-I do not own LOTR or any of its characters-

~*~

Frodo awoke to find he was again in someone's warm arms, but this time they were that of Legolas. He noticed they were walking once again, but also noticed with a bit of panic that they were leaning down as Legolas walked. He looked up and was surprised to see Legolas watching him amusedly.

"Gandalf has finally agreed to go down Caradhras. We are going to go through the Mines." Legolas said. Frodo, one of his questions answered, tried to speak his last two. But Legolas seemed to be a mind reader, for he answered them for him.

"I am carrying you because it would be a lot easier since I can walk on the surface of the snow. And yes, Frodo, you will be just find. Your fever broke when the sun was just beginning to rise over the mountains, and your ankle shall be fine soon enough. You might not be able to walk for a while," Frodo half-smiled at this. "and I can see that makes you happy." Legolas chuckled heartily at the wide grin that had spread over Frodo's pale face.

"Yes, for once I will let you all help me. But tell Strider he will be hard put getting me to drink one of his nasty teas!" Legolas laughed heartily at this, and Frodo's grin spread even further. After a few moments of silence Legolas spoke again. "You know Frodo, we all care very much about you, and we want to help you when you need it."

Frodo's grin vanished from his face and he looked up at Legolas guiltily. "I know, Legolas, but when you need help so often, I just think it as weakness. And it becomes a burden when I need help so often." He said quietly.

"Frodo, you are no burden to us. We are glad to help you in any way possible. We are the Fellowship of the Ring, companions given to you to help you along the way. And if you don't let us do that, then what was the use of us coming?"

Frodo considered the wise words, all the while watching his other companions struggle along behind them over Legolas' shoulder. He finall sighed and said, "You are right, Legolas. I guess I didn't realize that. Thank you." He looked up gratefully at Legolas, then set his head rest on Legolas' shoulder, falling into a light doze. Legolas smiled and ran his hand through the hobbit's unruly dark curls soothingly and caringly.

~*~

It was night when they stopped again, under another new overhang from the cliff. Legolas handed Frodo to Strider who took him as carefully as he would a newborn babe. Strider gently sat down against the cliff wall, cradling the small form to his chest. They had taken care of Frodo's spranged ankle while he was still unconcious, the limp form of the hobbit occasionally crying out or kicking with his uninjured foot, but otherwise he was still.

They had also wrapped bandages around his injured head, though the wound was not bleeding anymore, he knew it still hurt terribly. He had been sure to have Legolas check Frodo's pulse every now and then.

Strider gently unwrapped the bandage around Frodo's head, whispering comforting assurances whenever Frodo's whinced or gasped through clenched teeth. Strider soaked the new bandages in the athelas water they had saved from the other night, and wrapped it around Frodo's head again.

After a quick meal, which took some time and a lot of persuading to get Frodo to eat, Strider leaned against the cliff side and made Frodo as comfortable as possible without making himself uncomfortable. Frodo lay with the side of his head laying comfortably on Strider's shoulder, three layers of blankets wrapped comfortably around him. Frodo sighed contentedly against Strider's shoulder, savoring the warmth and safety he felt in Strider's arms, and Strider smiled. He really came to cherish the moments he got to spend with Frodo, for he really loved Frodo. Sometimes he felt as if Frodo were his own child, and he shook his head for thinking so. Frodo was not and never would be his child. From what he understood, Frodo was the oldest of the halflings, being about fifty. Now, Frodo didn't look fifty at all. He still looked like a young tweenager to him, and probably the whole Fellowship too.

"Strider?" Strider looked up to see Sam, Merry, and Pippin looking at him uncertainly.

"Yes?" Strider said.

"Can we sleep here tonight?" Merry asked.

"You know, just to make sure Frodo is safe." Pippin added.

Frodo opened his eyes and looked at all three, his eyes dancing. "You all know you only want to sleep here because it's warm!"

Sam crossed his arms in defiance. "Now, Mr. Frodo! You know we all care about you! Although," And here he let his arms fall to his sides. "it does look like you're mighty warm there."

Strider sat silently with a wide smile across his face. He looked down at Frodo to see if Frodo approved.

"Come over here, of course you can sleep here tonight!" Frodo said, smiling at his companions. All three smiled back at Frodo and crawled over to Strider, crowding around him. Merry lay on Strider's right, laying his head down on his shoulder and stretching his legs out. Sam lay on Strider's left, doing the same as Merry. Pippin lay down with Merry, laying his head down on Strider's upper arm while Merry wrapped a protective arm around him, resting his hand on Frodo's.

Legolas smiled and walked over. "Is there room enough for one more?" He asked. Merry and Pippin were surprised, Sam looking a bit confused, and Estel smiled and again looked down at Frodo. Frodo nodded, "Of course, Legolas! There is always room for more." Legolas grinned from ear to pointed ear, and sat down nest to Sam. He laid his fair head on Sam's shoulder, and stretched his arm over Sam and laying it on the blanket covered Frodo, curling his slender hand around one of Frodo's. Frodo grasped his hand in return, and smiled at Legolas. Legolas returned the gesture, his light blue eyes twinkling. Frodo closed his eyes slowly and buried his head into Strider's chest. Strider gently tucked the blankets closer around him and set his chin gently on the top of Frodo's head, careful of the wound.

Everyone that was snuggled in that little tangle of arms and legs slept peacefully that night, for that night was when they actually showed that no matter when no matter where, they would always be there for eachother.

~--The End--~

Thank you for reading, and thank you for the reviews. I've had a fun time writing this fanfic, and I love it very much. Especially this chapter, it's so snuggly and cute! ^^

((By the way, Iorhael asked what Frodo heard. Well, he heard Gollum. Good? I think not. Maybe I'll make a sequel to this story.))

I don't think there are many Frodo and Legolas fics out there, and I'd like to see more.

((And to answer bormir's request for Legolas-getting-sick fics, I don't think that's possible. Elves don't get sick, they can't. Sorry! But I probably will be writing more Legolas and Frodo fics, because there aren't many out there!))

-lilpip