Chapter 15 - Blue Meanie
"See, Prince Aralith? Everything is fine," Calenthar said with a smile as he straightened, gazing at the three Imladris elves. "No harm done. What did we tell you?"
Aralith turned wide eyes to him, his heart still thudding uncertainly in his chest. No harm done? He swallowed, gazing from the newly arrived elves to Tanglinna, who was still sitting in the water looking most unhappy, to Thranduil who didn't look particularly happy either. It looked as though plenty of harm had been done.
~He's going to do the wigglies, ~ Aralith thought, choking out an odd laugh as he gazed at his father.
Cuil glanced at Calenthar and murmured, "These strange Sindarin princes."
The two exchanged very knowing glances and then turned to look at Aralith.
Aralith's gaze swung to them, and then he looked down miserably. There was something he should be doing, but he couldn't recall what. He had totally forgotten that he had been asked to ride for assistance not so long ago, as the arrival of the laughing, singing inhabitants of Elrond's riven dell had chased it from his mind. He should be doing something . . . something princely he supposed, but just what that was he didn't know. There were certainly gaps in his education it seemed. He looked up once more to see Tanglinna struggling to his feet, wincing slightly as he stood. Thranduil was staring at the proffered towel still held by the Imladris elf, one eyebrow rising.
"The wigglies," Aralith murmured, his eyes meeting Calenthar's and then Cuil's. "You know . . . the wigglies?"
The two Wood Elves' eyes were . . . well, they were quite inscrutable. What had he expected? The prince sighed. He had expected nothing less. Slowly he moved away from them, wondering just how close he could get to his father to see if he were all right without getting close enough to be noticed. He could feel Thranduil's annoyance from here.
"Get out of the water, Tanglinna!" the king of Mirkwood barked, his blue eyes narrowed.
Tanglinna, who had been testing his weight on his left foot, looked up. His eyes narrowed as well and his lips pulled back in a snarl. Aralith grimaced. It seemed that the water hadn't cooled the two off at all.
"No harm done," the prince whispered morosely.
"Is it because," Tanglinna began in a very loud voice, "you don't wish them to know that-"
Thranduil grabbed the towel and flung it in Tanglinna's face.
"One more word out of you and you will end up in my dungeons until the end of time, you sad-excuse-for-a-Master-Archer-who-apparently-left-his- brains-and-good-manners- back-in-Doriath-IF-he-ever-possessed-either!" Mirkwood's king growled fiercely, reaching out to grab the archer's hand to pull him onto the grass.
"Are you threatening me, Oropherion?" Tanglinna hissed back after a moment of stunned silence at this last invective. Hadn't Oropher said that very same thing at one point? "It won't work, so don't even try. You -!" Suddenly he gasped in pain and felt his leg crumpling under him as he stepped onto his left foot, and he fell back into the water.
Thranduil studied him suspiciously, wondering what his Master Archer was playing at now.
"What is it?" he asked, rubbing one wet sleeve over his face, which was still dripping. "If this is some sort of ruse it isn't going to work. I am quite serious about the dungeons, you know."
"I am sure you are," Tanglinna muttered sarcastically, and stubbornly pushed to his feet once more. "I am SO scared." At present, he was too annoyed and in pain to think of a better return. He knew what the wondrous twinge meant: he had managed to sprain his ankle. His boot, very soggy indeed, felt entirely too tight. He growled slightly and glared up at the king. He moved to the bank and, refusing Thranduil's help for the king had decided that there was indeed something wrong with Tanglinna, the archer clambered onto the bank. Not with his usual grace, which only served to annoy him even more.
The Imladris elves had quieted and were watching this most unusual exchange with interest. It was true that Glorfindel and Erestor occasionally went at one another with all sorts of tricks and games, but it was never like this. They exchanged a quick glance with Cuil and Calenthar who nodded politely to them. Since the two elves from Mirkwood didn't seem concerned, they wouldn't be either. With that, all five turned to see what would happen next.
Tanglinna stood, a bit unsteadily, staring into Thranduil's eyes.
"I will tell them," he sneered. "I won't let this nonsense continue any longer. What would your father have thought of this infantile behaviour of yours?" In truth, he hoped that Thranduil would come to his senses on his own. He disliked treating the king like a wayward youngling. Well, usually he disliked it. He certainly disliked it now.
Both of Thranduil's dark golden brows rose at this, and Aralith gasped aloud, moving slowly toward them while wondering if he could pull them apart if they started grappling in the grass now. He stared back at Cuil and Calenthar for a moment, but they merely smiled at him. Amazingly Thranduil smiled, his lips sliding slowly over his teeth until he looked very wolf-like, or perhaps like a rabid warg was a better description.
"My father, as you know quite well, would have approved of my so- called "infantile behaviour". In fact, he probably *would* have drowned you for trying to halt this fun, or gagged you at the very least."
"You underestimate your father in this, nin aran (my king). He would never stoop to such a level as this. He-"
Thranduil cut him off by grabbing one of Tanglinna's arms. He noted the pronounced limp, and gently pushed the other onto a fallen log that now served as a bench.
"What have you done to yourself?" the king asked with genuine concern, kneeling before him.
"I have done nothing. This is all your doing," Tanglinna answered stubbornly, feeling very grumpy and uncooperative just now as he ran the towel over his face and stared down at his left foot in disgust. Oropher *would* have enjoyed this.
Suddenly Thranduil's eyes gleamed. He smiled solicitously then, a mask of great concern falling over his features.
"Aralith, please come here quickly."
Aralith jumped slightly at the sound of his name falling from his father's lips, but he moved to stand just behind where his father knelt in front of Tanglinna.
"Please have these good elves show you to Lord Elrond. Tell him that Tanglinna has injured himself and needs assistance." The king stood in one smooth movement and turned to regard his son. "Tell him that he must bring some very strong medicine with him." Another smile curved on his lips. "Very strong. I think Tanglinna will need some rest and relaxation after this most arduous trip." He smiled down at his Master Archer who was slowly turning an interesting shade of red.
"Aren't you supposed to be riding to Elrond already, nin caun?" Tanglinna asked Aralith with a pointed look.
Aralith gasped, one hand moving to where Legolas' letter rested. He grimaced and looked away from them. The letter! The wine! He shrugged apologetically. It seemed he would be riding for Elrond, but just what he should tell him once he was there caused a great conflict in his mind.
"I will go right now, Adar . . . Master Tanglinna." He gazed up at them once more before hurrying toward the Imladris elves, who were a bit disappointed that they were going to miss all the "fun from Mirkwood". They finally decided that only one of them would have to guide Aralith to their lord. Soon the prince and his guide were on their way, the chosen elf riding on Tanglinna's horse.
Cuil did step forward then, concern for his silver-haired friend moving him. He waited until the king had acknowledged him before saying, "Tanglinna has some wine mixed with Vandal Root, nin aran. Perhaps that would help."
