Mire
By: Cheryl W
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with the Lord of the Rings nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Replies to Reviews are at the bottom of this chapter.
This chapter's a little longer than the rest but I don't think you'll complain. And I'm getting it posted ahead of my original schedule because...well, because you guys are spoiling me with such great reviews that I decided you needed to be spoiled too! (I hope you don't mind being spoiled...you don't right? 'Cause, I mean, if you do I can wait a good long while to post the next chapter.)
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Chapter 4
Without hesitation, Elladan and Elrohir departed from the room, intent on collecting the herbs and instruments their father had requested. At their departure Elrond stood, crossed to a set of drawers and pulled out an old sleep garment Aragorn had left behind when he had joined the rangers. He turned back to a worried Legolas. "Could you help Estel get into this?" he directed even as Legolas readily accepted the garment. "I will return shortly." And with that he headed out of the room, leaving the prince and ranger alone.
Legolas, having watched Elrond's departure, turned back to his friend only to find Aragorn was reaching for the nightshirt in Legolas' grasp. Instantly Legolas pulled the garment behind his back.
"I can change by myself," Aragorn argued with a set look upon his face.
"You just gave your father your word that you would cooperate?!" Legolas gently scolded.
"Yes, but he did not forbid me from dressing myself," Aragorn shot back, earning him an incredulous look from Legolas.
"Do not mince words, Aragorn. You know what you have promised and you will honor that," Legolas sternly countered as he stepped to Aragorn's side and met the human's defiant glare. "Mellon nin, you can let me help you remove your clothing or I will simply cut them off of you." At Aragorn's unbelieving look, Legolas warned, "You know that I am not bluffing."
Accepting the truth of the elf's words, Aragorn clenched his jaw a moment then began to shrug out of his favorite coat.
Fighting back a smug smile, Legolas gently eased the coat from his friend's shoulders and helped the man pull his arms free from the sleeves.
"You can pull my boots off. I'll change my shirt," Aragorn compromised with a smirk.
Legolas snorted as he looked at the muddy boots of his friend. "Oh you are all heart when you decide to cooperate," he sallied back and Aragorn laughed. But with no further complaints, Legolas bent down and began the task of pulling off the ranger's worn boots.
Aragorn had pulled off his shirt and was reaching for the nightshirt when he sensed Legolas watching him from his crouched position on the floor. Meeting his friend's look, Aragorn frowned at the elf's shaken expression. He was about to ask Legolas what was wrong but then, with new clarity, he realized what had caught his friend's attention.
Looking to his right shoulder, Aragorn traced with his fingers the two-inch scar that marred the flesh of his shoulder. Bringing his eyes to meet his best friend's intense gaze, Aragorn shrugged and nonchalantly explained, "Orc near Rohan." And then he reached again for the nightshirt but a strong elven hand gripped his forearm, stopping his motion.
Surprised, Aragorn watched as Legolas stood. Then, without warning, Legolas brought his hand under Aragorn's jaw. Unconsciously, Aragorn flinched away from the touch. Instantly shame overwhelmed Aragorn at his reaction. A moment passed where neither friend spoke nor moved as their eyes held steadily to one another.
"Forgive me," Aragorn apologized softly with unhidden self-loathing.
But Legolas shook his head, "No, it is I who begs for forgiveness...I did not mean..." and he started to withdraw his hand that still hovered by Aragorn's jaw. But Aragorn's hand shot out and captured the elf's wrist.
"I do not loath your touch, mellon nin. I....I simply was caught off guard," his eyes begging his friend's pardon.
A haunted look entered Legolas' eyes as he remembered a time when Aragorn's touch had been loath to him, when any human's touch had been loath to him. A terror began to creep across Legolas and a horrible question began to surface in his mind.
But before Legolas could find the words or strength to voice the question, Aragorn denied his friend's fear. "No, Legolas. I have not suffered as you have," he reassured and settled Legolas's hand to his jaw and released his hold of the elf's wrist. "I am just not used to being touched, mellon nin."
Legolas' dark look barely lightened at those words but he said nothing. A moment passed before he did as he had intended from the start. Tilting Aragorn's chin up and to the right, Legolas lightly traced the fading scar that ran under Aragorn's jaw, almost afraid his touch would cause the man pain. "And this one?" his voice thick with his emotions.
"Happened during a skirmish in a tavern," was Aragorn's short reply.
Legolas closed his eyes to try and control himself. "They intended to slit your throat," he breathed in anguish.
"Yes, but things did not turn out as they intended," Aragorn countered lowly, earning him his friend's eye contact.
A faint smile tipped up the elf's lips as he let his hand drop again to his side. "How many more scars mar your body, Estel?" he softly asked.
For a moment, Aragorn believed it to be a rhetorical question until he saw the unmasked anguish in his friend's eyes. "Does it matter? I still live," he quietly replied.
Sorrow and alarm tore through Legolas at Aragorn's words. Without a word, his sharp eyesight flickered over his friend, searching for other signs of injury. "Oh Valar," he cursed as his look fell to the ranger's back.
Knowing what wound had elicited such a reaction out of Legolas, Aragorn protested, "It is not nearly as grievous as it looks," as he turned slightly to look at his friend.
But Legolas did not pull his focus from the long, jagged wound on his best friend's back. He could not. He judged the wound to be less than a month old and flinched at the poor stitching and the raw look of the wound. "No orc blade made that wound," he stated angrily, his rage building at the implications.
Sighing Aragorn faced forward once again, allowing Legolas a full view of his ravaged back. "Rangers are not loved by all men." He snorted. "We are not loved by many creatures of Middle Earth."
Tentatively, Legolas touched the wound and was relieved when Aragorn did not react in pain. "But you have sworn your life to be a protector of men.. of all races. Why would a man do this to you?!", anger edging his words.
"Greed," was Aragorn's simple response. "A band of men were attacking towns, stealing anything of value and killing whomever they chose. The rangers were determined to see the murdering thieves stopped."
Quietly, Legolas asked, "Did you stop them?" his fingers still inspecting the wound.
"Yes," was Aragorn's gruff, bitter reply.
