Thank you so much for reviews. The next chapter might be a while in coming
as the next month is full of revision and exams, please stick with me and
please please review. I need something to cheer me up and remind me that
exams are not the only things that exist in the world!!!!!! Anyways Enjoy!
** Legolas whispered softly to the hobbits ponies and then let them wonder off to graze. He turned to see the hobbits laying out some blankets and digging into the food with relish. Smiling he walked towards them and sat down.
"Apple?" Sam offered. Legolas took the green fruit and bit into it.
"Can we come and visit Ithilien Legolas?" Frodo asked.
"Whenever you wish Frodo." Legolas responded. He would love the hobbits to visit his new home; he had worked hard with Faramir to restore the woods to their former glory.
"Race you Merry" Pippin suddenly cried and charged towards the pool. The two hobbits ran towards the water.
"You should not be swimming so soon after eating." Legolas said concerned and he rose to go after the hobbits.
"Leave them." Sam said. "They always do it."
Legolas sat back down but kept a close eye on the two.
"Gimli says that you have done a fine job." Frodo said bringing the conversation back to the subject of Ithilien.
"Really?"
"Yes but he said if we told anyone he would." Sam trailed off with a sheepish look on his face. "oh."
"No words will pass my lips that implicate you Samwise." Legolas assured. Sam smiled in thanks.
"Why did you set up a colony in Ithilien?" Sam asked interested as to why the elves and Legolas would leave their homes that they spoke so fondly of.
"It was a difficult decision Sam but it was one that had to be made. The time of the elves is over. Many have gone to the West. There are so few of us remaining that to live in many realms over Middle - Earth is no longer practical. Evil is still out there and we cannot halt them alone. There are many who wish to see us destroyed. Others wish us as prizes, there are bounties out on all elves and as our kind grow rarer they only increase. As much as it pains me to admit it we need the protection of Gondor and the other realms of men. We remain here, I remain here because my love for Middle - Earth is so very strong and I do not wish to leave now. My friends mean so much to me that I cannot bear to leave at the moment, but the sea - longing cannot be ignored forever." Legolas said almost wistfully.
"What of your father?" Frodo asked. Legolas took a deep sigh.
"He remains in Mirkwood preparing to leave. He was not amused when I informed him of my decision to remain." Legolas shrugged. "We have never seen eye to eye, he does not see my fascination with mortals and that I have befriended them. I am a young elf in the eyes of my people and considered to be quite different from the norm. He despairs of me." Legolas smiled "and I despair of him. The feeling is mutual."
Before the conversation could continue a cry of alarm and terror came from the direction of the pool. Legolas was on his feet before the eldest two hobbits could register the sound. He ran towards the pool, his eyes taking in the situation quickly. Merry was waving frantically in panic, calling Pippin's name. Pippin was nowhere to be seen. Without hesitation he dove into the water and used his powerful arms to pass into the depths. He searched frantically for the small hobbit amongst the rocks and the reeds of the pool but to no avail. Surfacing and taking a deep breath he dove under again. Just as he was about to surface again he caught sight of the hobbit at the very bottom. Pushing himself he desperately grabbed the little form and kicked for the surface. Taking a huge gulp of air that his tortured lungs so desperately needed he pulled Pippin towards the side. Frodo and Sam had already helped the frantic Merry from the pool and proceeded to do the same with Pippin. Legolas' lead heavy limbs made his progress out of the pool less than graceful.
"He's not breathing!" Sam exclaimed anxiously. Legolas moved to the youngest hobbits side. His trembling fingers felt for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief.
"His heart beat is still strong." He said. He tilted the hobbits head back and gently pinched Pippin's nose. He breathed a long steady breath into the hobbit's mouth and watched as his chest rose and fell. Legolas waited for a few seconds to see if Pippin took a breath on his own but he did not. He repeated the action and watched again. Pippin suddenly gasped and choked, Legolas quickly turned him on his side as he threw up water and took harsh gasping breaths. Sitting backwards and taking deep breaths Legolas quickly recovered as the anxious hobbits huddled around the wheezing Pippin.
"Thank you." Merry said with heart felt gratitude and Legolas gave him a tired smile. Rising to his feet he made his way back to their packs and retrieved a blanket. He wrapped it around Pippin's shoulders and picked the small form up.
