Disclaimer: Still don't own LotR; never will.
Warnings: Still slash, A/L; always will be. One-sided OC/Legolas.
(Sorry if there are extra mistakes. I tried.)
Sorry guys! And this time, it is not my fault for the late update. I was originally going to post it Sunday night/Monday morning, but… well, I had to go to the hospital around 3:30AM Monday and had to stay the night so… yeah. I typed this up for you guys as soon as I could.
Then my internet went down. I'm actually using a different computer because I promised you guys a sooner update and failed miserably. Sorry again! I do hope you guys enjoy this chapter, though. Let me know what ya think, alright? n.n
Jealousy Wrought
Chapter Five: Running Out
Green.
Where did the green come from?
He realized he had opened his eyes. But hadn't he been in a cave?
He felt terrible, and vaguely knew why. His head felt muddled, like his thoughts were sinking in quicksand: still there, but hard to completely grasp.
Blurry grey eyes fell on a form lying on its side with blonde hair, eyes closed, unnaturally so.
He blinked. There was some sort of connection he was supposed to make…
"Legolas!" he shouted, though it came out more as a croak as the words strained to escape his chapped lips.
The man struggled to rise; with aching muscles and his body weak, it was difficult indeed, his injuries making it even harder.
He tried his best to ignore the wounds but he nearly passed out from the pain. Finally, he reached Legolas and collapsed next to him, gasping for breath.
Having no idea how much time he would be given before Eildan came back, he moved as quickly as possible. And he was reminded of just how dangerous their position was.
Forcing himself to move again, Estel lifted his hand, which felt like it had an anchor attached to it, and placed it on Legolas' shoulder, saying his name softly.
Why was he sleeping? And with his eyes closed, no less! What had happened?
Last he remembered Legolas had been taking care of him…
Inwardly, he shook his head, it didn't matter. All he needed to do right now was make sure Legolas was alright.
"Legolas. Legolas!" he continued to yell, panic quickly making itself at home. Why wasn't he responding!
Suddenly, he started to cough harshly, causing a stabbing pain to course through his body.
"Now, now, you should not cause yourself undue stress." The tone held nothing but mockery; it was as if the owner of the voice was enjoying the show.
Wooden eyes stared at him with a sadistic gleam reflected in them.
He blinked a couple times before his exhausted mind told him what he needed to know: it was Eildan who watched, Eildan who had attacked him and tried to kill him.
Estel winced and stared back at him with weary eyes, unable to believe what was happening.
His eyes flickered to Legolas and back again.
He felt so vulnerable laying down how he was, obviously too weak to move much.
"Wha-what did you do to him?" the human growled, or tried to. He was far more concerned about his love than himself. The elf had his eyes closed and wasn't answering!
"He's just sleeping," the elder elf said as if what was going on now happened often and was of no concern. "Should have seen him before. Exhausted, he was, taking care of you. Thought a bit of rest was in order for our caring elfling prince."
Estel shuddered. He had suspected the elf almost from the beginning, but he hadn't thought it would be anywhere near this bad. Eildan was down-right mad. The glee in his light tone of voice did not help matters.
"You slipped him sleeping herbs." Not a question. No need for it to be one. Legolas had probably been using it on him before so it must have been easy if he knew anything about Legolas' self-habits while taking care of others—which were non-existent.
"Aye, but you should worry about yourself," Eildan warned, quickly admitting his fault.
The words scared Estel, for he no longer knew what the elf was capable of. At first he had been certain that Eildan wouldn't harm Legolas in the least. However, now he wasn't too sure. He feared the elf would do anything to keep them apart.
"Leave Legolas alone. It is because of our relationship that you do this, is it not?" He had seen the way Eildan had stared at the archer. Estel swallowed thickly, unable to believe he was about to say this. It would surely tear him to pieces, and possibly Legolas. But if it would save his life… "Let him go and I will disappear."
Eildan stopped all movement, deep in thought. Alas, he still shook his head. "Tempting offer, but I fear it will not do," the brown-eyed elf finally replied, and not to Estel's pleasure. "You shall not dissuade me."
Those words did nothing to quell the growing fright, understandably. How were they going to get out of this one?
