A/N: Starberries were inspired by my own typo (I meant to write "strawberries") and as far as I know, they have no real-life counterpart - although I would be interested if anyone knew of something similar :)

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Legolas slipped along a winding path between the trees, enjoying the small patches of bright sunlight filtering through the densely packed leaves as he made his way through the woods toward the raised voices.

He discovered the four hobbits huddled together in a small clearing. They appeared to be having some sort of disagreement; Sam had planted himself before a shrub with his hands upon his hips and was earnestly making some sort of argument. Frodo stood nearby, uncertainty written across his face, while Merry and Pippin wore matching frowns as they listened.

“No, sir, Mr. Merry,” Sam said firmly. “I’ve not seen the likes of it before.”

“I’m sure there is nothing wrong with it, Sam,” Pippin insisted. “Besides, we’ve eaten worse-looking things on this journey.”

“You can never be too careful, Mr. Pippin. What if it makes you sick?” Sam countered. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Legolas making his way to them, and he smiled gratefully.

“There now, Master Legolas will settle this,” he said.

“What am I settling?” Legolas asked. He looked past Sam to the leafy vines growing out of the shrub and regarded them with a grin.

“Ah, I see that you have found the starberries,” he said. “They remind me of home.” He snapped a sprig from the vine and ate handful of the small, golden berries.

“Oi!” Pippin cried gleefully. “Legolas just ate some!” He lunged at the plant, but Frodo held him back.

“Wait a moment, Pippin. We don’t even know yet what these starberries are.” Frodo turned to Legolas with an amused smile upon his face. “What are they exactly?”

Legolas sat beside the shrub, motioning for the hobbits to join him. He held up one of the long vines, and pointed to the tiny star-shaped berries growing on it.

“Starberries are a favorite of the Elves,” he explained. “They grow best in little light, and so they are found only in the deepest recesses of the woods. The berries are sweet, but not overly so, and remain cold inside even if you place them in the sun.” Legolas smiled. “They are quite safe to eat, although Sam was right to caution you. Many things that grow in the forest should not be tampered with.”

“Of course,” Pippin agreed, nodding sagely. “Now can we try some?”

The hobbits smiled at each other, their temporary disagreement forgotten in favor of trying this new, strange fruit.

“Certainly,” Legolas replied with a laugh, and watched as Frodo, Merry, and Pippin sampled the starberries. Sam held back, hesitating.

“What is wrong, Sam? I assure you that the starberries are not harmful,” Legolas said, concerned.

“It’s not that, sir,” Sam replied, looking very uncomfortable. “But don’t the starberries belong to the Lady? I wouldn’t want to upset her.”

Legolas smiled. “The Lady is a generous host, Sam. I am certain that she would want her guests to enjoy the starberries.”

“Come on, Sam,” Frodo said, holding out a bunch to him. “Try one.”

Still hesitant, Sam selected the smallest berry on the vine. The other hobbits stopped in mid-chew awaiting his response.

Sam chewed thoughtfully, considering it, before his face broke out in a smile.

“These starberries are wonderful!” he exclaimed. “Do you think there’s any way to grow them back home?

Frodo and Legolas glanced at each other and laughed, and Merry and Pippin gently teased Sam for his earlier reluctance as they pressed more starberries into his hands.

No one noticed Galadriel standing half-hidden behind a nearby tree, watching her small guests with a thoughtful smile.