Sorry the chapter's late. I'm not even going to bother making up excuses. Only one more left after this! Not that I'm counting down or anything.

"I think he is waking up. Should I continue?"

"Yes! We need to get going. It will be easier if they're awake."

With a groan Aragorn opened his eyes. He was aching all over and despite the voices being only whispers they echoed loudly in his head. His chin being rested against his chest meant he got a clear view of the small boy from earlier. Remembering what had happened and the protests from his friend he spoke out.

"Legolas!"

His voice came out slightly weathered and choked his throat. Immediately, he was hushed.

"Shh, you need to be quite. If you don't we may be found out. We're trying to get you both away. Sunine, have you finished?"

"Yes."

A small knife was passed between them and as Aragorn was cut down he saw an unconscious elf propped up by an eleven year old girl. It was luck he was so light, otherwise it would be an even greater struggle than it already was to keep up the tall being.

Within minutes they left the open square in favour of the private back streets. Aragorn was trying to help Freed by hobbling along. The wound in his thigh left him limping and the rain that was streaming down stuck the remaining scraps of his tunic against the remaining tissue of his back. He didn't complain even though Freed's support irritated several of his injuries. It would be fair when over half of his body weight was being carried by someone half his size who wasn't complaining in the slightest. Every once in a while he did make sounds of discomfort and pain though. When he did Freed would adjust his grip and continue.

As they neared the edge of the village Legolas finally woke up. He struggled slightly at first until he realised what was happening. Poor Sunine nearly dropped him.

When they reached the end of the houses they made their way to the wall surrounding the village. It was quite a way from the gate so both Aragorn and Legolas were confused. Before long they smiled as a panel was pushed back to reveal a secret exit that had remained undetected.

On the other side was a large forest, the one they had passed through when making their way to the village. They found a secure space and settled down. Sunine set down a sac on the floor beside them.

"Inside are your packs and weapons as well as a few extra supplies. We have to leave now I'm sorry."

Legolas spoke up.

"Not at all we wouldn't want you to get in trouble on our account. Thank you."

"Yes, thank you for all you've done. Especially since you barely even know us. What you've done is far greater than even the kindest would risk."

Shaking his head, Freed looked at Sunine.

"It was the right thing to do. Hopefully, someday everyone else will be able to see that."

"I can't see my brother doing that any time soon."

After saying more thanks and goodbyes the pair were left in the trees as their friends went home. Gazing at the space they had vanished into, Aragorn sighed.

"They are too wise for their age." Then turning to Legolas he hardened his glare. "Tell me what injuries you've got. I'm fixing them up. Don't complain."

After a brief effortless refusal Aragorn set to work.

Legolas hadn't been beaten as badly as Aragorn so it was quite easy to fix the damage done to his back, though there was an incredible purple and blue mess forming along his spine. He was lucky that was the worst damage done especially as the movement may have worsened it. There were several other easily sorted cuts but his calves were another matter entirely. Each laceration was deep and appeared to be achieved with a partially blunt tool. How he had helped support himself was beyond Aragorn thought he wasn't really surprised. After a moment he set about stitching them.

Once he had finished Legolas removed the leather strap placed in his mouth to stop him biting his tongue when the stitches were being put in place.

"Alright, now it's your go."

Aragorn didn't even bother arguing. There was a look in his eyes that told him there would be no moving on this.

His injuries were more numerous but not as severe as Legolas', excepting his back, and were quickly cleaned and patched up. Then, after eating they gathered themselves up to test in a more sheltered spot a few metres to the right of their camp.

They had almost fallen asleep when Legolas bolted upright. Aragorn listed but couldn't hear what had startled him.

"What is it?"

Legolas frowned for a while before responding.

"Voices. We have to leave now!"

It took them seconds to get all of their things together. They then took off stealthy, heading North-East to Rivendell.

Moving as fast as they were able, they followed a narrow path between the trees. Aragorn watched Legolas warily, hoping the stitches would hold out under the strain of movement. He would've preferred to have him rest several days even though it would've never been an option. They would just have to try and survive long enough to get to rest in the elven realm.

After stomping through the forest for a while they reached a river. Aragorn could hear the voices now and they were getting nearer. They couldn't double back and going forwards seemed difficult.

"There."

Legolas pointed to a series of tree branches that stretched to the other side of the river. Aragorn could tell that he intended for them to swing across it but was very doubtful. It would probably hold the weight of an elf but a man? With baggage?

There was no time to argue the matter as more cries of: "Over there!" fom pursuing villagers meant they had little choice but to try and cross.

Legolas took the baggage and crossed first. He had made it halfway when Aragorn joined him. The elf made it across with no problems but the human had to stop art way. Hanging from his arms, he listened to the groaning of dead branches and didn't even get to call out before the branch gave shouts echoed in his mind before he plummeted into the water.

