Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: No, reviews, that is making me sad now. This story will not be slash, just so that we are all clear on that. Let's begin.
Pain shot through his skull and around the rest of his body, drowning out all other sounds as Aragorn woke up groggily. He felt tired and the pain seemed to situate more in his stomach area than anywhere else through truthfully, he ached everywhere.
His mouth was painfully dry and he swallowed thickly, his mind hazy as he tried to focus on the murmur of voice right beyond his ability to hear. Everything was muffled to his ears and he pried his eyes opened, groaning as the sharp light that came from the torches shot another flash of pain through his already painful head.
His stomach rebelled and Aragorn tried to breathe through his nose so whatever was left in his stomach would not come up. He was glad that he was lying flat on his back because he could feel the world spinning around him.
Shapes were moving around him and somebody said. "Should I get one of the healers?"
"Give him a moment, Legolas; he might just be delusional again."
The other voice was deeper and Aragorn turned his head. The accent was unmistakable northern but he could not place the name as he asked, his voice a croak. "Legolas?"
The name sparked a memory of waking up in pain as well, an elf sitting beside him, challenging him and Aragorn frowned in concentration to try and remember when this had taken place. His head ached worse as a voice said. "You remember me, Aragorn?"
The light was blinding enough for him not to able to focus and then the deeper voice said again. "Pull the candle away from his face, Legolas, his eyes are wide and he cannot focus on the light because of the sickness that has plagued him. Extinguish some of the other torches as well, they are bright and besides, we do not need the light to see."
A smooth hand was placed over his own and without thinking Aragorn twisted his hand to squeeze the other one. He did not care if it was a complete stranger but suddenly he felt so alone and young and he wished for nothing more than to be at home right now with his father and his brothers taking care of him.
Another hand was placed over their joint ones and a soft voice murmured. "Do you know where you are?"
"Mirkwood?" Aragorn spoke softly, closing his eyes against the onslaught of light in the room.
"That is what men call these woods. It has been known to a different name to the elves. It was once called Greenwood the Great but it has been many years since our woods have been great and the wood elves have been pushed further north once the orcs invaded. But you are safe now."
"Where am I?"
"You are in the palace." The voice was strangely soothing and then Legolas' voice came.
"All the lights are extinguished. You can try to open your eyes now, Aragorn. Shall I go fetch a healer?"
This time when Aragorn opened his eyes the light did not burn quite so bright. He could barely make two alike faces. One with blue eyes and the other with vivid green ones. Aragorn swallowed thickly again and very softly the elf with the green eyes said. "Get some water, Legolas. I am sure that Aragorn is thirsty."
"Of course, Atar." Aragorn's breathing caught in his throat as he struggled.
"My lord?" He struggled to sit up but the elf rose and pushed him down with a firm hand on his chest.
"Do not try to move, Aragorn. We shall not stand on ceremony now! You are wounded and in need of rest. We will stand on ceremony another time when you have recovered. You already met my son and prince of Mirkwood Legolas Thranduilion and my name is Thranduil and I am king of Mirkwood."
The man closed his eyes. He was supposed to meet the king when standing in front of his throne, not lying in a bed, clenching his hand. Aragorn could feel the shame rise in his cheeks but his hand refused to release the older elf's hand and the green eyes softened unexpected as Thranduil said.
"Get some sleep, Aragorn." The tone was soft and gentle and Aragorn wondered what he had said.
"What happened?" He croaked as Legolas came around the bed with a glass. The man turned his head with great difficulty to focus upon Legolas as the younger elf sat on the bed while a gentle hand eased Aragorn's head up so he could sip.
He took careful sips, not wishing to choke himself. His head was eased back onto the pillow with a gentleness that reminded Aragorn of his father. His head was still spinning but he focused on both elves sitting beside his bed.
"You developed a fever and we brought you back to the palace." Legolas' voice was soft and Aragorn yawned.
"Are you sure that I should not get a healer?" Aragorn tried to focus on Thranduil but truthfully, he did not wish to see a healer. He was in pain but he did not wish to be an inconvenience.
"This was not the way Aragorn would have wanted to enter Mirkwood, I am sure." Legolas' voice held a teasing tone this time but the elves eyes were grave as they met his own.
