Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm glad you like the last chapter better than I did :)
Disclaimer: All people and places belong to Tolkien.
*****
For the hundredth time since they had set off in the morning, Aragorn shot a worried look at his friend. Catching his eye, Legolas couldn't help signing to himself.
"Estel, mellon nin. Would you stop looking at me like that. I promise you I am not about to fade away before your eyes. And if I was you would be the first to know." (My friend)
Aragorn looked guilty. He hadn't realized Legolas had seen him watching. Although he knew the Elf hated being fussed over, the rate at which the poison was effecting him had the Man very worried. A worry that he was yet to share with Legolas.
"Aye Legolas. I am sorry. I am worried, but I know you can look after yourself."
Legolas' expression softened. "Indeed Human. I have been doing so very effectively for many years before you showed up" he teased.
The Ranger grinned at him. Legolas smiled, then his face took on a more serious expression.
"Thank you, Aragorn. For caring or me." The Ranger nodded, surprised at the name Legolas had called him. The Elf only called him Aragorn when he was being deadly serious.
As they continued Aragorn had to concentrate very hard on not checking over his friend every few seconds. Legolas chuckled as he saw Aragorn's determined, locked forward expression.
*****
Legolas prodded the fire, vaguely trying to stoke up the flame. Across from him Aragorn sipped on the hot soup that had been the evening meal. A chilly breeze swept over the campsite and Legolas shivered. 'Ai' he thought to himself 'Elves should not feel the cold. This is an unpleasant experience indeed.' And then there was the wound on his shoulder. It refused to heal and, if he moved his arm too much, would start to bleed again. This was deeply frustrating for the Elf because it meant that he could not use his bow properly, and therefore could not hunt. Legolas was reliant on Aragorn to catch the food every night. While the Ranger was far from incompetent, Legolas was unused to having to rely on anyone to do things like this for him.
There was, of course, a more worrying problem. If they were attacked, Legolas was unsure how well he would be able to protect himself and his friend. In a fight he would be forced to use his injured arm and while the Elf wouldn't mind the pain, the strength and accuracy of his weapon work would be undeniably effected. This could prove fatal for him or the Human.
Even as he thought this, Legolas became aware that they were being watched. Peering into the gloom he could just make out the slight movements of several very large animals. Wolves.
"Estel?" Legolas whispered, so as not to provoke attack.
Aragorn looked up, disconcerted by the edge in Legolas' voice. He said nothing.
"Wolves" Legolas went on, using as few words as was possible. "We're surrounded"
A slight nod from the human.
"Numbers" he questioned softly as he reached for his bow. Legolas slipped his arm out of it's sling and reached for his own weapons.
"Too dark. Many."
Slowly the two friends climbed to their feet, turning so they stood back to back.
The wolves edges closer, coming into the light of the fire. Then, as one beast, they leapt.
Releasing their arrows, Aragorn and Legolas managed to kill two of the wolves before they reached them. Quickly however, the two found themselves in too close of archery and were forced to draw their blades.
Legolas fought hard with his twin blades, ignoring the pain it caused his shoulder. Pretty soon he found himself separated for Aragorn. To his left he saw a wolf preparing to leap and was able to react before he was attacked. Unfortunately, this meant he missed the beast to his other side, which was able to scratch a shallow cut in his arm before the Elf could kill it. Ignoring the fact that now both his arms were injured, Legolas fought on, his body reacting to danger before his mind could register it.
To Legolas' surprise, the fight died down faster than he was expecting. Before he realized what was happening, only one wolf remained in front of him. Quickly disposing of it, the Elf looked around for his friend. When he caught sight of Aragorn, he knew the Ranger was in trouble. The human was being circled by two wolves, and, before either friend could react, the beasts leapt simultaneously. Drawing his bow, Legolas shot one of the animals, but not before it took a swipe at Aragorn's thigh with it's long claws. Aragorn, using his sword, cut down the second beast.
Legolas ran across to his friend, catching the Ranger as his almost fell. He sat Aragorn down with his back to a tree and went to fetch his healing supplies. Returning to his friend's side, the Elf carefully pealed back the clothing surrounding the wound.