Tanglinna was about to protest when he realized that if he acted too upset by this knowledge Thranduil would become even more suspicious than he was sure to be already. And Thranduil did turn to him then, one eyebrow raised questioningly.
"How very wonderful that he anticipated this need. Do you have a bit of foresight yourself, Tanglinna dear? For surely why else would you be carrying a bottle of wine with Vandal Root in it?"
Tanglinna met his eyes, eyebrows raised.
"Perhaps I should tell you," he said. "ALL of you." His eyes flitted to the Imladris elves in challenge.
"You wouldn't dare," Thranduil said in a low, conversational voice. "That is an excellent idea, Cuil. Please fetch it."
"I won't drink it," Tanglinna protested, wondering why he had mixed the Vandal Root into the wine already. This was an unforeseen turnabout if ever there was one! "You can't force me!"
Thranduil merely smiled at him, and turned to watch Cuil fetching the bottle of wine from the packhorse.
"Watch me," he smirked.
Tanglinna started to push to his feet in protest when he saw Cuil staring at the bottle in amazement, and suddenly the Master Archer remembered that he had put the Vandal Root into the Combe wine that he had taken from the cellar, only the Combe had been placed in an empty bottle with a Dorwinion label. He swallowed and sank back onto the log. How was he going to explain this? What had he been thinking at the time to do something so ridiculous? Well, this had not gone as planned either. Nothing had. Perhaps Thranduil would be able to tell that the wine wasn't the Dorwinion that he had requested they bring. Or perhaps he would be angry that he thought that Dorwinion had been tainted with Vandal Root. He sighed wearily. Perhaps it would be best to just drink the bottle down and sleep for the next several hours and let things work themselves out without him. He was tired of playing at these games. How did Prince Legolas do it? Did he ever feel this . . . defeated . . . when his grand schemes went awry?
~I didn't get into this much trouble when I was a youngling,~ he thought, watching as Cuil brought the wine bottle to Thranduil. "What would Little Greenleaf say? How would he get out of it? He is much more clever than I am, I suppose. He . . . ." He trailed off, seeing Thranduil looking at him oddly. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"What are you muttering about now?" Thranduil said with a frown. "It is time to take your medicine, Tanglinna dear."
"Don't call me that."
"I will call you anything I like." Thranduil took the bottle from Cuil, who handed him a goblet as well, his eyes full of questions as he gazed at the archer. Then he gave the king a very odd look, his brows quirking. Quickly, he stepped away, whispering something to Calenthar and the two Imladris elves, who looked inquisitively at the king of Mirkwood. He could overhear them laughing and saying something about the Blue King From The Great Greenwood.
Tanglinna shook his head and sighed heavily. He waited for Thranduil to say something, but when there was no sound but birdsong and the rush of the water, he looked up. Thranduil raised his head slowly and gazed impassively at the archer.
"Surely you didn't put the Vandal Root into the Dorwinion I asked you to bring," he said in an entirely-too-even voice.
Tanglinna's face contorted slightly and he shrugged.
"Not exactly."
"Oh really? What is this then? Why, it looks like a bottle of Dorwinion! Surely you didn't put the Vandal Root into the Dorwinion," he repeated, uncorking the bottle and sniffing it. "Surely you didn't . . . ! This smells like a Combe." He lifted the bottle to his very sensitive nose once more. His eyes narrowed. "Tanglinna, would you please explain to me why there is Combe wine in this Dorwinion bottle?"
"No, I wouldn't care to."
~Vanwahith, what have you gotten yourself into now? ~ an amused voice in his head chuckled.
~I am certain that I do not know, Oropher, ~ he thought back. ~Your son is most irritating. ~
The son of Oropher was staring intently at "Vanwahith", the bottle of wine held in one hand.
"I expect you to tell me what is going on here."
Suddenly Tanglinna grabbed the bottle and drank down half of it before shuddering and gasping for breath.
"You won't get out of it this easy," Thranduil said as Tanglinna gulped down the rest and then handed the king the empty bottle, grimacing and shuddering once more.
"Yes, actually, I will," the archer said feeling a bit lightheaded already. He had never gulped that much wine down at once in his life. How very strange it was.
Thranduil glanced back at the other elves who were staring from him to Tanglinna, not quite certain who to be more amazed with.
"What is wrong with you?" Thranduil asked, turning his annoyance on them. "All of you go to find my son and Elrond. Now!"
It was with a measure of satisfaction that he watched them depart, whispering among themselves still and laughing. What were they talking about!? The Blue King? Honestly, he didn't think he could take much more of this.
Tanglinna stared at him, wondering if he were going to be ill all over Thranduil's lovely blue shoes. He truly didn't feel well now, and he feared that the Vandal Root was already beginning to work on him. Things did look a bit blurry. Surely it didn't work this quickly! He forced himself to focus on Thranduil's face, wondering then if perhaps it was the wine that was working on him already instead. He lifted one brow, and blinked slowly.
"You are very mean," he said, his words slurring a bit. "Why do you constantly put me through this? I don't understand it at all. You used to be such a nice child. What happened? When did you turn into such a . . . ." He blinked and squinted. "Such a Blue Meanie?" Then he giggled slightly, clamping one hand over his mouth in amazement. ~I don't feel very well, ~ he thought.
Thranduil, who was feeling a bit anxious over what might happen to his Master Archer now that he had gulped an entire bottle of drugged wine, stared at him in disbelief.
"What are you talking about? 'Blue Meanie'? Tanglinna, are you feeling alright?"
"No, I am not. I haven't been 'feeling alright' for some time now. You and your children are drying me insane. . . ." He giggled slightly again. "*Driving* me insane," he amended. "I am not very dry at the moment, am I? Perhaps some 'drying' would be in order." He did giggle quite a bit then, and Thranduil studied him with a measure of dismay.
"Tanglinna, perhaps you had better lie down. I wish you hadn't done that! What were you trying to prove by gulping that entire bottle down? I am glad that Elrond is on his way here. He will be able to help you."
"Not if he has drunk your Dorwinion he won't, Blue Meanie," Tanglinna said with a grin. It felt rather liberating to confess all this to the king. Really it did.
"You drank all the Dorwinion, you silly Silvan! Not Elrond!"
Tanglinna shook his head, which felt very funny when he did this, rather like it was stuffed with something very soft and rather ticklish, or filled with one of the thick fogs that crossed the river before the palace some nights. He didn't seem to be making himself as clear as he should.
"Not *that* Dorwinion. That was Combe. You knew that, Blue Meanie. Yes, you did. I mean the other Dorwinion."
Thranduil drew a breath, making a promise to be patient with this mixed up Silvan.
"What other Dorwinion?"
Tanglinna grinned at him, leaning forward slightly in a conspiratorial manner.
"The Dorwinion that . . . . You really are very blue, O Blue King From The Great Greenwood."
Thranduil sighed in exasperation.
"What are you talking about?!" he demanded, gazing down at his blue robes. "Is this because I wore Elrond's color? If it is, I . . . !" He gasped suddenly, staring at his long slender hands, which had turned a most fetching shade of . . . blue. "What is this!?" he yelped, jumping to his feet and staring at them in fascinated horror.
