When Will the Sun Shine Again?
Chapter 10- Competition
A.N: Okay, the big 10, so this chapter will probably be a little longer to celebrate, thanks to all you great reviewers I love you all, hope you enjoy this chap, dedicated to all who reviewed!
*
Legolas sped onwards, his keen elven eyes finally spying the haven of the last Homely House on Middle Earth framed against the mountains beyond. He turned to Beleger who offered a smile of relief, and then glanced at Hodoer whose stern gaze was fixed ahead as his silver tinged hair flew behind him in the cool evening air.
"We shall be there when darkness is fully upon us at least, and that is a comfort indeed." Beleger cried, so that his voice was not stolen away by the rushing wind.
"I hope they have at least sighted us somehow so that we do not turn up unexpected, it would seem most discourteous of us." Hodoer finally spoke in his methodical and musical tone, causing Beleger to laugh.
"I only hope they have plenty of ale and wine my friend, forget arriving unannounced, Legolas here is always welcomed by the folk of Rivendell, eh mellon?"
"Aye, but it may still seem rude, especially as I told Arwen we would not be coming but now arriving and forcing them to prepare extra food and accommodation for us." Legolas frowned.
"Well if they have no room for all of us I'm sure Hodoer here will be willing to sleep in the stables with our steeds wouldn't you old friend?"
Hodoer shot him a withering look. "Amusing. Dolle naa lost, brûn Mellon. (Your head is empty, old friend)" He retorted, and then smiled sarcastically.
Legolas sighed at his two companions.
"Peace you two, we wish to make a good impression on the other guests in Rivendell, not appal them with your bickering."
"Sorry my lord." Hodoer inclined his head in respect and Beleger did the same.
"You know we only jest Legolas, of course we are very fond of each other."
"Yes, very fond." Hodoer wrinkled his nose slightly and Legolas rolled his eyes.
"Of course. Now come, we are very close."
*
Arwen waited by the window in her room watching with sharp eyes as the three guests from Mirkwood approached the gates. She had instructed Elladan to direct Legolas to her room so she could talk to him before the feast, so now had to wait a little, and passed the time by trying to decide on a dress for dinner, she then decided she would ask Legolas' opinion when she heard voices in the corridor outside.
"Come then friend Legolas, Arwen wanted to speak with you before the feast, there is much she needs to tell you I hear." Elladan was saying with a joking hint in his voice. "I don't think she cares if you are tired from the journey, but what do you expect, she is a woman after all." He winked and Legolas tutted but allowed a good natured smile.
"Be forewarned though Legolas, there is another after her affections." Elladan murmured.
"What do you mean another, I was not aware of the first!" Legolas insisted with a twinkle in his eye.
"Of course, so foolish of me! There is a newcomer, then, who wishes for her affections, apparently he is 'most eager' to meet you." Elladan smirked at the small crease that had appeared in Legolas' brow, but in an instant it had vanished.
"I shall look forward to it then." Legolas nodded, as they reached Arwen's door and he knocked on it.
"I take me leave of you then, I will see you at the feast." Each inclined their heads to the other and Elladan disappeared back from whence he came as Arwen opened the door.
"Legolas, Nae saian luume' (it has been too long)" Arwen hugged him and smiled warmly. "Come in, there is much to discuss."
Legolas entered her room and sat on the edge of her bed waiting expectantly.
"You told me you weren't coming." Arwen questioned.
"Aye, but thankfully a group of my fathers finest men and myself went and destroyed the last remnants of the Orcs, so gladly I could come to you."
"And it is gladly that I receive you dear Legolas, the archery contest is tomorrow, and I know there are none at the festival who can surpass your skill."
"Do not waste such flattery on me Arwen, indeed in my humble view my companion Beleger's skill far surpasses my own."
"But you are too modest, and your own worst critic I fear, most archers in Middle Earth respect you for rumour of your skill alone Legolas and that is naught to be sneered at."
"Indeed 'tis not, dear Arwen, you always were a voice of reason for me."
"And you were always mine, and for that I am grateful."
"So tell me what I have missed in my absence."
"Perhaps first I should tell you of whom you have missed."
"Very well." Legolas frowned.
"The elves from Eryn Vorn surprisingly made their first appearance for many years, and their Prince is Astalder, a most valiant elf if ever there was one. For earlier today in the race through the woods, my brother Elrohir was thrown from his steed and near trampled, and would have been were it not for Astalder pushing him out of the way. I am most grateful for his quick thinking."
