Disclaimer: not mine.
Chapter Three
Legolas was shaking badly.
"We can rest, you know," Aragorn said not for the first time since leaving their little shelter only an hour early. Before they had left, Legolas had insisted on rebinding Aragorn's arm and putting it in a sling, but that left the man with only one hand to support his ailing friend. Legolas only shook his head, trying to control his body as he staggered forward. His vision hazed and his body tilted the side as the arm around his waist tightened. "Legolas…" Aragorn began again.
"If I sit down I won't stand up again," the elf admitted, coughing as his breath caught in his throat. He groaned, gripping Aragorn's tunic tight enough that his knuckles turned white.
Aragorn came to a stop. "You will get up again. Come, you need to sit down before you end up falling flat on your face." Legolas only shook his head again, his grip intensifying. Aragorn rolled his eyes toward the heavens. "Sit, or I will make you," he threatened.
Legolas swore under his breath, his hand moving to wrap protectively around his wound.
"We need to leave…" he protested feebly.
"And we will," Aragorn assured him, "Just rest for fifteen minutes, that is all that I am asking." He glared at the elf, their wills evenly matched. Legolas' body, however, wasn't and his own quivering knees betrayed him.
"I hate you," he murmured as Aragorn eased him to the ground and settled him against a large stone.
"That's a lie. You love me," Aragorn scoffed, sitting down next to the elf with a thump. He bowed his head, catching his own breath. The grey clouds from last night were still looming threateningly in the sky and Aragorn frowned. He wouldn't be surprised if it started raining again.
He glanced over at Legolas, watching as the elf grimaced miserably and leaned his head forward against the stone. Aragorn still hadn't told Legolas about finding his blood on his sword and he feared what the elf would say. Rationally, he knew that Legolas wouldn't bat an eye; he knew that he wouldn't if the roles had been reversed. But what if—
No, he wouldn't go there, not when Legolas needed him to be focused on other things. Aragorn shifted restlessly and began to tug with one hand at the knotted bandages that were resting against the elf's wound.
"You can't leave it alone, can you?" Legolas grunted, eyes closed. He wasn't feeling well, not that he was going to tell Aragorn that, and his whole body was pleased with the lack of movement.
"You were bleeding back in the cave and I want to make sure you aren't going to bleed out on me. That would be unfortunate after all I have gone through to save your neck."
The first bandage fell away and Aragorn moved to check the bleeding. Legolas jumped, slapping his hand away.
"What?" Aragorn protested in exasperation, sitting back on his heels.
"Your hands were cold," Legolas mumbled, flushing lightly and allowing the man to check his wound once more.
"I am so sorry, your royal highness." Aragorn rolled his eyes. Blood was still sluggishly dribbling out the wound and he frowned. "Oh, for a needle," he bemoaned, shaking his head and rebinding the wound tighter than before. Legolas grunted, his face paling.
"Not so tight," he muttered, trying to shift away as Aragorn rested his hand momentarily against the elf's cheek. Legolas was cold to the touch and a sliver of fear pierced Aragorn's heart.
At least you know that the blade wasn't poisoned," a mocking voice inside his head stated. That was something, at least. He enfolded one of the elf's hands in his own, trying to warm them.
They set together for almost thirty minutes, neither wanting to move again. At last, Aragorn rose to his feet.
"The sun won't stay out forever," he said, reaching out a hand. Legolas nodded in agreement. He took the proffered hand and Aragorn pulled him to his feet.
"Don't throw up on my boots!" Aragorn warned as the elf wavered, his face turning a nasty tint of green.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Legolas squeezed his eyes shut. The trees were spinning viciously around him and it felt like his head was floating away from his body. Aragorn's arm came up around his waist and he clenched a handful of the man's tunic, grounding himself.
"Just nice and easy, there is no rush," Aragorn murmured in his ear, allowing the elf to lean against him as his knees buckled. "And I'm serious about the boot thing," he teased. He was awarded as Legolas lips twitched upwards into a grin.
"What is going to happen if I do?" he asked between deep breaths, though the humor was still evident.
"I—ah," Aragorn paused, thinking.
"That's what I thought," the elf's smile widen, though his eyes remained firmly shut.
Aragorn began to pull them along, and Legolas forced his heavy legs to follow.
It wasn't long before they stopped again.
"Do you hear that?" Aragorn asked. Legolas opened his eyes only to clamp them shut again as the world insisted on moving under his feet.
"Hear what?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"It sounds like someone is singing."
Legolas paused. Someone was singing, a woman from the sound of her voice.
Two little bird sore high and free
Won't you come down and play with me?
Two little birds land in the big tree,
Won't you come down and play with me?
"That's odd." Legolas risked looking at Aragorn.
"Yeah…I don't like it." Aragorn hoisted Legolas higher against him. "We should go." The voice continued the refrain and Aragorn couldn't help a shudder from going through his shoulders.
"I agree." Legolas straightened against Aragorn, determined to talk more of his own weight.
Once again they started off, Legolas stumbling along. His stomach rolled hand, sending both waves of pain and nausea coursing through his body, and he doubled over. Aragorn instantly stopped, shifting his weight to the left to compensate. When Legolas did raise his head, he was trembling worse than ever and sweat lined his pallid face.
