Disclaimer: I am the ghost of J.R.R. Tolkien and I've returned to hunt you forever! (Yeah, in my dreams!) I would not dare to compare myself to that genius. However: I do own the rest. The trick with the tresses was inspired by a scene from 'De strijd om het goudschip' by Willy van der Heide. It's part of the 'Bob Evers'-series, which I highly recommend!



Chapter 4: Dinner at the castle.



The night had fallen over Gondor and in the streets of the White City lanterns were being lit. Legolas saw the city lighten up as he walked through the gallery from his guestroom to the dining hall. The dining hall could contain parties of up to 300 people and was in fact far too large to dine in with a small company. When Legolas entered the hall he saw that just one small table in front of the hearth was set and Arwen and her friend had already arrived. As he approached the table he heard footsteps behind him. Aragorn came up to his friend just before he reached the table.



"Good evening ladies, glad that you were able to join us!" Aragorn greeted good-humoured. He kissed Arwen on the cheek and her friend on the hand. Arwen got up and hugged Legolas. "Suilannad melldir"(Greetings friend) Arwen continued in Sindarin, since it was the language of the elves and Aragorn had been speaking it since he came to stay with her father, there was no need for the Common Speech.



"Legolas may I introduce you to Thûlocuil, Thûlocuil, this is Legolas of Eryn Lasgalen." Arwen's friend had, to his surprise, a lightly tanned skin and the hand he was offered was not as delicate as he would expect from an elven-maid. "It is an honour to meet you your highness" she lightly bowed her head. "How do you do?" he answered her formal greeting. Legolas sat down next to Arwen. He did not see Arwen raising her eyebrows; normally Thûlocuil was not at all impressed by royalty. On the contrary, she was a warrior and ranger. The first was rarely seen amongst elves, the second rarely heard of amongst man. Arwen knew that Thûlocuil was proud of it too and that she did not think herself less than any being, king, queen, warrior or prince. Her friend was behaving strange.



The first course was being served.

"How come that you are travelling without your faithful companion Legolas? People will not believe it is you if there is no dwarf around!" Arwen asked. "Gimli wanted to return to the Lonely Mountain for some time, that's why".

"But we did hear some amazing stories about you two," Aragorn joined in, "something about a dwarf running ten miles behind a horse on which was a laughing elf?"

Legolas smiled: "Even our fame is faster than Gimli on foot."

"I heard that there was more to it," Arwen said with a mischievous look, "Wasn't there an elven maiden who paid a certain dwarf for some tresses of a certain Prince's hair?" She laughed

"No!" Aragorn almost chocked in his soup. "He didn't..."

It was obvious from the look on Legolas's face that Gimli did just that. Aragorn was laughing too now. Arwen saw Legolas cast a look at Thûlocuil, who was also smiling. "Im daron Legolas, Im daron..." (I stop) Arwen said, still chuckling, "It was just such a nice story..." She was about to laugh again, when she saw just a hint of pain in his eyes.



Quickly she changed the subject: "How long will you grant us the pleasure of your presence my dear friend?" "Only just a few days, I am on an errand for my father," and with a smile he added: "And that is a shame since I would love to stay around and take a good look at your redecorates." They talked about the new wing of the castle, both elves equally appalled to the beauty of nature and how it was captured by the artists that worked on the new wing. During their conversation Arwen took a closer look at Legolas's face. She could not find any proof of the pain she had seen in his eyes, but still...



The table was cleared and the second course was served. Arwen was tearing her bread and said: "Well then you both stay just a few days here, it is a pity." Aragorn who had been talking to Thûlocuil, turned his head. "Yes you will have to do with just me again, I do pity you nîn gîl". Arwen smiled at her husband and he returned her smile with an even broader one.



Legolas looked at Thûlocuil, Thûl o cuil, 'Breathe of life', it was a wonderful name, so much more imaginative then Greenleaf. He smiled at the thought, he never found his name a problem. He turned to her: "So you're also just travelling trough? May I ask what your affairs are milady?" 'You will like this Legolas, ' Arwen thought. Thûlocuil looked at Legolas. She liked the story about him and Gimli. What kind of man was he, this 'Prince'? "What do you think is an elven-maids business Prince Legolas?" she asked. Legolas frowned. He just wanted to know why she was here, where she was from, what she was like... Without thought he said: "I do not want to think, I want to know!" What did I just say? Legolas eyes widened with surprise.



Arwen was amused and amazed. She had not expected this answer of Thûlocuil to Legolas's question and certainly not the response she got in return. She looked at her friend. Thûlocuil was looking straight back, with eyes that almost begged her not to tell. Arwen almost imperceptibly nodded her head. She would leave it, for now.



Why did he say that?! Legolas was maybe even more surprised then Arwen. Why by the name of the Valar would he want to know anything about this elf? This was not his normal behaviour. He, as a prince, had been in situations like this before, he was even trained in 'entertaining conversations with other royalties or more common visitors (also sensitive ones)'!



"Are you practising to act and sound more like your father, Legolas?" Arwen ended the short silence that had fallen. Not so kind, but it would do to start another conversation Aragorn thought, as he understood what Arwen was doing. However she and Thûlocuil should not think that Legolas was a person to play games with, he frowned, I will tell him... but then Arwen's cool hand on his forearm stopped him. "Oh, and talking of your father, how is he?" Arwen continued.

"He is fine, he did ask me to bring you both his greetings" Legolas found his tongue back. Soon the conversation got to ruling kingdoms and the bands of orcs that still roamed Gondor's east-border and the south of Mirkwood.



The dinner continued. Thûlocuil was just silent.

After a while Legolas could not imagine that he had wanted to know everything there was about this elf. Yet, when he accidentally met her eyes, he found himself casting his down. Only Arwen saw that Thûlocuil did the same.



A/N: I like to thank everyone who has reviewed the first two chapters! Thanks, especially

Rebekka: thanks for your help.

Pink Martini: hope your turtle is running again.

And Sorrow Personified: I've read your story: see review there. This chapter is rather Mary-Sue-ish, but keep reading and it will get less MS, and better (I think).

14 08 2003: Just the last edit!