Title: Dangerous Journey
Author(s): TrinityTheSheDevil with help from Halo Son and Karine
Rating: R, definitely
Genre: Action/Adventure/Angst/All That Good Stuff!
Summary: What was supposed to have been a simple outing turns into something else; 18 year old Estel could lose his life, while Legolas may lose his will to live.
Disclaimer: I don't own Estel nor Legolas. I own their bananas. Niiiiice curved, big, firm, loooong bananas. *blinks* Not those bananas you sicko! LMAO! Seriously, owns nothing in this fic except the evil ideas, and even some of those belong to Halo and Kar. >:)

Author's Note: This happens when Aragorn is 18, so he will be called "Estel". (If you see him called Aragorn anywhere, it means I have seriously fecked up, and will need to change it, LOL.) Also, as just about everybody else in the Lord of the Rings fandom, I love to stick to the fact that Estel was raised by Elrond most of his young life. Gilrean is just to complicated to write so I killed her off a long time ago. ;)

Further Author's Note: I came up with this plot on the way back from the NC Zoo, with Rhonda. (Yes, I saw the wild boar things in the zoo, as well as several other animals I'd love to use to maul Aragorn with...) The plot transformed into this, and well...here you are! LOL! It's a short fic, and was never even meant to be long. (Thank the Valar for that...)

One more note and that's it!: Also, as there is no "Christmas" in Middle Earth, I'm using the whole "Winter Solstice Celebration" thing instead. Just think of it as Christmas, except they have no tree, Santa, reindeer, eggnog, etc. ;)

Reviews are always welcome, as well as hints and tips to improve my writing. Flames are too, for that matter; they'll be used to light the fire in my den so that my fingers won't freeze to ice blocks while typing.

Thanks to: Kar, my beta, Kar again, for helping me write some of it, Halo, for RPing a lot of the first chapter, Rhonda, Alex, etc from the chat for wanting to read it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chapter One


Estel's eyes swept over his tidy room as he mentally went over what he had packed. He was forgetting something, he just knew it.

"And it's going to end up being the one thing we need on this trip..." The young man shook his head, chuckling to himself. He reached over to grab an extra shirt, but another hand was placed on his, stopping his movements.

Estel looked up, meeting the eyes of his father. There was a sadness in the older elf's eyes that made Estel almost visibly wince.

"I do wish you would reconsider leaving this close before the Winter Solstice Celebration."

"Ada, I'm not five years old anymore. Although I do look forward to the holiday, I want to go hunting while the boar herd are near." Estel smiled. "Besides, if all goes well, Legolas and I will be back well before the celebration."

Elrond sighed heavily. "Very well. I shall have the bandages ready and two beds empty in the healing ward."

Estel frowned. "Really Ada, we're not that bad." At Elrond's raised eyebrow, he hastened to continue. "Sometimes..."

"'Sometimes' comes more often than not with you, Estel. I want you to be careful." Elrond moved his hands to Estel's shoulders. "Scouts have reported increasing Orc activity. Promise me you'll not do anything...stupid."

The young human rolled his eyes slightly. "I'll be perfectly fine, Ada."

"I promise." He added softly when Elrond's hands tightened.

"Thank you."

Elrond took the shirt, folding it and placing it in Estel's pack. "Where do you plan to hunt?"

"North of the river, I think. There is sufficient cover there so I'm sure the boar will use that as a place to bed down. It's near water as well."

"You'll be hunting from the ground then?" Elrond looked at Estel worriedly.

"No. The herd is too large. Legolas and I could be swarmed. There are enough trees around the area for us to hunt from above."

"Ah, wise decision, ion nin."

"Estel?" Legolas slipped through the door, dressed in his riding wear. "Oh, forgive me, Lord Elrond. I did not know you were in here. I'm sorry for interrupting."

"Nonsense Legolas. You're practically family now." Elrond closed the clasp on Estel's pack, handing it to the younger man. He turned his attention on Legolas while Estel gave the Mirkwood elf a look of sympathy behind his father's back.

