1 Chapter Twenty- Life and Love; I'll Never Let You Go
A/N: just for Nikki (you know who you are, Morely), I'm gonna Put a joke scene in. this isn't in the fic, it's just a joke.
(rustling in the bushes)
Leah: Where's Legolas? Nikki? (yelling) Nikki!
Nikki (to Legolas, in the bushes, hair rustled up): Run! I'll catch up!
Oh, HaHa. Nikki, you're SO funny (you know it!)
Also, I need to clarify something. Although Leah is a hobbit, she has human blood, so Nikki and Sam are both very tall for hobbits, due to being half human.
Eventually, after everyone got back to the camp and talked it over, it was decided that Legolas and I would go ahead on the horses, Legolas with Nikki (they had become fast friends) and I with Sam. We set out after an hour's rest, most of which I spent talking to Frodo.
"Do you think they'll make it?" I asked him, meaning Sam and Nikki.
"I think so. I hope so, at any rate." He replied. This made me fall silent for a while, because I was very worried about the children.
"Are you sure you want to go?" He asked. "I would go in your place,"
"I would accept, but I would rather go ahead with them. I'm very worried, and I want to be there when they get to Rivendell." I said. He smiled, and put a protective arm around me.
"I love you," he whispered.
"And I you," I said with a smile, and got up as I saw Legolas begin to mount his horse and beckon to me. I walked over to where the children lay, checking one last time to make sure their cloaks were secure and their makeshift bandages properly in place, and then carefully picked up Nikki and placed her on the horse in front of Legolas. He put one arm around her, keeping the other hand on the reigns. I placed Sam on the other horse, and carefully climbed up into the saddle behind him. Frodo came to see me off. He smiled.
"Ride. Ride hard. And don't look back." He said. I smiled, as I recognized this as the same thing Aragorn had said to Arwen.
"I will. Be careful and don't worry. I will not let them fall into the shadow, I promise." And with that, Legolas and I rode off.
That night was one of the longest of my life, like most miserable nights. The next day, as we neared the river that outlined the borders of Rivendell, Sam and Nikki seemed to sag. Legolas and I exchanged worried glances.
We urged them ever frequently to hold on, to hang in there, but it was almost lost, just a comfort to ourselves. Just as I was about to give up hope, Legolas gave a loud cry. We had reached Rivendell.
(A/N: I was going to stop there, but that would be mean and I don't like posting more chapters than I have to. Thank me. Profusely.)
I don't know how long I sat near Elrond, who was saying various chants and prayers over the children, and changing the dressings on the wounds every once in a while. Eventually, he stood up, brushing off his hands after changing the bandages for the final time. He looked at me. "I've done all I can." He said. "Only time can tell whether or not we were too late." I gulped. "Don't worry," he said, "They got here faster than either you or Frodo did, and I'm getting better at healing people with this type of wound." I smiled thinly. "Elrond," I said, "Thank you so much for your help. With everything. You've not had an easy life, and you still find it in your heart to help. Thank you."
He smiled. "I only hope it will be enough," he said too quietly for me to hear.
The next day, the rest of our companions came into Rivendell, so the day was mostly spent answering inquiries about our journey.
"Did you have any trouble?" Frodo asked.
"Not much. Towards the end, I almost gave up hope. It was horrible. I'll never know how you and Arwen did it." I replied. He put his arm around me and sighed. "I hope they wake up soon," he said, "I'm worried about them, and I do not like being delayed. The 22nd of January is, although still far off, too close for my comfort." I nodded, and looked over to where they lay, Legolas sitting over Nikki, looking almost as though he was making an important decision. "Do you ever get the feeling," I whispered to Frodo, "That Nikki and Legolas are almost more than just friends?" He laughed softly.
"Yes," he replied, "Although she's much too young."
"Much too young!?" I exclaimed quietly, "I was only thirteen when we got married, for god's sake!"
He blushed. "You're probably right, as usual." He said. I giggled. \
"What?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," I said, looking back over to Sam and Nikki.
