The Barrow-Downs' Third Birthday Party and Downie Awards

[Arafangwen]

Arafangwen looked very relived and happy as she and Gandalf left the little room and proceded to re-mingle with their former groups. Upon reaching her table she saw something that took her aback though. The Phantom and Firondoiel were dancing rather closely for her comfort, she wondered if this meant what she was the only one that felt what she had the previous night, with that thought she decided against telling her friends what she had so despratly wanted to earlier, it was likely to late for her news to change anything anymore.

With a dejected look on her face, the she-elf walked alone to the bar and asked for Ale-cake, upon hearing there was none, she became even more upset and returned to her seat, her heart quickly drowning in this new flounder of emotions.

[Sillabub]

In the broom closet, located in the front hall of Minas Anor: Frodo was asleep among a pile of mops and buckets when suddenly something large and heavy was shut in the closet with him. A 14 year old boy with black hair and scotch-taped glasses was lying in a place near the door, yelling things that suonded like gibberish. Frodo shuddered. Surely this boy wasn't insane? He hated insane people. Oh, and he also hated flies. And Gollum. And getting muddy. And being locked in a closet with who knows how many of those creepy dustbunnies! And...Frodo continued his list of things he hated, which goes ON AND ON AND ON AND- well, yes. I'll just skip that part. It takes WAAAAY too long to type it all. So, as I was saying, Frodo and the stranger (who just so HAPPENS TO BE Harry Potter, Antien's escort)were bound and gagged, locked in a broom closet in the front hall of Minas Anor while all the downies were having FUN at the ceremony. Well, almost all of them...

Whatever place the party is being held at the moment: Sillabub and Antien waited in the front hall for Lysi and, if he actually turned up, Fraul. They were very bored. They were also very annoyed that Lysi and Fraul weren't there. And to top it all off, Sillabub had a craving for MORE black forest cake.
"Wanna go get some more cherry wine?" Antien asked.
"I've never had cherry wine before, but it sounds good enough. Sure!" Sillabub said."But how will we get it?"
"I have my ways..." Antien chuckled mysteriously(don't ask how that's possible).
"If you say so" Sillabub muttered. They walked over to the bar.
"So what's the plan?" Sillabub asked once they had sat down at the bar.
"You distract the bartender by ordering a drink or something, and argue with him as long as possible. I'll slip in and grab a bottle" Antien whispered.
"I guess so" Sillabub said, dismayed. "You! Bartender! Yeah you! I don't see any other bartenders around here, do you?!"
"Coming! What do you want?!" The Bartender yelled.
"THE ONE RI- umm...I mean...I dunno, what do you serve?" Sillabub asked.
"Well" The bartender began, looking at her suspiciously "We have red wine, white wine, malt beer, Liquor, cocktails, cabernet, champagne, cherry wine, spritzers, bloody marys, Ice wine, normal beer, mulled cider, you know, all the normal bar stuff."
"What's the grade of the grapes used to make the Ice wine?" Sillabub inquired anxiously.
"I don't know! I don't grow the grapes!" The bartender exclaimed nervously.
"Alright then! Have a good day!" Sillabub said brightly, hopping down from the bar stool. "That was fun!" she told Antien.
"Whatever. Now, a toast! To..." Antien proclaimed.
"ALW?"Sillabub suggested hopefully.
"No. To The Fellowship of the Flyswatters!" Antien said regally, popping the cork from the bottle of wine. "Go on, try some!"
Sillabub eyed her glass cautiosly. She took a small sip, made a face, and swallowed hard. "This tastes horrible!"
"Who cares?" Antien asked lazily, sipping her wine.
Sillabub was about to return to her hotwiring when she saw Lysi. Her and Antien waved.

[ May 04, 2003: Message edited by: Sillabub ]

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Menelien walked past a closet from which seemed to coming strange thump noises. Okay... thought Mnelien. Have a look, shall I? Upon seeeing abound and gagged Harry Potter, and next to him, an equally treated Frodo, Menelien quickly shut the door again and thought Best not to interefere...

[Nuinatariel]

Scanning the room with her elven eyes, Lëowen finally found a familiar face. Elentari! Rising from her seat, Lëowen made her way through the crowd of people to where Elentari sat.


