A/N I love all of you! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I know this is a little bit of a depressing fic but I think it is turning out alright. I am sorry if I have made any of you feel bad.

Chapter 4: Opening Up

            "Were you up all night?"

            Aragorn jumped, "Huh? Oh sorry Legolas," He said, noticing that his friend was staring at him

            "You didn't do anything, I was just wondering if you would do any good if we were raided by Orcs." Legolas grinned slightly

            "I'm sorry, I was lost in thought."

            Legolas shrugged, "You're not riding in that state," Legolas looked his friend over and noticed that his shirt had blood on it; "Take your shirt off." He commanded

            Aragorn stared at him, "Why?"

            "It has blood on it," Legolas stated, "Now take it off and let me have a look."

            Aragorn grumbled but pulled his shirt and tunic off so that Legolas may have a look. "Happy you irritating elf?" He asked grumpily

            "I forgot how good your company was in the morning," Legolas told him sarcastically, "Just stop moving, it looks as though you rubbed some of your healing wounds." He looked at Aragorn, "Just how hard did Elladan hit you with that staff?"

            "Not too bad," He rolled his eyes at the look Legolas was giving him, "Alright, it was hard and it hurt too."

            Legolas nodded, "Well one of the welts is bleeding and some of the wounds the Orcs gave you are bleeding as well."

            Aragorn sighed and put his shirt back on, "There isn't anything you can do; I'll fix them when we get back to Imladris."

            Legolas nodded, "I'll get your father to take a look."

            Aragorn said nothing; he wasn't pleased that his friend knew how much pain his body was putting him through.

            "Like I said before, you aren't riding in that state."

            Aragorn turned around, "In what state?" he demanded

            Legolas sighed and went over to Aragorn, "Mellon-nin, you are falling asleep on your feet, you are losing blood, and you are dwelling on things. If I let you ride your horse you might fall off. You will double ride with me, I know it isn't going to look good coming into Rivendell that way but it must happen. I will not let you fall asleep on your horse and crash into a tree. You nearly did that last night."

            Aragorn sighed, he wasn't going to get Legolas to leave him alone, "Alright, whatever you think is best." He muttered

            "And you will rest on the ride," Legolas told him

            "I'm not tired," Aragorn protested

            Legolas looked at him; Aragorn's eyes were blood shot and his body was shaking from fatigue. "Yes you are, maybe your mind is convincing you that you are alright, but your body is betraying you. Please mellon-nin; rest on the way to Rivendell."

            Aragorn nodded, "Alright Legolas, I guess a few hours sleep wouldn't hurt."

            Legolas chuckled, "Nay Aragorn, they wouldn't hurt at all."

~*~

            Legolas rode his horse with Aragorn in front of him. Aragorn's horse was following at a trot behind Legolas. Aragorn had fallen asleep and Legolas kept one arm securely around his friend. He was trying not to press too hard on any of the many bruises that his friend seemed to have.

            Legolas let his mind wander, he was going over why Aragorn was feeling the way he was. He understood that his friend was feeling alone in the world, but that might be because he was the only human among elves. Legolas was sure that if he had been raised by humans he would feel the same way.

            He was jerked back to reality when he heard a moan of pain escape his friend. "Estel, are you alright?" he asked, hoping that he wasn't pushing too hard on Aragorn's wounds.

            Aragorn nodded gently against Legolas's chest, "Yes, I am fine. Do you think you could move your arm though?"

            Legolas nodded and moved his arm slightly, "That better?"

            Aragorn nodded and quickly fell back to sleep in his friends' protective hold.

            Legolas looked up ahead, they were only a few minutes away from Rivendell, and soon they would be at the house. He sighed, he had a feeling this wasn't going to be a fun day.

~*~

            "What happened?" One of the stable hands asked Legolas,

            "Should I send for Lord Elrond?" One of the other ones asked

            Legolas shook his head, "No, no everything is fine. Thank you for your concern."

            They both nodded and led the horses away after Legolas dismounted. He set Aragorn down on the ground and woke him up.

