Hey! Love you all for your reviews! *Big hug* :)
Now, I'm going to Durbuy (yep, the place exists) this week, so it will take a time for the next chapter, so this one I made EXTRA LONG. Hope you all like it!
Oh, and I though laughing at is mocking, and laughing with, means laughing together with one. Am I wrong?
anani: off course I will ;) i won't let readers down ;)
Arabel: I hope your heart won't break after this chapter ;) Thank you for your review! :)
D: Thank you! :)
Falca: hands up in the air for this extra long update ;) Yes, elvish is a bit rough, it usually isn't the most correct translation, but it was the best I could do ;) I think it's rather difficult actually, to describe Katniss thought. I read the books one time, and I saw the movie twice, but I don't know her that well as I do with Legolas and Aragorn. Well, I'm glad you liked it :)
LikeIdTellU: This is almost the most encouraging review I've had so far! Thank you! Em, I think I sent you a mail... Did it arrive? For sometimes, my pc goes weird ;)
TheButterflyCurse996: Haha, now now, don't be hasty, broorarum :P
thewayfaringstrangers: Yes, I try to make my stories the realistic possible (well, at least, my last two stories :P) I'm glad you liked it!
Enjoy and please review!
Peeta had to admit the Capitol was impressive… and that was exactly which made it that repulsive. Most of the visitors here saw marble and silver and gold, and all of the most precious bullions in the most splendid sculptures and architectural wonders. He however, saw the blood and sweat of the Districts, innocent lives spent to create a wealth they didn't share.
The boy glanced at the two strangers. Apparently, they weren't truly impressed either. They looked curious for the many new tools that stood in their penthouse, but they didn't really admire it. As he was watching, Las picked up the telecontrol and examined it carefully. Slowly, he pushed a button. Immediately the telly switched on. Las virtually jumped and let the controller slip out of his hands. Strider too, seemed startled.
"What kind of devilry is this?"
"That, my boy, is a telly." Effie looked very excited being back in the Capitol. She crossed the living room and opened two doors.
"Well, I fear that, since we have only twelve floors, we'll have to share our penthouse with Las and Strider. That means that Peeta and Katniss will take this room, and Las and Strider the left one."
Peeta blinked, and managed to hide his excitement. Perhaps now, Katniss would start talking to him. Immediately he began contemplating whether he should mention the burnt bread when they would be alone, but he decided against it. Probably she would have forgotten it anyway, and it wasn't gratefulness or shame that he wanted. And besides… it didn't look like she seemed so happy with the thought of sharing a room. Even now, she casted him an irritated gaze and fled into bathroom to examine it.
"Look, look! I'm Saruman the Great and I control the television!" Las was standing upon the couch and pointed at the telly with his controller in a very childish way. Next to him, Strider grinned, but caught himself as he saw the looks of Effie, Haymitch and Peeta and grabbed the telecontrol out of Las' hands.
"Don't be so silly, Las. At least try to act mature." Still with a broad grin upon his face, Legolas let himself fall upon the cushions and leaned back.
"I have to admit, this penthouse is very comfortable! At least more comfortable than the prison in a certain district." He glanced at Peeta, but his eyes were playful. The boy couldn't psych the stranger out. He could be very serious one moment, and the next moment he could be more childish then most children in Dictrict Twelve. At that moment, Effie clapped her hands.
"We'll have plenty of time later to enjoy the riches of the Capitol. Now we have to hurry! I wasn't really allowed to let you into the penthouse already, normally the Tributes enter it after the Welcome Ceremony, but I had to see your faces!" She giggled girlishly. "Now, I imagine Cinna will be excited to take you under his hands, so we better don't let him wait! Besides, he'll have to do double work now, since we have Las too."
She hurried out of the door.
Did Effie really say that Cinna would have a lot of work with him? Legolas thought, while he was staring at the ceiling. Then she has another definition of having a lot of work than he had. In the hours he was lying here, only one ridiculously dressed woman had come, given him a bath tube and had left him with the instruction not to forget to wash his ears and to comb his hair. He had obeyed her, glad that there was at least one human who cared about cleanliness (he should remember that to use in any future discussion with Aragorn), and then he had resumed his position upon the table. Waiting.
