Note: First, I've knocked back the death of Sarag by one more chapter.
Sorry, but my muse is inspiring me once more. Traditional disclaimers; if
you don't recognize the character, it's mine. Legolas's POV! Shounen ai
between Legolas/Aragorn. Language warning! It's around 5 pm, just for
clarification.
Deceptions
Part 12
My right arm ached fiercely as it hung in the sling.
Once again, my weakness had cost me.
I grimaced slightly, as I wondered how the hell I was going to change shirts. My torn and bloody one had been removed, but I did not recall how or when.
"What's wrong, love?" Aragorn asked me, his grey eyes showing concern.
I muttered under my breath before answering. "How am I supposed to change into another shirt and tunic when I can't move my arm?"
A soft chuckle escaped from Aragorn.
I frowned at him. "What is so funny?" I demanded. I instantly regretted it.
Hurt shone in his eyes.
I was tired and in pain, as well as frustrated and angry, but I shouldn't take it out on the one I loved. It wasn't his fault. I squeezed his hand.
The hurt look on his face faded, as he looked at me.
I murmured softly, "Forgive me, Aragorn. I did not mean to lash out at you like that."
"Tis all right, Legolas," Aragorn told me. "It's just that this is the closest I have ever heard you come to asking for help."
I felt a slight blush on my pale face. "I'm an independent kind of person, Aragorn. You know that."
Aragorn smiled. "Indeed. Would you like me to assist you?"
I reluctantly nodded. "But don't tell anyone," I warned.
His answer was another chuckle, as he let go of my hand. To my surprise, he put his arms around me.
"What are you doing?" I questioned.
"This isn't our room, Legolas. We have to return there if you want another shirt," he reminded me.
I nodded slowly, as I slowly stood, testing carefully to see if I could stand.
My face went white again, and if Aragorn had not caught me, I would have fallen to the floor.
To my relief, he didn't comment on it.
I realized then that I must have lost much blood. And I also noticed that Aragorn did not have a shirt on, either.
I could feel his warm chest against my back.
Aragorn positioned himself under my left arm, giving me support.
I leaned against him, for I had no wish to fall directly on my face.
"You know, Legolas, you really are too thin," Aragorn said. "You feel like you weigh nothing at all."
A frown was my answer, as we began to walk slowly together.
When we were in the hallway, I realized that our friends were standing there.
"What happened to your arm?" Frodo asked, looking concerned as always.
I was too fatigued to say anything. And I was wary, as well. I rested my head on Aragorn's shoulder as we ceased moving.
Aragorn's eyes met mine, and he seemed to sense my feelings on the matter. "We'll tell you once Legolas is resting in bed, Frodo. That goes for the rest of you as well."
Frodo and Sam nodded slowly.
Merry and Pippin were exchanging looks of something- I figured it was probably pity.
Gimli just stood there, looking at me as if he could see right into my soul. An unreadable expression was in his eyes.
I looked at him squarely. I had nothing to hide, at least not anymore.
To his credit, the dwarf did not look away. He met my gaze evenly.
Aragorn and I resumed walking, and the Fellowship followed us as we entered our room.
I sank onto the bed, sighing, as Aragorn assisted me. The first thing he did was remove my shoes, for he knew that I did not like wearing them, for I liked my feet to be free.
He walked away and began sorting through our dresser, searching for a shirt that wouldn't constrict my stitches.
The Hobbits sat on the floor, watching me carefully.
Gimli sat on one of the two chairs, as Aragorn crossed the room and sat next to me, holding a green shirt.
His nimble fingers removed the sling, and he gently caught my arm before it could move.
I gazed at him as he carefully pulled the shirt over my head. I put my left arm through it by myself.
I heard stifled gasps as the Hobbits saw the bandages that had been placed around the stitches to protect them.
I said nothing, and hissed softly in pain as Aragorn maneuvered my right arm through the sleeve, being as gentle as he could.
When he finished, he retied my arm in the sling, which made my shoulder hurt less.
We turned as one to face our friends.