His grey eyes, shadowed with defeat, dropped to the ground.
Eildan merely smirked. Perfect. Everything was going so perfectly.
The pain of his injuries was becoming worse and worse and he felt wet blood slide against the bandages for his chest and side whenever he moved. He hadn't noticed it before since he had been so focused on Legolas and Eildan, but now he wondered what he would do if he were to lose consciousness with the crazed elf before him. Who knew what he would do.
Estel looked to his love, eyes drooping, as he found, despite his thoughts, he had no control over his body.
What is he going to do to Legolas? he questioned himself with alarm, but could give it no more thought as the darkness won out. Pain free though it was, it was not welcomed.
"Legolas…" the name ghosted pass his chapped lips, barely above a whisper.
Estel's one-track mind and devotion to his elf caused Eildan's anger to rise once more. Didn't the man understand! Legolas was his, no one else's, and certainly didn't belong to a human.
Turning his attention back to said elf, Eildan ran his slender fingers through the blonde hair, dirtied from the ground. However, it only made him even more desirable.
It was a shame the sapphire eyes were hidden, but what it signified made up for it. He needed Legolas to sleep for a while longer, just until he got rid of the filthy human.
He brushed a stray hair away from Legolas' face, putting it behind the tipped ear. Watching the unconscious elf, he soon leaned in and, finding the temptation too great, he kissed the tantalizing lips.
………
Legolas awoke to the swaying of the horse's movements, the sound of the hooves occasionally clicking against rocks.
Horse? he thought groggily. Why was he on a horse and why had he been unconscious?
He groaned, a headache making itself known.
Slowly, his hazy mind put the pieces together. Once he remembered, he wished it had come back quicker. He snapped his eyes open, desperately searching for Estel.
Was he alright? Had his fever increased? Was the infection worse? He frantically worried over his love.
What was he doing draped over a horse like some discarded rag!
The archer struggled to get up, and he wondered how long he had been in the position, for his limbs responded lethargically and were even partially numb.
Then, he stopped cold. He let out a horrified gasp at the sight his eyes finally fell upon.
Struggling harder, Legolas managed to get off the horse, but he fell heavily to the ground, limbs still not cooperating with him.
"Eildan, by the Valar, don't. Please, do not…" the young elf choked out, begging his friend.
Valar, what if he had woken up later? What if it was too late now?
Fortunately, for him—and Estel—Eildan started from the sudden voice and looked up and over at Legolas.
However, the smirk that played on the mad elf's lips frightened him even more than a knife poised on his throat would.
The brown-eyed elf dropped the sword to his side, his smirk growing wider.
It didn't matter now.
And he kicked Estel in the chest, knocking him into the river.
Legolas couldn't breathe. His eyes wide, he stared agape in terror.
Without thinking, he jumped back on the horse that he had tried so hard to get off of (his, it turned out) and raced to the river's edge.
He hadn't been able to see if Estel had landed in the water face-down or not and that sent fear spiking through him of just the thought that he could be drowning. The kick to his injured chest could have forced him back into unconsciousness as well.
Eildan tried to grab a hold of Legolas to stop him from going after Estel. Why would his elf would go through such lengths for one mere human?
However, Legolas was able to get pass him as he jumped off the horse on the opposite side that Eildan was on. Then, he sprinted the remaining distance, and splashed into the river after his love, ignoring the slight tingle in his limbs.
Eildan still foolishly tried to stop the determined prince, but obviously got nowhere. There was no way the human could survive the river, for, not only was he extremely weak now (and getting weaker), but it looked like he had been about to pass out and in a river…?
Nay. It mattered not. He would find Legolas later and then make him his.
As Eildan walked away, he twirled a little brown bag on his fingers, smiling.
………
When Legolas finally spotted Estel, he could not contain his excitement. Once he caught up with him and found that he was floating on his back, he nearly went under so great was his relief. He was incredibly grateful for the slow current since he might not have been able to catch up with him otherwise, just as Estel might not have been able to stay afloat.
The archer was shocked to find the man still frantically clinging to consciousness. He was there, but had no strength left; his eyes were barely open as well. He had no idea how Estel had managed it, but he was relieved. It was clear that he was on the verge of passing out, though.
