Disclaimer: No, we don't own the two males leads of our story, or some of
the supporting characters . . . . . . but we do own everyone else!
*confetti*
Thank you with sugar and cherries and sprinkles and every other lil topping you want to our reviewers! You all are wonderful and we love the input. Onward, to the story!
**************************
"Stupid . . . . . . difficult . . . . . . argh . . . . . . damn fabric!" Tala finally proclaimed after several hours. Ever since the delightful row between the males and ladies, the women had been busy. After first examining the fabrics, they had measured each other and traced patterns onto the fabrics . . . . . . their own they created in their heads (boy, was the Elven court in for some surprises *snicker*). They divided the work- Tala cutting and Nerina doing the actual sewing . . . . . . that way the clothes would stay together and come out right. (Good thing . . . . . . the last thing Tala had sewn had been a pillow . . . . . . let's just say it was a loooong time ago and it needed repair every now and then) "How DO they cut this without having it go to tatters?!?!" Tala asked exasperatedly, throwing her hands up in disgust at the fabric in her lap.
Nerina looked up from her sewing and laughed, "They probably have more patience and better scissors." Looking back down at her work, she knotted the thread, bit the end, and held up the now completed shirt. "Ta da! Now we each have one complete outfit!" she exulted as she threw the purple shirt onto the pile (small pile) of completed clothes, which held one pair of jeans (sort of . . . . . . they were made of some tough blue material that resembled denim), a black shirt, and a skirt made of tan fabric that Nerina declared 'felt like it weighted nothing at all!'. There were also certain . . . . . . unmentionables . . . . . . but they will remain unmentioned.
Tala clapped her hands happily, at the same time adding, "Great, just another sixty hours and our wardrobes will be complete." Nerina groaned, and Tala added evilly, "Good thing you have a knack for sewing and can do one or two pieces an hour."
Nerina simply tossed a bolt of fabric at her, adding haughtily over the laughter, "Get back to work, Mz. Scissor Hands!"
*ooo . . . . . . time elapsement . . . . . . think 70s waves across the screen and giant letters saying THREE HOURS LATER...*
"Can we take a break? I'm starved," Tala said imploringly, pausing in her cutting.
Nerina kept sewing, but shook her head while saying, "You are always hungry. Just keep working. WE should be able to survive a while longer . . . . . . especially with these new clothes."
Tala sighed but nodded, and both women eyed the growing stack of clothes.
*Da da da! Scene Change!!*
"Gandalf, Legolas, where are Ladies Nerina and Tala?" Thranduil asked again. He was beginning to see a pattern in his recent conversations with his advisor and son. With a trace of amusement he also asked, "Are they tired again? Not hungry, perhaps?"
Gandalf cleared his throat, carefully considering what to say while Legolas refused to look up from where he was staring into his wine glass with an expression of mixed anger and frustration. 'Doesn't he know the ears make it a little hard for him to pretend he didn't hear?' Gandalf thought even as he scrambled to answer the king. "Well, my friend, they discovered they had nothing to wear and declined to come down." Even as Gandalf winced at the lame excuse, he thought he heard Legolas groan.
The Elven King simply raised a brow. "Then they shall find what I sent them most useful, although I can't understand why no spare attire could be found," he said, subtly scolding Legolas, and in turn, Gandalf.
Both cringed a bit and nodded apologetically.
"No matter, I suppose, for NOW," Thranduil concluded firmly, all the while thoroughly enjoying the discomfort of the two. He turned around to the footman behind him, and asked that a tray be taken to the ladies. The footman nodded, and after he left to relay the message to the kitchens, Thranduil once again turned upon the wizard and prince. "Tell me what happened in the garden."
Legolas and Gandalf started and looked up in surprise. They looked around. As it was fairly late and they were in the informal dining hall with no other diners, they nodded, and broke into a discussion on the most unusual occurrence.
***
A knock sounded on the door, and Nerina said warily, "Who is it?"
"Uthaniel, my lady. I bear a tray sent by the king," called a strong male voice.
Both women jumped up and raced to the door. Nerina pulled it open, Tala grabbed the tray, and with a swift "Thanks" from both women, Uthaniel found the door shut and locked firmly in his face.
***
The next day, as Gandalf and Legolas sat studying old tomes in the vast palace library, a thought occurred to Legolas (a miracle, to be sure . . . . . . jk! jk!).
