A/N warning! Goofy cheesiness ahead!
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"A toast to Greenwood's newest ally!" The King bellowed, raising a glass to his guest of honor. "May we know great peace with Asgard and her people!" Shouts and cheers resounded throughout the feasting hall as people toasted the new treaty.

Once everyone was seated, slow music began as the elves ate their dinner. People were laughing, silverware was clinking, and wine had began to be drunk.

"So tell me Loki," Thranduil said, steepling his fingers while leaning back, "are you prepared for the Lilt-Gwanuren-Ardhon?"

"No, I must confess I am not." He laughed softly, "What is this 'Lilt-Gwanuren-Ardhon' exactly?"

"The Dance of Kindred Worlds is an ancient tradition. And none have, or ever will, best our king." Legolas explained with pride in his voice, "You will not be able to defeat him."

"Perhaps he has not yet met a worthy opponent." Loki smirked, "And I assure you, I shall prevail over this Dance of Kindred Worlds."

Thranduil tried to hide his laughing lips as he sipped his wine. This however, did not go unnoticed by Loki.

After the luscious diner was over, everyone moved from the feasting hall to the ballroom. The musicians were awaiting the entry of the king and his guest as everyone found their place within the great round room.

Presently the doors swung open and in walked the two contestants in all their glory. The Elvenking had a soft glow surrounding him. His frostbitten golden hair was adorned with a spring crown of pale pink flowers. Glittering silver robes added to his powerful and glowing aura.

The raven haired prince had a much darker presence. He had changed from his traditional Asgardian clothing into rich elven robes of black, speckled with shimmering green. His hair was bound only by a thin silver circlet, announcing his position.

A silvery blue glow was created in the center of the room as starlight streamed into it from the glass dome above. Which was framed by the distant trees of the forest, casting shadows upon the observers.

The pair bowed to each other and the
Litl-Gwanuren-Ardhon began.

Now, here I must say that it is difficult for anyone to describe how such a dance took place. But I will try my luck and hope that it will contain a fraction of the splendor that took place herein:

The music was slow at first. Testing the patience of the contestants. Both exemplifying royalty and regality in their slow, graceful moves. Weaving their bodies along with the melodies.

The music then becomes like crashing waves as the dancers race from one end to the other. Performing impossible flips and leaps. With Thranduil going higher than Loki.

One clearly searches for something as he races around his end of the stage. The other excites the crowd as he comes close to some and away from others. It's as if he wants to tell them something, something important. But they can only watch, hoping to find out what such a thing could be.

The pale one comes twirling in, circling the dark one. Eyeing the still figure of the mysterious creature.

Whispers can be heard as people praise the gracefulness of their king, and the lordliness of Loki, who stands with hands clenched before spinning out and offering his hand with a smirk. Thranduil excepts, and off they part.

the music is slow and boring. Their movements reflect weariness and monotony before the music begins to rise. Slowly. Measuredly.

Two swords appear at apposite ends of the ring.

Thranduil leaps and spins, rolls and flies to his sword.

Loki spying his, rushes to gain the weapon.

They meet in the center of the ring. Swords flashing, eyes blazing as they moonwalk around each other.

It is said that in the Lilt-Gwanuren-Ardhon it can be discovered which realm is the strongest. That if a treaty is broken, a people betrayed, or a war started; this will reveal who the stronger nation is and who shall reign supreme. For the two realms only chose their best and most skilled warriors and dancers for this tradition. Whoever wins this dance will become a legend.

But Loki knew none of this. He only knew he wanted to prove Legolas wrong, and to show him that he would win this little 'competition'.

And thus the true dance had begun. Where skill meets skill. And where deadliness meets gracefulness.

Thranduil raised his sword, Loki mirrored the action, crossing their swords.

And here I cannot tell you what it looked like. For it is too magnificent to describe. What I can tell you is this; it was like a whirlwind of silver and black. It was a dance of power. A dance of skill. And a fight for pride.

Even though the Prince of Asgard had a rather considerable skill in war and dance, he was a far cry from that of the Elvenking.

The swords were discarded and it was a flurry of movement. No matter how hard he tried, Loki could not match the swift precision of Thranduil's movements.

* * * * * * *

People flocked around the two contestants. Most were there to congratulate their king, a few told Loki that he did very well for someone who's not an elf. Some would try to console him by saying "Although you did excellently, there's none who can contend with our king." Comments such as these made Loki's blood boil. However, being the stately prince he is (though he should be a king) he returned it with a polite response. Showing that he was far above their gloating king.

* * * * * * *

From across the ballroom Legolas was laughing at something one of his friends had said when a brown hair ellon came up to him. Grunted. Gave him two silver coins, then simply walked away.

"What was that?" Asked Renil. "Do not tell me that you have made yet another bet with my brother."

"Indeed I have 'made yet another bet with your brother'." Legolas confirmed solemnly.

"One day you two are going to get yourselves into too much trouble with one of your pranks." Said Tauriel

"Milady, that day shall never come." He said, clutching his chest, mouth slightly agape as he leaned back. "Everyone adores our pranks and would never betray us. Besides, it's not as if you've never helped us—"

"I've never—!"

"Renil," he said abruptly. "would you care for a dance?"

"It would be an honor!" The girl said while smiling. Blue eyes darting to one of Legolas' infamous admirers as she made her way towards the little group.

Renil had a great love for dancing, especially if it helped one of her friends avoid any disagreeable persons.

* * * * * * *

"When were you going to tell me that this is no simple dance?" Loki was finally asked Thranduil, once the hoard of people had diminished.

"You must have a problem with your memory." Thranduil said, "for you know that the
Lilt-Gwanuren-Ardhon is the story of how two realms become allies. I told you this as we were entering the ballroom."

"I beg your pardon?" Loki spat out, "Nothing is wrong with my memory. You simply failed to tell me that this was not just a dance, but also a fight for power."

"'Tis not a fight, merely a demonstration of power. I had thought you would be able to exhibit some show of the power of your people Perhaps I was wrong in this. But 'tis no matter, we are now allies and I intend on helping you in your quest to find the Tesseract as long as you fulfill your end of the deal."

"And I intend on doing so as soon as the Tesseract is in my hands."

"Good." Thranduil said, and after a moment's pause continued. "Now come and enjoy the celebration. You shall not find a better people in Arda more suited for merry making."

Thranduil turned, ushering his guest to a group of nobles and introducing him, not noticing the change in Loki's demeanor.

* * * * * * *

"NO! Ronir!" Renil whispered at him, attempting to be as quiet as possible while still getting her point across. "This is NOT the time to be having a drinking game!"

"Oh yes it is!" Laughed her twin brother, downing another glass of wine. "I will defeat you Esgalnor!"

Esgalnor's laugh boomed throughout much more of the room than Renil would have liked.

Esgalnor downed his own glass, brown eyes flashing as he turned to Legolas "Here." He said, giving the prince four silver coins. He lowered his voice threateningly. "Be warned, I will win the next bet." And with that another glass disappeared.

"Ellyn" Renil muttered under her breath, turning to search for another dance partner.

Spying the honored guest looking towards the direction of the little group she had just rid herself of; Renil quickly changed her mind and asked one of her friends who had already spoken with him to introduce her to him.

He seemed polite enough, but was quite antsy to get away, so she let him. The prince gave her an odd feeling, as if. Something wasn't quite right... she shook the feeling off, blaming on an over active imagination and too much wine.

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A/N Thank you so much for reading! And I apologize for any possible mistakes in this chapter...
What did you think? Did you have a favorite part? I would love to hear from you!