Disclaimer:

I owe nothing, everything belongs to mister Tolkien, who had created the wonderful fantasy story 'the Lord of the Rings'.

Chapter 3: Ever heard of Elves?

It was the evening that Elanor had set out for the Green Dragon (as usual) when. Rosie, who had finally put every child to bed, was lying on the couch with her head in her husbands lap. Sam was absently minded stroking her hair while he stared out of the window. He had received a letter from the King of Gondor a few days ago and had not yet spoken about the content with his wife. A sigh escaped his lips. It wasn't a sigh of happiness, more one of indecision.

Rosie, who had had her eyes closed enjoying the time alone with her husband, looked up. "What troubles you, Sam?" her soft voice breached the silence around them. Sam looked to her and smiled slightly, " Nothing…" he said. At that Rosie sat up, sitting on his lap now with her legs on each side of him, " Don't lie to me Samwise, I've known you too long to believe you" she spoke sternly yet softly touched his cheek. At that Sam' smile faded away. " You remember that I got a letter from Strider?"

His wife nodded, that wasn't so strange. Ever since her Sam had returned from far away countries he had received letters from all over Middle Earth. Especially since his master Frodo had left for the Grey Havens. Yet his wife did not mind, she was interested by those far away places and was known to ask many questions about the adventures that Sam had had. "What is with that? " she asked, studying Sam' face. He had aged, surely (she had too) but he still was handsome to her eyes.

"He…" Sam began as he was gazing into his wife' eyes. Yet he stopped himself and averted his eyes. "He was wondering if Elanor would enjoy another year in Gondor, as Arwen' handmaiden of Honor." That was not what Rosie had expected to hear and she gasped for air. " What?" she asked for she did not believe her own ears. "I know," Sam said softly placing a kiss on her delicate lips, "I don't want to miss her either, but… It is a good opportunity for her Rosie-lass."

Rosie, who at this moment did not wish to talk, leaned against Sam, closing her eyes yet again and thinking about the things that he had said. Would it really be something good for her eldest daughter? "You're right Sam-dear," Rosie finally spoke, "But it's up to her, whether she goes or not, alright? You're not going to force her." Sam chuckled and placed a kiss on his wife' hair, "Who do you think I am?" he asked her. At that Rosie placed a firm kiss on his lips, "My husband." she whispered.

This happy moment was disturbed by a knock on the door and Rosie sighed and muttered against Sam' lips, "They never give us a moment of peace." Sam smiled slightly to her. Rosie got of his lap and walked to the door, before she opened the door she made sure that she looked decent. Then, with a smiled she opened the green round door. With a terrified scream she slammed it shut.

Samwise came running out of the Living Room and looked to a pale faced Rosie, " What is it?" Rosie pointed to the door, " A… a… giant." Sam frowned slightly and walked to the door, ignoring Rosie's protest that he should not open it again. Yet he had picked his sword out of a basket that stood next to the door. He was holding it firmly in his hands as he opened the door. Rosie stared to him in horror, hopefully things would be alright. Her Sam always made things better.

"Legolas! Gimli! What are you doing here?" her husband said with obviously delight in his voice, " Come on, come in," Sam bowed the too strangers in. Rosie was standing against the wall with a terrified expression looking up to the elf and the dwarf. Sam quickly hurried over to her and held her hand tightly, " Don't worry, you must remember them from my stories," he whispered in her ear. Visibly Rosie calmed down her cheeks flustered, "I forgot, I'm sorry Sam," she whispered back to her husband. How could she have forgotten?

Of course it was years ago that her Sam had gotten back from his 'trip' as he prefers to call it. Right after they were married Sam had told her everything that had happened. Telling her about the beauty of the elves (reassuring her that she was far more beautiful to him then any of them) the toughness of the Rohirrim who were so kind and the braveness of the Gondorian soldiers who had stood up against Sauron, the dark lord, for a long time. How could she have forgotten that all the people in Sam' tale were bigger then hobbits?

She made a polite bow to the strangers and said, " I'm sorry for slamming the door into your face, but I was… startled." The elf, Legolas smiled and bowed back to her, " Legolas Greenleaf, at your service," at which Rosie nodded and said, " And your family." The elf was beautiful, Sam had not exaggerated in his tale. The elf had long straight blond hair and his faced showed no scars or wrinkles. Rosie find herself staring to him for a moment, until the dwarf spoke.

"Gimli, son of Gloin, at your service," Rosie turned her attention to the dwarf, he wasn't so big, but bigger then most hobbits (except maybe Merry and Pippin). He had a long brown beard that started to turn slightly gray. Now that she looked to the dwarf in the light he wasn't so scary at all. Of course, he had his axes, but he looked kind. Rosie bowed to the two companions and said, " and your family, Rosie Gamgee is my name."

Sam seemed to be beaming, noticed Rosie as he looked to her husband, with a smile she said, " Why don't you sit down, then I will get you something to drink," Sam smiled thankfully to his wife when she left for the kitchen and Rosie smiled to him before heading off. What a surprise this was for Sam and he hugged both Legolas and Gimli as soon as Rosie was in the kitchen, " It's wonderful to see you, come on, have a seat," Sam said, leading them into the Living Room. Legolas sat on a little stool that was obviously to small for him, but good enough. Gimli followed his friends advice and picked another stool that was just as comfortable.

For a while the three members of the Fellowship sat in silence, simply looking at each other, but then a stream of stories were told and laughed about. Rosie had entered and made sure that everybody had had something to eat and drink and now she was sitting on the couch, next to her husband listening to their stories. She was holding Sam' hand in her as she finally dared to ask her question, " It is very lovely to see you, believe me, but my Sam told me that big folk were no longer allowed to enter the Shire."

At that Legolas looked to the hobbit woman with a smile, " That's true, Rosie," they had stopped calling each other mister and mistress, simply because there already was a bond between the 4 of them, thanks to Sam. "But the Thain of the Shire gave us permission to spend some time with our friends for a few weeks." Rosie smiled at that, knowing that Pippin was a very good friend of the dwarf and the elf. Gimli added, "And we have some news from Gondor." At that Rosie shifted uncomfortable in her seat.

Sam looked to his friends as well, "About strider?" he asked, hoping that it would not concern his daughter yet. They had not even talked about it with Elanor. Gimli nodded, " Yeah, you know that he has a son, Eldarion, well the boy is being focused on seeing a hobbit," At that Sam and Rosie laughed and Legolas simply chuckled. "Aye, well," Gimli continued, "He has heard all those stories about those brave halflings." Now Rosie' smile faded away, this was about Elanor.

"Let me guess," she said, interrupting Gimli, "The King asks if Elanor would like to come?" At that both Legolas and Gimli nodded. "He has send us a letter," Sam said, holding his wife' hand tightly in his, "We haven't talked to her about it yet." Legolas nodded slowly, "Well, if she would decide to come… Aragorn send us to be her companions." Sam and Rosie looked to each other, then Rosie spoke, "She can go, but only if she wants to." A silence fell over the 4 friends.

"Well," It was Rosie who broke the silence, "I'm off to bed, you have a nice time catching up. Samwise, you show them their rooms alright?" She got up and placed a soft kiss on Sam' cheek, then she smiled to Legolas and Gimli before walking out of the room. "You're a lucky fellow, Samwise," Gimli said. Sam nodded, " The most lucky hobbit in the Shire I am Gimli."