Wow, 19 reviews for the last chapter! That makes at least 19 people waiting for more
:-)
A great thank you to all of you… I am happy to know so many people like what I
write…
For those of you who are already dressed in traveling gear with weapons ready (you
know who I am talking to?), do not fear :-) …action is coming soon… I think… if the
characters cooperate…
Thanks to Little My for beta reading!
So, as requested another chapter… and do not hesitate to let me know if you like it!
___
Touching the weak presence of the dwarf, Elrohir recoiled at the unfamiliar tumble of
feelings and pain. The pull was too strong - too dangerous it was for him to keep in
touch with Gimli, so he retreated until the only other presence he could feel was
Legolas. Instead of trying to build his own connection with the dwarf, he offered his
support to the elf, feeling how much he was already drained. He kept a tight control
on himself, only giving as much as he dared as he could feel any strength Legolas
received from him being sucked away immediately.
Feeling the short flare of fear in his twin as he recoiled mentally from touching Gimli,
Elladan took a step forward, his own eyes widening. He would have interfered and
called his brother back, if he had not sensed him calming again. Letting out the
breath he was holding, he relaxed.
Not knowing what had happened, Aragorn's eyes wandered between the elves until
he finally whispered, 'What is happening, Elladan?'
'I cannot tell exactly. It seems that Elrohir is supporting Legolas now. He tried to
reach the dwarf but something stopped him,' the dark haired elf answered in a low
voice that barely reached the man's ears.
There was naught they could do but stand by and wait, and it was a hard experience
for both of them. Elladan's anxious eyes never left his brother, fearful of missing any
indication that he might require his help. Aragorn stood for a long time, watching the
silent scene until he could remain still no longer. He moved silently through the room
with all the suppleness of the ranger he once was. Without a sound he collected
some things together, preparing fresh ointment for Gimli's wound as well as a
strengthening concoction, knowing the elves would be in need of it.
Elrohir could feel Legolas weakening, the support he himself could offer no longer
enough. Gimli had grown stronger, and for the first time he dared to hope that
Legolas' desperate try to save him might indeed be successful. Gently, he coaxed
the other elf to relinquish his hold on the dwarf. It was not easy but finally Legolas
relented, trying to close the connection. But it was no longer one sided as Gimli held
on desperately, refusing to let go of his hold. It was a struggle Legolas was too weak
and untrained to win.
Elrohir could feel him losing and drawing on his last reserves he interfered, breaking
Gimli's grip on Legolas. For a long moment he feared he would not be able to
separate them but then he succeeded, sensing the shock in both at the sudden loss
of contact. But he concentrated on the elf for the moment, gently leading Legolas
back to awareness.
Great relief filled Elladan upon seeing Elrohir's eyes blink open. He moved to his
brother's side quicker than a mortal eye could follow, supporting him with an arm
around his shoulder. Aragorn was there a moment later, offering a cup of the
concoction he had brewed. Leaving the brothers to themselves, he turned to Legolas
who had slumped in his seat. He gingerly touched his shoulder and was rewarded
with a look from under heavy eyelids, as the elf felt too drained to even lift his head.
Legolas could feel Aragorn's gentle touch and the strong smell of athelas filled his
nostrils. After taking a few deep breaths, the overwhelming weakness receded and
he found the strength to move himself into a sitting position, not minding the strong
hand supporting him. He accepted the cup filled with a hot liquid without questioning
and sipped at it. As his mind slowly cleared, his gaze turned to the still figure lying in
the bed in front of him. Hope and fear shone in his eyes as Aragorn moved away
from him to check on Gimli.
The bandage was removed carefully and although the wound it revealed was still
ugly looking, there was an improvement. The attempt on healing Gimli had taken little
more than an hour but the effect was stunning. The festering wound had cleared up,
and the swelling had gone down a bit. The dwarf's temperature was still high, but no
longer the raging fever he had fallen into.
Meeting Legolas' eyes Aragorn could not help but smile, the newfound hope clearly
visible upon his features. An answering smile broke out on Legolas' face, only to fade
quickly as an angry voice spoke up behind him.
'Do you even begin to understand what a foolish thing this was to do?'
Still holding the cup in his long fingers, Legolas turned to face Elrohir.
'How can you be so foolish as to try and wield powers you know nothing about? It is
dangerous enough to use them on a mortal if one is fully trained. But did you think I
hesitated to use them out of spite?'
The usually calm and soft-spoken elf was truly enraged, and even the calming hand
of his brother on his arm did nothing to ease his temper.
'I thought you to be more sensible, son of Thranduil,' he spat.
Legolas felt much too exhausted to find words of defense, especially as he knew
Elrohir to be justified. He had not asked for his aid but had clearly required it, and in
helping him the other elf had taken a great risk.
