This one is for the twins Cuyler and Jake; and Rhoslyn. Big sisters can be
SO COOL! :D
Chapter 16 - The First Bottle
Elrond had run to fetch his healer's pouch after hearing about the 'incident' at the stream, and while he was rummaging in a chest to gather more towels -"How did she *know*?" - he came across a most pleasant surprise. It seemed that Erestor had hidden one of the bottles of Dorwinion away in this very chest.
"Erestor, you sly old fox! You have hidden them all separately!" Imladris lord exclaimed holding up the bottle for inspection, admiring the rich dark color. "Ha! But I have outsmarted you this time. I will just take this with me, and Thranduil and I will enjoy a glass or two before we return . . . . Even you can't argue with that, Erestor."
Elrond decided to take one of his larger pouches; after all, it wouldn't do to have Erestor getting suspicious. He wrapped the bottle of Dorwinion carefully in one of the towels, hiding it away as he still grinned quite happily. He pawed through the rest of the towels in the chest, but there was no other bottle of wine secreted away there. Oh, well. One was better than none! Much better!
"Poor Thranduil is all wet and will need something to cheer him, and this will do nicely indeed," he said, sneaking away to pilfer wine glasses. "They said that Tanglinna was hurt, so perhaps I should take three glasses. A small private party will be just the thing."
A few moments later he was moving to mount his horse, which stood patiently waiting for him. The Mirkwood elves were standing nearby looking amused, except for Thranduil's son who was fidgeting with his embroidered cuff.
"Don't worry, Aralith," Elrond said in reassuring tones, seeing the rather fretful expression on the younger elf's face. "Everything will be fine. I will bring them back in no time at all, and . . . all will be quite well" he continued with an odd expression on his face. "Quite well. The twins will be glad to hear that you have arrived, Arwen also. She is convinced that perhaps you can tell her the secret of Spider-Charming as she doesn't quite have the hang of it. I told her that the Lady Galadriel might be able to help, but The Lady is . . . occupied," he finished recalling that 'Poor Haldir' was being charmed to within an inch of his very life even now.
"Sp -spider-Charming?" Aralith stammered, his eyes widening in trepidation. Surely they weren't expecting him to have anything to do with that spider! "Spider-charming?!"
But Elrond didn't see this for he had already turned his horse about and was headed quite cheerfully down the road, singing quietly. Aralith caught the words 'outwitting the sly old fox,' but he had too many worries of his own to think about.
Aralith stood unmoving, watching Imladris' lord leave. His brows knit, his fingers still toying with his sleeve. What was he to do now? Elrond had gone so quickly that he had not had time to tell the dark-haired healer to take a bottle of strong medicine with him as Thranduil had requested or to tell him about the Dorwinion. He had spent anxious moments preparing just the speech that Elrond needed to hear, and now it was too late. Aralith did not have much time to brood over yet another failure on his part this morning for the twins had suddenly appeared, grinning widely and waving to him.
Mirkwood's middle prince straightened, trying to look collected and nonchalant as they slowly approached, but one look in their dancing eyes and he knew he was done for. Calenthar and Cuil smiled at one another then bowed to the prince and excused themselves, ignoring the incredulous look that Aralith gave them as they walked away from him, leaving him alone to face Elrond's sons.
~It isn't fair that there are two of them, ~ he thought, willing himself to stillness as Elladan and Elrohir approached with a rather feline grace. ~It is not fair at all. ~
The twins were dressed identically, as he had feared they would be; his eyes swept over the blue garments, hoping for even the smallest telltale sign of a difference, but there was none. It was just as he feared. This day couldn't get much worse.
"Welcome to Imladris, Aralith Thranduilion," they said, not in identical voices, but in tones framed to a strange singsong harmony that caused Aralith's mouth to go dry with dread, and their next words caused a shudder of horror to pass through him. "Bastryn can't wait to see you!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~Meanwhile in Mirkwood ~
Legolas sat kicking the table leg rhythmically, his eyes lingering on the window as he gazed wistfully at the sun and trees beyond, the feathered quill that twirled in his fingers spraying the paper before him with tiny ink droplets. Before him was a leather-bound volume: 'The History Of Gondolin'. Gondolin had been the great Noldor city of King Turgon and Legolas was supposed to write three pages about the great Hidden City and its history, some of which was very interesting, but for some reason he couldn't concentrate on it. The paper before Legolas had only had four words written on it in overly flowing script: Gondolin - Glorfindel lived there.
Brethil had appeared earlier, peeking in the window and waving and smiling encouragingly to Legolas, who had crept from his seat and tiptoed to the window to crack it open.
"Where is Tavor?" Legolas had asked, not seeing his other friend about anywhere.
"He says that he is too afraid he will get caught by his grandmother and then he will be in trouble. He said she is as fierce as a Balrog, but I don't think that could be true, do you?"
Legolas shook his head, though he thought that perhaps Tavor was right. He could easily see Lady Laureahiril jumping down a mountainside to devour and flame anyone in her path.
"When can you come out?" Brethil had asked, glancing toward the doorway.
"Not until I have finished this paper," Legolas sighed, gazing morosely back at his rather scant report.
"How much have you done?"
"Not much," Thranduil's son confessed.
"Do you want me to help you?"
Legolas strongly yearned for company, and things like this did go more quickly if one had someone to talk to, but he feared that Lady Laureahiril would not be pleased if she came in to see he and Brethil chattering away over his work.
"No, I had better just do it by myself. She might banish you from the palace if you helped me. She has already done that to Mirithil."
Brethil frowned but nodded.
"I will be glad when the king returns," he said, before waving good- bye and vanishing into the trees.
"I will too," Legolas thought as he returned to his work.
Half an hour later, when there were sixteen words on the page - Gondolin - Glorfindel lived there. He was slain - -Very nice word, ` he thought proudly- by a Balrog; but he lives in Imladris now. The door opened and the youngling started and spun about fearing that his jailer had come to see his progress or lack thereof, but it was only Celebross and he was grinning quite happily. Legolas watched as his brother approached thinking he hadn't seen him looking quite so blissful ~very nice word also ~for some time, not since adar had left for Imladris.
"Come along, Little Greenleaf. There is something you should see. Your plan is going to work perfectly!"
Legolas frowned at this remark, as he knew that his plans never worked perfectly, and he couldn't recall what plan this might be.
"I have to finish this before Lady Laureahiril comes for it," he began gazing morosely at the few words, knowing they were not at all what was expected, but he so wished he were in Imladris now with this father that all he could gain from Gondolin history was the common thread of Glorfindel.
"Lady Laureahiril will be rather occupied in a moment," Celebross grinned as Legolas stood and moved across the room to join him. "Our Balrog slayer is even now on her way to slay our very own Lady Balrog!" He winked at Legolas, pulling him into the hallway behind him.
"What are you talking about, Celebross?" Legolas asked as they tiptoed down the corridor, the young prince thinking that he had never seen such a playful look on his brother's face before, and somehow that couldn't be good. "What is going on?"
"Your plan, tithen gwador! Don't you remember? I asked you what I could do to escape from the palace for a time to see Mirithil, and you said that I would need a Balrog slayer like Glorfindel and Ecthelion. Your history lessons have come in very handy indeed!"
Legolas frowned not understanding him at all.
"There!" Celebross whispered, pulling up short and pointing into an adjoining hallway, Legolas bumping into him.
Walking down this corridor was Laerlend, her long blonde curls caught back in a braid, that swung against the polished armor that she wore. It had been made for her when she had begun to express an interest in the battles fought by the elves throughout history and she had wanted to be an elven warrior. It had been made of a lightweight metal so she could wear it without exerting herself overmuch, and the silver had been engraved with twining vines of ivy and lovely roses. In her hand was a small wooden sword painted silver with runes in black spelling out its name: Balrog- Gutter, chosen for her grandfather's wondrous spear Dragon-Gutter and the Balrog slain by Glorfindel. The child was chanting 'The Fall of Gondolin' under her breath, hefting the sword aloft as she went in search of her intended prey, the long skirt of her green tunic swaying about her knees.
"What is she doing?!" Legolas gulped, tugging on Celebross' sleeve. "She is going to get into trouble! She is going to get ME into trouble!"
"No, she won't. She is providing ME with the distraction that I need so I can get out of here to see Mirithil! If you want to see Brethil and Tavor then you had better do it now."
"But . . . !"
"Legolas, Laerlend will keep Lady Laureahiril quite occupied for a time. So take advantage of it. I doubt it will work again."