Legolas had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself before doing anything more. With that, he soon pulled his love out of the water, the both of them panting heavily—one with gasps of pain.
"Estel, stay with me, love," Legolas said soothingly, hiding the fearful edge. What made it worse was that Estel had, naturally, inhaled some water and was coughing it up harshly, causing even more pain and making it harder to fight back the darkness.
Legolas winced in sympathy, and rubbed the man's back caringly, but could do nothing else and only watch helplessly.
Estel lay on his uninjured side as he tried to curl into a ball to escape the pain. Once the coughing was over, he was beyond exhausted and, much to Legolas' alarm, he slipped into a semi-conscious state where he wouldn't respond to anything.
Legolas sighed heavily and felt the man's forehead, knowing he needed to treat his injuries. The fever hadn't risen, but neither had it lowered. He also found a bright red soaked into Estel's clothing, clearing indicating that his injuries had reopened.
Things just weren't going well for them at all; least of all for Estel.
"I'm sorry, Estel. Please forgive me," the young elf said quietly, guiltily. He should have listened to Estel about Eildan. He should have known of Eildan's feelings to begin with. He couldn't believe his old friend had taken things so far; that he tried to kill Estel—twice, and he was sure he still hadn't given up.
He had had no time to think of the betrayal with Estel in his condition and he continued to keep himself occupied.
The archer reached for the bag of herbs at Estel's belt and stopped short.
He swore at what he found… rather, at what he hadn't found.
The bag was missing.
He had no idea of what had happened to it, but this definitely wasn't good news.
Legolas nearly panicked when he thought about what this could mean. He couldn't lose Estel. He wouldn't survive. He had already lost one of his closest friends; he couldn't lose another—not his love as well.
He choked on a sob, hands trembling, and he placed one on the side of the man's face as if to hold him and to never let go.
Before he did anything else he had to get Estel away from the river's edge. It was possible that Eildan was looking for them and he didn't want to risk it. He wouldn't let Eildan touch Estel again.
"I'm going to carry you, mellon-nin. Sorry, but there's no other way," the elf warned caringly, the human was still miraculously conscious—if not aware.
He leaned down and kissed Estel on the forehead.
Then sighed and picked the man up.
Stormy eyes tightly hidden, Estel let out a weak cry of agony.
Legolas grimaced at the sound and apologized repeatedly; even after the man had gone limp in his arms. He was now able to carry the man without second thoughts, however. It was little consolation, really.
He brought his love far from the edge and into a clearing that was surrounded by trees and bushes, where they would be hidden.
Now he didn't even have his horse and he had no idea how far they had gone; they were also on the opposite side of the river. He couldn't afford a fire now either.
Legolas sighed deeply in frustration. There was so little he could do for his love. He hoped someone would come for them, and soon. He was a day late for his return and he had to wonder when Eildan had to return to his duties. He had never asked, figuring the elf to be responsible enough to get back on time.
It seemed like he knew so little about his old friend and it tore his heart to pieces at this betrayal. He just couldn't believe Eildan would do such a thing. However, there really was no choice in the matter, as much as he loathed it.
Getting back to the task at hand, Legolas looked around him and picked the herbs around him—few though they were—ones he was certain would help. He set them on his cloak, even though it was still wet, and carried them back.
The only option to solve that problem was natural sunlight and, unfortunately, he feared they were going to run out of that soon.
Picking up a few rocks, he took the flattest one and laid it down, placing the herbs on top of it and using another to crush them.
He may not have been officially trained in the healing arts, but with all the trouble they ran into, it was near impossible not to know a thing or two about treating injuries. He did fear that Estel's were out of his capabilities, though; especially his fever. He had only handled that once before and it had been low; with the human coherent.
He sincerely hoped the patrol or a search party would soon find them; they definitely needed it.
Legolas treated Estel the best he could, given his resources and knowledge, hoping it would be enough, at least until help showed.
He didn't know how long Estel could hold out.
There ya have it. Things aren't looking good for our poor Estel, huh? xD
Right. Well, sorry again for the late update! Chapter six should be sooner. I don't plan on making a return trip to the hospital. -.-
Ja ne