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Why Legolas Was Silent.

Summary: Legolas the elf is not himself. He doesn't speak and he doesn't fight as well as he should. What could be wrong with him? Aragorn tries to find out and discovers it will be the longest and hardest night of his life. A missing scene from the first movie from the time they got caught in the avalanche on Mt. Cadaras and before they went into the mines of Moria. Thanks to all who reviewed my stories Tears, One Ring, Friends Forever, and Someday, they are greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings characters. This is another what-if story. What if the effects of Saruman's avalanche caused Legolas to become ill? Legolas and Aragorn are just friends in this one. Please read and review, no flames.

Chapter One: What's wrong with Legolas?

Aragorn was concerned, concerned and worried. Someone in the Fellowship was sick, and he knew it. Aragorn was a healer, and whenever one of the members of the Fellowship was sick or wounded he was always by their side. He quickly gazed over each companion to see which one could be ill. Gandalf was walking quietly and besides looking wet and tired, he seemed fine. Frodo was next, he looked a little pale but that was to be expected. He was the ring bearer, and Aragorn knew how the ring affected him. Sam was behind Frodo, and he seemed fine. In fact, he gave Aragorn a small smile. Aragorn nodded and gave him a smile back. Then came Merry and Pippin. They defiantly seemed all right because they were arguing over something. Whatever they were arguing about he didn't know. So he just sighed and rolled his eyes at the pair. Then there was Boromir. Hmm, he thought, could it be him? Boromir's eyes were staring ahead like they were fixed on some unknown goal. He looked tired and grumpy, but he was grumpy most of the time so Aragorn didn't worry. So finally it came down to Gimli the dwarf, and his dear friend Legolas, the elf. He noticed that Gimli was trying to have a conversation with Legolas.

"How is it elf, that when I walk on the snow I sink into it. But when you walk upon it you do not? Is that some kind of elven trick you do?" Legolas didn't answer him; he kept walking on with his eyes on the ground.

"What's the matter elf? Orc got your tongue?" Again Legolas didn't say anything. Aragorn noticed this. This is strange, he thought. Whenever the dwarf ever made a comment like that usually his friend shot back with one of his own. Could it be Legolas was the one that was ill? That's silly; he said to himself, elves never get sick. So he decided that he was just tired like everyone else. He made a decision that they should stop for the day and get some rest. Finally they found a large cave in the side of the mountain. With weary bodies the nine companions entered the cave. They were about to settle in for the day when a cry from Boromir startled them.

"Orcs, it's an ambush!" The Fellowship sprang into action, with Legolas fighting two orcs at the same time. He felled them both with two swift blows of his twin knives then ran over to Bormir, who was being overcome by one of the orcs. But to Aragorn's horror before the elf could get to the man an orc came out of nowhere and pounced on the young elf. Legolas landed hard on the ground and the air was knocked out of him. Aragorn hoped that his friend would struggle to get out of the orc's grasp but once again to his horror he noticed that Legolas didn't. He seemed so weak and helpless against the orc. Fearing that his friend was going to be killed, Aragorn rushed over and with a quick killing blow, stabbed the orc in the back. He then helped Legolas up and aided the other companions in finishing off the rest of the orcs. By the time the battle was over, Gimli was livid.

"Confound it elf! Why didn't you warn us that there was danger in these caves? Do you realize that we could have all been killed?" Legolas just looked at him with pain-filled eyes and walked away. Aragorn reprimanded the dwarf.

"Gimli, I am sure there is a reasonable explanation for this. We are all tired and weary. Just be thankful that Boromir did warn us just in time and that no one was killed." Gimli grunted and walked away. Aragorn sighed, sometimes the dwarf tries his patience but lately that seemed often. Aragorn's thoughts now turned to the matter of who was going to guard the camp while the others slept. Boromir said that he would go first, followed by Aragorn, Gimli, and finally Legolas. So then with weary bodies the Fellowship laid down to rest, besides Boromir, and soon every eye was closed and the cave was filled with the sound of a Fellowship at peace.

What's wrong with Legolas? I'll reveal what's wrong in the second chapter. Don't worry, I won't kill him. I'll just be tormenting him mentally a little. Mwahahha!