Inside the Beast
By tHe InSaNe OnE with A LOT of help from xsilicax
AN- Ah! It has been a while, nay? Yes, this is for real! It's posted! Mwahahahaha! *grins evilly* Thanks so much for all the kind reviews! You guys sent me on a wonderful guilt trip! LoL! It was great! I spent so much time trying to get this chapter right! Thank you so very, very much!
Yes, there is another name next to mine. ^_^ This wonderful person half- wrote the chapter for me, and kept prodding me on, giving me advice and helping me revise! She writes WONDERFUL stories herself and I say go read them! They are great, much Elrond/Aragorn/Legolas angst all around and some twins angst too! ^_^ Highly enjoyable!
So, I'll shut up! You guys haven't been waiting for eras just to listen to be jabber! ^_^ Read and enjoy and....review?
~*~
Legolas rode hard, his arms wrapped around Aragorn to keep the man from falling off the horse. With each passing moment, he was becoming increasingly worried about Aragorn. Not too long ago, the human had started muttering under his breath, the fever obviously getting the better of him. His mind wandered through memories, and he spoke of his childhood, his brothers and his home.
"Legolas?" Aragorn cried out, his body jerking slightly. Legolas glanced down at Estel, startled. Perhaps things weren't as bad as he had originally thought.
"Aye, it is me, my friend," Legolas said softly, giving Aragorn a reassuring squeeze.
"Legolas, where are you?" the ranger whispered softly. Eyes glazed with illness flickered around, searching desperately for the blonde elf.
"I am right here," Legolas answered, moving his free hand to the man's face. Aragorn shuddered and pulled away from the comforting touch, a soft moan escaping his lips. Silence fell again for a few minutes, but it seemed Estel was not finished speaking.
"Do you know where he is?" he asked, his voice hoarse from the raging fever.
"Who?" Legolas said, wondering if the man was delirious still.
"Legolas; do you know where Legolas is?" Legolas was stunned for a second but not for too long. The human was most definitely not in the right state of mind.
"Do not worry, young one, he is near."
Aragorn did not seem to hear him. He continued murmuring under his breath, his voice just loud enough for Legolas to hear. "Nearby? Good, because I was scared. You can't tell him that or he'll tease me for being a coward but I truly am afraid. The faces, they haunt me, they will not leave me alone. Do you know them?"
Legolas opened his mouth to answer, but Aragorn did not wait for a response. He continued, his tone filled with fear and sorrow.
"Of course you don't. You do not see them whenever you close your eyes. It is haunting, terrible. They seem so small at first, so tiny and then they grow and grow until they are incredibly large. It would not be so bad if they looked kind but they are upset. They are so angry, and it is all my fault."
The last words were spoken with such despair that Legolas' heart wrenched. He wanted to speak to his friend, to console him but he had no idea what the man was going on about and he doubted that Aragorn would hear him.
Aragorn went on. "They hate me, I think. I know that they will never forgive me. I wish they would for the world is so hard to bear without them; the very least they can do is stop appearing in my dreams, and frightening me. Maybe if I beg them they will go away. Nay, I do not think so. I think they will keep coming, these faces. They will never stop tormenting me."
"Shhh, do not worry yourself so," Legolas soothed. He could not take much more of this. Every word that escaped Aragorn's lips stabbed deep into his heart, like a knife.
"There is one face that sometimes comes that does not bother me. Sometimes it even drives the others away. He is too kind to me. He does not understand or perhaps maybe he does. It does not matter, for he still is my friend. Even after everything he is still my friend. He is a good elf, Legolas Greenleaf. Do you know him?" Aragorn's questioned, unseeing eyes staring upward at the elf.
It took Legolas a moment to realize that the question was directed at him. Choking back tears, he managed to speak. "Aye, I know him."
"He is kind to me." Legolas bit his lip and clutched the ailing man closer to his chest.
"He loves you like a brother, you are his best friend," Legolas said sincerely, hoping that the man would believe him.
"I know," Aragorn mumbled. "He is my friend. He cares for me. I wish he could explain it to them. I wish he could make them understand. But they will never understand no matter who tells them. They do not love me anymore. I wish they would love me again. I wish I could take it back." The ranger's voice choked with tears. "I miss them so much. I miss them all."
"I think I will go talk to them. They may listen better this time. Do you think they shall? I am worried that they won't. I'm afraid they will be angry with me again. Especially Ada, he was furious. I do not want to upset him. I just want him to forgive me. I am so sorry for taking his daughter away. I did not mean to, I did not know. I just....." The hopeless voice trailed off. Aragorn's head lolled against Legolas' chest and the elf knew that the man was unconscious once more. He was almost glad for it because if he had listened to another word of Aragorn's dark soliloquy, he feared that his heart would have broken. Had Aragorn fought with Elrond again? It appeared to be so, and again, Legolas surmised, Arwen was the reason for the outbreak.
Sighing, Legolas swept a piece of dark, sweat soaked hair from his friend's face. "We are almost there, Strider, hang on just a bit longer for me. Valar, please stay with me"
~*~
"I do not know what to do," Elrond muttered, exasperatedly. "I have tried everything. Everything! I have sent messenger hawks, I have sent elves, I have spoken to everyone affiliated with him and not one of them has had word of him nor seen him for months. It is as if he has faded off the face of Arda."
Thranduil threw him a sympathetic look; for the last hour he had watched as the dark haired elf paced back and forth, ranting. It was obvious that he was deeply concerned, no matter how he tried to disguise his worries. 'What would I do in this situation, though?' Thranduil asked himself. 'What if it was my son who was missing?' The king suppressed a shudder at the thought. He wasn't sure if he would be able to bear it.
"Elrond," Thranduil said, "we both know Estel. He is your son and he could very well be mine with as much time as he spends around here. He is probably just trying to escape from the hardships and worries that he has been dealing with as of late. More than likely, he has been sent by Mithrandir to watch over some far off village, or he is simply travelling for enjoyment."
"But it has been months, Thranduil," Elrond whispered, collapsing into a chair across from his friend. "No one has seen him nor heard of him in all this time. I cannot help but fear the worst."
"Iston, mellon nin, Iston but this it is Estel we are talking about, this would not be the first time that he has wandered away causing you no end of worry." Thranduil said, searching for something that would calm Elrond down.
"That is why I am worried," Elrond groaned, resting his head upon his hand. "Most likely he has wandered into danger, maybe even gotten himself killed. What if he is lying somewhere dead, or injured badly? What if he is ill, and he is desperately in need of aid, and cannot find it! Aie! I cannot bear the thought of it." Elrond stared at the floor, gathering his thoughts before he continued. "My heart would break if he was hurt somewhere in the wilderness, while I was sitting in the lap of luxury. It would haunt me forever, if I was well cared for while he was lying injured, and starving. I could never live with myself if the last words I said to him were cruel."
"We all make mistakes, Elrond," Thranduil chastised. "I have made enough of my own to understand. Look at my people, Elrond. I have exiled so many of them that they have started their own village! I have done far worse than you could possibly imagine. You know that I exiled my own daughter when she was barely three hundred. For Valar's sake, Elrond, you were the one who raised her for me to a certain degree. Everyone errs, my friend, but we can make amends for it. Cease your worrying, Estel will return to you unharmed."
Elrond sighed, and rose stood back up once more. Thranduil hoped that the other would not start pacing again. It was making the king dizzy and it only seemed to aggravate Elrond's stress instead of curing it. The Lord of Rivendell walked over to the window and stared down at the courtyard. Leaning his aching head against the window frame, he sighed. A tense silence filled the room, and Thranduil fidgeted in his seat.
"I do not know what to do," Elrond despaired. "He will not return to me unless I speak to him, yet I cannot find him to do so. I need to tell him, and yet I cannot. He either is too angry to talk or he fears what I will say."
"Iston," Thranduil replied softly, his eyes on the bowed shoulders of the half-elf. It almost seemed as though the elf lord's shoulders were trembling, weighted down as they were.
"I fear I have destroyed what remained of our relationship. This situation may not be salvageable. I have never wanted either Estel or Undomiel to be unhappy, yet I do not want to be alone." Elrond clutched the window sill. "I fear do not want to leave all my children to grief when I cross over the sea. The twins have already told me that they do not plan to leave, and now Arwen is in love. I do not wish for them to die miserable deaths. I do not want to be alone."
" You will be with Celebrian, you will not be alone," Thranduil whispered. "You must do as you think. Aragorn and Arwen are both your children and they should obey you."
"Yes, but," Elrond began, grimacing. "I do not want to force them. I feel like the guilty party in all of this. Her face, Thranduil, her face when I told my Undomiel that she could not marry him, that face, it broke my heart."
