Fine, the next chapter's here. As I said,I cannot tell when I upload another one, school stuff drives me crazy, I hope you understand. Now, enjoy the story and have a nice weekend!

Guest from the review of 3rd chapter: I know that Sam saved Bill from his previous owner, I wasn't sure if you'd read my respond to you, but it is alternate, so I changed some things :) greetings to you ;)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

~~~~ Chapter 4 ~~~~

The fellowship was talking quietly. They were telling one another a funny stories of their childhood when Legolas woke up and came up to them, silently. Everyone looked at him.

He saw Boromir and flinched, but ignoring this, he sat next to Aragorn.

"Are you alright Legolas?" asked Frodo.

"Yes. I'm fine" he answered.

"We were worried."

"No need to be worried. I'm fine." he looked at Aragorn who was studying his face.

He smiled to him letting him know that he's really alright.

"So, what were you talking about?" he asked.

"We were telling stories from our childhood." answered Merry.

"Mr. Legolas! Can you tell us something?" asked Sam who was dying to know something more about the elf's childhood.

"Um.. Me?" he didn't hide his surprise.

"Yes! It would be nice! Aragorn has already told us about day you and-"

"Umm, Pippin, can you pick our things?" interrupted Aragorn smiling nervously.

"Oh yeah, of course." he wanted to stand up but Legolas interrupted.

"Wait! Tell me, what did he tell you?"

"Oh, when you and he were chasing each other but you got into trouble with spiders!"

Legolas looked at Aragorn murderously. The ranger seemed to search for any way of escape

"I wasn't in trouble. I was just-"

"Escaping from the big group of tarantulas." interrupted him his friend.

"I was distracting them to make your path clear..." he said smiling.

Aragorn snorted amused in a little disbelief, hoping that Legolas won't kill him when he is asleep.

"Of course my friend. Of course you were." he laughed and the elf laughed back.

Aragorn was happy seeing a smile on his friend's face.

"Now, we have to go. We stayed here for a little too long." answer Gandalf and Legolas felt guilty somehow.

The wizard realised what he said and smiled to the elf.

"It's not because of you, don't feel gulity." he whispered to him.

Legolas nodded and smiled. Then, he took his place next to Aragorn and everyone, after picking up their stuff, started moving on. They were passing stairs, bridges and corridors. Darkness still has been bothering him. But Gandalf knew it and gave him as much light as he could.

"The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels - but mithril." said the wizard giving his light down the halls and walls, and all the mithril started shining.

Legolas sighed with relief when some light fell on him. The hobbits were staring at the silver with amazement. Merry would almost fall off, but Pippin grabbed his shirt.

"Bilbo had a shirt of mithril rings that Thorin gave him." said Gandalf looking at Frodo who was wearing this shirt unnoticed.

"Oh, that was a kingly gift!" Legolas heard Gimli.

"Yes. I never told him, but its worth was greater than the value of the Shire."

Frodo gasped at this news. He wasn't aware of its worth. He got nervous about it, what noticed Sam.

"Mr. Frodo, you're okay? You look like a ghost."

"I'm fine Sam. Don't worry."

The day passed on walking somewhere where Gandalf was leading them into. Legolas was already missing the sun, a wind, and a light.

Assuming that a night has come, the fellowship made a camp in one of the chambers. This one was small, and there weren't any dead bodies. Legolas was trying to fall asleep but he couldn't. This chamber reminds him of his cell. He slept today only for a 15 minutes when Aragorn told him to. Now, when Aragorn had a watch, he decided to talk to him about his nightmares which were torturing him since they have come into the mines. He opened his eyes and got up slowly.

"Aragorn..." he began quietly.

"Legolas? Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I need to talk to you..." he whispered little ashamed.

Aragorn looked around at the sleeping fellowship, and came up to the elf.

"What happened?" he kneeled in front of him with worry on his face.

"I.. can't sleep." he sobbed.

"Why? Does this darkness bother you?"

"Kinda.. but.. it's not only it..."

"So what? Tell me so I can help you."

"I... have nightmares." he sighed and closed his eyes. "I wake up in this cell... and I can't move. Light is behind me, and darkness in front of. From the dark, those people come out... the light disappears.." he stopped only to wipe his tear. "and then.. they.. they.." he couldn't continue. He hid his face in hands trying to avoid crying.