Aragorn tried to convince him to rest, but this time Legolas won't hear of it. They couldn't stop, something was…off. The singing had faded, but its eerie melody was haunting him.
They thought they had left it far behind until they entered a small clearing.
A woman was kneeling on the ground and jumped visibly at their abrupt appearance. Screaming, she leaped to her feet. The basket full of mushrooms that she had been collecting rolled away, spilling the fungi across the dirt.
Aragorn sprang back as well, cursing under his breath. He back peddled quickly but she screamed again, staring at them as she backed up against the tree.
"Who are you and what do you want?!" She snapped, her hand clutching a thin knife that she had yanked out for her bodice.
"Who are you?" Aragorn demanded back, his fingers itching to draw his sword but he couldn't, not while supporting Legolas.
"Get back! Get back! Don't come any closer," she hissed, holding the knife higher. "I asked a question, answer me!"
Aragorn sighed, glancing down at Legolas. The elf's face was white but he nodded ever so slightly. "I am Strider, a ranger of the north. This is Legolas from the woodland realm. Now, who are you?"
The women hesitated, slowly lowering the knife.
"What's wrong with him?" Her eyes narrowed in concern and she inched closer. Aragorn backed up several feet, dragging Legolas with him.
"Don't come any closer!" he barked and she paused.
"I only want to help." She held out a hand but Aragorn shook his head and she sighed.
"I am Bella. I live on a small farm with my husband not far from here. These are dangerous times, though, and you shouldn't be wondering about." Her eyes had darkened, anger entering her voice. "Let me help you. Where is his wound and how bad is it?" She stood there, with her hands on her hips and staring at them.
Aragorn didn't trust her. He couldn't put a finger on it, but he wasn't going to let her anywhere near Legolas. Legolas tugged lightly on his sleeve and he looked over at him. He shook his head and Aragorn nodded.
"Sorry for startling you, ma'am. We should be on our way." He began to move towards the trees but she jogged forward.
"You can't leave! You don't have any supplies and he needs aid. Come, follow me. You can stay at my home where he can rest and recover." Her words were soft and easily spoken but Aragorn shook his head.
"We will be fine," he insisted. Bella glared at him, crossing her arms tightly across her chest. "Alright, fine. Have it your way. If he dies, it will be your fault!" She turned her back and began to gather up the fallen mushrooms, stuffing them angrily in her basket.
"He's not going to die." Aragorn pulled Legolas closer.
"Well, he doesn't look good," Bella retorted, picking up her basket. Balancing it on her hip, she turned back to him, her nose in the air. "You don't look like you have done a very good job of taking care of it. Have you even cleaned it?"
Aragorn's jaw dropped open. "I beg your pardon!" he spluttered, "I've cared for him better than most would have in our current situation."
She raised an eyebrow. "I repeat, did you clean it?"
Aragorn didn't answer her. They hadn't come across any water so he had not had the opportunity to clean it.
"At least come back to the house with me and get some herbs and bandages. We can clean it there instead of in the wild where it is bound to become infected."
Aragorn opened his mouth to protest again but stopped. He didn't have any of his own herbs and even if he wasn't a healer he would be able to tell that Legolas wasn't doing well. Would it really hurt that much to go and collect some herbs and clean the wound?
Legolas was shaking his head again but all that Aragorn could see in his mind's eye was the elf, lying in his own gore, his blood staining Aragorn's sword.
"It wouldn't be a problem to you?" he asked hesitantly and Bella shook her head, eyes lightening up.
"It wouldn't be a problem at all." She beckoned him forward, grinning.
Legolas shook his head again. "Strider," he hissed, easily following in use with the ranger's nickname. "I don't like this. I don't—" he stopped wincing as he missed a step.
"We aren't going to stay long. We are just going to pick up some supplies and be on our way," Aragorn replied just as quietly. His eyes narrowed, focusing in on Bella's back as they began to move. Legolas fell into a resentful silence.
Bella began to sing.
Two little birds soaring high and free
Won't you come down to play with me?
Two little birds land in the big tree,
Won't you come down to play with me?
The lullaby sent a chill up Aragorn's spine, and Legolas gave him an I-told-you-so look.
It didn't take them long to reach Bella's home. It was a fairly large cottage pressed back into the trees. A small trail of smoke was curling up from the chimney, drifting off and blending into the grey clouds.
"Come in, come inside," Bella looked back once she reached the doorstep only to find Aragorn rooted to the spot about ten feet away. She laughed, waving him forward. "I won't bite."
"If it's alright, I would just like to stay here." Aragorn shuffled his feet, glancing at Legolas. "Maybe you could just bring them out too me…" he trailed off as Bella sighed.
"I don't know what you need."
"But—"
"—Oh, come along, stop being such a coward. If anyone should be afraid, it is me. I'm inviting two strange men into my house; you could kill me any second." Her eyes lingered on Aragorn's and she smiled.
Dragging his feet, Aragorn began to cross the clearing. He paused once more, before stepping foot in the home. The sizzling smell of roasting chicken hit his senses and his stomached rumbled. He hadn't even realized how hungry he was until just now.
