Chapter 12 - Much Ado About The Dorwinion
Legolas found Aralith on the archery field, practicing alone. The youngest prince stood silently for a moment as the arrows thudded into the various targets. He was impressed by his brother's skill with the bow, noting his stance, the slight tilt of the golden head, Aralith's fingers just brushing his cheek as he drew another arrow back, sighted instantly, and let fly. When the last arrow was quivering in the target, Legolas cleared his throat.
Aralith started and turned to look at him. He smiled wryly as his younger sibling came to stand by his side.
"You move entirely too quietly, tithen gwador (little brother)," he said with a laugh as he unstrung his bow. "I hope you are not going to ask me to help you hunt down another spider, because you know that I will not." He laughed at this, recalling how in his mind's eyes all the targets were spiders; therefore he had hunted many already this morning.
"No, not today. I think that after having Bastryn as a pet we will wait a while before we try to catch another one," Legolas answered, still remembering how painful the bites were. When he saw the very relieved look on Aralith's face he grinned, recalling just how silly Aralith had looked leaping into his chair when Bastryn had interrupted their adar's dinner.
"Good," Aralith murmured, handing his bow to his younger brother. Legolas immediately began to admire the long, curved weapon as Aralith moved to pull the arrows from the targets.
"Adar wanted you to prepare to leave," Legolas said, one hand running along the bow's smooth length, wondering if he could convince Aralith to let him shoot it. . . just once.
"Leave? Where am I going?"
"Adar wants you to go with him to Imladris," he said, feeling the panic rising once more, all thoughts of shooting his brother's bow fleeing. What if the twins refused to help? What if somehow his adar found out about the Dorwinion *before* they left? What if . . .
"Imladris? We are going to Imladris? Why?" Aralith asked, turning to gaze at him and noting the light of trepidation in his brother's eyes. "What is wrong, Little Greenleaf?" He moved to stand beside Legolas, feeling rather magnanimous at the moment, and laid a hand on his shoulder. He had determined after the dinner to behave in a more mature manner. Adar had not been pleased with what he had termed "the spider dance performance" the night of the dinner, and Aralith was making a concerted effort to act more like an adult even if it meant, as it did now, not teasing his younger brother about the trouble he was sure Little Greenleaf had gotten himself into.
Legolas frowned and gazed up at him.
"It's about the gifts," he hedged, kicking at a grassy clump by his foot.
Aralith frowned, narrowing his eyes.
"What about them?"
"Well. . . it is about Bastryn."
Aralith's eyes widened suddenly before he could stop them. Then he cleared his throat, willing the slight distress those words brought about to dissipate, or at least lessen to a controllable level. "What about . . . Bastryn?"
"You see. . . ," Legolas continued, his brows knitting as his thoughts darted about like so many slippery silver fish in his mind. "There was a. . . a. . . mix up with the water for him. . . and . . . I need you to take a note to the twins. About Bastryn, of course," he added hastily. "What else could the note be about except Bastryn? Why else would I write to the twins, if it wasn't about the water for Bastryn. . . ." His voice trailed off as he noticed that panic was driving his words. He grinned, rather lopsidedly, and gazed up at Aralith, whom he noticed had indeed observed this very thing. Amazingly Aralith said nothing, but merely sighed.
"Very well, Legolas. I will take your note to the twins. I only hope you realize that I will not have anything to do with that spider while I am there."
Aralith now wondered if he wanted to go on this impromptu journey to Imladris. He did not relish the thought of seeing *any* spider, and certainly not in the company of Lord Elrond and his household, particularly the twins. He would never hear the end of it if he performed another "spider dance."
~Please don't let me do anything foolish! ~ he prayed fervently.
Legolas had been holding his breath, wondering if Aralith were going to question him as to the exact contents of the letter, but his brother merely sighed and shook his head, moving to retrieve the last of his arrows. Legolas sagged with relief, and began to compose what he wanted to say to the twins.
Things were really going to work out the way he planned after all! He began to hum happily. Surely nothing would go wrong this time.
~Now if I can just get Aralith to let me shoot his bow. . . . ~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Things were not progressing quite so happily for the Master Archer. He had found Cuil coming up the corridor, and told him to choose two escorts to accompany the king and the prince to Imladris. Cuil had asked why the king was traveling to Imladris, but Tanglinna was already hurrying away, missing the excited light in Cuil's eyes.
There were few things in life that could ruffle the silver-haired archer's composure, and Tanglinna found that he liked this sensation not at all. His temper was fraying as well as he made his way toward the wine cellars.
Could it truly be possible that those three squirrel-brained elflings really had sent *all* of the remaining Dorwinion to Imladris? Surely Prince Legolas was exaggerating!
~Yes, ~ he assured himself, ~this is the only possible explanation, for the merciful Valar would never allow that to happen. ~
Or perhaps Lord Tauron was insulted by the elflings thinking that a mere Master Archer of the Wood Elves was mistaken for his august self.
Tanglinna halted in his tracks at this most distressing thought.
"He didn't mean it," he began, gazing at the ceiling in supplication. "You know how the younglings are. They often do and say foolish things. Surely you can't hold that against them. . . or me. . . ."
"Tanglinna, who are you talking to?"
The Master Archer turned swiftly to see Thranduil coming toward him, still looking very pleased with himself.
"I thought I told you to assign escorts for us," Thranduil said, raising one brow.
"I set Cuil to that task already, Your Majesty," Tanglinna answered, thinking that he should make one more attempt to dissuade the king from this course of action. "Lord Elrond will not be pleased if you arrive unannounced. It would be rude of you. . . and beneath you as well."
Thranduil studied his friend's face for a moment, the brow still lifted, and Tanglinna felt a traitorous bubble of laughter building as he recalled Laerlend telling her ada, "Don't do the wigglies, please." He managed to cover it with a discreet cough, for he knew it was born of this odd sense of panic that had him so firmly in its grip.
"I have already sent messengers, Tanglinna. You worry entirely too much."
"They won't arrive much before you do if you are planning to leave immediately. Did you tell them to inform Lord Elrond about the wine?"
A slow smile spread over Thranduil's lips.
"Oh, dear. I must have forgotten that," he said, blue eyes twinkling. "The messengers will arrive in plenty of time to announce us. I told them to make all haste. Too bad I forgot about that one little thing, isn't it?"
