A/N: Oh, so so sorry for the hiatus on this story and all my other ones!
I've been so swamped with school and work that it's been hard to find time
to write. But don't give up on me and keep sending me reviews! So, here's
a little part, just so you don't think I've forgotten. I will try to post
the next part to The Stable Boy tonight, for anyone who's following that
one! Thanks for your patience and support everyone!
*************** Loss ***************
Oh, it is my fault! Must I always be the reckless, careless one? Nay, better it was me than Elladan; they all expect it from me.
Quit knocking on the door, Elladan. Is that Father with you now? You've been at it for hours. Let me grieve in peace.
If I had been more careful, we would not have been outnumbered by the orcs. If I had been faster Arathorn would not be dead. It was my duty to clear the archers so that the others could attack unhindered. Of all the mistakes I have made, this is not one I thought to add to my collection.
Go away! I can hear you, Elladan, crying outside the door though you've stopped pounding on it. I will not come out, nor will I die of grief, if you would just let me be!
And now, now what do I do? I have all but killed a king and a father. Ai! Aragorn! He is too young to understand; he is too young to know, even. He will not remember his father at all when he is grown! Never will he know Arathorn's strength and grace; his humor and his passion; how very much he loved his wife and his only son.
Who is that now? Glorfindel, is that you at the door? Ah, it is. Only you would have the audacity to pick the lock to my door. At least you shut it behind you. You are wrong, Glorfindel. It was my fault. Did you not see his body? Did you not see how his wife looked at me as we passed through the gates?
You know he was a friend, but he was more. Not more than a friend as you are to me, my dear Glorfindel, but as Elladan is. He was a brother and a companion. Aragorn will not understand. He has a right to not understand.
How can I help him? Yes, I remember Mother. I remember her as surely as I remember my own name. No, he will not be alone. He will have Father, who already loves him as a son. And his mother. And Elladan. And me.
Yes, I can do that. I can be a brother to him..and a friend. No, he will not remember Arathorn, but he will know his father. Aragorn will know his father because I will tell him.
*************** Loss ***************
Oh, it is my fault! Must I always be the reckless, careless one? Nay, better it was me than Elladan; they all expect it from me.
Quit knocking on the door, Elladan. Is that Father with you now? You've been at it for hours. Let me grieve in peace.
If I had been more careful, we would not have been outnumbered by the orcs. If I had been faster Arathorn would not be dead. It was my duty to clear the archers so that the others could attack unhindered. Of all the mistakes I have made, this is not one I thought to add to my collection.
Go away! I can hear you, Elladan, crying outside the door though you've stopped pounding on it. I will not come out, nor will I die of grief, if you would just let me be!
And now, now what do I do? I have all but killed a king and a father. Ai! Aragorn! He is too young to understand; he is too young to know, even. He will not remember his father at all when he is grown! Never will he know Arathorn's strength and grace; his humor and his passion; how very much he loved his wife and his only son.
Who is that now? Glorfindel, is that you at the door? Ah, it is. Only you would have the audacity to pick the lock to my door. At least you shut it behind you. You are wrong, Glorfindel. It was my fault. Did you not see his body? Did you not see how his wife looked at me as we passed through the gates?
You know he was a friend, but he was more. Not more than a friend as you are to me, my dear Glorfindel, but as Elladan is. He was a brother and a companion. Aragorn will not understand. He has a right to not understand.
How can I help him? Yes, I remember Mother. I remember her as surely as I remember my own name. No, he will not be alone. He will have Father, who already loves him as a son. And his mother. And Elladan. And me.
Yes, I can do that. I can be a brother to him..and a friend. No, he will not remember Arathorn, but he will know his father. Aragorn will know his father because I will tell him.