Note: None of these are my original characters.
In Sickness
Part 3
A.J. Matthews
Legolas looked at Aragorn, as the man gently but firmly held him so he couldn't leave the river. Part of him knew that what Aragorn was saying was true, and the other part of him wanted to kiss Aragorn. He ceased trying to leave the river, because it was making him feel a little better.
Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief as Legolas finally stood still. He was shocked when Legolas suddenly kissed him hard. The air crackled and glittered around them as Aragorn responded to the kiss instinctively.
Frodo averted his gaze, grinning slightly.
Their mouths chased each other hungrily, as Aragorn's hands came up behind Legolas's neck. Then Aragorn shook himself firmly. This was no time to be kissing a feverish elf, even if said elf wanted to be kissed. He pulled back slightly.
'Legolas, you are still not yourself,' Aragorn whispered to him in Elvish.
Legolas knew that that was true. 'I know,' he said quietly, in the Elvish tongue. 'I'm sorry, Aragorn.' Legolas turned away, trying to hide the pain he felt inside of his heart right now.
"We've got the plants!" Sam shouted, as he and the other hobbits ran up, their small hands full of the herbs.
"Aragorn, why are you and Legolas swimming with your clothes on?" Merry asked curiously.
"To cool him off a little," Aragorn said. He slowly let go of the elf and made sure he could stand on his own. Then he waded back to shore and began preparing the daylilies, poppies, and morning-glories.
Legolas was starting to shiver, so he made his way to shore as well, feeling a bit like an idiot. Aragorn obviously didn't want him anymore.
"Sit," Aragorn said firmly to Legolas, when the elf stood there, looking as if a breeze could knock him over.
Legolas reluctantly did so. 'I'm not a pet you can order around, Aragorn,' he muttered in Elvish.
Aragorn nodded. 'You need to take it easy, Legolas.' The foster son of Lord Elrond walked over and knelt next to the elf. Some of the medicine he rubbed on Legolas's face, and the rest he told the elf to eat.
Legolas did so, frowning slightly. He did not like being treated like a little kid, but could not confront Aragorn now. The others in the Fellowship would support Aragorn, at least until Legolas was well again.
Judging from how much better he was starting to feel right now, that shouldn't take more than a day or two. Then Legolas could have a talk with Aragorn.
Aragorn watched the elf carefully. Legolas seemed to be thinking hard about something, but his train of thought was interrupted when he yawned suddenly. The combination of the three herbs were enough to make anyone fall asleep, even an elf.
"You should get some sleep, Legolas. Your fever should be gone by morning," Aragorn said gently.
Legolas threw him a suspicious gaze before standing and walking away. He was annoyed that Aragorn had done this on purpose, to make him fall asleep.
Aragorn kept his eyes on Legolas as the elf wandered over to the trees and sat in one's shade, muttering something to himself. He finally fell asleep, which made both Aragorn and the hobbits relieved.
Boromir and Gimli found their way back. Frodo ran over to tell them to be quieter, for Legolas was asleep. He pointed over to the tree where Legolas slept, and placed his finger on his lips.
Gimli nodded, as did Boromir. They walked over to Aragorn and handed him the plants they'd gathered.
Frodo tentatively walked over to Legolas and covered him with one of his blankets.
"When will we be able to leave again, Aragorn?" Boromir asked.
"On the morrow. His fever will be mostly gone by then," Aragorn replied.
Gimli nodded. "It'll be good to have that crazy elf back to himself again."
"Why, Gimli," Merry teased. "I thought you didn't like elves."
"I don't," Gimli said hastily. "Well, there might be one exception," he mumbled.
Aragorn stood and picked up Legolas's bow and arrows, which had been left on the river bank. He carried them over to Legolas and left them beside the sleeping elf. Aragorn gently placed a hand on Legolas's forehead. The fever had gone down a little.
He fixed the blanket and walked back over to the others.
Hours went by while Legolas slept, and the rest of the Company ate dinner.