"Gandalf, have you heard from our charges at all today? I mean, at ALL? Messenger, gossip . . . . . . themselves?" Legolas asked slowly. "It is almost sunset, and I have heard nothing."
Gandalf thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I cannot say that I have."
"Is that a good thing . . . . . . or a very bad thing?" Legolas asked warily.
"Now that you mention it, it may be wise to check on them. They are in our charge, and I think your father likes them."
"I was afraid you would say that . . . . . . "
They quickly exited the library and headed for the guest wing. As they neared, Legolas commented, "I hear no one moving."
Gandalf began to worry, and even Legolas started to feel a bit worried. Since they had fought the day before, the males had avoided the rooms of the women as if they were in quarantine. They reached Nerina's door, and paused in opening it, as they had been threatened if they ever did again. Taking a deep breath, Gandalf pushed, but found it locked. Legolas swiftly strode to Tala's, but found it locked as well. Gritting his teeth in frustration and a little bit of fear, Gandalf performed the same cantrip on Nerina's lock that had caused it to open before. He then slowly pushed the door open, and both males stood shocked at the sight that greeted them.
Bolts of fabric were everywhere. No surface was uncovered. Actually, Nerina's room . . . . . . or what they thought was Nerina's room, looked like a rainbow had exploded. However, after getting over the color shock, they realized something else. There were no women present.
With a swift look at his friend, Legolas walked into the bathrooms. He found them empty, and also found Tala's room vacant. He returned, shaking his head at Gandalf's questioning look, and made for the door to the hall, intent upon tracking down the two. Then he froze, almost causing Gandalf to run into him, his ears detecting a faint sound. He turned back and faced the room, and crept towards the bed.
He reached the edge and saw one of the piles of fabric shift. He reached out and gingerly lifted up a yellow piece of material that looked something like a shirt. He found part of a face, and lifting some light blue material, revealed all of Tala's face. He turned and tossed a grin at Gandalf, who turned to examine the piles in search of Nerina. Legolas then said softly, "Wake up, Tala."
He chuckled lightly when his only response was a grumble that sounded something like "shgoawy." He then gently shook her shoulder, saying, "Wake up."
A hand came flying up, accompanied by a few garments, and he was hit along his jaw by the hand and felt the clothes hit him. He was knocked back in surprise, and ended up giving a surprised shout at the same time.
Nerina looked to her bed in surprise as Gandalf pulled her from the mound of fabric she had been under on the couch. She watched as Tala sat bolt upright, looking around wildly. Nerina smothered a giggle as she saw her friend's eyes widen as they fixed on the Prince, who was now rubbing his jaw, and immediately adopted a contrite look. Nerina did giggle when Tala automatically took his hand away from his face and turned his chin so she could see the now forming red spot. Both Gandalf and Nerina laughed outright at Legolas's surprised look, and the laughter awoke the two to what Tala was doing. She immediately let go and jumped off the bed . . . . . . away from Legolas. Nerina also realized the wizard had not yet let go of her hand, but decided not to protest. Instead she turned to him, ignoring the two by the bed. "What are you doing here? As I remember, you both were ever so slightly forbidden to return . . . . . . "
Gandalf looked quite guilty and disgruntled, and the feeling increased when Tala added, "And how did you get in the 'locked' room?"
"We . . . . . . ah . . . . . . were checking on you. We had not heard from you all day and-"
"Wait, wait . . . . . . back up. What do you mean, ALL DAY?" Tala asked.
"We mean that it is about an hour until the evening meal now, and we had heard nothing all day," Legolas answered for Gandalf slowly, making sure his jaw was okay.
"We slept a whole day?" Nerina inquired, aghast.
"Yes, indeed you did my dear," Gandalf said gently, patting her hand.
Both women groaned and as Tala began to move around picking up clothing, Nerina carefully disengaged her hand from Gandalf's to help, though she was saddened at the feeling of letting go.
Gandalf regretted that she let go, wishing it had lasted longer, but also bent to help straighten the room. Legolas followed suit, and as he picked up a red, lacy looking cloth, said, "What is all this?"
"A wardrobe," Tala said shortly as she snatched it from his hand.
"Wardrobe?!" both males said. Gandalf continued, "This . . . . . . all of THIS . . . . . . is a wardrobe? You made all of this clothing in a day?!"
Tala laughed as Nerina said with a grin, "It's not all clothes . . . . . . just most of it. Tala and I make a good team."
