Hello everyone!

What? Long wait?

Well, I didn't update early for nothing! This chapter was hard to write and I still don't like it, but I felt that I should update.

Sorry!

But before the story, let me tell you: No matter what you've heard, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is TOTALLY AWESOME! And Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) is NOT insane! And Johnny Depp is SUPER COOL in it!

To tell the truth, I liked it better than the book, even though they have some minor changes. And speaking of books, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was AWESOME as well. Even though SOMEBODY dies…

Now, back to the story. There will be a lot more Eowyn in this chapter, and some nice interaction with hobbits. Oh, and as for Aragorn…

Onward!

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Gandalf gently unclasped Legolas's hands from Aragorn's. He did not protest, but he focused on Aragorn's face with a drawn look, seemingly willing him to awaken once more. But Gandalf worked quickly.

First he carefully unwrapped Ioreth's bundle. True to her word, there were ten almost-fresh leaves of athelas. He lifted out a single leaf and forced open Aragorn's mouth. Inside it he gently placed the leaf on his tongue. Gandalf softly shut his mouth and grasped Aragorn's wrists. There was no change, no pulse, but Gandalf could still detect a trace of living warmth.

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Meanwhile, Eowyn was standing impatiently next to Legolas's chair, wishing that she could be more helpful. Gandalf seemed to be doing the best he could as fast as he could, but she couldn't shrug off the feeling that Aragorn was getting farther and farther away from their aid. She took a deep breath and turned away. Eowyn needed to calm herself down.

Her gaze turned to Merry and Pippin. Merry was still on the floor, but he was in a sitting position and was looking hopefully toward the bed. Pippin, however, was sitting next to him, head bowed. Eowyn made her way next to him.

"Pippin, what is wrong? Are you hurt?" Pippin raised his head incredulously.

"'What's wrong?' Everything! I couldn't save Lord Denethor from being burned alive, and now it seems that I have failed Aragorn as well. I knew he would be in trouble when he went back there. I should have gone with him. I could have saved him. That, my lady, is what's wrong." Eowyn gaped at him.

"Pippin, what on earth are you talking about? You haven't failed anyone!" Pippin laughed bitterly.

"Oh, no, except for two leaders of the entire Middle-Earth, I haven't failed anyone! Didn't you hear me? I couldn't save them!" Eowyn shook her head and grasped his shoulders, turning his tearstained face towards hers.

"Pippin, you have not failed anyone. Denethor burned himself alive. You couldn't do anything more than you did, which is already great! You saved his heir, Lord Faramir, from certain death! You-"

"No," Pippin interrupted. "Aragorn saved Faramir. I simply helped bring him from the Houses of the Dead to-"

"To The Houses of the Living! Of healing! If you hadn't saved him from flame, Aragorn would not have been able to save him! And as for Aragorn…" she broke off and looked toward the bed.

"Aragorn's passing was no one's fault besides Harnad's. And when he went back, none could deter him from his loyalty to his friends. If you and Merry both came with us, doubtless we would have had more people to make a stand, but then the enemy would have simply sent more men. And then you might have been hurt as well." Eowyn paused. Pippin looked down again.

"Pippin, why do you still despair? There is still hope for him! Did you not hear? Aragorn may be able to heal himself." Pippin looked up sadly.

"My lady, I do not know what to hope for. If the athelas will bring him back, then there shall be none happier than I. But what if it doesn't? What if-"

"No." Eowyn interrupted again. "Doubt is the path to despair. Have faith in him. It is not his time." Pippin smiled, a true smile that lit his face behind the tears. Without knowing it, Eowyn leaned forward and embraced the hobbit warmly. But their moment was interrupted by a sudden burst of light from the bed.

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After placing the athelas, Gandalf grasped Aragorn's wrists and pulled his hands together. He looked with sorrow at the Ring of Barahir, remembering the first day Aragorn had been told of his heritage, and how far he had come, only to meet his demise. But if there was a way to change it…

Gandalf shook away his memories and placed Aragorn's hands above his still heart. He could still feel warmth from his body affecting the air around him. Now was the time. He turned to Eowyn, but she was sitting with the hobbits. Gimli noticed this.

"Gandalf, what is it? Do you need something?" Gandalf smiled softly.

"Nay, Gimli, but perhaps you can help me. I am going to push my healing power into his hands to reawaken their strength, and hopefully restore his heartbeat. All I ask is that you hold down my hands. This will affect me a little, I fear, and I cannot bring my hands away from his." Gimli nodded, and after giving Legolas a quick squeeze on the shoulder, he firmly grasped Gandalf's hands.

"Gandalf…you will not be hurt from this, will you? I would not have you put yourself in danger."

"No, Gimli, it will simply tax my strength, which is nothing a little bed rest won't solve. Are you ready?" Gimli nodded. Gandalf took a deep breath and after a quick prayer to the Valar, began.

He pushed all of his strength and power out of his hands and into Aragorn's. A white light began to spread through his fingers, slow, but strong. Gandalf felt a sudden burst of pain through his wrists and stifled a cry. Gimli tightened his grip. Steadily, the light began to grow, spreading across Aragorn's chest, and seemingly entering it.

Gandalf struggled to remain upright. It was taxing him more than he thought to do this, but suddenly he felt movement under his fingers. Aragorn's hands were twitching, and color was returning to his face. Legolas immediately leapt up and pressed a hand to the side of Aragorn's neck, praying to find a pulse.

He did.

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Well, there you go! As some of you might have suspected, this story is winding down. Perhaps one or two more chapters more…

Thank you to all of my wonderful reviewers, and as usual, I will be sending responses via email, so please either sign in or include your email address when you review!

AND PLEASE REVIEW!

QueenofFlarmphgal