Ok here is the next chapter, I apologise for the wait and thanku for being patient. I'm not sure if this chapter is funny, its pretty late, but u never know, perhaps it is. It seems to be turning out longer than I anticipated so there will be at least one other chapter after this, enjoy((

Chapter 3

-Struck down by the flu-

1 * Achoo! *

Legolas stoped and sighed as he pulled out the large white handkerchief he now kept in his pocket. The handkerchief was not his, being an elf and unused to sickness he had previously not had a use for one. The handkerchief he blew his nose on was monogrammed with the initials M. B. Its previous owner had been more than happy to part with it if Legolas would only stop sneezing on him.

Aragorn's potion, which he now took grudgingly every night, was loosing its effect. In addition to the sneezing fits he now found his nose to be blocked, his eyes runny, and he had a suspicion that he could feel the beginnings of a headache.

Unfamiliar with the symptoms of these 'colds' Legolas was unsure if these were further signs of one. He pondered asking Frodo, but quickly dismissed the idea. After all, this was just an ordinary cold. From what the Hobbits had told him, mortals suffered from them frequently. It was certainly nothing that he, Legolas Green leaf, Prince of Mirkwood should be anxious about. Silently he laughed at his apprehension as he continued to march behind the rest of fellowship

* * *

The fellowship had once again stopped to make camp. Everybody was going about their duties, Gandalf and Aragorn were planning their route on a map the old wizard had brought, Gimli was sharpening his axe and the Hobbits were preparing their food.

Legolas' task was to gather the wood from which they would restock the fire during the night. The weather had turned unexpectedly crisp after they had left the misty forest and turned towards the peaks of the nearby mountain range. They would need the extra wood to keep their small fire burning in the frosty air.

After he had gathered an armful of dry wood, Legolas was turning back to camp, he spotted a good sized piece of wood in his path and reached down and picked it up, as he straightened his world suddenly spun. He dropped his load of wood and grasped a nearby branch till the world tipped itself right way up again.

"I must have stood up to fast" he said, and realised he spoke to himself and the trees. Dismissing it he picked his load back up, and strode back to the camp

* * *

Legolas sat, cross-legged at the edge of camp listening intently to the sounds of the forest. The rest of the company slept deeply, wearied by the uneven ground they had crossed during the day.

The elf had volunteered to take first watch. His headache had intensified and despite the cold that caused the others to arrange extra blankets over their bedclothes, Legolas was hot and had hoped the calmness of the night would clear his head and the breeze cool his body. He had considered telling the rest of the party of his discomfort, but thought better of it; for fear that this was the normal course of a cold. He did not wish to seem foolish before the fellowship.

Legolas now immersed himself in his task, trying to keep his mind from the feelings of sickness. Every joint in his body seemed to ache and he realised he was beginning to feel nauseous. Sighing again he held his head up to the cool wind and continued his watch.

He awoke some time later, lying on the sweet smelling grass. Looking at the passage of the moon he judged it to have been only an hour's time. He still had another hours watch. Though he had fallen asleep during his watch, Legolas realised he was feeling better. The sleep must have been what he had needed; he too must have been wearied by the day's journey…it was a long journey…to…..

He sat back down on the grass and thought for a moment. Where had he been going?

"Ah yes" he suddenly remembered as he spied the fellowship. They were on a quest to destroy the ring! He faltered for a moment.

Was not the ring destroyed? Said a small doubtful voice deep inside, it was quickly squashed

Yes! They must protect the ring at all costs and guard it from the dark lord!

Legolas clutched at his chest…searching…

Where was the ring!….as ring bearer he had sworn to protect it! Old Bilbo had trusted him to…

He turned an accusing eye on the forest of trees behind him

"Hah! You think you can fool me?" he cried springing up from his sitting position. He crouched low, ready to attack, hand straying to his side, he found Sting gone, unfazed he reached for his bow… why had he a bow? No time to worry about that, he must vanquish the enemy first…and reclaim the ring…

* * *

Aragorn awoke with a start, briefly he wondered why, but then remembered it was his watch after Legolas. He briefly considered why the elf had volunteered to take first watch. By rights he should have been resting. The ranger had noticed the elf's cold had worsened since they had taken the mountain road. The vain elf thought he had hid it from the rest of the fellowship. But his funny eyes and constant sniffling had made it plain even to Pippin that the elf did not feel well.

But the vain, proud elf would not allow anybody to take his watch or carry his pack, so the fellowship had let him be. Elves did not make good patients.

Suddenly there was a yell, he identified it as Legolas and sprang up, swiftly running the where the elf had been standing guard.

He found Legolas, with his back to him, watching the trees wearily.

"What is it?" he questioned, taking stance beside Legolas, weapon drawn.

"Aragorn!" the elf seemed surprised, but his gaze did not waver from the dark forest. "I did not realise it was you"

"What is it?" the ranger repeated, eyes searching the trees for any sign of danger.

