Beach or Mountains

Chapter 2: Blossoming Alliance

This chapter is really just a lot of exposition for future events. Sorry -.-

Warnings: Mention of injury

Jimmy flew as fast as he could, carrying the King of Rivendell in his arms. Gem was flying along beside him, sending concerned glances over at them every few minutes. They flew over miles of mountains before finally getting to Rivendell. Jimmy and Gem landed in front of the palace, startling the guards and passerby (it wasn't everyday you saw the Codfather and the head of the Council of the Cliffs crash land with an unconscious elf king). The guards took Scott up to the infirmary, and led Jimmy into the meeting hall (Gem had to leave due to a council meeting that afternoon). Jimmy paced the room, feeling mixed concern and exasperation. Why am I so worried? He thought. I barely know Scott, and besides, Rivendell has some of the best doctors on the whole server. If I had half a mind at all, I would go back to try to salvage our alliance with Mythland. Nevertheless, he stayed, alternating between sitting and pacing.
At least an hour passed before the door to the hall opened. Jimmy, who had been seated at the table reading a book about elven history (he wasn't quite sure why, or why he enjoyed it), looked up to see a pale Scott walk in. He stood, not bothering to close the book, and walked over to the elf. He had a bandage on his head, but despite that he was smiling. Jimmy, with some surprise, though he looked nervous. Why would I make him nervous? My empire isn't particularly strong or formidable or- the thought was cut short by the elven king hugging him quickly, then letting him go.

"Thank you," was all he said. Jimmy let out a slightly bashful laugh, putting his hand to the lack of his neck.

"Don't mention it." Jimmy smiled again, feeling his face redden.

"You didn't have to wait for me to wake up," Scott said, grinning abashedly.

"Actually, I was hoping to discuss an alliance." Scott cocked his head slightly, studying Jimmy.

"I'd be willing to form an alliance. What are your terms?" Scott said impassively. Jimmy's heart lifted.

"Terms? I don't really have any." He glanced around, then focused back on where he had been sitting. "Actually, can I keep the history book? I want to keep reading it. I can return it after-" Scott, smirking, shook his head.

"No, keep it as a token of our alliance. Also, you're a really bad negotiator." Still shaking his head, Scott stuck out his hand to shake on it. Jimmy took it gladly, and with that, they became allies.

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It was traditional in Rivendell to hold a sort of celebration when a new ally was accepted. After telling his advisors of this new development, Scott sat down and began to plan the festival. The problem was, he didn't know what kind of celebration to hold. A stuffy dinner didn't seem to fit this new alliance. The Cod Empire loved festivals (he knew this from the many diplomatic meetings that had been held there), but Rivendell festivals were usually pretty fancy, and the still rather uptight elves weren't really partiers. At this point, his head started throbbing again, despite the many healing potions he had been forced to drink. He went to bed, still pondering what type of celebration would be best.

Upon waking up the next morning, Scott was dimly aware of having had a dream. He had vague impressions of caves and flowers. All of a sudden (perhaps because of the dream?) an idea for the celebration occurred to him. He flushed slightly, thinking of what it would be like to tell his advisers of the idea. He thought about the idea, figuring out all the minute details, until the time of the daily meeting. As he walked into the meeting hall where he had met Jimmy yesterday, he became aware of the arguments around the table between his advisors.

"Totally useless ally-"

"More allies is more power, though-"

"Waste-"

"Enough muttering!" Scott shouted. "If you have something to say about the new alliance, say it to my face, although nothing can or will be done now. Now, we'll go around, and if you have something to say, say it, whether it be in favor or against it." He turned to the closest advisor to him, tugging on his earring, and gestured for him to speak.

Twenty minutes of mixed complaining and congratulating later, and the majority of the advisors had spoken either for or against the alliance. The last councilperson at the table, who hadn't yet spoken, stood for his turn to speak.

"I am neither for or against this new development. I do, however, have a question. What are we going to do for the celebration?" He sat, looking at the king, who inhaled sharply. He had been attempting to dodge this question so far, but had apparently been unsuccessful.

"I do have an idea," Scott said tentatively. "I didn't think that a festival or dinner would really be appropriate, due to the unique nature of our newest ally.' He began tugging on his earring again. "I was thinking... I could go on a date with the Codfather."