The Star Shines No More-chapter 2
A while later, Pippin returned to the cave, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Legolas, eyes closed, and his body making no movement at all. Pippin immediately threw the wood aside and ran to Legolas.
"Legolas! Master Legolas!" Pippin yelled as he shook Legolas. Legolas stirred and moaned in pain, whispering words that Pippin could not hear, but did not wake up. Pippin sighed in relief, went to the sticks and branches that he found in the forest, and made a small fire. As soon as that was done, Pippin half pulled, half-dragged Legolas closer, near to the fire, hoping to warm his stone-cold body. When this was done, Pippin sat beside Legolas, and not a minute later, tears started to fall from his eyes.
"Oh Legolas...I'm so sorry...now you're going to die because of me...it's all my fault! Gandalf was right, I am a stupid fool! Stupid Pippin! Stupid!" Pippin scolded himself. Suddenly, Pippin felt a hand touch his own hand, he looked towards his left, and was met by the pain-filled, yet gentle eyes of Legolas.
"N-no...Pip...Pippin...not stupid...n-no fool...Pippin...d-don't think like th-that...brave Pip-Pippin...smart and br-brave..." Legolas weakly muttered, and passed out again. Pippin just sat there, shocked by what had just happened, Legolas had just woken up...a bit, for him! To comfort him! To ease his own guilt! Pippin felt ashamed for having the injured Legolas comfort the very healthy Pippin.
Suddenly, another loud crash of lightening was heard, followed by loud sounds of rain pouring onto the ground outside of the cave. Then, Pippin heard yells out in the distance, thinking it to be danger, he quickly dragged Legolas into the corner of the cave, and ran back to the entrance, peeping out just a bit into the trees. Then, six figures came out from the trees, running extremely fast towards the cave. At first, Pippin thought they were orcs, but as he looked closer, he saw two taller people, and four other shorter people.
'The fellowship!' Pippin thought excitedly. Legolas was saved! Aragorn would be able to heal Legolas! A moment later, Aragorn and the rest of the fellowship arrived at the mouth of the cave, and rushed in, not noticing Legolas in the dark corner, and started to dry themselves.
"Pip! You're here! You're safe! Thank goodness!" Merry cried out and hugged Pippin tightly.
"It's like a blasted flood out there!" Gimli yelled, frustrated. Aragorn laughed.
"You look like a drowned rat, master dwarf!" Pippin said, his eyes wide and full of innocence. Gimli stared at Pippin, and laughed haughtily.
"Take a look at Aragorn over there, then we'll see who looks more like a drowned rat!" Gimli laughed again, Boromir chuckled, Aragorn looked at himself and laughed as well.
"Pippin, we were afraid for your safety...never walk away like that ever again! Not without me! You hear me?" Merry grabbed Pippin's shoulders tightly. Pippin nodded quickly and smiled widely.
"Never again...never without you, Merry!" Merry grinned and patted his back.
"Pippin, did you by any chance see Legolas anywhere? He wandered off as well." Aragorn asked. Pippin's smile immediately fell and unshed tears flooded his eyes.
Legolas is hurt! You must help him!" The fellowship grew silent as Pippin ran over to the corner of the cave, and pulled Legolas into their vision. The hobbits gasped, while Aragorn immediately ran to Legolas, bent down, and checked his injuries. Then, Aragorn carried Legolas beside the fire to get a better look at his shoulder wound.
"What happened to him?" Aragorn asked as he started to take off the strip of cloth, and took off Legolas' tunic.
"I was walking around the forest, listening to Legolas sing, then, when Legolas stopped, I heard a growling sound behind me. So, I ran, and suddenly, this big wolf monster thing, a warg, I believe, pounced on me and wanted to eat me! But then, Legolas suddenly popped out of nowhere and killed it! Legolas was gonna help me up, but then another warg just came out from the trees, and bit Legolas in the shoulder, and threw him hard against a tree!"
"Then, I distracted it, and I got pounced on again...but then, Legolas saved me again when he shot the warg down with another arrow! But then, the warg charged against Legolas, cause it didn't die instantly, and pushed him up against the tree! A second later, the warg died, I binded Legolas' wound, and we were gonna come back, but then we heard the thunder, and we came here! I went to get some sticks for a fire, and when I came back, he was like this!" Aragorn nodded as he inspected the wound.
"Master Legolas, he lost a ton of blood..." Pippin stated silently.
"I've noticed that, the wound has poison around it...must be from the warg...I never knew they emitted acid..."
"What is acid?" Boromir asked. Aragorn sighed.
