Disclaimer: I own nothing. I am not making any money off of this 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*~ Hey guys! Like I promised, I will try to make this chapter longer than the last one. But I do have some bad news. I am going to have to do a lot of research for my next story because I want to try and make it canon. It will focus on a character that I feel is overlooked, it is none other than Elrohir son of Elrond. I want to write the story of his life up until the fellowship departs from Imladris. So I have to find all the facts of his life which will take up much of my time leaving little for writing. Wait, I have an idea! Can you guys send me as much information on Elrohir as you can? It would be greatly appreciated. I don't think I will start it until I am finished How Can I Survive, but I would like to have the facts straight before I begin. So if it is possible, send me info! Thanks, I will be forever in you debt!

How Can I Survive

Chapter 34

"Are you alright" Aragorn asked his beloved as they waited for the others to arrive. They were seated on a bench in the front foyer of the palace. "I will be now that I know you're going to be okay" she responded as she caressed his cheek.

"You don't have to feel bad about what is going to happen. She hurt you greatly and retribution is deserved" the dunadan said. "I don't want to talk about that right now. There will be time for that later. At the present, I just want to bask in your company" The evenstar said as she placed a kiss in Aragorn's lips.

"I don't think I would have woken up if I didn't have you to wake up to" the man spoke. "That's not true. You're strong and you could have pulled through it no matter what" she replied. "Then I guess you being there was just a bonus or a gift from the Valar" he said as a smile covered his face. 'Perhaps" Arwen laughed.

*****

Elrond, his twin sons, Glorfindel, Estel, Arwen and Nessime all approached Ireth who was seated at one of the round tables in the dining hall.

"Milady" Elrond started, gaining the maiden's attention. "Yes my lord?" "Me and my company" he said motioning to the ones who accompanied him "need to have words with. If you wouldn't mind, could you please come with us to my study?" "Of course" she replied as she stood up and they all left and made haste towards Elrond's study.

*****

"What is it you needed to speak with me about?" Ireth asked, though she already knew what it was, which is why she was glaring icicles at Nessime. But it didn't go unnoticed by the sylvan elf nor Elrohir who was keeping a close eye on her.

"Regarding what occurred approximately a month ago" the peredhil began. "I, like the rest of the people in this room, know what happened" stated. Ireth put on an innocent expression and brought her hand up to her chest. "Whatever are you talking about?" she enquired.

"Don't even act like you don't know. My brother and I overheard your conversation" Elladan spat angrily. The immaculate appearance faded and was replaced by one full of loathing and deceit. "Maybe we should call of the whole thing" Arwen said turning to her father, who was intensely watching the accused. "That's just like you. Always trying to gain everyone's love and admiration. And then once you have it, you use it to your advantage and walk all over them" Ireth hissed.

"That is not true" Arwen protested. "But it is. Let's take Estel for example. I bet he didn't even make you apologize for calling him a liar and punching him" Ireth relented. "That's because I love her" Aragorn said in Arwen's defence.

"Back on topic" Glorfindel said, stopping the bickering. "We need to discuss your punishment" Elrond said, taking over the conversation. "I have decided upon banishment for one hundred years" he affirmed.

"One hundred years? That is utterly…eccentric and outlandish" Ireth shouted as she abruptly stood from her chair. "I don't believe so" the lord of Imladris retorted. "Well of course you wouldn't. She's your little evenstar, nobody can hurt her" the she elf replied mockingly.

"That is enough" Elrohir yelled as he too got to his feet. "It is not wise to speak to ruler of Rivendell in that tone" he warned. "Or what" she asked sarcastically. "Your sentence could be lengthened, you know" the younger twin threatened. "I highly doubt that. My 'sentence' is already cruel and ridiculous" Ireth responded. "That it is not" he shouted.

"Okay, fair enough, but you know what was cruel?" the blamed one started, as she turned and glared at Nessime. The Mirkwood elf's eyes widened, knowing what her companion was going to do. "What happened to your mother was cruel" she said as a wicked grin spread on her fair face. "Don't even start with that" Arwen cautioned her former best friend.

"No hear me out. You will all be interested in what I am about to tell you." she began, avoiding the hateful glares she was getting from everyone in the room.

"Didn't you ever wonder why Celebrian was attacked in the first place" Ireth asked. "I wish you would just make your point and not resurrect these memories" Elrond responded. "I'm getting to it" she continued, not at all regretting hurting the ones around her. "The only reason she was ambushed was to make a certain somebody feel better about themselves. You know who that someone was? None other than our visitor from Thranduil's realm" she declared turning to Nessime.

"Yes, our dear woodland friend. She made all the plans for your dear mother to be killed. She wanted to prove herself to her father and the rest of her companions, but unfortunately when it was done she felt terrible so she killed the one person who could have told her secret but again she was to late for he had already informed me" she said sickeningly happy.

"You can't expect us to believe that" Elrohir hissed. "You're just upset because she didn't tell you that we heard your conversation with her" he denied. Although his twin made a point, Elladan couldn't fully say that there was no way that it couldn't be the truth. Aragorn, Arwen, Elrond and Glorfindel were all speechless at what they had just been told. They didn't know what to think, but they wouldn't be like that for much longer.

"Wake up Elrohir! What do you think her secret was? What do you think the blackmail I had against her was? Isn't it obvious now? Don't let your feelings cloud your judgement" Ireth said, knowing full well that the prince was indeed feeling something for Nessime.

"It's not true" he responded. "It's not, right?" he asked as he turned to the sylvan elf. She clenched her eyes shut and dropped her head to her chest. She looked up at him and tears flowed from her eyes but she quickly wiped them away. The expression on her face erased the need for a verbal answer. "I'm sorry" she whispered, but everyone heard her clearly. "Then she's not lying" he said disbelievingly. "You had my mother murdered for your own joy" he shouted as he ran to the exit of the study and disappeared out the door.

"Elrohir" Nessime cried as she fled the room after him, before anyone could've stopped her which they most definitely would have done. Neither of them told each other how they felt, but they both kind of knew the other's feelings which made this all the more hard.

When she reached him, she grabbed his arm stopping him from going any further. "Please…"

"Please what?" he demanded. "Please forgive you for killing my mother? Please forgive you for lying to me? Please forgive you for acting as if nothing had happened? Or please forgive myself for falling in love with you?"

What do you think? I put an A/A scene in the beginning so I hope all you fans enjoyed it. I also added parts of a less talked about not really evolved romance. I hope y'all liked it. Please again, send me all the info you have on Elrohir! Thanks.

~*Judy Greenleaf*~