The next day, I was awoken by the calling of birds outside my window. I wandered down the hall, unconsciously moving towards Nikki and Sam's room. When I had reached it, I sat down and looked around. Though I had not at first realized it, I recognized this to be the same room that both Frodo and I had woken up in when we had gotten stabbed at Weathertop. I stared absentmindedly at Leah. She looked so peaceful when she was sleeping. I heard steps in the hallway, what sounded like two pairs. I turned to the doorway in time to see Frodo and Legolas come into the room. They acknowledged me with a nod and sat down, Frodo on my right side and Legolas across from us next to Nikki. He was looking sadly at her pale sleeping figure. I smiled and looked at Frodo, who was looking back at me. I cast a meaningful look back towards Legolas, and Frodo nodded. I smiled.
"It's so cute," I thought at him.
"Yeah, I think it's really sweet," he thought back, and put an arm around me. I looked back down at Sam, and stared at him for a while before looking up at Legolas, who had his hands folded and his eyes closed, looking serene. I then turned my gaze to Nikki, who chose that exact moment to wake up.
"Where am I, and what is the time?" She asked. Legolas looked at her, startled. I laughed, before answering her.
"You are in Rivendell, and it is about ten o 'clock in the morning, on October the Twenty-Fourth." I said.
Nikki rubbed her eyes and sat up, this action pulling the blankets a little bit off of Sam, who then woke up. "Where am I?" he asked groggily.
"In Rivendell." I said. He also sat up, and the children looked at us. "What happened?" Nikki asked. "I remember people in black- Nazgul, Aragorn called them- and getting stabbed in the shoulder, and…" she trailed off.
Legolas laughed softly. "You were indeed, as Leah would say, out of it," he said.
I smiled. It was obvious that Legolas liked Nikki as more than just a friend, but I wondered: did she like him in that way back? Sam interrupted me from my thoughts.
"When do we set out again?" He asked. I looked at Frodo. "As soon as possible," I said. "Sooner than last time, as we don't have to wait for the council this time," I said, with a wink towards Frodo. He smiled. The children just looked confused.
That night, we all had dinner together, us now consisting of Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Nikki, Sam, and I. When we all sat down and had started eating, Frodo's eyebrows knitted together. "What is it?" Gandalf asked, seeing him.
"Why is it," Frodo asked, "that we always seem to travel in nines?" I looked around, and, seeing that he was right, laughed to myself. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Nikki, who was sitting on my left, kept stealing glances at Legolas. I wondered about this, and decided I would ask her about it later. The opportunity of later came sooner than I had expected, about twenty minutes after we started eating. I turned to Nikki. "Nikki," I said, "Umm… I was wondering…" I began, but couldn't figure out how to finish. My daughter looked at me in confusion, and my eyes must have darted to the elf sitting next to Frodo (A/N: No, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to the elf sitting next to you.(inside joke)), because she sighed.
"You were wondering if I was in love with Legolas," she said with a slight smirk.
"Umm…yeah."
"Well," she said, chewing a piece of bread thoughtfully, "I kinda have a bit of a 'crush', as you always call it, on him, but…"
"But you can't figure out how to tell him."
"Yeah."
I smiled. "I'll help you tonight." I said. I may be about fifty-two in Hobbit years, but that was only twenty-six in human years…. Gosh, which meant that Nikki was sixteen, I was only ten years in human years older than my daughter. Geez, that's messed up.
Nikki looked at me. "Help me?' she asked, her face arranged in a look of confusion.
"Yeah, I'll give you advice and stuff."
"Oh. Okay."
I did not then know that at that very moment that Frodo was having almost the same conversation with Legolas.
"You like her, don't you, Legolas?"
"Who?"
"Don't play stupid. You know who I mean and I know you have your eye on her. And I think you should act on it."
The elf turned red. "But, Frodo, she's your daughter!"
Frodo winked. "I know, my dear friend. And your point is? If you like her, go for it."
"Maybe I will… I may be brave when it comes to battling or whatever, but I can't face a girl. My friend. Sheesh."
"Well, honestly friend, you didn't think id leave you to your own devices, did you? I intend to help you out with every step along the way."
"Thank you, Frodo."
"Anytime."
So, later that night found Frodo in Legolas' quarters, and I in Nikki's.
"Mom, what do I say?"
"Just say whatever feels natural. Also, quit with the Mom thing. In human years, I'm only ten years older. I like to think of my age in terms of human years, because then I'm only twenty-six. You'd be sixteen."
