So far everything has worked out just as I have planned. I began this morning by inspecting the damage of the main gates, and then spent the first part of the afternoon making sketches of possible designs. I am congratulating myself on a job well done as I make my way up toward the third level of the city. I can only hope the next part of the day goes as well as the first has. When I arrive to my destination, I notice how different this place looks in the daylight. While the rest of the city is swarming with life, very little activity can be seen here, but the place I am looking for does have a customer or two entering through its swinging doors. I know I have arrived early in the day, but I do not wish to miss an opportunity to find out anything that might lead to my finding out who is behind the alleged threats to the queen. I am willing to stay here as long as it takes to get the information I am looking for.

As I expected, the inn is nearly empty. There is a spirited discussion taking place at one table about the traditional spring horse race that will take place soon here in the White City, but other than that it is mostly quiet. It takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light and when they do I make a cursory scan of the area. The singer from yesterday now sweeps up debris left over from last night's revelry, two die hard drinkers are ordering the first spirits of the afternoon and preparing to settle in for the day, a hooded figure slouches down in his chair in a back dark corner of the room. There is something familiar about the way he ducks his head as he pulls his hood further down. I cannot see the hidden face, but when the door behind me opens, it fills the corner with light for a moment and I catch a glimpse of slender hands and bright hair. I should have known! I have commented in the past that trouble follows my bratling elf, but that is not entirely true. It does not follow him; he seeks it out! I hear myself growl and then I make my way across the room as casually as possible and sit down across the table from my errant charge. As livid as I am, I know it will not do to draw too much attention to him, especially considering what I have heard last night.

I long to grasp his ear and drag him all the way back to the seventh level and our quarters, but I know I must not make a scene. Instead I fix him with a stern glare and keep my voice low so that it comes out almost as a hiss.

"Keep your hood up and follow me out of here."

"Gimli, I…"

"Save your breath! You will be needing it. " My voice sounds deadly to my own ears. His eyes dart about the room as if looking for a means of escape, so I grab his forearm tightly and lean forward to whisper almost directly in his ear.

"You have two choices. You can either, cooperate and follow me, or I can throw you over my shoulder and carry you out. Do not fool yourself into thinking I cannot do it, because I am more than happy to prove that I can. Now DECIDE!"

He flinches a bit and finally shows the first sign of sense I have seen since our reunion. Without further comment, he stands to follow me out into the sunshine. As soon as we are outside, he begins trying again to explain himself, but I am in no mood for excuses. He has managed to disregard everything I have said and thwarted my plans for the day in the process. All discussion can wait until we are back inside our chambers and I can guarantee he is not going to like the direction it is going to take. I do not say any of this right now however, but simply point in the direction I wish him to go indicating that he should precede me.

The walk back is long and silent. My elfling stays well in front of me except when we come across the King's Steward near the fifth level gates. Faramir and Legolas had managed to become fairly close when we were last in the city. They seem pleased to see each other, and stand chatting for a moment until I have managed to catch up to them. I nod my greeting to the Steward and grasp Legolas firmly by the shoulders in order to turn him back in the course of our path. Now is not the time for catching up with old friends. Legolas flushes and Faramir winces as if in sympathy as we continue our trek. We finally make it to the citadel and wind our way through the corridors until we have made it back to our quarters. The guard posted loyally outside our door stares in amazement when he catches sight of us.

"How did you…"

I raise my hand to stop his question. That answers one thing; he did not slip away from the guard, but somehow left the citadel by some other means, meaning one of the windows. It is the only other exit from our chambers. I go to each window, but see nothing and am wondering if he did actually manage to scale the sheer walls, when I notice him holding his cloak carefully closed in the front. I yank the cloak roughly aside and discover a coil of Hithlum rope, which I do not hesitate to confiscate. I find I am gritting my teeth in an effort to keep from exploding, but first I will hear what he has to say. I pull out a chair from the table and indicate that he should sit down.

"All right. Elfling. Think carefully about what you wish to say and then explain yourself."

A flash of anger shows in his face, "You have no reason to keep me guarded. I am sick and tired of being in prison!"

