Title & Chapter Number: Dragon Fever 5/21
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: LOTR
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. The characters, settings, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for Elwen and other original characters who belong to this author. I make no money from this, more's the pity, considering the number of hours burning the midnight oil.
Warnings: Mild BDSM and non-consensual situations in a few chapters. Some het.
Betas: Many thanks to Caz and Dhvana for beta reading, and to friend Dhvana especially for advice, consultation, and moral support and to Dalogas for being my most thorough reviewer.
Cast: Legolas/Aragorn; Legolas/OCs; also Thranduil, Smaug, Gimli, Balin, and Gloin.
Timeline: In the Third Age of Middle Earth, shortly after The Hobbit.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Legolas tells Aragorn a story about a trip he once made to Esgaroth (Lake-town) with his lover, Elwen, a Rivendell elf. But something is rotten in Esgaroth and Legolas is forced to strike an unusual bargain. A mix of adventure, romance, humor, angst, and hot sex.
Notes: This is actually both a prequel and a sequel to "Ohtarnil: A Warrior Love." The first and last chapters (1 and 21) are sequels and take place shortly after the Fellowship leaves Lothlórien. However, most of the story takes place 73 years earlier when Legolas first becomes involved with my fictional character, Elwen. Feedback, as always, greatly appreciated.
Chapter 5 - Dart Games
Legolas stepped into the common room and closed the door behind him. Meril was behind a wide, wooden bar, filling several steins from a tap, the foam spilling over the tops. She looked up and smiled beautifully at the elf. He returned the favor. About a dozen lake-dwellers, some smoking long-stemmed pipes, were seated at tables scattered through the room. There was a steady thrum of conversation, clinking glasses, an occasional shout of laughter. In the far corner, Legolas saw Talagan and Thrin sitting with several other men, including Goran. As he walked toward them, he noticed some men throwing darts at a round board.
"Good evening," Legolas said.
"Ah, Prince Legolas, there you are, at last," Talagan said, narrowing his eyes for a second as he appraised his charge. "I would like to present, Audun, who is head of the Merchant's Guild, and also head of the Town Council." A great bear of a man rose and reached across the table to shake Legolas's hand. His shoulder-length hair was streaked with grey, as was his full beard. His eyes were like deep coals; his shoulders and gut massive. "And this is Thorvald, also on the Council, and a healer." Legolas inclined his head at the man with black hair and a long, crooked nose, "and I believe you've met Audun's son, Goran," Talagan continued.
"Yes, of course," Legolas said, nodding at him.
Goran half rose and looked at Legolas with a crafty smile on his young face. He ran a finger down his closely-cropped goatee.
"Ya honor us with yer presence, Prince," Audun said, in a deep commanding voice. "Pray, sit. What will ya have to drink?"
"Red wine, Dorwinion vintage," said Legolas, drawing out the chair and sitting between Talagan and Goran, and across from Audun.
"Aye, I remember yer father liked that as well," Audun said. "Quite a potent wine, eh? Ya wood elves know how to ferment a fair potion. Meril," he called. She was there in an instant, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Prince Legolas will have the Dorwinion red wine we just got in. Bring the bottle and enough glasses for all."
"Aye, father." She looked at Legolas with shining eyes and left. She returned shortly with a bottle, glasses, and a corkscrew. She opened the bottle expertly, poured some for Legolas, and then for the others.
Legolas picked up the elegantly shaped blue bottle with the name on the label both in the common tongue and in elvish. "Year 2910, not bad for grapes, as I recall. The following year we had the dreadful cold winter and the grapes did not grow well. Our wine suffered for several years." He took a sip of the wine and rolled it about his mouth.
"Ya recall?" Meril said incredulously. "I thought ya were only a little older than me!"
"Don' forget, daughter, that elves do not suffer the same curse as us mere mortals," Audun growled.
"I am perhaps forty times your age, Meril," Legolas smiled, "but don't hold that against me."