"A daughter has the ability to bend any father to her will. I have one myself, and I know how they can appear," Thranduil said, smiling.
"I only want for her to be happy," Elrond stated.
"It is what every parent wants for their child," Thranduil replied.
"I don't want to be alone."
"None of us do."
Elrond scowled deeply at his friend. "You are no help!"
"I do not recall saying that I would be!" Thranduil said, a small grin gracing his lips. " I shall tell this to you one last time, Elrond. Do not overly concern yourself about this. Relax. Estel is most likely just fine, off wandering the land. When the time comes, you will know better what to do about this situation him and Arwen."
"I suppose you are right," Elrond mumbled reluctantly, turning back to the window. He peered through the transparent surface, his eyes taking in the area below. "It appears as though your son is back." He observed with disinterest.
Thranduil looked surprised; Legolas was not supposed to be back for another few days. Standing up, he walked over next to his friend. "Does he appear to be injured?"
"Nay, he is walking under his own power, but he is carrying someone." Elrond strained his eyes, attempting to see who was lying in the prince's arms.
"I am surprised he's in one piece," Thranduil commented, watching as his son hurried into the palace. The limp figure he was holding seemed oddly familiar. The build, hidden as it was by the ranger clothing, reminded Thranduil of someone. "It seems he has found a ranger."
Elrond turned sharply, his eyes widening. "How do you know it is a ranger?" Worry deepened his voice.
"Peace Elrond. His cloak is of ranger make." Thranduil did not even have to look at his friend to know what he was thinking. "Do not jump to conclusions this early. Many travellers use these woods, and Legolas would not refuse aid to any in need."
"He would not be in such a hurry if it were any other than Estel," Elrond rationalized, panic ringing in his voice.
"It could just as easily be another ranger!" Thranduil exclaimed, resting a hand on Elrond's shoulder. "Try to calm yourself, Elrond. There is no need for such worry. You are going to give yourself an anxiety attack."
"I am no where near an anxiety attack," Elrond retorted, removing his friend's hand from his shoulder. His whole posture spoke of extreme tension. "I must go to him. I know it is him, Thranduil."
Thranduil sighed softly, knowing that there was no convincing the other elf otherwise. "Go to him then."
Elrond was already out the door.
~*~
'It is not another ranger.' Elrond thought, the instant he saw the limp figure in the prince's arms. He knew it for certain when he ran into the healing chambers, coming to a trembling halt in the doorway. Legolas was hovering over the bed, carefully watching Mirkwood's head healer, Nadeniel, examine the patient. The elder elf was studying the occupant of the bed carefully, a perplexed frown resting upon his face. The healer muttered to himself as he checked over the human in the bed; peeling back his eyelids to gaze at the dilated pupils, testing the patient's temperature, and checking his pulse. Raising his head he caught Legolas' gaze, and inquired of him what had brought the man to such a state; when the younger elf shook his head indicating his ignorance Nadeniel returned his focus to his patient. Neither of the two coherent persons in the room noticed the Lord of Rivendell's arrival.
Elrond wanted to speak. He needed for them to realize that he was there, and eager to help, but all movement had failed him. He stood, petrified, staring at his youngest son lying on the bed. It was not possible. This could not be his Estel, his child, his baby; no, this man was far too old. His skin was that of an older human, tired, and lined with concerns; his hair was greying. The face of this man was a pale white; even his lips were devoid of color. The rosy hues of fever on his cheeks were the only brightness. Every muscle in his body trembled violently.
Nadeniel looked up and let out an exclamation of surprise. Relief flashed across his face. "Lord Elrond! Thank the Valar!"
Legolas looked up at Nadeniel's outburst, a peculiar expression upon his face. Instead of relief he looked almost upset as his eyes roamed the elf lord. After staring unwaveringly at the elf Lord, for several long seconds, Legolas returned his attention to the figure in the bed, whose hand he clasped tightly. 'Does he know?' Elrond thought, as he watched the Silvan elf carefully. 'Or is he simply worried about Estel?'
Nadeniel did not observe this strange tension between the two noble elves, for his patient preoccupied him. "Elrond!" He called, motioning him towards the bed, "You must do something. I cannot find the root of his problems. I recognize both dehydration and malnutrition but I suspect there is some human illness at work as well!"
Elrond stared blankly at the other elf for a few moments, still reeling from his recent cascade of emotions, before snapping into action. The healing instinct within him had awakened with a vengeance, and he rushed over to the bedside. Clasping Estel's cool hand between his own warm ones, he applied the slightest pressure with his fingers, watching the indentations in the skin remain. This confirmed Nadeniel's diagnosis; Estel was badly dehydrated. The malnutrition showed clearly in the human's thin face and frighteningly wasted form. The fever, though, had no apparent cause. Though dehydration caused a mild fever, it could not cause the fever to rage the way it was.
"Legolas, do you know what happened?" Elrond demanded, struggling to figure out what else was wrong. He suspected that there was something else going on inside the human.
Legolas sighed, rubbing his forehead with his free hand. "I found him in the forest leading a strange, gangly creature. He already had a raging fever and could barely speak. While I was bringing him back he became delirious, and not long after that he simply lost consciousness." Legolas indicated the figure in the bed.
Elrond nodded, gently stroking the hair from his son's face. This seemed surreal to him. How could this possibly be Estel? How could his son be so ill? He would have known, surely, if his youngest had fallen ill, why had he not been there to aid him? Why had he said all those unkind words to him that day?
"Do you know what ails him?" Nadeniel asked, his voice laced with worry.
Elrond shook his head, sighing. "Beyond what you have already said, no; he is very ill. We must get some fluids into him and bring down this fever if nothing else."
Nadeniel processed these words and started bustling around, finding the proper herbs and supplies needed. Elrond made no move to help, having eyes and ears only for his son.
"He was talking about you when he was delirious," Legolas said, his voice neutral.
Elrond winced inwardly, wondering what Aragorn had spoken of. "He did?"
"Aye," Legolas confirmed. He picked up one of Estel's hands and held it between his own, deciding not to say anymore. Perhaps Aragorn had been going through memories of the past, and maybe the father and son were on good terms after all. Turning his eyes from Elrond, he stared down at his human friend, willing him to be well.
"What did he say?" Elrond asked, not willing to meet the prince's eyes; afraid that his fears would be obvious.
Legolas' tone was emotionless. "He was asking for forgiveness for loving Arwen. He was begging for you to love him still; to understand that he never meant to hurt anyone."
Elrond was positive that an arrow had been shot into his chest, and struck his heart. 'Aragorn was begging for forgiveness for loving Arwen? Aie! How could I have possibly done this to him?' the elven lord lamented silently. 'Now they both fear me.'
"I am hoping," Legolas continued softly, anger slowly creeping into his voice. "That perhaps this was from a past argument." It was quite obvious that it was not; guilt and grief lined Elrond's face like wrinkles.
"I-" Elrond began but stopped suddenly as Nadeniel reappeared, several concoctions prepared as well as a wide variety of herbs that could be of use. He carefully set them down on the table, and took the nearest potion in his hand, giving it to Elrond.
"This should settle his stomach enough for him to take water and food," Nadeniel said quickly.
Elrond nodded, giving the other elf a grateful look. "Thank you, Nadeniel." Lifting Estel up by his shoulders, the elf lord let his son's head rest against his chest and pressed the cup with the healing liquid to the fevered human's lips. "Drink, nin ion."
Estel moaned softly, turning his head away, doing his best to avoid sipping the vile tasting substance. Delirium still had a firm grasp upon his mind and he wandered through nightmares and memories, each more terrifying than the last. Instead of realizing that the bitter dram was meant to help him, he believed he was being forced to drink some evil orc poison. A memory from long ago was being relived, and instead of hearing his father's soothing words, he heard black speech and saw a hideous face leering down at him. A dark flask was violently pressed to his lips, and a deadly poison was being poured into him. He struggled, and spat, trying to keep the liquid from running down his throat. No, he knew what happened if he ingested the foul drink. He would become ill, deadly ill and there was no one to save him.
Elrond nearly dropped the cup when Aragorn began to thrash. He did not expect such a violent reaction to the solution, and he caught was completely unprepared. Legolas shot into action, grabbing his friend's arms and speaking quickly in high elven. Meanwhile, Elrond regained his grasp on the cup, and wrapped his free arm around Estel's chest.
"Shh, shhh, my child, it is alright," Elrond whispered softly in the struggling man's ear. "You are fine. Do not worry, just relax. I am here, and I will let no harm come to you."