Legolas looked from Elrond to Estel, beginning to wish he had escaped while he still could.

"Legolas. As the older and wiser one of your friendship with Estel-" Elrond paused to ignore a snort from Estel. "-I trust you to be responsible. And, for the love of the Valar, if you see any Orcs, no - and I repeat - NO heroic moves."

Legolas put on the most innocent expression he could muster. "Of course, Lord Elrond. We will be perfectly-"

"-fine, I know." Elrond finished the sentence, smiling dryly. "Be careful. I can't stress that enough."

"We will." Legolas said, bowing slightly. "Estel, if you wish to leave today, we must go now. The sun will begin her descent shortly."

Legolas bowed to Elrond again. "Farewell, Lord Elrond. We shall be back in no more than two weeks."

"Fare thee well, Legolas. Safe journey, to you both." Elrond hugged Estel, whispering in his ear. "Amin mela lle, ion nin."

"I love you too, Ada." Estel whispered back. "Farewell, father."

"Farewell, my little Estel." Elrond said as Estel followed Legolas out of the room. Walking to the window, Elrond looked out, watching as Estel mounted his horse while laughing at something Legolas said. The two sped off through Rivendell's gates, disappearing into the trees beyond.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"I love this." Estel's quiet comment broke the silence that had hung over the two travelers since their depart from Rivendell.

"Love what?"

"This. The quiet, the calm, the beauty and nature of Rivendell." Estel waved an arm in the direction of the trees on either side of them. Gold and brown leaves swayed in the light wind, swaying back and forth to the rhythm of a song that only the elves could hear. Estel sometimes closed his eyes and listened intently, wishing he could be a part of that song. Alas, he was but a man, forever doomed to silence from the trees and earth.

Legolas shifted, sensing his friend's mood, and turned to look at him. "Young Estel, I think you are one of the only men I have had the pleasure of meeting, who enjoys naught but an open sky above him and firm ground below."

"Young? In the world of men, I am grown, where you are but an elfling to your own kind!" Laughing lightly, Estel whispered softly to his horse, Felenath, trotting faster ahead.

"I'll have you know I'm considered one of the greatest archers in all of Middle Earth!" Legolas said, urging his horse, Giyaneth, forward to catch up with Estel.

"Ah, that may be so. But, if I recall correctly, your ada still calls you 'my nimble little Greenie Leafie'. I do not think that fierce name will frighten any lurking orcs! Although, they may die of heart failure from laughing themselves to death." The human couldn't suppress his snickers, nor tried to.

"Well, at least *I* have style and manage to stay clean." Legolas sniffed, feeling the beginnings of a pout.

"Ai, that you do." Estel nodded, then added quietly, "Greenie Leafie..."

"Why you!" Legolas sputtered, sending his water skin sailing through the air and smacking Estel soundly in the back of the head.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

-Several Days Later-

Near complete silence surrounded Legolas as he placed his bedroll on the ground, laying atop it and staring at the stars. Moonlight filtered through the trees, bathing him in its soft glow. He sighed happily, resting his hands over his chest. The horses nickered nearby, shifting in the still of the night.

Further away, Estel knelt and filled their water skins before quietly treading back to camp. His feet hardly made any noise as they walked over dead leaves and twigs; not as silent as an elf, but not loud as a normal human. With a resigned shrug of his shoulders, accepting the fact that he would never be an elf, Estel stepped around the horses and placed the skins next to his pack.

"I will keep watch tonight." He said softly, not looking at Legolas.

The elf merely raised an eyebrow, turning over on his side. "And what makes you think I will let you?"

Estel rolled his eyes. "You kept watch all night last night, and the night before, after 'forgetting' to wake me. I do not believe that elves are *that* forgetful." Estel shrugged on his coat, sitting down near Legolas. "Sleep, mellon nin. I will wake you at dawn."

