95 A Difficult Road.

"'tis never an easy thing," the elf said softly as he knelt before the chair containing the sobbing hobbit and reached out to take her small hands in his.

"To see someone we love in so much pain." He continued, before bending to bestow a gentle kiss on each hand.

"But…I don't…know what…to do." Rosie blurted out between sobs. "He won't talk…about it…Mr Legolas and…the nightmares are getting worse and…I don't know…how to help!"

As Rosie's last words rose in a wail Legolas leaned forward to gather her into his arms. His heart was breaking to see this usually so lively and cheerful hobbit in such distress. Holding her tenderly, his hand making gently circles between her shoulders he began to speak again, his voice soft and melodic, initially random words and noises intended to sooth and calm the young hobbit, before turning into a tale in which he hoped she would find the guidance she needed.

"I remember a young elf, naïve and newly raised to the guard, barely out of training yet so determined to join his best friend who had already done three turns of watch out in the forest that he begged and harassed his commander until he was finally allowed to join the next patrol set to leave." He paused for a second, his mind lost in remembrance, before continuing with his tale.

"He was so excited he could barely keep still the evening before they left and chattered away to his father about the orcs and spiders he would slay with his mighty battle skills whilst his father, unnoticed by the youth, grew pale and quiet. It must have taken all of his will to listen to his son's incessant prattle yet say naught of how he felt." Again Legolas paused briefly and a wry smile played upon his lips.

"At long last the patrol set off, taking the elven path initially before ascending into the trees where travel was quicker and they made great progress. After a couple of hours the youngling however grew bored. They had not so much as had a sniff of any enemies and he began to allow his mind to wander, creating fantasies in which he heroically saved his whole patrol from various enemies."

"He sounds very young." Rosie whispered as she pulled back out of the elf's embrace and sat back in the low chair.

"He was indeed." Legolas replied softly. "Very young. Too young." He smiled sadly

"Wh…What happened to him?" The hobbit asked, her eyes full of fear.

"He grew up." The elf replied reassuringly. "Although his father would probably disagree with me." He huffed a soft laugh and changed position to sit at her feet.

"The patrol eventually met up with that of his friend." Legolas resumed the tale, his eyes glazing over as he spoke.

"The forest was peaceful, no signs of danger had been spotted by either group and their captains decided that they should press on together deeper into the core where the darkness was becoming thicker and the air thinner. Each novice had been paired with a more experienced partner and our young friend chafed at the need for this. He felt that it was unnecessary and demeaning to have a 'babysitter' and used his youth and agility to keep ahead of his partner, congratulating himself on his prowess." He sighed ruefully.

"That was when it all went wrong."

Legolas shook his head and for a moment was almost overcome by the memories that threatened to overwhelm him.

"That was when it all went wrong." Rosie prompted softly, part of her wanting the elf to stop yet part of her needing the resolution to the tale.

"Aye, sweetling." Legolas smiled sadly as he returned to the present. "It all went very wrong."

"I will not bore you with the details but safe to say the young elf saw more than enough that day to show him the grim truth of battle and leave an indelible lesson on the cost of his naivety and the fragility of even an immortal life." The prince's eyes filled with tears as he pictured again the lifeless body of his protector, the elf who had managed to jump between him and the crudely made arrow that had been winging its way towards his heart.

In his inexperience Legolas had not seen the orcs hidden in the undergrowth as he raced through the trees, nor understood the calls from his patrol leaders. The first he realised that something was wrong was when an arrow whisked close enough to his ear that he felt the fletching and as he turned in surprise lost his footing and fell to the forest floor. He had barely regained his wits when he heard his friend cry out his name and a weight landed upon his chest, pinning him down. All around he heard cries and screams of pain and he opened his eyes to see an all too familiar pair staring back down at him, but instead of containing their usual twinkling mirth and merriment they were clouded and dull.

"But," Rosie began softly, understanding beginning to dawn. "You have had many more battles since then. How do you continue on that path? How does it not weigh you down? I can see the pain in your heart, like that of my Sam. How do you carry on?"

"With the love and support of those around me." The elf replied with a smile. "Love can do much little one. As long as Sam has the strength of your love to lean on he will find the memories begin to fade. They will never completely leave him however," he stated sadly. "But in time the pain of them will ease as will the nightmares." He leaned forward to lay a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"You will have to be strong enough for both of you for a time yet I'm afraid." Legolas continued as he sat back and held her gaze with his own.

"But I have beheld the strength of a hobbits heart and know yours will prove more than enough for the task. Come." He rose in one graceful movement and held out his hand.

"I think we need a little sunshine and greenery to chase this melancholy away."

Pulling her out of the cottage he began to hum a simple melody and Rosie felt her worries being carried away as dandylion clocks by the wind. Her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks and as she followed the prince into the garden she began to think that he was right. Hobbits had strong hearts and her Sam's was one of the strongest she knew. He had travelled a difficult path, but together they could ensure that the remainder of life's journey would be an altogether more peaceful and happier affair.


A/N

So sorry it has taken so long to post this but my father lost his fight against the virus just before Christmas and it has taken a while to get back to even wanting to write again.

I hope you find it was worth the wait.

Please take care and stay safe.

Nyx