"The Wanderers"
By: Tsuki no Lomelinde
Well, another chapter, and I just wanna thank everyone who reviewed this story! I love you guys!!!!
And a special thanks to my wonderful beta, Deana! Any mistakes that are still there after her careful editing are my own fault.
Legolas: Tsuki no Lomelinde does not own The Lord of the Rings, or any of its characters. She does own the few minor characters that may randomly appear.
Tsuki no Lomelinde: Thank you Legolas.
Legolas: Yeah… You aren't going to torture me anymore are you?
Tsuki no Lomelinde: ……………..
Legolas: Right?
Tsuki no Lomelinde: Yeah… right, about that… Sorry not going to happen, I like torturing you too much. Mostly so I can lovingly nurse you back to health. ^_^
Legolas: …………. -_-
Summary: The Orcs are gone, but a darkness still lingers in Mirkwood, and no one knows what's wrong with Legolas. Can he be saved?
Chapter 5: Unlikely Friends
Gimli sat in the sunlit room, quietly watching his unaware charge. Legolas hadn't moved since he'd been here, since Elrond had brought them all in to assure themselves that the young prince was still alive.
Gimli reached out and touched the limp hand, but Legolas did not stir. After being with Legolas during the quest with the One Ring, it had unnerved him that the elf slept with his eyes open. Now, it was painful to see the elf with his eyes closed.
The dwarf reached out towards the bedside table and grabbed a wet cloth from a bowl; gently he laid it on Legolas' forehead in an effort to alleviate the fever that raged within his slender form. Gimli nearly dropped the cloth when Legolas turned his head towards him; the elf's eyes were open, if only a little glassy from the aforementioned fever.
"Gimli? What are you doing here?" Legolas managed to croak, his voice raspy from disuse.
"We're here to look after you, you silly elf!" was the gruff reply, but it was softened by the smile Gimli gave.
"We?" Legolas questioned, sounding confused and groggy.
"Yes, we; Aragorn, Lord Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir. We all traveled from Rivendell when we got word that all was not right here."
Legolas smiled, and Gimli stood. "I must go and get Lord Elrond," he said, and was gone.
Legolas sighed, trying to remember what had transpired, and how he had ended up in bed. It all came rushing back to him…Shyla telling him he was sick, hearing the attack on Mirkwood…he also remembered disobeying Shyla and Shoran by leaving the room to fight, but that's where it ended. How had he ended up back in bed? What was the outcome of the battle, and where were his siblings?
The young elf was torn from his thoughts when Gimli returned with Lord Elrond. The elven lord smiled when he saw Legolas awake.
"How are you feeling, Legolas?" Elrond said and laid his hand on the younger elf's forehead. He frowned at the heat radiating from the elf.
"I am fine…" Legolas trailed off when he saw the warning look in Elrond's eyes, and gave a sigh. "I am weary, and I have pain in my chest," Legolas put his hand on his sternum, indicating the location. "And I must admit that I feel chilled."
Elrond nodded, and felt for the pulse in Legolas' wrist. The Healer flinched at the icy feeling of the prince's hands.
"What has happened? Where are my brothers and Shyla, and Ada?" Legolas asked, worry tingeing his weary voice.
Elrond paused, unsure of how much he should tell the fragile prince.
"Lord Elrond?" Legolas prompted, his anxiety growing.
"I am sorry Legolas, but Thruin was slain," Elrond said, as gently as he could. "Shyla has ridden to Lothlorien for aid, and Shoran is sleeping, as is Lord Thranduil."
Legolas turned his head away from the elven lord.
"Legolas?" Elrond questioned. When the prince didn't respond, Elrond gently grasped the younger elf's chin and made Legolas face him. "Your brother battled bravely, he is in the Halls of Mandos now. I am sorry that he is gone, but sometimes it happens. We do not have the power to change fate."
Legolas only nodded, his expression blank. Elrond gave a slight smile and stood.
"I would like to go to the gardens, please," Legolas whispered.
"You should stay in bed…" Elrond trailed off, for he saw the pleading look in Legolas' eyes. He sighed. "Fine, but only if Gimli accompanies you. I do not want you to be on your own, not with this fever."