"Big Blue Meanie," Tanglinna chortled.
Thranduil glared at him and moved to stare at his reflection in the stream.
"What is this?! WHAT IS THIS!?"
It seemed that his lovely, expensive robes had bled blue dye all over the very wet king.
Tanglinna studied him for a moment in assessment, beginning to feel rather sleepy. He yawned.
"You know, Thranduil, you do look better in blue than Elrond." He smiled woozily and began to sing.
"O! It's the Blue Meanie,
whose Dorwinion is gone.
Father of Wicked Greenie,
I'll sing him a song!
He won't be so jolly,
What a grand folly!
Ha! Ha!"
With that Tanglinna slid from his log, rested his head against its mossy surface and fell asleep feeling quite content and happier than he had for some time, leaving a gaping Blue Meanie King from the Great Greenwood staring at his lovely blue face in the water of Imladris.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
TBC
Author's Note - Again the song is based on the Valley song in The Hobbit. The "invective" and the threat that Thranduil used against Tanglinna are by Dragon_of_the_north. :) Plot bunnies abound, mellon nin!
Thank you to my beta al! You are entirely too kind sometimes! :) Thank you for the very quick job on this one!
Response to Reviewers
JastaElf - I am afraid that I must be taking entirely too long between chapters since you welcome me back every time I put one up there. I will make a decided effort to stay! ;) I am incredibly slow lately. Life can be most distracting.
Lady Elwing - I am glad that you enjoyed the wet elves. I don't think they were too pleased by it, but some things just have to happen! I am glad that you like my Celeborn. You should read Marnie's Celeborn stories. They are fantastic!
Erik's-lil-rocker - I do feel a little sorry for Aralith, being trapped between Thranduil and Tanglinna. He is just a bit out of his league. ;) More fun will ensue for that hapless prince when he meets up with Bastryn again! ;)
Nilmandra - The she-elves do indeed know that they have glowing followers, and they do love to play it up at times. Legolas finally makes an appearance in this chapter. All is not going to be quite in Mirkwood just because the Aran is gone. I am glad you liked the Valley Song. I really wanted to use it! I wasn't sure if I could pull it off, but I am pleased that it appears I have.
Marnie - I admit that anytime I write Celeborn and Galadriel I think of your own wonderful portrayal of them. Galadriel can charm anything she chooses, I suppose and it would certainly afford me no end of fun to do it. I laughed when you called Tanglinna's plan "cunning." I thought it a bit silly myself, but he was at his wit's end. I am glad you enjoyed the silly song! I wanted to use something, and then I reread that song and knew I had to rework it.
Dragon_of_the-north- ROFL to your little song at the beginning! Perfect! And again later too! I should let you write the poems, as I fear I agonize over them entirely too much! I am glad that you like my portrayal of Middle Earth's great elves. I want them to have a bit of fun, after all. ;) Fun for some, torment for others. . . same thing! Thank you for mentioning the letter from Legolas to the twins. I agonized over that too. I tried to enlist the aid of my children who are of a closer age with Legolas than I am, but they weren't much help at all. I will see what can be done for Aralith. I fear I pick on him entirely too much at times. Tanglinna resembling the sons of Feanor . . . EEK! ;) Though his granduncles certain do!! Tanglinna is indeed getting many strange baths these days. Poor elf! He and Thranduil are a lot of fun, and well. . . I fear you have given me a couple more plot bunnies with your comments! Will this story ever be written!?!? LOL Yes, it is just fraught with plot bunnies! Cuil and Calenthar are typical Wood-Elves I fear. I enjoy them too! Nice blue robes. . . hm . . . ;)
Dot - I think most married couples put up with odd little habits that the others have. ;) It is rather mean that they are picking on Haldir, but well. . . he seems to enjoy it! ;) Aralith is indeed in over his head! He is going to have one "fun" time! Cuil and Calenthar are quite used to the squabbles that Thranduil and Tanglinna get into. They are also inscrutable Wood Elves and not much fazes them.
Ubiquitous Pitt - If Haldir ever cracks, he will be in such raptures he would never notice! ;) Tanglinnaized is a great word, very scrumptious sounding! I admit to being Tanglinnaized myself! It was great fun to do the Rivendell song over. I just had to! I am very pleased that everyone seemed to like it! Poetry is not one of the things I do well! I suspect. . . I KNOW . . . that Thranduil and Tanglinna go at one another on occasion. It think they rather enjoy it. I KNOW that Tanglinna would love his own Saturday morning cartoon! LOL Rather arrogant of him really! ;) Just one glass of Dorwinion will do it for him, huh? Entrepreneur indeed! Brethil and Tavor will be back shortly. They aren't allowed to leave this tale just yet!
Angaloth - I am glad that I trusted my instinct and used that silly elf song from The Hobbit! I almost didn't! I admit that my rhyming ability is rather small, but I am glad it worked out so well. :) I am so pleased that you liked that chapter so well! It makes my day to hear it! :D I did feel a tad sorry for Haldir and Aralith, but not enough I guess. They will suffer a bit more I fear. The last picture was of the rather growly looking Tanglinna. I thought it was time for a change and Glorfindel and Tanglinna were glad to pose. ;)
shirebound - I had fun with the song after fretting over the words that would rhyme and fit with what I wanted to say. Poetry is not what I am good at. I see you felt rather sorry for Poor Prince Aralith. He has had a time already and it is just beginning.
Lorraine - Another one who likes the song! :D That makes me very happy. I admit that it didn't take me as long as I pretend it did. When I knew I had to use the song from the Hobbit I sat down and began the doctoring it, so 10 - 15 minutes is all it took. Not too terribly long to think up so few words to fit into the pattern that already existed. ;)
Karri - I have been rather mean to the poor put-upon Aralith. His life is one long drama, I fear. ;) But yes, it is very fun to read about his woes. It seems that there must be something very strange in the air at Imladris to make everyone behave in such odd ways! ;D
Jay of Lasgalen - Thank you for emailing. Yours wasn't the only one that got lost along the way at ff.net. :( They still have some problems to fix. I wouldn't want to be on Thranduil's bad side either. LOL Frightening prospect that! I am very, very pleased that the little song was so well received! I nearly had fits trying to rhyme Thranduil, but as it was scandal works perfectly! ;)
None - Happy belated birthday! It was my birthday the day I posted that last chapter. :) I know that Tanglinna was rather. . . rude to King Thranduil, but he is only doing it so he will get a chance to warn Elrond about the Dorwinion with the Spider Water in it. Don't worry. Thranduil has had his revenge. ;P I am glad that you have come to like Laerlend. She isn't so bad. I admit it took me a while to like her. Never fear! Little Greenleaf will be in this tale. I am not done with him yet! :D
erunyauve - Thank you for the congratulations. It was a Runner's Up award. I had this chapter done before that, but I admit that after rereading In the Hall, which I hadn't done. . . well, I hadn't done it since I finished it . . . I find myself getting back into that mode of storytelling. I admit that the sons of Feanor are the maddest elves to leap into my mind *ducks the flying debris tossed by the Feanorian fans* so it seemed apropos. LOL Yes, Aralith is definitely the wrong elf for that job!
