When Will the Sun Shine Again?
Chapter 14- Disagreements
A.N: Hey you guys… *double takes at the sheer volume of reviews* wow! So many reviews/death threats *tears* im so happy, I love you all! I feel all loved… well apart from the death threats of course XD but that is sooo a regular occurrence for me, tee hee. Sorry for the delay on this chapter but I haven't been able to get on the internet because my internet connection is faulty and the wires needed replacing or something, and I feel very guilty at having made you wait so long for such a crappy chapter, forgive me, my muse seems to have migrated to Jamaica! Some of you seemed worried that I had given up on this story but don't worry! I won't quit on this until its done, maybe I would've considered it at the very beginning but as long as there are people who are enjoying then of course I shall provide! Thanks for the amazing support, it means an awful lot to me!
I thought, as so many people are asking questions etc. that I would respond to some reviews in my authors notes, maybe you can glean clues and information from what I say to people, mwahaha! But there aint gonna be spoily spoilers, because that would, well, spoil it. Plus I'm evil. Bwahaha. See?
Anyhoo, onto the reviews.
Catrina: I understand completely what you mean by lovely, I blow my own horn such a lot dontcha know? Naw I'm messing, but I know, Leggy is heart broken= non good. I'm not gonna tell ya if Arwen is under a spell MWAHAHA as I am evil. He could be a spell wizzy kinda guy (I like that one, remind me to write it down!) but I'll never tell! Thanks for the review.
Lisseyelen: Haha, I know what's gonna happen and yooou don't. Okay I won't piss you off anymore teehee, it would be angstilly romantic, but would I kill off Leggy like that? *devil face* BWAHAHA, what a great idea... *wanders off to plot angstilly romantic doom scenarios for main characters* thanks for the review!
Galenmariel: You can tell it'll be awesome? *swells with pride* wow! No pressure then! I hope it lives up to your expectations. *cries thinking it wont meet expectations* thanks for reviewing.
Ely Siriar: Don't we all wish we had brothers like Elladan *sigh*. Thanks for reviewing.
JDFielding: You are like my voice of reason, lol. Thanks for the support it means a lot, I am my own worst critic you see and my expectations of what a story should be like are too high sometimes. I'll work on that. You'll find out about why Astalder has a grudge against Legolas in the later chapters, lets say it also has something to do with Thranduil, and that's all you're getting outta me haha! But fear not, Astalder will get what's coming to him…unless of course I throw in a horrifying plot twist mwahaha! Thanks for the reviews, I hope you like the rest!
The Lady Evenstar: Don't worry, there will be Legolas and Arwen interaction coming up in this very chapter! Sorry to disappoint last chap, I hope you enjoy! Thanks for the feedback.
Mimi: Is she in a trance or under a spell? That would be telling. Maaaaybe, or maybe she just digs the evil elf look? I'm noticing a trend here, do you people not like Astalder?! Wow. Lol, just funning, maybe as a finishing touch I should have a kill Astalder free-for-all so you can all beat him to a bloody pulp? Is that something you'd be interested in? Bwahaha. Thanks for the review.
CheekyChick: It may surprise you to hear this, some of your theory may not be all that far from the mark. But I won't tell you which parts lol! Told ya I was evil. Don't worry there will be plenty of surprises still afoot, I just hope you don't predict em all, or I'll be outta a job lol. Thanks for the reviews and thoughts, I'm always happy to hear everyone's predictions! Hope you enjoy the rest.
Thwen: *Gulps at menacing looks from assembled elves and reviewers* Haha…Hmm, you don't like Astalder huh, who'd have thunk it?! Lol. I agree, he's very slimy and nasty, I'm good at writing villains I think. It's the evilness, Bwahaha. Fear not, you may well get your wish, though I'm not sure about Elrond laying the smackdown on his ass, you never know though tee hee. Slow and painful torture eh? We'll see, depends how many death threats I get I suppose, hehe. Thanks for the reviews, always very entertaining lol.
Invader Iggle: Great penname by the way! Die and get it over with? Where is the fun in that, like Thwen suggested, slow and painful torture is much better HEHEHE *evil cackle* man I should stop eating so much sugar… maybe we should make "death to the king of snakes" banners for the last part of the competition, which you will find out about in this chap- did that count as a spoiler? Shh! Anyway, thanks for the review!
