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Where Many Paths and Errands Meet
December 15-16, 2018
Companies of the Wood-elves, sometimes with
the king at their head, would from time to time ride out to
hunt, or to other business in the woods and in the lands to the
East. Then if Bilbo was very nimble, he could slip out just
behind them; though it was a dangerous thing to do. More than
once he was nearly caught in the doors, as they clashed together
when the last elf passed; yet he did not dare to march among
them because of his shadow (altogether thin and wobbly as it was
in torch-light), or for fear of being bumped into and
discovered.
‘Barrels Out of Bond’, The Hobbit
When the Council finally concluded, Frodo was leaving the wide porch
with Sam when he looked back and noticed that two people were still
seated – Legolas, the young elf from Mirkwood, and Bilbo.
“Aren’t you coming, Bilbo?” Frodo asked. “I know you’re hungry!”
“I’ll join you shortly, Frodo-lad,” Bilbo said, waving him off. “You
go along with Sam.”
After Frodo had left, Legolas walked over to Bilbo and pressed a
hand to his heart.
“Legolas, son of Thranduil, at your service,” he said. “May I join
you for a moment?”
“Of course,” the hobbit said. “Bilbo Baggins, at your service and
your family’s. Please call me Bilbo.”
“Thank you, Bilbo,” Legolas said. He sat down next to the hobbit,
his fine features troubled. “I will not detain you long, but I am
glad of this chance to speak with you alone. I wish to apologize to
you personally for Gollum’s escape from our safekeeping. A charge
was laid on us, and we failed in our duty.”
“Do not chastise yourself overmuch, Legolas,” Bilbo said gently. “I
know that the loss of your folk to Orcs that night must grieve you
deeply.”
“Thank you,” Legolas said. “I appreciate your understanding.”
“Even a fine hunter and wise leader, such as yourself, may be
overcome by cold cunning and desperation.”
Legolas frowned. “You speak as if you know me, Master Hobbit, but we
have never before met.”
“We haven’t met, exactly,” Bilbo explained, “but neither are we
strangers. Tell, me, Master Elf, did you ever catch that fierce wolf
that wounded your two comrades in the forest during the time when
your father held Thorin Oakenshield and his party captive? Your
grief at their injuries was so keen it pierced my heart.”
Legolas was so startled, he leaped to his feet.
“How do you know about that?” he asked.
“I was there,” Bilbo said simply.
“You... when the dwarves were prisoned by my father…” Legolas stared
at him, understanding dawning in his grey eyes. “You were the
shadow!” he cried in amazement.
Bilbo began to laugh. “I’ve been called worse! But why do you say
that?”
Legolas slowly sat down again.
“Bilbo, did you ever leave my father’s underground realm, and follow
us outside?”
“Yes.”
Legolas slowly nodded. “I saw you,” he said, “or what I assume was
you. You may have walked unseen because of the… the item you
carried, but your shadow nearly betrayed you. I saw it several
times, just a fleeting glimpse, but there was never anyone there,
and I began to doubt my own eyes. Then… at the same time the dwarves
escaped, the faint shadow disappeared and never did I see such a
thing again. I failed to connect the two events... until now.”
Bilbo looked thoughtful. “I must warn Frodo about that. He’ll need
to be more careful than I was.” He looked up at the elf. “Did your
friends recover?”
“Yes,” Legolas said, and his eyes shone with relief.
“That’s wonderful,” Bilbo said, truly glad to hear it. “Tell me,
Legolas, if you will, what you think of my nephew’s chances on this
quest.”
Legolas said nothing for several minutes, but Bilbo, after living
with the Elves in Rivendell for so long, knew to wait patiently.
“You ask frankly, my friend,” Legolas said at last, “and so I
respond in kind. Had anyone told me, before today, that two
halflings were planning to travel alone and undetected one thousand
miles to the very heart of the Dark Lord’s domain, I would have
laughed at such folly. But now... what you, yourself, have
accomplished, Bilbo, and what your nephew has survived thus far,
would cause anyone to consider new possibilities.”
“It will be difficult, though,” Bilbo said quietly, “terribly
difficult. How will Frodo and Sam even know where they are, or
recognize the many dangers that will lie in their path?”
They should not and cannot undertake this alone, Legolas
found himself thinking. He tried to envision, as best he could, the
long, stark miles between Rivendell and the border of the Black
Lands… and beyond. Frodo will need skilled guides,
trackers, warriors… each of whom must swear to protect him with
his life while remaining vigilant against temptation by beguiling
visions or thoughts.
Legolas came out of his reverie to find Bilbo gazing at him, a small
smile on his face.
“I’m frightfully late for luncheon, and quite famished,” Bilbo said.
“Please excuse this old hobbit, Legolas. It’s been a true pleasure
meeting you. Don’t wait too long to join us, or there’ll be very
little left to eat; there are now five hobbits in
Rivendell, you know!”
Bilbo slid off the seat on which he had been perched and bowed, then
departed in the direction of the feasting hall. Although his parting
words to Legolas had been light, his thoughts whirled as he walked.
I like Legolas, he’s honest and has a good heart. I wish someone
like him could accompany my lad South. Gandalf and Elrond won’t
send Frodo and Samwise off into the Wild alone. Trusted companions
will be chosen, that’s plain. It’s odd, but I felt compelled to
stay in my seat when the others started to leave. Legolas said he
wished to speak with me, but could it rather have been I who
needed to speak with him? He’s thinking about
Frodo’s chances in a different way now, isn’t he? That’s rather
encouraging. Yes, it is. I can’t go with Frodo, but
perhaps I can still do my bit, little as it may be. A subtle hint
to someone here, a gentle nudge there... Trusted companions...
Hmmm, I wonder whether Gloín and his son are still at luncheon...
Legolas remained seated for some time, thinking over everything that
had been said this day, and also the conversation with the hobbit
Bilbo Baggins. Before the Council, his only desire had been to reach
Elrond’s valley and report his failure in keeping the creature
Gollum contained. But now he wondered... how had he arrived in
Rivendell at such an auspicious time? And what should he do with all
that he had heard?
To destroy the Enemy’s Ring in the heart of Mordor itself… There
would most likely be no returning from such a journey, even should
Frodo be successful. Who, besides his servant, would choose freely
to accompany him on such a hopeless mission? And if one did, how
would one resist the entrapments of the Ring? These halflings are
remarkable. How has Frodo already come this far, his mind and
determination whole? How would I have fared in his place?
As a new and unexpected thought came to him, Legolas felt his body
tremble.
How would I fare at his side?
The End
Next > sequel: The Magic of a Wizard's Song
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