Hi everyone! Happy Holidays! Hope you are all doing well, and won't kill me for my lack of updates. But hey! Here is chapter 35! I will do my best to get 36 out as soon as I catch a plot bun --- #pauses# BUNNY! #runs after terrified plot bunny# C'mere you little -----
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! And I apologize about the quality of the chapter - I will try harder, I promise.
Disclaimer: See Prologue
Chapter 35
Thank You
Aragorn stopped once again to examine the tracks of their missing companions; noting that those of Arodwen's were beginning to stagger heavily.
Legolas was taking in his surroundings with intense care; looking for any sign or clue that the hobbits or Arodwen had left for them to find...
"Come!" Aragorn called, summoning Gimli to his side and treading farther into the forest at a brisk jog.
Legolas leapt lightly after them, his long strides easily bringing him to Aragorn's side again.
At least a half-an-hour passed in eerie silence, with only the ominous creaking and rustling of the ancient trees and thick undergrowth to accompany the hunters as they searched.
Night was only just beginning to arrive, but the thick foliage of the forest gave the impression that it was near twilight.
'She is strong to have traveled this far without rest...' Aragorn thought worriedly. 'We should have come upon them by n-'
"Arodwen!" Legolas exclaimed suddenly, sprinting past Aragorn toward something the ranger had not yet noticed in the dark.
But as he drew nearer to where Legolas had gone, he discovered the elf gently cradling a pale, unconscious, bloody, bruised, and dying Arodwen.
Aragorn felt the urge to hit Gimli as the dwarf gasped loudly at the elleth's state. It definitely would not help Legolas's hope.
The ranger would not have been surprised if the elf had tears in his iced blue eyes; for he certainly did.
Legolas kept whispering her name over and over, trying to coax her back into the waking world. She gave no sign that she felt someone holding her; let alone calling her to wake. She remained motionless as Legolas brought her closer to him, holding her against his chest with such gentleness as he brought a warm ivory hand to caress her even paler cheek. "She's alive..." he whispered. 'But not for long...' he finished silently, gazing at her many wounds with glassy eyes.
Aragorn finally moved from where he had been standing, getting on a knee to get a closer look at his friend's many injuries. Grey eyes skimmed across her tattered and bloodstained clothes, taking in the gashes and purpled bruises. His practiced hand probed around one of the deepest wounds; his face becoming clearly grim. "Some are poisoned," he said in disgust, "And the others are wrought with infection."
One of the foulest elven curses he had ever heard reached Aragorn's ears, and the ranger was stunned for a moment that the poised warrior before him had uttered it.
Gimli came to them at last; slowly and cautiously. His eyes met Aragorn's and he asked quietly, "Will she live..?"
Legolas too looked at the future king for reassurance; a reason that he could continue to hold on to hope.
Aragorn sighed deeply, kneading his forehead with his knuckles as he answered, "She needs real medicine; herbs can only keep her alive for a while. Unless we can get her to Edoras soon so she can rest and heal, she will die."
He stood, looking around the clearing for a certain mossy plant as he swiftly said to Legolas, "Get her comfortable and a fire going. We need to boil some water and clean what we can of her wounds. Then we need to get her conscious."
"I don't know what their choice of poison was..."
"Will Athleas do nothing...?"
"She is burning with fever..."
"Why won't she wake up...!"
Pain - it burned throughout her whole body... She screamed.
"Arodwen!" A voice called to her. "Wake up!"
The fire of the poison licked at her skin; made her head throb, and her gashes burn in piercing agony.
"Make it stop!" She shouted for whoever would hear, "It hurts! Please make the pain stop!"
Legolas watched her writhing in his arms, his face wrought with fear and helplessness. He tried to calm her, calling her to wake. He held her close to him as gently as he could.
"Make it stop!" She shrieked into the night, her arms flailing.
Aragorn commanded, "Legolas! You must wake her! She will hurt herself!"
Legolas looked at the ranger as though he was insane; how would he wake her up!
"Arodwen, it's me!" He whispered loudly to her, "It's Legolas! Wake up meleth nin, please! There is nothing to harm you, wake up!"
She heard his voice; heard him calling to her.
Arodwen tried to get closer to the sound of his voice, but the pain became stronger.
"Legolas!" Arodwen screamed, desperate for his safe arms. "Help me!"
The prince watched as she shrieked his name; calling for his aid.
Legolas shook his head to clear his thoughts, tightening his grip upon her as he kissed her lips softly. "I cannot help you until you wake! Fight, Arodwen! You are strong!"
She whimpered in his grasp. Her hands reached out; blindly seeking him, and he caught them in his own. He pressed a firm kiss to each, pleading, "Come back to us, Arodwen. I need you..."
A new voice was hissing to her now...
You cannot go back to him now! My soldiers have destroyed and poisoned you! Give in to darkness!
The flames leapt higher around her, and she cowered farther back as they caused her more agony.
She didn't know where to go; what to do.
Legolas called to her again. His voice that of an ethereal being amidst the chaos that surrounded her. She could almost see him through the flames... His shadow...
He does not want you! He does not care!
"... I need you!" the prince's voice yelled to her, "Come back!"
Arodwen could see him more clearly now through the fire; his features more distinct... If only she could reach him...
Arms stretching out before her, she moved forward through the pain...
The flames burned... The voices grew louder... But she kept moving forward; following the sound of a single voice...
Aragorn watched the elleth in Legolas's arms with growing anticipation...
"I-I think she is coming around..." he said quietly, watching as Arodwen's struggles became less frantic.
No sooner had he spoken, then Arodwen's hazel eyes cracked open a sliver, as she uttered, "Legolas...?"
The elf let out a deep breath of utter relief, cradling his love closer to him. "Uma, cormamin... I am here..." (Yes, my heart) He whispered gently to her, bestowing soft kisses to her cooling forehead.
Arodwen felt the comforting warmth of his lips, and his strong arms enclosing her in his grasp. She felt safe now...
She struggled faintly to be nearer to him, as her eyes began to close again in slumber. But not before whispering;
"Thank you..."
