The morning of December twenty fifth of the Third Age dawned and Legolas awoke to silence. He pulled the ear plugs from his ears and tucked them safely into a hidden recess of his clothing; you never know when you might need earplugs on a quest- did men snore? He'd never slept with one, despite popular rumours, but thought it better to be safe than sorry. The nose plug went in as well.
He made his way down to breakfast where the hobbits had already begun eating; Aragorn was kneeling by the packs and re-organising them; Boromir was sitting in the corner polishing his horn. Legolas wished he wouldn't do that in public.
"Excuse me," a small, female voice came form behind him. Legolas gathered his wits and turned around.
Funny, they weren't usually invisible.
"Down here," said the voice, sounding a little embarrassed. Coy, more like. Legolas looked down into eyes as blue as the summer sky reflected on the surface of clear smooth lakes. Hair as golden as the sunset fell in ringlets down the hobbit lass's back and she wore a pretty golden dun coloured strapless dress that showed off the curves of her shoulders and the ample swell of her flawless bosom. She curtsied, "May I have the pleasure of introducing myself?" she asked, and before he could answer said "I am Saffire Brandybuck- Meriadoc's sister, I followed him here because of my desire for adventure, and wish to accompany the Fellowship on your quest."
Wearing that? Legolas thought.
The lass set her perfectly crafted jaw stubbornly. "If you should say no, then I shall follow you." Changing her tone completely, she blinked up at him through lashes as dark as raven's wings. "You are so very handsome, master elf."
"Ai," Legolas said, crouching down on the floor at her height and speaking to her as he would a young child. "Alas it is not I who makes the decisions as to who can join the Fellowship or not. You must speak with Boromir."
"What?" The lass looked taken aback. "But he's evil!"
"I'll admit he doesn't wash very often, but you cannot call him evil for that."
"But...please master Greenleaf, take me in his place! He will try to take the Ring!"
"Why do you spread such rumours?"
"I have seen it! Long ago my grandmother left the Shire and came to the woods of Lorien, she befriended the Lady Galadriel, whom is my godmother. We visit her every summer. You cannot let Boromir come!"
"I have no intention of making Boromir come or not. You speak to him. Here, take this nose plug. Go on, there's a good hobbit lass." Legolas put his nose plug in her hand and pushed her in Boromir's direction. "For me?"
Saffire nodded and ran off towards Boromir, putting the plug on her nose. Legolas sat down near Aragorn and listened in to the conversation. " 'scuze be Bowobeer bou beevil ban."
"Pardon?"
"BEEVEL! Boar bevil!"
"I'm sorry. What?"
Saffire started jumping up and down. "I hab seed bou! In be birror! Bou bill bake be Bing!"
Boromir looked alarmed, and shot a glance at Aragorn and Legolas. "I'm baking what now?"
"BING!" Saffire jumped on the ground. "BING!"
At that moment, Elrond walked in. Boromir looked at the elf lord pleadingly. Elrond nodded.
"Security!"
Legolas smirked.
~*~
With Rivendell many day's march behind them, the Fellowship stopped once again to rest by the side of a wide stream, icy cold and blue from snow run-off. Theree hobbits collapsed on the forest floor, disturbing many small beetles, while Sam led Bill to the stream as Legolas removed the pony's saddle bags and rubbed him down with a blanket. The two men disappeared into the trees to find some game for dinner, and Gimli sat down with the hobbits and started to build a fire.
The sun was setting leaving orange and gold arches across the cold blue sky, and Legolas, lembas in hand, waded through the icy stream to the higher, clearer ground on the southern shore. From here he kept watch over the wide sweep of forest for any unnatural movement, while Aragorn took the watch closer to the Fellowship; closer to the ring bearer.
A shrill cry tore open the night, and hoof beats on his side of the river thumped through the trees. From the corner of his eye Legolas saw Aragorn stand up and look his way, but the light was fading and human eyes were hopeless. Silently, Legolas disappeared from Aragorn view, over the hill in the direction of the call.
A roan mare galloped into sight, silver reins shining in the light of the setting sun, the same light shone on the hair of the rider, russet gold. Her light elven body- that of a dancer yet with muscles toned in ways that showed she wielded a sword or bow with expert ease, gracefully dismounted her horse in front of Legolas, "you must help me..." she breathed, "my village...attacked...my people...dead...but I killed all the warg riders...must help me..." and then fainted into his arms.
Legolas caught her and lay her on the ground, then stood over her with his arms crossed impatiently. She writhed prettily in the bed of leaves making small moaning sounds in the back of her pale throat. There was red liquid all over her tunic, but without the smell of blood. Instead, it smelled like something Legolas could not identify- tomatoes, perhaps?
One of her eyes fluttered open, revealing her eyes as black as the approaching night, with flicks of silver in them like the stars. She hastily closed the eye again when she saw him waiting over her, and moaned again, then puckered her lips.
Legolas went back to the stream and filled his hands with the icy water. He returned to the elven girl's side and dumped the water on her face.
She screamed and sat up, her hands to her face. "Nonononono!" she cried, horrified. "Nono! You melted me! You...you..." True, her ears were melting to reveal rounded human ears, black rivers flowed down he cheeks where her mascara was running. "How COULD you!" she shrieked at Legolas, who's own ears began to ring. "You were supposed to...oh AAH! You INFURIATING ELF!" She stood up and grabbed her horse, and stomped away into the darkness.
Legolas smirked, and returned to his watch on the hill.
~*~
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