"But. . . ! Celebross, this wasn't my plan! I didn't have a plan! She is going to blame me for this!"
"I can't imagine why, Legolas. You know how cute Laerlend can be when she wants to. Who could resist this cute little warrior? Now, as soon as we hear her enter Lady Laureahiril's room, we have to run for it. Just be back before she comes calling about your paper."
"But. . . !"
As they watched, Laerlend knocked on the lady's door with the hilt of her sword and stood scowling fiercely at it.
Legolas' brows were knit and he clutched his brother's arm tightly. Laerlend was probably putting a dent in the door with her sword, and he feared he would be blamed for that as well. This would never work! Now he would have to write ten pages on Gondolin history!
Lady Laureahiril answered the door and looked down in surprise at her little visitor.
"Yes, Laerlend? May I help you with something?"
"I am here to slay you, O Evil Lady Balrog!" the child chirped, staring bravely up into Laureahiril's patrician face.
This was the last thing that Legolas heard as Celebross suddenly pulled him back up the hallway and soon they were running for the palace doors as quickly as they could, a strange roar echoing in Legolas' ears.
~This will never work! ~ he thought as they flew outside into the sunlight. ~I am in SO much trouble! I wish ada were here! ~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Thranduil?"
Mirkwood's king turned slowly at the sound of Elrond's voice, his eyes narrowed in a glare that would have frozen even a Balrog's inner fire, just daring Imladris' lord to say anything.
Elrond's brows rose in sudden amazement and his mouth opened in a rather unseemly fashion as he gazed at the king of Mirkwood's lovely blue face and hands. With an effort he closed his wayward lips, cleared his throat and hid his rather unseemly smile behind one hand though he knew his eyes must show only too well his mirth. But he was not the lord of Imladris for nothing. He tipped his head to his royal visitor, pressing one hand to his heart. He cleared his throat once more, knowing that he hadn't quite mastered his tongue and a laugh would erupt before any pleasant, mundane words of greeting could issue forth.
"Welcome to Imladris, Thranduil Oropherion," he managed, congratulating himself on his poise, but then he felt the giggles building again as the golden head tipped in acknowledgement and the stray thought ~His skin matches his eyes now! ~ passed through his mind. Silent laughter pressed in Elrond's chest, so he moved swiftly to kneel by the supine archer. "What . . . what happened?" he choked out in query, pressing his fingers to the slumbering elf's throat.
Thranduil glared down at him, blue eyes smoldering in his blue face
"That . . . that idiot drank an entire bottle of drugged wine," he growled through his teeth which were clenched as tightly as his fists.
"He what?" Elrond glanced between the two Mirkwood elves and frowned, his gazed resting finally on Tanglinna. "Why would he do something that . . . ."
"Stupid? Foolish? Idiotic?" Thranduil supplied, folding his arms over his chest and scowling fiercely down at his Master Archer.
Elrond's brows rose. He would never understand those elves from the east.
"So he is . . . sleeping?"
"Yes, he will be very sorry that he did this."
"Undoubtedly. Aralith said he was injured. Is he?" the healer inquired, turning to stare back down at the silver-haired Silvan.
"Hmph! He twisted his ankle when we fell in the water. When he PUSHED me into the water! Whatever possessed him to do that I do not know! Sometimes I think all these Silvans are just a bit insane. You never know what they are thinking or going to do in any given situation."
Elrond couldn't prevent the smile he had been struggling with since he had arrived from blossoming on his face as he waited for the slight tirade to end. The words he yearned to say ~That sounds like you, my dear king~ stayed safely in the region of his throat, and at last Thranduil stood muttering to himself. Elrond could contain himself no longer.
"You were pushed into the water?" he asked slowly, the smile becoming a wide grin. "Is that why," his lips twitched, "is that why you are . . . are blue?" A giggle broke from his throat and his eyes sparkled as brightly as polished gems.
Thranduil's blue gaze in his blue face turned to Elrond, not nearly as inscrutable as a Silvan's perhaps, but as close as a Sinda could hope for.
"You think this is funny, Peredhil?" the king said in an even tone, his eyes narrowing, a feral snarl gracing his beautiful lips.
"Well, actually," Elrond began, then thought better of it. He cleared his throat. "Um, it has been a rather odd day. Forgive me."
Thranduil's mouth thinned.
"It has," he agreed coolly, resisting the urge to kick the archer that lay sleeping and totally oblivious of all that was going on.
Elrond said nothing for a moment, not quite sure of how to proceed, then he shook his dark head and bent to check Tanglinna's ankle.
"His left ankle does appear to be swollen. I will have to cut his boot off to be certain. Um, why exactly did he push you into the water? That isn't really like him, is it?" When he glanced over his shoulder at Thranduil, Elrond knew that it would be best to drop that subject altogether. "Ah, well, it doesn't matter. Will you go and fetch my bag, please? But be very careful with it. I do have a surprise for you!" He grinned broadly, thinking of his luck in finding the Dorwinion. It was just what was needed to diffuse this situation.
Thranduil moved to obey the scowl never leaving his face, and then watched as Elrond set to work. When at last he had finished and bandaged Tanglinna's ankle Imladris' lord stood.
"As I said, I have a surprise for you. It is guaranteed to make you feel much better," he said with a smile. This was going to be fun! He pulled the Dorwinion out of the pouch slowly removing it from the towel he had wrapped it in and then held it aloft, grinning like a cat that had been in the cream.
Thranduil's brows rose in appreciation and no small amount of surprise. Elrond was offering him Dorwinion from his private stores.
~Impressive and very generous, ~ he thought as Elrond took two glasses from the pouch still grinning.
"This is very kind of you, Elrond," Thranduil said as Elrond offered him a glass filled with the rich liquid that he favored above all others.
Elrond raised his own glass in acknowledgement. He had been anticipating this ever since the wine had arrived from Mirkwood.
"To . . . odd days," he said, his smile widening.
"Odd days indeed," Thranduil agreed. " To odd days then; may they be few."
Elrond put his glass to his lips and partook of his very first sip. The rich wine slide over his tongue and he closed his eyes in appreciation. "Excellent," he murmured.
Thranduil did the same, allowing it to roll about his mouth a bit first.
"This is *very* good, but it tastes . . . slightly different than it usually does."
"Does it?" Elrond took another sip. "It tastes wonderfully fine to me, though I don't have your expertise in these matters."
"No, but it is very good nonetheless." Thranduil took another sip, letting it sit on his tongue once more. "Just different."
"To very good wines," Elrond smiled, raising his glass once more.
After the glasses were emptied and refilled and more toasts given, the two elves sat, leaning against the log and smiling at one another in a genial manner.
"To your generosity, Lord Elrond," Thranduil said with a smile and a tilt of his golden head. He was feeling better already. Good wine did have a way of calming one's nerves.
"To yours, good King Thranduil," Elrond returned.
The bottles contents were fast disappearing and the two were feeling very mellow and quite good-natured; compliments flew back and forth with much delighted laughter.
"To your most wonderful choice of a birthday gift," Elrond said, admiring the dark liquid in his glass and yawning slightly, then poured the last of the wine into Thranduil's glass. "I never expected such generosity from you."
Thranduil's brows knit and he frowned. That had almost sounded uncomplimentary, but he decided to let it go, for now.
"What do you mean?" he asked politely, sipping his wine. He yawned and stretched catlike.
"This wonderful Dorwinion, of course," Elrond answered. "This and the other three bottles of it. I was. . . stunned, to put it mildly."
Thranduil frowned again and blinked slowly.
"What do you mean?" he repeated.
"Oh, yes. I should say "Little Greenleaf's gift". He did surprise me. Of course the spider was unexpected too, just ask Glorfindel . . . naneth lhing," he giggled slightly, then cleared his throat. "But the Dorwinion . . . ."
Thranduil blinked again, his golden brows nearly meeting over his eyes.
"What do you mean!?" he asked again, feeling that there was something most important going on and he was missing it. Why didn't Elrond seem to understand him?!
Elrond blinked and wondered why Thranduil couldn't understand him.
"I mean," he began slowly, enunciating each word so that they nearly became incomprehensible, "it was very *generous* of you to *send* four bottles of *Dorwinion*. . . and a *spider* for my *birthday*."
Thranduil shook his head, his own words spoken slowly and rather loudly.
"WHAT DO *YOU* MEAN? I didn't *send you* any Dorwinion!"
Elrond yawned hugely and drained his glass, sliding down the log until his head rested against it next to the oblivious Tanglinna.
