An Unusual Journey

Part Six

When Legolas awoke, he sat up. His eyes widened when he noticed Aragorn leaning against a tree. Folding his arms across his chest and wincing when he accidentally touched his wound, Legolas huffed, "Where were you?"

"Following you." He said calmly. "And it's a good thing I did too! You could have been killed!"

Legolas rolled his eyes. "Whatever. If you had just come with me in the first place, I never would've been alone."

"Well..." Aragorn grinned, "I was going to scare the living daylights out of you... But when you collapsed from exhaustion, I decided not too." He chuckled, "I knew you needed rest."

Legolas sent him a withering glare, "What? Well good thing you didn't. That could have been deadly...for both of us." Legolas turned his attention to his wound and tightened the bandage before standing up. "We should get moving again."

"Are you rested?" Aragorn asked, sober again.

"Yes. I'm fine. Let's go." Legolas answered quickly.

Aragorn eyed him skeptically, "Alright..." He said slowly, and stood up.

The two friends continued on their journey through the forest. The rest of the way was uneventful and before long they were safely inside the gates of the Woodland Realm. Legolas told the guards to take Aragorn to the healers as he went to talk with his father.

Aragorn protested violently, saying that he didn't need it and that he was fine.

Legolas sent a amused smirk to the ranger, "Please take him there." He commanded the guards.

"You're injured too!" Aragorn exclaimed.

Legolas nodded in agreement, "Yes, that's true and I will go to the healers once I have spoken to my father."

"Then let me go with you!" Aragorn half said, half asked.

"No." Legolas turned away and headed for the throne room.

Aragorn grumbled to himself and then walked off reluctantly to the healers room. The healers expertly cared for his wounds and scrapes. When they were done, one healer spoke, "Be very careful with your arm and don't use it for anything. It must remain immobile to heal."

Aragorn nodded. "Thank you." He got up to leave.

A guard came into the room as he was leaving. "The King thought you might want to know where Prince Legolas is and he sent me to inform you. The prince is in his chambers."

"Thank you." Aragorn nodded and headed straight there. When he arrived, he knocked.

A stern voice answered, "Come in." Aragorn turned the knob and walked in. Thranduil was sitting by the bed on a chair and in the bed was Legolas. He appeared to be sleeping.

Aragorn bowed, "I am sorry. I will come back later." He turned to leave.

Thranduil smiled tiredly and raised his hand, "Wait. Come in, Estel. He is only sleeping." Aragorn nodded, and turned around to face the great king. "Thank you, for taking care of him." Thranduil explained gratefully.

Aragorn looked down, "I was the one who essentially caused his wound. My behavior caused this." He gestured at Legolas and sighed.

"Yes, but you carried him to me, well part of the way at least." Thranduil sighed, "He came to me and upon seeing him so weak, I ordered him to bed. After much argument, he finally went to bed and dropped off instantly." Thranduil smiled at his son.

"He is stubborn." Aragorn agreed.

Thranduil quietly laughed, "He is indeed. He told me that he commanded you to go to the healers."

"Yeah." Aragorn admitted.

Suddenly serious, Thranduil asked, "Did you accomplish what you intended to do when you left?"

Aragorn's shoulders drooped, "No. I'm sorry. I forgot about it when I was trying to reach Mirkwood."

"Estel, it's not a problem. I'm just glad you and my son are okay." Thranduil consoled.

"Is there anything you would like me to do? I could go back out and track the Orcs?" Aragorn asked.

"No, of course not! You are injured." Thranduil practically scolded. "I will send some elves to do that, but thank you for trying."

"But it's my duty! I failed, and I should go back out!" Aragorn protested.

"Estel, I would let you but for one reason. My son. He would never forgive me if I let you go back out. So please, listen to what I'm saying." Thranduil persuaded.

"But..." Aragorn started, "He wouldn't know."

"Yes he would. As soon as he wakes up in sure he'll ask about you." Thranduil replied honestly.

"You can tell him that I wanted to go." Aragorn pleaded.

Thranduil sent him an annoyed look, "No. That is my final answer."

Aragorn looked down, "Alright." He sighed, "is there anything else I can do?"

"As a matter of fact, there is." Thranduil smiled regally, "Go and rest."

Thranduil sighed, "Go rest." He paused, but continued, "Actually, you may stay herewith me if you."

Aragorn bowed his head, "Thank you, my lord." He leaned up against a wall. Thranduil nodded and returned his attention to Legolas.

After an hour of sitting quietly while watching Legolas, the elvish prince stirred. Legolas opened his eyes slowly and stretched. His eyes widened when he noticed the two men standing near him. "Uh, hi. What are you doing?"

Thranduil smiled, "I invited him to stay here with me while you rested."

Legolas rolled his eyes, "Okay. Aragorn, how is your arm?"

Aragorn huffed, "It's fine! And because of you" he emphasized, "I couldn't do anything useful." He exclaimed.

Legolas chuckled, "Good." Aragorn glowered at Legolas.

Thranduil sighed, "You two are unbelievable. But, turning to more serious matters, I want you both to stay here resting for at least a week before you go gallivanting about again. Understand?"

Legolas answered begrudgingly, "Fine."

Aragorn sighed in frustration, "Okay."

"Thank you. Rest well, both of you." Thranduil smiled and stood up. "Estel, if you would like, I'll have a couch brought in for you to rest on."

Aragorn nodded, "Thank you."

"Of course." Thranduil nodded before leaving the room and gently closing the door.

~The End~

That's it! The end of this story:) I truly hope you liked it!!! If so...then please tell me by clicking that star button! Thank you all!

Credits:
Evara-Aragorn
Ithildae-Legolas
Ithildae-Thranduil
Karock-Ithildae
Keldara-Evara
Evara and Ithildae-Extra characters

*Note
All of J.R.R. Tolkien's characters belong to him and no one else.