A/N: Yes, I KNOW that Merry and Pippin are supposed to be dead by now, but
I'm just kind of skipping over that part. No flames about that, plz and ty.
I've got . I think it's chapter seven, might be eight or nine, written, but
I don't have the part between now and then, so be patient; it's coming
along as fast as I can get it there.
~blabla~ - Sindarin. Now, where was I?
On a related note, I apologise for the heavy use of Elvish somewhere in the middle there. The entire thing is translated at the bottom, so don't worry.
Not quite as happy with this chapter as I was with the other ones. Review, please? Constructive criticism is better than nothing; in fact it is very useful. If ppl aren't interested I won't continue. (go blackmail ^_^)
~
The hobbits had aged since he had last seen them, Legolas noted. Their curly hair was grey now, streaked with white, and the Elf was reminded of Bilbo when he had last seen him, in the havens, for although the hobbits were older than they once were, they had sparks of light and mischief in their eyes.
"We didn't think we'd see you either," Pippin agreed, jumping down from the chair he had been sitting in. "Neither of us expected to live this long, to be perfectly honest."
"What you have lived through entitles you to extra years of peace," Aragorn commented, and Merry nodded quietly.
"We wouldn't have come here if we didn't need to," he said, then blinked. "Of course, it's not that we don't love it here, but-"
"That's all right, Merry," Legolas smiled. "What brings you to Eryn Lasgalen?" The hobbits frowned and looked at each other. The Elf saw them exchange a glance and frowned. Whatever they had to say, the news wasn't good.
"You know that the orcs have been massing together," Pippin began, and Legolas was reminded of the fact that the hobbit wasn't only a trickster. He had served time in the army of Gondor, and was not a warrior to be lightly dismissed. He nodded. "Well," the hobbit continued, frowning, "they've started coming at the Shire. We thought we could fend them off; after all, what's a raiding party of orcs against our defence system? But, something happened." He stopped, looking over at Merry, who nodded.
"I don't understand it," he explained in a pleading voice. "It doesn't make sense." "What doesn't?" Aragorn encouraged.
"We were fighting them without any problems," the hobbit continued, "until . one of the orcs touched Briar. Not with his sword, his hand touched him on the shoulder. We didn't notice anything, but suddenly he fell over and started to shake." The Elf and the Ranger exchanged a glance. What was this?
"Then," Merry continued, his voice shaky, "he got up. We thought he was all right, and Eregrid went to him to see if he was all right. But, he drew his sword and stabbed him in the heart. For no reason. He's gone insane, Strider," he continued, looking at Aragorn. "We locked him up underneath the inn, but we can't keep him there forever."
"It wouldn't be so bad," Pippin commented softly, "but it has happened again. We've got seven of our own locked up now, trying to kill us, and three more slain. We're killing ourselves, Legolas," he looked at the Elf, an understanding in his eyes. He knew the history of the Fair Race, then, and knew what it meant. Legolas nodded.
"What do you wish us to do?" he inquired. Pippin frowned.
"I'm not sure what you CAN do," he shook his head. "In fact, I didn't know you were here at all. I just heard that Aragorn had come to Mirkwood and thought that if anyone could help it would be Strider."
"My hands can heal," Aragorn commented, "but if the illness is of the mind there is little that I can do."
"Oh, no," Merry protested. "We didn't expect you to heal those who have fallen. We just hoped that you could understand what had happened, so that we could prevent it from happening again." Aragorn nodded, looking at Legolas.
"What do you advise we do?" he asked. The Elf frowned.
"There seem to be few options," he replied. "We could choose to remain here and leave the Shire to face the yrch alone and undefended. We cannot do that. Therefore, we will ride. Or, I will, if you do not wish to join me." He looked at Aragorn. "You have not been here long, I cannot expect you to leap from one adventure to the next without a moment's peace."
Aragorn smiled. "I leaping from one adventure to the next, Legolas?" he inquired. "It is you who has left death itself in search of a quest. If you undertake this, unasked, what can I do but follow?"
"So, you'll come?" Both turned to see the hobbits looking at them expectantly. Aragorn knelt.
"Of course we will come," he answered. "Did you expect anything else?" Merry grinned.
~"I am pleased by your decision, my Son,"~ a voice came from behind them. Legolas spun quickly to see his father enter the room. The Lord of Eryn Lasgalen smiled. ~"I see that you have found yet another trick by which to avoid the celebration."~ Legolas scowled.