His friend's tone was enough to tell Legolas that the unspoken details of the victory would do little to ease his already shaken nerves. Legolas judged the victory almost at too high a cost as he looked at the savage wound on Aragorn's back. How close had he come to losing his best friend in this victory? Very close if the wound was any indication.
Suddenly a shiver of fear coursed through Legolas. "Do not return to the rangers!" he pleaded softly, his words drowning in fear and desperation.
The anguished plea caught Aragorn like the impact of a sword, searing into his soul. "Legolas, it is the life I've chosen," his words soft but firm.
"Choose again," came Legolas' desperate request.
Aragorn hastily grabbed the nightshirt and pulled it over his head, once again concealing the serious wound that marred his back.
Legolas closed his eyes in torment as he sensed the topic was closed.
Elrond returned to the room and was taken aback by the look of suffering on the faces of his son and his dearest friend. But then, before he could address those emotions, they vanished. Swearing to question the prince later, Elrond turned his concern back to his youngest child's injury.
"I'll help you remove Estel's boot, Legolas," Elrond offered and immediately Legolas dropped down beside Aragorn's injured leg. Elrond knelt on the other side of his son and gripped Aragorn's leg above the boot while Legolas fixed his hold on his friend's boot. With as much gentleness as possible, Legolas pulled on the boot while Elrond attemped to keep Aragorn's leg immobile.
Still a small moan of pain escaped Aragorn.
Legolas shot a look to Elrond. "We could cut the boot free."
"No!" Aragorn protested like a stubborn child. "You have already damaged my clothing enough. You will not ruin my favorite boots. Just pull the boot off, Legolas. Now."
But Legolas waited for Elrond's decision on the matter. "Try one more pull," he advised and looked to Aragorn. "After that, we move on to drastic measures."
Obeying Aragorn's father, Legolas pulled again on the boot, not sparing a glance at Aragorn, knowing he could not bear to see how much further pain he was inflicting on his friend. Heartfelt relief swept through Legolas as the boot finally slid from Aragorn's foot.
Sensing the hurt this action had inflicted on his son, Elrond, with elven speed, stood and caught Aragorn's shoulders before the ranger pitched forward in a near collapse. Pain filled eyes met the elf lord's. "Can you stay upright with Legolas' aid while I cut away the leggings on your injured leg?" Elrond evenly questioned.
"Yes," was Aragorn's hoarse reply, which Elrond took at face value.
Without further prompting, Legolas was at Aragorn's side and wrapped his arm around his friend's waist, steadying the trembling man against his chest. Expertly Elrond made quick work of the leggings and carefully pulled the fabric from his son's leg. Once that task was accomplished he stood and helped Legolas settle Aragorn back onto the bed. Legolas tenderly eased Aragorn's head upon a pillow while Elrond settled his son's legs unto the mattress.
A moan bespoke of the pain this movement caused Aragorn. Legolas let his hand slide from behind Aragorn's neck to the man's cheek as he worriedly looked down upon his injured friend. "Thank you," Aragorn breathed weakly and Legolas wondered if the thanks was for his silence about Aragorn's wounded back or for his paltry assistance now. But he tenderly replied, "Your welcome," uncaring which action prompted his friend's gratitude.
Elrond bent over to closely inspect the wound and Legolas watched as the elf lord's expression darkened. The prince was almost startled when Elrond looked up to him and requested, "Could you please light a candle, Legolas?"
Quickly the younger elf set about completing the task and soon held the candle above Aragorn's thigh, better illuminating the deep wound. Elladan and Elrohir entered the room quietly, a truly rare occurrence which bespoke loudly of their fear for their youngest brother. Setting their gathered supplies on the nightstand, they too peered around their father to better see the wound.
Though Elrond had more healing experience than all creatures of Middle Earth and used the gentleness that elves were famous for, a muted cry of pain escaped Aragorn's clenched jaw as his father touched the deep puncture wound with his skilled fingers. All elven eyes swung to Aragorn with worry, sympathy, fear and surprise, for the human was notorious for enduring vast pain in silent stubbornness. His outcry spoke volumes about the level of pain this particular wound was inflicting on him.
"I must clean the wound," Elrond explained, but his tone was that of an anguished apology for the agony he knew it would cause his son.
Aragorn simply nodded his head in acceptance. But when he saw the hesitation in his father's eyes, he gripped his father's arm with his hand, and met his father's look steadily. "It is alright, ada. Do what you must."
A small smile eased onto Elrond's face as he put his hand to his son's cheek, "I wish I could offer you some of my famous herbal sleeping tea that you love so much ...." His voice fading as did his smile.
But Aragorn was a fine healer in his own right and knew the direction Elrond's thoughts were heading. "But it thins my human blood," he supplied, finishing his father's sentence. Upon seeing the increase in worry this caused the elves that hovered over him, he tacked on with good humor, "I can not tell you how disappointed I am...just yesterday I was telling Legolas how much I had missed that tea."
Laughter broke out among the elves and Aragorn smiled. His taunt had done the trick. "Enough talking. Tend to this wound. I have a score to settle with a stag tomorrow," he continued in his light tone.
"Tomorrow?! Oh no, little brother!" Elladan exclaimed with his usual over protectiveness as he handed a wet cloth to his father.
Without further delay, Elrond gently swiped the cloth across the skin around the wound, removing the blood. This Aragorn bore in silence. But when his father's attention turned to the deep wound again, he stiffened in agony and felt Legolas' hand come to settle on his shoulder for support and restraint.
Peering closely into the wound, Elrond clearly saw the shards of wood that were scattered throughout the wound. He picked up a clamp instrument off of the nightstand. Elrond's eyes came to rest on Legolas, who now stood by Aragorn's head, "Hold him still, Legolas and Elladan." Legolas handed the candle to Elrohir and moved closer to his friend.
Immediately Elladan came to stand beside his brother's head and put his strong elven hands on his little brother's left shoulder and hip as Legolas had already done on his right side. Elladan leaned down toward Aragorn, "This will hurt greatly and only a foolish orc would not yell in pain. I would hate to think I helped raise an orc all these years," his eyes twinkling as he gave his brother full permission to vent his agony...to not conceal his weakness.
