3
Suspended, floating, lifted, carried. A feather like touch on his brow. He turned to embrace it but a hand stopped him, pushed him back.
"Rest boy," a gravelly voice said.
Aragorn wanted to speak, to ask something, but instead slipped back into cool oblivion.
00
There was sunlight on his face. He cracked his eyes open and it was cool despite the brightness. He heard his own voice say something, then there was a shadow. He looked up and saw a familiar face. He blinked or so he thought but his eyes did not open again that day.
000
"Aragorn…Aragorn," the voice was persistent. Aragorn opened his eyes to see Legolas hovering there, a bowl of something hot in his hands. Though the ranger could not remember, this had been their routine for the last eight days. Legolas would wake him, feed him and then let him drift back to sleep. The wound on his neck was at last healing. He would recover soon. Legolas smiled as Aragorn mumbled something.
"Sleep stubborn one, you will need your strength soon enough." The smile slipped off Legolas' face as he said this but Aragorn's eyes were already closed. He reached down and ran his fingers along Aragorn's brow, pushing back wilful wisps of brown hair.
Legolas sighed, already he could feel the faint tingles of the worm as it awoke.
00
On the day that Aragorn woke up the small farm house was empty. He got off the cot where he had lain for many days, clutched the thin blanket around his waist and drifted to the small window nearby. He hung onto the sill to stay upright. He felt as weak as a new born colt but his mind was clear. The pain and the fever were gone. He looked out at the clear skies and saw that there were miles of wheat grass in the field swaying gracefully in the wind. Turning he crossed the wooden floor to the doorway like an old man. There were two closed doors, one to either side of a short corridor. The corridor led to a kitchen. There was a sturdy wood hewn table in one corner with four solid chairs around it. Going further in he noticed shelves of cups, plates, jars and bowls along three of the walls. An iron stove took up most of far corner. A pot bubbled merrily on it. A pile of wood was heaped nearby to feed its round belly. The front door stood open but Aragorn was tired. Besides, the scent of the bubbling stew made his mouth water.
00
He sat there soaking up the heat from the stove wondering where the elf and their benefactor could be. He did not have to wait very long for only after two hours he heard an unfamiliar voice and a heavy tread drawing nearer. He got to his feet unsure of his reception.
However it was Legolas who first stepped through the door and on seeing Aragorn standing there his taunt face brightened into a smile. Close behind him was the stocky form of the farmer, they were both bearing small sacks of produce. The man, who introduced himself as Hiram, bustled off to find warm clothes for Aragorn. Soon they were seated around the table each with a steaming plate of stew.
"T'is a miracle you live lad. Got quite a crack on yer head. Seen folks die with less." Hiram informed him merrily.
Aragorn smiled briefly looking across at the silent Legolas, who ate with suspicious concentration. The farmer babbled on about his place, the seasons and general woes.
Aragorn could not eat more than half his share which Hiram said was a good sign. Some, quote the farmer could not even keep down a crumb. Afterward Hiram collected the plates put them in the wash tub to soak and pulling out a corn pipe said.
"I'll leave ye to talk younglings," he nodded to Legolas and disappeared through the doorway.
"Quite a character." Aragorn said smiling.
"Indeed," Legolas agreed folding his hands on the table. "How do you feel?" he asked directly, his blue eyes shining in the bright light.
"A bit weak, but otherwise well." Aragorn responded.
"Good," Legolas said, "then you'll be able to travel within a couple of days."
Aragorn tilted his head curiously. "What is wrong mellon nin?"
Legolas shook his head. "I would have you away from here."
Aragorn frowned for Legolas avoided his gaze. But before he could ask another question Hiram entered shaking droplets of rain from his dark head. "Rain's started up again, but t'is the season for it."
Legolas stood and going over to the tub began washing up the dirty crockery. Hiram talked and talked but his words were only noise to Aragorn as he watched Legolas work.
00
His head was nestled on his arms and he was sleeping without knowing when he had drifted off. Legolas had finished washing and cleaning the vegetables. He had stocked the stove and the fireplace with a fresh supply of wood. He was almost done sweeping the floors when a sudden tickle in his ear made him gasp. Hiram who was seated in the shadows puffing away watched him through a curl of smoke and said. "It's nearly about time for your next round, put yer friend to bed an' come to me when yur done."
