A/N Thank you for taking the time to read my fic! I honestly love all of you dearly but would those of you who lurk please review as well? *hands out cookies and Pepsi* Please!

Chapter 3: Compassion

          Aragorn released his friend and stared into his eyes, "I don't know what I have done," He said to Legolas, his eyes showing that he was hurting inwardly, "I don't know how to fix this."

          Legolas sighed and leaned forward, he didn't know what to tell the young human. He couldn't speak for Elrond or the twins. He had no idea as to what actually was going on in Rivendell. How could he offer his friend hope if he didn't know what was actually occurring? He looked at Aragorn and smiled, "Tell me everything that has been going on, I don't know how to help, but I will try my hardest."

          Aragorn nodded, he would tell Legolas. "Well I guess I mostly started to realize something was wrong about three weeks ago or so." He paused and looked around

          Legolas nodded for Aragorn to continue, "I'm listening," he told him softly

          Aragorn sighed and continued, "I was talking to my father," He sighed as he remembered what had happened and told Legolas everything he could…

          Elrond looked at his youngest son, "Estel, come with me," Elrond walked into his study as Aragorn followed him.

          "Yes ada?" He asked when they were in the room

          "Estel, have you been reviewing those scrolls I gave you?" He asked

          Aragorn fidgeted, "Um…I…No." He said embarrassed

          Elrond sighed, "You should look over them," He told him, "They will help you when you get older."

          Aragorn sighed, "Father, I do not want them. I do not want to become the King of Gondor. We have had this conversation before."

          Elrond nodded, "I know Estel, but you should still learn them."

          "But I don't want to!" Aragorn snapped; he cringed slightly when he heard his voice, "Father, I'm sorry…" He began but Elrond held up his hand,

          "What is troubling you my son?" He asked

          "Nothing father, I've just been thinking too much lately." Aragorn said with a small smiled. In reality he had been feeling a little awkward around the house and his family, but he didn't know how to explain that.

          Elrond's brow furrowed, "About what Estel?"

          Aragorn sighed, "It doesn't matter; I've just been going over things I've learned in the past six years."

          Elrond nodded, that made sense to him. "Why don't you go get some rest, you look sleepy."

          Aragorn nodded, happy for a reason to get away, "Good day ada."

          Elrond nodded and watched his youngest son leave his study. He sighed and went back to his work.

          Legolas looked at Aragorn, "Well, that wasn't too bad."

          Aragorn nodded, "I know, but that was when I started to feel…this way." He didn't know how to describe the feeling of loneliness.

          Legolas frowned, "How exactly are you feeling Estel?"

          "Like…like I am alone. Father and my brothers do not seem to understand. There is something pulling at my heart and I don't know how to describe it. Almost a void," He looked at Legolas, trying to see if this made any sense to the elf, "It is as though I am alone and there is no one here for me."

          Legolas squeezed his friend's arm, "Oh Aragorn that isn't true!" He protested, "You could go to anyone in your family, I am sure that your brothers are just confused and don't know how to handle you."

          Aragorn looked at him, "What do you mean, don't know how to handle me?" He asked

          Legolas sighed, "I didn't mean anything bad." He told him honestly, "I just meant that maybe you are scaring them; perhaps they aren't sure how to treat you. It sounds as though things have been hard for you; maybe they feel as though you are distancing yourself from them. It seems that maybe you aren't the only one feeling neglected." Legolas whispered

          Aragorn nodded, "I guess I have been sort of distant…" he sighed, "I just can't relate to my family anymore! I am scared Legolas," He said softly

          Legolas nodded, "Why don't you talk to your family when we get back. I could mention something to your father." He offered

          Aragorn shook his head, "They don't care, and if you said anything they would only feel sorry for me."

          "I doubt anyone feels sorry for you Aragorn. I certainly have never pitied you. I have showed you compassion and I love you like a brother. But never have I felt sorry for you Estel!" Legolas told him firmly,

          Aragorn smiled at his friend, it felt good to have his friend speak to him about things that had been bothering him so terribly. "I will speak with them tomorrow when we gat back to Imladris."

          Legolas nodded, "Sleep well mellon-nin; sleep well." Legolas handed Aragorn his bed roll then put out his fire. He was concerned for his friend; he hoped the next day would be better for Aragorn.

~*~

          That night Aragorn tossed and turned, he couldn't sleep and he was trying not to keep Legolas up. He didn't know how he was going to explain things to his family. He was sure they wouldn't care, they had no reason to. He knew they loved him, they had told him that countless times. It wasn't that he felt unloved; it was mostly that he felt distanced from his family. They had been treating him differently, they hadn't been acting like the normally did. He thought that maybe he was being too sensitive, he shook slightly, how was he supposed to explain things? He needed to apologize to Elrohir, he needed to speak with his father, but most of all he needed to confront Elladan. The older twin had not spoken much to Aragorn since he had whapped him too hard with the staff. Aragorn wasn't sure why, but he was remembering a confrontation he had had with his oldest brother two days after the staff practice.