~"You know that was not my intent,"~ he defended. The old king laughed.
~"Of course,"~ he replied. ~"I have called for the preparation of horses for you both; you may leave as soon as you are ready."~ He turned to look at the hobbits, then back at his son, a glimmer twinkling in his eye. ~"The Shire is but a few hours from here, with swift horses and a good wind,"~ Thranduil commented. ~"You will not remain there for long, I do not think. There will be no need to cancel the celebration."~ Legolas sighed.
~"Sadly, you speak the truth,"~ he answered, his eyes matching his father's twinkle. ~"Ah, well, I may yet hope."~ Aragorn laughed, and an irritated noise came from one of the hobbits.
"What are they saying, Pip?" Merry asked, his arms crossed. "I don't understand a word of it. I thought we were learning Elvish!"
"We are," Pippin replied. "But, I don't think what they were saying had anything to do with breakfast."
"True," Merry agreed. He looked up at the Elves. "What were you saying?" he asked. Legolas laughed.
"It was just agreed that we will go with you to the Shire," he explained. "And," he looked over at his father who nodded, "you are also invited to a celebration held on the night of the full moon." The hobbits beamed.
"A celebration?" Pippin exclaimed.
"Does that include a feast?" Merry asked. Legolas laughed and nodded, then sobered.
"I suspect you have more of your tale to tell," he said, "but time does not yet run backwards, so I suggest that you explain the matter more fully once we are on our way."
Pippin nodded. "That sounds like a better idea," he agreed. "Come on, Merry, let's find where they put our packs."
The two hobbits left the room and Legolas walked slowly to a window. He rested his hands on the sill, looking out for a few moments, before turning back to Aragorn.
"What do you make of that?" he asked softly. The Ranger frowned.
"I don't know what to make of it," he replied. "An orc turning a hobbit from our side to its, with simply the touch of a hand. I do not know of a power that could cause this to happen."
"I wonder," Legolas reflected, sitting on the window seat. "The yrch have been attacking us since Sauron's downfall, yet none of the Elves have fallen prey to this evil. Yet, from what the hobbits have to say, the Periannath are falling victim with shocking regularity. It is unlikely that the yrch would target solely the hobbit-kind."
"Why, then, have none of the Elves turned?" Aragorn murmured. "And what of Men?"
Legolas moved away from the window seat, frowning. "That we do not know," he answered. "It seems that we have no way of finding out, as it stands. I will send a messenger to Gondor, to see how fares the world of Men. Perhaps then we will learn some truth."
Aragorn nodded. "And perhaps the hobbits will be able to shed more light." Legolas shrugged.
"Perhaps," he agreed. "But I do not think they know what is happening. They're scared, Aragorn."
"And they have turned to me," the Ranger commented. "Well, we must do what we can."
~
They entered the courtyard to find a small host of Elves awaiting them.
~"You leave us again."~ The Elf that spoke was tall, with dark hair, like all of the others Aragorn had seen in the Areska Lasgalen. It struck him that he had seen only a scant handful whose hair had been lighter than a rich chestnut brown, and none with the shimmering silver quality to compare to Thranduil or Legolas.
~"Sadly, we have no choice,"~ Legolas replied. The Elves laughed.
~"You always have choices, Legolas,"~ another replied. ~"It is your choices that prove you worthy, as yours have."~ Legolas laughed.
~"Your advice is as potent now as it ever was, Reinuil."~ Smiling, he walked over to the two horses that were standing in the middle of the courtyard. Aragorn was surprised to notice that only one was saddled. It was no surprise, however, when Legolas approached the one that had no seat, stroking its mane and talking softly in its ear.
~"A beautiful beast,"~ he commented to no one in particular.
~"Truly,"~ a nearby Elf replied. ~"That is Celebdae, a noble steed. He has born the Prince since before he left us for the Havens."~
~"Is it truly that ancient"~ Aragorn asked, amazed, and the elf laughed.
~"Celebdae is not a mortal steed, Elessar, but an Elven one,"~ he replied. ~"He will not live until eternity, but his lifespan certainly does surpass that of a mortal Man."~
~"I shall be outlived by a horse,"~ Aragorn chuckled. The Elf took a step backwards, suddenly, an apologetic look crossing his face, and Aragorn held out his hands. ~"I have taken no offence,"~ he said quickly. ~"I have long since come to terms with my mortality."~
The Elf nodded slowly, but seemed unconvinced and unobtrusively slipped away.
