Summary: Sam and Legolas converse; simple as that.

Author's Note: I do not claim to know everything about The Lord of the Rings. I even have not read the book in all its entirety. So forgive me if I make mistakes. This is just my take on how a conversation between Sam and Legolas could go, based on what I do know; a combination of what I have read in the book and what I've seen in the movie. Though I'm sure I will make some errors in either facts or language I still hope you will enjoy reading it.

I've had some reviewers thinking this would be a Slash story. It may have looked like it, but I just want to make something clear. I do not write slash, nor will I ever. If there's one thing I think is disgusting then it's two men being attracted to each other like that. Nuh uh no way! It's just Sam's awe for the Elves, Legolas in this particular case. No slash… do you understand? NO slash! grin

Thanks to all who have reviewed, whether it be positive or negative and I hope you will also review this second chapter, because I'm curious to know what you think of it in the end.

(Major revision)

This is going to be a 2 chapter story. I will post the second one as soon as possible.

Between Elves and Hobbits – Chapter 2

Sam was rather stupefied by the outburst of laughter that seemed such an un-Elven thing to do. From what he had seen in the time he had spent in Rivendell most Elves seemed to be overly serious and always speaking in riddles. And even when he first met this particular one, Legolas did not seem different from the rest at all. But now Sam finally had found the courage to talk to Legolas he noticed this one was not only from another realm, but also very different character. Though he had heard about the shadow that threatened to take over Mirkwood, this Elf seemed to have a much brighter spirit.

Legolas could not contain his mirth and it took a while before he was able to gather himself together to answer the poor Hobbit, who was all but gaping at him in confusion. He felt a twinge of sympathy and managed to recover himself enough to answer.

"My dear, dear Sam," he said, trying desperately not to burst out laughing again, and somehow succeeding. "Mithrandir—or Gandalf as you call him—is a little over concerned with my health." Not being able to wipe the mirth from his face, Legolas continued to explain. "He has done so ever since I was an Elfling."

"I cannot imagine any Elf being a child, but I guess they have to be born sometime," Sam mused, still a bit dazed by the Elf's previous outburst of laughter.

"That is true," Legolas followed up. "We do not simply exist. We get born, we live and sometimes we die." At the last statement, he grimaced slightly as if it hurt him to think about it. He quickly masked it as Sam's head shot up to look at him.

"Sometimes?" Sam was all ears again.

Legolas' eyes became distant, as if wrapped in a memory that the Hobbit did not have access to.

At length he answered; "Nay, we do not die, that is, die naturally, like all other races do; grow old and die."

"Oh." Sam's mind could not really grasp that not every living being would die of old age, and thus he kept silent for a minute, digesting the information.

Legolas continued; "Though we never will know until it happens."

Sam had to agree with that. "But how old are you then, if I may ask, mr. Legolas? "

Legolas shook his head minutely. "It has been so many years that even I cannot remember exactly how long."

"Wow," was all Sam was able to say. He couldn't even fathom how many years that could be. The lives of Hobbits were short. To think of a creature that lived longer than he could count was almost unbelievable. And even more because those creatures called Elves looked so damned young.

"So, you fought in the Last Alliance then?"

Legolas shook his head minutely. "Nay, I was but an Elfling."

"But that would make you at least 3000 years old," Sam reasoned.

Legolas looked thoughtful. "Yes… I suppose you are right."

"Wow…" the Hobbit muttered again. "That is old!"

The fair being chuckled and shrugged slightly. "I guess it is for you mortals." Then a thought seemed to strike him, because Legolas suddenly looked directly at the Hobbit. "I was learned that Hobbits preferred a quiet life, and yet you are here."

"Yes." Sam nodded. "For Frodo."

"The Ring bearer?" Legolas inquired. Yet again Sam nodded and Legolas noticed his eyes were sad. "You worry for him." It was not a question and the Hobbit did not reply. He did worry indeed, but tried hard not to show it and was rather surprised this Elf had so easily looked into his heart.

