These characters and places are not my own, they belong to JRR Tolkien.
A small fire burned warming a pan of sizzling bacon. The smoked odor infused the sliced mushrooms and onions crowding along side the meaty strips, constantly pushed and stirred with the head of a wooden spoon. The bacon, on the verge of crisping but before the edges browned, he sliced into smaller bits and continued to fold the mixture cooking it through. Taking a small swig while no one looked he proceeded to share a poured tablespoon of wine into the concoction. A dash of salt and then pepper to taste (he enjoyed that part) then some dried green herbs of a name he could not remember tossed in. Off the flames went the pan to rest on the cold ground ceasing the heat altogether, minimizing the chances of overcooking. He stirred again then "tap-tap" pan side with the spoon. A filled pot of water replaced the spot on the fire.
Behind him lay a satchel and inside were choices of a wheat bread loaf, more onions, the last of the mushrooms and the secret mixture of herbs. He fashioned a plate for himself. A dollop of the thickened mixture and two elongated bread slices. The hard bread soaked in the flavoring juices and with the dry ends of the bread he grabbed to bring the food to his mouth. His eyes closed to savor the taste and lastly, he awarded himself a congratulatory nod. The water, now boiling, was ready for the addition of a mulling sack tight with spiced tealeaves, healing herbs and finely chopped dried fruits, which he plopped in.
Before long, half of what he prepared disappeared with only himself to blame, aside from the tea elixir not yet ready. Nonchalantly, he peeked over his shoulder to make sure no one spied him, then lurched for the second plate saved for another. Dried meats and fruits remained among their wares, certainly no one would go hungry now that the foods stores and all the company were reunited, the other plate of food would not be missed.
The sleeping figure rolled over and sniffed in the lingering aroma facing the cook. Just as Legolas picked up the plate to finish for himself, he was caught red-handed as Pippin awoke. "Here," said the elf, handing the plate to Pippin as if he meant to all along, "I made this for you."
Deeply touched and extremely hungry, as he always is, Pippin gladly accepted and sat up quickly then swayed as the blood rushed from his head. Before falling back to lying position, he sneezed several times, hacked a dreadful cough and sniffed miserably. The raucous Pippin made through his nose and throat was clearer than a whistling kettle recapturing Legolas' attention to the readied tea. He immediately poured some into a mug and offered it to his companion. "Your hands can warm around this vessel and as you take it in it will heal from the inside out. However, the drink just came off he boil, tarry a few moments before you sip."
In the meantime, Pippin gobbled his dinner and paid his satisfied compliments to the chef. After finishing his business of eating, Pippin became suddenly aware that it was just he and the elf camped here. Puzzled, he blurted, "Was it all make believe? You convinced me so that Aragorn and Merry were real." Pippin's head threw back and forth in a violent sneeze. "To shift between real and not real and not know which is which will drive me mad." He used his sleeve to rub his nose.
"Take in your draught, it will bring you comfort, though none more than what I have to tell." Legolas reminded him paying little mind to the lack of the hobbit's manners. "Firstly, abandon your cause for madness. Make it clear in your working mind that your imagination was well at rest and what you last remembered was authentic reality." Pippin drank down the tea as prescribed, within several swallows in fact, finishing all at once. The effects of the medicine alleviated his hoarse throat and subsided his growing ache.
Closer to the fire the hobbit moved, next to his savior and only constant in reality in this enchanted journey. With his blanket he wrapped himself and sat mimicking Legolas' pose, holding his knees to his chest. Contently he smiled at the elf and drummed his feet feeling the medicine flow through his blood stream, reaching down to his toes. Legolas silently giggled at the sight. Then he started, "I required that only I be present to see you awake for fear you might launch another attack."
"My poor Merry." Pippin interrupted, though Legolas seemed not to mind the intrusion. "He must be awfully frightened of me. Has he said anything that would make you think so?"