And now he was lying here, trying to pick up any sound that could tell him what was going on. He still hadn't processed the fact that soon, he had to fight children. O, he wished he could say that he wouldn't kill them, that he would just make them harmless so that they could leave the Arena – but in truth, he didn't know. He had seen enough battle to understand that sometimes, his instincts just took over. He hoped none of the children would be so foolish to attack him. In the hall, the sound of soft footsteps approached. A woman with her face painted in blue, and fishes in her hair, shove the curtain aside.
"Las Greenleaf?" Legolas nodded.
"Come with me."
"Okay," the elf murmured. He had understood already that it wasn't any use asking questions. They weren't answered anyway. Quickly, he slipped from the table, and followed the woman, only clad in leggings. They walked through some corridors, then the woman pointed him a door.
"Wait there." And she was gone again.
"No, you won't have to wait long. Are you hungry? Would you care for a drink? O, you are truly too friendly, my lady," Legolas murmured while he entered the room. Fortunately, the woman was long gone already. Sighing, the elf lay down upon the table and started staring again at the completely unimaginative ceiling. This time however, he wasn't forced to wait for a long time, for about half an hour later, a man entered. He distantly resembled one of Haradrim clans who hadn't fought in the War of the Ring, for his skin too was black.
"Good afternoon. You are Las Greenleaf, if I'm not mistaken?"
"Indeed. Do I have to move again?" The man laughed friendly.
"No, you're safe for the moment. How are you?"
"Fine. Might I inquire where Strider is?"
"Your mentor? He's in the refreshment room, a floor above us. Is he your friend?"
"Yes. I see him as my brother." Legolas was careful not to give too much information away, but he couldn't also just not answering, for that would raise questions – as if people weren't wondering about them already. A shadow slid over the man's face, but then he smiled.
"Well, if your mentors likes you, it's always easier to learn thing from him, isn't it? I'm Cinna by the way."
"Oh. You're the one who have to take me under your hands." Cinna laughed again. Las began to like him. Other than most people in the Capitol, he laughed with you, not at you.
"Effie said that? Well, I fear I don't have much work here. You are a quite handsome lad. Now, I just have the problem thinking of a theme for you, and therefore I need your help. Can you tell me where you come from?" Legolas hesitated for a moment. It was true that Cinna seemed trustworthy, but he hadn't done anything yet to prove it. He decided to give something away, but vaguely.
"I cannot tell you, for you would not believe me. But I'm not from any of the Districts."
"Yes, I had heard something like that. Perhaps you could describe your home to me?"
"Why?"
"Because I need a theme for your outfit this night. Did no one tell you about the Welcome Ceremony?"
"Nope." What a surprise.
"This night, we are going to show you to the world. You need to make a good impression, for that will attract sponsors. Sponsors will give your mentor money, so that he can buy stuff for you in the Arena, stuff that you will need badly, such as matches, or medicines. Do you understand?"
"So when I'm hurt, Strider will send me bandages. Is that what you mean?"
"Indeed. Now, the more you make an impression upon the public, the more sponsors will aid you. That's why I need to make you an impressive outfit. And therefore I need a theme. Usually, that is based upon the District. You however, have no District, so if you can describe your home to me, I can process it into your clothing."
"So you are here to help me make an impression? And therefore I need to describe my home?"
"Correct." Legolas thought it over for a minute. If he didn't use names, describing Mirkwood wouldn't do much harm.
"Fine. My home lies deep in the forest, caressed by a great river. For foreigners, the wood seems dark and mysterious, but there is much beauty also. There are deep pools, in which the stars play at night, and in some meadows, dozens of flowers are growing. The Great River is mostly deep and broad, but at places, she turns into little cascades, or a quick, icy river. And when it snows, we hang candles in the trees and the houses, and we sing, so that the heart of the forest is filled with light and song. The snow too, seems to be on fire then, sparkling as bright as the winter star. It is my favourite period of the year." His voice was filled with love and pride as he spoke, and Cinna smiled warmly.
"I think I can do something with that. Thank you, Las, for sharing this." Legolas nodded, and returned the smile.
"Care to tell your ideas?"
