For Love, Duty, and Honor

Darkness came upon the fellowship quickly as they set camp near about the cliffs, overlooking the ghastly plains. Legolas stood at the cliffs, wrapped in his cloak, and his hood was cast. His mind was distant as all he thought of was Tàri now. His golden locks scarecly swayed in the chilling night breeze, as he shifted his eyes to the small hobbit Samwise Gamgee, who had crept beside him. The hobbit wrapped his cloak around his pudgy little arms and sighed heavily, as if trying to catch Legolas's attention.

Legolas hadn't moved, yet said, "You miss your home."

Sam nodded, "Yes, this is all new to me."

"You must be a great gardener to hold such honors," Legolas tempted.

"I promised Mr. Gandalf I'd take care of Mr. Frodo, and that's what I'm gonna do," Sam replied humbly.

Legolas peered down at Sam. "I think Gandalf would be proud you held your word."

"Yes, he would," A voice interrupted from behind the two.

Aragorn approached the elf and hobbit casually, and rested his hand upon Sam's shoulder.

"Better you be getting off to bed, Master Samwise," Aragorn suggested. "You'll need your strength for the journey home to the ones you miss."

"Do I ever......Rosie Cotton..." he mumbled, disappearing from sight.

Legolas and Aragorn gazed at the ominous night only lit by the faceless moon above. Neither spoke at first, for they knew not what to say. Then, Aragorn broke the silence.

"You fear for her," Aragorn acknowledged.

Aragorn bent inward and whispered to Legolas as if someone was eavesdropping.

"If you leave in the night, I understand," He told Legolas. "Carry out the action in which you believe to be the best."

"You urge me to leave so suddenly," Legolas noted. "Is it because you fear I will not return to her, or that because you cannot be with Lady Arwen now?"

"I only want for you to follow your heart," Aragorn answered.

Aragorn pat Legolas's shoulder with his masculane hand and left his side the same as he had appeared.

The Following Morning......

Dawn approached the horizen and casted it light throughout Middle-Earth. Soon, the fellowship feared light would be engulfed by darkness. Aragorn and the others arose from a sleepless night and prepared for the day's journey. The hobbit, Sam, took a few paces astray of the group and peered across the perimeter.

"Where is Legolas?" he asked Aragorn with wonder.

Everyone stopped where they stood and twisted their bodies around every which way. Boromir, who's brawn was more than his brains at times stood atop a rock and gleamed.

"The coward," He scoffed. "I bet he left during the night."

Pippin mumbled, "And I bet he could strike you threw your head with an arrow before you said another word."

He and the other hobbits smirked, having had a bit too much pipeweed during the night.

Boromir, slightly enraged, began to approach the wee hobbit who insulted him.

"You are awefully brave Master Hobbit, for such a small and defenseless creature," declared Boromir, raising Pippin by the cloak.

Suddenly, an arrow whistled through the crisp air and landed near Boromir's feet. As his attention was turned, Pippin knawed at Boromir's hand, and bounced backward from his grasp. As Boromir went for the hobbit once again, a voice called out to him.

"Boromir!" Legolas called from afar. "It seems as if you were more defenseless than he was."

Aragorn smiled and welcomed back his comrade. Boromir, followed by the others, began his path ahead once again toward Mount Doom. Aragorn eyed Legolas in wonder.

"I have a quest to fulfill," Legolas said, his face glowing with pride.