The old ways

"Well, Master Gimli, I have thought about your question. Yes, I think if we have some time, we should embellish it a bit. But I only know two spells, that might fit. Please will you decide which one is the more fitting."

Gimli put down his work for a second and glanced at Aragorn. "I? You want me to decide? Don’t you think it would be wiser if you do it. I don’t know that much about elves anyway," he muttered into his beard, clearly somewhat embarrassed "He is your lifelong friend and..."

"Shhh...., " Aragorn put his hand on the dwarf’s "It was you, Gimli who helped him through this, it is you who he trusts so implicitly and it was you who had the idea to make him an extra armour. You decide. Either ‘Bless’ or ‘Protection’."

Gimli furrowed his brow and considered "’Protection’!"

"So ‘Protection’ it is." Aragorn smiled.

"Right, but you have to write the words down for me, so I can bring them onto the leather."

Since there was no paper at hand, Aragorn got up and went to the cold fireplace to pick up some half burned piece of wood.

When he had reached the table again he used the burned end to write the needed words down. Vara tel’ Seldarine

Gimli studied the words for a moment and nodded. "I think I will use silver thread to embed it into the leather. Do you think he will like it?"

Aragorn smiled. "He will know you made it and so of course he will like it."

"Maybe you should go and check on our elf," Gimli looked at the ranger "we have been down here for quite some time and I want to be sure that he is okay."

Aragorn shook his head at the protectiveness of the dwarf, but he was right. When they had left Legolas, the elf, was far from being well. Aragorn feared Legolas reaction to the fact that he now knew of his pregnancy as well. He knew the elves well enough to be sure that Legolas would not stop his chosen path to go with the fellowship. He knew well the role of the elves here on the Middle Earth and their duty. But he wanted to make sure that Legolas would be unharmed through this and that he could continue his life with his child by his side. The main problem were the hobbits. Sure they were kind and nice, eager and strong at heart. But Aragorn doubted they would take news as this lightly, besides he didn’t think Legolas would be too keen on having all of their travelling companions watching over him, over every step that he would take and everybody hustling about as soon as he wanted to sit down or needed a rest. No, Aragorn would make sure that no one would learn about it before it was no longer possible to hide it.

He had reached the door leading to Legolas’ room just as he had finished the string of his thoughts and very carefully opened it. He didn't want to wake the elf. But when he peered inside he saw Legolas looking at him with sorrowful eyes.

"Why do you hesitate, my friend?" he whispered, his voice broken and harsh.

"I am sorry, I didn’t want to wake you. How are you feeling?" Aragorn stepped over to the bed and sat down at the end.

"Have you covered me up? I can remember you coming into this room. But I don’t remember much. I know that Gimli was here fussing over me, but you were there as well weren’t you?" Legolas eyes wavered.

""Yes," Aragorn put his hand on one of the elf’s lower legs "yes, I was here. And to answer your question, again yes, I covered you up. You looked so small and worn out, that I thought you wouldn’t mind the comfort."

"Thank you, indeed I didn’t mind. I am sorry Aragorn for being so hindering to our journey and quest. I promise it will get better and I will not fail you." Legolas tired to push himself up into a sitting position, but Aragorn stopped him.

"You do not have to excuse yourself, Legolas. Anyone in your condition would be frail and ill." The second he had said those words, Aragorn knew he had chosen them poorly for Legolas looked at him with wide and shocked eyes.

"My condition?" he asked with an unsteady voice.