Ithildin - Legolas x OC

Chapter 30: A game and a dance

~*~

"Well, lookey here!" Gimli grins as I approach that evening, looking at the dark blue dress of Eowyn's I wear. "So, you are a Lady."

"I will assume that is a compliment, Gimli, as I'm still capable of cutting you down where you stand." I reply with a raised eyebrow. He laughs.

The top section of my hair is braided back with two strands left at the front around my face, the rest falling down my back in silver curls. I look to Legolas, wearing a fine, light-coloured tunic with his hair braided as usual.

Majestic. An Elven Prince.

"You look lovely." He smiles at me.

"Thank you." I quickly look away from him—despite his lingering gaze—as I am still unnerved about the night prior.

He did what I have been longing for...he asked me to stay in Middle-Earth, yet I am not quite sure whether it is for the reason I hope.

I start to walk past them both. "Shall we?"

Everyone in Edoras is gathered in the king's hall, standing to face Theoden before his throne. Eowyn and Eomer stand proudly on either side of him.

I clasp my hands in front of me, the sleeves of my dress hanging down.

"Tonight, we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country." Theoden says, holding out a goblet. "Hail the victorious dead!"

"Hail!" The entire hall calls out, lifting their cups.

Legolas and I, standing at the side of the hall with Gimli, bow our heads in respect as everyone takes a sip of their drink. Glancing up, I see Aragorn hesitate with sadness in his eyes before he drinks.

I take a deep breath of my own, remembering my friends—my kin.

*

It does not take long before the entire hall erupts, everyone gathered to drink and talk and laugh. Music plays somewhere at the back, and I walk through, watching with a small smile as Merry and Pippin—ale cups in hand—dance on a table and sing.

"You can search far and wide,
you can drink the whole town dry,
but you'll never find a beer so brooooown,
as the one we drink in our hometown!"

Chuckling, I turn away from them, seeing Legolas and Gimli on the other side of the hall with Eomer.

Eomer looks to me as I approach and smirks. "Welcome my Lady, have you come to see which of your friends will emerge victorious?"

I raise an eyebrow in confusion and look to Legolas and Gimli. "In what capacity?"

He sets down a cup of ale before Legolas and says, "No pauses." He passes one to Gimli. "No spills."

I lean back against the large barrel behind me and fold my arms across my chest.

"And no regurgitation." Gimli grins.

"So," Legolas turns to him, "it's a drinking game?"

Cheers sound from around us as men watch on in amusement.

"Last one standing wins." Gimli laughs, then raises his cup and starts chugging down the ale.

Eomer stands beside me, his arm leaning against the barrel. He offers me a cup, but I shake my head, watching as Legolas lifts his and smells it curiously. He furrows his eyebrows and slowly drinks, Gimli already setting down his first and picking up another.

"It isn't terrible." Legolas comments as he places his cup down and takes another, whilst Gimli storms ahead onto his third.

"Is this what you do for fun, my Lord?" I ask Eomer beside me.