"This is quite deep Estel, but I don't think you've severed any arteries. It will need stiches though." Legolas said regretfully. They both knew that Aragorn would have to be awake when Legolas stitched him up. With the amount of blood he was loosing, putting him to sleep could send the Ranger into shock.
Aragorn nodded. "Lovely." he muttered. "I do so love having parts of my body sown back together by a mad elf."
Legolas smirked. "You watch who you're calling mad Human, or I leave you here to bleed."
Carefully cleaning the wound, Legolas worked quickly to stich it together. When he was finished, he wrapped a bandage tightly round the man's leg. Aragorn didn't make a sound while Legolas worked, but the Elf knew him well enough to be able to see the pain in his eyes.
"We cannot stay here." Legolas said softly. "The smell of the dead wolves many attract other beasts."
Aragorn nodded. He watched as Legolas called their horses, which had fled when the wolves attacked. Miraculously, both animals seemed to be unhurt. Legolas helped Aragorn to his feet, allowing the man to lean on him for support. He helped the Ranger mount his horse and then, to Aragorn's surprise, mounted behind him.
"Legolas." he protested."I can ride my own horse."
"You've lost a lot of blood mellon nin. If you collapse and fall of your horse, you could be really badly hurt." Legolas told him, concern lacing through his words. (My friend)
Aragorn nodded. Not because he feared for his own safety, but because if he did get hurt it would take longer to get Legolas to Lothlorian.
Aragorn's leg felt like it was on fire, and every jolt form the horse's gallop sent a pain shooting through his body. It was for this reason that it took him so long realize there was something wrong with Legolas. More than one thing in fact.
As the pain died down the Ranger became more aware of his surroundings, and in this he noticed that Legolas was breathing as if he had just run to Mordor and back. Suddenly very worried for his friends health, Aragorn turned to look at the Elf behind him. Or he would have done if Legolas hadn't held him forwards. Aragorn's concern increased tenfold when he glanced down at the arms restraining him. Legolas had blood down both arms and he seemed to be shaking uncontrollably.
"Legolas."Aragorn said, shocked that the Elf had managed to keep all this to himself. "You're not well. We must stop."
"I'm in better shape than you Estel. And we can't stop yet, we're not far enough yet."
"Mellon nin, you can hardly breath."
The Elf didn't say anything. He felt like an oliphant was sitting on this chest and the erratic breathing was starting to make his head spin and his vision blur. Legolas knew he would have to stop soon or he risked dropping the already injured Aragorn, but he was determined to get as far away as possible first.
"Legolas!" From the way Aragorn was shouting, Legolas guessed the Man had been calling his name for some time. Reluctantly, the Elf pulled his horse to a stop. He leapt down, trying to ignore the way the landscape seemed to be spinning around him, and turned the help Aragorn. The Ranger had to lean heavily on Legolas to walk and together they made there way over to a tree and sat down.
Aragorn worked quickly to calm Legolas' breathing. His friend's lips were starting to turn blue. Pulling the Elf close he used the same method as previously but this time it didn't work as well. It took twice as long for Legolas' breathing to settle and when it did he seemed to be completely exhausted.
"Legolas" Aragorn whispered. "I need to see to your arms, can you get my healing supplies please."
Legolas nodded, and managed to stumble his way to Aragorn's horse to retrieve the Ranger's equipment. Aragorn hated asking Legolas to do this, but he knew there was no way his leg would support him. Aragorn began gently cleaning the Elf's cuts, concerned at the way in which Legolas seemed to be falling asleep as he worked.
"Legolas, why didn't you tell me you felt so bad earlier?" Aragorn questioned.
"Had to get away." Legolas mumbled. "Didn't want hurt because of me again."
Aragorn was shocked. Why did the Elf think it was his fault he got hurt? Aragorn felt bad about questioning his friend when he was too tired to be completely aware of what was happening, but the Ranger needed to know why Legolas thought this.
"Didn't shoot the wolf fast enough." Came the reply. "Should have killed it before it got you."
"Legolas" Aragorn exclaimed. "That wasn't your fault mellon nin. I know you would have helped me if you could, but you had your own wolves to fight"
"mmm" Aragorn realized that Legolas was almost asleep, his head now leaning against the man's shoulder. Resolving to talk to the Elf about this again tomorrow, Aragorn began twirling Legolas' hair through his fingers as the Elf entered the realm of elven dreams.