"Arwen, have you taken a fancy to this elf?" Legolas said, his brow furrowed slightly, though trying not to show it.
"Nay, of course not!" The denial was quick on Arwens lips and Legolas didn't believe it. "He has merely won my favour with his kind words and brave deeds."
"I see."
"Are you jealous Legolas?" Arwen challenged and denial was quick also to Legolas' lips.
"Nay, of course not Arwen! What on Middle Earth would give you that idea, in fact I am rather interested in meeting this 'valiant' Astalder, to win your favour so soon is quite an achievement for many in these times."
"And that changing is thanks in most part to you Legolas, when I think of you I can see only the best in people, what a gift you have given."
"Thank you Arwen, but you have always had good nature, and kindness to all things, you just forgot your ways for a time, you always were a beautiful person though."
Arwen coloured slightly and looked away, and Legolas coughed before Arwen changed the subject.
"Which dress do you think I should wear tonight, I am at a loss?"
Legolas studied the closet of gowns intently, he knew from past experiences that a woman's gown was always a very important matter indeed, and time and care was to be taken over the decision, because if the dress was somehow wrong, it could ruin everything for the maid. The fact he remembered this worried him slightly, but he shook the thought away and reached in, plucking out a simple silver gown made of shimmering silk and hemmed with lace.
"Oh Legolas!" Arwen gasped and Legolas winced, thinking he had chosen the absolute worst, but when he dared a glance at her, Arwen was beaming.
"'Tis the perfect one! Exactly the one I was thinking of." Legolas sighed in relief and handed the dress to her. Arwen admired it for a moment and then cocked her head to one side, looking at Legolas.
"Yes?" He inquired.
"Be gone then! Or do you expect me to get dressed with you standing there!?" She smirked slightly at his embarrassed expression and with a stammer he nodded and backed towards the door.
"Well, ah, if you need help lacing your bodice or aught like that…yes, ahem, call me when you are ready." He nodded, and bowed out of the room, blushing furiously and trying his best to hide it. Arwen let out a snort of laughter as soon as the door was closed, she loved the affect that the prospect of a woman dressing seemed to elicit in males and was glad she had managed to embarrass Legolas, she had been doing it ever since they were elflings.
She appeared outside his room a few minutes later, and he offered his arm to her in a most gentlemanly fashion, which she took gracefully. The two walked down into the banquet hall rather formally and Legolas received various greetings from everyone, before Arwen stopped before Astalder.
"Legolas this is Prince Astalder of Eryn Vorn, Astalder, this is Prince Legolas of Mirkwood." She said formally.
The two males regarded each other carefully upon seeing the other, with Astalder sizing Legolas up and Legolas holding a little tighter to Arwen's arm, a little more protectively.
"Finally, a chance to meet the famous Legolas of Mirkwood. What an honour." Legolas fancied he heard sarcasm in the newcomers voice.
Astalder touched his hand to his head and brought it out and down in the formal elvish greeting. Legolas did the same, though not letting go of Arwen's arm and not taking his eyes off the other.
"I have heard much about you of course, through the tales that spread of your valour over the years, and much that I have heard from Arwen here." Astalder nodded to Arwen.
"Well I must admit I have heard nothing of you Prince Astalder, nor of any elves from Eryn Vorn for many years. I distinctly do not recall any representatives of your colony in the elven armies in the War of the Ring not so long ago." Legolas said evenly, if a little icily though he tried to disguise it.
"We are not as numerous as the colonies in Mirkwood, Rivendell or Lorien, and there was business within our own boarders that presented more of a problem." Astalder said, not even trying to disguise the coldness of his voice.
"I would have thought that the threat of the Dark Lord Sauron was the greatest problem for any of the free peoples of Middle Earth." The Mirkwood prince glared at the way Astalder dismissed the War as if it were nothing.
"Well then you were mistaken." Astalder said airily, and Arwen felt the muscles in Legolas' arm tense. She laid a hand on his arm and it relaxed again.
The two continued to size each other up, as if they were a pair of Wargs preparing for a fight.
"I think the feast is ready." Arwen whispered to Legolas, trying to diffuse the volatile situation.
"Very well." He nodded allowing a few strands of blonde hair to cascade over his face, Arwen thought this looked rather charming, but didn't voice her opinion.
"I will talk with you later Astalder." She addressed the other who also nodded, and grabbing Arwen's hand so that she had to pull away from Legolas to reach him, Astalder leant down to kiss her knuckles, but kept his eyes on Legolas while doing so, earning him an icy glare from the heir of Mirkwood.