"Yes, you did. Four beautiful bottles." He yawned again, feeling suddenly very sleepy. It had been a busy morning.
"I did not!" Thranduil declared, draining his own glass. "I sent you wine, yes, but not Dorwinion. I only had four bottles in my cellars. Why would I send it all to you? Little Greenleaf picked the wine. He wouldn't . . . he didn't . . . ." His eyes widened suddenly as the ramifications of what Elrond had been saying finally began to make a sick kind of sense. "He . . .he . . .This is the wine he sent? This!" He stared at the empty bottle before him, feeling . . . stunned. Then his eyes moved to the glass held in his own hand; it looked very empty. "But . . . but . . . the Magic Spider Water . . . . My Dorwinion . . . . MY DORWINION! ! ! !"
Elrond was falling asleep when suddenly Thranduil bellowed, "LITTLE GREENLEAF! ! ! !" shattering the peace of Imladris. "YOU ARE IN *VERY BIG TROUBLE*!!!" Then Thranduil yawned once more, though he tried very hard not to. "I will not fall asleep. I am the king of Mirkwood and I will not let any charmed water from my own forest make me go to sleep! I . . . will not . . ." he yawned hugely, "go to . sleep."
A moment later the king of Mirkwood lay smiling quite happily, sound asleep.
TBC
Chapter 16 Reviews Responses
JastaElf - I am glad you liked the silly chapter. I guess I was in a silly mood when I wrote it. Someone will be in trouble over the robes running blue. I admit that I had shorts that did the same thing to me, which is where this chapter was born.twenty odd years ago granted. ;) I see Thranduil as a wine conessuier, so I thought he would be able to tell by the bouquet. *snort* Well, yes. The situation has deteriorated and will continue to do so.
Marnie - I fear that your review birthed yet another plot bunny for this tale! I had to laugh at the smurf reference! I haven't thought of them in years! ;D Smurfette even had lovely golden hair, didn't she! Tanglinna is much better off where he is, and poor Aralith indeed! He has not seen the end of his woes yet!
Nilmandra - I fear that silliness is abounding all of a sudden in this tale. I don't know what is wrong with me! ;) Tanglinna is going to miss the fireworks, at least a few of them. As for the Bad Blue King, even a king has to have fun on occasion! And he will make a wonderful impression, won't he?? ;)
Dis Thrainsdotter - It is nice of you to tell me you laughed out loud. Yes, I fear I am a fan of The Yellow Submarine, and I actually - for a change - had the title for that last chapter before I had written word one. It seemed to fit with what I wanted to do, so I used it! *goes off singing "In the town where I was born lived a man who sailed to sea . . . ."
Gwyn - No, Tanglinna is not in the same league as Little Greenleaf when it comes to getting out of trouble.
sirithiliel - Thranduil does indeed need some Vandal Root. I think Tanglinna forgot that he brought it for the king in the first place.
Dragon_of_the_north - Thank you for emailing me your review, as ff.net seemed to have a slight problem the day that the last chapter was posted. ;) I am very glad that this chapter was still funny after more than one reading! I am just amazed how you can pick up all the little things I thought were so fun, and dare I say clever, about it. Their entrance into Imladris is certainly going to be memorable . . . at least it will be once more at a later date. ;) Tanglinna has managed to avoid any more unpleasantness for a time, but I wonder what Thranduil will think when all is said and done. I am relieved that you aren't taking this seriously. No one should! It is as far from serious as I can get! I was rather mean to the wondrous king, and I guess he will have to be avenged at some point! ;)
Dot - I enjoy Tanglinna's rather "un-Tanglinna" moments. This way it is up to the king to do what is right and good. But will he? ;) I like Oropher a lot, so I was pleased to hear you liked his little voice-over, as it were. That is the problem with vignettes, but it was a wonderful one! :)
Karri - I was LOL over your feeling sorry for everyone concerned. My vote was for poor Elrond who didn't bring any of this on himself, and then for Aralith who is merely caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yes, Little Greenleaf would have something to crow over, wouldn't he!!
erunyauve - I have to admit that I was LOL over your description of what Tanglinna went through in this chapter! Yes, that sums it up perfectly! :) ROFL to Papa Smurf! Oh, dear. This is too fun! Aralith deserves a very long rest after this one.probably far from his home where there are no little brothers or blue adas!
Lutris - Thank you for complimenting Tanglinna's song. He is rather pleased with it, though he was not himself when he thought of it! ;)
Karina - LOL to all your "insane"s! I don't think they would act quite so silly in RL, but hey! This is fanfiction and the fun is more. . . insane! Yes, the royal family is very colorful, and silver would definitely be Celebross' color! ;) I like the "drying" line too. I admit that at first it was a typo, but when I went back to fix it, I thought it was too funny to change. So much for my cleverness! Flashback to last summer, eh?? Hm, I thought the same thing when I could feel everything building a few chapters ago! All in a day of TreeHugger's Summer Work. LOL! So you don't want The Revenge Of The Blue King?? Well. . . . ;)
WeasleyTwinLover1112 - Poor Tanglinna indeed. There is nothing like making the best, erm, worst of a bad situation! ;)
Angaloth - Insanity is highly underrated. I suffer from it myself, I fear, as evinced by the chapters that I have written for this story! I am afraid that the canon is bent, broke, or just plain ignored when it comes to my humorous tales! Tolkien's universe was very serious, and I just am not at times. . . as evinced by the chapters that I have written for this story. ;) Thank you so much for your wonderful compliments! You don't know how happy they made me! *blushes with happiness!* I am glad that my characters are real to you. :D :D *does a happy dance* I hope you managed to get to sleep without the aid of vandal root wine, though I am sure Tanglinna would have been glad to share! ;)
Nikki - Aw! Thranduil is once cool, blue dude! And I must say that blue is his color. I suppose it was rather mean of him to dress Legolas in pink in In the Hall. Of course, chronologically speaking, that hasn't happened yet! ;)
amlugwen - Yep. I managed to actually get another chapter done before too many days had past, which has shocked us all! ;) Believe me, my mind has been tied in knots for some time over what could happen in this story. There are entirely too many possibilities! All of them fun in some way! The two "blue" elves were very fun to write indeed! I think the diplomatic relations might actually be helped by all this . . . or not! :/ ;D
None - Thank you for the birthday wishes! :) Tanglinna should be more compassionate with Little Greenleaf after this, though knowing what trouble it gets one into might make him even tougher on the little guy in an attempt to help him get past his need for such schemes! ;) Aralith has his work cut out for him, that is certain! Glad you liked the insult that Dragon_of_the_north gave me. She is very clever! ;) I haven't forgotten Little Greenleaf. Never fear! And ` LOL to your second review. No, at this point Legolas doesn't know the twins personally. Not in my universe anyway. Wouldn't that be something to have your children, especially creative children like Legolas, stay that way for hundreds of years?? O.O ^-^
daw the minstrel - I wouldn't want to have to deal with those two "imperious, powerful, unpredictable elves" either! I would be SO out of my league! I am very glad you enjoyed all the fun in that chapter. I thought it was funny and fun, so it is always a relief to hear that others agree. :) Tanglinna did choose the best course for the moment. Sometimes it is easier to just go to sleep for a time and deal with it all later, after someone else has taken care of things. ;)
narcolinde - thank you so much! :) I am glad you like my stories!
AutumnHeart - I am glad you liked the "wonderful image of a dripping wet, quite blue and thoroughly bewildered Thranduil". It is rather a fun image of the wonderful king. ;) I hope my updates don't take too long!
Elisabeth Celebros - Greetings! :) First, I love your name! Celebros is a wonderful name! I like it a lot! ;) Obviously! I am glad that you have found this tale to be so much fun and so funny! Killing one's brother with laughter seems a reasonable solution to the brother problem that all of us who have such people in our lives experience! I am glad to hear that you don't suffer from Aralithus. I don't either! Well, not any more. Thanks for the great review! :)
Hel - I am glad that ff.net finally let you get on. It has been rather a painful process trying to access it. LOL to your comment on Galadriel! That is so very true! What is the point of all the wonderful power if you can't show off on occasion! Well, I suppose the question of who looks better in blue is up for debate. ;) And um, don't get me started on the fun with Oropher, Tanglinna, and Thranduil! Too many plot bunnies running around my house! O.O ^-^ Aralith will have a learning experience here. I don't think he has a choice, poor dear! I am glad you liked the song, and Tanglinna is fun when he is drunk. But no. I doubt Thranduil sees the humor in it all!