"I think we should go back and get some warm broth into Pippin." The other hobbits agreed and quickly packed up their stuff.
"Mushroom?" Pippin whispered hoarsely. Legolas laughed.
"Yes Peregrin mushroom."
* Aragorn felt a headache approaching as one of his advisors 'droned' on for what seemed like an age on some economic proposal that had completely drifted out of his mind. He saw that Faramir was having similar difficulties and sincerely hoped that this was not of vital importance. The sun was shinning brightly outside and the birds were singing but sadly for him he could not enjoy the day as straight after this he had an afternoon of negotiations. He would need to be alert for them but as things were going he would be asleep by then.
"My lord" a servant whispered in his ear and Aragorn silently berated himself for not paying attention and noticing his arrival
"Yes."
"Haleh thought you should be informed that there was an accident concerning one of the hobbits." The servant's words caught his attention immediately.
"What?"
"I do not know the full details of the incident except that they are in the Houses of Healing."
Aragorn rose to his feet. "I am sorry Tirayn but a matter has arisen that needs my immediate attention please continue and I will receive a report from Faramir later." The look Faramir sent him would have stopped orcs in their tracks.
The Houses of Healing were almost empty except for the group of three hobbits, a wet elf and a concerned dwarf.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"Pippin almost drowned but Master Legolas saved him." Sam said. The door to one of the rooms opened and Haleh a skilled healer stepped out. She was met with a barrage of questions.
"He is fine, nothing that hot food and a good nights sleep won't cure." The three hobbits hurried into the room.
"I told you to be careful." Aragorn said jokingly. Legolas just shook his head. Gimli laughed loudly and then entered the room to check on the hobbit for himself.
"Are you well?" Aragorn enquired.
"Aye just a bit wet." Legolas said as the two entered the room. Pippin was barely visible under several blankets. Gimli and the three hobbits surrounded him.
Legolas watched with deep relief at their happy faces and once assured of their complete safety he left the room. The pain in his head had increased sharply in the past few minutes and he did not wish his friends to see. Stumbling into another empty room he started to shake. Falling to his knees and then to the ground he began to shake uncontrollably in a fit.
*I told you not to let any of your friends know. Treat this as a warning for the she elf's observations, I will not be as lenient next time little elf* a voice echoed in his head.
Slowly the fit and agonising pain abated and Legolas lay still. Tiredly he rose to his feet and took a few deep breaths before leaving the room and heading to his own.
* Aragorn finished writing the final points and he signed his name. The quill making a scratching sound as it passed across the parchment. It was getting late and the candles had been lit. Emperor Thalos and his advisor sat opposite him and Faramir.
"This is only a draft." Aragorn again stated as he slid the document over to the man opposite. Thalos's weathered face broke into a smile.
"I would expect nothing less, much more needs to be discussed before a final version of this treaty could even be contemplated." He said.
"Indeed." Urguth commented. "Will this treaty include Ithilien?" he asked.
Faramir answered for Aragorn. "This treaty concerns Gondor primarily but Ithilien will be interested in the terms."
"And the colony of Legolas?" Urguth enquired. Aragorn raised his eyebrows at the casual use of Legolas's name.
"Lord Legolas is not involved in the negotiations although he will be aware of the conditions."
"Why is he not involved?" Urguth continued.
"It is an elven colony, not one of men. Its foreign matters are not our concern." Aragorn stated noting in his mind to monitor Urguth's movements and intentions. 'He seems too concerned with matters concerning elves and not on the present negotiations' Aragorn mused. Thalos also regarded Urguth's line of questioning as inappropriate but he kept silent.
"I think that concludes our present business." Thalos said as he rose to his feet. Aragorn and Faramir rose as well. "Thank you. I will see you at the feast this evening King Elessar." Aragorn nodded and Thalos left. Faramir looked to Aragorn.
"Eowyn wished me to do some things I will see you at the feast." Aragorn nodded.
"I trust that the economic meeting went well." Aragorn questioned as the man left. Faramir glared at him. "I want a full report in the morning." Faramir didn't even look back and Aragorn chuckled.