When Aragorn turned back he saw Legolas already mounted. His friend laughed and beckoned with a wave of his hand.
~"Come, Aragorn,"~ he called, ~"Do you plan to keep us waiting until the sun has set? I had hoped to be on the road a while before that comes to pass, but I fear I shall not if you don't hurry."~
Aragorn quickly mounted the other horse, grateful for the saddle. Legolas noted this and smiled.
~"I fear we will not make an Elf of you yet,"~ he laughed. ~"Not while you cling to your saddle like a burr."~
~"I am content,"~ Aragorn replied defensively. ~"You do not see me trying to force you onto one, do you?"~
~"Indeed,"~ Legolas conceded. ~"But, I fear even if you were to try you would not succeed. Look, the hobbits are here."~
Aragorn turned in the direction Legolas was facing to see Merry and Pippin trot into the courtyard, mounted on large ponies. He laughed at the site of the miniature beasts, then stopped abruptly as Pippin glared.
"Are we ready to be off, then?" he asked, ignoring the baleful look he was receiving. The hobbits nodded, looking up at their taller companions.
"My neck's going to get a crick in it at this rate," Merry complained. Pippin nodded sympathetically.
"That's what you get for being short," he commented rather cryptically. Merry shot him a confused look, and he grinned. "Well," he replied, "I had to say something, didn't I? And what else is there to say?"
Legolas and Aragorn laughed to each other over the hobbits' heads, then Legolas turned to face the gathering of Elves. Slowly the crowd parted and Thranduil stepped forwards.
~"Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva, atar,"~ Legolas said formally, somehow bowing with astounding grace from atop his horse. Thranduil nodded.
~"Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenlem, utinuamin,"~ he replied. ~"And you, Elessar. Tenna' ento lye omenta."~
~"Tenna' san',"~ Aragorn replied, imitating Legolas's motion.
With that, they gestured to the hobbits and rode out of the courtyard.
~
"Was that your father?" Merry asked once they had left the Areska Lasgalen behind. Legolas looked down and nodded.
"Yes," he replied, and waited to see what would follow.
"He looks ." Merry paused. "I was going to say young, but he doesn't, exactly. He looks younger than me, but older."
"Most of the mortal kindreds would agree with you," Aragorn commented. "Indeed, I would. I don't know if I myself can represent my race."
Pippin nodded absently, looking intensely at Legolas. "You look the same," he said finally. "You didn't before, but you look like your father. You have that look."
Legolas's eyebrows rose for a moment and he smiled at Pippin. "I'm not certain of what that means," he replied. "But I will take it as a compliment from one so fair of tongue as you." He straightened. "Now. What more do you have to tell us of the goings-on in the Shire?"
Pippin frowned and shook his head.
"There's really not much more to tell," he said. "At first we were scared to let those that were . changed . near us, in case they might turn us. But, it seems that it doesn't work that way. I don't know how it works, really, but the only thing that happened when Briar touched Young Tom was that he tried to kill him. He didn't, thank the gods. Tom was all right, none the worse for the touch."
"But we haven't been able to heal them," Merry joined in. "Everyone with any skill has tried, with no luck. Even Elanor couldn't change them back."
"Elanor?" Aragorn cocked his head. "Sam's daughter?"
"Aye," Merry nodded.
"How has she faired since she left Gondor?" Aragorn demanded. Merry beamed.
"It seems like the time she spent near you has given her the gift for healing, Strider," he replied. "She can cure almost anything. She even managed to persuade those that were . changed . not to hurt her. But she couldn't help them, beyond that."
"She has the gift of healing," Aragorn mused. "I'm glad for her. She would be pleased, if I remember her correctly, to be able to pass on some of her light to others."
Pippin nodded.
"And she was happy at the thought of seeing you again," he added. "I think she missed being at the palace, after the Evenstar ." he trailed off uncomfortably, and Aragorn smiled gently.
"That time has long passed, Pippin," he said. "It hurts me no more to hear it spoken than it does to live the moment in my mind, as I would anyway. Do not trouble yourself on that account."
Pippin nodded, and Merry spoke up again.
"I think that's all there is to tell, really," he said. "Anything else you will have to see for yourself."
Legolas nodded, and they continued on in silence.
