A/N I would like to thank those of you who have really been enjoying this fic. I'm not too sure how long it's going to be, nor how I'm going to end it.
Reviewer Responses:
DreaminofLorien: I know! Legolas is a good friend for listening and trying to help Aragorn. Hopefully everything will be alright!
Laura: Aragorn is having such a bad time. Everything is going wrong for him and he feels unwanted. Poor guy. I'm glad you love the story!
Shadowed Flames: He should open up to his best friend, shouldn't he?! Ugh stubborn ranger. *grins* heehee
Frodo: Here is more! I'm trying to write!
Coolio02: Yes, things should work out with his family shouldn't they! He is having a bad time and he can't feel good about himself. Poor guy!
Jadesaber: I am posting as quickly as possible! It is getting hard to find time! Good thing it is a weekend!
Catmint: He won't talk because he is a stubborn human being who is having a bad couple of months. He is all upset; why would you want to share that with your parent? Oh and btw thank you for being my beta! I love it and I appreciate it so much!
Wonky: I am so happy you love the story! I am so happy this fic pleases you! I love it when I have happy readers! It is one of the best feelings in the world and you're a great reviewer! Thank you!
Silvertongue: I am happy you are happy! I always love it when people are enjoying my fics or find them for the first time!
Trustingfriendship: I know, it would be good if Elrond could find out what is going on. The twins should pitch in too, they should comfort their brother!
Azla: Unluckily my computer is still broken but I can use my dad's. He doesn't mind, it does mean that I have to re-write the chapters but seeing as how my computer is going to be in the shop for awhile, I guess I better work on the fic before people lose interest! I know, Estel is having a bad time and I hope a lot of people can relate to him. I think everyone has felt similar to this one time or another.
Seeing-spots: Yeah, I guess he could sound sort of childish, but then again even adults feel this way. Oh yes, the nasty mixture *gags* I wouldn't want to drink that stuff! Yucky!
Someone Reading: I know, Estel is having a rough time and what Elrohir said to him didn't help much. Well most siblings do get into fights (I know, my sister and I hate each other and often fight) but everyone does have a bad day. I guess Elrohir was tired of his human brother moping and wanted his space. Can't blame him, everyone needs to have their space. He sure could have been nicer though! But then again he didn't know anything was wrong with Estel because Estel wouldn't tell him! He should realize what he did and apologize though! Yes, poor Legolas! I don't think he knows what all he is getting himself into! He probably thinks nothing of it and just wants to help his friend; hopefully he won't be thrown into something huge… Yay! I am so happy you liked the Imladris scene! I agree, they've done so many stupid things out there that everyone in Imladris has gotten used to them! I'm happy you like it! Enjoy this chapter!
Ringmarciel: I am so happy it makes sense! LOL I don't normally read AU because I get completely lost and confused and my brain hurts! (Nice isn't it?) LOL Well I am happy you like the fic so much; I hope you continue to enjoy it!
Alone Dreaming: Yay you think it is fantastic! Heehee I know, the last chapters wasn't my best but I thought it was pretty good! I liked it! People must fix this! It must be fixed because it isn't fair! I know mellon-nin; I know how everything is going wrong. But do remember that we are looking at things how Aragorn has seen and explained them. The only things that aren't from his description are the flashbacks. Aragorn is having a bad time and is slightly depressed, nothing is going well for him and he has come to feel as if the world is out to get him. Heehee glad to hear you thrive off of the updates! It makes me feel so good knowing that!
Elizabeth Goode: Thank you for adding me to your author alert! I am happy you are enjoying the fic! Please review and tell me what you think of later chapters! I love reviewers!
Chapter 5: Never Be the Same
Aragorn walked quickly away from his father and down the hall to his room. He did not want to encounter any of his family; he didn't think he would be able to exchange words with them. He knew Legolas was close behind him and was giving him a questioning look.
"Aragorn, what was that about?" Legolas asked his friend after walking for ten minutes.
