Hey everyone! Here's chapter 6—the longest one. I could have split it into two chapters, but I had a feeling that some of you would kill me if I did that, especially since it would've had a nasty cliffhanger, ROTFL! ;)
Limerick time!
Faramir's really cute
And no he's not a brute
He fights really well
You really can tell
But Eowyn grabbed him, shoot!
LOL I'm such a goof...hey that kinda rhymed! ;)
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Aragorn and Gimli walked as fast as they could, hoping to put as much space as possible between themselves and the orcs.
Legolas, being an elf—and an overly thin one, at that—was very light, but the human's arms eventually began aching. He didn't dare shift the elf into a different position though, as the motion that his injured head was already enduring was unsafe enough.
They took a rest a few hours later, and Aragorn laid his friend down gently, immediately trying to wake him. "Legolas?" he said, laying a hand on the side of the elf's face. "Please wake, mellon-nin!"
Gimli watched anxiously, nearly holding his breath.
The elf lay completely motionless.
Aragorn sighed loudly and looked up at the sky, while Gimli lowered his head.
Suddenly, a soft sound caught their attention. Looking at Legolas, they found his eyebrows furrowed.
"Legolas!" Gimli cried, grabbing the elf's arm. "Open your eyes, you stubborn, pointy-eared princeling!"
The elf's eyebrows furrowed deeper, but one corner of his mouth lifted slightly at the dwarf's words. "I'd prefer…to keep them…closed," he said. Pain could clearly be heard in his voice.
Both human and dwarf were saddened at their friend's condition, but overjoyed to hear him speak.
"Forgive me, mellon-nin," said Aragorn. "But I need to see your eyes, to gauge the extent of your concussion."
Legolas sighed, keeping them closed. "Can you not merely accept my word that indeed, it is now worse?" He paused, swallowing. "If I open them, I admit that I shall likely be ill."
Aragorn frowned. Legolas had refused food since his accident—understandably—and Aragorn didn't have the heart to make the elf suffer further, especially something as unpleasant as dry heaves. "All right, my friend. Rest; I will give you something to settle your stomach."
The injured elf made no reply.
"Legolas?" said Aragorn, nervously.
The Mirkwood Prince turned his head slightly. "I am awake."
"Good. Remain that way!" said the human. He took his pack and rummaged through it, taking out the herbs that he'd given the elf the day before. They would take longer to work this time, for he was unable to boil them lest their fire call the orcs in their direction. Taking one of the canteens, he began to crush the leaves and drop them in.
Gimli scooted closer to the elf, laying a hand on his friend's arm. "Is there anything that I can do for you, laddie?"
"No," Legolas whispered.
Gimli sighed, watching as Aragorn leaned closer. The human slid an arm under the elf and pulled him up, holding the canteen to his lips.
Legolas swallowed a mouthful, but as soon as it hit his queasy stomach he turned his head away, raising a hand and clamping it over his mouth.
Gimli quickly scooted around to the elf's other side.
Aragorn felt the elf begin to shake as he fought against his stomach.
Legolas had never felt so ill in his entire life, and he was shocked that he succeeded in keeping the liquid down. As soon as he felt his stomach calm slightly, he let go of his mouth and groped for the canteen, knowing that the more herbs he drank, the quicker his stomach would settle.
Aragorn helped him drink, pulling the canteen away when the elf had drunk enough.
"Do you feel better?" Gimli asked, sympathetically.
Legolas sighed, still feeling shaky. That was the most intense nausea he'd ever felt. "Aye."
"Can you open your eyes now?" asked the dwarf.
Legolas did not think it wise just yet. He felt so dizzy—even with them closed—that he didn't think he'd be able to hold his stomach back again. "Soon," he answered.
Aragorn carefully laid him back down, and he grew puzzled when Legolas started moving his hands, feeling the grass underneath his body. "Where are we?" the elf asked, automatically opening his eyes but quickly re-closing them.
"We left the mountain a few hours ago," Gimli told him.
Legolas frowned, not remembering when he'd passed out.
"Rest," said Aragorn. "We will be off again in a few moments."
A gentle breeze floated past Legolas' face, and his mind drifted. When arms suddenly slid under his body, he was startled. "I can walk!" he said.