~
The Shire was as green and beautiful as it ever was, as pure and clean as Legolas had remembered it from his childhood. It was hard to imagine the Shire ever changing, really. It seemed as though the rolling hills, with the clean white smoke rising at irregular intervals, seemed to hold some piece of the world together. He shook his head. If evil could taint this place, nothing was safe.
The ride to Hobbiton was uneventful. As expected, clusters of children popped up from the underbrush to try and see who the strangers were, and everyone cheered and waved as Merry and Pippin passed. Aragorn seemed to be riding in a perpetually amused state. Legolas just enjoyed the peace, fleeting as he knew it was.
Finally, the long and winding road took them into a cluster of buildings, markets, and inns. Legolas and Aragorn dismounted and walked their horses in an attempt to lessen the towering effect they had over the smaller race. Merry and Pippin continued to ride, as tall on horseback as the other two were on foot.
As they passed a tall building a short, even considering his race, greying hobbit emerged from the front door, running to greet the visitors.
"You've come!" he exclaimed in a rush. "Thank heavens. I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't come, Elanor's trying her best to keep them calm, but she can only do so much ."
"Calm down," Pippin jumped down from his pony and put a hand on the other hobbit's shoulders. "What's going on, Tem?"
"It's . them," Tem explained, fairly quivering with tension. "They've gone at it again, trying to escape. They don't have their knives any more, not since we got them away, but they're still threatening, and I don't know if I believe them or not." He suddenly glanced over at Legolas and Aragorn, seeing them for the first time. He looked back at Pippin. "Is that Lord Aragorn, Strider that you've been talking about?" Pippin nodded. Tem looked awed, then confused. "And . who's this, then?" he asked, nodding at Legolas. "Meaning you no disrespect, of course."
"I am Legolas," the Elf replied with a smile. "I was a companion, and friend, to Merry and Pippin on the quest of the Ring." Tem's eyes seemed to bulge from his sockets slightly as he took this in.
"That's Legolas? And Strider?" He blinked. "Maybe there's some hope after all."
~
For the people who already know this, bear with me or skip it. Otherwise, I think this is everything that came either from the appendices or my knowledge/finding abilities of the Elven language.
Celebdae: Legolas's horse, the name means Silvershadow.
Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva, atar: Sweet water and light laughter till next we meet, father.
Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenlem, utinuamin: May thy paths be green and the breeze on thy back, my son.
Tenna' ento lye omenta: Until next we meet
Tenna' san': Until then
~blabla~ - Sindarin. Now, where was I?
On a related note, I apologise for the heavy use of Elvish somewhere in the middle there. The entire thing is translated at the bottom, so don't worry.
Not quite as happy with this chapter as I was with the other ones. Review, please? Constructive criticism is better than nothing; in fact it is very useful. If ppl aren't interested I won't continue. (go blackmail ^_^)
~
The hobbits had aged since he had last seen them, Legolas noted. Their curly hair was grey now, streaked with white, and the Elf was reminded of Bilbo when he had last seen him, in the havens, for although the hobbits were older than they once were, they had sparks of light and mischief in their eyes.
"We didn't think we'd see you either," Pippin agreed, jumping down from the chair he had been sitting in. "Neither of us expected to live this long, to be perfectly honest."
"What you have lived through entitles you to extra years of peace," Aragorn commented, and Merry nodded quietly.
"We wouldn't have come here if we didn't need to," he said, then blinked. "Of course, it's not that we don't love it here, but-"
"That's all right, Merry," Legolas smiled. "What brings you to Eryn Lasgalen?" The hobbits frowned and looked at each other. The Elf saw them exchange a glance and frowned. Whatever they had to say, the news wasn't good.
"You know that the orcs have been massing together," Pippin began, and Legolas was reminded of the fact that the hobbit wasn't only a trickster. He had served time in the army of Gondor, and was not a warrior to be lightly dismissed. He nodded. "Well," the hobbit continued, frowning, "they've started coming at the Shire. We thought we could fend them off; after all, what's a raiding party of orcs against our defence system? But, something happened." He stopped, looking over at Merry, who nodded.
"I don't understand it," he explained in a pleading voice. "It doesn't make sense." "What doesn't?" Aragorn encouraged.
"We were fighting them without any problems," the hobbit continued, "until . one of the orcs touched Briar. Not with his sword, his hand touched him on the shoulder. We didn't notice anything, but suddenly he fell over and started to shake." The Elf and the Ranger exchanged a glance. What was this?