A fleeting grin was found on Aragorn's face a moment before Elrond set about the task of removing the wood pieces. Instantly a cry tore from Aragorn and only the elven hands upon him kept him from leaping from the bed.
His son's agonized cry pierced Elrond's heart but he knew he had no other choice before him as he determinedly removed more embedded wood. It seemed an impossibly long process and Aragorn trembled with agony and sweat poured off of his feverish body.
When Elrond took a moment to wash away the gathering blood in the wound, Elrohir wiped his brother's face tenderly with a wet cloth. Aragorn kept his eyes tightly shut and Legolas and Elladan did not ease their hold on the man. Elrond's task was not yet done.
Elrond looked at his injured son's face, felt the trembling of his human body and knew that the last wood pieces would wreck the most havoc on his youngest child. Turning to the water basin on the nightstand, Elrond washed his blood soaked hands and instruments, finally allowing his hands to tremble with the scope of his emotions.
"Ada?" Elrohir said softly from Elrond's left, concern and alarm in his tone as he saw his father's unsteady nerves.
Elrond closed his eyes, ashamed that his weakness had been viewed by his son. "The final pieces of wood, they are wide and jagged and they go deep. With the blood he's already lost..." he could not finish that thought even in his head. A hand came upon his shoulder and he opened his eyes and met his youngest elven son's piercing gaze.
"Estel has some elven blood lending him strength and the stubbornness of twelve dwarfs," Elrohir firmly but quietly reassured. "He will not let a cursed mire be the fate of him...and neither will we," his resolve burning a hot glow into his eyes.
Elrond found strength in his son's words. Clenching his hands into a fist, he steadied their trembling, wiped his hands dry and once again crossed to Aragorn's side. Legolas and Elladan's eyes tracked him and he knew their sharp elven hearing had picked up on the conversation he and Elrohir had held. The same look of fierce resolve that burned in Elrohir burned in them. A resolve that now crept into Elrond's own immortal eyes.
With immeasurable skill, Elrond clamped onto the minuscule visible section of a deeply imbedded portion of wood and slowly but determinedly began to pull it from the tender flesh of his son. Aragorn, who had bore most of the process with moans only, let out a yell of agony and fought against the hands that restrained him. Legolas and Elladan were forced to bring all their combined strength upon Aragorn to force the man back upon the mattress he had managed to rise from.
Elrond, with a clenched jaw against his emotional agony, again pulled on the shard that had only marginally moved on his last attempt. This met with another cry of agony and Legolas leaned over Aragorn to ensure he could not throw off their holds and rise.
"Please ...stop," Aragorn begged, his words punctuated with deep-agonized pants, "Please... stop... ada." Yet Aragorn did not opened his eyes but his body was taut with agony.
Legolas closed his eyes in torment. He could not bear witnessing his friend's pain. How could Aragorn's father and brothers?! With pleading in his pained eyes, Legolas turned to Elrond. "Is there no other way?!"
Elrond released the portion of wood from his clamp and took a step back before his eyes met Legolas'. The prince's pain and fear were unhidden. Turning his look to Elladan, he saw his own son's look matched the prince's though Elladan had not the heart to look upon his father's face. Instead he kept his eyes fixed upon his brother's bloodlessly white face. Facing Elrohir and seeing matching pain on his features, Elrond knew that none of the younger elves could bear much more of Aragorn's agony....anymore than he could.
Turning to the nightstand, Elrond firmly put the clamp down and picked up a knife. He turned set eyes upon Elrohir, "When I ask for it, give me the clamp immediately and soak some cloths in athelas water." Turning he directed Elladan, "Hold the candle, Legolas will hold down Estel."
"Lord Elrond..." Legolas began, uncertainty coloring his words.
But the elf lord's look was full of determination and strength. He would see this task done quickly and as painlessly as he could. "The wood is too deeply embedded. I will make a small cut, pull the wood free and apply athelas's to stop the blood loss. I will do it quickly," he explained.
Legolas nodded and leaned across his best friend, firmly holding the man's shoulder in his strong grip. Gently he began to talk to Aragorn, "You will be alright, mellon nin. Just a few more moments and it will be over."
"That stag...is ....mine," Aragorn gasped and he opened his eyes to meet his best friend's worried look.
Legolas put on a smile, "Not unless I catch it first."
"Never ...happen," Aragorn boasted weakly.
Elrond softly broke into the taunts, "Ready my son?"
"Yes," Aragorn said trying to instill strength in his tone but knew he had failed miserably.
Forcing his fatherly emotions into a corner, Elrond acted as the highly skilled healer he was. Deftly he made a cut across the wound, demanded the clamp from his son and pulled the shard free. Handing the clamp back to Elrohir he repeated the procedure three more times, finally managing to remove all of the wood of the tree trunk from the wound.
Aragorn had cried out softly at the new abuse but Legolas was able to keep him immobile. When Elrond dabbed the wound with athelas water, Aragorn stiffened in pain but kept silent.
"I will wrap the wound now and stitch it closed tomorrow," Elrond breathed with exhausted relief as he wrapped cloth around the open wound. The fear of infection was so high that stitching the wound would be an exercise in futility. No, tomorrow he would better know if he dared to seal the wound.
Aragorn felt the agony ease into bearable pain and his body seemed to collapse in exhaustion against the bed. Legolas straightened up from his position and put a hand to his friend's cheek. "I pity that stag, he has no chance against you when your father releases you from his protective grasp."
Aragorn played along though his voice was rough and weak, "The stag will rue the day he laid eyes on me."
"Like we all do..." Elladan teased, earning him a look from his youngest brother that was meant to be a deadly glare.
But Elrond pulled Elladan back from Aragorn before a full-fledged game of insults could ensue and took his place at his son's side. Removing the wet cloth, he put his hand on his son's forehead, trying to not react to the heat still emanating from his son's body. He leaned over close to his son's face and met the fever bright exhausted eyes, "It is over, Estel. You did well my son." And he placed a kiss on Estel's forehead. "Now take a few swallows of water." Elrohir handed his father a cup.
