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Chapter two – Second Thoughts

Legolas remained quiet for the rest of the trip. Gimli tried several times to start a conversation, but Legolas shut him out. He didn't want to talk. Being a mortal was so new to him, and he felt he just needed to think things over. He was determined about one thing: he would not let anyone know about this. Not right away, at least. The last thing he needed was to have Aragorn find out about this. For all anyone knew, Aragorn had not been dead after all, and Legolas had simply used some kind of Elven healing technique to wake him. And it was best if it was left that way. No one would understand, and Aragorn… no, Legolas didn't even want to think about what Aragorn might do.

He was surprised out of his thoughts when he suddenly noticed the white walls of Minas Tirith looming before them. Men, women, and children ran to meet the army as it entered through what was left of the gate. Legolas quickly put on the best smile he could manage. Fortunately, everyone seemed more interested in finding their families, and no one noticed as he guided his horse out of the crowd.

It did not take him long to find the stables that his horse, Arod, had stayed in last time. He quickly went to work making the familiar stall Arod's home once again.

Gimli watched with a curious look on his face. "And what would you be doing, laddie?" he asked at last.

Legolas slammed the stall door shut, causing Gimli to jump. "Why do you want to know?" he demanded.

Gimli crossed his arms and huffed. "Can you blame someone for wanting to know how his friend is doing? You don't have to answer if you don't want-"

"Well, I do not," Legolas interrupted. "In fact, I would greatly appreciate it if you left me alone!"

"Just the sort of thing you'd expect from an elf!" Gimli said. "I suppose now that it's all over, you don't need a dwarf for a friend anymore, is that it?"

"No, that is not what I-"

"Well then, I shall leave you to your more favorable company," Gimli said sarcastically, and stalked outside.

Legolas dropped his head and sighed. Great. Now he was only making things worse. Not wanting to talk was hardly worth losing a friend over. Besides, maybe what he really needed at the moment was just someone to talk to. At least it would have helped get his mind off of everything for a short time. But he was alone now, and he could see no way around it. He sat down against a wooden post and put his forehead in his hands. He just felt so tired. Living a mortal life was much harder than he had ever expected it to be. He shivered, reminding himself how cold he was. Cold. He hadn't ever had to deal with that before.

He looked up as he heard someone enter the stable. "Well now, what are you doing in here?" the stablehand asked kindly.

Legolas jumped up. "I- I was just leaving," he said, and ran out.

Once Legolas was shown to a room, he never left it, not even to eat. Whenever anyone came to his door, he would either send them away or simply refuse to even answer. Finally, when someone came a couple days later to tell him that Frodo was finally awake, Legolas agreed to go to see him. But before leaving the room, he took time to wash his face and smooth his tousled clothes and hair. He did not need everyone to know about the restless days and nights he'd just spent.

He met Gimli just outside Frodo's room, and quickly looked away. Gimli ran into the room ahead of Legolas, and jumped onto the bed with the hobbits. Legolas forced a smile and followed quietly. His smile became more real as he saw Frodo awake at last, and better than he had ever seen him. Aragorn's entrance brought a sharp reminder to Legolas, but he pushed it away for the time being. He could not let it bother him in front of everyone.

He let out a long breath when he finally left the room. He rested his forehead against the wall. Why was he letting this bother him, anyway? He had decided at the time that all this would be worth it, but now that he was actually living it…

He spun around as someone rested a hand on his shoulder. It was Aragorn.

"What is the matter, Legolas?"

"Nothing," Legolas said. Aragorn frowned, and Legolas quickly turned away.

"No, something is wrong," said Aragorn quietly, "even if you will not admit it. If you do not wish to tell me what it is, then you have no need to do so."

Legolas hung his head. "Then I will not tell you, Aragorn. You would not understand, even if I told you."

Aragorn put his hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I cannot help you if I do not know what is wrong."

Legolas pulled away and turned to face Aragorn. "I do not need your help," he said firmly. "Or anyone's help. I started this, so I need to finish it. Alone."

"I cannot watch my friend go through so much suffering on his own," Aragorn said, "but I will do what I can. I will be here, Legolas, should you change your mind."

"I would not count on-" Legolas broke off and frowned. Aragorn was swaying. "Aragorn, what is wrong?"

"Nothing, Legolas," Aragorn said. His voice had suddenly become weak.

"I think we need to find you a healer," Legolas said.

"No, nothing is wrong," Aragorn said. He stepped back, and fell unconscious to the ground.