Glad this one's on time. Now, I've seen this on many other peoples story's and I thought I would give it a go: this isn't mine! I'm not a genius or male. Besides that none of the characters are mine, though Órinor is.
Speaking of Órinor, it is completely made up and has no thought to any language that there may or may not be. If the word does exist... Hurrah? No thatst not right.
Please enjoy!
The laboured breath of the man was all he could think of.
His condition hadn't worsened since they arrived but also refused to improve.
Once they had been let into the village they were quickly pointed in the direction of an inn. As Legolas had asked, they had been left alone. His hood had remained up. The only thing signifying his uncertainty of those around him. To many people didn't take kindly to those of different species and Legolas didn't want to start anything. Not with Estel injured.
Legolas stayed up till the break of dawn caring for the ranger. Finally his fever had broken. His breathing was calm and colour had come back into his face. A stark contrast to the white that covered him earlier.
A knock on the door jolted Legolas from his state of near sleep. He made his way from the chair that stood by the single bed in the corner across the room to the door. Checking that his hood was in place, he opened the door.
A young man, that Legolas assumed was about seventeen, was standing there.
He recognised him to be the son of the innkeeper who had shown him to their room.
"My father wishes to know if you need any assistance. We respect your wish for privacy but if there is anything we can do for you please come and find us."
Legolas knew them to be well meaning words put into his mouth by his father and could see the hidden message of 'what is going on' and 'please let us help so you can get out of here'.
Most of the villagers had treated him as such and he had no wish to stay longer than necessary.
"We are well, but I will take your words into account."
Legolas bowed his head in thanks, causing a strand of long blonde hair fall from beneath his hood.
The boy narrowed his eyes suspiciously but held his tongue. Legolas turned back into the room and shut the door behind him.
Pushing his hair back he let out a shaky breath.
He knew that the innkeeper's son had his suspicions but hoped that they would come to nothing. Whilst he had nothing against humans he knew that they didn't always see elves in the best light.
Eyes flitting to the corner where his weapons were he wondered whether he should keep them closer or not.
His thoughts shifted shattered as a groan from the ranger proved him to be waking.
Moving swiftly to the side of the bed Legolas asked how he felt.
"I'm fine."
Rolling his eyes Legolas looked down at him.
"No mellon nin, you're not. Not yet anyway." (My friend)
Aragorn tried to push himself up into a seated position before he was stopped with a glare. Settling back down he looked around.
"Where are we?"
"Órinor. We arrived last night."
Aragorn sighed.
"I've heard that they don't take to kindly to strangers. Especially those of a different species."
"They remain unaware that I am anything but human. Though the son of the innkeeper may have his suspicions. We'll be leaving as soon as you are able."
Aragorn nodded.
Both oblivious to the conversation being held a few rooms away.
A WARM WELCOME
They waited.
No-one came to meet them.
A few minutes had passed and the hobbits were now entering each other in their own, not exactly hushed, conversation. Aragorn was shuffling nervously.
After another few minutes had passed they decided to go about letting themselves in.
Gandalf's plan consisted of them forcing the gates open. As simple as it was effective.
However, their plan was barely needed as there was no lock to the gate and it had not been well secured.
Before long, they were walking over the cobbled streets keeping alert to anyone who may be nearby. The streets looked unused and the buildings abandoned.
After a short walk they reached the village center. The fellowship's ranger and elf noticeably tense.
There were four posts spaced irregularly, yet close, in the centre with frayed ropes ornamenting the tops. The floor was a faded rust.
Nervously, everyone edged forwards. The two friends ignoring pointed glances from the wizard in their company.
"How long do y' reckon it's been like this for?"
"Twenty-five years."
Aragorn snapped at Legolas, who had just answered the youngest hobbit's question.
"We don't know that!"
The archer turned on him.
""Yes Estel, yes we do. It's almost identical to how we last saw it."
They stared at each other before swiftly turning away.
Deciding to split up and look, Gandalf put them into three groups and told them to meet back at the centre in ten minutes. Then he went off with Sam and Frodo. Legolas lead the remaining hobbits off to the nearby inn.
Sensing the reluctance of the dúnadan Gimli suggested they take a look back at the gates.
