Aragorn walked through the halls once again like earlier and soon stopped at an open balcony. Stepping out into the sunshine, he reached out and gripped tightly onto the stone outcropping and swung off the balcony. His hands and feet searched and easily found holds to propel him upwards. Reaching the roof, he sat on the edge and looked out across the wide expanse of Minas Tirith before taking in a deep lungful of air.

"It is quite beautiful up here."

Aragorn didn't need to look to know it was Legolas who spoke. He had sensed the elf just moments before he spoke and he turned to look at the Mirkwood archer. He crouched at the apex of the roof as he watched the Lorien elf silently. They stared at each other for a moment before Legolas moved to sit beside Renatus and look out across the city. Aragorn raised an eyebrow before turning back to the sight in front of them.

"I thought Aragorn kept nothing from me. Apparently I was wrong for he never spoke to me about you," Legolas said quietly as he wrapped his arms around his legs.

"Strider held something back from everyone. He did not want to be an open book to anyone, even his best friend. Did you tell him about everything in your life?"

"I admit that I did not but it was close."

"There is always a small piece of yourself that you are unwilling to reveal. Call it your deepest, darkest thought or memory. I know that I have one as does everyone else. Do you know yours?"

Aragorn turned and looked to the elf beside him to see Legolas' brows furrow in concentration. The Mirkwood elf nodded to prove that Renatus spoke correctly.

"There were some things that you did not tell Estel and you do not tell Gimli. There is always something that we do not want others to know; our deepest, darkest secrets."

"And what is yours, Renatus?"

Aragorn held Legolas' gaze for a moment before turning back to look out across the city. All of his secrets were now with Eldarion in his journal; secrets that he buried deep where no one could find them and now Eldarion had everything.

Both elves jumped when a scream ripped through the air from the edge of the city, outside of the first tier. Without speaking, they jumped up and ran across the roofs towards the lower tiers. Aragorn leapt onto nearby buildings as his feet lightly fell upon the roofs. Legolas and he matched stride for stride as they ran through the city. Reaching the city's last tier, they jumped down to the streets and ran out the large gates. Both had their bows out with arrows notched and ready to fly as they scanned the area. A woman came running around the nearest corner, sobbing hysterically and Legolas had to drop his bow and arrow just as the woman collapsed in front of Legolas.

"Stay with her," Aragorn ordered softly without looking to the other elf.

His aim was steady as he slowly approached the corner and rounded it. Flies buzzed around noisily as he raised his eyes to look at what had the flies' attention. He slowly lowered his bow and arrow before slipping the arrow into the quiver at the gruesome sight before him. A young woman, possibly just pass her twenty-second birthday, was practically nailed up to the wall. She was nude and her lower abdomen had been sliced open and her intestines spilled out to the ground under her. The corpse's face had multiple cuts to disfigure it and upon its chest was the carved symbol of the Corsairs. Aragorn's emotions shut down immediately to keep his head clear and not cloud his thoughts. Scanning the ground, he noted all the surrounding tracks and quickly drew his impressions. Finishing that, he neared the body and carefully brought down the body to rest it upon the grass. Several feet away were the woman's discarded and torn clothing which Aragorn reached for. Pulling on the piece of clothing, whatever was under it was pulled over and bundles of flowers were scattered. Aragorn stared at it silently while hearing soldiers' footsteps and Legolas' voice directing them. Shaking out the clothing, he carefully draped it over the female body to shield her from the soldiers' eyes and protect what little respect she had left. Bowing his head, he spoke a small prayer for her before slipping his arms under the body and walked in the direction he came from. Legolas and the soldiers slid to a stop and quickly parted to allow the silver haired elf passage. The soldiers dropped their gazes when they saw Renatus' eyes and the solid mental wall behind his gaze. He walked silently with the wrapped body and went through the city to arrive at the House of Mourning. Gently easing the body onto an empty slab, he braced his hands on the edge and stared at the wall in front of him. On the wall was a carved stone tablet with an inscription that his elvish eyes easily read. 'Here once laid a great king, a great man, and a great brother and friend. He brought the kingdoms together and challenged Sauron himself. Forever remembered, Aragorn, son of Arathorn; King Elessar. Live free, die well, Strider.'

