The Wrong One

By Nefhiriel

A/N: First of all I would like to apologize for... um... Hey, what do you know, I don't think I have anything to apologize for this time! Look! I even got the chapter title right! Yay Nefhiriel! (gives herself an enthusiastic round of applause, then gradually stops as she realizes she's the only one cheering) Hmm, I guess they aren't all that impressed... Oh well, my head is very happy – no more wall-banging this time! I'm so proud of myself!(glances around to see everyone still giving her unimpressed looks) Hey, be easy on me, it's my first time writing an AUTHOR'S note! (still no response) Ok then, lets just be moving on, shall we?

Here's the one of the very few non-cliffies in this entire story! (my sister/editor made me do some 'character reaction' : ) So enjoy it while it lasts! It's short and (hopefully) sweet : )

See first chapter for disclaimers. Review responses at the end of the chapter.

- Dedicated to Pippin. (hehe not the Pippin, Pippin the parakeet... ) He's the most narcissistic little bird I've ever seen, but I love him all the same. Also dedicated to Baby: the bird who taught me just how affectionate a little bird (with a brain the size of pea) could be. -

"True friends not only protect you from others when something goes bad, but from yourself when you try to take blame."

- Unknown

Chapter 4: Pain and Remorse

As Aragorn slept on, hour after hour, and the twins grew restless sitting there with nothing to do but think about the attempted murder. It was already a couple of hours past noon when Legolas grew tired of watching the two of them pace.

"Why don't you two go 'investigate' a little." he said with an infuriatingly amused smile, "You 'elflings' had better go put some of that energy to use."

They gave him a sour look, but headed out the door anyways. Peace and silence reigned, only broken by the reassuring sounds of Aragorn's even breathing. Legolas looked back to the sleeping form of his friend.

Unnecessary guilt has a way of seeping into the wisest and noblest of hearts. Often it's guilt for things that they only think they could have prevented—if they had only tried a little harder! Even though Legolas had been cleared by Lord Elrond he still felt somehow to blame, somehow responsible. Logic was the last thing he was thinking of at the moment.

More time passed and Legolas dozed off for minutes at a time, more from boredom than anything else. He always managed to jerk himself back before too much time had elapsed. Pacing the room to keep himself alert, he watched for any signs that Aragorn was regaining consciousness. Elrond checked in a few times but Aragorn continued to sleep on.

Night began to descend and the twins returned, sinking wearily into their chairs.

"We've gone all over Rivendell without finding a clue." Elladan sighed dejectedly, "You could go get some sleep, we can watch for awhile."

"I've been sitting all day and I've already gotten some sleep." Legolas saw Elrohir's head was beginning to fall forward. "Go get some rest, both of you."

"But you've been here all day." said Elladan, "You're sure you don't want a break?"

"I'm alright, you two are the ones who look ready to drop."

Elrohir valiantly helped his brother with the weak resistance.

"We could watch for at least a couple of hours Legolas."

"Are you two waiting for me to carry you to your rooms?" Legolas threatened.

Elladan smiled through a yawn and helped Elrohir stand up.

"Very well, have it your way. Just be sure to get us if he wakes."

With one last lingering look at their brother, Elladan and Elrohir retreated to their beds. Legolas shook his head in disbelief as the two figures withdrew through the doorway. They must have been really tired to give in that easily, why that argument hadn't lasted more than a minute!

He settled back into his chair.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Legolas found himself dozing again. Feeling the sunlight on his face, he groaned, realizing he must have been asleep for hours and that it was now morning. Forcing his eyes to focus on the face of the ranger, he was startled to see that Aragorn was trying to sit up.

"I wouldn't try getting up just yet if I were you." the smile in his voice was easily apparent.

"After all these years mellon-nín," Aragorn instantly recognized his voice, "you still have no faith in my ability to heal overnight?"

"You may be well enough to get out of bed, I have seen your amazing ability to heal many times. My worry is that you may not be entirely fit enough to take on a furious Lord Elrond and two, seething young elven lords at the same time."

Aragon lay back down.

"There you do have a point."

"You should've started admitting I was right a long time ago, it would have saved you so much trouble..." Legolas teased his friend with a wicked grin. "And now, while you're still in this amiable mood, why don't I get your tea?"

Legolas poured hot water over a cup full of herbs that Elrond had left with him and advanced.

"I did not say that you were right!" Aragorn protested, scooting away from the proffered cup. "I merely said that you had a point!"

"Now Estel, we can do this the easy way, or I can drag you out onto the balcony for all of Rivendell to see, and force it down your throat—your choice." he came a step closer. "It's not even like it's going to put you to sleep, it's just another dose of the antidote, no sleeping herbs. Quit acting like a child."

"I can hardly believe you'd do such a thing, a quiet elf like you, make such a scene. I'd like to see you try." Aragorn crossed his arms.

