Okay, I know it's been a little more than a month, but an unexpected family trip came up and then my computer died (literally). Anyhoo, I got done the next chapter. Also, I decided to answer some reviews since you guys did such a nice job with the Arathorn's torturing.

Astalder27: Yeah I know, evil evil Arathorn. I actually made him like this because I tried make him just as corrupted by power as Isildur was (just not with a ring). I got the idea from the birth of the goddess Athena in Greek mythology where Zeus was told that his son would grow to be more powerful than him and so he ate his girlfriend, Metis, when she was pregnant with Athena and then...you don't really care, do you? Sorry about that, I'm just a freak with mythology and can relate anything to it.

....................: Melian is, indeed, a made up name. Unfortunately, there are only rumors going around about who Legolas' mother truly is.

Gilluin: Thanks for your warning and I understand. I, myself, am someone who likes things to be historically accurate. But if you noticed, the summary had an AU in it, meaning that it's an Alternate Universe. However, since I am not a really big fan of AU's, I tried to keep it to a minimum in this story and I made it an AU only in Aragorn and Legolas' pre-LOTR life. This story does not effect the quest for the ring and the fellowship. By the end you will see that.

galadriel evenstar: And I wouldn't have it any other way. J

Mariette: Hmm...elf bashing... I like! LOL

Elysia of Corellia: You go girl! Poor Arathorn is now in the torture chamber-er, I mean- recovery room after your...um...engagement with him. He now has a big fear needles so I have make sure nobody sews around him or else he get delirious. LOL

EyesLikeSilk: Oh, thank you thank you. I am glad this story is actually being enjoyed. Not something I was expecting, to be perfectly honest.

Niniel28B: Don't worry, I won't abandon it now. I have grown to love it.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Keep those reviews coming and I will keep the chapters coming.

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"Tell me it's not true!" Aragorn yelled as he stormed into his father's hall.

Arathorn looked up. So the little elf has been talking, he thought to himself with a grin.

"Tell me it's not true!" Aragorn repeated. "Tell me you did not kill my mother." He walked straight up to his father and looked him in the eye.

The King of Gondor calmly stood up. "Of course I did, Aragorn. I didn't have a choice."

Aragorn couldn't believe it. A terrible rage filled him. So everything the elf said has been true. "How could you?! She was my mother. She was an innocent women. She did nothing to deserve her fate. She-"

"Is that what the elf told you?" exclaimed the king, interrupting Aragorn. "And did he also tell you that your mother didn't want you to be born? Did he tell you that she didn't want you to rule Gondor? Did the elf tell you that the woman who was your mother wanted to give you up to the shadow of Dol Guldur? Why else do you think she went to Mirkwood?"

"The elf said she was hiding from you."

"And you believed him?"

Aragorn looked down. "I...I don't know."

Arathorn put his hands firmly on his son's shoulders. "My son, have I ever done you wrong? Was it not I who raised you and taught you all that you know, preparing you to one day take my place on the throne?"

"Forgive me, father. I was wrong to question you." If all his father had said was true, then Aragorn had no reason to doubt. His mother deserved death. Or did she? Is death ever a deserved punishment?

"I ask only for one explanation, father," Aragorn continued. "Just answer this: why so much blood had to be spilled for the sake of one woman? And why keep all of it hidden from me if what you did was indeed just?"

His father let out a sigh and turned away, avoiding Aragorn's eyes. "I wanted to protect you. All of it was for you. Gilraen had the Elves on her side. Together they wanted to destroy me and my line. I had to get you back from their clutches before they gave you up to the darkness. Aragorn, you were a mere child. But you are destined to become a powerful ruler. They knew that. They knew that only the darkness could destroy you. I had to get rid of them. All of them. For your sake. As for keeping it hidden, you know now. Is that not all that matters?"

Thrown into bewilderment, Aragorn could not find any words within him. He believe his father. Didn't he? What did his father gain from lying? But if what the elf said was true...no, it's not true! It can't be. The elf is just trying to trick me so that I may believe him, thought Aragorn. He wanted to save his skin and nothing else.

Both Aragorn and Arathorn were distracted when Deor walked in all of a sudden.

"My lords, Gandalf the Gray has come. He brings tiding with him. Whether ill or good I cannot say, but he demands to be seen."

"Let him come. Gandalf has always been a good friend. His presents is always welcome," said Arathorn.

With a bow, Deor stepped to the side and allowed the aged wizard to walk pass him.

"Hail, Arathorn, high King of Gondor!" exclaimed Gandalf.

"Welcome, Mithrandir. Please, come forth and reveal what news you bring with you, be they fair or foul."

Gandalf looked from Arathorn to Aragorn and gave him a small nod, which the prince returned. He then spoke, "My news is for the King of the Gondor."

Arathorn understood the hint and signaled his son to leave. Aragorn bowed his head slightly and left the hall.

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Legolas lay upon the stone floor. His wound had reopened for the guards were not to careful with him as they led him back to a familiar place. Yet his wound was not what worried him, even if it did make him weaker than he wished to be. He knew he would not last long, but he wanted to die with Aragorn knowing the truth nonetheless. However, that was no longer an option. Arathorn had confused him during all these years. It's no wonder Aragorn had not believed him. Legolas had hoped that Gilraen's blood still flowed within Aragorn and he would open his eyes.

/Flashback/

Gilraen's screams echoed throughout the forest. Elven women were around her passing around water and fresh cloths, all to busy to notice the young Mirkwood prince. He wasn't suppose to be there, but he was much too curious. Besides, he could be of help, though he didn't know how.

Melian was by Gilraen's side, holding her hand and whispering words of comfort. Sweat poured from Gliraen's forehead and Melian gently wiped it with a wet cloth. Even in her current state, Legolas thought that Gilraen never looked lovelier. Just then, Nalithin, a healer elf, gave Gliraen a bundle she had in her hands. Gilraen took it gratefully.

"Aragorn, my son," she said, smiling at the crying child within her hands. "You are the Hope of Men."

The Hope of Men, Legolas thought to himself. "Estel," he said aloud.

The women looked up upon hearing his voice, noticing for the first time that he was standing there. Gilraen smiled at him before saying, "Come here, Legolas."

Legolas obeyed. He walked over to her bed and looked at the child she held to her bosom, who stopped crying and looked up at him with big silver eyes. The elven prince carefully lifted the baby and held him in his arms.

"Aragorn, son of Arathorn," he said, "the Hope of Men you are. Alas, I name you Estel." He placed a kiss upon the child's forehead before returning him to his mother.

"He has your light in him," Legolas told Gilraen. "And he will use it well."

"Thank you, prince," Gilraen answered.

"Come, Legolas," Melian said, leading her son away. "Your father is in need of you. Arathorn shall be attacking soon. You need to protect Aragorn. Promise me you will protect him at all costs and will not let him walk the path of his father."

"I promise mother."

/End of Flashback/

Tears clouded his eyes as Legolas remember Gilraen and his mother. He had failed them both. Aragorn will never again be Estel. With that, darkness overtook him and his eyelids fell.

tbc.....

I don't really think that counts as a cliffie, but you could if you want. Please r/r.

Ella