Chapter 11

Recollections

After Alede, Arwen, and Gwen had dealt with the men, and Arwen and Gwen had apologized to each other, and the injuries were dealt with.

Now, they had to take the spikes out of Aragorn's hand.

Like Alede had said, it was a terrible procedure. Arwen brought the fire dangerously close to Aragorn's hand. While Legolas, Elrohir, and Elladan held the frightened man down.

Alede had taken Gwen aside so she could explain what the procedure was for.

Gwen's deep blue eyes were filled with worry, as she starred at her beloved.

Aragorn cried out in pain as the blistering heat was placed only a inch away from his hand.

The spikes that were imbedded in his hand started to appear on the surface of his fingers, and the tiny spikes fell out on to the floor.

Unfortunately, Arwen had to keep the blistering heat only half an inch away from Estel's skin until she was sure that all of the reached spikes had gone.

Aragorn had closed his eyes against the pain in his hand. But now he opened them and memories flooded his mind.

Memories of his father and brothers, memories of Legolas and Alede, memories of Arwen.

And finally, the bitter memories of Mithdil's death.

"'Dan, 'Ro? what are you doing here?" Aragorn asked, as he shifted his silver eyes on his brothers.

"To find you." Elrohir and Elladan said in unison, smiles adorned the twin's faces.

"Gwen I am sorry." Aragorn said quietly as his gaze shifted to Gwen. Legolas, Elrohir and Elladan let up their hold on him. And he stood, moving towards the maiden across the room.

He stopped, his face was inches away from Gwen's so they could talk.

"I can't stay with you." Estel said, the sorrow in the silver eyes was enough to brake the young maiden's heart.

"Thorongil....." Gwen said, she bit her lower lip to keep the crystal tears at bay that threatened to spill down her fair cheeks.

"I am so sorry Gwen." Aragorn said again, resting his hand on her arm. "I have a family, I have someone who loves me. I never meant to hurt you."

Her deep blue eyes searched the silver ones, and she could not hold back the crystal tears any longer.

The tears spilled down her cheeks, and silent sobs racked her being.

She rested her head against Aragorn's chest. As the ranger tried to comfort her.

The pain pierced her heart like a cold steel knife, she felt as if she had just been punched in the stomach.

Her world had just been turned upside down, and her mind was a spinning mass of confusion, hurt, and sorrow.

~A Day later~

They had left Minas Tirith hours ago, but the scenes of their departure haunted Aragorn.

It was mid-night and the moon was high in the night sky. The beautiful silver stars blinked in their black home.

The fire light lit Aragorn's face as he starred into the dancing flames, thinking on the days events.

All the others were asleep, except him. He had offered to take first watch.

So consumed by his thoughts, he did not hear Legolas's approach, and jumped slightly when he felt the prince's hand on his shoulder.

~~~~*~~~~

Gwen stood at her window, bathed in the pale moon light that came in threw the pane of glass.

Crystal tears streaked her cheeks as she starred out into the night.

When she had come home, her mother had quickly seen that she had been into a fight of some kind, and had demanded that Gwen tell her what had happened to her, to make her look as if she had just been trampled by a herd of wild horses.

But Gwen had rushed from her mother, and into her room, slamming and locking the door behind her.

The swelling around her eye had gone down, and it was still discolored a bit, but not as bad as it had been.

However the pain in her heart did not flee from her, and she wished she could erase everything from the last three months from her mind.

Pictures of Thorongil and herself flashed through her mind, playing themselves over and over again in front of her mind's eye.

Silent sobs racked Gwen's lithe frame, as the tears came harder, and faster.

'I've got to get over him.' A part of her told herself. 'But how?' She thought.

'The more you dwell on it, the more it is going to hurt.' The voice told her again.

She nodded, taking a deep breath, stilling the sobs. And wiping her eyes until there was no sign that she had been crying save the red and distension.

She locked the painful feelings, and memories away inside of her.

There was no way that she would EVER visit any of those feelings or memories, or thoughts ever again.

~~~~*~~~~

Aragorn looked over at Legolas as he seated himself next to Aragorn, leaning back against the large rock behind the friends.

"You did the right thing." Legolas said, reading his friend's thoughts.

"You think so?" Aragorn said, his silver eyes searching the silver-blue one's.

