-No regrets-
By: Laebeth
Disclaimer: I own nothing and only write for my pleasure. Only Laurence belongs to me. Don't sue me please. I have nothing of worth anyways.
A/N: Don't forget that I'm French and if it wasn't for television, I would never be surrounded by English, so my orthograph may not be that great!!!
Thank you all dear reviewers. Your comments made me write that much faster. And I'm so happy today 'cause I bought myself a black new Volks Jetta. Yeah!
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Laurence immediately shoved aside the first aid kit she had pulled from her jacket and searched desperately for a pulse. After a few moments, she still couldn't feel the beating of his heart under her fingertips. In a frenzy, she tossed her jacket away and tilted his head backwards. Opening his mouth, she positioned her mouth over his and blew air in his lungs. Then, she took position over his sternum and started CPR.
She quickly looked at Aragorn and asked with urgency in her voice, "do you have notions of reanimation?"
In shock from his friend's death, Aragorn shook his head, mouthing the word 'no', unable to get the word out.
Still performing CPR on Legolas, Laurence quickly explained what she wanted him to do. In a daze, he placed himself beside the elf's head and waited for her signal to blow air in his fallen friend, hoping for a miracle. What she intended to accomplish by doing this he did not know, but he was willing to try anything to get Legolas back. He would even trade his place with the elf if it were possible. But it wasn't, and he could only kneel helpless by his side, doing what he was told by a strange woman who, not like him, seemed to know what to do.
He stared at Legolas, drinking in the sight of his fair skin, shining hair, high cheekbones and the most inviting lips he had ever gazed upon. He couldn't loose him now, not after all they had been through in the last years. And certainly not after they had discovered that they both loved one another. The feel of the elf in his arms had become intoxicating with the passing weeks and it was unbearable that he would be denied his gentle touches for the remaining of his years. How unbearable life suddenly seemed to be when only a few hours before they had been laughing and sharing old tales.
He could still remember the feeling that rushed through him when they had bathed in a river many weeks ago. He had witnessed the wanting in his friend's eyes and did not have the courage to extinguish the burning longing that flared in his heart. He had acted impulsively by crushing the elf's lips with his own, claiming his mouth with all the passion that he had kept inside. To his own surprise, Legolas had kissed him back with an intensity rivalling is own. No, he could not loose is friend now. HE was the mortal one. HE should be the one dying before Legolas, not the other way around.
Gimli continued putting pressure on the wound, praying that the woman could somehow bring his best friend back to life. He could not envision living without the constant jesting between them nor without the soft laugh and twinkling eyes of the mischievous elf. They had forged a strong bond over the years, unlike any that could be recalled in the history of Elves and Dwarfs. He loved him as a brother and it was agony to watch him lifeless under his hands.
The blood had stopped seeping from the wound and he could only stare helplessly as Aragorn once again blew air in Legolas's mouth, making his chest rise. With every given breath, he held his own, waiting anxiously for Legolas to take the next breath.
*Breathe, breathe, breathe* thought Gimli over and over again like a lamentation, desperate to see life in his friend's body once more. He wished with all his being to behold Legolas's elven glow and shining eyes again.
Waiting for Aragorn, Laurence once more pressed her fingers against Legolas's neck. Still no pulse, but she wasn't backing down just yet. She could see that he was very dear to both men and sensed that if she were unable to revive him, their grief would be long and painful. CPR could sometimes be long and tiring, and she had witnessed victims awaking after more than half an hour of attempts to save their lives. Holding on to these encouraging thoughts, she continued with renewed strength and hope.
"Don't loose hope, your friend may still have a chance to see many years to come. I have performed this on people in far worst shape than he is now with successful results. So don't despair and keep talking to him." She said while trying to put some much-needed confidence in her tone for both men's sake.
Laurence was so engrossed by her actions that she missed to see the new hope shining in both Aragorn and Gimli's eyes. Pausing yet again, she pressed her fingers against Legolas's neck and gasped with surprise as she felt a weak pulse. In the same instant, she heard a sharp intake of breath, almost sounding like a soft cry and watched legolas's chest rise slightly from the ground in his effort to draw in air. All looked in wonder, waiting for him to take another breath on his own. They were rewarded with the sight of Legolas taking another deep one.