Aragorn walked behind the others, not really listening to their attempts at conversation. Whilst things had never exactly been easy between the two men they were never openly unkind. In fact even as the ranger was in a foul mood, Boromir tried to cheer him up. Gimli commenting back.
"I can't believe that the hobbits are doing so well at sword fighting. I took years. Though it's not quite like they are being fair."
"Aye, but in battle there's no such thing as fair. Jus' try telling an orc that they can only attack when you're ready."
"True! Very true. If anyone could even get one to consider listening I would be impressed."
"Could always knock them out first."
"Then it would be impossible for them to listen."
The dwarf's only response was a shrug of his shoulders.
Throughout, Aragorn only responded out of politeness, never saying more than was this, he had cheered up considerably in the ten minutes.
Their group came across absolutely nothing. Everything was left were it was as if everyone had all left suddenly. Old food was even on the tables in people's homes that no-one was keen to go near. Finally giving up, they headed back.
A WARM WELCOME
Once their group returned they noticed that they were the last to do so. Merry and Pippin were telling Sam and Frodo about the cavern in the side of the mountain they went in to. No one but the elf noticed Aragorn tense.
He then joined Gandalf and Legolas who were commenting on the black of the clouds.
"Mithrandir, we must stay the night. The storm will come in hard and last many hours. I doubt it is safe for us to move any further."
"That may be but we are delayed as it is. Beyond this, our supplies are low and we can not allow the enemy to know where we are and what we're doing."
"What's this?"
Aragorn's voice cut through the remainders of their argument as him, Gimli and Boromir settled by them.
"This foolish elfling thinks we should stay the night in the cavern to the left of the village."
"I am no elfling. As you know, Aragorn and I have been here before. I judge it to be safe and protected. If my view doesn't count, ask Estel."
Gimli snorted as Gandalf turned to the nominated man.
For a while he just stood there, trying to gauge the length of his friends actions.
Finally trusting that the elf truly was fine with the arrangements, he responded to the wizard's gaze.
"Yes, it is safe and makes a good spot to rest."
"Are you not going to ask our thoughts?"
The remainder of Aragorn's group stood expectantly by them. Evidently frustrated at being neglected.
"Yeah! I'm not letting the elf decided for us all. Let us have a say."
"And us!"
The five of them looked down to find that the hobbits had also joined the conversation.
"We want a say in whatever this is!"
"Quiet Pip. You're going to make us miss what this is about."
The cousins were about to launch into their own discussion but Frodo stopped them.
"Is this about the storm?"
It surprised no one that the hobbits knew about the storm. By now the wind had picked up and spots of rain were decorating their clothing and faces.
Boromir, being the closest to the hobbits, answered.
"Yes. We are debating whether to stay in the cavern Merry and Pippin went in for the night to wait out the storm, or continue so we can pick up more supplies."
The larger of the fellowship waited as the hobbits weighed their options.
"Well Merry and me wanted to go back to the big balls in the mountains."
"I admit that I am also intrigued."
With Frodo, Merry and Pippin accounted for they turned to Sam.
"Well, it may not be my place to say but, whilst I would very much like a break and I don't want to be in this storm any longer than possible, I think we need more supplies if we are to eat at all in the next few days."
Everyone thought on this. Did their wish for food outweigh their wish for protection.
Boromir agreed with Sam and Gandalf, stating that they needed to move as swiftly as possible. Gimli however, wanted to remain where they were.
The vote was already in favour of staying, but what took it was the voice of Aragorn.
"If my memory serves me, I believe that there was a cellar there which had some food and alcohol. Some may still be available and not spoiled."
His mind turned to the food they had found and felt his stomach clench.
Now it was only Gandalf and Boromir who were against the idea but graciously accepted that they wouldn't be moving on.
Secretly Aragorn wanted to go as well. But if Legolas could do it he would. Besides, he couldn't leave his best friend in a place where they had needed each other the most.
They all turned to the cliff face, and strove to the shelter against the wind and rain, which was now whipping their cloaks around them.
However, before Gimli followed, he bent to pick something up.
Unseenby all the fellowship.
That was chapter four! Sorry about the rant above. I don't quite know what happened. Again I must thank everyone who has commented and is following this story. This weekend I am going to try and put out the first of the one-shots. Please look out for them.
Until the next chapter.