Aragorn slowly began to calm, the tension in his muscles releasing. A small whimper escaped chapped lips as the man once again gave in to his feverish dreams. Elrond winced, his heart aching for his youngest. Hoping that the edan would respond better this time, he tried giving Estel the potion once more. The medicine slowly trickled into the human's mouth, and he swallowed without protest. Elrond could not hold back a sigh of relief, and slowly as he could, he helped the human empty the glass. Aragorn did not stir in the least during the process, the slow rise of his chest the only proof that he still lived.
"What other herbs do you have?" the Lord of Rivendell asked, setting down the now empty cup and studying the various herbs that were skewed across the table.
"Anything you need," Nadeniel replied softly. "Hopefully that potion will settle his stomach enough for him to take them."
Elrond nodded in agreement, gently easing Estel's limp body back onto the pillows. Standing, he began to shift through the dried plants, looking for something that would be of use to him, though he knew that there was very little that he could do. It all depended on Aragorn's strength from this point forward. Dehydration was not like a poison, no herbs could heal it.
Legolas took his friend's hand in his own and held it tightly. He was desperately worried for his friend but somehow he knew that Aragorn was going to be fine. The man had proved himself over the years, and it seemed unlikely that he would die from something simple like dehydration. After all the times he had been poisoned, fatally wounded, and ill, Legolas just couldn't see the logic in losing Estel to anything except old age. The human had even survived the poison Elrond had called 'Gwanath Annaeth', which had the ability to make humans die from grief. 'No,' Legolas thought, 'Aragorn will not die from this. He's too tough for it.' A small smile flitted across his lips, and he let himself relax a little bit.
Things would get better.
They had to.
~*~
The stars outside were covered by clouds, and an ominous wind was blowing outside. Lord Elrond listened to it, noting how the storm was reflecting his own mood at the moment. Gently, he placed the back of his hand against his youngest son's face, wincing at the burning heat. With extreme caution, he dipped a clothe into a bowl of hot water that gave off the soothing but familiar smell of athelas. He gently wiped Aragorn's brow with it, willing the herb to bring down the fever and cure his son. He wanted a miracle, and at the moment, a miracle was what seemed to be needed.
Even with the stomach settling herbs in him, Aragorn could not keep down water. Everything that the three elves had coaxed into him, he had retched up not to long after. The problem was the human was in desperate need of liquids; if he didn't get them he would die without question. Elrond sighed, dabbing Estel's cracked lips with the herb laden towel. Dehydration was bad enough and with malnutrition it could be deadly. 'If only Estel was only dealing with those two,' the elf lord thought sadly.
He knew what else was ailing Aragorn, though he did not tell Nadeniel or Legolas. Legolas was likely to maim him, and Nadeniel would be too confused to do a thing about it. 'This is my entire fault,' Elrond mourned. 'We would have a chance to save him if it were not for me. The poison would still be dormant if I had not spoken so harshly.' But regrets would not heal the effects of Gwanath Annaeth.
Aragorn stirred, his eyes opening up to thin slits, and he stared up at his father; there was no recognition in the illness laden gaze. Elrond gave him a kind smile, gently smoothing some of the human's hair from his face. Aragorn blinked, his lips moving slowly as though he was trying to speak. Pressing a finger against the struggling man's lips, Elrond attempted to hush him.
"Easy, Estel, you are very ill. Do not speak, just rest," the elf soothed, his voice trembling. What if this was the last time Aragorn would wake up? There was so much he had to say to the man, and yet, he could say nothing now.
"Ada......." Aragorn whispered thickly. "Ada......I am......." His face screwed up, and he swallowed hard. .....sorry."
Elrond jerked back, stunned. Did Aragorn really recognize him?
"I.......I did not mean.......to steal her a......away.........from you........" the man choked out. "I........."
"You are already forgiven, nin ion, a thousand times over," Elrond said softly. Tears were gathering in his eyes, threatening to spill out.
"I....I....please.......please do not.......go......I did not........" A sob escaped his lips, and his eyes closed tightly. "I......understand.....was......wrong........please.......please forg- give......me......do not turn......away.....I.....please.....forgive...."
Elrond knew that Aragorn was delirious now, but it didn't seem to matter. Every word the man tore chunks out of his heart, and not a word the elf lord said seemed to matter. His son, his youngest son, was trapped in a nightmarish world that he could not be freed from. Unconscious to the tears cascading down his face, he sat down on the edge of the bed and gathered Estel into his arms. Pressing his forehead against the human's dark hair, he mumbled words of comfort, trying to block out his child's begging voice.
"I.....I know......she.......wouldn't die.......of grief........she loves........you and her mother m-more.......than she would e.......ever love me........" Aragorn sobbed out softly. "I.......you......are......right.....my.....love....is......selfish.....she deserves better......"
"She could never have better than you," Elrond said, grief lining his voice.
"I am.......mortal......you are.........right.....again......what.......happens w-when....I die? W- where......will.......sh-she.......go?"
"You said it yourself, Aragorn. She will have your children," Elrond answered, willing the man to hear him.
"I.....please.....listen to.....m-me...take......her......with you......sh- she'll be happier w-with.......y-you and Celebrian.......I w-want her t-to be happy......."
"She is happy with you. She loves you," Elrond cried, clinging to the man all the tighter, fearing that if he loosened his grip that Estel's spirit would flee.
"N-no........Ada......don't turn your b-back....I promise....I will not....change my mind........I promise.....I will not stop....you......when....the time....c-comes....."
"The time will not come, Estel," Elrond said, "I know where Arwen belongs, and she will only be truly happy with you."
"P-please......father......Elrond......p-please......." Aragorn murmured, and his mind wandered back into unconsciousness once more. The room fell silent once more, and the sounds of the storm outside invaded the area.
Hands trembling with grief and fear, Elrond pressed his fingers against Aragorn's neck. A weak pulse gratified him, but the terrible ache in his heart did not fade. Sobbing softly, he pressed his face into Aragorn's hair, feeling more helpless than he had in nearly sixty years.
~*~
TBC........
~*~
I promise that there will be some Gollum in the next chapter!
To my reviewers:
shirebound- Isn't it surprising how easily you can get into a story ^__^. Poor Legolas, poor Elrond, poor Aragorn! ^_^ Life just never seems to give them a break! Mwahaha, thank you so much for your review! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last one!
xsilicax- It's up! It's up! It's up! Mwahahaha, I got it up, Cathy, you should be proud of me! See! I posted! ^_^ EEEE! LoL! Now, the deal for the next chapter is that you have to post another chapter of RLs for me to post another chapter of this. Doesn't mean I won't post another chapter of TMaaTB during that period, but *scowls* I refuse to post more until YOU tell me what has happened to my poor Estel baby! *gives Cathy an extra big hug and several Estel and Legolas and Elrond plushies* Thank you so much for all your help, mellon nin. I never could have gotten this chapter up without you. Of course, thank you for the review as well!
KumQuat- *cowers under this evil glare* I sorry it took so long! But it's up now! See! You have more now! LoL! Thanks for the review! Hope you liked the chapter!
Sue- ^_^ I have a plan for poor old Aragorn and Sméagol for next chapter. Poor Aragorn, poor Sméagol. *grins evilly* Mwahahahahahahaha......I dunno if the voice is my idea or not, or if I ended up reading it somewhere and enjoying the thought of it. Really, that's all the Gollum side of Sméagol's personality is. A voice in his head that's quite controlling. Hehe, I enjoyed writing that strange little part with Legolas and his friends. One of the more fun parts of this story. ^_^ Thank you so much for the review!
Kaeera- I would like to argue about the beautiful sound of Italian. I sit through that darned class everyday and let me tell you, the most beautiful thing I've heard all year was the sound of my teacher getting fed up with my class. LoL. That happens....well....everyday but still, it's the truth! LoL. I love your Elrohir story by the way! It's great! Much Elrohir angst and general torture all around! You are so good at it! Hyper? Hyper? How could you possibly have thought of reviewing my story hyper? : P LoL! It's more fun that way! Do it often! LoL. As you can see, Aragorn is in a nice hallucinating state. I had to do it, *rubs hands together evilly* I've taken to torturing Elrond too now, so a delirious Aragorn pleading with him seemed like such a good idea! Insanity is bliss as they say, so I wouldn't mull over it *giggles*. ^_^ Thank you for the strange review! I like strange reviews! ^_~
Ciria- AH! Another hyper active sugar person! *hides* No.....I am being overrun! *grins* ^_^ I love it! Two? I said two last time? I think it may be more than that, mellon nin! ^_^ It got suddenly very long for some reason that I cannot understand! Your reviews are never boring, in fact, they are a lot of fun to respond to! What is wrong with Aragorn? Well, we know now don't we? Dehydration is not a fun thing, and the poison well *innocent look* is a completely different story. Literally. ^_~ Ah, unfortunately there was no Saelmin or Bellmaethor or Sméagol for that matter in this chapter. *grins* But there shall be next chapter; which I promise to be slightly more humorous than this one. Let's just say Saelmin and Bellmaethor probably couldn't watch a worm, much less Gollum. ^_^ Thanks for the insane and yet fun review! Mwahahaha, I think I will get the next chapter up soon.
