FicWad

Chapter Three: Latinum and Dorwinion Wine

Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax sat at her science workstation doing various routine duties she had scheduled for her morning hours. The day was already going nicely for her and the interesting events from the night before had piqued her curiosity. Dax's interest grew even more after Lord Elrond and one of his councilors joined Sisko in his office that morning.

These 'elves', as she had learned, were in need of some help from O'Brien's engineers for a time before going in search of their missing friends. It disappointed her that they should be leaving so soon, especially since she was always inquisitive in the meeting and learning about unknown worlds and cultures. Dax found the appearances of the two elves quite fascinating because they seemed uncommonly attractive than the average man; however, they were a little too slight in form for her tastes. She definitely preferred a greater build on those whom she sought after. Though, she did have exceptions and strange tastes at times. Her more than healthy dating appetite was well known among her crewmates and hardly did she hold back her notice if someone caught her eye that greatly.

It was several minutes into Sisko's meeting when Dax heard the lift arrive at Ops. Turning her head to glance at who arrived, Dax felt her mouth drop open in surprise. An absolutely ethereal creature had stepped off the stopped list in front of her and Dax found that she could not turn away. His long, golden mane of hair shined not just from the artificial light of Ops but possibly from an emanating inner light. His face was chiseled but striking like a Greek marble statue. Though it was his visibly strong and muscled form that gained her awed appreciation since his clothing did not hide, rather more exemplified, his nearly perfect image. When he turned his emerald eyes upon Dax, she felt the power of his mind as well as read in his gaze the wisdom one develops over the years of many ages and experiences. She of all people would recognize such a characteristic trait in another. His companions had similar looks to them but it was much greater in him.

"Good day," he greeted as he approached her with a smile, stopping just next to her station. "Is my lord still occupied with your Captain?"

Dax found herself oddly nervous but managed a returned smile, "Yes, he is but you can wait here for him if you'd like."

"My thanks," he answered. "I was also hoping to speak with Worf, has he been here yet this morn?"

"He has but is also with Captain Sisko now," Dax explained.

"I am in no hurry," he said with open hands. "A wait is not a problem for me since it appears to be my only option as of the moment."

"If you need anything let me know," she said than introduced herself and offered her hand. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax."

"I am Lord Glorfindel," he said, taking her hand and turning it in a more elegant and formal way of meeting a lady as he bowed his head slightly. "You may call me by my name without my title, my lady."

"And the same to you," she countered flirtatiously in her own way. "Dax would be fine with me."

"I would prefer to use Jadzia, it is a very beautiful name," he said, matching her game-play.

"Thank you," she said with a short giggle.

"If you do not mind my asking," Glorfindel began. "But what are these markings you have? I never have seen their like."

"They are my spots," she laughed, noticing a curious glint appear in his eyes as he heard her amusement. "My race, the Trill, have these markings."

"It is amazing to come across the many peoples here on your station," Glorfindel commented. "We did not have such a great variety of races together like this on my world though I suppose it was good Worf and his crew came to us ere we departed for places unknown."

"How so?" Dax asked, she was not sure how much their inhabitants differed in appearance but Worf, or any Klingon for that matter, could surprise or frighten someone who had not met a Klingon.

"Well... For instance, when we came upon the 'away team' Worf was in, we mistaken him for an orc," he offered.

"What is an orc?" Dax queried further, sincerely interested in Glorfindel's story.

"They are vile creatures we commonly would do battle with and were a servants of the two evil, dark lords who tried to destroy our world," he explained, not holding back on his distaste for the devilish foes.

Dax exploded into laughter, "Worf hardly is vile let alone evil."

"Indeed," Glorfindel answered with a chuckle. "He and I became quick friends and managed to bring some entertainment to both our over-stressed people. Though, I believe it was Worf's way of protecting his honor after one of Lord Elrond's sons made an off-hand remark about Worf being felled by me earlier that day."

"You beat Worf in a fight?" Dax exclaimed.

"Actually, two," Glorfindel corrected her.

"That must have been a sight to see," she said with a disbelieving shake of her head. "Especially since he does not always take the training practices with me seriously."

Glorfindel's eyes lit up, "You also know swordplay?"

"More so the type Worf's culture has," she explained. "I was a what you could call a Klingon aficionado."

He raised a curious, golden eyebrow, "Excuse my forwardness but you do not seem the age of an apprentice much less a master of culture."

"I'm over three hundred years old," she said with a teasing smirk.

Glorfindel appeared confused and surprised, "Your youthful appearance deceives the truth though your eyes betray you at times."

"I could say the same about you," she said knowingly. "How old are you, Glorfindel?"

"It has been so long, I've lost count," he joked until she playfully shoved him. "I am over ten thousand years old."

"Damn, you've got me there," she said but was still shocked by the number nonetheless.

