The next few days mostly were Legolas sleeping and Aragorn helping Gléomer around with some chores. Everyday was the same. Clean the wounds, make breakfast, lunch and dinner, sleep and repeat.

Until one day when Legolas woke up and felt slightly better.
The wounds obviously still hurt and it made any moving hard, but they were healing better when his strength was greater.

Legolas immediately noticed it was the the middle of the day, as the sun seeped in through the thin curtains. He sighed as he had just wasted another half day. Not that he could enjoy it anyway, but it was a waste. Not that he couldn't enjoy another one in his immortal life but still.

When Aragorn entered the house again he saw Legolas sit up on the bed, his toes touching the floor. He was still pale but looked better, except that he was holding onto the bed so hard his knuckles turned white. He obviously tried to hide his obvious pain behind a deep frown.

"Legolas lay back down." He said gently and put the bucket of water down. He sat down beside his friend, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. He pushed gently to prove his point, but Legolas strongly refused to lay back down.

"I'm fine."

"Legolas, you need to sleep more, it has only been 3 days."

"I need some air." Legolas whispered and massaged his pale face with his hands. He whispered as all strength suddenly drained from him. Aragorn immediately noticed and lay an arm around his shoulders so he wouldn't fall backwards. The man knew the sleeping herbs were still in his system, and getting up would be dangerous.

"Tomorrow alright? Then we can both come with you." Aragorn tried, still feeling protective. He knew Legolas was a grown man who could make his own decisions, but right now he doubted it. He needed to be by his side. Every step of the way.

Legolas sighed and looked at Aragorn beside him, who still had his arm around his shoulders. His pained eyes slowly softened and he smiled jokily.

"What would I do without you?" He said weakly, not expecting the answer he got.

"Die?"

They looked at each other for a moment, before they both broke out in laughter. Aragorn was happy to see that his eyes sparkled again, like they always did when he laughed before.

When they were done Aragorn smiled widely. It felt good to laugh again, and for a split second he believed he would never laugh with Legolas again.

He couldn't contain himself anymore and gently lay his arms around Legolas, embracing him. He had wanted to do that since he was told he would survive. He was careful with the elf's arm though which was still healing.

"I was so worried for you..." He breathed in a relieved sigh and felt Legolas put one of his his arms around his back. He felt his fingertips gently rub circles to soothe him and he felt him lay his head down on his shoulder. Legolas bit his lip and tried hard not to blush. He felt his cheek turn hot and knew he was blushing. He did not complain though, no he liked it. He just wished that he didn't felt like he did.

"I'll be fine." He finally said, wanting Aragorn to understand that he would be fine.

"I know." Aragorn bit his lip and leaned back, wishing it could have lasted longer. Legolas wished the same thing.

"I am so sorry I forged you to go to the caves Legolas..If I hadn't..."

"Don't you even say it Estel." Legolas said with surprising strength, using his elvish name to show he was serious.
"Don't you blame yourself for this. I was the one who let you convince me."

Aragorn looked into his eyes, and immediately saw that Legolas did not blame him. He never did.

"Sorry." He mumbled and grinned a little. Legolas smiled, and the depressive moment was over.

Unknowingly Gléomer entered the room with some tea, and put the tray on the table. He quickly checked Legolas wounds, and both he and Aragorn was relieved to see they were better. The infection and puffiness was going down, so was the fever. He smoothly changed the bandages before he rose and gave Legolas a warm mug in his lap.

"Thank you Gléomer." He whispered and grabbed the mug with his good arm, but made no move to drink it.

Gléomer nodded and smiled before he gave Aragorn a matching mug. Bowing his head in a thank you the man took it and took it a sip.

Gléomer sat down at the table, watching Legolas closely to see if he would drink it. He needed to, both for his throat and his body. He was dehydrated.

Aragorn quickly noticed Legolas not drinking.
"Don't force me to force you again Legolas."

Legolas chuckled softly and took a sip of the herb tea, swallowing it with effort. He felt the bruises on his jaw with every move of it, and swallowed again. The warm tea immediately made his stomach relax, and his throat smoother.

Aragorn smiled and took a sip from his own mug. They talked and drank for about half an hour before Aragorn asked.

"Gléomer, Legolas really wants to go on a walk and I really understand him. I would just appreciate if you came with us. For safety reasons."

"If you feel up for it, of course." Gléomer smiled, feeling relieved that his patient would want to get up so early. His elven healing sure did much.

"But do not strain yourself and do not go if you feel like you can trip and injure yourself." He said to Legolas and put the empty mugs back on the tray.

"With Aragorn by my side that is impossible." Legolas chuckled sarcastically and Aragorn laughed. His voice already seemed less hoarse.

Gléomer grinned satisfied and lifted the tray with dishes.
"I'll dish these and come right back. He can dress while I'm gone, I put some clothes on the chair."

"Thank you." Aragorn said for surely the hundredth time and rose from the bed. He held out his hands which Legolas took. Laying all of his trust in the man Legolas slowly rose from the bed. As the stitches stretched out he unconsciously grabbed Aragorn's hands tightly to hide his pain from his face. Aragorn immediately noticed it and frowned concerned.

