Legolas' pov:

Legolas had hoped that his hirsute guardian would have recognized that after a good night's sleep in the surroundings of green and growing things he would now be well enough to complete their journey. He was unpleasantly surprised by Gimli's obdurate refusal to even seriously consider his request, and as a consequence was not in the least bit guarded in the use of his tongue to make plain his own feelings on the matter.

When Gimli swung back towards him one finger raised and threatened, "Any more of that sort of language, and you won't be happy with where you'll find yourself. Now there is nothing more to be said about this!"

He should, he knew,, have conceded but a stubborn determination to travel prevented him from taking such a sensible decision and instead he had stood and prepared to argue further.

"There is a great deal more to be said about this … why do you not turn about so that we may continue our debate face to face or at least face to knee."

But even as Gimli did just that, and the look on his face warned Legolas that mentioning knees had perhaps not been a good idea. The prince was distracted by a movement on the edge of the glade they were camped in. He looked up and his jaw dropped as an elf moved out of the trees and into his line of sight.
He made an inarticulate gurgling in his throat which alerted Gimli to the fact that they were no longer alone, yet although the elf was looking surprised and he had put his injured arm behind his back as if attempting to hide it, he was not looking concerned at whoever was behind the dwarf. Nevertheless when Gimli swung around his hand was on the shaft of his throwing axe just to be safe.

He found himself facing a large elf who was frowning ferociously but not at him, rather at the prince behind him.

"Your year away from your father's halls has not improved your manners any I see." the warrior growled. "Nor do you appear to have recalled a need to show respect to those who have your care in their charge."

Legolas wilted under this condemnation. Ignoring him completely the elf now turned to Gimli bowing and sweeping out a hand from his heart.

"Mae govannen Gimli son of Gloin. I am Brethilas, erstwhile body guard to Legolas Thranduilion. I bring greetings from my king Thranduil Oropherion and on his behalf welcome you to his realm. He is fully aware of the great debt of gratitude he owes you for the care of his only child in this last year and hopes he may have the pleasure of greeting you in person should you choose to journey with us to the stronghold. I would like to add my own humble thanks also for your charge of our prince while he has been absent without leave," he added glowering at the prince, "from those whose duty it was to guard him and his life."

Legolas watches as Gimli looked up at the imposing figure that stood before him and evidently liked what he saw. Legolas had spoken of Brethilas quite often while they were on the Quest and he clearly had great respect for the elf, who had made it his mission in life to protect each generation of the House of Oropher. Recognizing a consummate warrior he offered his own greeting in return inclining his head respectfully.

"Gimli Gloinson at the service of you and your family. Well met Master Brethilas. I am happy indeed to make your acquaintance and relieved also. Tell me do you have a healer with you?"

Brethilas' eyes turned back to the prince who seemed to shrink under that penetrating gaze.

"He is hurt?"

"I am well on the road to recovery" Legolas hurried to put in just as Gimli pronounced,

"Aye, a poisoned orc blade,," Gimli shook his head sadly "Nothing more than a scratch all through the war and within sneezing distance of his homeland he is hurt. And here I was thinking I was going to get the child home unscathed as I had promised."

Ignoring Legolas as if he was not even present Brethilas turned his full attention onto Gimli.

"Knowing him as I do that would have been quite a trick Master dwarf. The family Oropher is as magnets to iron when it comes to injuries. You are unharmed yourself I trust."

"To my shame I am. I was not even present when Legolas took them on, and rather than admit what he had done, for I had expressly forbidden him to track them, or to tell me he was injured,he chose to hide the fact until he became so ill it was no longer possible to do so."

Brethilas snorted "That sounds all too familiar a story to those who know this scion of the House of Oropher; so I will tell you that you should not try to accept the responsibility for something that was clearly beyond your control. There is but one person at fault here and he knows well who he is. Tell me about the injury."

Tired of being ignored Legolas mumbled, "There is no need. I told you I am well on the way to being fully recovered."

Brethilas turned his head to where the prince stood yet did not seem to see or hear him. His whole attention appeared to be fixed upon the dwarf, yet when Legolas began to move forward intent on making his point this time at least, he was halted immediately by Brethilas.

"Do not add foolishness to poor manners tithen mesen. It is both rude and dangerous to interrupt your elders. Sit down."

Gimli tried to hide his smile as his charge dropped to the ground his expression mutinous but his voice silenced once more, and then he hurried to explain to Brethilas what he had done once the injury had been revealed.