Tanglinna scowled, thinking that he must have suffered through nearly the entire range of distressing emotions this morning, and he didn't like it, not at all.
"Your Majesty," he began again, knowing that this would probably be his last attempt, "it is very impolite to . . . ."
"No," Thranduil interrupted. "I will not hear another word. Where are you headed? I was going to give instructions to Galion about the provisions we will need for this journey. You can come with me to the kitchens, gwanuig-nin (my twin). You know how Galion worries about the quality of food we will be given in Imladris. He will want to send entirely too much with us."
Tanglinna's scowl deepened, but he followed the king to the kitchens. He didn't have time for this, and he feared that Thranduil might decide to garner the bottle of Dorwinion for himself. He stifled a groan at that thought, and resisted the urge to grasp his head, which had begun to ache unmercifully.
Galion was sitting at a small table with a glass of wine before him, a pile of papers awaiting his attention, busily reading one of the papers when they approached. He glanced up as the king and the archer approached. He smiled and stood, bowing to Thranduil. He then turned to Tanglinna, and noted with a smirk the twin outfits. That would explain the rather pained expression on the silver-haired elf's face.
"Galion, we need some things packed for our trip to Imladris. Immediately. We leave as soon as possible."
The butler blinked in surprise, his mouth falling open.
"Imladris, my lord? Imladris?"
"Yes, we are going to be paying Lord Elrond a visit for his birthday."
Galion blinked several times rapidly , then stared at his liege in astonishment.
"Imladris, my lord? Imladris?" he repeated, looking to Tanglinna to confirm what he had just heard.
The archer nodded curtly, and rolled his eyes expressively.
"I saw that Tanglinna," Thranduil said in mock annoyance.
Galion's brows rose in shock.
"How. . . how many of you will be going?" he sputtered, his mind already fixed on what would need to be done.
"Hmm. . . Aralith and myself, Cuil I suspect, since he will not let an opportunity to see. . . what was her name. . . ? pass. He was quite smitten with her the last time we visited there. I would guess Calenthar as well then. And," he gazed sideways at his Master Archer, his blue eyes alight with mischief, "Tanglinna." He was not disappointed with the response he received.
"What?! Your Majesty, you said nothing at all about me accompanying you!"
"Didn't I? Hmm. . . I must have forgotten that as well," he said with a playful grin. "Perhaps it is because I thought you would. . . just know, seeing as how you are my twin."
"But . . . !"
"But nothing, gwanuig-nin. Heledir can take over your students so you needn't worry on that account."
"But-"
"Ah ah ah," Thranduil said, wagging one long finger back and forth. "You are coming with us."
Galion stared at the two of them in disbelief and confusion, gazing first at one and then at the other.
"Who will keep Celebross in line? He may end up betrothing that girl before you return," Tanglinna said, grasping at any argument he could. He did not want to be anywhere near Imladris when Thranduil found out what vintage of wine had been sent.
"I will have Lady Laureahiril keep an eye on them. She scares me a great deal at times, so I am certain that she can handle Celebross and what's-her-name. You, on the other hand, Tanglinna, are a romantic at heart and you just might not be up to that job."
"Mirithil," Galion said with a frown. "Her name is Mirithil. So there will be five of you?" he then asked, his mind now making a list of things to pack in a hurry.
"Yes, five. I am going to go see if Legolas has managed to locate Aralith yet. Then," he said with a grin, "I will go and thank young Brethil in person." The king turned smartly after clapping Tanglinna good- naturedly on the shoulder. Suddenly he looked back. "Fetch a Dorwinion, won't you, gwanuig-nin?" He flashed a rougish grin and walked down the hall, humming happily.
Galion watched him depart, then turned to confront the archer.
"What is going on?" he asked in a perplexed voice.
Tanglinna was grimacing slightly as he stared after Thranduil. Then he looked back at the butler.
"Galion," he began in a desperate voice, "please tell me that there were more than four Dorwinions in the cellar."
"What? More than four? Why do you need to know that? The king only wants one, doesn't he? I find it hard to believe he will take even one to Imladris though."
"Just tell me!"
"You can count them for yourself, 'gwanuig-nin,'" Galion chuckled, surveying the Master Archer's outfit once more. "The king is playing at that again, is he? Did he manage to out shoot you this time?" He grinned and shook his dark head. "Come, come. I will tell them to begin the preparations for your journey - you know you won't find proper food there, don't you? - then we will go and count Dorwinions. After the king served it at his dinner party I am surprised he wishes to dip into the stores quite so soon. . . . You don't look so well, Tanglinna. You look all pinched like you have a very bad headache. Shall I have Nestadren fix you some vandal root tea?"
"No, I am quite well, I assure you."
"If you are certain. Perhaps I should pack some for the king. He is certain to get at least one headache while he is there. . . ."
Tanglinna barely heard what Galion was saying as they entered the kitchens.
~This is not the way it is supposed to be, ~ he thought in annoyance. ~I am supposed to be safely here in Mirkwood while he is in Imladris finding out about the Dorwinions. ~
A few minutes later, Galion unlocked the cellar, and taking a torch from a wall sconce led Tanglinna into the inner sanctum of Mirkwood.
Hundreds of bottles of wine glittered darkly on the wall racks of the three adjoining rooms; barrels lined at least three walls. It was a most impressive sight.
Galion turned to look at Tanglinna.
"Most remarkable, isn't it?" he said proudly. "The best wine cellar in all of Ennor, I would venture to say. Come and count your Dorwinion, Tanglinna."
"I only hope there is something here to count," the Master Archer muttered, feeling his fingers knotting anxiously about one braid.
"They are right over here. I keep them in a separate cabinet so there are no mishaps. Those young servers are sometimes over-zealous, and not quite as careful as they should be. They. . . ."
Galion had opened an ornate cabinet, and was staring in incredulity at the empty racks. Tanglinna moved to stand behind him, his eyes bleak.
"I take it that is where the Dorwinions are supposed to be?" he said quietly, knowing the answer already.
"Yes, but . . . but . . . where are they? I know they were here because I checked to see how many were left after the party. Where are they?!" Galion yelped, thrusting the torch into Tanglinna's hands and beginning a rather frantic search, his slender hands thrusting into the empty holes. He moved quickly to the nearest rack and began to yank out bottles to check their labels, hoping that someone was merely playing a rather cruel trick on him.
"Where are they!?" he hissed. "Where are they!?"
