The old ways

"Now, Master Elf. Sit down on the bed, or rather lie down. I have some measurements that I want to take. Do you mind if I open your tunic and vest? It would be easier for me."

No answer came from the blond prince and so Gimli went on as if nothing had happened.

"No? Good. Let me just rid you of these restricting clothes and let me have a better look at you." Thus the dwarf opened the fastening of Legolas’ tunic and pushed the silver vest up to his chest. Grumbling a bit into his beard he went to open the slightly tight leggings. "We will have do something about that too, soon. Maybe we can loosen them at first, but it wont do much good for long. Now let me see, I have some string with me which I will use as a measure." By now, when Legolas was lying flat on his back, a bulge in the size of a man's fist was clearly to be seen forming just below his navel. Gimli was so busy holding the string along Legolas’ body that he didn't notice the door opening and Aragorn stepping in.

Aragorn was worried about his life long friend and it vexed him that the elf did not talk to him or confided in him as to tell him about the seriousness of his condition after Haldir’s death. Aragorn knew quite well that elves could fade from grief and he wanted to make sure that Legolas would get all the help he needed to stay alive. Trying not to think to selfishly about the matter, and the fact that he desperately needed the elf fighting alongside him, he did not want to loose him as a friend. So he had excused himself and had left it to Theoden to talk to his men and had turned straight in the direction of Legolas’ room. When he opened the door quietly, he nearly took a step back in shock. There was the dwarf bending over a half naked Legolas on the bed and his hands were near regions they surely shouldn't be. What on earth was the dwarf thinking?

"Gimli!" Aragorn’s voice was more than a little raised and it made the dwarf jump back in fright. "What, by the Valar, do think you are doing? Don't you think that Legolas is in enough pain, do you have to satisfy your sick needs now that he not able to hold you back?" he bellowed.

Gimli had regained his composure quickly and put his hands on his hips still holding the piece of thread tightly in his hands. "Now wait here just a damn minute, your Lordship. Nothing has happened and for your information I did not indent to satisfy my ‘sick’ needs in any way. I was just taking Legolas’ measures to help him get some more protection for his body. If he would grow week in battle and could not defend himself as he should I want him to wear more than just the flimsy arm protectors. What on earth are you thinking by accusing me of anything unjust anyway? I was the helping our elf these last few days and nights, I was the one who talked to him and held him when he was crying. How could you possibly come to conclusions like that? The only sick thing around here, is your imagination!"

Aragorn had paled somewhat during the dwarf's speech and it was not alone from the anger. The dwarf had put into those few words something that he had thought about himself for some time. It had not been him, the lifelong friend, who had helped the elf through these bitter days, it had been a dwarf. A person that Legolas had loathed in the beginning of their journey and had suddenly become fast friends with in Lothlorien. How could have it come to pass that it was the dwarf and not him who knew all about the fair elf and his troubles? But before he could utter a response, Legolas moaned quietly on the bed, as if he was in pain. Gimli turned with surprising speed back to the elf and shook him gently. "What is the matter, Legolas? Are you in any pain? Tell me!" But Legolas only shook his head slowly trying to draw breath. "I feel sick." He whispered.

Aragorn had moved over to the bed in the same time that Gimli had turned to the elf, and now stood beside the dwarf and stared down at Legolas body in wonder. Just as Gimli took a hold of Legolas’ arm in order to help him sit up Aragorn stopped him.

"Would you mind explaining what the matter is, Gimli. What is wrong with him."

Gimli turned his head up to the ranger and grumbled dangerously "You know quite well what the matter is. He has lost his bonded. He is in pain and suffering. You should know better than to ask. He...." Gimli couldn't finish his sentence because Legolas had just vomited into the near bucket. Aragorn still stared and then pointed with his hand at Legolas’ lower body.

"I was talking about that!"