Summary: Estel and Legolas go off in search of the simple things.
Disclaimer: I do not own them, lest they be covered in drool
A/N: This fic would take place in 2991 of the third age, other than the ages in the fic, it is AU. Any reviews are welcome, flames shall keep me warm
Now to the reviewers!
Ithil-valon: Thanks! I like those angsty, yet fluffy moments
A. NuEvil: I also like little Sam, now beware the rest of the wee hobbits to come soon
Elven Kitten: Thanks!
QueenofFlarmphgal: Thankie, snicker hobbits love to eat of course
CKlovesme2040: Well here is your update!
Ceyxa: Yes there will be more hobbits to come.
Aranna Undomiel: Yes, I like intense
Slayer3: Here it is!
Catmint: YAY! I am glad you enjoyed the chapter
Harry Estel: Kick your comp, I must have revenge! and aren't wee hobbits cute hehehe
Estelle1: Yes comfort is good!
Now I would like to thank each of you for making my day. On with the fic!
Chapter 12
The next morning dawned, and Estel awoke to something new. The sound of laughter flittered through the window, and not ordinary laughter, but that of children. Estel rolled over on the floor and got to his feet. His knees ached, but his heart was lightened by the giggling coming from outside. Estel noticed that Sam the hobbit child was not in the house, and neither was Legolas. Only Bell was there, and he could hear her in the kitchen.
Walking out the front door, Estel found where the noise was coming from as he spotted Samwise and a few other hobbit children being led around the meadow atop Legolas' horse. Smiling at the wood-elf playing nursemaid to the children, he walked over.
"Legolas, when did you become so good with children?"
Legolas rolled his eyes as a smile crossed his face. "It was not too long ago that I was running behind a very naked adan, who was streaking through the halls of Imladris during a formal luncheon."
Estel slapped his hand to his head. "Why did you have to recall that memory?"
Legolas chuckled. "Would you rather I recalled one of you and an elf maiden, and you stealing her clothes while she was bathing in the lake?"
"Forget I said anything at all. Are your plans today to play with the children?"
Legolas pulled a hobbit lass from the horse. "Can you think of anything better than to spend your day surrounded by the innocence of children?"
"Aye, no truer words have you ever spoken."
Estel and Legolas gave each of the children rides upon the horse, until the noonday sun became hot and the sweat was trickling down Estel's back. "Is there a place for a swim around here?"
"Hobbits do not swim," Sam told them. "Well, with the exception of some of those strange ones from Buckland. If you mean to take a dip though you can go down to the river."
Estel could see the river would be a nice trek through the fields, and he was hot enough as it was. Taking off his shirt and boots Estel took off in a full run toward the water that ran the mill. With a screech, he flung himself in, loving the cool water. He did not notice the other person sitting by the side of the dock, the person now scowling at him, wet book in hand.
Frodo stood up shaking the water from himself, but before he could argue about the rudeness of the situation, he looked at the man. He was a big person, but Frodo, having known Gandalf, was used to having them around. Could this person also tell him tales of other places? He was about to call out to the man when his eyes fell upon something else, an elf. An elf here in The Shire! Frodo had longed to see one up close. He had seen them many times passing along the outskirts of The Shire, but never one up close.
Estel, noticing the drenched hobbit, started out of the water. "I am sorry to have gotten your book wet, Master hobbit. I am Estel, and I am truly sorry for not watching before I leapt in."
Frodo was in awe, for as Estel spoke Legolas and Sam came running over. "Mr. Frodo, look, there is an elf in The Shire," Sam said excitedly.
I am Frodo Baggins, and I live in Bag End. Would you be so kind as to join me for lunch?"
Estel shook the water from his head. "I would be delighted, and you, Legolas. Will you be joining us?"
"A pack of wargs could not keep me away."
The four of them, Sam included, walked into Bag End and sat down as Frodo brought out cheese and bread and fruits. After placing them on the table and pouring his guests some ale, Frodo sat down. His eyes never left the elf and before he could catch himself, he spoke. "Are you one of the elves we often see leaving Middle Earth, heading for the sea, beyond the White Towers?"
