This chapter did not come out as if I would liked it to but I think it fits properly. I think my brain shut down on me.

What do you all think?

Chapter 5: The Advisor's Assignment

It was a bright and glorious day in Rivendell. Everyone was in high spirits. The hobbits decided to explore the wondrous sights. Gandalf was content in basking in the sunlight and puffing a pipe. Even Elrond excused himself from his work, spending the day by the river with the Elves of his house. Melodic laughter and joy could be heard everywhere. Except one place. In the library of Imladris were three warriors and an advisor seated at a round table. All wore grim expressions.

Legolas refused to look at anyone and seemed to develop an interest in the library's ceiling patterns. Boromir rested his chin on his enclosed hands. Gimli shifted his eyes between man and elf. Erestor closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Time to get this over with.

"As members of the Fellowship," Erestor began, "you need to learn how to work together to form a functional group. This does not mean you necessarily have to like each other but at least tolerate another's presence."

Erestor opened his eyes. All three warriors did not seem to heed his words as Legolas was still staring at the ceiling, Boromir seemed to be falling asleep, and Gimli continued shifting his eyes.

Erestor continued his little speech, "Let's begin by establishing common ground."

All eyes glared at Erestor. Still no one spoke. Erestor could not tell if this was a good sign or not.

Erestor turned to Boromir first, "Tell me, Boromir, what do you think that you, Legolas, and Gimli have in common?"

"The Fellowship."

"Besides that."

Boromir hesitated, "We all had weapons training."

"Good. That's a good one," Erestor encouraged. Maybe this will be easier than he thought. "All three of you can fight. All three of you are warriors. What else, Gimli?"

Gimli grunted, "We all hate each other."

Boromir and Legolas nodded hastily in agreement.

Erestor groaned, "That's not exactly the direction I was going. Do have anything to say Legolas?"

Legolas propped his hands against his head, "I think we all would want to forget this little 'seminar'"

"Let me re-phase my question. Do you have anything positive to say, Legolas?"

The wood Elf was still standoffish, "We are all taller than halflings," but Legolas continued in a mutter, "but some of us just barely."

A murderous look came into the Dwarf's eyes, "Would you mind repeating that last part a little louder? Or are you afraid of a certain Dwarf?"

"Not at all. However, if you keep making accusations like that, a certain Dwarf may get a certain beard stuck in a certain door."

Gimli growled, "That certain Dwarf will not be too happy about that prospect. That certain Dwarf may have to get revenge on that certain Elf."

Erestor slammed his fist on the table, "Both a certain Dwarf and a certain Elf will certainly be sorry if the do not listen to a certain advisor!"

Boromir still looked bored. "Are you suffering from the same speech impediment?" he asked the raven-haired one.

This time the murderous look came into Erestor's eyes. "This will not do! We have been here barely five minutes and they are already having this affect on me. I have to overcome this. I will prevail!"

"Okay, let's move on. We will now do word association," Erestor calmly ran a hand through his hair. "We will begin with you, Gimli. You say a word, then Boromir will say a word that he associates with your word. And then I say I word I associate with Boromir's word. And so on and so on."

Gimli tapped his fingers on the table. This drew an annoyed looked from Legolas. Gimli tapped faster.

"Pray you come up with something. Your tapping is grinding a hole through our minds," said Legolas.

"Or just yours?" inquired Gimli, looking smug.

"Enough," intervened the advisor. "Gimli, concentrate on a word."

Having a lack of imagination at the moment, Gimli came up with the first object he spotted, "Book."

Boromir thought of Faramir, "Brother."

"Family," said Erestor.

"Father," said Legolas.

"Prison," said Gimli.

Legolas's eyes widened as did Erestor's. Boromir looked a little apprehensive. The corner of his mouth began twitching, "That's how this bloody thing started in the first place." He thought more and decided, "No, why should I blame myself? It all started with that damn Elf."

Boromir still tried to think of a safe word, despite the growing anger, "Orc'

Erestor's eyes widened even more. How could he think of a word that was not bad so Legolas did not associate it with Gimli?

However, Erestor never got a chance as Legolas took his turn, "Dwarves."

A red-faced Gimli glared at Legolas, "Kingly."