Hildestohl - I was a Blue Meanie once myself (minus the mean, of course!;)) only it was from my waist down. Dark blue cotton shorts need to be washed before you get on a water flume! ;) It is nice to know there have been other Blue People out there! I know Dragon-of-the-north was one too. LOL I would love to see your illustrations if you can find a scanner!! :D
runaround - Sodas and silly storied don't mix! ;) I know this from my own experiences with a Sprite! You sang Tanglinna's song to your mom?? Cool! :D :D
Nadra - Yet another person with experience in "blueness"! There are several of us out here! ;) Don't worry. Elrond will have some "fun" too! ;) Your collection of LOTR jewelry is most impressive. I have Aragorn's ring, the One Ring, Vilya, the Elven brooch, and my son has the Ringwraith ring. And I have a one of the kind silver ring with Tanglinna's name carved on it. That one is my favorite! ;) Um, can you say obsessed?? ;D
July 29, hm? I will see what I can do, mellon nin!
Tinni - I feel very badly when my postings are so erratic and far between! I will try my best to not make the waits too horribly long! ;) And you are quite welcome!
Lorraine - Fido can be a pain-in-the-butt dog. I know that very well! ;) I am glad you liked the golden spider shrieker Glorfindel, and the poor lost baby spider Bastryn. Seems Brethil is the only one who wants him! :( Poor Lend Laes Bastryn indeed! I am glad that you enjoy reading about Tanglinna. He is fun to work with, and well, I enjoy writing about him. I am glad you liked the verses too, they were fun to write also . . . so what could be more logical than letting Tanglinna sing one! ;)
the evil witch queen - LOL Do you think I would let the Mirkwood elves be the only ones to look silly and ridiculous?? ;) Don't worry! They are not alone in this! ROFL ALL of the grown-ups!? ALL of them!?!? If that were to happen, what would poor Aralith do with the twins and Arwen, not to mention the spider?? I don't think that poor prince could take one more thing! But we shall see! ;D
Shalemni - :D Your review made me smile! "He's regal, He's royal, He's Thranduil the Blue Meanie from Mirkwood! rnrn Beware!" LOL Yes, for all of his efforts to look "mah-velous" (if I may quote Billy Crystal) His Blueness' plans rather backfired! As to Tanglinna gulping down the wine - I was surprised by it, as that is so very un-Tanglinna-ish. ;) I guess he was desperate and out of ideas! ;D
Venyatuime - I guess I think it is Easter and they are Easter Elves. ;) The blue idea came from my own embarrassing incident many ages ago with a pair of blue shorts and a watery amusement park ride. :/ Your clothing can really turn you blue! ;) I think you are very correct in saying that it would be a most entertaining birthday. Perhaps the king should hire himself and his Company of Playful Players out! They'd make a fortune! :D
petite-hikarie - Yes, I am very slow. I am very sorry about that too! One of these days I will actually finish everything I am writing. :/ Probably just not very soon. :( I need to organize my time a little better. Galadriel seems to know a lot of things, just not all things . . . *sly smile*
ember - I am glad that your vacation was fun! :) Mine was too! Wow! Thank you so much! I am very, very glad that you like the characters I have created for Mirkwood. :D I am fond of them myself and am pleased that you enjoy them as well! :D
Gwilwileth - I had fun with Thranduil the Blue Meanie. You have my permission to do any funny thing you want. :) It is nice to take a break from the sad ones and write something just for laughs. And I will repeat. . . you write Thranduil very, very well! :)
Ubiquitous Pitt - I am afraid that the closest Tanglinna can get to "THWAP- ing" Thranduil is pushing the king into the water. It is much less dignified after all. ;) You hope this "traumatizes" poor Aralith? He is a bit uptight here, isn't he! Uh, what is up with Andy/husband/Erestor? O.o o.O ^-^ Andy, huh? Tanglinna was rather unhinged in this chapter, but it is rather fun to play with him. . . :/ You know what I mean. The Blue Belle of the Ball. . . that sounds very funny, in fact. . . . ;) LOL Your entire review had me ROFL, which does help the absence of TNT's Caesar, which should have run for months like they seem to do with everything else! Brethil and Tavor, not to mention Haldir torture coming up soon!
Fadesintothewest- I had a very Beatle-esque moment myself writing about the Blue Meanie. ;) That title just fit perfectly so yes, "We all live in a yellow submarine!" :D I am glad you enjoyed the two chapters, and don't worry. I am not abandoning the romance with Glorfindel, I have been distracted by a few other things. Bells will be coming soon. 1/3 is written already.(
Aurora - No, Thranduil has not been having a good trip so far. It seems that everyone and everything is conspiring against him! I suppose that is what he gets for wanting to play a trick on Elrond. ;) This will be a most unforgettable trip for the Blue King. . . or will it? ? ;D
legolasluva - Well, thank you! It will be "poor everybody" before it is over! ;D I am glad you like Blue Meanie Thranduil, I liked him too! But I don't think he found it so amusing! ;D
Laura - Mae Govannen, Laura! It's Brethil! TreeHugger has been neglecting us horribly in the last few chapters, but she promises that we will be in the next one - chapter 17, I believe. Do you really glow when you say my name? *blushes* That is so very nice, usually people glow when they say Legolas' name, so I am glad that one person loves me so much that they glow when they say "Brethil". :D I will have to tell Tavor that! He will be incredibly jealous for he thinks he is better looking than anyone else, including Legolas. It will be good for him to know that he is not the only elf that people find attractive. :D This makes me very happy! Thank you! I will make certain that TreeHugger writes about us now! I know she wouldn't want you to be sad. Namarie, mel Laura!
Artemisa - I think Legolas and the twins would be a rather fun combination myself. Jay of Lasgalen has written some excellent stories featuring them, but I will see what I can do. ( Thank you for your wonderful comments!
Lirenel - I am glad you love this story. No, nothing seems to be going the way anyone planned it. Just like RL sometimes! The best laid plans of mice and men, after all! ;)
sound of the skies - Little Greenleaf has been very naughty, though not all of the trouble is his fault. Tanglinna will be fine. . . after a time. ;) But he won't get off as easily as he seems to think.
Phoenix 23531 - Tanglinna didn't stand a change with the Mirkwood royals around his entire life. He will undoubtedly wish that he had waited, but alas! He wasn't thinking clearly at the time. I am sorry to hear about your computer. I know how they can be. :( I live in dread of the day mine decides to just cough and die, eating all my stories and pictures with it. Jade King, hm? Don't worry. It isn't abandoned or forgotten. It is merely that dear Kate and I are up for the award for Most Sluggardly Scribblers, and we don't want to endanger our chance at winning! ;D
123 - You needn't apologize. The story isn't going anywhere, so you may take all the time that you need to read it. (
Sake - I have been quite heartbroken since I haven't heard from you in a while! ~-^ so you don't like the noble Lady of Light, hm? I suspect Haldir would beg to differ with you on your opinion of her. ;) The Blue Meanie's luck just ran out!
Skye29 - I am glad that you and your spiderlings are enjoying this story. Arwen has met Bastryn, but he is not enamored of her as she is with him. That may have to change. Spider-charming is not necessarily an easy thing after all. ;) Yes, those Mirkwood elves are strange and , well, yes. I have been rather meant to them lately. Too bad! ;D
Alleryin Chantel de Montreve - Haldir's wondrous glow.Hm. I don't know if that was Haldir or Mr. Parker. ;)
Ithilien - Silliness seems to be the name of the game at the present moment. Some merriment to keep me sane while so many of you throw angst and torture our way. ;) Facing the music is the only way to live, convoluted tales get you no where but into trouble that just grows and grows like the Energizer Bunny on steroids. I think things might work out alright in the end though . . . maybe. :/ ;)
Anya-Ring of Sarcasm - Yes, I fear that I must have been humming "Yellow Submarine" at the time. ;)
kingmaker - First let me thank you for all the wonderful reviews you have been leaving on various of my other fics. I have been very humbled by some and laughed in delight over others. Thank you so very much! To answer one question you raised: yes, I fear that Nestadren's healing ability was influenced by Katharine Kurtz's books. ;) You mentioned the "glow" on several Legolas-fanciers, and I have seen the same thing. It is so hilarious to see the way their faces light up and their eyes sparkle when speaking of "that elf", I find that I am hard put to not laugh out loud at them. You really should not be handing me these wonderful plot bunnies! Just when I think I know exactly where it is all headed, a new one bites! ;) More Arwen coming up too, just for you! :D
Chapter 16 - The First Bottle
Elrond had run to fetch his healer's pouch after hearing about the 'incident' at the stream, and while he was rummaging in a chest to gather more towels -"How did she *know*?" - he came across a most pleasant surprise. It seemed that Erestor had hidden one of the bottles of Dorwinion away in this very chest.
