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Of Sam & Elves:  Mischief in Imladris

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Summary: The twins come across an admiring hobbit and decide to have some fun in Rivendell.  (Elrohir, Elladan, & Glorfindel)

Rated: G 

Posted:  February 19, 2004

Author: Stephie P. a.k.a. TheSilentSenshi 

Contact:  thesilentsenshi@Hotmail.com

Archive:  Sure, just tell me first so I know where it is.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I can't claim any of the lovely elves as mine, no matter how much I wish I could.  Alas, a genius by the name of Tolkien found them first.  So, I'm just borrowing them for a little while.  I'll return them when I'm through, in relatively worn, but good condition. 

Notes: This started out as a 'filler' chapter, aka stalling til I gather some more plot bunnies, but the bunny bit me and it turned into a pretty important chapter.  Go me.  ^_^  Hope you like. 

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Part 5:  Sam's Doubts

Sam and Glorfindel walked together in silence for several moments. 

Sam was feeling much better now that someone he knew accompanied him.  He had been really worried for a while out there.  The woods were a big scary place for a little lost hobbit.

The cold winter wind blew at Sam's curly hair.  The sounds and scents of the forest surrounded the two figures as they slowly made their way to the Last Homely House. 

"Thank you, sir, for helping me find my way back." Sam said softly.

Glorfindel turned to him surprised.  "No need for thanks.  I wouldn't have been doing my job if I had just left you out there.  Besides, I'm sure your hobbit friends are worried about you by now."

Night was falling and the forest was bathed in the glow of the setting sun.  Sam stopped a moment holding his breathe at the beautiful sight.

Glorfindel stopped as well when he noticed Sam was no longer following him.  He too turned toward the sunset.  A smile lit his face as he watched its descent. 

"Tis' a magnificent sight, is it not?" he remarked.

"Aye, it is quite beautiful, sir, make no mistake." Sam answered, his eyes wide and sparkling, as he too, watched.

"It never ceases to amaze me…" Glorfindel said, more to himself than the hobbit at his side.

"What's that, sir?"

Glorfindel looked at him, as though he were surprised he'd said his thoughts aloud.  "Well, Master Gamgee, in all my years, for which I can assure you have been many, two lifetimes worth in fact, the one thing constant, never changing is the cycle of the Sun and Moon.  The stars remain, much like Elves, unchanged and immortal, but with the possibility of fading.  They will likely remain when the last of my kin have sailed to the Undying lands, when the Dwarves no longer dwell in the mountains, and the hobbits of the Shire no more than a memory.  They will linger when the land is ruled by men, alone and all other races have passed on into legend." 

Sam frowned a little.  He didn't much like or understand the Elves obsession with change, or lack there of.  No Shire?  He couldn't believe such a thing would happen, though he knew the Elves were far wiser than he in matters such as these.  He just couldn't bring himself to think of such things, and wondered at the Elves relative ease in doing so. 

Sam glanced at Glorfindel who was once again lost in thought.

"That may be so, sir, but I hope not to see it happen if ever it does."

Glorfindel smiled at him.  "I hope so too, Master Gamgee, I hope so too.  I suppose there is one other constant in life…" Glorfindel mused aloud.

"What would that be, sir?" 

"Boromir was correct in one thing he said at the counsel, though the Lord Elrond would surely disagree."

"But, sir, what could such a thing possibly be?"  Sam asked curiously.

"That there is still courage and valor in the hearts of Men, Elves, Dwarves, and, of course, hobbits."  He smiled at Sam, who turned a rosy shade of red, as he said the last.  "Yes, there is also weakness, which, unfortunately, far too often over powers Man's capability of Honor.  That does not change the fact, however, that it is still there, as it was in ages past.  Men will have to look deep in their hearts to find what has long lain in dormant if they hope to counter the spreading darkness."  Both Elf and hobbit seemed lost in thought for many moments.

"Well, Master, Gamgee," Glorfindel suddenly spoke, "You, for one, have shown your peoples worth.  Frodo, too, of course, but his was more a decree of destiny than of choice.  No, he had little option.  You, on the other hand, have stated you'd follow him through perils unknown, with nothing to gain, but much to lose."

"I suppose so, sir, but I don't feel very brave right now.  My thoughts are often filled to the brim with fears and doubts."

"It would be unnatural if you did otherwise.  Even the wisest and bravest of people feel such things.  No, the true strength is shown when one doesn't succumb to those feelings, despite their misgivings."

Sam looked a little dejected.  "But, sir, I'm no good at fightin' and will likely just be in the way," he said sadly.