"It is a substance, in a liquid form, it is a kind of poison, but it eats away at your skin slowly...it is torturous and a foul thing. I have a special herb for this...Legolas has a cracked rib as well, I will bind it, and it will heal, so Legolas will be okay, with some time of rest. No need to fear, elves heal very fast."
'I hope." Aragorn thought to himself. The fellowship wordlessly nodded and went about unpacking, concerned for their injured comrade.
~~~Legolas' dream~~~
Everything was black and red...dark and bloody...there was no light, his own light wasn't visible. Legolas was sitting in the dark...in his own blood, clutching his head and crying in pain, his whole body was numb, all he remembered was pain.
"Leave me alone...leave me alone...I don't belong here...not in the dark...not in the blood...not here...leave me alone..." Legolas mumbled as he rocked back and forth, his eyes wide and unseeing, sweat beading down his forehead. Suddenly, there was a bright light above him, it shone down on Legolas like an aura, diminishing the darkness and blood.
"Legolas...lasto beth nin...tolo dan na ngalad..." a female voice commanded softly through the light.
"Come back from the shadow, young one, your time here is at an end...the fellowship needs you..your friends need you..." Legolas stopped moving and looked up to the light.
"W-who are you?" The voice chuckled softly.
"I am Ireth, sent by the Lady Galadriel, she was quite concerned for your welfare, Thranduillion, you gave her quite a scare."
"Lady Galadriel sent you? Why? Am I dead? Is that why I am here? I'm in hell?"
"No, no, no. I am a wizard, I can reach into people's minds, and I can figure out what they are feeling and what they are thinking. I did not do that to you however, I reached into your mind, and I am communicating with you, taking you back from the darkness. Prince Legolas, you are not dead, yet you are in this dark place, where you do not belong, nor do you belong in hell. Legolas, you have a pure heart, the purest of all beings, it is strong as a lion, yet extremely gentle and compassionate. You fight for good, not for evil, and this is just your nightmare...I came merely to wake you from unconsciousness. You have slept for many hours, you must go back now." Legolas sighed in relief, nodded in thanks, and the last thing he saw was the face of and elven female.
~~~Back to the fellowship~~~
"Aragorn, it is not working! Our weapons are useless against this! It's a solid rock wall!" Boromir yelled. Aragorn sighed and stopped hitting against the wall with his sword.
"You're right, everyone, just stop." The hobbits and Gimli did so, and sat down, exhausted.
"We're just going to quit? Just like that?" Gimli protested. "I refuse to just die here!" Aragorn sighed.
"We will not, Pippin said there was another exit here connecting to a tunnel, we will go through there! It is our only choice, Gimli, as Boromir said, this is a solid rock wall, even if we keep digging for hundreds and thousands of years, it will not break. Going through there is-" Aragorn was interrupted by a moan of pain coming from Legolas. The fellowship immediately ceased all movement, and Aragorn ran to Legolas just as he started to open his eyes.
"E-Estel?" Legolas asked weakly. Aragorn smiled softly.
"Aye, I am here me friend."
"Wh-where am I?" Legolas asked.
"You do not remember?" Legolas closed his eyes and tried to remember.
"I...I remember Pippin...wargs, I got hurt, th-then there was th- thunder...it was going to rain...Pippin and I...cave...then I passed out...I'm in the cave?" Aragorn nodded.
"Did Pippin come to get you?" "No, the fellowship and myself came looking for shelter from the rain." Legolas nodded in understanding.
"How are you feeling?"
"Hurts...."
"It must, you were poisoned, Legolas, with a deadly poison at that." Legolas furrowed his eyebrows.
"Poi-poisoned?"
"Yep, with something called acid, it eats away at your skin and the insides, I put some herbs on your wound, so you'll be okay. I also found a cracked rib, but I took care of that too." Legolas smiled.
"You always took care of me, Estel, and for that, I thank you with the bottom of my heart." Legolas said as he started to sit up.
"Then you should at least try not to get yourself in trouble all the time." Aragorn joked with a grin. But Legolas took it seriously.
"You're right, but I just can't...it's probably why Gandalf fell too..." Aragorn's smile faded.
"Legolas, you can't think li-" Aragorn was once again cut short by a loud rumble of thunder. Legolas jumped slightly and looked to what was supposed to be the entrance and exit of the cave, but instead, was met by a wall of boulders.
"Ara...Aragorn, the exit...it's...why is it not there anymore? Wh-why are there rocks blocking the exit?" Legolas asked, a bit panicked.
"The thunder...it was raining, while you slept, and then lightning suddenly struck the top of the cave's mouth, and...the boulders filled it up...we can't break through the entrance..."