Both the wizard-who-has-learned-a-lot and the prince-who-has-seen-a-lot looked at their unusual guests with new respect.
They all continued straightening the room, and when Nerina decided her room was satisfactory (which is not easy to achieve), Tala carted her pile of clothes into her room via the bathrooms and the remaining three sat down, Legolas in a chair, Gandalf and Nerina on the couch . . . . . . just a little too close. Nerina picked up a glass of water that had somehow survived the fabric nuclear bomb and remembering, turned to Legolas and asked, "Are you still mad?"
He blinked, but shook his head. "No, it was actually slightly amusing but it will be a long time before I regain respect from the stable hands," he concluded with a wry smile.
Gandalf and Nerina laughed. After the laughter died down, Gandalf looked toward the door, "Where is Tala? I have some things I would like to discuss with you two." He turned his blue eyes to Nerina's.
Nerina froze, enchanted by his eyes, and decided she was perfectly happy in forgetting his question.
Legolas rolled his own blue eyes and coughed slightly. The two seemed to break from their trance, and Nerina thought quickly, finally saying smartly, "I have no idea."
At Legolas's smothered chuckle, she elaborated with, "She usually just dumps clothes wherever." Then with an angelic smile yet demonic gaze aimed at Legolas, she added, "Why don't you go check on her?"
Legolas gave her a sour look, but rose to do as she asked while Gandalf smothered a chuckle of his own.
As Legolas passed through the bathroom door, Nerina thought, 'Finally, Mr. Wizard is right where I want him'. With a smile that bordered on predatory, she returned her gaze to the present person that was her fascination.
***
Legolas walked quietly into Tala's room and smiled widely at the sight that greeted him. The mound of clothes was thrown haphazardly onto the couch, just as Nerina had predicted, but Tala was stretched out over her bed, seemingly asleep. He approached cautiously, his jaw (and pride) advising him. He reached the bed and stood looking down at the sleeping female for a few moments. Curled on her side, her hair fanned out behind her, and still clad in the robe, she looked innocent, and even . . . . . . gentle. 'Right', Legolas thought. Very carefully he reached out and touched her shoulder. Her green eyes opened but held their sleep clouded glaze for a moment. She seemed to realize who it was, and for the second time sat up quickly. Her eyes widened slightly as a thought occurred to her. "I didn't hit you again, did I?"
Legolas started, for he had been entranced by the sleepy look and wild hair. He recovered and shook his head. She sighed in relief and stood, walking to the bathroom. Legolas watched her go, again taken in by the sight of her hair. Very few elves had short hair, but hers was even longer than Nerina's. Reaching just an inch or two past her waist, it fell in a cascade of brown, red, and just a hint of gold. Just as he started to wonder at his own fascination, she returned, carrying what turned out to be a small towel thoroughly doused in cold water. She took his hand, put the towel in it, then had him hold it against his jaw. She moved away, tearing herself away from the surprised look in his eyes.
"Sorry about that . . . . . . it's a reflex," she said as she made her way toward the mound of new clothing. "Not like you didn't deserve it, but still." Not giving him a chance to respond, she kept on chattering. "Jeez, I can see it's going to be hard to get any good amount of sleep here. O well . . . . . . perhaps I could booby-trap a few things . . . . . . hmm . . . . . ."
She paused, and Legolas did not like the sound of "booby-trap", but just as he opened his mouth to comment, she switched subjects. "When is breakfast . . . . . . or dinner . . . . . . whatever, I'm starved."
Legolas looked out the window. "I believe it just started."
At her stricken look, he grinned, but said reassuringly, "Don't worry, we can send for food from the kitchens, as in the past two nights."
She visibly relaxed and brightened at that option, and gleefully skipped to her friend's door, yelling loud enough to make Legolas wince, "Hey, 'Rina! We get to order room service!" This was quickly followed by a smug and not in the least sorry, "Ho! So 'sorry'! Was I interrupting something?"
He reached the door just in time to see Gandalf . . . . . . Legolas blinked . . . . . . no, his eyes did not deceive him . . . . . . Gandalf was blushing! He quickly looked at Nerina, but she just looked at him innocently. Tala snorted and smirked beside him. The she continued with her original message.
"We get to eat! Prince Boy is going to get some great food from the kitchens for us!"
"Wonderful idea! I will help him!" Gandalf said, quickly standing and ushering the Prince out the door.
As is shut with a light bang, Tala looked at her friend with a raised eyebrow, and both women burst into laughter.