Aragorn tensed suddenly. He gestured to everyone. "I'm no elf but I can feel eyes upon us. Draw your weapons and prepare to fight." He looked at Boromir and Gimli. "Try to rouse Legolas, for he cannot do much good asleep."
They nodded and ran over to Legolas.
"Crazy elf!" Gimli said loudly, shaking him.
Legolas mumbled something that sounded like, "Stupid dwarf."
"Wake, Legolas, for a battle is at hand!" Boromir said, shaking the elf as well.
Legolas blinked his eyes open as orcs charged down around them.
"Orcs!" He jumped to his feet, and grabbed his bow and arrows.
Aragorn was relieved to see that Legolas almost himself again, though it was obvious that the elf still had a fever. He drew Anduril and began slashing and stabbing at orcs, killing most of them as a few trickled past him to the hobbits.
Merry and Pippin teamed up, as did Sam and Frodo. They sliced and gutted the orcs as best as they could, dodging blows.
Boromir drew his sword as well and raced over to the fight. He split one of the creatures in half, and stabbed another directly through the heart.
Gimli lunged forward with a battle cry, hacking and swinging with his axe. Many of his opponents fell and did not get up.
Legolas began firing arrows, as he ran over to help. A cry reached his sharp ears. It was Frodo.
"Frodo!" he shouted, looking for the Ringbearer.
"Help!" the hobbit yelled. One of the orcs had grabbed Frodo and thrown him over his shoulder. It was carrying the hobbit away, even as Frodo was stabbing the orc repeatedly with Sting, but it was having no effect. Sting was glowing a bright blue.
Sam was also slashing at the creature. "Drop him!" Sam yelled.
That's when Legolas realized it could not be an orc, then. He didn't know what kind of creature it was. He notched an arrow and shot it directly into the heart of the beast. The beast toppled over dead.
Frodo breathed hard and went back to fighting.
"Duck," Legolas shouted to Merry and Pippin. They did so, and he killed the creature towering over them with a well-timed arrow. Short knives and swords were not effective against whatever these monsters were.
Aragorn and Boromir each ran over to aid the hobbits.
Gimli just kept on swinging his axe, chopping off body parts from the evil beasts.
More of them kept coming. Legolas's agility kept him from being harmed, though not from being grabbed. One of the tallest of the creatures managed to catch a hold of one of Legolas's feet and hiked him into the air upside down. Legolas lost most of his arrows, but managed to catch two. He fired the arrows into the huge creature, which knocked them away with its other hand. Legolas now relied on his fleetness and managed to twist himself up to where he could stab the creature hard with his short sword. This particular creature had thick armor covering most of its skin.
It roared in pain more than anything and flung him away. Legolas slammed directly into Aragorn and they both fell.
"Sorry," he shouted. The elf stood and gave Aragorn a hand up. Aragorn took it and stood as well. They looked at each other for a few moments and then turned back to battling.
Legolas grabbed some arrows and dashed up onto the creatures back. He fired the arrows directly into the creature, which angered it. It took off running around in circles, grabbing at the elf.
Aragorn killed an orc (a regular one) and cut the head off another who was trying to pin Merry down with its sword.
Most of the creatures were dead.
The creature finally caught Legolas, and held him tightly, pinning his arms to his side. Legolas squirmed and wiggled as best as he could. His fever was starting to impair him again, he realized. He needed to finish this quickly. Legolas's vision blurred again.
"Legolas!" Frodo called. He could see that Legolas was weakening slightly. Another orc tried to grab him from behind, but Sam sliced it in half.
Aragorn looked around and saw the creature running around in circles, as it held a squirming Legolas.
"Let go of me!" Legolas shouted. Aragorn plugged his ears as Legolas managed to get on hand free and brought it to his mouth. A ear-splitting whistle sounded. Everyone except for Legolas and Aragorn held their ringing ears.
The creature flung Legolas for a second time, bellowing. Once more, Legolas landed on top of Aragorn.
They lay there for a few moments staring at each other, hypnotized by each other.
Gimli ran forward, as did Boromir. They began cutting and hacking at the creature together.
