Completely overwhelmed, Aragorn sat there and looked directly into the familiar blue eyes. They were only half open, shining tired and exhausted, but none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered now was that Legolas had woken up.
The ranger struggled to hold back tears of relief. Instead, he smiled at the elf in relief, hoping that the prince noticed how happy the ranger was at his awakening.
Gently, the human stroked the back of his friend's hand with his thumb, and the archer gave him a small, exhausted smile. That small smile alone made the human feel incredibly relieved and happy. His friend was alive. The warrior had woken up again, despite his severe and many injuries.
"Legolas..." Aragorn noticed himself how shaky his voice sounded, but he didn't care. He still couldn't quite grasp the situation.
Legolas just looked at him, the exhaustion was probably very strong, but the man understood. The blond elf had been fighting death, perhaps still leading it a little, and had been unconscious for so long.
His eyes were threatening to close again, and the ranger knew that the archer desperately needed rest. Even though the thought of the prince closing his eyes again filled him with dread, he was incredibly grateful to finally see those blue eyes again.
Gently, the ranger stroked his friend's cheek and a single strand of hair from his face with his free hand. "Get some sleep, my friend. You are exhausted and need rest."
Sure enough, the usually stubbornly warrior nodded and gave him another weak smile. "Hannon-le..." His voice was no more than a whisper. A breath in the room, but it was enough for the human to understand and some of the burden fell from his heart.
It took only a few moments, then Legolas' breaths were slower and steadier. He had fallen asleep again.
Aragorn smiled with relief. It was a good sign that the prince had regained consciousness.
But the human also knew that he should not rejoice too soon. Through his father, the ranger had been able to learn a lot about the healing arts, and he knew that the condition of the afflicted could change again quickly. The Mirkwood elf was not yet safe.
Elrond was again on his way to the room of the Prince of Mirkwood. By now, the path to this room and the image behind it had become routine. He had gotten used to the image of the unconscious and motionless elf. And to the sad, tired and broken look of his son, which tore his heart every time again.
That is why the Lord of Rivendell was very surprised when he entered the room and found a smiling and relieved Aragorn. "Estel?"
The human looked up, relief clearly reflected in his eyes. "He is awake, Ada!"
Elrond smiled. This was indeed good news. Legolas seemed to be on the mend.
But of course, as a healer, the lord also knew that the prince's condition could quickly change again. And as sorry as he was, the ranger could not afford to get his hopes up.
The healer stepped closer to the archer and put a hand on his forehead. The fever had improved. Elrond smiled. Another good sign.
Aragorn also saw the dark-haired elf's reaction and sighed with relief. The Lord of Rivendell withdrew again and went back to the herb table.
He knew that his son now had hope again. Hope that his best friend would soon be well again. That he would survive and that the two of them could soon set out on another adventure.
And even if the danger of a negative change was still there, the warrior seemed to be on the right track. Hope had returned.