Astalder straightened up with a satisfied smirk and Legolas took Arwens arm again, and after the two males had looked the other over one more time, Legolas drew Arwen towards the banquet table, to seat Arwen next to Galadriel and then himself next to her.
Elladan somehow snatched the seat next to Legolas and Haldir and Elrohir sat opposite the two.
"We couldn't help but watch that entertaining little spectacle." Elladan whispered with a smirk.
"Nicely handled Legolas, you looked as icy as the tip of the Redhorn." Elrohir added, leaning over the table.
"He merely gave as good as he got didn't you Legolas." Haldir nodded and Legolas glared warningly at them all.
"I warned you old friend." Elladan sighed, shaking his dark head.
"Indeed you did, I am just confused as to where the part about him being eager to meet me was evident?"
"Well, Arwen said he was, I think she is quite fond of him, the Valar knows why." He snorted.
"I do not like him Elladan." Legolas frowned, looking down the table to find him, he was seated next to Beleger. Legolas rather hoped his guard would accidentally trip and spill something boiling down the rather arrogant looking elf on his way to the bathrooms, but he quickly squashed this idea and tried to remain unaffected.
"Well there is a surprise! Legolas doesn't like the cocky self absorbed stranger who is dripping with charm and irresistibly handsome, who happens to be targeting the object of his own affections. Now I wonder why that could be?" Elladan smirked as Legolas shot him a horrified glance and checked that Arwen wasn't listening.
"Stay your tongue, trouble monger. I feel no such thing, I have no feelings either way concerning Astalder, I know nothing about him."
"Doesn't he seem a little too good to be true though my friend, so charming, so handsome, so witty, so confident. It is rather disgusting really." Haldir smirked.
"Well he doesn't seem to have much of a personality, or much concern for others that is certain." Legolas frowned, and took a sip from his goblet.
"I do not trust him either." Elladan murmured. "And I warned my sister of that, but she seems rather taken with him, though she tries not to show it. Steal her affections back Legolas, I don't like him being near her, not until we know more about him. I have my suspicions about the race earlier today, Elrohir had it as good as won, when his horse mysteriously decided to throw him for no reason and with no warning, leading to Astalder winning? Nay, I do not trust him at all. Look after Arwen Legolas, you always have, and she will let you, she does not approve of my 'meddling' but you can get away with it. Must be your roguish charm." Elladan winked.
"I will protect her, as you say, I always have, and I will keep a close eye on the newcomer too, I will observe him at the archery contest on the morrow, and we will see how his skill compares to mine own."
"Beat him Legolas, do not allow him to best all of our groups, he has already bested Haldir and with him Lorien, and myself and Rivendell along with me, see he does not defeat Mirkwood too." Elrohir murmured discreetly so only the four heard.
"Aye, I will endeavour to defeat him, but I make no promises with my archery, I was considering letting my guard Beleger partake instead, but as Arwen and you all wish me to compete, then I suppose I must."
"Indeed you must, and indeed you must win!" Elladan nodded.
*
As the sun started its bright ascent into the milky sky, the third day of Sheelala dawned, and the day of the archery contest was upon them. The contest would be just after breakfast and Rivendell was buzzing with anticipation. Elladan and Elrohir were ahead of the game this day and were already making wagers with everyone, stirring up confidence in Legolas as much as they could.
Arwen was annoyed with her brothers for 'trying to stir up a rivalry between Legolas and Astalder' quite unaware that there was an unspoken one already without the twins' meddling.
"Will you make a wager on this tournament then dear sister?" Elrohir asked, eyes twinkling.
"Of course not. Betting is a silly waste of time and coins."
"In other words you don't want to pick between Astalder and Legolas?" Elladan said knowingly.
Arwen merely glared and walked away.
"That would be a yes." Elrohir grinned. "You were chosen to compete in the Archery for Rivendell were you not brother?" He turned to Elladan.
"Well, I had to do some small part for my home I suppose, couldn't let you get all of the attention could I now? Not that I will win with Legolas competing anyway, but it will be intriguing to see whether the skill of 'valiant' Astalder is all that he says it is." Elladan frowned, searching the dining hall for a glimpse of the Eryn Vorn elf.
"He broke his fast earlier, he wished to see the targets before the competition I think." Elrohir informed him, understanding who his brother was looking for.
"And he is allowed? I would not be surprised if he tampered with the targets or some such thing." Elladan frowned.
"As I understand it there are two guards out there, and have been all morning to make sure there is nothing like that afoot. He probably couldn't even get close."
