A/N: I only own Mel and Taratoun.
Chapter 10: A promise given
Legolas nervously paced the room, every so often glancing to the bed where Mel lay. The dark elf had dropped into unconsciousness only a few minutes after having been brought to the healers, and had not woken up once in the four hours that had passed since. Even though the healers had assured Legolas that the dark elf would not die from the poison, Legolas was still worried about his friend. It felt odd to him to see the otherwise kinetic Mel lie prone and silent in the bed, a fine sheen of sweat covering the dark forehead as his body fought to neutralize the last of the poison.
Outside the room, he knew, several other elves filled up chairs and floor, each and every one patiently waiting for any news concerning the dark elf's condition – even though many of the same had been busy trying to seduce the elf, each one considered Mel to be a good friend of Mirkwood and one that none would wish to see dead. Frowning, Legolas fought his feeling of jealousy at the thought of Mel having attracted almost each and every person within Mirkwood, and reminded himself that Mel had not shown the least interest in being anything but friendly with any of those.
"Leglas?" a small voice suddenly asked from the only other figure within the room.
Immediately, moving with a speed that later would astonish himself, Legolas was at the bed, clasping the hand of his friend as Mel dizzily blinked and tried to bring the room into focus. A weak smile graced his lips as he focused on Legolas, and the Mirkwood elf found his hand being squeezed lightly, even as he read the question in his friend's deep-blue eyes.
"You were poisoned by one of the spiders," he said, hoping that the fever raging within Mel's body from the poison was not so bad that he could not understand the words spoken. "You fainted, and you've been out for the last four hours."
"That long?" Mel asked, his voice barely more than a whisper, and his eyes slid close again, although he kept his grasp on Legolas' hand. "Still feel so tired…"
"The healers said you got a large dose of the poison. They were surprised that you didn't die from it," Legolas replied, quickly wiping a few tears from his eyes with his free hand and fought to keep his voice from breaking. "It's good to see you decided to stay with us."
"Mel stubborn," the dark elf chuckled, little more than a wheeze escaping him. "But still tired… You stay while sleep?"
"I'll stay," Legolas agreed, swallowing thickly, and gently stroke the dark hand within his with his thumb. "I won't leave you. I promise."