A/N: We all know what happens in this chapter, don't we? It was giving me the absolute hardest time (part of the reason this chapter took me so long) and I eventually just gave up. It may or may not be elaborated on when I post the revised version.

~*~

Despite their best efforts, Aragorn and Legolas had been unable to reach Gimli in time. And now they watched as their companion plunged over the Falls of Rauros.

Days passed as the two trekked over the plains, never mentioning what had passed between them, though the memory hung unspoken in the air, threatening the remainder of companionship they possessed; until one night when Legolas could no longer take it and at last broke their unmade promise not to bring up anything that could tear them apart.

"This isn't working, Aragorn," he finally spoke.

The ranger looked up from tending the fire with a furrowed brow, confusion and doubt warring for dominance in his stormy eyes. "What isn't working?"

Legolas continued, his voice laden with unshed tears and long-contained anger. "This!" he cried, gesturing with his hand to emphasize his words. "The tension, the friction, the constant disaster just waiting to happen. The fact that no matter how much we'd like to pretend otherwise, something did happen between us. And that something is going to kill us eventually if we don't deal with it at some point!" He paused, panting, and tried to catch his breath. "We both are fully aware of what happened, and I don't know what it was that came over me to make me behave as such. But I can't do it, Aragorn, I honestly can't."

Aragorn simply stared, speechless, at Legolas. He'd witnessed the anger of the Prince of Mirkwood, but never before had it been directed towards him. This wasn't happening, couldn't be happening.

"But..."

Legolas had turned his head away, apparently engrossed in the pattern of dirt on the ground to avoid having to meet Aragorn's eyes, but he abruptly looked up, sending a cloud of hair flying over his shoulders at the sudden movement.

"But what, Aragorn? Everything that's happened with the two of us was a mistake! Though the cause remains a mystery, I behaved foolishly, and I refuse to let any others suffer because of a mistake on my part."

"Legolas!" The brief war between Aragorn's emotions was over, pain and fear being the victors. "Wait! I lo --"

The elf's eyes flashed azure flames, rendering Aragorn mute and pinning him to where he stood. "You don't love me, Aragorn! That's what our problem is! You only think you love me, same as I thought I loved you! But it's not love, Aragorn, trust me. You love Arwen, and it is no more than a sign of the quest taking its toll that you have come to believe otherwise." Legolas' voice softened so that it sounded almost sad as he moved forward and gently caressed Aragorn's cheek, running slender fingers over the rugged curves and harsh stubble of the man's jawbone. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for putting you through so much pain and doubt. I'm sorry if I've ruined any chance Arwen had for happiness; because all she wants is you and she may not be able to have that any longer. More than anything, I'm sorry for making you believe I loved you."

And Legolas was sorry, far more than he would let on. For lying to one of the only people he had ever loved. For throwing it in his face when that person offered his heart. For causing Aragorn's mask to break and being forced to see the hurt in his eyes, because despite his best efforts Legolas was unable to tear his gaze away. For letting Aragorn fall victim to the same ailment he'd seen so many of his compatriots fall to - the mistaking of a need for someone, anyone to make them forget the chaos around them for love. But what he was most sorry for was destroying any chance of happiness for three beings - Arwen, Aragorn, and himself.