HobbitsRFun- ^_^ Here is more, mellon nin! It took me forever but it is now going to be posted. Ages, eras, elves have passed since I last posted but it is here! It is HERE! Mwahahaha! Woah....shouldn't have had that candy bar! Sorry there was no Sméagol in this chapter. There will be next chapter, scouts honor; in fact, he may be the only thing in the next chapter. Now, now, you've never seen Bellmaethor or Saelmin. You never know, they may be better looking than our dear elven prince. ^_~ Just kidding! Thanks for the review mellon nin!
Lady FoxFire- Weeee likeeesss the reeevvvieewwwww, preccccciouuuussss. Weee seee moreee Smeagggolll next chapter, yes, precious? Weee thanks you forrr the revieewwwsieeess.
Nili- *grins* Yes, Elladan, Elrohir, you best not insult an authoress who will throw you off a cliff before you can say 'ouch'! lol! I'm sure you could characterize Gollum just fine! :P All you have to do is make one side huggable and the other side nuts; make sure the one side says 'preciouuusss' a lot as well! *grins* You do a VERY good job with certain elves and men. You are an EXCELLENT author :P better than me by a ton. Ah, Sellamloth! ^_^ Little Flower! She was created for another purpose, but I suppose *innocent grin* I will simply have to rename her. She WAS going to be Legolas' sister but since she has been made his friend in this, I suppose I will simply have to rename Legolas' sister. *sighs* That's another story however! Mwahahahahahahaha! Yes, poor, poor Aragorn! Things have only gotten worse for him eh? *laughs evilly* No one can help him now! *ducks blunt objects and runs* THANKS FOR THE REVIEW!
Carrie- *bounces with Carrie* ^_^ Thank you so much for reviewing even though you got a sneak preview! Wahahahahahaha, I do believe I reviewed remember *sobs* I cry thinking about it! It was wonderful though ^_~. Yup, Aragorn is in VERY good hands. Mwahahaha, Elrond's hands in fact, but even the best of hands cannot heal a person sometimes. *grins evilly* Even the strongest of people can be broken......... *runs from threats and other things that are being thrown at her* ^_^ Thanks again for the review! MEEP!
Kawaii BlueBear- Aragorn appreciated the chicken soup but unfortunately it did not seem to make him any better. *sighs and scratches her head* I do not know what to do with this man, he just can never stay well! ^_~ Thanks for the review!!
Alilacia- MAE GOVANNEN! ^_^ Excuses, excuses for not reviewing! Tsk, tsk! : P LoL! You are long since forgiven, mellon nin. After all, it's taken me months to get another chapter of this up! But guess what?! It's done, it's done, it's done! Mwahahahahahaha! LOL! I was gushing over Aragorn the entire time. The fourth or fifth time I went, I was with a good friend of mine, and every time Aragorn ran across the screen, I squealed and pointed and went rather crazy. By the end of the movie, the boy next to me was poking me continually....I think that was his way of saying shut up. Glad you liked the last chapter so much! ^_^ Hope you liked this one too.....for as long as it took to write! I was trying to show Sméagol's good side and show that nothing is PURELY evil ('cept the devil and Sauron and my Theology teacher but that's a different story). You liked Bellmaethor and Saelmin? Well, we shall see more of them next chapter.....and more Gollum! Hope that your giving blood went well *sweatdrops* and that you didn't pass out! ^_^ I'll shut up now! (thanks for the review)!
Emmithar- Ew, well, I'm glad your better (and have been for a while now ^_~). Aw, I like the short reviews as much as the long reviews! Confirmation of love of a story is a good thing! Mwahahahaha! ^_^ I love your stories! DO NOT be putting yourself down! I think that they are great *nods to self* yes, excellent! *laughs* I hope your band concert went well! WHERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR STORY!!! *whines* I want it nowwww! *whines* I posted, tomorrow is my birthday, and I INISIST on a chapter from you *scowls* : P lol! It took me forever to understand the timeline thing in PT but I finally got it down and went back and reread the entire story! It worked out well! Legolas is an overall stupid elf, you can't blame him for not recognizing Aragorn. Technically, he would not have seen him for quite some time, not to mention illness, aging, cloaks, strange gangly creatures! Well, all I can say, is after the next chapter Saelmin and Bellmaethor will REALLY want to kill our dear friend Gollum. ^_~ But that's in the future isn't it! ^_^ Thanks for the review! Take care!
Freakizimi- Yeah, I always thought that Gollum would make a great pet or teddy bear or something; then I remembered the whole homicidal sort of 'I- eat-fish-raw-and-worship-Sauron' side of him and thought it to be best to keep him where he was! ^_^ Thanks for the review! Reviews are great mellon nin! Wahahahahaha! Poor Aragorn!
Lily Frost- Li-chan get her chapter, yes? Li-chan like? Li-chan give TIO nice review, and TIO is very happy ^_^ Li-chan review again? Yes? No? ^_^
Lina Skye- ^_^ I gots another chapter up so where's your chapter? HMMM? Me wants more! See your Estel is dying......well, kinda at least! Hope you did well on your audition!!! ^__^ Me demands more of the story, and perhaps I will post again! ^_~ LoL! *hugs* Thanks for the review mellon nin!
Elladan- ^_^ You reviewed! It's okay that it took time! You reviewed! I am happy and content cause you reviewed! *grins and bounces* I posted! I posted! See! It's up! ^_^ Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed the chappie!
Snicks- *stares at* Do I....know you? *looks oddly confused* You had no school or I had no school or we both had no school...... x_x I'm so lost! Glad your cold isn't getting worse! ^_^ Insanity is bliss as they say! *mwahahaha* ^_^ Thanks for the most wonderful (and a bit confusing) review!
crazy/evil- ^_^ It's posted! Thanks for the review!
Amia- ^_^ Thanks for the compliments! I try! Sorry it took so long to post! This chapter was a tough little thing! Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
HaloGatomon- You're just running from Lina? After what you did to Legolas? AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO ESTEL?! *runs after Halo with a sharpie* COME BACK HERE! *sniffles* Where is my next chappie? *puppy dog eyes* More please? We wannnttsss your storrrryyy, weeee neeeddssss ittttt, preccciouusss!!! ^_^ Thankee for the review!
Sue- Neglect studies for writing? ME? Never!.....woah.....this is your second review! LoL ^_^ Thanks!
marbienl- Mwah! I enjoy torturing Aragorn and Legolas and Elrond for that matter! There will be plenty of Smeagol next chapter! *evil grin* A humorous chapter too ^_^! Thanks so much for the review! Mwahahahahahaha!
Sigil- Many people seemed to like that line! *giggles* I dunno why! I guess it's rather amusing! Thanks for the review!
Lady Jaina- He's gonna die! *ducks objects* OKAY MAYBE NOT! *runs* He may get better! Who knows! *giggles* Thanks for the review!
tbiris- Poor Aragorn! Poor Smeagol! *evil laughter* Mwahahaha, I enjoyed writing this and I enjoyed your review! Thank ye very much so, oh kind one! ^_^ Hope you liked this chapter too!
Lauriena- Tis not done! Mwahahaha, still more to go! Thanks for the review!
staran- ^_^ More of it! Though not as soon as I would have liked! Thanks very much for the review!
crazy/evil- ^_^ You already have but I enjoyed the second review as much as the first! Reviews brighten up my day! ^_^ Thankkeeee!
Thorn Rose- ^_^ Sorry it took so long! It's up now though! Thanks for the review!
tychen- So, you liked "It Could Be Worse...." too? That was a strange little fic that was simply a spur of the moment thing! Just ask Arien about it! She received about thirty six hand written pages (really eighteen cause I do front and back) and then she had to beta it after it was revised! LoL! ^_^ Thanks for the compliments! I feel so loved! ^_^ They brighten my day up! Thanks a lot for the review and I'm sorry for the wait!
Lavender of the Shire- ^_^ Thanks for the compliments! It's up! ^_^ Sorry it took so long! Thanks for the review as well!
krisnkriss- ^_^ You like it? ^_^ YAY! Thanks for the compliments! They go such a long way! They make me want to post and send me on a terrible guilt trip! ^_^ Hope you liked this chapter too!
Good, bad? Another chapter? Aye, there will be......^_^ soon even!