"I said only to Merry that you have been withdrawn from food and water and plagued with nightmares. A disquieted nod was his reply. From this I read he cried out for your safety not his." Legolas answered. "I proposed you and I camp farther from all else till you were properly nourished. Here is where I bought you." He motioned with his hands to signify their camp.
"Did you tell them about the wolves and the trolls?"
"Nay." Legolas shook his head. "Though it was hard to resist their plea. Distraught of my answer they settled for my reason, that the tale was ours in the sharing and the telling. We can return to them now that you have eaten and began remedy for your throat." Before Legolas finished his sentence Pippin jumped up and rejoiced. Legolas laughed heartily at the sight.
"My dear elf lord! My ears deceive me." Pippin rattled his finger in his ear and squinted at the possibility his ears were indeed failing. "Elves are known to laugh and though I've seen you smile, this is the first I've heard such a joyous noise leap from you. I thought you were a strange elf-breed incapable of laughter."
Legolas chuckled at the remark. "There are relatively few things in my long years to bring cause for celebration." He said getting up.
To which Pippin dismissed with a wave of his hand, "Out of practice you are is what I say. What happened that would--"
It was now the elf's turned to suspend the conversation. He held up is hand, "Hold your questions, I wish not to answer them." Said he gently but with a stern undertone. Emphasizing his disfavor on the whole subject matter and secretly wishing to exchange the laugh, he turned his back on the hobbit and gathered their belongings. There was great efficiency in Legolas' packing abilities. Neatly, (not to mention, quickly) did all the cookware, food and extra blankets fit in the bundle taken from Bill's burden matching the time Pippin spent standing up to mount his pack onto his shoulders.
The Company of Two was no more. Their feet began the steps to join the union they separated from just weeks before. Still cloaked in his woolen blanket he shuffled behind the elf, too worn to make the wide strides to keep up. "Wait." he said halting. Worried and anxious, Legolas turned about face, a look of distress recessed his eyes. In a sincere tone Pippin said, "Before the notion leaves me again, let me say this, thank you… for everything." Opening his arms he stretched out his blanket and it appeared as if he donned a royal robe across his shoulders. Elegantly, he bowed low before the elf. The sentiment gripped the ever-proud warrior and he bobbed his chin slightly and humbly smiled back at Pippin. Forward he faced again, walking the narrow path in return to their Company. He made sure Pippin could not see him swallow down the knot forming in his throat.
***
The waning dusk greeted them at the last layer of trees before the main camp. A glowing campfire could now be seen and the voices rang clearer in Pippin's ears as he walked closer and closer. In front of Legolas Pippin stepped to gain a better view if he could see one. The figures, though not as clear, were easy to identify even past the evergreen branches. His ears picked up the gleeful sounds of pleasant laughter. A deep roll emerged from Gimli, as he placed both hands on his stomach while lightly bouncing to the rhythm of his laugh. Boromir's was like a heckle; his mouth broadly smiled, cracked open slightly through which the joyous sound escaped. Then there was Gandalf, a laugh Pippin was more familiar than the previous two. Muffled yet still effective was the wizard's chortle as it passed through his bearded lips. Aragorn's he could not hear. Everyone was in hysterics and Pippin could not conceive a single soul resisted being included. Even if the jestings were not in everyone's taste the sound of all who were laughing was very much inspiring. He deduced that the often serious ranger snickered underneath a mild simper.
It was the sweet voices and laughter of his darling hobbits he reserved to cherish last. They spoke no doubt of a Shire hobbit's tale, possibly concerning their lot of hobbits, as Sam, Frodo and Merry switched voices in telling the story. The three storytellers hee-hawed and chuckled in the same manner save only in varied pitches. A baritone laugh was produced by Sam and Merry's and Frodo's was slightly higher, more of a tenor. Pippin's alto voice was soon to join in to complete the chorus.
Suddenly there came a hush. Merry quieted them with a "Shush," and lowered his palms in command to lower their volume. All was still. Ducking under the obstructive branches, he tried to peer through them and cautiously moved to the figures closing in on them.
