Author's Note: In response to a review that I received regarding whether this particular fanfic would instead be movie-verse instead of book-verse because of Aragorn's age in the story, I will say that it is correct that Aragorn was much younger than I have portrayed him in this fanfic, according to The Hobbit. However, if I were writing this story solely based on the book, Legolas would not be searching for Aragorn because Legolas was not mentioned once in The Hobbit book. For fiction's sake, I am going mostly by the movies as that is what most viewers know about.
When he regained consciousness, the first thing he felt was an intense pounding in his head. That was odd. The memory of the cause of his affliction was clear in his mind, though pain was not something he had experience with and he was not really sure what to make of it. He was certain, however, that this was the most physical pain he had endured so far in his long life.
He tried to sit up, believing that if he willed the pain to go away, it simply would. He was an Elf, after all. Elves did not get sick and they heal much faster than other beings. He definitely was not expecting the pain to worsen, and when it did, it took him by surprise and he found himself falling back onto the ground.
"I wouldn't try that, if I were you."
Legolas jumped slightly, not having heard the movements of another person with him as he would have at perfect health. Normally his hearing would have been able to pick up a bird chirping from miles away, and it slightly terrified him that he did not have this ability at the moment. He remembered that he had had a rescuer in the fight with the Orcs, and he was certain that this was the person that was with him. Legolas did not trust easily. He had been taught that trust was a weakness, as trust sometimes lead to ignorance. Even though this man had helped him, he would not ignore the lessons that he had learned. As soon as he were able, he would thank this man and continue in his search for Strider.
He managed to open his eyes, and he discovered that he was laying beneath the shade of a tree, as there were a puzzle of leaves and branches above him, moving gently with the wind. Though he was in the shade, he found that the pounding in his skull increased the moment his eyes had opened, and he closed them again in response.
He faintly heard footsteps approaching him, and he tensed in reaction. A hand was suddenly on his arm, and he heard Aragorn say, "Relax, Legolas. I'm going to give you something that will help you, but I have to move you to do it."
He managed to open his eyes again, ignoring the pain when he did so, and he gazed upon the man knelt beside him. He hoped that his eyes gave off the warning that his mind was shouting at him as he met the man's eyes. He was surprised when Aragorn actually...smiled. "I understand your uneasiness in trusting a stranger. I will not hurt you, Legolas. If I wanted to, I would have already done so."
Even though he was distrustful of this man, he couldn't argue with reason. Even so, he made sure to shoot a warning look at Aragorn as his upper body was lifted by his arm. The glare did not last long as his eyes closed against the pain that immediately confronted him at the movement. He hardly registered the rim of the cup that was held to his lips, and he cautiously drank the liquid that was offered to him.
As he eased the Elf back, Aragorn said, "That should help with the pain some. I am sorry that I cannot do more to help you."
Legolas heard the sincerity in the apology, and he felt something that he couldn't quite explain because, much like pain, it was unfamiliar to him. Finally, he released the breath he did not realize he had been holding. "Do not be," he whispered, though it was quiet, so he was certain that only another Elf would have been able to understand. He was a little surprised when in response, a hand fell on his shoulder and squeezed it. Even though Legolas was still a bit wary, he did appreciate the seemingly genuine kindness of Aragorn. It was uncommon for a man, of all creatures, to show such compassion towards a complete stranger. That is, unless...
"You're a Ranger," he whispered again. He opened his eyes to see that Aragorn had moved to sit against a tree across from him. He saw the gentle nod that the man gave at his statement, confirming his belief. Interesting, he thought. Whatever he had drank was beginning to work, as the pounding in his head began to lessen. Soon, he was able to sit up, though somewhat gingerly. Aragorn gave him a look that matched the intensity of just one other person in Legolas' life: his father's. He ignored the look, though noted the intensity in those eyes. He could feel something was not right with this man. He was surrounded by a mysterious aura, one that Legolas could not quite identify, but it was almost electric, so great was its power. He had never once met a Human with this same cloud surrounding him. Instead of ignoring this too, he found himself studying the Ranger to try to piece him together.
"My friend, if there is something you would like to know, staring at me will only get you so far," Aragorn stated, a small, mischievous smile on his face. Legolas was distracted, however, by another threat growing in his mind.
"We must leave," he said, not giving Aragorn time to argue before he stood. He searched the trees around them and began walking. A few moments later, Aragorn joined him.
"The herbs I gave you will only last for perhaps another hour," Aragorn informed him. "What do you see?"
Legolas quickened his pace, his eyes wandering the trees. He could not necessarily gauge the severity of the threat, but given his current state of health, he did not want to initiate a fight. To Aragorn, he said, "I do not wish to stay to find out."