By tHe InSaNe OnE with A LOT of help from xsilicax
AN- Ah! It has been a while, nay? Yes, this is for real! It's posted! Mwahahahaha! *grins evilly* Thanks so much for all the kind reviews! You guys sent me on a wonderful guilt trip! LoL! It was great! I spent so much time trying to get this chapter right! Thank you so very, very much!
Yes, there is another name next to mine. ^_^ This wonderful person half- wrote the chapter for me, and kept prodding me on, giving me advice and helping me revise! She writes WONDERFUL stories herself and I say go read them! They are great, much Elrond/Aragorn/Legolas angst all around and some twins angst too! ^_^ Highly enjoyable!
So, I'll shut up! You guys haven't been waiting for eras just to listen to be jabber! ^_^ Read and enjoy and....review?
~*~
Legolas rode hard, his arms wrapped around Aragorn to keep the man from falling off the horse. With each passing moment, he was becoming increasingly worried about Aragorn. Not too long ago, the human had started muttering under his breath, the fever obviously getting the better of him. His mind wandered through memories, and he spoke of his childhood, his brothers and his home.
"Legolas?" Aragorn cried out, his body jerking slightly. Legolas glanced down at Estel, startled. Perhaps things weren't as bad as he had originally thought.
"Aye, it is me, my friend," Legolas said softly, giving Aragorn a reassuring squeeze.
"Legolas, where are you?" the ranger whispered softly. Eyes glazed with illness flickered around, searching desperately for the blonde elf.
"I am right here," Legolas answered, moving his free hand to the man's face. Aragorn shuddered and pulled away from the comforting touch, a soft moan escaping his lips. Silence fell again for a few minutes, but it seemed Estel was not finished speaking.
"Do you know where he is?" he asked, his voice hoarse from the raging fever.
"Who?" Legolas said, wondering if the man was delirious still.
"Legolas; do you know where Legolas is?" Legolas was stunned for a second but not for too long. The human was most definitely not in the right state of mind.
"Do not worry, young one, he is near."
Aragorn did not seem to hear him. He continued murmuring under his breath, his voice just loud enough for Legolas to hear. "Nearby? Good, because I was scared. You can't tell him that or he'll tease me for being a coward but I truly am afraid. The faces, they haunt me, they will not leave me alone. Do you know them?"
Legolas opened his mouth to answer, but Aragorn did not wait for a response. He continued, his tone filled with fear and sorrow.
"Of course you don't. You do not see them whenever you close your eyes. It is haunting, terrible. They seem so small at first, so tiny and then they grow and grow until they are incredibly large. It would not be so bad if they looked kind but they are upset. They are so angry, and it is all my fault."
The last words were spoken with such despair that Legolas' heart wrenched. He wanted to speak to his friend, to console him but he had no idea what the man was going on about and he doubted that Aragorn would hear him.
Aragorn went on. "They hate me, I think. I know that they will never forgive me. I wish they would for the world is so hard to bear without them; the very least they can do is stop appearing in my dreams, and frightening me. Maybe if I beg them they will go away. Nay, I do not think so. I think they will keep coming, these faces. They will never stop tormenting me."
"Shhh, do not worry yourself so," Legolas soothed. He could not take much more of this. Every word that escaped Aragorn's lips stabbed deep into his heart, like a knife.
"There is one face that sometimes comes that does not bother me. Sometimes it even drives the others away. He is too kind to me. He does not understand or perhaps maybe he does. It does not matter, for he still is my friend. Even after everything he is still my friend. He is a good elf, Legolas Greenleaf. Do you know him?" Aragorn's questioned, unseeing eyes staring upward at the elf.
It took Legolas a moment to realize that the question was directed at him. Choking back tears, he managed to speak. "Aye, I know him."
"He is kind to me." Legolas bit his lip and clutched the ailing man closer to his chest.
"He loves you like a brother, you are his best friend," Legolas said sincerely, hoping that the man would believe him.
"I know," Aragorn mumbled. "He is my friend. He cares for me. I wish he could explain it to them. I wish he could make them understand. But they will never understand no matter who tells them. They do not love me anymore. I wish they would love me again. I wish I could take it back." The ranger's voice choked with tears. "I miss them so much. I miss them all."
"I think I will go talk to them. They may listen better this time. Do you think they shall? I am worried that they won't. I'm afraid they will be angry with me again. Especially Ada, he was furious. I do not want to upset him. I just want him to forgive me. I am so sorry for taking his daughter away. I did not mean to, I did not know. I just....." The hopeless voice trailed off. Aragorn's head lolled against Legolas' chest and the elf knew that the man was unconscious once more. He was almost glad for it because if he had listened to another word of Aragorn's dark soliloquy, he feared that his heart would have broken. Had Aragorn fought with Elrond again? It appeared to be so, and again, Legolas surmised, Arwen was the reason for the outbreak.
Sighing, Legolas swept a piece of dark, sweat soaked hair from his friend's face. "We are almost there, Strider, hang on just a bit longer for me. Valar, please stay with me"
~*~
"I do not know what to do," Elrond muttered, exasperatedly. "I have tried everything. Everything! I have sent messenger hawks, I have sent elves, I have spoken to everyone affiliated with him and not one of them has had word of him nor seen him for months. It is as if he has faded off the face of Arda."
Thranduil threw him a sympathetic look; for the last hour he had watched as the dark haired elf paced back and forth, ranting. It was obvious that he was deeply concerned, no matter how he tried to disguise his worries. 'What would I do in this situation, though?' Thranduil asked himself. 'What if it was my son who was missing?' The king suppressed a shudder at the thought. He wasn't sure if he would be able to bear it.
"Elrond," Thranduil said, "we both know Estel. He is your son and he could very well be mine with as much time as he spends around here. He is probably just trying to escape from the hardships and worries that he has been dealing with as of late. More than likely, he has been sent by Mithrandir to watch over some far off village, or he is simply travelling for enjoyment."
"But it has been months, Thranduil," Elrond whispered, collapsing into a chair across from his friend. "No one has seen him nor heard of him in all this time. I cannot help but fear the worst."
"Iston, mellon nin, Iston but this it is Estel we are talking about, this would not be the first time that he has wandered away causing you no end of worry." Thranduil said, searching for something that would calm Elrond down.
"That is why I am worried," Elrond groaned, resting his head upon his hand. "Most likely he has wandered into danger, maybe even gotten himself killed. What if he is lying somewhere dead, or injured badly? What if he is ill, and he is desperately in need of aid, and cannot find it! Aie! I cannot bear the thought of it." Elrond stared at the floor, gathering his thoughts before he continued. "My heart would break if he was hurt somewhere in the wilderness, while I was sitting in the lap of luxury. It would haunt me forever, if I was well cared for while he was lying injured, and starving. I could never live with myself if the last words I said to him were cruel."
"We all make mistakes, Elrond," Thranduil chastised. "I have made enough of my own to understand. Look at my people, Elrond. I have exiled so many of them that they have started their own village! I have done far worse than you could possibly imagine. You know that I exiled my own daughter when she was barely three hundred. For Valar's sake, Elrond, you were the one who raised her for me to a certain degree. Everyone errs, my friend, but we can make amends for it. Cease your worrying, Estel will return to you unharmed."
Elrond sighed, and rose stood back up once more. Thranduil hoped that the other would not start pacing again. It was making the king dizzy and it only seemed to aggravate Elrond's stress instead of curing it. The Lord of Rivendell walked over to the window and stared down at the courtyard. Leaning his aching head against the window frame, he sighed. A tense silence filled the room, and Thranduil fidgeted in his seat.
"I do not know what to do," Elrond despaired. "He will not return to me unless I speak to him, yet I cannot find him to do so. I need to tell him, and yet I cannot. He either is too angry to talk or he fears what I will say."
"Iston," Thranduil replied softly, his eyes on the bowed shoulders of the half-elf. It almost seemed as though the elf lord's shoulders were trembling, weighted down as they were.
"I fear I have destroyed what remained of our relationship. This situation may not be salvageable. I have never wanted either Estel or Undomiel to be unhappy, yet I do not want to be alone." Elrond clutched the window sill. "I fear do not want to leave all my children to grief when I cross over the sea. The twins have already told me that they do not plan to leave, and now Arwen is in love. I do not wish for them to die miserable deaths. I do not want to be alone."
" You will be with Celebrian, you will not be alone," Thranduil whispered. "You must do as you think. Aragorn and Arwen are both your children and they should obey you."
"Yes, but," Elrond began, grimacing. "I do not want to force them. I feel like the guilty party in all of this. Her face, Thranduil, her face when I told my Undomiel that she could not marry him, that face, it broke my heart."
