Disclaimer: Tolkein owns all.
Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter:)
.............
The Fellowship was growing weary. Gandalf had been pushing them hard over the last few days and even Legolas with his elven endurance was starting to show signs of exhaustion. That day had been especially bad as the terrain had been hard and a strong wind had been blowing against them. Finally, when the Hobbits were almost falling asleep upright, Gandalf called a halt. They came to rest in a small clearing amongst the trees and everyone quickly set up camp. It was not long before Pippin (inevitably) started asking about food. When no-one volunteered ideas for the evening meal, he became very distressed.
"Ai, calm down Pippin. We wont let you starve. Come on Tith, lets go hunting." Aragorn finally said, when the Fellowship had had enough of Pippins lamenting.
Nodding Legolas bent down to retrieve his bow.
"Aragorn, what does Tith mean?" Pippin asked, food concerns momentarily forgotten.
"What? Oh, nothing. Well, back soon."
The two friends disappeared into the trees, their bows notched with arrows.
Pippin, now bored, decided to amuse himself.
"Frodo?" be began "What does Tith mean?"
"I don't know Pip. I've never heard it before. Could be Quenya, Bilbo only taught me Sindarin."
Pippin nodded thoughtfully.
"Gandalf, what does Tith mean?"
Gandalf chuckled. He understood the reference but didn't think Legolas would appreciate it if he told Pippin, so he said, "Tith isn't a real word Pippin."
Pippin was confused but was soon distracted by the return of Legolas and Aragorn who carried two rabbits each and a selection of berries. They handed the food to Sam and began a softly spoken conversation with Gandalf in Quenya.
"Gandalf, when we were hunting Legolas heard wolves." Aragorn began.
Legolas nodded, "They are still far from here but they could come across us during the night. We're not safe here."
"Alas this is ill news. We cannot continue, the Hobbits especially are too tired. Yet we cannot fight it. The stakes are too high to risk a fight when one could be avoided."
Gandalf looked thoughtfully across at the Fellowship.
"Well I'm sure it wouldn't harm us to spend one night in the trees." he sighed.
Aragorn had a feeling that wouldn't go down too well with certain members of the Fellowship.
Meanwhile Sam, who had taken on the role of chef for the night cooked the rabbits. The Fellowship ate in silence. Sam then handed out the berries.
Pippin turned to Legolas. The Elf was absentmindedly picking out all the pale green berries from his selection before handing them over to Aragorn. Aragorn, in return dropped all his deep red berries into Legolas' bowl. Satisfied with the food they now had the two began to eat.
"Legolas, what does Tith mean?"
The Elf stopped eating.
"It doesn't mean anything. It's not a real word."
Aragorn rolled his eyes.
"Yes but I heard Strider call you Tith. Why would he do that if it wasn't a real word." the poor Hobbit was getting very frustrated by this point.
Sighing Legolas replied "It's short for Tithen."
"And what does Tithen mean?" Pippin asked, determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.
"Tithen means..."
"Young" Frodo interrupted. "But why would Aragorn call you young? You're umm...
"Nearly 3000." Legolas supplied.
"Yes. That hardly seems young."
"It's young compared to my brother's Elladan and Elrohir who first came up with the name when they were elflings..."
"To annoy me." Legolas cut in.
"To annoy you yes. Anyway, they still called him that when I went to live in Rivendell and Tith is a lot easier to pronounce than Legolas when you're only three." Aragorn finished.
"Legolas?" Pippin began slowly.
"Yes Pippin? Legolas replied, wondering what the Hobbit could possibly want to know now.
"If you were a mortal, how old would you be?"
Legolas froze. He hadn't expected that. Beside him Aragorn began to chuckle softly. After cuffing his friend over the head Legolas replied "Well... not that old. I'm one of the youngest elves in Arda."
"Yes but how old?"
"About 21." Legolas finally admitted reluctantly.
The Fellowship looked shocked. For a minute no-one spoke until;
"21...21. We're going to Mordor to destroy the Ruling Ring and they've sent a child with us." Gimli spluttered unbelievingly.
