I am sooo sorry for not updating sooner. I had band camp and when I was finished with that, I started school again and the story just slipped my mind until bunny-luver reminded me. So please excuse the tardiness of this chapter as I beg your forgiveness.
PS The beginning of this chapter is told from Pippin's point of view and then it changes to normal, don't ask me why, because I have no idea.
Chapter seven:
Of Pranks and Parties
Pippin had never seen so much food in his life, which considering his Shire origins was saying quite a lot. Merry and Sam, who he was sitting with, looked just as ready to devour the food as he was. As he sat, eagerly anticipating the start of the feast, he took the opportunity to observe the other people attending.
He saw Frodo sitting next to an elderly dwarf with whom he was in deep conversation. Pippin decided that he wouldn't be interesting in the conversation of his elders, so he decided to see if he could find anything more interesting to watch. His eyes came to rest on the high table, where Lord Elrond and his family were seated and was surprised to see Legolas and Strider sitting among them. Both were laughing and talking with the lord's children, and even Lord Elrond would join in occasionally which surprised Pippin as he had the Elven lord pegged as all to serious and sad.
Pippin wondered at the family before Merry elbowed him in the side and pointed at the food. Pippin was confused for a moment before he realized that everyone else was eating. Instantly remembering his own hunger, Pippin began to devour the delicious food that was laid in front of him, his thoughts on the odd family laid to rest for the time being.
As the meal drew to a close and even the hobbit's stomachs began to fill, the meal was adjourned to the Hall of Fire. There the guests would find, much to their delight, music filling the room to the brim and in the center, merry eves dancing to an upbeat tune as others cheered them on.
Legolas and Aragorn spent the evening joking with Elladan and Elrohir, but the whole time, Legolas seemed distracted. He kept shifting his weight from foot to foot to foot as though he were waiting for something to happen. This, of course, made his friends very nervous.
Just as Aragorn was going to try and get a confession out of the elf as to what he had done, he was interrupted by Lord Elrond who ad stood to give a toast. Legolas seemed even more agitated at this as Elrond was handed a glass of wine of which he took a sip before speaking.
"Friends." Elrond immediately stopped at the practically screeched out words that came from his own mouth. Taking another sip, Elrond tried again. "Friends..." It was even worse this time and everyone had to stifle their laughter at the elven lord's expense. Realizing he had been the victim of a prank, Elrond set a cold glare upon his sons and their friend as if to tell them how many hours they had to live before their lives came to an abrupt end. He made a stiff motion for them to follow him as he quickly exited the hall, followed by the four boys who looked as though they had their tales between their legs as they walked behind the very angry lord. Full silence reigned for a minuet in the hall before it exploded in laughter.
"All right, who did it?" Elrond squeaked, causing the young elves to chuckle quietly, rasing even more anger within him. "Stop laughing! Do you even realize what you've done? These people have come for miles just for my advice because they heard I was a wise and respectable person and you just made me look like a fool!" Elrond was shouting now as he tried to cover his embarrassment with anger. "Now, one of you confess or I shall punish whoever on the cooking staff was your accomplice!"
"It was I, Lord Elrond," Legolas said, a look of guilt on his face. "It's just that, all these people have come here to speak of shadow and doom. Why should I be punished for making their stay in Imladris a bit brighter?"
"But did you have to use me as a subject? Why couldn't you have done what you usually do and use one of your friends?" Elrond asked, a bit calmer now.
"Because they already look foolish, and it would be impossible to make them appear more so, but with you it was an amazing transformation," Legolas said smoothly, managing to both insult the Rivendel brothers, while at the same time brown nosing to Elrond, a skill he had quickly mastered in his time in Reviled.
"What!" cried all three of Elrond's, and before Elrond could stop them they had all piled onto the prince. Legolas managed to free himself, and bolted out the door, the twins and Estel in hot pursute. Their laughter could be heard down the hall and Elrond couldn't help but laugh at their antics. In those dark times it was good to know that at least some things never change.
Yay! Another chapter with no evil cliff hanger! Don't worry action lovers, there'll be more battles in the next few chapters as well as a healthy chunk of angst. I'll update as soon as I can.
Peace
Hobbit Killer