(A/N: Sorry it took me a little longer than I expected to add another
chapter. But here it is for you! Enjoy!)
It was early in the morning on the third day. The company had finished eating their breakfast. They went back to the healing house to see if there was any change in Legolas. Aragorn was the first to arrive, running all the way. He did not want to miss anything. But as he arrived, he saw that nothing had changed. Legolas laid exactly the way he had been laying since he was brought to the healing house.
Aragorn took his usual seat on the bed next to the elf. His heart filled with disappointment. He was beginning to wonder if Legolas would ever wake. Seconds later, the other arrived.
"Anything?" asked Merry.
"No." said Aragorn sadly. "No change." The other entered the room. The same disappointment filled their hearts. Gimli cautiously put a hand on Aragorn's shoulder.
"We cannot wait for him forever, Aragorn." Said Gimli gently.
"I know, Gimli. I know." Aragorn looked up at Gimli. Tears forming in his eyes, though he fought to keep them back. He knew Gimli was right. They couldn't wait much longer for Legolas to get better. The last thing he wanted to do was leave his friend behind, but the ring had to be destroyed. And if Legolas didn't show some improvement soon, they would have to leave him.
At that moment, Aragorn noticed a slight movement on the bed. He turned his eyes back to Legolas and saw his face twitching. As the rest of the company gathered around the bed, Aragorn's heart jumped into his throat, and slowly, the blue eyes he had been hoping to see for days finally peered back up at him. Legolas slowly looked around at all the faces staring down at him. His entire body seared with pain as he began to recall why he was in pain. Any slight movement caused a wave of pain to pulse through him. He felt so weak and exhausted. But as he looked around, the one he did not see was Frodo and he was suddenly forgot his own pain and was filled with worry.
"Frodo." Said Legolas in a weak, shaky voice. "Where is he? Is he all right?" Aragorn smiled at the elf and he no long held back the tears but rather let them flow freely.
"Yes, mellon nin. He is here. And he is all right." Said Aragorn relieved.
"Where?"
"I am here, Legolas." Said Frodo shyly, coming closer so Legolas could see him without moving his head too much. Legolas pulled his head up a little to look at Frodo.
"Are you well, Frodo?"
"Yes, I'm okay."
"Good." Legolas smiled at Frodo before lying his head back down. His worry left, but the pain returned.
"Thanks to you, Legolas. I would not be standing if it weren't for you." Frodo could not look Legolas in the eye, for he was filled with guilt. The one that he had trusted the least was the one most willing to sacrifice himself for him.
"You are well, Frodo. That's all that matters." Before Frodo could reply Hertho and Neithas came in. As they saw Legolas awake, both smiled widely.
"Legolas. You are awake." Said Neithas as he made his way over to the elf.
"Neithas. It is wonderful to see you. It has been so long." Said Legolas, smiling at him. Frodo looked up at Neithas, surprised. He had never mentioned that he and Legolas were friends.
"It is good to see you awake, Legolas. You are beginning to heal." Said Hertho as he looked over Legolas' bandages.
"How long have I been asleep?" asked Legolas curiously.
"Three days, mellon nin." Said Aragorn.
"Aragorn! Why did you stay? You should have left! You should have left me here and continued the quest." Legolas cried in weak desperation.
"We could not, Legolas. You are our friend. We could not leave you here, not knowing if you would live."
"But you have lost three days of travel. You must leave Aragorn. You must destroy the ring."
"We will be on our way again, Legolas. When you are ready to travel."
"You cannot wait for me."
"Do not be so stubborn, Master Elf. I'm sure you will be back to yourself in a few days. Then we can travel again. We will wait for you." Said Gimli sternly, but smiling. Legolas returned the smile. He could feel himself growing close to the dwarf. He would have argued more with them, but knowing how stubborn Aragorn was and feeling exhausted, he decided not to argue any longer. Neithas came in close to Legolas so that only they could hear what he was saying.
"Your scars, Legolas. They are curious. The little ones ask about them and I can see the curiosity in the eyes of the others." Legolas' eyes got dark and he got quiet. His thoughts filled with the memories and pain that he had gone through. "Do you want me to tell them, Legolas? Or would you rather tell them yourself? I believe they have a right to know. After all, if they are going to trust you, you should not keep secrets from them. Full trust requires full honesty. You always told me that." He said gently.
"Yes, Neithas. And you are right. If they ask I should not keep it from them. If you would tell them, please. I do not think I could relive it. Again."
"I know, mellon nin. You had a hard enough time telling your father. I will tell them. You get some rest." Legolas nodded gratefully. Neithas got up from the bed.
"All of you, follow me. We will give our friend time to rest." Said Neithas, making his way towards the door.
"But he has been resting for three days." Said Pippin.
"I know, Pippin, but the more rest he has the better and faster he will heal. Now come, that includes you, Aragorn. I know you do not wish to leave him, but I have a story for you. All of you." Neithas left the room, quickly followed by the hobbits, then Boromir, Gimli, and lastly Aragorn, who was reluctant to leave his friend, but followed after Legolas gave him a reassuring smile and nod.
