The first thing Legolas noticed when he awoke was how dizzy he was.
What happened?
The second thing he noticed was that there was something strange covering both of his arms. Carefully, he lifted them up and winced at the movement. Laying his arms back down he tilted his head to where he could see his right arm clearly. He furrowed his brow upon realizing that his arms were wrapped in bandages. Blinking his eyes he allowed his gaze to wander around the room he was in. He recognized one of the many rooms in the Healing Wing in Lord Elrond's home, what he wanted to know was why he was here in the first place.

I do not remember being in a
fight....
There were those scoundrels in Bree, but I was not harmed by any of them, or was I?

Legolas sighed and let his head sink into his pillow. He was dizzy, tired, and confused. He didn't remember entering Rivendell, or what had transpired before that.
Why can I not remember anything?
Another question soon entered his mind, where were his friends? Surely they were here in Rivendell with him, unless they were taken by the Nazgûl....

The very thought of the Nine sent a shiver down his spine. He remembered sensing them in the forest when he was with Sam, how could so much evil be held within one being? If the Nazgûl were that bad, then how much worse could Sauron be?
Stiffling another wince, Legolas lifted his arm and reached for his neck, he expected to find something hanging there, only to panic when all his fingers brushed was skin.

Where is it?
No longer caring about the pain in his arms Legolas threw off his covers, revealing a thin, white shirt and grey trousers, and shot up in bed. He searched through the blankets in a panic, only to find nothing. He turned to the shelf beside him, hoping that he would see what he saught, but there was nothing.
"No, no I couldn't have lost it." Legolas' voice rose along with his panic. He grasped the sides of his head with his hands, entangling his fingers in his already tangled hair.

His breathing was quick and rapid, and hot tears began to fill his eyes. It couldn't be gone...
Not the item that he always carried with him, his anchor, all he had left of-
Legolas jumped as his door opened and nearly fell off of his bed. His body relaxed when he recognized Aragorn, but his despair did not subside.
"Legolas, are you alright?" Aragorn's eyes were filled with concern as he made his way over to the bed. Legolas hung his head and said nothing, he felt lost and scared. His mind was dark and clouded, he couldn't think clearly.

"Legolas?"
Aragorn sat down on the bed next to him. His tone had become more serious, worried. Something stirred at the back of Legolas' mind, words were whispered into his ears but no one was there to say them. "Legolas!"

"You are pathetic!"
No....
This couldn't be happening....
"You should just die!"
The nightmare, its coming back....
"I hate you!"
I remember now....
They hate me. Everyone I love hates me.

"Legolas!" Aragorn was watching his friend stare blankly at the space in front of him. His eyes were hazy and his mouth was opened slightly, his body was shaking.
"Legolas please," Aragorn pleaded as he grasped his hand,
"come back to me mellon nin."
A shudder ran through Legolas' body as his eyes cleared. He remembered everything, the Nazgûl, the never ending nightmares that he had been trapped in, his friends and family beating him to death....

A startled gasp escaped him as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He'd almost forgotten that Aragorn was there.
Aragorn, he said that he hated me, I killed him.
Trembling, Legolas glanced sideways at Aragorn. The man had a look of concern on his face, and something that else that Legolas could not name, whatever it was, it chased away any fear Legolas felt towards his friend. It also stirred a longing inside of him, a longing he hadn't felt for years. The longing of the security of a father's arms. Legolas could count all the times as a child when he had wanted nothing more than his father to hold him, to keep him close, to keep him safe. Only to be rejected and left alone, vulnerable to the fears that threatened to consume him.

He didn't care how childish it was, or how weak it made him, he wanted to be held. To have someone comfort him, to assure him that everything would be alright, no one had ever done that for him. So it came as a shock and surprise when he suddenly felt strong arms around him, and a gentle hand rubbing his back. His eyes widened and for a moment his body became tense and alert, before realizing that it was Aragorn who held him.
"It will be alright Legolas," he said softly, "everything will be alright, I promise."
For the first time in a very long time, Legolas felt at peace, and he allowed himself to rest in his friend's--no--his brother's arms.

