A Tussle at Turuhalmë

There were only a few more days before it was time for the Fellowship to set out. For now, though, it was time to partake in midwinter festivities - Turuhalmë. With the War hanging over all of our heads, a somber tone permeated the night. Luckily, there was still some joy to be had.

As we sat in the Hall of Fire - we Elves, Men, a dwarf, Mithrandir, and four hobbits - minstrels filled the air with beautiful music. Those of us that had yet to make our respective journies, whether west to the Havens or south towards unimaginable danger, found themselves indulging in the happiness of the evening despite the encroaching darkness. The hobbits danced and drank, their laughter filling the room to the brim. Who knew such tiny creatures could consume so much? Even Frodo, worn out as he was by his burden, joined in on the holiday fun.

My fellow Elves did much of the same, but as the night drew on, they grew more reserved. Some tired of the company, while others - couples - went off on their own. Yet, this was not before they made a stop under the mistletoe to defile its beauty.

"Aragorn, I do not understand how you and your Imladrim kin can engage in such... practices," I cringed as he came to sit by me. He had just returned from the hanging plant himself, so it was the perfect opportunity to lecture him. "Why must you kiss under the mistletoe?"

"Legolas, the Woodland Realm is the only place that I know of that does not kiss but instead fights under it," Aragorn said, before turning to see who occupied it now. "Look, even a warrior such as Glorfindel does not draw his blade beneath it!"

"Glorfindel is a lovesick fool; he would do anything for the sake of Erestor," I scoffed at the sight of the captain dragging in the counselor for a kiss. "I believe that were it not for his husband, he would much prefer my traditions."

"Well, regardless of what you believe is best, do try to avoid the plant. I would rather not have to peel you away from an unsuspecting victim." Aragorn rose once more and strode away to instead converse with Gandalf of the coming days.

I trained my eyes upon the mistletoe once more, scrutinizing those who found their way under it. At the moment, a shy Frodo was receiving a quick kiss on his cheek from Arwen, who giggled as she pulled away to find him redder than the ribbon used to bind the plant above them. In line behind him were Samwise, Meriadoc, and Peregrin, all eager to be bestowed a peck from Aragorn's ladylove.

What fools they all were - kissing; kissing when instead we should be demonstrating our close-combat skills! Now that would indeed impress a lover, one's proficiency in battle. Such had been the practice of my people for Ages now, longer than even I had been alive. I suppose that I could not blame Aragorn or the hobbits for such faulty logic, but the Elves of Imladris should be ashamed. They had no such excuse as the Second Born did!

I sat there stewing in my thoughts for some time, as those around me continued to disperse as the night wore on. Finally, though, I had had enough and made to leave.

Unfortunately, another had taken this as an opportunity to depart the Hall of Fire.

"Must you always follow me around, sprite?" The snark came from the dwarf who would be representing his race among the Fellowship. Gimli was his name. His father had been among the company to reclaim Erebor, the one that I imprisoned upon their trespassing of Mirkwood. It had been a most unpleasant reunion with Glóin at the Council.

"Dare I say that you are the one trailing me, naugrim," I bit back as we stopped in the entrance to the Hall. "It seems that the apple does not fall far from the tree - dwarves of Erebor imposing themselves on the Elves of Mirkwood."

Gimli growled as I peered down at him. "Now you listen here, princ-" but he never had the opportunity to finish his tirade, for another interrupted us.

"Legolas Thranduillion, you step out of that archway immediately!" I turned to see the source of the yelling - Aragorn was rushing towards us, eyes darting upward as they filled with fear. Gimli and I trailed his gaze upwards to see what had alarmed him so.