Author's Note: I have completely re-written this story so if you have read it before I would recommend re-reading it again as it has a lot more detail now and is very much improved. Thanks.
They should have been back by now the wizard thought in frustration as he stood at the cave's entrance and looked out at the surrounding forest. Having risen not long after the ranger had departed their campsite the wizard had gathered from Sam that he and the elf had talked for a while before Legolas had decided to take a walk. Unsure if the elf was well enough to go alone, the hobbit had awoken Aragon who had now gone to follow the elf and keep him from danger. Those two together, he thought to himself his worry growing stronger. He had known them both for their entire lives and though they had one of the greatest friendships he had ever seen, they still had a knack for running into trouble whenever they were in each others company.
Now as he stood watching as the other members of the Fellowship readied their midday meal, he pondered to why he had allowed Elrond to convince him that it would alright having both the ranger and the elf be part of the ring's party. The half-Elven had never agreed with his theory that those two together would always lead to some kind of trouble and had countered his argument by stating that even if Aragon and Legolas did ran into danger more often that what one would expect, they have always survived it by working together. Since the fellowship's journey was already a dangerous one, having the two as members of the company would not cause it any further peril and would likely ensure that they would survive though whatever evils they would uncover. Even the wizard could not argue against that.
Even as he began to think about going to go find the pair, he heard rustling among the undergrowth just to the right of the cave. Picking up his staff, the wizard turned to meet the potential threat when Aragon and Legolas emerged from the specific spot. Both were softly laughing over some joke or memory, even as the weary looking elf leaned against the man for support. Gandalf immediately noticed the strips of fabric wrapped around the elf's wrist and hands and studying the rest of the elf, he discerned that through the elf was obviously exhausted, he was looking more peaceful than he had been since the attack. The ranger too was also looking a lot happier.
"Where have you two been?" he asked as man and elf approached the Fellowship's cave. The remaining members of the company had now risen from their tasks as they too hoped to find out where their companions had been, for they too had been worried. "I am sorry Mithrandir" the elf answered, his voice sounding rough and dry. "My walk took longer than I had imagined" he managed to say before he began to cough harshly and was unable to continue. Aragon held the elf in support as he explained that the elf had walked further than he had meant to. "I luckily happened to come upon him before he was too exhausted. We returned as quickly as we could" he finished.
Gandalf could sense that there was more to the story than they were letting on and he looked knowingly at the ranger who returned his look with a nod ensuring him that he would get the full story once the rest of the fellowship had dispersed and the elf had been tended too. "You, my dear prince, should rest" the wizard said to the elf "We will be leaving this place once evening falls and I would wish you well enough to continue walking throughout the night. The rest of us will take the midday meal and then rest as well. There will be few times during this journey where we will be able to halt this long". He watched as the others returned to their tasks and the ranger lead the elf towards the back of the cave. The prince must be weary. He is not protesting about being underground as he usually would, he thought as he wondered at what had happened out in the forest. I will need to speak to Aragon once he had seen to Legolas, he decided.
Once Legolas was comfortably settled on the blankets at the back of the cave, Frodo and Sam approach each carrying a bowl. "Here Legolas sir" said Sam, as he held out his bowl towards the elf "It sounds as if you might like some water". The elf smiled at the hobbit in thanks as he took the bowl from the hobbit. His throat was very sore and as he quenched his thirst the water felt good on his parched throat. "Thank you, Sam" he managed to say once he had finished. "I am sorry that I caused you distress. I had not meant to wander so far" "Oh no sir, it no problem. I'm just glad that you are safe" the hobbit replied, happy that the elf already looking much better.
Next Frodo held out his bowl which was also filled with water. "I thought that you might need this to tend to any wounds" the hobbit said as he passed the bowl to Aragon. "Thank you, Frodo" said the man as he took the bowl. He wasn't surprised that the others had picked up on the injuries that could be seen of the elf's wrists, even though they were wrapped, blood was evident on the bandages. Settling down next to the elf he unwrapped the fabric and carefully began to clean the cuts and grazes. They were already beginning to heal. Deciding that they would be okay left uncovered, he examined the splint on the elf's left arm to ensure that it was still secure. Finally he checked the elf's previously injured cracked ribs and sprained wrist for any further damage.
"You are healing well, mellon nin." He said to the elf, once he confirmed that everything was healing the way it should be. "You should have no problem with tonight's journey if you rest until then". He helped Legolas lay down before continuing. "However before we leave tonight, I want you to have something to eat". The elf did not look too pleased at the thought of eating, but as he started to speak, Sam announced that he would ensure that there would be something easy for the elf to eat tonight. Seeing the kindness in the hobbits' eyes, Legolas decided that eating might be good. "Thank you Sam" he said gratefully as he settled down to sleep. It was not long before he was following the path of dreams.
Once Aragon and the hobbits were sure that the elf was sleeping peacefully, Sam and Frodo left to help Boromir finish preparing their midday meal. With one final check, the ranger rose to seek Gandalf as he was sure that the wizard would have questions for him.