Chapter 3
The return of Aragorn with three exhausted hobbits and one bedraggled pony caused yet more uproar in the gentle peace of Imladris. Arwen had kept vigil all day and nothing could keep her from running to Aragorn. He caught her in his arms and held her close for a brief moment, as if taking his strength from her. Arwen greeted the hobbits cheerfully and had them taken to the rooms that had been prepared for them. The hobbits followed quietly, Sam refusing to leave the pony until he was promised that the creature should receive the best of care.
As Merry, Pippin and Sam were led away, Aragorn looked lovingly at Arwen. She had dressed with care for this meeting and the sight of her refreshed him as nothing else could do. He noticed the small lines of worry around her eyes.
"What is it, Arwen?" he asked. "How is Frodo?"
"Not well," she told him simply. "It is taking all of Father's skill to keep him alive. Even still, Father is amazed at the strength in him."
"He is a rather special hobbit," Aragorn told her with a grin. "He is more like Bilbo than I had thought."
"Speaking of Bilbo, the dwarves have arrived," she said with a sigh. He raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at her.
"There has been some trouble . . . " she began.
"Legolas has also come, then?" he asked, understanding on his face.
"Yes, and he lost his temper last night. Father actually chastised him. He apologized this morning, of course, but it's not like him. It is almost as if he is looking for a fight."
"Legolas?" he asked, at a loss. "He is usually more steady than that."
"Aragorn, Imladris is becoming a madhouse! Poor Frodo is in agony, there are dwarves wandering the halls, Legolas is throwing fits, and now more hobbits! If they all eat like Bilbo . . . "
"Yes, they all eat like Bilbo," he reassured her. "And these are an inquisitive bunch." He noticed she was careful not to mention the reason for this council, the thought that was in all their minds.
She sighed again and linked her arm through his. "Well, for the sake of Middle-Earth I welcome them all. But when this is over I shall enjoy some quiet time with you."
"I would like nothing better," he told her, as they walked into the house.
Legolas was in the gardens that evening, seeking balance among the trees and water. The elf had been able to give Aragorn only a brief greeting before the Ranger was swept away to Elrond and Gandalf. During the day he had managed to keep his temper with the uncouth dwarf by saying very little. This went unnoticed by the others, as he had ever been of a reserved nature. But as the sun went down in the west, he found himself needing a few moments of solitude. The changes around him were unsettling. He was breathing in the splendour of the sunset, meditating on the meeting before him, when he felt the eyes on him. He tensed, worried that it might be the dwarf, Gimli. Looking around slowly, he spied a small form peeping out at him from behind a shrub. From the creature's size he decided it must be one of the hobbits Aragorn had brought to Imladris.
The hobbit looked at him in wonder. Sam had always been keen on tales of the elves, and here was one that was fair in every way. Tall and straight and young, with the light of the fading sun setting his hair ablaze with its luminance. His eyes were bright and he looked stern. Sam had been on a walk, seeking solace in the greenery, sent away from Frodo by Elrond, when the elf had caught his attention. He had crept closer, not wishing to disturb him, but fascinated by the sight of him.
Legolas sighed. "Come out, young hobbit," he said gently. "I have no wish for you to damage the foliage." He turned and faced the small person.
Sam blushed and came forward. He looked down and stammered, "Excuse me, sir. I did not mean to trouble you. I was just, well, you're an elf, sir . . . " his voice faltered.
Legolas smiled, and the beauty of it caused Sam to believe he had imagined that this tall being could ever be forbidding. He smiled back, shyly.
"This, then, is your first visit to Rivendell?" Legolas asked quietly. He motioned to a bench, and led Sam to a seat.
"Yes, sir. Mr. Bilbo used to speak of it often, and I always longed to come and see elves for myself, but I never thought I'd actually be here, if you know what I mean, sir." Sam's eyes were glowing with excitement.
Legolas laughed at that, looking at Sam approvingly. "Rivendell is a most marvellous place and Master Baggins a great teller of tales. I do not blame you for feeling overwhelmed by it. It has often caught me unexpectedly with its charm."
"Have you always lived here, sir?" Sam asked, respectfully.
Legolas laughed again, a merry sound that set Sam's heart at ease. "No, I am from the Mirkwood. It is much different there. And my name is Legolas, young hobbit."
"I am Samwise Gamgee, sir. I mean, Legolas." Sam settled a little more comfortably in his seat and sighed.
"You are worried about your friend?" Legolas asked him kindly.
"I am. Strider says that Lord Elrond is a great healer, but he looks so grim . . . " Sam broke off, fearful of giving offense.
"Lord Elrond is a very skilled healer, Master Gamgee. I assure you that he will do all he can." Legolas said, hoping to alleviate the young hobbit's concerns.
"Aye. I hope that Strider is right and the athelas helped." Legolas started for a moment, and then laughed softly to himself.
"Come, Master Gamgee. Let us see if there is something left from the evening meal. No doubt you are hungry after your long trial."