Saraclya Tel'Quessir: A happy Arwen/Legolas ending? I can tell you there will be a A/L ending at least (even if its an alternate ending- see me not giving anything away teehee!) but happy? Ah, we'll have to see *angel face* thanks for reviewing!
SinisterFireDragon: Bwahaha. A girl after my own heart. Leggy is fit and Astalder is evil, so at least we are on the same wavelength. Is Legolas going to kill Astalder? Do you really wanna know…weeeeeeeell, I'm not gonna tell ya! Bwahaha, cause I'm evil and all. SO you'll have to keep reading and find out! Thanks for the review!
Frida: Patience is a virtue, in the end it will be, you just gotta stick with it! The path of true love never did run smooth. Thanks for reviewing.
SpaceVixenX: Wow I'm surprised that the chap elicited blood boilage, and you don't LIKE Astalder?! Man, hes just such a humdinger of a nice guy, I can't figure why you wouldn't all love him. Poor dude. Hehehe, I hate him too, and when I hate people, baaaaad things tend to happen to them. Although I must admit baaaaad things happen to most characters I love in my stories too, so you never can tell with my warped mind. Please don't go insane, one insane writer is quite enough insanity for me ta! Anyway, if I drove all my reviewers insane they'd be too busy bouncing off walls to review! AHH! Gotta try to make you all less insane… Thanks for reviewing!
Big thanks also to *deep breath* Meggelrock, Starlight Moonbeam, Hey, Dusky, Aicic Lee, Tari Silma- maybe he knows and maybe he doesn't XD, Nebride- as long as its just a stress ball… don't hurt your comp- or bill me for the damages XD, Loper, Wellduh…, Lantarmiel- NO! ANYTHING BUT THE BLUE TONGUED SKINK!, Krndreamer13, Bekky, Shinigami29- it takes a lot to scare me, though I will feign being scared if it makes you happy :D, J.CA- I know, she's stupid, but mayhaps she has good reason, don't let your tears short out your computer and electrocute you- I always worry about things like that XD, and Jay Kamiya.
*
Arwen floated around her bedroom in a haze. She was aware she had not thought so highly of Astalder upon first meeting him, but ever since the day of the race she had drawn closer to him. Whether it was the inadvertent rescue of Elrohir or the witty conversation he had held with her at luncheon and dinner, she had started looking at him differently to how she did when first they met.
At one time, the closest she had considered for her lover would have been Legolas, but now 'twas more likely to be the Eryn Vorn elf. When she was with him she all but forgot about the Mirkwood Prince and Estel was a shadowy memory. She felt guilty forgetting about them in hindsight but she couldn't help it, Astalder intoxicated her.
She was in the process of getting ready for the banquet so was only in her undergarments when she heard a knock at the door. Thinking it would be Astalder she crossed to open it without a second thought. Legolas stood there awkwardly -which was rare in itself for any elf- but he looked positively panicky when Arwen opened the door in a state of undress.
"I…Arwen, well…sorry" Legolas turned away to look down the hallway in embarrassment.
"Legolas I would prefer not to be standing inside an open door half disrobed all afternoon if it is possible." Arwen said curtly.
"Oh, I apologise." Legolas nodded, squinting at her face and walking clumsily past her into her room.
"Legolas you have seen a naked elven maid before, stop acting like a fifty year old." Arwen tutted, going back over to her wardrobe.
"I apologise milady, but I didn't want to stare." Legolas said again, his cheeks coloured slightly.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Arwen asked turning again, a dress in each hand.
"I came to talk to you."
"I may have got that impression already my friend." Arwen said wryly.
"Yes well, it's about… well… Astalder." Legolas started, unsure of what to say.
"What about him?" Arwen came to sit on the bed beside the elven prince.
"You seem to be…warming to him, despite what you said about his first impressions."
"First impressions aren't always right Legolas, as you well know."
"Yes, but you and he are decidedly friendly…" Legolas trailed off, wondering if Arwen would catch on.
"Legolas Greenleaf, have you and my foolish older brother been spying on me?" Arwen demanded angrily.
"Not spying…" Legolas winced.
"Legolas, as I told Elladan, 'tis my life, I may do with it whatever I wish, I may see whomever I like and I may spend time or 'become friendly' with anyone of my choosing, it is not up to either of you to monitor me like I was some simpering elfling!" Arwen glowered at the bewildered Mirkwood elf.