Pippin stood still, not knowing what to expect.
A loud shout bellowed from Merry, "It's Pippin and Legolas! They have returned to us!" Uproarious cheers soon followed. Merry ran to his long lost cousin but instinctively stopped short of him. He eyed the hobbit carefully and took a hard gulp. The fair elf was now in view and Merry threw him a glance that meant 'is he sane?' Legolas tossed back, 'he's fine, proceed.'
"Merry," Pippin squeaked, "It's me, Pippin."
Merry smiled broadly, picked up speed again and playfully tackled Pippin to the ground. Laughing with tears in his eyes Pippin could not hold back the barrage of coughs from the dryness in his throat. Legolas pulled Merry off of Pippin. "He's not well enough for all your usual antics." He then picked up the downed hobbit. "Our poor Pippin has a cold. It will do him better to take ease."
Merry quickly apologized then hurriedly grabbed Pippin and ran him to the campfire. There were many pats and hugs and smiles passed round as Pippin and Legolas reentered the Nine Walkers' camp. None so were more joyous than Frodo and Merry to see their cousin in fine health, minus the cold, of course. Into their arms they took him, eyes wet with tears and they blessed the elf profusely for his safe return. Still many questions needed answering and barely a chance was given to the lone travelers to remove their gear and sit before they were bombarded with demands to know more.
It was from Pippin's accounts they mostly heard. Legolas occasionally corrected his timelines and from time to time cut his exaggerations in half. The elf also shared the portion of his dreams that lead to their escape from the gnomes' underground tomb. He didn't mention it was his mother, but a spirit who showed him to speak into the core of the wood and the mighty oak was sure to abide. Aside from this and the initial meeting with Gildor and his troupe, Legolas left the stories to Pippin for telling. He watched the hobbit captivate the audience and through the re-living of all their events, came a feeling of endearment between them. Together they exchanged personal glances and laughed together in the same story places. As expected, the victory over the wolves and the trolls was most exciting. Had it not been for Legolas' reinforcing head nods and verbal cues, "It's true," no one would have believed Pippin's tale spinning. The 'wolves' especially was a prize, for it begged an encore to which Pippin favorably obliged. The second round Legolas displayed his wound left by Pippin's misaim though hardly a scratch was now left.
The night ended with applause and more reassuring pats on shoulders. All bid a good night as each member claimed a mark on the ground with their own bedding. Legolas wanted first to be on watch. Before taking post he knelt beside Pippin and shared a few quiet words. They both smiled and Pippin soon dozed off.
***
"There is much history here in Eregion, much of an evil kind. I do not like to speak of it." The voice of Aragorn came from behind the elf. Legolas' turn at guard was about to be relieved.
"And I do not like to hear of it." Legolas responded in a muted playfulness.
Aragorn changed the subject. "I am at peace now that you and Pippin are returned and safe. As much peace one can expect considering the numerous dangers before us yet. The both of you can pen enough peril to your record for the lot of us." The two of them smiled then chuckled lightly. "He was lucky to have you," said Aragorn returning to a serious mode. Legolas looked out silently, continuing his watch. Again in an austere fashion Aragorn spoke, "Forgive me for what I will say though I think only good may come of its mention." Legolas turned over his shoulder and nodded his consent. "This pairing healed you as well. At times on your journey, Pippin reminded you of Nebrethel and you risked all to protect him."
The tears long kept hidden were burning yet Legolas commanded them at bay. He replied to Aragorn, emotion absent from his voice, "My failure ended his life. My brother's breath would still be drawn if I…"
"If what, Legolas, tell me. If you could possess the wizardry to exist in two places at once?"
"There is a consuming emptiness in my heart for him." Legolas said dryly.
"Give yourself leave of this guilt. It is not yours to bare and not your father's to deal unto you." A gentle hand squeezed the elf's curve between his shoulder and neck. "Take your rest now of which you have most deserved."