"Fine." Legolas nodded, turning back over. "Tomorrow we will leave the horses here and continue on foot, so that the boar do not catch their scents. I suggest you wake me an hour from dawn so that you can rest a little before we head out."

"Yes, ada." Estel laughed, causing Legolas to sigh.

"Don't know why I even put up with him..." The elf muttered, his eyes glazing over in sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

-The Next Evening-

Estel stifled a small yawn, as night approached and the sun was fading from the sky. He did not wish to show that he was tired, for they were getting closer now to the boar herd.

Legolas, who was a few feet ahead of Estel, turned and eyed the human. "I have half a heart to send you back to the camp now." As Estel started to protest, he waved him off. "Peace. We're almost to the herd now. If we continue tracking them tomorrow it could take us two days, and by then they'd be in the valley."

Estel nodded and followed behind Legolas, feeling himself tense in anticipation.

"Look!" Legolas grinned. "There they are." Slender fingers pointed to a small ditch, where the boar were currently residing in. "Although, the trees aren't as big as I wish they were. They will do though."

"Then come." Estel grinned, placing a reassuring hand on Legolas' shoulder, as if to say everything would go perfectly alright.

Legolas nodded, gracefully leaping into a nearby branch that hung over the ditch. Estel did the same on another tree, walking down the branch and settling onto it, locking his legs around it.

Estel edged forward a little, smiling to himself as he got an arrow from his quiver and slowly drew up upon his bow and took aim.

He released it, watching as it sailed and sunk itself into a large boar on the outskirts of the pack. Grinning as it went down, he picked another arrow, stringing it on the bow.

Legolas' ears twitched as a cracking sound echoed through the trees. He looked over, his breath catching in his chest. "ESTEL! Get off the branch!"

Estel spun around. "Legolas? What-?" He was cut off as the branch cracked again, causing him to drop the bow and lock his arms around the wood. A few moments later, it gave an almighty lurch, finally fell from the tree.

Legolas watched in horror as Estel fell backwards, landing on one of the large male boars. The huge tusks pierced Estel's back, exiting through the younger man's stomach.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

All sensation seem to lift from Estel's body for a second and his eyes widened in shock, but instantly it all came crashing down upon him with a vengeance. The sheering pain was blinding, almost rendering the young human unconscious there and then. As the tusk pierced through his body and burst out from his stomach, Estel let out a scream that would haunt Legolas for life.

The large boar furiously bucked and twisted, trying to tear the man from him. Blood coated the tusks, dripping onto the ground and pooling below them. Estel froze in pain, barely breathing through the agony. He could hear Legolas screaming at him, but it seemed far away.

The whole herd began to panic then, snorting and stamping around the intruder that seemed to be distressing one of their kin. Legolas knew he had to act quickly or Estel would be killed.

Legolas fired two arrows in rapid succession, watching as they hit their mark. The first one sinking into the boar that had Estel, killing it instantly. The second hit the large alpha male, that was heading straight for the young man.

As the Alpha male fell, another came right up behind it and attacked the young man, mauling his leg.

Sharp tusks tore through skin and muscle, causing Estel to whimper in pain. Legolas fired another arrow, then reached for his pack, pulling out the rope he had stored away. Swinging down below the branch with his legs hooked around it, Legolas desperately tried to loop the rope around Estel. He had to hurry, it was almost too late!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Estel seemed to be beyond feeling and coherent thought now, as the pain was becoming too powerful for him, his eyes starting to roll back into his head, never noticing the rope slip under shoulders.

"Estel!" Legolas yelled, tightening the rope. He quickly swung back up onto the branch, gently pulling the young man up into the tree with him.

Estel finally fell unconscious as he was pulled from the tusks. Blood covered his leg and tunic, dripping down into the frenzy of animals below.

Legolas knew he had to leave and quickly, but he needed to see to Estel first as he pulled him up into the tree and grasped his body tightly so he couldn't fall again. Blood flowed from the terrible tusk wounds and from his leg.

