[ Bilbo's slow but steady approach was noted, but Legolas politely refrained from staring. He's absently stroking his horse's neck, murmuring something quietly in Sindarin, when the hobbit's path finally leads him within a conversational distance. He turns to regard Bilbo thoughtfully, his face clear from any discernible sort of preconception, as far as the intentions of this conversation. It quickly turns to a gentle, understanding sort of smile as it becomes obvious that this is a far more forthright show of gratitude than he would ever be foolish enough to expect from any of the dwarves.
How could he, when his own people show nothing better? So few are willing to let old feuds go, even when the resulting animosity does nothing but lead to more grief, both between them and in general. For years he had listened to his father's bitter stance on dwarves, how greedy and foolish they were. Actually meeting them, and eventually fighting with them, had been part of a dawning realization that he had been wrong to dismiss them as being so far beneath his own people. Perhaps he'd known for some time that this contention between his own father and Thorin's family had been far less one-sided than he had been led to believe, but he hadn't wanted to see it.
He offers Bilbo a slight bow in greeting. ]
You are too kind, but I cannot truly accept gratitude for leading anyone to the likes of Dol Goldur. Our home has become even darker as of late, and nowhere more so than in the south. It has been quiet, perhaps too quiet. [ He shakes his head slightly, frowning. ] I fear what we may awaken in that foul place.
[ He pauses, glancing up and between the two distinctive groups that are forming, and realizes that Bilbo isn't getting ready to settle down with the majority. He... intends to follow Thorin, then? Oh. Well. Ah, that wasn't too optimistic, was it? Well, they're all in this seemingly foolish endeavor together. Thorin hasn't explained to him precisely what purpose he has in this. ]
If only these dwarves could be half as swift and silent as you are. I don't suppose you could teach them?
[ It's as close to a light-hearted jest as Legolas can muster right now, and he's only partially joking. After all, Bilbo had suck about under his very nose, and Legolas had never caught sight of him until the river. That, in itself, is quite a feat. There's definitely a hint of curiosity surrounding that, still. Exactly how Bilbo managed it was never quite explained. ]
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How could he, when his own people show nothing better? So few are willing to let old feuds go, even when the resulting animosity does nothing but lead to more grief, both between them and in general. For years he had listened to his father's bitter stance on dwarves, how greedy and foolish they were. Actually meeting them, and eventually fighting with them, had been part of a dawning realization that he had been wrong to dismiss them as being so far beneath his own people. Perhaps he'd known for some time that this contention between his own father and Thorin's family had been far less one-sided than he had been led to believe, but he hadn't wanted to see it.
He offers Bilbo a slight bow in greeting. ]
You are too kind, but I cannot truly accept gratitude for leading anyone to the likes of Dol Goldur. Our home has become even darker as of late, and nowhere more so than in the south. It has been quiet, perhaps too quiet. [ He shakes his head slightly, frowning. ] I fear what we may awaken in that foul place.
[ He pauses, glancing up and between the two distinctive groups that are forming, and realizes that Bilbo isn't getting ready to settle down with the majority. He... intends to follow Thorin, then? Oh. Well. Ah, that wasn't too optimistic, was it? Well, they're all in this seemingly foolish endeavor together. Thorin hasn't explained to him precisely what purpose he has in this. ]
If only these dwarves could be half as swift and silent as you are. I don't suppose you could teach them?
[ It's as close to a light-hearted jest as Legolas can muster right now, and he's only partially joking. After all, Bilbo had suck about under his very nose, and Legolas had never caught sight of him until the river. That, in itself, is quite a feat. There's definitely a hint of curiosity surrounding that, still. Exactly how Bilbo managed it was never quite explained. ]