Sleeping Beauty is proceeding at a snail's pace, but here is the third gorgeous illustration for the story created by @a-bungle.
The corresponding excerpt takes place after the musical performance, where Mairon excelled in the role of Sauron. :-)
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He needs to drown the dark whisperings of his mind, but getting properly drunk is no easy task. Unlike Men - and Orcs - Elves and Maiar are notoriously resistant to the effects of fermented beverages.
You can do it, Mairon. You managed in the past.
He catches himself longing for the horrid, but highly effective liquors the Orcs produced from virtually anything. No matter their numerous shortcomings, they could be surprisingly inventive in some respects.
He methodically goes through all that is on offer until he finds what he needs. A wine much more potent than anything he has sampled so far. It does not take long before he feels deliciously giddy.
As he is pouring more ruby-red liquid in his goblet, he is approached by a maiden wearing a wreath of delicate culuma blossoms. Judging from her uneasy walk, she has accomplished what he is yet to achieve. She informs him that his discovery is a gift from Lord Celeborn’s kinsman who he was introduced to several bottles ago.
I am forever in your debt, Thranduil, son of Oropher.
That is when his companion graces him with a silly smile and places her wreath on his head.
“All hail the King of the Evening!” she shouts with an unsteady, but very loud voice.
All eyes are on them. He freezes, horror-struck.
It could be worse. She could have hailed Lord Sauron.
Which is when another drunk voice adds fuel to the fire by roaring “Saurooooon!”
In a desperate counter-attack, he offers a toast to the only real King present, using the same voice that once silenced crowds much larger than this festive gathering. He just takes care to eliminate the menacing tone.
Gil-Galad pierces him with what might qualify as a glare if his face could produce any other expression. The ensuing cheers turn the attention away from the King of the Evening, and Mairon uses the distraction to snatch several bottles of wine and remove himself from the picture so as to dedicate himself to solitary brooding.