Gimli laughed. "Laddie! You cannot even open your eyes!"
In defiance, Legolas did just that. He chose the wrong moment to do so, for at the same time, Aragorn lifted him. The weightless feeling and moving scenery wreaked havoc on his already altered senses, and he couldn't stop the groan that passed his lips.
"Forgive me!" said Aragorn, thinking that he had hurt him.
Legolas was fighting the urge to close his eyes again, trying to will the landscape to stay still. "It was not you," he said to his friend. "Let me down!"
Aragorn frowned. "No."
The elf heard Gimli laugh at Aragorn's reply, and for some reason it angered him. He struggled against the surprised human, causing his headache to increase.
"What are you doing?" Aragorn exclaimed. "Stop this, Legolas! Even if I let you walk, how far could you go? One step?"
To the dwarf's surprise, the human suddenly set Legolas on his feet. The elf immediately reeled backwards, having no balance.
Gimli gave a cry of alarm, fearing that another blow to his head would kill the elf.
Aragorn reached out to grab him and sat the limp elf on the ground, where Legolas lowered his head, clutching it miserably. "Do you now see?" said the human.
Legolas gave a groan of pain and frustration.
Aragorn reached for his pack and took out a few leaves. "Chew these," he said.
Legolas lowered one arm and accepted the herbs without protest, not even making a face at their bitter taste.
Aragorn wrapped an arm around his friend's back and the other under his knees, lifting him so that the uninjured side of the elf's head rested against his shoulder.
Legolas made no more protests, submitting quietly.
The elf's silence troubled the human. "Legolas? Are you all right?"
Gimli inwardly snorted. What a question!
"Aye," Legolas answered, sounding embarrassed. "Forgive my foolishness."
Aragorn shook his head. "No need. I only want what is best for you, mellon-nin."
"I know," said the elf.
They walked on in silence, stopping only a few more times and continuing on after dark, until there was no more adequate light.
"Fine time to have no moon," Gimli complained, though part of him was glad to stop.
Aragorn gently sat Legolas down and peered into his face. "How do you feel?"
"The dizziness has begun to lessen," the elf answered.
Aragorn smiled. "That is wonderful, my friend."
"It is indeed!" said Gimli.
Aragorn gently pushed Legolas to lean back against the tree that stood behind him. "Rest. Mayhap you can gain some strength from the forest."
Legolas' eyebrows shot up; he hadn't realized where they were, having kept his eyes closed through the journey.
The tree immediately 'voiced' its concern over the elf's condition.
When Legolas closed his eyes with a smile, his friends' hearts were lightened.
"Fortunate are the elves," said the dwarf.
Aragorn nodded, reaching for Gimli's pack to retrieve their food.
The dwarf and human took turns sleeping and keeping watch over Legolas, waking him frequently through the night. When dawn rose, Aragorn lifted the sleeping elf and they were again on their way.
"Legolas?"
The elf was slightly startled to find himself floating, and he opened his eyes to find Aragorn carrying him. He saw that the sun had recently risen, and looked at his friend. "You let me sleep longer this time," he said, surprised. He remembered it still being mostly dark the last time he'd woken.
"Aye," said the human. "The way you were shifting and making noises in your sleep, it was obvious that you weren't unconscious."
Legolas blinked. "Noises?"
Gimli chuckled. "Indeed. Made us wonder just what you were dreaming!"
Legolas blushed, desperately trying to remember his dreams.
Aragorn couldn't help smiling. "We jest, mellon-nin. How is your head? Has the pain begun yet to lessen?"
Legolas looked around, relieved to be able to see better than he had for the past two days. "Aye, it has, and my vision does not slant as badly."
Aragorn inwardly sighed with relief. "I am glad," he said. "You greatly worried me."
"Twas not my intention," said the elf.
"We know that, laddie!" said Gimli. "Now, hush and go back to sleep."
Legolas chuckled at the dwarf.
By the time afternoon approached, the forest had grown very quiet, and Aragorn looked around warily, wondering at the reason. "Legolas," he whispered.
The elf woke, immediately sensing the tension in the air. "Something nears us."
Aragorn and Gimli stopped, looking through the woods. "Orcs?" the human asked.
"No," said the elf. "Wolves, I believe."