Tanglinna sighed and shook his head, his eyes never leaving the empty racks in the special cabinet.
"Galion," he said after a moment of contemplative silence, "please tell me you keep an extra bottle of Dorwinion somewhere else."
Galion straightened, as he had been kneeling to search the bottom- most racks. He stared at the archer, looking highly affronted.
"What? What are you saying, Tanglinna?"
"I was merely wondering if you didn't have one bottle placed somewhere else, in case of an emergency."
"An emergency? What do you mean?"
"Please tell me that there is one bottle secreted away somewhere."
Galion shook his head.
"All the wine is kept here," he said.
Tanglinna laughed faintly, a rather strange sound in the slightly echoing room.
"That is what I was afraid of," he said. "Galion, would it be possible to . . . mix some wine together, maybe this Combe," he said, motioning to a bottle he had seen the butler pull out earlier during his search for the Dorwinions," with another wine to make it taste like the Dorwinion?"
Galion snorted and lifted his chin haughtily.
"Don't be ridiculous, Tanglinna. Nothing tastes like the Dorwinion."
"Are you certain. . . ? Have you tried it before?"
"Of course not! How could you even suggest such a thing!"
Tanglinna sighed, knowing that he was indeed out of ideas.
"I am sorry, Galion. I don't know what I was thinking."
"You know something, don't you?" Galion demanded suddenly. "Where is the Dorwinion?!"
"I know entirely too much," Tanglinna admitted, one slender hand moving to his aching forehead. He didn't deal well with defeat.
Galion took the torch back, and gazed at him in concern.
"Are you certain you don't need that tea? You look positively ill."
"Perhaps I do," Tanglinna conceded. How was he going to fix this? How? "How soon can you have a new shipment of Dorwinion here?" he asked.
"Not for some time. Certainly not by the time you leave today. I am no Istari, you know."
"You could have some here by the time we return though?"
"Perhaps. Why? Where is it, Tanglinna?"
"I don't have time to explain. I . . . I will take this Combe with me. It will have to suffice."
"Hmph! I doubt it!"
Tanglinna ignored this remark, pulling the wine out and staring at the Combe label.
"Um, Galion? Do you have any empty Dorwinion bottles lying about?"
"There may be one somewhere. Why? Surely you do not think - "
"Surely I do."
"It will never work. Anyone could tell the difference!"
"I know, but I don't know what else to do."
"The king is not going to like this."
Tanglinna snorted slightly at this understatement.
"Of that I am quite aware."
Galion shook his head once more as they left the wine cellar. He replaced the torch and locked the door behind them.
"Please let me get you some tea, Tanglinna. If I have Nestadren make it nice and strong you will feel much more relaxed. It is a very long way to Imladris."
"Longer than you could possibly imagine," Tanglinna muttered, following the butler up the hall. "I don't think I shall ever relax again," he murmured, wondering how things had gotten so far out of hand so very quickly. He snorted. "Relax indeed. . .Relax. . .Galion!"
The butler started and turned to gaze at him.
"What is it?"
A wild gleam had come into the silver eyes, one that reminded Galion of the look Prince Legolas would get when he was up to no good.
"About the vandal root . . ." Tanglinna began.
"Yes? Do you want some?"
"Make certain that you pack a lot of it for the journey."
"I already said that I would."
"Double it. No, triple what you were going to send."
"Why ever do you want so much?" the butler asked, looking very perplexed.
Tanglinna stood, gazing at the bottle of wine in his hands, a grin on his face.
Galion frowned, and suddenly held up his hands.
"I do not want to know," he said hastily. "I do NOT want to know!" He turned then, and fled up the hall.
TBC
Special thanks to al, my beautiful beta for her wonderful work! There wasn't as much of a forest on the beta'd copy this time! I was SO relieved!
Response to Reviewers
Angel - Stop crying, nin mel bush! I see you left a note on the review, and as you can see, you are the first one in the responses. I hope that you enjoyed the last chapter, I don't think it was anything to cry over though! Maybe I should send a little spider your way to cheer you up! ;)
PuterPatty - Well, I admit that Elrond's movie eyebrow quirking is a bit . . . odd, I guess, but I don't quite imagine the wonderful healer/lord that way. I like to write him as a more lighthearted elf while Celebrian is still with them. Yes, the twins had to get it from somewhere. I had to LOL about the Glorfindel question. Yes, he did answer them, but I think they chose to ignore the answer in light of his milder case of Aralithus.
Tinni - If I answered all your questions, then you would know more about this tale than I do! ;)
JastaElf - I admit I nearly died of shock when you said you were maybe more Noldor than you thought. ;) There is nothing wrong with being Noldor, nothing at all. Many good elves are! Especially a certain Balrog slayer!!! :) Wicked Greenie seems to be off the hook for now. . . Let's see how long that lasts!
JEbb - I am glad you are enjoying the fun in Mirkwood and Imladris, and yes there will probably be more trouble ahead! ;)
Jay of Lasgalen - Well, I wish I had fallen into Morn Nen and forgotten, then I would have had an excuse for my turtle's pace at posting. Iaeth won't be pleased at all, I suppose he will now have to make an appearance. The twins are. . . ;)
Seaweed - You and Gimli seemed rather pleased with that last chapter. Maybe I should just wait 2 or 3 more months before I post again! ;0 I don't think I understood this correctly. . . You want Bastryn to strangle you?? Because he is so cute??!! O.O Okay. . . Some day I want to hear every last piece of evidence to support your Glorfindel theory. I am of the same mind, but am curious if you have come across something I have not. You seem to have a mild infatuation with the golden lord Glory, nin mel. Welcome to the club! (
erunyauve - Hmm . . . I believe you are quite right. Bastryn must feel rather unloved right now, after all Brethil at least loved his lend laes Bastryn. I will see what I can manage. :)
Karina - Funky?? LOL Okay, I will take funky any day! ;) I have seen some of Glorfindel's nicknames, Glorfy being one of them. I still prefer Glory myself. Glorfindel did answer Nadrach and Baranthor, but I think they ignored him. That is all the answer they will get. It is the Great Question, after all. Glory will be glad to visit with Tavor and Aralith in the spider wing of your clinic. He might even listen to your story ideas for a while. You needn't apologize for not reviewing the last chapter. RL can be interesting at times. I will try not to wait so long to post chapters.
