Part 1: Tigwit's Got Talent

Chapter 3

"Now boys," said Feren, raising his voice as the elves came closer. "You can't all be here to beg me for a spot in the show. Just because I let Lindir and Haldir in does not mean that any of you are good enough."

"You let Lindir in?" asked Haldir, in some horror.

"Shut up," whispered Feren.

"But Feren," began Elrohir. "Look here, just give me a chance."

"Me too!" cried Gildor, chiming in. "Host some auditions here, Feren."

"I'm so much better than Lindir," said Galdor. "He plays everything in minor!"

"Quiet down," said Feren. "Quiet down. You all don't realize what this is. I can't risk my money on a bunch of elves who might not even be hits. I can't afford it. Haldir and Lindir were the best in the Mirkwood."

"Really?" asked Haldir, reverently, on the verge of tears.

"And," went on Feren, ignoring him, "I'm sure they'll rake in money."

"I have an idea," said Galdor. "A wonderful idea. I'll pay for a spot in your show, and then I'll prove that I'm just as good as Haldir and Lindir."

"Me too!" cried another voice.

"Me too!" said others.

"What about it?" asked Gildor. "Feren, you can't turn that down."

"Well," said Feren, slowly. "This is my career we're talking about. I can't –"

"Feren!" They cried.

"All right, all right," said Feren. "Since I do have faith in all of you, I'll allow it. Go tell your friends that I've let you in, though, and tell them to come see the show."

In delight, they all rushed off. Haldir was standing nearby, watching Feren suspiciously.

"Don't even," said Feren, moving off.

He felt a hand on his arm and turned to find Elladan tagging after him.

"Feren," said Elladan. "What are you charging them?"

"I don't know," said Feren. "A handful of diamonds, half a block of mithril, whatever seems fitting."

Elladan looked downcast. "I haven't got a cent," he said.

"Tough," said Feren, sympathetically.

"But I'm better than Elrohir," said Elladan. "You know that."

"Well," said Feren. "I can let you in, if you do me a favour."

"What?" asked Elladan, eagerly. Feren leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"No," cried Elladan, in a horrified voice.

"Yes," said Feren.

"But I cannot," said Elladan.

"You're an expert at it," said Feren. He clapped him on the shoulder. "And I have faith in you."

He left Elladan standing in the hall.

He met Legolas on the terrace, and bowed gracefully.

"My lord Legolas," he said, in a surprised voice. "We did not expect you in Rivendell."

"I imagine not," said Legolas. "But some foul soul gave Lindir his harp and I could have no peace in Mirkwood. I came to retrieve father's jewels and get rid of Lindir Figwit."

"He doesn't like being called –"

"Shut up," said Legolas. "Now, what has Lord Elrond said? Is it yay or nay?"

"I have a feeling nay wouldn't stop you," said Feren.

"Not at all," said Legolas. "But which is it?"

"Nay," said Feren.

"Then they must be stolen," said Legolas.

"I suppose so," said Feren, innocently.

"You shall steal them," said Legolas.

"Oh, now," said Feren, defensively. "That's not my job. You're the one who's so good at finding necklaces, you know." He winked.

"I'm not risking Lord Elrond's wrath," said Legolas.

"Come on," said Feren. "I bet you're just scared, that's why you won't do it."

"I'm not scared!"

"You just said you were scared of Elrond."

"That's not what I said."

"Yes it was."

"Fine!" said Legolas. "I'll prove I'm not scared."

Feren grinned as Legolas sprinted off. Things were going exactly as he had planned.

"Come, Haldir," he said, finding his friend again. "We must move quickly."

"Where?"

"We will be leaving for Mirkwood soon," said Feren.

"Why?" asked Haldir.

"To avoid uncomfortable delays," said Feren.

"Without the jewels?" asked Haldir.

"Well, now," shrugged Feren, "how can we argue against Lord Elrond?"

"We could, um, steal them," whispered Haldir.

Feren looked at him in horror.

"Haldir!" he cried.

"Well," said Haldir, hanging his head. "Galadriel did cheat."

"Haldir!" cried Feren once more.

"Never mind," said Haldir. "But how else will we get Lindir out of jail?"

Feren smiled wanly. "We must think of something," he said. He looked up to see Elladan and Elrohir leading a pack of young elves towards him. "But here come the merry elves of Rivendell, to give me their hard-earned cash. For the moment, my dear friend, we must focus on the greater problems in life. Namely, how to get all of this home. Get me my saddle-bags."

"But Feren," said Haldir. "There are a lot more elves here than we saw earlier. You're being cheated. They all want a space in your show."

"Why do you think I told them to tell their friends?" said Feren.

"But they're not talented!" said Haldir. "Look, look, there's Glorfindel. You can't let him in. You can't let half these elves in. They stink."

Feren shook his head somewhat sadly. "What a pity," he said. "You know I am a lover of art, but even I must make these sacrifices sometimes. Really, Haldir, we can't all be purists. And just think," he added, as an afterthought. "You'll be the star of the show."

Haldir looked relieved.