His brother who would be there for him no matter what.

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An hour passed before Elrond arrived to check on Legolas. The older elf was removing Legolas' bandages from his arms while Aragorn watched from behind. He was glad to see that Legolas had calmed down since his first awakening, albeit it was awhile before Aragorn could get him to speak. In all their time as friends Aragorn had never seen Legolas so vulnerable before. He was always so cheerful, stubborn, reluctant to ever show weakness in front of anyone.

Yet during that hour spent comforting him, Aragorn saw the part of Legolas that the elf had always kept hidden. The part of him that longed for someone to simply be there for him, to hold and comfort him, the part of him that he was most ashamed of. What Aragorn wanted to know was why Legolas was so determined to hide it.
Perhaps he sees it as a weakness. He thought.
A

nytime he'd ever ask Legolas if something was wrong or if there was something on his mind he would always shake his head and insist that he was fine. Then he'd smile and tease Aragorn about something that usually ended with both hurling insults at each other until the conversation was forgotten.

A thought suddenly occured to him, was Legolas' cheerful, light hearted personality just a mask? Underneath all that was Legolas really suffering on the inside? Aragorn shook his head and nearly scoffed at the thought. He was being ridiculous, Legolas told him everything, if there was something troubling the elf, he wouldn't hesitate to tell him.
Legolas is fine, his encounter with the Nazgûl merely shook him.
Satisfied with that thought Aragorb turned his attention back to Elrond and Legolas.

"You appear to have made a full recovery Legolas."
Elrond had finished his inspection and seemed satisfied with Legolas' recovery. The young elf however, still seemed on edge.
"How did my arms become wounded? I do not remember being injured during the fight with the Nazgûl."
Legolas' tone, surprisingly, held the slightest trace of accusation in it. Aragorn glanced at Elrond who nodded before turning back to Legolas.

"You awoke three days ago Legolas, the first time since you were exposed to the Black Breath," Elrond explained, "when you awoke you panicked and started clawing at your arms. I was forced to give you a sleeping draught in order to calm you."

Aragorn watched Legolas' reaction and tensed when his gaze landed on him.
"So I hurt you then?"
He asked quietly.
Aragorn had almost forgotten about the scar on his face from when Legolas scratched him. His heart nearly broke at how grieved his friend was at the realization.
"It was an accident Legolas, it was not your fault." Aragorn hoped that he would believe him, and to his relief the cloud of guilt left Legolas' eyes.

"Are the others alright?"
Legolas asked changing the subject.
"They are all fine." Elrond said before Aragorn could answer. Was he going to tell him about Merry? Then again, it wouldn't really be necessary. Legolas hadn't even met Merry, or Frodo and Pippin for that matter. And the three hobbits had yet to meet Legolas as well. Elrond continued to speak, interupting Aragorn's thoughts.
"Actually Legolas," Elrond continued, "it was one of the hobbits who saved you from the Nazgûl. If it had not been for him you would not be here now."
Elrond's eyes sparkled in amusement and Aragorn chuckled at the shock that filled Legolas' eyes.

"One of the hobbits?" Legolas asked in disbelief.
"Yes Legolas, Meriadoc Brandybuck charged the Nazgûl with a flaming torch and saved your life." Aragorn informed him with a smile.
"Where is he?" Legolas asked. "I would like to thank him for saving my life."
Aragorn blinked as uncertainty flashed in his grey eyes. How would Legolas react when he heard that Merry had almost died saving him, or that he was still lying unconcious just a few rooms over?
Legolas seemed to sense his discomfort and was about to open his mouth when the door flew open, and an excited Gimli ran inside.