Neithas led them to a room on the other side of the hall so they could still see Legolas but they would not disturb him.
"Have a seat." He told them as he sat down on a chair. He waited as the hobbits sat on the floor in front of him, Boromir and Aragorn sat in other chairs, and Gimli sat on a bed in the middle of the room.
"What sort of story to do you want to tell us?" asked Gimli.
"His scars." Said Neithas. "I know that you are all curious about them and he has given me permission to tell you about how he got them. I know the whole story because, well, I was there. I was with him when it happened." The rest of the company looked at him suspiciously. "I, myself, have scars. Legolas and I have been good friends for many years. One day, about three hundred years ago, when he came to visit Lothlorien with his father, King Thranduil..."
"King Thranduil? But that would make Legolas a...a..." stammered Merry.
"Yes, Merry. Legolas is a prince. The prince of Mirkwood." Smiled Neithas.
"He never mentioned it before." Said Boromir, stunned. Never in all his dreams would he have though Legolas to be a prince. All princes he had met had been arrogant and rude. And none of them knew how to wield a weapon. But Legolas was kind and gentle. He spoke as if he were everyone's equal and his skill with a bow fascinated him.
"That is not surprising." Said Neithas, still bearing a smile. "When he first introduces himself as a prince, people treat him differently than they would if he were a normal elf. They treat him with a lot of respect, but also as something fragile that should not or is incapable of doing strenuous work. But Legolas doesn't like for people to treat him differently because of who he is. He doesn't want people to respect him because of what he is, but rather earn their respect. And he is no fragile thing. He is perfectly capable of working and he is an excellent warrior. He is the finest archer in all of Mirkwood. There are other reasons why he doesn't let on that he is a prince right away, which you will find out later. I have known him ever since we were little elflings. And it never mattered what I did, he never turned his back on me, nor did he ever judge me or look down on me as if I were no longer worthy enough to be his friend. He has been the one I could count on, the one I could trust with anything. Even with my very life. We love each other like brothers. But as I was saying, when he came to visit three hundred years ago. He and I were enjoying a horse ride, when we were attacked." He looked cautiously at Boromir and Aragorn before saying the next words. "By men..."
(A/N: I know, another bad place to end a chapter. But I'm one who likes suspension. *gives an evil grin* But don't worry. Another one will be up very soon. Promise!!)
Oh, and I just want to thank everyone who reviewed. Its all greatly appreciated. And to Star-Stallion: Thanks for your tips. I'll try to put more description into future chapters. And no, I don't consider your review a flame. I welcome ideas that will help make my fics better. Let me know if there's anything else I can do. Thanks again!
It was early in the morning on the third day. The company had finished eating their breakfast. They went back to the healing house to see if there was any change in Legolas. Aragorn was the first to arrive, running all the way. He did not want to miss anything. But as he arrived, he saw that nothing had changed. Legolas laid exactly the way he had been laying since he was brought to the healing house.
Aragorn took his usual seat on the bed next to the elf. His heart filled with disappointment. He was beginning to wonder if Legolas would ever wake. Seconds later, the other arrived.
"Anything?" asked Merry.
"No." said Aragorn sadly. "No change." The other entered the room. The same disappointment filled their hearts. Gimli cautiously put a hand on Aragorn's shoulder.
"We cannot wait for him forever, Aragorn." Said Gimli gently.
"I know, Gimli. I know." Aragorn looked up at Gimli. Tears forming in his eyes, though he fought to keep them back. He knew Gimli was right. They couldn't wait much longer for Legolas to get better. The last thing he wanted to do was leave his friend behind, but the ring had to be destroyed. And if Legolas didn't show some improvement soon, they would have to leave him.
At that moment, Aragorn noticed a slight movement on the bed. He turned his eyes back to Legolas and saw his face twitching. As the rest of the company gathered around the bed, Aragorn's heart jumped into his throat, and slowly, the blue eyes he had been hoping to see for days finally peered back up at him. Legolas slowly looked around at all the faces staring down at him. His entire body seared with pain as he began to recall why he was in pain. Any slight movement caused a wave of pain to pulse through him. He felt so weak and exhausted. But as he looked around, the one he did not see was Frodo and he was suddenly forgot his own pain and was filled with worry.
"Frodo." Said Legolas in a weak, shaky voice. "Where is he? Is he all right?" Aragorn smiled at the elf and he no long held back the tears but rather let them flow freely.
"Yes, mellon nin. He is here. And he is all right." Said Aragorn relieved.
"Where?"
"I am here, Legolas." Said Frodo shyly, coming closer so Legolas could see him without moving his head too much. Legolas pulled his head up a little to look at Frodo.
"Are you well, Frodo?"
"Yes, I'm okay."
"Good." Legolas smiled at Frodo before lying his head back down. His worry left, but the pain returned.
"Thanks to you, Legolas. I would not be standing if it weren't for you." Frodo could not look Legolas in the eye, for he was filled with guilt. The one that he had trusted the least was the one most willing to sacrifice himself for him.
"You are well, Frodo. That's all that matters." Before Frodo could reply Hertho and Neithas came in. As they saw Legolas awake, both smiled widely.
