#48 Language Lesson

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Night had fallen and the nine had finally settled down to rest in the ruins of what appeared to be an old barn after another gruelling days march. Aragorn was driving them hard and as Legolas looked over to where the smallest of their company lay, curled up side by side at the very back of the structure, he was surprised to see the glint of a pair of watchful eyes. Even more startling was the whisper that carried over to where he stood in the shadow of the doorway keeping watch.

"I thought he was a he Merry, not a she!"

"Of course he is Pip. What ever gave you the idea he was not?"

A slight frown crossed the elf's face as he listened and wondered briefly upon which poor unfortunate Pippin was talking about before shrugging it off as one of the young halflings usual inane chatterings and refocusing his thoughts on the job in hand.

"But Strider seems to think he is a she." Pippin's voice insinuated itself into his ears once more at the mention of his friends name.

"He's always calling him a girl," there was a slight pause and in Legolas' mind he could see the youngster's eyes widen.

"Oooh!" He suddenly exclaimed. "Or do you think he means he acts like a girl?" There was a brief pause before he continued slowly. "I didn't think he would be as mean as that though, and I can't say I agree with him at all."

"Hush Pip!" Merry cut in with a glance over to where he thought the ranger lay sleeping. "I'm sure he doesn't think that at all. You're just being silly. Now go to sleep."

This last speech was followed by the soft rustling of his blanket as he turned over to face away from his friend.

"But Merry." Pippin was obviously not going to be ignored.

"You must have heard it too. The way he never uses his name, just calls him…Oh!"

There was another rustling noise as Pippin sat bolt upright.

"Ahh." He sighed as Merry turned back in consternation. "I see."

"What do you see?" Resignation filled his voice as the older hobbit succumbed to the inevitable.

"Polo and Theuderic!" Pippin replied in a scandalised whisper. "It's like Polo and Theuderic."

"Peregrine Took!" Merry Exclaimed loudly. "How can you possibly think…"

"But can't you see?" The youngster interrupted gleefully, certain of his accuracy. "That's it! That's why he never uses his name. That's why he always calls him lass!"

"Nay, pen neth."

There was a sharp intake of breath as the soft words were breathed into Pippins ear and he jumped in surprise.

"You are mistaken. That is indeed my name." The elf continued as he crouched beside the hobbit. "Or at least a part of it. 'though I will never understand the need for men to change that which has been bestowed by a parent, often after long and careful deliberation." He smiled ruefully.

"So do elven names have a meaning then?" Pippin piped up quickly following it by asking the meaning of Legolas' name after the elf nodded his head.

"My name means Green Leaf." The prince replied with a faraway look on his face. "My father named me after finding me with one such in the forest."

"But hobbits are named at birth." The young Halfling said slowly. "Do elves not have names as babies?"

"Of course they do." Legolas laughed. "I can see I will have to tell you the tale of my naming some day, but not today young Peregrine." He reached out to ruffle Pippins hair. "Suffice to say for now that my name is in two parts. Laeg meaning green and Lass meaning leaf."

Pippin smiled and looked over to where Aragorn was wrapped snugly in his bedroll.

"So Strider is calling you Leaf." The small hobbit said uncertainly.

"Yes, he is indeed." The elf fluidly unfolded from his crouch. "And I can assure you Pippin, I am most definitely male."

Legolas' tinkling laugh sounded out as he moved silently away, turning briefly to nod towards where another small figure lay nearby snoring loudly, with a final comment before continuing merrily back to his former position.

"Now Gimli, however. Who knows what form hides under all that hair and mail!"

A/N As ever I would like to say thanks for reading and for the lovely comments I have received so far.

To Shadow - Yes, children can be too curious at times can't they.! I'm glad you liked it.