Obviously, Legolas is having some problems of late.
Legolas: I'm not crazy.
Author: pats Legolas on head Of course you're not 0.o
So here is the next chapter, all dressed up and ready to go.
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Problems Along the Way
Chapter 18
Falling Stars
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Aragorn spoke to Gandalf of Legolas' ills 'till long after the sun had set. When the first pin-pricks of starry light began to twinkle in the sky, the old wizard declared it time enough for rest and that the others should be awakened. When rousing Boromir from slumber, Aragorn was drawn into a light altercation with the man.
"You did not wake me for my watch, and surely we rested longer than earlier planned," said Boromir, rolling up his blanket.
Aragorn silently berated himself for his mistake, for surely the man would take it as an affront to his pride. "Forgive me, my friend. I was deep in thought, and time seems to have eluded me."
Boromir eyed the Ranger warily, seemingly seeking out the truth in his statement. When he found only that he could not read the other man's gaze, he gave a curt nod and went about packing up the rest of his things in the dark.
Legolas roused slowly, blinking the visions of slumber from his eyes. His dreams had been dark, filled with fire and shadows in the night. They disturbed him greatly, and allowed him no reprieve from his daily woes. They were, however, banished to the back of his mind when a greater discomfort made itself known. His chest and midsection were extremely stiff and sore, making every breath both difficult and painful. He silently cursed himself for not taking his cracked ribs into consideration when he laid himself down to rest.
Slowly, painfully, and as un-obtrusively as he could, Legolas rose himself from the ground, and was once again grateful for the tree behind him for support. With great relief, he found it much easier to breathe in the standing position. He turned his face toward the stars above, and finding them only able to add to his mounting headache, he looked out on his companions. They went about their tasks, and Legolas was thankful for the darkness that hid his laborious actions. In fact, as he looked out at the night, he found he could see perfectly well in the darkness, his eyes able to make out every minuscule detail on every leaf and branch. His vision was no longer blurred, the ground no longer heaved and twisted as it had in the daylight. Pleased with what he considered to be progress in his healing, he tested his leg and walked over to where Estel was sharpening his blade on a whetstone.
Aragorn looked up expectantly when Legolas approached. "How are you feeling, my friend?"
"Despite the pain in my chest, much better that I did earlier. I can see clearly now, and the ground seems suprisingly stationary."
Aragorn smiled at the jest, pleased that his friend was in better spirits. "I'm glad to hear it. I was worried to take up the road again with you feeling so ill."
"Calm your fears, my friend, I am much better," and with that, the elf left to retrieve his own things.
Aragorn glanced over at Gandalf, who had been watching the exchange, and the wizard merely went back to his pipe.
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The Grey Company made a good pace through the night, and when the stars had faded into the inky blue above then, Aragorn dropped to the rear of the fellowship to walk with Legolas. The Ranger noticed with a frown, that the elf was walking with a noticeable limp
"Your leg pains you?" the Ranger asked.
"No more than it did yesterday," Legolas answered with a small shrug. Aragorn watched him for a minute. His eyes seemed almost to glow as they darted to and fro in the darkness. As Aragorn listened, he could here the gentle hum of Legolas bound chest as he breathed in the cool air.
He considered Legolas for a long minute before saying, "Don't push yourself, my friend. If it pains you over-much, you need only let me know."
Legolas nodded in response, and went back to studying the darkness.
"What's that you've got, Pippin?" Frodo asked, bringing the attention of Boromir to the Hobbits.
"Mmmnuffink," Pippin tried to reply while swallowing. He held his pack close to him and out of his older cousin's reach.
"Let me see the bag Pippin," Frodo said in a rather adult tone. Boromir watched with fascination.
"No," said Pippin, backing away. Merry tried to make himself inconspicuous.
"What's in the bag Pippin?" Frodo asked, taking a step foreward. As the oldest Hobbit here, it was his business to keep Pippin out of trouble.
"Nothing."
"Then let me see it."
