A/N I am sorry about how jumpy the beginning is, just bear with me.

Chapter 8: Loneliness

My friends don't understand
Oh, they think I've lost my mind
and I'm choking back the tears
I've got to swallow my pride

-Madonna

Aragorn could sense the people near him, he could feel them close. He wanted them to go away; he wanted to be left alone. To be near his family at that moment, to be near everyone, was just too much! He wanted to be by himself, he wanted solitude. Solitude or loneliness? his subconscious asked him. They couldn't understand what was bothering him, they didn't know. It wasn't their problem, it was his; he needed to be alone! Why wouldn't they leave him? Oh, he hated them being so close; he wanted them gone!

Legolas watched his friend closely. He could see Aragorn's muscular body and the youth that still radiated off of the young human. His friend wasn't sick, he wasn't hurt or poisoned, but he was pained. His best friend was fighting loneliness and it was an illness he didn't know how to cure. He watched as Aragorn moved slightly, and Legolas knew his friend was awake.

Lord Elrond watched his son closely. He saw the fatigue in the young man's muscles and the faint purple rings around his eyes. He saw the semi-sad expression that the man wore, even in sleep. From the way Aragorn was moving, he knew his son was awake, but he knew that Aragorn was trying to pretend to be asleep. He looked at his youngest son; this was the little human child he had watched grow up. The boy who had once been so full of life now felt as though there was nothing to live for. He wished his son would open his eyes and speak to him, but he wasn't going to force Aragorn to do that.

Elrohir looked at his younger brother and frowned. He knew Aragorn was awake, but he could see that his brother didn't want them to know. It pained him greatly to know he had helped to make his brother feel this way. He had yelled and struck him; he had hurt him. He loved Aragorn so much and he didn't want him to feel hurt. Aragorn had always been so loving and fun, and to see him so upset was painful. He didn't know how his brother felt; but he just hoped that he could help.

Elladan held his twin's hand and squeezed it tightly. He needed the comfort of Elrohir; he needed to know that Elrohir understood the love in the family. He wanted nothing more than to shake Aragorn until he opened his eyes. His little brother was hurting and he didn't know how to help. He had always tried to watch out for Aragorn as a child, he had taken his protective role seriously. To see Aragorn in pain was incredibly hard for him.

Aragorn kept his eyes closed. He wanted his family out of there! How did you tell the people you loved that you wanted them to leave you alone? How did you explain to them that you didn't want to be around them? How was he to tell them that he wanted to think and dwell on some of the things that had been haunting his dreams? He didn't want to talk to them, so how was he supposed to tell them? He loved them all, but he wanted his space from them. He pressed his eyes closed tightly, took a deep breath, and opened his eyes.

Legolas watched his friend open his eyes and the pain he saw etched into the silver eyes touched him deeply. He hurt just seeing the despair and lost look inside of his best friend's eyes. "Estel…" Legolas began.

"Please, Legolas." The soft spoken word had so much more meaning to it, and Aragorn knew Legolas knew what he meant.

Legolas nodded. He knew what Estel was telling him. He knew what he was saying; 'Do not speak to me right now; I will talk to you later. Please, Legolas wait for me to speak with you later.'

Elrond looked at Estel, his eyes full of concern and love. He was so concerned about his youngest, but he wasn't going to go to Aragorn until his son asked. He would not baby him.

Aragorn looked at his father; he could read the expression and he knew he was the reason. He could see the worry in his father's face. He knew he cause the pain. Aragorn looked out the window and avoided all the concerned looks. The sun was setting. He could see the pinks and oranges that decorated the sky. The trees seemed to radiate with beauty, and the green of their leaves darkened. It was beautiful, a sight he had loved to watch. Aragorn looked back at his family, his gaze resting on the twins. "Please go."

The twins looked at him. Their gazes were mournful and their bodies slumped. They didn't want to leave their brother, but they didn't want to hurt him anymore, either.

Legolas looked at his friend, his eyes begging him to allow the twins to stay. Aragorn met his eyes and shook his head. Legolas wondered why his friend didn't want to speak to his brothers, but he wasn't going to voice his questions at that time.

"Ada, would you go too?" Aragorn asked quietly. He wanted to speak with Legolas; his friend was the only person he wanted.

Elrond looked hurt at what his son said but he stood. "Come, you two."