Sam brightened at that. "A bit of nourishment would go down well at that," he agreed. Legolas stood and accompanied the hobbit back inside.
Arwen felt distracted beyond belief. She longed to be with Aragorn, to recover her own peace of mind, but he had gone to Elrond and Gandalf and was still with them. The dwarves ambled through the gardens, and had begun to suggest improvements in the paving and structure of Rivendell. The young hobbits, after sleeping and being fed, had bounced back with amazing resilience, and Arwen had placed them in the care of Athelas. She felt too distraught to answer all their many questions. All the while the horror of what had been brought to Rivendell sat in the back of her mind. She felt it affecting her, giving rise to a nameless terror within her.
The hobbits followed Athelas around Imladris, listening to her descriptions and stories of the place, interspersing their comments and queries with a freshness and honesty that delighted her.
She was showing them the way to the kitchens when they encountered Legolas and Sam. Merry and Pippin greeted their companion with joy.
"We thought you'd gotten lost," Pippin told him, "it being such a big place and so many people."
"I was outside," Sam told him. Legolas smiled over his head at Athelas. "This elf is Legolas. He's showing me where the kitchens are." Legolas inclined his head to the hobbits. "And these are Mr. Frodo's kin, Mr. Meriadoc Brandybuck and Mr. Peregrin Took," he told the elf beside him.
"This is Lady Athelas," Merry told Sam. "She's been put in charge of us, and we've been leading her a merry chase, I must admit. There's just so much to see here."
"Master Gamgee is quite taken with the gardens of Imladris." Legolas said to Athelas. "I was telling him of the differences in the Mirkwood."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Merry said politely. "Do you know each other?"
Athelas gave an animated laugh at that. "Yes, Master Merry, I am well acquainted with my Lord Legolas."
"Well and good then. Now, you were showing us to the kitchens, my lady?" Pippin said cheerfully, offering his arm politely. They continued on their way, the three hobbits keeping up a lively chatter. Once there, Athelas had a word with the kitchen staff regarding the habits of their diminutive guests.
"Just keep something on the back of the fire for them," she told the head cook. "They eat as often and as much as Master Baggins, according to my Lady."
The head cook looked at the hobbits fondly. "We've never had any complaints from Master Baggins," he told her. "Is there any word on the other, the injured one?"
"He is still in danger of his life," she told him quietly. "My Lord Elrond is most concerned."
Legolas had been prevailed on to share in the pastries the cook had brought out for the hobbits. He sat calmly at the table with them, watching in amusement as they fell to eating with a right good will. Athelas went up to him and spoke softly in his ear. He nodded and she smiled at her small companions. "I must leave you for a few moments to attend Lady Arwen," she told them. "My lord Legolas will guide you back to the Hall, where I shall meet you," she said, curtsying to them all. Legolas stood as she left.
Merry watched her go, chewing a pastry thoughtfully. "Why does she call you 'my lord,' Legolas?" he asked. "Are you an Elf Lord or a King?"
"No," Legolas replied, sitting back down. "It is just her way. My father is the king, not I."
"Then you are a prince?" Sam asked, choking a bit on his biscuit. Legolas poured some ale and handed it to him.
"I am the son of Thranduil, Elven King of the Mirkwood," he said simply. "It really does not mean much, as my father has no plans of ever giving up his rule."
"An Elven Prince," Sam said, wonder in his voice.
"An Elven warrior," Legolas corrected, a twinkle in his brilliant eyes. "We do not stand on ceremony much in the Mirkwood."
At the doors of the Hall, Sam left them to return to Frodo, insisting that Elrond would not send him away again. Merry and Pippin peppered Legolas with questions and finally they found Athelas. She had checked on Arwen, reassuring herself that the Lady was in good spirits and come back to her small visitors. Legolas was grateful to hand them back over to her, his ears ringing with their inquiries.
Seeing that their talk was disturbing those who wished to simply listen to the excellent music being played, she led them quietly out of the hall and into the gardens, intimating that if they wanted to smoke their pipes, it would be courteous to do so outdoors. Legolas watched her go with a fond smile. Turning around he found himself face to face with Gimli.
"Well, now, Master Elf," he began. "I see you have made the acquaintance of our hobbits. Interesting creatures, are they not?"
"They are," Legolas replied shortly.
"Much more talkative than some here," Gimli said. Legolas held his tongue for a moment, mindful of his commitment to his father. He took a deep breath.
"Most here, Master Dwarf, are more intent on listening then talking," he began, but seeing Aragorn enter the Hall, he changed his mind. "If you will excuse me," he said, "I must have a word with a companion of mine, newly arrived." He left the dwarf and crossed the room quickly.
"How are you, my friend?" he asked, with concern in his face.
"Tired, but I am well." Aragorn replied. "How are you faring?" he asked softly. "I understand that you have had words with some of our guests."
Legolas scowled and then brightened again. "I have my duty," he told the Ranger. "I am grateful that it is not for very long, though."