Elrond nodded to Legolas and the prince gently eased Aragorn from the bed and supported him in his arms as Elrond placed the cup to Aragorn's lips. "Water?" Aragorn questioned, worried that the cup hid tea in its depths.
Elrond smiled, "Yes, water. You are right, the tea would thin your blood and that is something we can not risk now..even if you are having a craving for my delicious tea."
Aragorn managed a smirk before he swallowed the water in the cup his father held. Once the cup was empty, Legolas carefully settled his best friend down upon the bed. Elrond pulled a cover over his son and motioned to the three younger elves, "Now the three of you find something to amuse yourselves with...outside of this room."
Protests rose from all three elves.
"I do not wish to leave," Legolas firmly objected.
"I can read in here, it has good lighting," Elladan logically replied.
"And I was planning on taking a nap...in this chair," Elrohir said as he sank into a chair that sat beside Aragorn's bed.
Elrond opened his mouth to thwart all their schemes but Aragorn spoke first. "Let them stay..." and Elrond turned to see his son's tired eyes focused on him. "Besides, this is the only place they will behave and remain quiet. You know that, father."
Unable to deny any request, within reason, of his injured son and truly knowing the truth of his son's words, Elrond relented. "Fine but.." before he could say more, the two standing elves sank into chairs as if they thought the elf lord's permission would vanish if they hesitated to claim a chair. Smirking at the antics of the young ones, Elrond concluded, "But you will let Estel rest. No card games, no reading aloud, no story telling." Elrohir looked about to protest at that last demand but his look faded into acceptance at his father's stern glare.
Instead all three elves chimed "Yes, sir."
Elrond groaned, knowing their quick agreement to the terms spelled trouble. A small laugh came from Aragorn and Elrond turned to his youngest, gave him a wink the others could not see and ordered, "Get some sleep, Estel" before he walked from the room.
At Elrond's departure all three elves pulled their chairs closer to Aragorn's bed so they could keep a close eye on the injured ranger like the good mother hens they were.
Legolas tenderly ran a damp cloth over Aragorn's bone white face before settling the cloth on the feverish forehead. "Sleep Aragorn or it will be the three of us paying the price," he lightly joked but Aragorn heard the concern in his friend's tone.
He smirked and looked to Legolas, "That seems more of an incentive for me to stay awake."
"Think again, young one," Elladan chided from a chair on the other side of Aragorn's bed. "You promised father that you would obey his orders, remember?"
Aragorn purposely did not look to Legolas. He did not want the prince to recount the earlier argument they had had about just that promise. Meeting Elladan's look, Aragorn sighed as if he were making a huge sacrifice, "Fine, I'll rest. But only a little while."
Elrohir tucked the covers under his brother, ruffled the man's hair and settled back into his chair but it seemed unlikely he would take that nap he had told his father he would. And there was no book in sight for Elladan to read but he too settled back into his chair. Only Legolas remained poised at his friend's side as if he was prepared to protect Aragorn from any harm, whether it be a raging fever, the curse of the mire or even a slight chill.
Sensing his friend's raging worry, Aragorn faced the prince and put a hand to Legolas's cheek. "I am well, mellon nin. There is no need for you to stand guard at my bedside," his voice was not full of reprimand but of appreciation and friendship.
Legolas forced a smile, nodded and eased back into the chair he occupied. But he did not release the tension in his body until Aragorn settled more firmly on the bed and closed his eyes. Mere moments later the human's breathing indicated that sleep had indeed welcomed him graciously into it's folds.
TBC
(See that wasn't such a bad cliffie but be warned the next chapters will contain...angst?!?! and cliffies!?!)
Athelassa: It's amazing, you sent me a review even before I could "see" my chapter 3 on ffnet. I'm so glad you like and were surprised by the cursed mire. I'm always very inventive in finding new ways to torture the characters I love. And I appreciate that you liked that part about Estel not being able to hide his hurts from Elrond. I just get the impression that Elrond's a very keen observer, especially when it comes to those he loves. And that costumed/story thing you did with your friends sounds like a ball?! You definitely should share it with others!
Bill the Pony2: I'm glad you liked chapter 2. As for Aragorn's hard headedness, well, I think that's what makes him such a favorite character of mine. I mean he could simply mope around, knowing he's not able to compete with the elves in his life but instead he's always trying to prove to them and himself that he deserve their respect, their love. Well I hope you liked this chapter too?!
Leggylover03: I'm glad you tuned into my story and dropped in a review! As far as Aragorn venturing close to his own mortality...just wait for the next chapters!
Marbienl: I agree...Aragorn must have been a terror as a teenager!!! As far as Legolas's promises, I don't think he'ld ever promise something he'd fail to fulfil...but I think he'd draw the line if fulfilling the promise would cost Aragorn his life? (What do you think?!) And as you saw this chapter, I couldn't let Aragorn get off easily by letting him have something for the pain or pass out!?! Oh no, Aragorn (and the readers of this fic) must experience every blessed...I mean cursed moment of his pain!
Star-Stallion: I'm glad I surprised you with the curse idea. I just thought Mirkwood can't have ALL the cursed things in it's forest! I'ld love to hear what you think of this chapter.
Pernauriel: I'm glad you like what you've read so far. I hope, when the story is all said and done, you can say it was well worth your time.
Grumpy: I'm relieved that you think the story is getting better with each chapter! I always worry that I start out strong on a story but begin to falter with the very next chapter. And I'm really glad you like the part where one of the twins covered up Legolas' mouth because I almost deleted that whole cutesy paragraph ...I just wasn't sure if I should keep it in or take it out. (Sometimes my humor is not so funny to others). Love to hear what you think of this newest chapter.
Daniela: I'm honored that a new chapter of my little story made you do a happy dance?! As for the cursed mire...let's talk after the next chapter is posted. Ok, maybe Elrond did use underhanded tactics to get Aragorn to let him aid him to his room but who said family ever plays fair? I don't think there is much Elrond won't manipulate to protect Aragorn..it's the father in him. And you are wondering about the angst...well that's coming on strong in the next chapters. (There really is nothing like some good angsty fan fiction..is there?!)
