Legolas gathered a few leaves and piled them on the head of a small rock that seemed to poke from the earth's surface, using another to smash the leaves together. He kneaded it for what seemed like hours, but it was only half that waiting for the liquid to drain down the ruddy rock and into a curved wood container. He had shaped it before he started the leaf kneading, and now filled it with the water of a nearby lake. Slowly the bitter brown color mixed with the clear water and stained it gradually till no more was left on the now-dried leaves or the burning rock's apex.
He stood from the crouch he had held and walked gracefully over to the sleeping Eowyn. He shook his head, hating to see someone like this. She had been through too much in only the sun's wake. "Shield's lady, it seems as though you have left your Shield alone..." Legolas whispered. "Forgive me, Mi'lady," he said, as he reached for the edge of her dress to begin the aiding procedure, but at that exact moment her eyes fluttered open.
"What are you trying to do?" she yelled, baffled, as she tried to move. But she felt so heavy, every part in her body ached miserably.
"Lay still," he commanded, but she still struggled. "Mi'lady you must lay still...You were shot," he pointed out.
She drew in a large breath of air, and looked down her front. All she could see was blood; some dry and some still wet. "They shot me.."
Legolas nodded slowly, "Yes, Mi'lady, they have," he said, " I must dress the wound, which was what I was going to do a moment ago." As he spoke, he showed her the rusty-looking liquid within the wood.
"I've never been shot before," she murmured, "Have I become soft? Have I neglected my duty so..." she asked in a daze. Legolas frowned, but began to dress the wound. His hands covered the injured shoulder, and slowly a brilliant light cascaded down her chest. "Wha.."
He brought his hand away, smiling as he stood after taking one last look over his work. "Mi'lady, I'm going to carry you," he said. He could see the pain that stirred within her gray-blue eyes as he slipped one hand below her knees and the next below her neck. "Every warrior, and every shield maiden, has his ups and downs," he whispered.
"Prince Legolas," she began, but she soon fell silent as she saw him turn his head toward the opening in the forest where they had come from. "What is it?" she asked.
"Shh, we must hurry," Legolas replied, as he quickly ran over to the white stallion that awaited them and placed her on its back. He patted his shoulder to assure himself that he had remembered his bow and arrows, then pulled himself up. He gathered Eowyn before him and grabbed the reins of the stallion, urging it on.
As Arod galloped faster and faster, Legolas moved a hand around Eowyn's waist to make sure she wouldn't fall. A noise made the stallion run in a crazed manner, circling trees, and stepping backwards on its own path, creating a hard trail for anyone to follow. Legolas' ear twitched as he heard the sound of other huffs.
A soft moan left Eowyn's lips as the horse ceased its mad careening. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mi'lady," Legolas apologized. "I only thought it best to go more swiftly, since they are nearing. Your back, is it okay?"
She nodded soundlessly, "..Yes," she spoke, which was a lie, Legolas could tell. But she had too much pride and he understood. Every warrior had his or her pride, and he admired her for that strength. But he would not worsen her pain, so he leaned the other way to give her back more room.
The ground shook as the ruddy tall man clad in black armor approached, his hair whisked behind a sturdy helmet latched between his waist and arm. His dark eyes prodded the area for any clue that could tell him which way the pair had gone. He couldn't tell exactly where they were, but he knew they had been here. He could smell the elf's scent…it clogged the air. He remembered it so well and he would always remember it. This time that scent would betray him.
"They were here," he called, rousing himself, "Go and make sure you find them this time." The other soldiers took off at his command. " Legolas, just you wait till I find you," he chuckled. He turned from his stooping position, and walked to his horse, pulling himself up and heading in the direction his men just gone.
"This time, dear Legolas," he said with a pause; "One of us will die..." And with that, his horse sped away, leaving behind only tracks of smoke.