"Still, I will be much happier when Sheelala is over and the Eryn Vorn elves are gone, my heart will rest easier." Elladan commented and his brother nodded.
"Come then, let's make our way down to the targets, everyone will be finished eating soon."
~
Legolas stood a little away from the bustle of the competition, collecting his thoughts and regarding the melee thoughtfully. A slight breeze made his hair drift lazily around him and the Mirkwood elf turned to face the wind and look up into the sky. Something made him very uneasy about this morning, but he couldn't quite place what yet. The bow of Galadriel rested safely in its holder by his back, and his own arrows were slung over his shoulder in their quiver. He felt a light touch on his shoulder and turned to come face to face with Arwen.
"Greetings Arwen. Were you trying to surprise me?"
"Yes but I failed it seems, you are ready then?"
"Of course, this is not a competition to me, I have no reason to win or lose other than to impress the guests, and it doesn't bother me either way, archery is a part of my life, not something I do for entertainment now and again. But I will endeavour to win, so those who placed bets on me are not sorely disappointed, and of course I have a reputation to maintain." He said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Good, I just wanted to wish you luck, though you need it not. You have mine and the Valar's blessings."
"Thank you." Legolas smiled and hugged her then frowned when he saw Astalder standing to one side, Arwen pulled away and turned, following Legolas' line of sight to the Eryn Vorn elf.
"I'll speak to you later then." Arwen nodded to both elves then walked away.
"Can I assist you in some way?" Legolas asked, coldly.
"Perhaps. Do you take archery seriously Legolas?"
"You could say that, definitely in comparison to some, it is my preferred way of fighting in battle rather than tiresome swords or axes."
"As do I, and you feel your skill ample to win this competition?"
"It matters not, but I would say I have a fair chance of winning."
"I doubt you can best me but we shall see. Well then Legolas, what do you say we make this competition interesting?"
"What are you proposing?"
"A small wager, as to the outcome of our match."
"And what do you wish as the prize?" Legolas frowned, not really liking where this conversation was going as Astalder turned to watch Arwens path through the crowd to talk to her Father.
"A small thing."
"Am I to assume this prize has something to do with Lady Arwen?"
"Aye, lets just say, if you win you may have the company of Arwen this eve without my intrusion, I will leave you both be for now and perhaps the rest of the competition." Legolas nodded slowly, waiting to hear the rest.
"And if I win, I will have the pleasure of Arwens company all evening, without your prying eyes or meddling hands." Astalder finished a little icily.
"Is Arwen's company worth so much to you?" Legolas asked, slightly suspicious.
"Why of course, and I am also confident in my own skill against yours nonetheless."
"I see." Legolas said slowly.
"So do we have a deal, or are you too cowardly to partake in a small wager. You know you cannot best me."
Legolas knew Astalder was trying to provoke an angry and thoughtless reaction from him, but could not help rising to the bait. This elf had come in, tried to steal the affections of Arwen, insulted his skill and dismissed the importance of the Great War, and Legolas did not like him at all, which was unusual for an elf so calm and peaceable as he. Also, the prospect of Astalder not coming near Arwen for the rest of the competition seemed a good way to make good on his promise to Elladan and keep Arwen away from him, which was much more important than simply beating him.
"You have a deal Astalder, and I warn you now, never underestimate the skill of a Mirkwood elf, especially me." The two shook hands firmly, a little harder than necessary and pulled apart, a fire now burning inside Legolas to best Astalder no matter what.
"I will see you in a few minutes Legolas, and indeed, you will rue the day you underestimated me." He stepped so close to Legolas that their faces were only centimetres away, and Astalder whispered in his ear.
"Arwen will be mine, I promise you." And then turned and walked away before Legolas could say anything else. The elven prince shuddered and clenched his fist in anger, before tossing his head and striding to the target area without another word to anyone.
The competition was about to begin.
*
Wow that was bloody long huh? I'm so sorry, I just didn't want to leave it all for the next chapter, the contest will properly begin next chap, I'm sorry for the suspense, I just couldn't resist hehe. Who do you think will win? Our great Legolas (YAY) our nasty Astalder (BOO!) maybe Haldir or Elladan? (yay!) What do you think? Feedback is always appreciated, and if you don't give it to me, maybe I wont post chapter 11! Ha! Naw, I wouldn't do that to y'all you're too nice, or would I? Mwahah! Okay I'll stop egging you all on now, please review, and come back for the next gripping (*snort! ) instalment! Thanks!
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