The old ways

Aragorn jumped as soon as he saw Gandalf emerging from the woods carrying Legolas limp body in his arms. Gimli followed on the wizards heels and as they reached the fire he hurried to lay out a bedroll near the warmth from the fire and watched with a concerned expression as Gandalf lowered his friend onto the blanket. They covered him with some blankets and sat down to either side of him.
“Gandalf, what happened? He isn’t...” Aragorn looked shaken as he stared down at the lifeless form.
“No. No, my friend. He is still with us. But it will take time for him to recover, if he ever will. We all have to help him. Maybe, if we are lucky, there are things for him to live for. But I cannot make any statements at present. Go, rest now Aragorn. We are all weary and it will not help us or him if we weaken ourselves further.”


Eowyn sat quietly beside the silver haired elf, watching him sleep. Or at least she thought so. She had heard about elves sleeping with open eyes, but she had never witnessed it. It made her feel uneasy to see it actually happen before her own eyes. Not knowing if it was a good or bad sign, she leaned over from time to time to check if he was still breathing. The wounds had ped ped bleeding some time ago, but it would take weeks, if not month until they were able to roll him onto his back again. If it would happen at all, but she refused to give up hope. No sound had come past his lips since he uttered the name Legolas some hours ago.
When Marna came into the smaller room again, in which they had moved the mortally wounded fighters, she found Eowyn sleeping in one of the chairs beside the bed with the elf. She didn’t want to wake her, so she simply pulled a blanket over the sleeping woman and sat down on the other vacant chair for the night watch.
A small sound woke Eowyn, it was a harsh whisper that caught her attention. She looked around in the nearly completely dark room, where only one candle was lit not to disturb the sleeping. She could see Marna’s wide open eyes, staring at her questioningly. There it was again; something she didn’t understand “Nen, seas.”
“Nen”
Eowyn’s eyes went wide, the elf was speaking. His voice was hoarse and fragile but nonetheless he was speaking “Sorry, I don’t understand you! Do you want something? Some water perhaps?”
“Mae. Yes, please. Water.”
The shieldmaiden was up in no time. She picked up a goblet filled with water and hastily returned to the wounded elf. When he wanted to move, she quickly held him back “No, you mustn’t move. Please your back was badly injured. Here let me help you.” She put the Goblet to Haldir’s lips and watched him drink thirstily.
“Diola lle. Thank you.” He muttered as he rested his again on the pillow. “Where am I?”
“We are still at Helm’s deep. We found you outside after the battle. Everyone believed you were dead, but I saw you were still bleeding. We brought you in here and tended your wounds. They are really bad, but maybe with the healing powers of your people yoght ght recover. I know you came here from Lorien, but I do not know your name Master elf. Would you care to tell it me?”
“My name is Haldir, Haldir of Lorien.”
“I am Eowyn, niece of King Theoden.”
“Has the battle ended? What happened to my people? There was another elf, he didn’t come with my troops, he...” Haldir’s voice trembled and coughing kept him from speaking any further.
“Shhh... You must rest. We will talk later. Please you will need your strength.”
“Please I must know. His name... his name is Legolas.”
“He left with Aragorn, the dwarf, Theoden and some soldiers to meet Gandalf to hunt down the remaining foes.”
A faint smile lit up Haldir’s face “He is alive then. Oh Elbereth. I thank thee.” He sank down onto the pillow again and weariness overtook him and sent him back into a deep sleep.

Eowyn stared in amazement at Haldir. His injuries had been so severe, that she was sure he would not survive another night. She sat back in her chair and rested her right hand on Haldir’s uninjured shoulder. Like this she had the chance to notice any change in his breathing.

Haldir felt like he was floating. The pain had not really lessened, but Eowyn had just told him that Legolas was still alive. Or rather he had been still alive when they left. Haldir knew quite well, that Legolas’ chance of survival out in the open was better than in a closed keep like this. Elves were not made for walls of stone.
When the axe of the Uruk-Hai had cleaved his back and all his sensed fad failed him, Haldir had been sure that he was dead. He had regretted all those wasted years as his life seemed to pass him by in a matter of a split second. And now he was here, saved by someone he had not even known. Deep in his heart he begged that all would come to a good end and that he would see his love again. His thoughts still lingered with Legolas when his mind slipped into sleep.