"Aragorn it's Merry, he's awake!"
The dwarf announced in joyfull relief. Aragorn's eyes widened at the news.
"He's awake?"
Gimli rolled his eyes.
"Yes he's awake! Why else would I have run all this way to tell you?"
Aragorn raised an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest.
"Have you noticed that someone else has awoken?" he asked curtly. Gimli's face wrinkled in confusion until the sound of Legolas clearing his throat caught the dwarf's attention.

His face brightened even more as Legolas smiled from his bed.
"It's about time lad! I was starting to think that you would never wake up!" Gimli walked over to his friend's bedside and grasped his hand in greeting. Legolas chuckled from where he lay. "It was about time that I received proper rest, I cannot tell you how many times your snoring has kept me from sleep."

"Sleep?! Since when do elves sleep?! Especially you Legolas! With all that night time singing you do it's a miracle that any of us get any sleep at all!"
Gimli retorted with false anger. Aragorn rolled his eyes at the two, he was used to the way Legolas and Gimli were constantly jabbing at one another, always searching for something to tease the other about, it was how their frienship worked.

"Now what did you say about Merry waking up?" Legolas questioned suddenly. Aragorn wondered if he should explain but Elrond beat him to it.
"Merry was wounded during the fight with the Nazgûl, his arm was nearly sliced open by a Morgul blade. He has been unconcious for just as long as you have."
Aragorn inwardly flinched at the all too familiar look in Legolas' eyes.
Guilt.
The poor elf was too sensitive for his own good, no doubt he blamed himself for Merry being hurt, and he hadn't even met him yet.

"May I see him? I wish to meet this hobbit, and the others of course."
Legolas started to get up but was stopped by Elrond placing a firm hand in his chest.
"Not today Legolas, both of you have just woken and are still recovering. I want you to stay in bed for one more day and then we will see about you getting up. It will be the same with Merry."

Legolas seemed annoyed but didn't argue. He simply nodded his head and settled back onto his bed.
"Leave him to rest now," Elrond ordered Aragorn and Gimli, "you may visit him later."
Elrond started to exit the room with Gimli behind him. Aragorn was about follow when he suddenly remembered something important. Turning to Legolas, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object.
"Here Legolas, I should have given this to you sooner."

Legolas' eyes widened when he saw what he held. His fingers grasped a thin strip of leather and lifted it from Aragorn's outstretched hand. Hanging from the leather was a small, green, stone leaf with silver edges. It wasn't much to look at, and Aragorn doubted that it was valuable, but to Legolas it was worth more than all the treasures in Middle Earth. "Aragorn-"
"I took it to keep it safe just before Glorfindel and the twins brought you to Rivendell," Aragorn explained with a smile.
Legolas returned it with a grin of his own.
"Hannon le."

Aragorn nodded and turned to leave the room. Behind him, Legolas held the stone leaf against his chest and close his eyes, looking far more peaceful than he had in days.

{}{}{}

"Are sure that you're alright Merry? If you want to stay in bed for another day that's fine with us, we wouldn't want you to get tired or anything."

"I've been lying in this bed for almost three weeks Pippin! If I stay in here for one more minute I'm going to go mad!"

Frodo couldn't help but chuckle as his cousins' chatter. All of the hobbits were gathered in Merry's room waiting for Lord Elrond to give Merry permission to leave his bed. Elrond was carefully checking Merry's wounded arm to make sure that it had healed properly. Frodo tried not to look at the long, blackish looking scar on Merry's arm, but he couldn't keep his eyes from wandering over to it.

The scar from the Nazgûl's blade started at Merry's forearm and went up to just below his shoulder. A shiver ran down his spine as he thought about how close he had been to being stabbed himself by the Nazgûl, for what seemed like hundredth time, Frodo wished that it had been him instead of Merry.
Never again, Frodo told himself sternly, never again will one of you be hurt because of me.

"Well Meriadoc, it seems as though you have made a full recovery." Elrond announced rolling down Merry's shirt sleeve and covering his arm.
"So does that mean I can get up now?"
He asked hopefully. Elrond smiled and nodded his head. "Finally!" Without warning Merry threw off his covers and nearly leapt out of his bed. Frodo laughed at his enthusiasm and when Pippin nearly knocked his cousin over when giving him a hug.

