Chapter 25

His friend's arms tightened around him. Aragorn could not. He had been strong for so long, but now it was over. Everything came back, threatening to overwhelm him. The burden of the ring, Gandalf's death, Legolas' serious injury, and the terrible story of his brothers' death. The fear, pain, and sadness that had been piling up recently had become too overwhelming. A hand stroked his back comfortingly, soft words were whispered in his ear. The human body trembled, tears ran down his cheeks. "I'm here, Aragorn. You're not alone." The ranger hugged his friend tighter, afraid he might lose him. He was so sorry for everything. He knew that the thing with Legolas brothers and struggle with his past was partly his own fault. Why hadn't he been there? Why had he left the prince alone when he needed him? Why hadn't he asked more questions back then? Why did he think Legolas would be able to do it like that? It had been stupid and naive of him. The warmth of the elf calmed the human a little and the tears were less. Finally, there was only a slight tremor from time to time through his body and the ranger sat up exhausted. The beautiful warrior looked at him worriedly from his blue eyes and left his hand on the ranger's arm. "I'm sorry," Aragorn whispered softly and wiped away the tears, but Legolas shook his head firmly. "Nothing to feel sorry for, mellon-nin." The man smiled slightly, but he knew there was a lot that he would always be sorry for. "I hope I didn't wake the others up," he said with a slight smile, to distract him from his breakdown. Fortunately, Legolas said nothing more and looked down at Frodo. "The ring is getting stronger, Aragorn. I can feel it." The man sighed softly. He didn't have to be an elf to feel that. The dark shadow that lay on his soul. "I know, my friend. I feel it too." The prince was still looking at the sleeping hobbit. "With the power of the ring, Sauron's power grows. Our time is getting shorter. The darkness will soon reach us." Anxiety filled the ranger's heart. That didn't sound good at all. Aragorn knew that the archer's premonitions and feelings were always right, and probably in this case too. "What exactly do you mean by darkness?" Legolas' blue eyes now focused on his friend. There were concern and seriousness in them. "Isengard's army is getting closer. They will try to get the ring. Sauron is getting stronger day by day. Soon there will be a big fight that will decide the fate of Middle-earth. Our only hope to stop the darkness is this little being in front of us." Now the elf's gaze was back on the hobbit and the beautiful creature also put a hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "His heart is heavy. It is full of fear and doubt." The ranger knew that his friend was right. The fate of everyone now rested on the shoulders of Frodo. "We all shouldn't have put that burden on him." Aragorn knew that this hobbit was strong, but at the same time, he was a being who was not made for such a big task. Nobody should have to carry the burden which Frodo was carrying. Legolas' blue eyes went back to his friend. "No, but he's strong in the heart. He'll save us." With these words, the prince closed his eyes briefly. The ranger knew what the archer was doing. He used his light to relieve fear in the heart of the hobbit. Aragorn smiled. Elves were so pure and innocent beings that were full of light. And his best friend used it to make hearts lighter. In fact, Frodo seemed to relax even more. Legolas opened his eyes again. "We can only hope."