Last update til Monday, everyone--my muse and I need a break!! Sorry……**Sheepish Grin**
Chapter 28--In A Nick Of Time
Jaisia was just saying good night to Aragorn and Arwen when she stiffened, eyes widening. "Legolas needs help!!!" she cried. "He's been bitten by a widow maker!!!"
"Damn!! Let's go! Arwen, fetch my herb satchel--hurry!!" Aragorn said. Jaisia and Aragorn raced up to Legolas' room.
Finding the Elf unconscious on the floor, Aragorn scooped him into his arms and laid him on the bed while Jaisia lit the candle and brought it over.
Arwen rushed in with the satchel and handed it to Aragorn. Aragorn tied a cloth around Legolas' leg above the bite as a tourniquet. He pulled a slender knife from the satchel and passed it through the candle flame. "Jaisia, pin his shoulders," he ordered.
Jaisia placed her hands on Legolas' shoulder, using her weight to hold him. "I've got him," she said.
Aragorn cut over the fang marks. Black blood oozed from the wound as Aragorn put his hands on either side of the cut and squeezed hard.
Legolas screamed, arching against Jaisia's grip and almost freeing himself. The Centaur pressed down with all her strength. ( Hold on, soul-brother, it will be over soon ) she soothed.
Aragorn kept squeezing until the blood was red without a trace of black then washed of the blood. He put on herbs and a bandage then pulled out a small vial of liquid. He poured it down Legolas' throat with Jaisia's help. "That should do it, but he'll be weak and sick to his stomach for a couple days," he said. He removed the cloth from around Legolas' leg.
Jaisia sighed in relief. "That's a relief," she said.
"How did you know he'd been bitten, Jaisia?" Aragorn asked.
Jaisia sighed. "Legolas and I will tell both of you when he's up to it," she promised.
Aragorn nodded. "Someone should stay with him just in case," he said.
"I will," Jaisia said. A soft hiss got her attention and she stomped down as the snake started to emerge from under the bed, crushing it. "Vile creature!!" she said.
"I can't understand how it got here," Arwen muttered. They bid Jaisia good night and left, closing the door behind them.
"I have an idea how the snake got here," Jaisia said softly. She turned her attention to Legolas. It would be a long night.
Aragorn and Arwen went to bed, but Aragorn was worried. "It seems like there's been a lot of accidents lately. I agree with you Arwen, I don't see how the widow maker got into Legolas' chamber either. Thank the Valor we were able to help him in time. The poison would have surely killed him before to long," he said.
"Thanks to Jaisia, you were able to get ther in time. Everything will be all right, beloved," Arwen whispered. She kissed him.
Aragorn drew her close and they slowly fell asleep.
Jaisia stroked Legolas' long blonde hair away from his face. She was upset and angry about what had happened. She knew that the snake had not just wandered into Legolas' room. Someone had left it there to kill him. Jaisia silently thanked Lilith for awakening the soul bond. That had been what had saved her little brother's life. "I will guard you with my very life, little brother, this I swear on my blood," she vowed grimly.
Okay--no serious cliffy so you can have a break!!! R/R peoples!!!!