"I was so worried about you Merry! Please don't ever do something like that again!"
Pippin pleaded.
"Don't worry, I have no intention of pulling a stunt like that ever again."
Merry assured him with a smile. Pippin released his cousin and Sam came over and clasped him on the shoulder.
"It's good to see you on your feet again Mr. Merry," he said cheerfully.
Merry returned the gesture and winced when he moved his right arm.
"I'm glad to be on them again too Sam, I don't think that I'll go to sleep tonight, I can't stand the thought of being in that bed again!"

Frodo waited until Sam backed away and gently embraced his cousin, careful not to disturb his injured arm.
"Don't scare me like that ever again."
Frodo's tone was serious, but also full of joy at seeing Merry awake and well.
"Oh this is nothing Frodo; remember that one time when Farmer Maggot set his dogs loose on us and one of them nearly bit my hand off? That was far more terrifying than this."

Frodo knew that Merry was trying to make him feel better about what happened, the look in his younger cousin's eyes stated clearly: This wasn't your fault Frodo, I don't blame you.
But how could it not be his fault? He was supposed to look after him, Pippin, and Sam. They were his family and closest friends, seeing them in pain hurt him more than they could ever know.

"I forgot to mention that a special lunch has been prepared for you and your friends." Elrond said catching the hobbits' attention instantly.
"Special lunch?" Pippin asked eagerly.
Elrond chuckled and nodded at his enthusiasm.
"Yes Peregrin, you and the rest of your companions are being treated to a special lunch, and there is a surprise awaiting you all there, one that Frodo will find especially enjoyable."

Frodo wondered what this "surprise" could be and why hr would find it "especially enjoyable" as Elrond had put it. They would have stood there longer if an impatient Pippin hadn't declared, "Why are we still standing here? Let's go and eat I'm famished!"

Sam snorted and rolled his eyes. "Pippin, you're always
famished."
That statement got a laugh out of Frodo and Merry and continued as the four hobbits followed Elrond out of the room. He led them out of the Healing Wing and Pippin made it his job to point out everything that was important to Merry. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the crisp, autumn air blowing against his face. It wasn't too cold to where it was uncomfortable, but a pleasing, coolness that relaxed him and made him feel at peace. In a place like Rivendell, it was easy to forgey about all the evil and danger out in the world, even the Ring had little effect on him here.

Frodo almost wished that he could toss the Ring away and spend the rest of his time here, away from its whispers and temptations. Another thing he wished was that his uncle, Bilbo, was still around, he missed him so much.
I hope that he's happy and safe, wherever he is.

Sam's hand on his chest snapped Frodo out of his thoughts and stopped him in his tracks. Frodo looked at his friend in confusion, wondering why they'd stopped. Sam nodded his head to the side, gesturing for Frodo to look ahead. Not knowing why, Frodo followed Sam's instruction, then he realized why they had stopped. Standing in front of them, all side by side, were Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir.

It was the first time that the hobbits had seen all four of the strange company that brought them out of Bree, and the same thing went for the other four. During his time in Rivendell Frodo had barely seen Aragorn. Gimli had spent an equal amount of time with the Ranger, he and his fellow hobbits, and Boromir. He'd probably seen Boromir the most, since he often spent a lot of time with Pippin keeping his troubled mind off of Merry. Not once had Frodo seen Legolas. after seeing him on Elladan's horse, pale, screaming, and crying, it was hard to imagine that the bright, smiling elf in front of him was the same one from all those weeks ago.

For awhile neither group said a word to each other. They just stood in uncomfortable silence until Pippin broke it by taking Merry's hand and leading him to where Boromir stood.
"This is who I was telling you about Merry, this is Boromir, he's the son of the Stweward and he's one of the best warriors in all of Gondor!"
The young hobbit's enthusiasm drew out a few chuckles from the others, and eyerolls from Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.

