Thanks to 'eLLe' and 'evil spapple pie' for beta-reading and finding all my mistakes in this! ^_^

Chapter #4 ~ Desperate Need, Forging Friendships & Memories

The company moved with renewed purpose.

Before they had felt lost and overwhelmed with sadness, but now that they had a goal that could make them shove aside their inner turmoil for the greater good of their companion, they found themselves moving forward with an added vigour. Even the small hobbits pushed forward on aching limbs, and forced their furry feet to trudge onwards without complaint. Whenever they lost sight of their motivation a small cry of pain from the elf would quickly remind them. It was apparent to all that Legolas was worsening.

The elf was drifting in and out of consciousness, muttering in his native tongue in a feverish delirium. Perspiration had formed over the archer's brow so that the stray strands of hair, which had come loose from his hair clasps, clung to his forehead and cheeks, like a golden halo.

Frodo could see and hear all of this as he ran silently behind the ranger, with one hand placed just inside the top part of his shirt, caressing the ring within. His large eyes were fixated on the luminescent elf. These people were all here, in peril, none the less, to protect himself. Gandalf had already perished due to that allegiance, and Legolas might soon die as well. Nothing could begin to describe the guilt that Frodo felt as a result.

They should not have to sacrifice so much for me. I am not worth it.

"Frodo?" Sam's concerned voice said, interrupting his fellow hobbit's thoughts.

"Yes, Sam, I hear you," Frodo replied, in what he hoped was a reassuring tone.

"Can I do aught for you?"

"No Sam, in this you cannot aid me." For you have all given me far too much already.

Sam nodded silently, although the pain in his eyes at his own helplessness said more than words could. The practical gardener watched solemnly as Frodo's mind once again descended into its own dark thoughts. The hobbit longed to do something to ease the troubled mind of his friend. He was a simple gardener though, and the enormity of the situation went beyond what he could even express, much less comprehend. Sam felt lost, helpless and, most frustratingly of all, useless.

"My old Gaffer would have a thing or two to say about us now, wouldn't he Master Frodo?" If Frodo heard however, he made no reply. Instead his fingers continued to inch further into the collar of his shirt. Sam sighed in defeat, and he ran on in silence, eyeing the ring-bearer constantly.

Near the back of the line Gimli was faring little better then Samwise the hobbit. During the entirety of the quest to date he and the elf had been constantly at each other's throats, but over the past week something had changed. Gimli was still confused when he thought back to the day the elf had approached him. It had been evening, and they had finally stumbled down from the heights of Caradhras after being beaten back by the evil mountain...

~*~ Flashback ~*~

Gimli sat in the dark night casually, puffing at his pipe. The fellowship had, for the most part, retired, but Gimli had left the camp in search of solitude, and an enjoyable smoke. He sat comfortably at the base of a tree with his back leaning against the monstrous trunk. The night was chilly, but after having spent so many days on the mountain of snow the evening felt mild in comparison. Point in fact, Gimli was just glad at this small chance at escaping the clattering of the hobbits, the bickering of the men, and the irritating superiority of the elf.

"Master Dwarf, do I disturb you?" came a sudden and melodious voice from the darkness above him.

The dwarf was incapable of stopping himself from jumping at the sudden sound, much to his own chagrin. He emitted a low growl in anger at being disturbed, while his eyes danced in the darkness looking for the speaker.

Legolas dropped gracefully from a birch tree a few metres away, and stood there, glowing lightly in the darkness. He stood tall and erect, with his eyes wide, and his silver-blond hair hung free of clasps to drape loosely down his shoulders and back. Gimli noted that he wore no shoes, and instead seemed comfortable travelling barefoot. His bow he clasped to him tightly, long arms gently embracing the wooden weapon.

The silence stretched.

"Crazy elf, have you no other errand but to trouble me with your presence?" Gimli finally snapped when the quiet became too much for him to endure. He almost regretted speaking, however, when Legolas' gaze latched onto him in a severe elven glare. The elf's dark eyes seemed to see right through the dwarf, who had to consciously fight against fidgeting under the intense scrutiny.

As suddenly as it had come the anger melted from the elf's countenance. His shoulders drooped from their proud stance, and he suddenly looked terribly lost, and incredibly young. The transformation left Gimli somewhat startled.

"Master Dwarf, might I join you?" came the quiet but proud request. Again, the dwarf found himself completely surprised by the elf's behaviour. He pondered the solicitation before giving a brief curt nod.

Legolas walked silently, like a bird in flight, or a fish in water, towards the dwarf before sinking down lightly to the ground. Carefully laying aside his bow he drew up his knees and leaned his head and arms down lightly on them, while staring blankly in front of him. Absent mindedly one slender hand reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind one leaf-shaped ear, but besides that brief movement the elf remained as still as the forest around them.

Gimli watched the elf with growing suspicion. For all the dwarf wondered, he could not fathom this newest plan of the elf. It was never doubted by Gimli that the elf was plotting something, and it only worried him that he could not out smart or pre-guess the flighty mind of the being beside him. Suspiciously Gimli continued to observe Legolas from the corner of his eye.

The silence stretched between them both again, and Gimli lost track of the number of minutes that must have passed thus. Finally Legolas spoke,

"Master Dwarf..." he paused here, and Gimli watched in slight fascination as the elf swallowed hard before continuing, "Gimli. I feel my conduct towards you thus far on our quest might have been somewhat childish." Whatever Gimli had been expecting the elf to say, that was not it. He felt himself choke somewhat on smoke as he inhaled, and it took two solid coughs for him to clear his lungs and draw breath normally once again. He stared at the elf with eyes large in disbelief.