By: Cheryl W
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with the Lord of the Rings nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Replies to Reviews are at the bottom of this chapter.
This chapter's a little longer than the rest but I don't think you'll complain. And I'm getting it posted ahead of my original schedule because...well, because you guys are spoiling me with such great reviews that I decided you needed to be spoiled too! (I hope you don't mind being spoiled...you don't right? 'Cause, I mean, if you do I can wait a good long while to post the next chapter.)
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Chapter 4
Without hesitation, Elladan and Elrohir departed from the room, intent on collecting the herbs and instruments their father had requested. At their departure Elrond stood, crossed to a set of drawers and pulled out an old sleep garment Aragorn had left behind when he had joined the rangers. He turned back to a worried Legolas. "Could you help Estel get into this?" he directed even as Legolas readily accepted the garment. "I will return shortly." And with that he headed out of the room, leaving the prince and ranger alone.
Legolas, having watched Elrond's departure, turned back to his friend only to find Aragorn was reaching for the nightshirt in Legolas' grasp. Instantly Legolas pulled the garment behind his back.
"I can change by myself," Aragorn argued with a set look upon his face.
"You just gave your father your word that you would cooperate?!" Legolas gently scolded.
"Yes, but he did not forbid me from dressing myself," Aragorn shot back, earning him an incredulous look from Legolas.
"Do not mince words, Aragorn. You know what you have promised and you will honor that," Legolas sternly countered as he stepped to Aragorn's side and met the human's defiant glare. "Mellon nin, you can let me help you remove your clothing or I will simply cut them off of you." At Aragorn's unbelieving look, Legolas warned, "You know that I am not bluffing."
Accepting the truth of the elf's words, Aragorn clenched his jaw a moment then began to shrug out of his favorite coat.
Fighting back a smug smile, Legolas gently eased the coat from his friend's shoulders and helped the man pull his arms free from the sleeves.
"You can pull my boots off. I'll change my shirt," Aragorn compromised with a smirk.
Legolas snorted as he looked at the muddy boots of his friend. "Oh you are all heart when you decide to cooperate," he sallied back and Aragorn laughed. But with no further complaints, Legolas bent down and began the task of pulling off the ranger's worn boots.
Aragorn had pulled off his shirt and was reaching for the nightshirt when he sensed Legolas watching him from his crouched position on the floor. Meeting his friend's look, Aragorn frowned at the elf's shaken expression. He was about to ask Legolas what was wrong but then, with new clarity, he realized what had caught his friend's attention.
Looking to his right shoulder, Aragorn traced with his fingers the two-inch scar that marred the flesh of his shoulder. Bringing his eyes to meet his best friend's intense gaze, Aragorn shrugged and nonchalantly explained, "Orc near Rohan." And then he reached again for the nightshirt but a strong elven hand gripped his forearm, stopping his motion.
Surprised, Aragorn watched as Legolas stood. Then, without warning, Legolas brought his hand under Aragorn's jaw. Unconsciously, Aragorn flinched away from the touch. Instantly shame overwhelmed Aragorn at his reaction. A moment passed where neither friend spoke nor moved as their eyes held steadily to one another.
"Forgive me," Aragorn apologized softly with unhidden self-loathing.
But Legolas shook his head, "No, it is I who begs for forgiveness...I did not mean..." and he started to withdraw his hand that still hovered by Aragorn's jaw. But Aragorn's hand shot out and captured the elf's wrist.
"I do not loath your touch, mellon nin. I....I simply was caught off guard," his eyes begging his friend's pardon.
A haunted look entered Legolas' eyes as he remembered a time when Aragorn's touch had been loath to him, when any human's touch had been loath to him. A terror began to creep across Legolas and a horrible question began to surface in his mind.
But before Legolas could find the words or strength to voice the question, Aragorn denied his friend's fear. "No, Legolas. I have not suffered as you have," he reassured and settled Legolas's hand to his jaw and released his hold of the elf's wrist. "I am just not used to being touched, mellon nin."
Legolas' dark look barely lightened at those words but he said nothing. A moment passed before he did as he had intended from the start. Tilting Aragorn's chin up and to the right, Legolas lightly traced the fading scar that ran under Aragorn's jaw, almost afraid his touch would cause the man pain. "And this one?" his voice thick with his emotions.
"Happened during a skirmish in a tavern," was Aragorn's short reply.
Legolas closed his eyes to try and control himself. "They intended to slit your throat," he breathed in anguish.
"Yes, but things did not turn out as they intended," Aragorn countered lowly, earning him his friend's eye contact.
A faint smile tipped up the elf's lips as he let his hand drop again to his side. "How many more scars mar your body, Estel?" he softly asked.
For a moment, Aragorn believed it to be a rhetorical question until he saw the unmasked anguish in his friend's eyes. "Does it matter? I still live," he quietly replied.
Sorrow and alarm tore through Legolas at Aragorn's words. Without a word, his sharp eyesight flickered over his friend, searching for other signs of injury. "Oh Valar," he cursed as his look fell to the ranger's back.
Knowing what wound had elicited such a reaction out of Legolas, Aragorn protested, "It is not nearly as grievous as it looks," as he turned slightly to look at his friend.
But Legolas did not pull his focus from the long, jagged wound on his best friend's back. He could not. He judged the wound to be less than a month old and flinched at the poor stitching and the raw look of the wound. "No orc blade made that wound," he stated angrily, his rage building at the implications.
Sighing Aragorn faced forward once again, allowing Legolas a full view of his ravaged back. "Rangers are not loved by all men." He snorted. "We are not loved by many creatures of Middle Earth."
Tentatively, Legolas touched the wound and was relieved when Aragorn did not react in pain. "But you have sworn your life to be a protector of men.. of all races. Why would a man do this to you?!", anger edging his words.
"Greed," was Aragorn's simple response. "A band of men were attacking towns, stealing anything of value and killing whomever they chose. The rangers were determined to see the murdering thieves stopped."
Quietly, Legolas asked, "Did you stop them?" his fingers still inspecting the wound.
"Yes," was Aragorn's gruff, bitter reply.