Legolas sighed but nodded his agreement. The young elf tried to sit up but lacked the strength; he frowned, tears welling in his eyes at his weakness. No, I will not cry; they have already seen enough weakness from me!
Elrond stroked Legolas' hair gently. "It is alright, you are still very weary, and your body has been through much." Without waiting for a response, Lord Elrond scooped the younger elf into his arms, blanket and all.
Legolas gave a slight gasp of surprise and made to protest, but Gimli stopped him.
"You said that you wanted to go to the gardens," the dwarf said, slyly.
Legolas frowned and declined to respond, ceding the victory to his dwarven friend.
In only a few moments they were outside and Elrond set the young prince down in front of a tree. The elven lord straightened suddenly and strained his ears, but he heard nothing.
"What is it?" Legolas asked, as Gimli jumped up grabbing his axe from his belt in case of a sudden attack.
"The trees, they have quieted," Elrond whispered, so lightly that Gimli almost missed it.
The elder elf shook his head, as if to dispel something. "Stay here, I will go tell the others that Legolas is awake."
Gimli nodded, and flopped gracelessly down beside his friend.
Elrond left, his light elven steps carrying him quickly away to the palace, as the two unlikely friends remained under the leafy branches of the tree.
"I am weary, mellon-nin. It plagues me so, and nothing makes it abate," Legolas suddenly whispered, tiredly.
"Then rest your head on my shoulder my friend, perhaps it may help," Gimli replied, surprised that the elf's pride allowed him to admit such a thing.
Legolas smiled softly and complied, leaning slightly so that his fair head rested on Gimli's shoulder and they both sat there for a time, just enjoying the other's company.
Meanwhile back in the palace…….
He ran through the halls; they were unfamiliar, but he continued to run…he was looking for something, but it eluded him.
"Legolas!" he cried. He could hear a voice echoing in the halls and headed towards it, but it continued to get more and more distant. Suddenly, oozing hands clamped over his mouth…
Aragorn sat up with a start, looking around the room wildly. It was only a dream, he thought to himself. But, just to be sure…
The ranger leapt nimbly from the bed, grabbed his sword and pulled open his door, dashing down the hall towards Legolas' room. His heart raced as he pulled open the door; fear came into his heart when he found the room empty.
He was just about to raise a call of alarm when he heard a sudden voice.
"Estel, what are you doing?"
The ranger whirled around, coming face to face with Lord Elrond. "Legolas… Gimli… they're gone!"
Elrond shook his head, "No Estel, Legolas woke up and wanted to go to the gardens, Gimli is with him."
Aragorn sighed in relief, letting out the breath that he didn't even realize he was holding.
"Come, I will take you to them," Elrond said.
Aragorn quickly followed him through the halls.
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Sorry sorry sorry!!!!!! I know it's short, and kinda fluffy, but this particular little plot bunny has been annoying me for a while and I just needed to write it. It's for everyone who wanted a fluffy little Gimli/Legolas friendship scene. Anyway…I'll pick up with the rest of the story soon, I promise! Lots of angst ahead. *Grins evilly* I know I shouldn't, but what can I say, torturing Legolas is fun!
Tsuki no Lomelinde ^_^
Nikki: I just wanna say thanks, you are an awesome reviewer, I appreciate that you review each and every chapter! *hugs*
Saxaphonebaby: Gold? Who cares about Gold! Just keep sending me all those wonderful reviews!
Wildfire2: I loved the review! I updated as soon as I could!
Bballstar42: While I appreciate your review, I feel that it is up to the author to mold a character to their own views. While J.R.R. Tolkien didn't feel the need to have slash in his novels (as it would have been viewed as wrong by many readers of his time, or he may not have believed in it.) It is up to the author's discretion as to whether or not they want to make their own story which they have created with their own imagination as slash. I hope I don't come off as rude, but that is how I feel; I have nothing against slash, a lot of slash stories are nice. Before you flame me, I just wanted to let you know of my opinion and my views on the matter.
Thank You