*Thanks to TreeHugger for her wonderful ideas! She blasted me out of my writer's block and helped me with my plot, so much thanks is owed to her.

*Thanks to all my friends (aka the Histon crew) for all their support. And Mitch, don't worry, I'll never do anything like that dedication again, I promise (sorry I can't say the same for the purse-whacking).

*Also, big thanks to Drew Kazier, the best friend anyone could have. You're always there for me, and I really appreciate it! : )

*Oh, and I challenge all of you to guess who wrote the quote Tavor says in this chapter, the one that starts with "She walks in beauty like the night". Whomever guesses right gets their name mentioned, and the thrill of knowing they've outsmarted three university professors (I asked some of my mom's friends and they had no clue).

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The next morning, Deidre dressed in her archery gear, grabbed her bow and quiver, and was about to head to the archery courts to get in a bit of early-morning practice, since she wasn't particularly hungry. However, the twins had other plans.

"Nice dancing last night," Elrohir said, leaning against the doorframe and blocking Deidre's exit.

"Thanks," Deidre said flatly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go to the archery courts."

"Why?" asked Elladan. "So you can meet Prince Legolas there?"

"Elladan, have you lost your sense of reason? What reason would I have to meet anyone, let alone Prince Legolas, anywhere?"

"Oh, I don't know," drawled Elrohir, looking way too pleased with himself. "I'm sure the two of you had plenty of time to talk when the two of you were dancing last night. The way he looked at you, it was like there wasn't anyone else there. It's rather obvious that he's enamoured of you."

Deidre fought with herself to keep from breaking Elrohir's jaw. She blushed in spite of herself, and Elladan took it as his cue, unfortunately.

"Maybe the ice maiden has melted," he smirked. "Maybe the reason she's blushing is that she's a tad embarrassed about now having to break the oath she once swore shortly after mother explained the facts of life to her. What was that oath again?"

"I believe it was to the extent of 'I swear I'll never fall in love, ever,' or something like that," Elrohir replied.

Deidre knew she shouldn't let her temper get the best of her, but she just had to. She knocked the twin's heads together, then made her escape as they tumbled backwards, knocked off balance.

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"C'mon, Legolas, let's go!" Brethil shouted as they ran through the halls, bows in hand.

"Coming!" Legolas replied, catching up with Tavor and Brethil.

"So, what did you think of the Lady Deidre?" Brethil asked.

" 'She walks in beauty like the night," Tavor said. "Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes; Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies'."

Legolas and Brethil were dumbstruck, but after a few moments, Legolas was able to speak. "I would have to agree with you wholeheartedly, my friend. She is the fairest being in Middle-Earth. Did you write that piece of poetry yourself?"

Tavor blushed. "Actually, I got it out of a book of poems by Beronil I read once. It came to mind when I saw her walk into the hall, shining with the light of a thousand stars."

"I had no idea you were so poetic, Tavor. Then again, I'm not surprised," Brethil said.

"And speaking of surprises," Legolas interrupted as they walked into the wooded clearing that was the archery court. "There's Lady Deidre."

They watched as Deidre fitted a red-fletched arrow to her bow, aimed at the center of the target, and fired, hitting it dead center. Legolas's mouth dropped open. A sharp nudge in the ribs from Tavor caused him to quickly close it as Deidre turned their way.

"Good morning," she said coolly.

"Good morning, Lady Deidre," Legolas said. Brethil and Tavor followed suit. "We're sorry to have interrupted your archery practice. We had no idea you were here or..."

"Or what?" Deidre asked, her eyebrows slightly raised.

"N-nothing," Tavor stammered.

**************************************************************************** ******************************************************************** Deidre was fighting to keep from laughing and to remain a calm expression on her face. From the looks on the faces of Legolas and his two friends, they had been talking about her.

"Legolas, aren't you going to introduce me to your two friends?" she asked, tactfully changing the subject.

Legolas blushed. "This is Tavor, and this is Brethil," he said, gesturing to each in turn.

"Pleased to meet you," Deidre replied, smiling. "Say, since the three of you have your archery things with you, how about if we have a little contest? Pick who you want to go against me."

"All right," Brethil said.

"But what fun is a contest without a little wager?" she asked thoughtfully. "I know, if I win, the three of you have to give me the grand tour of Mirkwood. I mean, show me what there is that's fun here."

"Fine. But what if we win?" Legolas queried.

"If you win, then I will answer any one question from each of you. If there is a tie, both will happen. Agreed?" I have such wonderful skills at improvising to get what I want, Deidre thought to herself. I might just let them win, even. Or I might not. It all depends on whom they choose, and how good they are.

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Legolas, Tavor, and Brethil whispered amongst themselves. "I'll go against her," Legolas said. The other two nodded. What was she planning? From the look in her eyes as she challenged them, she had something up her sleeve. And as for the bets, they would've shown her around Mirkwood anyway, but he did have to admit, being able to ask her anything he wanted would be interesting.

"Have you come to a decision?" Deidre asked impatiently.

"Legolas will face you in archery," Tavor stated. "Best out of thirteen rounds?"

"Agreed." Thirteen was her lucky number. The contest would prove interesting.

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*Next chapter: the contest. Who will win, Legolas or Deidre? Or will it be a tie? Place your bets!