Legolas was sure that if he wasn't murdered in an orc attack first, Pippin would drive him insane. They had been on the road all day and the young hobbit hadn't stopped talking for nearly two hours, jumping from one topic to another, often taking rabbit trails that were so long that Legolas forgot what the previous subject was. He only stopped for breath, and that was a rare thing in itself.
"He must have strong lungs if he can go for this long without drawing breath." Legolas thought, after Pippin beat his record of a sixty eight second time period of not taking a breath.
"And there's this wonderful apple tree not far from my house that I would climb up, and I could eat apples all day long. did I ever tell you about the time I fell out of that tree? I think I might have, but I can't remember, oh well, I'll tell you anyway, see it was a beautiful spring morning..."
Legolas quietly groaned, Pippin had told him the story, about four times now. He tilted his head back and stared at the sky.
"Aragorn?"
Aragorn turned from his conversation with Sam, looking back with an amused smile.
"Yes Legolas?"
"Kill me. Please."
Aragorn grinned, about to reply but Pippin beat him to it.
"Why do you want Aragorn to kill you Legolas? Are you tired of life? My great uncle's cousin twice removed got tired of life sometimes. Then he would lock himself in the basement, and talk to mice..."
Legolas just sighed and dejectedly resigned himself to his fate.
Aragorn shook his head and turned to look ahead.
"Night will be falling soon, we'll stop here for the night."
"About time."
Legolas muttered.
"I can't feel my ears anymore."
After they had watered and fed the horses, they all sat down around the fire, Legolas making sure he sat on the opposite side from Pippin. The lad was nice and all, but there was only so much one could take.
Boromir sat with Merry and Pippin, telling them stories. Aragorn was in quiet conversation with Gandalf, and Frodo and Sam were listening to Gimli talk about different types of stone. Legolas lay on his back and watched the sky turn dark.
"We should all get some sleep."
Aragorn said, having finished speaking with Gandalf.
"I'll take first watch."
Legolas offered. Aragorn nodded.
"I'll stay up with you Legolas!"
Pippen said.
Legolas groaned.
"Aragorn."
He said quietly.
"What Legolas?"
"If we have one less hobbit in the morning, it's not my fault."