"Yes." Legolas said, resting his hand on Estel's shoulder, and giving it a squeeze.

"A part of me was in love with her." Aragorn admitted, turning his gaze back to the dancing red flames.

Legolas didn't say anything but listened, and let the ranger think.

~Weeks later~

They finally made their way down the road to Rivendell.

The valley sparkled with dew and the flowers seemed to glisten in the soft comforting light.

The twins ran ahead, with Aragorn in tow, next to him rode Arwen. Leaving Legolas and Alede behind.

Legolas looked up at Alede who rode upon Elrohir's horse.

She nodded, and the elf prince leapt up onto the back of the animal, his arms coming around Alede's trim waist.

"Noro lim [go faster]." Alede whispered to the horse. And the animal leapt forward racing down the rest of the road.

They pulled the horses to a stop, and Legolas leapt down off of the animal.

Elrond stood on the porch of his house. A brilliant smile on the elf lord's face.

"Hannon le, Legolas, Alede, Arwen. [thank you]" Elrond said as his daughter rushed to him, and hugged him tightly before pulling back.

"You must stay." Elrond said, turning to Legolas and Alede.

"It seems it would not be complete if you two were not here to take part in what ever mischief that my sons will get themselves into." Elrond said, his voice only a little sarcastic.

All the while thinking to himself, 'Eru, what did I just get myself into?'

And Legolas, Arwen, and Alede stayed the rest of the winter. And Elrond's thoughts would be justified, within that space of time more things would happen then any of them would think possible.

But that is another story.

THE END of this story

*Claps* You made it through the story, *grins* but it is not over! Me and Linwen have been working for months on the story after this, and the story after the one that is after this. And let me tell you, there is more trouble for our favorite elf and ranger, as well as our favorite OC/half-elf/ranger girl.

So, here is a preview for you, and because we are not as big in our writing as Cassia, we do not have a picture or a trailer. *Sigh* I wish we did, but I am thinking about asking for some computer programs for my b-day, so! Anyway, hope you liked this story, PLEASE R&R! And stay tuned for our next story:

Fallen Angel

By Linwen and Firniswin

"LEGOLAS! ALEDE!"

Both heads turned to see two elves running through the door, the snow did not crush beneath their feet but they ran atop it.

To most they were not able to be differentiated. But Alede and Legolas knew exactly who was who.

One of the raven haired elves ran up to Legolas panting but he wore no smile.

"What is wrong Elladan?" Legolas asked smiling, but his smile faded as he looked around them and through the open door. He waited for his human friend to appear, but no one came.

Elladan heaved slightly and coughed.

"There has been a problem." he stated quietly looking to his twin, the other elf nodded politely and continued.

"Aragorn is….." a sob shook the twin's frame. "dying." he whispered.

Legolas stared, he could not feel anything. His entire body went completely numb at the prospect of his best friend laying upon a bed, life draining from him.

The elf prince's eyes turned cold, Alede felt tears streaking her cheeks.

"Take us to him!" he ordered, his voice strong and undaunted by the ill news.

The twins nodded, pain and fright etched upon their faces.

So I'm a brat! What else is new? J Anyway, I should start posting that by next week.

Here are the replies and comments and stuff like that!!!!!

OH YES!!! We can not have any competition now!! Aragorn is ours!! Our precious!! They stole him from us, specially stupppid elfsy woman!!! *hiss* *coughs* Anyway, I think there is more Aragorn this time, there is definitely in the next story!!!!!! Glad you liked it Lady of Nimrodel!!!!!!!

Hope this update is soon enough Magicgirl80. Hope you liked the story!!!

Did you win Ymmas Sirron? Hehe, that is funny. I have actually never really seen a boy bet on a girl in a cat-fight. *shrugs* I must be very sheltered then huh? Hehe. Hope you liked this last chapter!!!!

Yes I know Catmint. It is not me doing that, Linwen accidentally does that and when I go over the story I see no red marks, so you must see my problem, but I have been trying to read over the entire thing. It just takes so long, and I made sure to tell Linwen that she must be careful. Thanks!!!

Yes Rachel the Almighty! It was rather great thought. In case you were wondering, I HATE ARWEN!!!!!!!! Anyway, I am glad you liked it!!!

Ok, so that is about it! Please R&R for this chapter and please tune in for the next story!!!!!!!!