"I’m back."

"I see. However, I do not see any flowers in your hair, my friend."

"They’re in my satchel. Clear a place on the table, and I’ll dump them out."

"Do you plan to wear the flowers loose?"

"No! Guests are expected to wear a flowered circlet. And, by the Valar, I’ll be wearing a circlet! After the trouble I encountered picking these, I want everything to be right."

"You were gone longer than I expected you to be."

"Do you know how hard it is to find orange flowers in Mirkwood?"

"Nay, for I have never looked for orange flowers before. They are difficult to find?"

"Very. But since your father suggested the color, I felt I ought to find orange ones."

"My father’s suggestions often feel like royal commands."

"So I’ve learned. Tell me how to make a circlet out of these flowers."

"Me? Why do you assume that I would know how to fashion a flowered circlet?"

"You’re a Wood Elf. Aren’t you supposed to be born knowing how to make one?"

"You do not amuse, Human."

"Regardless, I need help. I don’t want to look foolish wearing a poorly made circlet during the Presentation Ceremony. How much time's left before it starts?"

"… I do not know. … The … ceremony … is not always held at the same time … when it is held. … Remove the flowers from their vines and begin plaiting the vines. They will form the circlet’s ring."

"I knew you'd know!"

"Be quiet and hand me some vines. … Where did you find the flowers?"

"I searched every garden surrounding the palace hill. Of course, only the garden farthest away had any orange flowers."

"Of course."

"Even there, I didn’t see any at first. I was about to give up and pick some red flowers when I spotted the old birch tree in the middle of the grove."

"You were looking for flowers not trees."

"True, but floating among the top branches like an orange spider web was this flowering vine."

"The plait should be long enough to fit your head by now. Weave the flowers in between the folds; they will hold them in place. … I know that tree. It is extremely tall for a birch, and you are not that good a climber."

"I'm very good for a Man!"

"It is a very tall tree."

"I climbed it! I've got the flowers to prove it."

"How many times did you fall out of the tree before you succeeded?"

"You do not amuse, Wood Elf."

"How many times?"

"Three."

"Only three?"

"I have a bruise for each time I fell. Do you want to count them?"

"I believe you. Bend your neck so that I may bind the circlet around your head."

"Do your hands sting?"

"Nay. There! A circlet of orange flowers."

"How does it look?"

"Feminine."

"Besides that. Will your father be satisfied?"

"Most assuredly."

"Excuse me, Your Highness. His Majesty sent me to request that your guest join him at the head table."

"Time for the ceremony, we finished just in time. I'll be back after it's over."

"What an unusual sight, your guest is. Is it the custom of humans to wear such an … unpleasant … hair adornment as he is wearing?"

"Nay, it is not the custom of men. He wears it … to amuse the king."

"To amuse His Majesty! His Majesty will be offended at such a sight! Perhaps if the color of the flowers were more suitable for him it would be less offensive and more amusing!"

"Peace. The king looks for the jest. There will be no offense."

"If you say so, Your Highness. … His Majesty looks as if he is going to deliver a second speech this evening."

"He will present our guests to the feast."

"He has never done so before. That must be why he sent me for your guest."

"Aye."

"He does not look comfortable. Perhaps the human is unused to formal occasions?"

"It is not the formality that bothers the *Man*, I am sure, for I have never seen him fidget so during ceremonies in Imladris. Something else bothers him."

"Something unpleasant on his head, perhaps? He seems vexed."

"The vexation is to be expected given the circumstances. … Curious, his hands seem to itch."

"Why would his hands itch?"

"I know not."

"A very nice ceremony. Most of His Majesty’s guests seemed honored to be introduced, and he, in turn, seemed pleased to introduce them. But … Are you sure His Majesty knew the human only jested? Neither looked --"

"The *king* suggested the idea to my *friend*."

"By the Valar, I’m glad that’s over!"

"Welcome back."

"You did not enjoy being presented?"

"I’ve had more pleasant experiences."

"Is there something wrong with your hands?"

"Excuse me, Your Highness, but His Majesty summons me. I must remember to tell him I thought the ceremony was a wonderful addition to the feast. I should recommend that he do likewise each year."

"’Addition?’ -- "

"By your leave, Your Highness?"

"-- ’Addition to the feast?’ -- "

"Of course. Go see what my father wants."

"-- The ceremony was new this year? -- "

"Let me see your hands. -- "

"-- No one else was wearing a flowered circlet. -- "

"-- They look red -- "

"-- There’s no such thing as a Presentation Ceremony, is there? -- "

"-- Let me see them. They are starting to blister! -- "

"-- He tricked me into wearing this absurd circlet! -- "

"-- Are they very painful? -- "

"-- And then he held that *ceremony* to further embarrass me! -- "

"-- They should be looked at -- "

"-- And you knew the whole time? -- "

"-- as soon as possible before they -- "

"-- LET GO OF MY HANDS! YOU KNEW, AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME!"

"… … You are angrier at my silence than you are at his trick. … … If you were me, would you have told you?"

"YES! … … No. … You’re right. If I were you, I wouldn’t have told me. Your father scares me; I wouldn't dare cross him."

"Not many do."

"Why’d he do it?"

"It is unwise to describe the king as ‘feminine’ within his hearing."

"Oh."

"Indeed. Now, tell me truly; how are your hands?"

"They burn. The juice from the flowers doesn't agree with my skin."

"Let us find --"

"I bring three goblets and a flagon of my realm's best wine. Drink with me."

"I would be honored, my lord. What shall we drink to? Presentation Ceremonies?"

"I thought flowered circlets might be appropriate."

"To a truce, perhaps? I have no desire to be trapped between you two again, should you decide to continue this little war."

"Cowardice, my son?"

"Nay, I call it 'discretion'."

"How valorous of you. Shall we drink to a truce, my lord?"

"Agreed. To our truce!"

"To our truce!"

"May the Valar keep it so."

"Excellent wine! Now, young one, take off that ridiculous circlet before it inflames your forehead as badly as your hands."

"With pleasure."

"Come. We will find a healer and some salve for your hands."

"No, stay here. I've got some plants in my medicine pouch in my room that'll help. I'll go treat them and then be back. Save some of that wine for me, please. By your leave, my lord?"

"Certainly, return quickly though. I make no promises that any wine will be left if you tarry."

"I will."

"I cannot judge his walk, my son. Is he angry over the injury to his hands?"

"Nay, he harbors no ill will towards you, although he may feel some towards me."

"That was not my intent."

"I know. May I ask, when you suggested he use orange flowers for the circlet, did you know that his skin would react badly to them?"

"Young prince, do you imply that I would intentionally bring harm to a welcome guest in my kingdom?"

"Forgive me. The question was ill conceived, and I withdraw it. … Were you aware that the only orange flowers to be found were in the palace garden farthest from here?"

"Considering how well I know my own gardens, I would have expected that they could be found closer by."

"So their far distance was … unexpected?"

"Certainly. Would you suggest that it was otherwise?"

"Is it also unexpected that the flowers only grow among the highest branches of the tallest tree within the farthest garden?"

"Certainly."