"Hello! It's nice to see someone I know here," said Lëowen.

[Arvedui]

Arvedui paused before the gates of the grand hall and lit his pipe. The fragrant pipeweed wafted out as a good draw led to another as he watched the security Uruks argue over the Orc-draught they had hidden in the leather bag. With a chuckle, Arvedui now felt ready to go in to the hall. He tamped out the ember and slid the pipe into his cloak and pushed open the door.

There were folk about in various states of innebriation and dress and such, for the party had been going on for some time. Arvedui made his way toward the bar in hopes of getting a tankard of ale, and the tired looking barkeep asked what he wished.

'A good ale, whatever you have will be fine.' Arvedui said.

"Well," The bartender said, "we are pretty much out of beverage, being a three year birthday bash and all. We do have some dregs of this Mordorian Red left. I may get a tankard if I tip the keg."

Arvedui nodded and looked around. There were some movement usually accompanied with a moan, along with the few who were conscience. After 5 minutes of tapping the ale, the tankard was passed and Arvedui lifted it up and said,

'To Barrow Downs 3rd year! I am glad to be a part of it!'

He sipped down a good portion as he leaned back against the bar.

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Menelien sat down at her table again, having sufficiently forgotten the pain of her hangover to start on earning another one, and ordered a beer, hoping that some handsome guys would soon join her, or at least some of her friends...

[ElentariGreenleaf]

"Lëowen!" said Elentari, her voice full of joy. "You cannot know how glad I am to see you! People seem to be ignoring me," she added, giving a sideways look at the people next to her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine thanks," replied Lëowen.

[Arafangwen]

Arafangwen turned her head from the dance floor as her two friends approached her, she couldn't bear to look at them at the moment.

"Did he feel nothing?" Arafangwen thought desperatly as she proceded to try and not look as frustrated as she was quickly becoming.

"I wish I had never agreed with Naneth, then I would never have been in this situation in the first place." she thought bitterly to herself as she vainly tried to control her angry thoughts about her mother.

"Mabey if I ask Legolas to come he could-" she cut her self off as she mentaly scolded herself, "He would not be pleased if you called him just to act in a childish manner and plead for his help." she silently resolved not to be angry with Naneth, Legolas, or Gandalf. She knew she could not control her torent of emotions much longer, The Phantom was sure to notice and wonder.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sophia said a quick goodbye to Stryker, after their long and lovely chat. "I seem to have lost a certain elf-flirt... I should go see where he's gotten to." she said apologetically, having promised Fin she'd keep track of him if he wasn't able to keep track of himself ( [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]).

She looked around the room hesitantly, but couldn't see where he'd gone. The last time she'd seen him he'd been dancing with Nerindel. Another quick look showed that Nerindel was nowhere to be found either. This simply wouldn't do... Not only would Sophia enjoy another good dance, but she'd also like another go at Fin's hairstyle, wherever he was.

Grinning cheekily she crept around the edges of the room looking under tables and in corners for her most likely incapacitated escort.

[Nuinatariel]

Lëowen grinned. "Considering how drunk some of these people are, it might not be a bad thing that they're ignoring you," she told Elentari. Lëowen looked around. "There sure are alot of people here,"
"But not many of them conscious," laughed Elentari. Lëowen nodded in agreement, watching as another guest hot-wired the music system.

[ May 02, 2003: Message edited by: Nuinatariel ]

[The-Elf-Herself]

TEH walked over to the bar to get a splash of whiskey in her soda. After doing so, she looked around for someone to talk to, as she's not much of a dancer and hardly in clothing suitable to dancing anyway.

[Stryker Stormeye]

Stryker, after saying goodbye to Sophia, walked to the buffet. After getting some Balrog wings and some lembas, he sat down at a table. Looking over, he saw a depressed looking elf (Arafangwen).

"Whats wrong?" he asked politely, "You look depressed."

[Donlammenion]

"Nil my fair lady, would it be to bold to ask for a little kiss as you have made the evening so far extremely enjoyable"

Niluial gave don a coy look
"What is this you ask of an elven Maiden as innocent as I?"

"well i had better go ahead and just show you"

He replied and proceeded to do exactly that!