"We're trapped in here then?!" Aragorn shook his head.
"No, Pippin said that you and himself had found another tunnel connecting to this cave! We can go there! We're not trapped, Legolas." Legolas shook his head and sighed.
"I sensed...I sensed great evil there...just at the opening, I already felt it."
"But we have to pass through there, or we'll just die here."
"Yes, I know, but I'm just saying, I we must go there, we must be incredibly cautious." Aragorn nodded.
"Legolas!" Pippin yelled and ran to hug Legolas.
"You're alive! You're awake!" Legolas smiled softly, but winced in pain as his shoulder was being pressured.
"I'm glad to be." Gimli slowly walked to Legolas, and nodded in greeting.
"Master elf." Legolas let go of Pippin, smiled, and nodded back to Gimli.
"Gimli." Their small exchange was what just sealed their newfound friendship, that unknown to them, will last for eternity, and will be the cure for the elf and dwarf feud that has been ongoing for many millenniums.
"We should start to go now...pass through the tunnel...this place makes me nervous." Legolas said gravely. Aragorn nodded.
"I would never dare to doubt an elf's intuitions, but can you do it? You are not fully healed yet, maybe we should stay for a half more day, until you get fully healed. Then we can go, because if we run into any trouble in there, you will be able to fight at your best."
"No, I am fully healed already, I will be able to fight if needed...we should not stay any longer, this if a foul place...I smell the stench of orcs and goblins...we must move quickly before the come here."
"Orcs and goblins?!" Sam cried out, horrified.
"Are they near?" Aragorn asked.
"No...they are very far away...I only smell the stench from a few days ago, but they will probably come back later, so I advise us to leave right away." Aragorn nodded, but he was hesitant.
"Legolas." Legolas looked to Aragorn.
"Lle desiel?" (Are you ready?) Legolas smiled and nodded.
"Okay then, let's pack up." Aragorn commanded, and the fellowship went away.
A while later, the fellowship was all ready to travel once again. So, they set out into the cave, and all of them had a sense of foreboding when they stepped into the tunnel. Legolas shivered involuntarily, which was not missed by Aragorn. The journey was long, but they ran into no trouble, the hobbits were quietly whispering to themselves, Gimli and Boromir was telling tales to each other, Aragorn lead the group, holding a torch, finding that there was only one passageway with no more connecting tunnels. And Legolas was walking at the back, his senses alert, his rib and shoulder was starting to bother him again, but he refused to pay any heed to it.
Five hours later, the fellowship had rested briefly, then they set off again, only to stop once more a few hours later, then they set off again. Then finally, six hours of walking once more, the fellowship stopped and decided to camp there. After a delicious dinner made by Sam, everyone was exhausted. .
"You are all tired, I will take watch tonight." Legolas volunteered.
"No, Legolas, you still need rest to heal your wounds, I will take watch tonight." Aragorn protested. Legolas sighed.
"I'm fine, elves don't need as much rest as hu-"
"Ah! Don't say that again, it's always the same argument! But the fact is, right now, you need more rest than I because you are the one who is injured, and, my friend, there are no exceptions." Aragorn demanded. Legolas sighed in defeat, turned, walked to his bedroll, and lay there, not falling asleep.
Two hours later, everyone had fallen into a deep sleep with the exception of two fellowship members. Legolas sighed, finally got up from his spot, and sat in front of the fire across from Aragorn. Aragorn stared at Legolas, observing how he moved, and if there was even a slight flinch, he would immediately send Legolas back to rest. Alas, Legolas walked gracefully, with light steps, he did not flinch, nor did he make any move to show that he was in any kind of physical pain.
"You are tired, I will take over your watch now, I am healed, I need no more rest, and I'm feeling absolutely fine." Legolas said softly, not wanting to disturb the slumbering fellowship. Aragorn sighed.
"I am not tired either." Legolas said nothing, and continued to stare into the fire.
"Legolas, how are you feeling?" Aragorn asked. Legolas gazed at Aragorn.
"I told you, I am fine, Estel, my injuries have all healed."
"I was referring to your mental pains."
"Mental pains?" Aragorn knew this wasn't going to be easy.
"Aye, Legolas, why do you not talk about your own feelings to me? Or any one of us? Why mush you keep to yourself all the time? You sing to lift the sorrow from your heart, yet I know that that cannot be done!" Legolas looked down sadly.
"How would you know?"
