (LOL) But please do not bite him too hard. There are many other people lined up to do it too!
Katharine the Great - First- don't kill Legolas!!!!!! Well.I thought you already had! Does this mean that you know of a way to fix it?? (TreeHugger prays to Elbereth that it may be so!) I liked the shrieking for the kingship contest pretty well myself. 'Twas quite fun! Yes, the poor hurt semi-conscious cute guys will get you every time!
Karina - My Legolas action figure is covered with cobwebs, too. I killed a long skinny spider the other night near it. Bad spiders! I love the name for your Mental Health Clinic - Mirkwood Health Clinic for the Elvishly Insane. We can call it MHCEI for short (just like hospitals on our own world!) They really, really need you! Desperately! By the time this tale is done I think I will need to check in myself!! Spiders with Warrior braids?? Hmmm.. That's an idea! Yes! I can be the Queen of Quick on occasion!
Lakergurl13 - Sorry about the bitten/not bitten confusion. I rather changed my mind at the last minute. The Dwarves are tucked safely in their cells, probably overhearing strange conversations in Elvish spiced with much laughter that they don't understand. Though since Gloin is learning that language slowly, he may be able to piece some of it together. I must say that is unfortunate that you are probably right about Legolas getting his hair cut once every age. Too bad!!! Otherwise you would have a thriving business, selling strands of his hair to his obsessed fans and making a fortuned greater than Thranduil's himself. Hmm. I wonder if Thranduil has thought of that? (Grin)
Taraacaiel - Wow! Thank you for that glowing review! I made my morning when I read it! Legolas is my favorite character, too. I think there are many of us Lego-lovers out there! I am really enjoying this portrayal of him even as OC as it has gotten and I am glad that you are as well! Thank you so much for reviewing!!
alliwantisanelfforchristmas - The Tricksy Trio does not need to be together to get into trouble, which is why they get into so much trouble when they are together! As for Hiwdil's bite, he had bitten him right up to the last second when my muse said "Nuh uh. He missed." Ah, the whims of our muses. (grin) I never realized that stressed spelled backwards was desserts. Kudos to your mother!
Anonymous - I don't think anyone's mouth is as big as Brethil's! He is the King of the Big Mouths and has made quite an extensive study of it. I agree that Legolas is overdue for an extended vacation somewhere as far away from Mirkwood as possible. We all do silly things to get out of trouble, little realizing that it only gets us into more trouble. When we realize that we just learn, as you said, to stay out of trouble. Older brothers must be nice. Mine is younger than me and I thought he was a royal pain most of the time! Luckily we outgrow that, too! I really like Bombur, too. He has a lot of likable personality traits. Very cool Dwarf! I think it is great that your mom likes the Hobbit and LOTR. Perhaps your dad will come around in time. I thought that the battle scenes in the movie were really great, though I never thought of them in terms of bloodiness. The scene in Moria was out of this world!! Mimicry is so much easier than reading and using the pronunciation guides. Someone should make a sight with all the Elvish words spoken. That would be very neat! And helpful. I am glad you are enjoying this story and I love your loquacious reviews!!!
phoenixfeather - You complimented my quick updates and look at how long it took me to get this chapter written! I am so sorry!! But I think it is going to cooperate now and updates will come a bit more quickly than this one.
Lirenel - I hope you have seen my new story "Once Upon a Time in Hollin", which deals with the Fellowship finding out about the craziness when the Dwarves "visited" the Elf King's Hall. That secret doesn't stay secret for long!
Blueberry Pancakes - Legolas wanted to get bitten because he thought it might delay his being in trouble - again! Not exactly sound reasoning perhaps, but he was rather desperate!
seventeens stalker - You may not have as many names as Aragorn, but you are getting close. I don't have any names yet! Shoot! I am sure you have become very impatient with me over the long, long, long delay. I hope this doesn't mean that I won't be the queen when you die! I am so sorry! Please forgive me O Queen of the White Fox, The Loudest in the Land, 17's_stalker, One with the Elves Behind her Foot! (bows in apology to the Queen
The Sadistic Cow - Love the name! Thran can bellow greatly!! Thank you for reviewing even one chapter! I love it!
ziggy - I hope you had a great holiday! As you see I too had a holiday from this fic. Unplanned and overlong! It was not fun on Writer's Block Island in the Middle of Nowhere! And yes. The king is wise and good and very, very loud!
black fey - Thank-u 4 the wonderful review! Making you laugh makes me laugh - with joy!