"In PRISON!" I shout, "You were not being kept in our chambers or even within the walls of the citadel. You have not been cloistered inside a classroom or kept busy with meaningless tasks. If fact you had the run of the entire city save for one blasted street! I have only asked you to follow two small edicts-stay with a guard and avoid one street of the third level of the city- that is all! And you have managed to disregard both of them within half a day!"

"I have no need for a human guard and why do you wish me to avoid that street? What are you hiding from me?"

"If you must know, I have discovered that that particular inn you were in is a meeting place for the rebels who are threatening the queen. They wish to drive her and any other elves from the city. I was trying to protect you as is my responsibility."

"I am no child who needs shielding, Dwarf! Do you truly think I cannot protect myself from a bunch of slow witted, humans? Am I so helpless to need to be guarded against a group of clumsy mortals?"

I hear myself gasp in shock as his true thoughts are revealed to me. The words are like a knife cutting me to the quick, and making me reel. I feel almost that I have been struck. This is a problem worse than getting tired of being too closely watched. I press down my fury and speak in a carefully controlled manner. The words come out quietly at first.

"You forge that it was a 'slow-witted' human whose table your feet were under last night." He winces at my words.

"You would also do well to remember that it was a 'clumsy mortal' who managed to selflessly pass through the terrors of Mordor, all the way to the fires of Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring."

To his credit he does look abashed at my reminders and begins to try to back peddle, "I am sorry Elvellon, I should not have…"

"No you should NOT!" I agree. "We have worked hard to repair the relations among the people's of Middle Earth, including the rift between the Elves of the Wood and the folks under the mountain, but you can undo all the good we have achieved with that sort of thinking! How do you expect those who follow you to change in their prejudiced views, if you do not bother to set the example?" I can see my words are having the desired affect for he hangs his head and refuses to look up until I lift his chin, forcing him to raise his eyes to mine.

"One more thing for you to remember, Child." I say, "There is at least one slow witted and clumsy mortal who cares for you very much and will not stand by and allow you to behave in such an unbecoming manner. You have given your word to me and to your father to heed me and since you have chosen not to do so, there is a price to pay. I believe we have been together long enough that you know what to expect. You may remove yourself to your bedchamber."

As he rises to follow my directions, I remember to add, "And stay AWAY from the damned window!"

XXXXX

When Gimli sent me to my chamber to await him I knew as he said just what to expect and knew also that I deserved his anger and was in need of his strong arm to at least chase the guilt of my disobedience out of me.

I had no intention at all of making matters worse yet that is what I managed to do.

For when Gimli came to administer my punishment what did I do but challenge him again by insisting I had been right to attempt to find out what was happening in the city because as an elf I had a better chance of finding things out than he would have since both my ears and eyes are superior to his own.

Ai but I wish my tongue were not so prone to running off without thought. For my 'cheek' as Gimli called it, led to him blistering my deserving backside for far longer and with far more 'gusto' than even I am accustomed to.

It is all I can do in the aftermath of that attention to crawl over to the window, not in further defiance of Gimli's demand that I 'stay away from the damned window' but in the vain hope that the early evening air might relieve some of the sting in my hindquarters. I have not bothered to replace my leggings, leaving my rump covered only by my silk shirt. I cannot bear to think of having to put anything on top of my blistered skin, yet I know that eventually I will need to do so for I will not be allowed to hide in my chamber all evening but will be expected to attend dinner with the king and queen.

I can only trust that Gimli will not tell them all of what has occurred this afternoon. He may choose to keep quiet, as he is anxious to find out for himself who is behind the threats to Arwen and thinks that the tavern he found me in may hold the key to doing so. He will not want the Citadel Guard swarming all over the place before he has had an opportunity to investigate further.

I am anxious to do the same thing as well but of course I will have to be very careful not to be caught a second time. I do not think my rear could stand a second dose of the dwarf's attentions at least not until it has had a chance to recover from this afternoons special treatment.

Gimli has a hard hand, a very hard hand and he did not spare me by one iota. After my disastrous attempt at 'cheek' he grabbed me by my arm, hauled me over to the bed, tipped me across his lap and with ruthless efficiency relieved me of my leggings and boots then proceeded to make me a very sore and sorry elf.

I stare out of the window, using the sleeve of my shirt to wipe my eyes and ponder on what brought me to that unhappy position.