WeasleyTwinsLover1112 - I am glad that you are so taken with Tanglinna, but no, you can't have him! I have him and have no intention of giving him up! ;P He is most flattered that you think he is kool. I fear he will be nigh impossible the rest of the day. . . swelled head, you know. ;)
Karina - Congratulations, my dear Canadian friend on hosting the Olympics in 2010! That sounds wonderful! :) I don't think I have written Galadriel and Celeborn before. . . well, frankly Galadriel scares me. O.O I am afraid I might upset her a bit writing what I plan to as well. O.O ^- ^ Yes, I am picking on poor Haldir. Don't worry. I have things planned for him as well. ;) O.O You really are being clever, aren't you! "Whisper of Things to Come" indeed! LOL And then ROFL. Your age is showing and mine is about to. . . I like the OLDER elves! But then I am OLDER! LOL You are YOUNG and attracted to the YOUNG elves. Life is FUN, isn't it!! ^-^ And YES! Update elves MUCH SOONER! It is fantastic! ! ! !
Tinni - I am glad you liked my reworking of the Valley song. It seemed fitting, and well, I had to do it again! ;)
gershwin - LOL You do seem to enjoy this form of Haldir torment! Poor elf! You have given him quite a title - Hypnotized Haldir the glowing Galadrim and the Mesmerized March-warden. More Haldir torture coming up! ;D
sirithiliel - I am glad you liked that last chapter! :) Galadriel is very wise and knows many, many things! She is an elf-witch after all! ;)
Erikalya Arvanesse - I am glad you are enjoying this. But I must say that Tanglinna, though the name ends in an "a" isn't a girl. Sorry. ;) He wasn't too happy with your suggestion of him dressing like one! LOL Silly elf! And you want the twins to get some of the wine?? LOL That would be most chaotically wonderful! :D
Kal - I think that both Haldir and Elrond deserve some sympathy. They both have to put up with a lot! Yes, those grown bad boys from Mirkwood were fighting like "ikles elflings." ;) I believe Aralith was rather stunned by his regal father and the Master Archer fighting like ikles elflings. ^-^ Hence, no movement. They caught him off guard. There will definitely be some explaining to do! :D
aurora - I am tickled that you laughed your jaws sore. :D I quite agree that Tang and Thand should know better than to fight, especially in front of the children. ;D Thranduil did indeed have a pet spider. I guess that is where Legolas gets it from!
Shalemni - I was ROFL about Tanglinna punching Thranduil. That would be a most funny thing. The story isn't over yet. :P LOL That really made me laugh! What an image!
annakas - Things didn't look to good in that last chapter, but Tanglinna has managed to get himself out of the action. . . at least for a time! ;)
fliewatuet - I am glad you have enjoyed this story so far. It has been a hoot to write it. Legolas does seem to get himself into trouble quite a lot, and it does end up affecting everyone around him! That is why it has been so fun to write it! Glad you enjoyed the little song! I was very pleased with its reception. :)
Emma - I am pleased that you think this funny. Did you actually read this story, nin iell? ? ;) Yes, you have to spend your birthday in Cape May with Ashley! And YES! I CAN MAKE YOU!
Lindon - You are so very right that this time Legolas' "accident" prank has gone just a bit too far, considering how many people it will affect. I suspect that the twins don't "have" to behave just because Celeborn and Galadriel are coming. Grandparents are known for indulging in their grandchildren's whims much more so than parents are, so they probably find the twins' antics rather fun. LOL to your finding out that the Thranduilrim don't seem to do much but shoot spiders, capture dwarves, make merry with the food they didn't get from their own ground, and admire the jewels that they didn't mine or fix into jewelry. ;) I am glad you liked chapter 14 as well. It was one of those chapters that I thought was funny and then wondered if anyone else would. Even the elf ladies are having fun. Aralith may wish that he was facing the spider, but when he does have to face the spider he may wish he were back by the stream. ;) LOL to Brenillass and Celair arguing over which husband started the argument. I am sure those two were quite used to this sort of behaviour.
daw the minstrel - I hope you had a nice journey. :) I sometimes wonder what possesses me to keep so many stories running at the same time. I believe we ladies like to display our power over the males of the species on occasion, and enjoy it quite thoroughly. I think Legolas and Tanglinna look alike when they are about to get into trouble because they both know in their heart of hearts that they aren't going to get away with it, but they are going to do it anyway. Thranduil is arrogant, and he does have a temper, but we love him anyway! ;D
Irena - Too lazy to sign in @apathetic.com? ;) It is good to be back and I hope that I will stay back.
Anarill - It sounds like you have a case of Galadrielitis. You should probably head to Imladris and give poor Haldir a break. You can stand in for him since you light up so nicely at the mention of the Lady of Light. I suspect that we all light up at the mention of certain elves' names, all different ones perhaps, but the Glow is Good! ;)
Venyatuima - This story is much more fun to write than Knife's Edge. Wet elves are always good and fun, and I enjoyed their struggle in the water immensely. I feel rather sorry for Aralith, caught in the middle as he is. And Tanglinna's plan did sound entirely too much like one of Legolas. No wonder it didn't go as planned! ;)
amlugwen - Galadriel does know nearly everything, so . . .;) I can keep a secret! And yes, it does seem wrong to push a king into the water, but I think it was necessary, or so the rather crazed Tanglinna thought. ^-^ I am afraid that I do make them a bit childish at times, but I fear I may be a bit childish at times. :/ Hm. . . . Those Imladris elves find many things amusing, including other elves.
Gwyn - First LOL! I fear it isn't just the commas that slow me down! But I will try to post more quickly than I have been. I do feel sorry for Aralith, but I like him too much to leave him alone. ;) Everyone is having too much fun, and the party hasn't even started yet!
Nadra - Hm . . . Yes, I am incredibly S - L - O- W! I will try to remedy that. I can see Elrond is finally building to the end, for which I am grateful. Do not worry, I haven't forgotten your birthday story at all either. I am just incredibly . . . well, see the first sentence and repeat it. ;) It is okay to like Galadriel. She just scares me silly! Pun intended, I assure you! ;) Hope you had great fun with your cousins! Sounds very familiar to me! Loads of cousins getting together at the grandparents for the holidays!
Nikki - LOL It's not over yet! ;D The Dorwinion goes round next chapter!
Phoenix 23531 - Occasionally the elves surprise me a bit with unexpected happenings. ;) You never know what they might do. I believe males all feel a bit sorry for and exasperated with someone so clearly "bewitched" by females. It would appear that it is not only Little Greenleaf that gets rather strange ideas! I suspect the chapters will be shorter, as I think I will finish them sooner if I keep it short!
