A foretaste of the final fading of the Elves--and perhaps unrecognized that of the Dwarves as well. The grief is there, but also the recognition that it is to be preferred to Sauron's dominance!

Thanks for this one.

*sighs happily* Oh, the whole atmosphere of this story is so warm and comfortable. This is such a perfect follow-up to "Leave-Taking". I just love all of your descriptions of Legolas and Aragorn here, and all of the relaxed friendship and humor.

LOL, and Legolas throwing acorns at Aragorn - so fun! :D

M, oh yes, this is definitely a story to re-read when I need something to put me in a good mood. Just lovely!

- Cami

M...I just loved this! The atmosphere of autumn all throughout--the way you describe the setting, particularly with the smells and the damp, is so vivid it makes me feel like I'm there. It's so cozy! He, and the way you write their banter is so fun! A perfect world would be a bit cleaner, have fewer weapons, and no acorns. *giggles* Such a sweet moment here, mellon-nin; it makes me wish Aragorn and Legolas were able to have more times like this. Beautifully written. :)

aw :)
This chapter made my day!!
So cute *sugh* your stories about Legolas and Aragorn are so sweet.
I can't wait for the next one.
Love the way you tied in the acorns at the end!

Tinu! ;)
I am sure that Legolas would find something on a beech to throw at Aragorn if he really wanted to. Elves do have a tendency to have their ways were trees are concerned =P
But at least its not chestnuts Legolas is throwing down, ... ^-^
Ah truly your description of a perfect world sounds truly like a moment or place I could enjoy myself. Strangely it were the smells you described which struck me most :)
It always amazes me anew how beautiful you can make the shortest of the chapters or scenes!
sincerly

What a delightful little story. Your description of the relaxed, camp atmosphere, both physical and emotional, was lovely, especially the sunset. It was a beautiful picture. Just as nice was Legolas sitting in that oak tree, tossing acorns at Aragorn. I had to smile.

I like the world that they were envisioning. It made me wish that our own world was as nice. Couldn’t help but smile again at Legolas’s references to Aragorn’s many names and his being ‘less dirty’. We didn’t get to see that too often!

It’s too bad that Isildur did keep the Ring and that the Dark Lord did exist. That made the chance for moments like this one, in the reality of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, few and far between, which made it all the sweeter.

The last statement was as funny as it was intended to be and was the perfect way to end the story - with a laugh. :oD

I like the oak tree just fine - acorns and all. Else, what would keep my elf occupied? ;-)

A nice little story, Wet Puddle, with a delightful ending!

I enjoyed this very much,thoughtful, yet with a delightful touch of humour.

This is so sad.It must have been very hard for Aragorn to set out on his travels and you capture the moment very well.

Love the story!

This part is great!

“That is easy,” the elf claimed, “at least where I am concerned. I would be sitting right here at a campfire, answering the strange questions of my human companion, whom I would have known for almost his entire life. I would probably carry fewer weapons, though… and my companion would have a lot less names, would not be a ranger, would likely be more well-kept and less dirty, and would not feel the need to be armed to his teeth on a simple hunting trip.”

Made my day, first story I have had time to read in over two weeks!

Stunning, as always. Legolas is smart. I love it. If u r writing a sequel to this one, I would suggest putting legolas in an even more lethal tree, plus gimli from the ground. This is amazing!!

Cute! Poor Estel, getting hit with Acorns. Nice ending line. I would like to see his first remeeting with Legolas. How weary he was and yet how happy. I do love the fact that he is so armed to go out hunting. good job.

First of all, thank you so much, mellon-nin! *huggles* This is the best present I could have imagined. :D

I loved the story from the very first paragraph. The idea of Aragorn relaxing and letting himself become less vigilant is so delicious - and it conveys such an impression of peace! (And your descriptions of the scene and the surroundings are, as always, brilliant.)

//… and said trusted companion, who also happened to be his so-called best friend, had finally tired of throwing acorns at him.//
After the sentence that came before it, this really made me laugh. Legolas sitting in a tree pitching acorns at Aragorn! *giggle* That is such a funny image. (And for some reason I think Aragorn's expression when the acorns started hitting him must have been very similar to the 'Ranger caught of his guard' scene in the movie.)

Poor Aragorn, having to spend all that time alone as Thorongil! (I wonder, though... Did he make any good friends in his time there whom he met - or, I suppose, whose descendants he met - when he went back as King?)

//Besides, having an elf as company again just felt comfortingly familiar.//
*huggles Ranger* He must have missed Elven company!

I loved your description of Legolas as looking like a cat on the mantelpiece. And it is so apt... I can well imagine a cat getting every bit as dangerous a fighter as Legolas can be, too, if somebody rubs it the wrong way.

Legolas' answer to Aragorn's question was brilliant. *chuckles* I'm sure Aragorn spent a lot of his time 'not sure whether to be annoyed or amused', especially with his brothers and Legolas around.

//“Oh, I like the tree,” Aragorn replied. “I just wish it didn’t have any acorns.”//
Perfect! I suppose Aragorn had to duck some well-aimed acorns after that! *bg*

Thank you again, mellon-nin, and I suppose you have figured by now that I love the story? ;-)

*grins*

I loved this one, especially this paragraph:

//“That is easy,” the elf claimed, “at least where I am concerned. I would be sitting right here at a campfire, answering the strange questions of my human companion, whom I would have known for almost his entire life. I would probably carry fewer weapons, though… and my companion would have a lot less names, would not be a ranger, would likely be more well-kept and less dirty, and would not feel the need to be armed to his teeth on a simple hunting trip.”//

And there's also the sentence you ended with...
:P

~Cal

I love this chapter! It's so sweet! I love how you were able to make it funny and heartfelt all at the same time. Wonderful job!