Chapter 12
They watched the Riders depart and then turned to Gandalf.
"Well," said Pippin, "What now?"
"I must go and see if Saruman is really dead, Gimli, do you have Legolas' pack?"
"Right here Gandalf," said the dwarf, holding up the light bag.
"Good, follow Treebeard to Quickbeam and give Legolas his extra clothing. I will meet you there shortly. I warn you though, he is not himself."
"But he is alive," said Pippin, as if reminding himself.
Gandalf smiled, "Yes he's alive."
~~*~*~*~~*~*~~*~~*~*~*
"Legolas, come down! You are being very rude, you have guests!" Bregalad called up to the trees.
A stream of agitated Elvish spouted back at him.
"No, I am not going to let you stay up there, come down or you will not have your midday draught."
More Elvish drifted into them on the wind.
"I do not care if you are a prince. We are not debating this. Gandalf's friends have come."
Pippin screamed and jumped back in sudden surprise as Legolas' young face appeared nose-to-nose with him.
The elf was eating and apple and hanging upside-down from a low branch, "Greetings little one," he said.
"Legolas, your manners!"
The elf sighed and gracefully flipped from the branch. He bowed to Pippin, Gimli and Treebeard, "My name is Prince Legolas, I am Thranduil's son from Mirkwood. Pleased to meet you."
"Thank you Legolas. You may go. I will call you for midday meal."
Legolas rolled his eyes and swiftly leapt into the trees and vanished from sight.