"See, Prince Aralith? Everything is fine," Calenthar said with a smile as he straightened, gazing at the three Imladris elves. "No harm done. What did we tell you?"
Aralith turned wide eyes to him, his heart still thudding uncertainly in his chest. No harm done? He swallowed, gazing from the newly arrived elves to Tanglinna, who was still sitting in the water looking most unhappy, to Thranduil who didn't look particularly happy either. It looked as though plenty of harm had been done.
~He's going to do the wigglies, ~ Aralith thought, choking out an odd laugh as he gazed at his father.
Cuil glanced at Calenthar and murmured, "These strange Sindarin princes."
The two exchanged very knowing glances and then turned to look at Aralith.
Aralith's gaze swung to them, and then he looked down miserably. There was something he should be doing, but he couldn't recall what. He had totally forgotten that he had been asked to ride for assistance not so long ago, as the arrival of the laughing, singing inhabitants of Elrond's riven dell had chased it from his mind. He should be doing something . . . something princely he supposed, but just what that was he didn't know. There were certainly gaps in his education it seemed. He looked up once more to see Tanglinna struggling to his feet, wincing slightly as he stood. Thranduil was staring at the proffered towel still held by the Imladris elf, one eyebrow rising.
"The wigglies," Aralith murmured, his eyes meeting Calenthar's and then Cuil's. "You know . . . the wigglies?"
The two Wood Elves' eyes were . . . well, they were quite inscrutable. What had he expected? The prince sighed. He had expected nothing less. Slowly he moved away from them, wondering just how close he could get to his father to see if he were all right without getting close enough to be noticed. He could feel Thranduil's annoyance from here.
"Get out of the water, Tanglinna!" the king of Mirkwood barked, his blue eyes narrowed.
Tanglinna, who had been testing his weight on his left foot, looked up. His eyes narrowed as well and his lips pulled back in a snarl. Aralith grimaced. It seemed that the water hadn't cooled the two off at all.
"No harm done," the prince whispered morosely.
"Is it because," Tanglinna began in a very loud voice, "you don't wish them to know that-"
Thranduil grabbed the towel and flung it in Tanglinna's face.
"One more word out of you and you will end up in my dungeons until the end of time, you sad-excuse-for-a-Master-Archer-who-apparently-left-his- brains-and-good-manners- back-in-Doriath-IF-he-ever-possessed-either!" Mirkwood's king growled fiercely, reaching out to grab the archer's hand to pull him onto the grass.
"Are you threatening me, Oropherion?" Tanglinna hissed back after a moment of stunned silence at this last invective. Hadn't Oropher said that very same thing at one point? "It won't work, so don't even try. You -!" Suddenly he gasped in pain and felt his leg crumpling under him as he stepped onto his left foot, and he fell back into the water.
Thranduil studied him suspiciously, wondering what his Master Archer was playing at now.
"What is it?" he asked, rubbing one wet sleeve over his face, which was still dripping. "If this is some sort of ruse it isn't going to work. I am quite serious about the dungeons, you know."
"I am sure you are," Tanglinna muttered sarcastically, and stubbornly pushed to his feet once more. "I am SO scared." At present, he was too annoyed and in pain to think of a better return. He knew what the wondrous twinge meant: he had managed to sprain his ankle. His boot, very soggy indeed, felt entirely too tight. He growled slightly and glared up at the king. He moved to the bank and, refusing Thranduil's help for the king had decided that there was indeed something wrong with Tanglinna, the archer clambered onto the bank. Not with his usual grace, which only served to annoy him even more.
The Imladris elves had quieted and were watching this most unusual exchange with interest. It was true that Glorfindel and Erestor occasionally went at one another with all sorts of tricks and games, but it was never like this. They exchanged a quick glance with Cuil and Calenthar who nodded politely to them. Since the two elves from Mirkwood didn't seem concerned, they wouldn't be either. With that, all five turned to see what would happen next.
Tanglinna stood, a bit unsteadily, staring into Thranduil's eyes.
"I will tell them," he sneered. "I won't let this nonsense continue any longer. What would your father have thought of this infantile behaviour of yours?" In truth, he hoped that Thranduil would come to his senses on his own. He disliked treating the king like a wayward youngling. Well, usually he disliked it. He certainly disliked it now.
Both of Thranduil's dark golden brows rose at this, and Aralith gasped aloud, moving slowly toward them while wondering if he could pull them apart if they started grappling in the grass now. He stared back at Cuil and Calenthar for a moment, but they merely smiled at him. Amazingly Thranduil smiled, his lips sliding slowly over his teeth until he looked very wolf-like, or perhaps like a rabid warg was a better description.
"My father, as you know quite well, would have approved of my so- called "infantile behaviour". In fact, he probably *would* have drowned you for trying to halt this fun, or gagged you at the very least."
"You underestimate your father in this, nin aran (my king). He would never stoop to such a level as this. He-"
Thranduil cut him off by grabbing one of Tanglinna's arms. He noted the pronounced limp, and gently pushed the other onto a fallen log that now served as a bench.
"What have you done to yourself?" the king asked with genuine concern, kneeling before him.
"I have done nothing. This is all your doing," Tanglinna answered stubbornly, feeling very grumpy and uncooperative just now as he ran the towel over his face and stared down at his left foot in disgust. Oropher *would* have enjoyed this.
Suddenly Thranduil's eyes gleamed. He smiled solicitously then, a mask of great concern falling over his features.
"Aralith, please come here quickly."
Aralith jumped slightly at the sound of his name falling from his father's lips, but he moved to stand just behind where his father knelt in front of Tanglinna.
"Please have these good elves show you to Lord Elrond. Tell him that Tanglinna has injured himself and needs assistance." The king stood in one smooth movement and turned to regard his son. "Tell him that he must bring some very strong medicine with him." Another smile curved on his lips. "Very strong. I think Tanglinna will need some rest and relaxation after this most arduous trip." He smiled down at his Master Archer who was slowly turning an interesting shade of red.
"Aren't you supposed to be riding to Elrond already, nin caun?" Tanglinna asked Aralith with a pointed look.
Aralith gasped, one hand moving to where Legolas' letter rested. He grimaced and looked away from them. The letter! The wine! He shrugged apologetically. It seemed he would be riding for Elrond, but just what he should tell him once he was there caused a great conflict in his mind.
"I will go right now, Adar . . . Master Tanglinna." He gazed up at them once more before hurrying toward the Imladris elves, who were a bit disappointed that they were going to miss all the "fun from Mirkwood". They finally decided that only one of them would have to guide Aralith to their lord. Soon the prince and his guide were on their way, the chosen elf riding on Tanglinna's horse.
Cuil did step forward then, concern for his silver-haired friend moving him. He waited until the king had acknowledged him before saying, "Tanglinna has some wine mixed with Vandal Root, nin aran. Perhaps that would help."