"Nice to meet you," Merry said shaking Boromir's hand, "Pippin has told me a lot about you, even though I didn't understand half of what he said. You know, about all that being the son of a Steward and such. It was all rather lost on me."
Boromir laughed good naturedly and smiled at Pippin.
"I guess it may have helped if I had explained exactly what that meant to him."

"Not thinking as usual again I see."
Gimli's comment was picked up immediately by Boromir but before he could say anything Merry was happily greeting the dwarf.
"It's good to see you again Gimli!" He clasped him on the shoulder and the dwarf returned the gesture. Frodo was a bit surprised at the action, how could Merry have become friends with Gimli so fast?
He was even more surprised when Sam stepped forward to greet Legolas, who bent down on one knee so that he was eye level with the hobbit.
"How are you feeling Legolas? You're not in any pain are you?" Sam asked with wholehearted concern. A musical laugh came from Legolas and his eyes were alight with mirth.
"I feel far better than I have in weeks, in all honesty I would have recovered much quicker if Elrond had left my windows open so that I could see outside of my prison."

"I would hardly call one the best guest rooms that I have a prison Legolas."
Elrond said with his eyes looking up at the ceiling. Legolas shrugged and continued speaking with Sam. All six of them: Boromir and Pippin, Gimli and Merry, and Legolas and Sam were all having comversations with one another. Frodo and Aragorn were the only ones who did not speak, they only exchanged small nods towards each other before Aragorn began to introduce Legolas to the three hobbits he didn't know.
"Legolas, these are Frodo Baggins, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took. Hobbits, this is Legolas Thranduilion of the Woodland Realm."

"Pleasure to meet you Legolas." Merry said with a smile.
"And you can call us Pippin and Merry if you want." Pippin added from where he stood beside Merry.
"If that is what you wish than that is what I shall call you." Legolas' voice was so cheerful and friendly, it was near impossible not to like him. The only reason why Frodo was uneasy around him was because of what had happened to Legolas when he'd saved him. It wasn't only that, but he had seen how frightened and distraught Aragorn had been when Legolas was unconcious. Since then Frodo feared that Aragorn blamed him for whatever pain Legolas had gone through. Another thing that was odd was what appeared to be Legolas' last name, Thranduilion, why did that sound so familiar to him?

Before Frodo could say anything Pippin was brining up the "special lunch" that Elrond had promised them.
"Yes Pippin you shall get your meal," Elrond assured him, "if you like we can go right now."
Now more excited than ever Pippin grabbed Merry's hand and added, "Our friends will get to come too, right?"
Frodo wasn't the only one surprised by Pippin's request, although the others' were more amused whereas Frodo was uncertain, but he didn't let it show.

"Oh Pippin, we couldn't possibly intrude on your special lunch!"
Boromir exclaimed, trying to make it sound as if he was horrified at the thought of disturbing the hobbits. Pippin grabbed Boromir's sleeve with his other hand and looked up at him eagerly, "You wouldn't be intruding! Come on, we want you all to come with us, it will be fun!"

Boromir looked in mock uncertainly at Aragorn.
"Are you sure that we should go Aragorn? I don't feel comfortable with stealing their food."
Aragorn played along and shook his head, "Oh we most certainly couldn't do that. We will just find our own meal and leave them be. I'm sure that they have had enough of us anyway."

Pippin, knowing that they weren't being serious, insisted that the four join them. Even Merry and Sam started encouraging them. Finally, they conceded and looked to Elrond for permission.
"What are you waiting for? You are all adults are you not? You don't need permission now go enjoy yourselves."
Elrond shook his head in amusement as the odd company of eight made their way down the hall, talking and laughing with one another as if they were all friends. Everyone except Frodo and Aragorn, he had a theory as to why their moods were so grim. Three weeks had gone by since they'd arrived and there was still no word from Gandalf.