His friend's tone was enough to tell Legolas that the unspoken details of the victory would do little to ease his already shaken nerves. Legolas judged the victory almost at too high a cost as he looked at the savage wound on Aragorn's back. How close had he come to losing his best friend in this victory? Very close if the wound was any indication.
Suddenly a shiver of fear coursed through Legolas. "Do not return to the rangers!" he pleaded softly, his words drowning in fear and desperation.
The anguished plea caught Aragorn like the impact of a sword, searing into his soul. "Legolas, it is the life I've chosen," his words soft but firm.
"Choose again," came Legolas' desperate request.
Aragorn hastily grabbed the nightshirt and pulled it over his head, once again concealing the serious wound that marred his back.
Legolas closed his eyes in torment as he sensed the topic was closed.
Elrond returned to the room and was taken aback by the look of suffering on the faces of his son and his dearest friend. But then, before he could address those emotions, they vanished. Swearing to question the prince later, Elrond turned his concern back to his youngest child's injury.
"I'll help you remove Estel's boot, Legolas," Elrond offered and immediately Legolas dropped down beside Aragorn's injured leg. Elrond knelt on the other side of his son and gripped Aragorn's leg above the boot while Legolas fixed his hold on his friend's boot. With as much gentleness as possible, Legolas pulled on the boot while Elrond attemped to keep Aragorn's leg immobile.
Still a small moan of pain escaped Aragorn.
Legolas shot a look to Elrond. "We could cut the boot free."
"No!" Aragorn protested like a stubborn child. "You have already damaged my clothing enough. You will not ruin my favorite boots. Just pull the boot off, Legolas. Now."
But Legolas waited for Elrond's decision on the matter. "Try one more pull," he advised and looked to Aragorn. "After that, we move on to drastic measures."
Obeying Aragorn's father, Legolas pulled again on the boot, not sparing a glance at Aragorn, knowing he could not bear to see how much further pain he was inflicting on his friend. Heartfelt relief swept through Legolas as the boot finally slid from Aragorn's foot.
Sensing the hurt this action had inflicted on his son, Elrond, with elven speed, stood and caught Aragorn's shoulders before the ranger pitched forward in a near collapse. Pain filled eyes met the elf lord's. "Can you stay upright with Legolas' aid while I cut away the leggings on your injured leg?" Elrond evenly questioned.
"Yes," was Aragorn's hoarse reply, which Elrond took at face value.
Without further prompting, Legolas was at Aragorn's side and wrapped his arm around his friend's waist, steadying the trembling man against his chest. Expertly Elrond made quick work of the leggings and carefully pulled the fabric from his son's leg. Once that task was accomplished he stood and helped Legolas settle Aragorn back onto the bed. Legolas tenderly eased Aragorn's head upon a pillow while Elrond settled his son's legs unto the mattress.
A moan bespoke of the pain this movement caused Aragorn. Legolas let his hand slide from behind Aragorn's neck to the man's cheek as he worriedly looked down upon his injured friend. "Thank you," Aragorn breathed weakly and Legolas wondered if the thanks was for his silence about Aragorn's wounded back or for his paltry assistance now. But he tenderly replied, "Your welcome," uncaring which action prompted his friend's gratitude.
Elrond bent over to closely inspect the wound and Legolas watched as the elf lord's expression darkened. The prince was almost startled when Elrond looked up to him and requested, "Could you please light a candle, Legolas?"
Quickly the younger elf set about completing the task and soon held the candle above Aragorn's thigh, better illuminating the deep wound. Elladan and Elrohir entered the room quietly, a truly rare occurrence which bespoke loudly of their fear for their youngest brother. Setting their gathered supplies on the nightstand, they too peered around their father to better see the wound.
Though Elrond had more healing experience than all creatures of Middle Earth and used the gentleness that elves were famous for, a muted cry of pain escaped Aragorn's clenched jaw as his father touched the deep puncture wound with his skilled fingers. All elven eyes swung to Aragorn with worry, sympathy, fear and surprise, for the human was notorious for enduring vast pain in silent stubbornness. His outcry spoke volumes about the level of pain this particular wound was inflicting on him.
"I must clean the wound," Elrond explained, but his tone was that of an anguished apology for the agony he knew it would cause his son.
Aragorn simply nodded his head in acceptance. But when he saw the hesitation in his father's eyes, he gripped his father's arm with his hand, and met his father's look steadily. "It is alright, ada. Do what you must."
A small smile eased onto Elrond's face as he put his hand to his son's cheek, "I wish I could offer you some of my famous herbal sleeping tea that you love so much ...." His voice fading as did his smile.
But Aragorn was a fine healer in his own right and knew the direction Elrond's thoughts were heading. "But it thins my human blood," he supplied, finishing his father's sentence. Upon seeing the increase in worry this caused the elves that hovered over him, he tacked on with good humor, "I can not tell you how disappointed I am...just yesterday I was telling Legolas how much I had missed that tea."
Laughter broke out among the elves and Aragorn smiled. His taunt had done the trick. "Enough talking. Tend to this wound. I have a score to settle with a stag tomorrow," he continued in his light tone.
"Tomorrow?! Oh no, little brother!" Elladan exclaimed with his usual over protectiveness as he handed a wet cloth to his father.
Without further delay, Elrond gently swiped the cloth across the skin around the wound, removing the blood. This Aragorn bore in silence. But when his father's attention turned to the deep wound again, he stiffened in agony and felt Legolas' hand come to settle on his shoulder for support and restraint.
Peering closely into the wound, Elrond clearly saw the shards of wood that were scattered throughout the wound. He picked up a clamp instrument off of the nightstand. Elrond's eyes came to rest on Legolas, who now stood by Aragorn's head, "Hold him still, Legolas and Elladan." Legolas handed the candle to Elrohir and moved closer to his friend.
Immediately Elladan came to stand beside his brother's head and put his strong elven hands on his little brother's left shoulder and hip as Legolas had already done on his right side. Elladan leaned down toward Aragorn, "This will hurt greatly and only a foolish orc would not yell in pain. I would hate to think I helped raise an orc all these years," his eyes twinkling as he gave his brother full permission to vent his agony...to not conceal his weakness.