Closing his eyes tightly, a renegade tear escaped from under his eyelids and slowly traveled down his cheek. The tear fell and splashed onto the lifeless hand that dangled from under the clothing. Even in a new body with another chance to fix things, he could not keep his people safe.

"My father never wanted this. He hated the death of civilians."

Aragorn listened as Eldarion slowly approached and stood by him. He slowly pulled the cloth down to reveal the young woman's face and sighed deeply. Lowering the cloth again, Eldarion stepped away and ran a hand over his face.

"It was the Corsairs that did this. They are trying to scare you into doing something foolish and rash. They know that they cannot win in a fair battle so they are using other tactics," Aragorn said before turning to look at Eldarion.

"I know but I will not fall to their level. This is below honorable for a warrior and a war."

"Have you not read your father's writings or looked outside the city? War is not honorable and neither are most of the men that fight in them! The only thing honorable would be a way to solve conflicts without warfare and death! Without the killing of women and children. War changes men for the worst," Aragorn snapped angrily as he gestured towards the dead body.

"My father had hopes that men could change."

"Aragorn's hopes changed after all that he saw and went through. Read his journal, and by the time you finish you will understand."

"What should we do about the Corsairs?"

"Nothing as of yet. Put out a notice to all civilians that no one should travel alone outside the city walls during day or night. Instruct the wall guards and all the guards upon the Rammas Echor to be on alert," Aragorn said and Eldarion nodded.

"We should try to find her family and inform them of her death."

"They will come looking for her when she does not reappear. They may already be looking for her; give the soldiers a description of her and tell them to keep their ears open."

Eldarion agreed silently as he crossed his arms across his chest as in deep thought.

"Legolas awaits you outside. I believe he is worried about you."

A grin barely reached Aragorn's lips as he stared at the stone wall in front of him. Even in a new body and with no knowledge on his part, Legolas still protected him and worried. Just like so many years ago, Aragorn thought as he ran his fingers through his silver hair. Nodding slowly, he turned and walked out of the stone building to almost run into the blond haired elf. Legolas looked over the other elf with a critical eye before meeting Renatus' gaze.

"Are you well?"

"Aye, I am well. Please, pardon me Lord Legolas, but I have some things that I must do. Lord Gimli is probably looking for you."

Aragorn turned and walked towards the citadel to collect a few of his things. He had a plan and would only do it alone; not drag Legolas and Gimli with him. He would wait until nightfall to leave and hide in the shadows as he slipped outside of the city's walls. He would hunt the Corsairs tonight.

(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)

Aragorn's elvish eyes pierced the darkness and shadows as he crouched atop the stone wall. The hood of his dark cloak covered his silver hair as he held the cloak tightly around him and sprinted down the length of the wall. Soon he was sprinting across the Pelennor Fields and climbing up and over the Rammas Echor. It was difficult for him as an elf so he knew that no man could climb up without some type of aid. His quiver was full upon his back with his twin knives and bow ready for use. He was going to locate the Corsairs main camp and see what else he could learn. It had been hard deciding whether to tell Legolas and Gimli or not. In the end he decided not to tell them; he didn't need the added worry of minding his words to protect his identity.

The forest welcomed him silently as he slipped between the trees. His feet took him along the same path to where the camp was a few days prior. Kneeling in the dirt, his fingertips drifted over the disturbed soil as he read the subtle signs. Standing, he sprinted into the forest and tracked the trail with his eyes as he ran. He ran for about an hour and envisioned that the trail was taking him around to the front of Minas Tirith. Slowing to a stop, he listened closely and picked up the faint wisps of a conversation or several of them from ahead.

Glancing to the trees, he leapt up and moved along the tree branches to get closer. A small campfire was the only thing providing light for this group of Corsairs. Staying in the shadows, he crouched on a tree limb near the fire and listened closely to the conversations.

"…at early hour on the third day, we will attack. Our mole says that everything will be ready and we can overtake the city. The soldiers and guards will be fractured and in ruins. The first gate will be unmanned and once we breech the second, Minas Tirith will fall to us."

Aragorn's eyes narrowed at the words as he carefully leaned forward. He knew that the first gate would never be unmanned voluntarily. Only a king's order could make it happen and Eldarion would never do that unless the first tier was evacuated to the upper tiers. But why would the soldiers and guards be in disarray?

