Chapter 38
Frodo sat trembling in the deep darkness, thinking about everything that had happened recently. Why did everything go so terribly wrong? Why did everything go against them? Why didn't it just get better? The hobbit looked worriedly at the beautiful elf. He was leaning against the wall, his legs pulled close to his chest and his blue eyes staring blank. The ring bearer realized with concern that the light which surrounds the prince was getting weaker and weaker. It had been getting weaker for days. Legolas didn't eat or drink and it was obvious that he was fighting. Not only did the darkness hit him, but also his thoughts and the pain he had to feel. Aragorn became more and more worried, but the archer retreated more and more and even the ranger couldn't get to him.
At least a day must have passed since they last saw Eero. It was really hard to judge the time that had passed in the dark. Frodo sighed softly. After all, the wounds on the elf's back healed very well, but if he didn't feel better soon, it would probably be too late.
"Do you think he will ... die?", Sam whispered suddenly, barely able to speak the words. The heart of the hobbit filled with sadness. Because nobody could say whether Legolas would survive.
"I honestly don't know," Frodo whispered back. He hated it so much there was nothing they could do but hope. Frodo's attention turned to Aragorn as he got up and went resolutely to the prince on the wall. He would probably try another conversation. The ranger cautiously crouched in front of the handsome warrior and put two hands on his knee. Blue, cloudy eyes looked up and the heart of the ring bearer broke with the tremendous sadness and hopelessness in them. "Legolas, please talk to me! You can trust me!" The ranger's voice was full of pain and worry. He felt with his friend.
"E-Estel ..." The prince's voice sounded so broken that everything in Frodo contracted. Had he already given up? Aragorn reached for Legolas' hands and took them gently in his. Their eyes met and bandaged together.
"I'm here, mellon-nin." The archer smiled slightly and sank to the chest of the man, who immediately wrapped his arms around him and closed his eyes.
"I miss them so much, Aragorn. I feel like I'm trapped in the past. In this guilt and darkness. It's all so dark. I feel so alone." Frodo's heart was torn. The picture was so heartbreaking. An elf who was trembling and hopeless in the arms of someone who had to try not to cry out of compassion. The ranger gave Legolas a gentle, shaky kiss on the head.
"Don't think so, Legolas. I can no longer change what happened back then and believe me that I would do anything to be able to do it. But you are not to blame for what happened. Nobody does that except Eero. You have to stop getting lost in that thought. But your brothers are still here. You embody part of each of them. You are like Thorondor, so purposeful, authoritarian and thoughtful. You are like the twins, funny, exuberant and happy. And most of all, you're like Aranel. Courageous, loving and loyal. You show the people you love how much you do you have such a big heart. They live in you, Legolas. You make sure of your way that they live on. And never think you are alone. You have the fellowship, you have your father, you have my father. And most of all you have me. And I will never leave you." A tear ran down the hobbit's cheek. How deep the love of these two was. Legolas smiled and hugged his friend tighter. Suddenly strange noises came from outside and destroyed the moment. Everyone immediately looked up in alarm. Frodo froze in amazement. The white wizard stood in front of them. But it was not Saruman.