Elrond hadn't worried too much and had assured himself that his friend was just running late, or hadn't had time to send a message to him, but now the Lord of Rivendell was getting woried. He couldn't deny now that something was wrong, very wrong. And whether he chose to admit it or not, he was afraid.

{}{}{}

It turned out their lunch was being served out in the gardens, and that the surprise was the last thing Frodo could have ever expected. He was so excited that he bolted from the others and raced across the clearing with tears of joy streaming down his face.
"Bilbo!" he exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around his uncle. "Oh Frodo, it's good to see you again lad. Frodo pulled away from Bilbo and gaped at him in disbelief. "When did you get here uncle?  How long have you been here? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Bilbo chuckled as he embraced his nephew once again. "I can assure you that everything will be explained to you Frodo, but let's not keep this amazing lunch waiting any longer shall we?" Bilbo gestured to the ground and even Frodo's eyes grew wide with excitement. A large, white blanket was spread out on the grass and the food covering it made this a very special lunch indeed. Golden rolls glazed with honey, crisp blueberry tarts, and bright strawberries with cream caught everyone's attention almost immediately. A plate mounted with small sandwhiches and another with tender deer meat lay there too. A large bowl of salad and pitchers containing water and the best wine in Rivendell were waiting to be emptied.

"Well don't just stand there gaping at it!" Bilbo scoffed, "let's go on and eat it already!" Frodo was more than happy to oblige. He took a seat on the blanket with his uncle on his right and Sam on his left. Legolas sat next to Sam and Aragorn sat in between the elf and Boromir who had Pippin on his left. Merry was sitting next to Pippin leaving Gimli sitting between Merry and Bilbo. Frodo noticed that Bilbo hadn't said anything about Aragorn and his friends, he didn't even seem to notice that they were there as he grabbed himself a sandwhich. The others had already begun the meal and soon Frodo was being offered some wine.

"I've given it a little taste and it's actually not that bad." Sam said as he poured a small amount into a cup and handed it to Frodo. "Yet it's a bit too fancy for my taste. I'd take a mug of ale from the Green Dragon over this any day." he added in a whisper. Frodo chuckled and took a small sip of the wine. It was nice, but he had to agree with Sam, a mug of ale would be nice. Conversation was quiet and kept between those who were sitting next to each other. Gimli was telling Merry about his home in Erebor and how things were run there while Boromir was telling Pippin stories of great battles fought long ago when Gondor was still ruled by kings. Sam was describing his garden back home to Legolas who listened with childlike enthusiasm, the only ones who didn't speak were Frodo, Aragorn, and Bilbo.

Although the old hobbit's reason was simply because he was enjoying the food and didn't feel like talking until he had finished his meal. To Frodo, Aragorn looked troubled, and almost worried. He wanted to ask him if there was anything wrong but before he could he was an exclamation from Bilbo caught his attention. "Watch yourself Pippin! That elven wine will knock out a young hobbit like you faster than any of us could blink." Pippin, who was just about to fill his cup with some wine, looked at Bilbo in confusion. "Oh he'll be fine Bilbo, that elven drink is nothing compared to the finest ale that we dwarves brew." Gimli stated proudly and once again, Frodo was surprised that Gimli and his uncle seemed to know each other.

"In fact," the dwarf continued, "some dwarves have been rendered senseless for weeks because of having a wee bit more than they could handle." Merry scoffed at his ridiculous statement and Boromir shook his head. "Your ale is nothing compared to the wine of my people." Frodo and the others glanced at Legolas who had just taken a sip of his own wine, he had a sly grin on his face as he lowered his cup. "Trust me, the wine that my king holds in his cellars makes this wine seem like water in comparison." Gimli muttered something incomprehensible while the slightest trace of a smile appeared on Aragorn's lips. Bilbo laughed and raised his cup towards the elf. "I'll drink to that Legolas, I've seen firsthand what your father's wine does to elves who have too much."