Legolas started to stand up. He was stopped by Aragorn who laid a hand on his arm. Legolas settled for glaring at Gimli and saying, "I am hardly a child naugrim. I have seen more years than you could ever hope to. I have spent most of my 3000 years fighting the darkness that spreads in my home and I have proved my self time and again to be a capable warrior. I am one of the best archers in Middle Earth and I have the sight and hearing gifted to all of the First Born." The Elf's words weren't boasting, merely stating a fact. "To elves all of the Second Born are children, but we do treat you any different because of it."
"Legolas is an excellent warrior Gimli." Aragorn began in a pacifying tone. "I give you my word on this."
The Elf and the Dwarf continued to glare at each other and Frodo decided to break the tension.
"So...You're nearly 3000 then?" Legolas nodded. "You really don't look it." He joked weakly and was relieved when Legolas smiled and Aragorn winked at him.
.............
As Aragorn predicted, the suggestion about spending the night in the trees was not well received.
"Look." Boromir said. "I admit we need to stay out of the way of the wolves, but I do not particularly relish the idea of falling on one in my sleep."
The rest of the Fellowship nodded, except Pippin.
"I don't mind. I've slept in trees before. It's fun." The rest of the Fellowship looked at his strangely, wondering why he had slept in trees before. The young Hobbit just shrugged.
"There's no way I'm sleeping in a tree." Gimli growled.
"We have no choice." Aragorn said, exasperated. "If you lash the branches together you're less likely to fall. Frodo can sleep with Gandalf, Sam you come with me and Merry can go with Legolas."
Grumbling in defeat, the Fellowship made preparations for a night spent in the trees. Seeing Frodo sagely in the hands of Gandalf, Aragorn picked up Sam and began to climb. From across the clearing Gimli seemed to be having difficulty.
"These blasted branches wont stop moving." he growled in frustration.
"The tree knows you don't trust it." Legolas told him.
"It's a tree, how can it possibly know that?"
"Because it's a tree." Legolas replied simply.
Gimli glared at him, "Never ask an elf anything." He tried once again to climb and was once again thrown to the floor.
Aragorn sighed.
"Legolas will you please ask Gimli's tree to calm down and let him sleep there."
With an innocent expression that suggest that in no way did Legolas have anything to do with Gimli's difficulty with the tree, the Elf moved across the clearing.
"Oh, so I suppose the Elf can talk to trees can he?" Gimli asked, voice laden with sarcasm.
"All elves can converse with nature." Legolas informed him. He gently laid his hands on the trunk and whispered softly in elvish. At once the tree climbed down and Gimli was able to climb it.
The Hobbits were amazed.
"Legolas, will the trees really do what you tell them?" Merry asked curiously.
"Of course not. I would never asked them to do anything." Legolas replied, mildly shocked. "I merely ask them."
"And they always do as he asks." Aragorn cut in. "Trees love elves, especially woodelves and especially Legolas."
Legolas smiled.
"Well Gentlemen, as educational as this has undeniably been, I suggest you all get some sleep." Gandalf called down from his tree.
The Fellowship settled down. Aragorn and Sam slept directly above Legolas and Merry, with Frodo And Gandalf in the next tree. Boromir and Gimli were both in separate trees across the clearing.
.........
Half way through the night Legolas woke up. Looking around to see what had woken him, he saw that a lone wolf had entered the clearing and was prowling around under the tree that he now occupied. Calling softly he woke Aragorn and they debated what to do. The wolf did not look like it was going leave any time soon.
"It's not going to leave and we can't stay in the trees forever. We'll have to kill it, it could be a scout." Legolas said.
Aragorn agreed and the two tried to wake their Hobbits without causing panic. Sam, waking to find a wolf not ten feet below him, gave a violent start. Unfortunately, Aragorn had loosened his grip on him in order to wake the Hobbit. He felt Sam slipping out of his grasp. Sam, in horror, started to squirm, trying to stay in the tree but the movement had the effect of throwing both him and the Ranger more off balance. With a cry of surprise both Man and Hobbit went tumbling out of the tree.