'I know well why you chose not to use your gift of healing before, and I am truly sorry
for endangering you like this,' he simply answered. 'But I could not let this small
chance pass without at least attempting to use it. And I thank you deeply for your
help.'
His voice and the bleak look in his eyes showed the strain he had been under. His
quiet demeanor appeased the anger born of fear and exhaustion.
'I hope it was worth the risk,' Elrohir stated, his voice calmer now.
'It seems that Gimli knows well to use the strength given to him,' Aragorn spoke up.
All eyes turned on him and he smiled, glad to feel the tensions in the room ease.
Once more they cleaned the dwarf's wound thoroughly, applying the ointment and
bandaging his arm. It was then, when nothing else could be done but wait once
more, that Elladan took his brother's arm and dragged him out of the room. He said it
was to look for Arwen and tell her that there was hope once more, but everyone knew
the true reason. Elrohir was exhausted and needed to rest.
Ere he left the room, one last pointed look was directed at Legolas and he told
Aragorn in a firm voice, 'He must not try anything like this again.'
The look Elrohir received from the man told him he would take care of it.
Legolas had not left his place at Gimli's side, and Aragorn's suggestion that he
should take some rest himself was ignored. With a shake of his head, the man
watched him closely for a while, seeing the signs of fatigue in his friend.
'There is naught you can do, Legolas,' he reprimanded the stubborn elf. 'You will
need your strength when he wakes, for you know how hard it will be to keep him here
as soon as he is able to stand.'
A soft laugh escaped Legolas, and for the first time since he had arrived he seemed
to relax a bit.
'True words, Aragorn, for he will not accept that he might need help of any kind. A
dwarf never falls sick and injuries cannot hinder him.'
'And it will fall to you to convince him otherwise. I would not know of anyone else who
would dare to contradict him.'
Their eyes locked, and for a moment a battle of wills took place. It was Legolas who
averted his gaze. He could feel exhaustion as he had never experienced it before, as
if all his inner strength was gone. He felt empty and drained, and only his deep
concern for his friend had kept him going until now. But knowing Gimli was, if still far
from well, at least doing better for the moment, he was losing the battle against his
body's demand for recovery.
'Very well,' he spoke softly. 'I will rest.'
With that he leaned back in his seat and let his chin drop to his chest. Ere Aragorn
could protest that this was not exactly what he had envisioned, his eyes closed as he
sank into a deep sleep. The man closed his mouth again, shaking his head in
exasperation.
:-)
A great thank you to all of you… I am happy to know so many people like what I
write…
For those of you who are already dressed in traveling gear with weapons ready (you
know who I am talking to?), do not fear :-) …action is coming soon… I think… if the
characters cooperate…
Thanks to Little My for beta reading!
So, as requested another chapter… and do not hesitate to let me know if you like it!
___
Touching the weak presence of the dwarf, Elrohir recoiled at the unfamiliar tumble of
feelings and pain. The pull was too strong - too dangerous it was for him to keep in
touch with Gimli, so he retreated until the only other presence he could feel was
Legolas. Instead of trying to build his own connection with the dwarf, he offered his
support to the elf, feeling how much he was already drained. He kept a tight control
on himself, only giving as much as he dared as he could feel any strength Legolas
received from him being sucked away immediately.
Feeling the short flare of fear in his twin as he recoiled mentally from touching Gimli,
Elladan took a step forward, his own eyes widening. He would have interfered and
called his brother back, if he had not sensed him calming again. Letting out the
breath he was holding, he relaxed.
Not knowing what had happened, Aragorn's eyes wandered between the elves until
he finally whispered, 'What is happening, Elladan?'
'I cannot tell exactly. It seems that Elrohir is supporting Legolas now. He tried to
reach the dwarf but something stopped him,' the dark haired elf answered in a low
voice that barely reached the man's ears.
There was naught they could do but stand by and wait, and it was a hard experience
for both of them. Elladan's anxious eyes never left his brother, fearful of missing any
indication that he might require his help. Aragorn stood for a long time, watching the
silent scene until he could remain still no longer. He moved silently through the room
with all the suppleness of the ranger he once was. Without a sound he collected
some things together, preparing fresh ointment for Gimli's wound as well as a
strengthening concoction, knowing the elves would be in need of it.
Elrohir could feel Legolas weakening, the support he himself could offer no longer
enough. Gimli had grown stronger, and for the first time he dared to hope that
Legolas' desperate try to save him might indeed be successful. Gently, he coaxed
the other elf to relinquish his hold on the dwarf. It was not easy but finally Legolas
relented, trying to close the connection. But it was no longer one sided as Gimli held
on desperately, refusing to let go of his hold. It was a struggle Legolas was too weak
and untrained to win.
