Disclaimer: I don't own them, just wish that I did… sigh. They belong to the
wonderful professor named J.R.R Tolkien…
~~~
Chapter 8
Thranduil slowly opened the door to Legolas' room. His son sat next to the bed
where Elrond' youngest lay and was stroking his hair in a soothing motion,
speaking softly to him in elvish. So absorbed was Legolas in speaking to his
friend, that he didn't notice his father entering his room.
The king walked behind his son,
looking at the pale human for a moment and noticing the shivers that wracked
his frame even though he was covered warmly. He laid a hand on Legolas'
shoulder. "How is he?" He asked softly so as not to disturb the resting man.
Legolas startled at the touch and turned his head to look at the person behind
him. When he saw his father, a relieved smile appeared on his face. He looked
back at his friend and resumed stroking his hair.
"He is holding up. His fever must break soon or I fear the consequences… Lord
Elrond once told me that if a fever gets too high and keeps on, humans are in
danger that their brain gets damaged. I made him drink some of the medicine you
prepared to get the fever down, yet I see no improvement." Legolas fell silent
for a moment. "He was frightened when he woke, Ada- I wonder what he experiences when he
dreams; all he seems to have are nightmares and when he is awake, he often knows not where he is."
Thranduil gently squeezed his son's shoulder. "He's lucky to have a friend like
you, Legolas." Thranduil walked to Legolas' bureau and started mixing some
herbs, hoping that this combination would work to bring the fever down. "Orcs have been sighted several leagues from here. There
will be a hunting party leaving within the hour to take care of them. Hmm, that
reminds me…"
Legolas' ears perked up at hearing this, but before he could say anything,
Thranduil had walked out the door and hailed the first person he saw. It was
Rhovanil.
"Rhovanil, go and tell our elite warriors to be ready for an orc hunt within the hour. Have them chose ten warriors that
will accompany the Rivendell visitors in their hunt."
"Yes, my Lord." Rhovanil said and hurried to do what he was told.
Thranduil returned inside the room and continued with mixing the herbs. "Before
you say anything, Legolas, hear me out. The twins and Glorfindel
will leave with ten of our best warriors. You will stay here. The boy trusts
you and you seem to be the only one he finds comfort in. Do you have anything
to say to this?"
Legolas looked at his father… then to Aragorn. Indecision was on his face, but
at last he sighed. "Though one side of me wants to join the party, the bigger
part is loathe to leave Estel.
I will stay here."
Thranduil smiled as he walked back to the bed, a cup in his hands. "Can you
wake him? I want him to try something new that may perhaps bring the fever
down." He had sweetened the mixture with honey, which would soothe the young
ranger's throat and making the mixture more pleasant to swallow.
Legolas brought his mouth to Aragorn's ear. "Estel? Wake up for me, will you?"
A frown appeared on the ranger's face.
"Just let your eyes float open, my friend. You can do it."
Slowly, Aragorn's eyes fluttered open. The man took in the two figures near his
bed with fever-glazed eyes, recognizing the one sitting as his friend Legolas.
He just lay there, unmoving, not wanting to spend the energy he needed to
breathe for something as futile as trying to move- which would only bring on
more pain.
"Come on, drink this for me." Legolas said as he held the cup up to the
ranger's mouth and lifted his head some.
A dry sting in his throat made itself known and Aragorn tried to swallow it
down- not wanting to start coughing again. He was unsuccessful however and
another fit took him, leaving him panting for breath afterwards.
Legolas waited for the fit to pass and once more held the cup to the man's
lips. Aragorn obediently drank the contents of the cup, glad when he felt the
honey soothing his raw throat. Legolas carefully laid his head back down on the
pillows and watched as the man's eyes closed once more.
"Sleep well, little one. That no bad things will enter your
dreams." He whispered, his mind straying to the hunt.
~~~
TBC