Name: An Uncommon Friendship

Series: The Lord of the Rings (LOTR)

Summary: When Estel meets Legolas a promising friendship develops. However, one man learns of them and becomes determined to rip them apart…literally.

Rating: T because I'm being paranoid and she told me too. XD

Other Things: As my friend isn't… overly fond of yaoi or slash couples, the friendship /is/ a friendship.

Disclaimer: Sadly, neither Rach nor I own LOTR. If we did… o.0; Believe me, it'd be "insanity and cookies."

Translations: Hannon le, mellon nin - Thank you, my friend.

Notes: Now, Rach told me to post any chapter after a cliffhanger immedetly afterward. But, I think she's spoiling you. I am going to go against it. I will make you wait at least a day, but no more than three days. Got it? Good. - Any cliffhanger death threats are to be given to Rach, c/o Shadow

An Uncommon Friendship

Chapter III: First Impressions

"There is never a second chance for a first impression."

- Unknown

When Legolas got onto the flet, he immediately sat and leaned back against a low hanging branch, heedless of his injuries. Meanwhile, Estel's search for his brother's spare tunic and cloak. He also grabbed some healing supplies and some spare lembas. As he turned back to Legolas, the elf smiled. "Lord Elrond has rubbed off on you, I see."

Estel grinned back. "I've lived with him long enough to learn to treat most wounds. He usually used the twins to teach me."

He handed the tunic, cloak, and lembas to Legolas, who nodded his thanks.Then he helped the elf remove his tunic. ((Death to the inner fan girl. x3))

As his patient's back came into view, Estel could not hold back a gasp. Legolas looked over his shoulder at him. "Not very pretty, is it?" he asked ruefully.

Estel could only shake his head. The elf's well-muscled back was covered with whip cuts, burns, and bruises that obviously extended onto this chest. He marveled at the fact that the elf was still conscious.

As Legolas began to eat the lembas, Estel poured some water into a bowl. Setting the flask down by Legolas, he then crushed some athelas and tossed it into the bowl to steep. Hot water would have been better, but he had no way to light a fire. When the water was ready, he dipped a rag into the water and began to clean the wounds.

By the time he had finished bandaging the the elf's torso, Legolas had eaten two wafers of lembas and had drained the flask of water. Estel was hardly surprised. After all, Legolas had been the orcs' captive for almost a week and orcs weren't exactly renowned for their hospitality.

He helped Legolas put on the tunic that Elrohir had given the elf, then gently took the elf's right wrist. He could see fibers of rope embedded in the wound. Estel carefully removed as many as he could, then wrapped the wrist with a bandage. He did the same for the elf's other wrist.

When he finished, the elf suddenly shivered violently. Estel quickly placed a hand on the elf's brow and found that it was very warm.

"You're feverish," he said. He quickly crossed to his healer's kit and grabbed some herbs to help combat the fever.

Legolas sighed "The orcs gave me water spiked with a mild poison to weaken me." Noticing the half worried, half angry expression on Estel's face, he smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. By tomorrow morning, the poison will have worn off."

Estel nodded, then grabbed the water flask and climbed down to the stream to refill it. When he returned, Legolas asked, "Did you by any chance find my weapons?"

Estel snapped his fingers. "I knew there was something that I was forgetting." He went over to the pile and grabbed the elf's weapons.

As Estel handed them over, Legolas said, " Hannon le, mellon nin."

Estel shifted uncomfortably. "You have no reason to call me mellon nin, Legolas. I have done nothing to earn that from you."

Legolas smiled warmly. "Yes, you have. You;ve helped save my life, gotten me clothes, fed me, watered me, treated my wounds and now you have returned my weapons to me. After all that, you'd have to be an orc for me not to call you a friend." Then he cocked his head. "Can you hear that?" he asked.

Estel nodded, listening.