Legolas turned to walk away only until he wholly suppressed his urge to burst into tears. In a quiet spot, removed from Gimli's and Sam's snoring (they were voted to sleep far from the others' company due their nighttime rumbling) Legolas perched himself near Pippin. As he lay on his side, watching the hobbit's restful breaths, the clear image of the elf's brother came to him. Aragorn's counsel was on the mark. Securing Pippin's return was another chance to save him. The happy reunion relieved the persistent onus of his brother's death he placed upon himself, though it was hardly a cure. And in the silence after the cheers and hooray's had gone to bed, the hurtful blame nested again on his heart.
Onto to his other side he rolled, facing now Aragorn's back, earnestly watching and smoking from his pipe. Pippin's stories of their many dealings gave Legolas comfort and he replayed them again to steer the dark thoughts away. As he trailed the recount of their journey it was the Pippinisms that brought a silent chuckle. The self-pity tantrum, careful details of Took and Brandybuck relations (a very dull topic indeed) and the "Bill the pony" outburst, complete with huffing and puffing and the folding of arms. It demanded all the muscles of Legolas' fair elven face to keep from laughing aloud at the latter thought. A snicker escaped but he horribly passed it off as a cough. Should anyone have heard it, an elf cough would raise many an eyebrow, as elves did not sicken easily. But no one paid the noise any thought. To avoid slipping another sound Legolas clamped his lips and tried to think of something far more serious.
As he gained the peace to sleep the hours left in the night, he thought how remarkable a tiny hobbit could be. Many years Legolas associated only among elves. He learned elven traits and costumes and far excelled all others in the art of combat and survival, lessons best taught and perfected by elves alone. However, in the smallest creature of Middle Earth rested the largest burden. His role now seemed at this moment insignificant, contributing to a larger frame so hard to conceive. Had events happened in his life that would bring him to exactly this moment? Again, he could not gather the bigger picture to see it though it contained the rally of Men, Wizards, Dwarves, Hobbits and Elves. Occasionally there was inter-specie meddling but in even smaller in numbers were his dealings with hobbits and least of all dwarves (between a dwarf, he was certain a friendship would never begin). Thoughts of Pippin were still about him. This time of his courageous spirit a face the greatest dangers, beating the odds and slaying foes. Even still there is much to prove, as their mission is nearly impossible to complete. Incapable were the wisest of all races to foretell the outcome of their journey, so tonight he decided not to attempt guessing at it himself. He imagined, and was fairly certain, Pippin would fall into trouble again and the archer, determined and committed, accepted also that he could not rest all the hobbit's well being on his account. The elf grew faithful in Pippin in these last weeks, and his abilities were sure to flourish throughout their quest. One could not discount Pippin's natural ability to survive at all costs should the call arrive, and Legolas desperately wished matters would not come to a dangerous turn in need of such measures. Before sleep settled on him, he shifted to see Pippin again and whispered, "I can bestow no power to protect you shall we ever part company and I am no seer of the future. No fair warnings can I give, no further advice can I offer to promise that you will endure through it all. If your fate wills it, you, dear Pippin, are destined to accomplish great and mighty things." With that last thought, he drifted in to a dream.
The End
++Thank you, thank you, thank you. I appreciate all of your kind reviews and honest feedback. You were all a driving force in my inspiration. I do have more up my sleeve in store, so no worries, I won't be gone for long. Next will be a hobbit fiction then I have laid down some notes for a Legolas set of chapters (you can see, I have a left a lot to work with here for our favorite elf).
I want to share some awesome stories from authors on these pages. I hope you will enjoy them, they each have great style and leave you wanting more (the sign of a great LOTR fiction author. Enjoy some of my favorites (I'm in search for more [plan to read Ithilien's recommendation Leaf and Branch by JastaElf!]): The Heir by GoldenWolf, Life is What Happens by brachan90, Torn Between Two Worlds by Ithilien and Oboebyrd's Guide to Writing Formulaic FanFiction by Oboebyrd.
Again, many thanks.++