Glorfindel opened his mouth to respond but the sound of Sisko's office opening stopped them both, causing them to face the people exiting.

"Dax, I'll need you and Worf to go through the sensor data from Lord Elrond's ship and see what sense you can make of it," Sisko ordered. "Even cross check the data on the attacking ship with our database to see if it matches the configuration of any known vessels."

"I'll get right on it, Ben," she said.

"I can show them which of the systems on our ship they will need," Glorfindel offered then looked to Elrond for approval.

The dark-haired elf nodded and the three walked over to the lift to get started right away.

"Report to us if you find anything," Sisko reminded them.

"We will immediately, sir," Worf said then gave the direction command to the lift. "Outer docking ring, section 12."

"So Worf, what is it like to look like an orc?" Dax teased as they descended down in the shaft.

"Glorfindel..." Worf growled.

Sisko looked to Elrond and Erestor who were shaking their heads or sighing at the elf captain's obvious story telling to Sisko's crewmember.

"It seems Mr. Worf neglected to tell me all the details of your first meeting," Sisko said.

Elrond sighed deeply, "I will enlighten you, Captain. Perhaps you could walk with us to our rooms and I shall tell you more. It is time for us to see to the hobbits."

"Of course," Sisko said with a nod as they went on their way.

*
Quark looked up as a few new arrivals entered his establishment glancing around at the dabo game tables and dining areas.

"Who do you suppose they are?" his brother, Rom, asked.

"Do you ever pay attention?" Quark hissed back. "Their ship came in late last night after sending a distress signal."

"They look like Vulcans to me," Rom said matter-of-factly.

"I agree, they probably aren't much for drinking either," Quark added, and then walked over to them with the bar between. "How can I help you gentlemen?"

"We are looking to eat somewhere," one of them explained.

"Then you have come to the right place!" Quark said eagerly. "I am Quark and I own this business so I want to make your stay here enjoyable. What would you like?"

"Perhaps you can suggest a meal?" the other asked.

"No problem, the Andorian Red Bat is incredibly appetizing and is a delicacy where it's from," Quark said. "The Kohlanese stew is a favorite of many of my customers as well."

The two looked to each other and one nodded, "We shall try both. What meads or ales do you have?"

"I have synthetic and real liquor, strong and weak, as well as drinks without liquor or synthale," Quark described. "Depends on how drunk you want to get."

"We do not become inebriated easily," one said. "There are very few drinks that affect us."

"How depressing," Quark commented with a frown, thinking he had been right in assuming these new customers would be no fun; however, something else did get his attention. "Tell me, what types of drinks do effect you?"

"Get a glass," one of them said. "Give me your flask, Orophin."

The other elf grumbled before giving over a small container he had inside his shirt. Quark brought a glass and they filled it with only a few sips.

"Too much at one time can make you become a bumbling fool," he explained to the Ferengi. "However, one can drink it in a sparse moderation without adverse effects."

Quark took the drink and swished around the wine-like substance before smelling the scent. A sweet yet enticing smell Quark could not describe met his nose and with a shrug, he downed the small amount of liquid. Warmth filled his stomach and chest as soon as Quark ingested the mixture but as an expert bartender and taster, he could tell the potency of the elixir. He took a deep breath after a moment before staring at the now empty glass.

"What is that?" he asked them.

"Dorwinion wine," Orophin offered. "It is from our home."

"I must get some of this in stock!" Quark exclaimed.

"We have a few crates on our ship," the unnamed one mentioned.

"Would you care to make a deal or bargain to part with some of your crates?" Quark asked eagerly.

"What use would it come to us in Valinor, Orophin, once we get there?" the other commented. "There will be plenty more for us once we arrive."

"You speak truthfully, Rúmil," Orophin said, seeming to mull it over. "Though I would care to keep at least one crate."

"That isn't a problem," Quark butted into the conversation. "I only need two crates and get more later."

"That is unlikely," Rúmil said. "Our world is uncharted on your maps and we do not wish to give the details of its location."

Quark grumbled then thought out some bargains. Even if he were able to replicate it, the drink would not be freshly bottled like the true creation.

"We also have a great amount of miruvor in the holding bay," Orophin offered. "Perhaps you would care for that as well?"

"Maybe," Quark said hesitantly. "I'll gladly take that Dorwinion wine off your hands still. Tell you what, your meals are on the house and I'll give you two hundred gold pressed bars of latinum for the wine and we can work on the miruvor later. I'm being very generous here."

The brother elves looked to each other then nodded in unison.

"That sounds appropriate to us," said Rúmil.

"Wonderful, you two have a deal!" Quark said happily. "Now let me get your meals..."

After Quark ran off, Orophin turned to Rúmil with a laugh.

"What peculiar people they have here," he said.

"Yes, very," Rúmil agreed.