Below them Legolas, acting instinctively stuck out his arm, catching Sam as the Hobbit went flying past. However, he know had Merry in one hand and Sam in the other so was unable to do anything as Aragorn fell past him and landed in front of the wolf. Before the Ranger could react the wolf lashed out, its' massive claw catching the Man's left shoulder. Aragorn reached for his sword, but found the movement unneeded as the wolf fell down dead. Legolas, having managed to secure the Hobbits in the tree next too him and drawn his bow and shot the beast.
Legolas leapt down from the tree and approached Aragorn's side.
"I'm alright." the Ranger told him.
Legolas shook his head. The Human was so stubborn By now Gandalf, Gimli Boromir and Frodo were crowding round.
"Pass me my pack," Legolas snapped. "And get a fire going."
Leaning Aragorn back against the tree Legolas carefully helped him remove his clock and tunic. He inspected the wound. Legolas was not a trained healed but as a warrior he had been taught some basic field medicine such as setting bones and stitching wounds. And he knew this wound would need stitching.
Behind him Boromir had started a fire and, taking the initiative, heated some water. After searching through his pack Legolas produced some dried leaves which he crumbled into the water. After letting it cool he gently cleaned the wound. Working quickly he heated a needle over the fire and began stitching the wound.
Although Aragorn showed no outward discomfort, Legolas knew him well enough to see the pain written in his eyes. Legolas tightly bandaged Aragorn's shoulder and placed the Man's arm in a sling.
"Legolas..." Aragorn began. He didn't think the sling was need.
"Estel, please. If you move your arm too much you could break the stitches."
Aragorn looked rebellious.
"Saes Estel." Legolas said desperately. "Saes. Al-ceri a vasa."
Realizing how distressed Legolas was at seeing him hurt, Aragorn reluctantly agreed.
"Legolas." Gandalf's voice made the Elf jump. He had forgotten about the rest of the Fellowship. "I was wondering if you would mind getting Sam and Merry out of the tree."
Looking up Legolas saw two terrified faces staring down. Obediently he climbed up and passed first Sam and then Merry down.
"I think we should get some sleep." Gandalf said. "Merry, Sam you go with Boromir and Gimli now. Aragorn stay with Legolas."
"Gandalf." the Man protested.
"No Aragorn. You are injured. It would not be safe for you to sleep on your own in a tree tonight, let alone with a Hobbit."
Aragorn sighed in defeat. He could understand Gandalf's logic. "I'm not winning any fights tonight." he muttered.
Climbing back into the trees most of the Fellowship drifted back to sleep. However some of it's members could not sleep. Frodo was alarmed by the encounter with the wolf. He was beginning to understand that this mission endangered, not just his own life, but the lives of those around him. He was wondering if their truly was any hope.
In a nearby tree Legolas was restless and Aragorn could sense his friend's unease, rendering them both sleepless. Curiously, and slightly guiltily, Frodo listened in as they began to talk.
"What troubles you Mellon Nin?" Aragorn questioned softly.
"I do not like to see you hurt." Legolas replied.
"I know, as I do not like to see you hurt."
But the Elf shook his head.
"It's more than that." he said, sadness colouring his voice. "Every time I see you hurt it reminds me."
"Reminds you of what." Aragorn questioned gently.
"Reminds me that your mortal and that one day you will die and I will never see you again."
Legolas could stop the single tear that fell down his cheek.
"Legolas." Aragorn said quietly. He took one of the Elf's hand from around his waist where they were holding him in the tree and squeezed it tightly. "Legolas. You are my best friend, my brother and even when death takes me and you sail West I believe we will meet again."
"How?"
"I don't know. All I know is I couldn't stand never seeing you again. I would find a way to find you. No matter what."
"Hannon le Estel. If anyone can find a way to do this, it is you."
Legolas watched as the Humans eyes slid shut in sleep. He pressed a kiss into the Man's temple before falling into the world of elven dreams, his heart light.
Nearby Frodo smiled. He had found hope. He knew he could complete the quest...with a little help from his friends.
...........
Mellon Nin-My friend
Hannon le- Thank you
Saes. Al-ceri a vasa-Please. Do not be foolish. ...........
Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter:)
.............
The Fellowship was growing weary. Gandalf had been pushing them hard over the last few days and even Legolas with his elven endurance was starting to show signs of exhaustion. That day had been especially bad as the terrain had been hard and a strong wind had been blowing against them. Finally, when the Hobbits were almost falling asleep upright, Gandalf called a halt. They came to rest in a small clearing amongst the trees and everyone quickly set up camp. It was not long before Pippin (inevitably) started asking about food. When no-one volunteered ideas for the evening meal, he became very distressed.
"Ai, calm down Pippin. We wont let you starve. Come on Tith, lets go hunting." Aragorn finally said, when the Fellowship had had enough of Pippins lamenting.
Nodding Legolas bent down to retrieve his bow.
"Aragorn, what does Tith mean?" Pippin asked, food concerns momentarily forgotten.
"What? Oh, nothing. Well, back soon."
The two friends disappeared into the trees, their bows notched with arrows.
Pippin, now bored, decided to amuse himself.
"Frodo?" be began "What does Tith mean?"
"I don't know Pip. I've never heard it before. Could be Quenya, Bilbo only taught me Sindarin."
Pippin nodded thoughtfully.
"Gandalf, what does Tith mean?"
Gandalf chuckled. He understood the reference but didn't think Legolas would appreciate it if he told Pippin, so he said, "Tith isn't a real word Pippin."
Pippin was confused but was soon distracted by the return of Legolas and Aragorn who carried two rabbits each and a selection of berries. They handed the food to Sam and began a softly spoken conversation with Gandalf in Quenya.
"Gandalf, when we were hunting Legolas heard wolves." Aragorn began.
Legolas nodded, "They are still far from here but they could come across us during the night. We're not safe here."
"Alas this is ill news. We cannot continue, the Hobbits especially are too tired. Yet we cannot fight it. The stakes are too high to risk a fight when one could be avoided."
Gandalf looked thoughtfully across at the Fellowship.
"Well I'm sure it wouldn't harm us to spend one night in the trees." he sighed.
Aragorn had a feeling that wouldn't go down too well with certain members of the Fellowship.
Meanwhile Sam, who had taken on the role of chef for the night cooked the rabbits. The Fellowship ate in silence. Sam then handed out the berries.
Pippin turned to Legolas. The Elf was absentmindedly picking out all the pale green berries from his selection before handing them over to Aragorn. Aragorn, in return dropped all his deep red berries into Legolas' bowl. Satisfied with the food they now had the two began to eat.
"Legolas, what does Tith mean?"
The Elf stopped eating.
"It doesn't mean anything. It's not a real word."
Aragorn rolled his eyes.
"Yes but I heard Strider call you Tith. Why would he do that if it wasn't a real word." the poor Hobbit was getting very frustrated by this point.
Sighing Legolas replied "It's short for Tithen."
"And what does Tithen mean?" Pippin asked, determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.
"Tithen means..."
"Young" Frodo interrupted. "But why would Aragorn call you young? You're umm...
"Nearly 3000." Legolas supplied.
"Yes. That hardly seems young."
"It's young compared to my brother's Elladan and Elrohir who first came up with the name when they were elflings..."
"To annoy me." Legolas cut in.
"To annoy you yes. Anyway, they still called him that when I went to live in Rivendell and Tith is a lot easier to pronounce than Legolas when you're only three." Aragorn finished.
"Legolas?" Pippin began slowly.
"Yes Pippin? Legolas replied, wondering what the Hobbit could possibly want to know now.
"If you were a mortal, how old would you be?"
Legolas froze. He hadn't expected that. Beside him Aragorn began to chuckle softly. After cuffing his friend over the head Legolas replied "Well... not that old. I'm one of the youngest elves in Arda."
"Yes but how old?"
"About 21." Legolas finally admitted reluctantly.
The Fellowship looked shocked. For a minute no-one spoke until;
"21...21. We're going to Mordor to destroy the Ruling Ring and they've sent a child with us." Gimli spluttered unbelievingly.