"I think we must reach some sort of agreement between us, for the sake of our goal," Legolas continued softly although, Gimli was fairly sure he could see a slight reddish tint to the elf's cheekbones. Was it possible for an elf to blush?

There was another pause.

"Will you not speak?" Legolas finally blurted out (much to the satisfaction of the dwarf!). So that display of emotionless control was something that could be broken under the right circumstances.

"Well, Elf..." Now it was Gimli's turn to flounder. "Legolas," he managed to choke out, "you have certainly surprised me. I too would offer my..." Gimli swallowed thickly in a manner very similar to Legolas' own behaviour but minutes ago, "apologies for some of my actions in the past. What sort of arrangement have you in mind?"

Legolas slowly turned his head so he could see the dwarf, and allowed it to rest on its side now. "The Darkness grows in them. Can you not feel it?"

Gimli started at this confession. He had been aware for a few days now that the ring's influence could be felt on certain members of their company, but it had been nothing so drastic as to give him too much alarm. Hearing Legolas speak openly, and with him of all people, of such things however made him reassess his earlier conclusions.

"I have." The elf's head nodded slightly at Gimli's conformation.

"It grows in me as well," the confession was spoken so softly that Gimli was almost certain he had misheard. "I would have no more enemies then those we already face. If there can be no friendship between us, Master Gimli, then let there at least be no aggression. I have not the heart for such a fight from both within and without."

"You speak words of wisdom, Legolas. Words I would never have thought to hear from one of your kind. I admit I might have judged you quickly. I accept this offer, though I think both of us will find it difficult at times."

Legolas laughed lightly at this, his previous melancholy vanishing in the wake of his happiness. "Well said, Master Dwarf! We shall both be pushed father then any good elf or dwarf should have to be pushed when it comes to matters of self-control. I only hope your smaller bulk can handle such a burden!" The impish grin on the elf's face took any stinging bite out of the words, and Gimli found it impossible to take offence. Instead, he settled in kind,

"Smaller bulk! This coming from the spindly and, might I add, flighty being who cannot pass a tree without becoming smitten or breaking out into song! Master Legolas, in this I fear more for your being more than my own. Dwarves are known for their sturdy dependence. You elves on the other hand," he shook his head in mock despair, "I can do no more then offer my sympathies and understanding."

Under the pale glow of the moon the two had grinned at each other, and a tentative friendship, that would grow to defy worlds, began.

~*~ End Flashback ~*~

Gimli thought of this, and more. Although they had not had any real time to speak to each other since that encounter, it had left a sense of brotherhood between the two. Somehow, with Legolas being injured, Gimli felt that he had failed in his share of the deal. That night they had come to the agreement to watch out for each other and in this Gimli had neglected that duty. He could not quite believe that he was feeling this concerned over an elf.

His face deepened in its scowl.

You cannot die you crazy elf for... you would be missed.

*Ducks as numerous reviewers throw things in her direction* I know! They are *still* not in Lothlorien and I apologize that it is taking so long. I hope you don't think this is moving to slow. If you are losing patients then tell me and I will try to progress things at a quicker pace. I just love the friendship that developed between Gimli and Legolas and I had to include a little chapter in homage to that.

Next chapter is their arrival in Lothlorien!!!

Review Notes:

Cheysuli ~ It is pretty weird that we all seem to take delight in hurting Legolas. *shakes head in wonder* Well I guess his injuries simply lead to good stories, lol. I am so glad you updated your "Learn to See…" story. I cannot begin to tell you how much I am enjoying that one. It is one of those classic stories you stumble across on the web that you just get sucked into. Thanks for your continued support!

Athelas ~ Thanks on trying to make heads or tales of my elvish, lol. It took me almost an hour to try and translate all of that from the last chapter and although I made a ton of mistakes I enjoyed doing it. Tolo means come doesn't? Wow, "each chapter lights your day"! That is so flattering. I will keep trying to post as regularly as possible because I hate to let down reviewers.

Daylight ~ Welcome to my newest reviewer! I am glad that you like my language style. I have been told that it can be somewhat trying at times because I overdo adjectives. I am sometimes slow at updating (as I am a first year university student) but I will try to keep updates coming as quickly as possible to make sure all you reviewers are kept happy!

Goma-Ryu ~ Thanks for hugging Legolas! He is really going to need all the support he can get by the time I am through with him, lol. Since you proclaimed this piece a "must continue" I have posted this chapter a little quicker then I had been planning on it. I hope it did not disappoint!

evil spapple pie ~ I am thrilled that you love this. I will do my utmost to make sure Legolas is still breathing by the time I am done with this fic but I cannot make any promises because I have not thought that far ahead, lol. I sort of go with what I am feeling when I am writing so the long term agenda is rather hazy. Thanks for continuing to review!

Artemisa ~ *checks to makes sure Artemisa is still breathing* I hope your death was not too painful while you were awaiting this chapter, lol. I know what it is like to get feedback about your writing and everything I said about your pieces was true. I only hope you don't leave me hanging to long and update again soon as well, lol. *hint, hint*

Kaelriel ~ I am so happy that you decided to make my story the exception when it comes to reviews. I live off these things. They puff up my ego, lol. I am glad you like my character portrayals. I loved the fellowship when I read it three years ago and the movies just brought it all back for me so I wanted to try and keep the character development/interaction in my works. If you feel I am not giving any one character their due then feel free to point it out to me! Thanks for your review and I hope you continue to do so!