"The mountain passes are dangerous, especially at night. They should not have been attempted by a young…."
"Atar!" Legolas hissed at his father and Thranduil paused.
Aragorn could feel the tension in the room deepen and he allowed his hand to relax, not grasping the king's hand any longer but Thranduil's soft fingers were warm on the back of his hand and finally Thranduil said. "I apologize, it was uncalled for."
"Legolas?"
"Yes, Aragorn?"
"What did I say during the night?" The question might embarrass him but he had to know.
"You were delusional; Aragorn and you assumed that you were in Rivendell." Legolas' voice was soft through a little bit smug. Aragorn flushed, he could only imagine what he had said during that night. And to king Thranduil as well….
Legolas chose the other side of the bed to perch as the elf softly. "You are young and the trials that you have been through since you left home would have anybody thinking of their family. Your wounds are not a trifle matter and you were, are very ill…."
Aragorn stared ahead at the wall, biting the inside of his cheek. He did wish for his family to be here so he could cry out with the pain if he wanted. What he had known about Thranduil was that the king was a strict one and stern.
Why out of all people in the kingdom did he have to be delusional in front of Thranduil? It was no doubt that he had called the older elf by Elrond's name. What would it mean? By the gentle pressure of fingers on the back of his hand he knew that Thranduil was painfully aware of him.
"Aragorn," The deep voice rumbled and Aragorn turned his head a little as possible to look at the elf. The green eyes of the king were soft as he said. ", what happened last night was acceptable. As Legolas has said, the circumstances were unusual and you were wounded and delusional. It will not affect any other future relationship between us. I will go and fetch some of that healing tea so that you will be pain free. I am sure that the head healer has left some for us."
The warm fingers withdrew and Aragorn sighed.
"Thank you, Aragorn."
"For what could you possibly be thanking me?" Aragorn glanced up. He was feeling miserable enough without anybody making jokes to or about him.
The elf beside him seemed sincere and Aragorn glanced up the prince to see the blue eyes honest as Legolas said. "It pains me to say this but for years the relationship between my father and I has been strained and for the first time in many years I saw in him the father I knew when I was a child. I thank you for that; for I fear that I have forgotten Thranduil the father in favor of Thranduil the king."
Aragorn had no idea why Legolas was speaking to him in such a way. At their first encounter the elf had seemed hostile to him and now he was speaking to Aragorn as if they were friends. His head ached and he moaned.
"We kept you up to long. The healer would have my hid." Legolas allowed Aragorn to take a few more sip of the water as the elf glanced up. "Atar is returning without the healer so I think that he convinced him that you only need sleep. You will soon be pain free, Aragorn, just a moment longer."
The soft footfall came closer and Aragorn glanced up at the king. Thranduil gave the mug to Legolas as the king sat down so he could lift up Aragorn's head. The man glanced at the king to see the kind eyes looking down at him as Thranduil nodded. "Do not worry. There have been many times that I have been sitting here while Legolas lay in the bed. I would do not different for a son of Elrond."
This time Thranduil's voice dropped a little and Aragorn could hear Legolas' soft snort. "Here drink you tea so that you do not have to bear witness to any more sentimental nonsense from Atar."
"Take care with your cheek, young one or you will soon find yourself back on patrol for months to come!"
"You could not miss me! You have been plaguing me for decades to get married and start to spend more time and more of my duties in the palace." Legolas grinned at his father.
"That was to get you out of my hair, princeling!" Aragorn could see the glint in Thranduil's eyes and as he glanced at Legolas, his new friend he supposed, he could see that something eased in the elf's rigid stance. He moaned softly and Legolas' eyes returned to him.
The elf placed the mug of steaming tea at Aragorn's lips and with each careful sip, taking care not to gag at the foul taste; Aragorn could feel himself sliding away. He was barely awake as his head was placed back on the pillow gently and firm hands pulled the blankets up to tuck him in.
He struggled to keep his eyes open and then a soft voice whispered. "Go to sleep, Aragorn! We will keep watch over you, little one." And with that reassuring promise in his ears Aragorn fell into a deep sleep.
I hope you liked it. Review of course and send some ideas.