The twins stood and looked at Aragorn, their eyes full of pain.

Aragorn looked away; in all of his years he would not forget the look of hurt that had crossed his brothers' and father's eyes. He loved them dearly, but he didn't want them at the moment.

The three elves exited the room at the young human's request. All three of them felt hurt but they knew that Aragorn just wanted to speak with Legolas.

Aragorn watched his family leave and felt horrible. He wanted to hug them, but he wanted them to leave him alone at the same time. He looked at Legolas and beckoned for his friend to come closer.

Legolas stood from his chair and went over to Aragorn. He sat down on the bed next to his friend and smiled. "Talk to me, Estel."

Aragorn sighed. He could hear the soft pleading behind the light tone and it hurt him. He was already feeling torn apart, but he felt so selfish for making his friend and family worry so much about him. "It is hard for me to tell you things Legolas. I trust you mellon-nin, I just am not feeling…correct. I feel burdened and tired. I do not know what is happening in my life and I do not know what will happen in the future. I cannot see myself in the future, I sometimes wonder if I am to die before anything happens. Everything in life is hidden and I find it hard to see the light."

Legolas's heart broke at the choked sound of his friend's voice. He could feel the pain in his friend's soul and it hurt him so deeply. "Is there any light for you, Estel?"

Aragorn locked his silver eyes with Legolas' piercing blue ones. "Your friendship is a light of hope in this painful darkness."

Legolas said nothing, simply squeezing Aragorn's hand tightly.

The two friends sat in silence for a long time. It was a comfortable silence, one that only two friends can share when they have said a profound thing. Aragorn sat up and leaned against Legolas.

"You should talk to your family," Legolas remarked.

Aragorn shrugged. "They do not care."

"Oh Estel, they care so much!" Legolas protested. "They want nothing more than for you to talk to them!"

Aragorn shook his head. "I do not wish to talk to any of them at the moment. Please, Legolas."

Legolas nodded. He would not say anything. "Rest now, Estel."

Aragorn nodded and lay back down on the bed. He pulled the blankets over himself and was soon asleep. His feelings had made him tired and the fatigue was begging him to rest his unused muscles.

Legolas crept quietly from the room. He needed to sleep; he was so tired from the long journey.

The twins followed their father to his study and sat down in the two chairs. They wanted to talk to their father about how their younger brother had acted. They were extremely worried and scared that they had permanently hurt him.

As soon as the three had entered the study Elrohir closed the door.

Elladan started to pace but stopped when Elrohir pushed him down into a chair.

Elrond watched his sons and sighed. "I do not know what we can do for Estel."

Elrohir looked at his father. "What is wrong with him? He looked so lost, so lonely."

Elrond shook his head. "His heart hurts, he is in pain. I do not know what to call it. He is sick in his heart."

Elladan looked at his father. "Did we do this to him?"

Elrond shrugged. "I do not know. I do not think you two helped him though," he fixed his sons with a reproving look that made them fidget. "I would like to know what made you two so angry with Estel."

Elrohir looked away as did Elladan; neither one of them really wanted to speak about what had happened.

Elrond looked at Elladan. "You did not do anything, ion-nin. It is Elrohir I would like to speak with."

Elrohir took a deep breath and began to tell about how he had been so angry and scared. He knew he shouldn't have taken it out on his younger brother; it was just that Aragorn had been the closest thing. Elrohir never lost his temper like that, he never got angry with Estel, and it had just been too much. He had nearly lost one of his friends and been very emotional.

Elrond listened to his son. He understood Elrohir's reasons, but that did not make everything fine. "You must tell this to Estel. You cannot expect him to just understand. Elrohir that is not behavior I had expected of you." He knew his son had not been happy. Who would have been feeling their best when one of their good friends had nearly died? He shook his head, he knew his son had a good heart and he loved him dearly; but that did not make everything better for Aragorn!

Elrohir bowed his head in shame. "I know, Ada. I know I should not have acted that way."

Elrond nodded. He wasn't going to punish Elrohir. "See that you tell him that."

Elladan looked sharply at his father. "How can we tell him, if he does not wish to speak with us?"

Elrond shook his head. "I do not know, I only hope that you will be able to bring him out of this melancholy."

The twins nodded, they would help to ease their brother's lonely heart.

Sorry, not time for reviewer responses. I must run because I have a girl coming that I have to help train for riding horses and I am late!