"It has been a worrying few days. The wound kept healing and trapping the poison inside to begin with, until the lad suggested we insert a reed to keep it open and to allow the poison to drain. I am pleased to tell you that when I checked it this morning the black pus was almost fully drained away and was being replaced by clean blood. I was hoping that the reed could be removed and the wound allowed to heal naturally although I was not looking forward to the procedure itself. I found it hard enough putting the reed in. I do not enjoy inflicting pain on the child."

"No, I would not exchange places with the healers for all of Smaug's gold. But one of my patrol has had some training in the healing arts he will assess the injury and do what is necessary. Eglan."

The elf so named appeared from the tree line, a healer's pack in his hands, and went straight to Legolas' side.
Gimli and Brethilas watched as the warrior unwound the bandaging and the wound was exposed.

"Is all well?" the dwarf asked anxiously

"It is healing very well, Master dwarf. I will take out the reed and pack the wound with herbs. I am sure Master Hirinwath will say that you have done excellent work considering your circumstances. I will brew up some tea that will help dull the pain when I remove the draining tube. By your leave Corporal?"

Brethilas waved him away "Aye do so. We will make camp here for the rest of the day at least and assess whether we can travel on tomorrow morning."

Legolas who had had fumed silently through the examination was now thoroughly tired of being ignored and as Brethilas and Gimli continued to order the day as they thought fit he burst out.

"I am ready to travel now!"

He may as well have remained silent, he acknowledged, as neither of his minders showed any sign of listening to him. Sitting glaring at their unresponsive backs it occurred to him that if he wanted to travel home sooner rather than later he was going to have to do it alone.

Later he would admit that he could not possibly have been thinking straight, or at all, in attempting to sneak away from a camp that not only held some of the best and most experienced warriors in his father's realm, but also a pair of the most intransigent of worry-warts.

In fact he barely managed to make it to where Arod was tethered before he was called on his escape attempt.

"No doubt you will be telling us you are merely checking up on the beastie," Gimli's voice came from the darkness.

"Either that or he was 'just' stretching his legs" Brethilas put in.

Anger at being so easily caught was perhaps the cause of Legolas' foolish response to this gentle teasing.

Rather than backing down, he let loose a positive barrage of abuse at his nursemaids, informing them in no uncertain terms that he was more than capable of deciding for himself whether he was fit to travel and that he was tired of their interfering over protectiveness. He ended his diatribe with an explosive "I wish you would listen to me. I AM FINE!"

"Not for much longer," Brethilas growled angry in turn. "So help me I have struggled to keep my hands off you so far this day, but I will not do so any longer. You are due a long spell over my knee, Elfling, and I am in just right the mood to inflict it upon you here and now."

But as Brethilas went to grab Legolas' arm Gimli interposed.

"Peace, friend Brethilas. While my sympathies are with you in your desire to see to the laddie's needs, I can't let you do so now. He may tell us he is fine, but he is not. You know it and I know it and by the look of him," dark eyes took in the drooping tired elf before them "so does he. Here child, let's get you back to your bedroll."

"Aye you are right Master Gimli; I should not have allowed my frustration at his obduracy to blind me from the obvious."

He scooped Legolas up into his arms and began striding back to the camp, the dwarf walking alongside him still holding the young prince's cold hand in his, offering his comfort and support as an exhausted elfling was tucked back into his blankets. As Legolas drifted off into sleep, his thoughts were on the fact that he was very fortunate to have such a good friend at his side.

Gimli's pov:

Gimli was relieved that he had been able to successfully halt the understandably frustrated Brethilas in his attempt to call Legolas on his less that model behavior. Not that the dwarf was any more accepting of such a display of disrespectful rudeness. Still he recognized it for what it was. The child was overwrought, exhausted, and aching to be home. While it may not be proper to behave in such a fashion, Gimli thought it was understandable, especially considering all the elfling had been through during this trying journey home. He was certain his charge would regret his angrily spoken words when his health and his usual sweet nature returned, so he ignored the scowl that was thrown in his direction as Brethilas carried Legolas back to the camp and his bedroll.

Legolas did not argue, though as Gimli pulled the covers up and tucked them around him. The frown that creased his brow smoothed as the dwarf spoke soft assurances, and encouraged him to sleep. He brushed back the stray hair from the child's face and watched with satisfaction as the eyes once again drifted shut.
They had made it. Within a few days he would have his charge home, and without further problems, no doubt, now that they were in the company of the formidable Elven warriors who had come to escort them. As he closed his own eyes, the dwarf felt thankful. Thankful the war was over and their mission had succeeded. Thankful that he was going to be able to fulfill the oath he had taken. And very thankful, that he had swallowed his lifelong prejudice and befriended Legolas, who Gimli had come to regard as dearer than any other. In spite of all the devastation they had seen on their journey, Gimli felt that Middle Earth was a beautiful place indeed.