Aragorn, knowing what's next, embraced him warmly and gently, wiping his tears as well. He shouldn't have suffered, he should've been happy now.

"This is only a dream Legolas." he whispered trying to comfort him.

"I know. But it wakes me up every time when they..." again he didn't end but was sure Aragorn understands. "I didn't want to disturb you but.. you have told me that I can tell you everything, or come to you every time.

"Of course, of course. You can do it, I want to help you with all my heart."

"This darkness here... reminds of this cell. I need to see the light Estel.. I can't sleep, I can't concentrate, I can only cry."

Aragorn again embraced him with love like Elrond used to do when he was young and scared of monsters under his bed.

"I shouldn't be that weak. I'm sorry I-"

"Don't be sorry. You are not weak, mellon nîn. You are the strongest person I've ever met. You've survived, you've found peace and happiness after all of these. Now, you have your moments but it's completely understandable. You can have fears, you can have weaknesses, it's normal. Remember, I will be by your side when you need me. And I will protect you with my life, I'm not going to let you down, I won't leave you. When you have to deal with any problem, I will help you. You have my word." he smiled lightly and wiped tears in his friend's eyes.

Legolas opened his mouth to say something, but he could only answer with sob and hid his head in the chest of Aragorn. He wrapped him tightly and gently. The tears of the elf made his tunic wet, but he didn't care. All he cared for at the moment was Legolas. He was glad that the prince was honestly talking with him, because he always says that he's fine. But once he was happy, then, he felt grief because it only means that he was really sad. His sob was quiet but filled with pain. He loved Aragorn as a brother, and he doesn't know what he would do without him.

"Legolas, mellon nîn, if you want to sleep I can give you sleeping herbs. I have some with me."

Legolas looked at him, his eyes were wet.

He shook his head.

"No. I don't want it. Can I just... stay and accompany you?" he asked quietly.

"Of course. It will be nice to have someone to chat." he smiled trying to lighten up the mood.

Legolas smiled and felt Aragorn's hand wiping his tears.

"Do not cry, my friend. You look better with smile." he smiled himself.

Legolas did the same.

"Thank you."

"You know you have nothing to thank me for."

They smiled to each other. Aragorn finally sat next to his friend and sighed.

"I feel evil inside this mine. And it's not only orcs. There's something more." he whispered.

"I guess you can't tell what it is."

"No." he shook his head. "But it's strong. I think Gandalf hides something from us." they both looked at the sleeping wizard.

"Maybe you're right. We must be cautious. You really don't want to take these sleeping herbs? You look so tired." he asked to make himself sure.

"I'm fine. Walking underground is just so tiring."

Aragorn didn't believe him but he couldn't push. He understood, but was worry as well.

In the morning, except for Legolas and Aragorn, the first one who woke up was Sam. He yawned and saw two friends in front of him.

"Morning." said Sam.

"Morning Sam. Did you sleep well?" asked Aragorn.

"Ignoring the conditions, yeah, quite good." he said quietly wanting to not wake up others. "Mr. Legolas, when did you wake up?"

"Uh, a few moments ago." he lied. He didn't want others to know about his night.

"Was your sleeping good?"

"Yes, it was. Thanks for asking." he smiled.

There were moments when he felt happy and forgot about the past. In a meantime, woke up also Gandalf. Friends were sitting quietly, looking at the floor.

"Let's wake the others and go as soon as possible." said finally Gandalf. "We cannot stay here for any longer.

"How far is the exit?" asked Samwise.

"It's our second day. We will be here for four days. Do the math, mr. Hobbit." smiled the wizard lightly.

"It's a huge place." said suddenly Merry, who woke up unnoticed.

"Indeed. That's why we should leave now."

Sam, Merry, Aragorn and Legolas stood up and started waking up the others.

Legolas woke up only Pippin. He was too afraid to come up to Boromir. And he didn't wish to be near Gimli, because he hadn't got a mood to an argument.

When the entire fellowship was on their feet, they were waiting for Gandalf's orders.

Legolas looked at Boromir, who sometimes was staring at him discretely. He didn't feel very strong near the man. He was rather afraid. But he also wasn't leaving Aragorn's side. He knew his friend would protect him in case of trouble. They spent all day on walking, every corridor looked exactly the same as previous one. Frodo seemed to be admiring this mine as well as Sam or Pippin, also Merry liked it. Sometimes, they were complaining about long walk but no one did really care.

