Disclaimer: I don't own any of them. They all belong to the master Tolkien.
A/N: Please review and tell me what you think. I really love hearing from you. Earlier update this week but back to Sunday next week. I'm on holiday.
Katy: Poor Aragorn, that's a little harsh, you never know what will happen if you don't read the end of the story.
MoroTheWolfGod: Short simple review and I love it. Thanks so much. Keep reading and reviewing.
On with the story
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Ch 4 The Journey
After some time walking at a fairly steady pace Legolas, who was still in front, began to slow down a little. Aragorn knew that his wound was still causing him pain and he was probably still drowsy from the tea Aragorn had prepared him.
"I think we should stop for a while. I would like to re-examine your wound. How does it feel?" Aragorn asked this last part knowing he wasn't going to get an honest answer.
"It's alright. I believe the remedy you gave me has helped although the drowsiness is not so good." Legolas smiled brightly and this greatly improved Aragorn's spirits.
Legolas removed his pack from his shoulder and placed it on the ground. Aragorn noticed how heavy Legolas had made the fairly light pack look. He said nothing knowing the Elf would say nothing or that he was just a little tired. Legolas sat down and leaned against a tree, he let out a sigh at finally being able to rest. Aragorn felt sorry for Legolas and regretted not letting the Elf rest earlier. Aragorn put his own pack down and retrieved some clean bandages and some cream; at least he could examine Legolas' injury again. He was tempted to make some more tea but thought it better that they reached Rivendell sooner.
Aragorn crouched down to check the wound. He lifted Legolas' tunic gently and was dismayed to find fresh blood on the bandage he had applied. He quickly repeated the same technique he had used earlier, applying the cream and the bandage. Throughout this Legolas sat perfectly still and quiet. He never flinched even when Aragorn rubbed the cream into the painful wound.
When he had finished Aragorn examined Legolas' face. He had his eyes closed and his face was almost serene if it had not been for the drawn in tiredness and pain. On sensing that Aragorn was inspecting him Legolas woke up and looked into Aragorn's worried grey eyes. He smiled at the man's concern.
"Should we leave now? As you said we should make the most of the light we have."
"True but I could also use some rest." Aragorn replied. Legolas knew this wasn't true and he was only stopping to make Legolas rest. Aragorn sat down next to Legolas trying not to steal a worried glance at him. When he could no longer resist he saw Legolas trying to get comfortable against the hard bark of the tree. Aragorn frowned Legolas was usually most at home amongst the trees. Aragorn guessed that it was the poison coursing through his body that was changing the way he communicated with the trees. Aragorn moved closer to Legolas who once again had closed his eyes. Aragorn placed his hand on the Elf's shoulder, he felt Legolas start a little but after he realised it was Aragorn he relaxed.
"Come." Aragorn motioned him to sit against him.
Legolas nodded sleepily at Aragorn. He got up nimbly and sat down in front of Aragorn. He moved in between Aragorn's legs and rested his head on Aragorn's broad chest. Legolas sank into Aragorn who pulled him closer and wrapped his arms around Legolas' stomach. He felt the Elf lean against him, even though he was hurt he still felt warm against Aragorn. He never understood why Legolas always felt so warm. No matter how cold it was Legolas always seemed to radiate heat. Aragorn felt Legolas' breathing which comforted him. He allowed himself to relax a little and soon found that he could no longer keep his eyes open. He allowed himself to fall asleep.
Aragorn woke up after about an hour. He stretched and smiled that he felt so refreshed. He quickly realised that Legolas was no longer leaning against him, at first Aragorn was not too worried but when he saw that Legolas was not by his side either he began to panic. His eyes darted around to try and find the Elf. He saw nothing. Just as he was about to get up and search for him he heard a voice above him. He followed the sound with his eyes and he saw Legolas draped over a branch in the tree Aragorn was sitting under.
"I thought you'd never wake up." He said happily.
Aragorn smiled at Legolas who had the usual beautiful grin in his face.
"What are you doing up a tree?" Aragorn smiled.
"I have always felt more at home among the trees you know that." He jumped down with all his usual grace. He no longer looked so tired although it was still easy to see something was wrong.
"Are you alright?" Aragorn asked, not hiding his concern.
"I feel far better. I think the trees are better healers than you my friend." Legolas laughed. Aragorn smiled but concern was still evident on his face. Legolas smiled brightly and he saw the man's face lose some of the concern.
"We should leave. Hopefully we will reach Rivendell before nightfall."
Aragorn quickly picked up his bag and passed the other to Legolas who swung it easily over his shoulder. He didn't have the same movements as he had before and appeared far more confident and strong than before. Aragorn wondered how long it would be before he couldn't go any further and they'd have to rest again. He hoped they would be able to reach Rivendell before he got too tired.