Legolas pulled out a spare shirt, ripping it up into long strips. He tied one tightly around Estel's leg, staunching the blood flow as much as possible. The tusk wounds were harder to bind, as he wadded up another shirt and pressed them against his friend's back and stomach. He tied another strip of shirt around those to hold them in place.

Estel groaned, hissing sharply and tried to pull away from the touch, trying to pull away from the pain.

"Estel, be still. I must get you onto the ground, mellon nin." Legolas said, gently putting Estel across his shoulder. He knew it must hurt the young man badly, but there was no other way. Legolas' heart clenched as Estel whimpered again and clawed weakly at his back.

"L-L-Lego...las?" Estel started coughing, blood dripping down the corner of his mouth.

"Shhh, save your strength, mellon nin. Don't try to talk." Legolas quickly made his way to the ground, then switched his hold on Estel, cradling the younger man in his arms. "We have to find a safe place to bed down for the night."

Estel couldn't help but chuckle, causing more blood to well in his throat. "D-Dragging ... me ... b-back ... home ... a-again..."

"Dragging you? No." Legolas smiled slightly. "We're finding the horses and riding you back home again. Although ... Lord Elrond will kill me." Legolas frowned. "Perhaps I could tie you to the horse ... I'm sure he can find his way home by himself..."

Estel laughed lightly but regretted this action when he started choking, squeezing his eyes tightly shut as he struggled desperately to draw in air. He didn't want to die ... not like this ... drowning in his own blood.

"Estel!" Legolas quickly set the human on the ground, turning him over. "Cough up the blood, Estel! Breathe!"

Blood dribbled from his lips and down his chin, dripping on to the ground. Instead of coughing up the substance blocking his airway, he kept trying to breathe and draw in air. White spots began dancing across his vision as his lungs burned, vision fading away from him, his eyes rolling further back inch by inch.

"Valar!" Legolas quickly opened Estel's mouth, sticking two of his fingers in. Estel gagged reflexively, weakly throwing up mouthfuls of the dark substance. "Bring it all up, Estel! Breathe!"

As Estel brought up the blood blocking his throat, air rushed into Estel's lungs and he gasped deeply, throwing his head back up as he did so; for a moment he went frozen, not drawing breath again, before he let his head fall forward and gasping weakly.

"That's it, Estel. Breathe." Legolas sighed in relief. He pressed a delicate ear against Estel's chest listening intently. "One of your lungs is punctured."

Estel groaned. It wasn't a sharp, short moan, but a long, drawn out one that indicated the youth was in an incredible amount of pain and his consciousness was fading from him.

Legolas suddenly remember how Estel had yawned before this had began. With Estel already tired and so weak now from blood loss, there was an increasing possibility of two things: Estel would go into shock or he would never wake again if his consciousness was lost.

With this revelation, Legolas shook his head, determined not to let his friend fall into shadow. He would do all in his power to keep the younger man grounded to this earth, no matter what the consequences.

"Estel, you must stay awake!" Legolas shouted frantically. He couldn't lose Estel like this. "Estel!" Picking up the human once more, he quickly started off towards the cave they had passed while tracking the boars. The elf let out a shrill whistle, hoping the horses would follow him; he didn't have the time to find them right now.

Estel made no sound, but his head shifted, blinking heavy, pained and dull silver half open eyes at the elf for a few moments before they started to drift again.

"Estel, please, you must stay awake." Legolas hurried faster, jumping over fallen logs and branches. A muffled trotting sound of hooves stepping on a leaf covered floor alerted him to the horses, which were catching up quickly.

As Legolas reached the cave he placed Estel down as gently as he could. The young man moaned again, his eyes almost closed but staying open just an inch.

"L-L-Lego...las..." Estel gasped. "I-I'm...g-going to...d-die...a-aren't...I-I?"

"No!" Legolas whispered furiously. "You're not going to die, because I'm not going to let you."