"Would you now?" Legolas advanced another step and, reaching out, and grabbed his arm, "Well I aim to please."

Aragorn scowled and grudgingly held out his hand for the cup. Swallowing it in two gulps, he grimaced.

"The lemonade tasted a lot better."

Legolas took the cup and set it on the table.

"I can always arrange for you to be poisoned again, you have but to ask." Legolas retorted with a laugh.

"How generous of you." his mouth quirked into a smile.

Aragorn turned his head so that the sun fell across his face. His eyes opened, only to be met with darkness. He did his best to hide the flicker of pain, but in spite of his efforts a small sigh escaped him.

All the mirth was drained from Legolas' face, he looked at the floor, out the window, anywhere but at his friend. Then he realized how ridiculous his actions were, Aragorn couldn't see him anyway.

"Legolas, Is something wrong?" Aragorn's words almost made him jump.

"No nothing's wrong. Not unless you stop to consider the fact that you're—" he halted, "—blind. And it's because of me, I—"

"Wait a minute, slow down! What do you mean 'because of you'? Weren't you listening to a word Ada said? I was poisoned! How in Eru's name are you thinking you could have possibly known?"

"Well... Maybe I couldn't have. But I was careless. I should have seen that there was something wrong, I could have forced you to go see Elrond, instead I ended up punching you. If I had been more persistent Elrond could have given you the antidote and all would be well. Now..."

"You know me better than this!" the amount of levity in Aragorn's voice surprised and confused Legolas. "If you hadn't punched me, clumsy human that I am, I would probably have ended up tripping over the carpeting or falling down the stairs and killing myself. I should thank you as the savior of my life!"

Despite himself Legolas chuckled.

"I wouldn't go that far."

"I would!" Legolas's chuckling grew louder. "Legolas you can't continue to blame yourself like this. Just think, if you were in my place and I was in yours, would you blame me? Would you blame me for not having noticed? Would you have blamed me for punching you accidentally?"

"No, of course I wouldn't. But it's different I..." Legolas stammered and then finally fell silent.

"There's no difference. You know it and I know it, so lets move on, shall we?"

"Very well, I suppose you're right..."

Grinning with satisfaction, Aragorn once more attempted to rise. Legolas rolled his eyes and physically forced him to lay back down.

"Obstinate Human."

"Heartless Elf."

"Just lie back down before Lord Elrond comes in and sees you trying to get out of bed."

Aragorn scowled but quit struggling. He crossed his arms and gave Legolas the best glare he could conjure without being able to see him.

"Now I suppose you expect me to call you 'scary Human' ?"

Aragorn's scowl deepened.

"It's not working Estel. It may have a threatening effect on orcs and other brainless creatures, but the rest of us have already learned that you're all bark and no bite. Now, you really should be resting." He patted the covers and continued in his most condescending voice, "Oh, look at you, sitting up in bed! It already taking it's toll on you—you look simply awful!"

"Very funny your Highness." Aragorn said in a completely deadpan tone of voice. "Your jokes at the expense of a sick human are most amusing."

"Jokes?"

"Just you wait until Ada lets me get out of bed, I'll make you regret this!"

"Estel, you say that every time..." Legolas said, sighing unconcernedly.

"Well, this time I'll get Elladan and Elrohir to help me."

"Oh, now I'm frightened."

"And well you should be! The wrath of the twins is not something to be taken lightly!"

"Of course not, mellon-nin."

There were a few minutes of silence. Then, becoming grave once more, and remembering where this conversation had started, Legolas said quietly, "Hannon le, mellon-nín. I wasn't thinking rationally."(thank you, my friend)

"We all do it at times." Aragorn smiled impishly, knowing the result his next words would have. "Habits die hard, and elves can be so stubborn at times..."

"What do you mean elves can be so stubborn?" Mora spoke up from the doorway, he strode over to glare at the ranger.

"Mora? Is that you?"

Aragorn's unfocused eyes baffled Moranuen.

"Of course it's me! Who else would it be?" the looks on his friends' faces instantly made him regret his words. "What's wrong? Ceboril said that something was wrong with you, Estel, but he didn't know what. What's happened?"

"I'm blind." Aragorn said matter-of-factly.

Mora's face was anything but matter-of-fact. He just stood there, desperately wanting to say something, but not having any idea what he could say. He managed a weak:

"How?"

"No one knows why or how exactly, but the short and long of it is that there was poison in a glass of lemonade I drank." said Aragorn.

When words finally came, they gushed out in a sincere flow of remorse.

"Estel, I am so, so sorry... What does Lord Elrond say?"

"He's not sure whether it's permanent or not."

Aragorn was relieved not hear any pity in his friend's voice, his words were kind, supportive, the words of a friend who was truly sorry and wished only to help.

