Colours

Okay, Maybe it wasn't Just a Scratch

That night as we lay down to rest I began to feel sick again. I felt much too cold and put on as many layers as I could in an attempt to warm myself up. My arm ached terribly and I could barely even move it.

Seeing my distress from where he was watching me in the distance Legolas calls out for Aragorn to come.

Aragorn unwraps the linen on my arm to see that the wound had again filled with pus and the skin around is inflamed a deep red. He digs through my bag to find the right healing herbs before applying them to the wound and leaving again.

I groan from both the pain and fact that Aragorn is ignoring me.

"It's only cause he cares, you know," Legolas tells me.

I nod my head shivering and reach out with my arms to wrap them around his body.

Stunned Legolas freezes before gently placing his arms around me to, "Are..are you okay?"

I shake my head trying to pull myself closer to his heat. "Cold," I mumble.

I feel his hand feel my forehead and flinch away for a second before leaning into it feeling it warm me.

"You're burning up," he states, "I should call for Aragorn again."

I shake my head and hold him tighter before mumbling, "Nooooo!"

"No?" he asks, "But we must do something."

I reach towards my bag trying to get it but I can't find the strength. Suddenly the bag is pushed into my hands and I gasp in shock wondering what did that. I feel Legolas chuckle behind me but shrug it off confusedly. Digging through my bag I pull out the jar of herbs I'm looking for and hand them to Legolas.

"It's anti-fever stuff. Just boil it in some water and help me drink it and it should help."

"Okay," Legolas nods, moving to get up.

"Wait!" I call out, "Where are you going?"

Legolas stops, confused, "To boil the water."

"Oh!" I slowly let go of him and curl up in a ball against the tree.

I'm not sure how long has passed before Legolas returns and gently lifts me into a sitting position. "Here, drink," he places a cup to my lips and I take it with my good hand and drink the liquid inside.

Finished, I place the cup on the ground and reach to curl up into Legolas again. He reaches his hands out to stop me. "No," he says and I pout in disappointment. "You're much to hot," he continues, "We need to take off at least some of these layers."

"Nooo!" I whine, but eventually I succumb and allow him to help me remove my extra coverings. Shivering I curl up on the ground and feel a soft elven cloak laid on top of me. Next I feel a cool cloth rest on my head and I shrink away from the cold but Legolas holds me in place. I'm not entirely sure what happens next as I quickly slip into a deep sleep.

~~

At some point in time later in the dark I awake to hear voices whispering nearby.

"Is she okay?" Aragorn asks.

Legolas replies easily, "Yes, she has a fever but she had me give her some herbs earlier which helped a lot. Though Aragorn I am confused."

"Why mellon?" he questions.

"She kept trying to cuddle closer to me and I wasn't sure what to do it felt really comforting."

"Well Legolas, It seems like someone may ..."

I fail to hear the rest though as I fall back into slumber.

~~

It seemed like months had passed, though I knew it was only weeks, before the fellowship prepared to leave again. We had spent our time in Lothlorien well, healing, sleeping, and preparing in all ways for the rest of our journey.

We had gathered on the river banks of the Anduin to say farewell and thanks to those that had offered us shelter. The elves had graciously stocked boats for us with Lembas and other supplies. Even more generous they had brought gifts for each of us.

First, an elf came to each of us and placed a cloak around our shoulders. Each cloak had a beautiful leaf brooch to keep it closed. Addressing us each Celeborn speaks, "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."

Next Lady Galadriel comes to each of us one by one.

She stops at Legolas and hands him a bow, "My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim. Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."

Legolas smooths his hand over the bow and admires its craftsmanship, nodding in thanks.

She steps to her right and gives two small swords, one each, to Merry and Pippin. "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."

She moves next to Sam and hands him two gifts, a coil of rope and a small box of soil. She tells him, "And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain. Therein the box also lies a nut from one of the great Mallorn trees, may you plant it where you see fit."

Sam bows in gratitude and awe before timidly asking, "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?"

Lady Galadriel smiles and moves on to Gimli, "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?"

Gimli shakes his head staring at the ground, "Nothing." He looks up at her and meekly continues, "Except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth."

He scowls as Lady Galadriel laughs. Seemingly changing his mind he tries again, "Actually... There was one thing. No, no, I couldn't. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask."

There is a pause as Lady Galdriel plucks three strands of hair from her head and hands them to him. I stare at him in awe of the honour he has received.

Now, Lady Galadriel stops in front of me and I bow my head in respect. She offers me a dagger. Taking it I recognize the inscriptions of my people, I gasp as I remember even further the details of this dagger. "My father's dagger. I thought it was loss when Sauron destroyed Anorien, I looked everywhere for it."

Lady Galadriel nods, "Some of our people had ridden out to aid them in the battle. Unfortunately they arrived there too late, this was one of the few things they recovered."

Finally, she pulls Aragorn and Frodo aside to give them there gifts in privacy. By the look on Aragorn's face when he returns I know his had to do with Arwen.

~~

I help Legolas place the packs into the boats but stop for a minute confused as he pulls out a piece of Lembas. With almost a reverence he exclaims, "Lembas. Elvish waybread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown Man."

I roll my eyes and keep moving the packs but not before I hear Merry and Pippin in the background.

"How many did you eat?"

"Four"

I giggle and place the last pack in the boat. "Come along now hobbits," I call out, "Boromir is waiting for you."

I take them each by the hand and pull them over to their boat and help them in. I then make my way over to where Legolas and Gimli are already sitting ready to go in out boat and hop in.

"Off we go then. On to new adventures, and sleepless nights."