A/N  Sorry about the wait, Aragorn was refusing to feel guilty.  *glares at stubborn Ranger*  Plus, midterms and depression got together and scared my plot away when I wasn't looking. Now there're two chapters floating around my hard drive that I can't use. (Anyone want one, going cheap!) 

Thanks to everyone who keeps reviewing, my ego loves you all.

          Aragorn had been on edge all day, the continuing search for their Hobbit friends warring with his sudden surges of guilt at what he now remembered doing.  The meeting with the Rohan riders barely entered his thoughts, beyond an occasional strain of gratitude for the loan of two horses.  But now the horses were gone, and a white phantom seemed to be at their door.  Gimli had gone to take his own look at the evidence, trying to find sign of either man or beast, despite Aragorn's inability to locate either.  The Ranger decided to take advantage of the moment.

          "Legolas," he said hesitantly, laying a hand on the elf's shoulder.  He was briefly surprised that he had gotten so close, but realized from the elf's startled gasp that Legolas' had been elsewhere.  The archer whirled to face him, one hand going to his dagger.  Aragorn released his shoulder and dropped back a step defensively, trying to placate his companion.

          "What do you want, Aragorn?" Legolas asked shortly.  Aragorn hid a shudder at the ill-disguised fear and hate in the harsh voice.

          "We need to talk," the Man said cautiously. 

          Legolas made a disbelieving sound.  "I hardly think that speech will recover what is lost between us, Strider."  The elf turned to move away, but Aragorn made a desperate grab and caught one thin wrist.  He could not lose this opportunity, he had to repair the damage he'd inflicted.

          "Legolas, please-"

          "Let him go," came a gruff order.  Gimli's reappearance surprised the Man into releasing his hold.  Legolas pulled his arm away and moved to the dwarf's side, indicating that he would stand watch.  Aragorn stood silently, rage and shame burning in his chest.  His opportunity had vanished.

          He watched as the dwarf gently caught the same hand and pulled back the sleeve.  The Man shuddered openly at the finger-shaped bruises already forming on the archer's pale skin.  Legolas tried to yank his arm back, but the dwarf murmured something too low for the Ranger to hear and the elf desisted.  Gimli applied some of the all purpose salve they all carried for minor injuries, speaking quietly to his friend as he went.  Finished, he released the elf, who disappeared up a nearby tree to watch for trouble.  Aragorn waited in apprehension as the shortest of the trio approached him, clearly intending to have words with him.

          "What the hell was that?" Gimli demanded angrily.  "I step away for two minutes, and you're at him again!"

          "I- need to talk to him," Aragorn replied weakly, realizing how pathetic he sounded.

          Gimli obviously agreed with the Man's self-evaluation, snorting in disgust.  "And to talk you must leave bruises?"  He did not allow the Man to reply.  "You've hurt him enough, I'll wager.  I've seen marks on his skin before, and I can certainly find the ones on his soul to match.  Physical harm can be forgiven, but betrayal leaves wounds much harder to heal."  The dwarf took a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself.  "Stay away from Legolas," he warned.  "If he wishes to speak to you, it will be on his terms, in his own time.  You will not inflict yourself upon him just to soothe your troubled mind."  The dwarf settled himself below the tree Legolas had mounted, still sending evil glances at the Ranger.  No one slept much that night.

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Yes, very very short.  Sorry, but I wanted to put something up.  I got a new idea tonight, but I don't know how long it'll take to write, so here this is.  Plus, I'm finally going to get to see TTT tomorrow night, maybe I'll be inspired.