Tanglinna was about to protest when he realized that if he acted too upset by this knowledge Thranduil would become even more suspicious than he was sure to be already. And Thranduil did turn to him then, one eyebrow raised questioningly.
"How very wonderful that he anticipated this need. Do you have a bit of foresight yourself, Tanglinna dear? For surely why else would you be carrying a bottle of wine with Vandal Root in it?"
Tanglinna met his eyes, eyebrows raised.
"Perhaps I should tell you," he said. "ALL of you." His eyes flitted to the Imladris elves in challenge.
"You wouldn't dare," Thranduil said in a low, conversational voice. "That is an excellent idea, Cuil. Please fetch it."
"I won't drink it," Tanglinna protested, wondering why he had mixed the Vandal Root into the wine already. This was an unforeseen turnabout if ever there was one! "You can't force me!"
Thranduil merely smiled at him, and turned to watch Cuil fetching the bottle of wine from the packhorse.
"Watch me," he smirked.
Tanglinna started to push to his feet in protest when he saw Cuil staring at the bottle in amazement, and suddenly the Master Archer remembered that he had put the Vandal Root into the Combe wine that he had taken from the cellar, only the Combe had been placed in an empty bottle with a Dorwinion label. He swallowed and sank back onto the log. How was he going to explain this? What had he been thinking at the time to do something so ridiculous? Well, this had not gone as planned either. Nothing had. Perhaps Thranduil would be able to tell that the wine wasn't the Dorwinion that he had requested they bring. Or perhaps he would be angry that he thought that Dorwinion had been tainted with Vandal Root. He sighed wearily. Perhaps it would be best to just drink the bottle down and sleep for the next several hours and let things work themselves out without him. He was tired of playing at these games. How did Prince Legolas do it? Did he ever feel this . . . defeated . . . when his grand schemes went awry?
~I didn't get into this much trouble when I was a youngling,~ he thought, watching as Cuil brought the wine bottle to Thranduil. "What would Little Greenleaf say? How would he get out of it? He is much more clever than I am, I suppose. He . . . ." He trailed off, seeing Thranduil looking at him oddly. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"What are you muttering about now?" Thranduil said with a frown. "It is time to take your medicine, Tanglinna dear."
"Don't call me that."
"I will call you anything I like." Thranduil took the bottle from Cuil, who handed him a goblet as well, his eyes full of questions as he gazed at the archer. Then he gave the king a very odd look, his brows quirking. Quickly, he stepped away, whispering something to Calenthar and the two Imladris elves, who looked inquisitively at the king of Mirkwood. He could overhear them laughing and saying something about the Blue King From The Great Greenwood.
Tanglinna shook his head and sighed heavily. He waited for Thranduil to say something, but when there was no sound but birdsong and the rush of the water, he looked up. Thranduil raised his head slowly and gazed impassively at the archer.
"Surely you didn't put the Vandal Root into the Dorwinion I asked you to bring," he said in an entirely-too-even voice.
Tanglinna's face contorted slightly and he shrugged.
"Not exactly."
"Oh really? What is this then? Why, it looks like a bottle of Dorwinion! Surely you didn't put the Vandal Root into the Dorwinion," he repeated, uncorking the bottle and sniffing it. "Surely you didn't . . . ! This smells like a Combe." He lifted the bottle to his very sensitive nose once more. His eyes narrowed. "Tanglinna, would you please explain to me why there is Combe wine in this Dorwinion bottle?"
"No, I wouldn't care to."
~Vanwahith, what have you gotten yourself into now? ~ an amused voice in his head chuckled.
~I am certain that I do not know, Oropher, ~ he thought back. ~Your son is most irritating. ~
The son of Oropher was staring intently at "Vanwahith", the bottle of wine held in one hand.
"I expect you to tell me what is going on here."
Suddenly Tanglinna grabbed the bottle and drank down half of it before shuddering and gasping for breath.
"You won't get out of it this easy," Thranduil said as Tanglinna gulped down the rest and then handed the king the empty bottle, grimacing and shuddering once more.
"Yes, actually, I will," the archer said feeling a bit lightheaded already. He had never gulped that much wine down at once in his life. How very strange it was.
Thranduil glanced back at the other elves who were staring from him to Tanglinna, not quite certain who to be more amazed with.
"What is wrong with you?" Thranduil asked, turning his annoyance on them. "All of you go to find my son and Elrond. Now!"
It was with a measure of satisfaction that he watched them depart, whispering among themselves still and laughing. What were they talking about!? The Blue King? Honestly, he didn't think he could take much more of this.
Tanglinna stared at him, wondering if he were going to be ill all over Thranduil's lovely blue shoes. He truly didn't feel well now, and he feared that the Vandal Root was already beginning to work on him. Things did look a bit blurry. Surely it didn't work this quickly! He forced himself to focus on Thranduil's face, wondering then if perhaps it was the wine that was working on him already instead. He lifted one brow, and blinked slowly.
"You are very mean," he said, his words slurring a bit. "Why do you constantly put me through this? I don't understand it at all. You used to be such a nice child. What happened? When did you turn into such a . . . ." He blinked and squinted. "Such a Blue Meanie?" Then he giggled slightly, clamping one hand over his mouth in amazement. ~I don't feel very well, ~ he thought.
Thranduil, who was feeling a bit anxious over what might happen to his Master Archer now that he had gulped an entire bottle of drugged wine, stared at him in disbelief.
"What are you talking about? 'Blue Meanie'? Tanglinna, are you feeling alright?"
"No, I am not. I haven't been 'feeling alright' for some time now. You and your children are drying me insane. . . ." He giggled slightly again. "*Driving* me insane," he amended. "I am not very dry at the moment, am I? Perhaps some 'drying' would be in order." He did giggle quite a bit then, and Thranduil studied him with a measure of dismay.
"Tanglinna, perhaps you had better lie down. I wish you hadn't done that! What were you trying to prove by gulping that entire bottle down? I am glad that Elrond is on his way here. He will be able to help you."
"Not if he has drunk your Dorwinion he won't, Blue Meanie," Tanglinna said with a grin. It felt rather liberating to confess all this to the king. Really it did.
"You drank all the Dorwinion, you silly Silvan! Not Elrond!"
Tanglinna shook his head, which felt very funny when he did this, rather like it was stuffed with something very soft and rather ticklish, or filled with one of the thick fogs that crossed the river before the palace some nights. He didn't seem to be making himself as clear as he should.
"Not *that* Dorwinion. That was Combe. You knew that, Blue Meanie. Yes, you did. I mean the other Dorwinion."
Thranduil drew a breath, making a promise to be patient with this mixed up Silvan.
"What other Dorwinion?"
Tanglinna grinned at him, leaning forward slightly in a conspiratorial manner.
"The Dorwinion that . . . . You really are very blue, O Blue King From The Great Greenwood."
Thranduil sighed in exasperation.
"What are you talking about?!" he demanded, gazing down at his blue robes. "Is this because I wore Elrond's color? If it is, I . . . !" He gasped suddenly, staring at his long slender hands, which had turned a most fetching shade of . . . blue. "What is this!?" he yelped, jumping to his feet and staring at them in fascinated horror.
