Legolas' pov:
The foul metallic odor is unmistakable, Orc!
And they have come upon us completely unaware. How could I have not heard their approach?
What is wrong with me?
My senses are usually sharper than any others yet today I have failed my companions for I did not sense them until they were snapping at our heels.
Aragorn and Gimli are tired. For mortal kind they have shown great heart but our chase across the plains of Rohan has taken its toll on them.
Aragorn urges us to run, and I sprint ahead searching for a place where we can turn and fight.
But even as I lengthen my stride I hear a cry. I turn in time to see Gimli stumble. I am about to run to him when Aragorn tells me all is well and that I need not fear for him, 'go on' he tells me pushing me forward again.
I blink for my eyes seem unable to focus properly. I am certain I saw an Orc arrow embed itself in Gimli's back, yet Aragorn seems unconcerned. Perhaps I am wrong?
I shake my head to clear it and hear a sound I know all too well.
The whistle of an arrow in flight comes and then the dull thud as it makes contact with a body, then another arrow and another.
"Gimli!" This time I see clearly enough the son of Gloin has fallen.
A sob is ripped from my throat, as I see he is lying unmoving, his back covered in black arrows.
Aragorn seems unaware or uncaring of what has happened. He keeps urging me onwards. Does he expect me to leave Gimli to his fate? Why can't he see what is happening?
Why does he not believe me? I want to shake him.
"I saw it with my own eyes." I yell, "He has orc arrows sticking out of him. We must go back!"
For some unexplained reason I seem unable to fight my way past Estel, no matter how hard I struggle. He keeps speaking to me but I can no longer hear his words. All my strength is focused on getting to my feet and going to my wounded friend.
Why am I on my back?
I thought I was running, what has happened?
Have I been injured?
There are no answers only panic and growing anger …
Then miraculously through the rising mist of my disordered mind I hear another voice, a voice I have come to love and rely on.
"Here now laddie!"
"Elvellon!" The relief is almost unbearable. I throw myself into his arms uncaring that tears are pouring down my face and feel him wrap his arms about me soothing me with soft words. "You are alive!"
"Of course I'm alive, Lamb. I had to leave for a short while, but I will not leave you again until you are well."
Relief makes me feel giddy I pull back slightly wanting to look at that familiar face and then notice blood on his lip. He is hurt …
"Gimli you are bleeding!"
"It is nothing, Child. Everything will be fine now."
He rocks me back and forth and I let him I am so relieved that he is here and safe, I do not understand what made me think he was being attacked. I seem unable to string two consecutive thoughts together. It is very disconcerting.
Aragorn and Gimli are talking together over my head. I hear Aragorn say something about 'hallucinations' and 'poisoned' I want to ask what they are talking about but while I try to frame a question Aragorn is gone and it is too late.
Gimli smiles reassuringly at me and pours out some water into a goblet. "Here try and take a little water, lamb, no … no let me hold the cup." Gimli seems to sense my discomfort at my helplessness for he adds "there is none here but me to see. Good lad, just a little more, there, now let me get this bed more comfortable for ye."
The door opens again and Arwen comes in hurrying to help Gimli lift me so that they can smooth the sheets and turn the pillows. I cannot recall ever being as weak as this before and I do not like the feeling at all.
A cool hand is placed on my brow and Arwen smiles down at me adding her voice to that of my friend telling me I need to rest.
Gimli urges me to lie back and rest but I am afraid to sleep. I do not want to be assailed by any more dark dreams nor do I wish to be left alone.
I say nothing of this fear however but settle down more comfortably because that is what they wish. I will not sleep however for I fear the return of the terrors that fill my head.
Thinking me sleeping they converse quietly. I cannot hear all they say but it has something to do with the inn Gimli and I visited and again the word poison is used. Gimli gives a deep satisfied chuckle in answer to one of Arwen's questions.
