*Thanks to all my reviewers! Especially TreeHugger, who without, this story wouldn't be possible (well, it'd be possible, but it wouldn't be as funny, and all my ideas wouldn't work). The Tricksy Trio makes their first appearance in this chapter.

*For those of you who asked, the stuff Elladan and Elrohir put in Deidre's conditioner was a cloth dye they had "borrowed" from one of the weaving rooms in Imladris. And I'm sorry to say the rabbit they practiced on did not survive. It was caught by a group of human hunters who marveled over the bright green fur, and the one who's arrow had pierced the rabbit got to keep the skin, and was passed it down as an heirloom, until it deteriorated.

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Chapter Three The Spider Capital of Arda

"Why Mirkwood, of all places?" Deidre fumed as she paced in Celebrian's chamber, where Celebrian was unsuccessfully trying to get her niece to calm down. "It's the spider capital of Arda, for Elbereth's sake!"

"Your father has his reasons, nin iell," Celebrian replied soothingly. "Besides, at least you'll be safe from the twins' pranks. And I believe one of the princes of Mirkwood is just your age."

As it turned out, the remark about Mrikwood's youngest prince was not the best thing to say at the time, considering Deidre's current state of emotion, as it only made her more frustrated.

"That's one of the reasons I'm against going, mother! Prince Legolas of Mirkwood is my age. Ada's sending me there so he and Thranduil can fix the two of us up! I hate suitors, remember? And who knows how weird Legolas is going to be? He could be worse than the twins?" Deidre shuddered at the thought of anyone being worse than Elladan and Elrohir.

"You will not be 'fixed up' with Prince Legolas. That's the last thing on your father's and my minds, trust me. We're sending you and the twins to Mirkwood on an official visit. You're going along because we trust you to set a good example. Knowing Elladan and Elrohir, they will not be the best of diplomats. However, you will be. Remember those politics lessons your grandmother gave you?" Deidre nodded, and Celebrian continued. "She told me that from how she tested you, and I've learned from what happened when I asked you to greet the delegation from the Havens a few months ago, that you are a superb diplomat."

"Yes, Naneth. Don't worry, I won't run away again, I'll go to Mirkwood," Deidre said. She was just trying to get Celebrian off the subject before she went into one of her long rants about duty and diplomacy again. Those were more boring than anything else in the world, and if there was one Deidre detested utterly, it was being bored. "Look, I'm going to go pack. You have certainly given me a few things to think about," she said as she left, eager to get away and have some time to herself, even if it was to pack for the journey to Mirkwood.

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Meanwhile, in the "spider capital of Arda", as Deidre had named it, the messenger from Imladris had just arrived.

"Legolas!" came Celebross's voice. Legolas jumped about five feet up in the air as he turned around and saw his oldest brother. He, Tavor, and Brethil looked at each other. What was it now? Just then, Celebross spoke further. "Ada wants to see you in the throne room immediately." Legolas opened his mouth to ask why, but the Crown Prince had already anticipated that. "I don't know why he wants you there, he just told me as I was walking by. He said it was very important, and that he wants to see you alone, not Tavor or Brethil as well. I suggest you go," he said, leaving.

Legolas went into the room, seeing not only his father, but Tanglinna, the Master Archer, standing there with serious looks on their faces. "Celebross told me you wished to see me, Father," he said tentatively. What had he done this time? He and his friends hadn't played any tricks in ages. Surely Gwibess hadn't gotten into his father's jewels again? He panicked, knowing the punishment he would receive if that had indeed occurred.

"A messenger from Imladris arrived a few hours ago, with a most interesting message from Lord Elrond," Thranduil said. "Apparently his sons and his niece the Lady Deidre will be arriving here in a month's time. Now, since Lady Deidre is your age, I thought it would be a good idea if you and your friends kept her busy during her stay here. The twins can take care of themselves, I'm sure, and for some reason Lord Elrond assured me that they would not be causing trouble. Now, what have you to say on all this, nin ion?"

Legolas gulped. "Well, if she's a girl, why can't she play with Laerlend instead?" Laerlend was his little sister, and her main interests were dolls, tea parties, and being annoying, in that order.

"Because the Lady Deidre is your age, little Greenleaf, and from what I have heard, she is more interested in archery and swordfighting than dolls and tea parties," Tanglinna answered. "She is not your average maiden."

A girl who liked swordfighting and archery? That was unusual. Oh, well, maybe she might not be so bad after all. "Very well, Ada. May I leave now? I think it would be wise to inform Tavor and Brethil of the new addition to our group of friends." Thranduil nodded, and Legolas left.

When Legolas got back, his friends were relieved to find out that they weren't in trouble. And when he told them about Lady Deidre, well, they were very surprised, to say the least. The Tricksy Trio could do nothing but wait and see what the Lady Deidre really was like. May Elbereth have mercy on their souls.

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*I know, the last paragraph sounds a bit foreboding, but hey, I was in that kinda mood when I wrote it. Oh, and I spell pheonix my own way. It's how I've always seen it spelled, and that's how I'm keeping it.

*Next Chapter: Deidre and the twins arrive in Mirkwood. What will happen when she and Legolas meet? (Hint: sparks fly, but not in the way you might think ;) Oh, and warning: Aralith gets a big surprise soon! Deidre just couldn't resist. ~laughs evilly~)