Legolas nodded briefly and Hiram rose and walked heavily to the back room. Legolas sighed. Ignoring the painful movement in his head he gathered Aragorn in his arms and carrying him to the darkened bed room placed him on the freshly made up cot. The ranger did not stir. With shaking hands Legolas lit the one lamp that stood on the short corner table and turned the flame down to a glow. He resisted the urge to scream and simply pressed one hand to his head. He entered the room where Hiram waited. The farmer held a small jar that was a quarter full of viscous liquid in one hand.
"Hurry lad," he said.
Legolas closed the door with a feeling of dread.
Soon enough there was a muffled grunt, a cry of pain, then there was silence.
00
Legolas was already at work in the fields when Aragorn ventured outside the next day. The elf was cutting down long stalks of grass with a scythe in a fallow field. He was bare to the waist and his hair was caught up in a top knot on his head.
"You're up early," he called to Aragorn as the ranger paused to watch him work. But Aragorn's face was set and he did not reply to the elf's banter. Legolas stopped and leaned on the scythe's long handle, his face carefully expressionless.
"He says you agreed to work through the sowing season." Aragorn said jerking a thumb in the direction of the farm house.
"I did." Legolas said.
"Three months?"
"Yes."
"Why?" the ranger ground out.
"He needs the help." Legolas said.
Eyes narrowing Aragorn asked, "How is it that your head no longer hurts Legolas?"
"He had…medicine." Legolas answered looking away from Aragorn's stormy eyes.
"So this is payment?" Aragorn took two steps nearer.
"It is," Legolas said his blue eyes darkening as they met the ranger's gaze.
Aragorn stared at him seeing the lie in his eyes.
"Then I too will stay," he declared.
"No, you will not!" Legolas shouted, his head went up and his hair swung onto one shoulder.
Aragorn was taken aback by his sudden anger. They stared at each other awhile, then Legolas looked away. His back was ramrod straight, his lips set. Aragorn almost asked a question, but then turned away and made his way back to the farm house. When he was out of sight Legolas began attacking the grass with swift vicious strokes.
00
Lunch was a silent affair. Legolas had come in about an hour before to prepare the meal ignoring Aragorn who sat at the table. When the pot began to steam he asked one question. "Where is Hiram?"
"In the back, he said he had some curing to do."
Legolas nodded and turned his back on the ranger for the next hour.
Aragorn sighed, he knew how stiff necked Legolas could be.
Legolas spooned soup into two bowls and brought them to the table.
It smelled delicious and Aragorn who was terribly hungry dug in with relish. Legolas smiled to see him eat so. The ranger's face was still pale and Legolas could tell he was too frail to travel yet. Maybe in a week, he thought.
When Aragorn had had enough he stood meaning to take his plate over to the washtub.
"Leave it," Legolas commanded curtly. "I will see to the dishes when I am through."
Taken aback at his tone Aragorn stared at the elf with hurt eyes. Then he turned and disappeared through the front door. Legolas sighed.
00
Aragorn sat huddled on an old broad tree stump that stood close to the back of the house. The winds had picked up and the ranger felt cold, but he did not care. Legolas found him there, he draped the blanket he carried over his shoulders. Though Aragorn was grateful for the warmth, he was determined not to show it.
"I am sorry," Legolas said crouching down in front of his friend.
Aragorn's cross expression did not waver.
"Please Aragorn you are not well enough to be out in this, it will rain soon,"
Aragorn looked directly into Legolas' eyes and said, "Then tell me what is happening here. It is not often you lie to me Legolas but usually there is a good reason."
Legolas could not help the rueful smile that touched his lips. "I shall, but first let us get out of this wind."
With a nod Aragorn let Legolas help him back to the house. Yet he was not to hear the full account just yet for Hiram was in the kitchen an overflowing bowl of soup before him. He began conversing with them both only pausing to shove mouthfuls of the steaming meal in his mouth and swallow. In resignation Aragorn took a seat at the table while Legolas stood by the window watching the rain pour down outside. The farmer prattled on and on.
0
The skies turned from bright to grey then to a forced twilight as the rain poured down unceasingly. Hiram came to stand at Legolas' side. He put a large hand on the elf's shoulder, "Yer friend's asleep." the farmer said softly. Legolas turned to see Aragorn sleeping at the table, his head resting on his folded arms.
"Best put 'im to bed and get on with it."
For one moment Legolas looked at Hiram. The farmer's broad face was guileless and open. His stocky body offered no threat, yet he effortlessly held both their lives in his hands. Legolas went to Aragorn and swept him up easily. Hiram watched this display of strength with strange eyes. When Legolas left the room the farmer turned to the window and began to rub his hands as though he were cold.
……………………………………………