"Like most of his kind he turned out to be a coward when it came to his own personal safety. He didn'a appreciate having my axe in his face."
More words are exchanged then Arwen gets to her feet, "I will inform Faramir of what you have found out and he can either arrest the men or keep watch over them until Estel is available to decide what he wishes to do with them. We do not want them slipping out of the city for they will only return another time and try to cause trouble again. I will not conceal from you that I would very much like to see them bought to book yet I would spare Legolas from hearing some of what they say of him if we can. He would not wish to know they had caught him so easily. Gullible you said? Ai, but his pride is going to be severely dented I fear."
The door closes quietly behind her and I frown. Gullible? Me? I do not understand. I want to ask Gimli what has happened but my head aches and I cannot think straight and worse my body seems incapable of doing what it normally does.
My arms and legs feel heavy and unresponsive. The little water that Gimli urged me to swallow roils in my empty stomach and I wonder if I am going to be sick again.
My breathing is erratic and I feel hot and uncomfortable. I shift in the bed as my bladder signals that I am urgently in need of the privy.
Gimli sees me shifting and immediately asks me what is amiss.
"I wish to get up" I tell him
"Don't be daft child."
"I must get up." I insist, dragging my legs to the side of the bed in preparation of standing.
"Here now, you stay right where you are."
Gimli's heavy hand is placed on my chest and I am so weakened that I cannot even push myself upright. "Gimli," I beg, "I need to, I have to …"
My eyes go past him to the door of the bathing chamber and he chuckles as he realizes what it is I need.
He searches in the bedside cabinet and pulls out a strangely shaped bottle and I blush up to the tips of my ears as he holds it out to me.
There is absolutely no way I am going to use that thing. I am sure I can manage to make it to the privy I may be weak but I will not allow myself to be so humiliated.
"Laddie, if you need to relieve yourself this is the only way you are going to do it" Gimli growls, "Now stop being so foolish, else you may end up being even more embarrassed if ye leave it too late and wet the bed through your obstinacy. Let me help you."
"No, no I won't, I won't" I splutter thoroughly mortified.
"Aye, but you will." His voice is soft but I recognize the gleam in his coal black eyes. " "Ye can either let me help ye or I can call the healer on duty to do it, but make your mind up to it laddie. One way or another you will make use of this bottle and anything else you might need for there is no way you are getting out of this bed."
I want desperately to tell him to go to Mordor, that I will get out of this bed with or without his aid but I have so little strength that I cannot even sit up unaided and as I slump back into my pillows defeated Gimli nods and says "Good lad, you just lay still and let me do what is needful."
I have never, never been so embarrassed and so lacking in the ability to care for myself. To think that I am brought to this; dependent for my most basic needs on others.
While Gimli insists that my weakness is temporary and nothing to be concerned over, I find myself wanting to weep, so desperate have I become.
Having cleaned me up and tucked the covers back in around me he comes to sit beside me once more smiling sympathetically. "There is no shame in needing help, child" he tells me.
"I do not like it" I mutter fretfully
"No, none of us does." He chuckles "But if ye do as you are told and rest, I am sure Aragorn will soon find a way of making you well again."
These words remind me of what I overheard earlier "Have I been poisoned?"
"We believe so, and now that we know what was used, Aragorn is seeking an antidote. All you have to do is rest and follow your healers orders. Now enough talk, lamb. Tis time you slept again."
I scowl, wanting to know more about what has happened to me but admit to the fact that I am tired. Yet I fear to sleep.
"I will not leave you again child. I give my oath I will be with you. If ye begin to dream I promise I will wake you. Here, take my hand. Close your eyes now. Gimli is here and all is well."
I try very hard not to sleep but Gimli is humming one of the songs he used to sing on the quest, the one that always helped the Hobbits find rest and despite my every effort I find myself sinking into slumber.
So many questions left unanswered so many things unexplained, yet if Gimli Gloinson is with me I know I am safe.