"Because, Legolas, I have lived with elves all my life...I know that many elves have tried to sing away their problems, but it never works. And you, Legolas, have kept so many emotions and secrets inside of you...my brothers and Arwen have told me that you have been like this ever since...ever since your older brother passed away in an accident during his patrol around Mirkwood..." Legolas sharply looked at Aragorn, wanting to snap at him for minding his own business. But he didn't, knowing that Aragorn meant well for him, and his gaze softened. Legolas sighed and mentally gave up, knowing that if he didn't tell, Aragorn would never stop bothering him about it.
"You are right, Estel, everything you said was true...I will explain to you, but do you have to patience to listen?" Aragorn scoffed.
"Of course!" Legolas smiled slightly.
"Ever since I was a young elfling, my older brother always played with me, always took care of me, protected me, and always, no matter what, he always loved me. His name was Keldarion (this name is borrowed from the user 'adromir'! she's the one who let me use her character! HER character! Not mine, and I used it cause I couldn't think of a better name! LOL!), he always stood by my side and protected me from any kind of harm...he's the one who taught me archery...he's the one who taught me to fight...he was truly the most perfect brother anyone could ever have. Keldarion was a few hundred years old than I, a skilled warrior, loved by all friends and family..."
"And Arwen." Aragorn added. Legolas looked at Aragorn, surprised that he knew about Keldarion and Arwen's past of love.
"How did you-"
"Arwen told me...I don't mind, no worries, Legolas." Legolas chuckled.
"Yes, and whenever something bad had happened, I could always tell him about everything, and really know that he wouldn't tell anyone else. It's not that I don't trust you, Estel, but it's just...I don't know...I trust you with my life, I always have, but...Keldarion was my brother. Then, one day, during his patrol in Mirkwood, orcs and wargs ambushed them...my patrol team and I arrived just as Keldarion dropped dead by the hands of the orc captain. I was so mad, and I killed the orc with my bare hands, breaking his neck...but I don't think he even cared...it killed my brother...and once I saw the numbers that they had, I knew that my brother and his team never stood a chance...it was a very well planned ambush...and it worked." Legolas sighed as tears flooded in his eyes.
"Mirkwood spent at least one full year mourning for the loss of the crowned prince, Keldarion, my brother...and ever since his death, I could never say any of my secrets or thoughts to anyone else...it reminded me much about Keldarion, so I could only sing...that helped none...more than two millenniums of emotions and secrets are hard to keep in one's mind, Estel. Sometimes, I feel like my heart is going to burst open!" Aragorn sighed.
"I am sorry about your brother, Keldarion, I never knew you were so close..." Legolas smiled sadly.
"Keldarion's life ended very tragically...but at least he passed in his own kingdom, under its own trees, and not in some foreign land...which is where I will pass, no doubt." Aragorn shook his head.
"No, Legolas, you will not die...I will not let you...you have to see me grow old..." Legolas laughed quietly, slightly lighting up Aragorn's heart.
"Estel, you will never grow old in my heart..." Aragorn laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Legolas chuckled, and Aragorn turned serious again.
"But Legolas, mellon nin, I think of you more than my friend, you are my brother...I'm not sure if you think of me as your brother, but Legolas, just know. I will always be here with you...I will always try to take good care of you, I will always love you, always protects, and I will always listen when you want to say something, or when you need help. I know that it would be really hard for you to tell me all three millenniums worth of feelings, but when we get a chance, I will make you tell me. You need to relieve yourself of your pain, Legolas, I'm here for you...my brother..." Legolas was touched by these words, tears glistened in his eyes as Aragorn reminded him of Keldarion, and he smiled brightly. "And I you, Estel, you are my brother as well, and I will definitely do the same for you." Estel grinned widely.
"Estel..." Aragorn looked to Legolas.
"Hannon lle." (Thank you) Aragorn smiled.
"There is no need for any of that, I was only expressing my thoughts!" Legolas laughed. Suddenly, a grumbling noise startled the pair, only to find it being Gimli slowly waking up from his sleep. Legolas and Aragorn looked at each other and laughed, not as quietly as before, and waking up the entire fellowship. Pippin woke up first, hearing Legolas' merry laughter, he smiled brightly, ran over to Legolas, and hugged him tightly. Aragorn kept on laughing as he saw Legolas' shocked expression when someone's arms wrapped around him. Pippin let go and started to laugh as well. The rest of the fellowship just stared at each other quizzically, but after hearing Legolas' Pippin's, and Aragorn's laughter, they, too, smiled broadly.
A/N: So sorry for updating so late!!!! I had to attend to schoolwork, but now, I'm gonna update faster! But only if I get more reviews!!! Heehee! =D well, thanx 'adromir' for lending me her character's name (Keldarion), I owe it to her!!! =D yes, so, plz, plz, PLEASE write me more reviews! LOL! Peace out! =D
A while later, Pippin returned to the cave, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Legolas, eyes closed, and his body making no movement at all. Pippin immediately threw the wood aside and ran to Legolas.