"Thanks the Valar he is alive,» sobbed Aragorn, feeling almost dizzy from the relief of seeing Legolas revived. Bending over, he gently pressed his forehead against the elf's forehead, quietly weeping, letting tears glide softly down his face. Sliding his right arm under his lover's neck, he burrowed the long fingers of his left hand in Legolas's soft hair, bringing the elf's head in the crook of his neck with the firm intention of never letting go.
Laurence was very surprised to witness such gentleness from the man who slew monsters less than an hour ago. *These men are much more than they appeared, or maybe it is the way these men are… warriors with gentle hearts. *
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Legolas felt consciousness slowly returning and with it the feeling of someone's breathe on his cheek. He opened his eyes, seeing the blurry face of Aragorn streaked with trails of tears falling in a steady flow. He immediately felt concern for the Ranger, seeking to understand the meaning of such grief and distress. He tried to speak but found he could make no sound. He felt terribly weak and tired, as though he hadn't slept for many weeks. Wracking his brain for some memory of what could have caused his weakness, he became more alert of his surroundings and of his body.
He instantly wished for unconsciousness to bless him once more, his chest feelling as if it was on fire. Clenching his teeth in an effort not to cry out in pain, he felt his body trembling from the effort. And yet, he could not contain the muffled scream that erupted from the back of his throat, ending in a heart-wrenching sob for anyone to hear.
"W…What?" managed to groan Legolas through the haze of confusion in his head.
"Shhh…save your strength Legolas," answered Aragorn with a soothing voice, "you are wounded. We are taking good care of you. I will try to lessen your pain. Just hold on for me and try to stay awake. I know it hurts but soon the pain will pass."
After feeling so helpless only minutes ago, Aragorn felt somewhat better now that he could soothe his friend. He quickly ran to his bag, took out his pouch of healing herbs and brought it back to Legolas's side.
At the same time, Laurence left Legolas in the care of Gimli and picked up the first aid kit laying forgotten in the grass after so much turmoil. She went back to the men's side and opened the kit, finding the syringe and the small bottle of Morphine. Unwrapping the syringe, she carefully inserted the needle in the bottle, filled it up and pressed out the air.
Gimli was intently watching both Aragorn and Laurence, knowing what Aragorn was preparing but having no clue as to what Laurence was doing. Curiosity got the better of him. "What is it that you are doing?"
"I'm filling up a syringe with morphine." She answered, not realizing that Gimli would not understand the terms she used.
"And what is it's purpose?" asked Gimli.
"It's a very powerful pain killer that takes effect almost instantly. Legolas won't feel any pain at all once I've injected him with it," answered Laurence.
Aragorn looked up from his work of grinding herbs, stopping in mid movement and locking eyes with Laurence with a look of disbelief.
"You mean to tell us that the second you give him this medicine, his pain will vanish?"
"That's right! And it even gives a feeling of euphoria, like walking on clouds." Answered Laurence with a smile on her face.
After seeing her bring Legolas back from the dead, Aragorn and Gimli could only believe that what she was saying was true. Feeling very relieved that Legolas would not have to wait for his healing herbs to take effect, Aragorn cast aside the bowl of crushed herbs and knelt beside him, taking his slender hand in his own and softly caressing his silky hair.
He looked at Laurence with gratitude and said, "It is more than we ever could have hoped for and I am certain that I speak for both Gimli and I when I say your help is a true blessing. You have saved our friend's life and I for one am forever in your debt." Said Aragorn, honesty shining in his deep grey eyes.
"You have nothing to thank me for. If I had stopped the killer earlier, this would never have happened. It's my fault your friend was injured. You hold no debt to me. I'm only relieved that your friend lives and that's enough reward for me." Said Laurence with guilt and sadness, unable to meet Aragorn's gaze.
