Open Eyes
"Strider."

Aragorn awoke to someone shaking his shoulder insistantly. He opened his eyes to a dark sky bejeweled with stars. 'Who was on watch?'

"Strider." A high but hushed voice persisted. "Strider."

Aragorn blinked bleary eyes to find Pippin crouched beside him. 'Ah, Merry and Pippin were on watch right now.' His lethargy vanished though when he noticed the alarm in the younger hobbit's eyes. He kept his voice low so as not to awaken the rest of the Fellowship. "Pippin what's wrong?"

"Something's wrong with Legolas."

"What?" Aragorn tensed, rising to his feet. His vision adjusted quickly to the dim light given off by the campfire. He found the other three hobbits circled around the prone figure of the elf. Quickly he scanned the elf for any signs of injury. "What's wrong with him? He looks fine."

Four sets of hobbit eyes turned to look at the man in disbelief.

"Look at him!" Pippin demanded.

Aragorn shook his head and turned back to his friend. He frowned. "Pippin, he's fine I don't see anything."

"Strider his eyes," Merry motioned.

"They're open." Frodo whispered.

Understanding dawned on the man and he held a hand to his mouth stifling his laughter. Four sets of eyes turned to him accusingly.

"I'm sorry," Aragorn apologized. "It's not funny. I forgot to tell you. Elves sleep with their eyes open."

"He's sleeping?!" squeaked Pippin.

Aragorn nodded.

The object of their observation blinked sleepily his eyes clearing. He tensed noticing the group around him. In a swift move the elf was on his feet and scanning the camp for danger. The hobbits fell back with a gasp and Aragorn was doubled over with laughter. Legolas frowned, confused.

"What's wrong?" The elf demanded in Sindarian.

Aragorn put a reassuring hand on the prince's arm, still chuckling, as he answered in elvish. "The hobbits just found out that elves sleep with their eyes open."

Legolas' eyes widened a moment before he giggled softly. "I forgot mortals don't."

"It's not funny." Merry growled at Strider's elbow.

"You're right Merry." Legolas replied. "I'm sorry I didn't think about it. I apologize to all of you."

Frodo shrugged. "I'm glad it was a false alarm."

"Why don't you four get some sleep." Legolas stretched. "I will take the rest of the watch."

The four hobbits nodded heading back to their blankets, Merry muttering about elven tricks. Strider turned back to his bed but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"You can keep watch with me nin mellon."