A fleeting grin was found on Aragorn's face a moment before Elrond set about the task of removing the wood pieces. Instantly a cry tore from Aragorn and only the elven hands upon him kept him from leaping from the bed.
His son's agonized cry pierced Elrond's heart but he knew he had no other choice before him as he determinedly removed more embedded wood. It seemed an impossibly long process and Aragorn trembled with agony and sweat poured off of his feverish body.
When Elrond took a moment to wash away the gathering blood in the wound, Elrohir wiped his brother's face tenderly with a wet cloth. Aragorn kept his eyes tightly shut and Legolas and Elladan did not ease their hold on the man. Elrond's task was not yet done.
Elrond looked at his injured son's face, felt the trembling of his human body and knew that the last wood pieces would wreck the most havoc on his youngest child. Turning to the water basin on the nightstand, Elrond washed his blood soaked hands and instruments, finally allowing his hands to tremble with the scope of his emotions.
"Ada?" Elrohir said softly from Elrond's left, concern and alarm in his tone as he saw his father's unsteady nerves.
Elrond closed his eyes, ashamed that his weakness had been viewed by his son. "The final pieces of wood, they are wide and jagged and they go deep. With the blood he's already lost..." he could not finish that thought even in his head. A hand came upon his shoulder and he opened his eyes and met his youngest elven son's piercing gaze.
"Estel has some elven blood lending him strength and the stubbornness of twelve dwarfs," Elrohir firmly but quietly reassured. "He will not let a cursed mire be the fate of him...and neither will we," his resolve burning a hot glow into his eyes.
Elrond found strength in his son's words. Clenching his hands into a fist, he steadied their trembling, wiped his hands dry and once again crossed to Aragorn's side. Legolas and Elladan's eyes tracked him and he knew their sharp elven hearing had picked up on the conversation he and Elrohir had held. The same look of fierce resolve that burned in Elrohir burned in them. A resolve that now crept into Elrond's own immortal eyes.
With immeasurable skill, Elrond clamped onto the minuscule visible section of a deeply imbedded portion of wood and slowly but determinedly began to pull it from the tender flesh of his son. Aragorn, who had bore most of the process with moans only, let out a yell of agony and fought against the hands that restrained him. Legolas and Elladan were forced to bring all their combined strength upon Aragorn to force the man back upon the mattress he had managed to rise from.
Elrond, with a clenched jaw against his emotional agony, again pulled on the shard that had only marginally moved on his last attempt. This met with another cry of agony and Legolas leaned over Aragorn to ensure he could not throw off their holds and rise.
"Please ...stop," Aragorn begged, his words punctuated with deep-agonized pants, "Please... stop... ada." Yet Aragorn did not opened his eyes but his body was taut with agony.
Legolas closed his eyes in torment. He could not bear witnessing his friend's pain. How could Aragorn's father and brothers?! With pleading in his pained eyes, Legolas turned to Elrond. "Is there no other way?!"
Elrond released the portion of wood from his clamp and took a step back before his eyes met Legolas'. The prince's pain and fear were unhidden. Turning his look to Elladan, he saw his own son's look matched the prince's though Elladan had not the heart to look upon his father's face. Instead he kept his eyes fixed upon his brother's bloodlessly white face. Facing Elrohir and seeing matching pain on his features, Elrond knew that none of the younger elves could bear much more of Aragorn's agony....anymore than he could.
Turning to the nightstand, Elrond firmly put the clamp down and picked up a knife. He turned set eyes upon Elrohir, "When I ask for it, give me the clamp immediately and soak some cloths in athelas water." Turning he directed Elladan, "Hold the candle, Legolas will hold down Estel."
"Lord Elrond..." Legolas began, uncertainty coloring his words.
But the elf lord's look was full of determination and strength. He would see this task done quickly and as painlessly as he could. "The wood is too deeply embedded. I will make a small cut, pull the wood free and apply athelas's to stop the blood loss. I will do it quickly," he explained.
Legolas nodded and leaned across his best friend, firmly holding the man's shoulder in his strong grip. Gently he began to talk to Aragorn, "You will be alright, mellon nin. Just a few more moments and it will be over."
"That stag...is ....mine," Aragorn gasped and he opened his eyes to meet his best friend's worried look.
Legolas put on a smile, "Not unless I catch it first."
"Never ...happen," Aragorn boasted weakly.
Elrond softly broke into the taunts, "Ready my son?"
"Yes," Aragorn said trying to instill strength in his tone but knew he had failed miserably.
Forcing his fatherly emotions into a corner, Elrond acted as the highly skilled healer he was. Deftly he made a cut across the wound, demanded the clamp from his son and pulled the shard free. Handing the clamp back to Elrohir he repeated the procedure three more times, finally managing to remove all of the wood of the tree trunk from the wound.
Aragorn had cried out softly at the new abuse but Legolas was able to keep him immobile. When Elrond dabbed the wound with athelas water, Aragorn stiffened in pain but kept silent.
"I will wrap the wound now and stitch it closed tomorrow," Elrond breathed with exhausted relief as he wrapped cloth around the open wound. The fear of infection was so high that stitching the wound would be an exercise in futility. No, tomorrow he would better know if he dared to seal the wound.
Aragorn felt the agony ease into bearable pain and his body seemed to collapse in exhaustion against the bed. Legolas straightened up from his position and put a hand to his friend's cheek. "I pity that stag, he has no chance against you when your father releases you from his protective grasp."
Aragorn played along though his voice was rough and weak, "The stag will rue the day he laid eyes on me."
"Like we all do..." Elladan teased, earning him a look from his youngest brother that was meant to be a deadly glare.
But Elrond pulled Elladan back from Aragorn before a full-fledged game of insults could ensue and took his place at his son's side. Removing the wet cloth, he put his hand on his son's forehead, trying to not react to the heat still emanating from his son's body. He leaned over close to his son's face and met the fever bright exhausted eyes, "It is over, Estel. You did well my son." And he placed a kiss on Estel's forehead. "Now take a few swallows of water." Elrohir handed his father a cup.
