A Horrid Twist of Fate

Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, except for Ilisis.

A/N: I've only read The Fellowship of the Ring once, so please forgive any mistakes. This story takes place before it.

            Ilisis walked through the trees, heading towards her favorite archery spot. When she arrived, she set down her bow and quiver and unsheathed her sword. She began the thrusts and whirls that were part of practice routine. Suddenly, another sword met hers.

            "Trying to surpass me?" asked a mocking voice. She noticed a glint of gold that was unfortunately not the sunlight. It was Legolas.

            "I'm already better than you," she retorted.

            "Really?" he said sarcastically, as forced her sword down with his and brought his around to meet her neck.

            "That was nothing," she snapped.

            "Prove it," he said.

            She thought for a moment. Then she untied the leather thongs encircling the sleeves of her archery dress. She thrust one at Legolas.

            "Tie that around your neck," she ordered. "If I cut that from your neck without harming it, then you have to admit I'm better than you.

            "No way! You're going to try to kill me!"

            "Oh, poor little Legolas is scared."

            "I am not!"

            "Then do it."

            "No way!"

            "Then you'll just have to admit I'm better than you."

            "Fine, I'll do it. But you have to do the same, and it I cut it from your neck, you have to admit I'm better than you."

            "Alright," she said with a smirk. "But when you lose, you have to shout from the tallest tower, so that all of Mirkwood can hear, that I'm better than you.

            "So confident already?" he retorted. "You'll be sorry when you lose."

            They began the duel, each confident that they would win. Legolas's thrust was blocked by the sweep of Ilisis's sword. She whirled her sword around, but it was blocked by Legolas as he lunged forward. It forced Ilisis to step back so far so that she was almost off balance. Legolas continued his lunge with a sweep that forced Ilisis to lose her balance. She fell down and rolled to avoid Legolas. As she got up again, Legolas did a double sweep. She ducked, whirled around, and brought her sword to meet Legolas's neck.

            "I win," she said triumphantly. Then, with an evil smirk, "Well, it's time for the consequences."

            She picked up her things and headed for the tower. Legolas grudgingly followed. Damn Ilisis and damn my ego. He smirked evilly; he knew what to do.

A/N: This is my first LOTR fic, so please be nice. Review, review, review. In this story, Ilisis is 16 and Legolas is 18.