Mora's next words were strong and determined.

"You know your friends are with you Aragorn, we'll do anything we can."

"Iston mellon-nín, iston." I know, my friend, I know He spoke with all his heart, thanking Ilúlvatar for such friends. "Hannon le."

A few uneasy moments passed before the silence was broken by Mora.

"Oh, I had nearly forgotten. Celboril asked me to see if you if you wanted anything brought up."

"I, for one, am starving." Aragorn made an attempt to lighten the mood.

"You're always starving—human." Legolas laughed.

"I'll tell Ceboril then."

Mora slipped from the room and, with heavy heart, returned to tell Ceboril the news.

To Be Continued...

Reviewer responses:

sielge: Cliffies certainly get your heart beating, don't they? Sometimes they're fun, and sometimes they're just maddening! I must admit, I love to drive people crazy with them more than I like to read them myself : ) Well, I'm afraid this chapter really wasn't a cliff-hanger, but I promise to give you some more later : ) As for Aragorn... You'll just have to wait and see what happens to him (grins evilly). I hope that this update was soon enough, and thank you so much for your review!

polingly: (points proudly at chapter title, smiling ridiculously) YES! LOOK Polly, it really IS titled "Pain and Remorse"! I'm sooo proud of myself! (grin) Yes, I really am a dramatic person. Actually that's why I couldn't resist the urge to draw Aragorn's poisoning out to a more theatrical climax : ) Glad you like how I did it. As for Legolas knowing that it wasn't his fault...As you saw in this chapter, he's not always QUITE as logical as that, LOL. I'll give you one spoiler (sort of). You'll find out about "Mr. creepy guy in the black cape" in the next chapter (yes I know, you can cheer now : ). Ah, the suspense mounts... I think I'll enjoy seeing all of your reactions to his identity, this should be interesting (grins). How I love to make people curious. Of course, I probably give away too much of the story in the process...Ah well (shrugs). Thank you for the review! And yes, we computer ghosts must stick together! : )

Lady Leeanne: Ooo, you got yourself a concrete wall! Good thinking! A word from an experienced wall-banger: you might want to get a little padding over that concrete. You can cause serious damage with repeated banging, and people tend to ask questions when they find you lying on the floor, out cold : ) About that "sneaky guy in black", you might want to figure out who he is BEFORE you "introduce him to your pitchfork" or try any other ways of making his life miserable. It can be really hard to find people, much less do them any harm, if you don't know who they are (or even have a description of him other than the fact that he wears a black cape!)... It could be ANYONE! Though, if you do ever find him, I have no doubt that he would DEFINITLY think at LEAST twice before trying to do anything villainous again : ) You can be quite terrifying with the dreaded cravat and pitchfork of doom! Oh, and we mustn't forget the terrible tacks! Oh, and Polly just told me about the "SYHO&BYBOS or AAA" HA! That's soooo funny! What's the membership fee? An extra big box of Kleenex? Almost makes me with I had allergies! (hey, I said ALMOST : ) My brother and mother both have bad allergies, so I can guess at how miserable they are - you have my sympathy ; ) Polly told me that you have flat feet? Hey, I do too! Maybe we could start a new society? (giggles) Any ides for the name? : )Thanks so much for reviewing! You and Polly are so fun to talk to! And it's amazing how much we have in common.

Isadora2: Hallo, Isadora - guten tag! OK, I just used up about half my German vocabulary... Ah, but I can thank you for your wonderful review – danke! Sadly, I'm not very gifted as far as languages go : b Which makes me appreciate your flexibility to speak with me in my own language even more : ) It's kind of sad, really, that I don't know more German, considering the fact that I'm nearly half German myself. Someday I would love to visit Germany. Who knows, my family loves to travel, and we may decide to go to Europe and visit our countries of origin. That would include Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and who knows what all else : ) Actually, I have so many "countries of origin" that I'm not really sure what all of them are, LOL. If we do visit Germany, we'll have to make sure to visit Cologne! (blushes) There are so many kind complements in here, I'm not sure where to start : ) Yes, I really do like laughing at myself. At least then I know people will be laughing with me instead of at me, LOL. I suppose I do have a rather ironic sense of humor, though I've never really thought about it before. (grin) I'm very happy to hear that I'm still understandable : ) As for there really being life after 30... I can easily believe you! After all, my mother didn't even meet - much less marry – my dad until she was 30 : ) (grin) Yes, Imbecamiel and I did spend a CONSIDERABLE amount of time working on the plot! We share a room, so night time has become our time to develop and discuss plot points and possible ideas. I'm glad that the story is coherent. There were a few times when I was writing it that I confused myself so badly I was afraid I'd never get it straightened out : ) I'm also glad the shifting POV in the last chapter wasn't confusing. Thanks again for reviewing – your reviews mean so much to me! Auf wiedersehen! (Now I'm SERIOUSLY depleting my German vocabulary! I guess I'd better go before I run out of things to say entirely : )