Legolas knees was still a bit weak from laying down for so many days, and his muscles were stiff. He stretched his back, earning a crack from his muscles. When he did that his knees bucked and he almost collapsed. Luckily Aragorn caught him under his shoulders, holding into him so he wouldn't hit the floor. Pain exploded from the healing wounds and the bruises and Legolas hissed before he could stop himself. The wound on his arm hurt more than ever now as it was pressed on and he bit his lip hard not to groan.

"Thank you." He whispered and looked up at the man. Aragorn sat Legolas down on the bed again, and kneeling in front of it he looked concerned.

"Maybe we should wait.."

"I'm fine." Legolas said and stubbornly stood again, not wanting any concern. Alarmed Aragorn rose to be prepared to catch him again, but he never fell.

Surprisingly Legolas stood steadily, and put his hands on his hips to prove his point. He took a deep breath to act like he wasn't in pain anymore, obviously in vane as Aragorn was a trained healer.

Aragorn took the clothes Gléomer had left on his bed and gave them to the elf. He didn't even cared that Legolas chest was bare anymore. He was too worried to really care. Maybe he should forge him back to the bed...

Legolas dressed in them, slowly and painfully. His shirt was hard to get on as he needed to bend his arm and stretch it upwards, which stretched the wound. Aragorn helped him, almost amused, and soon he was fully dressed.

He got a dark brown skirt and black hoses. He never took the belt on as the wound still needed some space and air to heal. He also took his own boots on. He wished he could have his own clothes but his tunic were still out in the forest somewhere and his green leggings did not match the skirt he got.
(First world problems right?)

He looked himself over and grinned as the clothes made him look more like a man than an elf, only his ears exposing him. Aragorn still thought he looked good though. It did not matter what Legolas wore, he always looked good.

Legolas gently lay an hand over his stomach, hoping to sooth the sticking pain in the healing wound. Aragorn immediately noticed and frowned.

"We could wait." He repeated but Legolas shook his head.

"I need to stretch my muscles. Shall we?"

Aragorn looked up and smiled, forging himself not to be overprotective. Legolas was an adult who could make his own decisions, as he already thought before. At least he tried to tell himself that.
"If you're up to it."

"Of course." Legolas said and walked up to Aragorn.
"I'm fine."

"Good." Aragorn said and held out a arm, smiling.
"Shall we?"

Legolas grinned and hooked his arm to Aragorn's, immediately winching as he pressed on a bruise.

"Tell me if the pain is too bad and we'll turn back alright?" Aragorn said, immediately seeing the small wince.

Legolas took a deep breath to think the pain away and nodded, acting casual.
"Of course."

They met Gléomer outside and began to walk. Aragorn held his arm around Legolas shoulders the entire time in case he would fall, but he never did.
They entered the forest again, and the whispers of the trees surrounded Legolas. The wood elf immediately smiled and touched the bark of a tree, closing his eyes.

Aragorn smiled at how Legolas listened to the tree's whispering, really enjoying the sight of the elf on his feet again.

They all heard the sound of water splashing and looked forward through the branches. The girl, Déorwyn, sat kneeled by the creak. She filled her bucket up and rose, only to see the pair. She smiled widely and walked over to them.

"My lord." She said politely towards Aragorn and bowed her head, making Legolas frown slightly.

"Déorwyn, how are you?" Aragorn smiled, not noticing Legolas frown.

"Fine thank you. How are you Aragorn?"

Legolas frowned deeper as the girl used his name. Did something happen when he was asleep?

"We're still adjusting. Just out on a walk."

Then Déorwyn looked at Legolas, her smile never leaving her face.
"Nice to finally meet you..?"

"Oh." Legolas said in surprise and held out his hand, feeling dumb for not paying enough attention.

"I am Legolas."

"Déorwyn." She smiled and shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you, I hope you'll feel better soon."

"Thank you."

She smiled at Gléomer, gave Aragorn one last, shy glance before she took her bucket and left them.

Legolas looked after her as she left, and the frown came back.
"Who was she?"

Aragorn turned to his friend, completely forgetting that Legolas hadn't met her.

"She's Duinhir's nephew, so I would be nice to her if I were you." He said jokingly and Legolas forged a smile on his lips. He couldn't help but feeling a bit jealous, even though he knew Aragorn wouldn't cheat on Arwén. He knew he didn't had one single chance, but still he felt jealous. He felt jealous if someone just looked at Aragorn. He needed to get a grip.

The short walk had made Legolas tired and Aragorn was concerned when he saw his eyes slowly slip close.

"Legolas." He said and lay a hand on Legolas arm.

Legolas looked at him amused, still tired.
"I'm sorry..."

"No need for it. I'll carry you if I have to." Aragorn laughed, but soon found it necessary.
Legolas knees buckled and he would have fallen if Aragorn hadn't caught him under his shoulders. The elf moaned as he pressed on a bruise, and the wound on his arm began to slightly bleed again.

Aragorn kneeled down to pick the elf up, one arm around his back and one under his knees.
"Aragorn." He protested weakly.
"I can walk."

"Sure you can." Aragorn chuckled and began to walk back.