Well here is the next one. The pace should start to pick up again in chapter 6.

If you are reading this please leave a review, it really does encourage me to write faster.

Thanks to the kind souls who reviewed last chapter!

Cje24576: Hope this is quick enough

SilverEars: I intend to let you find out what they were talking about at a later stage.

Freddie23: Thanks Freddie, I have attempted to space it out more. I am useless at formatting, so any suggestions are appreciated!

Chapter 5

Wakefulness came slowly. Legolas felt the tug of awareness start to creep up on him, noises sharpened until he could interpret them one by one. He could hear night sounds, the hoot of an owl, the rush of wind through the leaves and the tinkling of water rushing by. They were peaceful sounds and he welcomed them. He let the calm of Rivendell wash over him, cleansing his spirit for a time.

He concentrated on sounds closer to him. A faint conversation through the door, a low melodious voice, Glorfindel, he identified, and a second slightly higher pitched one, that must be Erestor. Legolas decided not to waste his energy trying to hear what they were saying but he liked the rumble of voices, it was comforting.

Closer again and he realised that he was not alone in the room. There was a slow, rhythmic breathing close by. As his thoughts cleared his body started to voice its numerous complaints. For a brief moment he considered drifting back into unconsciousness but decided that was cowardly. Rather face the pain now, head on, the way he faced everything. He slowly analysed the damage to his body, easing muscles and joints one by one.

Thankfully most of his bones were in tact, apart from a few ribs. His wrists were stiff and sore from the tight ropes that had bound them during his captivity. The wounds from the whip tingled and burned, which he took as a sign they were healing. The arrow wound was worst of all, it had healed little and sent waves of pain radiating through his body. His head ached with a dull, repetitive throbbing and his mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton.

He took an experimental swallow and licked his dry lips. Carefully an eyelid was hoisted open, revealing a hint of vibrant blue. Finding the room mercifully dark, apart from a small lamp, the other eyelid followed suit. His eyes were slow in adjusting to the gloom but when they did his lips drew up into a small smile. So that was who was watching over him.

Elrohir was sitting in a chair next to the bed, clearly he had been there for some time. Long enough to become tired it seemed. His face was pressed on one cheek against the soft blanket with his left hand clutching Legolas' hand. Elrohirs right arm was sprawled in front of his face with his ebony hair spilling over it. His eyes were closed in deep sleep and there were lines of worry creasing his brow. Legolas found it an endearing sight.

He debated whether to wake him, it was tempting to let his friend sleep, just so he could enjoy the calm a little longer but he knew that Elrohir would want to know he was awake.

"Roh", Legolas whispered,he brushed his hand gently over his friends hair. "Elrohir, wake up."

Elrohirs' grey eyes snapped open and he stared up. A pair of sparkling eyes looked back at him and he sat up abruptly. "You're awake" he said, "Yes" replied Legolas, "You're alive..." said Elrohir, "Yes", replied Legolas. Elrohir leaned heavily onto his hands, his grey eyes misted over, he reached out and pulled Legolas into a gentle embrace and then he began to weep.

Legolas was astonished as great heaving sobs wrecked through Elrohirs frame. He wrapped his arms around him and whispered words of comfort, stroking his friends hair gently. Eventually the tears dried up and Elrohir hung limply against him."I am well Roh, you must not worry so, I will heal." Legolas said softly. "I didn't look look for you, I knew there was something wrong and I didn't come for you. You were nearly killed by a bunch of humans whilst I was sitting in council meetings! I thought you were lost, your heart stopped. Ada pulled you back from death Las!"

Elrohirs words made Legolas start in surprise. "You were not to blame Roh, I didn't see it coming, they caught me off guard." Legolas fixed his piercing eyes on his friend "I was not thinking clearly, if anyone is to blame it is myself." A particularly painful throb from his shoulder caused Legolas to wince and Elrohir was on his feet calling for Elrond. The peace was shattered as chaos ensued.