Author's Note: Thanks to everyone for the great reviews! This is your chapter, Azla: the Aragorn and Legolas one. LOL, I hope you enjoy it.
I do not own Tolkien, or any of the following names or places.
Azla: Don't worry, the Legolas/Pippin interaction will start next chapter. Lol thanks for all your constant reviews, its very encouraging. :)
Arlewen: I'm glad you liked the Frodo/Pippin interaction. I always missed hearing more about their relationship in the books (not that I don't absolutely adore the books, lol) I can't imagine anyone not liking Pippin either. He's so sweet! :) Thanks so much for the review, and btw, I totally agree with your comment about school.
Ice Ember: I'm glad you're enjoying this. I promise there will be more Legolas and Pippin interaction soon. I've been neglecting the poor elf!
FrodoBaggins87: Thank you for the kind words, and don't worry: Legolas will do all he can for Pippin, :).
Sunn-kissed: My aplogies, I am rather lazy when it comes to checking my spelling, lol. Hope it doesn't make you late for work, but thanks for the review.
Chapter Five: Aragorn
From his position by the cave entrance, all that could be seen of his two companions was the yellow glow of their young faces, as they sat warming themselves by the fire. Everyone else was using the time well, for rest. The Fellowship had been walking for hours on end, and Aragorn had fully expected everyone, all the hobbits at least, to fall straight asleep after setting up camp.
But, surprising them all, Pippin had volunteered to join Aragorn on the first watch, and Frodo did not seem to want the sleep either. The silence was almost disturbing: generally when two hobbit's watched together, the constant chattering kept most others awake. But not tonight. They were using their hands, as far as he could tell. He did not really want to pry, but the mischievous grin on Peregrin's face suggested that something was afoot, and for once, Frodo seemed delighted by the idea.
Shifting ever so slightly, he leant forward along his bedroll and supported himself with his folded arms, and squinted towards the fire reluctantly.
He'll never know, Frodo, really. Pippin was saying in earnest. In fact, he'll most likely suspect Legolas. The way those two have been at it lately, I wouldn't be surprised if Gimli blamed the weather on poor Legolas.
Aragorn had to choke back a laugh at that, and berated himself, watching Frodo's reply carefully.
Neither would I, Pippin, but after that incident the other night, are you really sure you want to do this? Frodo was, of course, referring to the incident where Pippin stumbled as they traveled, and to steady himself, clutched out at the nearest thing: Gimli's beard. It was hard for anyone to stay mad at the young hobbit, but the loss of several strands of the dwarf's prized beard had not gone down too well.
Pippin seemed a little dispirited by Frodo's question, but brightened immediately at his cousin's reply: I'll do it for you.
After a few minutes, the hobbit's conversation lost its cheer, and Pippin gazed around uneasily at the dark landscape. Aragorn did not fail to notice the slight shiver down his young companion's spine.
Frodo, do... do you ever have trouble sleeping? Frodo looked confused by the question, but Pippin's expression was serious, and at length he nodded slowly.
Sometimes, Pippin. Do you? Pippin gave a barely perceptible nod, and looked away momentarily. Nightmares, Pippin?
No, Frodo, I just... I worry about... well, you. Aragorn shuffled forwards slightly once more, cringing as a twig cracked beneath his bedroll. But he went unnoticed.
Me? Pippin nodded again, smiling ever so faintly.
I see you, sometimes. When you can't sleep... you just sit and wait for the morning to come. I... I do understand why, Frodo, but I don't understand why you keep it to yourself. We're all here to help you. Frodo dipped his head momentarily, smiling ruefully.
It's hard enough for all of you, Pippin, without having to worry about anything else to do with me. Sometimes, I find it's just easier to stay awake. When I'm awake, I look around and can see you, and Merry and Sam, and Gandalf and Strider. I feel safer, when awake. When I'm asleep... I see things that I hope you never do. Aragorn sat silently, watching this whole conversation sadly. Pippin crawled forwards, sliding into his cousin's hug quietly.
I know, Frodo. But you know you can tell me about it, don't you? Frodo laughed softly, and hugged his young cousin tight.
I do know it, Pippin. Smiling thoughtfully, Aragorn shuffled backwards, and assumed his post, gazing out silently into the black night.
...
Shaking myself, I return to the present, in time to hear the faint rustling in the tree above me, heralding Legolas's sudden descent. He lands lightly on his feet at my side, and cocks his head, frowning at me.
"What are you thinking, Aragorn? Why did you not reply?" I blink, and smile ruefully.
"My apologies, friend. My mind was someplace else. What were you saying?" Legolas indicates westward, and starts walking once more, nocking an arrow as I follow.
"I said that there was nothing close by, but a few hundred yards in this direction we may be more lucky. I could see what looked like a burrow." He turns his head slightly to gaze at me concernedly. "What bothers you? You have been distracted since we left. It's most unlike you." I chuckle and nod, flexing my fingers about the hilt of my sword.
"Nothing bothers me. I was simply thinking..." I slowly notice the wry smile on my companion's face, and turn to him expectantly. "What?"
Legolas turns back to the path, eyes sparkling with mirth. "You are very fond of that young hobbit, Estel. I know you try to hide it, but it is not hard to tell. It is Pippin you were musing about, was it not?" I shake my head incredulously.
"You never cease to amaze me, my friend. Truthfully, yes. He has changed considerably since I first met him, back in Bree. The way the other hobbits are with him, I am beginning to think that he has actually changed quite a bit since they left the Shire."
