Author's Note: Thank you all for reviews. This was mostly a therapeutic story for me but I'm glad you're enjoying it! Do be sure to read the explanation I added to Chapter 1.

Part One: Tigwit's Got Talent

Chapter 4

"My dear Haldir," said Feren, as they rode out the gates of Rivendell early that afternoon. "You mustn't look so gloomy."

"I'm just sorry for Lindir," said Haldir.

"Good elf," said Feren. "So you should be, for he has been treated most unfairly by Legolas."

"Why are you blaming Legolas?"

"It was due to Legolas' complaining that Thranduil came up with the idea to hold Lindir hostage. Thranduil knows as well as the rest of us that it was Galadriel's, not Elrond's fault."

"Well, I mean, one can hardly blame her," said Haldir. "Even I can't stand Arwen. And she knew she could only get Elrond to take her back if she got him in a really good mood."

"And Thranduil would have cheated anyway," said Feren. "Don't tell anyone I said so."

"What if we broke him out?" asked Haldir.

"Can't risk my career," said Feren. "You're overthinking things, my dear Haldir. Lindir will be fine."

"You," said Haldir, firmly, "are a miserable lout, Feren."

Feren sighed. "My genius is always unappreciated," he said.

"Humph," snorted Haldir. "All you think about is money."

"It's a bad habit of mine," said Feren, looking over his shoulder.

"What are you looking at?" asked Haldir.

"We are being pursued," said Feren. "Hold up."

"Who is it?" asked Haldir.

"Elladan, as I perceive," said Feren, coming to a halt. He waited until Elrond's son came up alongside them. "My dear friend, why are you in such a hurry?"

"Didn't you forget someone?" asked Elladan, laughing so hard he could hardly stay on his horse.

"I never forget anything," said Feren. "Of whom do you speak?"

"Leggy!" cried Elladan. "Didn't you know he tried to steal the emeralds, and dad caught him and locked him up?"

"What a horrible tragedy," said Feren, solemnly. "What a genuinely terrible thing to hear."

"Well," said Elladan, still laughing, "here you are, my payment." He handed Feren a package. "When's the show?"

"Next week," said Feren.

"I'll be there," said Elladan. "Now I must ride back before I am missed."

And he galloped back towards Rivendell.

"Legolas?" asked Haldir. "He's here?"

"Grew tired of Lindir's plucking, so he told me," said Feren.

"And you didn't tell me?"

"Well, I didn't think you needed to get locked up too – as you would be, as his friend. And I would be, as his gatekeeper. That is why I left early. I didn't want to stay and, um, risk Elrond's wrath."

"But Leggy –"

"Ah," sighed Lindir. "I knew that the moment he arrived Elrond would know what he was after. But you know there is no stopping Legolas. He never listens to me when I say don't."

"But we must go back," said Haldir.

"We shall certainly be arrested," said Feren.

"Why? He cannot prove that we had any hand in it."

"Alas," said Feren, "he will have proof beyond doubt. Therefore, I fear that we must leave our dear princeling to his fate."

"What proof?" asked Haldir.

Feren unwrapped the package Elladan had given him and held up a necklace of shining emeralds. Haldir's jaw dropped.

"Elladan –" he began.

"My faith in Elrond's sons is not unfounded," said Feren, happily. "Elladan knows an Opportunity when he sees one."

"Just like you," said Haldir, shaking his head. "Did you plan all of this from the beginning?"

"Do you honestly think all of it came about by chance?" asked Feren. "Really now, my friend. You don't give me enough credit."

"So you knew Lindir would get locked up?"

"It was a likelihood, but a chance I had to take to get to Rivendell on Thranduil's pocket. I'm broke, you know. Or was."

"Now you're richer than I am, thanks to the stuck-up Rivendell elves."

"Ah, now," said Feren. "Lothlorien elves are stuck-up too."

"And you managed to get Legolas out of the way."

"A mere side benefit," said Feren, modestly.

"Feren," said Thranduil, having called his gatekeeper and messenger to his throne room upon his return. "Haldir tells me that my son has been arrested by Elrond."

"Alas, it is so, my liege," said Feren.

"Just as well," said Thranduil.

"I agree, Your Excellency," said Feren.

"But I need you to go to Lothlorien and stop this casino night that Galadriel is plotting. I simply can't risk more of my jewels, and if I refuse to go she will call all Lothlorien to war."

"My liege," said Feren, with a low bow, "a trip to Lothlorien would be delightful."

"Then go," said Thranduil. As Feren backed out he called after him. "And tell me, what would Elrond take in exchange for Lindir?"

"Your Excellency has grown fond of Lindir's playing, has he not?" asked Feren.

"Did you expect this?" queried Thranduil, suspiciously.

"The possibility crossed my mind. I doubt that Elrond would part with his steward for anything. However, you are welcome to attend my show next week, where Lindir is co-starring with Haldir."

"I shall do that," said Thranduil. "If you stop Galadriel."

"It will be my pleasure," said Feren, stepping out of the room.

He met Haldir outside.

"So you got him to send you to Lothlorien," said Haldir, shaking his head again.

"Of course," said Feren, jingling the coins in his pockets.

"You do get absolutely everything you want," said Haldir. "How do you do it?"

"It's a talent," said Feren.

THE END

of Part One