Legolas started to stand up. He was stopped by Aragorn who laid a hand on his arm. Legolas settled for glaring at Gimli and saying, "I am hardly a child naugrim. I have seen more years than you could ever hope to. I have spent most of my 3000 years fighting the darkness that spreads in my home and I have proved my self time and again to be a capable warrior. I am one of the best archers in Middle Earth and I have the sight and hearing gifted to all of the First Born." The Elf's words weren't boasting, merely stating a fact. "To elves all of the Second Born are children, but we do treat you any different because of it."
"Legolas is an excellent warrior Gimli." Aragorn began in a pacifying tone. "I give you my word on this."
The Elf and the Dwarf continued to glare at each other and Frodo decided to break the tension.
"So...You're nearly 3000 then?" Legolas nodded. "You really don't look it." He joked weakly and was relieved when Legolas smiled and Aragorn winked at him.
.............
As Aragorn predicted, the suggestion about spending the night in the trees was not well received.
"Look." Boromir said. "I admit we need to stay out of the way of the wolves, but I do not particularly relish the idea of falling on one in my sleep."
The rest of the Fellowship nodded, except Pippin.
"I don't mind. I've slept in trees before. It's fun." The rest of the Fellowship looked at his strangely, wondering why he had slept in trees before. The young Hobbit just shrugged.
"There's no way I'm sleeping in a tree." Gimli growled.
"We have no choice." Aragorn said, exasperated. "If you lash the branches together you're less likely to fall. Frodo can sleep with Gandalf, Sam you come with me and Merry can go with Legolas."
Grumbling in defeat, the Fellowship made preparations for a night spent in the trees. Seeing Frodo sagely in the hands of Gandalf, Aragorn picked up Sam and began to climb. From across the clearing Gimli seemed to be having difficulty.
"These blasted branches wont stop moving." he growled in frustration.
"The tree knows you don't trust it." Legolas told him.
"It's a tree, how can it possibly know that?"
"Because it's a tree." Legolas replied simply.
Gimli glared at him, "Never ask an elf anything." He tried once again to climb and was once again thrown to the floor.
Aragorn sighed.
"Legolas will you please ask Gimli's tree to calm down and let him sleep there."
With an innocent expression that suggest that in no way did Legolas have anything to do with Gimli's difficulty with the tree, the Elf moved across the clearing.
"Oh, so I suppose the Elf can talk to trees can he?" Gimli asked, voice laden with sarcasm.
"All elves can converse with nature." Legolas informed him. He gently laid his hands on the trunk and whispered softly in elvish. At once the tree climbed down and Gimli was able to climb it.
The Hobbits were amazed.
"Legolas, will the trees really do what you tell them?" Merry asked curiously.
"Of course not. I would never asked them to do anything." Legolas replied, mildly shocked. "I merely ask them."
"And they always do as he asks." Aragorn cut in. "Trees love elves, especially woodelves and especially Legolas."
Legolas smiled.
"Well Gentlemen, as educational as this has undeniably been, I suggest you all get some sleep." Gandalf called down from his tree.
The Fellowship settled down. Aragorn and Sam slept directly above Legolas and Merry, with Frodo And Gandalf in the next tree. Boromir and Gimli were both in separate trees across the clearing.
.........
Half way through the night Legolas woke up. Looking around to see what had woken him, he saw that a lone wolf had entered the clearing and was prowling around under the tree that he now occupied. Calling softly he woke Aragorn and they debated what to do. The wolf did not look like it was going leave any time soon.
"It's not going to leave and we can't stay in the trees forever. We'll have to kill it, it could be a scout." Legolas said.
Aragorn agreed and the two tried to wake their Hobbits without causing panic. Sam, waking to find a wolf not ten feet below him, gave a violent start. Unfortunately, Aragorn had loosened his grip on him in order to wake the Hobbit. He felt Sam slipping out of his grasp. Sam, in horror, started to squirm, trying to stay in the tree but the movement had the effect of throwing both him and the Ranger more off balance. With a cry of surprise both Man and Hobbit went tumbling out of the tree.