Something clicked inside of Frodo's head and his eyes widened in both recognition and disbelief. Now he knew why Legolas' last name sounded familiar, and he knew exactly who he had heard it from too. Not looking to see if any of his friends had pieced this together Frodo looked straight at Legolas and said, "You are the son of Thranduil, the king of Mirkwood." His tone wasn't accusing but filled with curiosity, and even a bit of awe. The other hobbits had made the connection and were looking at Legolas in the same way that Frodo was. Legolas closed his eyes and groaned, rubbing his forehead in mock annoyance. "Ai Bilbo, we had agreed that my heritage be kept a secret remember?"

Bilbo shrugged innocently and took a long drink of his wine. "Wait, you're a prince Legolas? And you didn't tell us?" Sam asked, he couldn't believe that all this time, the elf he had befriended was actually a prince, an elven prince! Legolas chuckled at their reactions. "It is not as wonderful as you may think, I am the youngest of three and my brothers despise me." Frodo was taken aback by how-accepting-Legolas sounded when he said that his brothers despised him. "Legolas, I've seen your brothers and I can assure you that they don't despise you." Aragorn spoke up for the first time since their meal began. Frodo studied the Ranger's face but couldn't discern what was going through his mind. Legolas' smile faded as he tilted his head down and stared at the wine in his cup. "Then you saw exactly what they wanted you to see." his once cheerful tone was now bitter and everyone was both uncomfortable, and a bit concerned with Legolas' sudden change in attitude.

Pippin was the one to get everyone talking again. "Bilbo, you never mentioned Legolas in your stories, why didn't you if you know him so well?" Bilbo's face wrinkled as if the thought had never occured to him before. "Hmm, well Pippin, I think the reason why I never mentioned him was simply because I hadn't met him until a few months ago." 

"What do you mean uncle?" Frodo waited for his uncle to explain and while his attention was focused on Bilbo, he failed to notice how tense Legolas had become. "I've been in Rivendell for awhile now Frodo, I happen to know each of these fine folk very well," Bilbo gestured to the four of them before continuing, "Aragorn is here often and where he goes Legolas and Gimli are never far behind and neither is Boromir for that matter. They've kept me company whenever they pass through and I am grateful for it." That cleared things up a little bit, but there was another question burning in young Pippin's mind.

"So Legolas, what were you doing when Bilbo and the dwarves were in your home? Did you fight in the Battle of the Five Armies?" Legolas answered so fast that Frodo barely had time to register what Pippin had asked. "I was away south at the time, Gandalf needed my help with one of his endeavors. I returned home just as my father and brothers were riding to battle, I was told to remain behind and guard the kingdom until their return." Something about his answer didn't  make sense to Frodo. He knew that just before Bilbo and the dwarves entered Mirkwood Gandalf left them before reappearing in Dale, and that the wizard never mentioned to Bilbo what he had been doing, did Legolas know?

Before he could ask about it Pippin was asking another question, "So does that mean you've known Gandalf for awhile?" Legolas smiled and answered the question, far more calm than he had been before. "Yes, I have known Gandalf for more years than I can count. He is the one who introduced me to Aragorn." Frodo decided to push his former curiosity away for now, he wanted to know how these four had come to know each other, and what part Gandalf had to play in it. His fellow hobbits had the same idea and were awaiting the tale that Legolas was preparing to tell. "Gandalf came to me one winter morning and asked me to accompany him on a trip to Rivendell, I agreed to go with him and we arrived without running into any trouble. I did not know why Gandalf had asked me to come since nothing seemed amiss, then I was shown why." Legolas glanced over in Aragorn's direction, "I was to be introduced to a child, a human child for that matter. I could not understand why both Elrond and Gandalf insisted that I befriend the boy and for a time I refused simply because they failed to give me a straight answer."

"Unfortunately for Legolas, the boy was very curious and he wished to find out more about the strange elf clad in green and brown." Aragorn suddenly picked up the narrative much to everyone's amusement. "The boy, whose name was Aragorn, approached the elf who couldn't help but grow fond of the child," Aragorn continued, "the two of them became fast friends and from that day on, the elf dragged the innocent human into misadventure after misadventure, resulting in many hard trails for poor Aragorn to face early on in his short life."