"Orcs" replied Legolas "They are here to take the ring"

"The ring..?" Aragorn paused, looking with new confusion at the fiercely concentrating elf. It was then that he noticed several of Legolas' arrows buried deep in the bark of the closest trees.

"The ring?" Frodo's worried voiced echoed Aragorn's own. The ranger turned and saw that the rest of the company had awoken and alerted by the elf's yelling, came to their aid, weapons at hand.

"Ah, everyone.." Aragorn started.

"Everyone is here?" Legolas questioned, still addressing the trees. "Quickly drawn your weapons, Orcs are about"

"Orcs?" Pippin said warily, looking about.

Gandalf, tired of the echoing, stepped forward. "I do believe that Legolas is not in his right mind" He seemed about to say more when he was interrupted by the fair-haired elf himself.

"Legolas? Is he alright?"

Aragorn had, had enough of talking to the elves back and placed a hand on his shoulder and spun him about. The elf looked upon the fellowship with terror, eyes wide and legs trembling.

"Arrrrhhhhh, Orcs!" he cried, wildly and unsteadily bringing his bow up in front of him. "Aragorn, Gandalf" he said, talking over his shoulder to the trees. "We cannot allow them to get the ring."

He lunged forward, pointing the erratic bow at the chest of Gandalf, who nimbly jumped out of the way.

Legolas rounded on the rest of the company, uttering the battle cry "ARRRRRGGGHHHH"

Hobbits, dwarfs, humans and Wizards alike jumped out of the way of the charging elf. The delirious prince finally steadied his bow, aiming directly below the ranger's belt. Things would have gone badly, had the elf not chosen that moment to faint, collapsing into a small green heap at Aragorn's feet. The dark haired man sighed audibly.

* * *

Aragorn placed his hand on the elves brow. The Hobbits craned around to look.

"He is burning up," he said

"It is as I expected." The wizard said "I am afraid Legolas has the flu"

"Will he be alright?" Gimli asked, trying to hide his anxiety.

"As long as we lower his temperature and get that fever down he should be fine" the wizard answered, and set about, ordering the Hobbits to gather cold water, and various healing herbs.

After the Legolas had collapsed they had moved him back to camp, laying him down on his bedroll while Sam tactfully took the unconscious elf's weapons and placed them far out of his reach. The sun was rising, but they would not likely be moving with a bed ridden Legolas.

Aragorn thanked Frodo who handed him a cloth and pail of cold water. As he was placing the soaked cloth on his friend's forehead, Legolas' eyes slitted open. Aragorn was relieved that he did not detect the feverish glaze they had held a few hours ago.

The elf's eyes widened, as he grew aware of his surroundings.

"What happened?" he asked with trepidation

"You collapsed during your watch" Aragorn replied tactfully. "You have the flu"

Legolas pushed himself up on his elbows. "The flu?" he said

"It is like a cold"

Legolas pushed himself up, resisting help from the ranger.

" A cold cannot defeat a Prince of Mirkwood! I demand you allow me to take my rightful place on watch!" He said commandingly to the so far impassive man.

Aragorn sighed; this was too much for him. He reached down behind him for the potion that he had prepared after they had moved Legolas to the camp.

"Here, drink this"

"Elves do not get sick" Legolas replied stubbornly

"You know, when your SICK, you're a real ass." came the voice of Gimli from behind Aragorn.

Legolas ignored him, turning his back on them both he attempted to stride away, unfortunately his legs didn't seem to want to co-operate and he gently fell back to be caught under the arms by the ranger.

"Unhand me!"

Aragorn pushed the elf back up against a rock and pinned him with a cold glare that slightly derailed the proud elf.

Deftly he dipped the cloth back in the water and placed it over Legolas' brow

"Drink this"

Refusal rose in the reclining elves expression, but was quickly quelled again by the man's arctic glare. Shoving the cloth off his brow he reached out and took the steaming tin cup, swallowing the entire contents in one gulp.

"Actually…that one wasn't too…" the sentence was left unfinished as the elf slumped back against the rock, after a few seconds he began to snore softly. The cup rolled from his now flaccid grip and hit the tip of Gimli's boot.

The dwarf bent and picked up the tin cup, sniffing it suspiciously.

"Was that necessary?"

"Elves make awful patients" Aragorn replied. "They are much easier to deal with this way, trust me"

"Remind me to never get sick around Strider" Pippin whispered to his companion

Merry nodded sagely and the ranger, acting scary doctor smugly re-dipped the cloth and placed it on the sleeping elf's brow.



Ooooooo.k, how did everybody like that? Comments? Complaints? Be sure to review

Next chapter: Elves make awful patients- due to rising frustration we get to see more of Aragorn's more cruel home remedies. Pippin and Merry get bored and decide to do…something and then…well what do you suggest? Oooo and you can also look forward to vomiting.((