Chapter 10
Aragorn watched in terror as his friend slowly fell, sliding down the steep incline. He rushed back to help him before he landed in the river at the bottom. Even though he was able to keep the "human" from getting wet, Aragorn was unable to prevent the injuries and bruises that were already appearing on Legolas' body. When Legolas had tumbled he managed to hit his face on some unknown object. There was a bloody gash that ran the length of his nose, leaving a trail of crimson down the hill. His clothing had been torn at the knees, which were also bleeding heavily. Aragorn was thankful that his friend had only mildly scraped his hands and that there would be no debilitating wounds that would keep Legolas from being able to pick up a bow. However, what scared Aragorn the most was his friend's complexion. The prince's skin was pale, almost a translucent color, and a cold sheen of perspiration covered his face.
"Legolas! Legolas, please wake up."
"Go away," he moaned. Legolas' was unable to feel anything. He was unable to think about anything. He felt as if he had a permanent fog in his head, keeping him from reality.
"Oh, thank the Valar." Aragorn let go of the breath he hadn't even realized he had been holding. Aragorn took out his water flask and handed it to the shaking human. "Drink this," he said as he pushed the container into Legolas' hands.
Legolas didn't have the strength to respond. He took the flask and started gulping down the water.
"Don't drink it so fast. You will make yourself sick. Just sip in." Aragorn gently chided. He took out a piece of string and tied the prince's hair back, trying to cool him off in any way possible. He took a piece of cloth and poured water on it, placing it on the back of Legolas' neck.
After he was reasonably sure that Legolas would not black out again he went back to searching through his pack. "Legolas, eat this." He pulled out a piece of lembas.
"I'm not hungary." Legolas was finally seeing through the mist in his mind. "I'm fine. Let's continue on our way."
"You're not going anywhere until I see to those wounds. Don't even try to get up," he exclaimed as Legolas started to rise.
The prince rose too quickly, for as soon as he was standing the dizziness overtook him again and Aragorn had to grab his arm to keep him from falling. Aragorn gently lowered him back to the ground. "Why do you never listen to me?" Aragorn murmured softly to himself.
Once on the ground Legolas thought it was the best place to stay. He nibbled on the food Aragorn had given him, staying out of Aragorn's way as he cleansed his wounds.
"This may sting a little, but I have to clean the cut." Aragorn expected Legolas to flinch at least a little, but his friend stayed motionless. Aragorn frowned; apparently the elf suffered from shock more than he thought.
As he finished bandaging the knees he moved on to the face. There was a bruise just under Legolas' left eye, but there seemed to be no damage to his vision. The bleeding on the nose had mostly stopped, but Aragorn still put a little gentle pressure on the gash. When he was certain that the blood flow had ceased he began to clean the cut. It wasn't too deep, but there was a slight chance that there would be a scar.
He heard Legolas gasp as he hit a tender spot. "It hurts right here?" he asked. Legolas nodded. Being as gentle as possible Aragorn probed the surrounding area with his fingers. He heard Legolas give another small cry of pain as he touched a space near the bridge. "You may have a hairline fracture, but I do not think I shall need to set it."
As Legolas' face regained its color Aragorn began to relax. They sat there for an hour, simply eating, drinking, and talking. When Aragorn was satisfied that Legolas would suffer no more ill effects they started walking again. "Remember, you are to tell me if you need to stop."
"I shall. Now, will you please leave me alone?" Legolas was tired of Aragorn hovering over him, looking at him as if he was about to break.
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Night descended quickly, so the two took refuge in a tree. Aragorn, who had never liked climbing trees, was elated to find how easy it was with his elvish body; Legolas almost screamed in frustration. He now knew why Aragorn had often requested that they sleep on the ground. His feet kept slipping out from under him, so that for every three branches he moved up he fell back one. Sometimes he would wince in pain as his injured knees jarred against the rough bark.
When they were finally high enough to hide from anything on the ground (which Legolas thought was too far) Aragorn leaned against the tree trunk, sighing happily to himself. 'He can hear the trees,' thought Legolas. 'I miss them so much.' A single tear fell against his cheek.
Legolas hated feeling awkward this far from the ground. It unnerved him; he was used to feeling more at home in the trees than in his room at the Mirkwood palace. He used to be able to stand on the thinnest limb, never worrying about falling. Now the branches shook under him, as if they were trying to unseat him. He was having trouble balancing on the slender limb.
"What!" The sound of Aragorn's cry made Legolas look up. "Legolas, how come you never told me that the trees purposely swayed out from under me?"