"You will see. But I promise you, you will like it."
"Then I trust you." A gaze of mutual understanding passed between them.
"So, then I think I should go to prepare your outfit. Effie and Strider will arrive here in half an hour, then they'll take you to the refreshment room too, where you can wait until tonight. I'll meet you again before the Ceremony."
"Okay." When the man rose, Legolas grabbed his hand.
"Cinna… Thank you." The man squeezed his hand gently.
"You're welcome." Cinna left, and as he said, about twenty minutes later, there was a knock upon the door. Without waiting for an answer, Effie entered, followed by Strider. The woman quickly examined him, then she clapped her hands delighted
"Well, I must say they did a good job! I feared they wouldn't be ready on time! Come, come, we have still a lot of work to do!" Not a minute after she had entered, she had left the room already. Hastily, Strider helped Legolas of the table and together they pursued the over-energetic lady.
"Has she been like this all day?" Strider rolled his eyes.
"You cannot imagine. I do not think we have ever stood still for five consequent minutes. It's worse then any of Thranduils feasts! At least there I could still drink something between the introductions, or enjoy the music during one of the boring conversations, but now! I think Effie has dragged me through the complete Capitol! I've seen more people here than advisors and ambassadors in a month in Minas Tirith! Legolas grinned.
"I'll consider myself lucky then. I've had a really relaxed afternoon actually."
"Don't mock with me!"
"I am not laughing at you. I'm just stating a fact." Aragorn grumbled, but didn't comment it. Instead, he spared his breath to keep up with Effie.
"Where are we going actually?"
"To the beauticians, apparently. They'll have to make you look pretty for the Welcome Ceremony, whatever that may be."
"They show the Tributes to the world then, and we have to attract sponsors. Well, actually, that's your task. You have to make sure people give you money so that you can send me things I need in the Arena."
"Where did you learn that?"
"From Cinna. He seems a good man. I think we can trust him." Strider turned his face to him.
"Please don't tell me you have told him where we come from?"
"I didn't use names."
"Le… Las! We do not know this people! You cannot just tell them who you are!" Aragorn hissed.
"In case you didn't notice, I did not mention any name! Cinna needed a theme for my outfit tonight, so I just described my home. I did not use the words palace, Mirkwood, king or elves, alright."
"You shouldn't either. We do not know this people."
"You said that already."
"Boys! Please pay attention! We are here. Las, go and sit over there, with Peeta and Katniss. Strider, we'll go to the stadium with Haymitch." Without any of them noticing, they had entered a great room filled with mirrors, cabinets loaded with all kinds of glass and powder, and people. Aragorn groaned inwardly.
"Can I not stay here for a moment? I haven't seen Las for a day." Effie looked surprised with the request, but after a moment of hesitation she nodded.
"Fine. We have reserved seats anyway. But when Las is ready, we go, alright?"
"Alright," the man answered relieved. Next to him, Las grinned, but he couldn't enjoy the moment long, for a beautician came to him and guided him with some force to a chair before a mirror, next to Peeta. The two boys greeted each other hastily, then another woman ordered them to be silent and began spreading some powder upon Las' face. Strider examined the scene for some minutes, but since nothing really happened except from powdering and combing, he took a place next to Haymitch.
"You shouldn't get to befriended with the boy." Questioningly, Strider turned his head to the man. For a change, he wasn't look drunk. In fact, apart from his greasy hair, he looked quite neat.
"Excuse me?"
"He'll die anyway. Believe me, I know."
"Las is strong. I have confidence in him." The man snorted, but didn't answer, leaving Aragorn to wonder about his comment. For the first time, he began to grasp a fragment of the drunk man. If he had understood it correctly, Haymitch was the only one from District Twelve who had survived the Games, leaving him as the only mentor. That means that each year, he saw two of the children who had come under his care, die. Off course that would do something with a man.
Aragorn sighed, and looked at Las, who was currently vehemently discussing with a woman who had scissors in her hands and apparently tried to cut Legolas' hair.