TBC
Disclaimer: All people and places belong to Tolkien.
*****
For the hundredth time since they had set off in the morning, Aragorn shot a worried look at his friend. Catching his eye, Legolas couldn't help signing to himself.
"Estel, mellon nin. Would you stop looking at me like that. I promise you I am not about to fade away before your eyes. And if I was you would be the first to know." (My friend)
Aragorn looked guilty. He hadn't realized Legolas had seen him watching. Although he knew the Elf hated being fussed over, the rate at which the poison was effecting him had the Man very worried. A worry that he was yet to share with Legolas.
"Aye Legolas. I am sorry. I am worried, but I know you can look after yourself."
Legolas' expression softened. "Indeed Human. I have been doing so very effectively for many years before you showed up" he teased.
The Ranger grinned at him. Legolas smiled, then his face took on a more serious expression.
"Thank you, Aragorn. For caring or me." The Ranger nodded, surprised at the name Legolas had called him. The Elf only called him Aragorn when he was being deadly serious.
As they continued Aragorn had to concentrate very hard on not checking over his friend every few seconds. Legolas chuckled as he saw Aragorn's determined, locked forward expression.
*****
Legolas prodded the fire, vaguely trying to stoke up the flame. Across from him Aragorn sipped on the hot soup that had been the evening meal. A chilly breeze swept over the campsite and Legolas shivered. 'Ai' he thought to himself 'Elves should not feel the cold. This is an unpleasant experience indeed.' And then there was the wound on his shoulder. It refused to heal and, if he moved his arm too much, would start to bleed again. This was deeply frustrating for the Elf because it meant that he could not use his bow properly, and therefore could not hunt. Legolas was reliant on Aragorn to catch the food every night. While the Ranger was far from incompetent, Legolas was unused to having to rely on anyone to do things like this for him.
There was, of course, a more worrying problem. If they were attacked, Legolas was unsure how well he would be able to protect himself and his friend. In a fight he would be forced to use his injured arm and while the Elf wouldn't mind the pain, the strength and accuracy of his weapon work would be undeniably effected. This could prove fatal for him or the Human.
Even as he thought this, Legolas became aware that they were being watched. Peering into the gloom he could just make out the slight movements of several very large animals. Wolves.
"Estel?" Legolas whispered, so as not to provoke attack.
Aragorn looked up, disconcerted by the edge in Legolas' voice. He said nothing.
"Wolves" Legolas went on, using as few words as was possible. "We're surrounded"
A slight nod from the human.
"Numbers" he questioned softly as he reached for his bow. Legolas slipped his arm out of it's sling and reached for his own weapons.
"Too dark. Many."
Slowly the two friends climbed to their feet, turning so they stood back to back.
The wolves edges closer, coming into the light of the fire. Then, as one beast, they leapt.
Releasing their arrows, Aragorn and Legolas managed to kill two of the wolves before they reached them. Quickly however, the two found themselves in too close of archery and were forced to draw their blades.
Legolas fought hard with his twin blades, ignoring the pain it caused his shoulder. Pretty soon he found himself separated for Aragorn. To his left he saw a wolf preparing to leap and was able to react before he was attacked. Unfortunately, this meant he missed the beast to his other side, which was able to scratch a shallow cut in his arm before the Elf could kill it. Ignoring the fact that now both his arms were injured, Legolas fought on, his body reacting to danger before his mind could register it.
To Legolas' surprise, the fight died down faster than he was expecting. Before he realized what was happening, only one wolf remained in front of him. Quickly disposing of it, the Elf looked around for his friend. When he caught sight of Aragorn, he knew the Ranger was in trouble. The human was being circled by two wolves, and, before either friend could react, the beasts leapt simultaneously. Drawing his bow, Legolas shot one of the animals, but not before it took a swipe at Aragorn's thigh with it's long claws. Aragorn, using his sword, cut down the second beast.
Legolas ran across to his friend, catching the Ranger as his almost fell. He sat Aragorn down with his back to a tree and went to fetch his healing supplies. Returning to his friend's side, the Elf carefully pealed back the clothing surrounding the wound.
"This is quite deep Estel, but I don't think you've severed any arteries. It will need stiches though." Legolas said regretfully. They both knew that Aragorn would have to be awake when Legolas stitched him up. With the amount of blood he was loosing, putting him to sleep could send the Ranger into shock.
