Time to Party
Two nights later, everyone was gathered in Rivendell's main hall along with an unhealthy supply of alcohol. Elladan, Elrohir and Glorfindel were quietly talking amongst themselves. The three elves had been steadily drinking since the alcohol had first been brought up from the cellar and as a result they were all slightly worse for wear. Elrond was standing with Gandalf in the corner and both of them were scowling at Merry and Pippin. Aragorn and Arwen were making out in another corner and everyone was doing their very best to ignore them, without much success. Gimli and Legolas were sitting with the four hobbits. The party was beginning.
"Elrond doesn't look very happy." Pippin remarked. "I think he needs to relax a bit."
"You can hardly blame him," Legolas said immediately. "He's probably worried that he isn't going to have a house at the end of this party" He poured himself another drink and drained it in one. "Do you know why I love being an elf?" he continued.
"Because," he went on, not waiting for an answer. "We can drink lots and lots before we get drunk."
"Not in father's case!" Elrohir yelled across the room. "He's too old now. Can't stand the pace any more."
"Elladan!" Elrond roared. "That isn't true."
"That was Elrohir." Elladan said, scowling at his younger brother. "But anyway, it's true is it not?"
"Of course it's not true," Elrond glared at his twin sons and picked up his glass. "I'll show you that I can still keep up with you young ones."
"Oh great," Glorfindel muttered. "Now look what you've done."
"It doesn't matter," Legolas said with a shrug. "By the time he starts taking his clothes off, everyone will be too drunk to care."
In the corner, Frodo and Sam were holding hands, but everyone was pretending no to notice. Pippin and Merry ran over to the elves.
"Hey Elrohir!" Merry yelled at the top of his voice. "Legolas told us that you are in love with Glorfindel. Is it true?"
All heads turned to look at the elves. Elrohir lowered his head in embarrassment. Glorfindel however, wasn't prepared to be humiliated by a pair of hobbits.
"I'm going to kill you when I get hold of you," he yelled, attempting to get to his feet. Merry and Pippin gave a yell and fled only to be caught by Elrond and Gandalf, who grabbed them by their necks and lifted them off the ground.
"Fool of a Took!" Gandalf yelled, so loudly that Legolas had to cover his ears. "You should learn to keep your nose out of other peoples business!"
"What is his problem?" Gimli muttered to Legolas. "It is supposed to be a party."
"It's because he's just an antique of a wizard," Frodo told them. He and Sam laughed. "You are so clever, Mr Frodo" Sam said, looking at Frodo adoringly. "That is why I love you."
"Yes, yes," Aragorn came over to them with Arwen in tow. "Sam, we've all known for years that you love Frodo. We don't need to be reminded of it every five minutes."
"But Mr. Frodo might forget," Sam told them, his voice trembling. "And he might find someone else."
"Good grief," Aragorn shook his head. "I think I'll go and talk to the elves. At least they don't go on and on about being in love"
"Stupid hobbits," he heard Elladan say as they went over. "Wish they would all die."
"Exactly what father said," Elrohir agreed, raising his glass. "Death to hobbits."
"Death to hobbits!" they all cheered.
Meanwhile, Gandalf and Elrond had finally let the hobbits go and they came wandering over to talk to Aragorn.
"Why does everyone always accuse us of causing trouble?" Merry asked him. "When we say things, we only say the truth. Like when we say that Glorfindel looks like a girl…" he broke off as an empty glass bottle flew across the room, narrowly missing his head. "See what I mean?" he finished lamely. "No one likes us."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Gimli muttered sarcastically. Aragorn heard him and laughed. Pippin scowled.
"Just because you guys can't stand to hear the truth," he said solemnly. "Doesn't mean that you have to take it out on us."
The room fell silent as everyone glared at the two very irritating hobbits. Finally Pippin broke the silence.
"I know what we need," he said excitably. "We need some fun,"
"You don't say." Frodo mumbled under his breath. Pippin ignored him and carried on.
"So lets play a game," he continued. Everyone continued to look at him.
"What sort of game?" Arwen asked finally. "I'm not sure I want to play anything that you two have come up with."
"It's called Truth or dare," Merry said with a grin. "We have to take turns at asking someone if they want truth or dare. If they answer truth, they have to answer a really embarrassing question. If they pick dare, they have to do a dare."
"I get it," Elladan nodded. "Why not? Count me in."
"And me," Elrohir agreed and Glorfindel quickly followed suit. Aragorn and Arwen hesitated for a moment, and then nodded their agreement. Frodo, Sam, Gimli and Legolas immediately agreed, Elrond was too drunk to protest and even Gandalf grudgingly agreed to play. They all gathered in a circle on the floor and looked at Pippin expectantly.
"Right then," the youngest hobbit said, looking around and grinning. "I chose…"