The old ways

Legolas sighed deeply as he sank down onto the soft mattress covering the large bed. He would have to share it with Gimli, but there was so much room, it didn't really matter. Without noticing it he drifted into a light slumber, walking tlvenlven realm of dreams.

Gandalf walked up to the bed quietly, noticing Legolas' deep slumber, even though his eyes were wide open. It astounded him that Legolas did not wake or stir at the least, for he surely must have felt Gandalf presence. On the other hand there was definitely something amiss with the elf. The old wizard had felt it as soon as they had met the great wood of Fangorn. He w't q't quite sure what to make of it, he was to find out soon. Gandalf sat down on the side of the bed, still watching Legolas for any signs of awakening, but he couldn't find any. Perplexed he shook the prince's shoulder softly and observed the changing in the eyes. They were coming into focus rather slowly and Legolas had to stifle a yawn, as he looked into Gandalf concerned face.
"Mithrandir, I am sorry, I didn't hear you coming in." Legolas moved into a sitting position folding his legs under him.
"I was very quiet. Not to worry. I have noticed, my dear elf, that you are somewhat fatigued. That does not seem very much like you." Gandalf watched his opposite intently.
"I don't know. I think it's the journey and the threat that lingers on my mind. But yes, you are right I am fatigued."
"Mhm, I didn't notice any signs of your tiredness when we were in Moria. Tell me were did you go after you left the caves."
Legolas stretched his back a little. "Aragorn led us straight into Lorien."
"I see. How do things fair in the golden woods. Let me guess, you have seen Haldir again?" A tiny smile curved the lips of the old wizards.
A slight blush crept up the elf's cheeks "Yes. Yes I have seen him again."
"Can I presume, from your reaction, that you made up a little bit? Come make an old man happy. Tell you pulled yourself together and overcame your prejudices."
Now it was Legolas place to smile "We have pulled ourselves together and made up. But not only a bit, I think we actually have suddenly found what we were looking for all along, but without thinking about it. It just happened."
"Those are wonderful news indeed. But let me ask you something, and it is important that you answer me truly!" Gandalf's expression grew serious.
"Why would I lie to you?" the elf grew slightly nervous but tried not to show it.
"Now my dear Legolas, let ask you; do you encounter a slight dizziness from time to time?"
Legolas could only nod. He encountered it more often than only from time to time but didn't want to voice it.
"Now then, what about nausea?" Gandalf cocked hiad. ad.
"Yes sometimes. But that was only while we were travelling down the river Anduin."
"I see. You feel tried, fatigued and worn out?"
Another nod.
Just as the door opened Gandalf formed his next question "Problems with your appetite lately?"
Suddenly Gimli's rough voice interfered "Well, that's a mild way of putting it! He either eats nothing or he would even give a hobbit a hard time keeping up with him!"
Legolas' head shot around staring at his friend.
"Ah, Master Gimli. You have noticed it too then?" Gandalf looked closely at the dwarf. "It seems to me that you two have overcome you differences and exchanged them for something else, am I not right."
Gimli stood proudly at Legolas' side. "I never had a better friend in my life! What differences were you talking about old man?" Gimli grinned.
"Oh nothing, nothing. Now, on with my questions. Any mood swings in the last time?"
"I don't think so." Legolas looked at his bed sheets. Gimli snorted "Oh? And what about a few days ago? Gandalf, he was with us at our campsite and suddenly was jumping up, running away and yelling at us to leave him alone!" "I wasn't yelling!" Legolas protested weakly.
"I think it's time that you left us alone for a short while Gimli. I have some things to discuss with Legolas in private." Gandalf put his hand on Gimli's shoulder.
The dwarf looked first at his friend and then at the wizard "If you need me, my elven friend, just give me a shout. I won't be far off." With that he turned and strode towards the door. When he had left Gandalf turned back to Legolas. "I would never have suspected that you two could become such fast friends and I am very glad about it. I think you will need his encouraging and trusting presence in the future."
Legolas eyed Gandalf carefully. Was the old wizard on about? Gandalf moved off the bed and went across the room to pull up a chair for himself and sat down again opposite to the elf.
He rested his elbows on the arms on the chair and steepled his fingers. His brows knit as he closed his eyes and concentrated hard. Ah, yes. There it was. So he had been right with his assumption. Gandalf took a deep breath and addressed Legolas. "My dear friend. This is a most serious situation, who have brought upon yourself."
Legolas eyes grew large. "What are you talking about. Where did I fail? Have I betrayed you in any way? Has Aragorn complained?"
"No, not that I heard. But you surely know that this is not an easy task. Did you talk abot?"t?"
"Talk about what Gandalf? I know that the fate of Middle Earth is at stake. Of course, our goal is not easy to achieve. But when we hold together we will, holly,lly, bring this terror to an end."
"Legolas, how can you bring such a burden, even if it is a joyful one, onto yourself, at a time like this?"
"If you didn't want me on the fellowship, why didn't you say so in the first place? I don't understand your bickering. It is not like you." Legolas grew frustrated.
"When you joined the fellowship, I didn't know you were going to get yourself into this condition."
"I am perfectly healthy. There is nothing amiss. Just because I feel dizzy from time to time, I am not a burden to our task."
"Legolas! Have you thought about your condition in a few weeks time? How can you be so irresponsible?"
Legolas shot up from the bed and glared at the wizard. "What, in the Valar's name, is wrong with you? What are you on about? How should my condition change in a few weeks time, have you gone mad?"
Realisation hit Gandalf like lightning. Obviously the elf had no idea what had happened to him. But he had thought...., no matter. He cleared his throat "I am sorry. I thought you knew."
"Knew what?" Legolas hissed.
"Please sit down. I will explain."
Not without a little protest the elf sat down on the edge of the bed again.
"Legolas, please close you eyes and concentrate on yourself. On your body and any changes that might have occurred."
Hesitantly, Legolas closed his eyes and did as he had been told. After a few seconds of a trance like state, he feel the soft humming of his own body. It was like a satisfying low drumbeat. In synch with the surrounding nature, the steady rhythm of his heart and slow even breathing. All in all everything felt perfectly normal. The renewed bond of love with Haldir soared through his being and his body answered it with every fibre. Legolas was about to open his eyes again, when he felt something else. Something like a faint flicker, like a hesitant knock in his lower body. A presence he didn't know, but on the other hand felt so familiar. A second mind within him, connected to his own. The shock hit him and clenched his heart. So hard it hurt and he gasped in pain and disbelieve.
Gandalf had watched his friend and noticed the rapidly paling colour of his face. Suddenly the elf gasped in shock and his eyes flew open. Gandalf was already there to steady him, when a loud cry bursom tom the elf's lips "Nooo....!"