Aragorn jumped slightly at his friend's soft voice. "What do you mean?"
"Why did you pull away from your father? He was obviously happy to see you." Legolas told him.
Aragorn sighed. "I do not wish to discuss this at the moment Legolas."
Legolas sighed and followed his friend to his room in silence. Legolas was still wondering what was bothering his friend; normally Aragorn didn't let such trivial things get to him. Maybe it was because he needed alone time, Legolas shook his head, no, that couldn't be it.
Aragorn opened the door to his room and walked in; Legolas followed him. The first thing Aragorn did when he entered his room was shed his tunic and shirt. He needed to have a look at what had happened to him. He turned to Legolas. "Let my father in if he knocks, I'm going to be in there." he pointed at the adjoining bathroom.
"Alright Estel, I'll let him in if he comes." Legolas sat down on one of the chairs in Aragorn's room and looked out the window.
Aragorn entered the bathroom and turned his back to the mirror. He grimaced when he saw the welts on his back and many of the bruises left by Orcs. He grabbed a wet cloth and wiped the blood; he couldn't bandage his back but he could rinse it. After a few minutes he had finished, so he left the bathroom and entered his bedroom.
Legolas turned around when he heard Aragorn step out of the bathroom. "You feeling alright?" he asked concerned; Aragorn looked slightly pale.
Aragorn nodded. "Yes, I just am a little tired." He grabbed a new shirt and buttoned it up before joining Legolas at the window.
"Why don't you get into bed, your father should be in here soon and you'll be sleeping soundly then," Legolas suggested.
Aragorn shook his head. "I would rather look out the window, when ada comes I'll drink the medicated tea and fall asleep. If I get in bed he'll most likely wake me up to ensure that I'll be in a deep sleep." He shrugged.
Legolas smiled slightly. Aragorn was right, Lord Elrond would wake his son up to be sure he was in a deep healing sleep. He needs it too, Legolas thought to himself.
Aragorn rested against the frame of his balcony and looked out over Rivendell. he did love being here, he loved it so much. He smiled slightly to himself; he enjoyed being in solitude. His room was where he could go to be alone, no loneliness found him in here; he was only alone when he was with someone…
~*~
Lord Elrond had finished boiling the tea and was walking up to his human son's room holding a mug of it. He was worried about Aragorn. He didn't know what was happening to his youngest but he hoped he could learn soon. First things first though; he needed to have a look at what was causing Aragorn to bleed. He had noticed the blood on the shirt and tunic, he was curious as to what exactly his son was hiding.
He reached the hallway where Aragorn's room was and opened the door to his room. When he opened the door he could see Aragorn leaning against the balcony door frame, and Legolas sitting comfortably in a chair. He wondered what was going on in the young man's head and hoped that soon he could find out.
Legolas had heard the door open and he turned to smile at the elven lord. He hoped that he would be able to tell Lord Elrond what was wrong with his son, but he wasn't sure he knew. Legolas was concerned about Aragorn but he didn't know what all was bothering him; he had a feeling deep in the pit of his stomach that Aragorn hadn't even let Legolas nibble at what was hurting him so deeply.
Aragorn heard his father enter his room but he didn't turn around; he was lost deep in thought and was just thinking about how he felt. He had always been quite in tune with his feelings and those of others, but at the moment he wasn't sure how he felt. Things were changing, he knew everything changed, nothing stayed the same. It was hard to accept change though; he had changed, and everything around him had changed as well. Everything felt so different and nothing felt right, yet everything felt wrong and nothing felt different. He was so confused he wasn't sure how to feel; his emotions were eluding him.
Legolas sighed and gently touched Aragorn's arm; he had noticed that the human was ignoring everything and filtering it all out. "Aragorn, come on," he whispered into his friend's ear.
Aragorn jumped about six inches in the air when he heard his friend's voice in his ear. "Don't do that!" He snapped when he saw the mirth in Legolas's eyes.
"I think your father would like you to get in bed," Legolas told him. "He is looking at you."
