Disclaimers can be found in chapter one.
Special thanks to my betas, Lossefalme and Michelle.
Chapter 31: Avo visto o nin.
A soft moan brought Legolas out of his disoriented state. He gazed down at the mortal woman by his side and his heart lurched in his chest.
Kaitlyn was extremely pale, her body shook, her lips trembled and tears streamed down her face.
She moaned again as she awakened, and Legolas reached for her, resting a soothing warm hand on her face.
"Kaitlyn? Can you hear me?" he asked. His heart pounded in his chest.
She opened her eyes slowly and looked in his direction, but then quickly squeezed them shut again.
The moan and then the cry that escaped her throat were deafening to his Elvish ears and caused Legolas to wince. His brows furrowed. Kaitlyn was obviously in terrible pain. She bled through her bandages and the fever raged on.
She started to cry, which only aggravated her injury and caused her to cry harder.
Legolas pulled his cloak tighter around her. Then he trailed one hand up and down her face, his fingers wiping the tears and sweat away. He captured one of her hands with his and gripped it tightly. The sight of her in such terrible pain tore at his heart.
"I know it hurts, Rodwen, but you must attempt not to cry. It will cause more harm than good."
The Elf did not know if she could even hear him. Her breathing was heavy and he wondered when she tossed her head back and forth if she was delirious.
"Leg…o…las," she managed in between sobs.
Legolas gripped her hand tighter to let her know he was there. He opened his mouth to speak soothingly in his native tongue, when he realized the sudden silence. His eyes widened and for one long horrible moment, time stood still.
Kaitlyn no longer cried and Legolas feared that she had at last succumbed to her injuries. His heart rammed against his ribcage as dread overtook him.
Not her…not now…
His fears ebbed like the tide when he noticed the rise and fall of her chest and realized she still drew breath. The Elf exhaled deeply and attempted to still his racing heart.
Once again Kaitlyn was unconscious. While it kept her from feeling pain, it did nothing to ease Legolas. Concern and anxiety saturated his entire being.
Time passed slower than Legolas could ever remember. He willed it to quicken, so that Kaitlyn would be well again. Time continued to crawl, which left the Elf disconcerted with the lack of patience he suddenly displayed.
Legolas was barely aware of the footfall and voices that approached him and Kaitlyn some time later.
"Legolas?"
The voice came from up the stone stairs nearly 30 feet away.
The Elf's eyes widened at the sound of his name. "Aragorn!" he called out and his voice echoed through the caves.
The footfall quickened and grew louder and in moments Aragorn arrived at the entrance to the tunnel.
Legolas realized that the Ranger was not alone, though the Elf did not know who traveled with him.
"We have been searching for you. Two women and their young sons are worried about Kaitlyn. They attempted to find a healer among their people, but none could be spared," Aragorn began.
Legolas inhaled sharply. No healer to spare? Did they not know Kaitlyn was dying?
The Elf brushed back the damp dark hair from her face. "Her fever grows worse, Aragorn. I fear the poison is slowly killing her. She needs help."
Aragorn's eyes swept over the fair-haired Elf. Legolas trembled almost as if he too, suffered illness.
"I have brought help. I only hope that I have brought it in time."
Aragorn stepped aside, and a hooded figure dressed in a long, dark blue robe moved into the doorway. The hood lowered and revealed a pale face with long dark hair, brown eyes and pointed ears.
Legolas did not recognize the Elf that stood before him. He had thought the other Elves had departed Helm's Deep after the battle.
The Mirkwood and Rivendell Elves nodded to each other in polite greeting.
"Although he is young, Elaryn studied healing with Lord Elrond," Aragorn announced. "Together, he and I might be able to help her, if it is not too late."
Legolas nodded slowly and moved aside to give them more room.
Aragorn frowned and gazed at Legolas with sympathy. "We will need space and quiet to concentrate. We can afford no distractions."
Legolas' brows lowered over his worried blue eyes. Aragorn required him to depart and the thought of leaving Kaitlyn caused pain to flood his body.
It was not the pain one felt when they were struck with a sword or arrow. But the anguish of one's heart. A deep hurt that was not so easily healed. The discovery of the Mirkwood Elf's feelings of affection for Kaitlyn was still so new… It evoked actions and emotions he was unaccustomed to.
"Come on, lad. Give them some room."
Legolas turned to the doorway at the sound of Gimli's gruff voice. The Dwarf had appeared out of nowhere just as he had on the road to Helm's Deep so many nights ago.
Against his will, Legolas nodded. He did not want to leave Kaitlyn, but each moment he hesitated was a precious moment lost.
