A Half Elf's Love

Roaming the Woods

The barkeep leaned over, speaking loudly to the hobbits.

"Good evening, little masters! If you're looking for accommodation we've got some nice, cozy, hobbit-sized rooms available. Mister uh..." The hobbit responded rather quickly at the barkeep's pause.

"Underhill, my name's Underhill." The conversation between the pair continued.

"Underhill. Yes..."

"We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Can you tell him we've arrived?" I eyed my brother, who gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. Gandalf was supposed to be here? I suddenly realized I needed to return to Rivendell more often. The conversation continued.

"Gandalf? Gandalf? Oh yes! I remember: elderly chap, big gray beard, pointy hat... Not seen him for six months." That seemingly perturbed my brother, as I saw his head tilt slightly. The barkeep had the hobbit and his friends sit at a table in our eyesight, and left to get them drinks and food. I certainly hadn't expected to see four hobbits, only one. The one who called himself Underhill spoke to the biggest one.

"Sam. He'll be here. He'll come." I had two names now. Sam and Underhill. One of the two hobbits whose name I hadn't picked up yet ran off the get another drink. Sam spoke, his eyes now trained on my brother and I.

"Those fellows have done nothin' but stare at you since we arrived." Underhill pulled the barkeep aside, speaking to him while staring at us. My brother chose the prefect time to light his pipe, just because we had to look like we were going to murder the poor creature apparently.

"Excuse me, those men in the corner, who are they?" I held in a laugh, elbowing my brother as he audibly chuckled at the mishap. The barkeep spoke, clearly not willing to fix the mistake of me being a man.

"They're some of them rangers. Dangerous folk they are — wandering the wilds. What their right names are I've never heard, but around here, the holdin' the pipe is known as Strider. The other one doesn't give a name." That part was true. Having one named Ranger and one unnamed Ranger meant we seemed more intimidating. I felt a chill in the tavern. Something was off. The hobbit who had gone off to the bar started speaking loudly.

"Sure I know a Baggins. He's over there, Frodo Baggins. He's my second cousin, once removed on his mother's side, and my third cousin twice removed on his father's side, if you follow me." That drew my brother's attention. I watched as Underhill stood, running to the bar while shouting a name.

"Pippin!" That was three out of four hobbits with a name. The one called Pippin spoke as Underhill fell on him.

"Steady on, Frodo!" So that was Frodo. His name wasn't Underhill, as he made quite obvious. Frodo slipped and ring came out of his pocket. Frodo disappeared. Aragorn and I stood. Once Frodo appeared, my brother grabbed him and dragged him upstairs with us. He half threw him into the room and I climbed up into the rafters, letting my brother work his magic. I began to drift back into an elven sleep when the door banged open. The three other hobbits appeared, trying to seem intimidating. They failed miserably. I dropped down from the ceiling, making all four jump in fright. Pulling down my hood, Sam spoke.

"You're not a man?"

"No. I'm not. I am a woman." Introductions took place, as the hobbits didn't know I knew most of their names, as did Aragorn. We only used our Ranger names though.

"Samwise Gamgee."

"Frodo Baggins.

"Merry Brandybuck.

"Pippin Took!" That was one drunk hobbit right there.

"Strider."

"Spitfire." We ushered the hobbits to sleep, wanting them to rest before we hurried them to Rivendell.

(Elladan POV)

I crept along the halls, listening for anything interesting. I stopped outside my father's study. He was speaking to someone very softly.

"Glorfindel, go out and find them. Aragorn and Deliadis are several days late." Deliadis? Late? The study door opened and Glorfindel emerged, easing his eyebrows at me.

"Elladan? What are you doing here?" My father emerged behind him, sighing while placing his head in his hands.

"What are you doing Elladan?" I straightened my back, trying to make my point.

"I want to help find Aragorn and Delia. Please." My father nodded and Glorfindel and I ran to the stables, mounting our horses and set out. After a couple of days, we rode up on a few hobbits and two bodies lying on the forest floor. They were breathing but in the darkness it was hard to make out details. Glorfindel went to look for anyone else, as I inspected the larger body and ignored the hobbits. It opened its eyes. Clear blue eyes.

"Delia?" She chuckled weakly, coughing. I watched as blood landed on her hand. "Delia what is wrong?"

"Poi...poison...brambles. Frodo...i...is...worse." She closed her eyes. I lifted her up, watching as Glorfindel took a hobbit. We started riding back home.