"Then," Merry continued, his voice shaky, "he got up. We thought he was all right, and Eregrid went to him to see if he was all right. But, he drew his sword and stabbed him in the heart. For no reason. He's gone insane, Strider," he continued, looking at Aragorn. "We locked him up underneath the inn, but we can't keep him there forever."
"It wouldn't be so bad," Pippin commented softly, "but it has happened again. We've got seven of our own locked up now, trying to kill us, and three more slain. We're killing ourselves, Legolas," he looked at the Elf, an understanding in his eyes. He knew the history of the Fair Race, then, and knew what it meant. Legolas nodded.
"What do you wish us to do?" he inquired. Pippin frowned.
"I'm not sure what you CAN do," he shook his head. "In fact, I didn't know you were here at all. I just heard that Aragorn had come to Mirkwood and thought that if anyone could help it would be Strider."
"My hands can heal," Aragorn commented, "but if the illness is of the mind there is little that I can do."
"Oh, no," Merry protested. "We didn't expect you to heal those who have fallen. We just hoped that you could understand what had happened, so that we could prevent it from happening again." Aragorn nodded, looking at Legolas.
"What do you advise we do?" he asked. The Elf frowned.
"There seem to be few options," he replied. "We could choose to remain here and leave the Shire to face the yrch alone and undefended. We cannot do that. Therefore, we will ride. Or, I will, if you do not wish to join me." He looked at Aragorn. "You have not been here long, I cannot expect you to leap from one adventure to the next without a moment's peace."
Aragorn smiled. "I leaping from one adventure to the next, Legolas?" he inquired. "It is you who has left death itself in search of a quest. If you undertake this, unasked, what can I do but follow?"
"So, you'll come?" Both turned to see the hobbits looking at them expectantly. Aragorn knelt.
"Of course we will come," he answered. "Did you expect anything else?" Merry grinned.
~"I am pleased by your decision, my Son,"~ a voice came from behind them. Legolas spun quickly to see his father enter the room. The Lord of Eryn Lasgalen smiled. ~"I see that you have found yet another trick by which to avoid the celebration."~ Legolas scowled.
~"You know that was not my intent,"~ he defended. The old king laughed.
~"Of course,"~ he replied. ~"I have called for the preparation of horses for you both; you may leave as soon as you are ready."~ He turned to look at the hobbits, then back at his son, a glimmer twinkling in his eye. ~"The Shire is but a few hours from here, with swift horses and a good wind,"~ Thranduil commented. ~"You will not remain there for long, I do not think. There will be no need to cancel the celebration."~ Legolas sighed.
~"Sadly, you speak the truth,"~ he answered, his eyes matching his father's twinkle. ~"Ah, well, I may yet hope."~ Aragorn laughed, and an irritated noise came from one of the hobbits.
"What are they saying, Pip?" Merry asked, his arms crossed. "I don't understand a word of it. I thought we were learning Elvish!"
"We are," Pippin replied. "But, I don't think what they were saying had anything to do with breakfast."
"True," Merry agreed. He looked up at the Elves. "What were you saying?" he asked. Legolas laughed.
"It was just agreed that we will go with you to the Shire," he explained. "And," he looked over at his father who nodded, "you are also invited to a celebration held on the night of the full moon." The hobbits beamed.
"A celebration?" Pippin exclaimed.
"Does that include a feast?" Merry asked. Legolas laughed and nodded, then sobered.
"I suspect you have more of your tale to tell," he said, "but time does not yet run backwards, so I suggest that you explain the matter more fully once we are on our way."
Pippin nodded. "That sounds like a better idea," he agreed. "Come on, Merry, let's find where they put our packs."
The two hobbits left the room and Legolas walked slowly to a window. He rested his hands on the sill, looking out for a few moments, before turning back to Aragorn.
"What do you make of that?" he asked softly. The Ranger frowned.
"I don't know what to make of it," he replied. "An orc turning a hobbit from our side to its, with simply the touch of a hand. I do not know of a power that could cause this to happen."
"I wonder," Legolas reflected, sitting on the window seat. "The yrch have been attacking us since Sauron's downfall, yet none of the Elves have fallen prey to this evil. Yet, from what the hobbits have to say, the Periannath are falling victim with shocking regularity. It is unlikely that the yrch would target solely the hobbit-kind."
"Why, then, have none of the Elves turned?" Aragorn murmured. "And what of Men?"
