Disclaimer: You know I don't own Lord of the Rings.

A/N: In this chapter my friend Chelsea said" Oh No!" If you want to find out why you'll have to read.

Chapter 6: Open Wounds

Two weeks passed after Legolas bid farewell to his friends. Aragorn and Arwen were learning so much, not just from lessons , but from each other. The two were almost inseparable. Constantly were they conversing about history, literature and swordplay. Aragorn was learning the Elvish tongue so fast, that many of their chats were in Arwen's language. During this time Lord Elrond saw much. He knew a great deal about this friendship, save the training sessions. When he saw them together he was filled with dread.
Each new season the Elves would hold a grand banquet, Aragorn was able to witness the Summer feast. At this occasion Aragorn was dressed in a splendid Elfish attire, with his curly brown hair neat and his appearance quite handsome. When Arwen descended the stairs, all of his gaze was drawn to the breath-taking creature in front of him. She was dressed in a gorgeous white gown with an ornament of stars flowing through her long brown hair. When she reached the landing, Arwen held out her hand to Aragorn. He, in return, kissed it gently. Elrond all the while had seen this touching seen and knew. He read their eyes and knew their feelings, his anger boiling inside. Of this he told no one, and they neither told anyone nor each other their feelings.
Besides the secret of his heart, Aragorn also hid the fact that the excruciating pain his shoulder wouldn't subside. Day after day, night after night, his agony increased. Aragorn knew he must bear this alone. Yet, when he looked at Arwen's lovely face he found comfort, but still his torment would not cease.

One morning, while practicing swordplay, Aragorn abruptly stopped and clutched his injury. Arwen rushed to his side. "Are you all right? What is wrong with the wound?"

"Nothing," He replied trying to reassure her "It is only a little sore."

"Then you must rest." Arwen said, "We should return to Rivendell."

"No!" He said sharply. "No," he repeated calmly after seeing Arwen's surprised face. "We should proceed in what we were doing."

At the Elvish lesson, Aragorn felt the pain flow like a river once again. "You need help" Arwen said when she saw his torment.

"I'll be alright. It will pass soon," He replied.

When their sessions were over Aragorn returned to his rooms for rest. He hoped that his pierced shoulder would cease harassing him. When Arwen noticed that she hadn't seen him for a while, she to journeyed to his room.

"Aragorn!" She cried when she saw him lying in pain on his bed.

"Arwen," he said in a whisper, as if it were painful to say anything.

Arwen was crying as she fled from the room to find some one who could help her. She flew down the corridors to her father's rooms. Lord Elrond was bent over his desk working on documents, when his daughter burst into his chamber.

" Ada," Arwen sobbed, "Aragorn is in pain. H..His wound has worsened."

Elrond stood up quickly and charged through the hallways with Arwen close behind him.

Two Elf doctors saw them and followed. Aragorn was unconscious when they reached him.

"This is not good. The poison is flowing again." Elrond said.

"Will he be alright?" Arwen asked in a distressed manner.

"Come," He replied not answering her question, "you need to leave."

"No! I am not leaving!" She protested.

"This isn't the time to argue."

"I'm not going!"

"Arwen, you must leave now!" He yelled at her exasperated, "You can not help him right now. You must go."

Arwen gave one more tearful look at Aragorn lying on the bed, then left the room.

Arwen waited by the door for what seemed an eternity, but was really a little more than an hour. She paced back and forth thinking "He'll be fine," but the thought was dry and left no reassurance. Her thoughts were smothered with worry. Fear stayed in the shadows, like a cat stalking a mouse. Her fear was waiting for the right moment to pounce.
She turned suddenly when the door opened, and the two doctors stepped out. Arwen raced to her father, who was still in the room.

"How is he?!" She said in a panicky voice.

"He has put to much strain on his wound, it will take more time to mend."

"Is he going to die?" Arwen pressed further.

"No," Elrond said calmly to his daughter, soothing all of her doubts with that one simple word.
Arwen then turned toward the sleeping Aragorn. She crept to his side and sat down on the edge of his bed. She starred down at him with tender, loving eyes. As if she wished to look upon him forever. She brushed a strand of his hair from his face, then gently touched his cheek. Arwen leaned over and kissed his cheek affectionately.
All the while, Elrond had been in the room. He saw the look in her eyes, the passion in her touch. He felt desperate to discover who this man was, before it was to late. Without a word he left the room to decipher his thoughts. Arwen didn't even notice.

Whew! A little worried there weren't you? Reveiw and I will dnace and do the hula.