Aragorn laughed and gripped the elf's shoulder. Giving him a friendly shake he whispered, "Here he comes." Legolas stiffened, but Aragorn did not release him.
"Aragorn, my friend," Gimli said, reaching to clasp the man's arm. "It is long since we last met." Aragorn let go of Legolas to return the greeting.
"That is has been, Gimli," Aragorn replied. "I think you have met Legolas of the Woodland Realm."
Gimli agreed gruffly. "I have." He nodded at Legolas, whose head moved imperceptibly. Aragorn sighed to himself. Dwarves and elves, he thought.
With Aragorn as intermediary, they shared a few moments of stilted conversation. When Legolas realized that the dwarf was not going to leave to allow him to speak to Aragorn privately, he mentally ground his teeth and made his excuses, telling them he wanted to check on Sam.
Aragorn and Gimli watched him go, Aragorn with affection, Gimli with grim humour. "That's the proudest and most standoffish elf I've ever met," he said huskily. "Doesn't talk much, does he?"
Aragorn turned and grinned at the dwarf. "Only when he has something to say, Gimli."
Legolas found Sam outside the room where Elrond and Gandalf continued to try and heal the grave hurt Frodo had taken. Sam sat on a chair that was too large for him, although someone had thoughtfully supplied cushions for his comfort. He was the picture of dejection and Legolas felt his heart go out to this small creature.
"No change yet, Master Gamgee?" he asked softly, his eyes glowing with concern. Sam turned his tearful face to him.
"They won't let me in," he said mournfully. "I just want to help, but Mr. Gandalf showed me the door. They did say I could sit here, and that they'd let me in as soon as they could."
Legolas knelt down beside the hobbit, bringing their faces level. "It is never easy to wait," he said, ruefully. "Lord Elrond is merciless when he has a patient. But you must have hope, Master Gamgee. Everything that can be done is being done. Is there anything you need here? Can I bring you some wine, perhaps?"
Sam wiped his cheeks and smiled at him. "No, thank you, sir," he said, forcing cheerfulness into his voice. "I will be fine."
Legolas sat on the floor beside him, arranging himself comfortably. "Then allow me to stay with you," he said simply. "Sometimes sharing the trouble lessens it."
"That is kind of you, sir," Sam told him, "but you must have other things to do."
Legolas thought of Aragorn and the dwarf, Athelas and her vivacious charges, Arwen coping with the commotion in Imladris. He smiled at Sam. "Nothing more important than this."
When Elrond finally allowed Sam to sit with Frodo, his solemn face told Legolas that there was as yet no change in his patient. The elf exchanged a few words with his host, and then quietly left, making his way through the halls of Rivendell to his rooms. He found Athelas there, reclined on her divan, a damp cloth on her forehead. Concerned, he crossed the room to her.
"Athelas?" he asked.
She held up her hand to stop him. "Legolas, I must have a few moments of absolute silence," she told him wearily. "Please, if you love me, find me strong wine." He smiled at her posturing and left, shutting the door soundlessly. He went to the hall and fetched a skin of good wine and two glasses. On his return, he passed Aragorn. The Ranger looked at his burden and raised an eyebrow.
"Celebrating?" he asked dryly. Legolas chuckled.
"It seems the hobbits were too much even for Athelas," he replied. "She requires complete quiet and fortification." He held up the wineskin. Aragorn laughed softly.
"Master Gamgee seems of a different sort." Legolas continued, quietly. "He is overcome with worry for his friend."
"Friendship is friendship," Aragorn said simply. "Sam is devoted to Frodo. The others are concerned as well, but Rivendell is brand new to them."
"I do hope, for Athelas' sake, that the questions cease after a day or two," Legolas told him, a wry smile on his face.
"Give my regards to your lady," Aragorn said, gripping his friend's arm, laughter in his voice.
Athelas accepted the wine gratefully and tossed it back with an alacrity that startled Legolas. "Are you well?" he asked her, refilling the glass.
"I am fine. Thank you, my love. I needed that little time to regain my composure. I doubt that I have listened to so much from anyone in so short a time in my life."
He knelt down beside her and took her hand. "Did they drive you to distraction, beloved?" he asked, a concerned smile on his handsome face.
"Yes, but they are delightful! Such open and cheerful creatures. I enjoyed their company thoroughly." She sighed. "But they are not backward about talking! I trust I shall be used to their ways in a day or two." She smiled at him. "And how was your evening?"
"I spent it with Samwise. He is so terribly distressed about his friend." He rubbed her hand gently. "I know what that is like."
Her black eyes twinkled as she looked at him. "And the dwarf? No contention with him this evening?"
He raised his eyebrows at her, and then laughed. "No, Athelas. He is rude and artless, but I have behaved faultlessly. I will be glad when they are gone, though." She smiled at him, and raised her glass to him with her free hand.
"I knew my lord would not let himself be overcome by a dwarf," she toasted. He smiled, and turning her hand over, kissed the inside of her wrist.
"And now, my lady, I must insist on you going to your rest," he told her, a gleam in his blue eyes.