Aragorn strode to the nearest tree, which somehow knew the human's plan. It lowered its lowest branch further, to Gimli's shock.
Aragorn helped the elf sit himself on it, to Legolas' protests. "Stay there!" the human exclaimed.
The protests died on Legolas' lips when the tree pulled the branch up higher and closer to its trunk, using smaller branches to wrap tightly around the elf.
Gimli stared open-mouthed at the astonishing display. He nearly forgot about the impending threat until a sudden growl filled the air.
Legolas anxiously watched, upset that he was again unable to fight. He squirmed within the tree's grasp, but the ancient oak clutched him all the tighter.
Three wolves suddenly ran out of the woods, and faster than lightening, Aragorn threw a dagger, felling one instantly.
Gimli raised his axe, looking behind himself to be sure that Legolas was safely out of reach.
Aragorn slew another wolf with his sword, his arms aching from carrying the injured elf for so many hours. He spun around when he heard Legolas shout his name, to see that the three wolves had suddenly become a dozen. Raising his sword, he knew that it was too late to ward off an attack.
The wolf slammed into him, knocking Aragorn to the ground. Struggling under it, he was taken by surprise when he met with no resistance.
A shoof filled the air, and Aragorn watched arrows fly as he pushed the dead animal off his body. He was shocked that Legolas was shooting—with his concussion—but then he realized that the elf didn't even have his bow.
Standing, Aragorn was met with the best sight that he could've asked to see; Faramir and Gondor's soldiers had arrived, and the Steward was slinging his bow over his shoulder as he rushed towards his King.
Aragorn smiled and clapped Faramir on the shoulder. "Excellent timing, my friend!"
Faramir returned the smile, relieved to find the King whole and uninjured. He looked around, his expression turning worried. "Where is Legolas?"
"Here!" they heard.
Aragorn and Faramir both turned to see Gimli and the soldiers looking up at the struggling elf held captive in the tree.
Faramir frowned, puzzled. He quickly ran to the large oak as Aragorn followed.
"Let him down, tree!" Gimli bellowed. "The danger has passed!"
"What in all of Middle-Earth?" Faramir muttered. "Is he all right?"
"Well…" said Aragorn, with a sigh. "He soon shall be, at least."
When the King neared the tree, the oak began to lower its branch; only letting Legolas go when the man who'd placed the elf in the tree's protection arrived to reclaim him.
Legolas tried to ignore everyone's amused looks. He allowed his headache to distract him from his embarrassment.
"What happened!" Faramir exclaimed, at the sight of the hideous colors adoring the elf's temple, forehead, and side of his cheekbone. The bruise disappeared into his hairline, making it impossible to see where it ended.
Legolas sighed, hating to be the center of attention.
"To answer your question: much," said the King, reaching out to support Legolas.
But Faramir took hold of the elf first, taking the elf's right arm to pull over his own shoulders. He gasped when he saw the bandage encircling Legolas' wrist, but the elf quickly unwrapped it, the tree helping him succeed by holding him steady with its branches.
The soldiers muttered amongst themselves, more shocked even than Gimli. The dwarf had seen evidence of the trees' love for the elf in the past, but this was an unbelievable sight for the humans.
Faramir tried to stop Legolas from removing the bandage.
"I no longer need it," Legolas told him. "It was a mere sprain."
Aragorn nodded at Faramir, agreeing with the elf.
The Steward gently pulled Legolas free of the tree branches and supported the elf's weight.
Horses were brought, and Faramir rode beside the King, watching Legolas nervously.
Aragorn knew that the elf and Steward had become good friends as they'd worked together to restore Ithilien. He knew that Faramir had likely been most worried about Legolas when the horses had returned to Gondor riderless.
Legolas was immensely relieved as they began the journey back. He rested against Aragorn with his eyes closed, trying to force back the dizziness that had grown while he'd sat up in the tree looking down at everyone.
"Legolas?" said Faramir.
"Yes?"
"Well…?" said the human.
Smiling slightly at Faramir's impatience, the elf told him of the disastrous events.
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Night eventually fell, but they rode on, wanting to get the injured elf safely home.
Legolas was asleep, and he didn't wake when they arrived. Aragorn's horse knelt, and he carried the elf into the palace.