"You will not die here, Legolas. I swear by all my ancestors and by my love for Arwen Evenstar," he whispered softly. His friend didn't hear him. He had managed to dissuade the woman, and was leaning back satisfied, as another man came to him and started pulling his hair rather violently in a long braid upon his back. Legolas's face contorted a bit, but he accepted it, mostly of fear for the lady with the scissors. He sighed with relief when he saw Cinna coming.
"A moment, Las. I'm first taking Katniss and Peeta under my hands," the man shouted above the rumour, winked and guided the two tributes to a separate dressing-room. About a quarter later, they emerged again. Legolas eyes widened. They both looked stunning in their coal black clothes. Katniss hair was ingeniously put up, and their make-up was wonderful. There was no way to describe them, except by saying that they looked truly impressing. As he was admiring them, Cinna came to him.
"Your turn. No, wait, they forgot to do your eye. Valéry, didn't you listen to what I said?" A woman with deep blue hair and silver clothes hurried to them."
"I'm sorry Cinna, I forgot." Handily, she opened a flacon and smeared some black dust upon his face, perpendicular upon his right eye. It looked like a scar. Legolas opened his mouth to protest, but Cinna hushed him.
"Just trust me, all right? Now, come with me." They hurried to the same dress-room Katniss and Peeta had been in. Strider watched them disappear. About ten minutes later, they emerged again.
Aragorns mouth fell open. His friend was dressed in brown and dark green garment, draped around him in an elegant, yet manly way. His legs were covered with long, dark boots, and his braid fell nonchalantly upon his back in. The scar upon his fair face gave him a very dangerous and mysterious air. He was an elven prince, a creature of magic and the dark forests. A stranger had showed who his friend truly was, in a way Aragorn could never match.
Then, Legolas saw him and smiled, and the spell was broken.
"Strider! What do you think?" Aragorn couldn't bring anything out for a moment, the he managed to utter one word.
"Magnificent."
"Attention. Attention. All tributes are requested to go to their chariots." A metallic voice resounded in the room. Effie gave a little cry.
"Oh! We're far too late! Come Strider, we'll have to hurry." The man was dragged away before he could say something, but he managed to see the laugh upon Legolas' face, and shot him a glare, before they left the room.
Legolas watched them disappear, then he searched for Cinna and joined him. The man was busy explaining something to Katniss and Peeta.
"…It will not hurt."
"Seems pretty real to me," Peeta objected, but Cinna just smiled.
"That is the intention. Come, climb upon your chariots. The Ceremony will start in mere seconds. Las, you too, take your place."
Obediently, the three of them climbed the small steps. The first wagons where already moving. Just before Chariot Twelve left, Cinna took a lucifer and held it near their clothes. Legolas managed to stifle a little a cry: the dark leather started to burn, but, though Katniss and Peeta had an uncomfortable expression upon their faces, they didn't seem to feel any pain.
Then, Legolas chariot too started to move, and all of a sudden, he found himself in the middle of an overcrowded and many-coloured stage. Cheers went up, and the strange mirrors aside of the road reflected alternately his face and that of Katniss and Peeta, even though they weren't pointed at him. One of the many strange devices of the Capitol. He looked very grim and dangerous.
Before him, Katniss and Peeta grabbed each other's hand and lifted them high in the air, joined. A wave of cheers and applause arose. Overwhelmed with the place, Legolas just looked at the enthusiastic faces, not being able to respond the many shouts, or to take any of the roses thrown at him. Then, all of a sudden, he caught the shock of the halting chariot and stood before a high stage, whereupon an elderly man with white hairs and a white beard stood, motioning solemnly for silence. Slowly, the crowd obeyed.
"Welcome… Welcome. Tributes… we welcome you." His voice was loud and low, and filled with power.
"We salute your courage, and your sacrifice. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour!" More he didn't say, but the impression he left, was great. A ceremonial hush had come over the arena, that lasted as the chariots started to move again. Just before the elderly man had disappeared out of his sight, the man caught Legolas' gaze and the elf shuddered. There was no warmth or love in his eyes, only cold calculation.
And Legolas felt the same cold he had felt when he had seen Saruman upon his tower of Orthanc.
I based my description of Legolas upon his personage in the musical of Lord of the Rings, played by Michael Rouse. You really should try to find a picture of him, he's a dream ;)
xXx Archiril