Disclaimer: I do not own anything *sniff* I am not making $ 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.

How Can I Survive

Chapter 8

The four beings nervously watched Elrond pace the floor of his study over and over again. They were all awaiting what he was going to say to them and what lecture he was bound to give.

Aragorn was very tired for he hardly got any sleep the previous night. He couldn't get any sleep. He had gotten a broken nose and several stitches. He had a large cut on his brow and one on his cheek. This made it hard to get comfortable.

"Now I will give you the chance to speak up about what occurred before I ask you. Which one of you will speak first?" Elrond asked hoping that one of his children would speak the truth.

Elrohir stood up from the soft plush chair that he had occupied and walked closer to his father, his burgundy robe dragging the ground beneath him.

"I will" he stated, which pleased his father. "Well Elladan was…informed by Ireth that Arwen…well has begun a relationship…" "What? She told you. I swore her to secrecy" the Evenstar interrupted. "It's a good thing that she had some sense and told me" Elladan snapped rubbing his forehead. "How can you defend her against me, your own sister. I am smart enough to choose whom I will give my heart to" "Apparently not" the elf replied to his sister, whilst glaring at Aragorn.

"Enough bickering" Elrond ordered. "I want to know everything that happened, so if Elrohir would continue maybe we can get to the bottom of something" the elven ruler said to his son gesturing that he carry on form where he left off.

"Perhaps Arwen should continue from here" Elrohir said not wanting to be the one to tell Elrond that Aragorn was the one whom Undomiel 'loved'.

"Alright fine. Arwen?" The Peredhil was getting increasingly agitated with these four younger ones.

"It is no one else's business" she persisted also not wanting to tell her father. "Fine I will do it, seeing none of you have the guts to. Estel. She has begun a relationship with Estel." Elladan retorted angrily.

Elrond had no idea what to say to the information he had just received. "Is this…the truth?" he asked not wanting to deem it so. Arwen buried her face in her hands and started to cry, which was enough of an answer for the lord of Rivendell, but he would also get a verbal reply. "Yes it is true" Aragorn said not making eye contact with the elf who had raised him.

"Estel look at me" Elrond ordered and the man complied. "How did this happen?" he asked apprehensively.

"Ada, how can you be so kind to him?" Elladan demanded. "My son I am just asking Estel a question." "I know by the tone of your voice that you are being kind to him, and so does he. He's just eating it all up" the elf shouted at his father.

"Brother, it is okay" Elrohir said as he grabbed his twin's hand. "Does he still have you all fooled? He is only trying to get your sympathy" he yelled pulling his hand away.

"Elladan stop it now" Arwen screamed, wanting to make her brother shut up. Elrond felt the need to cease the fighting but he knew these words needed to be said, no matter how harmful they were.

"Sit down Arwen" Elrohir said calmly. Right now he was the most under control. Elrond seemed more unruffled than his son but inside he was fighting a raging storm and loosing. The younger twin gave the impression that he could handle his emotions better than anyone else in the room. He had almost a tranquil aura about him. What no one knew though is that he had to wrestle with himself to do so.

"Aragorn you have to understand that we are all upset with this. It is not easy to learn that your daughter and the man you raised as a son have found love in each other. It is very difficult. When an immortal loves a mortal…." Elrond let his voice trail off for he knew everyone in the room knew what happens under those circumstances.

"I do love her" Aragorn shouted causing all eyes to turn to him. "I love her" he repeated causing Elladan to laugh. "Please, who knows what game you might be playing" the elf said shaking his head.

"I am playing no game" the Dunedain said defending himself, because he got the feeling that nobody else would save for Arwen, but she was crying to much that she couldn't speak.

"Do you have to cost another immortal to be helpless against the claws of death? Does another elf have to die?" Elladan hissed, while squeezing his hand tightly into fists.

Even the Evenstar stopped weeping at the cruel words that were just spoken. Elrond had heard enough. "Elladan" he hollered. "That is quite sufficient" the elf lord finished.

But Elladan didn't agree. He had his hand ready to give Aragorn another punch. But Elrohir had foreseen his brother's actions. He didn't have ample time to push Aragorn away though, so instead he stepped in front of the man and he got the fist in his face.

The elf fell to the ground. "Elrohir" Elladan cried when he realized he had not hit the intended target. He knelt down beside his brother. "I am fine" Elrohir replied as he struggled to his feet. Elladan helped his twin up.

But after he knew his sibling was alright he turned his gaze back to Aragorn who was on the verge of crying.

"It is not my fault Legolas died" the man said. When the name of the fair haired elf came out of his mouth, Estel could no longer hold back the tears. Realizing that he had started to weep, the man ran out of the room as if he was on fire. Elrohir went after him, for he knew his father would want to talk to Elladan and Arwen.

"Estel" the elf called as he saw the figure of a man run through the hall. "Estel." He finally caught up with the Dunadain and grabbed his arm and they locked eyes.

"You don't have to give me your pity Elrohir, I know all of you hate me" Aragorn said in between gasps.

"I don't hate you, but…I can't say that I am not fractious with the circumstances. It is a little hard not to be. I mean it is also a little strange. You were raised as my brother and now you are in love with Arwen" he finished, by this time he had released the man from his grip.

"You can not choose who you love" Estel said. "I know, but did it have to be my sister?"

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