Faramir and Gimli—the dwarf very relieved to be back—followed. They brought the elf to his chamber, and Aragorn went to the healing wing to retrieve the supplies and herbs that he needed.
When Legolas opened his eyes the next morning, he was slightly confused to find himself lying in his bed, last remembering being in the forest.
"How do you feel?" he heard.
Legolas blinked his eyes, to find Aragorn sitting beside his bed. He assessed himself for a moment, relieved to find that his pain had lessened. "I am all right."
The King gave him an exasperated look, not believing his words.
Legolas smiled slightly, before noting that they were alone. "Where are Faramir and Gimli?"
"I sent Gimli to bring back breakfast," said the human. "Please tell me that you can now eat?"
Legolas found that his stomach felt fine, and he was, in fact, hungry. "I believe that I can."
Aragorn smiled, relieved at the elf's words. "I sent Faramir for more herbs. They should both be back shortly."
Before he even finished speaking, Faramir and Gimli both came in the door.
"Ah!" cried the dwarf. "He wakes!"
They watched as Gimli strode over and placed a tray on the bed. "Eat it all, laddie."
Legolas looked at the food, suddenly famished. "I shall try my best," he said.
Gimli smiled, satisfied.
Faramir was relieved at the elf's improvement, and he placed Gimli's second tray—which he'd carried—on a table, handing Aragorn a pouch of herbs.
"How is your vision?" Aragorn asked the elf.
"I can see well again," said the elf. "And the dizziness has greatly lessened."
Aragorn smiled, though he was troubled to know that some dizziness still remained. He picked the tray off the bed and handed it to Gimli, who was puzzled until he saw Aragorn gently pull the elf into a sitting position and rearrange the pillows to hold him up.
Legolas tried not to show his discomfort, hiding the fact that the upright position increased the dizziness again.
Gimli sat the tray on the elf's lap and handed Legolas a spoon.
The elf expected the bowl of broth, but he was overjoyed to also find a plate of eggs, and started with those first.
Aragorn poured some herbs into the bowl of broth. "Do not eat quickly, Legolas," he cautioned. "Give your stomach time to accept it. You should drink this first."
Legolas had already eaten some of the eggs and swallowed them slowly, realizing the truth in the human's words. The herbs were obviously nausea-preventers, and Legolas picked up the bowl, grateful that his stomach had—so far—accepted the bite of egg.
Everyone watched him drink the broth. Faramir reached out to rest his hand under the bowl, preventing the weakened elf from possibly dropping it.
Legolas drank it without incident; giving a contented sigh at the comforting feel of the rich, warm liquid.
"Now you can eat!" said Gimli, taking the bowl.
"May I have a looking glass?" Legolas asked.
The odd question took them by surprise.
"What?" said Faramir.
But Aragorn had already walked towards the bathing chamber, and he took one of the looking glasses off the wall, bringing it back to the bedroom and holding it before his friend's face.
Legolas' eyebrows shot up despite himself as he beheld the damage wrought by the piece of stone. He raised his hand and carefully prodded the darkest spot with a wince. The area of bruising was larger than his entire hand.
His three friends were sympathetic, but they couldn't help inwardly smiling at the childlike expression of utter shock on the elf's face.
Legolas looked at them and lowered his hand, turning his head slightly to view all of the damage. "I did not know that it was this bad," he admitted.
Aragorn nodded. "Do not even attempt to talk me into letting you out of bed today. Or tomorrow. Or the day after!" he said. "The effects of your concussion may linger longer than you expect."
Legolas sighed, but he said nothing. The proof of Aragorn's words stared back at him through the looking glass. The dark bruises made his pale skin look ghostly. I am lucky to have survived! he realized.
"Fret not," said Gimli, feeling sorry for his friend. "As soon as you recover, we can try again!"
Faramir blinked. "Try what?"
"Our trip!" said the dwarf.
Legolas smiled and looked at Aragorn.
The King chuckled. "If we wait until next month, when Arwen returns from Imladris, mayhap you can join us, Faramir."
Faramir's eyebrows rose. "Indeed?"
The King nodded, and Legolas smiled.
Faramir nodded back. "I believe that is wise," he said, eyes twinkling. "Then, when the three of you need saving, I'll already be there."
Faramir's unexpected words made Gimli choke on his food, and everyone laughed.
TBC ;)