Sam's Thoughts

Elvish translations

Last chapter

Not long after that, the men of Rohan left to take Théoden's body back to his people for his funeral. The Hobbits also left with Gandalf to return home to the Shire.

One night Legolas approached Sam with an idea.

"Sam would you be willing to come to Mirkwood with me to meet my Father? I am going to ask Gimli to come too, but I wanted to ask you first."

"Legolas I would love to see your home, and meet you Father."

"Thank you. I hoped you would."

So when Gimli agreed to they all set out to Mirkwood.

A week later they rode into Mirkwood. It wasn't bright and cheerful like Lórien but Legolas had explained to them that Mirkwood had been attacked by Sauron years ago and now dark creatures roamed the forest.  

When they got inside the forest Gimli told them that he could no longer stand being on Arod and dismounted, choosing to walk instead. Sam also decided to walk next to her horse but Legolas opted to keep riding.

As they got further into the forest Sam, Gimli and the horses became nervous while Legolas was getting more and more excited about see his home again. In fact he was so caught up in his own little world that he left Sam and Gimli behind.

"Bloody elf, always listening to the trees rather then concentrating on where he is going, now were lost." Gimli complained.

"Calm down Gimli, I'm sure he'll be back in a minute, common lets see if we can catch up with him."

Sam helped Gimli onto her horse and was about to climb on in front of him when a small group of elves dropped down from the trees around them.

"What is your business here in Eryn Lasgalen."

"Eryn Lasgalen? You know Gimli I think that ale effected Legolas more then he think 'cause I could have sworn he said we were going to Mirkwood." Sam commented.

"Mirkwood has been renamed now that the darkness has left." The elf said.

"What is with you people why can't you just have one name for everything. Everywhere we go it seems that it has ten different names."

"We dwarfs don't give things many names, we give are homes one good strong name and leave it at that." Gimli said.

"Enough! What is your business here." The elf repeated.

"We're here with the elf Legolas Greenleaf, but he rode to far ahead and now we're lost." Sam told them.

"Why would Prince Legolas waste his time on a Dwarf and a human woman?"

"Because they are his friends."

They all turned to see Legolas riding towards them.

The elves around them knelt before their prince.

"Oh get up and one of you go tell the King that I am home, we will be there shortly."  Legolas ordered. "the rest of you get back to your posts."

"My lord shouldn't we escort you into the city?"

"Thank you but no we know the way."

"Yes my lord."

The elves all climbed back into the trees and disappeared into the branches.

"Well that was not the kind of welcome I expected but well you never know whats going to happen do you." Sam said.

"I apologise, Sam, the elves of Mirkwood are very suspicious of people they don't know, these woods have been attacked to many times to trust anyone they don't know."

"What so while were here someone will always be watching us?"

"Nay As you are my guests I will be responsible for your actions. Don't worry about a thing." Legolas assured her.

"Where were you anyway. Running off like that."

"Sorry I was deep in thought and didn't realise I had left you behind."

"Well just don't do it again. Anyway I want to get inside before anything else happens, lets get going."

They mounted their horses again and cantered to the city. Many of the people of the town came out to greet Legolas when they saw him. Some of the soldiers came up and spoke to the Prince but it didn't take long for them to ride through to the Palace.

The palace itself was completely make of stone and went down into an under ground chamber. But the walls all had plants growing up them inside and out and there were lots of windows to let in the sun.

Their horses were taken by some of the guards to be taken to the stables and cared for then Legolas took them straight into a large chamber where all the noble elves of the court were eating there dinner.

Legolas's Father, Thranduil was sitting in the centre of the top table. All noise in the room stopped when Legolas entered the room and everyone stood to greet him.

The three of them walked up to the top table where the king was sitting and bowed or curtsied to the king, then Legolas approached the table further while Sam and Gimli waited at the bottom of the set of stairs leading to the table.

"My lord." Legolas said as he stopped in front of the table, bowing again.

"Welcome home my son." The king said, Legolas walked around to the other side of the table and embraced his father.

"It is good to me home, father." When they let go of each other Legolas turned to the elf on the right hand side of the king and also embraced him.

"Welcome home brother." The elf said. Then a final female elf hugged Legolas.

"I missed you Legolas." She said.

"I missed you too."

Legolas stepped back from his family and walked back to Sam and Gimli.

"My Lord, these are my friends from the Fellowship, Gimli, son of Gloin and Samantha Carter. Sam, Gimli, this is King Thranduil, my father. The crowned prince, Taulë and my sister, Loht

"Well then I'm sure that you are all very hunger from you journey. Please sit." The king motioned from two more chairs to be brought up to the table.

Dinner went off without a hitch, Legolas caught up with his family while Sam and Gimli were perfectly happy just eating a proper meal rather then just rations.

Afterwards Legolas lead the two to the guest quarters.

"My father has requested my presence; I will see you both in the morning. Good night." Legolas said before leaving them to their rest.