Aragorn felt that he would have to discuss this matter with Laurence, but now was not the time. She had set the syringe aside and was tying some sort of rope around Legolas's upper arm. She took hold of his forearm with one hand and tapped the crook of it a couple of times with her fingers. She picked up the syringe once more and still holding his arm firmly in her grasp, plunged the entire needle in the soft skin. Aragorn saw the clear liquid in the syringe being expelled until there was no more left. Looking expectantly at Legolas, he saw the lines of pain disappear from his fair face and felt the elf's hand go limp, not crushing his own hand in a death grip any longer. His breathing went back to normal, unlike the previous ragged breaths of flaming agony and Legolas let a sigh of relief escape him.
"Do you still feel pain?" asked Aragorn with still some concern, noticing that Legolas's eyes had slightly glazed over.
"No, I feel no more pain." Replied Legolas with a slight smile tugging the edges of his lips. "I feel as if I am slowly floating down a calm river. You should try it, it feels great''
Aragorn let out a small laugh and squeezed Legolas's hand, pouring all his love in that simple gesture. "Maybe some day my friend."
Legolas turned his head slowly towards Gimli, "And what about you?"
"That horse of yours is far enough excitement to my liking, and today, you've scared me enough to last me a lifetime." Answered Gimli, teasing is friend to lighten the mood.
But Legolas could see that behind the teasing of the Dwarf, real concern shone in his friend's eyes. He had the sense that something was being kept from him.
"What really happened my friends?"
"Now is not the time to speak of such things. We will enlighten you more when you are feeling better." Answered Gimli, alarmed that Legolas was seeing through is light banter.
"But…" tried to argue Legolas before being interrupted by Laurence.
"Listen to your friends young man and save your strength." Said Laurence.
Both Aragorn and Gimli burst out laughing at the shocked expression on Legolas's face at being called a young man.
"What?" said Laurence, slightly annoyed that these man were obviously laughing at her expense.
"This nothing," said Aragorn, trying to suppress his laughter.
Laurence ignored them, opened her first aid kit and took out the tweezers.
"Do you have herbs to prevent infection in your bag, asked Laurence, concentration on the task that still needed to be done.
"Aye," answered Aragorn.
"Could you prepare some right now. I want to do this in one quick shot." Said Laurence, not wanting to mess with his wound longer than necessary. " While I'll take out the bullet, you'll hold him still until I'm done. Then, you'll apply your herbs and I'll quickly bandage his chest." OK?
Aragorn quickly set to work without an afterthought, having complete trust in the healing abilities of Laurence. Once the lotion was done, Aragorn and Gimli took their place on each side of Legolas. They took a hold of his arms and legs, effectively pinning him under they strong grips.
Legolas, who had been swimming in a world of euphoria, jerked at the sudden feeling of being trapped. He dimly thought through is haze that he should be retaliating against the onslaught of his body. He tried to focus his eyes a bit more and his vision cleared for a moment. What he saw made him smile, for the face of Aragorn was looming over his own.
"Do you trust me Legolas?" asked Aragorn, knowing the answer to his question.
"With my life." Answered Legolas, sensing that he was going to need that trust in the moments to come.
"Than hang on my friend, for this will be painful but short." Warned Aragorn, no wanting to make his friend feel like he was assaulted. Legolas looked at him, silently acknowledging that he was ready.
"He is ready." Said Aragorn
Laurence straddled Legolas's hips, keeping him in place and peered at the round wound that was over his right nipple. She took the tweezers and slowly inserted them in the hole, pushing them downwards until she felt something hard preventing her to go further. She could feel his body tremble from the pain and hear his moans but forced herself to get a steady hand. The sounds he made were making her feel sick to her stomach. Never in all her years on the Police Force did she have to perform such a gruesome job. The paramedics were always there for this kind of emergency.
She opened the tweezers some more to get a hold of the bullet and once she felt she had it in her grip, she slowly eased it out of him, praying that it wouldn't slip back in his body. She quickly looked up to see how Legolas was faring and saw him with his head tilt backwards, his teeth clenched, his eyes tightly shut. Beads of sweat were rolling down his temples, making their way in his blood stained hair.
And that's when she saw them for the first time.
She gasped in surprise and quickly jerked her hand back, with tweezers and bullet finally free.
He had pointed ears!!!!!!
TBC…
Thank you all for your kind reviews…and please, feel free to review more, they make my day.
To my dear sister: alors, qu'est ce que tu en penses?