            "We're here already?" Aragorn asked sleepily

            Legolas laughed and nodded, "Aye that we are."

            Aragorn groaned inwardly when he saw one of the house servants rushing towards them, "Looks as though we are about to be bombarded with questions about our physical wellbeing."

            Legolas nodded, "I know,"

            The servant, Tinlor, looked at them, "Lord Elrond saw you ride in and he sent me to see if you are both alright." He saw the blood seeping through Aragorn's tunic, "Shall I tell him you are hurt Estel?"

            Aragorn jumped, "Huh? Oh…no I'll tell him. I'm fine, honestly Tinlor." He smiled at the servant, who narrowed his eyes disbelievingly,

"Alright Estel, I will tell your father you two are coming to see him." Tinlor said, "I hope I will not end up in trouble with your father." He muttered before running off

Legolas looked at Aragorn, "You are not fine." He said, rounding on the human, "Things are not alright and your physical wellbeing is not in perfect condition!"

Aragorn held up his hands, "I am fine, I am just a little bumped and bruised." He grabbed his cloak and wrapped it around him, trying to hide the blood that covered his clothes.

Legolas glared at him, "We'll see what your father has to say about that."

Aragorn tensed visibly, "Alright, but you won't say anything about what I told you…right?" he was nervous and Legolas's heart wrenched at the sight of his friend.

He nodded, "I promise, not a word until you are healed."

"Legolas!"

"No Estel, I am going to talk to your father, he needs to know how you are feeling."

Aragorn sighed in defeat, "Alright, but please do not talk to him until I am asleep or drugged from his disgusting herbal tea."

Legolas grinned, he had only tasted the stuff once and that was when he had first met Aragorn. "Alright, I will talk to him when you are drugged; I am sure he will force that potent mixture down your throat.

Aragorn laughed and the two friends walked into the house.

~*~

Lord Elrond was in his study when Tinlor entered. Tinlor bowed in respect, "Milord; they say that they are fine. Although I noticed Estel had his head wrapped and there was blood seeping through his shirt and tunic."

Elrond nodded, "Are they both walking under their own power?"

Tinlor nodded, "Yes milord, they are."

Elrond smiled slightly, "Thank you Tinlor,"

Tinlor nodded and left his lord.

Elrond got up from his desk and went down the stairs; he was hoping that Estel was alright and that Legolas was as well. He had noticed that something was weighing on his youngest sons' heart and he was curious as to what it was. He would not ask though, if Estel wanted to tell him, he only needed to ask.

Elrond had heard the conversation between Estel and Elladan three nights ago; he wasn't sure who was more confused; him or Elladan. Normally Estel would talk to the older twin; they shared a strong brotherly bond. He was also curious as to what Elladan had meant when he asked what was wrong with Elrohir. He hadn't noticed anything, but maybe he hadn't been looking hard enough.

Sighing, he stepped into the hall and found Legolas and Aragorn just walking in.

~*~

Legolas noticed the Elf Lord first and he bowed to show respect and peace; one had on his heart and the other sweeping out. "Lord Elrond," He said

"Hello Prince Legolas," he smiled at the Elven Prince and then settled his gaze on his youngest son, "What happened to you Aragorn?"

"Nothing ada," Aragorn mumbled

"He took a bit of a tumble off of his horse." Legolas added helpfully, receiving a look of death from the young ranger

"Is that why you are coated in blood then?" Lord Elrond asked concerned

Aragorn nodded, "Yes ada, I nearly crashed into a tree but I fell before I reached it."

Legolas and Lord Elrond hid the smile that was creeping into both of their faces, "Go up to your room, I want a look. I'll be there in a few minutes,"

Aragorn groaned, "You're going to make that putrid mixture aren't you?"

Elrond smiled, "It will help ease the pain," He rested a hand on Aragorn's shoulder but the young man pulled away. Lord Elrond frowned but said nothing and watched as his youngest son walked away with his friend.

Reviewer Responses:

Thank you to all of my reviewers! I love you guys! My computer is sort of broken so I am only allowed to use it to post this! I am sorry I don't have time for responses.