"Oh. What will feel natural, uh, whatever I'm supposed to call you now?"
"Say the first thing that pops into your head. As long as it doesn't involve cuss words, less than charitable thoughts, or anything gross. Call me Leah."
"Leah?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." And with that, she leaned forward and hugged me, a gentle mother- daughter hug. How lovely. (A/N: CH-CH-CH-CHEESY!) I looked at her, examining her face. She had, because of my horrible genes, just gotten over a bad case of acne a few months ago, but her face was clear, her complexion fair. She was ready to go. I smiled, and she smiled nervously. It was then time for me to go back to my room, as Sam had just walked in.
"Bye," I whispered.
Back in the room, I found Frodo, sitting on the bed, yawning. I sat down next to him.
"Where were you?" I asked.
"I would ask the same of you," he said, raising one eyebrow.
"I was talking to Nikki. You?"
"Talking to Legolas."
"What about?"
"Er… Umm…"
"Nikki, right?"
"Yeah." He replied, looking defeated.
"I see. Well, as a matter of fact, I was talking to Nikki about Legolas."
"You mean she feels the same about him as he feels about her?"
I grinned. "Yeah. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Yeah." He said, wearing an identical evil grin.
"I'll forge the one to Legolas. North balcony? Eight thirty tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
So, there we sat, forging notes. I to Legolas, and Frodo to Nikki. Twenty minutes later, we sat back and read our finished products.
Legolas,
I was wondering if you could please meet me on the North Balcony at eight thirty tonight.
Singed,
Nikki Underhill-Baggins
Darling Nikki,
I was wondering if it would be possible for you to meet me at eight thirty tonight on the North Balcony.
Yours,
Legolas Greenleaf
We nodded. This was good work. I agreed to give Legolas his from Nikki, and Frodo would give Nikki hers from Legolas. Everything was set.
The next night after dinner, Frodo and I tracked down our people to whom we were delivering letters, and gave them. Everything went smoothly, and Eight thirty found us sitting behind the pillars near the North Balcony.
OOH, CLIFFIE!!!!!! OUCH!!!!! Poll: should I show Moria and Lothlorien, or just skip to the exciting part? REVIEW and have effect on the outcome!
A/N: just for Nikki (you know who you are, Morely), I'm gonna Put a joke scene in. this isn't in the fic, it's just a joke.
(rustling in the bushes)
Leah: Where's Legolas? Nikki? (yelling) Nikki!
Nikki (to Legolas, in the bushes, hair rustled up): Run! I'll catch up!
Oh, HaHa. Nikki, you're SO funny (you know it!)
Also, I need to clarify something. Although Leah is a hobbit, she has human blood, so Nikki and Sam are both very tall for hobbits, due to being half human.
Eventually, after everyone got back to the camp and talked it over, it was decided that Legolas and I would go ahead on the horses, Legolas with Nikki (they had become fast friends) and I with Sam. We set out after an hour's rest, most of which I spent talking to Frodo.
"Do you think they'll make it?" I asked him, meaning Sam and Nikki.
"I think so. I hope so, at any rate." He replied. This made me fall silent for a while, because I was very worried about the children.
"Are you sure you want to go?" He asked. "I would go in your place,"
"I would accept, but I would rather go ahead with them. I'm very worried, and I want to be there when they get to Rivendell." I said. He smiled, and put a protective arm around me.
"I love you," he whispered.
"And I you," I said with a smile, and got up as I saw Legolas begin to mount his horse and beckon to me. I walked over to where the children lay, checking one last time to make sure their cloaks were secure and their makeshift bandages properly in place, and then carefully picked up Nikki and placed her on the horse in front of Legolas. He put one arm around her, keeping the other hand on the reigns. I placed Sam on the other horse, and carefully climbed up into the saddle behind him. Frodo came to see me off. He smiled.
"Ride. Ride hard. And don't look back." He said. I smiled, as I recognized this as the same thing Aragorn had said to Arwen.
"I will. Be careful and don't worry. I will not let them fall into the shadow, I promise." And with that, Legolas and I rode off.
That night was one of the longest of my life, like most miserable nights. The next day, as we neared the river that outlined the borders of Rivendell, Sam and Nikki seemed to sag. Legolas and I exchanged worried glances.
