Legolas Imagines (LOTR/Hobbit)

Darkness Will Not Claim You (Pt 2/2)

~LOTR~

Y/N, stay with me. Open your eyes for me, mellon.

You heard Legolas's voice and struggled to comply. With nothing but sheer will, you managed to pry your eyes open, but as soon as you did so, you noticed two things: the excruciating pain coming from the upper part of your foot—just a little above the ankle—and the darkness. 

You spoke with clenched teeth. "Legolas are my eyes open?"

"Yes, they are open," came the reply.

Your heart sunk at these words. Drawing off of your limited knowledge of venom, sight could be momentarily taken if the venom was strong enough, and could take up to a month to heal or never return again. But you had to dwell on the positive right now. You felt Legolas's gaze on you and heard him speak again. 

"You cannot see me, can you?"

You shook your head. "I believe It's do to the venom."

Legolas quickly pulled up the leg of your trouser and undid the laces of your boot. He spoke. "On three."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

You sucked in a breath as the boot was removed, but the pain did not worsen. Odd, you think, speaking. "How bad is it?"

Legolas took a beat before responding, still examining the area going by the light -and thankfully- painless touches you felt. 

"The punctures are shallow, but they are infected. I need to remove the poison now and then treat them with herbs."

"How will you remove it?" you asked, kicking yourself for how timid you sounded. You were a warrior and should be bearing your injury with bravery. But the thought of having the elf do something painful to you without knowing what it was made your stomach churn.

"By sucking it into my mouth and spitting it out," he answered. 

Legolas's tone softened and he spoke gently. "First I'm going to have to cut your flesh in order to better access the poison. "This will hurt," he cautioned. "But only for a moment. You may hold onto me to help you bare the pain, if you so prefer, but this must be done."

You shook your head, your heart pounding at the thought. "Isn't there another way?"

"Not one that will allow me to remove the poison faster. This way, my strength and stamina will allow me to cut deep and remove the venom at a much faster rate than that of a human."

You nodded and blinked back tears from the increased pain as the air bit at the bite. Legolas saw this and mistakenly took it for fear. He smiled encouragingly at you, caressing your cheek. "Worry not, I will be quick."

You melted into his touch, nodding weakly. "Do it."

Legolas pulled a few herbs from his pack and prepared them, lighting a small fire. When it was hot enough, he placed them in a small metallic bowl with some water to let them soften, before rummaging around in his pack. Soon after, the elf pulled out a small clean knife.

Legolas's slender hand slipped into your own and you grasped it firmly. As the metal touched your skin, you flinched.

"Sorry," you said.

Legolas nodded and tried  again, lowering the blade and making the first deep cut. You cried out in pain, but did not rip your foot away, a tear coming free of your eyes which you wiped away quickly before the elf could see.

"Please hurry," you thought. Not only was it very painful, but also terrifying because you couldn't see anything but darkness. You clutched onto Legolas's hand as if it were the only rope in a sea of darkness about to consume you, feeling his strength and allowing the calming timbre of his voice to sooth you.

"Only one left."

Legolas made the last cut just as quickly, always allowing you to squeeze his hand as tight as you needed to without complaint. You didn't scream this time, but bit your lip so hard that you drew a little blood. 

When it was over you were breathing heavily, sweat sprinkles on your forehead. You knew what was next, and swallowed in trepidation.

The feeling of the elf's lips on your throbbing wound soon came to your attention.

The venom was removed swiftly, hurting you at first but then oddly stopping. You did not know why it was odd or how it happened. All you kept repeating in your mind was free. Wait, why were you doing that? You were not free, were you? No, freedom meant death. You were not dying. You weren't weren't weren't weren't were. Freedom. 

You smiled groggily, speaking incoherently.

"It s..dosn't .... hurt anymore."

Legolas spit out the last bit of poison and turned to you, alarmed by your words. He took your head into his lap as your eyes closed.

"No, stay with me, Y/N!" Legolas slapped your face lightly in order to rouse you.

You felt it but couldn't open your eyes, feeling the pull of unconsciousness dragging you down into the blackness and emptiness. You tried to fight it, but only managed to speak one last word.

"forgive....."

"No, no, please!" Legolas begged, pain not completely coming through his words. "I am going to take you to Mirkwood and the healers there will make you better. You will see again."

You remained motionless, the faint movement of your chest almost indiscernible and growing fainter.

With glassy eyes, Legolas stared heavenward, his eyes filled with uncomprehending pain. "Mandos, she is the only friend I have left. Why must you take her too?" 

He took your hand in his and felt the fading warmth of your body. "Darkness will not claim you," he whispered brokenly.

Like the forming winter frost, everything happened minutely.

Legolas felt your hand go limp within his own. Feeling a pain stab through his heart, he saw your eyes loose their light before they closed. Holding back the overwhelming urge to weep, Legolas put his ear to your chest and listened to your heartbeat growing fainter and fainter. Leaning down, he felt your last breath upon his lips as he gently pressed them to yours before separating. And finally, unable to hold back his emotions anymore, Legolas wept into your hair,  breathing in your scent so he would never forget.

And throughout the ages, he never did.

~

~

A/N: Wow, okay. *hands out tissues to everyone* I tried not to have this chapter go this way, but the title didn't give me much of a choice. Essentially, I had two choices:  I could either save the O/C and extend this imagine to 3 or 4 chapters instead of two —which I know most of you would not prefer— or the O/C dies, keeping everything from going wonky on me.  Guess which one I chose? Heh... I really need to do a happy one after this. *Blows nose*

As always, feel free to review!