"A daughter has the ability to bend any father to her will. I have one myself, and I know how they can appear," Thranduil said, smiling.
"I only want for her to be happy," Elrond stated.
"It is what every parent wants for their child," Thranduil replied.
"I don't want to be alone."
"None of us do."
Elrond scowled deeply at his friend. "You are no help!"
"I do not recall saying that I would be!" Thranduil said, a small grin gracing his lips. " I shall tell this to you one last time, Elrond. Do not overly concern yourself about this. Relax. Estel is most likely just fine, off wandering the land. When the time comes, you will know better what to do about this situation him and Arwen."
"I suppose you are right," Elrond mumbled reluctantly, turning back to the window. He peered through the transparent surface, his eyes taking in the area below. "It appears as though your son is back." He observed with disinterest.
Thranduil looked surprised; Legolas was not supposed to be back for another few days. Standing up, he walked over next to his friend. "Does he appear to be injured?"
"Nay, he is walking under his own power, but he is carrying someone." Elrond strained his eyes, attempting to see who was lying in the prince's arms.
"I am surprised he's in one piece," Thranduil commented, watching as his son hurried into the palace. The limp figure he was holding seemed oddly familiar. The build, hidden as it was by the ranger clothing, reminded Thranduil of someone. "It seems he has found a ranger."
Elrond turned sharply, his eyes widening. "How do you know it is a ranger?" Worry deepened his voice.
"Peace Elrond. His cloak is of ranger make." Thranduil did not even have to look at his friend to know what he was thinking. "Do not jump to conclusions this early. Many travellers use these woods, and Legolas would not refuse aid to any in need."
"He would not be in such a hurry if it were any other than Estel," Elrond rationalized, panic ringing in his voice.
"It could just as easily be another ranger!" Thranduil exclaimed, resting a hand on Elrond's shoulder. "Try to calm yourself, Elrond. There is no need for such worry. You are going to give yourself an anxiety attack."
"I am no where near an anxiety attack," Elrond retorted, removing his friend's hand from his shoulder. His whole posture spoke of extreme tension. "I must go to him. I know it is him, Thranduil."
Thranduil sighed softly, knowing that there was no convincing the other elf otherwise. "Go to him then."
Elrond was already out the door.
~*~
'It is not another ranger.' Elrond thought, the instant he saw the limp figure in the prince's arms. He knew it for certain when he ran into the healing chambers, coming to a trembling halt in the doorway. Legolas was hovering over the bed, carefully watching Mirkwood's head healer, Nadeniel, examine the patient. The elder elf was studying the occupant of the bed carefully, a perplexed frown resting upon his face. The healer muttered to himself as he checked over the human in the bed; peeling back his eyelids to gaze at the dilated pupils, testing the patient's temperature, and checking his pulse. Raising his head he caught Legolas' gaze, and inquired of him what had brought the man to such a state; when the younger elf shook his head indicating his ignorance Nadeniel returned his focus to his patient. Neither of the two coherent persons in the room noticed the Lord of Rivendell's arrival.
Elrond wanted to speak. He needed for them to realize that he was there, and eager to help, but all movement had failed him. He stood, petrified, staring at his youngest son lying on the bed. It was not possible. This could not be his Estel, his child, his baby; no, this man was far too old. His skin was that of an older human, tired, and lined with concerns; his hair was greying. The face of this man was a pale white; even his lips were devoid of color. The rosy hues of fever on his cheeks were the only brightness. Every muscle in his body trembled violently.
Nadeniel looked up and let out an exclamation of surprise. Relief flashed across his face. "Lord Elrond! Thank the Valar!"
Legolas looked up at Nadeniel's outburst, a peculiar expression upon his face. Instead of relief he looked almost upset as his eyes roamed the elf lord. After staring unwaveringly at the elf Lord, for several long seconds, Legolas returned his attention to the figure in the bed, whose hand he clasped tightly. 'Does he know?' Elrond thought, as he watched the Silvan elf carefully. 'Or is he simply worried about Estel?'
Nadeniel did not observe this strange tension between the two noble elves, for his patient preoccupied him. "Elrond!" He called, motioning him towards the bed, "You must do something. I cannot find the root of his problems. I recognize both dehydration and malnutrition but I suspect there is some human illness at work as well!"
Elrond stared blankly at the other elf for a few moments, still reeling from his recent cascade of emotions, before snapping into action. The healing instinct within him had awakened with a vengeance, and he rushed over to the bedside. Clasping Estel's cool hand between his own warm ones, he applied the slightest pressure with his fingers, watching the indentations in the skin remain. This confirmed Nadeniel's diagnosis; Estel was badly dehydrated. The malnutrition showed clearly in the human's thin face and frighteningly wasted form. The fever, though, had no apparent cause. Though dehydration caused a mild fever, it could not cause the fever to rage the way it was.
"Legolas, do you know what happened?" Elrond demanded, struggling to figure out what else was wrong. He suspected that there was something else going on inside the human.
Legolas sighed, rubbing his forehead with his free hand. "I found him in the forest leading a strange, gangly creature. He already had a raging fever and could barely speak. While I was bringing him back he became delirious, and not long after that he simply lost consciousness." Legolas indicated the figure in the bed.
Elrond nodded, gently stroking the hair from his son's face. This seemed surreal to him. How could this possibly be Estel? How could his son be so ill? He would have known, surely, if his youngest had fallen ill, why had he not been there to aid him? Why had he said all those unkind words to him that day?
"Do you know what ails him?" Nadeniel asked, his voice laced with worry.
Elrond shook his head, sighing. "Beyond what you have already said, no; he is very ill. We must get some fluids into him and bring down this fever if nothing else."
Nadeniel processed these words and started bustling around, finding the proper herbs and supplies needed. Elrond made no move to help, having eyes and ears only for his son.
"He was talking about you when he was delirious," Legolas said, his voice neutral.
Elrond winced inwardly, wondering what Aragorn had spoken of. "He did?"
"Aye," Legolas confirmed. He picked up one of Estel's hands and held it between his own, deciding not to say anymore. Perhaps Aragorn had been going through memories of the past, and maybe the father and son were on good terms after all. Turning his eyes from Elrond, he stared down at his human friend, willing him to be well.
"What did he say?" Elrond asked, not willing to meet the prince's eyes; afraid that his fears would be obvious.
Legolas' tone was emotionless. "He was asking for forgiveness for loving Arwen. He was begging for you to love him still; to understand that he never meant to hurt anyone."
Elrond was positive that an arrow had been shot into his chest, and struck his heart. 'Aragorn was begging for forgiveness for loving Arwen? Aie! How could I have possibly done this to him?' the elven lord lamented silently. 'Now they both fear me.'
"I am hoping," Legolas continued softly, anger slowly creeping into his voice. "That perhaps this was from a past argument." It was quite obvious that it was not; guilt and grief lined Elrond's face like wrinkles.
"I-" Elrond began but stopped suddenly as Nadeniel reappeared, several concoctions prepared as well as a wide variety of herbs that could be of use. He carefully set them down on the table, and took the nearest potion in his hand, giving it to Elrond.
"This should settle his stomach enough for him to take water and food," Nadeniel said quickly.
Elrond nodded, giving the other elf a grateful look. "Thank you, Nadeniel." Lifting Estel up by his shoulders, the elf lord let his son's head rest against his chest and pressed the cup with the healing liquid to the fevered human's lips. "Drink, nin ion."
Estel moaned softly, turning his head away, doing his best to avoid sipping the vile tasting substance. Delirium still had a firm grasp upon his mind and he wandered through nightmares and memories, each more terrifying than the last. Instead of realizing that the bitter dram was meant to help him, he believed he was being forced to drink some evil orc poison. A memory from long ago was being relived, and instead of hearing his father's soothing words, he heard black speech and saw a hideous face leering down at him. A dark flask was violently pressed to his lips, and a deadly poison was being poured into him. He struggled, and spat, trying to keep the liquid from running down his throat. No, he knew what happened if he ingested the foul drink. He would become ill, deadly ill and there was no one to save him.
Elrond nearly dropped the cup when Aragorn began to thrash. He did not expect such a violent reaction to the solution, and he caught was completely unprepared. Legolas shot into action, grabbing his friend's arms and speaking quickly in high elven. Meanwhile, Elrond regained his grasp on the cup, and wrapped his free arm around Estel's chest.
"Shh, shhh, my child, it is alright," Elrond whispered softly in the struggling man's ear. "You are fine. Do not worry, just relax. I am here, and I will let no harm come to you."