"Opps." The prince had forgotten about that. Maybe that was why he was having trouble keeping his balance. "Can you ask them to stop, please?"
"Why should I? Did you?" Aragorn threw Legolas an accusing stare.
"Yes! They just never listened to me." Legolas watched Aragorn close his eyes, and in a few seconds the branch stabilized a little. However, Legolas still did not feel comfortable where he was.
Aragorn noticed his friend's discomfort. "Sit against the trunk," he said as he slid over the give Legolas his seat.
With his back against something solid Legolas felt much better. He finally allowed himself into a light slumber, which was disturbed every couple of hours as he felt a falling sensation.
Aragorn heard his friend repeatedly awake. After the first two times he decided to stay up all night so he could catch the prince if he should fall from the tree.
As the stars started to fade and the gray of dawn made its first appearance the "elf" silently climbed down the tree. Aragorn gave his friend one more glance, assuring himself that Legolas would be fine while he went to go fetch some water to cook breakfast with. Aragorn wasn't going to allow a repeat of yesterday; Legolas was going to drink plenty of water and be well fed, even if Aragorn had to force the food down his throat.
He silently walked towards the river, gathering firewood as he went.
******************************************************************************
This time was different; Legolas knew he was in a dream. He felt the same sensation he had all the other times, his stomach lurching as he felt himself free-falling. The wind rushed past his body, whistling in his ear. Unlike the other times, Legolas was determined to not wake up this time. 'I will get some rest tonight.' He could feel the ground getting nearer, waiting for the impact that would wake him. He braced himself, trying to control his dream. When he hit the earth it did not hurt, and he was not pulled from his slumber. He breathed a sigh of relief as he reached the conclusion that his body was still asleep, sitting in the tree.
When he completely relaxed again, certain that he would not wake up, the same feeling of dropping returned. Grasping at thin air to keep from falling again Legolas saw himself go into a spiral that never ended.
He was shaken awake as he felt something hard connect with his stomach. He stirred in time to see himself crashing through the branches, unable to grip anything to stop or slow his fall.
To be Continued....
Author's Note: I'm really, really, really sorry for taking so long to finish this chapter. I just couldn't seem to get what I wanted to write to sound right on paper. I still don't think it was ready for me to post it, but I couldn't keep everyone waiting forever, so it is.
A big thank you goes out to all my reviewers!
LOTRFaith: Thank you for letting me know you were still there. I was beginning to wonder if anyone still read my story. Thanks for your review, and I'm glad you enjoy my story.
Deana: I know, I know. I left a cliffhanger for too long without posting. My most sincere apologies. (And now you have to wait for me to resolve the cliffhanger in this chapter; life it just so unfair. lol.) Thank you so much for your review.
Websterans: I didn't really like chapter seven or eight either. They were chapters I had to force myself to write; they lacked a lot of the inspiration I had for the other chapters. Thank you for your review!
Elven Kitten: A big thank you goes to all three sides for reviewing. By the way, Pirates of the Caribbean is the best movie ever!
Butterflyer: Thank you for your review.
Myth: I'm glad you liked that twist. Thanks for the review.
Coolio02: Hoped this chapter answered you question. I know this isn't soon, but I will try to update sooner next time. Thank you for your review.
Lulu Bell: Thanks a million for your review!
Shauna: Yes, poor Legolas forgot about the letter. I reminded him, but he ignored me. (Characters rarely listen to me. lol.) Thank you so much for the review!
Elfmage: You would be correct in guessing that I have suffered from heatstroke before. (Twice, actually.) Most of the injuries Legolas received in this chapter I got myself when I hit the pavement the first time I blacked out. This chapter is a little joke between the entire marching band and me. After I fainted at practice they were like Aragorn and wouldn't let me do anything. Maybe after they read this they will back off? (Highly doubtful.) I hope your injury is healing quickly. Thank you so much for your reviews!
Marbienl: I keep trying to put in something positive about being human, but every time I try I cannot think of anything. If you have any ideas let me know. I want to bring Thranduil into my story (I have a really great chapter in my head) but it doesn't fit with the rest of the story. Thank you so much for your reviews!!! I look forward to them every weekend.
Jamie: Thank you so much for your review. I dislike almost everything that I write, so it nice to know that someone enjoys it. The hardest thing for me to write is a cliffhanger and suspense, so your review means a lot to me.
Evenstar: Thanks for your review, and thank you for your patience as I am posting this chapter late.