Legolas squeezed Kaitlyn's hand gently. He leaned over her, his blond hair brushing against her heaving chest. "Avo visto o nin," he whisperedso softly that none could comprehend his words Do not stray from me. (Do not leave me.)
He released her hand and rested it upon her trembling body. He stood and silently acknowledged Aragorn and Elaryn with a curt nod before he left. The Mirkwood Elf did not look back.
The night was cool and crisp. The moon and stars had returned to the sky, and they lit the world below in a ghostly blue glow. Helm's Deep was filled with mourning survivors. There was not a man, woman or child who had not lost someone they knew dearly.
Most of the Elves were gone now and those that remained were nowhere to be seen. Some people wondered if the Elven army had just been a dream.
Many survivors had spent the day burying family or friends. Now was time to pick up the pieces. The people of Rohan gathered around fires, telling tales, drinking and eating while others slept.
Gimli released the smoke within his mouth through his teeth. He and Legolas remained outside away from the people of Rohan, while Aragorn and another Elf tried to save Kaitlyn's life. Gimli had been shocked to hear that she had entered the battle and was seriously wounded. She was a strange girl, but he enjoyed her company and loved her as a friend.
Gimli sighed and looked to Legolas. The Dwarf never thought in all his years that he would feel such compassion for an Elf as he did at this moment.
Currently, Thranduil's son paced back and forth, then back again. The Prince was distraught and it bothered Gimli.
"She is in good hands, lad. Aragorn will not let her die."
Gimli had attempted to comfort Legolas several times during the past few minutes but this was the first time the Elf stopped pacing and paid attention to the Dwarf.
Legolas' face contorted into a frown. "They have been in there too long. Something must be wrong." The Elf sighed deeply
"I am certain they are doing the best they can, lad."
Legolas walked away, his hands entwined tightly together behind his back. "What if it is not enough, Gimli?"
Gimli puffed his pipe and released the smoke a few moments later. "Then it is not meant to be," the Dwarf replied softly.
Legolas looked up at the remark. Lines appeared on the Elf's forehead as his eyebrows drew together harshly.
Gimli sighed. "You act as if you are the only one suffering from what has happened. Do you not believe Aragorn hurts? Kaitlyn was injured saving his life."
Legolas shook his head. "I do not doubt his torment. But it differs from my own."
One of Gimli's bushy brows rose at the response. He held the pipe between his teeth and crossed his arms over his chest. "How?"
Legolas turned his gaze to the Dwarf, who still sat upon the same rock, smoking his pipe. The Elf shook his head sadly. "You would understand not, Gimli, and I am not about to explain it."
The Elf turned away and resumed his pacing.
It was a full hour later when Elaryn arrived with the news that they had done all they could. The fever still burned, but it's intensity had lessened. It was up to the mortal woman now whether she lived or died.
Legolas and Gimli walked back toward the tunnel, and as they went the word fireb echoed in the Mirkwood Elf's mind like a mantra. mortal
Aragorn appeared exhausted when they found him sitting beside Kaitlyn. The fighting alone had made the Ranger tired, but attempting to heal Kaitlyn had pushed him over the edge. His blue eyes were blood shot and his movements were slow.
"You should rest," Legolas told him. " I will stay with her through the night."
Aragorn nodded. "I will return later to check on her."
It was just past two in the morning when Aragorn came back to them. The Ranger looked slightly rejuvenated, but still not his usual self. Rest had been uneasy for him with so much on his mind.
Aragorn sighed as he watched Legolas. The Elf looked as if he had not moved since the Ranger last left. Legolas sat beside Kaitlyn, his hand holding hers and his eyes not leaving her form. He had tucked his cloak as well as some hay firmly around her body to keep her warm.
"You should eat and get some rest." Aragorn said to Legolas.
The Elf did not stir.
"Legolas?"
"I am not hungry, nor am I weary." The Elf's voice was flat and his eyes did not look away from Kaitlyn.
Aragorn tilted his head and carefully regarded his friend. "I will gladly keep watch for you."
"That is not necessary," the Elf said firmly.
"Legolas…"
The Elf looked up at him then and Aragorn noticed the pain in his blue eyes.
Aragorn knew Elves felt emotions more strongly than those of other races, but he felt Legolas was being unreasonable.
"We all wish for her to survive. You are not alone in your grief." Aragorn looked at the woman who lay motionless on the bed of hay and straw. "She may have given her life to save mine. Do you not believe that weighs heavily upon me?"
Legolas shook his head slowly, his blond hair a stark contrast as it danced upon the dark leather of his armor. He gazed at Kaitlyn's long hair and rolled several strands of it between his thumb and first finger.
