Author: Jesse
Disclaimer: Aragorn, Arwen, Elrond and Legolas belong to the great J.R.R. Tolkien, I just borrowed them!
Author“s note: Do you like it so far, my Pika? I really hope so, or all my hard work was meaningless, LOL! Sorry again, that I couldn“t wait, but like I said: I am soooo impatient! Luv u loads!
Enjoy!
If you Sleep
Part 2
The eyes moved from one side to another. They saw the movement between the trees and knew what it was. They saw the man leaning against the tree trunk and they saw him falling even though the rain was pouring down. The ocean-blue eyes grew wide with disbelief when he laid unmoving. Our watchers heart missed a beat as it recognised what his eyes couldn't really see. He knew the lonely figure!
Without making a single sound, the tall man ran as fast as his feet would carry him over the grassland to the place where the unconscious body was. He was sprawled on the muddy earth, one arm over his face.
The man whom saw Aragorn falling down, bent over him.
He reached for his face, gently pushing the arm on it away.
Relieved he let out a gasp. The Ranger was alive!
He rolled him over and searched for injuries. Careful he moved the limp arms and legs but no bone seemed to be broken. Through the torn clothes he saw the bruises and broken skin. Blood floated down Aragorn's face from a cut over his left eyebrow.
Quickly he looked around and found what he was searching for. He left the Ranger for a moment to take a closer look. H knew what to do.
With great care he lifted the injured Aragorn up and carried him in his arms to the little cave. He made a bed with a dry cape out of his bag and laid him down. After taking the wet clothes off of him, he wrapped the Ranger in the smooth, warm fabric.
Concern shone in his blue eyes when he felt the hot skin burning the Ranger from the inside like fire. The fever was high and he had no idea how long it was going on. Medicine was desperately needed so he left after a last glance back to the still figure. Haste was required.
Aragorn's mind floated from the darkness towards the light. It came closer and closer but it seemed that his strength wasn't enough to do the last step and walk into it.
He felt so hot! Fire burnt in his chest with every breath he took. His body hurt badly and he wanted to scream. Scream until the pain would leave and end the torture he lived, breathed, and felt in the moment.
He shifted uneasily around, trying to escape.
He opened his eyes but he couldn't see.
He moved his hands around but he couldn't feel.
His body was trapped in the real world and his mind stayed in the dark hell.
The light was there. He could see it. But the more he tried to reach it, the more it moved away. Sobs escaped him, causing just more pain when suddenly the light reached out for him with humane hands. A soft voice whispered words in his ears in a tongue he knew, soothing his agony a little. The love behind the words washed over him and poured into his tortured soul with divine perfection. It felt like the light caressed his injured body with tender fingers. A warmth spread over him, resting its head on his shoulder, bringing him peace.
The voice kept on talking with him, keeping him alive and close to the light. They were one, breathing soul to soul.
Aragorn didn't care that he was hurt and still in pain. All that matters was the soft voice talking to him, keeping him alive. That he wouldn't let the fate succeed and take him over to the other side.
Darkness was coming onto him again, scaring him. The voice was still in his ears and he felt safe enough to let the darkness take him. He hoped the light would still be there if he ever woke up again
Aragorn, injured and ill as he was, didn't know how long he had suffered like this. Indeed, he wouldn't remember a minute from the 2 days he'd spent in the cave until the rain finally stopped. His wounds had healed during this time though the skills of his saviour weren't able to take the fever away.
He kept him alive, yes, but neither the fever had left nor did he wake up. He could strengthen the sick man just enough to withstand the fever for a while. In a few days the strength would have faded away and the thought left no choice.
The man built a carrier on which he rested the tired body of the sleeping Ranger. The slim body showed an inhuman power as he dragged Aragorn with him.
The sun warmed his face and filled his heart with joy. He hummed a sweet melody for he had not enough breath to sing out loud. For days he kept on walking, bringing them closer with every step. He took just short breaks to look after the still unconscious Aragorn.
He didnt sleep and ate just enough to keep going. He put cold cloths on Aragorn's forehead to bring the fever down. But the more days passed, the more his efforts became almost useless, so he hurried on.
All the time during breaks he murmured words in his own tongue or let his voice spill a song in Aragorn's ears to hold him back from giving up his life.
