Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
Answer Me This
Sam loved being in Lothlórien. He loved the peace he found in Calas Galadhon, the beauty of the Lady Galadriel, and most of all he loved being among the Galadhrim. The problem was, most of them could not speak his language, nor he theirs. His many questions remained largely unanswered unless he happened upon Aragorn in a forthcoming mood. Unfortunately for Sam, today was not one of those days.
Aragorn was nowhere to be found all morning and when he returned to their camp he just sat quietly at the foot of one of the mellorn trees, smoking his pipe and looking very worried. When Sam approached him with his most recent question, Aragorn merely looked at him, his eyes focussed on some distant thought.
"I have much on my mind, Samwise. Perhaps you could ask me another time or maybe Legolas will be able to answer when he returns for the evening meal," he suggested, not unkindly, but definitely dismissively.
The message was not lost on Sam, and taking Aragorn's response for the dismissal it obviously was, he retreated back to his bedroll, muttering to himself and thinking uncharitable thoughts about their new leader. His mood improved slightly when he saw that Frodo was now awake and actually smiling for a change.
"I see Aragorn is in one of his moods, again," he said as he accepted the mug of tea Sam handed him.
"A fine one you are to talk about moodiness, Mr Frodo," he said a little harshly, still annoyed at the Ranger.
"I know, and I am sorry it upsets you so, Sam," Frodo said, taking a bite of the bread roll Sam had also offered him. In truth he was not hungry, but he knew that the gesture would appease his friend somewhat. It did and Sam smiled happily to see Frodo's appetite had apparently returned.
"It's not your fault, Mr Frodo, it's that..Ring," he said in an aggrieved tone of voice "It sets everyone on edge. I know I should not be angry with Aragorn because he also has a heavy burden to bear, but it was just a simple question."
"Maybe I can help you, what did you want to know?" enquired Frodo, easily guessing the question was something to do with the Elves. Sam had almost as many questions about them as there were leaves in Lothlórien.
"It's about the singing. Ever since we arrived, and the Elves heard the news about Gandalf, the songs have been the mournful kind." Seeing Frodo raise an eyebrow at that assertion, Sam quickly continued. "Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about their laments. Even though I do not understand the words, the melodies are hauntingly sad and a fitting tribute to Gandalf."
"Yes they are, so what is it that is bothering you?" asked Frodo, now so curious that he did not realise he had finished the first bread roll and was beginning the second. Sam did notice, however, and breathed a small sigh of relief and deemed it wiser to say nothing about food lest Frodo stop eating.
"Have you not noticed that the songs they are singing this afternoon are. well.. cheerful, rather than melancholy?" asked Sam. They both listened for a few moments and Frodo nodded agreement.
"You are right, Sam. The melodies are distinctly on the joyful side, but I am afraid I cannot make out the meaning of the words. You will have to wait for Legolas to return, I am sure he will be willing to translate a happy song for you," Frodo tired to assure him, much to Sam's disappointment, for he was not really confident that Legolas would answer his question.
"Oh well, it can't be helped, I suppose. I will wait if I must. Have some more tea?" he asked, setting aside his disappointment for now. He took Frodo's empty mug and refilled it before he had a chance to refuse.
"It is very quiet around here, where are Merry and Pippin?" Frodo asked as he looked around their camp and failed to see either of them.
"They mentioned something about exploring the woods earlier, I suppose they can not be too far away," answered Sam.
"I hope they do not cause any trouble," said Frodo dubiously, feeling uncertain as to the wisdom of letting his mischievous kin out of his sight.
"I am sure the Elves can handle a couple of rogues such as Merry and Pip, Besides, since neither party can understand the other, you can rest assured that those two will not be able to say anything that might insult our hosts," said Sam, pleased to hear Frodo laugh out loud, It had been far too long since any of the Fellowship had cause to be merry.
"I hope you are right, Sam," he said.
*********
Merry and Pippin had provided at least one of their hosts with a source of amusement, rather than insult. The two young Hobbits had spent the better part of the afternoon trying to follow Haldir, for they were very curious about the somewhat aloof Elf. Naturally Haldir was well aware of their rather loud and obvious attempt to track him, and he made a game of sometimes allowing them to almost creep up on him, while at other times he would disappear into the trees, only to reappear suddenly in front of the startled Hobbits further down the track.