He could hear everything but nothing all at once. He was being pulled to the bottom of the river and let out a breath as he was towed into a jagged rock. Blood blossomed in the water but he didn't see as he was already being carried further by the rapids. His lungs were burning and he clawed his way towards the surface. Upon breaking it he saw streaks of green leaves flying through the trees above. One rasping breath was all he was allowed before being dragged back under. This time he couldn't break the surface. He was stuck under the icy waves and it wasn't only the lack of oxygen that was sapping his strength. The cold coiled itself around him and made his eyelids heavy. His injuries had been reopened and it felt many other had joined them. There was nothing he could do but allow himself to be dragged along the bottom, and then the middle, of the pool. He could only hope Legolas would get away safely without him.

Then he panicked.

Legolas would never do that. He was most likely trying to follow him right now.

With that thought in his mind he collided with a rock and lost consciousness.

A WARM WELCOME

A party was being thrown in the tavern. It was the first time in twenty-five years that the people from Órinor had been free of the shadow. Despite Gandalf's wishes to be off as soon as possible all of the fellowship was thoroughly enjoying themselves. They were passed drink after drink and it felt just too rude to refuse.

Boromir was sitting at a table with Gimli, Aragorn and Legolas. His head was slightly foggy and was reluctant to drink too much more lest he get a bad head for the early start in the morning. He still couldn't figure out how they had been convinced to stay an extra day but was glad if it meant the hobbits could rest more. Frodo in particular hadn't been getting enough sleep recently.

The woman he remembered to be called Sunine came over and sat down with them. She appeared to be struggling to find the right words. Both him and Gimli felt uncomfortable.

They may be missing parts of the story in Órinor but what they knew was probably too much already.

Neither of the three glanced their way as a means of asking them to leave so made no move to get up. There was a silence for a little while that was quickly remedied by the woman.

"Thank you. Not just for my sake but the entire village's. What you did won't be forgotten. What all of you did."

She added the last part looking at Boromir and Gimli, who waved her thanks beside. The other two looked each other in silent conversation before the dúnadan spoke.

"We were simply repaying a debt. You would've definitely done the same."

She blushed and for a moment looked like a young girl who had been praised by someone they looked up to.

"Well you know… It's been nice to see you both again anyway. Especially since things parted on bizarre terms. Though I did think you were dead. We were later told you had drowned."

Legolas laughed.

"No. That was the ranger that nearly drowned. We were worried as well. I take it you were never caught. I suppose no-one would suspect two children of creating an escape plan. I'm also glad to finally meet you properly."

"You didn't know each other?"

The words came out before Boromir could stop them. Thankfully no-one took it as an offence which could've been easy to do. Sunine laughed this time.

"No I met Strider beforehand but only saw Legolas when Freed and I were helping then escape. It was a short meeting and he was unconscious for about half of it."

Looking to Legolas he wondered what response the elf would give and was almost disappointed when it was a mere shrug of his shoulders. Instead Aragorn spoke for him.

"He didn't even bother to help when he awoke and just allowed Sunine to carry him."

Small grinns were forming as everyone predicted a minor argument.

"Oh yes. Coming from the man who was unconscious for several days on more than one occasion and always made me drag him back to Rivendell."

"That wasn't that many times only…"

"Only?"

"Only as many times as you… Only as many times as you…"

"That's what I thought."

"Only as many times as you have caused it."

They had reached a stalemate of sorts. Legolas couldn't answer without incriminating himself. Boromir guessed it was really Aragorn who had won. And he knew it. There was a call from over the tavern and before a scuffle could break out Sunine excused herself.

"Well as lovely as this is, I must be going. Thank you. And it's been a pleasure meeting you all."

They finished their drinks and sat there doing nothing. Of course it wasn't long until they had been replaced.

Someone else weaved their way through the crowd towards them and Boromir started to rise.

"No. Sit."

Aragorn looked him in the eye before he turned to the approaching man.

"Kerin."

His voice was ice. Both of the longtime friends had steel hard eyes and Boromir would've turned away if he was on the receiving end.

He didn't know what he expected but Kerin bowed his head in apology.

"I don't expect anything. I just wanted to admit I was wrong and say I am sorry."

He went to turn away but was stopped.

"Wait. Just tell me one thing. Was it worth it?"

Boromir watched as Kerin faced Legolas, who's eyes had thawed. He thought then answered decisively whilst walked away.

"Yes."

Legolas looked content and ignored the confused looks he was receiving. Then he drained his mug and accepted another before finishing that one as well.

Boromir had left the bar and was gazing into the night. The day had gone by very quickly. He would be glad to put this whole Órinor problem behind them. Nothing ever seemed to go smoothly. What a miracle it would be if the rest of their quest passed without incident. With that he walked off to his room to sleep.

The second part wasn't that long. Sorry about that. I enjoyed writing the first part though.

One of the lines near the end may be confusing but I promise it will be explained next time.

Please stick with it. Not long left!