The night passed slowly and uneventfully, and the next morning Aragorn was barely able to keep his eyes open. He felt infinitely tired and exhausted, since the last few days had pulled very hard on his strength, but both the fear for Legolas and the tension did not let him sleep. His thoughts wandered in all possible directions, but would not leave him alone.
The ranger looked to his motionless friend. The archer still showed no sign of awakening, and the Heir to the Throne of Gondor turned away again with another exasperated sigh. It broke his heart to see his immortal friend and companion like this.
At that moment, a low, anguished cry rang out and the human's head shot back to the blond elf. What the man saw made him freeze. The prince was shaking violently, his breath was only shock-white and sweat was running down his forehead.
Immediately Aragorn was on his feet, trying to hold the archer with a rapidly beating heart. His friend desperately needed to calm down! "ADA!"
While waiting for Elrond to arrive, the man tried to calm the trembling Mirkwood elf as best he could. "Lasto beth nin, Legolas. You are safe! I am here! Nothing can happen to you! Calm, mellon-nin!" (Listen to my voice.)
The human's heart contracted as another agonized whimper left Legolas' lips. The ranger had no idea what the prince was seeing, but he certainly didn't want him to go through any more agony.
It felt like an eternity before the Lord of Rivendell came rushing into the room with the twins. At the picture that presented itself to him, the healer knew immediately what was going on and ran to the herb table, while the twins stood frozen in the room. They had known the Mirkwood elf all their lives and had never seen him so helpless and weak.
The ranger continued to try to calm his friend somehow, but so far nothing had really had any effect. The archer was still gasping for breath in panic, and slowly Aragorn became afraid that he would collapse at any moment.
Finally Elrond came running with a bowl and his face reflected pure concern. "Keep him upright, Estel," the healer instructed his foster son. The human attempted to do so, which was not so easy, as Legolas immediately began to resist his touch. The ranger's heart contracted with pain and pity.
But finally he had succeeded and the archer sat upright leaning against his chest. Only now did the heir to the throne really feel the strong trembling. He was really incredibly sorry that his friend now had to go through further agony.
Carefully the healer put the tea to the prince's lips and to their relief he drank the medicine. Only a few moments later, the blond elf's breathing became slower and steadier, and his previously tense body went limp in the ranger's arms. He could not suppress a relieved sigh. Though he was also tormented by Legolas' continued unconsciousness, it was even worse to see him suffer.
Although the prince was now sleeping peacefully, the ranger continued to hold his friend in his arms, hoping that this was how the archer sensed that someone was with him.
"Elladan, get some food for Estel," Elrond ordered his one son, who immediately ran. The human was about to protest, as he was not hungry at all and doubted he would even be able to eat anything, but knowing it would do no good, the man kept silent and instead focused on the motionless blond elf in his arms.
"Elrohir, bring cold water and a cloth. The fever is rising." At these words, the ranger looked up in horror. This was not a good sign!