I unconsciously leaned against Aragorn, who curled one arm around my waist. My bare feet dangled over the side of the bed.
"I have something to say to you," I said quietly.
Gimli, Frodo, Pippin, Sam, and Merry looked at me.
Aragorn corrected softly, "We have something to say to you."
I nodded, acknowledging what Aragorn had said.
A tap at the door startled all of us.
We all turned slightly to see Éomer standing there, with one of his servants.
The servant held a tray with a pitcher of tea and cups, as well as some sweet rolls.
"I thought you all might need some refreshments," Éomer said. "I have an important meeting in about a half hour, and I probably will not see you again the rest of this day."
I nodded, as did my lover.
"Thank you, Éomer," I said.
The servant carried the tray into the room, and set it on the table.
He poured some tea in each cup, and handed them out, one to each of us.
The Hobbits also took some of the rolls, murmuring thanks.
Éomer stayed long enough to make sure that we each took a deep drink of the tea in our cups, before he walked away slowly. The servant left with him, closing the door.
A nagging feeling came over me, as I continued what I had been about to say.
I carelessly ignored the feeling.
"I do not want you to see me as a victim because of what happened to me in the past," I told them.
Shock was written on Gimli's face.
The Hobbits looked startled and paused in their eating.
"I am a survivor, not a victim. I do need or want your pity," I said solemnly. "What I need is your friendship."
Aragorn took a drink of his tea, as did I.
There was a peculiar aftertaste to it, so I took another drink of it.
The Hobbits were drinking their tea, as well.
Gimli sipped on it, grumbling that he'd rather have wine or something.
"You will always have my friendship, elf," Gimli said. "And what makes you think I pity you?" The look in his eyes prevented me from being upset by his words.
"I can see it in your eyes, dwarf," I replied. "I may not be the same elf that I used to be, but I do not want everything to change."
Frodo cleared his throat. "I am your friend as well, Legolas. It came as a shock to hear what had happened to you."
I looked closer at the Hobbit, as Sam chimed in.
"If anything, we feel guilty because we thought that you didn't like us anymore, for we never heard a word from you," Sam said plaintively. "But we missed you."
Merry nodded. "We thought you didn't like us anymore. It was so long since we heard from you."
"We thought you'd gone off an adventure by yourself. In fact, some of us envied you, for we thought you were off having excitement and danger around at every turn," Pippin whispered.
I closed my eyes briefly.
A gentle hand touched my face. I opened my eyes and saw Aragorn looking at me with concern in his eyes.
'I'm all right, Estel,' I murmured in Elvish.
I couldn't help letting a yawn out. I was starting to feel strangely sleepy.
I looked at the Hobbits, and realized that they were asleep as well.
Aragorn and I exchanged a look, before looking at Gimli.
He fell into slumber as we watched.
Aragorn suddenly collapsed as well, stretched out on the bed.
I fought off the sleepiness, as the door opened behind me.
I turned in a daze, to see Éomer standing there.
"What did you do?" I demanded, even as I started falling asleep.
"Tis a sleeping draught and nothing more, Legolas." Éomer walked over to me, as I fell into a half sleep.
Éomer used his hands to gently lay me back on the bed, as he maneuvered my feet onto it.
"Why? I trusted you," I hissed. The draught was pulling me into darkness.
"It is the only way to keep you from interfering," Éomer said. "I have a score to settle with Sarag, and I cannot do so if I have to worry about you or Elessar interfering."
He placed Aragorn's arms around my waist, mindful of my arm.
Regret shone in his eyes as Éomer looked down at me. "This is my way to make amends, Legolas. In a few hours, this will all be over."
He turned and walked out of the room, closing the door.
The last thing I heard before sinking into a deep slumber was the click of the door being locked.
Then I sank into nothingness.
*******************
Normal POV
*******************
Éomer briskly walked away from the locked room.
He honestly hated having to do that to Legolas, but he wanted the elf to be safe.
Éomer made his way down into the courtyard. There, he waited.
Less than twenty minutes went by, before Sarag appeared.
Éomer turned to face him, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"So we meet again, vile one," Éomer spat out.