All through the winter I longed for the arrival of spring and the opportunity to visit Gondor, to see my friends and to be free and unfettered by my over anxious father's presence. And now all I want is to have him here. I am sorely in need of his advice on how I should proceed with my friend now for I know I have erred and erred grievously.

Not in trying to find out who is threatening Arwen. I still feel I was correct in trying to do that, despite the dwarf's valiant efforts to bring me to my senses over that decision. I continue to believe that I am the best person in the White City to find and unmask these men. If they dislike the Eldar would not my presence out and about in the city be a lure to them. They would be unable to resist I suspect, and as a warrior I am more than capable of taking care of myself despite what Gimli Gloinson believes.

And despite the efforts of Gimli which my backside so much regrets I fully intend to continue my own investigations if I get the opportunity to do so. I can do no less for Lady Arwen after all her care for me when I was a child.

I know my father would think I should do all in my power to help protect the Queen and he might even offer me his support, although he would not like that I went against Gimli's direct orders to do what I did. Indeed now I think further on it, he would very likely show his disapproval in a similar fashion to Gimli.

Yet I do not care how many wallopings I have to endure I have made a vow to myself that I will continue to do my best to unmask the wicked men who have threatened Gondor's Queen.

Yet I would still wish Ada was here, for his advice would be welcome on how to proceed.

I have been accused of having inappropriate pride in my race, unwarranted arrogance in my abilities and a lack of respect for mortal kind and I do not know what to do about it.

I am ashamed of what I said to my friend earlier. I did not mean my words to be hurtful to him. But I cannot find the right words to explain to Gimli why I said what I did.

He is still too angry with me over my disobedience. Oh I have been called to book and rightly so. I knew when I made the decision to do my own investigating that I would be punished if I were to be caught. Of course I did not really think I would be caught out and I would not have been had I been a little more observant and not allowed my attention to be caught by the conversation the men were having about the race.

I should have been more careful, less assured of my ability to avoid detection.

Perchance that is the lesson Gimli was trying to impart earlier? I wish he had chosen a less painful method of imparting it. Perhaps my brain might not be so muddled if he had.

Of course it is equally true that I should not have needed to have the lesson imparted in any fashion painful or not. I know better than to flaunt the superiority abilities of my folk before others. I am not stupid; I know very well that in some things elves are more gifted than Illúvatar's other children. We have strengths and abilities mortal kind does not but I also acknowledge that men, dwarves and hobbits have their own strengths and that only when all the races work together can we really make a difference.

I am proud to call some men and dwarves my friends. I will even acknowledge albeit reluctantly that those who my father has chosen have a right to check my conduct should they think fit, for they have been given leave to do so by my parent and my king. But my love and admiration for them surely does not mean I have to be blind to the faults of others. Those who would seek to harm the Queen deserve no such respect from me.

I did not like the fact that Gimli made those accusations against me even though they were true. I do not do well with criticism.

So, I let my anger rule my actions and I am now suffering the consequences of that temper: a sore backside, a feeling of guilt and growing uneasiness that I may have done irreparable damage to my relationship with Gimli Gloinson.

This thought brings tears to my eyes and I want nothing more than to go and beg his pardon again and throw myself into his comforting arms but I do not do so for I am unsure how he will react. He has left me here to 'recover' he said and ordered that I should try and get some rest.

Perhaps, that is not such a bad idea. I feel physically and emotionally drained and I seem incapable of thinking straight. I ease myself down onto the bed and clutch one of the many pillows to me letting my heavy eyes close and my racing mind ease into reverie. Hopefully when I awaken I will see things more clearly … and my backside will not ache quite as much!

I am woken by a gentle shake on my arm and a familiar gruff voice telling me it is time to get up.

"Ye have just enough time to bathe and make yourself look respectable."

Looking at my disheveled state in a mirror I suspect that is going to be a hard thing to achieve. The skin on my thighs and buttocks is unnaturally tight and still sore. Sitting is going to be difficult, but Gimli presses some salve into my hands as I limp across to the bathing chamber.

"Here, lad, no need to suffer more than you have to, ye needn't worry that I will say anything to the King and Queen. What happens between us is our business alone."

I am happy enough to agree to that.

Still, his kindness in offering me the salve makes me all the guiltier for I have let him down and hurt him.