annakas - Yes, I finally wrote something! I did my own happy dance, believe me! Mirkwood and Imladris aren't TOO different. ;)
Elberethia - I am glad to hear that Bastryn and Wicked Greenie have helped you to begin to overcome your own bout of Aralithus (arachnophobia). I have had a very similar experience while writing about these fun spiders. I can certainly identify with anyone who is afraid of the little leggy buggers! But I no longer have it, so perhaps some day you will completely be over it too! I am glad this silly story has helped. No, I don't think it is literature. ;)
IRENA - It is good to be back in the saddle again. ;0 I too have wondered who would have saved the remnants of Gondolin from the Balrog if it had eight legs and Glorfindel would have run screaming. ;)
Angaloth - A very strange thought flitted through my brain when I read that you might be afraid if spiders here were that large. I thought "well, if they were that large I think more people would have pet spiders." Weird, huh? ;) And for some "strange" reason I got this picture of people walking their pet spiders on leashes like they do their dogs . . . Okay, I think I will go and lie down now! ;)
Katharine the Great - I am glad that there were so many things to make you laugh in that last chapter, mellon nin! Hope the dust has died down, and the wind! Expect at least one more group of elves in this merry mix. ;)
amlugwen - LOL to you! You want to "cuddle" a spider?? I have a cute stuffed one here that is good for cuddling. His name is Bastryn too. He is wearing a collar (actually a bracelet that fits him like a collar) and it has small golden flowers on the little round medallions in little sparkly stones. :) I will "feed" you as fast as I can!
Anarril - Hmm . . . I wonder if Elrond *does* have any cures for Aralithus and Brethilitis. I suspect that this is the first time he has ever seen anything like them, outside of Mirkwood, of course. ;) The Els will meet the spider soon now, I think! Yes, I think the Imladris elves are just as strange as the Mirkwood ones! Just wait! ;)
Hel - LOL You are very wicked! You want Thranduil to drink the tainted Dorwinion!? You even seem to relish the thought of Aralith seeing Bastryn again! As you can see Tanglinna is busily trying to find a way of keeping the Dorwinion, or the absence of the Dorwinion from Thranduil, and not, the poor dear, will have to deal with it in Imladris! I guess I am wicked too! :) Did Oropher have a pet spider?? Hmmm . . . .
Dragon-of-the-North - I am sure Arwen would be glad to tell you where her mother's tea cups came from. You did notice I was kind enough to have Erestor remove them from the table before Bastryn crashed onto it. :) You would like to see Galadriel get "shocked?" Wicked! ;) Plot bunny! You know I had to laugh about your concern for Bastryn and what he must be feeling. I would expect nothing less from you. Send my heartfelt greetings to Shulag and Co. please! I must say you handed me a yet another plot bunny in your review, but you will have to wait and see what it is. Oh, yes. . . Tanglinna sends you a hug! ;)
SperryDee - I wonder if the Glorfindel question will ever be answered myself. It is much too fun to argue about it, so I doubt that it will be. Do you really think the twins would blackmail Glorfindel? Hmm . . . they might! ;)
MadMaddie - Poor Glorfindel indeed! Things are just starting too! ;)
Nilmandra - LOL to your Glorfindel clone v 1.0 for slapping your hand! How can you call that lovely elf a wimp?? You should at least have said that when the clone wasn't around. . . , which I suspect is never! I think the spider has chosen his new naneth lhing whether the naneth lhing likes it or not, and the twins?? Wait and see!
Dot - Thranduil, Elrond, and the spiked Dorwinion? :) I have a few surprises in store yet! It should get most interesting!
the evil witch queen - I think Elrond is like most of us in regards to table manners. When we have company or are visiting someone we are all impeccable, yet when we are alone within our own family our guard and our manners slip somewhat. I know that is true for me anyway. O.O Yes, it is very tempting to lick the butter knife, after all the butter never entirely comes off on the bread. ;)
shirebound - I hadn't thought of it before, but I really like you analysis of why the birthday gifts cause so much excitement! It makes perfect sense to me! Birthdays are always so fun, especially if you don't know what you might get!
daw the minstrel - You are quite right, and I have been thinking about that. Legolas and Company will be safely away in Mirkwood, while everything is going crazy in Imladris. I will have to think of . . . something. I like that so many people liked Celebrian being the one with the cool head in this situation. I have found that it is like that here in our house at times. . . even in regard to the small spiders that live here. Females just don't get as flustered as males do at times. ;)
Lutris - Glorfindel and Bastryn are very cute together, and I am glad that you think so! It should be fun to see what the twins think when at last they see Bastryn. Can't wait! ;)
Katie - It is fun to think that even Glorfindel the Great is afraid of something. We all have our little phobias, after all. ;) Try sending your pictures as attachments, since my compy has managed to hide the last ones you sent me only too well!
Dar-Elf-girl - I am glad you like the last chapter. It was fun to finally write it!
Kate - Well, to answer your question: Yes! I did *choke* kill Tanglinna. I just try to forget about it. ;)
ember - It will make for a very interesting situation when Thranduil arrives, and well, will he find out about the Dorwinion? LOL We shall see! It should be a very fun ride!
Mickie - Do YOU stick the butter knife back in the butter after you lick it?? ;) I don't think he is THAT uncouth. LOL Males aren't always pigs, just occasionally. Maybe Galadriel should come and pay him a visit! ;)
Lindon - Do you think a can of Raid will help?? ;) I wasn't aware that I wrote Elrond differently after Celebrian sailed West, but I suspect in my subconscienous I am only too aware of the change that this would make in him. Thank you for pointing that aspect of my writing out to me. :) I believe that Tanglinna will be brutally honest when he decides to relate some tales of Thranduil's youth, though in the upcoming chapters here, he is trying to be anything but brutally honest. He is a bit flustered, a very rare thing! ;) Brenillass will appear in some stories at some point. Her name means "Lady Leaf."
None - LOL You are an evil girl! I hope that the upcoming chapters will be "evil" enough for you! There is a lot that can go wrong, but with Tanglinna along to keep things straight, and the note to the twins with instructions . . . What could possibly go wrong??? ;)
If I have forgotten anyone, I will say that Ff.net has eaten some of the reviews that I ran out earlier this week, since they are not there now though I have them on a print out! I apologize if I overlooked anyone!