Legolas blushed and stood. After helping Aragorn up, he notched an arrow and shot the creature again. It swung at him, and he leapt out of the way.
The elf's grace served him well as he dodged again and fired another arrow. Aragorn stabbed the creature hard with Anduril, and the hobbits began to attack it as well.
"Can this creature even die?" Gimli shouted.
"It can certainly bleed," Boromir responded.
Aragorn searched the creature, looking for a spot where it was not protected by armor.
"Legolas, aim for the creature's throat," he said, just loudly enough for the elf's sharp ears to hear.
Legolas nodded and ran forward. After picking two arrows up, he used his agility to leap onto the creatures back and climb to the top. The creature grabbed him for a third time and held him upside down.
That was what Legolas had wanted. He notched the arrows and fired them directly into the creatures throat. It slumped to the ground and finally died.
Legolas squirmed free of the creature's grasp and began removing his arrows. He did the same with the orcs, until his good arrows were back in his quiver.
Aragorn walked over to him and asked him softly in Elvish, "Are you better, Legolas?"
Legolas nodded. "The sleep did me some good, as did your medicine. I should like to go rest some more," Legolas said quietly.
Aragorn looked at him carefully. The elf did seem better, but tired. Legolas made his way over to the tree where he'd been sleeping. He promptly fell asleep again on the bare grass.
Aragorn smiled and shook his head. He walked over and removed the bow and arrows from Legolas's tight grasp. He then took off his cloak and made a sort-of pillow. He placed it under Legolas's head, and then covered him with Frodo's blanket.
Legolas awoke a little when Aragorn lifted his head long enough to place his cloak under it. He was surprised to feel Aragorn's hand gently touch his face and caress it for a few moments, before the human turned and walked away slowly. Before Legolas could reflect on Aragorn's actions, he promptly fell asleep again. Even in his sleep, however, Legolas still longed for Aragorn to touch him again.
Aragorn stood watch that night, as the others got some much needed rest. Most of his attention was focused on a golden-haired elf with eyes the color of a pure emerald. He just couldn't get Legolas out of his mind.
To be continued
In Sickness
Part 3
A.J. Matthews
Legolas looked at Aragorn, as the man gently but firmly held him so he couldn't leave the river. Part of him knew that what Aragorn was saying was true, and the other part of him wanted to kiss Aragorn. He ceased trying to leave the river, because it was making him feel a little better.
Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief as Legolas finally stood still. He was shocked when Legolas suddenly kissed him hard. The air crackled and glittered around them as Aragorn responded to the kiss instinctively.
Frodo averted his gaze, grinning slightly.
Their mouths chased each other hungrily, as Aragorn's hands came up behind Legolas's neck. Then Aragorn shook himself firmly. This was no time to be kissing a feverish elf, even if said elf wanted to be kissed. He pulled back slightly.
'Legolas, you are still not yourself,' Aragorn whispered to him in Elvish.
Legolas knew that that was true. 'I know,' he said quietly, in the Elvish tongue. 'I'm sorry, Aragorn.' Legolas turned away, trying to hide the pain he felt inside of his heart right now.
"We've got the plants!" Sam shouted, as he and the other hobbits ran up, their small hands full of the herbs.
"Aragorn, why are you and Legolas swimming with your clothes on?" Merry asked curiously.
"To cool him off a little," Aragorn said. He slowly let go of the elf and made sure he could stand on his own. Then he waded back to shore and began preparing the daylilies, poppies, and morning-glories.
Legolas was starting to shiver, so he made his way to shore as well, feeling a bit like an idiot. Aragorn obviously didn't want him anymore.
"Sit," Aragorn said firmly to Legolas, when the elf stood there, looking as if a breeze could knock him over.
Legolas reluctantly did so. 'I'm not a pet you can order around, Aragorn,' he muttered in Elvish.
Aragorn nodded. 'You need to take it easy, Legolas.' The foster son of Lord Elrond walked over and knelt next to the elf. Some of the medicine he rubbed on Legolas's face, and the rest he told the elf to eat.
