Disclaimer: I own nothing in the story.
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*~ Thanks to everyone who is reviewing my story. Please continue to, as it means a lot to me. Regarding the question from *Steffi*, something will happen. Oh and I know I said that there would probably only be 5 more chapters…I lied. There's most likely going to be a couple more than that.
How Can I Survive
Chapter 26
"Okay then, what do you propose?" "Wait, wait. One thing at a time" Elladan said before Nessime could answer his brother's question, which caused both of them to turn their attention to him. "Obviously there is something that you don't want anyone to know, otherwise you wouldn't have agreed to help Ireth. If we are going to work together we need to know what it is, for if it could mean exile of even death, it is too important to just be shoved away" Elladan explained.
Nessime turned her back to the twins because she didn't want them to see her face. If they did, they would see it covered with shame.
"I can't tell you. I can't tell anybody, and I haven't so I don't know how she found out" the sylvan elf said, still not looking at them. The brothers made eye contact with each other, as both were very confused and they hoped the other would know what to do or at least something to say.
A small whimper escaped Nessime's lips and she rapidly brought her hand up to her mouth to ensure that it wouldn't happen again. However the other elves heard her loud and clear. Elrohir walked over to her, his burgundy robe trailing the ground behind him. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she just pushed it away and moved farther away from him and Elladan who had also come that way.
She finally turned so she could see them, and tears were evident in her blue eyes. "Maybe it is best if I get out of my problem on my own" she said as she tried to stop the cracking in her voice, but to no avail.
"No, she is our sister. We are not going to let Ireth get away with whatever she has planned. We will help you" Elladan responded. "No, you can't. You have to stay away from me, if you don't, I will only cause you more pain" she pleaded. "What are you talking about?" Elrohir questioned. "Just stay as far away from me as you can" she said as she ran out of the dining hall.
*****
Aragorn was still sitting by the stream when he was approached by another. Arwen sat down on the grass beside him. "You seem annoyed" she commented. "I am, at Elladan and Elrohir. They dumped a bucket of water on my head early this morning" he said as he shook his head. His words caused the Evenstar to laugh.
"You think it's funny to get soaked when you wake up?" he asked as he playfully glared at her and then looked at the river they were seated near. "You wouldn't dare" she said as she stood up and backed away from him and the water. He got on his feet to and began to follow her. "Estel, don't" she warned. "You think I would do that. I would never" he replied.
He grabbed her hand and started to run back towards river, dragging her with him. "Estel" she yelled. "I'll kill you" she shouted. When they were at the edge of the stream he jumped in and since he was still holding her hand she was pulled in as well.
When she lifted her head out of the water she looked around for Aragorn, but she couldn't see him. She turned around an she saw his body floating face down into the water.
"Oh no" she whispered as she made her way towards him and spun him around so he was looking up at the sky. "Estel" she said, while she checked for a pulse. When she had her fingers placed on his neck, she felt water spray her in the side of her head. She turned her attention back to his face she saw his eyes wide open and a huge smirk pasted to his lips.
She teasingly smacked him across his chest, however there was anger in her eyes, but it was easily washed away. "Don't you ever do that again" she said as she shoved him back underneath the blue waters.
When he surfaced he was still laughing. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her with him down into the sparkling stream. They both climbed out of the river and lay on the grass below the golden sun. Both of them were soaked. Arwen's lilac dress was clinging to her and her hair was drenched, whatever previous style she had, had now disappeared. Aragorn was no better. His outfit was saturated with water and it felt heavy on his body.
They were both still bright and breezy as they giggled and they were now holding hands as they laid under a tree.
*****
"That is so sickening" Ireth said to her companion. "I'm happy for them" Nessime replied, as the two stared out the library window. "I didn't think that you could feel emotions" the noldorian elf shrugged. "That was a long time ago. I am not like that anymore" Nesime defended herself, against the insult that was meant to hurt her.
"Still you know, you can't just change over night. You have to sometimes think the way you used to. You can't just turn around and say that you don't want to hurt people anymore after years and years of doing just that" Ireth responded casually. "It was over a hundred years ago and I haven't hurt anybody since" "A hundred years is nothing" the dark haired elf said.
"This conversation is over" Nessime relented in a raised voice as she sat up and walked out of the room.
*****
"Well, what do you make of it?" Elrohir asked his brother. "I know not. It is obvious she carries a heavy load of shame though" Elladan answered. "But for what, is the question" the younger twin replied. "I don't know about you, but I plan on finding out" Elrohir announced, as he stood and prepared to go find Nessime. "Wait, I'm going to come to" Elladan declared whilst he got on his feet and followed after his sibling.
"What if she doesn't tell us?" Elladan asked as the two elves walked down the hallway. "Then we will find out by other means" Elrohir responded. There was a pause before the older twin said what he had on his mind. "Don't you think we should find a way to prove to Arwen what Ireth is going to do, before we go and try and figure out this mystery?"
"Who says we can't do both at once?" Elrohir said confidently. "Besides, I have faith that Nessime is doing everything she can to help us" he finished.
Well what do you think? Do you still like it? Let me know!
~*Judy Greenleaf*~