"Erestor, you sly old fox! You have hidden them all separately!" Imladris lord exclaimed holding up the bottle for inspection, admiring the rich dark color. "Ha! But I have outsmarted you this time. I will just take this with me, and Thranduil and I will enjoy a glass or two before we return . . . . Even you can't argue with that, Erestor."
Elrond decided to take one of his larger pouches; after all, it wouldn't do to have Erestor getting suspicious. He wrapped the bottle of Dorwinion carefully in one of the towels, hiding it away as he still grinned quite happily. He pawed through the rest of the towels in the chest, but there was no other bottle of wine secreted away there. Oh, well. One was better than none! Much better!
"Poor Thranduil is all wet and will need something to cheer him, and this will do nicely indeed," he said, sneaking away to pilfer wine glasses. "They said that Tanglinna was hurt, so perhaps I should take three glasses. A small private party will be just the thing."
A few moments later he was moving to mount his horse, which stood patiently waiting for him. The Mirkwood elves were standing nearby looking amused, except for Thranduil's son who was fidgeting with his embroidered cuff.
"Don't worry, Aralith," Elrond said in reassuring tones, seeing the rather fretful expression on the younger elf's face. "Everything will be fine. I will bring them back in no time at all, and . . . all will be quite well" he continued with an odd expression on his face. "Quite well. The twins will be glad to hear that you have arrived, Arwen also. She is convinced that perhaps you can tell her the secret of Spider-Charming as she doesn't quite have the hang of it. I told her that the Lady Galadriel might be able to help, but The Lady is . . . occupied," he finished recalling that 'Poor Haldir' was being charmed to within an inch of his very life even now.
"Sp -spider-Charming?" Aralith stammered, his eyes widening in trepidation. Surely they weren't expecting him to have anything to do with that spider! "Spider-charming?!"
But Elrond didn't see this for he had already turned his horse about and was headed quite cheerfully down the road, singing quietly. Aralith caught the words 'outwitting the sly old fox,' but he had too many worries of his own to think about.
Aralith stood unmoving, watching Imladris' lord leave. His brows knit, his fingers still toying with his sleeve. What was he to do now? Elrond had gone so quickly that he had not had time to tell the dark-haired healer to take a bottle of strong medicine with him as Thranduil had requested or to tell him about the Dorwinion. He had spent anxious moments preparing just the speech that Elrond needed to hear, and now it was too late. Aralith did not have much time to brood over yet another failure on his part this morning for the twins had suddenly appeared, grinning widely and waving to him.
Mirkwood's middle prince straightened, trying to look collected and nonchalant as they slowly approached, but one look in their dancing eyes and he knew he was done for. Calenthar and Cuil smiled at one another then bowed to the prince and excused themselves, ignoring the incredulous look that Aralith gave them as they walked away from him, leaving him alone to face Elrond's sons.
~It isn't fair that there are two of them, ~ he thought, willing himself to stillness as Elladan and Elrohir approached with a rather feline grace. ~It is not fair at all. ~
The twins were dressed identically, as he had feared they would be; his eyes swept over the blue garments, hoping for even the smallest telltale sign of a difference, but there was none. It was just as he feared. This day couldn't get much worse.
"Welcome to Imladris, Aralith Thranduilion," they said, not in identical voices, but in tones framed to a strange singsong harmony that caused Aralith's mouth to go dry with dread, and their next words caused a shudder of horror to pass through him. "Bastryn can't wait to see you!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~Meanwhile in Mirkwood ~
Legolas sat kicking the table leg rhythmically, his eyes lingering on the window as he gazed wistfully at the sun and trees beyond, the feathered quill that twirled in his fingers spraying the paper before him with tiny ink droplets. Before him was a leather-bound volume: 'The History Of Gondolin'. Gondolin had been the great Noldor city of King Turgon and Legolas was supposed to write three pages about the great Hidden City and its history, some of which was very interesting, but for some reason he couldn't concentrate on it. The paper before Legolas had only had four words written on it in overly flowing script: Gondolin - Glorfindel lived there.
Brethil had appeared earlier, peeking in the window and waving and smiling encouragingly to Legolas, who had crept from his seat and tiptoed to the window to crack it open.
"Where is Tavor?" Legolas had asked, not seeing his other friend about anywhere.
"He says that he is too afraid he will get caught by his grandmother and then he will be in trouble. He said she is as fierce as a Balrog, but I don't think that could be true, do you?"
Legolas shook his head, though he thought that perhaps Tavor was right. He could easily see Lady Laureahiril jumping down a mountainside to devour and flame anyone in her path.
"When can you come out?" Brethil had asked, glancing toward the doorway.
"Not until I have finished this paper," Legolas sighed, gazing morosely back at his rather scant report.
"How much have you done?"
"Not much," Thranduil's son confessed.
"Do you want me to help you?"
Legolas strongly yearned for company, and things like this did go more quickly if one had someone to talk to, but he feared that Lady Laureahiril would not be pleased if she came in to see he and Brethil chattering away over his work.
"No, I had better just do it by myself. She might banish you from the palace if you helped me. She has already done that to Mirithil."
Brethil frowned but nodded.
"I will be glad when the king returns," he said, before waving good- bye and vanishing into the trees.
"I will too," Legolas thought as he returned to his work.
Half an hour later, when there were sixteen words on the page - Gondolin - Glorfindel lived there. He was slain - -Very nice word, ` he thought proudly- by a Balrog; but he lives in Imladris now. The door opened and the youngling started and spun about fearing that his jailer had come to see his progress or lack thereof, but it was only Celebross and he was grinning quite happily. Legolas watched as his brother approached thinking he hadn't seen him looking quite so blissful ~very nice word also ~for some time, not since adar had left for Imladris.
"Come along, Little Greenleaf. There is something you should see. Your plan is going to work perfectly!"
Legolas frowned at this remark, as he knew that his plans never worked perfectly, and he couldn't recall what plan this might be.
"I have to finish this before Lady Laureahiril comes for it," he began gazing morosely at the few words, knowing they were not at all what was expected, but he so wished he were in Imladris now with this father that all he could gain from Gondolin history was the common thread of Glorfindel.
"Lady Laureahiril will be rather occupied in a moment," Celebross grinned as Legolas stood and moved across the room to join him. "Our Balrog slayer is even now on her way to slay our very own Lady Balrog!" He winked at Legolas, pulling him into the hallway behind him.
"What are you talking about, Celebross?" Legolas asked as they tiptoed down the corridor, the young prince thinking that he had never seen such a playful look on his brother's face before, and somehow that couldn't be good. "What is going on?"
"Your plan, tithen gwador! Don't you remember? I asked you what I could do to escape from the palace for a time to see Mirithil, and you said that I would need a Balrog slayer like Glorfindel and Ecthelion. Your history lessons have come in very handy indeed!"
Legolas frowned not understanding him at all.
"There!" Celebross whispered, pulling up short and pointing into an adjoining hallway, Legolas bumping into him.
Walking down this corridor was Laerlend, her long blonde curls caught back in a braid, that swung against the polished armor that she wore. It had been made for her when she had begun to express an interest in the battles fought by the elves throughout history and she had wanted to be an elven warrior. It had been made of a lightweight metal so she could wear it without exerting herself overmuch, and the silver had been engraved with twining vines of ivy and lovely roses. In her hand was a small wooden sword painted silver with runes in black spelling out its name: Balrog- Gutter, chosen for her grandfather's wondrous spear Dragon-Gutter and the Balrog slain by Glorfindel. The child was chanting 'The Fall of Gondolin' under her breath, hefting the sword aloft as she went in search of her intended prey, the long skirt of her green tunic swaying about her knees.
"What is she doing?!" Legolas gulped, tugging on Celebross' sleeve. "She is going to get into trouble! She is going to get ME into trouble!"
"No, she won't. She is providing ME with the distraction that I need so I can get out of here to see Mirithil! If you want to see Brethil and Tavor then you had better do it now."
"But . . . !"
"Legolas, Laerlend will keep Lady Laureahiril quite occupied for a time. So take advantage of it. I doubt it will work again."