Aragorn watched in terror as his friend slowly fell, sliding down the steep incline. He rushed back to help him before he landed in the river at the bottom. Even though he was able to keep the "human" from getting wet, Aragorn was unable to prevent the injuries and bruises that were already appearing on Legolas' body. When Legolas had tumbled he managed to hit his face on some unknown object. There was a bloody gash that ran the length of his nose, leaving a trail of crimson down the hill. His clothing had been torn at the knees, which were also bleeding heavily. Aragorn was thankful that his friend had only mildly scraped his hands and that there would be no debilitating wounds that would keep Legolas from being able to pick up a bow. However, what scared Aragorn the most was his friend's complexion. The prince's skin was pale, almost a translucent color, and a cold sheen of perspiration covered his face.
"Legolas! Legolas, please wake up."
"Go away," he moaned. Legolas' was unable to feel anything. He was unable to think about anything. He felt as if he had a permanent fog in his head, keeping him from reality.
"Oh, thank the Valar." Aragorn let go of the breath he hadn't even realized he had been holding. Aragorn took out his water flask and handed it to the shaking human. "Drink this," he said as he pushed the container into Legolas' hands.
Legolas didn't have the strength to respond. He took the flask and started gulping down the water.
"Don't drink it so fast. You will make yourself sick. Just sip in." Aragorn gently chided. He took out a piece of string and tied the prince's hair back, trying to cool him off in any way possible. He took a piece of cloth and poured water on it, placing it on the back of Legolas' neck.
After he was reasonably sure that Legolas would not black out again he went back to searching through his pack. "Legolas, eat this." He pulled out a piece of lembas.
"I'm not hungary." Legolas was finally seeing through the mist in his mind. "I'm fine. Let's continue on our way."
"You're not going anywhere until I see to those wounds. Don't even try to get up," he exclaimed as Legolas started to rise.
The prince rose too quickly, for as soon as he was standing the dizziness overtook him again and Aragorn had to grab his arm to keep him from falling. Aragorn gently lowered him back to the ground. "Why do you never listen to me?" Aragorn murmured softly to himself.
Once on the ground Legolas thought it was the best place to stay. He nibbled on the food Aragorn had given him, staying out of Aragorn's way as he cleansed his wounds.
"This may sting a little, but I have to clean the cut." Aragorn expected Legolas to flinch at least a little, but his friend stayed motionless. Aragorn frowned; apparently the elf suffered from shock more than he thought.
As he finished bandaging the knees he moved on to the face. There was a bruise just under Legolas' left eye, but there seemed to be no damage to his vision. The bleeding on the nose had mostly stopped, but Aragorn still put a little gentle pressure on the gash. When he was certain that the blood flow had ceased he began to clean the cut. It wasn't too deep, but there was a slight chance that there would be a scar.
He heard Legolas gasp as he hit a tender spot. "It hurts right here?" he asked. Legolas nodded. Being as gentle as possible Aragorn probed the surrounding area with his fingers. He heard Legolas give another small cry of pain as he touched a space near the bridge. "You may have a hairline fracture, but I do not think I shall need to set it."
As Legolas' face regained its color Aragorn began to relax. They sat there for an hour, simply eating, drinking, and talking. When Aragorn was satisfied that Legolas would suffer no more ill effects they started walking again. "Remember, you are to tell me if you need to stop."
"I shall. Now, will you please leave me alone?" Legolas was tired of Aragorn hovering over him, looking at him as if he was about to break.
******************************************************************************
Night descended quickly, so the two took refuge in a tree. Aragorn, who had never liked climbing trees, was elated to find how easy it was with his elvish body; Legolas almost screamed in frustration. He now knew why Aragorn had often requested that they sleep on the ground. His feet kept slipping out from under him, so that for every three branches he moved up he fell back one. Sometimes he would wince in pain as his injured knees jarred against the rough bark.
When they were finally high enough to hide from anything on the ground (which Legolas thought was too far) Aragorn leaned against the tree trunk, sighing happily to himself. 'He can hear the trees,' thought Legolas. 'I miss them so much.' A single tear fell against his cheek.
Legolas hated feeling awkward this far from the ground. It unnerved him; he was used to feeling more at home in the trees than in his room at the Mirkwood palace. He used to be able to stand on the thinnest limb, never worrying about falling. Now the branches shook under him, as if they were trying to unseat him. He was having trouble balancing on the slender limb.
"What!" The sound of Aragorn's cry made Legolas look up. "Legolas, how come you never told me that the trees purposely swayed out from under me?"
