Chapter 6

A/N: No, I do not mind constructive criticism at all. In fact, I encourage it. I am not the best when it comes to detailing a story and I am trying to work on that. I am glad that you are all enjoying it for what it is, as this is my first pure-Legolas/Aragorn/Gimli fic. I am still getting used to their characters so be patient with me. Thanks for the feedback, though! As for where this story is going, I am not completely positive. I am just letting my mind flow with ideas. I do apologize if this is in the least bit rushed! :o) Continue to R&R(I appreciate all reviews! Thanks!



Within a few hours, the brew was complete. Aragorn grimaced as he sniffed it, for Athelas was not the most pleasant of herbal medicines out there. He poured a mug full of the thick liquid and carefully carried it back to Legolas's room. When he entered, he found the Elf vomiting into a basin that Eowyn held under his head. "Shhhhush." She soothed, rubbing Legolas's back as he continued to be sick. The healer was blotting the Elf's face with a damp rag, and within moments the vomiting ended.

Legolas was grateful when Eowyn allowed him to take a sip of the chamomile tea to rinse out he foul taste leftover in his mouth, and the healer went to empty the basin out the window onto the cobblestone below. Once the Elf was lying still again, Aragorn went over to Eowyn, who was tucking the covers around Legolas's neck.

"It is finished," The ranger told the woman, showing her the mug. "We must administer it as soon as possible."

Legolas, who was too exhausted to protest, watched as Aragorn walked over and sat down where the healer had last been, and accepted a spoon. "This is going to help you," Aragorn promised. "I am going to warn you ahead of time-it does not have a good taste to it, which is why I am giving it to you by the spoonful."

Legolas nodded in the midst of a cough and opened his mouth to receive the first dose. Eowyn watched with hopeful eyes as the Elf grimaced after swallowing. Aragorn nodded with a smile. "Very good." He complimented, and continued spooning the medicine. Gimli watched the process, wrinkling his nose at the foul smell of the liquid. Suddenly, his stomach gave a loud growl, making Eowyn laugh.

"Hungry, are you?" She asked him with a smile.

"A bit. Haven't eaten since breakfast yesterday. Should get a little something."

Eowyn looked at Aragorn who was still spoon-feeding the Elf, and stood. "You do not mind if we go to the kitchens, do you? I am rather hungry myself. Would you care for anything?"

Aragorn shook his head. "I am all right. Thank you for offering, though. I may pick up something later."

Eowyn nodded before leading Gimli away. Legolas suddenly closed his mouth after the fifth spoonful. "I feel I am going to be sick again, Aragorn." He whispered. "I can not take down anymore."

Aragorn sighed. "You need to, Legolas. I know it smells awful and tastes worse, but it is all we have to give you medicine-wise at the moment. You are not responding to any of the fever treatements we have performed."

Legolas sighed. "I am dying, aren't I?" He asked.

Aragorn cleared his throat as he ceased administiring the brew, and set the mug onto his lap. He hated to say "Yes" but what else could he say? He was not very good at lying-- Arwen had told him this many times.

"The truth is always better," She had told him. "Even if it hurts."

"Aragorn rubbed his hand over his face and sighed heavily. "Yes, Legolas. You are dying, but you still have hope to recover."

Legolas nodded. "I have failed you, Aragorn."

"You have not failed us." Aragorn snapped. "I understand you have your pride an that normally Elves choose how they die and when they die, but accidents happen. We all make mistakes as well."

Legolas still did not look very convinced but he did not argue further. "I-I must tell my father---about this."

Aragorn smiled. "Theoden has already sent a message to him."

Legolas grimaced as another sharp spasm of pain burst through his injuried arm, and he let out a hiss of agony. He grasped the sheets as his cheeks turned three shades paler than it was originally. "I can not take this terrible pain anymore, Aragorn. Please---kill me now." He begged once he had fallen back against the bed again. Aragorn touched the Elf's forehead, feeling so sorry for him that it made his heart ache.

"I most certainly will not do such a thing to you." Aragorn told him.

"It is all I ask of you." Legolas growled. "It is all I have ever asked of you."

Aragorn glanced down at his belt, his dagger gleaming against the sunlight that streamed through the curtains. He quickly shook his head. 'What am I thinking? I could never kill one of my own companions.' Still, it was a request. He slowly pulled the dagger from his belt and held it in front of him. He could hear Legolas's breathing quicken and saw that the Elf was staring at the knife as well.

"Make it quick, Aragorn." Legolas begged.

