Chapter 12: Fellowship
Many years had passed since Legolas Thranduilion lay eyes on one of the Shirefolk, and now there were five wandering the halls of Lord Elrond.
The four youngest were bright and merry, with excited eyes and hopeful hearts. But one, Frodo, carried the heaviest burden, Legolas knew, and also the smallest.
He saw in Frodo's eyes the same look that Bilbo had had when they had shared the dawn together after the Battle of Five Armies. Legolas, had a hunch as to why they shared the same distrustful and weary eyes, and Gandalf served only to confirm it. Bilbo had carried the One Ring out of the Goblin tunnels, and carried it through the battle and back home again. It was only through the constant presence of the Necromancer that the Elves of Mirkwood did not sense the Ring when it passed into their halls.
His senses had grown to accustomed to the feeling of evil to think that such power had been so close.
Not long after the Council had concluded and the Fellowship founded, Legolas went searching for the fifth and oldest Hobbit in Imladris.
Bilbo sat in the sun, eyes closed and a pipe and cane in his withered hands. His hair had grown almost as silver as an Elf's own head. He looked content.
Silently, Legolas sat next to the Shireling and smiled. "The sun shines brightest here. I can see why you like it."
Without opening his eyes, Bilbo muttered: "Pesky elf. It took you long enough to find me."
Legolas laughed. "Bilbo Baggins. I only just arrived, and have been in meetings since then."
"It seems to be a habit of yours." Bilbo turned his still bright blue eyes on the Elven Prince wryly.
"Duty before friendship," Legolas murmured.
"Ha! And some sort of friendship this is. You are set to leave in the morning, along with my nephew and his friends? "
"Aye. Them, Gandalf, two Men, and a Dwarf." Legolas did not hesitate to show a small amount of disgust at the idea, though he smiled afterward. It was all in fun.
"Gimli, son of Gloin. Gloin has come to visit me as well. His beard has grown even longer since I knew him."
"That is what hair does, from what I understand of it."
"He misses Thorin, and Fili and Kili. They were so young … I hope my book does them justice."
"You are writing a book?"
" 'There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Tale' by yours truly."
Aragorn's voice carried from the hall, calling for the Elf's assistance.
Legolas knelt in front of the little Hobbit. "I must leave you now, but know this, Master Baggins. We will see each other again. I will keep your nephew safe from all who wish to harm him, for the world continues to underestimate the Little Folk of the Shire."
"Thank you, Master Elf. I trust he will be in safe hands, as I once was."
They smiled at the shared memories of stuffing dwarves in barrels of apples.
"Farewell, little Hobbit."
"And you, Master Elf."
A/N: And this is the end! Thank you all for following this project to it's end.