XXI
Of Rice and Wild Rabbits
Before the Companions set out that evening, Gandalf called a council. He explained that the path through the mountains was likely already being watched and therefore even more dangerous. He and Aragorn had discussed their other option, to cross Enedwaith to the Gap of Rohan, but they had decided that it was unwise to take the Ring so close to Isenguard.
This news had not set well with Boromir, but he accepted their decision after saying his piece. Legolas listened to the Wizard speak and wondered what it was he was not saying.
The night march was more difficult than usual; the land was more broken and there was no path. Sam walked behind Frodo, one hand on his master's shoulder, the other holding Bill's lead rope. Gimli kept Merry and Pippin in front of him. Legolas followed at the rear of their column.
When dawn came, they found they had made little headway; the mountains seemed no closer than when they had set out at dusk. Depressed and tired, they settled for the day beneath a row of scraggly trees on the edge of a wide bowl. Down at the bottom of this bowl ran a trickle of a stream surrounded by wild rice, the blades now brown and dry in the season. Aragorn set Merry and Gimli to watch and drew Legolas aside.
"We might find a bit of game here, hiding in the grasses. I shall work my way through the stream-course and try to flush out a rabbit or two. Will you keep your bow handy and bring down what escapes me? Just be sure that it is not I you bring down!"
Legolas laughed. "We have hunted together before, Estel. If I did not shoot you then, it in unlikely that I shall do so now."
Legolas knelt in the grasses and waited, his eyes keen for movement in the grey and brown rushes. He could hear Aragorn, for though the Man was moving stealthfully, he was making deliberate noises to startle into movement whatever animals might be hiding in the tall weeds. The bow in the Elf's hands was strung with an arrow notched and ready. He held them loosely.
Very near to Legolas's location the grasses suddenly rustled, and the Elf drew the bow and turned, ready to release the shaft at what sounded like a very large animal. He gasped and shot the arrow into the soil before his feet, barely moving his hands in time.
Samwise Gamgee stood with his eyes round as saucers, staring at the quivering arrow in the ground at his feet. In one hand he held a rabbit, from the other dangled a snare of woven reeds. His face was white as milk.
"Master Samwise! Forgive me! Hobbits tread lightly indeed, for I nearly thought you were a rabbit yourself!" Legolas pulled the arrow up and knocked the dirt from the tip. "You should have warned me or Aragorn that you had gone hunting today!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Legolas," Sam said, blinking and waving the hand that held the rabbit. "I thought Mr. Frodo could do with some fresh meat a'fore we climb that big old mountain."
"That is our purpose, as well. Aragorn is working downstream to bring me game. If that is not the only rabbit that lived in this dell, we all should eat well today. Please wait here behind me, Samwise. Aragorn does not know you are here, and his arrow may fly truer than mine!"
"Yessir," Samwise squatted down behind the Elf, busying himself with repairing his snare. He was wishing he had thought to ask Mr. Elrond for some rope before they left Rivendell, when he heard a great rustling in the bushes nearby. 'That must be Mr. Strider,' he thought. Legolas had turned toward the sound, bow bent and eyes narrowed.
Out of the grasses charged—not a Ranger—but a boar! It was bigger than any Sam had ever seen; its tusks seemed a foot long, and terrifying! The hobbit fell back in surprise, too shocked even to cry out.
Legolas released his arrow and fitted and fired two more in the time it took Sam's heart to begin to beat again. The boar squealed and fell twitching in the grass.
Strider appeared, leaping over the stream and tossing two more coneys onto the ground beside Sam. He was grinning with satisfaction.
"Our companions will eat well today, my friends, and for many nights hence. Good shooting, Legolas!"
The Elf nodded, smiling. "Sometimes a marksman's skill is not measured by what he shoots at and hits," Legolas looked significantly over at Samwise, "but what he does not hit!"
Samwise blushed. He gathered up the coneys and mumbled, "I'll just get these cleaned up..."
Aragorn and Legolas laughed, carrying their boar between them. Tonight would be an unexpected feast!
