Chapter Three
Morning dawned much to the dismay of Aragorn. For throughout the night his dreams were plagued by the sweet vision of Legolas. The words of Gimli lay lodged deep within his subconscious, "An elf in drag is still an elf. In drag." Could it be that the dwarf saw what Legolas could not? As he arose he was surprised to find that his breeches were soaked however, he quickly realized that it was morning dew.
In the break of morning Aragorn stood looking around their camp, only to find Legolas wide awake. Gimli laid wrapped in his bedroll, a mere bump among the fabric.
"You wake early, Aragorn." Legolas' quiet voice made its way towards the weary ranger. "A fitful sleep and muttered dreams will make for a long day."
"Legolas. And a good morning to you. I..." Aragorn fought to find his words, as he was stunned by the sight of Legolas yet again. "I have much on my mind."
"Will you two be quiet?! All this talking and the sun has yet to rise above the mountain." Gimli rose from his bedroll, obviously upset that his companions failed to realize that others, namely he, still slept.
"I apologize, Gimli," said Legolas with a small curtsey.
An awkward silence ensued as Gimli went back to sleep.
"So...you seem to be taking to this disguise quite well," said Aragorn, after a few moments.
"Yes!" cried Legolas as he modeled his new found skirt-swooshing turn.
Aragorn paled at the sight. "You do that well."
"I have been practicing!" replied Legolas, quite proud of himself.
Gimli finally stood up, well aware there was no more sleep to be found for him. "What's fer breakfast?" he asked grumpily.
Aragorn reached into his bag and pulled out some leaf-wrapped lembas. "We shall eat this lembas and then be off."
Legolas strode up to Aragorn, taking a piece of the lembas. "This no longer satisfies me. I have felt the wind against my legs, and I am free now. I need something more than lembas."
Gimli merely raised his eyebrows towards the elf. "You've done what?"
"Watch." Legolas bore a great smile that reached into his eyes as he began to spin where he stood. Aragorn merely covered his eyes and counted to three to regain control of himself.
"Enough of this. Legolas, if you don't wish to partake in the lembas, than you may pack up the camp. Gimli," he offered a piece of the wafer-bread to the dwarf, "eat quickly."
"Ah, more lembas for me, shall the Elf Princess not want any? Spin wee one." Aragorn merely chuckled as Gimli rolled his eyes towards Legolas.
Soon breakfast was over and the three set out for another day of traveling.
~~
With Aragorn's mind elsewhere, the trio was soon lost.
"Arg! What is that smell, Aragorn?" questioned Gimli.
"Why do you say that so accusingly?"
"Just wondering..." grumbled Gimli, wrinkling up his dwarf nose.
'I am so lost...what good is a lost ranger?' thought Aragorn miserably. He shook his head. "Legolas! What do your elf eyes see?"
Legolas squinted. "I see...dead people?"
"What?"
Legolas turned around and scowled. "You've led us into the Dead Marshes, Aragorn! Where is your head?"
"I don't think he's thinking with his hea-" said Gimli, until he was stopped abruptly by Aragorn's foot. "Oof, oy, there's no need to kick."
Legolas merely looked at his two companions as if they'd lost their minds. "If you two are quite finished, we need to make our way out of here, and back towards Aroloian."
The group turned around, the man and the dwarf never hearing the uttered words of their elven companion.
"Never trust a man to stop for directions."