Legolas did so, frowning slightly. He did not like being treated like a little kid, but could not confront Aragorn now. The others in the Fellowship would support Aragorn, at least until Legolas was well again.
Judging from how much better he was starting to feel right now, that shouldn't take more than a day or two. Then Legolas could have a talk with Aragorn.
Aragorn watched the elf carefully. Legolas seemed to be thinking hard about something, but his train of thought was interrupted when he yawned suddenly. The combination of the three herbs were enough to make anyone fall asleep, even an elf.
"You should get some sleep, Legolas. Your fever should be gone by morning," Aragorn said gently.
Legolas threw him a suspicious gaze before standing and walking away. He was annoyed that Aragorn had done this on purpose, to make him fall asleep.
Aragorn kept his eyes on Legolas as the elf wandered over to the trees and sat in one's shade, muttering something to himself. He finally fell asleep, which made both Aragorn and the hobbits relieved.
Boromir and Gimli found their way back. Frodo ran over to tell them to be quieter, for Legolas was asleep. He pointed over to the tree where Legolas slept, and placed his finger on his lips.
Gimli nodded, as did Boromir. They walked over to Aragorn and handed him the plants they'd gathered.
Frodo tentatively walked over to Legolas and covered him with one of his blankets.
"When will we be able to leave again, Aragorn?" Boromir asked.
"On the morrow. His fever will be mostly gone by then," Aragorn replied.
Gimli nodded. "It'll be good to have that crazy elf back to himself again."
"Why, Gimli," Merry teased. "I thought you didn't like elves."
"I don't," Gimli said hastily. "Well, there might be one exception," he mumbled.
Aragorn stood and picked up Legolas's bow and arrows, which had been left on the river bank. He carried them over to Legolas and left them beside the sleeping elf. Aragorn gently placed a hand on Legolas's forehead. The fever had gone down a little.
He fixed the blanket and walked back over to the others.
Hours went by while Legolas slept, and the rest of the Company ate dinner.
Aragorn tensed suddenly. He gestured to everyone. "I'm no elf but I can feel eyes upon us. Draw your weapons and prepare to fight." He looked at Boromir and Gimli. "Try to rouse Legolas, for he cannot do much good asleep."
They nodded and ran over to Legolas.
"Crazy elf!" Gimli said loudly, shaking him.
Legolas mumbled something that sounded like, "Stupid dwarf."
"Wake, Legolas, for a battle is at hand!" Boromir said, shaking the elf as well.
Legolas blinked his eyes open as orcs charged down around them.
"Orcs!" He jumped to his feet, and grabbed his bow and arrows.
Aragorn was relieved to see that Legolas almost himself again, though it was obvious that the elf still had a fever. He drew Anduril and began slashing and stabbing at orcs, killing most of them as a few trickled past him to the hobbits.
Merry and Pippin teamed up, as did Sam and Frodo. They sliced and gutted the orcs as best as they could, dodging blows.
Boromir drew his sword as well and raced over to the fight. He split one of the creatures in half, and stabbed another directly through the heart.
Gimli lunged forward with a battle cry, hacking and swinging with his axe. Many of his opponents fell and did not get up.
Legolas began firing arrows, as he ran over to help. A cry reached his sharp ears. It was Frodo.
"Frodo!" he shouted, looking for the Ringbearer.
"Help!" the hobbit yelled. One of the orcs had grabbed Frodo and thrown him over his shoulder. It was carrying the hobbit away, even as Frodo was stabbing the orc repeatedly with Sting, but it was having no effect. Sting was glowing a bright blue.
Sam was also slashing at the creature. "Drop him!" Sam yelled.
That's when Legolas realized it could not be an orc, then. He didn't know what kind of creature it was. He notched an arrow and shot it directly into the heart of the beast. The beast toppled over dead.
Frodo breathed hard and went back to fighting.
"Duck," Legolas shouted to Merry and Pippin. They did so, and he killed the creature towering over them with a well-timed arrow. Short knives and swords were not effective against whatever these monsters were.
Aragorn and Boromir each ran over to aid the hobbits.
