I do not own The Lord of the Rings or any of the characters

This is the start of my version of the fourth book of The Lord of the Rings. Although this story may not follow the Appendixes in the back of Return of the King, I tried to keep as close to the story as I could. Please let me know what you think, ideas and constructive critisism are always appreciated.

"So how are things in Rivendell? The elves are all keeping well I hope?" Sam asked as he set down a mug of tea in front of Legolas with a smile.

"Perfectly well, thank you Sam. Bilbo is still alive and healthy. And your family are sound I trust?"

Sam smiled fondly through the window to where his wife Rosie stood at the garden gates, talking to a neighbour. She was holding his young daughter Eleanor in the crook of her arm.

"Very sound," He replied, drawing his eyes away and joining Legolas at the large pine table that was situated in the centre of the roomy kitchen.

The elf's eyes met his own and Sam noticed that there was a glimmer of anxiety in his expression.

"Well Legolas, as pleasant as it is to see you after all this time, I trust you haven't come here just to say hello?"

"No Sam," Legolas replied, taking a draught of his tea, "I have some rather disturbing news, and I'm afraid it concerns Frodo."

Sam felt his stomach crawl as if some silent fear had taken hold of him.

"A few nights ago Frodo vanished unexpectedly from the ship that he left on," Legolas explained, "When they went to wake him the next morning his cabin was empty and there was no sign of him. No one saw him go and the ship docked at the coast far South but no one on mainland had neither seen nor heard of him."

Sam tried to unjumble his mind as the information soaked in but he couldn't seem to get everything into perspective. The elf continued,

"There's been word of Mordor Sam. Do you remember when Sauron was first beginning to regain his power and slowly dread began to grow throughout Gondor? I believe the same thing is happening now, though no one can explain why. The land on which Mount Doom once stood has been deserted for months or so they say."

Sam lowered his eyes to the table and eventually he said,

"Legolas, I don't understand. When my master left, well, I thought he was safe. I thought I was letting him go to somewhere where he'd be at peace. I promised that I'd never leave him but when he left for the Grey Havens I thought that it was the right thing for him to do..."

"Sam," Legolas told him gently, "You cannot blame yourself for this, indeed I don't know who is to blame, but it is important that we find Frodo as quickly as possible. If there is any evil remaining in Mordor it is likely that it will be seeking revenge upon your master. I need you to come with me."

Sam raised his eyes in astonishment,

"Go with you? Where?"

"Back to Rivendell. King Aragorn made it quite clear that you must be sent for immediately."

"But why?"

"We may need your help in locating Frodo, you know him better than anyone Sam. Aragorn is impatient to speak with you. I think he is more worried about Frodo than I've ever seen him."

Sam's eyes strayed to the window,

"But I can't just leave Rosie and little Eleanor..."

"You must Sam. Frodo might be in some kind of trouble."

Sam rose heavily from the table,

"I-"

He was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door and he raised his eyebrows apologetically and went to answer it.

To his surprise, he found that when he opened the door none other than Merry and Pippin were stood on his doorstep.

"Hello Sam!" Pippin instantly greeted him, entering uninvited and giving him a pat on the back, "We haven't seen you for a few weeks have we?"

"No, but what are you doing here?" Sam asked, his tone rather sharp as his head was still filled with all that Legolas had told him.

Taken-aback by his abruptness Merry and Pippin stared at him,

"Well nice to see you too!" Merry replied huffily, "We were just visiting some old friends and we thought 'Let's drop in on old Samwise and see if he's well' and this is the thanks we get! I don't believe we're wanted Pip!"

"No, no," Sam said quickly, feeling slightly guilty, "I'm just a bit muddled up."

"Aah right," Pippin nodded, unclasping his cloak and hanging it on the stand, "And I don't suppose that has anything to do with the rather impressive Palomino that's tied outside does it?"

"You could say that. You see, I've got a visitor..."

"That's right," Legolas said, suddenly appearing from the kitchen. Merry and Pippin's faces broke into astonished smiles,

"Legolas! Well this is a surprise!" Merry exclaimed as they embraced, "I suppose that explains the horse..."

The four of them went into the kitchen and Merry and Pippin helped themselves to tea and a slice or two of Sam's ginger cake in typical hobbit-fashion.

"So what brings you here Legolas?" Pippin asked the elf with a mouth full of cake.

Legolas proceeded in telling him everything he'd told Sam and by the end of the tale the hobbits had lost their grins and now their faces were concerned.

