Title: Regret

Summery: When you lose a friend to death, it is tragic, but what if you lost them before you got the chance to say, "I'm sorry." Could you live with that?

Note: To everybody who is still reading this, thank you. I know I say that every chapter, but it never stops being sincere. I really like that you like my story, and I'll try to keep it that way. Unfortunately, this chapter is a bit short, but the next one is pretty long, so that should make up for it. Anyhoo, read on….

Chapter seven

The road seemed a lot longer on the trip back to Rivendell, and Aragorn knew it was because the guilt of leaving his friend behind, out there somewhere within the grasp of the wild folk, was what was stealing his breath. The rangers knew not if Legolas was dead for sure, but from what the now unconscious elf had told them, the prince of Mirkwood fell by their attackers hands.

"We have to hurry Strider," Kip assured his companion as the two men held the sickly elf up, and walked him through the woods back to Lord Elrond's city. The young boy wasn't sure of exactly how to begin a conversation with Aragorn, for he didn't know much about Legolas, or the friendship that had obviously been formed between the prince and the ranger. All he knew was that the Dunlandings had struck again, and this time, had managed to bring down one of royal blood. The men had to be stopped, and soon, and by swearing to Aragorn, that he would help avenge Legolas' death, Kip would see that they did pay for the bloodshed the caused.

Aragorn felt as if his heart was going to explode, and he could barely think strait anymore. The one person who he felt he could always count on, the one person that he would trust instantly with his own life, had been lost to him. Even if Legolas was still breathing, he wouldn't be for long. This Aragorn knew, as well as he knew that he needed to find the men and quickly, before any chance of saving his friend vanished.

He had been too late this time, and because of that, Thranduil's young son had paid the price. The hillmen had broke in upon them, and viciously attacked, deathly injuring Morhil, who was losing a lot of blood still, and was falling in and out of darkness. They had also brought down the elf prince, that Aragorn thought to be invincible.

Legolas had always seemed so perfect to the ranger, with the skills of a worrier, and the intelligence far greater then most elves his age. He was kinder than many, true at heart, and noble, not deserving of an end such as this. Aragorn couldn't stand the idea of facing the rest of his life knowing that he never got the chance to mend the hurt he had caused to his friend, nor the blame he felt for not being there when Legolas needed him most. Of course the elf had lowered his bow. Morhil said they had given him no other choice, and knowing Legolas, he would have willingly given up his life for another to be spared. Which is exactly what he did.

"No," he thought to himself so loudly that he almost verbalized the word. Legolas was alive, he could feel it. He knew that the prince was strong, and would fight to hold onto his life, and the land that he loved so much. Legolas adored the world around him, and the pleasure and strength it gave him was far beyond anything the man had ever witnessed before. All Aragorn hoped for, was that Legolas would hold on, just long enough for him to reach him.

The grass was tall as the rangers stepped through the foliage, and just as the gates of Rivendell came into view, Aragorn felt his feet begin to move quicker. The wind was hitting both Kip's and his face hard, as they ran towards the stone gates of the elven city, and they could feel the life of the elf they held slowly fading, which only edged them on.

"Come on, just hold on" Aragorn whispered to the limp being, as two guards met them at the gate. The two elves took in the situation quickly, and immediately alleviated the burden from the human rangers, by taking Morhil's body from them and rushing up to the healing houses, where Lord Elrond could take a look at him.

Reluctantly, Aragorn followed behind, with Kip at his side as the walked with all haste into the room where the elven lord waited by the bedside, where the guards placed the immobile elf. After Morhil was laid down, the raven haired guards quietly left the room and closed the ebony door behind them.

"What happened to him?" Elrond asked, as he checked for life signs of the Mirkwood elf, as Aragorn took a step beside him before answering. "They were attacked on their way home, by hillmen" Aragorn replied, causing Elrond to slightly pause, as fear encased him. Though he refused to allow his son and the other young man to know how severely worried he had just become.

