Chapter 3

The hobbits traveled on the road that they traveled before with Aragorn. They rode all day, which seemed as though it would take them forever. They knew this journey would never match the excitement of their last. They knew that this time no one was to chase after them... or so they thought.

When the sun was blazing on the tops of their heads, they knew it was time for their luncheon. They stopped and cooked a little meal for each hobbit. While Sam took a bite out of his juicy sandwich, he heard something rustle in the bushes.

"Who's there?!" he asked. None had answered. He wiped the juice around his lips onto his tan shirtsleeve. He slowly walked toward the bushes, keeping very still. He took out his hand through the brushes and quickly tore them downward. Nothing was there.

"Is something wrong?" Merry asked Sam.

"I don't know. Maybe we should get going. Come on." Sam got worried and packed up. Even when riding his pony, he felt a shiver of fear. He couldn't bear it. Something was out there just waiting to bite at him, he thought. They reached Rivendell after a few hours and met up with the elves that were left wandering without venturing to the west. To the hobbits surprise, two heroes from their last adventure had visited.

"Legolas! Gimli!" They yelled. Merry and Pippin went and gave hugs to all, while the mature Sam shook hands with both.

"What are you two doing here?" Sam asked.

"Well we heard that there was trouble in Rivendell. It seems as though it has passed, but we both kept watch, in case if it came back." Legolas said.

"It's great to see you young rascals again." Gimli smiled.

"Are you both staying here tonight?" Merry asked.

"Well... yes. We must stay on guard though. It also seems as though the light of Rivendell is fading ever since Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel left us."

Walked around the Rivendell circle noticing a grim appearance hovering over Rivendell's old beauty.

"It's so sad... That this won't be here for much longer." Pippin wondered.

"Well once the rest of the elders leave, yes, it will be as though this beautiful haven never existed." Legolas said.

Sam yawned... "Well we be best unpacking. I'm starving." They said goodbye to the new Elvin king and Gimli. After they had their share of food and memories they were off to bed. Merry however could not sleep. He got up out of his bed and walked outside and found Legolas guarding.

"Hi Legolas."

"Master Merry. You should rest your eyes. You have a long journey ahead of you."

"I can't sleep." He stood next to the tall elf. "What's it like?" he asked.

"What?"

"To be an elf?"

"I'm not sure. I'm far different then any other elf I've known."

"Hm... then what's it like to be married?"

"It's very refreshing. That you know that you've found someone you can truly love. Though I had no choice."

"No choice?"

"Well you know how it goes. A prince must marry a princess."

"oh. I'm sorry."

"It's quite alright. Us elves don't really know how to feel or what. We don't really know what love is."

"Well does anyone?" Merry looked up into the elf's eyes and Legolas into his. Legolas knelt down to him.

"You know Merry, you're going to find someone. I can see the determination in your eyes."

"Then why haven't I found her yet?"

"You just have to wait a little while longer. You'll see." Legolas said. He stood and went back to searching. "Now master Merry. You must sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

"ok. Good night Legolas."

Merry went back to his feather bed and dreamed while the new sun arose. Merry rubbed his eyes as he started to awake. He looked over to the beds beside him and Pippin and Sam were already out of bed. Merry got out of bed and stepped outside. The sun was not fully awake. Sam and Pippin were out packing.

"Well G'morning sleepy head!" Pippin greeted. Merry yawned.

"I see you guys already packed." Merry said.

"And we've eaten. Here, some Lembas bread I got from Legolas." Sam said giving Merry a chunk of the elfish bread. "Then when you're finished your bread we should leave... Gimli and Legolas have asked us if they could join. I think we should have them join us; cause what if something attacks us? Our blades aren't that powerful...

"Yea... Guess your right..." Merry said taking a bite out of the bread.

"Ok, I'll go tell 'em." Sam ran off and went to Legolas and Gimli.

"Pippin." Merry motioned at Pippin to talk to him. "Hey. I talked to Legolas last night."

"So that's why you woke up so late. What did you talk about?"

"Well, how he's married, you know? Like how it feels to be with the woman you love. Well that's beside the point. The point is, he said that I would find someone and you know how some elves have the gift of foresight."

"Oh, I hope you do, Merry. What ever happened to that Estella girl?"

"I don't think that's going to happen Pippin. Listen, when we go back tell Diamond that I'm thankful she introduced us, but I don't think she's the one for me."

"Ok. Well you going to have to remind me."

"Ok, come on guys!" Sam shouted. They picked up their bags and loaded them onto the ponies.

"Now, I have to stop in Mirkwood to give them a report on Rivendell, but we'll help you the rest of the way." Legolas shouted to them. The hobbits nodded back and traveled onward to the Misty Mountains.