Chapter Two

Silence invaded the Great Hall. No one spoke, no one breathed, a couple of Elves froze with their fingers in the ears they'd been scratching. It was as if someone had hit the pause button on a remote, if such a thing were possible.

Legolas looked down at Gimli, realizing that he did resemble the descriptions of leprechauns. He laughed. "He's not a – "

He was cut off, however, as Thranduil jabbed a finger at Gimli and shouted, "Catch it! Catch it now!"

Within seconds, every Elf but Legolas began to run at the Dwarf. Gimli held his axe out and gave a Dwarven war cry, but it had no effect on the creatures, so he turned and did the one thing he could think of.

He ran as if Morgoth himself was chasing him.

The Elves stampeded out of the cave and through the trees, Thranduil pushing through them, yelling, "I'm the King! I get to catch it!" Legolas, on the other hand, was running after them, shouting for them to leave Gimli alone. No one paid any attention.

Gimli began to tire, and was running out of breath. Slowly, he lost speed and was reduced to a slow jog. Thranduil pushed himself to the front of the mob and leapt into the air, hurling himself at Gimli.

"No!" Gimli screamed, desperately trying to get away.

Thranduil steadily inched closer…closer…

THUD!

Elvenking landed on Dwarf.

"Ha! I got you! Now give me your gold!" Thranduil cried, sitting on Gimli's back, pinning him to the ground.

"But I don't have any gold! I'm not a leprechaun!" Gimli protested, trying to wrestle his way out of Thranduil's hold. Strength must run through the family, he mused dimly.

"Don't try to fool me, mischievous creature! 'Twill never work, for I am the King!" Thranduil cried pompously. "I demand you give me your gold!"

"But I don't have any!" Gimli moaned.

Just then, Legolas landed on Thranduil from the side, knocking him off of Gimli.

"Run, Gimli!" he cried, sitting on Thranduil. "Hide!"

Gimli didn't hesitate. He got up and started at a run back to the caves. In all the confusion, no one noticed.

He breathed hard, puffing as he bounded through the forest. He wouldn't have time to escape it entirely, but perhaps he could hide somewhere inside the palace. If he could last the day, he'd be safe.

Or at least, he hoped he would.


Galadriel snuck out of her room after the halls had gone quiet. She peeked around the hallway before she walked out, checking to make sure the coast was clear. When she was certain it was safe, she started down the hall.

Just then, a dark shape hurtled down the corridor and nearly ran into her. She quickly reached out and grabbed the figure, who promptly gave an earsplitting scream.

"Shh!" she hissed. "It's me! Galadriel!"

"G-Galadriel?" asked the someone. Galadriel pulled them into the light of a wall sconce.

"Gimli?" she said in surprise, partly because he was there, and partly because he looked terrified, but mostly because of the petrified, high-pitched scream he'd emitted a few moments before.

"They're coming to get me!" gasped Gimli breathlessly.

"Who?" asked Galadriel. Then she realized she shouldn't have. "Thranduil's people?"

Gimli nodded in silent horror.

Galadriel pulled her cloak open in the front. "Hide under here," she said.

Gimli got in front of her and faced forward, and Galadriel covered him with the cloak, holding it closed in front of her. However, it made her look as if she had a very large belly, which was a strange sight, indeed.

"Why are they chasing you?" she asked without moving her lips, demonstrating her skill in ventriloquism, which she'd studied the year before.

"They think I'm a leprechaun," said the Dwarf. He was trying to stay in step with her as they moved down the hall.

"What's a leprechaun?"

"I don't know, but whatever it is, it's supposed to give you gold if you catch it."

"Oh, now I remember! I heard about those."

Suddenly, someone grabbed Galadriel's shoulder from behind, making her scream the same way Gimli had.

"Galadriel, dear, you really do need to get a grip," said her husband. "You are much, much too paranoid."

Galadriel turned slightly toward him. "You startled me, that's all."

"I'm sorry, darling." Celeborn noticed the way she was standing, and the bulge beneath her cloak. "What's wrong with you?"

"What do you mean?" asked the Elf-woman, giving him her most innocent look.

"Are you…pregnant?" he asked, frightened.

"Uh, nooo…" she said, trying to avoid answering.

"Oh, you can't be," he said. "Don't you remember what happened when you were going to have Celebrían? I nearly had a nervous breakdown! Please say – "

"I'm not!" insisted Galadriel. She pulled the cloak open long enough to show him Gimli, who gave him a small smile and a wave.

"What's he doing here?" demanded Celeborn, suddenly indignant.

"He's hiding from Thranduil's tribe of savages," said Galadriel. "They think he's a leprechaun."

Celeborn didn't reply. He just gave a humph.

Galadriel sighed. "Are you still bitter about the hair thing?"

Celeborn humphed again.

"Fine. Once I get a pair of scissors, I'll give you five hairs. Satisfied?"

"Very," grinned Celeborn.

"Hey, how come I only got three and he gets five?" asked Gimli, poking his head out of Galadriel's cloak.

"He's my husband," Galadriel said, pushing his braided, russet head back in. "He's special."

Gimli humphed that time.

Then, the sound of feet pattering across the stone hallways echoed through the corridor.

The three froze in terror of what may happen next.


Reviewer Responses:

Super Shayde: That's the first time I've gotten a review like that from you... Thanks!

Here comes the hockey puck: Aw, thanks! I'm glad you like it, especially since you live there. It's going to get worse... One question: Do you know if they really pinch you if you don't wear green?

xodevilxo: See? Continued! Glad you like it.

Kalayna: No, don't die! I'm happy you like them.

Aisha: There you go, more! And I'm glad you like it!

Erestor: Words like that from an Irish girl herself is the best approval. Thank you! I'm so glad you like it. I found that amusing about Greenwood myself, considering green equals Ireland equals St. Patrick's Day, so... I'm delighted that you liked the ending.

Jinxeh: I think so too, at times. Saw that movie (t.v. version) and I was really surprised. Never thought they could be so evil. Thank you!

Nawyn: The poor clueless Lothlorien Elves. Didn't know what they were in for... Thanks!

123456789: Well, it's your opinion. I suppose everyone has a different sense of humor. Thank you for your thoughts, in any case.

ak-stinger: Sure! I mean, why wouldn't they love something that gave them gold? And Gimli with flowers in his hair - I actually imagined that. Thank you!

Piratica: Ah, yes. So much insanity. Continued!

swee-haret179: Glad you like it!

Eowyn White Lady of Rohan: Thanks!

Malara: I loved your review! Nope, not a one-shot. I'm so happy you like it. Thanks!

A/N: Thank you for your kind words, everyone. They're greatly appreciated. If you review, please don't curse.