Chapter Text
11 – I am going to kill you (good end)
Gimli’s POV:
We trotted in a comfortable pace. I sat behind Legolas. His back felt cold and I could swear that he was shaking. We rode on silence; the only ones talking were Aragorn with his men and the wizard. I didn’t listen to them, I focused on Legolas instead.
Suddenly Legolas inhaled deeply and began to sway a bit. He exhaled and leaned more into me. I knew something was awfully wrong, but the damn elf wouldn’t listen and rest. I tightened my hold on him, so he wouldn’t fall of the horses’ back.
“Alright there, laddie?”, I finally asked.
“Yes, I just feel cold that is all!”, he replied, but I did not quite believe him.
I mumbled something about the arrogance of elves and their stupidity, but I spoke in Khuzdul, so he would not understand me.
Legolas sat straight again and I said: “Ya shouldn't have left the bed, you stubborn elf!”
“Legolas, is everything alright?”, the approaching Aragorn said, “You look quite pale.”
Of course he does look pale, he is sick after all.
“Of course not. This pointy eared idiot should have stayed
in bed instead of accompanying you!”, I snapped.
Aragorn watched Legolas for a few more minutes, before he shouted: “We will stop and rest here for a few minutes! Oh and Gandalf, may I speak to you?”
I was curious what Aragorn wanted from Tharkun, but I chose to ignore it for now.
Legolas had led Arod a little away from the rest of the group and I immediately slipped down his back. I was happy I was able to walk the earth on my own, without riding on this biest.
As I turned back around, Legolas was back on the ground again, but his back was turned to me and he was clinging to Arod’s back. He took shaky breathes and his legs had begun to shake.
“Legolas!”, I cried in panicked and got the attention of Aragorn and Tharkun.
They ran towards us and I stepped closer to Legolas. Legolas’ legs finally gave in and I was barely able to catch him.
I kneeled down, the unconscious elf holding in my arms. He breathes were shaky and irregular and his skin was way too pale.
“What has happened?”, asked Tharkun, while he sat down on Legolas’ other side.
“He was wounded during the battle, but he should have been just fine.”, Aragorn answered.
“Where was he wounded?”
I thought a moment, before I said: “He got a blow to the head, nothing too nasty, and he was stabbed in his stomach.”
The wizard looked more closely at Legolas and his hand hovered over Legolas’ chest.
“I fear I need to see his wound.”
I nodded and began to open Legolas’ clothes, revealing his upper body and fatal looking wound. The wound’s edges were green and a green line ran up his chest, to his heart.
“Just as I have feared…”
“What is it wizard?”, I snapped.
“The blade was poisoned. A special venom that will start to act immediately, but will show just a few days after. At this stadium, it will lead to death almost always.”
“But you are able to help him, right?”, Aragorn asked panicked.
“That I do not now. But I need space to work…”, his gaze lingered on me.
I huffed but eventually stood up, lying Legolas carefully onto the ground and stepping behind the wizard, next to Aragorn. Legolas’ condition had worsened in these few moments. He almost did not breathe and his face was contorted in pain.
Tharkun moved his hands right above the wound and started to mumble strange words I couldn’t quite place.
I glanced to Aragorn who was gazing shocked at Legolas. He eventually caught me looking at him and exchanged a worried look with me, before focusing his attention back to the wizard and the elf.
I could not stand to lock at my friend in this state, so I closed my eyes and listened instead. Eventually Legolas’ breathing became more even.
“Gimli…”, it was barely a whisper and I almost didn’t catch it.
I reopened my eyes and saw that Legolas had his eyes open as well. The wizard had stopped mumbling and was rising up to his full height. He turned to Aragorn and me and nodded tiredly. I wasted no more second and rushed to Legolas’ side. I grabbed his cold hand in my much bigger ones. His eyes were barely open, but as soon as he saw me, a small smile grazed his lips.
“I was barely able to help him. Had we waited a few seconds more, it would have been too late for our dear fellow here.”
“Will he be alright now?”, Aragorn asked.
“With time, rest and care, I have no doubt he will be as healthy as ever.”
Aragorn nodded and was guided away by the wizard.
“I guess, these two need some time alone to speak. It was quite traumatic for them!”
I focused my full attention on Legolas, who had closed his eyes completely.
“How do you feel?”, I asked.
“Tired, sore and my chest hurts!”
“Bloody treeshagger! You could have prevented this all from happening. If only you had said something earlier, you thick headed, pointy eared elf!”
He huffed: “That’s the way I am… but what for have I got you then?”
“Damn elf. The next time you do something this stupid, I am going to kill you!”
“At least you would make it easier for the orcs then. But what about you? How would you find back home without me to guide you?”
“I would find a way. And now, shut up and rest! I just stay here and make sure you stop making idiotic things.”
“Thanks.”, he mumbled, before sleep overtook him.
So much for the wisest creatures in all middle earth! If all are like him, it is almost a miracle they aren’t extinguished yet.
But I wouldn’t want him any different! I like him the way he is and even if it is annoying sometimes, it also has its good times.