"But. . . ! Celebross, this wasn't my plan! I didn't have a plan! She is going to blame me for this!"
"I can't imagine why, Legolas. You know how cute Laerlend can be when she wants to. Who could resist this cute little warrior? Now, as soon as we hear her enter Lady Laureahiril's room, we have to run for it. Just be back before she comes calling about your paper."
"But. . . !"
As they watched, Laerlend knocked on the lady's door with the hilt of her sword and stood scowling fiercely at it.
Legolas' brows were knit and he clutched his brother's arm tightly. Laerlend was probably putting a dent in the door with her sword, and he feared he would be blamed for that as well. This would never work! Now he would have to write ten pages on Gondolin history!
Lady Laureahiril answered the door and looked down in surprise at her little visitor.
"Yes, Laerlend? May I help you with something?"
"I am here to slay you, O Evil Lady Balrog!" the child chirped, staring bravely up into Laureahiril's patrician face.
This was the last thing that Legolas heard as Celebross suddenly pulled him back up the hallway and soon they were running for the palace doors as quickly as they could, a strange roar echoing in Legolas' ears.
~This will never work! ~ he thought as they flew outside into the sunlight. ~I am in SO much trouble! I wish ada were here! ~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Thranduil?"
Mirkwood's king turned slowly at the sound of Elrond's voice, his eyes narrowed in a glare that would have frozen even a Balrog's inner fire, just daring Imladris' lord to say anything.
Elrond's brows rose in sudden amazement and his mouth opened in a rather unseemly fashion as he gazed at the king of Mirkwood's lovely blue face and hands. With an effort he closed his wayward lips, cleared his throat and hid his rather unseemly smile behind one hand though he knew his eyes must show only too well his mirth. But he was not the lord of Imladris for nothing. He tipped his head to his royal visitor, pressing one hand to his heart. He cleared his throat once more, knowing that he hadn't quite mastered his tongue and a laugh would erupt before any pleasant, mundane words of greeting could issue forth.
"Welcome to Imladris, Thranduil Oropherion," he managed, congratulating himself on his poise, but then he felt the giggles building again as the golden head tipped in acknowledgement and the stray thought ~His skin matches his eyes now! ~ passed through his mind. Silent laughter pressed in Elrond's chest, so he moved swiftly to kneel by the supine archer. "What . . . what happened?" he choked out in query, pressing his fingers to the slumbering elf's throat.
Thranduil glared down at him, blue eyes smoldering in his blue face
"That . . . that idiot drank an entire bottle of drugged wine," he growled through his teeth which were clenched as tightly as his fists.
"He what?" Elrond glanced between the two Mirkwood elves and frowned, his gazed resting finally on Tanglinna. "Why would he do something that . . . ."
"Stupid? Foolish? Idiotic?" Thranduil supplied, folding his arms over his chest and scowling fiercely down at his Master Archer.
Elrond's brows rose. He would never understand those elves from the east.
"So he is . . . sleeping?"
"Yes, he will be very sorry that he did this."
"Undoubtedly. Aralith said he was injured. Is he?" the healer inquired, turning to stare back down at the silver-haired Silvan.
"Hmph! He twisted his ankle when we fell in the water. When he PUSHED me into the water! Whatever possessed him to do that I do not know! Sometimes I think all these Silvans are just a bit insane. You never know what they are thinking or going to do in any given situation."
Elrond couldn't prevent the smile he had been struggling with since he had arrived from blossoming on his face as he waited for the slight tirade to end. The words he yearned to say ~That sounds like you, my dear king~ stayed safely in the region of his throat, and at last Thranduil stood muttering to himself. Elrond could contain himself no longer.
"You were pushed into the water?" he asked slowly, the smile becoming a wide grin. "Is that why," his lips twitched, "is that why you are . . . are blue?" A giggle broke from his throat and his eyes sparkled as brightly as polished gems.
Thranduil's blue gaze in his blue face turned to Elrond, not nearly as inscrutable as a Silvan's perhaps, but as close as a Sinda could hope for.
"You think this is funny, Peredhil?" the king said in an even tone, his eyes narrowing, a feral snarl gracing his beautiful lips.
"Well, actually," Elrond began, then thought better of it. He cleared his throat. "Um, it has been a rather odd day. Forgive me."
Thranduil's mouth thinned.
"It has," he agreed coolly, resisting the urge to kick the archer that lay sleeping and totally oblivious of all that was going on.
Elrond said nothing for a moment, not quite sure of how to proceed, then he shook his dark head and bent to check Tanglinna's ankle.
"His left ankle does appear to be swollen. I will have to cut his boot off to be certain. Um, why exactly did he push you into the water? That isn't really like him, is it?" When he glanced over his shoulder at Thranduil, Elrond knew that it would be best to drop that subject altogether. "Ah, well, it doesn't matter. Will you go and fetch my bag, please? But be very careful with it. I do have a surprise for you!" He grinned broadly, thinking of his luck in finding the Dorwinion. It was just what was needed to diffuse this situation.
Thranduil moved to obey the scowl never leaving his face, and then watched as Elrond set to work. When at last he had finished and bandaged Tanglinna's ankle Imladris' lord stood.
"As I said, I have a surprise for you. It is guaranteed to make you feel much better," he said with a smile. This was going to be fun! He pulled the Dorwinion out of the pouch slowly removing it from the towel he had wrapped it in and then held it aloft, grinning like a cat that had been in the cream.
Thranduil's brows rose in appreciation and no small amount of surprise. Elrond was offering him Dorwinion from his private stores.
~Impressive and very generous, ~ he thought as Elrond took two glasses from the pouch still grinning.
"This is very kind of you, Elrond," Thranduil said as Elrond offered him a glass filled with the rich liquid that he favored above all others.
Elrond raised his own glass in acknowledgement. He had been anticipating this ever since the wine had arrived from Mirkwood.
"To . . . odd days," he said, his smile widening.
"Odd days indeed," Thranduil agreed. " To odd days then; may they be few."
Elrond put his glass to his lips and partook of his very first sip. The rich wine slide over his tongue and he closed his eyes in appreciation. "Excellent," he murmured.
Thranduil did the same, allowing it to roll about his mouth a bit first.
"This is *very* good, but it tastes . . . slightly different than it usually does."
"Does it?" Elrond took another sip. "It tastes wonderfully fine to me, though I don't have your expertise in these matters."
"No, but it is very good nonetheless." Thranduil took another sip, letting it sit on his tongue once more. "Just different."
"To very good wines," Elrond smiled, raising his glass once more.
After the glasses were emptied and refilled and more toasts given, the two elves sat, leaning against the log and smiling at one another in a genial manner.
"To your generosity, Lord Elrond," Thranduil said with a smile and a tilt of his golden head. He was feeling better already. Good wine did have a way of calming one's nerves.
"To yours, good King Thranduil," Elrond returned.
The bottles contents were fast disappearing and the two were feeling very mellow and quite good-natured; compliments flew back and forth with much delighted laughter.
"To your most wonderful choice of a birthday gift," Elrond said, admiring the dark liquid in his glass and yawning slightly, then poured the last of the wine into Thranduil's glass. "I never expected such generosity from you."
Thranduil's brows knit and he frowned. That had almost sounded uncomplimentary, but he decided to let it go, for now.
"What do you mean?" he asked politely, sipping his wine. He yawned and stretched catlike.
"This wonderful Dorwinion, of course," Elrond answered. "This and the other three bottles of it. I was. . . stunned, to put it mildly."
Thranduil frowned again and blinked slowly.
"What do you mean?" he repeated.
"Oh, yes. I should say "Little Greenleaf's gift". He did surprise me. Of course the spider was unexpected too, just ask Glorfindel . . . naneth lhing," he giggled slightly, then cleared his throat. "But the Dorwinion . . . ."
Thranduil blinked again, his golden brows nearly meeting over his eyes.
"What do you mean!?" he asked again, feeling that there was something most important going on and he was missing it. Why didn't Elrond seem to understand him?!
Elrond blinked and wondered why Thranduil couldn't understand him.
"I mean," he began slowly, enunciating each word so that they nearly became incomprehensible, "it was very *generous* of you to *send* four bottles of *Dorwinion*. . . and a *spider* for my *birthday*."
Thranduil shook his head, his own words spoken slowly and rather loudly.
"WHAT DO *YOU* MEAN? I didn't *send you* any Dorwinion!"
Elrond yawned hugely and drained his glass, sliding down the log until his head rested against it next to the oblivious Tanglinna.