"Big Blue Meanie," Tanglinna chortled.
Thranduil glared at him and moved to stare at his reflection in the stream.
"What is this?! WHAT IS THIS!?"
It seemed that his lovely, expensive robes had bled blue dye all over the very wet king.
Tanglinna studied him for a moment in assessment, beginning to feel rather sleepy. He yawned.
"You know, Thranduil, you do look better in blue than Elrond." He smiled woozily and began to sing.
"O! It's the Blue Meanie,
whose Dorwinion is gone.
Father of Wicked Greenie,
I'll sing him a song!
He won't be so jolly,
What a grand folly!
Ha! Ha!"
With that Tanglinna slid from his log, rested his head against its mossy surface and fell asleep feeling quite content and happier than he had for some time, leaving a gaping Blue Meanie King from the Great Greenwood staring at his lovely blue face in the water of Imladris.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
TBC
Author's Note - Again the song is based on the Valley song in The Hobbit. The "invective" and the threat that Thranduil used against Tanglinna are by Dragon_of_the_north. :) Plot bunnies abound, mellon nin!
Thank you to my beta al! You are entirely too kind sometimes! :) Thank you for the very quick job on this one!
Response to Reviewers
JastaElf - I am afraid that I must be taking entirely too long between chapters since you welcome me back every time I put one up there. I will make a decided effort to stay! ;) I am incredibly slow lately. Life can be most distracting.
Lady Elwing - I am glad that you enjoyed the wet elves. I don't think they were too pleased by it, but some things just have to happen! I am glad that you like my Celeborn. You should read Marnie's Celeborn stories. They are fantastic!
Erik's-lil-rocker - I do feel a little sorry for Aralith, being trapped between Thranduil and Tanglinna. He is just a bit out of his league. ;) More fun will ensue for that hapless prince when he meets up with Bastryn again! ;)
Nilmandra - The she-elves do indeed know that they have glowing followers, and they do love to play it up at times. Legolas finally makes an appearance in this chapter. All is not going to be quite in Mirkwood just because the Aran is gone. I am glad you liked the Valley Song. I really wanted to use it! I wasn't sure if I could pull it off, but I am pleased that it appears I have.
Marnie - I admit that anytime I write Celeborn and Galadriel I think of your own wonderful portrayal of them. Galadriel can charm anything she chooses, I suppose and it would certainly afford me no end of fun to do it. I laughed when you called Tanglinna's plan "cunning." I thought it a bit silly myself, but he was at his wit's end. I am glad you enjoyed the silly song! I wanted to use something, and then I reread that song and knew I had to rework it.
Dragon_of_the-north- ROFL to your little song at the beginning! Perfect! And again later too! I should let you write the poems, as I fear I agonize over them entirely too much! I am glad that you like my portrayal of Middle Earth's great elves. I want them to have a bit of fun, after all. ;) Fun for some, torment for others. . . same thing! Thank you for mentioning the letter from Legolas to the twins. I agonized over that too. I tried to enlist the aid of my children who are of a closer age with Legolas than I am, but they weren't much help at all. I will see what can be done for Aralith. I fear I pick on him entirely too much at times. Tanglinna resembling the sons of Feanor . . . EEK! ;) Though his granduncles certain do!! Tanglinna is indeed getting many strange baths these days. Poor elf! He and Thranduil are a lot of fun, and well. . . I fear you have given me a couple more plot bunnies with your comments! Will this story ever be written!?!? LOL Yes, it is just fraught with plot bunnies! Cuil and Calenthar are typical Wood-Elves I fear. I enjoy them too! Nice blue robes. . . hm . . . ;)
Dot - I think most married couples put up with odd little habits that the others have. ;) It is rather mean that they are picking on Haldir, but well. . . he seems to enjoy it! ;) Aralith is indeed in over his head! He is going to have one "fun" time! Cuil and Calenthar are quite used to the squabbles that Thranduil and Tanglinna get into. They are also inscrutable Wood Elves and not much fazes them.
Ubiquitous Pitt - If Haldir ever cracks, he will be in such raptures he would never notice! ;) Tanglinnaized is a great word, very scrumptious sounding! I admit to being Tanglinnaized myself! It was great fun to do the Rivendell song over. I just had to! I am very pleased that everyone seemed to like it! Poetry is not one of the things I do well! I suspect. . . I KNOW . . . that Thranduil and Tanglinna go at one another on occasion. It think they rather enjoy it. I KNOW that Tanglinna would love his own Saturday morning cartoon! LOL Rather arrogant of him really! ;) Just one glass of Dorwinion will do it for him, huh? Entrepreneur indeed! Brethil and Tavor will be back shortly. They aren't allowed to leave this tale just yet!
Angaloth - I am glad that I trusted my instinct and used that silly elf song from The Hobbit! I almost didn't! I admit that my rhyming ability is rather small, but I am glad it worked out so well. :) I am so pleased that you liked that chapter so well! It makes my day to hear it! :D I did feel a tad sorry for Haldir and Aralith, but not enough I guess. They will suffer a bit more I fear. The last picture was of the rather growly looking Tanglinna. I thought it was time for a change and Glorfindel and Tanglinna were glad to pose. ;)
shirebound - I had fun with the song after fretting over the words that would rhyme and fit with what I wanted to say. Poetry is not what I am good at. I see you felt rather sorry for Poor Prince Aralith. He has had a time already and it is just beginning.
Lorraine - Another one who likes the song! :D That makes me very happy. I admit that it didn't take me as long as I pretend it did. When I knew I had to use the song from the Hobbit I sat down and began the doctoring it, so 10 - 15 minutes is all it took. Not too terribly long to think up so few words to fit into the pattern that already existed. ;)
Karri - I have been rather mean to the poor put-upon Aralith. His life is one long drama, I fear. ;) But yes, it is very fun to read about his woes. It seems that there must be something very strange in the air at Imladris to make everyone behave in such odd ways! ;D
Jay of Lasgalen - Thank you for emailing. Yours wasn't the only one that got lost along the way at ff.net. :( They still have some problems to fix. I wouldn't want to be on Thranduil's bad side either. LOL Frightening prospect that! I am very, very pleased that the little song was so well received! I nearly had fits trying to rhyme Thranduil, but as it was scandal works perfectly! ;)
None - Happy belated birthday! It was my birthday the day I posted that last chapter. :) I know that Tanglinna was rather. . . rude to King Thranduil, but he is only doing it so he will get a chance to warn Elrond about the Dorwinion with the Spider Water in it. Don't worry. Thranduil has had his revenge. ;P I am glad that you have come to like Laerlend. She isn't so bad. I admit it took me a while to like her. Never fear! Little Greenleaf will be in this tale. I am not done with him yet! :D
erunyauve - Thank you for the congratulations. It was a Runner's Up award. I had this chapter done before that, but I admit that after rereading In the Hall, which I hadn't done. . . well, I hadn't done it since I finished it . . . I find myself getting back into that mode of storytelling. I admit that the sons of Feanor are the maddest elves to leap into my mind *ducks the flying debris tossed by the Feanorian fans* so it seemed apropos. LOL Yes, Aralith is definitely the wrong elf for that job!