Aragorn realized his hand was trembling as he slowly pulled down the comforter, revealing Legolas's bare chest once again. "I can not." He finally dropped the knife and grimaced as it made a CLANG as it hit the stone. "I can not kill you. I would much rather have you die peacefully in sleep." He covered his face with his hand. Legolas let out quiet sigh, and Aragorn was not sure if it was a sigh of releif or exhaustion.

"Would you have killed me in a different circumstance, Aragorn?" Legolas asked. "If we were out in the wilderness I mean?"

The ranger uncovered his face and looked at his companion. "I do not know what I would have done, Legolas." He took hold of the Elf's hand and squeezed it. "You MUST get well. Please fight this."

Legolas smiled weakly. "I am trying, but I am so very tired."

Theoden suddenly hurried into the sickroom, his eyes wide. "King Thranduil and his kin have arrived."

Legolas jolted. "Father? He has gotten your message?"

"Quite quickly. He has just been spotted by one of my men a few miles away."

Aragorn blinked. The King of Mirkwood was coming. "I shall inform the others, shall I?" He asked.

"Yes. Eowyn and Gimli are in the dining hall."

The healer, who had taken care of Legolas the night before, appeared from behind the King. "I will watch over him while you warn the others."

Aragorn nodded. "Very well. I will return shortly." He hurried to the Great Hall, where sure enough, Eowyn and Gimli sat deep in conversation while they nibbled on bread, cheese and fruit. "The King of Mirkwood is coming." He told them, and they gasped.

"Thranduil?" asked Eowyn in amazement. "He rides swiftly. Father only sent the message yesterday."

Aragorn nodded. "So I would be in position when he arrives. He is only but three miles away."

Gimli stood. "Aie, let us go and wait in the entrance hall."

Eowyn nodded. "Yes, we shall go. Thank you for letting us know, Aragorn." She smiled softly before following Gimli out of the dining hall. Aragorn watched them disappear and then gazed up at the ceiling.

"Diola lle." He whispered to the havens as he hurried back to the sickroom.

It was nearly an hour before Thranduil arrived with a small band of his Elven kin. Thranduil was very tall and slender, with a light complexion and the same, silkly blonde hair as Legolas. His eyes were also the same color, and he wore pine green tunic and a pair of gray breeches. "Where is my son?" He asked in a firm tone when he met up with Eowyn and Gimli, who were waiting for him.

"Follow me." Said Eowyn.

Thranduil ordered his kin to continue and they followed Eowyn and Gimli down the corridor and towards the sickroom. They entered, and Theoden, Aragorn and the healer immediately stood, kneeling before him. Thanduil walked over to Legolas's bedside and whispered something gently into his ear in Elvish, touching his son's face.

"What did he say?" whispered Eowyn to Aragorn.

"I am here, my dear son." Aragorn replied. She nodded softly.

Thranduil stood and faced Aragorn, his face very cold. "You should have sent for me sooner, Aragorn, son of Arathorn."

Aragorn cleared his throat nervously. "We did not know until two days ago, and we were so caught up in trying to comfort Legolas that we did not even think to send a message to you."

Thranduil nodded. "Ferathin," he began, pointing to the brown-haired Elf beside him. "Has an antedote for the poison the Elves in my Kindgom have recently created. As the poison has lingered in my son for quite a bit, I am not sure how quickly the medicine will perform its duty."

Aragorn nodded. "Would you like us to leave while you administer it to him?"

Thranduil looked the ranger up and down. "I would. You would be a distraction."

"Come." said Eowyn. "Let us leave King Thranduil to work."

Aragorn quickly touched Legolas's forehead before leaving with the rest of his companions. They left the sickroom, and headed towards the dining hall. Gimli hadn't spoken a word since he had been with Eowyn, and Aragorn did not blame him.

"We should find a way to properly bury Legolas." Gimli said quietly.

Eowyn glanced at Aragorn who looked down at the Dwarf. "He is not going to die."

"I know I will not sleep well tonight," Eowyn said.

"Neither will I." Aragorn agreed.

"He has been suffering so for five days now," Gimli added. "Can the Valar not provide him with SOME comfort?"

Aragorn and Eowyn were silent as they sat down at the table. "Perhaps we should spend the night together," She suggested to the ranger and the dwarf. "We could comfort each other when grief is too much to bare alone."

Gimli smiled. "She has a good idea, Aragorn."

Aragorn looked at Eowyn. "I suppose that would be all right, but which room would we share?"

Eowyn smiled. "Not a room, but we may sleep in here. Spread blankets along the floor as though we are camping outdoors."

Gimli laughed. "In deed that sounds like the perfect idea of a camping trip to me."

So it was agreed that the three companions would spend the night in each other's company, and it was spent telling stories, singing songs and laughing over dry jokes. They did not fall asleep till the early hours of morning.