Reviewers-thanks. Your reviews keep me going! Please keep reviewing or I just won't have the heart to continue. By the way, I apologize profusely for the horrid MS and that the chapters are so short. If there are any questions, please feel free to express them in your reviews! REVIEW PLEASE! And now…..on with the story…And as for Sam's personality…think Mr. Gibbs in POTC mixed with Tolkein's Sam
~ Maris
Ch. 5 Bag End
Samwise Gamgee was busy getting ready for the party when a sharp rap at the door interrupted his tranquil shaving. " Blast! They're not supposed to be here until nightfall! Blast ye!"
Rosie smiled. "He's a bit flustered. We've never really had so many grand visitors in the Shire before. And to honor the hobbits of the Fellowship….. to say the least he's a bit excited. Dad! It's me!"
Sam opened the door, razor in hand, shaving cream smeared all over his face. His face lit up instantaneously as he recognized Legolas. "Welcome! Please come in!" He held the door open. "Well Legolas, it seems the Valar have been good to you. Who's the little lady? Your girlfriend? Daughter?"
Legolas gasped, then exploded. "We're not related. DAUGHTER??????? I'm not married! And I don't have children!"
" Well, you never know. Just because you never mentioned them doesn't mean they don't exist."
"They don't." Legolas answered, a touch of regret in his voice and threatening to steal across his face. Rosie's heart went out to him, a grown man with no one to really call his, no one to call him love or sweetheart. No one to care for in a way other than family. Sam's voice cut into her thoughts.
"Alright you two'd best be getting ready for the ceremonial parade or whatever it is. Maris, Legolas, do you have your clothing with you?"
Legolas nodded. "Aragorn and Arwen gave me a few dresses for Maris earlier today. And I have my dress tunic as well. Maris, which dress do you want? There's a white one, a blue one, and a green one."
"What about the black one? Or, can I borrow a fancy tunic?" Maris pulled a grimace. "It's just so unfair! You get to wear a tunic and no one cares whether or not you ride in the parade. How come I have to?"
"Because your father said so, your mother said so, my father said so, and I said so! Maris, like it or not you are a princess and must accept all responsibilities associated with that position. Now go change into a dress. Personally, I think you look beautiful in the green one, it matches your eyes and..." Legolas trailed off as Maris' eyes narrowed.
// Fine! But you owe me….big!\\
// What do I owe you, little one?\\
// I'll wear the dress, and ride in the parade, and be a princess tonight, but, if there is another big party, you are going to wear a dress for a little while. Agreed?"
// Agreed!\\ Legolas smiled. Maris had certainly inherited her father's dislike of court affairs and her mother's determination and stubbornness. If only he had a family to pass some of his traits along to……
"Highness, if you and the princess are ready, I would be honored to escort you to the main gate to meet the group," a soft voice offered timidly.
Legolas looked up from adjusting his leaf-shaped embroidered leather boots and his jaw dropped. Standing before him was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She was very small, with golden curls wrapped up into a bun while a few curls gently floated about her face. Two deep dark eyes glowed from a round, tanned, and sunburned face. She was wearing a simple outfit of white- a flowing gown with a lighter pink bodice, shawl, and over-skirt made of sheerest silk. A simple stand of pearls rested delicately about her neck and her hair was also decorated with a garland of pearls and tiny light pink roses.
"Rosie???" Legolas was stunned. "You look…amazing!"
She smiled sweetly, revealing a mouth of brilliant white teeth. "Thank you," she murmured, while trying to hide her obvious embarrassment. "Is the princess ready?" She asked, trying to draw attention away from herself.
"I'm right here." Maris muttered. // And you are so going to pay for this, Legolas Thranduilion!"
Legolas spun around, startled. " There you are, milady." He bowed. "Your parents will be pleased. I am honored to escort your highness into Hobbiton."
Maris shook her head, a shimmering dark halo of Elven braided hair surrounding a pale, oval face. She did indeed look radiant, a true daughter of the Evenstar, and, as Legolas had mentioned, the green dress matched her emerald eyes perfectly.
Rosie coughed slightly. "Milord, milady, if we don't go now, you'll miss the parade."
"Very well. Lead on little one." Maris whispered, trying to mask her anger at being forced to wear a gown and participate in annoying formalities that she hated. Her face, before livid with anger, became an emotionless portrait, too perfect to be a living thing. Legolas noticed, however, that her eyes still burned with a cold fury.
// Don't worry, little one. It will all be over soon. Would it comfort you to spar a little afterwards to release a bit of your anger?\\
Maris turned her emotionless face towards him. // Thank you, Legolas. It would indeed.\\ She filed out the little green door behind Rosie, who smiled and curtsied before leading the way to Hobbiton gate.