Glorfindel gave him a reassuring smile.  "Fear not, Master Gamgee.  For not all fights are waged on a battlefield.  No, the much more important ones are fought from within.  Even the most skilled warrior or the sharpest blade pales in comparison to the strength of the heart.  I have not the ability of foresight that the Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel possess, but I truly feel that your part to play in this will be an important one.  Perhaps even more important than that of the Ring-bearer himself."

Sam opened his mouth as if to protest and deny such a thing, but Glorfindel put his hand up to stop him.  "Even the wise know not all ends, and who are we to say what will or will not occur.  No, the Quest and it's outcome remain clouded in mystery.  It will bring change to Middle Earth as assuredly as the Sun will rise on the 'morrow.  Whether this change be for good or ill, I know not.  We can only trust to hope now, for however small, it is the most precious thing any living being possesses.  Hope, and the will to live on.  This is all we can do."

Sam just nodded indicating his understanding, wondering to himself that he'd been around Elves so long he was beginning to understand their riddles!  Though there was still much that went over his simple hobbit head. 

"Come, the hour grows late and darkness is already upon us.  Let us make haste in our return." Glorfindel urged.

Sam followed obediently, though his thoughts remained fixed elsewhere.  There was much to think about.

~End Part 5~

TBC…

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Background Notes:  Umm, nope, none here either… Oh, except about the  two lifetimes comment, I'm assuming Rivendell Glorfy is same as Gondolin Glorfy.  Have probs with it, meh, get over it.  ^_^  As the story goes, Glorfy of Gondolin (also known as Balrog Slayer) sent to Halls of Mandos and was reembodied by the Valar to eventually be our Rivendell Glorfy.  I haven't yet read in detail his story, so going by info found elsewhere.  So if my info wrong, then don't blame me, this is all hearsay.  ^_^

Oh and also, it is my -personal- opinion that Frodo never would have made it as far as he did without Sam, and thus the Ring would not have been destroyed and the Quest would have failed.  That is what I was alluding to when Glorfy mentions that Sam's role may be of even greater significance than the Ring-bearer. Once again, don't agree, fine with me, that's just how I see it.

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The plot bunnies are evil!  Gimme the end of the story evil bunnies!  Grrr!  Okay, now that that's outta my system, thanks everyone whose reviewed.  The bunnies are giving me other ideas not what I want.  Well, one of them gave me a decent one which has nothing to do with the series, but you can check it out anyhow if you feel like it.  It's just a short angsty oneshot from Leggy's POV.  Thank goodness they didn't give me any new series ideas.  OH and surprisingly I've also turned out chapter 6 so that should be up… eventually.  -_-;

And everyone seems to like the idea of forced servitude, which I totally go with.  ^_^  I have one thing to say, the twins in frilly cooking aprons!  ^_~

Oh and if my authors notes get funky for awhile, it's 'cus I'm dealing with exams, one of which I just totally failed (stupid Art History) and planning for final projects and so am pretty much living off of caffeine and sugar.  ^_^  Don't be offended or anything.  I'm just not thinking straight from lack of sleep.  Same goes for any stupid typos or grammatical errors.  I might have to ease off of the fan fic com. for awhile, but I promise, I'll still update as regularly as possible and check out my reviewers works when time permits.

~*~Stephie P.

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To you guys who reviewed, I love you all and give you hugs and kisses till you shove me off.  Here are my replies to a few of them.  And I'm glad to hear your opinion.  Feedback = Food for the Soul! 

Note: If your not listed here it's because you a) reviewed after this chapter was posted or b) didn't put anything that needed a personal response. It doesn't mean I love you any less! ^,,^ Honest!

Celeb Gwilwileth:  As always, love ya!  You always review like the sec. it's posted.  It's magic I tell ya!

Dragonfly, rabidsamfan, arabiasil:  those are such great ideas!  I can definitely work with those, lol cooking for the hobbits, without kitchen help, that'd take like hours.  Them hobbits can eat.  ^_^

Althea :  I know doesn't it?  It broke my heart writing it, but I did anyway.  Heh heh.  Oh definitely, they feel bad, well, Elrohir especially.  In my mind Elrohir is the more sensitive of the two.

Artemisa:  Ya, know, I totally forgot about Lindir!  My bad!  Heh heh.  I skimmed over the Rivendell chapter before writing this but totally missed him!  Plus he's so seldom written about.  Hmm…. Maybe I'll give him a cameo later on just to make it up to him.  ^_^