"No," Meril blushed, "forgive me, ah . . . *Prince* Legolas."
"And Legolas will do fine," the prince said, still holding her gaze.
Audun looked from one to the other. "Perhaps, daughter, ya'd like to come sit with us," he said.
Meril's face grew radiant. "Could I? Let me just check on our other guests."
"Aye, and tell Nissa, we'd like dinner soon," said Audun. Meril left.
Audun leaned across the table to look at Legolas. "Pretty thing, isn't she?"
"Yes, she is." Legolas stiffened a bit, and looked at Talagan, who betrayed no expression.
"So, Prince," Audun said, taking a gulp of wine. "Our agreement gives the elves quite an advantage. No tariffs on foodstuffs imported from the farmlands for the next seven years, including the grapes to make this wine, while we pay full price on the finished goods."
"The agreement says for the next decade," Legolas said, "And we don't ask for repayment for the considerable amount of support we gave to rebuilding this town. I don't think you want an itemized list." He set his hands flat on the table, leaned forward, and gave Audun a steely look.
Talagan nodded, his face beaming approval for the first time since this trip began. Yes, this was now Thranduil's son.
Audun shifted uneasily and glanced at Thorvald, who merely scowled. "I thought we agreed on seven years."
"Page 2, top paragraph. You may look it up," Legolas said. He leaned back in his chair and drained his glass. Then he smiled disarmingly, "But Audun, surely business can wait until tomorrow."
"Quite right, Prince. And here come both my daughters with dinner," Audun said gruffly.
Goran looked at the prince with a mixture of respect and amusement. Anyone who could take his father down a peg was a worthy adversary. He gets more delicious by the minute, he thought. He brushed his leg against Legolas's under the table. The prince moved away.
Nissa and Meril brought a tray filled with bowls of stew, plates of bread, butter, and cheese, and several more bottles of wine, which they swiftly set around.
"Girls, come eat with us," Audun said. "Goran move your chair and let Meril sit next to the Prince. I'm sure he likes the company of pretty girls."
At that moment Elwen showed up, looking resplendent in black leggings, a billowy sleeved red silk tunic, covered with a sleeveless black jerkin that was laced across the chest. His shining black hair was elaborately braided and fell to the middle of his back. He radiated a fresh, masculine energy.
Nissa leaned next to Meril and whispered in her ear, "I'm going to faint." Meril nodded and bit her knuckle.
Legolas smiled sweetly at Elwen. The prince said, "I'd like to introduce, my friend Elwen, an elf from Imladris, a realm west of the Misty Mountains." They all shook hands, and Elwen dragged up a chair from another table, and plopped it down between Talagan and Legolas. Talagan moved aside with a slight scowl. They fell to eating in earnest.
"The food is excellent," Legolas said. "You run a fine inn, Audun."
"Aye, it's been hard these past years, since the dragon fell. We are only now getting back on our feet," rumbled Audun.
"Were you there that night?" asked Elwen.
"Aye," said Goran. "We all were. I remember it clearly. I was nigh in one of the boats when Bard brought him down. He fell like a burning star. Then the lake rose in a huge wave that swamped all the boats. I nearly drowned. A horrible night."
Audun and Thorvald were nodding. "And the dreaded worm still has cursed us," Thorvald said, speaking for the first time, his voice thin and whispery. "No one can recover the treasure that rots from his breast."
"Yes, we felt it," Elwen said. They all turned to look at him. "Legolas and I, on our way here, we paddled too close." He shuddered. "Never do I want to feel that again."
"And there is no device to counteract it?" asked Legolas.
"Believe me, Prince, we've tried," Thorvald said. "I've managed to concoct some drugs that deaden the effect, but then they render the recipient too confused to function properly."
"Perhaps we could consult with our healers," said Legolas, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Actually Talagan here has quite a skill in those arts."
"You are too kind, Prince Legolas," said Talagan, "I only dabble in the healing arts. We have other healers, much more able."
