Disclaimer: I'm lazy, so NOT MINE!!!!!!!!!

Title: From Ancient Grudge

Rating: PG-13

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CHAPTER 20

Aragorn and Elrond worked on Legolas for the remainder of the night and into the morning. As they sat back, having used all their herbs and all the knowledge they had between them, they knew they had done all they could. Now, they could only wait.

Gimli strode over. "Is that Crazy Elf awake yet? I want to give him a piece of my…" His rant was cut off as Legolas shifted, groaning painfully.

"Not now, Master Dwarf. I fear I am yet too weak for one of your lectures. It would surely finish me off…" Legolas spoke softly, but the undertone of mirth was unmistakable. Gimli looked on in astonishment as the Elf sat up under his own power and smiled weakly.

"Legolas, you need to rest." Aragorn scolded gently. Legolas nodded.

"Yes, Estel." he teased. "You are worse than--" a shadow passed over his face and they knew what he'd been about to say. 'My father.'

An awkward silence descended on the group until Elrodan came over. "Sorry to disturb you, my Lords. Lunch is ready." As if on cue, Gimli's stomach let out a loud growl of complaint.

"You should go quickly, Master Dwarf, lest your stomach decide to proceed without you!" Legolas jested and Aragorn laughed, the silence safely broken.

Gimli wandered towards the fire muttering to himself in Dwarven. Aragorn turned back to his friend.

"How do you fare, Legolas?" Legolas turned his head towards Aragorn and regarded him for a moment.

"I am alright, my friend. Go and eat. I could not take food at present." Aragorn knew better than to argue when Legolas was unsettled, and that was an understatement of the condition the Elf was in now. He went, glancing back over his shoulder as Legolas drifted into uneasy slumber.

Aragorn approached him several hours later as he awoke. "Legolas, I need to check your dressings. How do you feel now?"

"I am fine." Legolas replied, much too quickly for Aragorn's liking.

"Legolas? Sit down a minute and let me check your injuries, mellon nìn."

Legolas backed away from his lifelong friend, never taking his eyes off the Human, "I have told you; I am well. They do not need to be checked."

Aragorn refused to let the archer run and followed his retreating form, reaching towards the Elf, "Legolas, they do need it, they--"

"Leave me, Aragorn!" Aragorn stared at his friend, who had gone white, fear plain on his face. The Ranger frowned.

"Legolas, it is I, it is Estel. You know I will not hurt you."

Legolas' eyes darkened, "I cannot abide anyone touching me…Not yet. Please understand."

Aragorn nodded. "Alright, Legolas. Can I do anything for you, my friend?" Legolas closed his eyes.

"Nothing, mellon. But thank you."

Aragorn nodded again. He reached out and Legolas flinched when the Ranger's hand landed on his shoulder. "It will be alright. You need time. We will wait for you, come when you are ready."

The Elf smiled and Aragorn headed over to his father and brothers, hoping Legolas would come around. His paranoid aversion to touch worried Aragorn, even though he knew the reason behind it. He hoped Legolas was not permanently scarred, physically or emotionally.

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Review replies::

Cheysuli: You never know!! ;) I think it made sense…*reads again* …Yup. Made sense alright!! We'll have to see later about the forgiving father part…you know what he's like!! ARGH!! Lots and lost of more!s this time!! Yay!! Love em!!


MoroTheWolfGod: Addicted?? Uh oh that can't be good!! Um…support group? Like AA only not… FAA?? Fanfic Addicts Anonymous! Sorry, ignore my strange humour again! Glad you're enjoying! More soon… =)

tamara: I try to update quickly cos I've been told my chapters are too short!! We'll see what happens now…*evil smile* hehehe!! =) Hope ya like!!

WePo: You ran out of chapters?? Oh no!! I'll have to get this up really quick for you then!! That better?? =) Have a day off today so I got the chance to post this earlier than expected just for you!! Hope you enjoyed and more soon I promise!!

DXPrincess: Another one? Oh dear I'm so evil!! How's this one? Wasn't as bad right?? ;) Hehehe! I'm glad you like it! Might even get another chapter up today if I get enuf reviews…(hint hint!!!) I think the next one's real cliff hangey!!

jambaby1963: Hmmm…maybe!! *innocent smile* If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise!! Ooh cookies! Can I have one too?? I promise I'll be nicer to Legolas! ;)

Legilmalith: I'll try, but you know by now what my muse is like!! Only messing I couldn't kill Legolas!! Wouldn't have a story then would I? =) I'm not particularly fond of them either, but they can serve a purpose!! He's big…um, I mean little…bodyguard man…Dwarf… Or something!! I agree with you, it's Elvish to the best of my knowledge! You're right alright!! ;) Hehehe! I'm sure your imitation accent isn't that bad!! You should hear my imitation Northern accent, it's really scary!!

Lefty: Aw that must've been really annoying!! Glad you're back at your own one now? Thanks for the L O N G review!! I love long ones!! [Goliath is dead!! I smote him myself! I smoted him good!!] Sorry, ignore that!! I just love the word smite (I know I'm strange!!)! Yeah Legolas' mother died in childbirth and his sister didn't survive and that's partly why Thranduil hates Legolas so much. =) Clearer now?? You changed the subject fast enuf, so I won't mention your *thing*!! ;p And Gimli's back!! Yay!!

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Probably get some more up later tonight…so review and I'll see what I can do!! See yous later!!

Tithen Min

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