Get Rid of 'It'
part 2
The party inside growing wilder and louder by the second, Gimli decided to take his search for the elf outside the halls. A full three hours had passed since Gimli began his search. And, even though his ears were not as acute as an elf's, he could hear the sharp crunch of men's steps. Aragorn, Faramir, and Eomer were, as discretely as possible, following him.
Ignoring the men, Gimli thought on what he would have Aragorn do if he won their wager. And with a sudden dread, thought on what the men would have him do if Gimli lost. He would lose without even finding the elf. Of all the no good, fancy prancing, self righteous-…Gimli broke off from his worried tirade as a glint of blonde caught his attention passing through the garden gate.
"Legolas!" he yelled, sprinting after the woodland elf. Upon entering Gimli saw no immediate evidence of his quarry. Glancing behind him at the still lagging men, Gimli marched in to the center of the garden.
There was no sign of the elf. Gimli quickly walked up to the tallest tree and turned to face the garden's gate. Standing just beyond he could see Aragorn smirking, -you will never succeed- he mouthed to the dwarf.
Taking a deep breath, Gimli began to yell, "Legolas! Blasted elf ne-", Gimli was cut off as Legolas dropped down from the tree landing behind the dwarf.
"Ai, Gimli?"
Flashing a triumphant grin at the astonished men, Gimli turned to face Legolas.
"Guess what Legolas?" he asked.
"hmm…a guessing game. Eomer? Or more likely, perhaps, Aragorn?" Legolas said turning to leave.
"No! That's not it. Legolas, guess what?" Gimli asked grabbing the elf's arm, desperate to prevent him form seeing the trio of men.
"Is there anything in particular that I should guess?" Legolas queried, at first attempting to shake the dwarf's grip off then simply started to drag the resisting dwarf along with him as he exited the garden. Once at the gate Gimli managed to yank Legolas to a stop glancing around for a sign of the men. Sighing in relief when he did not see them he returned his attention to the wood elf.
"Where are you going?" Gimli whispered harshly.
"Is this a game of twenty questions? I am going to get a drink and since you seem so keen on playing this game with me, you shall come with."
"G-game?" Gimli stuttered, visibly paling at the word. "No of course tis no game of questions. Let us get those drinks my friend."
Walking briskly the two arrived back in the main room where the party was taking place. Acquiring two mugs of ale, Gimli all but shoved one into the elf' hand.
Another full hour had slowly slipped past before Gimli began to regain some confidence and another half of an hour before he got the courage to try again. During the course of his plan the three men wandered through several times. Gimli had ignored their earlier visits but this time they didn't leave again. Aragorn pointedly held his gaze before looking to Legolas. After having accepted drink after drink Legolas was politely declining offers of any more.
"You are running out of time. There is, what, an hour left?" A smirking Aragorn remarked.
"An hour and a half!" the dwarf corrected firmly.
"Then you had best follow after him or else you will spend all that time trying to find him again." Eomer stated and the other two nodded.
"What?" Gimli muttered blinking up at them. Faramir merely raised his arm and pointed across the hall. Legolas, accompanied by Eowyn, were making their way through the crowd.
Gimli followed after them, only managing to catch up when the two reached the table of refreshments.
"Legolas! Could you…can you just…" Gimli trailed off.
"Is there some predicament with which you require aid?"
"Yes! I mean … of course not! What do you think I am elf?"
"Well then I shall be on my way."
"Wait, I uh have a question," the dwarf stammered.
"And that would be…?" prompted the elf.
"Well, actually more of show you than asking you."
"Then by all means lead the way." Legolas gestured for Gimli to take the lead. The dwarf did so. After a few minutes he suddenly halted and pointing across the way, shouted, "Look! What is that?"
"Where would that be?" Legolas inquired with a quick glance around.
"Oh, it must have been nothing." The pair continued as Gimli hastily tried to think of a plan. He had only minutes left now.
"Gahhhhhh!" the frustrated dwarf threw up his hands. "A curse on time limits! Why did I have to set a time limit?"
"What time limit?" Legolas stopped walking and looked at Gimli.
"That stupid time limit Aragorn- wait…what did you say?" Gimli asked his voice hopeful, behind them hiding in the shadows the three men groaned.
"I said 'what-" Legolas was cut off at Gimli's yell.
"FIVE WHATEVER TO GET RID OF IT!!!!! Did you hear that Aragorn? The elf said 'what'!"
Stunned Aragorn, Eomer and Faramir joined the two.
"Very well Gimli. We know when to admit defeat." Aragorn said with an air of defeat. Gimli nodded in agreement.
"I think now would be a very good time for a drink," he said walking off.'
"That was amusing," Legolas commented.
"You mean you knew what was going on?" a surprised Faramir questioned. Legolas gave all three men a look of reproach.
"What? Did you actually think a dwarf could get the better of an elf in a game of wordplay? Besides it would do you some good to be humbled."
"Legolas! That's not fair!" all three men protested.
"I think I am going to enjoy this. I have not felt such excitement in a couple hundred years." Legolas said, walking away back into Meduseld.
"I can't wait to see what Gimli metes out." Legolas called back over his shoulder.
FIN
SMK: I know...it's been too long but still please review.