Elrond Peredhil was many things, but hurried was not one of them. Bilbo moved with the carefully measured pace of the elderly, but Elrond moved with the characteristic slowness of the Elves, and Bilbo continually out-stripped him as they walked the gardens.

Walked, though, was a loose term, compared with the somnolent gait of the Lord of Rivendell, whose pace surely would allow no leaf in the garden to go unappreciated. Indeed, Bilbo mused, ones with such long lives must not rush through what diversions they could find, and at this pace the small buds on the bushes that they had just passed would be in full bloom by the time they had finished the tour, and he told Elrond as much.

Elrond laughed, his gray eyes crinkling at the corners in his mirth. Bilbo watched his face, watched the brightness fade and the serene non-expression return. It won’t be that easy, my friend, Bilbo smirked, and said, “Honestly, I thought at first you Elves were taking pity on a doddering old Hobbit, until I realized that this was indeed your usual pace. It’s lucky you have so long, at the pace you move, it will take you all that time to accomplish anything!”

Elrond had laughed merrily throughout his whole speech, and had to sit down on a bench when Bilbo added, “This is why I wanted to visit Mirkwood again. The Wood Elves may not walk around thinking such great deep thoughts all the time as you High Elves, but at least when they look at you, you can tell they actually *see* you.”

“Master Baggins...” Elrond began sternly.

“Such merry folk they were. But I must content myself with my bondage here. I only hope the clinking of my chains do not keep you awake at night....”

“Master Baggins, if you do not stop, you will have to explain to my advisors why the great lord of Imladris is rolling around in the garden laughing like madman.” He smoothed his shirt as he stood up, “Now, if you are through, I shall endeavor to keep up with you.”

He patted Elrond’s thigh, which was at eye level for him. Elrond smiled down at him. Bilbo replied, “Very well my friend. But if those buds are seeds when we return, I shall be very cross with you.”

They walked in silence for several minutes after that, enjoying the lush beauty around them. Elrond may have walked these gardens for millennia, but being very Elvish in mind, he still delighted in it as if it was the first time he had laid eyes on such things. Bilbo still delighted in the gardens, though he had walked here often since leaving the Shire a year ago, but he mused that at his age he was lucky to remember having been here before.

“Bilbo...,” Elrond began, glancing furtively down at him. “You were jesting I know...but...you don’t feel...trapped here, do you?”

“Elrond! Mind not the muttering of an old Hobbit!” He clasped the Peredhel’s hand. “I know you asked to stay here because you feared for my safety. It’s hard to believe all this fuss over that little trinket.”

Elrond knelt so that they were eye to eye. “My house is open to all save the servants of the dark lord. All may come and go freely here.”

He saw some memory flicker in those ancient eyes and clasped both of the Peredhel’s hands and pulled them to his chest. “I apologize for my behavior. I am very grateful for your hospitality and protection Lord Elrond.”

Elrond looked at him for a long moment until he was convinced of his sincerity. “I do enjoy our jests Bilbo.”

“As do I, my friend.” Bilbo stroked his thumbs over the backs of Elrond’s hands, strong but gentle hands, he noted. “Well, shall we?” Elrond nodded, and the pair continued their stroll.

FIN