Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Summary: 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 Notes*~ Sorry it took me awhile to update, but I've been really busy. I'm getting confirmed in like two weeks and I have two projects for school and also a skit so…I'll stop babbling and I'll write!
How Can I survive
Chapter 22
The now bigger group had ridded Middle Earth of the rest of the beings that occupied this place and they were now making their way back to Rivendell.
"Diego" Elrohir asked cautiously. The healer was walking behind everyone and he had his chin touching his chest. "I'm alright, I just want to be alone" he answered solemnly. The younger elf wasn't convinced but he knew better than to press him. So he walked back to where he was before, beside Estel.
"Listen Aragorn, you don't need to tell me anything right now, but Adar is going to want to know what in the Valar you were thinking when you left" Elrohir whispered to the man. "I know, I know. I'll have a lot of explaining to do. But I've already made up my mind about something. I want to train with the rangers so I can become one" the dunadan stated and the tone in his voice proved to Elrohir that he was very serious about his decision.
"Are you sure about this?" he couldn't help but ask. He received a nod as an answer. "Okay, then I will support you all the way" the elf said as he patted Estel on the back. "Thanks, but you'll probably be the only one" he said sadly, remembering the bitter way he and the other twin had parted. "Don't worry, Elladan didn't mean what he said. He knows what happened wasn't your fault. I've known him a lot longer than you, and sometimes his anger gets the better of him" Elrohir explained.
"I hope so" Aragorn replied. Elrohir knew there were no words that he could say that would fit this moment so instead he just gave the young man a loving look and rubbed his arm in a brotherly way.
Hours passed and it was silent, no one could think of anything to say. There had been to much tragedy and none of the companions wanted to speak of it. First of all, they had lost the battle of Kementari's life and now nobody knew if their beloved Evenstar would ever open her eyes.
The group decided to make camp when they were about a days travel away from Rivendell. It was a good place to stop because it was sheltered and there were plenty of trees, in case they would have to find safety if they were ambushed.
Aragorn was leaning against a tree when he was approached by Diego. "I think it's about time I take a look at the wounds you have received." "Okay, I should have known this would be coming" Estel responded, hoping to lighten the mood of the other. He knew what it was like to loose your best friend, and he was still suffering because of it to this day. A small smirk crossed Diego's face and that made the man happy, because he wasn't able to be that strong when Legolas died.
"Where are the larger or more painful abrasions located?" he asked professionally. "On my back, the orcs used torches and burned me" Aragorn replied. Diego gestured for Estel to remove his tunic. This was the first treatment that the man was receiving, so when he took off his shirt some of it stuck to the blisters. He was clenching his teeth so hard because this hurt almost as much as it did when obtained the lacerations.
Diego instructed Aragorn to lay on his stomach so he could treat him. The healer took out some athelas and some cream that would help for the burning sensations that definitely were going to occur. The elf put the herbs in some water that he boiled over the fire and the scent that came from it put Estel in to a world of calmness and tranquility. The healer then rubbed some of the salve on the scalds caused by fire.
When he was finished, he packed up his treatments and put them back into a pouch. "Hannon le" [thank you] Aragorn said, as the pain was no longer as strong as it once was.
After Diego had left, someone else came towards Estel. Someone who the young man never expected to see. "Are you feeling well again?" Elladan asked when he neared the dunadan. The sound of his voice made Aragorn jump to his feet.
"Um…yeah, I'm…uh feeling b…better…um…thank you" he managed to say. The man's awkwardness and apprehension hurt the elf. Although he knew he couldn't expect Aragorn to be totally at ease with him, he had hoped that it wouldn't be like they had never met before.
"You can sit down Estel, I know you're in pain. I don't insist on you remaining standing" Elladan said hoping to calm his fellow traveller. Aragorn dropped back down to the ground. He was very fatigued but sleeping could wait if Elladan would actually talk to him again.
"Listen, I need to talk to you" the raven haired being said as he to seated himself on the grassy floor. Aragorn tuned his attention to the person he still wanted to consider a brother. "Okay" he said nervously, wondering what this was about. Elladan paused before he answered but he finally did after a wait of around five minutes.
"I am so sorry about what I said to you. It was uncalled for and so very cruel and it wasn't the truth" Elladan said, putting Aragorn in a state of shock. "Legolas did what he thought was the right thing, as did I. It was just unfortunate that he couldn't be saved as well. It is not your fault and it was wrong of me to blame you" he continued. "About the other matter…I apologize about that too. You can't help who you love, and I know you will always care for Arwen. I was stupid in my actions. I can only wish that you will ever forgive me for my senselessness." he finished.
A huge smile crossed Aragorn's face. He was still to stunned to speak so instead he embraced Elladan, who in turn became bewildered. Tears were matting the man's face, he never dreamed that Elladan would forgive him, and now he was the one asking for forgiveness. "Thank you" Estel said as he came away from the elf who had helped raise him.
"Thank you?" Elladan question, confusion evident in his voice. "I never thought that you would ever forgive me" Aragorn explained. The two laughed about their situation, which showed that they were on better terms. Although there would still be some hurdles that they would have to overcome in order to have the trust that they had before, it was better now.
Elrohir who was now sitting beside Arwen, saw the whole thing unfold and it made him happy to see that the two of them had reconciled. It was something that his family needed right now. He was holding Arwen's hand and praying for her. He couldn't loose his sister, he just couldn't. When they got back to Imladris, Elrond was unquestionably going to have his hands full with her.
Do you like it?!?! Let me know. Because if you guys don't like it I might not continue to write it. Anyway r and r please.
~*Judy Greenleaf*~
