Drinking Games by feanorusrex

Chapter 3

So, I wrote the first chapter intending it to be a one shot, and then I wrote another chapter, and THEN, I came up with this, so it’s an alternate ending I guess?

Aegnor was hungover, and in Andreth’s bed. The first fact was quite distressing, and he was not sure how he felt about the second.

The full gravity of the situation suddenly pressed down upon him. What had happened the previous night? Were they wed? He felt none of the connection that he would if he had wed another elf, but perhaps it would not exist with a human. He was still clothed in what he had been wearing the previous night, but if nothing had happened, then why was he here?

He tried to recall the events that had transpired, but even his sober mind’s memories were damaged by the alcohol. There had been drinking, Andreth had won, he had kissed her, and then? The night was covered by a film of wine and headache. He bitterly cursed his former self. Why would anyone willingly consume such poison, to lose their grip on reality, and then suffer agony and amnesia the next morning?

But ignoring his physical sickness, back to this foreign bed and the woman sleeping next to him with her hair loose and one arm flung over her face. She appeared clothed as well, but still why-?

Movement jarred his head, splitting his vision into tiny pieces momentarily, but nevertheless Aegnor reached out and shook Andreth’s shoulder. She opened her eyes, sat up, winced, layed back down and said confusedly, “Aegnor, what- why are you here? Wait..no, this was my doing. Last night we finished, I won if you remember, and you seemed quite unwell, so I let your rest here. I was in no condition to escort your back home, and you soon fell asleep.” Andreth glanced at him. “I apologize, I see now that it is an awkward situation, but I was tired and the floor is uncomfortable, and this is a fairly large bed...” she faltered.

“Please, I do not mind,” Aegnor said. So nothing had happened. He could not rightly say whether he was relieved or disappointed. Relieved, obviously. He did not want to get married to Andreth, of course. “I trust you feel as terribly as I do?”

“Horribly yes,” Andreth swung her legs over the side of the bed and rose. “I guess my book was wrong, if you are suffering too.”

“How can you treat all these symptoms?” Aegnor asked, following suit. They walked out of her bedroom. Both light and sound seemed more intense than they should have been.

“There is nothing to be done, but drinking water helps, and eating- do you want breakfast?”

“Do not trouble yourself, I can leave,” Aegnor said. What was the correct protocol after drinking yourself into oblivion and passing out in the other’s bed? Surely he would owe her breakfast? He offered this, but Andreth replied that it was her kitchen, and her fault in the first place, as she had suggested their contest, as so he acquiesced, and sat down, at the same place he had the previous night.

It occurred to Aegnor that this morning contained all of the elements that would follow a unplanned night spent with someone else- the uncertainty and awkwardness felt upon waking up next to the other, and breaking their fast together- besides the physical action, of course.

And despite the fact that it felt like he had nearly died of poisoning, Aegnor was happy. Last night had been enjoyable because he had been with Andreth, and he found himself smiling at her as she moved about the kitchen.

"After I beat you last night, what did I have you do- I forgot," Andreth asked as she set their plates down.

"Well," he hesitated. "You asked me to kiss you."

"I do not think that I did- oh, ugh, yes. Sorry. I do not know what I was thinking, the effects of drink- I apologize."

"And how did I compare?"

"In what?"

"You said that you wanted to know how it felt to kiss an elf as opposed to a human. So, how was it?" This was flirting, maybe, possibly. He did not know why he was speaking in this manner. After he leaves Andreth's house today Aegnor could forget all this oddness. But he still wanted to hear her answer.

“Fine,” she said levelly. “No really difference. Honestly, all the other women I have heard wishing for the very same thing would be quite disappointed.” Andreth grinned at him, no longer embarrassed. Aegnor had run out of clever responses and said nothing. They eat.

Andreth was right about food, for Aegnor felt slightly better. At least his mind no longer felt detached from his body. He persuaded her to let him wash their plates- after all he had agreed to their contest- thanked her, and then made to leave.

“Wait, before you leave, could you sort of neaten your hair?”

Aegnor ran his hands over the top of his head, finding that it was mussed from sleep. Hair escaped from his braids, and he will have to carefully undo them later, or the strands will tangle around themselves irrevocably. For now he smoothed it down as best he could. He made to ask her why, Andreth’s hair was messy too although it leant her a sort of dishevelled grace- anyway- but then it struck him. It was bad enough that he may be spotted leaving Andreth’s house far earlier than could be excused by a social visit, but to be seen leaving her house while visibly rumpled, well. He attempted to straighten his clothes too. There were many who already think that there was something between Andreth and he, and Aegnor did not wish to add fuel to their suspicions.

Andreth, conscious of this also, walked to her door ahead of him and stuck her head out. Seeing no one, she pulled it fully open. “Well, this was- interesting. Shall we be drinking partners for life then?”

“Yes,” Aegnor agreed and they shake on it. He had considered swearing off alcohol forever after this, but if he was hungover with her, it would not be so bad.