Elrohir could feel him losing and drawing on his last reserves he interfered, breaking
Gimli's grip on Legolas. For a long moment he feared he would not be able to
separate them but then he succeeded, sensing the shock in both at the sudden loss
of contact. But he concentrated on the elf for the moment, gently leading Legolas
back to awareness.
Great relief filled Elladan upon seeing Elrohir's eyes blink open. He moved to his
brother's side quicker than a mortal eye could follow, supporting him with an arm
around his shoulder. Aragorn was there a moment later, offering a cup of the
concoction he had brewed. Leaving the brothers to themselves, he turned to Legolas
who had slumped in his seat. He gingerly touched his shoulder and was rewarded
with a look from under heavy eyelids, as the elf felt too drained to even lift his head.
Legolas could feel Aragorn's gentle touch and the strong smell of athelas filled his
nostrils. After taking a few deep breaths, the overwhelming weakness receded and
he found the strength to move himself into a sitting position, not minding the strong
hand supporting him. He accepted the cup filled with a hot liquid without questioning
and sipped at it. As his mind slowly cleared, his gaze turned to the still figure lying in
the bed in front of him. Hope and fear shone in his eyes as Aragorn moved away
from him to check on Gimli.
The bandage was removed carefully and although the wound it revealed was still
ugly looking, there was an improvement. The attempt on healing Gimli had taken little
more than an hour but the effect was stunning. The festering wound had cleared up,
and the swelling had gone down a bit. The dwarf's temperature was still high, but no
longer the raging fever he had fallen into.
Meeting Legolas' eyes Aragorn could not help but smile, the newfound hope clearly
visible upon his features. An answering smile broke out on Legolas' face, only to fade
quickly as an angry voice spoke up behind him.
'Do you even begin to understand what a foolish thing this was to do?'
Still holding the cup in his long fingers, Legolas turned to face Elrohir.
'How can you be so foolish as to try and wield powers you know nothing about? It is
dangerous enough to use them on a mortal if one is fully trained. But did you think I
hesitated to use them out of spite?'
The usually calm and soft-spoken elf was truly enraged, and even the calming hand
of his brother on his arm did nothing to ease his temper.
'I thought you to be more sensible, son of Thranduil,' he spat.
Legolas felt much too exhausted to find words of defense, especially as he knew
Elrohir to be justified. He had not asked for his aid but had clearly required it, and in
helping him the other elf had taken a great risk.
'I know well why you chose not to use your gift of healing before, and I am truly sorry
for endangering you like this,' he simply answered. 'But I could not let this small
chance pass without at least attempting to use it. And I thank you deeply for your
help.'
His voice and the bleak look in his eyes showed the strain he had been under. His
quiet demeanor appeased the anger born of fear and exhaustion.
'I hope it was worth the risk,' Elrohir stated, his voice calmer now.
'It seems that Gimli knows well to use the strength given to him,' Aragorn spoke up.
All eyes turned on him and he smiled, glad to feel the tensions in the room ease.
Once more they cleaned the dwarf's wound thoroughly, applying the ointment and
bandaging his arm. It was then, when nothing else could be done but wait once
more, that Elladan took his brother's arm and dragged him out of the room. He said it
was to look for Arwen and tell her that there was hope once more, but everyone knew
the true reason. Elrohir was exhausted and needed to rest.
Ere he left the room, one last pointed look was directed at Legolas and he told
Aragorn in a firm voice, 'He must not try anything like this again.'
The look Elrohir received from the man told him he would take care of it.
Legolas had not left his place at Gimli's side, and Aragorn's suggestion that he
should take some rest himself was ignored. With a shake of his head, the man
watched him closely for a while, seeing the signs of fatigue in his friend.
'There is naught you can do, Legolas,' he reprimanded the stubborn elf. 'You will
need your strength when he wakes, for you know how hard it will be to keep him here
as soon as he is able to stand.'
A soft laugh escaped Legolas, and for the first time since he had arrived he seemed
to relax a bit.
'True words, Aragorn, for he will not accept that he might need help of any kind. A
dwarf never falls sick and injuries cannot hinder him.'
'And it will fall to you to convince him otherwise. I would not know of anyone else who
would dare to contradict him.'
Their eyes locked, and for a moment a battle of wills took place. It was Legolas who
averted his gaze. He could feel exhaustion as he had never experienced it before, as
if all his inner strength was gone. He felt empty and drained, and only his deep
concern for his friend had kept him going until now. But knowing Gimli was, if still far
from well, at least doing better for the moment, he was losing the battle against his
body's demand for recovery.
'Very well,' he spoke softly. 'I will rest.'
With that he leaned back in his seat and let his chin drop to his chest. Ere Aragorn
could protest that this was not exactly what he had envisioned, his eyes closed as he
sank into a deep sleep. The man closed his mouth again, shaking his head in
exasperation.