"Legolas! Master Legolas!" Pippin yelled as he shook Legolas. Legolas stirred and moaned in pain, whispering words that Pippin could not hear, but did not wake up. Pippin sighed in relief, went to the sticks and branches that he found in the forest, and made a small fire. As soon as that was done, Pippin half pulled, half-dragged Legolas closer, near to the fire, hoping to warm his stone-cold body. When this was done, Pippin sat beside Legolas, and not a minute later, tears started to fall from his eyes.
"Oh Legolas...I'm so sorry...now you're going to die because of me...it's all my fault! Gandalf was right, I am a stupid fool! Stupid Pippin! Stupid!" Pippin scolded himself. Suddenly, Pippin felt a hand touch his own hand, he looked towards his left, and was met by the pain-filled, yet gentle eyes of Legolas.
"N-no...Pip...Pippin...not stupid...n-no fool...Pippin...d-don't think like th-that...brave Pip-Pippin...smart and br-brave..." Legolas weakly muttered, and passed out again. Pippin just sat there, shocked by what had just happened, Legolas had just woken up...a bit, for him! To comfort him! To ease his own guilt! Pippin felt ashamed for having the injured Legolas comfort the very healthy Pippin.
Suddenly, another loud crash of lightening was heard, followed by loud sounds of rain pouring onto the ground outside of the cave. Then, Pippin heard yells out in the distance, thinking it to be danger, he quickly dragged Legolas into the corner of the cave, and ran back to the entrance, peeping out just a bit into the trees. Then, six figures came out from the trees, running extremely fast towards the cave. At first, Pippin thought they were orcs, but as he looked closer, he saw two taller people, and four other shorter people.
'The fellowship!' Pippin thought excitedly. Legolas was saved! Aragorn would be able to heal Legolas! A moment later, Aragorn and the rest of the fellowship arrived at the mouth of the cave, and rushed in, not noticing Legolas in the dark corner, and started to dry themselves.
"Pip! You're here! You're safe! Thank goodness!" Merry cried out and hugged Pippin tightly.
"It's like a blasted flood out there!" Gimli yelled, frustrated. Aragorn laughed.
"You look like a drowned rat, master dwarf!" Pippin said, his eyes wide and full of innocence. Gimli stared at Pippin, and laughed haughtily.
"Take a look at Aragorn over there, then we'll see who looks more like a drowned rat!" Gimli laughed again, Boromir chuckled, Aragorn looked at himself and laughed as well.
"Pippin, we were afraid for your safety...never walk away like that ever again! Not without me! You hear me?" Merry grabbed Pippin's shoulders tightly. Pippin nodded quickly and smiled widely.
"Never again...never without you, Merry!" Merry grinned and patted his back.
"Pippin, did you by any chance see Legolas anywhere? He wandered off as well." Aragorn asked. Pippin's smile immediately fell and unshed tears flooded his eyes.
Legolas is hurt! You must help him!" The fellowship grew silent as Pippin ran over to the corner of the cave, and pulled Legolas into their vision. The hobbits gasped, while Aragorn immediately ran to Legolas, bent down, and checked his injuries. Then, Aragorn carried Legolas beside the fire to get a better look at his shoulder wound.
"What happened to him?" Aragorn asked as he started to take off the strip of cloth, and took off Legolas' tunic.
"I was walking around the forest, listening to Legolas sing, then, when Legolas stopped, I heard a growling sound behind me. So, I ran, and suddenly, this big wolf monster thing, a warg, I believe, pounced on me and wanted to eat me! But then, Legolas suddenly popped out of nowhere and killed it! Legolas was gonna help me up, but then another warg just came out from the trees, and bit Legolas in the shoulder, and threw him hard against a tree!"
"Then, I distracted it, and I got pounced on again...but then, Legolas saved me again when he shot the warg down with another arrow! But then, the warg charged against Legolas, cause it didn't die instantly, and pushed him up against the tree! A second later, the warg died, I binded Legolas' wound, and we were gonna come back, but then we heard the thunder, and we came here! I went to get some sticks for a fire, and when I came back, he was like this!" Aragorn nodded as he inspected the wound.
"Master Legolas, he lost a ton of blood..." Pippin stated silently.
"I've noticed that, the wound has poison around it...must be from the warg...I never knew they emitted acid..."
"What is acid?" Boromir asked. Aragorn sighed.