          Aragorn walked down the halls of Imladris, it was past midnight and he seemed to be the only person who was awake. He walked past his brothers' rooms and jumped when he heard Elladan's door open.

          "Are you still up Estel?" Elladan asked sleepily

         

          Aragorn nodded, "Yes, I cannot sleep."

          Elladan sighed and stepped out of his room, his hair was sleep tousled and he looked dead on his feet. "Go back to bed; you will not become sleepy from pacing the halls."

          Aragorn pulled away, he was slightly shy of the twins since Elrohir had screamed and hit him. "No, I'll be alright. I'm sorry I woke you up."

          Elladan nodded slightly, "Well since you woke me, I doubt I will be able to get back to bed now either."

          Aragorn smiled slightly, "I'm sorry Elladan."

          Elladan shook his head, "Nah, it's alright. May I walk with you? Perhaps you could share your thoughts." He had noticed something was different with Estel and he was curious as to what it was

          "No honestly, I'd rather be alone." He said softly, "I'm sorry Elladan," He said when he saw the look on his brothers' face.

          Elladan shrugged, "I'm here if you need to talk to me."

          Aragorn nodded, "I…I'll tell you if I need anyone to talk to."

          Elladan nodded and turned back to his room, he turned around again, "Estel?"

          Aragorn turned around and looked at his brother, "Yes Elladan?" He said slightly annoyed.

          Elladan walked over and looked at Aragorn, "Why was Elrohir so upset?"

          Aragorn tensed slightly, he was the reason Elrohir was so upset. He had been rude and childish. He had been mean; Elrohir had hit him but that was his fault, "I angered him."

          Elladan nodded, "I thought so; why? How?" he pressed. The twins shared a very strong bond and Elladan, though he was concerned about Estel, he was completely worried about Elrohir.

          "I…I do not know." Aragorn backed up slightly, "I didn't mean to." He said hesitantly,

          Elladan nodded, "Alright Estel, I didn't mean to scare you." Aragorn shook slightly and Elladan frowned; he hadn't meant to frighten Estel.

          Aragorn nodded, and backed up, "I'm sorry Elladan,"

          Elladan took a step forward, "Estel…"

          "No!" Aragorn snapped

          Elladan stopped, "What is it Estel?" He demanded, grabbing Estel around his shoulders

          "Nothing! Would you stop?" He pleaded

          "I'm not doing anything," Elladan said,

          Aragorn broke away from his brother and ran down the halls, leaving a very confused Elladan in his wake."

          Aragorn knew that conversation had been his fault. He had been overly sensitive, but he had been trying to figure out what he had done to make Elrohir so angry. He didn't want to displease his older brothers. The day after he had had that conversation with Elladan, the older twin had gone out of his way to avoid him. Aragorn had noticed and had felt bad, he knew it was his fault; it always was…

Response to Reviewers:

Nerf: I know! Poor guy! He's having a heck of a time with his life at the moment. It's a good thing he has Legolas there for him!

Shadowfaxgal7: I know, I am sorry about the twin but they aren't really being evil, perhaps a little mean, but not evil; it is just that Aragorn is a little sensitive right now so he thinks they are being evil! He is also blaming himself for everything ^^ don't worry, it might work out ok…You never know!
 
Wonky: I know! Poor Estel! I am happy you like all the angst and the friendship scenes. I am trying to please my readers!

Jadesaber: It is a little depressing isn't it…Oh well I am in the mood to write this sort of thing. I promise not to kill our favorite elf and ranger though…I hope you like this chapter!

BabeyRachey: I know! He was mean to his brother. I can't say how things will turn out…But you'll see ^^
 
Sugar fanatic: Hehehe! Here is a new chapter, I hope you like it just as much as the last one!
 
Seeing-Spots: Hehehe I know poor Aragorn. Yeah…I could see him falling off of a horse too. I think it was sort of funny. I do too! The twins are being a little odd aren't they? Hm…We'll see what's going on. Did I make you cry? *hands you a tissue* I'm sorry if I did. I didn't think I should add a tissue warning, obviously I was wrong. *huggles* It will be OK!
 
Coolio02: I know, it is a little depressing but I think it is fun to write. His family is acting strangely but you know how families are. We all have them and we all have issues. Hehehe I hope you liked this chapter!
 
Catmint: You have NO idea how much I need and love your reviews. I was wondering if maybe you had the time to be my beta…I don't know if you would want the job or not but if you can I would love it. You catch my mistakes and I really need someone who will go over it. *gives you another cookie* Thank you for the complements they make me feel so good! I am happy I made you cry…wow I sound evil! I just enjoy knowing that what I write makes people feel what the characters feel. Yes about the depression I have been diagnosed with depression so I have a long road ahead of me. I am trying to put my feelings into Aragorn so that I can show people that even though this is fictional, it does really happen. Well, please say you'll be my beta! I really do love your reviews, they help me so much and I need someone like that. I hope you enjoy this chapter and don't find too many quibbles! I'm sorry if you do find any, please don't fault me for it!