"How trustful is your mole?"

"Very; he is close to the king and could assassinate him at any moment if he chooses to. The plan is fool proof."

It must have been a kick back from his luck as a human for one of the men tossed a piece of wood into the fire and sent a cloud of sparks into Aragorn's face. Shielding his face quickly and trying to beat out the small flames that started on his tunic, his balance wavered and for the second time in two days he fell from a tree and into the small camp fire. Immediately feeling the scorching heat and hearing the startled yells, he rolled away from the fire and quickly stood to start running. Arrows rained around him and one pierced his left side to jut out the front as another nicked his calf and sent him stumbling as his hand wrapped around the bloody arrow shaft. He soon out ran the arrows but could hear the raised voices from somewhere behind him. Gasping in pain, he glanced down at the wound and bit his bottom lip before breaking the shaft. Glaring at the arrow head, he tossed it aside and took a deep breath before jerking the arrow out from the back. Wadding up the bottom of his tunic, he pressed it to the wounds as he glanced to his calf. The arrow had only grazed him but it hurt like Mordor. Checking behind him again, he started off towards Minas Tirith with two bleeding wounds. Oh yeah, the healers were just going to love him.

Blood poured heavily from his side by the time he reached the gates of the Rammas Echor. The blood loss was making him dizzy and light headed but he knew he couldn't pass out until he found one of any three people. He saw a horse standing quietly by the gate where Aragorn could hear three voices. Two of them sounded vaguely familiar as he stumbled closer. He would borrow the horse and ride to the city to raise the alert and inform Eldarion of what he heard.

"Renatus!"

Aragorn weakly looked up and saw Legolas come around the horse. Gimli soon appeared behind him as they gaped at the bloody elf. Legolas dove forward and caught Aragorn just as he fell to his knees in exhaustion and pain.

"What happened to you, Renatus?"

"Corsairs…they have…a mole in…the Citadel…assassinate Eldarion…must guard him," he muttered through clenched teeth as Legolas lowered him to the ground.

Legolas yelled at the guard that manned the gates to light a warning lamp. It would put the other gates on alert as well as the city's guards and the king would be highly protected. Aragorn sighed in relief but was still worried. The Corsairs had said that it was someone close to Eldarion and had several opportunities to kill him. He could still be in danger.

Aragorn struggled to stand as his mind yelled this realization at him. His fatherly instincts were over shadowing his pain and blood loss as he brushed aside Legolas' restraining hands.

"You need to lay down, Renatus! You have lost a lot of blood!" Legolas said and tried to push the other elf back.

"No; I need to…ensure that the…King is safe," he murmured as the world started to tilt.

"We will, Renatus. Worry not."

"Aye, laddie. We shall deal with it," Gimli said as Renatus' eyes rolled into the back of his head and he slipped into unconsciousness.

Gimli and Legolas looked to each other concerned. Calling over his horse, Legolas scooped Renatus into his arms and hurried to Arod. Gimli promised that he would soon follow as the horse and two elves fled into the darkness. Legolas held Renatus close to his chest as Arod galloped across the field. There were extra guards at the gate that made him slow and identify himself. The streets were silent as he rode up through the multiple tiers to reach the royal healing ward. Shouting for the healers, he slipped off Arod and ran into the ward with the bleeding elf in his arms.

"Call for the king!" Legolas yelled and carefully set Renatus on one of the tables.

Grabbing one of the clean towels from the racks, he pressed it against the wound and looked towards the door. He could hear the running footsteps nearing the healing ward before the doors burst open. Eldarion appeared and Legolas was suddenly reminded of Aragorn whenever he was summoned to the healing ward for an emergency. He would immediately drop everything and run for the healing ward to help the patient. It was the same with Eldarion; the injured came first and it was his responsibility as one of the master healers. Sometimes Legolas was amazed how similar Aragorn and Eldarion were.

"What happened?" Eldarion asked as he quickly washed his hands.

"Gimli and I went to look for Renatus in his room and did not find him. All his weapons were gone so we assumed that he left the city. We were talking with the guards at the gate of the Rammas Echor and Renatus stumbled into sight. He said that there was a mole in the Citadel that would try to assassinate you. He was quite adamant about getting to you," Legolas explained as he passed instruments to Eldarion.