"Yes, you did. Four beautiful bottles." He yawned again, feeling suddenly very sleepy. It had been a busy morning.
"I did not!" Thranduil declared, draining his own glass. "I sent you wine, yes, but not Dorwinion. I only had four bottles in my cellars. Why would I send it all to you? Little Greenleaf picked the wine. He wouldn't . . . he didn't . . . ." His eyes widened suddenly as the ramifications of what Elrond had been saying finally began to make a sick kind of sense. "He . . .he . . .This is the wine he sent? This!" He stared at the empty bottle before him, feeling . . . stunned. Then his eyes moved to the glass held in his own hand; it looked very empty. "But . . . but . . . the Magic Spider Water . . . . My Dorwinion . . . . MY DORWINION! ! ! !"
Elrond was falling asleep when suddenly Thranduil bellowed, "LITTLE GREENLEAF! ! ! !" shattering the peace of Imladris. "YOU ARE IN *VERY BIG TROUBLE*!!!" Then Thranduil yawned once more, though he tried very hard not to. "I will not fall asleep. I am the king of Mirkwood and I will not let any charmed water from my own forest make me go to sleep! I . . . will not . . ." he yawned hugely, "go to . sleep."
A moment later the king of Mirkwood lay smiling quite happily, sound asleep.
TBC
Chapter 16 Reviews Responses
JastaElf - I am glad you liked the silly chapter. I guess I was in a silly mood when I wrote it. Someone will be in trouble over the robes running blue. I admit that I had shorts that did the same thing to me, which is where this chapter was born.twenty odd years ago granted. ;) I see Thranduil as a wine conessuier, so I thought he would be able to tell by the bouquet. *snort* Well, yes. The situation has deteriorated and will continue to do so.
Marnie - I fear that your review birthed yet another plot bunny for this tale! I had to laugh at the smurf reference! I haven't thought of them in years! ;D Smurfette even had lovely golden hair, didn't she! Tanglinna is much better off where he is, and poor Aralith indeed! He has not seen the end of his woes yet!
Nilmandra - I fear that silliness is abounding all of a sudden in this tale. I don't know what is wrong with me! ;) Tanglinna is going to miss the fireworks, at least a few of them. As for the Bad Blue King, even a king has to have fun on occasion! And he will make a wonderful impression, won't he?? ;)
Dis Thrainsdotter - It is nice of you to tell me you laughed out loud. Yes, I fear I am a fan of The Yellow Submarine, and I actually - for a change - had the title for that last chapter before I had written word one. It seemed to fit with what I wanted to do, so I used it! *goes off singing "In the town where I was born lived a man who sailed to sea . . . ."
Gwyn - No, Tanglinna is not in the same league as Little Greenleaf when it comes to getting out of trouble.
sirithiliel - Thranduil does indeed need some Vandal Root. I think Tanglinna forgot that he brought it for the king in the first place.
Dragon_of_the_north - Thank you for emailing me your review, as ff.net seemed to have a slight problem the day that the last chapter was posted. ;) I am very glad that this chapter was still funny after more than one reading! I am just amazed how you can pick up all the little things I thought were so fun, and dare I say clever, about it. Their entrance into Imladris is certainly going to be memorable . . . at least it will be once more at a later date. ;) Tanglinna has managed to avoid any more unpleasantness for a time, but I wonder what Thranduil will think when all is said and done. I am relieved that you aren't taking this seriously. No one should! It is as far from serious as I can get! I was rather mean to the wondrous king, and I guess he will have to be avenged at some point! ;)
Dot - I enjoy Tanglinna's rather "un-Tanglinna" moments. This way it is up to the king to do what is right and good. But will he? ;) I like Oropher a lot, so I was pleased to hear you liked his little voice-over, as it were. That is the problem with vignettes, but it was a wonderful one! :)
Karri - I was LOL over your feeling sorry for everyone concerned. My vote was for poor Elrond who didn't bring any of this on himself, and then for Aralith who is merely caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yes, Little Greenleaf would have something to crow over, wouldn't he!!
erunyauve - I have to admit that I was LOL over your description of what Tanglinna went through in this chapter! Yes, that sums it up perfectly! :) ROFL to Papa Smurf! Oh, dear. This is too fun! Aralith deserves a very long rest after this one.probably far from his home where there are no little brothers or blue adas!
Lutris - Thank you for complimenting Tanglinna's song. He is rather pleased with it, though he was not himself when he thought of it! ;)
Karina - LOL to all your "insane"s! I don't think they would act quite so silly in RL, but hey! This is fanfiction and the fun is more. . . insane! Yes, the royal family is very colorful, and silver would definitely be Celebross' color! ;) I like the "drying" line too. I admit that at first it was a typo, but when I went back to fix it, I thought it was too funny to change. So much for my cleverness! Flashback to last summer, eh?? Hm, I thought the same thing when I could feel everything building a few chapters ago! All in a day of TreeHugger's Summer Work. LOL! So you don't want The Revenge Of The Blue King?? Well. . . . ;)
WeasleyTwinLover1112 - Poor Tanglinna indeed. There is nothing like making the best, erm, worst of a bad situation! ;)
Angaloth - Insanity is highly underrated. I suffer from it myself, I fear, as evinced by the chapters that I have written for this story! I am afraid that the canon is bent, broke, or just plain ignored when it comes to my humorous tales! Tolkien's universe was very serious, and I just am not at times. . . as evinced by the chapters that I have written for this story. ;) Thank you so much for your wonderful compliments! You don't know how happy they made me! *blushes with happiness!* I am glad that my characters are real to you. :D :D *does a happy dance* I hope you managed to get to sleep without the aid of vandal root wine, though I am sure Tanglinna would have been glad to share! ;)
Nikki - Aw! Thranduil is once cool, blue dude! And I must say that blue is his color. I suppose it was rather mean of him to dress Legolas in pink in In the Hall. Of course, chronologically speaking, that hasn't happened yet! ;)
amlugwen - Yep. I managed to actually get another chapter done before too many days had past, which has shocked us all! ;) Believe me, my mind has been tied in knots for some time over what could happen in this story. There are entirely too many possibilities! All of them fun in some way! The two "blue" elves were very fun to write indeed! I think the diplomatic relations might actually be helped by all this . . . or not! :/ ;D
None - Thank you for the birthday wishes! :) Tanglinna should be more compassionate with Little Greenleaf after this, though knowing what trouble it gets one into might make him even tougher on the little guy in an attempt to help him get past his need for such schemes! ;) Aralith has his work cut out for him, that is certain! Glad you liked the insult that Dragon_of_the_north gave me. She is very clever! ;) I haven't forgotten Little Greenleaf. Never fear! And ` LOL to your second review. No, at this point Legolas doesn't know the twins personally. Not in my universe anyway. Wouldn't that be something to have your children, especially creative children like Legolas, stay that way for hundreds of years?? O.O ^-^
daw the minstrel - I wouldn't want to have to deal with those two "imperious, powerful, unpredictable elves" either! I would be SO out of my league! I am very glad you enjoyed all the fun in that chapter. I thought it was funny and fun, so it is always a relief to hear that others agree. :) Tanglinna did choose the best course for the moment. Sometimes it is easier to just go to sleep for a time and deal with it all later, after someone else has taken care of things. ;)
narcolinde - thank you so much! :) I am glad you like my stories!
AutumnHeart - I am glad you liked the "wonderful image of a dripping wet, quite blue and thoroughly bewildered Thranduil". It is rather a fun image of the wonderful king. ;) I hope my updates don't take too long!
Elisabeth Celebros - Greetings! :) First, I love your name! Celebros is a wonderful name! I like it a lot! ;) Obviously! I am glad that you have found this tale to be so much fun and so funny! Killing one's brother with laughter seems a reasonable solution to the brother problem that all of us who have such people in our lives experience! I am glad to hear that you don't suffer from Aralithus. I don't either! Well, not any more. Thanks for the great review! :)
Hel - I am glad that ff.net finally let you get on. It has been rather a painful process trying to access it. LOL to your comment on Galadriel! That is so very true! What is the point of all the wonderful power if you can't show off on occasion! Well, I suppose the question of who looks better in blue is up for debate. ;) And um, don't get me started on the fun with Oropher, Tanglinna, and Thranduil! Too many plot bunnies running around my house! O.O ^-^ Aralith will have a learning experience here. I don't think he has a choice, poor dear! I am glad you liked the song, and Tanglinna is fun when he is drunk. But no. I doubt Thranduil sees the humor in it all!
