Disclaimer: Same as chapter 1

A/N: This chapter is slightly longer than my previous chapters. I have however, been planning it in my mind for a long time and I have been anxiously waiting to let you all read it. A big thanks to dreaminoflorien for her awesome idea for this chapter. Both of our minds together, a dangerous combination. *Gives evil smile* Well, here is the next chapter. *Grins* Enjoy and please don't kill me.

Chapter 8

The Feeling of Failure

Elrond walked into the room. Reallan was back asleep and Amras still sat beside her. He looked weary and distraught. As Elrond approached, he looked up.

Seeing the grim look on Elrond's face, Amras looked him in the eyes. "Don't you dare say that she will not make it." Amras warned.

"I only come to warn you of her circumstance." Elrond replied. "I do not know if she will make it through the night."

"She will make it!" Amras replied confidently.

Elrond nodded. "I am glad you have not lost hope." With that, Elrond left the room.

He returned frequently throughout the night. Reallan's condition did not change. She was still fighting. Amras stayed by her side that whole night. He was weary, but could not rest. He just silently sat their throughout the night, listening to the storm that was raging outside, hoping it would not delay Aragorn.

*~*~*

Aragorn and Legolas had only been traveling a short time when it began to downpour. Aragorn hardly reacted as the rain hit his face. He brushed his wet hair away from his eyes and beckoned Gwindor to ride faster.

Gwindor and Nienna raced across the wet ground. Suddenly lighting hit a tree not far from them. Gwindor reared up in fright, sending Aragorn tumbling to the ground. Aragorn rolled out of the way, covering himself with mud. Aragorn stood, but winced as he moved his left arm.

Legolas dismounted and quickly calmed Gwindor. "Are you okay?" Legolas asked as he turned to Aragorn.

Aragorn nodded. "I'll be fine."

Legolas looked at him. "Have you hurt your shoulder?" Legolas asked as he noticed Aragorn holding his left shoulder.

"I think I might have, but it should be okay." Aragorn replied though his shoulder felt like it was on fire. Aragorn ignored the pain and quickly mounted Gwindor. He cringed in pain as Gwindor rode forward causing his arm to jerk. He swallowed hard and pressed on. He could not allow his injury to delay him. He urged Gwindor to go faster. They were still a few hours from Rivendell as the sun began to rise.

*~*~*

As the sun's rays pushed their way through the clouds, Amras breathed a silent sigh of relief. Reallan had made it through the night. Yet, her hands were cold and her breathing was erratic.

Elrond came in the door a few minutes later. He placed his hand on Reallan's head. Looking up at Amras, he said, "She's still fighting."

Amras nodded. He stood up and looked outside. The rain had passed and the smell of fresh air filled his lungs. He noticed a rainbow above one of the waterfalls and smiled at the beauty.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Amras turned as the door opened and Ninde walked into the room. She carried a tray of food.

"I brought you something to eat." She said sweetly.

Amras sighed. "I'm not hungry."

"You must keep up your strength. Have a bite to eat." Ninde encouraged.

Amras sighed in defeat. He took a sausage biscuit from her tray and ate hungrily. Ninde stayed in the room and talked with him for a while.

Elrond returned sometime later to check on Reallan. "She's slipped into a coma." Elrond said suddenly.

Amras immediately stood. Fear filled his face. "What? What do you mean?"

Elrond sighed. "It's a state of sleep that people don't usually wake up from." Elrond explained.

"But when Strider brings the flower, it will help her right?" Amras asked, worry evident in his voice.

"I do not know. I do not have much experience with someone in a coma. I have only seen it once before." Elrond stated.

"And what happened?" Amras asked unsure if he wanted the answer.

Elrond sighed. "He died, two hours later."

Amras let his head drop.

"But she will make it through, right?" Ninde asked.

Elrond did not answer.

*~*~*

Legolas sighed in relief as he saw Rivendell not far off. They had been riding for over two hours now since Aragorn's fall. Aragorn was obviously in pain, though he tried to hide it, and Legolas knew he needed medical care.

As the two came into Rivendell, Aragorn spurred Gwindor to go faster. Elves jumped out of the way, as the two came riding in. Aragorn did not even bother to stop at the stables. He rode to Elrond's healing house and quickly dismounted.

Elrohir and Elladan were waiting for him.

"Did you find it?" Elladan asked.

Aragorn nodded. "How is she?" He asked as he walked inside.

"She is fading fast." Elrohir replied.

Aragorn quickly walked towards the healing room and burst through the doors.