Next chapter - an unexpected guest arrives with some news that Elrond isn't too thrilled with. You think you know what I mean . . . but you don't! *evil laugh*
Legolas found Aralith on the archery field, practicing alone. The youngest prince stood silently for a moment as the arrows thudded into the various targets. He was impressed by his brother's skill with the bow, noting his stance, the slight tilt of the golden head, Aralith's fingers just brushing his cheek as he drew another arrow back, sighted instantly, and let fly. When the last arrow was quivering in the target, Legolas cleared his throat.
Aralith started and turned to look at him. He smiled wryly as his younger sibling came to stand by his side.
"You move entirely too quietly, tithen gwador (little brother)," he said with a laugh as he unstrung his bow. "I hope you are not going to ask me to help you hunt down another spider, because you know that I will not." He laughed at this, recalling how in his mind's eyes all the targets were spiders; therefore he had hunted many already this morning.
"No, not today. I think that after having Bastryn as a pet we will wait a while before we try to catch another one," Legolas answered, still remembering how painful the bites were. When he saw the very relieved look on Aralith's face he grinned, recalling just how silly Aralith had looked leaping into his chair when Bastryn had interrupted their adar's dinner.
"Good," Aralith murmured, handing his bow to his younger brother. Legolas immediately began to admire the long, curved weapon as Aralith moved to pull the arrows from the targets.
"Adar wanted you to prepare to leave," Legolas said, one hand running along the bow's smooth length, wondering if he could convince Aralith to let him shoot it. . . just once.
"Leave? Where am I going?"
"Adar wants you to go with him to Imladris," he said, feeling the panic rising once more, all thoughts of shooting his brother's bow fleeing. What if the twins refused to help? What if somehow his adar found out about the Dorwinion *before* they left? What if . . .
"Imladris? We are going to Imladris? Why?" Aralith asked, turning to gaze at him and noting the light of trepidation in his brother's eyes. "What is wrong, Little Greenleaf?" He moved to stand beside Legolas, feeling rather magnanimous at the moment, and laid a hand on his shoulder. He had determined after the dinner to behave in a more mature manner. Adar had not been pleased with what he had termed "the spider dance performance" the night of the dinner, and Aralith was making a concerted effort to act more like an adult even if it meant, as it did now, not teasing his younger brother about the trouble he was sure Little Greenleaf had gotten himself into.
Legolas frowned and gazed up at him.
"It's about the gifts," he hedged, kicking at a grassy clump by his foot.
Aralith frowned, narrowing his eyes.
"What about them?"
"Well. . . it is about Bastryn."
Aralith's eyes widened suddenly before he could stop them. Then he cleared his throat, willing the slight distress those words brought about to dissipate, or at least lessen to a controllable level. "What about . . . Bastryn?"
"You see. . . ," Legolas continued, his brows knitting as his thoughts darted about like so many slippery silver fish in his mind. "There was a. . . a. . . mix up with the water for him. . . and . . . I need you to take a note to the twins. About Bastryn, of course," he added hastily. "What else could the note be about except Bastryn? Why else would I write to the twins, if it wasn't about the water for Bastryn. . . ." His voice trailed off as he noticed that panic was driving his words. He grinned, rather lopsidedly, and gazed up at Aralith, whom he noticed had indeed observed this very thing. Amazingly Aralith said nothing, but merely sighed.
"Very well, Legolas. I will take your note to the twins. I only hope you realize that I will not have anything to do with that spider while I am there."
Aralith now wondered if he wanted to go on this impromptu journey to Imladris. He did not relish the thought of seeing *any* spider, and certainly not in the company of Lord Elrond and his household, particularly the twins. He would never hear the end of it if he performed another "spider dance."
~Please don't let me do anything foolish! ~ he prayed fervently.
Legolas had been holding his breath, wondering if Aralith were going to question him as to the exact contents of the letter, but his brother merely sighed and shook his head, moving to retrieve the last of his arrows. Legolas sagged with relief, and began to compose what he wanted to say to the twins.
Things were really going to work out the way he planned after all! He began to hum happily. Surely nothing would go wrong this time.
~Now if I can just get Aralith to let me shoot his bow. . . . ~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Things were not progressing quite so happily for the Master Archer. He had found Cuil coming up the corridor, and told him to choose two escorts to accompany the king and the prince to Imladris. Cuil had asked why the king was traveling to Imladris, but Tanglinna was already hurrying away, missing the excited light in Cuil's eyes.
There were few things in life that could ruffle the silver-haired archer's composure, and Tanglinna found that he liked this sensation not at all. His temper was fraying as well as he made his way toward the wine cellars.
Could it truly be possible that those three squirrel-brained elflings really had sent *all* of the remaining Dorwinion to Imladris? Surely Prince Legolas was exaggerating!
~Yes, ~ he assured himself, ~this is the only possible explanation, for the merciful Valar would never allow that to happen. ~
Or perhaps Lord Tauron was insulted by the elflings thinking that a mere Master Archer of the Wood Elves was mistaken for his august self.
Tanglinna halted in his tracks at this most distressing thought.
"He didn't mean it," he began, gazing at the ceiling in supplication. "You know how the younglings are. They often do and say foolish things. Surely you can't hold that against them. . . or me. . . ."
"Tanglinna, who are you talking to?"
The Master Archer turned swiftly to see Thranduil coming toward him, still looking very pleased with himself.
"I thought I told you to assign escorts for us," Thranduil said, raising one brow.
"I set Cuil to that task already, Your Majesty," Tanglinna answered, thinking that he should make one more attempt to dissuade the king from this course of action. "Lord Elrond will not be pleased if you arrive unannounced. It would be rude of you. . . and beneath you as well."
Thranduil studied his friend's face for a moment, the brow still lifted, and Tanglinna felt a traitorous bubble of laughter building as he recalled Laerlend telling her ada, "Don't do the wigglies, please." He managed to cover it with a discreet cough, for he knew it was born of this odd sense of panic that had him so firmly in its grip.
"I have already sent messengers, Tanglinna. You worry entirely too much."
"They won't arrive much before you do if you are planning to leave immediately. Did you tell them to inform Lord Elrond about the wine?"
A slow smile spread over Thranduil's lips.
"Oh, dear. I must have forgotten that," he said, blue eyes twinkling. "The messengers will arrive in plenty of time to announce us. I told them to make all haste. Too bad I forgot about that one little thing, isn't it?"
Tanglinna scowled, thinking that he must have suffered through nearly the entire range of distressing emotions this morning, and he didn't like it, not at all.