WeasleyTwinsLover1112 - I am glad that you are so taken with Tanglinna, but no, you can't have him! I have him and have no intention of giving him up! ;P He is most flattered that you think he is kool. I fear he will be nigh impossible the rest of the day. . . swelled head, you know. ;)
Karina - Congratulations, my dear Canadian friend on hosting the Olympics in 2010! That sounds wonderful! :) I don't think I have written Galadriel and Celeborn before. . . well, frankly Galadriel scares me. O.O I am afraid I might upset her a bit writing what I plan to as well. O.O ^- ^ Yes, I am picking on poor Haldir. Don't worry. I have things planned for him as well. ;) O.O You really are being clever, aren't you! "Whisper of Things to Come" indeed! LOL And then ROFL. Your age is showing and mine is about to. . . I like the OLDER elves! But then I am OLDER! LOL You are YOUNG and attracted to the YOUNG elves. Life is FUN, isn't it!! ^-^ And YES! Update elves MUCH SOONER! It is fantastic! ! ! !
Tinni - I am glad you liked my reworking of the Valley song. It seemed fitting, and well, I had to do it again! ;)
gershwin - LOL You do seem to enjoy this form of Haldir torment! Poor elf! You have given him quite a title - Hypnotized Haldir the glowing Galadrim and the Mesmerized March-warden. More Haldir torture coming up! ;D
sirithiliel - I am glad you liked that last chapter! :) Galadriel is very wise and knows many, many things! She is an elf-witch after all! ;)
Erikalya Arvanesse - I am glad you are enjoying this. But I must say that Tanglinna, though the name ends in an "a" isn't a girl. Sorry. ;) He wasn't too happy with your suggestion of him dressing like one! LOL Silly elf! And you want the twins to get some of the wine?? LOL That would be most chaotically wonderful! :D
Kal - I think that both Haldir and Elrond deserve some sympathy. They both have to put up with a lot! Yes, those grown bad boys from Mirkwood were fighting like "ikles elflings." ;) I believe Aralith was rather stunned by his regal father and the Master Archer fighting like ikles elflings. ^-^ Hence, no movement. They caught him off guard. There will definitely be some explaining to do! :D
aurora - I am tickled that you laughed your jaws sore. :D I quite agree that Tang and Thand should know better than to fight, especially in front of the children. ;D Thranduil did indeed have a pet spider. I guess that is where Legolas gets it from!
Shalemni - I was ROFL about Tanglinna punching Thranduil. That would be a most funny thing. The story isn't over yet. :P LOL That really made me laugh! What an image!
annakas - Things didn't look to good in that last chapter, but Tanglinna has managed to get himself out of the action. . . at least for a time! ;)
fliewatuet - I am glad you have enjoyed this story so far. It has been a hoot to write it. Legolas does seem to get himself into trouble quite a lot, and it does end up affecting everyone around him! That is why it has been so fun to write it! Glad you enjoyed the little song! I was very pleased with its reception. :)
Emma - I am pleased that you think this funny. Did you actually read this story, nin iell? ? ;) Yes, you have to spend your birthday in Cape May with Ashley! And YES! I CAN MAKE YOU!
Lindon - You are so very right that this time Legolas' "accident" prank has gone just a bit too far, considering how many people it will affect. I suspect that the twins don't "have" to behave just because Celeborn and Galadriel are coming. Grandparents are known for indulging in their grandchildren's whims much more so than parents are, so they probably find the twins' antics rather fun. LOL to your finding out that the Thranduilrim don't seem to do much but shoot spiders, capture dwarves, make merry with the food they didn't get from their own ground, and admire the jewels that they didn't mine or fix into jewelry. ;) I am glad you liked chapter 14 as well. It was one of those chapters that I thought was funny and then wondered if anyone else would. Even the elf ladies are having fun. Aralith may wish that he was facing the spider, but when he does have to face the spider he may wish he were back by the stream. ;) LOL to Brenillass and Celair arguing over which husband started the argument. I am sure those two were quite used to this sort of behaviour.
daw the minstrel - I hope you had a nice journey. :) I sometimes wonder what possesses me to keep so many stories running at the same time. I believe we ladies like to display our power over the males of the species on occasion, and enjoy it quite thoroughly. I think Legolas and Tanglinna look alike when they are about to get into trouble because they both know in their heart of hearts that they aren't going to get away with it, but they are going to do it anyway. Thranduil is arrogant, and he does have a temper, but we love him anyway! ;D
Irena - Too lazy to sign in @apathetic.com? ;) It is good to be back and I hope that I will stay back.
Anarill - It sounds like you have a case of Galadrielitis. You should probably head to Imladris and give poor Haldir a break. You can stand in for him since you light up so nicely at the mention of the Lady of Light. I suspect that we all light up at the mention of certain elves' names, all different ones perhaps, but the Glow is Good! ;)
Venyatuima - This story is much more fun to write than Knife's Edge. Wet elves are always good and fun, and I enjoyed their struggle in the water immensely. I feel rather sorry for Aralith, caught in the middle as he is. And Tanglinna's plan did sound entirely too much like one of Legolas. No wonder it didn't go as planned! ;)
amlugwen - Galadriel does know nearly everything, so . . .;) I can keep a secret! And yes, it does seem wrong to push a king into the water, but I think it was necessary, or so the rather crazed Tanglinna thought. ^-^ I am afraid that I do make them a bit childish at times, but I fear I may be a bit childish at times. :/ Hm. . . . Those Imladris elves find many things amusing, including other elves.
Gwyn - First LOL! I fear it isn't just the commas that slow me down! But I will try to post more quickly than I have been. I do feel sorry for Aralith, but I like him too much to leave him alone. ;) Everyone is having too much fun, and the party hasn't even started yet!
Nadra - Hm . . . Yes, I am incredibly S - L - O- W! I will try to remedy that. I can see Elrond is finally building to the end, for which I am grateful. Do not worry, I haven't forgotten your birthday story at all either. I am just incredibly . . . well, see the first sentence and repeat it. ;) It is okay to like Galadriel. She just scares me silly! Pun intended, I assure you! ;) Hope you had great fun with your cousins! Sounds very familiar to me! Loads of cousins getting together at the grandparents for the holidays!
Nikki - LOL It's not over yet! ;D The Dorwinion goes round next chapter!
Phoenix 23531 - Occasionally the elves surprise me a bit with unexpected happenings. ;) You never know what they might do. I believe males all feel a bit sorry for and exasperated with someone so clearly "bewitched" by females. It would appear that it is not only Little Greenleaf that gets rather strange ideas! I suspect the chapters will be shorter, as I think I will finish them sooner if I keep it short!