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Menelien watched Niuial and Don and sighed. Could somebody ask me to dance? she thought.

[Ainaserkewen]

"Hello This is Reesha Weathers! Has anyone seen MR. Und..." But Reesha, who was standing on a chair, was ripped down, and dragged away by Ainaserkewen.
"You're embarassing me!" she said. And the two went off to have a private talk about conduct and being good since few of the press were being aloud inside and it was a great honour. So for the next few hours, there was nothing to be heard of Ainaserkewen.

[Niluial]

Donlammenion kissed Niluial slowly. Niluials heart started to beat ever so fast and her breath was taken away. She was overwhelmed but happy. Don stopped but Niluial reached back and kissed him again.

[One Axe to Rule them All]

Suddenly, Menelien was startled by a deep voice behind here say "I believe I still owe you a dance m'lady and as she whirled around, she saw gimli standing behind her, bowing to her.

[dragoneyes]

Thoriel slowly raised her head from the table where it had lain. She tried to knock some feeling back into her cheek where she had been lying on it but it made her head hurt so she just massaged it. She also made a quick mental note to make sure she was lying down next time she decided to fall asleep as she was sure the position she had been sleeping had done her back no good.

Her mind still slow and sleepy, Thoriel remembered just the few things after the drinking game, she remembered seeing Elentari somewhere, perhaps she'd go look for her later, she was bound to be annoyingly energetic and Thoriel couldn't do with that just now. Thoriel also faintly remembered Gorwingel appearing from somewhere and she made another mental note to go look for her before the party was through.

She rubbed her tired eyes and streched a little, she wondered where Sophia and Fin a run off to, they weren't anywhere in sight. She decided to go looking for them so she stood up, then sat strait back down again. She'd go looking for them after a good strong cup of tea.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Continuing her search Sophia headed into the various foyers and coatrooms outside the main hall. Sticking her head into each room she surveyed the variety of Barrowdowners asleep on the couches or sometimes the floor.

She gave a quizzical look at HerenIstarion as she passed him snoozing on a couch in a particularly awkward position. How had he managed to fall asleep with his head and shoulders lying down, but his feet on the floor as though he was sitting up? Sophia shook his head, that guy was going to wake up with one major crick in the neck.

The sound of muttering drew Sophia's attention to a doorway she hadn't noticed, and she stuck her head inside. Sure enough, there was Fin, sounding reasonably sober, with a pocket mirror in his hand. He was sitting on a couch with his back to the doorway. Sophia crept in quietly, hoping to overhear his mutterings.

Oh, my hair... was all she could manage to listen to before a soft snicker escaped her lips. Fin jumped and looked over his shoulder. "Oh, Sophia, it's you!"

"So this is where you've been hiding out?" she asked him, swatting his feet off the couch so she could sit down (with a sudden flash of insight on H-Is strange seating arragnement). "Come back out, enjoy the party..."

He gave her a black look, "Is it safe out there with you about?" he asked her, a little grin creeping up on him. Sophia laughed and pulled him to his feet.

"Let's go get a drink, you can't spend a party by yourself in a closet."

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Menelien was very startled when she heard Gimli’s voice behind her, she turned around quickly (managing not to trip on the hem of her dress) and stuttered for a moment before she managed to get out something more or less coherent “why.. of course!” She smiled as they walked onto the dance floor, though, had they known it, they made a bit of a funny picture: a short dwarf and a rather clumsy/tipsy-looking tall elf maiden whose hair was ‘beginning’ to come out of its once-pretty hairstyle and gather in ringletts about her face (the ringlets had been blow dryed in the day before [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ). She dropped her eyes and wished she had paid more attention in her dance classes as the music started.

[ May 02, 2003: Message edited by: GaladrieloftheOlden ]

[Trippo The Hippo]

Trippo was not quite sure what to do at the moment as the music started up. So he thought what better thing to do then dance. Seeing that Menelien was taken at the moment, and knowing that he would get his dance later. He decided to share the wealth with someone else. He saw a lovly warg off in the distance and ran to her. Picked her up and began to waltz.

[Nuinatariel]

Elentari having suddenly left, Lëowen found herself alone again. Maybe someone else she knew would show up. Leaning against the wall, Lëowen watched for any of her friends.

