CHAPTER VI - MEANWHILE

Frodo shook slightly as the rain continued to pour down on them. Of course, with their luck, it wasn't a drizzle, an was an all-out downpour. He and Sam had been trying for the past few hours to keep the fire up, but the logs were just too wet. Gandalf hadn't returned yet, either, so they couldn't ask for his sorcery. Aragorn told them to keep working anyway. Frodo guessed it was because he didn't want the hobbits worrying. If that had been his plan, it did not work. No matter what Frodo did, his eyes kept trailing back to the pale, unconscious figure on the ground, Boromir and Aragorn still on either side of him. Gimli, Merry and Pippin were off getting more wood for the fire, even though it was a completely pointless task. Frodo paused and strained his ears to hear the low voices of the Men.

"Should he really be unconscious for this long, Aragorn?" Boromir whispered.

Aragorn didn't exactly answer, he just shrugged his shoulders for the sake of doing something. He was sick of not being able to do anything. His best friend was dying at his feet, and all he could do was sit there! Aragorn stood up and took a step back.

"Are you all right?" Boromir said, starting to rise up.

"Yea, I'm fine. Just… stay here with Legolas. I have to go for a walk," Aragorn said.

"All right," agreed Boromir, slightly confused.

Aragorn walked slowly to the edge of the camp then broke into a run.

Aragorn closed his eyes and tried to force himself to calm down. It was bad enough that Legolas had to relive the pain, the terror, the torture, but now he remembered it too. The battle in the Great Hall was nothing but a blur to him. He only remembered when it ended. The silence was awkward having fought for three hours with the screaming and the sound of metal clashing. He remembered Haldir's eyes as well; how deep and sorrowful they were. Haldir lifted his younger brother's corpse off the steps then went back upstairs, leaving the bodies of the Elves and, mostly, Orcs. When they reached the top of the stairs, Haldir halted and stood there for a moment. Aragorn decided that it was best not to say anything at the moment and to just return to Legolas' room.

"Ah. Here you are."

Aragorn was slightly startled. He turned to see who had spoken. "Gandalf, what are you doing out here?"

"Looking for you. It's been over an hour and Boromir was beginning to worry. It's understandable that you want solitude, Aragorn, but you would be doing much more good at the camp with the others."

"I know, but I… I can't look at Legolas. It reminds me too much of what happened."

"Yet you're sitting here recalling it anyway."

Aragorn opened his mouth to reply, but found that the Istari was right, as usual. He stood up and walked with Gandalf back to the camp. "What were you doing that took you so long? We worried for you."

"I was searching."

"For what?"

"Answers to all of your questions."

Aragorn should've guessed as much. "And what did you find?"

Gandalf didn't reply as they had now returned. Gimli stood up and approached the pair. "Where have you two been?"

"Searching," Aragorn replied.

Gimli nodded sceptically, wondering what his companions had been searching for. However, he said nothing and went back to help Merry and Pippin with the fire. Boromir didn't get up. In fact, he hardly showed any sign of observing Aragorn and Gandalf's return. He just stared at Legolas' ashen face and grew more and more worried. The Ranger came and stooped next to him.

"Has anything happened?"

Boromir shook his head and sighed. "How long has it been since…?"

"Five years. His body healed quickly after he came to, but he's never been the same. As you saw, he hardly eats and never sleeps if he can help it."

"What happened?"

Aragorn glanced around and saw that all of the hobbits were still awake. "I'm not in a position to tell you."

Boromir nodded. He didn't know why he was so concerned for someone he hardly even knew, but since he saw all of the scars… it haunted him to think what Legolas had gone through. He was very tired, but refused to let himself go to sleep. He felt that it was his duty to make sure that Legolas was all right. It was why the Fellowship was together. Because no matter how little they knew about each other, they had to help each other and make sure the others were okay. Even though it had been very little time since they had left Rivendell, Boromir knew that he would not abandon these people because it was his duty to make certain that they were well. As soon as the thought had crossed his mind, Boromir had an idea.

"One of us should take him back to Rivendell to be healed by Elrond."

Everyone turned and looked at him. They all silently agreed that it was a simple enough idea and that it would work. Gandalf and Aragorn knew the great deal of service Elrond had given Legolas before.

"That's…not necessary," murmured Legolas breathlessly. He tried to sit up, but laid back down as a sharp pain flickered in his chest where the wound from the Warg was. Even though he had been unconscious for quite some time, he was still very tired and slightly terrified. "Aragorn, I-"

"Shh."

"But, Aragorn-"

"Save your breath, my friend."

"Aragorn… I saw him…"

Lines of concern came across Aragorn's already weary face. "Saw who, Legolas?"

Legolas' half-closed eyes wandered over to the hobbits. They all stared at him and waited for him to say something. Though they still looked a little nervous, they were overjoyed. Legolas was clearly frightened by what he was about to say. He shook his head. "I don't think it was anyone… never mind."

Aragorn knew he was lying. Something had scared Legolas, and he doesn't scare easily. Nevertheless, Aragorn did not press him for answers. He had gone through enough already and did not need a third-degree interrogation. Aragorn told everyone to get some sleep, to which they immediately agreed. He, however, did not go to sleep until Legolas did…