"No," Pippin replied, his eyes going wide when he realized his cousin's intentions. Frodo lunged for the bag in Pippin's arms, and Pippin ducked out of the way. A few mushrooms fell out of his bag with the quick movement, and Frodo and Sam stood agape. Boromir felt like laughing.
"Mushrooms!" Sam exclaimed. "You've had mushrooms this whole time and didn't say anything?"
"I told Merry," Pippin said in his own defense. Merry could've smacked him.
"Is that supposed to make it any better?" Frodo asked. Pippin was silent. "Your sharing," Frodo stated.
"No," Pippin replied. He was starting to look frantic. "There mine, I found them!" Now the hobbit's had Aragorn and Gimli's attention as well.
"You were going to share with Mister Merry," Sam countered.
"Fine, to be fair, I won't share with Merry either!"
Merry looked shocked. "Oh yes you will!" Merry said. Pippin let out an 'eep!' of fright as Merry jumped at him. Pippin ran as fast as his little legs could carry him, and Merry gave chase. Frodo put a hand to his forehead in exasperation.
The two ran around the camp once, then through it, jumping over Gimli ("Blasted Hobbits!"), around Aragorn ("Enough now!"), through an unsuspecting Boromir's legs ("Hey!"), and then right into Legolas.
Both hobbits bounced off and landed on their backsides in the dirt. Legolas was startled out of his revelry by the impact, and whipped around to glare at the two.
"Watch where you are going!" he snarled at the two. Both hobbit's eyes went wide with fright.
"Legolas!" Aragorn shouted at the elf. Legolas turned his glare at the Ranger, then hobbled into the surrounding darkness of the trees. Aragorn followed immediately after. Gandalf rose and came over to where Frodo was dusting Pippin off after picking him up.
"See what you've gone and done?" Frodo asked, picking a bit of leaf from Pippin's mused curls. When he didn't receive an answer, he turned his younger cousin to face him. Pippin looked like he was about to cry.
"I didn't mean to--" Pippin started in a wavery voice. Frodo silenced him with an embrace. He didn't know what had come over his little cousin. He stroked his curls reassuringly.
"Oh, Pip. What am I going to do with you?" Frodo continued to hold him. Merry half-heartedly handed the mushrooms to Sam, who, after receiving a nod from Gandalf, began to prepare a meal.
Aragorn caught up with Legolas in a few steps of his long legs. He put a hand on Legolas' shoulder and the elf whirled around.
"What was that about?" he demanded.
"They should watch where they are going," Legolas said with a sneer.
"I know you are injured, but they meant you no harm by it. They are young after all--"
"Then they should grow up!"
Aragorn was taken aback. "You are usually quite fond of the little ones, especially Pippin. What is--"
"I've had it with their antics," Legolas said in an angry tone. "Their constant chattering and complaining and blatant disregard for personal space!"
Aragorn had never seen his friend like this. "Legolas...the halflings are not the reason for your ire, what's wrong with you?"
Legolas had been angry. The hobbits were getting on his last nerve, and Estel was only adding to the aggravation. He banished the violent thoughts from his head when he heard Aragorn's question. Not 'what's the matter?' He asked what was wrong with him. A surge of conflicting emotions rushed through him. What was wrong with him? He did care for the hobbits, why was he acting like this? A wave of nausea him . He clutched at his head and sank to the ground. Aragorn grabbed his shoulders.
"Legolas! What is it? What's wrong?" but Legolas couldn't answer. By now the rest of the Fellowship was gathering around the pair. Aragorn kept calling out Legolas' name.
Dark visions and colors swirled around in his head. The world lurched and Legolas didn't know which way was up. He saw complete and utter nothingness and a sudden rush of anger surged through him. He felt as though he had acid in his veins.A cry ripped through him that made the hobbits call out in fright and sleeping birds spring from their night-time roosts. He screamed until his lungs were empty and burning and then he blacked out.
Aragorn felt Legolas go limp in his arms and held him tighter, breathing deeply. He looked up at Gandalf with alarm, but the wizard was just as astonished as he was.
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So, please R/R. I'll try to keep up with updates.