***
After a short while, the two had become thoroughly bored, and decided to play improv...
***
King Thranduil looked around the informal dining room as he entered, noticing that not only were the ladies missing, AGAIN, but so were his son and friend. He turned to the footman placing dished on the table and asked his favorite question, "Where are our guests? And for that matter, where is my son, and Gandalf?"
The footman grinned, "I believe they are all dining in the twin rooms. At least that is what the Prince and Wizard said when they collected a few trays from the kitchens. That, and they were keeping the ladies, 'who are very tired', company."
Thranduil simply laughed, thoroughly pleased with his new guests and the chaos they were bringing to Mirkwood.
***
"So, just what was going on in Nerina's room?" Legolas asked slyly as the two carried trays back to Nerina's room.
Gandalf stuttered for a moment, but concluded with, "None of your business, pup."
Legolas just laughed as they reached the door, but his knock was halted by the conversation his ears picked up from the other side. Nerina's voice carried only softly through the door, but his ears heard it. Pressing his ears to the door and motioning Gandalf to silence, he listened intently to the conversation on the other side of the door.
"You know, I really did like that guy in Scotland," her voice adopted a pout, "wish you hadn't killed him."
"Yeah, well, you killed my pet boy in Rome, so now we're even," Tala replied lazily.
Now, let's just say our dear Prince was in one hell of a case of shock.
"So, when do you think Mr. Wizard and Blonde Boy will be back with food?" Nerina asked.
Now this brought Legolas back to the present, and standing straight again, he knocked on the door. Ignoring the questioning look of Gandalf, he smiled brightly when the door opened.
"Hello again! Thanks for knocking," Nerina said with a warm smile as she opened the door. She ushered the two in, and then followed them over to the sitting area where Tala already reclined on the couch. Swatting at Tala's feet, Nerina said, "Move your feet off my couch you space hog."
Tala growled but did as ordered, reaching for the food the males set on the table. As she happily munched on a biscuit, Nerina continued, "Yes, but you had removed the one I had in Madrid."
Tala snorted, and swallowing said, "Well, he was a sleaze and you had gotten rid of his brother . . . . . . who was mine."
At this point, Legolas choked, and Gandalf let his fork stop halfway to his mouth. Nerina just stuck her tongue out at Tala, but then looked at the Prince and Wizard, both of whom had gone motionless and silent. She looked at them innocently, and said, "What?"
Legolas and Gandalf gulped. Tala laughed, "I do believe they are disturbed by our conversation."
Nerina looked at them thoughtfully, "I do believe you're right. Perhaps we should explain-"
"What is there to explain? You have apparently, ah . . . . . . um . . . . . . removed certain . . . . . . acquaintances . . . . . . andIthinkwewilljustbegoingnow," Gandalf concluded on a rush, and both males stood.
When this was met by nothing but great peals of laughter from the women, they concluded the women were terribly insane.
"No, no," Tala gasped, and wiping tears from her eyes, motioned to their vacated chairs, "sit down, we will explain." Nerina nodded still laughing.
The two resumed their seats, but still looked ready to bolt. With a last gasping laugh, Tala said, "It's just a game."
At their confused look, Nerina went off into another laughing fit, and Tala quickly tamped down her mirth and said, "It's a game we play when we are bored. WE think up an imaginary situation, and create a conversation around it. It's quite fun." Nerina nodded in agreement, still giggling.
"So . . . . . . it is just a game?" Legolas said slowly.
Both ladies nodded, smiling at the males, quite pleased with themselves. Gandalf glanced at Legolas and after sharing a look where they agreed the women were insane, they shrugged and continued to eat.
The women, terribly amused, also again began to eat. After they were done, everyone sat back. After staring at the ceiling for a minute, Tala yawned, and said, "I'm going to bed now" as she stretched.
"But . . . . . . you just woke up . . . . . . twice," Legolas said, with a look that obviously said she was crazy.
She glared at him, "So? I didn't 'sleep' a whole lot, and I'm tired, so I'm going to sleep."
Nerina poked her, "What? You usually get your second wind now! Come on, you know you want to do something."
Tala swatted her arm, "Not after staying up as much as we did. 'Sides, sleep now, make mayhem tomorrow." She stood and walked to her room, ignoring the exclamations of "Mayhem?!", and at the bathroom door, spun and called, "Goodnight" innocently and waved.