Dinner is uncomfortable for me. Even with a generous coating of the salve sitting still is difficult, but at least I am not the center of attention for Faramir and Eowyn have joined us and everyone is engaged in talking about the upcoming celebrations. All I have to do is nod and smile and agree to everything, and if Arwen and Aragorn send concerned glances my way more than once at least they do not ask why I look so relieved when we leave the table and move to the privacy of the Queen's drawing room to talk further.

As I stand by the open window watching the lights below in the city, I hear Faramir mention the spring horse race and my ears prick up. I am very keen to take part in the race but do not let that show on my face as I listen to the conversation between Aragorn and Faramir.

Aragorn is concerned over the possible dangers to the citizens if horses' race up through the rings of the city, but Faramir assures him that it is fairly safe. The route is marked out well in advance and any homes and businesses that are on the route have already boarded up their windows and businesses can apply for recompense for any losses they occur. " Although," Faramir chuckles. "Most of the families rent out their upper rooms with windows overlooking the street at exorbitant rents to those who want to watch the race close up so they don't actually lose much money."

As for everyone else well the taverns and markets like the race as it means more people in the city. 'It only lasts one afternoon' he tells Aragorn. "And it would be hard on the market traders and others if we were to cancel it at this late stage.'

"Indeed it would" Arwen adds, "And I for one wish to do nothing to upset my people. In fact if you think it a good idea, Faramir I believe it would be a good thing if I were to give a prize to the winner."

Aragorn is still not fully convinced but I can see he does not wish to disappoint his people by banning the race so he finally gives way although I think if it was not for the fact that the race is only a day away he might have insisted on its being cancelled.

"It is a good way to start the celebrations" Eowyn encourages, "An old custom revived under your governance will be popular with the people and if the queen is the one to present the prize to any man who wins, that will be very well-liked also and work against those few who have taken the queen in aversion."

Or any elf I add silently to myself, all the more determined to take part in the race. All I have to do now is find a way of entering for it without Gimli or anyone else knowing about it until it is too late. I would very much like to pit my skills against the men of the White City and I know that Arod would enjoy the challenge as much as I.

The conversation moves onto the problem with the small group of men who have made their dislike of the Queen known. Now that Faramir has returned to the city he intends to take charge of rooting out these dissenters and has already sent men out into the different levels of Minas Tirith to find out what they can. That is interesting; I will have to be doubly careful now, not only to avoid my dwarf but also Faramir's Ithilien rangers. As the conversation becomes more general I beg leave to retire to my chamber pleading tiredness.

Gimli accompanies me to the door and I expect him to remind me that I am to go straight to bed and stay there, but he surprises me again by merely wishing me a good night's rest and telling me we will talk in the morning.

I trail off to our shared chambers and for a moment or two I am tempted to indeed go to bed, but this may be the last chance I get to go into the city unaccompanied and I am determined to make the most of it.

The guard who was in place outside our chambers has gone off duty, obviously feeling that Gimli is more than capable of keeping me where I should be. Changing into dark clothing and picking up my Fellowship cloak I offer a quick apology to my absent friend for what I am about to do and leave the King's House going down through the tunnel to the sixth level then dropping over the wall onto a roof below. In a very short time I am back on the third level looking at the tavern where Gimli found me this afternoon.

I notice it is called the Black Swan Inn. My lips twitch wondering if originally it was called the White Swan but the lack of cleaning gave it a change in name.

There are more patrons present now, but the same group of men who were there earlier is still at their table, still talking about the horse race. I decide to take a chance and ask if I might join them as I am interested in hearing more about the race.

One of the men, who eventually gives his name as Hador, peers at me suspiciously then laughs as if there is something amusing and invites me to sit.

"We don't get many of your kind in here." He chuckles as he introduces his three companions, "Are you in the elf Queen's employ?"

I am not sure I like the way he says the words elf Queen but I answer readily enough that I am here for the celebrations only.

"But you know her?" he persists

"I have met her." I reply cautiously and turn the conversation to the race.

I am relieved when he allows this change easily enough for he was beginning to make me uncomfortable, and when he offers to buy me a drink I gladly accept.

I am unsure how many rounds we have partaken of, but I know that I have drunk far too much of the brew the men keep pressing on me. At the start I did not want to seem discourteous and indeed when they found that I was interested in entering the race, they or at least the man named Hador seemed very keen for me to do so, even going so far as to offer to put my name forward at the steward's office for me.