Fortunately Sam was correct about the language difficulties, otherwise Haldir might have taken offence at the rather scathing comments from his two stalkers once they realised they were being teased by the Elf. He understood the angry gestures and merely laughed as he waved goodbye, before disappearing back into the forest. Merry and Pippin decided to choose a different subject, one who they could understand, and headed down the path that Legolas and Gimli had taken earlier that morning. It seemed to be a well used trail, and even their limited tracking skills allowed them to find the large glade where the Elves often gathered. To their chagrin, there was not a single golden haired being in sight, but as they turned to leave they heard a well-known voice call to them.
"Hold on, young Hobbits, I will accompany you back to the campsite,' said Gimli.
"Where is Legolas?" asked Merry.
"He is involved in some 'Elvish business' as he put it. He had the nerve to send me back to make his apologies to Aragorn, he will not be joining us tonight," explained Gimli.
"I take it you were not invited?" asked Pip, earning himself a poke in the ribs from Merry for his tactless comment.
"Humph," grunted the Dwarf. "Who would want to spend the whole evening listening to totally incomprehensible elvish gibberish, anyway?" His gruff declaration did nothing to hide his affront, and both Merry and Pippin knew of at least one Dwarf who would willing spend his evening in such a manner.
"Well, all our hunting has made me hungry," said Pippin. "Let's go and make sure Sam is preparing enough dinner for us all."
"What were you hunting?" asked Gimli, as far as he was aware there was no game in this part of Calas Galadhon.
"Haldir," replied Merry smugly.
"Obviously your prey eluded you," replied Gimli, not surprised by anything these two might venture.
"There is always tomorrow," said Pippin wickedly. "Oh, I just thought of something. If we do not tell Sam that Legolas is not having his evening meal with us until AFTER he has cooked."
" ..There will be all the more for us," said Merry, completing his cousin's thought.
Sam was not particularly perturbed by his cousin's small deception, but he was totally unimpressed when he discovered Legolas was dining elsewhere.
"How inconsiderate of him, and just when I have something very important to ask him," he muttered as he served the delicious looking stew he had made.
"What did you wish to know?" asked Aragorn, feeling guilty for ignoring Sam earlier.
"Listen to the singing," he instructed, pleased to see that everyone obeyed and remained silent for a few moments. "It sounds very cheerful to me and I want to know what makes the Elves so happy tonight."
"It is a 'Conception Day' song," said Aragorn with a slight shrug, as if that explained everything.
"And what would a 'conception day' be?" asked Sam, none the wiser for having heard Aragorn's answer.
"The Elves celebrate the anniversary of their conception, it is a very joyful day for the Elf in question," explained Aragorn. The Hobbits still looked confused until Boromir spoke up.
"In terms you might understand better, Aragorn means that they are singing to celebrate what you might term an Elf's birthday. It is usual for an Elf to be born one year after their conception day," he stated. Six pairs of eyes turned to stare at the Man of Gondor who they knew was uncomfortable around Elves, and who rarely joined in the Hobbits' conversations.
"How do you know that?" asked Aragorn.
"My brother, Faramir has made it his business to learn all he can of the customs and lore of the Fair Folk, as he calls Elves. One day when we were still young boys, Gandalf told us of this particular celebration," he explained. What he did not mention was that the young Faramir had consequently earned Denethor's wrath when he asked his father if he could celebrate his conception day rather than his birthday. Denethor had angrily refused and that year neither of the boys had been afforded their usual birthday feast.
"But what is a 'conception' day?" asked Pippin innocently. Boromir deferred to Aragorn to offer the explanation.
"The day on which the Elf was conceived, of course," said Aragorn simply.
"Oh, I understand now," said Pippin, his cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink.
"So it is someone's Conception Day, but whose?" asked Sam, dismayed to have one question answered only to be faced with another.
"Well, I promised not to say anything, but.." Gimli stammered.
"Legolas! It is Legolas' Conception Day!" declared Sam happy to have finally found his answers. The happiness lasted for only a moment. "I wonder how old he is?"