Legolas moved away from the window seat, frowning. "That we do not know," he answered. "It seems that we have no way of finding out, as it stands. I will send a messenger to Gondor, to see how fares the world of Men. Perhaps then we will learn some truth."
Aragorn nodded. "And perhaps the hobbits will be able to shed more light." Legolas shrugged.
"Perhaps," he agreed. "But I do not think they know what is happening. They're scared, Aragorn."
"And they have turned to me," the Ranger commented. "Well, we must do what we can."
~
They entered the courtyard to find a small host of Elves awaiting them.
~"You leave us again."~ The Elf that spoke was tall, with dark hair, like all of the others Aragorn had seen in the Areska Lasgalen. It struck him that he had seen only a scant handful whose hair had been lighter than a rich chestnut brown, and none with the shimmering silver quality to compare to Thranduil or Legolas.
~"Sadly, we have no choice,"~ Legolas replied. The Elves laughed.
~"You always have choices, Legolas,"~ another replied. ~"It is your choices that prove you worthy, as yours have."~ Legolas laughed.
~"Your advice is as potent now as it ever was, Reinuil."~ Smiling, he walked over to the two horses that were standing in the middle of the courtyard. Aragorn was surprised to notice that only one was saddled. It was no surprise, however, when Legolas approached the one that had no seat, stroking its mane and talking softly in its ear.
~"A beautiful beast,"~ he commented to no one in particular.
~"Truly,"~ a nearby Elf replied. ~"That is Celebdae, a noble steed. He has born the Prince since before he left us for the Havens."~
~"Is it truly that ancient"~ Aragorn asked, amazed, and the elf laughed.
~"Celebdae is not a mortal steed, Elessar, but an Elven one,"~ he replied. ~"He will not live until eternity, but his lifespan certainly does surpass that of a mortal Man."~
~"I shall be outlived by a horse,"~ Aragorn chuckled. The Elf took a step backwards, suddenly, an apologetic look crossing his face, and Aragorn held out his hands. ~"I have taken no offence,"~ he said quickly. ~"I have long since come to terms with my mortality."~
The Elf nodded slowly, but seemed unconvinced and unobtrusively slipped away.
When Aragorn turned back he saw Legolas already mounted. His friend laughed and beckoned with a wave of his hand.
~"Come, Aragorn,"~ he called, ~"Do you plan to keep us waiting until the sun has set? I had hoped to be on the road a while before that comes to pass, but I fear I shall not if you don't hurry."~
Aragorn quickly mounted the other horse, grateful for the saddle. Legolas noted this and smiled.
~"I fear we will not make an Elf of you yet,"~ he laughed. ~"Not while you cling to your saddle like a burr."~
~"I am content,"~ Aragorn replied defensively. ~"You do not see me trying to force you onto one, do you?"~
~"Indeed,"~ Legolas conceded. ~"But, I fear even if you were to try you would not succeed. Look, the hobbits are here."~
Aragorn turned in the direction Legolas was facing to see Merry and Pippin trot into the courtyard, mounted on large ponies. He laughed at the site of the miniature beasts, then stopped abruptly as Pippin glared.
"Are we ready to be off, then?" he asked, ignoring the baleful look he was receiving. The hobbits nodded, looking up at their taller companions.
"My neck's going to get a crick in it at this rate," Merry complained. Pippin nodded sympathetically.
"That's what you get for being short," he commented rather cryptically. Merry shot him a confused look, and he grinned. "Well," he replied, "I had to say something, didn't I? And what else is there to say?"
Legolas and Aragorn laughed to each other over the hobbits' heads, then Legolas turned to face the gathering of Elves. Slowly the crowd parted and Thranduil stepped forwards.
~"Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva, atar,"~ Legolas said formally, somehow bowing with astounding grace from atop his horse. Thranduil nodded.
~"Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenlem, utinuamin,"~ he replied. ~"And you, Elessar. Tenna' ento lye omenta."~
~"Tenna' san',"~ Aragorn replied, imitating Legolas's motion.
With that, they gestured to the hobbits and rode out of the courtyard.
~
"Was that your father?" Merry asked once they had left the Areska Lasgalen behind. Legolas looked down and nodded.
"Yes," he replied, and waited to see what would follow.
"He looks ." Merry paused. "I was going to say young, but he doesn't, exactly. He looks younger than me, but older."
"Most of the mortal kindreds would agree with you," Aragorn commented. "Indeed, I would. I don't know if I myself can represent my race."