"Your Majesty," he began again, knowing that this would probably be his last attempt, "it is very impolite to . . . ."
"No," Thranduil interrupted. "I will not hear another word. Where are you headed? I was going to give instructions to Galion about the provisions we will need for this journey. You can come with me to the kitchens, gwanuig-nin (my twin). You know how Galion worries about the quality of food we will be given in Imladris. He will want to send entirely too much with us."
Tanglinna's scowl deepened, but he followed the king to the kitchens. He didn't have time for this, and he feared that Thranduil might decide to garner the bottle of Dorwinion for himself. He stifled a groan at that thought, and resisted the urge to grasp his head, which had begun to ache unmercifully.
Galion was sitting at a small table with a glass of wine before him, a pile of papers awaiting his attention, busily reading one of the papers when they approached. He glanced up as the king and the archer approached. He smiled and stood, bowing to Thranduil. He then turned to Tanglinna, and noted with a smirk the twin outfits. That would explain the rather pained expression on the silver-haired elf's face.
"Galion, we need some things packed for our trip to Imladris. Immediately. We leave as soon as possible."
The butler blinked in surprise, his mouth falling open.
"Imladris, my lord? Imladris?"
"Yes, we are going to be paying Lord Elrond a visit for his birthday."
Galion blinked several times rapidly , then stared at his liege in astonishment.
"Imladris, my lord? Imladris?" he repeated, looking to Tanglinna to confirm what he had just heard.
The archer nodded curtly, and rolled his eyes expressively.
"I saw that Tanglinna," Thranduil said in mock annoyance.
Galion's brows rose in shock.
"How. . . how many of you will be going?" he sputtered, his mind already fixed on what would need to be done.
"Hmm. . . Aralith and myself, Cuil I suspect, since he will not let an opportunity to see. . . what was her name. . . ? pass. He was quite smitten with her the last time we visited there. I would guess Calenthar as well then. And," he gazed sideways at his Master Archer, his blue eyes alight with mischief, "Tanglinna." He was not disappointed with the response he received.
"What?! Your Majesty, you said nothing at all about me accompanying you!"
"Didn't I? Hmm. . . I must have forgotten that as well," he said with a playful grin. "Perhaps it is because I thought you would. . . just know, seeing as how you are my twin."
"But . . . !"
"But nothing, gwanuig-nin. Heledir can take over your students so you needn't worry on that account."
"But-"
"Ah ah ah," Thranduil said, wagging one long finger back and forth. "You are coming with us."
Galion stared at the two of them in disbelief and confusion, gazing first at one and then at the other.
"Who will keep Celebross in line? He may end up betrothing that girl before you return," Tanglinna said, grasping at any argument he could. He did not want to be anywhere near Imladris when Thranduil found out what vintage of wine had been sent.
"I will have Lady Laureahiril keep an eye on them. She scares me a great deal at times, so I am certain that she can handle Celebross and what's-her-name. You, on the other hand, Tanglinna, are a romantic at heart and you just might not be up to that job."
"Mirithil," Galion said with a frown. "Her name is Mirithil. So there will be five of you?" he then asked, his mind now making a list of things to pack in a hurry.
"Yes, five. I am going to go see if Legolas has managed to locate Aralith yet. Then," he said with a grin, "I will go and thank young Brethil in person." The king turned smartly after clapping Tanglinna good- naturedly on the shoulder. Suddenly he looked back. "Fetch a Dorwinion, won't you, gwanuig-nin?" He flashed a rougish grin and walked down the hall, humming happily.
Galion watched him depart, then turned to confront the archer.
"What is going on?" he asked in a perplexed voice.
Tanglinna was grimacing slightly as he stared after Thranduil. Then he looked back at the butler.
"Galion," he began in a desperate voice, "please tell me that there were more than four Dorwinions in the cellar."
"What? More than four? Why do you need to know that? The king only wants one, doesn't he? I find it hard to believe he will take even one to Imladris though."
"Just tell me!"
"You can count them for yourself, 'gwanuig-nin,'" Galion chuckled, surveying the Master Archer's outfit once more. "The king is playing at that again, is he? Did he manage to out shoot you this time?" He grinned and shook his dark head. "Come, come. I will tell them to begin the preparations for your journey - you know you won't find proper food there, don't you? - then we will go and count Dorwinions. After the king served it at his dinner party I am surprised he wishes to dip into the stores quite so soon. . . . You don't look so well, Tanglinna. You look all pinched like you have a very bad headache. Shall I have Nestadren fix you some vandal root tea?"
"No, I am quite well, I assure you."
"If you are certain. Perhaps I should pack some for the king. He is certain to get at least one headache while he is there. . . ."
Tanglinna barely heard what Galion was saying as they entered the kitchens.
~This is not the way it is supposed to be, ~ he thought in annoyance. ~I am supposed to be safely here in Mirkwood while he is in Imladris finding out about the Dorwinions. ~
A few minutes later, Galion unlocked the cellar, and taking a torch from a wall sconce led Tanglinna into the inner sanctum of Mirkwood.
Hundreds of bottles of wine glittered darkly on the wall racks of the three adjoining rooms; barrels lined at least three walls. It was a most impressive sight.
Galion turned to look at Tanglinna.
"Most remarkable, isn't it?" he said proudly. "The best wine cellar in all of Ennor, I would venture to say. Come and count your Dorwinion, Tanglinna."
"I only hope there is something here to count," the Master Archer muttered, feeling his fingers knotting anxiously about one braid.
"They are right over here. I keep them in a separate cabinet so there are no mishaps. Those young servers are sometimes over-zealous, and not quite as careful as they should be. They. . . ."
Galion had opened an ornate cabinet, and was staring in incredulity at the empty racks. Tanglinna moved to stand behind him, his eyes bleak.
"I take it that is where the Dorwinions are supposed to be?" he said quietly, knowing the answer already.
"Yes, but . . . but . . . where are they? I know they were here because I checked to see how many were left after the party. Where are they?!" Galion yelped, thrusting the torch into Tanglinna's hands and beginning a rather frantic search, his slender hands thrusting into the empty holes. He moved quickly to the nearest rack and began to yank out bottles to check their labels, hoping that someone was merely playing a rather cruel trick on him.
"Where are they!?" he hissed. "Where are they!?"