Below them Legolas, acting instinctively stuck out his arm, catching Sam as the Hobbit went flying past. However, he know had Merry in one hand and Sam in the other so was unable to do anything as Aragorn fell past him and landed in front of the wolf. Before the Ranger could react the wolf lashed out, its' massive claw catching the Man's left shoulder. Aragorn reached for his sword, but found the movement unneeded as the wolf fell down dead. Legolas, having managed to secure the Hobbits in the tree next too him and drawn his bow and shot the beast.
Legolas leapt down from the tree and approached Aragorn's side.
"I'm alright." the Ranger told him.
Legolas shook his head. The Human was so stubborn By now Gandalf, Gimli Boromir and Frodo were crowding round.
"Pass me my pack," Legolas snapped. "And get a fire going."
Leaning Aragorn back against the tree Legolas carefully helped him remove his clock and tunic. He inspected the wound. Legolas was not a trained healed but as a warrior he had been taught some basic field medicine such as setting bones and stitching wounds. And he knew this wound would need stitching.
Behind him Boromir had started a fire and, taking the initiative, heated some water. After searching through his pack Legolas produced some dried leaves which he crumbled into the water. After letting it cool he gently cleaned the wound. Working quickly he heated a needle over the fire and began stitching the wound.
Although Aragorn showed no outward discomfort, Legolas knew him well enough to see the pain written in his eyes. Legolas tightly bandaged Aragorn's shoulder and placed the Man's arm in a sling.
"Legolas..." Aragorn began. He didn't think the sling was need.
"Estel, please. If you move your arm too much you could break the stitches."
Aragorn looked rebellious.
"Saes Estel." Legolas said desperately. "Saes. Al-ceri a vasa."
Realizing how distressed Legolas was at seeing him hurt, Aragorn reluctantly agreed.
"Legolas." Gandalf's voice made the Elf jump. He had forgotten about the rest of the Fellowship. "I was wondering if you would mind getting Sam and Merry out of the tree."
Looking up Legolas saw two terrified faces staring down. Obediently he climbed up and passed first Sam and then Merry down.
"I think we should get some sleep." Gandalf said. "Merry, Sam you go with Boromir and Gimli now. Aragorn stay with Legolas."
"Gandalf." the Man protested.
"No Aragorn. You are injured. It would not be safe for you to sleep on your own in a tree tonight, let alone with a Hobbit."
Aragorn sighed in defeat. He could understand Gandalf's logic. "I'm not winning any fights tonight." he muttered.
Climbing back into the trees most of the Fellowship drifted back to sleep. However some of it's members could not sleep. Frodo was alarmed by the encounter with the wolf. He was beginning to understand that this mission endangered, not just his own life, but the lives of those around him. He was wondering if their truly was any hope.
In a nearby tree Legolas was restless and Aragorn could sense his friend's unease, rendering them both sleepless. Curiously, and slightly guiltily, Frodo listened in as they began to talk.
"What troubles you Mellon Nin?" Aragorn questioned softly.
"I do not like to see you hurt." Legolas replied.
"I know, as I do not like to see you hurt."
But the Elf shook his head.
"It's more than that." he said, sadness colouring his voice. "Every time I see you hurt it reminds me."
"Reminds you of what." Aragorn questioned gently.
"Reminds me that your mortal and that one day you will die and I will never see you again."
Legolas could stop the single tear that fell down his cheek.
"Legolas." Aragorn said quietly. He took one of the Elf's hand from around his waist where they were holding him in the tree and squeezed it tightly. "Legolas. You are my best friend, my brother and even when death takes me and you sail West I believe we will meet again."
"How?"
"I don't know. All I know is I couldn't stand never seeing you again. I would find a way to find you. No matter what."
"Hannon le Estel. If anyone can find a way to do this, it is you."
Legolas watched as the Humans eyes slid shut in sleep. He pressed a kiss into the Man's temple before falling into the world of elven dreams, his heart light.
Nearby Frodo smiled. He had found hope. He knew he could complete the quest...with a little help from his friends.
...........
Mellon Nin-My friend
Hannon le- Thank you
Saes. Al-ceri a vasa-Please. Do not be foolish. ...........