Pippin nodded absently, looking intensely at Legolas. "You look the same," he said finally. "You didn't before, but you look like your father. You have that look."
Legolas's eyebrows rose for a moment and he smiled at Pippin. "I'm not certain of what that means," he replied. "But I will take it as a compliment from one so fair of tongue as you." He straightened. "Now. What more do you have to tell us of the goings-on in the Shire?"
Pippin frowned and shook his head.
"There's really not much more to tell," he said. "At first we were scared to let those that were . changed . near us, in case they might turn us. But, it seems that it doesn't work that way. I don't know how it works, really, but the only thing that happened when Briar touched Young Tom was that he tried to kill him. He didn't, thank the gods. Tom was all right, none the worse for the touch."
"But we haven't been able to heal them," Merry joined in. "Everyone with any skill has tried, with no luck. Even Elanor couldn't change them back."
"Elanor?" Aragorn cocked his head. "Sam's daughter?"
"Aye," Merry nodded.
"How has she faired since she left Gondor?" Aragorn demanded. Merry beamed.
"It seems like the time she spent near you has given her the gift for healing, Strider," he replied. "She can cure almost anything. She even managed to persuade those that were . changed . not to hurt her. But she couldn't help them, beyond that."
"She has the gift of healing," Aragorn mused. "I'm glad for her. She would be pleased, if I remember her correctly, to be able to pass on some of her light to others."
Pippin nodded.
"And she was happy at the thought of seeing you again," he added. "I think she missed being at the palace, after the Evenstar ." he trailed off uncomfortably, and Aragorn smiled gently.
"That time has long passed, Pippin," he said. "It hurts me no more to hear it spoken than it does to live the moment in my mind, as I would anyway. Do not trouble yourself on that account."
Pippin nodded, and Merry spoke up again.
"I think that's all there is to tell, really," he said. "Anything else you will have to see for yourself."
Legolas nodded, and they continued on in silence.
~
The Shire was as green and beautiful as it ever was, as pure and clean as Legolas had remembered it from his childhood. It was hard to imagine the Shire ever changing, really. It seemed as though the rolling hills, with the clean white smoke rising at irregular intervals, seemed to hold some piece of the world together. He shook his head. If evil could taint this place, nothing was safe.
The ride to Hobbiton was uneventful. As expected, clusters of children popped up from the underbrush to try and see who the strangers were, and everyone cheered and waved as Merry and Pippin passed. Aragorn seemed to be riding in a perpetually amused state. Legolas just enjoyed the peace, fleeting as he knew it was.
Finally, the long and winding road took them into a cluster of buildings, markets, and inns. Legolas and Aragorn dismounted and walked their horses in an attempt to lessen the towering effect they had over the smaller race. Merry and Pippin continued to ride, as tall on horseback as the other two were on foot.
As they passed a tall building a short, even considering his race, greying hobbit emerged from the front door, running to greet the visitors.
"You've come!" he exclaimed in a rush. "Thank heavens. I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't come, Elanor's trying her best to keep them calm, but she can only do so much ."
"Calm down," Pippin jumped down from his pony and put a hand on the other hobbit's shoulders. "What's going on, Tem?"
"It's . them," Tem explained, fairly quivering with tension. "They've gone at it again, trying to escape. They don't have their knives any more, not since we got them away, but they're still threatening, and I don't know if I believe them or not." He suddenly glanced over at Legolas and Aragorn, seeing them for the first time. He looked back at Pippin. "Is that Lord Aragorn, Strider that you've been talking about?" Pippin nodded. Tem looked awed, then confused. "And . who's this, then?" he asked, nodding at Legolas. "Meaning you no disrespect, of course."
"I am Legolas," the Elf replied with a smile. "I was a companion, and friend, to Merry and Pippin on the quest of the Ring." Tem's eyes seemed to bulge from his sockets slightly as he took this in.
"That's Legolas? And Strider?" He blinked. "Maybe there's some hope after all."
~
For the people who already know this, bear with me or skip it. Otherwise, I think this is everything that came either from the appendices or my knowledge/finding abilities of the Elven language.
Celebdae: Legolas's horse, the name means Silvershadow.
Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva, atar: Sweet water and light laughter till next we meet, father.
Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenlem, utinuamin: May thy paths be green and the breeze on thy back, my son.
Tenna' ento lye omenta: Until next we meet
Tenna' san': Until then