Nerina laughed, but then agreed with her idea. She got the two males out of her room, sent the trays with them (hehe) and dousing the candles, went to bed.
Thank you with sugar and cherries and sprinkles and every other lil topping you want to our reviewers! You all are wonderful and we love the input. Onward, to the story!
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"Stupid . . . . . . difficult . . . . . . argh . . . . . . damn fabric!" Tala finally proclaimed after several hours. Ever since the delightful row between the males and ladies, the women had been busy. After first examining the fabrics, they had measured each other and traced patterns onto the fabrics . . . . . . their own they created in their heads (boy, was the Elven court in for some surprises *snicker*). They divided the work- Tala cutting and Nerina doing the actual sewing . . . . . . that way the clothes would stay together and come out right. (Good thing . . . . . . the last thing Tala had sewn had been a pillow . . . . . . let's just say it was a loooong time ago and it needed repair every now and then) "How DO they cut this without having it go to tatters?!?!" Tala asked exasperatedly, throwing her hands up in disgust at the fabric in her lap.
Nerina looked up from her sewing and laughed, "They probably have more patience and better scissors." Looking back down at her work, she knotted the thread, bit the end, and held up the now completed shirt. "Ta da! Now we each have one complete outfit!" she exulted as she threw the purple shirt onto the pile (small pile) of completed clothes, which held one pair of jeans (sort of . . . . . . they were made of some tough blue material that resembled denim), a black shirt, and a skirt made of tan fabric that Nerina declared 'felt like it weighted nothing at all!'. There were also certain . . . . . . unmentionables . . . . . . but they will remain unmentioned.
Tala clapped her hands happily, at the same time adding, "Great, just another sixty hours and our wardrobes will be complete." Nerina groaned, and Tala added evilly, "Good thing you have a knack for sewing and can do one or two pieces an hour."
Nerina simply tossed a bolt of fabric at her, adding haughtily over the laughter, "Get back to work, Mz. Scissor Hands!"
*ooo . . . . . . time elapsement . . . . . . think 70s waves across the screen and giant letters saying THREE HOURS LATER...*
"Can we take a break? I'm starved," Tala said imploringly, pausing in her cutting.
Nerina kept sewing, but shook her head while saying, "You are always hungry. Just keep working. WE should be able to survive a while longer . . . . . . especially with these new clothes."
Tala sighed but nodded, and both women eyed the growing stack of clothes.
*Da da da! Scene Change!!*
"Gandalf, Legolas, where are Ladies Nerina and Tala?" Thranduil asked again. He was beginning to see a pattern in his recent conversations with his advisor and son. With a trace of amusement he also asked, "Are they tired again? Not hungry, perhaps?"
Gandalf cleared his throat, carefully considering what to say while Legolas refused to look up from where he was staring into his wine glass with an expression of mixed anger and frustration. 'Doesn't he know the ears make it a little hard for him to pretend he didn't hear?' Gandalf thought even as he scrambled to answer the king. "Well, my friend, they discovered they had nothing to wear and declined to come down." Even as Gandalf winced at the lame excuse, he thought he heard Legolas groan.
The Elven King simply raised a brow. "Then they shall find what I sent them most useful, although I can't understand why no spare attire could be found," he said, subtly scolding Legolas, and in turn, Gandalf.
Both cringed a bit and nodded apologetically.
"No matter, I suppose, for NOW," Thranduil concluded firmly, all the while thoroughly enjoying the discomfort of the two. He turned around to the footman behind him, and asked that a tray be taken to the ladies. The footman nodded, and after he left to relay the message to the kitchens, Thranduil once again turned upon the wizard and prince. "Tell me what happened in the garden."
Legolas and Gandalf started and looked up in surprise. They looked around. As it was fairly late and they were in the informal dining hall with no other diners, they nodded, and broke into a discussion on the most unusual occurrence.
***
A knock sounded on the door, and Nerina said warily, "Who is it?"
"Uthaniel, my lady. I bear a tray sent by the king," called a strong male voice.
Both women jumped up and raced to the door. Nerina pulled it open, Tala grabbed the tray, and with a swift "Thanks" from both women, Uthaniel found the door shut and locked firmly in his face.
***
The next day, as Gandalf and Legolas sat studying old tomes in the vast palace library, a thought occurred to Legolas (a miracle, to be sure . . . . . . jk! jk!).
"Gandalf, have you heard from our charges at all today? I mean, at ALL? Messenger, gossip . . . . . . themselves?" Legolas asked slowly. "It is almost sunset, and I have heard nothing."