Tears prickled Legolas' eyes as he searched through Estel's pack, ruffling through the herbs and bandages. "Estel! Where is the athelas?!"

Estel frowned, his face tightening in pain. "I...I knew...I was forgetting something..."

The horses reached the cave entrance and poked their heads just instead, softly nickering.

Legolas froze.

They had no athelas.

It seemed like everything that could go wrong WAS going wrong now.

"Estel, you must hold on! I have to go find some athelas." Legolas made Estel as comfortable as he could, tucking a spare blanket around the younger man's shoulders. "Promise me you'll hold on. I won't be but a few minutes." Legolas said, forcing Estel to look into his eyes.

"I..I promise..I'll try..." Estel said wearily.

Legolas nodded and raced out of the cave, running as if the very being of Sauron himself were behind him.

It took longer than Legolas wanted to find some of the Athelas plant, but when he did he silently thanked the valar. However, he was so intent on getting the plant that he didn't hear the tree's warning, screaming of danger.

An orc burst through the clearing, followed by several more. They were so intent on where they were going, they didn't notice Legolas. Legolas' eyes followed them as he hid in a bush, but quickly realized...they were heading for the cave!

Legolas had to stop them and quickly! He couldn't let any reach the cave of Estel would be killed in an instant! In a flash Legolas had an arrow notched to his bow and he fired. One of the orcs cried out and fell down, diverting their attention away from the cave.

Legolas leapt from the bush, firing arrows faster than one could blink. Once the orcs became too close, he switched weapons, the white knives flashing blurs around the Mirkwood prince. More orcs rushed from the trees, swarming around the elf. Legolas groaned inwardly. This is just what he needed.

Legolas fought valiantly, but with so many orcs, gaps began to open while he was fighting. Then, it came. One of the orc's swung it's club-like weapon and it cracked straight into the back of Legolas' knees.

The small blade sliced through skin, muscle, and tendons, causing Legolas to collapse onto the ground. Blood sprayed from the back of his knees, covering the earth with a dark red.

Legolas looked up as another blade was swung, heading directly down and for his head. His breath caught. So this was the end. He would die like a weakling, on his back, from an orc blade.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Suddenly there was a galloping of hooves and Legolas and Estel's horses ran through the glade, rearing up and trampling the orcs in a desperate bid to save the elf's life.

More blades slashed at the beautiful elven animals, and Legolas grabbed his bow again, firing at the remaining orcs. The few that were left fled back the way they came, screeching in their foul language.

Giyaneth moved forward, neighing softly and nudging the elf's head. The pain in his legs was tremendous. And...what was more...he couldn't move them. Legolas was terrified by this reaction but quickly brushed it aside, reminding himself that Lord Elrond was a master healer. Yet he couldn't rid himself of the slither of doubt that had taken residence in his heart.

Felenath came over as well, softly nickering and nudging the elf. Legolas' horse almost snapped at the horse, as if defending his master from unnecessary pain. The beautiful white elven horse then aligned up with Legolas and went down on it's front knees, leaning it's neck forward so Legolas could grasp it's neck.

Legolas struggled to get atop his horse, pulling with all his might. He finally settled on its back, breathing and light headed from blood loss. He sat up, strapping his bow and knives down, and securing the athelas in a pouch on his side. Hurriedly, he tied two bandages around his knees, stopping most of the blood flow.

The horse moved forward, careful not to let Legolas fall. They made it back to the cave a few moments later.

Once more, Legolas' horse knelt down, this time on all fours, so his master wouldn't fall when he tried to get off from his back. Estel was still there, untouched by the orcs, but his skin was now ashen, almost white. His lips were tinted with a foreboding shade of blue. The hand that rested atop his chest were still, not moved at all by any movement and his eyes were closed.

"Estel...oh no, Estel!" Legolas dragged himself forward, settling down near his friend. He bent over to listen for any sign of breathing, waiting for the familiar 'whoosh' of inhale and exhale.

He heard nothing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC...