AUTHOR'S NOTE This part of the story actually takes place still during the movie The Fellowship of the Ring. It is after the first day of sailing from Lothlórien. In case any of you aren't familiar with them, Elladan and Elrohir are the twin sons of Elrond and Arwen's brothers. Thanks to all you who reviewed last time…glad you liked the river scene *wink*
DISCLAIMER I do now own Legolas no matter how much I wish I did.
I lay pillowed in Legolas' arms, completely content. I had reached a state of peace that far surpassed sleep. It must be an Elven thing.
Legolas idly wound my hair around his fingers. I felt completely safe lying there, exhausted and our bodies pressed warmly together. Rolling over, I smiled up at my lover. "What?" he asked with a smile.
I snuggled deeper into his embrace. "Tell me about the Fellowship! Not," I added quickly, "what you are trying to do. What are they like? Who are they?"
Legolas smiled and nodded. "They are all…unique. First, there was Gandalf the Gray." His eyes turned sad. "Lord Elrond of Rivendell appointed Gandalf to lead us. He was a very brave and wise leader. But he fell – "
"In Moria," I finished. "I remember."
"Yes." Legolas sighed. "Now we are eight."
"So tell me about them!" I grinned.
"Well, first there are the four hobbits." Legolas smiled in spite of himself. "They are always amusing. Frodo is a very quiet hobbit, but kind. He took Gandalf's loss especially hard. His companion Sam takes good care of him and keeps him out of harm's way."
I raised an eyebrow. "His companion?"
Legolas chuckled. "His gardener from his home. Sam is quite devoted to him." Legolas also raised an eyebrow. "It's rather adorable really."
I giggled. "Oh! I met a hobbit! The morning you left. His name was…Pippin."
"Ah yes!" Legolas laughed and rolled his eyes. "Pippin and his cousin Merry are always entertaining. And always in trouble!"
'Yep,' I thought. 'That sounds like the hobbit I remember!'
"Also with us travels Gimli, son of Glóin of the Lonely Mountain," Legolas continued.
"The dwarf?"
"Yes. But strangely, he is much less offensive than most dwarves."
Something suddenly occurred to me. "Tell me about the humans!"
Legolas blinked. He smiled slowly. "Curious?"
My eyes lit up and I nodded excitedly. Until very recently, I had had no chance to see other humans. I wanted to know about them.
"Well, first there is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. He is a Ranger from the Wilds to the West." Legolas smiled. "He was raised by Lord Elrond of Rivendell. He, Elladan, Elrohir, and I caused quite an uproar when we were young."
I laughed, picturing three young Elves and one teenage human pulling pranks around Rivendell. "Isn't he betrothed to Arwen Undomiel?" I asked.
"Yes. Arwen has given up her immortality to be with him."
"Wow," I muttered, impressed by the princess's devotion to Aragorn.
Legolas continued. "Aragorn has proven himself in battle time and time again. Our other human companion is Boromir, son of Denethor. He is a brave warrior of Gondor, but is dangerously tempted by the…" His voice dropped off suddenly.
I cocked an eyebrow. "Tempted by the what?" He was silent – a silence that carried secrecy. I took his hand in mine. "Legolas, what is happening?"
He expelled a long sigh. "Our Fellowship…our mission…" He turned away from me. "We are sent to Mordor."
"Mordor?" I gasped.
"There is more. Much more. One of our members carried with him the Ring of Power." Legolas again fixed his blue eyes on him. "We travel to destroy it."
I think I blinked, but my overwhelming feeling of dread clouded my mind. "The…the Ring of Sauron?" I finally whispered.
Legolas nodded. But when he saw what must have been utter fear reflected in my face, his look softened. He stroked the side of my face. "You have nothing to fear, my love. We will not fail."
My mind was slightly clearer. "How did you end up as part of this? I thought that Elrond of Rivendell appointed the Fellowship. You are of Mirkwood."
With a half-smile, Legolas nodded. "Yes I am. But my father, King Thranduil, sent me as a courier to the Council of Elrond. I volunteered to protect the Ringbearer." Something indistinguishable flickered across his face. "I supposed he'll have to find a new courier now."
"Legolas?" I asked. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He smiled wryly. "Just a little royal resentment. My father is not…well, he's not as kind as your Lady or Lord Elrond."
"Oh."
Legolas smiled down at me. "I'm just preparing you. Meeting him is not so much fun."
I blinked. "Meeting him?"
"Of course. The King must approve of the Prince's chosen one."
"Oh." I smiled. The Prince's chosen one. It made me feel special. "Well meeting him will be an interesting experience then."
Legolas smiled as well. "Yes. But it will not be for a while." His eyes grew cold. "There are more important issues to attend to first." Obviously reluctant, he threw the blankets aside and got out of bed.
"Where are you going?"
He did not look at me as he pulled his leggings on. "Rae, you know I must go back."
Hurt flooded over me. "So what," I said coldly. "You just came back for a little fun, now you're running off again?"
His head snapped up, eyes flashing. "You know that isn't true. I am part of the Fellowship. They need me and I will not abandon them."
"But you could die!" I cried.
He sighed and sat, half dressed, on the bed. He took my hands. "Then I shall see you in the Undying Lands."
As much as I willed them to go away, my tears fell at that simple statement. He said it so matter-of-factly, as though he knew it to be true. He had accepted it. I knew I had to also. I just nodded silently. Legolas smiled grimly, then got up to finish dressing.
It was all too soon when he stood by the door, ready to leave. I pulled a robe on and joined him. "Will you be alright?" he asked softly, stroking my hair.
"I'll be fine. I'm strong," I reminded him teasingly.
"No question about that."
"And I'll probably just go to sleep anyway," I added.
Legolas raised an eyebrow. "Elves do not need sleep," he pointed out, his tone just slightly amused.
I shrugged. "Old habits die hard," I mused, only really hearing the word "die" in that sentence. I looked up at him. "Be careful, my love."
He kissed me tenderly. "I promise, Meldanya." Then he was gone. I was left along again.
Sighing, I laid down to sleep. "And in dreams," I whispered, "we will meet again."
* Meldanya = my beloved (Quenay) This is Legolas' pet name for Raélowen.
