Hello again!
Just want to say a huuuge thanks to charli800 for your advice, and to everyone else as well for all of your great reviews! It brings a massive smile to my face reading them lol. Just to clarify, yep, it's post-lotr and originally it was going to be from Legolas' point of view, but now I've changed it so it is both his and Aragorns.
Right, Legolas has been shot at- and he needs help asap! Here goes….
CHAPTER 3: Confusing discoveries.
"Open the gate-quick!"
Before the gates of the White City had fully opened, the King of Gondor rode through without stopping to answer any questions. Two cave trolls could have been stood their wielding their clubs, and still he would not have stopped. All that mattered to Aragorn was getting his fading friend to the houses of healing.
The many people and white buildings rushed past in a blur as Arod galloped through the city, and Aragorn could hear the cries of women and children as they caught sight of Legolas.
After racing through the streets on the many levels of the city, Aragorn finally caught sight of the small flight of stairs that led to the citadel. Pushing Arod that little bit further, they made it past the white tree and near the doors to the houses of healing. Brego and Gimli were at least one or two floors below, as Aragorn had not wasted any time in getting Legolas up here.
He hurriedly dismounted the weary Arod, and began to get his friend down. The opening of doors and the sound of running feet caused Aragorn to turn around and see Faramir racing towards them, with Arwen close behind, her skirts scooped up in her hands.
"What happened?" Faramir asked as he peered down at his friends limp body. He paled. Arwen gave a small gasp when she saw how much blood there was.
"We were ambushed by orcs," Aragorn began, as he started to break into a fast walk towards the houses of healing. "they seemed to mainly go for Legolas. Just before he was shot, they backed away. Once they had done it, they ran."
"I'll go and get Ioreth." Arwen said, turning down a corridor.
"Arwen sensed something was wrong," Faramir explained "and then about two hours later, one of the guards reported that they had seen you three riding, and that by the looks of it Legolas was unconscious."
Aragorn kicked open the door, and carefully lay Legolas down on the bed. The two men immediately began removing the elf's weapons, tunic and silk undershirt. The arrow acted as a barrier, so Aragorn had to cut Legolas' clothes in order to get them off of him.
Ioreth came bustling in with her bag of healing supplies. Arwen was behind her with some cloth and water. Aragorn did not look up as he was trying to work out the best way to remove the arrow. Ioreth moved beside him, and also began to assess the wound, probing with her fingers.
"This arrow is close to his heart, it's not going to be easy." She muttered, as she picked up one of the cloths, made it damp and began to dab around the wound. The cloth quickly turned red.
"He's already tried t pull it out," Aragorn reported. "but I think it may be barbed.
Ioreth gave a sigh and straightened her back. "This is going to take some time." She said reaching out for a small knife.
The healer began to make some incisions around the arrow shaft, causing the young prince to jerk and move his head slightly. Arwen placed a comforting hand on his brow, where small beads of sweat started to form.
There were now four incisions, and Aragorn had to continually hold a cloth there to stem the bleeding. When much of the bleeding ceased, Ioreth put down the knife and slowly began to ease out the arrow. Legolas tensed up suddenly when the arrow would no longer move, his face and chest were now shining with sweat.
"I don't want to cause any more damage by cutting any deeper." She said turning to Aragorn "My King, you have more experience with these wounds, perhaps if…you could try?" she asked.
Aragorn looked at her. This is your friend, do it! You've done it before, why not now? He inwardly scolded himself the hands of a king are the hands of a healer! He looked down at his life-long friend, and took the knife from Ioreth. But a shout from the corridor caused them all to look up.
"I'm sorry but you cannot enter!"
A gruff, heavily accented voice erupted from behind the door. "I'm going in!" The door burst open and Gimli strode into the room, looking at Legolas. The young Gondorian soldier entered the room looking very flustered.
"Sir, I'm sorry but - " he blurted out.
Aragorn cast his eyes to the young man and gave him a weary smile. "It's fine, thank-you." The soldier bowed and backed out of the room.
Ioreth shot Gimli a look and then spoke to Aragorn. "I shall be in the room at the end of the corridor should you need me sire." Aragorn nodded his head and bent down again to continue with the task. I really don't enjoy all of these formalities! He took a deep breath and made yet another small incision around the arrow. Valar please let this work.
He held one hand over the fresh incisions, his fingers making the hole slightly bigger, and the other around the arrow shaft. A small part of the arrow head was obtruding out, but this arrow was a particularly vicious one, as it went wide in the middle to ensure maximum damage.
Although unconscious, Legolas' brow furrowed in pain, and his breathing became more rapid. Arwen cast a weary eye to Aragorn who was now gently easing the arrow out by moving it sideways.
"Wait," interjected Faramir "someone should hold down his legs before you take it." He made his way to the bed, and kept a firm hand on each of Legolas' legs. Aragorn nodded at him to keep the elf down as he once again grasped the shaft.
Everyone in the room held their breath. Legolas gave an involuntary jerk and cry of pain as Aragorn finally removed the arrow. Arwen immediately placed a cloth on the wound, and a damp one onto the forehead of Legolas. She looked up at her husband who was staring open mouthed at the arrow, confusion written in his eyes. She looked at it and gasped.
Faramir was the first to overcome the shock. "Where's the other half?" he asked. Aragorn was unable to speak and was soundlessly opening his mouth.
"I don't know."
Half of the severely barbed arrowhead was missing. It was a black shiny head that went cruelly wide in the middle.
"I took it all out" Aragorn stuttered, finally able to speak. " I don't understand, that's all there was."
"Why would an orc use half an arrow head?" Faramir asked. "Surely even orcs aren't stupid enough to do that. Was it their last one?"
"No," Aragorn thought back. "No, it definitely wasn't their last one. They surrounded and aimed for Legolas, and then ran. There's no discolouration or any signs of poisoning though."
"Perhaps we should wait for the laddie to wake up?" piped up Gimli, trying to reassure himself that Legolas would wake. "I'll stay here with him."
"it's ok Gimli, you should rest." Aragorn replied, although he knew that the dwarf was as stubborn as Legolas (though not as much!) and would not give up without a fight. Too his surprise, it was Arwen that spoke up.
"You can barely stand my love!" Aragorn opened his mouth to protest, but Arwen placed her hand there. "No buts! If anything happens, or if Legolas wakes up, then I am sure Gimli will call for us." Aragorn slumped his shoulders in defeat. He took another look at the unconscious elf and felt a hand on his arm. He looked down to see Gimli looking up at him.
"He'll be fine lad."
With that, Aragorn followed Arwen and Faramir out of the room, leaving Gimli to settle into a chair beside Legolas' beside.
Dundunduuun! What have I done to Legolas?! Oweeee that must have hurt him! Sorry Leggie!
I'm sorry to say everyone that I am away next week on a biology field course for coursework (joy) so I won't be able to update until two weeks today : ( I'm soooorrrry! Please don't eat me! Lol if I can, I'll try and update before I go, but I may not be able too I'm afraid : (
So I'll defiantly be posting again in two weeks time.
Stay tuned to find out what's going to happen to the worlds best elf!
Reviews are much appreciated! See you soon!! : D
xxx