We urged them ever frequently to hold on, to hang in there, but it was almost lost, just a comfort to ourselves. Just as I was about to give up hope, Legolas gave a loud cry. We had reached Rivendell.
(A/N: I was going to stop there, but that would be mean and I don't like posting more chapters than I have to. Thank me. Profusely.)
I don't know how long I sat near Elrond, who was saying various chants and prayers over the children, and changing the dressings on the wounds every once in a while. Eventually, he stood up, brushing off his hands after changing the bandages for the final time. He looked at me. "I've done all I can." He said. "Only time can tell whether or not we were too late." I gulped. "Don't worry," he said, "They got here faster than either you or Frodo did, and I'm getting better at healing people with this type of wound." I smiled thinly. "Elrond," I said, "Thank you so much for your help. With everything. You've not had an easy life, and you still find it in your heart to help. Thank you."
He smiled. "I only hope it will be enough," he said too quietly for me to hear.
The next day, the rest of our companions came into Rivendell, so the day was mostly spent answering inquiries about our journey.
"Did you have any trouble?" Frodo asked.
"Not much. Towards the end, I almost gave up hope. It was horrible. I'll never know how you and Arwen did it." I replied. He put his arm around me and sighed. "I hope they wake up soon," he said, "I'm worried about them, and I do not like being delayed. The 22nd of January is, although still far off, too close for my comfort." I nodded, and looked over to where they lay, Legolas sitting over Nikki, looking almost as though he was making an important decision. "Do you ever get the feeling," I whispered to Frodo, "That Nikki and Legolas are almost more than just friends?" He laughed softly.
"Yes," he replied, "Although she's much too young."
"Much too young!?" I exclaimed quietly, "I was only thirteen when we got married, for god's sake!"
He blushed. "You're probably right, as usual." He said. I giggled. \
"What?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," I said, looking back over to Sam and Nikki.
The next day, I was awoken by the calling of birds outside my window. I wandered down the hall, unconsciously moving towards Nikki and Sam's room. When I had reached it, I sat down and looked around. Though I had not at first realized it, I recognized this to be the same room that both Frodo and I had woken up in when we had gotten stabbed at Weathertop. I stared absentmindedly at Leah. She looked so peaceful when she was sleeping. I heard steps in the hallway, what sounded like two pairs. I turned to the doorway in time to see Frodo and Legolas come into the room. They acknowledged me with a nod and sat down, Frodo on my right side and Legolas across from us next to Nikki. He was looking sadly at her pale sleeping figure. I smiled and looked at Frodo, who was looking back at me. I cast a meaningful look back towards Legolas, and Frodo nodded. I smiled.
"It's so cute," I thought at him.
"Yeah, I think it's really sweet," he thought back, and put an arm around me. I looked back down at Sam, and stared at him for a while before looking up at Legolas, who had his hands folded and his eyes closed, looking serene. I then turned my gaze to Nikki, who chose that exact moment to wake up.
"Where am I, and what is the time?" She asked. Legolas looked at her, startled. I laughed, before answering her.
"You are in Rivendell, and it is about ten o 'clock in the morning, on October the Twenty-Fourth." I said.
Nikki rubbed her eyes and sat up, this action pulling the blankets a little bit off of Sam, who then woke up. "Where am I?" he asked groggily.
"In Rivendell." I said. He also sat up, and the children looked at us. "What happened?" Nikki asked. "I remember people in black- Nazgul, Aragorn called them- and getting stabbed in the shoulder, and…" she trailed off.
Legolas laughed softly. "You were indeed, as Leah would say, out of it," he said.
I smiled. It was obvious that Legolas liked Nikki as more than just a friend, but I wondered: did she like him in that way back? Sam interrupted me from my thoughts.
"When do we set out again?" He asked. I looked at Frodo. "As soon as possible," I said. "Sooner than last time, as we don't have to wait for the council this time," I said, with a wink towards Frodo. He smiled. The children just looked confused.
That night, we all had dinner together, us now consisting of Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Nikki, Sam, and I. When we all sat down and had started eating, Frodo's eyebrows knitted together. "What is it?" Gandalf asked, seeing him.