[Samwise]

Sam got up and greatfully followed Frodo to th' breakfast table. "Didn't mean t' embarrass you, sir--it's just th't we're Baptists. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Don't do th' drinkin' or that kinda dancin'. You didn't know.

Primrose followed her father and "Uncle", and Stacey started to, as well, but then she noticed Tennyson looking a bit sad.

Mmm....

Stacey ran over to Sam and whispered in his ear. "I'm going to go make a call. Be right back. "

Sam nodded, and Stacey headed outside. Once there, she pushed up her sleeve and pushed the buttons on her wrist communicator (which also did a few other things, but for that see the last party).

"Worthington? Yes, it's...no, not ready to go home, yet....there's someone I need you to go get and bring here..."

[Nurumaiel]

Blushing and trying to overcome his shyness, Firramer led Alasse out to the dance floor. Fortunately the music had changed to a slower dance more in the style of his people; a few minutes before it had been hard rock and he didn't think he could stand that.

Alasse was quite a beautiful Elf. Of course all Elves were much like that. Firramer spoke hesitantly, wondering exactly what he should say, "Where do you come from, m'lady?" he asked. "And what brings you here? The party, I suppose," he said after a quick reflection. Blushing again, he added, "You're quite a good dancer."

[Salix]

As Sailx finished up her phone call, she realized how empty the place suddenly was. "Oh well" she murmured and headed off to the bar for some moe hot water.

[ May 02, 2003: Message edited by: Salix ]

[the real findorfin]

Fin grudgingly followed Sophia, after taking one last look in the mirror.
"Are you sure?"
"Oh shut up," she replied and dragged him out into the hall. "Youy need some drink inside you. That will get your self-confidence back."
"Agreed."

They walked toward the bar, and suddenly Fin was caught around the waste by a lovely pair of arms.
"Hello," Thoriel cried, "I'm awake!"
"And none the worse I hope," Fin asked.
"I'm fine," she replied.
"Good. An orange juice perhaps?" He walked up to the bar and ordered the drinks. He handed them out, Thoriel with a Orange Juice and Fin and Sophia had yet another white wine each."
"Perhaps you should be on the juice," Sophia commented as Fin gulped down the glass.
"Perhaps....but it isn't going to happen!"

[the phantom]

"What is wrong with me" thought Firondoiel as she danced with The Phantom. "I hardly know the guy. He's just toying with me, playing the stud role."

But as she looked up into his eyes, she knew this was not true. He seemed to radiate honesty and genuine tenderness. "Then why does he act like he doesn't have feelings sometimes? Why doesn't he consider that others have them too?"

"Because I'm both a man of business and a man of war" said The Phantom aloud. Firondoiel opened her mouth in shock.

"How did you know-"

"Firondoiel, how could anyone possibly forget my mental abilities? I can hear many people's thoughts, particularly when they involve me" he answered. "In most of the work I do, it is to my advantage to appear cold and composed. Emotions make me feel... well... vulnerable."

Firondoiel's heart bled for The Phantom, who despite seeming to be above the rest of the world and its residents, and despite appearing to have the best of everything, was not entirely happy.

They were swiftly interrupted by the sound of The Phantom's cell phone. The Phantom realized with alarm that it was his upper left pocket phone, the one only used in emergencies.

He gave Firondoiel a quick smile and sprinted towards one of the back doors at a speed Firondoiel had never seen from any person, or perhaps even from a steed of Rohan. A single tear fell from her face and fell towards the floor, catching every light in the room as it dropped.

Firondoiel made her way slowly from the dance floor.

[ May 02, 2003: Message edited by: the phantom ]

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Menelien tapped Gimli on the shoulder as they danced, pointing to the other side of the dance floor. A gigle erupted from each of them, as that was the side the balrogs were dancing on... and Trippo and a warg. Of course, Trippo was quite a nice fellow, but watching him flirting with a hyena was amusing [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[the real findorfin]

As Fin drank his fill, he remembered the night. Suddenly he thought of Chicken, had he returned? He looked over at Mattius but no yellow feathered thing was to be found there.
"Chicken is still missing," he said, worriedly.
"Well lets find him then," Sophia answered.
"Yeh, lets go," Thoriel exclaimed. She was now full of energy after her sleep and was bouncing on the spot ready to go.