Tanglinna sighed and shook his head, his eyes never leaving the empty racks in the special cabinet.
"Galion," he said after a moment of contemplative silence, "please tell me you keep an extra bottle of Dorwinion somewhere else."
Galion straightened, as he had been kneeling to search the bottom- most racks. He stared at the archer, looking highly affronted.
"What? What are you saying, Tanglinna?"
"I was merely wondering if you didn't have one bottle placed somewhere else, in case of an emergency."
"An emergency? What do you mean?"
"Please tell me that there is one bottle secreted away somewhere."
Galion shook his head.
"All the wine is kept here," he said.
Tanglinna laughed faintly, a rather strange sound in the slightly echoing room.
"That is what I was afraid of," he said. "Galion, would it be possible to . . . mix some wine together, maybe this Combe," he said, motioning to a bottle he had seen the butler pull out earlier during his search for the Dorwinions," with another wine to make it taste like the Dorwinion?"
Galion snorted and lifted his chin haughtily.
"Don't be ridiculous, Tanglinna. Nothing tastes like the Dorwinion."
"Are you certain. . . ? Have you tried it before?"
"Of course not! How could you even suggest such a thing!"
Tanglinna sighed, knowing that he was indeed out of ideas.
"I am sorry, Galion. I don't know what I was thinking."
"You know something, don't you?" Galion demanded suddenly. "Where is the Dorwinion?!"
"I know entirely too much," Tanglinna admitted, one slender hand moving to his aching forehead. He didn't deal well with defeat.
Galion took the torch back, and gazed at him in concern.
"Are you certain you don't need that tea? You look positively ill."
"Perhaps I do," Tanglinna conceded. How was he going to fix this? How? "How soon can you have a new shipment of Dorwinion here?" he asked.
"Not for some time. Certainly not by the time you leave today. I am no Istari, you know."
"You could have some here by the time we return though?"
"Perhaps. Why? Where is it, Tanglinna?"
"I don't have time to explain. I . . . I will take this Combe with me. It will have to suffice."
"Hmph! I doubt it!"
Tanglinna ignored this remark, pulling the wine out and staring at the Combe label.
"Um, Galion? Do you have any empty Dorwinion bottles lying about?"
"There may be one somewhere. Why? Surely you do not think - "
"Surely I do."
"It will never work. Anyone could tell the difference!"
"I know, but I don't know what else to do."
"The king is not going to like this."
Tanglinna snorted slightly at this understatement.
"Of that I am quite aware."
Galion shook his head once more as they left the wine cellar. He replaced the torch and locked the door behind them.
"Please let me get you some tea, Tanglinna. If I have Nestadren make it nice and strong you will feel much more relaxed. It is a very long way to Imladris."
"Longer than you could possibly imagine," Tanglinna muttered, following the butler up the hall. "I don't think I shall ever relax again," he murmured, wondering how things had gotten so far out of hand so very quickly. He snorted. "Relax indeed. . .Relax. . .Galion!"
The butler started and turned to gaze at him.
"What is it?"
A wild gleam had come into the silver eyes, one that reminded Galion of the look Prince Legolas would get when he was up to no good.
"About the vandal root . . ." Tanglinna began.
"Yes? Do you want some?"
"Make certain that you pack a lot of it for the journey."
"I already said that I would."
"Double it. No, triple what you were going to send."
"Why ever do you want so much?" the butler asked, looking very perplexed.
Tanglinna stood, gazing at the bottle of wine in his hands, a grin on his face.
Galion frowned, and suddenly held up his hands.
"I do not want to know," he said hastily. "I do NOT want to know!" He turned then, and fled up the hall.
TBC
Special thanks to al, my beautiful beta for her wonderful work! There wasn't as much of a forest on the beta'd copy this time! I was SO relieved!
Response to Reviewers
Angel - Stop crying, nin mel bush! I see you left a note on the review, and as you can see, you are the first one in the responses. I hope that you enjoyed the last chapter, I don't think it was anything to cry over though! Maybe I should send a little spider your way to cheer you up! ;)
PuterPatty - Well, I admit that Elrond's movie eyebrow quirking is a bit . . . odd, I guess, but I don't quite imagine the wonderful healer/lord that way. I like to write him as a more lighthearted elf while Celebrian is still with them. Yes, the twins had to get it from somewhere. I had to LOL about the Glorfindel question. Yes, he did answer them, but I think they chose to ignore the answer in light of his milder case of Aralithus.
Tinni - If I answered all your questions, then you would know more about this tale than I do! ;)
JastaElf - I admit I nearly died of shock when you said you were maybe more Noldor than you thought. ;) There is nothing wrong with being Noldor, nothing at all. Many good elves are! Especially a certain Balrog slayer!!! :) Wicked Greenie seems to be off the hook for now. . . Let's see how long that lasts!
JEbb - I am glad you are enjoying the fun in Mirkwood and Imladris, and yes there will probably be more trouble ahead! ;)
Jay of Lasgalen - Well, I wish I had fallen into Morn Nen and forgotten, then I would have had an excuse for my turtle's pace at posting. Iaeth won't be pleased at all, I suppose he will now have to make an appearance. The twins are. . . ;)
Seaweed - You and Gimli seemed rather pleased with that last chapter. Maybe I should just wait 2 or 3 more months before I post again! ;0 I don't think I understood this correctly. . . You want Bastryn to strangle you?? Because he is so cute??!! O.O Okay. . . Some day I want to hear every last piece of evidence to support your Glorfindel theory. I am of the same mind, but am curious if you have come across something I have not. You seem to have a mild infatuation with the golden lord Glory, nin mel. Welcome to the club! (
erunyauve - Hmm . . . I believe you are quite right. Bastryn must feel rather unloved right now, after all Brethil at least loved his lend laes Bastryn. I will see what I can manage. :)
Karina - Funky?? LOL Okay, I will take funky any day! ;) I have seen some of Glorfindel's nicknames, Glorfy being one of them. I still prefer Glory myself. Glorfindel did answer Nadrach and Baranthor, but I think they ignored him. That is all the answer they will get. It is the Great Question, after all. Glory will be glad to visit with Tavor and Aralith in the spider wing of your clinic. He might even listen to your story ideas for a while. You needn't apologize for not reviewing the last chapter. RL can be interesting at times. I will try not to wait so long to post chapters.
