Pippin was used to seeing Legolas return to the cell in all sorts of conditions. Tired, angry, sometimes he'd pushed his feelings back and had a small conversation with him before retiring for the night.

But this was the first time he'd seen countless emotions displayed on the elf's face. He didn't sit but began to pace.

Pippin stood and looked at him in concern.

"Legolas? Are you alright?" he asked cautiously.
"No I am not." Legolas snapped.

Pippin was taken back by Legolas' harsh tone. Legolas stopped pacing and looked apologetically at the hobbit.

"Forgive me. I'm just... I do not know what to think."

Legolas walked over and sat up against the wall. Pippin sat beside him.

"What happened?"

Legolas sighed.

"I watched someone die today. And I did nothing to stop it."

Pippin widened his eyes. His stomach churned as Legolas gave a very brief description of the scene that had taken place.

When he finished Pippin immediately began his task of comforting Legolas in any way he could.

"There was nothing you could have done Legolas. It wasn't your fault, we both know who the enemy is."

Legolas shook his head.

"I could have done something. I could have saved him but I didn't."
"Why?"
"Because then he would have killed you. I cannot let that happen."

Pippin lowered his head. Now it wasn't just Legolas who suffering for his sake. Now others were being punished so Sauron would have a reason to get at Legolas.

"You don't have to keep doing this Legolas. You can let me go. I'm not afraid."

That wasn't true. He was afraid of what Sauron would, and could do to him. But if his passing meant that Legolas wouldn't have to suffer under Sauron's hand it would be worth it to the young hobbit.

"You don't understand Pippin. I cannot let you die. You are what's keeping my hope alive."

Pippin was confused.

"What?"

Legolas sighed.

"Every day you tell me that things will get better. You tell me that one day the darkness will fall and light will return to Middle Earth."
"I never said that..."
"You didn't say it with words, but how you hold on to hope, even when there is none, your faith that good will triumph one day, that is what is keeping me alive. If I did not have that to hold on to, I would fall into darkness. I need you Pippin. I need the hope and life you bring here. I need my friend."

Pippin couldn't believe what he had just heard. How could Legolas think that about him? He wasn't brave, he wasn't very hopeful. But a small flame grew inside of him, telling him that all hope was not yet lost, and he held on to that. He hadn't been aware that he had passed some of that hope to Legolas.

For awhile neither said anything. Both sat in silence with their own thoughts. Finally, Pippin remembered something he'd wanted to ask Legolas.

"What does 'mellon' mean?"
"Exscuse me?"
"'Mellon' you called me 'mellon' once. What does it mean?"

Legolas just stared at him, then to Pippin's surprise and shock, Legolas began laughing.

Pippin had never heard Legolas laugh. When he had first met him the very thought of the elf laughing had seemed ridiculous.

But here he was, a prisoner of Sauron, in the black land of Mordor, laughing of all things.

Legolas finally paused to answer Pippin's question, "You really forgot what mellon means? Were you not with us when we arrived at Moria? How did we enter in the first place?"

Pippin thought about it. He hadn't really paid attention to how they'd gotten in.

"I'll give you a hint," Legolas said with a playful smile, "speak "friend" and enter.' Surely you remember?"

Pippin shook his head.

"Sorry. I don't know."
"It is a riddle Peregrin Took! Speak friend and enter."

Pippin suddenly got it.

"Friend. My goodness I can't believe I didn't get that!"

Legolas began laughing again. It wasn't a spiteful laugh, but one full of joy. Pippin found himself joining in. Laughter had never been heard before in all the land of Mordor.

Yet deep in the dungeons of Barad-Dur, two prisoners laughed for the sheer joy of knowing that they still could.

As they finished their laughter, Pippin noticed a soft glow starting to fill the cell. He was startled to find that it came from Legolas.

"You're glowing!" He exclaimed in disbelief.
"I am. I have regained my light."

Pippin had no idea what Legolas meant but he simply watched as the light slowly began to fade, but not completely.

Legolas turned to Pippin and asked, "Do you know how Middle Earth was created?"

That was an odd question. The hobbit shook his head.

"No. I don't."
"Would you like to hear how?"
"Sure."

Pippin soon found himself listening intently as Legolas told him of Illuvatar and the creation of the Valar. Of the song of Illuvatar and how he formed Arda, thir home. He listened as he named all the Valar: Manwe, Ulmo, Aule, Yavanna, and many others.

He heard of Melkor and how he tried to change Illuvatar's song. He heard of the coming of the eldar, and the trees of light. The making and loss of the Silmarils, and the oath made by Feanor to reclaim them at any cost.

It was awhile before Legolas noticed that a soft snoring was coming from the hobbit who had fallen asleep leaning on Legolas.

For a moment the elf was uncomfortable. He hadn't meant for the hobbit to fall asleep on him.

Not wanting to disturb him either, Legolas carefully tried to shift himself into a sleeping position without waking the hobbit, but this was easier said then done.

At one point the elf had gotten into a position where he lay on his side, while Pippin slept soundly on his right arm.

Legolas tried to remove his arm from under the hobbit which was no easy task. Once his arm was almost free the hobbit grabbed it in his sleep and refused to let go no matter how hard Legolas tried to pull it free. Finally he conceded and laid down flat on his back while Pippin still grasped his arm.

Stifling a sigh, the elf closed his eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The Mouth watched the entire scene play out in disgust. How the elf cared for the halfling sickened him. Not to mention the stories of the Valar and Illuvatar.

But he had heard something that may prove useful to Sauron. He made his way out of the dungeon and returned to Sauron's throne room.

His master was expecting him.

"What have you learned?" Sauron demanded.
"I learned that the halfling would willingly give up his life, just so that infuriating elf wouldn't have to suffer. He doesn't realize that as long as he remains here, whether he lives or dies he will suffer at your hand. The only difference would be that he'd fight back."

The Mouth then went on to describe everything that had happened in the cell, including how the elf was starting to regain some of his light.

This made the dark lord furious.
He had destroyed Legolas' light years ago. After his escape he knew that it would never truly return again, as long as the beast inside Legolas lived his full light would not return.

It was that wretched halfling! He had to die.

They both knew it.

A plan began to form in the dark lord's mind. One that involved the halfling, and the two other prisoners he kept in his dungeon.

"Very well. If the halfling wishes to give his life then I will grant him his wish."

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So this is kind of a lighter chapter. I noticed that there is a lack of friendship between Legolas and Pippin in the movies and books. So I tried to make their friendship close to what I can imagine it would be like in the books and movies. Of course their situation could be better...