Elrond smiled at the exchange between the two friends. "Yes, come here Estel. I would like for you to get in bed, I think you need the rest. I would also like a look at what is causing you to bleed so badly. Remove your shirt before you get in bed."
Aragorn bit back the words that were rising in his throat, he wanted nothing more than to snap at his father and ask him why he cared. He kept it to himself though and did as he was told.
Elrond was slightly shocked when he saw the welts, bruises, and cuts that were crisscrossing and meandering their way around his son's body. "What happened to you?"
Aragorn just shrugged. "I fell…and other things." He sent a pleading look to Legolas and the elf jumped to his aid.
"Lord Elrond, I will tell you what happened to Estel, he is too tired to tell you," Legolas said, hoping that Lord Elrond would be alright with it.
Elrond nodded and handed the mug of tea to Aragorn. "Sleep well; we're going to talk about this later though." He told him sternly,
Aragorn thought that he had never been happier to taste his father's herbal tea; his head had barely touched the pillow before a soft darkness embraced him.
Lord Elrond looked over Aragorn's wounds, after deciding that they weren't infected and needed nothing but a simple healing salve and a few days to heal, he turned to Legolas. "What happened to Estel?" He was concerned and he hoped nothing too bad had happened.
Legolas smiled grimly; he had told Aragorn that he would tell his father what had happened, he just didn't think it would be so hard. "You should sit down; it is quite a long tale to tell."
Lord Elrond sat down on the end of the bed while Legolas started to pace. "Legolas, what happened? Why do you look upset?"
Legolas sighed and stopped his pacing; it was hard to say what had happened. He started with Aragorn riding into camp and falling off of the horse. He told the elf lord everything Aragorn had told him and what Elrohir, Elladan, and even Lord Elrond himself, had done to make Aragorn feel unwanted. Legolas took over an hour explaining everything and yet not knowing enough to completely help Lord Elrond to know what was truly bothering his son.
Lord Elrond sat, horrified at what Legolas was telling him; he could have dealt with most of it, the Orcs, Elladan rapping Aragorn too hard with the staff, and Aragorn falling off of his horse. He was disturbed to hear what had happened between Elrohir and Aragorn but the brothers had fought before, nothing that brutal, but it had happened. What scared him was what Aragorn was feeling; he couldn't help being slightly hurt by what was happening to his son.
"…That is all I know." Legolas finished his eyes sorrowful.
Lord Elrond nodded. "Thank you Legolas." His voice betrayed his emotions; he wasn't pleased with what Legolas told him. It hadn't occurred to him that Aragorn was so upset and troubled. His son had emotions and feelings he needed to work out, he hoped that he would be able to help.
"I'm sorry," Legolas said softly. "I did not know how to help or what to say to comfort him. I thought it would be best for you two to talk…" His voice drifted off and he sighed.
"It is not your fault Legolas; you did nothing wrong and I am thankful that you convinced him to let you speak with me. I know this is probably not the kind of visit you wished to spend with us, but I would be eternally thankful if you would stay and help Estel." Lord Elrond knew how close the elven prince and his human son were; he only hoped that they were close enough to help Aragorn.
Legolas nodded. "I had never dreamed of leaving while Aragorn was like this, I hope I can help."
Elrond nodded. "I am going to stay with Estel. Would you please go and speak with Elladan and Elrohir? I think they need to hear from you what has happened."
Legolas was taken aback; he didn't know if he could talk to the twins. They were very good friends of his but he wanted to visit with them, not be the bearer of ill news. He nodded his head anyway. "I will, do not worry Lord Elrond." With a slight bow, Legolas left the room and went to find the twins. He hoped that their conversation would go well.
Elrond continued to bandage Aragorn's wounds; he hoped that his son would speak with him when he awoke. "Oh Aragorn, how could you think we do not love you?" he whispered to his son's sleeping body. He sighed softly, hoping that everything would be alright, and knowing that things would never be the same…