Over time Aragorn noticed that Legolas was slowing down. He held his head down as if he had to concentrate to keep his legs moving. His whole body looked as if it was ready to collapse. He had to concentrate hard to keep from tripping over the roots and branches that lay around on the ground. He stumbled occasionally but always managed to keep himself from falling. Aragorn kept an eye on him but knew better than to help him. He knew Legolas wouldn't appreciate this but at the same time he knew his friend needed help. He stopped and Legolas looked up surprised at the sudden halt. Aragorn could see the pale face of the tired Elf, Aragorn didn't know how he managed to stand upright but still Legolas showed no sign of wanting to stop.
"Would you like to rest?" Aragorn asked.
Aragorn looked Legolas in the eyes and searched for any sign of emotion but there was none that he could see. He did notice that Legolas seemed tired and obviously needed some rest but when Aragorn asked him he shook his head stubbornly.
"No, it is already getting dark and we want to reach Rivendell before we are spotted by another band of Orcs. I do not wish for another confrontation."
"That does not sound like the Legolas I know. You need rest my friend."
"I am fine." Legolas shouted at the shocked man. He instantly regretted his anger. "I'm sorry Aragorn. I am fine."
Aragorn nodded doubtfully and looked at the ground.
"Come, you are right we do need to get to Rivendell soon. Let us hope we do not run into a band of Orcs."
Legolas nodded and Aragorn began to move away. Legolas took a few steps forward and was hit with a sudden wave of dizziness. In panic he reached out for something to support him. Aragorn sensed that there was something wrong and spun around to see Legolas gripping to a tree trying to get his bearings. Aragorn was instantly at his side and slid his arm around his lover's waist. Legolas leaned against Aragorn silently glad for the support supplied.
"Here, sit down you need to rest, even for only a minute."
Legolas shook his head in protest.
"No. I just lost my balance for a moment. Please we should keep going."
Aragorn let go of Legolas who took a deep breath and stood up straight. Aragorn kept a hand on Legolas' arm in case he needed support again. He would only let go when he was sure that Legolas was steady enough. He nodded and took the pack off his shoulder and held his arm out for Legolas to hold. Legolas looked as though he was about to refuse but when he saw the determined look on Aragorn's face he took the man's arm and walked next to him.
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A/N:
A/N: Please review and tell me what you think. I really love hearing from you. Earlier update this week but back to Sunday next week. I'm on holiday.
Katy: Poor Aragorn, that's a little harsh, you never know what will happen if you don't read the end of the story.
MoroTheWolfGod: Short simple review and I love it. Thanks so much. Keep reading and reviewing.
On with the story
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ch 4 The Journey
After some time walking at a fairly steady pace Legolas, who was still in front, began to slow down a little. Aragorn knew that his wound was still causing him pain and he was probably still drowsy from the tea Aragorn had prepared him.
"I think we should stop for a while. I would like to re-examine your wound. How does it feel?" Aragorn asked this last part knowing he wasn't going to get an honest answer.
"It's alright. I believe the remedy you gave me has helped although the drowsiness is not so good." Legolas smiled brightly and this greatly improved Aragorn's spirits.
Legolas removed his pack from his shoulder and placed it on the ground. Aragorn noticed how heavy Legolas had made the fairly light pack look. He said nothing knowing the Elf would say nothing or that he was just a little tired. Legolas sat down and leaned against a tree, he let out a sigh at finally being able to rest. Aragorn felt sorry for Legolas and regretted not letting the Elf rest earlier. Aragorn put his own pack down and retrieved some clean bandages and some cream; at least he could examine Legolas' injury again. He was tempted to make some more tea but thought it better that they reached Rivendell sooner.
Aragorn crouched down to check the wound. He lifted Legolas' tunic gently and was dismayed to find fresh blood on the bandage he had applied. He quickly repeated the same technique he had used earlier, applying the cream and the bandage. Throughout this Legolas sat perfectly still and quiet. He never flinched even when Aragorn rubbed the cream into the painful wound.
When he had finished Aragorn examined Legolas' face. He had his eyes closed and his face was almost serene if it had not been for the drawn in tiredness and pain. On sensing that Aragorn was inspecting him Legolas woke up and looked into Aragorn's worried grey eyes. He smiled at the man's concern.
"Should we leave now? As you said we should make the most of the light we have."