"And the others? What of them? Where is Legolas?" The elven king had not meant to sound rushed, or anxious, but it was obvious, and the rangers became silent. Neither wanting to answer Lord Elrond's questions, for fear that once the words were spoken, that it would become reality.

Elrond could sense deep hurt in Aragorn's eyes, and the hint of tears were evident. The answer was clear to him now, and though no words were needed, words were finally spoken, by the other ranger that had accompanied Aragorn into the city.

"The prince, and the others in his party were slain. The bodies were taken, as is to be expected by the men who are responsible. No doubt the bodies will begin to turn up within a few days," Kip's words were painful, not only for the young ranger to say, but for Elrond and Aragorn to hear as well. The elf could see that his son was trying to keep dry eyes, but it was proving useless, and the tears were beginning to stream down his reddened face.

Elrond knew that Aragorn was suffering, and most likely because of whatever that had transpired between himself and the son of Thranduil. He knew that the man never had many friends, with exception to the twins, and Legolas had become an instant ally to him. Like Aragorn, Legolas had grown up without many companions, and though the two were centuries apart, they related in many ways. Losing one so close, was devastating, and Elrond could almost feel the intense anguish that his son was feeling. It was like losing a brother, and Elrond understood how horrible that felt.

"You say there are no bodies," Elrond began, earning himself a nod from both men who stood before him, "then there is still hope. We may yet find them, but right now, I need the two of you to wait for me out in the hall, while I tend to Morhil."

With a obedient nod, the two humans left the room in silence, and took a seat on the bench, and waited for the elven lord to emerge with any news regarding the life of the injured elf. Aragorn hated this, waiting around when he should be out in the forest searching for any sign of the men who attacked the Mirkwood party. However he couldn't help but feel some relief in his heart after hearing his father speak about there still being hope.

Perhaps he would have the opportunity to apologize for the wrong he did and said to the prince, and perhaps the friendship that he valued so much would not be lost forever. If Lord Elrond said there was a chance, and that hope remained, than Aragorn would not waste his energy on feeling sorry for himself, instead, he would focus entirely on finding his friend.

After about a half hour of uneasy waiting, the dark red door opened, and Elrond joined them in the hall with an unreadable expression on his face, which only caused the worry to surface again. "Is the elf alright?" Kip asked curiously, hoping for some good news after the long and tragic day they had already had so far.

His words were only met with sombre eyes, which first locked with his, and then moved to meet Aragorn's. Instantly, the two men knew what had happened, and any hope of good fortune for the elven guard was lost. They had failed the elf, just as they had the other three fair beings in the company.

"There was no poison on the blade, for that I was greatful, however, the wound was too large, and he lost far too much blood. There was nothing I could do," Elrond sadly informed them, as he also held back the tears that formed. He was an excellent healer, and yet he wasn't able to save the life of the elf who had fought so hard to remain, which only weighed down of the elven king's heart.

"It was not your fault, you did all you could to save him," Aragorn assured as he patted the elf on the shoulder supportively. Elrond met his eyes once again, and copied the man's gesture before he spoke in return. "Nor was it yours, for you did all you could as well."

Kip saw the emotional distress and loathed the idea of breaking a moment between his companions, however the hillmen who were responsible were still roaming freely, and they needed to be stopped, before they were able to strike again. "Excuse me milord, but my I ask you where Ginyc is at the moment? For he is the most knowledgeable with regard to the wild folk, he, more than anyone would be able to track their movements."

Elrond paused, and turned from his son to the other man, who stood to his left, "Ginyc you say? He is not here, in fact, I have not seen him for many months now," he replied, causing the two rangers to immediately turn to one another, each with a look of pure horror on their face.

"Then where is he?" Aragorn asked for both of them, though this time, got no response.

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To Be Continued……

Not to worry, Legolas and the others will be in the next chapter, and you'll soon find out what happened to dear old Ginyc. I hope you like this chapter, and please, let me know what you think, by reviewing it for me. Thanks so much, see you all in this next chapter, which should be up in a day or two. Adios.