"Why is it," Frodo asked, "that we always seem to travel in nines?" I looked around, and, seeing that he was right, laughed to myself. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Nikki, who was sitting on my left, kept stealing glances at Legolas. I wondered about this, and decided I would ask her about it later. The opportunity of later came sooner than I had expected, about twenty minutes after we started eating. I turned to Nikki. "Nikki," I said, "Umm… I was wondering…" I began, but couldn't figure out how to finish. My daughter looked at me in confusion, and my eyes must have darted to the elf sitting next to Frodo (A/N: No, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to the elf sitting next to you.(inside joke)), because she sighed.
"You were wondering if I was in love with Legolas," she said with a slight smirk.
"Umm…yeah."
"Well," she said, chewing a piece of bread thoughtfully, "I kinda have a bit of a 'crush', as you always call it, on him, but…"
"But you can't figure out how to tell him."
"Yeah."
I smiled. "I'll help you tonight." I said. I may be about fifty-two in Hobbit years, but that was only twenty-six in human years…. Gosh, which meant that Nikki was sixteen, I was only ten years in human years older than my daughter. Geez, that's messed up.
Nikki looked at me. "Help me?' she asked, her face arranged in a look of confusion.
"Yeah, I'll give you advice and stuff."
"Oh. Okay."
I did not then know that at that very moment that Frodo was having almost the same conversation with Legolas.
"You like her, don't you, Legolas?"
"Who?"
"Don't play stupid. You know who I mean and I know you have your eye on her. And I think you should act on it."
The elf turned red. "But, Frodo, she's your daughter!"
Frodo winked. "I know, my dear friend. And your point is? If you like her, go for it."
"Maybe I will… I may be brave when it comes to battling or whatever, but I can't face a girl. My friend. Sheesh."
"Well, honestly friend, you didn't think id leave you to your own devices, did you? I intend to help you out with every step along the way."
"Thank you, Frodo."
"Anytime."
So, later that night found Frodo in Legolas' quarters, and I in Nikki's.
"Mom, what do I say?"
"Just say whatever feels natural. Also, quit with the Mom thing. In human years, I'm only ten years older. I like to think of my age in terms of human years, because then I'm only twenty-six. You'd be sixteen."
"Oh. What will feel natural, uh, whatever I'm supposed to call you now?"
"Say the first thing that pops into your head. As long as it doesn't involve cuss words, less than charitable thoughts, or anything gross. Call me Leah."
"Leah?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." And with that, she leaned forward and hugged me, a gentle mother- daughter hug. How lovely. (A/N: CH-CH-CH-CHEESY!) I looked at her, examining her face. She had, because of my horrible genes, just gotten over a bad case of acne a few months ago, but her face was clear, her complexion fair. She was ready to go. I smiled, and she smiled nervously. It was then time for me to go back to my room, as Sam had just walked in.
"Bye," I whispered.
Back in the room, I found Frodo, sitting on the bed, yawning. I sat down next to him.
"Where were you?" I asked.
"I would ask the same of you," he said, raising one eyebrow.
"I was talking to Nikki. You?"
"Talking to Legolas."
"What about?"
"Er… Umm…"
"Nikki, right?"
"Yeah." He replied, looking defeated.
"I see. Well, as a matter of fact, I was talking to Nikki about Legolas."
"You mean she feels the same about him as he feels about her?"
I grinned. "Yeah. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Yeah." He said, wearing an identical evil grin.
"I'll forge the one to Legolas. North balcony? Eight thirty tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
So, there we sat, forging notes. I to Legolas, and Frodo to Nikki. Twenty minutes later, we sat back and read our finished products.
Legolas,
I was wondering if you could please meet me on the North Balcony at eight thirty tonight.
Singed,
Nikki Underhill-Baggins
Darling Nikki,
I was wondering if it would be possible for you to meet me at eight thirty tonight on the North Balcony.
Yours,
Legolas Greenleaf
We nodded. This was good work. I agreed to give Legolas his from Nikki, and Frodo would give Nikki hers from Legolas. Everything was set.
The next night after dinner, Frodo and I tracked down our people to whom we were delivering letters, and gave them. Everything went smoothly, and Eight thirty found us sitting behind the pillars near the North Balcony.
OOH, CLIFFIE!!!!!! OUCH!!!!! Poll: should I show Moria and Lothlorien, or just skip to the exciting part? REVIEW and have effect on the outcome!