Chapter 26
The next day the fellowship traveled on. Even though Legolas was still weak, he had insisted on walking himself, but Aragorn was always around him. Frodo glanced at the elf every now and then. He had known the Prince of Mirkwood much better in the past few days and had also learned to love him. The hobbit slowly understood why the ranger had such great confidence in the beautiful warrior. He was loyal and brave. And above all, he was strong. Frodo tried not to think too much about what Legolas had told them. Sam walked beside him, lost in thought.
"Sam? Are you all right?", the hobbit asked his friend worriedly. What was Sam worried about? His friend's eyes were worried when he looked up.
"Mr. Frodo, I don't know how we should do it. We're little hobbits, not heroes. How should we do such a big job alone?" Frodo smiled and shook his head. Otherwise, Sam was always so brave. But, of course, the hobbit understood his friend's concern.
"You are right, Sam. We are not heroes. But Lord Elrond will not have sent us on this journey lightly. He has placed his trust in us and will know what he did there. And we are not alone. We have the fellowship. We have friends around us. We don't have to do this task alone. We will do it, Sam. Together. There is always hope." Frodo didn't know where these words were coming from, but he had confidence. He knew that they would do their job with the fellowship. Sam smiled.
"I hope you are right, Mr. Frodo." The hobbit looked ahead again and directly into two blue eyes which watching him. Legolas smiled slightly at him and nodded before turning away. Frodo was a little confused. Why were elves always so mysterious?
"You did a really good job," the ring bearer heard Aragorn whisper. He frowned in confusion. What had the prince done? "I'll be right back, Sam." With these words, the hobbit ran to the ranger and the archer. "What did you do, Legolas?" He just laughed in response. The wrinkle on Frodo's forehead deepened. What was going on here?
"Legolas helped you a bit with his light," Aragorn said calmly and smiled. Now the ring bearer was even more confused. What? What did it mean that Legolas had helped him with his light?
"What?" The prince laughed again. "Elves can use the light in them to make hearts lighter." Frodo stared at the handsome warrior, almost forgetting to go on. Slowly he put the pieces of the puzzle together in his head. Legolas had used the light in himself to give the hobbit courage again.
"T-Thank you. Why ..." But he didn't get any further, because the Mirkwood elf interrupted him with a wave of the hand and a gentle smile. "Don't thank me, my little hobbit. You are our hope and that is the least I can do for you, my dear friend." Frodo was still looking a little overwhelmed at the prince. Why were Elves such good creatures please? He shook his head.
"Thanks anyway." The archer still nodded, smiling slightly, and the hobbit returned to Sam. Why did Legolas do so much for him? The elf himself was injured, both physically and mentally, and yet it gave off heat and light to the ring bearer. The beautiful warrior really had a pure heart.
The fellowship had stopped in a forest a few hours later. They were all exhausted and especially Legolas had to rest because he was not yet fully strengthened. Aragorn had taken care of his wound again and the hobbits were amazed at how quickly the wound healed. It was still clearly visible, but much smaller. Now they were all lying by the fire and resting a little. Aragorn chewed his pipe thoughtfully as Gimli and Boromir slept. Gimli was snoring quite a bit, which made the hobbits laugh. Despite Aragorn's order to rest, Legolas was sitting on a stone and busy making new arrows. This bright light was still around him. Frodo watched the elf for a while before wrapping himself in the cloak and falling asleep.