Half a fortnight passed after they'd left their shelter in the cave. They reached the top of the mountain and his eyes could finally see what his ears had heard for a long time.
The River to the borders of Rivendell.
Gentle he put the carrier on the ground and knelt down beside Aragorn. His eyes widened in shock and brought tears to them. The Ranger's face was red and sweat ran all over it. But the most frightening view were his eyes!
They stood open but there was no sign of life in them. They stared into nothing!
He grabbed his burning cheeks with both hands trying to get a sign of life but there was none. Aragorn's breathing was low and shallow simply dying away this moment.
"No, don't... Stay with me!"
Crying he pressed his face into the Rangers hair. Did they come that far for nothing?
His tears fell on the burning face like raindrops on the earth. Long, blond hair embraced Aragorn like loving arms. A broken voice filled the Rangers ears and his deepest soul, reaching for his heart with his begging plea:
"Lasto beth lin, tolo dan na ngalad!"
Something stirred deep inside of Aragorn and after an eternity as it seemed he took a deep breath and reached for the light once more.
This time he could take the humane hands and step over, away from the darkness which had kept him. His eyes closed.
The emptiness was gone as he opened them again and for the first time in a while he was able to see.
He saw the man's tear-filled eyes above his face, dripping down and cooling his hot skin.
He heard the soft muttered words of relieve and joy.
He saw the beautiful face with the long, golden hair.
And he remembered and he knew and he was more but grateful.
"Legolas!"
His voice sounded raw and his strength left him with nothing but this one word before he fell back to sleep. Healing this time and peaceful.... Safe.
Aragorn slept for a long time. Legolas carried him over the river and was met by Elrond and other Elves. They brought the man into a warm chamber to bed.
Elrond sent for his daughter even before he asked for Kingsfoil.
The herbs and the skills of the old Elv calmed the Rangers breathing almost in the same moment as Arwen entered the room. She ran over to the bed, her eyes never leaving her beloved. She took his hand in hers and sat down beside him.
Her eyes were full with worries. She looked at her father who smiled reassuring.
"It might take a while but he will survive. He is strong!"
He paused and took a deep breath, talking quiet to himself.
"It seemed, the Elders decided that his time hasn't come yet. Great luck he had. And somebody had watched out for him and took good care."
With these words he turned around towards Legolas who stood silent in the corner. His concern wouldn't let him leave the King in the hands of Elrond; even when there was no reason to worry and he felt tired down to his bones.
Arwen nodded thankful in his direction.
Elrond smiled once more before he stepped close to Legolas and put a hand on his shoulder. His voice was clear and determinant.
" I believe, you are worried beyond thoughts but please come with me. Arwen will call for us if there is a change!"
His eyes added what he didn't say. Give them some time alone!
He agreed and the two different Elves left the room.
Arwen heard the door close behind her but her eyes were in her lovers face. Dark shadows lay beneath his closed eyes. His cheeks were sunken in a little and he looked ill but peaceful. His chest moved slowly under his long, deep breath.
Now that she was alone with her Prince, tears started to brake free and she wept for she had almost lost him. She pressed her wet cheeks on his hand still held in hers. His long fingers didn't take her in their strong and loving grip. Instead, they lay quiet and needed to feel her love, her strength.
For a long time she stayed in this position. Then she straightened her back and took his face in her hands. Slowly she bent over him and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
Tears rolled in a silver line down her face, over her cheeks and dripped down her chin like shining stars, falling on Aragorn's face like Legolas' tears had done before.
His eyes opened in this moment, looking around, finding her face. His impression changed from exhausted to pure joy. A smile lit up his tired face, bringing a little of his power back. Their eyes looked into each other's, reading their thoughts, in their souls and in their hearts.
"My Queen...!"
Aragorn's voice showed no weakness. It was steady and strong like the love he felt for her.
"My King!"
Her voice shivered a little but her grip was strong as she took Aragorn's hand.
He brought her fingers up to his mouth and pressed his lips on them in a desperate kiss. Their hands fell down on his chest and he brought them were his heart was for he was to exhausted to hold them up. His eyes met hers for a last time before he closed them and fell back to sleep.
He was home!
End of part 2
Translation: "Lasto beth lin, tolo dan na ngalad!" - Hear my voice, come back to the lights!
