11. Disclaimer: Imagination... it is the beginning of all things, some beautiful, some awful, some hated, some celebrated. Just don't imagine that this is all mine, most of it belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.

A/N: Thank you all for your sweet reviews! It is so nice to get up, turn on my computer and find out that you have read my story and like it! Thank you, everybody.

I specially want to thank Kalenniphredil. It really was some kind of honour to get your review, since I really love your stories. Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy the rest of this as much as I enjoy your stories.

11. About the unwise...

Thûlocuil felt her heart miss a beat when Legolas took off his helm. Their eyes locked.

For a moment she was pleased with the fact that it was him. She had felt admiration for this warrior during their fight and easiness in their short talk; somehow she was glad that it was him who these feelings applied to.

But then she realized: this was the elf she promised herself to beware of! Well she had done a nice job so far!

What now? O.K. she told herself, don't panic. How much does he know and what lacunas can he fill in by combining one and one?

"I..." she began, but was cut off by the sound of someone clearing his throat. Both elves jerked their head to the source of the sound. It was lieutenant Aldor.

"I beg you pardon, Your Highness, Master Warrior," he nodded first at Legolas, then at Thûlocuil, and continued to her: "the generals would like to continue their meeting with you milady..."

She had not even heard him coming towards them! This was not a good sign, she was an elf, even when having a conversation, which they had not just now, she should have heard him some fifty feet away! How...then a smile crept over her face: neither had he!

She jumped off the fence and seized her sword. "Well, let's not waste their precious time, shall we?" And with that she started towards the big tent, leaving the elf and man to follow.

By the time she reached the conference-tent Legolas and Aldor had caught up with her. Thûlocuil hold her pace for a moment and managed to get Aldor between her and Legolas. She did not cast a glance at him and kept looking straight ahead, she would deal with him when she had dealt with the generals.

They had just come round to the entrance when, with a lot of shouts: "Make way for my lord!" a group of about thirty or more men approached on horseback. Five or six jumped of their horse and went to a man that was riding a tall, proud horse. The tack was a deep-royal-red with silver accents that shone in the sunlight.

One man approached Aldor and asked where they could pitch the tents of the company.

"My Lord needs space for some forty tents, and does not want any of the common soldiers to come near his tents, so a place far away from the places where they eat, train, work and sleep is necessary. Further, my Lord does not want to walk or ride to far when he wants to meet with the other generals so it should be a place near the center of the camp." Aldor and he were soon involved in a discussion of suitable terrain. The lord and master the man had been talking about had dismounted in the meantime. He walked towards the entrance of the tent. When he passed them, Aldor addressed him:

"My Lord, on behalf of the generals I welcome you. I am..."

The man cut in with a condescending look on his face; "Yes, yes, I do not have the time to listen to you, tell me: where is this 'important' visitor with his 'vital' information?"

Aldor coughed and said "Actually Sir, right beside me."

"Oh, well, nice to meet you," the man said to Legolas, "I am here, what are you waiting for then? Let's go!" and he went into the tent, followed by some servants and two muscular men.

Legolas looked inquiring at Thûlocuil. Aldor looked startled at her. Thûlocuil just looked from the elf to the man and grinned.

"Well, I am here too, what are you waiting for then? Let's go!" she imitated the tone of the other man. Legolas saw a roguish look in her brown eyes as she gestured to the entrance.

Oh, faeg guren, ú garnon ú and, [Oh, my poor heart, I (do) not own (you) no longer] he thought on entering the tent.

Thûlocuil said "Do not worry Aldor." and followed Legolas inside.

Although the tent was big, it was getting crowded inside. There were twelve generals and the thirteenth had just arrived, bringing with him about six men. In the middle there was a round table, around which where twelve chairs. From these the twelve generals rose when the thirteenth came in.

"Welcome Ragnor, thank you for joining us. This is an issue for all man. I've already sent for the warrior I wrote you about when we heard you had arrived at the gate." One of his servants got a spare chair that was placed against the canvas and Ragnor sat down.