"What is your name master elf?" Hador inquires

"Greenleaf" I answer giving my name in the common tongue.

"Well Master Greenleaf you can rely on us to make sure you are entered for the race aye and we will see to it that you make quite a show on the day will we not lads?" he asks the other men.

They all nod and grin and again I feel slightly uneasy, but they seem decent enough although keen to spend my coin rather than their own as the evening goes on. In their company I hope that I may hear something about the group of men who are opposed to the Queen but although the room is busy I hear nothing of real interest.

I cannot say I like the men very well, and I certainly do not approve of the way they treat the women who ply their trade in the bar.

I know many consider me to be naïve but I do know what these women offer. Elves love but once and forever and have no need for such 'comforts'. But I am aware that other races see things differently. But whatever these women do I think it wrong to treat them as Hador and his friends do. What harm does simple courtesy do? When the woman called Maellenn comes across to our table I offer her my seat and buy her a drink even while I make it plain to her that her services are not required. Hador in stark contrast is both foul-mouthed and threatens violence if she does not take herself off at once.

"Can't you see we are entertaining an important visitor" he tells her "be off and ply your trade elsewhere."

The push he gives her with these words knocks her off balance and I barely manage to keep her from falling to the floor. When I help her up she whispers in my ear 'to take care' before giving Hador a mouthful of abuse for his pains as she leaves with a flounce I manage to slip a few coins into her hand, hoping they will be sufficient for her to go home rather than looking for further customers.

After this I decide it is time for me to make my own farewells, and were it not for the fact that I must meet up with these men again tomorrow to get my ticket of entry to the race I would do my best to avoid them in future. As it is I take a cordial leave of them, buying one final round before staggering out into the night, where the effect of the ale really strikes me hard.

I have made it as far as the fifth level when a figure detaches itself from the shadows and comes to stand before me. I peer up into the grinning face of Faramir.

"I might have known" he chuckles taking my arm and linking it with his as he guides my admittedly unsteady steps up towards the Citadel.

"What might you have known?" I demand

"One of my men said he thought he had seen you out in the city even though Lord Gimli and the king and queen believe you to be safely tucked up in bed. I thought I ought to find out if what he said was true." He waves a hand in front of him before adding "You have been drinking."

"Ale" I pronounce, "Not very good ale, I am sorry to say. It has made me feel quite queasy."

Faramir shakes his head, "well it is not my part to scold you for doing so, and for the sake of our friendship and your continuing survival I will do what I can to get you back to your quarters without anyone else being made aware of your absence."

I thank him gravely but my attempt at a bow is spoiled when I pitch forward into his arms. I find it very amusing; he does not seem to find it anywhere near as funny and neither will Gimli I suspect. Thinking of my hirsute guardian makes me feel sick in my stomach. In my present inebriated condition I cannot climb back into the Citadel or hope to avoid the guards even with Faramir's help.

Faramir sees how pale I have turned and he asks if I am going to be sick. I shake my head but mutter in explanation. "How am I going to get back inside without Gimli hearing of it? He is going to kill me."

"He is certainly not going to be happy with you" Faramir agrees "and it was as plain as a pikestaff at dinner that you were already in his black books. If he were he to find you had not only been out without permission but were drunk into the bargain, I doubt you would live to see the new dawn and that would set back elf and dwarf relations for another age at least."

He is grinning while I can no longer find anything to smile about.

Yet I follow him meekly enough when he leads me away from the main gate and up through a myriad of stairways until we enter his own quarters, for he is my only hope of salvation. Here he urges me to silence as Eowyn is sleeping next door then leaves me to sit while he fumbles for a moment or two with a wood panel and then I see a small door open.

"These old passages run through much of the Citadel." He tells me lighting a lamp, "I am sure I can get you back to your bedchamber without your being seen, but you will have to be very quiet."

I am very happy to be quiet, very quiet, if it means I will avoid a meeting with Gimli until I have slept off the alcohol so I step into the tunnel and follow the light as it bobs upwards.

"We are here I think" Faramir whispers putting his ear to the wood he listens "I can hear nothing, careful ..." he warns as I stumble slightly.

Then he opens the hidden doorway and steps into the room.