"So are you going then Sam?" Merry asked, noticing that Sam was not saying a lot but tracing a circle on the table with his finger and keeping his eyes low. Sam didn't look up but he knew that Legolas was looking at him expectantly.

"Yes. I'm going." He eventually replied, "If it's to help my master...and well...I haven't seen Rivendell in an age..."

Legolas smiled, "Thank you Sam. I see you are as courageous and brave as you ever were."

"Courageous and brave...what would the Gaffer say if he heard you saying that..." Sam mumbled, busying himself with the empty mugs and plates to hide his red face.

"So when do we leave?" Pippin asked, helping Sam with the dishes.

"We?" Legolas replied, genuinely puzzled.

Pippin turned to look at him in disbelief,

"Of course we! You're not going gallivanting off to Rivendell without us! Isn't that right Merry?"

"Definitely," Merry agreed, now taking a bite out of one of Sam's apples, "You try and stop us! We were part of the Fellowship too you know! Whatever includes Frodo includes us!"

Legolas smiled in spite of himself,

"Very well, but we will be riding long and hard. I wish to reach Rivendell in three days. I suggest you hurry home and collect your things. You will need ponies."

"We can easy enough borrow some from Mr. Proudfoot," Pippin assured him, already rushing to get his cloak, "Don't leave without us!"

Merry fastened his cloak with his elven clasp and gave Legolas and Sam a cheery smile,

"And don't you worry about Frodo, Sam. We'll be back as soon as we can."

Legolas watched them through the window as they hastened down the winding path from Bag End. He shook his head and smiled,

"Frodo has very loyal friends Sam, that's all I'm saying."

***

Sam found the journey to Rivendell surprisingly pleasant. Unlike the journey he had taken with Frodo, Pippin and Merry when carrying the ring, they were not in fear of any Ring wraiths and they were free to ride on the road, so their pace was considerably faster. Legolas kept their spirits bright by singing elven songs in his clear voice that seemed to bounce off the surrounding trees and echo through the entire land.

Within two days they had reached Weather top and Sam gazed up at it with mixed feelings, remembering how his master had been injured terribly by the wraiths' unyielding spear. He felt suddenly incredibly concerned for Frodo and willed his pony on.

Sam hadn't been entirely comfortable with leaving Rosie and Eleanor alone, but Rosie had been understanding as she usually was and had told Sam that he must go if the King had summoned him. It made Sam smile to think how immensely proud of him she had sounded when she said it. This somehow lightened his heart and he relaxed slightly, letting the voice of Legolas float around him and the bright sunshine warm his back.

By the afternoon of the third day of their trip they had reached Rivendell, and once again Sam was completely overwhelmed by its radiance. It was as perfect and peaceful as he ever remembered and just entering its boundaries gave Sam comfort. Spring was evident throughout the place and flowers were just beginning to bloom, more beautiful than Sam had ever seen in a whole lifetime of gardening, save perhaps those which he had seen beneath the blissful trees of Lothlórien where The Lady dwelt.

Presently, the small group reached the heart of Rivendell and they dismounted their ponies. To the delight of the three hobbits, Elrond himself and Gimli the dwarf were there waiting for their arrival.

"We meet again young hobbits," Gimli greeted them, giving them all a friendly smile, "I would have journeyed with Legolas to meet you myself, but you know that I am not too fond of riding horses, and Legolas rides his horse at such a swift pace..."

"I am glad that he does," Elrond said, also giving the hobbits a warm smile, "You have done well to return to Rivendell in such a short space of time. I trust that Legolas has informed you of the situation?"

"Yes sir," Sam replied, giving a slight bow of his head, "I'm sorry to be impatient, but I am growing ever concerned, could I ask if there has been any word of my master, Mr. Frodo?"

"Master Gamgee, you should not feel inclined to bow to me, for you are the one that accompanied the Ring-bearer into the very depths of Mordor and saved us all. However, I have been instructed not to tell you anything of your Master until you have met with King Aragorn and he has requested a meeting with you as soon as you are ready, but first you must eat and sit down, you must be weary after your ride. Come with me, and you too Masters Peregrin and Merry, although we were not expecting you it is a pleasant surprise and you are, of course, extremely welcome."

Merry and Pippin smiled in thanks and the three hobbits, Gimli and Legolas followed Elrond out of the courtyard and through a proud white archway.

Next chapter up soon