Answer Me This
Sam loved being in Lothlórien. He loved the peace he found in Calas Galadhon, the beauty of the Lady Galadriel, and most of all he loved being among the Galadhrim. The problem was, most of them could not speak his language, nor he theirs. His many questions remained largely unanswered unless he happened upon Aragorn in a forthcoming mood. Unfortunately for Sam, today was not one of those days.
Aragorn was nowhere to be found all morning and when he returned to their camp he just sat quietly at the foot of one of the mellorn trees, smoking his pipe and looking very worried. When Sam approached him with his most recent question, Aragorn merely looked at him, his eyes focussed on some distant thought.
"I have much on my mind, Samwise. Perhaps you could ask me another time or maybe Legolas will be able to answer when he returns for the evening meal," he suggested, not unkindly, but definitely dismissively.
The message was not lost on Sam, and taking Aragorn's response for the dismissal it obviously was, he retreated back to his bedroll, muttering to himself and thinking uncharitable thoughts about their new leader. His mood improved slightly when he saw that Frodo was now awake and actually smiling for a change.
"I see Aragorn is in one of his moods, again," he said as he accepted the mug of tea Sam handed him.
"A fine one you are to talk about moodiness, Mr Frodo," he said a little harshly, still annoyed at the Ranger.
"I know, and I am sorry it upsets you so, Sam," Frodo said, taking a bite of the bread roll Sam had also offered him. In truth he was not hungry, but he knew that the gesture would appease his friend somewhat. It did and Sam smiled happily to see Frodo's appetite had apparently returned.
"It's not your fault, Mr Frodo, it's that..Ring," he said in an aggrieved tone of voice "It sets everyone on edge. I know I should not be angry with Aragorn because he also has a heavy burden to bear, but it was just a simple question."
"Maybe I can help you, what did you want to know?" enquired Frodo, easily guessing the question was something to do with the Elves. Sam had almost as many questions about them as there were leaves in Lothlórien.
"It's about the singing. Ever since we arrived, and the Elves heard the news about Gandalf, the songs have been the mournful kind." Seeing Frodo raise an eyebrow at that assertion, Sam quickly continued. "Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about their laments. Even though I do not understand the words, the melodies are hauntingly sad and a fitting tribute to Gandalf."
"Yes they are, so what is it that is bothering you?" asked Frodo, now so curious that he did not realise he had finished the first bread roll and was beginning the second. Sam did notice, however, and breathed a small sigh of relief and deemed it wiser to say nothing about food lest Frodo stop eating.
"Have you not noticed that the songs they are singing this afternoon are. well.. cheerful, rather than melancholy?" asked Sam. They both listened for a few moments and Frodo nodded agreement.
"You are right, Sam. The melodies are distinctly on the joyful side, but I am afraid I cannot make out the meaning of the words. You will have to wait for Legolas to return, I am sure he will be willing to translate a happy song for you," Frodo tired to assure him, much to Sam's disappointment, for he was not really confident that Legolas would answer his question.
"Oh well, it can't be helped, I suppose. I will wait if I must. Have some more tea?" he asked, setting aside his disappointment for now. He took Frodo's empty mug and refilled it before he had a chance to refuse.
"It is very quiet around here, where are Merry and Pippin?" Frodo asked as he looked around their camp and failed to see either of them.
"They mentioned something about exploring the woods earlier, I suppose they can not be too far away," answered Sam.
"I hope they do not cause any trouble," said Frodo dubiously, feeling uncertain as to the wisdom of letting his mischievous kin out of his sight.
"I am sure the Elves can handle a couple of rogues such as Merry and Pip, Besides, since neither party can understand the other, you can rest assured that those two will not be able to say anything that might insult our hosts," said Sam, pleased to hear Frodo laugh out loud, It had been far too long since any of the Fellowship had cause to be merry.
"I hope you are right, Sam," he said.
*********
Merry and Pippin had provided at least one of their hosts with a source of amusement, rather than insult. The two young Hobbits had spent the better part of the afternoon trying to follow Haldir, for they were very curious about the somewhat aloof Elf. Naturally Haldir was well aware of their rather loud and obvious attempt to track him, and he made a game of sometimes allowing them to almost creep up on him, while at other times he would disappear into the trees, only to reappear suddenly in front of the startled Hobbits further down the track.