Legolas sat silent for a few seconds, pondering his naneth and all the others who had gone before him. "Aye, many of my kinsmen have left Arda for the shores of Valinor, but I have many things to do before I sail, many people I would miss too much to leave now."
Estel choked back the lump in his throat. He knew Legolas stayed for him, an oath they had taken long ago when he was but a child. Trying to steer the conversation into a lighter side, Estel looked at Frodo. "You would not happen to be related to a Bilbo Baggins that I hear Gandalf speak so highly of, would you?"
Frodo's eyes lit up like it was his birthday. "You know Bilbo? He is off right now on one of his many adventures, but he should be back within a few days."
"Days, Mister Frodo, you must mean weeks. We never know when Mr. Bilbo is coming back."
Frodo shook his head. "I am afraid Sam is right. He is due back in a few days, but often Bilbo gets sidetracked by a path or creature that catches his fancy. Could you tell me how you came about knowing Bilbo and Gandalf?"
Estel and Legolas swapped stories with the hobbits, each one having a good laugh over one of Bilbo's antics. By the end of lunch Estel thought how odd it was that he had two new friends within the course of one day. Sam was but a child, but he was glad to know that Frodo, although short and looking like a child, was indeed not.
Legolas and Estel led Sam from the house and were heading toward his when Estel was knocked clean off his feet by something small, and as he tried to stand, he could see Legolas holding his sides and laughing out loud.
"Estel, it seems you have been disarmed by a mere babe," he said, pointing to Estel's sword, which had fell from his scabbard. On top of Estel's leg was a mop of curly hair, and underneath it sat Merry Brandybuck.
Estel could not help it, laughter started forming in his throat, and soon he was hiccupping and trying to suck in air between the laughter. He would get Legolas back for laughing at him later, he thought, but when he dared to look at him he saw, the elf was now sitting on the ground, a wee thing stroking his hair as if he were a kitten.
"Get off of him!" Sam yelled at the smaller hobbit child. "Leave it to you to cause trouble, Merry, and why do you have Pippin out this late?"
Merry scrambled off of Estel and grabbed Pippin off of Legolas. This produced a disastrous result, as Pippin began to wail, flinging his arms toward Legolas. This only made Estel laugh harder, as Legolas tried to free his hair from the hobbit's grasp. He was unsuccessful, and each time he pulled the child free, it wrapped its small fingers around another strand.
"I think, Legolas, that you would do well to just bring the child along with us."
Frodo, however, was not going to be satisfied so easily. "Merry Brandybuck! Where are your mother and father, and why are you out with Pippin? Our guests cannot stay at the Gamgee's with him attached to Legolas like some kind of leech."
Merry's chin started to tremble, tears forming in his small round eyes. "Pipin's parents said to take him away to Hobbiton for a few days, something about him draining the life from her body with his constant questions and mischief."
Frodo wanted to be angry, but at the sight of Merry so close to tears, his heart won out. "Very well, you may stay at Bag End, but do try to stay out from underfoot." Turning to Estel and Legolas, Frodo posed the question he had wanted to ask before they were interrupted.
"Will you stay here at my home for a few days? I am looking forward to your tales of far away places, and it is not often I get to speak with someone about things other than pipeweed and ale."
Legolas, who had finally unravelled his hair from Pippin's fingers, and Estel, who was now standing, agreed that they would stay with Frodo. When Sam's face fell, Frodo put his hand on his shoulder.
"Do not worry, my small friend Sam, I would not leave you out. Go and ask your parents if you may stay, as well, and bring your bedroll. Come, we shall have a smoke of Old Toby and enjoy the sunset."
There they sat on the fence, Frodo and Estel enjoying a pipe, while Legolas watched Merry and Pippin play. Legolas watched as Estel laughed at Frodo's stories of Gandalf and Bilbo and a certain dwarf. Legolas was even amazed when he heard of a time when Lord Elrond had fallen victim to Gandalf. What amazed Legolas most was the look of contentment on Estel's face. No longer did he see the lines of worry and years of hardship yet to come. Now, he only saw Estel, the boy whom he had met as he fled a set of purple-haired twins.