"Tell me, Elwen," Nissa cut in suddenly, "how did ya happen to come to Mirkwood since ya live so far away?"
"I came for Thranduil's summer games, a spectacle worth making a long journey to see," Elwen smiled.
"Yes, and he entertained us later with his fiddle playing," said Legolas, gently knocking his knee into Elwen's under the table. He remembered how enchanted he had been when he first heard Elwen play. Now the dark-haired elf's close presence was more than enchanting, it thrilled the prince in a way that he had seldom felt before.
"Perhaps you'll play for us tomorrow night?" Meril broke in. She stood up and poured more wine for everyone. "We have a summer festival in the great hall tomorrow," she continued. "Would ye go with us? Wouldn't that be acceptable, father?"
"Ye are all quite welcome," Audun sighed, pushing back from the table.
Legolas looked at Elwen, who nodded. "We'd be honored to come." the prince said.
"Legolas, do ya have a sport, then?" asked Meril.
"Yes, I have some small skill as a archer," Legolas said. Elwen grinned; Talagan made a slight snorting sound; and Thrin rolled his eyes.
"Would ya like to try your hand at a dart game?" Meril asked. Legolas looked up. The others who had been playing had long since left.
"I'd be honored," he said. They got up and Meril retrieved a handful of three darts. The board was mounted about eight feet away.
"Rules of this game," Meril said, "hit the numbers in sequence, 1, 2, 3, and so on. Last round is 19, 20, and then the bullseye. One point for hitting the number in the outer ring, two for the inner ring." Meril skillfully threw the darts at the board and hit 1, 2, in the inner ring, then 17. "Fishscales! I missed the 3, but I still got four points," Meril said.
"That is quite presentable," said Legolas. He took the darts and weighed one in his hand. Then he threw them one by one. 1, 2, 3. Each one hit the outer ring.
"Three," said Meril. "I'm ahead." They continued playing. Each round, Legolas's score trailed Meril's by a point or two. Until the last round, which Meril won by one point.
"I beat ya Prince . . . ah, I mean, Legolas," Meril cried in delight.
"Perhaps it's the wine," Legolas smiled, "and I haven't played this game in ages."
Goran stood up. "I would challenge ya to a game," he said. "Do ya like to wager, Prince?"
"Uh oh, Legolas, watch out," said Meril, "Goran is quite a good player."
Legolas regarded him for a moment with an amused expression. "I might be persuaded to play. What's your bet?"
"Another bottle of wine," Goran said.
Legolas looked around. "Anyone else? You, Elwen?"
Elwen threw up his hands, "Not me, Prince. I'm content to watch you get your arse kicked." He winked at the prince.
Both Audun and Thorvald leaned back in their chairs. "Are ya going to take him on, Prince Legolas?" Audun said.
Legolas handed Goran the darts. "Challenger gets first throw," he said.
Goran threw the darts, hitting two of his targets in the inner ring, and the third target in the outer.
"Good throw," Legolas said. He hit one in the inner ring, and two in the outer ring.
"Ah, one point less," Goran chortled. "Meril would ya keep score?" Meril got a bit of paper and a pencil.
They continued playing. Some rounds, Legolas was just ahead; some, several points behind. Soon, everyone in the common room had gathered round, with the Lakemen cheering on Goran, and the elves for Legolas. Meril and Nissa cheered for both. The players had rolled up their sleeves and were flushed with excitement. Nissa moved next to Elwen and sat with her arm alongside his. Finally, Goran and Legolas were tied.
"This is the final round. Ready to lose elf?" Goran said. "This time, in addition, to the wine, we play for the honor of our races."
"Have at him, Legolas," yelled Elwen, "defend the honor of the elves!"
Legolas's mouth curved into a half smile. "Ready to lose your honor, Goran?"
Goran took careful aim with each dart and placed 19 on the inner ring, 20 on the outer, and the last one in the outer bullseye ring. "Beat that, elf," he said, going to the board and jerking the darts out. Audun and the other Lakemen were hammering the table.