Eldarion nodded distractedly before swearing under his breath and throwing aside a blood soaked towel. Reaching to the nearby table, he grabbed a tin and flipped off the lid with his thumb.

"This will hopefully slow and stop the bleeding so I can stitch the wound. Valar, what made this?"

"A Corsairs' arrow. The shafts are designed to cause the utmost damage if it is pulled out," Legolas said as Eldarion sprinkled the powder over the wound.

The blood immediately clotted as Eldarion grabbed the needle and thread. Legolas carefully cut away the remainder of the tunic and frowned when the tunic seemed to stick to his skin. Lifting Renatus' arm, Legolas swore swiftly at what he saw.

"His back is burned. I cannot tell how extensive it is," Legolas said as Eldarion sighed.

"Are there any other injuries that are hidden from my sight?" Eldarion asked as he washed out the wound before starting to stitch the entrance wound.

Legolas carefully looked over Renatus' body, looking for any large blood stains. Stopping at the elf's right calf, he ripped open the already torn legging and reached for the irrigating solution. Legolas had learned several healing techniques from Aragorn and could heal small injuries like shallow cuts and a simple broken bone. The arrow wound was not deep enough for stitches so he spread on a sweet smelling ointment before wrapping the wound.

"Help me turn him."

Eldarion and Legolas carefully rolled Renatus onto his stomach as Gimli hurried into the healing ward.

"How is he?"

"We are still working on him, Lord Gimli, but right now he is on the border and could go either way. He has lost a lot of blood from his wounds," Eldarion answered as he worked on the arrow's entrance wound.

"Has he woken?"

"Nay, Gimli, he has not. Are the guards on alert?"

"Aye, though they do not know why. I was in my chambers when four Guards of the Citadel entered and escorted me to the throne room. They only said that the torches at the posts had been ignited. Then a healer came for me saying there was an injured elf in the healing ward and I was needed," Eldarion said as he carefully pulled the tunic away from the minor burns. "Gimli, could you please go and find my sister, Alcarohtarë. I may need her help soon."

Gimli nodded and disappeared quickly as Legolas looked questioningly to
Eldarion. The king remained focused on Renatus but knew the elf was curious.

"Alcarohtarë is better at calling back elves while I am good with humans. I believe it is from interacting with so many humans and not many elves."

Legolas nodded in understanding and helped Eldarion with the minor burns on Renatus' back. The elf would occasionally groan and try to shift away from the pain as they dressed the burns. Finishing their task, the doors opened and Alcarohtarë appeared in a robe with Gimli and a soldier behind her.

"What is wrong?" she asked as Eldarion beckoned her over.

"Renatus encountered some Corsairs, we believe. He has lost a lot of blood and has yet to awaken."

Alcarohtarë nodded and rested one hand atop Renatus' head and her other hand on his lower back. Her eyes fluttered shut as she slowly slid into Renatus' unconscious mind and searched for him. Eldarion and the other watched and waited as the young woman's eyes flitted rapidly under her eyelids. With a sudden choked gasp, she leapt backwards as her hands covered her mouth to smother the cry. Eldarion stepped towards his sister concerned but stopped at her raised hand. Her wide blue eyes stared at Renatus' unconscious body before looking to Legolas and Eldarion. Her shock was apparent as he released a shuddered breath.

"Oh Valar…"

(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)

Wow, I never expected that it would take me this long to get a new chapter out to this story. Oh well, being a full time student with 18 credit hours and a full time employee working 40 hours plus kind cuts down on my writing time. So I deeply apologize for taking so long with this chapter. I truly did not mean to take so long but it was unavoidable. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter and again I apologize for taking so long.

AND GUESS WHAT????? I AM FINALLY 21 YEARS OLD! DRINKS FOR EVERYONE!

Linuvial Greenleaf- Girl, I was rolling on the floor in hysterics when I read your review and the swimming/penis. I am smiling and chuckling now while rereading it and responding to it. That was one of the best reviews ever. Well, I hope you enjoyed the male swimmers. Next…MARDIS GRAS! Heehee.