"You mean that he has not always been so dependant on food?" jests Legolas, lowering his voice as is his habit while hunting. I roll my eyes at him and remain silent for the time, as a bird calls overhead. We tense, but are suddenly relieved as two grey sparrows fly overhead, merely heading for water. It is good to be out of sights of the crebain for a time.
"I have not known him for long, Aragorn, but he seems to be... coming out of his shell, as it were. He does things now that I cannot imagine him doing when we first met. He is not as shy, somehow, and 'laughs' more. He has a penchant for getting into trouble, does he not?" I smile and nod, remembering the recent injury to Gimli's pride.
"Indeed. But that is what I meant. At first I assumed that he was trying to put on a brave face for Frodo, and inventing ways to keep the Fellowship amused. Which I'm sure he does, to an extent. But Pippin does not worry so much now about his illness. Whereas he used to be embarrassed by it, now he has found some positive things about it. For instance, he finds it amusing to degrade Merry so that his cousin can not see, and he cannot get into trouble." Legolas grins as he peers ahead, climbing lightly over a fallen log.
"I've noticed that, yes. It makes me wonder what he was like before he fell sick." I nod, having often wondered at that myself. From Sam's descriptions, Pippin used to be the terror of both Tuckborough and Buckland, and occasionally Hobbiton. Not that he was unliked.
"Sam says that it took only a smile from young Pippin to lighten anyone's spirit. That part of him seems to be returning. It's as though he has hope again."
At this, Legolas is strangely quiet, as if he were debating with himself over something. I look at him, confused, but for the present he does not speak, swept up by his own thoughts. I leave him to think for the moment, as we stalk closer and closer to Legolas's burrow.
Finally he raises his gaze, and meets my eyes.
"Have you not considered my proposal back in Imladris, Aragorn?" he asks, scanning the clearing we have entered carefully. I frown, turning to him questioningly, and he smiles.
"Refresh my memory."
"Pippin has been responding well to my vocal workshops, Aragorn. It pains him sometimes, but he does not give up." The elf's smile grows unconsciously. "He is rather determined."
Suddenly our conversation comes flooding back to me, and I look up hopefully.
"You really think this could work?" Legolas nods, but he does not appear entirely certain. A sudden change in the weather puts a chill into the breeze, and we resolve to finish what we came to do. As we move forwards, my friend expands.
"Nothing is absolutely certain, and we have only recently begun to work through this. But there is definitely a chance. How long it would take, I do not know. But it is worth a try."
"What do Frodo and Merry think about all this?"
"They do not know." Says Legolas quickly. "And they must not. Pippin is insistent that he surprises them, if anything comes of our little exercises." I frown suddenly, wondering exactly how much Pippin is expecting to come from this plan. It would be heartbreaking for him to build up hope once more, only to have the dream shattered. Legolas apparently senses this, and adds: "I have warned him, Aragorn, that there is only half a chance of him regaining his voice. Even then, it may be severely different to what he remembers. But though he was ecstatic by the idea, he understands. He is trying hard not to get overly excited." I smile at the thought, and look thankfully to my companion.
"Frodo and Merry especially will be eternally grateful." I say quietly, and Legolas nods slightly.
As we finally come across the burrow, and hasten back to the camp, weighed down only slightly by three young rabbits, Legolas speaks once more.
"I know you too well, Aragorn. All day I have been trying to tell exactly what has put you in such a miserable mood." I start to object, but he waves my attempts away, determined. "You seem at the outset to be fine, but something more than what we have already covered is bothering you. What is it? Will you not tell me?"
This is something I was hoping to avoid, I realise with a sigh. Perhaps it has been weighing down upon me more than I had originally thought it would. Glancing up, Legolas is looking at me expectantly. I exhale.
"Legolas... Boromir spoke yesterday of a circumstance where Peregrin could not cry for help, if he comes across any danger. I told him... it will more likely be a blessing, if ever he was to end up in captivity." I sigh, hating myself for saying such a thing. The very thought of young Pippin in the clutches of some evil being tears at my heart. Legolas is silent, thoughtful. "A blessing for the quest... Such an instance does not bear thinking about, but unfortunately it is the truth. I don't-"
"You men, truly, agonize about the smallest things." Interrupts Legolas, shaking his head. I blink, and try to explain that anything harmful to Pippin is nothing little, but he continues.
"I do not mean that the hobbit is insignificant. What bothers you is that you came out and said it. We all realise that, Aragorn. Boromir understands also, I am sure. As do Frodo and the others. It is simple fact, disturbing as it may be." I sigh, still not entirely convinced. Legolas steps closer, laying a hand across my shoulder. "Deep down, I imagine that Pippin realises it too. But you do not begrudge his chance to speak again, do you?" I shake my head fiercely.
"Of course not. It would be a wonderful thing."
"Then what are you so worked up about? After all the time I have known you, you have not changed in the least." He laughs quietly, patting the conies at his waist. "I'm sure Pippin will forgive you quickly, once he spies the dinner."
...
As we pass the line of trees and approach the camp, we are indeed met by an enthusiastic Pippin, beaming widely at the rabbits. Merry and Frodo applaud us from not far away, chuckling to themselves, and Sam grins.
At last a hot meal, Strider and Legolas! Thank you, thank you, thank you- We both laugh and hand our soon-to-be meal to Sam.
At least we know how to get on a hobbit's good side, Legolas. I remark, and the elf smiles. To think, it would be so much easier if dwarves and elves reacted similarly to food bribes.
Pippin grins and signs hysterical laughter at the expression on Legolas's face.
TBC, please r&r