"It is a substance, in a liquid form, it is a kind of poison, but it eats away at your skin slowly...it is torturous and a foul thing. I have a special herb for this...Legolas has a cracked rib as well, I will bind it, and it will heal, so Legolas will be okay, with some time of rest. No need to fear, elves heal very fast."
'I hope." Aragorn thought to himself. The fellowship wordlessly nodded and went about unpacking, concerned for their injured comrade.
~~~Legolas' dream~~~
Everything was black and red...dark and bloody...there was no light, his own light wasn't visible. Legolas was sitting in the dark...in his own blood, clutching his head and crying in pain, his whole body was numb, all he remembered was pain.
"Leave me alone...leave me alone...I don't belong here...not in the dark...not in the blood...not here...leave me alone..." Legolas mumbled as he rocked back and forth, his eyes wide and unseeing, sweat beading down his forehead. Suddenly, there was a bright light above him, it shone down on Legolas like an aura, diminishing the darkness and blood.
"Legolas...lasto beth nin...tolo dan na ngalad..." a female voice commanded softly through the light.
"Come back from the shadow, young one, your time here is at an end...the fellowship needs you..your friends need you..." Legolas stopped moving and looked up to the light.
"W-who are you?" The voice chuckled softly.
"I am Ireth, sent by the Lady Galadriel, she was quite concerned for your welfare, Thranduillion, you gave her quite a scare."
"Lady Galadriel sent you? Why? Am I dead? Is that why I am here? I'm in hell?"
"No, no, no. I am a wizard, I can reach into people's minds, and I can figure out what they are feeling and what they are thinking. I did not do that to you however, I reached into your mind, and I am communicating with you, taking you back from the darkness. Prince Legolas, you are not dead, yet you are in this dark place, where you do not belong, nor do you belong in hell. Legolas, you have a pure heart, the purest of all beings, it is strong as a lion, yet extremely gentle and compassionate. You fight for good, not for evil, and this is just your nightmare...I came merely to wake you from unconsciousness. You have slept for many hours, you must go back now." Legolas sighed in relief, nodded in thanks, and the last thing he saw was the face of and elven female.
~~~Back to the fellowship~~~
"Aragorn, it is not working! Our weapons are useless against this! It's a solid rock wall!" Boromir yelled. Aragorn sighed and stopped hitting against the wall with his sword.
"You're right, everyone, just stop." The hobbits and Gimli did so, and sat down, exhausted.
"We're just going to quit? Just like that?" Gimli protested. "I refuse to just die here!" Aragorn sighed.
"We will not, Pippin said there was another exit here connecting to a tunnel, we will go through there! It is our only choice, Gimli, as Boromir said, this is a solid rock wall, even if we keep digging for hundreds and thousands of years, it will not break. Going through there is-" Aragorn was interrupted by a moan of pain coming from Legolas. The fellowship immediately ceased all movement, and Aragorn ran to Legolas just as he started to open his eyes.
"E-Estel?" Legolas asked weakly. Aragorn smiled softly.
"Aye, I am here me friend."
"Wh-where am I?" Legolas asked.
"You do not remember?" Legolas closed his eyes and tried to remember.
"I...I remember Pippin...wargs, I got hurt, th-then there was th- thunder...it was going to rain...Pippin and I...cave...then I passed out...I'm in the cave?" Aragorn nodded.
"Did Pippin come to get you?" "No, the fellowship and myself came looking for shelter from the rain." Legolas nodded in understanding.
"How are you feeling?"
"Hurts...."
"It must, you were poisoned, Legolas, with a deadly poison at that." Legolas furrowed his eyebrows.
"Poi-poisoned?"
"Yep, with something called acid, it eats away at your skin and the insides, I put some herbs on your wound, so you'll be okay. I also found a cracked rib, but I took care of that too." Legolas smiled.
"You always took care of me, Estel, and for that, I thank you with the bottom of my heart." Legolas said as he started to sit up.
"Then you should at least try not to get yourself in trouble all the time." Aragorn joked with a grin. But Legolas took it seriously.
"You're right, but I just can't...it's probably why Gandalf fell too..." Aragorn's smile faded.
"Legolas, you can't think li-" Aragorn was once again cut short by a loud rumble of thunder. Legolas jumped slightly and looked to what was supposed to be the entrance and exit of the cave, but instead, was met by a wall of boulders.
"Ara...Aragorn, the exit...it's...why is it not there anymore? Wh-why are there rocks blocking the exit?" Legolas asked, a bit panicked.
"The thunder...it was raining, while you slept, and then lightning suddenly struck the top of the cave's mouth, and...the boulders filled it up...we can't break through the entrance..."