Fortunately Sam was correct about the language difficulties, otherwise Haldir might have taken offence at the rather scathing comments from his two stalkers once they realised they were being teased by the Elf. He understood the angry gestures and merely laughed as he waved goodbye, before disappearing back into the forest. Merry and Pippin decided to choose a different subject, one who they could understand, and headed down the path that Legolas and Gimli had taken earlier that morning. It seemed to be a well used trail, and even their limited tracking skills allowed them to find the large glade where the Elves often gathered. To their chagrin, there was not a single golden haired being in sight, but as they turned to leave they heard a well-known voice call to them.
"Hold on, young Hobbits, I will accompany you back to the campsite,' said Gimli.
"Where is Legolas?" asked Merry.
"He is involved in some 'Elvish business' as he put it. He had the nerve to send me back to make his apologies to Aragorn, he will not be joining us tonight," explained Gimli.
"I take it you were not invited?" asked Pip, earning himself a poke in the ribs from Merry for his tactless comment.
"Humph," grunted the Dwarf. "Who would want to spend the whole evening listening to totally incomprehensible elvish gibberish, anyway?" His gruff declaration did nothing to hide his affront, and both Merry and Pippin knew of at least one Dwarf who would willing spend his evening in such a manner.
"Well, all our hunting has made me hungry," said Pippin. "Let's go and make sure Sam is preparing enough dinner for us all."
"What were you hunting?" asked Gimli, as far as he was aware there was no game in this part of Calas Galadhon.
"Haldir," replied Merry smugly.
"Obviously your prey eluded you," replied Gimli, not surprised by anything these two might venture.
"There is always tomorrow," said Pippin wickedly. "Oh, I just thought of something. If we do not tell Sam that Legolas is not having his evening meal with us until AFTER he has cooked."
" ..There will be all the more for us," said Merry, completing his cousin's thought.
Sam was not particularly perturbed by his cousin's small deception, but he was totally unimpressed when he discovered Legolas was dining elsewhere.
"How inconsiderate of him, and just when I have something very important to ask him," he muttered as he served the delicious looking stew he had made.
"What did you wish to know?" asked Aragorn, feeling guilty for ignoring Sam earlier.
"Listen to the singing," he instructed, pleased to see that everyone obeyed and remained silent for a few moments. "It sounds very cheerful to me and I want to know what makes the Elves so happy tonight."
"It is a 'Conception Day' song," said Aragorn with a slight shrug, as if that explained everything.
"And what would a 'conception day' be?" asked Sam, none the wiser for having heard Aragorn's answer.
"The Elves celebrate the anniversary of their conception, it is a very joyful day for the Elf in question," explained Aragorn. The Hobbits still looked confused until Boromir spoke up.
"In terms you might understand better, Aragorn means that they are singing to celebrate what you might term an Elf's birthday. It is usual for an Elf to be born one year after their conception day," he stated. Six pairs of eyes turned to stare at the Man of Gondor who they knew was uncomfortable around Elves, and who rarely joined in the Hobbits' conversations.
"How do you know that?" asked Aragorn.
"My brother, Faramir has made it his business to learn all he can of the customs and lore of the Fair Folk, as he calls Elves. One day when we were still young boys, Gandalf told us of this particular celebration," he explained. What he did not mention was that the young Faramir had consequently earned Denethor's wrath when he asked his father if he could celebrate his conception day rather than his birthday. Denethor had angrily refused and that year neither of the boys had been afforded their usual birthday feast.
"But what is a 'conception' day?" asked Pippin innocently. Boromir deferred to Aragorn to offer the explanation.
"The day on which the Elf was conceived, of course," said Aragorn simply.
"Oh, I understand now," said Pippin, his cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink.
"So it is someone's Conception Day, but whose?" asked Sam, dismayed to have one question answered only to be faced with another.
"Well, I promised not to say anything, but.." Gimli stammered.
"Legolas! It is Legolas' Conception Day!" declared Sam happy to have finally found his answers. The happiness lasted for only a moment. "I wonder how old he is?"