They moved further into the house, passing the kitchen. He could see a loaf of bread sitting on the table and the chicken turning in the pit. The kettle was just beginning to hiss.
"Right through here!" Bella's head popped around the corner and Aragorn slowly followed her.
"Estel, this isn't right," Legolas muttered under his breath.
"I know," Aragorn whispered in turn. "But…" he shrugged. They needed herbs and this would save him the time-consuming task of finding herbs out in the wild. Bella led them through the passageway and into a storage room. Shoving back a plain red rug with her foot, she grasped a metal ring and yanked open a trap door, stepping down onto a ladder. Once more Aragorn stopped.
"Uh, I can't bring Legolas down there," he pointed out.
"What?" Bella's head popped back up before she laughed merrily.
"I have a spare bedroom, why don't you go lay him down. The second door down the hallway!" she called up. Aragorn stood there for a second, debating.
"No!" Legolas insisted and pressed closer to Aragorn. "If I can't go down, then just let me sit out here."
"Oh, don't be silly," Bella's voice echoed up from the depths and Aragorn looked from his friend's pale face to Bella.
"Estel, Ceri- ú- chil hi-nin," Legolas whispered, turning pleading blue eyes on Aragorn.
"Second door on the left!" Bella called and Aragorn shrugged helplessly. Legolas shook his head again, but the effect was less then what he desired as he turned his head away, coughing raggedly.
"It will be just for a moment," Aragorn assured softly. "I'm just going to grab some herbs and then I promise you that we will be on our way."
He half carried Legolas back the way they had come and into a small room in the very back of the house. A modest little bed rested in the corner and Aragorn lead Legolas over too it.
"Estel," Legolas whispered as Aragorn sat them both down on the bed before ducking out from underneath the elf's arm.
Aragorn paused, glancing back. "Legolas, don't lie to me and tell me that you don't need the rest. I won't be long, I swear." Aragorn bent down, gripping Legolas' shoulder firmly and meeting his eyes. "Rest, for me. Please."
Legolas frowned more deeply but allowed the man to help him lean against the wall.
"Don't take all their herbs," he ordered, closing his eyes as he wrapped his arm protectively around his wound. Aragorn grinned, patting the elf's knee lightly.
"Don't move until I come back," he stated, pointing a warning finger in the elf's face.
He jogged back towards the cellar, almost running into Bella as she came bolting through the hallway. She tumbled, almost falling, but he caught her arms in a steadfast grip. She flushed, straightening her bodice with a tug.
"Sorry," she said. Her eyes were wide and Aragorn looked around, wondering what had frightened her so. "I thought—you didn't come back and—Nevermind." She turned, quickly making her way back towards the cellar. Aragorn stared after her, completely confused.
All the same, he followed her down the steep ladder. Aragorn couldn't help but stare as he jumped down off of the last rung. The walls were crowded with shelves that were overflowing with bottles and ointments. Hanging from the ceiling were racks and racks of herbs of every color, shape, and size. There was any herb that Aragorn could have wanted and it made his heart sing.
"You like it?" Bella giggled at the expression on Aragorn's face as he made his way across the room. He fingered a long string of lavender, grinning like a fool.
"This will work just fine," he said. "Do you have a bag that I could borrow?"
She nodded and returned a moment later with a small bag. Aragorn began to run his hand over the plants, pulling and selecting at seemingly random.
"Are you a healer?" he asked as pulled a small bottle from the shelves and opened it, sniffing.
"Eh," Bella lightly pulled a fragment flower from where it was hanging and began to twirl it. "My husband has more of a knack at it then I do." She laughed. "But I wouldn't say that he is a healer. How about you? You seem to know a lot about herbs despite the fact of knowing nothing about taking care of wounds."
Aragorn half wondered what she would say if he told her that he was trained by Middle-earth's greatest healer, and turned to look at her. She was right behind him, smiling at him, and he quickly turned back to the herbs, moving more quickly.
"Well," she pressed.
"I know a little," he finally said. She stepped closer, her hand coming out to rest against the middle of Aragorn's back as she leaned forward to look at something.
Aragorn cleared his throat and took several steps away to gather some of the hanging herbs.
Soon enough he had enough herbs and bandages to doctor a whole army and after thanking Bella in what he hoped was not a stiff voice, he made for the cellar steps. Climbing up, he reached down and helped pull Bella up the last few steps.
She turned pink, grinning easily at him. Her hand rested a second too long in his and Aragorn let go as if he had been burned. She only grinned at him blinking slowly and fluttering her eyelashes.
"After you," She whispered, pointing back towards the way they had come. Aragorn could feel her eyes boring into his back and he felt decidedly uncomfortable.
She was a married woman, he wasn't going anywhere near that.
"I'm going to go heat you some water!" Bella called, and he half turned to see her enter the kitchen. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turned and found his own back to Legolas' room.
TBC...
Well, I don't know if they should really be trusting her... but then again I think they know that. Question is, will they hang around? This chapter was going to be longer, but then I couldn't find a good stopping point so this is what it is. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! :)
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