"We're trapped in here then?!" Aragorn shook his head.
"No, Pippin said that you and himself had found another tunnel connecting to this cave! We can go there! We're not trapped, Legolas." Legolas shook his head and sighed.
"I sensed...I sensed great evil there...just at the opening, I already felt it."
"But we have to pass through there, or we'll just die here."
"Yes, I know, but I'm just saying, I we must go there, we must be incredibly cautious." Aragorn nodded.
"Legolas!" Pippin yelled and ran to hug Legolas.
"You're alive! You're awake!" Legolas smiled softly, but winced in pain as his shoulder was being pressured.
"I'm glad to be." Gimli slowly walked to Legolas, and nodded in greeting.
"Master elf." Legolas let go of Pippin, smiled, and nodded back to Gimli.
"Gimli." Their small exchange was what just sealed their newfound friendship, that unknown to them, will last for eternity, and will be the cure for the elf and dwarf feud that has been ongoing for many millenniums.
"We should start to go now...pass through the tunnel...this place makes me nervous." Legolas said gravely. Aragorn nodded.
"I would never dare to doubt an elf's intuitions, but can you do it? You are not fully healed yet, maybe we should stay for a half more day, until you get fully healed. Then we can go, because if we run into any trouble in there, you will be able to fight at your best."
"No, I am fully healed already, I will be able to fight if needed...we should not stay any longer, this if a foul place...I smell the stench of orcs and goblins...we must move quickly before the come here."
"Orcs and goblins?!" Sam cried out, horrified.
"Are they near?" Aragorn asked.
"No...they are very far away...I only smell the stench from a few days ago, but they will probably come back later, so I advise us to leave right away." Aragorn nodded, but he was hesitant.
"Legolas." Legolas looked to Aragorn.
"Lle desiel?" (Are you ready?) Legolas smiled and nodded.
"Okay then, let's pack up." Aragorn commanded, and the fellowship went away.
A while later, the fellowship was all ready to travel once again. So, they set out into the cave, and all of them had a sense of foreboding when they stepped into the tunnel. Legolas shivered involuntarily, which was not missed by Aragorn. The journey was long, but they ran into no trouble, the hobbits were quietly whispering to themselves, Gimli and Boromir was telling tales to each other, Aragorn lead the group, holding a torch, finding that there was only one passageway with no more connecting tunnels. And Legolas was walking at the back, his senses alert, his rib and shoulder was starting to bother him again, but he refused to pay any heed to it.
Five hours later, the fellowship had rested briefly, then they set off again, only to stop once more a few hours later, then they set off again. Then finally, six hours of walking once more, the fellowship stopped and decided to camp there. After a delicious dinner made by Sam, everyone was exhausted. .
"You are all tired, I will take watch tonight." Legolas volunteered.
"No, Legolas, you still need rest to heal your wounds, I will take watch tonight." Aragorn protested. Legolas sighed.
"I'm fine, elves don't need as much rest as hu-"
"Ah! Don't say that again, it's always the same argument! But the fact is, right now, you need more rest than I because you are the one who is injured, and, my friend, there are no exceptions." Aragorn demanded. Legolas sighed in defeat, turned, walked to his bedroll, and lay there, not falling asleep.
Two hours later, everyone had fallen into a deep sleep with the exception of two fellowship members. Legolas sighed, finally got up from his spot, and sat in front of the fire across from Aragorn. Aragorn stared at Legolas, observing how he moved, and if there was even a slight flinch, he would immediately send Legolas back to rest. Alas, Legolas walked gracefully, with light steps, he did not flinch, nor did he make any move to show that he was in any kind of physical pain.
"You are tired, I will take over your watch now, I am healed, I need no more rest, and I'm feeling absolutely fine." Legolas said softly, not wanting to disturb the slumbering fellowship. Aragorn sighed.
"I am not tired either." Legolas said nothing, and continued to stare into the fire.
"Legolas, how are you feeling?" Aragorn asked. Legolas gazed at Aragorn.
"I told you, I am fine, Estel, my injuries have all healed."
"I was referring to your mental pains."
"Mental pains?" Aragorn knew this wasn't going to be easy.
"Aye, Legolas, why do you not talk about your own feelings to me? Or any one of us? Why mush you keep to yourself all the time? You sing to lift the sorrow from your heart, yet I know that that cannot be done!" Legolas looked down sadly.
"How would you know?"