Gimli just kept on swinging his axe, chopping off body parts from the evil beasts.
More of them kept coming. Legolas's agility kept him from being harmed, though not from being grabbed. One of the tallest of the creatures managed to catch a hold of one of Legolas's feet and hiked him into the air upside down. Legolas lost most of his arrows, but managed to catch two. He fired the arrows into the huge creature, which knocked them away with its other hand. Legolas now relied on his fleetness and managed to twist himself up to where he could stab the creature hard with his short sword. This particular creature had thick armor covering most of its skin.
It roared in pain more than anything and flung him away. Legolas slammed directly into Aragorn and they both fell.
"Sorry," he shouted. The elf stood and gave Aragorn a hand up. Aragorn took it and stood as well. They looked at each other for a few moments and then turned back to battling.
Legolas grabbed some arrows and dashed up onto the creatures back. He fired the arrows directly into the creature, which angered it. It took off running around in circles, grabbing at the elf.
Aragorn killed an orc (a regular one) and cut the head off another who was trying to pin Merry down with its sword.
Most of the creatures were dead.
The creature finally caught Legolas, and held him tightly, pinning his arms to his side. Legolas squirmed and wiggled as best as he could. His fever was starting to impair him again, he realized. He needed to finish this quickly. Legolas's vision blurred again.
"Legolas!" Frodo called. He could see that Legolas was weakening slightly. Another orc tried to grab him from behind, but Sam sliced it in half.
Aragorn looked around and saw the creature running around in circles, as it held a squirming Legolas.
"Let go of me!" Legolas shouted. Aragorn plugged his ears as Legolas managed to get on hand free and brought it to his mouth. A ear-splitting whistle sounded. Everyone except for Legolas and Aragorn held their ringing ears.
The creature flung Legolas for a second time, bellowing. Once more, Legolas landed on top of Aragorn.
They lay there for a few moments staring at each other, hypnotized by each other.
Gimli ran forward, as did Boromir. They began cutting and hacking at the creature together.
Legolas blushed and stood. After helping Aragorn up, he notched an arrow and shot the creature again. It swung at him, and he leapt out of the way.
The elf's grace served him well as he dodged again and fired another arrow. Aragorn stabbed the creature hard with Anduril, and the hobbits began to attack it as well.
"Can this creature even die?" Gimli shouted.
"It can certainly bleed," Boromir responded.
Aragorn searched the creature, looking for a spot where it was not protected by armor.
"Legolas, aim for the creature's throat," he said, just loudly enough for the elf's sharp ears to hear.
Legolas nodded and ran forward. After picking two arrows up, he used his agility to leap onto the creatures back and climb to the top. The creature grabbed him for a third time and held him upside down.
That was what Legolas had wanted. He notched the arrows and fired them directly into the creatures throat. It slumped to the ground and finally died.
Legolas squirmed free of the creature's grasp and began removing his arrows. He did the same with the orcs, until his good arrows were back in his quiver.
Aragorn walked over to him and asked him softly in Elvish, "Are you better, Legolas?"
Legolas nodded. "The sleep did me some good, as did your medicine. I should like to go rest some more," Legolas said quietly.
Aragorn looked at him carefully. The elf did seem better, but tired. Legolas made his way over to the tree where he'd been sleeping. He promptly fell asleep again on the bare grass.
Aragorn smiled and shook his head. He walked over and removed the bow and arrows from Legolas's tight grasp. He then took off his cloak and made a sort-of pillow. He placed it under Legolas's head, and then covered him with Frodo's blanket.
Legolas awoke a little when Aragorn lifted his head long enough to place his cloak under it. He was surprised to feel Aragorn's hand gently touch his face and caress it for a few moments, before the human turned and walked away slowly. Before Legolas could reflect on Aragorn's actions, he promptly fell asleep again. Even in his sleep, however, Legolas still longed for Aragorn to touch him again.
Aragorn stood watch that night, as the others got some much needed rest. Most of his attention was focused on a golden-haired elf with eyes the color of a pure emerald. He just couldn't get Legolas out of his mind.
To be continued