Meleth Echuir Cael by Tansy1354
Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns the world and its main characters; I own nothing but my imagination.
Summary: Totally AU with Mild Slash. Legolas knew the moment those words were said that he would not be able to escape his fate that his role in the Fellowship had now changed. He knows as soon as it hits that he cannot keep it a secret, but will the only one who can help be willing to aid him, or must he suffer the full effects of the Meleth Echuir Cael alone.
//spoken in Elven//
Part 2. Time Runs Out.
A couple of days later in the blinding snow of Caradhas, the fateful decision had been made to go through the Mines of Moria. In the hearts of two members of the Fellowship the weight of having to face what they feared most had settled in. For one failure is not an option, for the other it will irrevocably change his life.
Legolas had managed to keep his now whirling emotions in check until he was sure everyone was safely down off the mountain, he looked around desperately for someplace to hide before his shivering was noticed but it soon became impossible for him to control and he was forced to collapse down where he was, pulling his travelling cloak tightly around him. As he lay there waiting for what was to come, unbidden tears slowly tracing a path down his pale cheeks, he knew now was the moment he would learn if he had made the right choice.
Merry had been the nearest to Legolas so was the first to alert the rest to the elf's plight, "Aragorn, Gandalf something is wrong with Legolas," he yelled as he rushed to the elf's aid.
"Legolas, what's wrong? Why are you shivering so badly, are you cold? Are you crying?" His questions tumbling out as fast as the worried hobbit moved to the shivering elf.
"It is n…n…nothing, I am m…m…merely a little c…c…cold.//Gandalf, it has begun, I need Boromir now.//" The elf chattered back while he tried to fight off the overwhelming urge to sleep.
Aragorn and Gandalf had now reached the elf who was having trouble keeping his tired stubborn eyes from closing. // Very well, I will see to everything. Don't fight it or it will be a lot worse, for now just go to sleep, Legolas//Gandalf replied soothingly in the Elvish tongue so only Frodo and Aragorn understood.
Gratefully Legolas closed his eyes but continued to shiver violently, while Aragorn turned on the wizard "Why did you tell him to sleep when he is obviously suffering from shock and that is the last thing he should do. What has begun and why does he need Boromir?"
As Gandalf looked around for somewhere more secluded he was relieved when he saw a rock shelf under an overhang of rocks a little way ahead. "Boromir will you carry Legolas and take him to that overhang up there, Aragorn bring yours and Boromir's bedrolls and spare blankets up to that overhang, the rest of you set up camp as we will not be travelling any further today. You may have a fire to thaw out and cook something hot." The old wizard ordered grimly. He noted as he gave out the orders that the shivering reduced considerably as soon as Legolas was in the strong arms of the man from Gondor.
Once they had reached the overhang he took Boromir's bedroll from Aragorn and had the unconscious elf placed upon it then proceeded to remove the blond archer's weapons and tunic. Boromir was stunned to see how young Legolas really was. Gandalf turned to Aragorn, "Arrange your bedroll to block out the front of the overhang as best you can please Aragorn."
When that was done, he stood up and turned to the two young men in front of him, "Listen to me both of you and I will explain what I can. I know what ails Legolas and how to treat this affliction, but only you two can help him as both of you can trace your ancestry back to the elves. None of the others can and I am too old.
Both of you can warm Legolas and ease his shivering but only Boromir can awaken him for he is the one Legolas has chosen to aid him through the // Meleth Echuir Cael which means…."
But before he got any further, Aragorn interrupted, "Love Stirring Sickness, I have never heard of this, Gandalf." He gasped in shock.
"Aragorn, all you need to know for now is that Legolas came into contact with an elf that was affected by it while we were in Rivendell, unfortunately to resolve it usually requires another elf. It is rare to have two elves affected at the same time who are not mates. It was decided that it was best to get Legolas as far away as possible from the source of the problem which is why it was felt that Legolas should not be held back from leaving with the Fellowship." Gandalf continued.
Aragorn had already stripped down to his undershirt and leggings and was cradling Legolas in his arms within the warmth of the bedroll while their leader spoke. Boromir moved to stand in front of Gandalf. "You fools, did you not think how we would manage if this happened to him during an attack by our enemy? It could cost him or even one of us our lives." He yelled at the old man in front of him while jabbing his index finger painfully into Gandalf's chest.
As Boromir turned away from the old wizard, Gandalf pulled the warrior back around roughly by the arm and said in a low dangerous tone, "While no written evidence could be found, it was also believed that it may only be brought on by extreme mental stress. After much discussion between, Lord Elrond and myself, we came to the conclusion that the only time this would be likely was if the Fellowship were to go through the mines of Moria. However in that case we would be close enough to Lothlorien to get help for Legolas. We decided that it was worth the risk to have Legolas' skills at our disposal. You should also consider that Legolas had the same misgivings but was still willing to try no matter what could happen to him.
Please Boromir, look into your heart and let it guide you. If you search inside yourself I know that the means to awaken Legolas will come to you." He finished in a more fatherly tone.
"Now stand aside so that I can see to the others and don't worry about Legolas he'll manage, he has been in more life threatening situations than this before." Gandalf finished matter of factly.
Boromir decided he might as well stand aside, so let Gandalf push past him to leave the overhang, before turning and looking thoughtfully towards the bedroll where the topic of the conversation lay in Aragorn's embrace. It was at that moment when he observed the young, graceful and yes alluring, yet somehow vulnerable elf that Boromir felt something stir within him which he couldn't quite name.
The Gondorian was startled out of his reverie when Aragorn called out urgently, "No Legolas, it is alright you are safe."
Both men were startled when straight after that they heard the anxious voice of the wood elf call out, "Boromir, I need you, for only you can provide the warmth that my body lacks."
Aragorn quickly checked and found that the elf was still asleep but was becoming more and more stressed by the minute. "Boromir somehow he knows who is holding him and is now past the stage where I can help him."
Boromir came over to the elf, then without thinking knelt and laid his hand firmly upon the elf's cheek, immediately Legolas leaned into it, "Legolas, accept the warmth that Aragorn offers you while I take off my armour and then I will come and hold you as long as you need me to. But for now you must calm down, young one."
With that they were both surprised when Legolas stopped struggling and remained quietly in Aragorn's arms.
Quickly Boromir divested himself of his heaviest outer garments then took Aragorn's place; Legolas immediately snuggled into his fellow warrior's body and the quivering stopped before his breathing evened out and he was sleeping peacefully.
"Aragorn, he does not require us both at the moment, why don't you get dressed and go down help the others. I promise I will let no harm come to your friend, but if I need help I will whistle." Boromir said quietly watching the many conflicting emotions pass over the ranger's face.
Once the surprised Aragorn had left, Boromir looked down at the one who had placed his life and trust in his hands and sighed, "I don't know why such an obviously intelligent being such as you would choose me over Aragorn, but I will not see you suffer needlessly. So I will do my best to live up to your faith in me and help you through this."
Instinctively he leaned over to kiss the elf gently on the forehead but was dismayed when Legolas unexpectedly moved his head and their lips met. Boromir felt a fire ignite in his soul as the elf's arms encircled his neck and the elf kissed him back. Suddenly Legolas pulled away and Boromir was amazed to find he was looking into the open sparkling blue eyes of a being in love.
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