"She knows what you are to become…She knows how important you are to Middle Earth."
Aragorn nodded. "She has surprised us all with her bravery or stupidity." Aragorn sighed. "She should not have disobeyed."
Legolas raised his head and met Aragorn's eyes. "But she did…"
The Man pursed his lips. "Aye," he answered softly.
The Elf and Ranger remained silent for a few moments until Aragorn spoke again "Will you not allow Gimli, Gandalf or myself to stay with her?" he attempted again.
"I do not wish to be parted from her," Legolas told him, suddenly unable to keep Aragorn's gaze.
In that moment, things began to make sense to the future King. Aragorn's brows and then raised in astonishment and disbelief.
Legolas saw the recognition in Aragorn's eyes and knew he could not hide much from the Ranger. "I fear that if I leave her side for but a moment she will pass," the Elf admitted gravely. "We nearly lost her once. I think about losing her and my heart feels as if it is being squeezed tightly. It is as if some unknown force intends to rip it from my chest and leave me forever in agony over the loss." His voice was softand his eyes were full of sadness.
"You have grown to love her as a dear friend," Aragorn told him, his voice cracking slightly. "As we all have," he added.
Legolas shook his head. "That is what I once believed."
Aragorn lowered his head and then raised it to glance at his friend. This was impossible. Yet the look in Legolas' eyes was unmistakable. Even still, Aragorn needed to hear it for himself. "And what do you believe now?"
Legolas looked directly into Aragorn's eyes, his gaze unwavering. "I am in love with her," the Elf whispered.
Aragorn exhaled loudly; his eyes grew wide.
Legolas lowered his eyes from Aragorn and looked to Kaitlyn.
"She is your friend. She has been in battle and you are concerned about her," Aragorn tried to reason.
"It is much more than that. "
Aragorn tilted his head to one side and stared at Legolas. "You have never shown any interest in women in all the years I have known you. Adventure is your passion. You must be mistaken."
Legolas shook his head. "Why must it be a mistake? Because she is mortal?" Legolas demanded. "If she were Elven would you be questioning how I feel?"
The Ranger was surprised by Legolas' tone, but he did not show it. "Legolas, you know how I feel about Arwen. Just as you know love between Elves and Humans is rare. The knowledge of your feelings for her is unexpected."
Legolas sighed and lowered his voice. "The Valar have finally graced me with this gift and I do not question it, Aragorn. I only know it to be how I feel."
"It may be you love her as a friend. A very close friend."
Legolas shook his head again. The blond hair cascaded down his lean shoulders when he ceased. "Nay. She is the one my heart has chosen."
"How can you be certain?"
"How do we know to breathe when we are born, or to eat? It is an instinct." Legolas gazed at Kaitlyn and stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. " I have often wondered how an Elf knows when they have found their match. I thought it was nonsense when I was younger. But there have been times I desired to know the feeling," the Elf smiled sadly. "It is not a normal feeling like hunger, pain or joy. It is a presence that surrounds body, mind and fea." spirit
Legolas turned his attention to Kaitlyn's hand and his fingers lightly traced the outline of her fingers. "It is all a bit frightening, " he whispered softly. "She knows not how I feel." He closed his eyes for a moment and willed away the fear that she might never know.
"I have never been in love before, " Legolas continued. "She is mortal, not of this realm, and now is not a sensible time to fall in love." The fair-haired Elf shook his head in distress.
"Meleth ú-'arn daeg." Aragorn told him placing a hand on the Elf's shoulder. (Love has not boundaries .) "It can come unexpectedly and sometimes we do not choose who we love. The only choice we have is whether to stand along side them or not. You have much thinking to do."
Legolas nodded. "I am making no decisions about the future. All I desire at present is for her to live."
Aragorn nodded, feeling slightly numb at the turn their conversation had taken. Of all things the Ranger might have expected when he returned to Kaitlyn and Legolas, this knowledge was not one of them.
"How many did we lose during the night?" Legolas asked softly, changing the subject.
"Five more. The total is one hundred and fifty nine. "
"Nearly half of the Rohan army," Legolas noted with grief.
"Terrible indeed, though not as terrible as it could have been."Legolas nodded. Everyone could have perished. He then turned to Kaitlyn and gently took her hand into his own. Her skin was warm with the relentless fever. He stroked her hand lightly with his long thin fingers.
"Let us hope that she will not be among them," the Elf whispered hoarsely.
To be continued….
It's been over a year that I have been working on this story. Wow. Times certainly flies. I received a ton of great reviews this chapter. Over 30 at and many more elsewhere. Thank you to one and all for your continued support with this story.