"When will you be ready to go, Prince Legolas?" Glorfindel asked from the doorway, yawning with boredom. Stars, he hated Minas Tirith. He was bored and even though their destination failed to thrill him, he was eager to head there.

The pretty princeling looked up at him with irritation, having no idea how attractive he was in his pique. Glorfindel fought the urge to lick his lips. He was going to seduce this pretty child away from the marchwarden of Lórien. The challenge would be well worth his time. He and Haldir had never been friends, anyhow.

"He'll be ready when he's ready, Master Glorfindel, and not a moment before," said Gimli. He sat on a bench in the room where Legolas had been looking after Haldir for two days. Glorfindel had been attempting to be friendly to the prince's self-appointed bodyguard but the Dwarf was rightly suspicious of him.

"Are we waiting on the marchwarden again?" Glorfindel sighed. "Really, Legolas, he is holding you back."

"I will thank you to hold your tongue!" Legolas snapped. Haldir was sleeping fitfully in the large bed of the ornate chamber. Legolas' room was far nicer than Glorfindel's, and he blamed Arwen for that. She was holding some grudge against him and Glorfindel was not sure why, though we was equally sure that he probably deserved it.

"I can think of better uses for it," Glorfindel replied saucily. He took a step into the room, but Gimli nonchalantly flipped over the axe he was holding and Glorfindel did not go any further.

"Mayhap ye should wait in the Great Hall fer us," Gimli suggested. "We won't leave for Mirkwood without you."

"I am just eager to get this travel underway," Glorfindel said. "Forgive me, but I have seen Minas Tirith and it is hard to go about the streets alone. Elves are such a rare sight that I can scarcely go anywhere without being accosted."

"I should think you would enjoy that," Gimli chuckled.

Legolas smirked slightly, and this hint of wickedness in him made Glorfindel's knees weak.

"Have you no friends to accompany you?" the prince asked. He did not seem to mean it as an insult but it still felt like one to Glorfindel.

"They have not time for gallivanting about Minas Tirith."

"And you do?" Gimli asked.

Glorfindel sighed, coming to the heart of the matter. "I am Lord Elrond's War Councilor… but the war is over."

"It didn't seem that way the other night," Legolas said grimly. "Has it been determined yet how and why those orcs were here?"

"A random pocket left from the siege. They were under no leadership, at least that we could determine. The bodies have been removed and burned."

"We could smell the stench," Gimli said.

"Is the city safe?"

"Lord Faramir and King Elessar have doubled the guard and increased patrols, so one would hope."

"I should hate to leave if I might be needed."

"You've done plenty, laddie," Gimli said. "Time to go home. I confess, I am eager to see your fabled palace. My father told me all about his visit there…"

Legolas squirmed uncomfortably. "I am sorry for that. My father can be hot-headed, but you see, we had not trafficked with the Dwarves since the times of King Elwë. As a child, my father learned much of his histories from his father, and later he taught them to me. My father was a great admirer of Elwë and patterned his halls after the palace at Doriath."

"And Elwë was murdered by Dwarves," Glorfindel remarked, just to make sure the point was hammered home to Gimli.

"I'm well aware of that, Master Glorfindel," the Dwarf replied gruffly. "Luckily, times have changed."

"Do not think your visit to my home will be easy, Gimli," Legolas said gently. "There are many elves who still distrust Dwarves, despite the peace my father made with Thorin at the Battle of the Five Armies. However, I will do my best to see that you are made welcome there."

"Yes, I am certain that King Thranduil will give you the most comfortable cell in his dungeon."

Legolas arched an eyebrow at Glorfindel. "Know you my father?"

"We have not met," Glorfindel admitted.

"Then I shall thank you not to make judgments about him based on rumors, suppositions, or flights of fancy."

"I am not much given to flights of fancy," Glorfindel said, smiling. It was good to see that the prince had some pepper in him. However, his idle banter with the Dwarf was going to do nothing to help pave the way into Legolas' bed, so Glorfindel decided he best remove himself for the time being. A bit of damage control first, he thought. He bowed low. "Forgive me, my prince, if I have irritated you. I shall do my best to refrain from doing so in the future, as I would have you look upon me in friendship."

Gimli made a little noise, and Glorfindel knew the Dwarf was perfectly aware that he was seeking more than friendship. Legolas, however, smiled, and the smile was like a pale sunshine. It gave Glorfindel hope. Oh yes, little innocent. You will fall into my embrace, once I figure out how to get Haldir out of the way.

"I understand," Legolas said, and Glorfindel hoped he did not understand too well. "I will try to wake Haldir and see if he feels ready to depart. If so, we shall leave at dawn tomorrow."

"Who else will be joining us?" Gimli asked. "Will it be all elves?"

"For the most part," said Legolas. "I hope to keep the company small. Besides the four of us here, we will ride with two maids of Imladris—"

"We will?" interrupted Glorfindel. This was news to him. Great. Maids would no doubt be fawning over the handsome prince and he did not wish for more competition from a pair of husband-seeking wenches.

"Yes. There is Lady Narwain, a healer, who will be coming to look after Haldir during the travels. She is a lady in waiting to Arwen who studied under Lord Elrond in the healing arts."

"I know her," Glorfindel said impatiently. "She is as cold as the month she is named after."

"What does that mean?" asked Gimli.

"Narwain means January," Legolas translated patiently for his friend. "The second is an elleth called Cherryvale."

"That doesn't sound like one of yer tongue twisting Elvish names," Gimli said.

"It is a Westron bastardization of her birth name," Glorfindel said, not any more pleased to hear that this maid was coming as well. She was a sly one. Cherryvale had slipped Glorfindel a drugged drink one time to warn him away from her, and it had worked. "Few who visit Rivendell can pronounce it."

"Mistress Cherryvale is a maker of wines and cordials," Legolas said. "Lord Elrond thought she would do well in my father's court, as he is well-known for his love of such things.

"I think I'll like her, m'self," said Gimli, grinning. "Now tell me why this big lug here is coming." He leered at Glorfindel.

"To protect the ladies, of course," Legolas said, smiling at Glorfindel, again a hint of wickedness in his eyes. Suddenly Glorfindel wondered if Elrond and the prince had manipulated him, for he had thought it his own idea to accompany Legolas.

"And you," he said pointedly.

"I can protect myself," said Legolas. "But as I will be looking after Haldir, I thought it best to have another warrior on the journey."

"Did you ask for me specifically, then?" Glorfindel asked flirtatiously. "Not the twins? Gladly would that pair follow you anywhere."

Legolas blushed fetchingly and Glorfindel wondered how far the sons of Elrond had gotten with him the night of the party when he had disappeared out to the terrace with them.

"They have other obligations," Legolas said softly, but somehow Glorfindel did not think this was the entire truth. "Lord Elrond thought you would be better suited."

"I hope he will be proved correct," said Glorfindel. "And now, if you will excuse me…"

Legolas nodded absently. "I will send news to you once I know if Haldir feels well enough to travel tomorrow."

"I hope you will bring the news yourself," Glorfindel said, and then he ducked out of the chamber, having it in his mind to seek out Elrond – whether to thank him or argue with him he knew not.