Legolas took the darts from Goran. Then with a hand that moved faster than sight, he placed each one with a resounding smack, 19, 20, both on the inner ring, and the last one directly in the bullseye. The metal tip buried itself deep in the cork, feathers flying. Legolas's lips twisted upwards in triumph and his eyes flashed. The Lakemen groaned. The elves cheered and clapped wildly. Nissa jumped up and kissed Elwen on the cheek, and Elwen looked at her in surprise.
"Ya were leading me on, the whole time," Goran said sulkily to Legolas.
"First rule of a warrior. Never underestimate your opponent," Legolas said. "I might've let you win the wine, but the honor of the elves, never!"
"Up for a rematch?" Goran said.
"Ah, Goran, he beat ya fair," said Audun. "Better get his wine." He pushed his vast girth up from the table. "I'm calling it a night. I'll see ye in the mornin'." Everyone got up and began filing out of the room.
~*~*~*~
Audun and Thorvald stepped out into the street. "This agreement is starting to gall me," Audun said. "Thranduil forced this down our throats last time he was here. I thought he had slipped when he sent his youngest son to come finalize it, but this one is no fool. What do we do?"
Thorvald cleared his throat and spoke in his strange, scratchy voice. "We have done very well for ourselves by skimming the food, supplies, and timber from the elves and selling it off to the Bardings in Dale in exchange for dragon gold. This has come to an end, as Thranduil feels we have had sufficient time to rebuild."
Audun grunted, "Tell me something I don't know. I hope these elves don't notice all the work left undone. We hoped to control all the trade passing through here, and place whatever tariffs we pleased. There is no reason not to. We are in the key location. Thranduil has anticipated this. Curse him! If I had the courage, I would refuse to sign."
"Then we'd have the wood elves' wrath on our heads," said Thorvald. "That would be unwise."
"We also risk the wrath of Dain, King under the Mountain," Audun said. "They have sent a delegation to request special consideration in exchange for providing free labor to help in the rebuilding. We will hardly be in a strong bargaining position if they hear that the wood elves have negotiated exclusion from tariffs for a decade. The Bardings have also talked of release from tariffs, claiming kinship! We can't extend these favors to everyone; we'll be penniless. We are between dragon fire's and warg's teeth. Ai, I am mad with this!" He brought both arms up and let them fall heavily to his side.
"Audun, I have a thought. Is Dain's delegation still in town?" Thorvald said.
"Aye, we are to meet with them day after tomorrow." Audun said. "Right now, I know not what I'll say to them."
"Perhaps we should invite them to meet with the Prince of Mirkwood."
"Thorvald, you're mad. All will be revealed!"
"Not necessarily," said Thorvald. "The elves and dwarves were never on the best of terms and the enmity from the battle five years ago, after Smaug's death, has never been wholly assuaged. I believe we can turn these two traditional enemies against one another. Stir that stew, and we may make them ready to fight each other, and then enlist our aid in the cause. We could profit on both ends again."
"Either that or we have both sides coming for us," Audun said. "We are in a delicate situation."
"Perhaps we can bait this prince. He is young, for an elf, and maybe he is hot-headed as well," suggested Thorvald.
"Nay, I watched him play tonight," said Audun. "He never once lost control, but rather was cool as a mountain stream, right up to the moment that he bested Goran."
"Ya saw the flash of fire, though, when the honor of the elves was the stake. That one is proud and cocky. Let us delay the signing of this treaty, invite the dwarves to meet with us for dinner before the festival tomorrow night, and feel the situation out." Thorvald then smiled widely. "I could, ah, make certain suggestions to each side before that meeting, suggestions that could alter this outcome in our favor."
Audun clapped his hand on Thorvald's back. "My friend, yer the cleverest man I know. I'll speak to Thranduil's seneschal tomorrow morning and ya talk to the dwarves. Let's go to your house now and work out exactly what to say."
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