Aragorn drops to his knees by the pile of burned flesh and carnage. His calloused fists pound the ground beneath him. He screams as if he's in agony, hands coming up to clench his hair in a knuckle white grip.
Legolas stands a few feet away, unsure of what to do. He didn't know Pippin and Meriadoc well, but he still felt a sinking feeling in his stomach at the thought of the hobbit's screams as the flames charred their fragile skin.
The elf came up behind Aragorn, watching solemnly as the man broke down.
No.
They couldn't be gone.
They had so much to live for. They would have grown up, got married, and had a family. But now they were gone, and all those opportunities just vanished into thin air. He had failed them, failed everyone.
A hand gripped his shoulder and Aragon's head fell, salt water dripping from his cheeks to water the grass below him.
Legolas' other hand gripped Aragorn's other shoulder. Hearing his friend cry was more painful that any wound. Bending down, the elf wrapped his arms around the man's shoulders, hugging him firmly.
"Oh Valar, I have fallen short. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Aragorn cried.
Knowing his words would do very little to comfort his friend, Legolas let go, falling to his knees in front of Aragorn and pulling him roughly into another embrace. The man's arms locked around the archer. Aragorn pressed his face into Legolas' neck, like he was trying to hide himself inside the elf.
Legolas felt the tears on his skin and brought his hand up to smooth down the hair on the back of Aragorn's neck. The warrior's hand's latched onto his friend's tunic, his cries calming ever so slightly.
Legolas was not sure how long they sat there, Aragorn in his arms, but he didn't mind.
"Aye! The pin from their cloaks...and the rope that was used to bound them, their tracks!" Gimli shouted suddenly.
Aragorn's head sprung up from Legolas' neck. "What?"
"It's here, it's all here. They're alive Aragorn, the hobbits are alive!" The dwarf cheered.
Legolas let go of Aragorn who bounded over to Gimli, clapping him on the shoulder. He examined the ground and found the twin's tracks before turning to the elf with a grin.
Legolas found himself swept off his feet and into a hug of his own. He laughed, swatting at his friend's shoulder.
Aragorn, even with the tear stains on his check, looked to be the happiest of the fellowship right now. Legolas wouldn't disagree.
"Come, we have hobbits to find."