"Legolas. You are awake." Said Neithas as he made his way over to the elf.
"Neithas. It is wonderful to see you. It has been so long." Said Legolas, smiling at him. Frodo looked up at Neithas, surprised. He had never mentioned that he and Legolas were friends.
"It is good to see you awake, Legolas. You are beginning to heal." Said Hertho as he looked over Legolas' bandages.
"How long have I been asleep?" asked Legolas curiously.
"Three days, mellon nin." Said Aragorn.
"Aragorn! Why did you stay? You should have left! You should have left me here and continued the quest." Legolas cried in weak desperation.
"We could not, Legolas. You are our friend. We could not leave you here, not knowing if you would live."
"But you have lost three days of travel. You must leave Aragorn. You must destroy the ring."
"We will be on our way again, Legolas. When you are ready to travel."
"You cannot wait for me."
"Do not be so stubborn, Master Elf. I'm sure you will be back to yourself in a few days. Then we can travel again. We will wait for you." Said Gimli sternly, but smiling. Legolas returned the smile. He could feel himself growing close to the dwarf. He would have argued more with them, but knowing how stubborn Aragorn was and feeling exhausted, he decided not to argue any longer. Neithas came in close to Legolas so that only they could hear what he was saying.
"Your scars, Legolas. They are curious. The little ones ask about them and I can see the curiosity in the eyes of the others." Legolas' eyes got dark and he got quiet. His thoughts filled with the memories and pain that he had gone through. "Do you want me to tell them, Legolas? Or would you rather tell them yourself? I believe they have a right to know. After all, if they are going to trust you, you should not keep secrets from them. Full trust requires full honesty. You always told me that." He said gently.
"Yes, Neithas. And you are right. If they ask I should not keep it from them. If you would tell them, please. I do not think I could relive it. Again."
"I know, mellon nin. You had a hard enough time telling your father. I will tell them. You get some rest." Legolas nodded gratefully. Neithas got up from the bed.
"All of you, follow me. We will give our friend time to rest." Said Neithas, making his way towards the door.
"But he has been resting for three days." Said Pippin.
"I know, Pippin, but the more rest he has the better and faster he will heal. Now come, that includes you, Aragorn. I know you do not wish to leave him, but I have a story for you. All of you." Neithas left the room, quickly followed by the hobbits, then Boromir, Gimli, and lastly Aragorn, who was reluctant to leave his friend, but followed after Legolas gave him a reassuring smile and nod.
Neithas led them to a room on the other side of the hall so they could still see Legolas but they would not disturb him.
"Have a seat." He told them as he sat down on a chair. He waited as the hobbits sat on the floor in front of him, Boromir and Aragorn sat in other chairs, and Gimli sat on a bed in the middle of the room.
"What sort of story to do you want to tell us?" asked Gimli.
"His scars." Said Neithas. "I know that you are all curious about them and he has given me permission to tell you about how he got them. I know the whole story because, well, I was there. I was with him when it happened." The rest of the company looked at him suspiciously. "I, myself, have scars. Legolas and I have been good friends for many years. One day, about three hundred years ago, when he came to visit Lothlorien with his father, King Thranduil..."
"King Thranduil? But that would make Legolas a...a..." stammered Merry.
"Yes, Merry. Legolas is a prince. The prince of Mirkwood." Smiled Neithas.
"He never mentioned it before." Said Boromir, stunned. Never in all his dreams would he have though Legolas to be a prince. All princes he had met had been arrogant and rude. And none of them knew how to wield a weapon. But Legolas was kind and gentle. He spoke as if he were everyone's equal and his skill with a bow fascinated him.
"That is not surprising." Said Neithas, still bearing a smile. "When he first introduces himself as a prince, people treat him differently than they would if he were a normal elf. They treat him with a lot of respect, but also as something fragile that should not or is incapable of doing strenuous work. But Legolas doesn't like for people to treat him differently because of who he is. He doesn't want people to respect him because of what he is, but rather earn their respect. And he is no fragile thing. He is perfectly capable of working and he is an excellent warrior. He is the finest archer in all of Mirkwood. There are other reasons why he doesn't let on that he is a prince right away, which you will find out later. I have known him ever since we were little elflings. And it never mattered what I did, he never turned his back on me, nor did he ever judge me or look down on me as if I were no longer worthy enough to be his friend. He has been the one I could count on, the one I could trust with anything. Even with my very life. We love each other like brothers. But as I was saying, when he came to visit three hundred years ago. He and I were enjoying a horse ride, when we were attacked." He looked cautiously at Boromir and Aragorn before saying the next words. "By men..."
(A/N: I know, another bad place to end a chapter. But I'm one who likes suspension. *gives an evil grin* But don't worry. Another one will be up very soon. Promise!!)
Oh, and I just want to thank everyone who reviewed. Its all greatly appreciated. And to Star-Stallion: Thanks for your tips. I'll try to put more description into future chapters. And no, I don't consider your review a flame. I welcome ideas that will help make my fics better. Let me know if there's anything else I can do. Thanks again!