Boromir hastily put in, "Gondor."

Erestor knew little of Gondor besides the correspondents he received from the country and the fact that it was rightfully Aragorn's kingdom, "Aragorn."

At that point, Erestor knew he would loose all control. Boromir was not pleased to hear that name and Legolas only knew Aragorn as Elrond's foster son, "Elf."

"Heinous!" Gimli spat.

"Awful!"

"Rotten!"

"Putrid!"

"Sniveling!"

"Midget!"

Erestor could not tell which insults came form which person but he did not care anymore. Man, Elf, and Dwarf were all standing, pointing, and making threatening gestures. He thought that disarming them form their weapons was a good idea, but he had forgotten that furniture made proper weaponry as a chair crashed down where Legolas was standing just a moment ago. Books were flying and the cursing continued. The elf could not stand it anymore.

"ENOUGH!"

All three warriors paused. Boromir was holding onto Gimli's beard. Gimli held a chair's arm leg inches away form Legolas's head. Legolas's foot was planted on Gimli's shoulder and he was also holding a map that encompassed Boromir's neck.

"You are acting like children! Each of you has a high name in your lands, why do you not act like it! When you are ready to grow up, you can leave this room! Do not look at me that way! I am serious! I will treat you like children until you show me you can act as dignified lords!"

Erestor stormed towards the library doors but paused before exiting, "I bid you good day."

Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli, still in the same positions before Erestor's rant, looked bewildered. Boromir cleared his throat, "He cannot be serious?"

The door's lock clicked in place.

…………………………………………………….

Arwen was making her way towards the library with a tray of food in tow. Maybe her idea of bringing Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli together against their wishes was a little cruel. However, they could not live their lives with the same prejudices day in and day out.

"I wonder if Erestor is making any progress?" She did not doubt the advisor's diplomatic techniques. If there was anyone who could make the peace it was Erestor.

She found Glorfindel standing outside the library, arms crossed and sword hanging at his side. She giggled at the sight, "Now Lord Glorfindel, I do not think that they need a guard for a little get together."

"Are you the same Arwen that set up this 'little get-together?' Not even all the warriors of Imladris could hold them down during their qualms," laughed Glorfindel as he peered down at the food tray, full of cakes, tarts, and other sweet delights. "So, what did the lady bring to this vigilant guard?"

Arwen lightly slapped Glorfindel's reaching hand, "It is not for you. It is for our warriors inside. My mother told me that food always brought men together."

"Last time I checked, there was only one man inside," Glorfindel said, reaching out again for a cake.

"Or in this case, I should say it brings all males together. And only take one!" Arwen chided Glorfindel as he was about to claim another cake besides the one stuffed inside his cheeks.

Arwen was about to turn the door's handles when shouting erupted. Soon, the racket grew louder, echoing the sounds of broken chairs and other projectiles being bounced off the walls.

Glorfindel withdrew his sword and put a hand on Arwen's shoulder to motion her to back away.

"I really do not think that sword is necessary, Glorfindel!" Arwen cried.

"Better to be prepared. Something dangerous could emerge," stated Glorfindel dramatically.

Arwen rolled her eyes. Glorfindel snickered.

Suddenly, the din stopped. Erestor was shouting. Footsteps came close to the doors. The footsteps stopped. I bid you good day. Erestor came out of the library looking violent. He closed the door and jammed the key into place, locking the entrance (and exit).

He turned to Glorfindel, "Make sure all the windows are locked and board them up."

"You're just going to leave them in there?" asked Glorfindel, shocked.

"Yes, I am." The look in Erestor's eyes would have a horde of Orcs shrieking girlishly in fright.

Arwen had seen that look before and was not afraid, "And what about meals and water? Surely they will be more agitated without those needs? I do not think this accomplish anything!"

Erestor was not swayed, "You and Lord Elrond asked us to fix this mess and I am doing what I think is best."

With that being said, Erestor grabbed a cake from Arwen's tray, mumbled a word of thanks, and headed towards his quarters.

Glorfindel shrugged. He was not worried about those who dwelled inside the library walls. He was more worried about his own stomach, "Since our warriors are occupied, could I have another cake?"

Arwen raised an eyebrow.

……………………………………………………

Reviews make me happy :)