"True but I could also use some rest." Aragorn replied. Legolas knew this wasn't true and he was only stopping to make Legolas rest. Aragorn sat down next to Legolas trying not to steal a worried glance at him. When he could no longer resist he saw Legolas trying to get comfortable against the hard bark of the tree. Aragorn frowned Legolas was usually most at home amongst the trees. Aragorn guessed that it was the poison coursing through his body that was changing the way he communicated with the trees. Aragorn moved closer to Legolas who once again had closed his eyes. Aragorn placed his hand on the Elf's shoulder, he felt Legolas start a little but after he realised it was Aragorn he relaxed.
"Come." Aragorn motioned him to sit against him.
Legolas nodded sleepily at Aragorn. He got up nimbly and sat down in front of Aragorn. He moved in between Aragorn's legs and rested his head on Aragorn's broad chest. Legolas sank into Aragorn who pulled him closer and wrapped his arms around Legolas' stomach. He felt the Elf lean against him, even though he was hurt he still felt warm against Aragorn. He never understood why Legolas always felt so warm. No matter how cold it was Legolas always seemed to radiate heat. Aragorn felt Legolas' breathing which comforted him. He allowed himself to relax a little and soon found that he could no longer keep his eyes open. He allowed himself to fall asleep.
Aragorn woke up after about an hour. He stretched and smiled that he felt so refreshed. He quickly realised that Legolas was no longer leaning against him, at first Aragorn was not too worried but when he saw that Legolas was not by his side either he began to panic. His eyes darted around to try and find the Elf. He saw nothing. Just as he was about to get up and search for him he heard a voice above him. He followed the sound with his eyes and he saw Legolas draped over a branch in the tree Aragorn was sitting under.
"I thought you'd never wake up." He said happily.
Aragorn smiled at Legolas who had the usual beautiful grin in his face.
"What are you doing up a tree?" Aragorn smiled.
"I have always felt more at home among the trees you know that." He jumped down with all his usual grace. He no longer looked so tired although it was still easy to see something was wrong.
"Are you alright?" Aragorn asked, not hiding his concern.
"I feel far better. I think the trees are better healers than you my friend." Legolas laughed. Aragorn smiled but concern was still evident on his face. Legolas smiled brightly and he saw the man's face lose some of the concern.
"We should leave. Hopefully we will reach Rivendell before nightfall."
Aragorn quickly picked up his bag and passed the other to Legolas who swung it easily over his shoulder. He didn't have the same movements as he had before and appeared far more confident and strong than before. Aragorn wondered how long it would be before he couldn't go any further and they'd have to rest again. He hoped they would be able to reach Rivendell before he got too tired.
Over time Aragorn noticed that Legolas was slowing down. He held his head down as if he had to concentrate to keep his legs moving. His whole body looked as if it was ready to collapse. He had to concentrate hard to keep from tripping over the roots and branches that lay around on the ground. He stumbled occasionally but always managed to keep himself from falling. Aragorn kept an eye on him but knew better than to help him. He knew Legolas wouldn't appreciate this but at the same time he knew his friend needed help. He stopped and Legolas looked up surprised at the sudden halt. Aragorn could see the pale face of the tired Elf, Aragorn didn't know how he managed to stand upright but still Legolas showed no sign of wanting to stop.
"Would you like to rest?" Aragorn asked.
Aragorn looked Legolas in the eyes and searched for any sign of emotion but there was none that he could see. He did notice that Legolas seemed tired and obviously needed some rest but when Aragorn asked him he shook his head stubbornly.
"No, it is already getting dark and we want to reach Rivendell before we are spotted by another band of Orcs. I do not wish for another confrontation."
"That does not sound like the Legolas I know. You need rest my friend."
"I am fine." Legolas shouted at the shocked man. He instantly regretted his anger. "I'm sorry Aragorn. I am fine."
Aragorn nodded doubtfully and looked at the ground.
"Come, you are right we do need to get to Rivendell soon. Let us hope we do not run into a band of Orcs."
Legolas nodded and Aragorn began to move away. Legolas took a few steps forward and was hit with a sudden wave of dizziness. In panic he reached out for something to support him. Aragorn sensed that there was something wrong and spun around to see Legolas gripping to a tree trying to get his bearings. Aragorn was instantly at his side and slid his arm around his lover's waist. Legolas leaned against Aragorn silently glad for the support supplied.
"Here, sit down you need to rest, even for only a minute."
Legolas shook his head in protest.
"No. I just lost my balance for a moment. Please we should keep going."
Aragorn let go of Legolas who took a deep breath and stood up straight. Aragorn kept a hand on Legolas' arm in case he needed support again. He would only let go when he was sure that Legolas was steady enough. He nodded and took the pack off his shoulder and held his arm out for Legolas to hold. Legolas looked as though he was about to refuse but when he saw the determined look on Aragorn's face he took the man's arm and walked next to him.
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A/N: