Disclaimer: I don't own them, just wish that I did… sigh. They belong to the wonderful professor named J.R.R Tolkien…

~~~

Chapter 2

Legolas was patrolling the southern borders of his home in search of any disturbances. With him was another elf who he had known since his youth, Handil, a good friend.
He was sitting high up in a tree, watching the sun rise; it was time for them to return home. He had spotted no sign of orcs, but they had killed some of the evil spiders that resided in Mirkwood.

He thought of his father. Wasn't he expecting Lord Elrond to arrive today? Legolas hoped that Estel had come with him, though it was possible that he was out in the wild.

Legolas was pulled out of his ruminations by a shout from Handil. He climbed down the tree and hurried to his friend.

"What is it, Handil? Have you found something?"

"Legolas, I…" Handil hesitated, but upon seeing the questioning look on the prince's face, he pointed to where he had just come from.

Legolas walked only a few yards, then stopped dead in his tracks. He was in a clearing of some sort, but what drew his eyes was the form just on the other edge of the clearing.

With his heart beating wildly in his chest, Legolas walked to the figure, looking for any signs of life. He almost didn't dare to breathe as he recognized the man. Quickly, he knelt next to Aragorn's form and held his fingers gently against the man's neck. He waited, hoping to feel… there! It was weak, but his friend still lived.

Legolas' eyes took in the condition of his friend. He was naked from the waist up and his torso was decorated with bruises, what looked to be whip weals and… burn marks? His arms were behind him, but Legolas could tell from the angle they were in that they were dislocated. A gash marred the ranger's temple and blood had crusted in his hair. It pained Legolas to see his friend like this. But the worst things were the burn marks on his face, luckily not near his eyes, and the bear traps biting into his ankles.

Legolas took off his own cloak and gently draped it over the still form, sensing the minute tremors running through the weakened body. He looked at Handil, who had a sorrowful look on his face, Aragorn was also a friend of his and it pained him to see him like this.

"Help me with the traps and his arms." He softly said to his friend.

Handil swallowed and nodded, doing so. It was difficult getting the traps off when trying not to jar their friend, but they managed. Next, Legolas felt for broken bones- it seemed as though Aragorn had many broken ribs. Legolas laid his head on Aragorn's head and listened. There didn't appear to be any sign that his lungs were pierced, but it did seem as though there was a congestion building up. Together with Handil, Legolas carefully turned the unconscious human on his side so Handil could cut his bonds. When he had done so, Aragorn's arms fell limply down.

All the while, Legolas had been murmuring reassuring words to his human friend in elvish, not knowing if he could hear it, but anxious to let him know it was going to be alright- that he was safe.

Aragorn was gently laid on his back, his arms at his sides. They felt cold to the touch and had a purple tint. Legolas looked at Handil, who understood. Legolas braced Aragorn while Handil pulled first his right arm in a way so his shoulder popped back in place, then the left.

When they did this, Legolas heard the first sign of life from his friend. He gasped, holding back a scream and weakly trying to move away, yet not having the strength to move even an inch.

Legolas gently stroked his hair and whispered to him in elvish, knowing he would understand those words better than common. "It's going to be all right, Estel. You are safe now."

Instead of calming his friend, as he thought the effect would be, Aragorn seemed to be struggling even more, starting to cough harshly and struggling for breath.

"Estel, it is I, Legolas. Hush now, you are safe. We'll take you back to my home, you're safe…"

Handil looked at Legolas. "I could give him something that would send him to sleep."

Legolas looked thoughtful. "Nay, I do not think he is strong enough for that. And yet I would not see him hurting so."

Handil came closer. "If I may, Legolas. I can make his mind rest for a couple of hours without using any drug."

Legolas nodded. Handil carefully rested his hands on top of Aragorn's temples and closed his eyes. The man's struggles lessened as he ran out of energy. Handil send some of his own energy into the young human and caressed his hurting soul, cradling it, hushing it until it was calm and resting. He opened his eyes and saw that his friend was sleeping, his face for the moment free of pain. Handil took a moment to regain his strength; it was a great gift he possessed, yet it took a lot out of him, so he only used it in emergencies.

The two elves took a moment to tend to Aragorn's wounds, cleaning and binding them. His arms were bound to his sides so the shoulders would stay in place. He would need further care once they had reached the palace.

"Let us return home immediately." Legolas said, carefully scooping his young friend into his arms and setting into a brisk pace, careful not to jostle his charge too much. Handil walked close behind, watching for any signs of trouble the entire way back.

~~~

TBC