Taurol gave out a mighty roar as he pounced upon Legolas, but Legolas was quick and dodged him easily. Taurol grew angrier still and turned to Legolas once more and managed to punch him a few times in the rib cage. Legolas nearly passed out from the pain. How could anyone be so strong?
Taurol then proceeded to grab Legolas and punch him in the face, drawing blood from his mouth. He turned to see the smiling and laughing face of Silivren and the concerned looks on his friends' faces. He could do this. Hell. He WOULD do this. He had to.
Legolas got up quickly and proceeded to punch Taurol a few times as well, and then kicked him in the face. Yet, Taurol mustered up his strength and attacked Legolas with all his might. The beating was ruthless. Yet, Legolas managed to get in some very good punches as well and actually knocked out a tooth out of Taurol's mouth.
"10........9.......8........," the crowd began to chant as Legolas lay on the floor, breathing raggedly. Suddenly he turned his head in the direction of Delsima who winked at him and said "hello," pieces of some food flying out of her mouth and onto the person in front of her. She wriggled three chubby fingers at him and so with that, Legolas decided that it was best to get up and try his luck with Taurol.
As Legolas got up, the crowd reached a sudden fervor. He saw Silivren's face change to disappointment. "Come on Taurol!" she cried.
Smiling, he advanced upon his enemy who was ignoring the situation and was beating his chest and roaring. Legolas tapped him on his shoulder and when Taurol turned around, Legolas proceeded to smash his fist into the brute's face. Taurol fell, but looking sideways towards Delsima who had started shoving yet another piece of food into her mouth, he quickly regained himself and was on his feet.
Both were not eager to taste the food that was in Delsima's mouth. They had nothing against her, but either one would be ruined if they had put their lips onto hers. She was in a word, repulsive, and not very nice. She often made racist comments about half-elvens and taunted those who had to walk to school or those who were without a horse. She was the daughter of a very prominent noble family in Rivendell, but she was pursuing her studies in trade and law in Mirkwood.
Taurol lunged again towards Legolas, but Legolas was too angry at the moment. He had been beaten and humiliated and now he wanted revenge. The crowd started to turn quiet as they fought. Legolas had a particularly deadly look in his eyes that even intimidated Taurol, but not enough to make him lose. As Taurol lunged, Legolas gave him the hardest punch he had ever given someone in his entire life. Taurol fell and groaned. He had broken his jaw. Legolas then proceeded to kick him in the leg until he heard a snap and Taurol cried out in pain.
The crowd started to count, "10....9.....8....." with Silivren screaming "Get up Taurol!" and soon ended at "0" when Taurol, try as he might, just could not get up.
'Shit,' she thought. 'This wasn't supposed to happen! He wasn't supposed to win! Why do my evil plans always backfire!?'
Legolas wiped some blood from his mouth. He was covered in sweat, and his hair had become undone and sprawled across his bare back. He had a bruise right below his eye. Still, he made the ladies swoon. He was still the most beautiful elf in the room.
He cast his eyes into the crowd and they settled on a very small and scared looking Silivren. He had a fierce look in his eyes and he smiled a cruel smile. She did not want to do this. This was truly embarrassing. Oh! The shame she would face! Everyone would now call her a whore. She just knew it.
The crowd grew quiet suddenly. Legolas motioned to her with one finger to come to him. It would have been a very seductive gesture if she wasn't so scared. She looked around and everyone was staring at her or staring at him. She slowly got into the ring and stood a good length away from him. Wiping his mouth with his forearm, he walked towards her, circling her at first.
As he did so, their eyes met and her defeated and pouty look only made him smile more. He then moved behind her. She could feel his breath on her exposed neck. 'Ewww! He's all sweaty!' she thought.
Suddenly, he grabbed her from behind and spun her around to face him. His steel gaze trapped hers and she let out a soft gasp. She looked down at the ground, avoiding his glare, but she felt his hands clasp her face and push it up so that she was looking straight at him. He then pulled her in slowly.
His lips were only a few centimeters away from hers and his nose grazed hers ever so slightly. The crowd was quiet in anticipation. She could feel his breath against her lips and she could smell the sweat and blood on him. Her eyes slid open, only to get caught once more in his gaze. Her lips twitched slightly. What was he doing? Why wasn't he kissing her? She was right there! He won!
Finally he said, "As a child, I was warned never to put dirty things in my mouth," and then pushed her away harshly. Her look was of utter confusion. He glared at her as he walked out of the ring and over to his friends and the rest of the crowd who congratulated him and cheered.
Soon there were only three people left in the gymnasium. Silivren was still standing, confused. And Delsima who had Taurol pinned down and was kissing him with all her might while he struggled to get free.
Asret was accompanied by Gauriy, a swindler of all trades and a very dear friend, to the town center and they set up a booth that would give them the opportunity to speak with people who were interested in his daughter.
"We must find a rich family for my daughter and make it seem like I am rich as well and will pay a hefty dowry,"he said slyly. "Here is our first fool now."
Sarad Browntwig (sorry couldn't think of anything else) came walking with an entourage behind him. The seat in front of Asret was dusted off and Sarad sat down.
"How much dowry are you willing to give me?" he asked.
"This much," and Asret shoved a long scroll into Sarad's hands.
"And how much are the presents that I have to give you worth?" Sarad asked. Asret shoved an even longer scroll into Sarad's hands. Sarad went pale as his eyes looked over the scroll. "Perhaps you could reduce your demands? I am not that wealthy."
"Then be gone from my sight!" cried Asret and grabbed both scrolls out of Sarad's hands. Sarad looked at him in shock.
"Keep in mind that you are merely an owner of a small shop," Sarad said through gritted teeth. "Looking at your demand, you act like you're trying to get a king's son!"
"And I will, "grinned Asret, "Just you wait!"
After a few more offers that were rejected, the two decided to go for a walk and came upon a magnificent looking building. While they were walking, a golden carriage pulled up to it and a great man stepped out. This was King Thranduil and he was being accompanied by his royal advisors. Asret and Gauriy followed close, listening to their conversation.
"My son truly needs to marry soon," the king said, "But he is not interested in any of the young maidens that we bring him. He does not even talk to them! Oh, Sairil...what if he's....he's...."
"He's not, your highness," said Sairil, "I know Legolas quite well and although he IS interested in the opposite sex, he just does not wish to marry so soon."
"Well he needs to!" cried the King. Asret and Gauriy let them move on.
"Asret, my old friend," said Gauriy, "Forget about this! This is the King of Mirkwood!"
"Precisely, and why not marry my daughter to a prince?" Asret smiled wickedly. "Why not become royalty!?"
"Because you are not even a noble!" Gauriy cried, "There is no blue in your blood, my friend. You cannot do this. It will only end badly."
"Oh what do you know!" cried Asret, shrugging him off, "I now know what I must do to become rich and working my arse off at my little shop is not going to do it! My daughter will become royalty and so will I!"
"But how?" asked Gauriy.
"Well, he is always at the river bank with his ministers and guards and servants, so I will bring even more ministers, guards, and servants!" Asret said. Gauriy merely shook his head in dismay.
And so Asret implemented his new plan and set off to the river bank with the hired actors that were to play his ministers, guards, and servants. He walked to the river bank with an enormous amount of them, each playing their part and making him seem important.
The King sat by and watched.
"He must be a very important figure," he said to his ministers who nodded in agreement. Just for this line, Asret had paid the actors half of his life savings, but he did not mind for 'the reward will be much greater in the end.'
A/N: aww....not many reviews....oh well. Hope the ones reading this enjoy it! :-)