Angst Incorporated II -- Reversal of Fortune

So taken had he been with his little game, so enthusiastic in his torment of Aragorn and the thrill of victory, that he had simply not noticed another approach. One who should have been stomping heavy and apparent through the forest, who should have been heard miles away, as Dwarves typically were.

Legolas sat up, eyeing Gimli as the Dwarf entered the clearing. "And what do YOU want?" he lilted, arching a smooth brow.

"You've been caught, Elf," Gimli stated simply. "I heard the entire thing."

"I have little idea what you're talking about. And no interest, by the way." Legolas rose gracefully and turned to leave.

"Really?" Gimli crossed to stand before the Elf, catching his gaze once more. "I would think you'd be very interested in what I have to say here, because it will have a direct influence on what I have to say back at camp -- to Aragorn."

Legolas froze mid-step. Gimli was studying him with a distinctly smug air, t! he air of one who knew the score, who had the upper hand. Much the same air he himself had probably exuded moments before, gloating in what he thought was privacy. Why had he not heard the Dwarf approach? Steadying his voice, he tried to cover a rising sense of doom. "What do want, Gimli?" he asked.

The Dwarf smiled. "To see justice done."

"And what does that mean?"

"Oh, I think you know what it means, well enough." Gimli crossed his arms, fixing Legolas with a glare. "Aragorn was about to punish you for yet again trying to provoke me into something. You apparently don't learn easily, young Elf. And now it seems you've concocted a way out of the consequences, as well."

Legolas swallowed painfully. This conversation was NOT going well. He considered taking to the trees.

Gimli, reading the flicker of panic that crossed Legolas' smooth features, frowned and shook his head. "Best not to flee, Laddie. You'll only make this mor! e . . . unpleasant, in the end." He turned and strode off, seated himself where Aragorn had sat not long prior, and motioned to the staring Elf. "Come on, then. Your crimes were committed against me, so I should be the one to address them."

Horrified, Legolas only stood, gaping. "You . . . you expect me to submit to this? I -- I . . . will not. Nay!"

"So you wish me to inform Aragorn of your little game, of how you avoided your punishment earlier? I'm sure he'll have something to say about THAT."

Oh . . . the trees were SO close. Legolas eyed them desperately. He could make a run for it! Of course, he'd never be able to come down again . . . but was that really so bad? His people lived in trees often enough! There was Gandalf, however, and that damnable staff . . . Probably be able to knock him right off the branch. But perhaps not if he was high enough -- after all, how good could the ancient Wizard's eyes really be? Can't hit what you can't see, and all that . . . .

"Legolas?" Gimli was still waiting.! line
Damn. Legolas scowled at Gimli, who only smirked in reply. "Fine," he muttered. "I will submit." He crossed to Gimli's side and eased himself down over the waiting Dwarf's thighs, shifting a bit. The tips of his ears started to burn. Feeling Gimli flip his tunic up out of the way and hook thick fingers in the waistband of his leggings, he surrendered to panic and all but jumped off the Dwarf's lap. "What do you think you were doing?" he demanded, backing away.

Gimli crossed his arms again. "What do YOU think I was doing?"

"Nothing you'll get the chance to do again! Aragorn was leaving my leggings UP, thank you."

"You're welcome. But I'm not Aragorn. Now come back here."

Legolas hovered in place, chewing his lower lip. Damn, again. The Dwarf had him, dead on. "Fine!" he spat, and moved back to Gimli's side. He took down the leggings himself as he resumed position.

"Thank you." Gimli raised his hand, then, as Aragorn! had, stayed it a moment. "I should inform you: you're getting ten now."

"What? Why?"

"Interest."

"But--"

"Care to make it fifteen?"

"Nay!"

"Then tell me why you're being punished."

"Because I allowed YOU to sneak up on me and figure something out."

"That wasn't what I wanted to hear. Now it's fifteen. Care to aim for twenty?"

Ai . . . . "Nay, Gimli. I'm here because I've been provoking you of late. I am truly sorry." Legolas injected as much sincerity as he could into his voice. Sincerity, if faked well, was often enough in a pinch. This was definitely a pinch.

"Ah -- so we switch tactics, now." Gimli chuckled as he brought his hand down hard, eliciting a most undignified yelp from Legolas. "Well, I suppose false penitence is a step up from blatant disrespect . . . but we'll have to work a bit more on your attitude, Laddie." He raised his hand again. "Don't fret, young Elf. I've got a lot of years left in me, and I'll be happy to see to your . ! . . education, if Aragorn is too put off to handle it now."

Legolas bit his lip as the hand fell again. Years? Perhaps he would have to learn to fake good behaviour, along with sincerity!

The End