Wow, I got so many reviews for the last chapter!! Thanx to everyone that commented. It really inspired me to continue the story. I got some good feedback on what should happen in the future and a couple threats for a quick update. I have been a little late in updating, hey, let's hope it was worth the wait. There may be one or two references to incidents in Aragorn and Legolas' past that occur in another story I'm writing. Problem is, I haven't finished posting that story, so if you want to know what happened, you have to read that story too! Ha-ha!! I'm drawing you into my little world!

Warning: Severe Aragorn angst.

And now to my beloved readers:

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LOTRFaith: Thanx! I plan on it.

Xena: Of course! I wouldn't leave you guys hanging!

aybethe: Oh yes, many more plans;)

elfmage: Hennaid evyr mellonin! Fantabulous? Fave stories list? I think I'm going to cry!! THANX!

little-tenshi: *evilgrin*? that worries me a bit...but thanx!

emma: loyal-subjects? I like the sound of that! Yes, I know, I'm addictive...*creepy smile*. I love those stories too, so of course it will!

MoroTheWolfGod: hee-hee, okay, okay!

Deana: yup, you bet he is!

Myst: Actually I had read a couple chapters of that story, but...I feel kinda bad cuz I didn't finish! Oops! I finished reading it after you commented though. So for everyone who was waiting for another chapter, it was Myst's fault!!! *evil grin* Yes, a scapegoat!! What? Did I say that out loud? Anyway, you're right, the similarities are creepy! That story cracked me up though. Man, I hope I don't get flamed for the similarities. I really wasn't trying to do that. Thanx for the heads up mellonin!

Jamie: Thanx, I will!

vanessa: You you you posted posted posted three three three times times times. But thanx anyways!

Sparrow Greenleaf: You like me torturing Legolas do you? You ain't seen nothin' yet!

Philomythus: Your name is hard to type...but that's beside the point. And even tho I may not post it today, I am actually typing it the day you commented. What service!

Jen: a big stick!! Your stick doesn't scare me! I have plot-bunnies armed with boards with nails in them!

Beguile: You seem rather torn up about this...you will be appeased in time:)

ElizabethBlack4: you are the second person to call Legolas lush. I think we have a new Elf descriptor! I'm flattered that you quoted me! Thank you mellonin!

Legolas: Why are you torturing me?

Forceofhobbit: What? How did you get into my response-to-reader section?

Legolas: I don't want to die! Leave me alone!

Forceofhobbit: *with broom in hand* get out of here and back onto that river bank!

Legolas: ...O.o

Forceofhobbit: Here, you guys read this while I attempt to capture Legolas and stuff him back into my story.

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Problems Along the Way

Chapter 6

Strength of Spirit

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Aragorn couldn't believe his eyes. This couldn't be happening! Losing Legolas twice in one day? //Why does this keep happening?!// Aragorn was on his feet and heading after the warg as soon as it had grabbed Legolas. He took no notice of the others following after him, weapons drawn.

The storm was raging on outside. Aragorn couldn't see more than five feet in front of his own face. Thunder tore at his ears and lightning ripped through the sea of black clouds. He clambered over slippery wet rocks looking for something, anything for him to follow. In his desperate search, he tripped over a rock and landed face first in knee deep water.

The river had risen substantially due to the rain. If the warg got into the river and made it across, Aragorn could not follow, and the beast would surely devour his friend. If the warg , however, could not make it across and was swallowed by the river, it took Legolas with it. Because of the rising water there was nowhere left to run, indeed the land around this wall of the ravine seemed like an island surrounded by ever-rising water.

Aragorn pushed himself up on his hands and knees and looked off into the storm. He did the only thing left that he could possibly do.

"LEGOLAS!!!!" His voice was drowned out by the clash of thunder up above. He called again, but his voice was weaker, smaller this time.

"Legolas!" He hung his head down so the tips of his wet hair touched the water rushing around his thighs and forearms. Water ran in drops and rivulets down his face, and only when he felt their warmth did he realize that he was crying. He had known Legolas since before he could remember. He couldn't imagine life without him. He felt more like he was losing a brother than a friend.

"I have failed him," he said in a sob.

He felt a hand give his shoulder a squeeze. He turned his face up in the rain and saw Gandalf standing over him, a very sad and solemn look on his face. The rest of The Fellowship stood behind him on the rocks. Boromir sheathed his sword and turned his face to the ground. Gimli stood with both hands resting on the top of his axe looking directly into Aragorn's eyes. Frodo had his arms wrapped tightly around an openly sobbing Pippin. Aragorn could see tears forming in the eyes of Sam. Merry was staring off into the rain, and still had his little sword in hand, clutching it so tightly that his knuckles had turned a ghostly white.

Aragorn's eyes met Gandalf's once more.

"You have never failed me, my friend," Gandalf said with slow certainty, "and you have not failed him."

"He had only just returned to us..." Aragorn trailed off, staring at the water once more to hide his tears.

"and it is partially because of him that we are all still alive," here he paused and turned back to the rest of the Fellowship. "Come, let us go inside."

With slow, reluctant steps, the Fellowship turned and made their way back to the cave. As he stared into the swirling water, Aragorn's mind wandered back to the first time he met Legolas. He was in the water then too, so long ago.

His spirit was hit with a fresh, burning wave of sorrow as the memories of their times together came flooding back to him. His entire being ached from it. His body was racked with sobs as the tears flowed down his face and joined the river that stole his best friend from him. He clenched his eyes shut tight. Lightning illuminated his shuddering, sobbing form against the rain, and the river and thunder drowned out the sorrowful cries of his aching heart. Bomomir watched silently from the cave as their leader was slowly broken by blow after blow of grief.