"Um, Mister Legolas, sir". Legolas turned his head to glance down at the hobbit walking at his side. Their journey to Mordor was two days into it's beginning and the grassland and forests of Rivendell was becoming increasingly rocky as they continued towards the mountains. Legolas had been at the front of their group with Gandalf but Samwise Gamgee had caught up to his pace and was now walking along by his side. 

Legolas spared the hobbit a small but welcoming smile. "Yes master Hobbit". 

"It's just Sam". 

"Then you may address me by Legolas". 

Sam blinked and nodded. "Yes, um mist- Legolas, sir. I was a wondering", he began. "Well, I heard that elves mostly fight with knives and bows. But um, that sword on your back. It's so big. How do you use it?" 

Legolas reached a hand over his shoulder to brush his fingers along the pommel of the longsword. It rested heavily against his spine, colliding with his bow and quiver with the motion of his steps. The leather of the grip was worn and soft and when Legolas brushed his fingers over it, he cold almost imagine the phantom warmth of someone else's hands. He took a deep breath. "I do not use it", he replied softly. 

"Why are you carrying it then?" Pippin voiced as he sprung up like a sapling on the elf's other side. 

"Because it belongs to someone. I need to give it back to him". 

"Oh. Makes sense", Pippin nodded and kept walking silently for a second. Then his head of curls shot up again. "Is he going to join us?"

Legolas didn't know how to reply. He glanced over his shoulder at the rest of their group. Aragorn was behind him with Frodo and Merry. Gimli and Boromir bringing up the rear. Aragorn was obviously listening to their conversation and sent him an encouraging nod. Legolas sighed and looked down at the to Hobbits. "I do not know. He has been lost to me for many years". His voice was mournful. 

Sam and Pippin exchanged uncertain looks. "I am sure you will find him again mister Legolas". 

"I thank you. I have hope that one day we will be reunited. Until then I will carry his sword for him". 

Gimli grunted behind them. The dwarf's voice carried loudly over the group. "Why bother lugging round a sword if you do not know when you shall meet? It could be years". Aragorn turned to scowl at the dwarf and opened his mouth but Legolas beat him to it. The blonde stopped and turned to meet the dwarf's gaze. 

"You are correct dwarf. I have carried it for twenty years while I travelled in search of my lover. What is a few years more?" 

Gimli opened his mouth but seemed to have no comeback. Legolas didn't stay to watch him splutter and resumed his pace. Gandalf, who had reached a distance ahead of them, seemed to notice the hold up. He turned, the wind tugging on his grey robes. "Stop dawdling. We need to reach the base of the mountains before dark!" Legolas lengthened his strides to catch up as the other behind him fell into uncomfortable silence. 

It was a few days later when the subject was brought on again. The night sky was dropping on them a light drizzle that made the flames of the campfire spit and hiss. It was colder here, on the edge of the mountain and everyone was bundled up. They hadn't reached snow yet but there was a bite tot eh air. The fire kept them warm as conversation kept them awake. It had started with Gimli reminiscing about Erebor, then Sam had shared stories of the shire, everyone listening as the other hobbits chimed in to add their own details. Boromir was watching fondly, the man seeming to have taken the halflings under his wing. Aragorn and Gandalf both smoking from their pipes as the conversation developed. 

Legolas had been listening with half an ear, the other one listening to the wind and his eyes keeping look out. He had been paying some attention to the stories but didn't say much. Apparently that needed to be rectified as the others were curious. He turned as Sam spoke up. "Mr Legolas, sir. What is your home like?" 

The wind caught his blonde hair as he turned to the fire. The eyes of the company were on him. "Yes", Boromir voiced with a grin. It was supposed to be teasing but it came across more as challenge. "Everyone else has shared their stories. I shall like to hear the wonders of your home". 

Legolas turned and met Aragorn's gaze. The dark haired man seemed amused by the elf being put on the spot. "I was born in Greenwood, though most people now refer to it as Mirkwood. The Greenwood of my home has long since been corroded and darkened into the Mirkwood it is now", his voice was calm and matter of fact but there was sadness in the hobbit's eyes. "But Mirkwood is no longer my home. It has not been my home for sixty years now". 

"So where do you live now?" Gimli grunted. "What would make a princling like you leave his nest?" Legolas scowled at him and the dwarf shrugged. "It is not a secret in Erebor that the princess Tauriel is a friend of yours". 

"You're a prince?" Merry asked. "Wow". 

"Great", Boromir muttered not quite under his breath. "Another royal".

"I gave up my right to my father's throne", Legolas stated. "I never wanted it. I gave it up when I left Mirkwood to be with my lover". A pause and he took a breath. "My betrothed". His mind brought up memories of that home. The warmth of the cottage. The way the sun would stream through the windows and glow golden against the bed. The green of the trees and colourful blooms of the flowers in the garden. He wondered if it was just as he remembered, if Beorn was still tending to his garden and the animals. 

"Your betrothed. Is he the one who you carry the sword for?" Frodo said, voice quiet and soft. His blue eyes resting on the hilt at Legolas' back. 

"Yes. I carry this sword for him". 

"Him?" Boromir was the one who picked up on the pronoun. The man frowned, the fire light playing off his wheat blonde hair and beard. 

Legolas met his gaze over the fire, eyes steady. "Him". Boromir nodded and accepted the fact simply which gave Legolas a respect for the man. 

"I hope you find him again", Frodo murmured. "I hope we all return home after this". It was soft and sad. No more was said that night. 

unedited