Sarag smirked evilly. "Yes. Isn't it nice to have a family reunion again, after so long, my brother?"
To be continued
Deceptions
Part 12
My right arm ached fiercely as it hung in the sling.
Once again, my weakness had cost me.
I grimaced slightly, as I wondered how the hell I was going to change shirts. My torn and bloody one had been removed, but I did not recall how or when.
"What's wrong, love?" Aragorn asked me, his grey eyes showing concern.
I muttered under my breath before answering. "How am I supposed to change into another shirt and tunic when I can't move my arm?"
A soft chuckle escaped from Aragorn.
I frowned at him. "What is so funny?" I demanded. I instantly regretted it.
Hurt shone in his eyes.
I was tired and in pain, as well as frustrated and angry, but I shouldn't take it out on the one I loved. It wasn't his fault. I squeezed his hand.
The hurt look on his face faded, as he looked at me.
I murmured softly, "Forgive me, Aragorn. I did not mean to lash out at you like that."
"Tis all right, Legolas," Aragorn told me. "It's just that this is the closest I have ever heard you come to asking for help."
I felt a slight blush on my pale face. "I'm an independent kind of person, Aragorn. You know that."
Aragorn smiled. "Indeed. Would you like me to assist you?"
I reluctantly nodded. "But don't tell anyone," I warned.
His answer was another chuckle, as he let go of my hand. To my surprise, he put his arms around me.
"What are you doing?" I questioned.
"This isn't our room, Legolas. We have to return there if you want another shirt," he reminded me.
I nodded slowly, as I slowly stood, testing carefully to see if I could stand.
My face went white again, and if Aragorn had not caught me, I would have fallen to the floor.
To my relief, he didn't comment on it.
I realized then that I must have lost much blood. And I also noticed that Aragorn did not have a shirt on, either.
I could feel his warm chest against my back.
Aragorn positioned himself under my left arm, giving me support.
I leaned against him, for I had no wish to fall directly on my face.
"You know, Legolas, you really are too thin," Aragorn said. "You feel like you weigh nothing at all."
A frown was my answer, as we began to walk slowly together.
When we were in the hallway, I realized that our friends were standing there.
"What happened to your arm?" Frodo asked, looking concerned as always.
I was too fatigued to say anything. And I was wary, as well. I rested my head on Aragorn's shoulder as we ceased moving.
Aragorn's eyes met mine, and he seemed to sense my feelings on the matter. "We'll tell you once Legolas is resting in bed, Frodo. That goes for the rest of you as well."
Frodo and Sam nodded slowly.
Merry and Pippin were exchanging looks of something- I figured it was probably pity.
Gimli just stood there, looking at me as if he could see right into my soul. An unreadable expression was in his eyes.
I looked at him squarely. I had nothing to hide, at least not anymore.
To his credit, the dwarf did not look away. He met my gaze evenly.
Aragorn and I resumed walking, and the Fellowship followed us as we entered our room.
I sank onto the bed, sighing, as Aragorn assisted me. The first thing he did was remove my shoes, for he knew that I did not like wearing them, for I liked my feet to be free.
He walked away and began sorting through our dresser, searching for a shirt that wouldn't constrict my stitches.
The Hobbits sat on the floor, watching me carefully.
Gimli sat on one of the two chairs, as Aragorn crossed the room and sat next to me, holding a green shirt.
His nimble fingers removed the sling, and he gently caught my arm before it could move.
I gazed at him as he carefully pulled the shirt over my head. I put my left arm through it by myself.
I heard stifled gasps as the Hobbits saw the bandages that had been placed around the stitches to protect them.
I said nothing, and hissed softly in pain as Aragorn maneuvered my right arm through the sleeve, being as gentle as he could.
When he finished, he retied my arm in the sling, which made my shoulder hurt less.
We turned as one to face our friends.
I unconsciously leaned against Aragorn, who curled one arm around my waist. My bare feet dangled over the side of the bed.
"I have something to say to you," I said quietly.
Gimli, Frodo, Pippin, Sam, and Merry looked at me.