"I have it!" He announced not noticing the bleak atmosphere in the room.

Elrond sighed sadly. "It doesn't matter now."

"What do you mean it doesn't matter?" Aragorn asked noticing Amras had his face buried in his hands. Aragorn shook his head as the realization began to hit him. He refused to believe it.

"She died not five minutes ago. I am sorry, Estel." Elrond replied remorsefully.

Aragorn gasped, still shaking his head. Tears began to fill his eyes and he placed his hand over his face. Turning towards the wall, he muttered, "Isn't there anything you can do?"

Elrond shook his head. "I tried all that I could."

Tears were flowing freely down Aragorn's face. Legolas placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, but Aragorn stepped away.

"I am sorry, Aragorn." Legolas said comfortingly.

Aragorn didn't respond.

Amras looked up through tear filled eyes. He felt like it was his fault his sister died. He should have been able to do something. Instead, he had trusted Strider, a mere ranger, to find a cure. He never should have trusted the ranger. He could have helped her himself. He should not have brought her to the elves. Why would the elves care for her?

"It's your fault." Amras accused Elrond as he stood. "I trusted you to save her."

Elrond looked at him. "I am sorry, Amras."

"And you!" Amras pointed an aggressive finger at Aragorn. "You didn't come back in time. It's your fault that she's dead."

Aragorn turned around and looked at Amras.

Legolas stepped in between them both. "Now just a minute. He did everything he could to get that flower." Legolas said defending his friend. "He traveled many nights without rest, traveled in the snow-"

Amras would hear no more. He shoved Legolas against the wall. Amras pulled a knife out from his belt and held it toward Aragorn.

"You will pay for killing my sister." Amras snarled.

Aragorn held up his hands defensively. "Calm down, Amras. You don't want to do this."

Amras grabbed Aragorn's left shoulder causing Aragorn to gasp in pain. "Don't tell me what I want."

Aragorn cringed in pain as Amras's grip tightened on his shoulder.

Elrond walked closer to Amras. "Amras, put it down!" He said firmly. "This is not what Reallan would want."

Legolas stood with an arrow already on his bow. He was willing to shoot if he needed.

Amras closed his eyes as fresh tears filled his face. He released his hold on Aragorn as he dropped his knife to the floor. Choked sobs rose in his throat. He sat down against the wall, unable to control the tears.

Aragorn held his shoulder. Pain was shooting through his muscles. He looked down sadly at Amras. As Elrond sat down beside Amras to talk with him, Aragorn went to Reallan's bedside. He gently rubbed his hand against her soft cheek. He regretted that he had been too late. His failure had cost Reallan her life and he could never forgive himself. He gently rested his palm on the side of her face.

"I am sorry!" He said silently, his eyes closed tightly.

Suddenly, his eyes flew open. He had felt her twitch. He kept his hand on her cheek, but felt nothing more. He sighed as his hope faded. He then placed his hand near her mouth, just to make sure.

Suddenly, Aragorn's eyes lit up. "She's breathing." He yelled.

Amras and Elrond stood and rushed to her side.

Reallan slowly opened her eyes. She saw Aragorn next to her. "Strider." She said weakly. Aragorn gently squeezed her hand as a smile spread over his face.

Amras was overjoyed. He gripped her other hand. "I thought I'd lost you."

Reallan looked over at him and smiled weakly. Then she closed her eyes. The pain was too much.

Elrond immediately called his twin sons into the room. "Elrohir, fetch me some hot water." He commanded. "Elladan, get the flower from Aragorn's pack and start grinding it up."

Both of the twins nodded and quickly began doing their father's bidding. Elrond grabbed a cup and began adding small amounts of crushed Athelas and some other ingredients. When Elrohir returned with the water, he poured into the cup. Elrond then stirred the Nesta Niphredil into the cup.

Amras helped Reallan into a sitting position as Elrond came near the bed.
"Drink this, Reallan." Elrond said as he placed the cup to her lips.

After Elrond helped her drink it, Amras helped Reallan lay back down in the bed.

"Will it work?" Amras asked.

Elrond nodded. "It should start to take effect in a few minutes. We will know how well in about an hour."

Amras breathed a sigh of relief. Then he looked up at Aragorn beside him. "I am sorry. I did not mean what I said to you." Amras apologized.

Aragorn smiled. "Don't mention it."

"No, really. You've saved my sister's life twice and for that I can never repay you."

Aragorn placed his hand on Amras. "The only payment I need is to see Reallan get better."

Amras smiled. He looked back down at Reallan and waited.