They divided up to search, Thoriel moving toward the stage, Fin searching the main hall and Sophia looking in the side rooms.

Fin searched for many minutes but the closest thing he foun to Chicken was an elven furry scarf that had been discarded by someone.
"Oh dear," he thought, " I hope one of the others has had better luck."

[Oddwen]

After standing and staring at the walls for some time (my favorite pastime!), someone hisses at me.
"Get off the stage! Who do you think you are? The Disco King?" I comply with a sheepish grin. What was I doing here? I was up on STAGE? SINGING? ME? When was the Barrow-danceoff? And when was the Disco-wight going to arrive? I wandered around asking any and all elves, for everyone knows they are the most knowledgable, but they just stared and/or edged off. Something was wrong. I had not had any alcohol, and had kept both eyes on my apple juice. So drunkenness and spiking were out.
Then I looked at the buffet table. To my horror, two of the orc security guards were there. It looked like they had snuck in, for they were trying to hide.
"Here it is! Marmaduke's been looking for this!" He held up the pot of the chocolate mousse! How and why could that be?
"Yeh! You know how mad he gets when they mistake his styling gel for a dessert!" the two shared a good chuckle and crept back out through some unknown hole.
But I reeled. That would explain the hallucinations, the worse than usual dyslexia, the strange behavior!
"Orken Hair Mousse!" a scream escaped my lips. Not chocolate mousse at all, but the vile concoction made from toads, poisonous toadstools and (gulp) limburger cheese!! I rushed to the bar.
"Quick," I wheezed. "Antidote! I need an antidote to Orken Hair Mousse!" My fingernails scratched deep grooves in the counter as I sought to keep standing...

[Donlammenion]

"Niluial."
As she turned Don took her into his arms.
"Close your eyes i have something to give you." With that a trusting Niluial close those sensual eyes. He pulled a small box from his pocket and taking her small delicate hand placed it in it. With that he gave her a kiss whispering, "You can open them now"

With a short gasp she peered at the box, "Whats this you have given me"
"Open it and you'll find out," He prompted

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sophia moved away from the group, fairly skeptical about the chances of fiding a foot tall yellow dancing chicken hiding in the same corners she'd so recently checked in, but being in a good mood she poked the fallen jackets and scarves and the occasional inebriated Barrowdowner.

"Chicken?" she asked the air softly, standing bewilderedly a little way from where HerenIstarion was looking more and more stiff. From under the sofa a pair of eyes glinted. "Chicken?" she asked again, dropping to her hands and knees and peering under the sofa. Sophia pushed her hair back out of her eyes and fought a feeling that she was making a fool of herself.

The pair of eyes withdrew under the sofa. "Don't you want to come out and..." Sophia racked her brain for whatever chickens might like to do. "...sign autographs?" she blurted, he was after all a famous chicken. A yellow beak poked out cautiously, followed by a head crowned with a large red... thing. Sophia looked around carefully to make sure nobody could see her talking to the underneath of a couch before adding, "We'll buy you a drink..." in a coaxing tone.

When he heard that Chicken popped out from under the couch entirely and began dancing his world-famous jig. Sophia giggled as he followed her back to the main room.

[Firondoiel]

Firondoiel finally made it back to her table. As she sat she thought back over her brief dance with The Phantom. At last she understood him. Her heart ached when she remembered how sad his eyes looked when he explained why he disliked to show emotions. Another tear escaped her eye when she thought about how it must be for him to keep everything inside. It's not right for him to have to feel that way. she thought.

Her musings were interrupted by a chuckling Gimli and Menelien returning to the table. They were so wrapped up in their conversation that they didn't even notice Firondoiel's distress.

Firondoiel's thoughts turned to her feelings for The Phantom. What am I putting over on myself? There's just no way. she thought sadly. And what about Arafangwen?Why does life everything have to be so complicated? she asked herself with a sigh. I suppose I'll just have to let everything work itself out. But meanwhile, I believe The Phantom needs a friend.