annakas - Yes, I finally wrote something! I did my own happy dance, believe me! Mirkwood and Imladris aren't TOO different. ;)
Elberethia - I am glad to hear that Bastryn and Wicked Greenie have helped you to begin to overcome your own bout of Aralithus (arachnophobia). I have had a very similar experience while writing about these fun spiders. I can certainly identify with anyone who is afraid of the little leggy buggers! But I no longer have it, so perhaps some day you will completely be over it too! I am glad this silly story has helped. No, I don't think it is literature. ;)
IRENA - It is good to be back in the saddle again. ;0 I too have wondered who would have saved the remnants of Gondolin from the Balrog if it had eight legs and Glorfindel would have run screaming. ;)
Angaloth - A very strange thought flitted through my brain when I read that you might be afraid if spiders here were that large. I thought "well, if they were that large I think more people would have pet spiders." Weird, huh? ;) And for some "strange" reason I got this picture of people walking their pet spiders on leashes like they do their dogs . . . Okay, I think I will go and lie down now! ;)
Katharine the Great - I am glad that there were so many things to make you laugh in that last chapter, mellon nin! Hope the dust has died down, and the wind! Expect at least one more group of elves in this merry mix. ;)
amlugwen - LOL to you! You want to "cuddle" a spider?? I have a cute stuffed one here that is good for cuddling. His name is Bastryn too. He is wearing a collar (actually a bracelet that fits him like a collar) and it has small golden flowers on the little round medallions in little sparkly stones. :) I will "feed" you as fast as I can!
Anarril - Hmm . . . I wonder if Elrond *does* have any cures for Aralithus and Brethilitis. I suspect that this is the first time he has ever seen anything like them, outside of Mirkwood, of course. ;) The Els will meet the spider soon now, I think! Yes, I think the Imladris elves are just as strange as the Mirkwood ones! Just wait! ;)
Hel - LOL You are very wicked! You want Thranduil to drink the tainted Dorwinion!? You even seem to relish the thought of Aralith seeing Bastryn again! As you can see Tanglinna is busily trying to find a way of keeping the Dorwinion, or the absence of the Dorwinion from Thranduil, and not, the poor dear, will have to deal with it in Imladris! I guess I am wicked too! :) Did Oropher have a pet spider?? Hmmm . . . .
Dragon-of-the-North - I am sure Arwen would be glad to tell you where her mother's tea cups came from. You did notice I was kind enough to have Erestor remove them from the table before Bastryn crashed onto it. :) You would like to see Galadriel get "shocked?" Wicked! ;) Plot bunny! You know I had to laugh about your concern for Bastryn and what he must be feeling. I would expect nothing less from you. Send my heartfelt greetings to Shulag and Co. please! I must say you handed me a yet another plot bunny in your review, but you will have to wait and see what it is. Oh, yes. . . Tanglinna sends you a hug! ;)
SperryDee - I wonder if the Glorfindel question will ever be answered myself. It is much too fun to argue about it, so I doubt that it will be. Do you really think the twins would blackmail Glorfindel? Hmm . . . they might! ;)
MadMaddie - Poor Glorfindel indeed! Things are just starting too! ;)
Nilmandra - LOL to your Glorfindel clone v 1.0 for slapping your hand! How can you call that lovely elf a wimp?? You should at least have said that when the clone wasn't around. . . , which I suspect is never! I think the spider has chosen his new naneth lhing whether the naneth lhing likes it or not, and the twins?? Wait and see!
Dot - Thranduil, Elrond, and the spiked Dorwinion? :) I have a few surprises in store yet! It should get most interesting!
the evil witch queen - I think Elrond is like most of us in regards to table manners. When we have company or are visiting someone we are all impeccable, yet when we are alone within our own family our guard and our manners slip somewhat. I know that is true for me anyway. O.O Yes, it is very tempting to lick the butter knife, after all the butter never entirely comes off on the bread. ;)
shirebound - I hadn't thought of it before, but I really like you analysis of why the birthday gifts cause so much excitement! It makes perfect sense to me! Birthdays are always so fun, especially if you don't know what you might get!
daw the minstrel - You are quite right, and I have been thinking about that. Legolas and Company will be safely away in Mirkwood, while everything is going crazy in Imladris. I will have to think of . . . something. I like that so many people liked Celebrian being the one with the cool head in this situation. I have found that it is like that here in our house at times. . . even in regard to the small spiders that live here. Females just don't get as flustered as males do at times. ;)
Lutris - Glorfindel and Bastryn are very cute together, and I am glad that you think so! It should be fun to see what the twins think when at last they see Bastryn. Can't wait! ;)
Katie - It is fun to think that even Glorfindel the Great is afraid of something. We all have our little phobias, after all. ;) Try sending your pictures as attachments, since my compy has managed to hide the last ones you sent me only too well!
Dar-Elf-girl - I am glad you like the last chapter. It was fun to finally write it!
Kate - Well, to answer your question: Yes! I did *choke* kill Tanglinna. I just try to forget about it. ;)
ember - It will make for a very interesting situation when Thranduil arrives, and well, will he find out about the Dorwinion? LOL We shall see! It should be a very fun ride!
Mickie - Do YOU stick the butter knife back in the butter after you lick it?? ;) I don't think he is THAT uncouth. LOL Males aren't always pigs, just occasionally. Maybe Galadriel should come and pay him a visit! ;)
Lindon - Do you think a can of Raid will help?? ;) I wasn't aware that I wrote Elrond differently after Celebrian sailed West, but I suspect in my subconscienous I am only too aware of the change that this would make in him. Thank you for pointing that aspect of my writing out to me. :) I believe that Tanglinna will be brutally honest when he decides to relate some tales of Thranduil's youth, though in the upcoming chapters here, he is trying to be anything but brutally honest. He is a bit flustered, a very rare thing! ;) Brenillass will appear in some stories at some point. Her name means "Lady Leaf."
None - LOL You are an evil girl! I hope that the upcoming chapters will be "evil" enough for you! There is a lot that can go wrong, but with Tanglinna along to keep things straight, and the note to the twins with instructions . . . What could possibly go wrong??? ;)
If I have forgotten anyone, I will say that Ff.net has eaten some of the reviews that I ran out earlier this week, since they are not there now though I have them on a print out! I apologize if I overlooked anyone!
Next chapter - an unexpected guest arrives with some news that Elrond isn't too thrilled with. You think you know what I mean . . . but you don't! *evil laugh*