Laughter erupted from the hobbits when Legolas glared at Aragorn, who smiled innocently. "In order to help the human deal with the troublesome elf, Gandalf sought out the only being in Middle Earth who could put Legolas in his place." Gimli took on the story and his next comment caused Aragorn to join in the hobbits' laughter. "Gandalf knew that only a dwarf could handle that crazy elf, thanks to Gimli, Aragorn was no longer in danger of falling victim to Legolas' schemes and tricks."

"Fortunately," Legolas started before Gimli could continue, "Legolas' mind was far sharper than  the silly dwarf's. He always managed to stay one step ahead of him and prove that elves were far superior to dwarves." 

"Unfortunately," Aragorn added, "their constant bickering nearly drove Aragorn mad. Unable to cope with their arguing, he left the elf and dwarf to solve their problems without him. When he returned they had managed to get along and were now close friends." 

Frodo was enjoying their tale immensely, there was only one more "character" to introduce. Boromir seemed nervous, and slightly embarrased, about joining in on the story telling. But after some encouragement from Pippin, he sighed and picked up where Aragorn had left off. "One day, Gandalf asked for the three companions to travel to Gondor where their help was needed to drive back the enemy who was attacking the land's people." 

"The human, elf, and dwarf were eager to offer their assistance. Yet before they could set out the king of Mirkwood, Legolas' father, ordered that his youngest son return home to help his older brothers with a conflict that had arisen in the kingdom. Legolas had no choice but to return home while his friends journeyed to Gondor." Aragorn said taking over for Boromir. "Gandalf led Aragon and Gimli to a village near the city of Minas Tirith where they were introduced to Boromir, a skilled warrior who ended up almost leading himself and Aragorn to their deaths."

Frodo's eyes widened in shock and he was startled at the sudden turn of events. However, Aragorn and the others seemed more amused than shaken by the memory, except that Boromir's face was turning red. "It was by the grace of the Valar alone that they survived, and after they recovered from their ordeal, Gandalf asked the three to meet him in Rivendell for one last meeting."

Legolas was the one who finished the story, "Gandalf, as well as Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir were gathered in Rivendell where Gandalf and Elrond explained why the four had been brought together. They were told that they needed a company of fighters who could put aside their differences and use their combined skills to defend Middle Earth from evil. Through their loyalty to one another, they would risk their lives to protect the free peoples of Middle Earth from all evil. For two years the four warriors journeyed throughout the land, sometimes alone and sometimes together, battling all sorts of darkness, but their greatest trial is yet to come..."

The hobbits stared at the four warriors in awe. They had seen first hand what they could do in battle, and after hearing their story, Frodo found himself starting to grow fond of them. They may have appeared as dangerous fighters before, but they were also kind and friendly. How could he have been so distrusting of them? "Now hobbits, has your curiosity been satisfied?" Legolas asked in amusement. Pippin nodded his head. "That clears up a lot of things actually. If only Gandalf were here now, I'd love to hear what he'd have to say about your story." His statement brought on a heavy silence over them. No one smiled and no one met each other's gaze. Gandalf's absence had been on everyone's minds, although no one had wanted to mention how worried they were becoming.

"I'm sure that he'll be here soon Pippin." Bilbo spoke up trying to lift the young hobbit's spirits. Before anyone could speak a voice called out to them, grabbing their attention. "All of you! Come quickly!" Elladan and Elrohir appeared in the garden, jogging to where the company was starting to get to their feet. "What is wrong?" Aragorn asked. "Our father needs you, all of you, to come to the north gate immediately." Elladan explained, his voice edged with urgency. "What does he need us for? What's going on?" Gimli questioned impatiently. "Someone has arrived, and they are carrying a message for all of you." Elrohir said.

"A message from who?" Frodo asked. Elladan looked down at him. "From Gandalf."