Gandalf thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I cannot say that I have."
"Is that a good thing . . . . . . or a very bad thing?" Legolas asked warily.
"Now that you mention it, it may be wise to check on them. They are in our charge, and I think your father likes them."
"I was afraid you would say that . . . . . . "
They quickly exited the library and headed for the guest wing. As they neared, Legolas commented, "I hear no one moving."
Gandalf began to worry, and even Legolas started to feel a bit worried. Since they had fought the day before, the males had avoided the rooms of the women as if they were in quarantine. They reached Nerina's door, and paused in opening it, as they had been threatened if they ever did again. Taking a deep breath, Gandalf pushed, but found it locked. Legolas swiftly strode to Tala's, but found it locked as well. Gritting his teeth in frustration and a little bit of fear, Gandalf performed the same cantrip on Nerina's lock that had caused it to open before. He then slowly pushed the door open, and both males stood shocked at the sight that greeted them.
Bolts of fabric were everywhere. No surface was uncovered. Actually, Nerina's room . . . . . . or what they thought was Nerina's room, looked like a rainbow had exploded. However, after getting over the color shock, they realized something else. There were no women present.
With a swift look at his friend, Legolas walked into the bathrooms. He found them empty, and also found Tala's room vacant. He returned, shaking his head at Gandalf's questioning look, and made for the door to the hall, intent upon tracking down the two. Then he froze, almost causing Gandalf to run into him, his ears detecting a faint sound. He turned back and faced the room, and crept towards the bed.
He reached the edge and saw one of the piles of fabric shift. He reached out and gingerly lifted up a yellow piece of material that looked something like a shirt. He found part of a face, and lifting some light blue material, revealed all of Tala's face. He turned and tossed a grin at Gandalf, who turned to examine the piles in search of Nerina. Legolas then said softly, "Wake up, Tala."
He chuckled lightly when his only response was a grumble that sounded something like "shgoawy." He then gently shook her shoulder, saying, "Wake up."
A hand came flying up, accompanied by a few garments, and he was hit along his jaw by the hand and felt the clothes hit him. He was knocked back in surprise, and ended up giving a surprised shout at the same time.
Nerina looked to her bed in surprise as Gandalf pulled her from the mound of fabric she had been under on the couch. She watched as Tala sat bolt upright, looking around wildly. Nerina smothered a giggle as she saw her friend's eyes widen as they fixed on the Prince, who was now rubbing his jaw, and immediately adopted a contrite look. Nerina did giggle when Tala automatically took his hand away from his face and turned his chin so she could see the now forming red spot. Both Gandalf and Nerina laughed outright at Legolas's surprised look, and the laughter awoke the two to what Tala was doing. She immediately let go and jumped off the bed . . . . . . away from Legolas. Nerina also realized the wizard had not yet let go of her hand, but decided not to protest. Instead she turned to him, ignoring the two by the bed. "What are you doing here? As I remember, you both were ever so slightly forbidden to return . . . . . . "
Gandalf looked quite guilty and disgruntled, and the feeling increased when Tala added, "And how did you get in the 'locked' room?"
"We . . . . . . ah . . . . . . were checking on you. We had not heard from you all day and-"
"Wait, wait . . . . . . back up. What do you mean, ALL DAY?" Tala asked.
"We mean that it is about an hour until the evening meal now, and we had heard nothing all day," Legolas answered for Gandalf slowly, making sure his jaw was okay.
"We slept a whole day?" Nerina inquired, aghast.
"Yes, indeed you did my dear," Gandalf said gently, patting her hand.
Both women groaned and as Tala began to move around picking up clothing, Nerina carefully disengaged her hand from Gandalf's to help, though she was saddened at the feeling of letting go.
Gandalf regretted that she let go, wishing it had lasted longer, but also bent to help straighten the room. Legolas followed suit, and as he picked up a red, lacy looking cloth, said, "What is all this?"
"A wardrobe," Tala said shortly as she snatched it from his hand.
"Wardrobe?!" both males said. Gandalf continued, "This . . . . . . all of THIS . . . . . . is a wardrobe? You made all of this clothing in a day?!"
Tala laughed as Nerina said with a grin, "It's not all clothes . . . . . . just most of it. Tala and I make a good team."
Both the wizard-who-has-learned-a-lot and the prince-who-has-seen-a-lot looked at their unusual guests with new respect.
