Chapter 4: Awake
He had been wrong to think waking up would be painful, it wasn't, it was sheer, unrelenting agony. His blood not longer wished to flow through his veins and had to be pushed. Every cell had to be reawakened and every cell struggled to stay asleep.
The battle was long and not at all easy, but finally he drew in a breath. Then he screamed. It wasn't very loud, for his throat was dry, but it so stung to draw in air that he couldn't help it.
"Rest at ease Master Legolas, you made it," said Galadriel.
"Water…please…" he croaked.
She sat next to him on the bed and helped him right himself.
"Teltil," she said to a servant, "Bring me some water." The servant left.
"How do you feel prince?" asked Galadriel.
"It is as if an oiliphant stepped on me," he said. She laughed and the sound made Legolas' heart lift. The maid servant returned with a silver chalice, which she gave to Galadriel. The Lady of the Wood aided Legolas in drinking from it.
"How is Megilian?"
"Well," she said, "And will be, since you are alive, though you did break him from your service did you not?"
"Yes I did. How is Luincrist?"
"Fine, they are all fine. Though I worried over my daughter's sons. My Lord and I worked long calling them back ere they came."
She lay him back down and he said, "Elladan and Elrohir were injured?"
"Yes gravely so, but they came back from their wanderings much quicker than you Master Greenleaf."
"And Estel?"
"Aside from being totally crushed and inconsolable, he is fine."
"That is NOT funny Lady."
"No," she sighed, "but it is the truth. Physically he is as fit as any mortal of his age should be."
Legolas nodded wearily as his aching body begged for sleep.
"I would like to see him."
"Not yet. You are extremely fragile right now. An over-enthusiastic embrace could and would kill you. Rest. Tomorrow you will see him," said Galadriel.
"He thinks me dead does he not?"
"Why do you say that?"
"He must, or he would be banging that door down."
"I did not wish to give him false hope. It was not at all a sure thing that you would come back."
"That is well then that you did not tell him," said Legolas, "I could not bear to think I may have broken his heart more than once."
He rested his fair hands upon his stomach and slept deep and long while his body set to work mending itself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Galadriel found the human in the room with the elf twins, who were now awake.
"Elladan there is something I have to tell you two."
"Yes Estel?"
"Legolas…he…I wasn't fast enough, he…he's dead."
"Estel, it's not your fault."
"Yes it is, I sent them ahead alone."
"And if they had been with you," said Galadriel quietly, "They may have both been killed. There is no blame here, only with the fell warriors who did this and they are far from this place. Still someone will needs go to Imladris and inform Thranduil and Elrond of all that has taken happened."
"Thranduil?" asked Aragorn, "In Rivendell?"
"Yes, we received word this day that the elf who was poisoning the folk of Mirkwood has been caught. Elrond sought to try him at his home. Thranduil followed and both await news of your company at Imladris."
"Who was who tried to kill Legolas?" asked Aragorn.
"A traitor to the throne, he will not be treated with kindness I fear," said Galadriel, "I will most likely be exiled."
"I will go," said Aragorn.
"Not alone," said Elrohir.
"But not with you two, if that's what you're thinking," said Aragorn, "You must rest."
"I agree Estel, but I also must agree with Elrohir. Luincrist has agreed to go, if you would have her," said Galadriel.
"I would have her, and gladly welcome her company," said Aragorn standing, "I will leave at once, only may I have one last look at my friend ere I go?"
"Do not leave at once," said Galadriel, "You are full of much pain. Stay here tonight and rest, then tomorrow you may see Legolas and leave Lorien."
Aragorn shook his head, "I will stay, but there will be no rest for me tonight I fear." His grey eyes misted over, "I did not even get to bid him farewell before he died."
He left and Galadriel told her grandson's the good news.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aragorn felt torn in two. He has assured Elladan that he could not die of a broken heart, but he knew now what it would feel like. It took every inch of his pride and will power to keep walking and not just curl up into a little ball and cry until all his tears were spent. Deep inside he knew he would live. Somehow he would continue, but only because he had to. He yearned for Arwen and a deep desire to see her and hear her comforting words came upon him.
He stopped before Megilian's room and slowly opened the door. Luincrist sat on a chair beside his bed, her head lay on her arms, and though her eyes were open, he knew she slept.
"Greetings Estel," said Megilian quietly.
Aragorn nodded a greeting to him.
"I heard about Legolas," said Megilian.
"Yes, are you all right?"
"I believe so, I only feel a little weak, but I am very sad."
"I feel much the same."
Megilian sighed, "He will be sorely missed, I know not how the King will survive."
Aragorn looked down at Luincrist, she looked very young, he brushed some of her raven hair back from her face.
"She is indeed beautiful Megilian, and now you will have an immortal life with her. Treasure her."
"I do and will."
"I must go get ready to leave for Rivendell," said Aragorn and got to the door when Megilian's voice called him back.
"Wait. Please look after Luincrist on your journey."
Aragorn turned his head to look at the elf out of the corner of his eye. He said solemnly, "I shall guard her with my life."
Then he left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The day dawned bright and fair, but Aragorn was not thinking of the sunshine to day. It was time to say farewell to a dear friend. Luincrist fell instep with him and entered Legolas' chambers after the Ranger.
Aragorn kneeled slowly at Legolas' head and lay his face in the pillow, next to his friend's pale cheek.
"Nimarië nin mellon [farewell my friend]," he whispered into the fabric surrounding the pillow. There was then a hand on his head, and he thought it to be Luincrist until a familiar soft voice brought his head up.
"Do not bid farewell to people who have not left."
"Legolas?!" Aragorn's breath caught in his throat and a ridiculous grin slowly crept on to his face. Tears poured from his eyes and Luincrist, who had known Legolas to be alive, laughed and cried anyway.
Aragorn embraced the Elf, carefully and swiftly.
"You're alive!" he cried, simply because he had run out of any other words to say.
"Well I would have thought that obvious," said Legolas with a smile.
Aragorn gave a tear jerked laugh, "Hope returns beyond all hope."
"Oh really Estel, must you be so dramatic?" It was a jest and Aragorn knew it. He was so happy to see Legolas alive that he let it go and laughed at the jibe.
"Aye my friend, I am human remember? We are prone to such things."
"You've go that right," said Legolas with a smile, "I have a request Estel," he said seriously.
"Anything."
"Would you help me plait my hair? I will come swiftly after you, maybe even today, but it would be one less thing to worry about."
"Of course, Luincrist will you aid me?"
They sat him up and Luincrist used her comb, an ornate silver thing, to run through his hair. Aragorn made the big braid and Luincrist did the small ones on the sides of his head. They lay him back down and his eyes were heavy-lidded.
"Many thanks," he said, "All speed to you on your journey," his eyes closed and he slept.
"He only came back for you Estel," said Galadriel from the door. Aragorn turned to look at her and she smiled at him, "He did not wish to cause you pain."
Aragorn smiled down at the sleeping elf.
"He is a good friend."
Galadriel nodded and smiled.
The End? I think NOT! Look for the sequel "Mornië Utùlië" coming soon to a computer near you!