"How many dwarves lived here?" asked Merry. "I believe that a big place as this had got also big amount of workers."

"Against everything, not many. Of course, those who are laying dead now weren't only members of this mine." said Gandalf.

"Have you ever been here Gimli?" asked Frodo.

"Oh yes! Yes! When I was a not bearded dwarf! My cousin Balin, invited my father, so he took me with him. This place was so loud and lively! None elvish parties would go compared to dwarves enjoyment of life!"

"What happened in Mirkwood when your father went there with his companions?"

"Oh, that's interesting story, lad! But I think our elven companion would tell about it more than I, isn't it right, elf?" Gimli asked looking at him, but he didn't answer. "Oh well. I forgot you're not willing to speak to any of us!" he said provocatively.

"No Gimli. I won't tell anything because it's my father who should do that. I don't belong to this story."

"Of course. Avoiding the subject like a coward, typical for elves." hissed the dwarf.

"Don't call me a coward if you know me not even a month." he whispered calmly. "Courage is not something you can judge after one event. Especially when you didn't take a part of it."

"I don't need to take a part of something when I already know the truth. You are not better than any of us, yesterday's acting show was really great, but I didn't change my opinion about you. I do not know what was that all about, but if you were trying to catch any attention, you got successed." he hissed and Legolas flinched.

Aragorn quickly appeared and stood next to him placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Gimli, that's enough!" he shouted.

"What? I'm telling the truth!"

"No, you're not. Leave him alone."

"Huh? I beg your pardon?! See, elf? You can't even defend yourself."

"Stop..." he whispered finally, his voice weak and broken.

"Why? I have no reason to stop."

"Yes you have! - shouted again Aragorn. "He isn't only a prince of Mirkwood and son of Thranduil. But he is my friend and I'm not allowing you to talk to him like that. Besides, he is a member of this fellowship, so you should treat him like a person, not a heartless creature." he hissed angry.

Now it was Legolas who placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. Aragorn looked at him. Gimli muttered something under his nose angrily and unhappy and walked away.

"You okay?" asked Aragorn very worried.

"Y... yes, I'm fine. Thank you for help."

"Always for you my friend." Aragorn smiled and he smiled back.

Gimli's words have hurt him. But Aragorn was busy with Frodo, who was also in his size of concern. He didn't want to add him an extra worry.

In the end of the day, it was Gandalf's turn to take a watch. Gimli was sleeping, so were hobbits. Boromir also laid on the floor wrapped in his cloak.

"Legolas, how are you feeling?" asked the wizard sitting next to him and Aragorn.

"I need a sunlight Mithrandir."

"I know. Tomorrow, you will see it. Aragorn" the ranger turned to him when he heard his name. "You should rest as well, my friend."

"I'm going to, just give us a minute, okay?"

The wizard nodded and walked a few meters away to sit opposite the fireplace.

"Here Legolas, I made a special medicine. It will help you fall asleep." he handed a bowl with strong smell to the elf.

He was so tired, and didn't want to stay awake also this night. So he didn't reject helpful hand. He drank almost everything although it was so bitter and sweet at the same time. He smiled lightly and closed his eyes.

"Losto mae, mellon nîn." whispered Aragorn wrapping his cloak around the elf's body.

He smiled to himself under his nose and sighed with a relief, when he was sleeping.

He turned away and came up to Gandalf quietly. The wizard also looked at the prince without a word.

"He shouldn't suffer. He shouldn't come through it." whispered Aragorn.

"He shouldn't, but he does."

"I don't know how to help him..."

"You do everything to help him. And he sees it, and it's more important than any of medicines and efforts to make him smile. Giving him your support, you make him feel more alive. Your love is enough, it's the best help he could get." the wizard smiled. "Now, what did you give him?

"He has problems with sleeplessness, so I made a mixture which should help him a little. He should sleep until morning."

"Very well. He is really lucky to have you."

Aragorn smiled.

"Lucky or not, he is hurt deep inside. I hope he will forget about it all after the journey, if we come back."

"There's a chance. But now, go to sleep too. You are tired as well." Gandalf smiled.

Aragorn nodded, the wizard was right. He was exhausted. He was worried more of Legolas than of himself. He looked back at the friend and laid down. Gandalf let himself dive into his thoughts. He could piece everything together now...

T.B.C

Dictionary:Losto mae mellon nîn - Sleep well my friend