Aragorn nodded. "Lovely." he muttered. "I do so love having parts of my body sown back together by a mad elf."
Legolas smirked. "You watch who you're calling mad Human, or I leave you here to bleed."
Carefully cleaning the wound, Legolas worked quickly to stich it together. When he was finished, he wrapped a bandage tightly round the man's leg. Aragorn didn't make a sound while Legolas worked, but the Elf knew him well enough to be able to see the pain in his eyes.
"We cannot stay here." Legolas said softly. "The smell of the dead wolves many attract other beasts."
Aragorn nodded. He watched as Legolas called their horses, which had fled when the wolves attacked. Miraculously, both animals seemed to be unhurt. Legolas helped Aragorn to his feet, allowing the man to lean on him for support. He helped the Ranger mount his horse and then, to Aragorn's surprise, mounted behind him.
"Legolas." he protested."I can ride my own horse."
"You've lost a lot of blood mellon nin. If you collapse and fall of your horse, you could be really badly hurt." Legolas told him, concern lacing through his words. (My friend)
Aragorn nodded. Not because he feared for his own safety, but because if he did get hurt it would take longer to get Legolas to Lothlorian.
Aragorn's leg felt like it was on fire, and every jolt form the horse's gallop sent a pain shooting through his body. It was for this reason that it took him so long realize there was something wrong with Legolas. More than one thing in fact.
As the pain died down the Ranger became more aware of his surroundings, and in this he noticed that Legolas was breathing as if he had just run to Mordor and back. Suddenly very worried for his friends health, Aragorn turned to look at the Elf behind him. Or he would have done if Legolas hadn't held him forwards. Aragorn's concern increased tenfold when he glanced down at the arms restraining him. Legolas had blood down both arms and he seemed to be shaking uncontrollably.
"Legolas."Aragorn said, shocked that the Elf had managed to keep all this to himself. "You're not well. We must stop."
"I'm in better shape than you Estel. And we can't stop yet, we're not far enough yet."
"Mellon nin, you can hardly breath."
The Elf didn't say anything. He felt like an oliphant was sitting on this chest and the erratic breathing was starting to make his head spin and his vision blur. Legolas knew he would have to stop soon or he risked dropping the already injured Aragorn, but he was determined to get as far away as possible first.
"Legolas!" From the way Aragorn was shouting, Legolas guessed the Man had been calling his name for some time. Reluctantly, the Elf pulled his horse to a stop. He leapt down, trying to ignore the way the landscape seemed to be spinning around him, and turned the help Aragorn. The Ranger had to lean heavily on Legolas to walk and together they made there way over to a tree and sat down.
Aragorn worked quickly to calm Legolas' breathing. His friend's lips were starting to turn blue. Pulling the Elf close he used the same method as previously but this time it didn't work as well. It took twice as long for Legolas' breathing to settle and when it did he seemed to be completely exhausted.
"Legolas" Aragorn whispered. "I need to see to your arms, can you get my healing supplies please."
Legolas nodded, and managed to stumble his way to Aragorn's horse to retrieve the Ranger's equipment. Aragorn hated asking Legolas to do this, but he knew there was no way his leg would support him. Aragorn began gently cleaning the Elf's cuts, concerned at the way in which Legolas seemed to be falling asleep as he worked.
"Legolas, why didn't you tell me you felt so bad earlier?" Aragorn questioned.
"Had to get away." Legolas mumbled. "Didn't want hurt because of me again."
Aragorn was shocked. Why did the Elf think it was his fault he got hurt? Aragorn felt bad about questioning his friend when he was too tired to be completely aware of what was happening, but the Ranger needed to know why Legolas thought this.
"Didn't shoot the wolf fast enough." Came the reply. "Should have killed it before it got you."
"Legolas" Aragorn exclaimed. "That wasn't your fault mellon nin. I know you would have helped me if you could, but you had your own wolves to fight"
"mmm" Aragorn realized that Legolas was almost asleep, his head now leaning against the man's shoulder. Resolving to talk to the Elf about this again tomorrow, Aragorn began twirling Legolas' hair through his fingers as the Elf entered the realm of elven dreams.
TBC