Hildestohl - I was a Blue Meanie once myself (minus the mean, of course!;)) only it was from my waist down. Dark blue cotton shorts need to be washed before you get on a water flume! ;) It is nice to know there have been other Blue People out there! I know Dragon-of-the-north was one too. LOL I would love to see your illustrations if you can find a scanner!! :D
runaround - Sodas and silly storied don't mix! ;) I know this from my own experiences with a Sprite! You sang Tanglinna's song to your mom?? Cool! :D :D
Nadra - Yet another person with experience in "blueness"! There are several of us out here! ;) Don't worry. Elrond will have some "fun" too! ;) Your collection of LOTR jewelry is most impressive. I have Aragorn's ring, the One Ring, Vilya, the Elven brooch, and my son has the Ringwraith ring. And I have a one of the kind silver ring with Tanglinna's name carved on it. That one is my favorite! ;) Um, can you say obsessed?? ;D
July 29, hm? I will see what I can do, mellon nin!
Tinni - I feel very badly when my postings are so erratic and far between! I will try my best to not make the waits too horribly long! ;) And you are quite welcome!
Lorraine - Fido can be a pain-in-the-butt dog. I know that very well! ;) I am glad you liked the golden spider shrieker Glorfindel, and the poor lost baby spider Bastryn. Seems Brethil is the only one who wants him! :( Poor Lend Laes Bastryn indeed! I am glad that you enjoy reading about Tanglinna. He is fun to work with, and well, I enjoy writing about him. I am glad you liked the verses too, they were fun to write also . . . so what could be more logical than letting Tanglinna sing one! ;)
the evil witch queen - LOL Do you think I would let the Mirkwood elves be the only ones to look silly and ridiculous?? ;) Don't worry! They are not alone in this! ROFL ALL of the grown-ups!? ALL of them!?!? If that were to happen, what would poor Aralith do with the twins and Arwen, not to mention the spider?? I don't think that poor prince could take one more thing! But we shall see! ;D
Shalemni - :D Your review made me smile! "He's regal, He's royal, He's Thranduil the Blue Meanie from Mirkwood! rnrn Beware!" LOL Yes, for all of his efforts to look "mah-velous" (if I may quote Billy Crystal) His Blueness' plans rather backfired! As to Tanglinna gulping down the wine - I was surprised by it, as that is so very un-Tanglinna-ish. ;) I guess he was desperate and out of ideas! ;D
Venyatuime - I guess I think it is Easter and they are Easter Elves. ;) The blue idea came from my own embarrassing incident many ages ago with a pair of blue shorts and a watery amusement park ride. :/ Your clothing can really turn you blue! ;) I think you are very correct in saying that it would be a most entertaining birthday. Perhaps the king should hire himself and his Company of Playful Players out! They'd make a fortune! :D
petite-hikarie - Yes, I am very slow. I am very sorry about that too! One of these days I will actually finish everything I am writing. :/ Probably just not very soon. :( I need to organize my time a little better. Galadriel seems to know a lot of things, just not all things . . . *sly smile*
ember - I am glad that your vacation was fun! :) Mine was too! Wow! Thank you so much! I am very, very glad that you like the characters I have created for Mirkwood. :D I am fond of them myself and am pleased that you enjoy them as well! :D
Gwilwileth - I had fun with Thranduil the Blue Meanie. You have my permission to do any funny thing you want. :) It is nice to take a break from the sad ones and write something just for laughs. And I will repeat. . . you write Thranduil very, very well! :)
Ubiquitous Pitt - I am afraid that the closest Tanglinna can get to "THWAP- ing" Thranduil is pushing the king into the water. It is much less dignified after all. ;) You hope this "traumatizes" poor Aralith? He is a bit uptight here, isn't he! Uh, what is up with Andy/husband/Erestor? O.o o.O ^-^ Andy, huh? Tanglinna was rather unhinged in this chapter, but it is rather fun to play with him. . . :/ You know what I mean. The Blue Belle of the Ball. . . that sounds very funny, in fact. . . . ;) LOL Your entire review had me ROFL, which does help the absence of TNT's Caesar, which should have run for months like they seem to do with everything else! Brethil and Tavor, not to mention Haldir torture coming up soon!
Fadesintothewest- I had a very Beatle-esque moment myself writing about the Blue Meanie. ;) That title just fit perfectly so yes, "We all live in a yellow submarine!" :D I am glad you enjoyed the two chapters, and don't worry. I am not abandoning the romance with Glorfindel, I have been distracted by a few other things. Bells will be coming soon. 1/3 is written already.(
Aurora - No, Thranduil has not been having a good trip so far. It seems that everyone and everything is conspiring against him! I suppose that is what he gets for wanting to play a trick on Elrond. ;) This will be a most unforgettable trip for the Blue King. . . or will it? ? ;D
legolasluva - Well, thank you! It will be "poor everybody" before it is over! ;D I am glad you like Blue Meanie Thranduil, I liked him too! But I don't think he found it so amusing! ;D
Laura - Mae Govannen, Laura! It's Brethil! TreeHugger has been neglecting us horribly in the last few chapters, but she promises that we will be in the next one - chapter 17, I believe. Do you really glow when you say my name? *blushes* That is so very nice, usually people glow when they say Legolas' name, so I am glad that one person loves me so much that they glow when they say "Brethil". :D I will have to tell Tavor that! He will be incredibly jealous for he thinks he is better looking than anyone else, including Legolas. It will be good for him to know that he is not the only elf that people find attractive. :D This makes me very happy! Thank you! I will make certain that TreeHugger writes about us now! I know she wouldn't want you to be sad. Namarie, mel Laura!
Artemisa - I think Legolas and the twins would be a rather fun combination myself. Jay of Lasgalen has written some excellent stories featuring them, but I will see what I can do. ( Thank you for your wonderful comments!
Lirenel - I am glad you love this story. No, nothing seems to be going the way anyone planned it. Just like RL sometimes! The best laid plans of mice and men, after all! ;)
sound of the skies - Little Greenleaf has been very naughty, though not all of the trouble is his fault. Tanglinna will be fine. . . after a time. ;) But he won't get off as easily as he seems to think.
Phoenix 23531 - Tanglinna didn't stand a change with the Mirkwood royals around his entire life. He will undoubtedly wish that he had waited, but alas! He wasn't thinking clearly at the time. I am sorry to hear about your computer. I know how they can be. :( I live in dread of the day mine decides to just cough and die, eating all my stories and pictures with it. Jade King, hm? Don't worry. It isn't abandoned or forgotten. It is merely that dear Kate and I are up for the award for Most Sluggardly Scribblers, and we don't want to endanger our chance at winning! ;D
123 - You needn't apologize. The story isn't going anywhere, so you may take all the time that you need to read it. (
Sake - I have been quite heartbroken since I haven't heard from you in a while! ~-^ so you don't like the noble Lady of Light, hm? I suspect Haldir would beg to differ with you on your opinion of her. ;) The Blue Meanie's luck just ran out!
Skye29 - I am glad that you and your spiderlings are enjoying this story. Arwen has met Bastryn, but he is not enamored of her as she is with him. That may have to change. Spider-charming is not necessarily an easy thing after all. ;) Yes, those Mirkwood elves are strange and , well, yes. I have been rather meant to them lately. Too bad! ;D
Alleryin Chantel de Montreve - Haldir's wondrous glow.Hm. I don't know if that was Haldir or Mr. Parker. ;)
Ithilien - Silliness seems to be the name of the game at the present moment. Some merriment to keep me sane while so many of you throw angst and torture our way. ;) Facing the music is the only way to live, convoluted tales get you no where but into trouble that just grows and grows like the Energizer Bunny on steroids. I think things might work out alright in the end though . . . maybe. :/ ;)
Anya-Ring of Sarcasm - Yes, I fear that I must have been humming "Yellow Submarine" at the time. ;)
kingmaker - First let me thank you for all the wonderful reviews you have been leaving on various of my other fics. I have been very humbled by some and laughed in delight over others. Thank you so very much! To answer one question you raised: yes, I fear that Nestadren's healing ability was influenced by Katharine Kurtz's books. ;) You mentioned the "glow" on several Legolas-fanciers, and I have seen the same thing. It is so hilarious to see the way their faces light up and their eyes sparkle when speaking of "that elf", I find that I am hard put to not laugh out loud at them. You really should not be handing me these wonderful plot bunnies! Just when I think I know exactly where it is all headed, a new one bites! ;) More Arwen coming up too, just for you! :D