Naesse: (grins) Yes, Aragorn is definitely the best! I'm glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for reviewing!

twilight-la-fae: Hmm, it seems everyone wants to know who the mystery guy is, I wonder why that would be... (grins innocently) Actually, you'll be finding out who he is in the next chapter, so if you think I'm going to be giving you any more clues, you are quite mistaken : ) Ah, I know all about orthodontists. Heehee more than one person has claimed that our orthodontist got her training in a medieval torture chamber : ) I just finally got my braces off a few months ago, so I've been immensely enjoying my freedom. Of course, there are still the permanent retainers, but they're not nearly as bad as braces! As for Arwen... I'm personally not a very big Arwen fan, so (for the time being at least) I'm kind of ignoring the fact of her existence. Apologies to all Arwen fans, but I'm afraid I just don't have the inspiration to write her at this time. Who knows? I may write her some time, but I don't see it happening in the near future.

viggomaniac: Have someone attack the poor defenseless ranger? ME? I'm afraid you MUST have mistaken me for some evil angst-loving author (attempts to grin evilly and at the same time innocently, with VERY interesting results). Glad there weren't any terribly glaring errors in the last chapter as far as spelling etc. goes. I'm not a stickler for things like grammar and punctuation, but I'm used to my sister/editor going around lecturing me on things like that, so go ahead and be a second sister to me : ) Really, go ahead, rant all you want! I promise not to be offended : ) One question: have you read "Eats, Shoots and Leaves"? It's a punctuation book that I think you would really like. I've started reading it, and it's very helpful (and extremely funny : ) Ah, evil am I? Well, my sister says it's always a good sign when people (at least in the fanfiction world : ) call you evil and start sending you death threats, so I guess I'm not doing too badly. I see you've got yourself an "Official Angst Writers' Manual" of your own! It's definitely a must-have. Besides, it can get you out of so much trouble! All you have to do is point to the book and tell people "I HAD to! It's in the rules!" : ) I'm glad you thought that everyone's reactions to Aragorn's blindness were realistic. I worked really hard to try to keep things as realistic as possible in this story, so I'm happy to see it's working out. I'll be happy to fill your prescription for "Ranger Danger" and overall Aragorn angst : ) Thanks for reviewing and, as always, hope to see you in the next chapter!

Drylith: The stress... Well, I hope this chapter helped with that aforementioned problem : ) As for the mysterious lurker, I'm glad I've got you (and everyone else!) wondering. That is the point of mystery, LOL. Convoluted? Me, make a story convoluted? Naww... (grins) I confess, at times during this I got myself confused. VERY confused : ) Hopefully I've straightened everything out alright, so it'll make sense : b That's great that you'll have lots of time to read! So many are busy at this time of year, that I was worried that few would have time to read my story - much less tell me their opinion! Thank you very much for reviewing!

Racer38: Hurrah! Another new name – thank you for visiting me on my little corner of : ) I'm so glad you like my story! I'll try and keep on updating at least once a week (if not more often), and hopefully keep you satisfied (grins). Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the sending me a review – it is VERY encouraging!

Deana: Thank God indeed! I'm sure they're all VERY grateful for that as well. Though, right now I'm afraid they're too busy worrying over Aragorn to consider how much worse it could have been. Thank you so much for the review!

elvingirl3737: First of all, thank you for going back and reviewing "Sleep Now, Tithen Muindor"! I was REALLY excited to get a review on a story that hasn't really gotten any attention in quite awhile – it's good to know that someone has gone back and read it! And I'm so glad you found this story, too : ) Oh, you like to see our poor little Estel in trouble?! (gasps in disbelief) I don't know ANYONE else like that! (attempts to look as innocent as possible) OK, so about half of my reviewers so far have blatantly stated that they hope I plan on lots of "Aragorn angst" in this story... Well, I'll tell you what I told them: I'll have plenty for all!!! There's lots more to come : ) Anyways glad you liked what you read, and that you thought I did the character interactions well. Thanks again for reviewing!

springfairy: Your review couldn't have come at a more perfect time! My day was REALLY getting to me! (makes face) I've been sooo busy and have had lots of really hard work to do : b Your review was EXACTLY what I needed to pick me back up, and give me the energy to go on – thank you so, so much!

Special thanks to: Lolanthe, Galadryal, elvingirl3737, KAT15 and Katriena for adding me to their author alerts! Also, thanks to matrixelf for puting me on her favorite authors list!

I (hopefully) will get the next chapter, "Innocence or Guilt" (REALLY : ), up on Wednesday.

- Nefhiriel

Vice President and co-founder of the SNWCG