Note: This story deals in the 'present' day of Legolas' thought as well as a few flash backs he experiences. The latter will be placed after or between horizontal lines.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or anything about them.
Footsteps brought Legolas out of his reverie, and he turned to see who approached. It was Pippin, one of the hobbits whom the elf loved dearly. He smiled merrily as the little one approached and bowed before him. 'My Lord Prince of Mirkwood,' said Pippin in a very dignified voice.
Legolas laughed and bade his friend to sit. 'What nonsense are you up to now, Peregrin Took?'
'None, I suppose, at least, none of any matter. I have desired to pay you the respect due to one of your position, is all, and I had my opportunity just now.'
'Ah,' Legolas said, his lips dancing into a lingering smile. 'It is not your concern, my friend, for I would be wearied by your formality. My name is Legolas; that is the name that was told to you upon our meeting, and that is the name I would prefer you to call me, Pippin.'
Pippin smiled brightly and nodded; strawberry-blonde curls bounced as he did so, and the crystal meadows of his eyes flickered in the light. 'I would have it no other way than your desire, Legolas,' he said, leaning against the more than substantial back of his chair. Legolas watched him cross his dangling legs and produce his pipe in a swift motion. His face creased with happiness as he winked at his elven companion and smiled around the tip of the pipe as he filled and lit it. 'So, Legolas,' he continued, 'what are you doing here, all alone on a balcony?' He paused to blow the first ring of smoke into the air and watched with fascination as it rose above them. 'Surely you are not already so tired of our humble company that you must retreat to these sunny places?' There was humour in his words, but Legolas sensed something else: worry.
'The day that I am wearied by your company is the day that the sky breaks open and the stars pour out, Pippin,' he said.
'And I shall hope that never happens!' Pippin said as he laughed like bells rang. 'Yet, you have left my question unanswered.' He blew a puff of smoke and tapped his lips with his pipe while he stared at the elf, curious about everything and nothing all at once. 'What brings you here, Legolas? What causes your head to ring with thoughts?'
Legolas tossed his head back and laughed; if ever he'd thought Peregrin Took dim-witted, he'd been mistaken. 'I consider many things this day, Pippin,' he said. 'Not the least of which is your bravery, and that of your kin.' He noticed that the hobbit was still staring at him curiously and puffing his pipe, not yet satisfied with the answer provided. 'Yet, I suppose my greatest thoughts lie with Middle-earth, and they dwell on the many changes that have taken place here, and I wonder how many more are still to come,' he said, hoping he appeased his friend. It was not that he had a desire to hide his true thoughts, or, at least, the true nature of his thoughts; it was that he was not yet sure enough about them to speak properly of what they meant, or if they meant anything at all. Pippin nodded and smiled appreciatively. His green eyes were shining with merriment, and Legolas could have sworn it was the day they met all over again, for as much as Aragorn had changed, the hobbits seemed to have remained the same. There was a lot to be said for the easy-going nature of their kind.
'I wonder of such things, too,' Pippin said, quietly. 'I wonder about the Shire, and I wonder about Rivendell,' he paused for a moment, and a shadow passed over his face before he said, 'And sometimes, I think about Boromir.' Concern filled the eyes of Legolas, and he leaned forward to place a long arm around Pippin's shoulders for comfort. Neither of them spoke again; they were content to look over the railing to the splendour of the sky in silence, leaving Legolas to once again drift into his thoughts. . .