"Lord Elessar may I have a word?" Urugth questioned. Aragorn started in surprise not realising the man had not left with the Emperor.
*-*
** Legolas whispered softly to the hobbits ponies and then let them wonder off to graze. He turned to see the hobbits laying out some blankets and digging into the food with relish. Smiling he walked towards them and sat down.
"Apple?" Sam offered. Legolas took the green fruit and bit into it.
"Can we come and visit Ithilien Legolas?" Frodo asked.
"Whenever you wish Frodo." Legolas responded. He would love the hobbits to visit his new home; he had worked hard with Faramir to restore the woods to their former glory.
"Race you Merry" Pippin suddenly cried and charged towards the pool. The two hobbits ran towards the water.
"You should not be swimming so soon after eating." Legolas said concerned and he rose to go after the hobbits.
"Leave them." Sam said. "They always do it."
Legolas sat back down but kept a close eye on the two.
"Gimli says that you have done a fine job." Frodo said bringing the conversation back to the subject of Ithilien.
"Really?"
"Yes but he said if we told anyone he would." Sam trailed off with a sheepish look on his face. "oh."
"No words will pass my lips that implicate you Samwise." Legolas assured. Sam smiled in thanks.
"Why did you set up a colony in Ithilien?" Sam asked interested as to why the elves and Legolas would leave their homes that they spoke so fondly of.
"It was a difficult decision Sam but it was one that had to be made. The time of the elves is over. Many have gone to the West. There are so few of us remaining that to live in many realms over Middle - Earth is no longer practical. Evil is still out there and we cannot halt them alone. There are many who wish to see us destroyed. Others wish us as prizes, there are bounties out on all elves and as our kind grow rarer they only increase. As much as it pains me to admit it we need the protection of Gondor and the other realms of men. We remain here, I remain here because my love for Middle - Earth is so very strong and I do not wish to leave now. My friends mean so much to me that I cannot bear to leave at the moment, but the sea - longing cannot be ignored forever." Legolas said almost wistfully.
"What of your father?" Frodo asked. Legolas took a deep sigh.
"He remains in Mirkwood preparing to leave. He was not amused when I informed him of my decision to remain." Legolas shrugged. "We have never seen eye to eye, he does not see my fascination with mortals and that I have befriended them. I am a young elf in the eyes of my people and considered to be quite different from the norm. He despairs of me." Legolas smiled "and I despair of him. The feeling is mutual."
Before the conversation could continue a cry of alarm and terror came from the direction of the pool. Legolas was on his feet before the eldest two hobbits could register the sound. He ran towards the pool, his eyes taking in the situation quickly. Merry was waving frantically in panic, calling Pippin's name. Pippin was nowhere to be seen. Without hesitation he dove into the water and used his powerful arms to pass into the depths. He searched frantically for the small hobbit amongst the rocks and the reeds of the pool but to no avail. Surfacing and taking a deep breath he dove under again. Just as he was about to surface again he caught sight of the hobbit at the very bottom. Pushing himself he desperately grabbed the little form and kicked for the surface. Taking a huge gulp of air that his tortured lungs so desperately needed he pulled Pippin towards the side. Frodo and Sam had already helped the frantic Merry from the pool and proceeded to do the same with Pippin. Legolas' lead heavy limbs made his progress out of the pool less than graceful.
"He's not breathing!" Sam exclaimed anxiously. Legolas moved to the youngest hobbits side. His trembling fingers felt for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief.
"His heart beat is still strong." He said. He tilted the hobbits head back and gently pinched Pippin's nose. He breathed a long steady breath into the hobbit's mouth and watched as his chest rose and fell. Legolas waited for a few seconds to see if Pippin took a breath on his own but he did not. He repeated the action and watched again. Pippin suddenly gasped and choked, Legolas quickly turned him on his side as he threw up water and took harsh gasping breaths. Sitting backwards and taking deep breaths Legolas quickly recovered as the anxious hobbits huddled around the wheezing Pippin.
"Thank you." Merry said with heart felt gratitude and Legolas gave him a tired smile. Rising to his feet he made his way back to their packs and retrieved a blanket. He wrapped it around Pippin's shoulders and picked the small form up.