Aragorn corrected softly, "We have something to say to you."
I nodded, acknowledging what Aragorn had said.
A tap at the door startled all of us.
We all turned slightly to see Éomer standing there, with one of his servants.
The servant held a tray with a pitcher of tea and cups, as well as some sweet rolls.
"I thought you all might need some refreshments," Éomer said. "I have an important meeting in about a half hour, and I probably will not see you again the rest of this day."
I nodded, as did my lover.
"Thank you, Éomer," I said.
The servant carried the tray into the room, and set it on the table.
He poured some tea in each cup, and handed them out, one to each of us.
The Hobbits also took some of the rolls, murmuring thanks.
Éomer stayed long enough to make sure that we each took a deep drink of the tea in our cups, before he walked away slowly. The servant left with him, closing the door.
A nagging feeling came over me, as I continued what I had been about to say.
I carelessly ignored the feeling.
"I do not want you to see me as a victim because of what happened to me in the past," I told them.
Shock was written on Gimli's face.
The Hobbits looked startled and paused in their eating.
"I am a survivor, not a victim. I do need or want your pity," I said solemnly. "What I need is your friendship."
Aragorn took a drink of his tea, as did I.
There was a peculiar aftertaste to it, so I took another drink of it.
The Hobbits were drinking their tea, as well.
Gimli sipped on it, grumbling that he'd rather have wine or something.
"You will always have my friendship, elf," Gimli said. "And what makes you think I pity you?" The look in his eyes prevented me from being upset by his words.
"I can see it in your eyes, dwarf," I replied. "I may not be the same elf that I used to be, but I do not want everything to change."
Frodo cleared his throat. "I am your friend as well, Legolas. It came as a shock to hear what had happened to you."
I looked closer at the Hobbit, as Sam chimed in.
"If anything, we feel guilty because we thought that you didn't like us anymore, for we never heard a word from you," Sam said plaintively. "But we missed you."
Merry nodded. "We thought you didn't like us anymore. It was so long since we heard from you."
"We thought you'd gone off an adventure by yourself. In fact, some of us envied you, for we thought you were off having excitement and danger around at every turn," Pippin whispered.
I closed my eyes briefly.
A gentle hand touched my face. I opened my eyes and saw Aragorn looking at me with concern in his eyes.
'I'm all right, Estel,' I murmured in Elvish.
I couldn't help letting a yawn out. I was starting to feel strangely sleepy.
I looked at the Hobbits, and realized that they were asleep as well.
Aragorn and I exchanged a look, before looking at Gimli.
He fell into slumber as we watched.
Aragorn suddenly collapsed as well, stretched out on the bed.
I fought off the sleepiness, as the door opened behind me.
I turned in a daze, to see Éomer standing there.
"What did you do?" I demanded, even as I started falling asleep.
"Tis a sleeping draught and nothing more, Legolas." Éomer walked over to me, as I fell into a half sleep.
Éomer used his hands to gently lay me back on the bed, as he maneuvered my feet onto it.
"Why? I trusted you," I hissed. The draught was pulling me into darkness.
"It is the only way to keep you from interfering," Éomer said. "I have a score to settle with Sarag, and I cannot do so if I have to worry about you or Elessar interfering."
He placed Aragorn's arms around my waist, mindful of my arm.
Regret shone in his eyes as Éomer looked down at me. "This is my way to make amends, Legolas. In a few hours, this will all be over."
He turned and walked out of the room, closing the door.
The last thing I heard before sinking into a deep slumber was the click of the door being locked.
Then I sank into nothingness.
*******************
Normal POV
*******************
Éomer briskly walked away from the locked room.
He honestly hated having to do that to Legolas, but he wanted the elf to be safe.
Éomer made his way down into the courtyard. There, he waited.
Less than twenty minutes went by, before Sarag appeared.
Éomer turned to face him, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"So we meet again, vile one," Éomer spat out.
Sarag smirked evilly. "Yes. Isn't it nice to have a family reunion again, after so long, my brother?"
To be continued