"Ah, I see, you are already here Master Warrior," the general who spoke continued to Thûlocuil. "Ragnor may I introduce you to..."

But Ragnor interrupted him: "Yes, yes, I already met this elf outside, let's get on with it..." obvious reluctantly he got out of his chair and offered his hand to Legolas. But Legolas shook his head, stepped aside, thus revealing Thûlocuil and nodded to her. The man frowned and started: "What?"

The general who had been speaking to him was looking to Thûlocuil and missed the whole thing. He just finished his introductions: "Master Warrior, this is general Ragnor," then he turned to Ragnor. The man was standing staring at Thûlocuil.

"What... what is this nonsense! I already noted that he was an elf, but this is a she-elf!" He had been annoyed by the fact that the important visitor turned out to be an elf, but a she-elf! This turned his annoyance into rage. He declined Thûlocuils hand, turned and sat down again.

He looked at Thûlocuil, sighed and said: "I do not talk to women about important things, you are dismissed."

Legolas's eyes opened wide with astonishment. The hush-hush in the tent died out immediately. Everybody looked at Ragnor, who gestured one of his servants for a drink. Legolas turned his gaze to Thûlocuil, too late to see the fast smile that had crossed her face, now she was fidgeting on her cuffs, her face was calm. After an uncomfortable silence, the other generals broke out: "But she is our most valuable source... She has some important information... She can tell us where the enemy... You have to... Please listen..." They tried to make general Ragnor review his position.

Ragnor took a draft from his drink, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and raised his voice: "As I said before: I do not talk to women on any matter of importance, make yourself scares woman!"

At this point Thûlocuil raised her head and looked at him. Then she looked around the circle of generals and with just a gesture and a nod freed three chairs, for her to sit on.

Legolas was surprised. He had got an idea of her skills out on the field, and both Arnor and the other general referred to her as 'Master Warrior'. But to see three highly placed generals leave their seats just like that! She obvious was greatly respected. She chose a chair opposite of Ragnor, leant on the hilt of her sword and looked at the man opposite her. Then she said in a clear voice: "I do not talk to unwise people about important things, you are dismissed!"

Everybody caught their breath. Ragnor starred at her, slowly turning from red to purple. Then he beckoned a servant:

"Help this creature out of the tent." The servant walked towards Thûlocuil. She unsheathed her sword only a little bit.

"I do not have any problems with your presence" she said to the servant. And then to Ragnor: "As I said before: I do not talk to unwise people on any matter of importance, make yourself scares!" Ragnor was now looking like he was going to explode.

One of his tougher servants answered her: "You've offended my master in a severe way: get out of here!"

Thûlocuil sat back in her chair and said: "I have said exactly that to him, what he has said to me." She turned once more to Ragnor meeting pure hate from his eyes: "I could easily repeat the words of your servant sir, but I won't. Let's talk like sensible people. Terror is rising in Udûn, let's all use our skills to prevent another Ringwar."

Legolas tilted his head at her words. Ragnor however, did not have any intention of giving in. He signalled his servant again. But before the servant could move, Legolas stepped forward: "Stop! All of you!"

Ragnor sighed: "And who may you be elf?"

"I am Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Eryn Lasgalen, in darker times once called Mirkwood." Rumour filled the room: Legolas, part of the fellowship once.

"And I want to know exactly what is going on." He turned a piercing gaze to Thûlocuil and raised his voice: "What is this about a new Ringwar? The One Ring was destroyed, I am sure of that!"

With that a roar came from outside, the sound of a brief struggle was heard and a small but stout figure burst into the tent, shouting: "As am I, Master Elf, as am I".

"Gimli!" Legolas exclaimed.

A/N: Karone: thank you for your hints. I do have a problem though: when I save my story from wpdoc to html format (to upload it to ff), every hard return turns into a new paragraph!



29-03-03: changed my choice of words.

13-09-03: changed some spelling errors.