Neoinean- I really have no idea where the journal idea came from. I think it was from some movie where there was something similar to it or something like that. I really cannot remember where all my ideas come from anymore. I looked over it when I was researching for this story and now I cannot remember anymore. Oh well, time to go and read up again.

Wolf Jade- Well the slight mix up with the dates was that I came home a day earlier that was expected because of the hurricane that came through Charleston. Those little things just mess everything up. I can well imagine that it really killed you to say that last line. And here I am taking my bloody sweet time writing this most recent chapter; I am such a bad author. I take too damn long to write a simple chapter! I hope you like the chapter and I am so sorry for taking so long to update.

Sielge- I am happy that I made your day. I am really blushing over here at your compliment. Linuvial is a great author and a great gal; do not know Catwjl but if you like her, great! I am actually waiting for Linuvial to finish beta reading this chapter while I type out the reviewers' responses.

Got-lotr- I know I took so damn long. I am sorry, extremely sorry. And I really hate math takes out calculator and starts to compute numbers.

Elysia of Corellia- Dude, just call Carcharoth over. I deserve whatever he decides to give me for taking so long with this chapter. Gah, I am such a horrid author for making you wait so long. Gets down on knees and bows head ready for the death blow. I am ready. I am starting to think that I am related to the Peredhils or the Greenleafs. You should see me at school and work; I have those days that I just can not believe that all of this is happening and I just want to climb back into bed and sleep the rest of the day away where I will be safe. Hopefully. Of course knowing my luck the fire alarm would probably go off and it would be raining outside and I would have left my umbrella in my car. It always happens like that. And I would be wearing a white tank top and it would be cold and the house next to mine is all boys so yeah, just my luck. I apologize deeply for the delay in chapters but it was unavoidable. And I really did not forget about you, I could never forget about you or Carcharoth. I could never forget my favorite werewolf.

Viviana- I thank you much for the beautiful compliment. I love hearing such compliments from my readers and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time.

I missed the last boat- Sometimes I hear sirens going off in my head when I try to write at bad times for me which is early in the morning. I do not write well in the morning; I am a night owl. My writing talent only comes out after the sun sets. Do not know why but it does and I have come to accept it.

Elven Kitten- I have been known to be cruel…rarely but it happens on occasion.

Frodo16424- It is okay if you have not reviewed. I know I have not for several stories. The idea just came to me some time last year and I have slowly been molding it into this story and here it is. Hope you enjoy it.

Kelly Kragen- I have to admit that I was not sure how I was even going to write it when I first came up with it. I was like "No, even I could not pull this one off" but I tinkered and played around with some ideas and this story slowly started to emerge. A huge chunk of thanks goes to Linuvial Greenleaf for helping me out with this story.

XxgemxX- I intended for most people to think that when they read that line. I was just pulling your leg, heehee, I am so evil. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Dha-Gal- I know, Legolas can be a bit overbearing at times. LOL. But it just happened like that; I really did not plan it. When I read your review, I was like really? And I had to go back and reread what all I had in that chapter. Oh well, it is the way the cards fall.

Elvendancer- Do you really want to know what time it is now? 2:50 in the morning…2:50 in the morning! Damn, I have class tomorrow morning at 10:00. Shit.

Lirenel- Thank you so much for the compliment. Enjoy.

Cloud-123- Aragorn had better watch out or he is going to get his ass kicked.

Grumpy- I always say that love comes in all sizes and shapes. You can not help who you love, it just happens.

Kalquelle- Yes, that quote is from William Blake in the Tomb Raider. Good girl kick ass movie. Enjoy!

Beling- Thank you so much for the compliment. I am glad that you are enjoying the story so much. And I bow to you.

Hiei-Rulez- I will share small bits and pieces of his journal in later chapters. Both of those men are friggin hot! And yummy.

Cosmic Castaway- Thank you so much for the compliment. Sorry for taking so long updating, I really did not mean to take so long.

Arrina- Yeah, I know she is going to kill me or sick Carcharoth on me. I knew it was coming. Oh well, I deserve it all.

Alatariel113- I am going to finish it but being a full time student and a full time employee kind of cuts into my writing time but I am going to finish this story if it is the last thing that I do. It might just take me a little while longer than normal.