Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Still wish I owned Aragorn, but some dreams just do not come true. sighs ; )

Thanks to all my reviewers! I read them all and I am glad that you are enjoying my story. I am not sick anymore! Yippee! Now that I'm all better, here's another update.

Elrond was in his study with Glorfindel, thumbing through pages of century old text books looking for information about Mistad. Finally, after about an hour of searching, Elrond came across exactly what he had been looking for.

"Glorfindel, I have found it. I was correct in my assumption. I know exactly what Mistad is and why it is here," Elrond said.

"What is it?"

"It is a Ráne Mánu or a wandering spirit. I will explain when we return to Estel and Legolas. They need to know about this more than anyone."

Elrond took the text book and gestured for Glorfindel to follow him, leaving the room enveloped in silence with numerous books scattered over tables, chairs, and the floor. The study was empty, except for a figure standing in the corner, silently gazing at the place that held so many memories of times past…a place that was once home.

Elrond entered the quarters where Aragorn and Legolas were sleeping, with Glorfindel at his heels. When Elladan saw his father, he automatically rose from his chair and motioned for his father to have a seat. Elrohir, with inquiry in his eyes, looked at his father.

"I found what I was looking for and we have nothing to fear. As soon as Estel and Legolas awaken, I will explain everything," Elrond stated answering their unspoken questions.

As if on queue Aragorn began to stir and slowly he opened his eyes. He glanced at his father and then he remembered where his father had gone. He quickly sat up in his bed. Too quickly though, for dizziness overtook him and a dull ache throbbed in his ribs. When the dizzy spell finally abated he opened his eyes to find his family staring questioningly at him. He smiled slightly and told them that he was alright. Wanting to change the subject, he quickly asked his father what he had found.

"Well, I do believe my assumption was correct, and I will explain to you the whole story when Legolas is awake, because I would really not like to repeat it a second time, just in case there are ears that should not be listening…like Sarkáhn."

"There is no need to worry Lord Elrond. I am fully awake and quite interested to learn about what you have discovered," Legolas stated from the bed he was now sitting on.

"Story time yet again, oh joy," Elladan muttered with dread in his voice thinking that no one heard his comment.

Before Elrond could respond, Aragorn did with a bit of anger and annoyance in his voice.

"If you do not wish to be present then I suggest you leave the room. This may not seem important to you but I need to know and learn all I can about this creature Mistad. He is haunting my sleep and tormenting my mind. You do not have to go to sleep at night wondering if you are going to witness your friend's and family's death right before your eyes. You do not have some malicious creature threatening to take away your whole family…your home…your life." Aragorn's voice slightly abated as the last words came out in a whisper. The anger seemed to fade just to be replaced by bitterness and sorrow. "You, my dear brother, have no idea and I hope to the Valar that you never have to know what it is like. So, if listening to another story is such a hardship for you then please…just leave me alone."

Aragorn had tears in his eyes as the weight of a thousand worries came spilling out. All of the miseries, fears, and mysteries from the last week were present in every word that was spoken. He turned his head and looked away from his family, ashamed for his outburst.

Elladan, who was sitting in a state of shock with mouth slightly open, could not bear the feeling of grief that he felt through his brother's words. Shaking himself out of his trance, he stood up and embraced his brother. He hugged Aragorn against his chest as if nothing in the world could break them apart. Estel was his little brother. It was his job to protect him and to keep him safe from all the dangers of the world. 'That's what big brothers do,' He thought to himself.

"I'm sorry, Estel," He whispered to his brother as he held him in his arms. "You did not deserve that. I should not have acted like that. Can you ever forgive me for my deplorable behavior?"

Aragorn, who was reluctant to break off the embrace, pulled back and looked Elladan in the eye.

"No, gwador nin, there is nothing to forgive. I should be the one asking for forgiveness. I should not have snapped at you like that. I am ashamed."

"Estel, you did not do anything wrong. All that you did was show that you are human and not invincible. Everyone, even elves, need a time when they can get everything off their chest and release all their anger and heartache about all the unfair events that fate throws intheir direction. There is nothing to be ashamed of."

Aragorn smiled at his brother with love and gratitude in his eyes. For once, he felt completely secure and the burdens seemed to have lifted off of his shoulders. He felt a slight peace now that he hadn't felt before.

Seeing that both brothers made their peace, Elrond decided that it was a good time to break the silence and continue with the information that he had discovered.

"If you please, my sons, and be seated, I will tell you what I have found. I have discovered that Mistad is one of the Ráne Mánu, or wandering spirits. They are the spirits of those who have died and left this world without fulfilling their entire purpose. More often they are the victims of suicide or murder. They try to find peace, but instead, they face a half life where their souls refuse to rest until their work is complete. Because they are dead, they are forced to contact those of the living through apparitions, visions, and even physical contact. They use the living in order to help them find their eternal peace that they so very much desire. In the case of Mistad, I believe it is here in order to rewrite a past mistake or it has returned because something else has drawn it here…something like Sarkáhn. However, what puzzles me the most about this particular soul is that its name is Mistad, the elvish word for 'error'."

Elrond became silent as he began to contemplate the reasons behind such a name.

"This soul has obviously got something to do with Sarkáhn," Legolas said voicing his own thoughts. "What if Mistad is one of Sarkáhn's victims? Could it be…that maybe…maybe Mistad was the young elfling child that was killed by Sarniâ?"

"That thought has already crossed my mind, Legolas. And that could be a plausible explanation, but something doesn't seem to quite fit. There has to be more to this creature than meets the eye."

"Ada, why can it not be the elfling child? Mistad could be its name because the child was unjustly murdered. It all fits," Elladan stated with conviction in his voice.

"I agree with Elladan and Legolas," Elrohir stated. "It must be the child. He must be here to warn us so that no one else is murdered. He must be here to prevent the destruction of the elves."

While the elves debated back and forth about whom Mistad was, Aragorn sat with his back against the pillows deep in thought. He had his own theory but he did not wish to share it with the others until he was completely positive about his conclusion. Elrond noticed his unusual quietness and felt a burst of concern for his son.

"Estel? Are you alright? You seem to be in a daze."

"Oh, I am fine," Aragorn said as if off in a distant world. "I was just thinking."

"Well, do you have an opinion about this situation? You of all people have come into contact with it more than once. Did you feel any emotions emanating from Mistad?" Glorfindel asked.

"I do have my own theories, but…I do not want to jump to any conclusions. And to your last question, yes I did sense emotions now that I think about it. There was sadness there… and a sense of loneliness." Aragorn sat pensively as he analyzed how he felt when he was in contact with the creature. "There was also a feeling of…anticipation and…friendliness, as strange as that sounds. I could feel no evil, malice, or revenge in Mistad…only…care." His words were chosen carefully as he relayed his feelings to the attentive elves. He was having trouble describing it to them because it was something that needed to be felt rather than explained to other people.

"I believe that in order for us to find out the identity of Mistad, we must take our next step and contact Mistad," Elrond said tiredly.

"I understand, ada, but did the book state how we are supposed to contact one of the Ráne Mánu?" Aragorn asked.

"Yes, and we must do it tonight for I do not think that we have time to waste."

AN: Dun, dun, dun…Mistad is coming! What interesting things will we learn from this encounter? Identities will be revealed. The mystery solved. Coming soon! Please review! ; )