"Opps." The prince had forgotten about that. Maybe that was why he was having trouble keeping his balance. "Can you ask them to stop, please?"
"Why should I? Did you?" Aragorn threw Legolas an accusing stare.
"Yes! They just never listened to me." Legolas watched Aragorn close his eyes, and in a few seconds the branch stabilized a little. However, Legolas still did not feel comfortable where he was.
Aragorn noticed his friend's discomfort. "Sit against the trunk," he said as he slid over the give Legolas his seat.
With his back against something solid Legolas felt much better. He finally allowed himself into a light slumber, which was disturbed every couple of hours as he felt a falling sensation.
Aragorn heard his friend repeatedly awake. After the first two times he decided to stay up all night so he could catch the prince if he should fall from the tree.
As the stars started to fade and the gray of dawn made its first appearance the "elf" silently climbed down the tree. Aragorn gave his friend one more glance, assuring himself that Legolas would be fine while he went to go fetch some water to cook breakfast with. Aragorn wasn't going to allow a repeat of yesterday; Legolas was going to drink plenty of water and be well fed, even if Aragorn had to force the food down his throat.
He silently walked towards the river, gathering firewood as he went.
******************************************************************************
This time was different; Legolas knew he was in a dream. He felt the same sensation he had all the other times, his stomach lurching as he felt himself free-falling. The wind rushed past his body, whistling in his ear. Unlike the other times, Legolas was determined to not wake up this time. 'I will get some rest tonight.' He could feel the ground getting nearer, waiting for the impact that would wake him. He braced himself, trying to control his dream. When he hit the earth it did not hurt, and he was not pulled from his slumber. He breathed a sigh of relief as he reached the conclusion that his body was still asleep, sitting in the tree.
When he completely relaxed again, certain that he would not wake up, the same feeling of dropping returned. Grasping at thin air to keep from falling again Legolas saw himself go into a spiral that never ended.
He was shaken awake as he felt something hard connect with his stomach. He stirred in time to see himself crashing through the branches, unable to grip anything to stop or slow his fall.
To be Continued....
Author's Note: I'm really, really, really sorry for taking so long to finish this chapter. I just couldn't seem to get what I wanted to write to sound right on paper. I still don't think it was ready for me to post it, but I couldn't keep everyone waiting forever, so it is.
A big thank you goes out to all my reviewers!
LOTRFaith: Thank you for letting me know you were still there. I was beginning to wonder if anyone still read my story. Thanks for your review, and I'm glad you enjoy my story.
Deana: I know, I know. I left a cliffhanger for too long without posting. My most sincere apologies. (And now you have to wait for me to resolve the cliffhanger in this chapter; life it just so unfair. lol.) Thank you so much for your review.
Websterans: I didn't really like chapter seven or eight either. They were chapters I had to force myself to write; they lacked a lot of the inspiration I had for the other chapters. Thank you for your review!
Elven Kitten: A big thank you goes to all three sides for reviewing. By the way, Pirates of the Caribbean is the best movie ever!
Butterflyer: Thank you for your review.
Myth: I'm glad you liked that twist. Thanks for the review.
Coolio02: Hoped this chapter answered you question. I know this isn't soon, but I will try to update sooner next time. Thank you for your review.
Lulu Bell: Thanks a million for your review!
Shauna: Yes, poor Legolas forgot about the letter. I reminded him, but he ignored me. (Characters rarely listen to me. lol.) Thank you so much for the review!
Elfmage: You would be correct in guessing that I have suffered from heatstroke before. (Twice, actually.) Most of the injuries Legolas received in this chapter I got myself when I hit the pavement the first time I blacked out. This chapter is a little joke between the entire marching band and me. After I fainted at practice they were like Aragorn and wouldn't let me do anything. Maybe after they read this they will back off? (Highly doubtful.) I hope your injury is healing quickly. Thank you so much for your reviews!
Marbienl: I keep trying to put in something positive about being human, but every time I try I cannot think of anything. If you have any ideas let me know. I want to bring Thranduil into my story (I have a really great chapter in my head) but it doesn't fit with the rest of the story. Thank you so much for your reviews!!! I look forward to them every weekend.
Jamie: Thank you so much for your review. I dislike almost everything that I write, so it nice to know that someone enjoys it. The hardest thing for me to write is a cliffhanger and suspense, so your review means a lot to me.
Evenstar: Thanks for your review, and thank you for your patience as I am posting this chapter late.