[ May 02, 2003: Message edited by: Firondoiel ]

[Donlammenion]

FOR FIN

Fin was just about to give up when he saw Sophia returning with the famous yellow chicken.
" Chicken!" he cried, and walked over. Thoriel, who had heard him also returned.
"Allow me to buy you a drink" Fin said, hoping the yellow bird would stay in a good mood for more than ten minutes. He noticed that Thoriel and Sophia in their dresses were also making Chicken perk up slightly.
"Bartender, whatever the ma..uh..Chicken wants."

[ May 02, 2003: Message edited by: Donlammenion ]

[Arafangwen]

Arafangwen forced herself to turn and look at her friends as they were approaching the table. At the exact moment she turned, The Phantom looked alarmed, searched his pocket, smiled at Firondoiel and dashed off with a speed that she had only seen from one other person, one who was very dear to her heart. Her eyes glazed over and she slumped in her chair as the sceen from so long ago rushed by her with such enormacy that a single tear made it's way down her face only to land on the cold hard floor. "Whats wrong?" she heard a voice nearby ask. Arafangwen shook herself mentaly to answer the stranger but could not seem to make it stop, "Oh no! Not here, not now!" she thought in desperation as her slim figure slid completly off her chair and onto the floor where she lay until it had passed.

"Legolas!" she cried out immedietly as she regained use of her voice. Several heads turned to stare at the elven lady on the floor who seemed in quite a state of shock.

Arafangwen shook her head, "At least I can see now." she thought to herself as her sences slowly returned to her.

Arafangwen slowly sat up and quickly looked around to see if anyone had seen her outburst. Her spirits fell as she relized that almost everyone around her was staring right at her.

[Niluial]

Niluial loved presents but she hated opening them! She always feared she either would not like the gift and would have to pretend she did or the gift would be too grand to except. Her fingers fingered the box she slowly opened it, she was blinded by the brightness. “Oh it is beautiful” Niluial exclaimed. Holding the beautiful diamond necklace in her hands.
“May I put it on for you my lady?”
“Oh please do!” Don put it around her neck and she looks exquisite! “My you look amazing!”
“Oh do I” Niluial said. She hugged him tight and gave Don a kiss. “I love it!”

[elven maiden Earwen]

Shophia and Nerindel both disapered. Eärwen sighed. Now I must go find someone else to talk too she thought to herself.

A long time later after making small talk with many of the quest Eärwen went to get something to eat. MMM, Balrog Wings my favorite she thought as she put a couple on her plate. I think I will have some lembas too.
"Can I get a RootBeer?"She asked a passing waiter.
"Just a mintute" he said as he hurried off. Seconds later he reapeared with a RootBeer.
"Thank you" Eärwen said. She looked around, and saw a table where a one person sat. It was Eruwen.
"Hi, my name is Eärwen may I join you?" she asked.

[ May 02, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]

[Trippo The Hippo]

"LEGOLAS!" Came a scream from behind Trippo. It startled him so much that he tossed the warg he was dancing with right through a wall. As he turned to see what all the commotion was about. Little did Trippo know he had actually caused a larger commotion, by throwing his partner through a wall. Trippo turned around to see the gaping hole in the wall. "Sorry aobut that Mith, I'll pay fot that." He called.

[Donlammenion]

With a better reception to the gift than expected don was pleased and asked Niluial to show off to all by partaking in the waltz which was just beginning.

Although Don rarely waltzed he found Nil to be very adept and thus a good teacher. He had soon picked the finer points up and began to look at Nil's eyes instead of her Feet.

"You make even that necklace look ordinary beneath your eyes and radiant smile."

[Firondoiel]

Firondoiel hurried over to Arafangwen who was laying on the floor. "Arafangwen? Are you all right? Arafangwen?!" Firondoiel said anxiously waiting for a response. Instead of answering her, Arafangwen screamed, "Legolas!" then slowly got back into her chair and glanced around the room. "Arafangwen?" Firondoiel gently layed a hand on her friends arm. Arafangwen turned to Firondoiel with tear filled eyes and spoke so softly that even with elven hearing Firondoiel caught her words. "I want Legolas."

Firondoiel took Arafangwen in a comforting embrace, trying to think of something to say that would soothe her friend's pain.

[ May 02, 2003: Message edited by: Firondoiel ]