Chapter 19

Bright blue eyes looked into Aragorn's and he could hardly believe his luck. The man smiled at his friend, overjoyed to see him awake.

"How are you, mellon-nin?", the ranger asked carefully, placing his hand on the forest elf's forehead to see how the fever had developed. To his incredible relief, it seemed to have gotten better. Legolas also smiled wearily.

"Good, Aragorn." The man just shook his head. Why was this elf so proud, please? "Can I have water?", the archer asked softly and Aragorn nodded. At the next moment, someone handed him the bottle and when the ranger looked up, he saw Sam smiling at him kindly. In the hobbit's eyes, the ranger saw a part of the happiness that he was feeling right now. With a thankful smile, Aragorn took the bottle and then instructed the hobbits to brew water for tea. The man carefully helped his friend to sit up. Legolas groaned once, but otherwise, he was silent. Aragorn was really sorry for the elf. He didn't want to imagine the pain which this must-have. The man put an arm around his friend's shoulder to keep him upright and put the bottle on his friend's lips. After drinking a little something, Legolas left his head exhausted on the ranger's shoulder. He was obviously very weak. Aragorn involuntarily pulled the elf closer to him and stroked his hair.

"I'm glad that you're here," he whispered in Elvish. Legolas smiled slightly. "Me too, mellon-nin. Me too."

Legolas had no idea how long they were sitting there. He didn't care either. The prince of Mirkwood felt very tired but it was better than last time. His head was still on his best friend's shoulder, who was gently stroking his hair all the time. The elf shut up for a moment, managed to relax a little for the first time in a long time. After a short time, he opened his eyes again and looked around the camp. Legolas frowned. Where was Gandalf?

"Aragorn, where's Gandalf?" The man immediately tensed and the elf raised his head in confusion. What had happened when he was not conscious? The ranger's eyes were full of pain and grief, and the prince's heart contracted. No. It was impossible. "What happened?", Legolas asked, his voice harsh and sad. Aragorn sighed deeply.

"A balrog was after us. Gandalf stood up to him. And went down with him." The handsome warrior swallowed hard. Somehow, this information didn't really go into his head. Gandalf was dead. The elf's heart ached. He had known Gandalf since he was a little Elbling. Gandalf was the only one who knew everything about Legolas. The prince had entrusted him with everything, including what had happened to his brothers at the time. His brothers. His heart filled with pain and sadness again. The wizard would see them again in the eternal halls.

"Legolas?", a concerned voice suddenly asked and pulled him out of his thoughts. Aragorn looked down at his friend with concern. "What?", the elf asked, uncertain whether his friend had said anything else. The man looked worried, but luckily he didn't ask.

"You should sleep." This time the prince nodded without discussion and allowed the ranger to gently put the prince's head on his legs. Legolas closed his eyes and pictures immediately appeared. Thorondor's face contorted with pain, Aranal's bloody body, Arnor and Aldon's empty eyes. His laugh. The forest elf immediately stiffened and became restless. "Quiet. You're safe," suddenly breathes a gentle, calming voice into his ear. Legolas hoped his friend was right. And he also knew that it was soon time, to tell the truth to his friend.