"I think we should go back and get some warm broth into Pippin." The other hobbits agreed and quickly packed up their stuff.
"Mushroom?" Pippin whispered hoarsely. Legolas laughed.
"Yes Peregrin mushroom."
* Aragorn felt a headache approaching as one of his advisors 'droned' on for what seemed like an age on some economic proposal that had completely drifted out of his mind. He saw that Faramir was having similar difficulties and sincerely hoped that this was not of vital importance. The sun was shinning brightly outside and the birds were singing but sadly for him he could not enjoy the day as straight after this he had an afternoon of negotiations. He would need to be alert for them but as things were going he would be asleep by then.
"My lord" a servant whispered in his ear and Aragorn silently berated himself for not paying attention and noticing his arrival
"Yes."
"Haleh thought you should be informed that there was an accident concerning one of the hobbits." The servant's words caught his attention immediately.
"What?"
"I do not know the full details of the incident except that they are in the Houses of Healing."
Aragorn rose to his feet. "I am sorry Tirayn but a matter has arisen that needs my immediate attention please continue and I will receive a report from Faramir later." The look Faramir sent him would have stopped orcs in their tracks.
The Houses of Healing were almost empty except for the group of three hobbits, a wet elf and a concerned dwarf.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"Pippin almost drowned but Master Legolas saved him." Sam said. The door to one of the rooms opened and Haleh a skilled healer stepped out. She was met with a barrage of questions.
"He is fine, nothing that hot food and a good nights sleep won't cure." The three hobbits hurried into the room.
"I told you to be careful." Aragorn said jokingly. Legolas just shook his head. Gimli laughed loudly and then entered the room to check on the hobbit for himself.
"Are you well?" Aragorn enquired.
"Aye just a bit wet." Legolas said as the two entered the room. Pippin was barely visible under several blankets. Gimli and the three hobbits surrounded him.
Legolas watched with deep relief at their happy faces and once assured of their complete safety he left the room. The pain in his head had increased sharply in the past few minutes and he did not wish his friends to see. Stumbling into another empty room he started to shake. Falling to his knees and then to the ground he began to shake uncontrollably in a fit.
*I told you not to let any of your friends know. Treat this as a warning for the she elf's observations, I will not be as lenient next time little elf* a voice echoed in his head.
Slowly the fit and agonising pain abated and Legolas lay still. Tiredly he rose to his feet and took a few deep breaths before leaving the room and heading to his own.
* Aragorn finished writing the final points and he signed his name. The quill making a scratching sound as it passed across the parchment. It was getting late and the candles had been lit. Emperor Thalos and his advisor sat opposite him and Faramir.
"This is only a draft." Aragorn again stated as he slid the document over to the man opposite. Thalos's weathered face broke into a smile.
"I would expect nothing less, much more needs to be discussed before a final version of this treaty could even be contemplated." He said.
"Indeed." Urguth commented. "Will this treaty include Ithilien?" he asked.
Faramir answered for Aragorn. "This treaty concerns Gondor primarily but Ithilien will be interested in the terms."
"And the colony of Legolas?" Urguth enquired. Aragorn raised his eyebrows at the casual use of Legolas's name.
"Lord Legolas is not involved in the negotiations although he will be aware of the conditions."
"Why is he not involved?" Urguth continued.
"It is an elven colony, not one of men. Its foreign matters are not our concern." Aragorn stated noting in his mind to monitor Urguth's movements and intentions. 'He seems too concerned with matters concerning elves and not on the present negotiations' Aragorn mused. Thalos also regarded Urguth's line of questioning as inappropriate but he kept silent.
"I think that concludes our present business." Thalos said as he rose to his feet. Aragorn and Faramir rose as well. "Thank you. I will see you at the feast this evening King Elessar." Aragorn nodded and Thalos left. Faramir looked to Aragorn.
"Eowyn wished me to do some things I will see you at the feast." Aragorn nodded.
"I trust that the economic meeting went well." Aragorn questioned as the man left. Faramir glared at him. "I want a full report in the morning." Faramir didn't even look back and Aragorn chuckled.
"Lord Elessar may I have a word?" Urugth questioned. Aragorn started in surprise not realising the man had not left with the Emperor.
*-*