Elrond nodded to Legolas and the prince gently eased Aragorn from the bed and supported him in his arms as Elrond placed the cup to Aragorn's lips. "Water?" Aragorn questioned, worried that the cup hid tea in its depths.
Elrond smiled, "Yes, water. You are right, the tea would thin your blood and that is something we can not risk now..even if you are having a craving for my delicious tea."
Aragorn managed a smirk before he swallowed the water in the cup his father held. Once the cup was empty, Legolas carefully settled his best friend down upon the bed. Elrond pulled a cover over his son and motioned to the three younger elves, "Now the three of you find something to amuse yourselves with...outside of this room."
Protests rose from all three elves.
"I do not wish to leave," Legolas firmly objected.
"I can read in here, it has good lighting," Elladan logically replied.
"And I was planning on taking a nap...in this chair," Elrohir said as he sank into a chair that sat beside Aragorn's bed.
Elrond opened his mouth to thwart all their schemes but Aragorn spoke first. "Let them stay..." and Elrond turned to see his son's tired eyes focused on him. "Besides, this is the only place they will behave and remain quiet. You know that, father."
Unable to deny any request, within reason, of his injured son and truly knowing the truth of his son's words, Elrond relented. "Fine but.." before he could say more, the two standing elves sank into chairs as if they thought the elf lord's permission would vanish if they hesitated to claim a chair. Smirking at the antics of the young ones, Elrond concluded, "But you will let Estel rest. No card games, no reading aloud, no story telling." Elrohir looked about to protest at that last demand but his look faded into acceptance at his father's stern glare.
Instead all three elves chimed "Yes, sir."
Elrond groaned, knowing their quick agreement to the terms spelled trouble. A small laugh came from Aragorn and Elrond turned to his youngest, gave him a wink the others could not see and ordered, "Get some sleep, Estel" before he walked from the room.
At Elrond's departure all three elves pulled their chairs closer to Aragorn's bed so they could keep a close eye on the injured ranger like the good mother hens they were.
Legolas tenderly ran a damp cloth over Aragorn's bone white face before settling the cloth on the feverish forehead. "Sleep Aragorn or it will be the three of us paying the price," he lightly joked but Aragorn heard the concern in his friend's tone.
He smirked and looked to Legolas, "That seems more of an incentive for me to stay awake."
"Think again, young one," Elladan chided from a chair on the other side of Aragorn's bed. "You promised father that you would obey his orders, remember?"
Aragorn purposely did not look to Legolas. He did not want the prince to recount the earlier argument they had had about just that promise. Meeting Elladan's look, Aragorn sighed as if he were making a huge sacrifice, "Fine, I'll rest. But only a little while."
Elrohir tucked the covers under his brother, ruffled the man's hair and settled back into his chair but it seemed unlikely he would take that nap he had told his father he would. And there was no book in sight for Elladan to read but he too settled back into his chair. Only Legolas remained poised at his friend's side as if he was prepared to protect Aragorn from any harm, whether it be a raging fever, the curse of the mire or even a slight chill.
Sensing his friend's raging worry, Aragorn faced the prince and put a hand to Legolas's cheek. "I am well, mellon nin. There is no need for you to stand guard at my bedside," his voice was not full of reprimand but of appreciation and friendship.
Legolas forced a smile, nodded and eased back into the chair he occupied. But he did not release the tension in his body until Aragorn settled more firmly on the bed and closed his eyes. Mere moments later the human's breathing indicated that sleep had indeed welcomed him graciously into it's folds.
TBC
(See that wasn't such a bad cliffie but be warned the next chapters will contain...angst?!?! and cliffies!?!)
Athelassa: It's amazing, you sent me a review even before I could "see" my chapter 3 on ffnet. I'm so glad you like and were surprised by the cursed mire. I'm always very inventive in finding new ways to torture the characters I love. And I appreciate that you liked that part about Estel not being able to hide his hurts from Elrond. I just get the impression that Elrond's a very keen observer, especially when it comes to those he loves. And that costumed/story thing you did with your friends sounds like a ball?! You definitely should share it with others!
Bill the Pony2: I'm glad you liked chapter 2. As for Aragorn's hard headedness, well, I think that's what makes him such a favorite character of mine. I mean he could simply mope around, knowing he's not able to compete with the elves in his life but instead he's always trying to prove to them and himself that he deserve their respect, their love. Well I hope you liked this chapter too?!
Leggylover03: I'm glad you tuned into my story and dropped in a review! As far as Aragorn venturing close to his own mortality...just wait for the next chapters!
Marbienl: I agree...Aragorn must have been a terror as a teenager!!! As far as Legolas's promises, I don't think he'ld ever promise something he'd fail to fulfil...but I think he'd draw the line if fulfilling the promise would cost Aragorn his life? (What do you think?!) And as you saw this chapter, I couldn't let Aragorn get off easily by letting him have something for the pain or pass out!?! Oh no, Aragorn (and the readers of this fic) must experience every blessed...I mean cursed moment of his pain!
Star-Stallion: I'm glad I surprised you with the curse idea. I just thought Mirkwood can't have ALL the cursed things in it's forest! I'ld love to hear what you think of this chapter.
Pernauriel: I'm glad you like what you've read so far. I hope, when the story is all said and done, you can say it was well worth your time.
Grumpy: I'm relieved that you think the story is getting better with each chapter! I always worry that I start out strong on a story but begin to falter with the very next chapter. And I'm really glad you like the part where one of the twins covered up Legolas' mouth because I almost deleted that whole cutesy paragraph ...I just wasn't sure if I should keep it in or take it out. (Sometimes my humor is not so funny to others). Love to hear what you think of this newest chapter.
Daniela: I'm honored that a new chapter of my little story made you do a happy dance?! As for the cursed mire...let's talk after the next chapter is posted. Ok, maybe Elrond did use underhanded tactics to get Aragorn to let him aid him to his room but who said family ever plays fair? I don't think there is much Elrond won't manipulate to protect Aragorn..it's the father in him. And you are wondering about the angst...well that's coming on strong in the next chapters. (There really is nothing like some good angsty fan fiction..is there?!)