They all continued straightening the room, and when Nerina decided her room was satisfactory (which is not easy to achieve), Tala carted her pile of clothes into her room via the bathrooms and the remaining three sat down, Legolas in a chair, Gandalf and Nerina on the couch . . . . . . just a little too close. Nerina picked up a glass of water that had somehow survived the fabric nuclear bomb and remembering, turned to Legolas and asked, "Are you still mad?"
He blinked, but shook his head. "No, it was actually slightly amusing but it will be a long time before I regain respect from the stable hands," he concluded with a wry smile.
Gandalf and Nerina laughed. After the laughter died down, Gandalf looked toward the door, "Where is Tala? I have some things I would like to discuss with you two." He turned his blue eyes to Nerina's.
Nerina froze, enchanted by his eyes, and decided she was perfectly happy in forgetting his question.
Legolas rolled his own blue eyes and coughed slightly. The two seemed to break from their trance, and Nerina thought quickly, finally saying smartly, "I have no idea."
At Legolas's smothered chuckle, she elaborated with, "She usually just dumps clothes wherever." Then with an angelic smile yet demonic gaze aimed at Legolas, she added, "Why don't you go check on her?"
Legolas gave her a sour look, but rose to do as she asked while Gandalf smothered a chuckle of his own.
As Legolas passed through the bathroom door, Nerina thought, 'Finally, Mr. Wizard is right where I want him'. With a smile that bordered on predatory, she returned her gaze to the present person that was her fascination.
***
Legolas walked quietly into Tala's room and smiled widely at the sight that greeted him. The mound of clothes was thrown haphazardly onto the couch, just as Nerina had predicted, but Tala was stretched out over her bed, seemingly asleep. He approached cautiously, his jaw (and pride) advising him. He reached the bed and stood looking down at the sleeping female for a few moments. Curled on her side, her hair fanned out behind her, and still clad in the robe, she looked innocent, and even . . . . . . gentle. 'Right', Legolas thought. Very carefully he reached out and touched her shoulder. Her green eyes opened but held their sleep clouded glaze for a moment. She seemed to realize who it was, and for the second time sat up quickly. Her eyes widened slightly as a thought occurred to her. "I didn't hit you again, did I?"
Legolas started, for he had been entranced by the sleepy look and wild hair. He recovered and shook his head. She sighed in relief and stood, walking to the bathroom. Legolas watched her go, again taken in by the sight of her hair. Very few elves had short hair, but hers was even longer than Nerina's. Reaching just an inch or two past her waist, it fell in a cascade of brown, red, and just a hint of gold. Just as he started to wonder at his own fascination, she returned, carrying what turned out to be a small towel thoroughly doused in cold water. She took his hand, put the towel in it, then had him hold it against his jaw. She moved away, tearing herself away from the surprised look in his eyes.
"Sorry about that . . . . . . it's a reflex," she said as she made her way toward the mound of new clothing. "Not like you didn't deserve it, but still." Not giving him a chance to respond, she kept on chattering. "Jeez, I can see it's going to be hard to get any good amount of sleep here. O well . . . . . . perhaps I could booby-trap a few things . . . . . . hmm . . . . . ."
She paused, and Legolas did not like the sound of "booby-trap", but just as he opened his mouth to comment, she switched subjects. "When is breakfast . . . . . . or dinner . . . . . . whatever, I'm starved."
Legolas looked out the window. "I believe it just started."
At her stricken look, he grinned, but said reassuringly, "Don't worry, we can send for food from the kitchens, as in the past two nights."
She visibly relaxed and brightened at that option, and gleefully skipped to her friend's door, yelling loud enough to make Legolas wince, "Hey, 'Rina! We get to order room service!" This was quickly followed by a smug and not in the least sorry, "Ho! So 'sorry'! Was I interrupting something?"
He reached the door just in time to see Gandalf . . . . . . Legolas blinked . . . . . . no, his eyes did not deceive him . . . . . . Gandalf was blushing! He quickly looked at Nerina, but she just looked at him innocently. Tala snorted and smirked beside him. The she continued with her original message.
"We get to eat! Prince Boy is going to get some great food from the kitchens for us!"
"Wonderful idea! I will help him!" Gandalf said, quickly standing and ushering the Prince out the door.
As is shut with a light bang, Tala looked at her friend with a raised eyebrow, and both women burst into laughter.
***
After a short while, the two had become thoroughly bored, and decided to play improv...
