The old ways

Their journey down the river Anduin seemed to last for ever. The winding river moved along the fields of Celebrant and past the towering walls of surrounding mountains. At night they would move the boats up on the shore and make camp.
Gimli sat down heavily and stretched his short legs. Even though he did naught but sit in the boat and admire the landscape or hold a look out for foes, he felt exhausted at the end of the day. Dwarfs were not made to travel by boat. The endless moving and bobbing beneath him made him feel slightly nauseated. He drew a deep breath and watched as Legolas and Aragorn emerged from the trees around them, firewood in their arms talking quietly.
Aragorn took the wood from Legolas and went to set up a campfire. Boromir had left earlier on to hunt down something for their dinner and the hobbits huddled together, as usual, discussing the preparation of the dinner.
Legolas moved beside the dwarf and sat down, folding his legs gracefully beneath him. It astounded Gimli, but the journey on the water obviously even took its toll on the elf. He looked somewhat paler than usual and seemed to be tired. He didn't even engage in his ritual singing.
"What could be the matter" Gimli turned to his friend "that an elf, like yourself, appears to be worn out and tired. You don't look to well, my friend."
Legolas had closed his eyes and his head tilted upwards, letting the evening sun shine on his fair features. For a moment the dwarf thought that the elf hadn't even heard him but then Legolas spoke quietly "It is nothing, dear friend. I am just missing my beloved."
"Oh I am sure of that. Still you look rather pale today." Gimli studied the elf's face intently.
"It could be your persisting questioning concerning my welfare that burdens me." Legolas shot the dwarf a smile and got up from the ground.
"Aragorn, I will have a look around."
"Yes, Legolas. But don't stay too long. I believe Master Gamgee will be most upset if you miss his dinner." The ranger busied himself further with the fire.
With long strides Legolas slipped into the woods. He needed some time to himself. It bothered him greatly that Gimli had noticed his weariness. It was uncommon for an elf to tire so easily. Then again they all had endured much hardship and leaving his newly found 'old' love behind was nothing he could cope with easily. Also seemed the travel on the river to have upset his stomach. He nau nauseated and slightly dizzy. Luckily they would travel down the Anduin for only a few more days. As soon as they reached the Falls of Rauros the boats were to be left behind and they would continue on foot. An empty feeling in his stomach reminded Legolas of the upcoming dinner and he hurried back to the camp.
Sam sat before his cooking pot happily stirring his stew which smelled of rabbit, potatoes and herbs. Frodo had sat back against a tree, Boromir was engaged deeply in conversation with the ranger, Merry and Pippin were skipping stones over the water and Gimli ......Gimli watched him intently.
Legolas pretended not to notice and sat down beside Sam staring into the fire. Suddenly a loud growl emitted from his stomach and everybody stared at him. "Ah at least somebody is looking forward to eating my dinner." Sam cheered and took one of the bowls to fill it up for the elf. "Here Master Legolas, I hope it meets yours expectations and satisfies your well earned hunger."
"Thank you, Sam. This is most appreciated." With that Legolas dug into the food without once glancing up.

Three days later they had reached the falls and everybody was happy to get ashore. They would use the boats only once more to get over to the eastern shore and then leave them behind. That knowledge alone was encouraging. Nobody would have guessed, what was going to happen and that the fellowship was going to be torn apart by the forces of evil. They fought long and hard, their enemies were outnumbering them by far, not giving them a realistic chance to draw back. The end was sad and frightening. The horn of Gondor was destroyed, the hope of the Gondorian people lost, their son Boromir slain. The remaining Uruk-Hais had taken off with their friends and Frodo had managed to escape the fierce battle with Sam at his side. Now it was up to the three remaining members of the fellowship to make ends meet again, by rescuing Merry and Pippin and helping Frodo and Sam on their way by distracting their foes.
Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn never stopped their tiring run following the pack of Uruk-Hais in their persistent pursuit to rescue their friends. After three days they had to stop and rest for a while. Gimli was hardly able to draw breath anymore and Legolas looked like he was going to faint any minute. Even Aragorn wasn't his usual calm self anymore. His face showed deep lines of distress and worry. They had just sat down near some rocks rising from the grassy ground when Legolas jumped up again, turning away from his friends.
"Legolas!" Aragorn was about to get up as well "Wait! Where are you going. Did you hear something?"
"Leave me be Aragorn!" the elf turned and shot Aragorn an angry glance. "Can I not be alone a few moments? Do you two always have to pester me?" Legolas moved away behind the rocks only to sit down again behind some larger boulders some yards away from his companions. He felt so drawn, so tired and alone. Never before had he encountered a feeling like this. Then again, never had he been that far away from his home, family and Haldir. Yes, he had been away from Haldir, but it had been different then. They had parted in anger, not love like now. How he craved for his touch, a gentle hand to reassure him that somehow everything would eventually work out. Legolas leaned his head against the boulder and closed his eyes. He was in an emotional turmoil, one minute he was concerned, eager to help and felt with his friends. Then suddenly he was upset, annoyed and angry. The ongoing nagging of the dwarf, the ever worried expression in the ranger's face. All they did was running cross country, hunting down their enemies and sleep in the open, never enough food to eat, no water to wash and their clothes were covered with dirt. Legolas dug into his pouch pulling out a Lembas. Somehow he felt constantly hungry, a slight dizziness was he constant companion and he felt tired most of the time.
"A whole Lembas?"
His head shot up to meet Aragorn's eyes twinkling at him. "What?" Legolas stared at him.
"You ate a whole Lembas."
Legolas stared at his left hand. Only a tiny peace of the elven way bread was left. "Oh."
"Legolas, what is wrong? Did we upset you in any way? Did Gimli ....."
"No! No one of you did anything wrong. I think I am just overcome with worry for our friends and the fate of Middle Earth. I assure you that everything is alright."
"Then come back to us. Join us at our little campfire and we will try to ease your worries."
Aragorn held out his hand to help his friend up and together they walked back.