"We are not 'monitoring you' we are concerned. Considering how greatly you seemed to dislike him you have rapidly changed your mind, we fear he is clouding your better judgement and we do not think him trustworthy." Legolas tried to explain.
"No, Legolas I do not think 'tis that. I do not think so at all. I believe you are jealous."
"J-Jealous?" Legolas stammered.
"Yes, jealous that I care for Astalder more than you, that we are spending more and more time together and you are feeling left out. That you are yet still infatuated with someone who does not reciprocate your feelings and you cannot bear that I have moved on even when you cannot. I think that is the real reason you are so concerned about my well being." Arwen snarled, behaving in a most uncharacteristic outburst.
Legolas' gaze fell towards the floor, and he sounded almost ashamed. "If that is the way you feel milady, I am sorry to have bothered you." And with that he hurried from Arwen's room without another word.
*
Soon thereafter it was time for the banquet and Elronds announcement of the third and final trial, so Arwen prepared to make her way downstairs. She had chosen a dress of dark green, not like the bright emerald greens she usually wore that were more alike the symbolic colours of Mirkwood, this was a darker shade indeed. The dress was taffeta and flowed like water around her frame. She was escorted to the banquet hall by Astalder and the two sat beside one another next to Galadriel and Celeborn.
Elladan and Elrohir sat opposite the two and Legolas sat uncomfortably between Elladan and Haldir, looking as if he wished to disappear under the table, and probably would have done were it not for Elladan's stern insistence that seemed to keep the Mirkwood elf in place. The fair elf was silent as stone throughout the meal, not uttering a word and not daring a glance at all in Arwen's direction.
When it came to the toast, Astalder raised his glass to Arwen and smirked in Legolas' direction. Legolas seemed to prepare to stand to go and ram Astalder's head into his entrée but a look from the twins and Haldir stayed him somewhat.
"Do not let him get to you mellon." Haldir whispered. Legolas decided this was near impossible as Astalder whispered something in the Lady Evenstar's ear and she giggled delicately and smiled, shooting an almost indiscernible look of smugness in Legolas' direction, which seemed more like something her partner would do, rather than her.
After the main course was finished Elrond stood and the hall quietened.
"Before you partake in some Melui (sweet) I will make the announcement as to the nature of the third task. As there are obviously two clear cut champions above the rest, this task will only involve Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and Prince Astalder of Eryn Vorn." Legolas smirked as Astalder looked up suddenly in disbelief.
"The best is yet to come." Legolas whispered to Elladan who had a look of utter puzzlement.
"This was not my first choice of task but after a suggestion I decided it would be a most fitting end to the tournament. The two champions will partake in a test of skill… in hand to hand combat, the winner shall be the elf who makes the other fall three times, whether it is loosing his footing, being knocked or thrown or some other method, the elf who ends on the ground three times will lose, and the other will be crowned Champion of Sheelala and the Pride of Elvendom. The task will take place tomorrow morning, so I hope the two combatants are suitably prepared. This may be a very unelvish way of determining the champion, but I am assured it will be of the best possible taste, and we could all use a bit of a change from normality. After all it is Sheelala. Now, let the feast recommence." And Elrond sat down accompanied by good humoured applause, the elves were all rather interested as to the outcome of this particular fight.
Legolas and his three companions were pleased to see Astalders confident demeanour had wavered somewhat and that the Eryn Vorn elf had paled considerably.
"So that is what you met with father about." Elladan realised and nodded in understanding.
"A wise plan Legolas, but do you know Astalder's skill in hand to hand combat?" Elrohir asked.
"Judging by his build and height I would say he cannot match my own, and I have had far more practice in recent battles. Besides, I do not think his reaction would have been thus if he was confident he could best me." Legolas pointed out as Astalder excused himself. To his dismay the Eryn Vorn elf was followed out by Arwen.
"Worry not Legolas, after the tournament is over he will scurry back to his forest with his tail between his legs and you will be free to be with Arwen, she will see him for the fraud he is." Haldir assured him.
"I hope you are right." Legolas nodded, his heart heavy as he watched the couple disappear into the night.
*
*hits computer angrily* GAH! HATE IT! SUCKY CHAPTER! DIE! DIE CHAPTER GAH ARGH GRRR!
Ahem…Very short I know, but I had tremendous writers block for this chapter, and I don't want to get into the fight etc. until my muse returns, I want it to be good you see- which this totally wasn't. So don't be too harsh and stick with me, the next chapter will be much better, I promise… I hope *cries*
xXx