"Because, Legolas, I have lived with elves all my life...I know that many elves have tried to sing away their problems, but it never works. And you, Legolas, have kept so many emotions and secrets inside of you...my brothers and Arwen have told me that you have been like this ever since...ever since your older brother passed away in an accident during his patrol around Mirkwood..." Legolas sharply looked at Aragorn, wanting to snap at him for minding his own business. But he didn't, knowing that Aragorn meant well for him, and his gaze softened. Legolas sighed and mentally gave up, knowing that if he didn't tell, Aragorn would never stop bothering him about it.
"You are right, Estel, everything you said was true...I will explain to you, but do you have to patience to listen?" Aragorn scoffed.
"Of course!" Legolas smiled slightly.
"Ever since I was a young elfling, my older brother always played with me, always took care of me, protected me, and always, no matter what, he always loved me. His name was Keldarion (this name is borrowed from the user 'adromir'! she's the one who let me use her character! HER character! Not mine, and I used it cause I couldn't think of a better name! LOL!), he always stood by my side and protected me from any kind of harm...he's the one who taught me archery...he's the one who taught me to fight...he was truly the most perfect brother anyone could ever have. Keldarion was a few hundred years old than I, a skilled warrior, loved by all friends and family..."
"And Arwen." Aragorn added. Legolas looked at Aragorn, surprised that he knew about Keldarion and Arwen's past of love.
"How did you-"
"Arwen told me...I don't mind, no worries, Legolas." Legolas chuckled.
"Yes, and whenever something bad had happened, I could always tell him about everything, and really know that he wouldn't tell anyone else. It's not that I don't trust you, Estel, but it's just...I don't know...I trust you with my life, I always have, but...Keldarion was my brother. Then, one day, during his patrol in Mirkwood, orcs and wargs ambushed them...my patrol team and I arrived just as Keldarion dropped dead by the hands of the orc captain. I was so mad, and I killed the orc with my bare hands, breaking his neck...but I don't think he even cared...it killed my brother...and once I saw the numbers that they had, I knew that my brother and his team never stood a chance...it was a very well planned ambush...and it worked." Legolas sighed as tears flooded in his eyes.
"Mirkwood spent at least one full year mourning for the loss of the crowned prince, Keldarion, my brother...and ever since his death, I could never say any of my secrets or thoughts to anyone else...it reminded me much about Keldarion, so I could only sing...that helped none...more than two millenniums of emotions and secrets are hard to keep in one's mind, Estel. Sometimes, I feel like my heart is going to burst open!" Aragorn sighed.
"I am sorry about your brother, Keldarion, I never knew you were so close..." Legolas smiled sadly.
"Keldarion's life ended very tragically...but at least he passed in his own kingdom, under its own trees, and not in some foreign land...which is where I will pass, no doubt." Aragorn shook his head.
"No, Legolas, you will not die...I will not let you...you have to see me grow old..." Legolas laughed quietly, slightly lighting up Aragorn's heart.
"Estel, you will never grow old in my heart..." Aragorn laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Legolas chuckled, and Aragorn turned serious again.
"But Legolas, mellon nin, I think of you more than my friend, you are my brother...I'm not sure if you think of me as your brother, but Legolas, just know. I will always be here with you...I will always try to take good care of you, I will always love you, always protects, and I will always listen when you want to say something, or when you need help. I know that it would be really hard for you to tell me all three millenniums worth of feelings, but when we get a chance, I will make you tell me. You need to relieve yourself of your pain, Legolas, I'm here for you...my brother..." Legolas was touched by these words, tears glistened in his eyes as Aragorn reminded him of Keldarion, and he smiled brightly. "And I you, Estel, you are my brother as well, and I will definitely do the same for you." Estel grinned widely.
"Estel..." Aragorn looked to Legolas.
"Hannon lle." (Thank you) Aragorn smiled.
"There is no need for any of that, I was only expressing my thoughts!" Legolas laughed. Suddenly, a grumbling noise startled the pair, only to find it being Gimli slowly waking up from his sleep. Legolas and Aragorn looked at each other and laughed, not as quietly as before, and waking up the entire fellowship. Pippin woke up first, hearing Legolas' merry laughter, he smiled brightly, ran over to Legolas, and hugged him tightly. Aragorn kept on laughing as he saw Legolas' shocked expression when someone's arms wrapped around him. Pippin let go and started to laugh as well. The rest of the fellowship just stared at each other quizzically, but after hearing Legolas' Pippin's, and Aragorn's laughter, they, too, smiled broadly.
A/N: So sorry for updating so late!!!! I had to attend to schoolwork, but now, I'm gonna update faster! But only if I get more reviews!!! Heehee! =D well, thanx 'adromir' for lending me her character's name (Keldarion), I owe it to her!!! =D yes, so, plz, plz, PLEASE write me more reviews! LOL! Peace out! =D