"Do not despair," the soft voice said, and it sounded comforting to Sam's ears. "Whatever will happen is part of our destiny."

"Well, I hope that destiny includes me getting back to the Shire again and see all my friends and family again," Sam mumbled, looking down to the ground, sighing sadly.

But the Elf smiled and put up his chin to cast an almost smug look at the Hobbit. "I daresay you shall." Then he raised his eyebrows and stepped away. "Do not worry so. You will have enough worrying matters in your life. This is the time when you should rest and enjoy what is left to enjoy in this world of darkness." He walked on and Sam gathered himself up and hurried after the Elf, lest he would lose him out of sight.

"Mr. Legolas, wait up!"

Legolas turned and halted for a short moment and then walked on again. They both walked in silence for some time until Sam began to worry about the direction. He had not passed these trees and plants before. They seemed very strange to him and he hesitantly tugged at Legolas' sleeve.

"Uhhm… are we going the right way?"

Legolas looked down at the hobbit blankly and answered rather coolly; "Of course we are." Then he walked on. With a frown Sam followed him again, wondering about the cool and distant tone he could discern in the Elf's voice. As if he were saying; 'Do you doubt me?' Not at all like the friendly, patient person he appeared before. And Sam wondered if he had really offended him. He sighed, but did not say anything. But after having taken a few strides, the Elf turned again and place sympathetic eyes on the smaller being.

"I apologise. I did not mean to snap," he offered with a small shrug.

"And I did not mean to doubt you." Sam replied. The Elf let out a short laugh before walking on yet again. "Well, then, young Halfling, let us walk back to the others. It's soon time to move on again."

"But we have not been here for more than a few hours," Sam complained half-heartedly.

"I know, but Mithrandir…" he corrected himself, "…Gandalf, he feels we are at haste to complete our task, as soon as is possible."

The hobbit sighed deeply and trudged on. "I had hoped to get some rest."

"And you will. We will not leave before dawn." The slight smile was back on the Elf's face.

As they entered a new clearing, Sam finally started to recognise things. That particular tree stump with a hole in it. The bed of dirty foliage around it and fairy beds on the bark. And he smiled.

"You did not lead me astray."

"Of course I did not," the other answered without turning. "I do not mislead my friends. Such is not my nature."

Sam blinked. "Friend? Did you just call me your friend?" He had never imagined hearing that from the Elf and it rather surprised him. Elves were supposed to be unreachable, legends, heroes, but not friends. Not like this. It felt so odd and Sam had to adjust to the idea.

Now Legolas did turn and a smiled tentatively. "If I may," he answered and inclined his head slightly.

"If you may! Of course you may. I mean, the honour is all mine! Friends with an Elf! Wait until Mr. Frodo hears it!" With all exuberance, his fatigue forgotten he stormed into the camp where he knew the others were, Legolas following slowly, shaking his head slowly. He sat down next to Gandalf with a soft sigh.

"It seems you have done much to improve the young Hobbit's spirits, I see," the Maia grumbled in the Elven language. Legolas just nodded and answered; "Though I fear it is only temporary. This young one will go through a lot of hardships. I hope he will be strong and brave enough to face it all."

"There is much unknown about the strength of the Hobbits. And we already know they are more than meets the eye."

"It has yet to be seen, but for now I am glad that I could have been of any help." Legolas rose and bowed briefly. "I will take my leave now, we cannot be without guard."

Gandalf nodded slightly and watched as the fair being headed for a nearby tree. "Oh, and Legolas," he called out softly. The other turned; "Yes, Mithrandir?"

"Next time when I call you," the Wizard spoke with a wink, "don't let me wait another Yen, alright?"

Legolas rolled his eyes and climbed swiftly and graciously into the tree, but Gandalf could hear the soft laughter flowing on the wind. With a sly grin he lit his pipe.

It had been a good day after all…

The End