***
King Thranduil looked around the informal dining room as he entered, noticing that not only were the ladies missing, AGAIN, but so were his son and friend. He turned to the footman placing dished on the table and asked his favorite question, "Where are our guests? And for that matter, where is my son, and Gandalf?"
The footman grinned, "I believe they are all dining in the twin rooms. At least that is what the Prince and Wizard said when they collected a few trays from the kitchens. That, and they were keeping the ladies, 'who are very tired', company."
Thranduil simply laughed, thoroughly pleased with his new guests and the chaos they were bringing to Mirkwood.
***
"So, just what was going on in Nerina's room?" Legolas asked slyly as the two carried trays back to Nerina's room.
Gandalf stuttered for a moment, but concluded with, "None of your business, pup."
Legolas just laughed as they reached the door, but his knock was halted by the conversation his ears picked up from the other side. Nerina's voice carried only softly through the door, but his ears heard it. Pressing his ears to the door and motioning Gandalf to silence, he listened intently to the conversation on the other side of the door.
"You know, I really did like that guy in Scotland," her voice adopted a pout, "wish you hadn't killed him."
"Yeah, well, you killed my pet boy in Rome, so now we're even," Tala replied lazily.
Now, let's just say our dear Prince was in one hell of a case of shock.
"So, when do you think Mr. Wizard and Blonde Boy will be back with food?" Nerina asked.
Now this brought Legolas back to the present, and standing straight again, he knocked on the door. Ignoring the questioning look of Gandalf, he smiled brightly when the door opened.
"Hello again! Thanks for knocking," Nerina said with a warm smile as she opened the door. She ushered the two in, and then followed them over to the sitting area where Tala already reclined on the couch. Swatting at Tala's feet, Nerina said, "Move your feet off my couch you space hog."
Tala growled but did as ordered, reaching for the food the males set on the table. As she happily munched on a biscuit, Nerina continued, "Yes, but you had removed the one I had in Madrid."
Tala snorted, and swallowing said, "Well, he was a sleaze and you had gotten rid of his brother . . . . . . who was mine."
At this point, Legolas choked, and Gandalf let his fork stop halfway to his mouth. Nerina just stuck her tongue out at Tala, but then looked at the Prince and Wizard, both of whom had gone motionless and silent. She looked at them innocently, and said, "What?"
Legolas and Gandalf gulped. Tala laughed, "I do believe they are disturbed by our conversation."
Nerina looked at them thoughtfully, "I do believe you're right. Perhaps we should explain-"
"What is there to explain? You have apparently, ah . . . . . . um . . . . . . removed certain . . . . . . acquaintances . . . . . . andIthinkwewilljustbegoingnow," Gandalf concluded on a rush, and both males stood.
When this was met by nothing but great peals of laughter from the women, they concluded the women were terribly insane.
"No, no," Tala gasped, and wiping tears from her eyes, motioned to their vacated chairs, "sit down, we will explain." Nerina nodded still laughing.
The two resumed their seats, but still looked ready to bolt. With a last gasping laugh, Tala said, "It's just a game."
At their confused look, Nerina went off into another laughing fit, and Tala quickly tamped down her mirth and said, "It's a game we play when we are bored. WE think up an imaginary situation, and create a conversation around it. It's quite fun." Nerina nodded in agreement, still giggling.
"So . . . . . . it is just a game?" Legolas said slowly.
Both ladies nodded, smiling at the males, quite pleased with themselves. Gandalf glanced at Legolas and after sharing a look where they agreed the women were insane, they shrugged and continued to eat.
The women, terribly amused, also again began to eat. After they were done, everyone sat back. After staring at the ceiling for a minute, Tala yawned, and said, "I'm going to bed now" as she stretched.
"But . . . . . . you just woke up . . . . . . twice," Legolas said, with a look that obviously said she was crazy.
She glared at him, "So? I didn't 'sleep' a whole lot, and I'm tired, so I'm going to sleep."
Nerina poked her, "What? You usually get your second wind now! Come on, you know you want to do something."
Tala swatted her arm, "Not after staying up as much as we did. 'Sides, sleep now, make mayhem tomorrow." She stood and walked to her room, ignoring the exclamations of "Mayhem?!", and at the bathroom door, spun and called, "Goodnight" innocently and waved.
Nerina laughed, but then agreed with her idea. She got the two males out of her room, sent the trays with them (hehe) and dousing the candles, went to bed.