Aragorn slowly began to calm, the tension in his muscles releasing. A small whimper escaped chapped lips as the man once again gave in to his feverish dreams. Elrond winced, his heart aching for his youngest. Hoping that the edan would respond better this time, he tried giving Estel the potion once more. The medicine slowly trickled into the human's mouth, and he swallowed without protest. Elrond could not hold back a sigh of relief, and slowly as he could, he helped the human empty the glass. Aragorn did not stir in the least during the process, the slow rise of his chest the only proof that he still lived.
"What other herbs do you have?" the Lord of Rivendell asked, setting down the now empty cup and studying the various herbs that were skewed across the table.
"Anything you need," Nadeniel replied softly. "Hopefully that potion will settle his stomach enough for him to take them."
Elrond nodded in agreement, gently easing Estel's limp body back onto the pillows. Standing, he began to shift through the dried plants, looking for something that would be of use to him, though he knew that there was very little that he could do. It all depended on Aragorn's strength from this point forward. Dehydration was not like a poison, no herbs could heal it.
Legolas took his friend's hand in his own and held it tightly. He was desperately worried for his friend but somehow he knew that Aragorn was going to be fine. The man had proved himself over the years, and it seemed unlikely that he would die from something simple like dehydration. After all the times he had been poisoned, fatally wounded, and ill, Legolas just couldn't see the logic in losing Estel to anything except old age. The human had even survived the poison Elrond had called 'Gwanath Annaeth', which had the ability to make humans die from grief. 'No,' Legolas thought, 'Aragorn will not die from this. He's too tough for it.' A small smile flitted across his lips, and he let himself relax a little bit.
Things would get better.
They had to.
~*~
The stars outside were covered by clouds, and an ominous wind was blowing outside. Lord Elrond listened to it, noting how the storm was reflecting his own mood at the moment. Gently, he placed the back of his hand against his youngest son's face, wincing at the burning heat. With extreme caution, he dipped a clothe into a bowl of hot water that gave off the soothing but familiar smell of athelas. He gently wiped Aragorn's brow with it, willing the herb to bring down the fever and cure his son. He wanted a miracle, and at the moment, a miracle was what seemed to be needed.
Even with the stomach settling herbs in him, Aragorn could not keep down water. Everything that the three elves had coaxed into him, he had retched up not to long after. The problem was the human was in desperate need of liquids; if he didn't get them he would die without question. Elrond sighed, dabbing Estel's cracked lips with the herb laden towel. Dehydration was bad enough and with malnutrition it could be deadly. 'If only Estel was only dealing with those two,' the elf lord thought sadly.
He knew what else was ailing Aragorn, though he did not tell Nadeniel or Legolas. Legolas was likely to maim him, and Nadeniel would be too confused to do a thing about it. 'This is my entire fault,' Elrond mourned. 'We would have a chance to save him if it were not for me. The poison would still be dormant if I had not spoken so harshly.' But regrets would not heal the effects of Gwanath Annaeth.
Aragorn stirred, his eyes opening up to thin slits, and he stared up at his father; there was no recognition in the illness laden gaze. Elrond gave him a kind smile, gently smoothing some of the human's hair from his face. Aragorn blinked, his lips moving slowly as though he was trying to speak. Pressing a finger against the struggling man's lips, Elrond attempted to hush him.
"Easy, Estel, you are very ill. Do not speak, just rest," the elf soothed, his voice trembling. What if this was the last time Aragorn would wake up? There was so much he had to say to the man, and yet, he could say nothing now.
"Ada......." Aragorn whispered thickly. "Ada......I am......." His face screwed up, and he swallowed hard. .....sorry."
Elrond jerked back, stunned. Did Aragorn really recognize him?
"I.......I did not mean.......to steal her a......away.........from you........" the man choked out. "I........."
"You are already forgiven, nin ion, a thousand times over," Elrond said softly. Tears were gathering in his eyes, threatening to spill out.
"I....I....please.......please do not.......go......I did not........" A sob escaped his lips, and his eyes closed tightly. "I......understand.....was......wrong........please.......please forg- give......me......do not turn......away.....I.....please.....forgive...."
Elrond knew that Aragorn was delirious now, but it didn't seem to matter. Every word the man tore chunks out of his heart, and not a word the elf lord said seemed to matter. His son, his youngest son, was trapped in a nightmarish world that he could not be freed from. Unconscious to the tears cascading down his face, he sat down on the edge of the bed and gathered Estel into his arms. Pressing his forehead against the human's dark hair, he mumbled words of comfort, trying to block out his child's begging voice.
"I.....I know......she.......wouldn't die.......of grief........she loves........you and her mother m-more.......than she would e.......ever love me........" Aragorn sobbed out softly. "I.......you......are......right.....my.....love....is......selfish.....she deserves better......"
"She could never have better than you," Elrond said, grief lining his voice.
"I am.......mortal......you are.........right.....again......what.......happens w-when....I die? W- where......will.......sh-she.......go?"
"You said it yourself, Aragorn. She will have your children," Elrond answered, willing the man to hear him.
"I.....please.....listen to.....m-me...take......her......with you......sh- she'll be happier w-with.......y-you and Celebrian.......I w-want her t-to be happy......."
"She is happy with you. She loves you," Elrond cried, clinging to the man all the tighter, fearing that if he loosened his grip that Estel's spirit would flee.
"N-no........Ada......don't turn your b-back....I promise....I will not....change my mind........I promise.....I will not stop....you......when....the time....c-comes....."
"The time will not come, Estel," Elrond said, "I know where Arwen belongs, and she will only be truly happy with you."
"P-please......father......Elrond......p-please......." Aragorn murmured, and his mind wandered back into unconsciousness once more. The room fell silent once more, and the sounds of the storm outside invaded the area.
Hands trembling with grief and fear, Elrond pressed his fingers against Aragorn's neck. A weak pulse gratified him, but the terrible ache in his heart did not fade. Sobbing softly, he pressed his face into Aragorn's hair, feeling more helpless than he had in nearly sixty years.
~*~
TBC........
~*~
I promise that there will be some Gollum in the next chapter!
To my reviewers:
shirebound- Isn't it surprising how easily you can get into a story ^__^. Poor Legolas, poor Elrond, poor Aragorn! ^_^ Life just never seems to give them a break! Mwahaha, thank you so much for your review! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last one!
xsilicax- It's up! It's up! It's up! Mwahahaha, I got it up, Cathy, you should be proud of me! See! I posted! ^_^ EEEE! LoL! Now, the deal for the next chapter is that you have to post another chapter of RLs for me to post another chapter of this. Doesn't mean I won't post another chapter of TMaaTB during that period, but *scowls* I refuse to post more until YOU tell me what has happened to my poor Estel baby! *gives Cathy an extra big hug and several Estel and Legolas and Elrond plushies* Thank you so much for all your help, mellon nin. I never could have gotten this chapter up without you. Of course, thank you for the review as well!
KumQuat- *cowers under this evil glare* I sorry it took so long! But it's up now! See! You have more now! LoL! Thanks for the review! Hope you liked the chapter!
Sue- ^_^ I have a plan for poor old Aragorn and Sméagol for next chapter. Poor Aragorn, poor Sméagol. *grins evilly* Mwahahahahahahaha......I dunno if the voice is my idea or not, or if I ended up reading it somewhere and enjoying the thought of it. Really, that's all the Gollum side of Sméagol's personality is. A voice in his head that's quite controlling. Hehe, I enjoyed writing that strange little part with Legolas and his friends. One of the more fun parts of this story. ^_^ Thank you so much for the review!
Kaeera- I would like to argue about the beautiful sound of Italian. I sit through that darned class everyday and let me tell you, the most beautiful thing I've heard all year was the sound of my teacher getting fed up with my class. LoL. That happens....well....everyday but still, it's the truth! LoL. I love your Elrohir story by the way! It's great! Much Elrohir angst and general torture all around! You are so good at it! Hyper? Hyper? How could you possibly have thought of reviewing my story hyper? : P LoL! It's more fun that way! Do it often! LoL. As you can see, Aragorn is in a nice hallucinating state. I had to do it, *rubs hands together evilly* I've taken to torturing Elrond too now, so a delirious Aragorn pleading with him seemed like such a good idea! Insanity is bliss as they say, so I wouldn't mull over it *giggles*. ^_^ Thank you for the strange review! I like strange reviews! ^_~
Ciria- AH! Another hyper active sugar person! *hides* No.....I am being overrun! *grins* ^_^ I love it! Two? I said two last time? I think it may be more than that, mellon nin! ^_^ It got suddenly very long for some reason that I cannot understand! Your reviews are never boring, in fact, they are a lot of fun to respond to! What is wrong with Aragorn? Well, we know now don't we? Dehydration is not a fun thing, and the poison well *innocent look* is a completely different story. Literally. ^_~ Ah, unfortunately there was no Saelmin or Bellmaethor or Sméagol for that matter in this chapter. *grins* But there shall be next chapter; which I promise to be slightly more humorous than this one. Let's just say Saelmin and Bellmaethor probably couldn't watch a worm, much less Gollum. ^_^ Thanks for the insane and yet fun review! Mwahahaha, I think I will get the next chapter up soon.
