Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the story, to my dismay. I'm not making any $ on it.

Summary: AU After the death of his friend, Aragorn falls into depression and there may only be one person who can draw him out of it.

Author's note: I told my readers this before, but to remind you this is my first romance fic, so if it doesn't flow smoothly let me know, but please be nice! :

How Can I Survive

Chapter 6

After that night, when Aragorn's and Arwen's feelings were made known, they spent all their free time together. Of course they did this without anyone else knowing. They didn't want anyone to make a fuss over them, good or bad. And besides they weren't ready for everyone to know how they felt about each other. Right now it was only for them to know.

Arwen and her friend Ireth had made plans to take a walk around Imladris to catch up on all the times they had missed.

"I can't believe how long its been since I last saw you" Ireth exclaimed, as she hugged Arwen again. "I was only gone for about 200 years that's not that much. And besides I saw you at the feast and that was four moons ago" Arwen said, her mind seeming to be somewhere else.

"My friend, what is it that bothers you?" Ireth asked worriedly. The Evenstar didn't know if she should tell her. She was her closest fiend, but her and Aragorn had decided to keep their relationship just between the two of them for the time being.

"Arwen?" "If I tell you, you can not breathe a word to anybody" she told her friend in a very stern tone. "I promise."

"I have begun a relationship, and I am not sure how my family will take it when we decide to tell them" she said while rubbing her forehead. Arwen's statement seemed to intrigue the other she elf. "With whom?" Ireth asked curiously. There was a pause before she received a answer. "Estel."

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"You can not be telling me the truth" Elladan said to the other elf who had cornered him in his father's library. "I do not speak lies" Ireth said defending herself. "I am worried about Arwen. I think this relationship is too stressful on her" she continued.

"How do I know you are not lying to me, my sister would not get involved with Estel, and vice versa" the Rivendell prince replied still not convinced. "Your sister told me herself, in confidence. But I thought it would be best if you know" she said leaning against the window sill, which caused her golden hair to fall from her shoulders.

Her voice sounded genuine to Elladan, and this was Arwen's best friend, why would she lie to him. It wouldn't make sense.

"Well, then why did you go not to my father, but come to me?" he asked confused about this prospect. "Because you would find out anyway, and it is not my place to talk to the lord of Imladris, but you are his son, he will listen to you." This was logical to the dark haired elf. "Then I thank you for your consideration, and I am sorry that I was troublesome at the start of our conversation" he said bowing his head, and he left.

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"You are a plummeting soul Estel, do not bring the Evenstar down with you." Aragorn thought the voice had left. He thought it had stopped bothering him, but it was not so.

"Do not cause another immortal to be lost to death" it continued. These words in his head had been haunting him, but he thought it was over. Now it was just torturing him about his love for Arwen. He was finally happy, why wasn't he aloud to be happy? That was all he wanted.

Was he being punished for what he did to Legolas, or was he not good enough for her? He wasn't sure whose voice this belonged to, but it was deathly familiar.

Aragorn fell onto his bed, the balcony door open causing a cool breeze to enter. He hoped to be able to find peace in his head away from all the torment. Sometimes he thought himself to be crazy, hearing sounds in his mind, that wasn't right. But he had pushed those thoughts aside.

The Dunedin was looking foreword to tonight for he and Arwen, had planned to have a picnic in the gardens of Imladris. They knew no one would be out there at that time. For they would meet after everybody had completed their rounds.

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"He wouldn't do that, he just wouldn't. You know him as do I" Elrohir said to his twin, not believing Ireth's words. "That's what I thought at first, but I have seen them an odd number of times together over the past few days" Elladan said shaking his head. "I do not want to…." he was cut off by Elrohir. "I will believe it when I see it."

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After everyone had entered their quarters, Aragorn and Arwen met. They had decided to meet on the opposite side the guards were stationed at.

When they saw each other they embraced. They sat down on the green grass. They had brought no food just a bottle of wine and two glasses.

The two than laid on a blue blanket and looked up at the stars, talking and laughing about the stupidest of things.

Out of nowhere Aragorn abruptly sat up. Worriedly Arwen copied him. "What is wrong?" "I can't do this Undomiel, I am not good enough for you. I can not cot your life short as I did to Legolas" Touched, Arwen rubbed the man's shoulder.

"I love you and that means you are good enough for me. It is my choice to make and only mine. I choose to love you." There was a brief break before she continued. With tears running down her pale cheeks she said "I bind myself to you, forsaking thee immortal life of my people."

After her words they leaned in and shared a kiss filled with love and respect.

"That's it I can't take it anymore" and before Elrohir could stop him, Elladan jumped down from the tree and ran over to his sister and Estel. He pulled Aragorn away from Arwen and got him on his feet.

"Elladan…" the man started not knowing what to say. But he couldn't finish. The elf had his fist met with Aragorn's face knocking the Dunedin to the ground.