HobbitsRFun- ^_^ Here is more, mellon nin! It took me forever but it is now going to be posted. Ages, eras, elves have passed since I last posted but it is here! It is HERE! Mwahahaha! Woah....shouldn't have had that candy bar! Sorry there was no Sméagol in this chapter. There will be next chapter, scouts honor; in fact, he may be the only thing in the next chapter. Now, now, you've never seen Bellmaethor or Saelmin. You never know, they may be better looking than our dear elven prince. ^_~ Just kidding! Thanks for the review mellon nin!
Lady FoxFire- Weeee likeeesss the reeevvvieewwwww, preccccciouuuussss. Weee seee moreee Smeagggolll next chapter, yes, precious? Weee thanks you forrr the revieewwwsieeess.
Nili- *grins* Yes, Elladan, Elrohir, you best not insult an authoress who will throw you off a cliff before you can say 'ouch'! lol! I'm sure you could characterize Gollum just fine! :P All you have to do is make one side huggable and the other side nuts; make sure the one side says 'preciouuusss' a lot as well! *grins* You do a VERY good job with certain elves and men. You are an EXCELLENT author :P better than me by a ton. Ah, Sellamloth! ^_^ Little Flower! She was created for another purpose, but I suppose *innocent grin* I will simply have to rename her. She WAS going to be Legolas' sister but since she has been made his friend in this, I suppose I will simply have to rename Legolas' sister. *sighs* That's another story however! Mwahahahahahahaha! Yes, poor, poor Aragorn! Things have only gotten worse for him eh? *laughs evilly* No one can help him now! *ducks blunt objects and runs* THANKS FOR THE REVIEW!
Carrie- *bounces with Carrie* ^_^ Thank you so much for reviewing even though you got a sneak preview! Wahahahahahaha, I do believe I reviewed remember *sobs* I cry thinking about it! It was wonderful though ^_~. Yup, Aragorn is in VERY good hands. Mwahahaha, Elrond's hands in fact, but even the best of hands cannot heal a person sometimes. *grins evilly* Even the strongest of people can be broken......... *runs from threats and other things that are being thrown at her* ^_^ Thanks again for the review! MEEP!
Kawaii BlueBear- Aragorn appreciated the chicken soup but unfortunately it did not seem to make him any better. *sighs and scratches her head* I do not know what to do with this man, he just can never stay well! ^_~ Thanks for the review!!
Alilacia- MAE GOVANNEN! ^_^ Excuses, excuses for not reviewing! Tsk, tsk! : P LoL! You are long since forgiven, mellon nin. After all, it's taken me months to get another chapter of this up! But guess what?! It's done, it's done, it's done! Mwahahahahahaha! LOL! I was gushing over Aragorn the entire time. The fourth or fifth time I went, I was with a good friend of mine, and every time Aragorn ran across the screen, I squealed and pointed and went rather crazy. By the end of the movie, the boy next to me was poking me continually....I think that was his way of saying shut up. Glad you liked the last chapter so much! ^_^ Hope you liked this one too.....for as long as it took to write! I was trying to show Sméagol's good side and show that nothing is PURELY evil ('cept the devil and Sauron and my Theology teacher but that's a different story). You liked Bellmaethor and Saelmin? Well, we shall see more of them next chapter.....and more Gollum! Hope that your giving blood went well *sweatdrops* and that you didn't pass out! ^_^ I'll shut up now! (thanks for the review)!
Emmithar- Ew, well, I'm glad your better (and have been for a while now ^_~). Aw, I like the short reviews as much as the long reviews! Confirmation of love of a story is a good thing! Mwahahahaha! ^_^ I love your stories! DO NOT be putting yourself down! I think that they are great *nods to self* yes, excellent! *laughs* I hope your band concert went well! WHERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR STORY!!! *whines* I want it nowwww! *whines* I posted, tomorrow is my birthday, and I INISIST on a chapter from you *scowls* : P lol! It took me forever to understand the timeline thing in PT but I finally got it down and went back and reread the entire story! It worked out well! Legolas is an overall stupid elf, you can't blame him for not recognizing Aragorn. Technically, he would not have seen him for quite some time, not to mention illness, aging, cloaks, strange gangly creatures! Well, all I can say, is after the next chapter Saelmin and Bellmaethor will REALLY want to kill our dear friend Gollum. ^_~ But that's in the future isn't it! ^_^ Thanks for the review! Take care!
Freakizimi- Yeah, I always thought that Gollum would make a great pet or teddy bear or something; then I remembered the whole homicidal sort of 'I- eat-fish-raw-and-worship-Sauron' side of him and thought it to be best to keep him where he was! ^_^ Thanks for the review! Reviews are great mellon nin! Wahahahahaha! Poor Aragorn!
Lily Frost- Li-chan get her chapter, yes? Li-chan like? Li-chan give TIO nice review, and TIO is very happy ^_^ Li-chan review again? Yes? No? ^_^
Lina Skye- ^_^ I gots another chapter up so where's your chapter? HMMM? Me wants more! See your Estel is dying......well, kinda at least! Hope you did well on your audition!!! ^__^ Me demands more of the story, and perhaps I will post again! ^_~ LoL! *hugs* Thanks for the review mellon nin!
Elladan- ^_^ You reviewed! It's okay that it took time! You reviewed! I am happy and content cause you reviewed! *grins and bounces* I posted! I posted! See! It's up! ^_^ Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed the chappie!
Snicks- *stares at* Do I....know you? *looks oddly confused* You had no school or I had no school or we both had no school...... x_x I'm so lost! Glad your cold isn't getting worse! ^_^ Insanity is bliss as they say! *mwahahaha* ^_^ Thanks for the most wonderful (and a bit confusing) review!
crazy/evil- ^_^ It's posted! Thanks for the review!
Amia- ^_^ Thanks for the compliments! I try! Sorry it took so long to post! This chapter was a tough little thing! Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
HaloGatomon- You're just running from Lina? After what you did to Legolas? AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO ESTEL?! *runs after Halo with a sharpie* COME BACK HERE! *sniffles* Where is my next chappie? *puppy dog eyes* More please? We wannnttsss your storrrryyy, weeee neeeddssss ittttt, preccciouusss!!! ^_^ Thankee for the review!
Sue- Neglect studies for writing? ME? Never!.....woah.....this is your second review! LoL ^_^ Thanks!
marbienl- Mwah! I enjoy torturing Aragorn and Legolas and Elrond for that matter! There will be plenty of Smeagol next chapter! *evil grin* A humorous chapter too ^_^! Thanks so much for the review! Mwahahahahahaha!
Sigil- Many people seemed to like that line! *giggles* I dunno why! I guess it's rather amusing! Thanks for the review!
Lady Jaina- He's gonna die! *ducks objects* OKAY MAYBE NOT! *runs* He may get better! Who knows! *giggles* Thanks for the review!
tbiris- Poor Aragorn! Poor Smeagol! *evil laughter* Mwahahaha, I enjoyed writing this and I enjoyed your review! Thank ye very much so, oh kind one! ^_^ Hope you liked this chapter too!
Lauriena- Tis not done! Mwahahaha, still more to go! Thanks for the review!
staran- ^_^ More of it! Though not as soon as I would have liked! Thanks very much for the review!
crazy/evil- ^_^ You already have but I enjoyed the second review as much as the first! Reviews brighten up my day! ^_^ Thankkeeee!
Thorn Rose- ^_^ Sorry it took so long! It's up now though! Thanks for the review!
tychen- So, you liked "It Could Be Worse...." too? That was a strange little fic that was simply a spur of the moment thing! Just ask Arien about it! She received about thirty six hand written pages (really eighteen cause I do front and back) and then she had to beta it after it was revised! LoL! ^_^ Thanks for the compliments! I feel so loved! ^_^ They brighten my day up! Thanks a lot for the review and I'm sorry for the wait!
Lavender of the Shire- ^_^ Thanks for the compliments! It's up! ^_^ Sorry it took so long! Thanks for the review as well!
krisnkriss- ^_^ You like it? ^_^ YAY! Thanks for the compliments! They go such a long way! They make me want to post and send me on a terrible guilt trip! ^_^ Hope you liked this chapter too!
Good, bad? Another chapter? Aye, there will be......^_^ soon even!