It happened that at the same time that Faramir was fighting for his half brother's life in the cave refuge, so Aragorn was also fighting in defense of the Hornburg in Rohan. It was at the end of that battle, once Gandalf had finally managed to show up with some assistance, that Aragorn took a wound to his shoulder. He had taken much worse in his days and, being a healer, was simply able to clean it and dress it without worrying anyone. They had much more to accomplish and Aragorn was starting to get the feeling that Théoden's pigheadedness about the miserly use of his armed resources was going to result in a real loss of time that they did not have on their side. Aragorn knew at some point he would have to go it alone, but he'd been hoping for a little aid to meet him when he got there.

Besides, Aragorn would rather have to amputate his own arm then allow the king's niece to tend it. In his experience, cooking skills and healing skills tended to go hand-in-hand, and… Valar! Perhaps it was not wise to think on that subject after a battle, surely he was feeling green about the gills enough as it was.

"And what's wrong with you, laddie?" enquired a stout Dwarf, but why he had not noticed anyone approaching? Aragorn shook his head slightly to try to focus his thoughts. Why was he so hot in the early days of March? Peeling off his leather tunic and feeling the mail underneath he figured that was what was weighing him down. Trouble was, he didn't really remember that he'd been wearing mail and getting it off seemed to be a rather tricky practice. Again he shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

"Estel, what is troubling you?" asked another, quieter voice beside him.

"I'm thirsty," Aragorn said without really thinking, though he was indeed.

Legolas removed his water canteen and handed it to Aragorn, who drank it down in one swallow. "Stand up?" Legolas asked, offering a hand.

"I am… well, I was," Aragorn said, looking around and noting that he was in fact sitting against a wall, though he had not noticed any downward moving on his part.

"Are you well?" Legolas asked quietly in concern as he pulled his friend to his feet and put a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

"Aye," Aragorn said, though it was a complete lie and he was reasonably sure Legolas would see right through it. "I just need some sleep, I think. It's been rough these last few days."

"Le anta amin tu?" Legolas asked.

Aragorn simply shook his head, though it was unclear if he meant to signal "no" or if he was just trying to get his bearings again. He staggered off toward the Deep in search of somewhere quiet to lie down.

"Well, you'd think he's never seen a battle before!" Gimli said, incredulous that this toughened warrior was so affected by the day's work.

"He has assuredly seen more than his share," Legolas said. "You should ride to Isengard with Mithrandir; I am going to stay here with Estel."

"Aye, that may be for the best. You can work some of that fancy Elven magic to which you so frequently refer and get him back into his saddle so that we can have this War done with."

"I am not a healer, Gimli. I do wish now more than ever that Pilin-nen had joined us instead of Boromir," Legolas said in uneasiness. At Gimli's half-curious, half-annoyed look, Legolas explained that he had called Faramir Pilin-nen ever since he first met the little one, "pilin-nen" meaning "water-bird," as he had found him about to go for a swim, though he was much too young to know how to swim.

So it was that Gimli went on ahead with Gandalf and Théoden to Isengard. He explained to the old Wizard that Aragorn was not feeling well and Legolas thought it best to stay with him so that they could get back on the road in a couple days' time. Gandalf looked a little apprehensive, but then, according to everything he had heard, his old friend had not given himself a break since Boromir's death. More than that, it took no stretch of imagination to see how Aragorn would make himself sick over what had happened to the Ring.

When the weary Ranger had taken him aside and told him of what had happened at Amon Hen, Gandalf only grew even whiter than he already was. It was enough for Aragorn to have had to deal with one loss to their Fellowship, but two was really pressing things. Then when Frodo had regained consciousness later in that day and told Aragorn that Boromir had taken the Ring, the same Boromir whose lifeless body was currently floating down the Anduin… well, it was a wonder that Aragorn had the presence of mind to send Frodo and Sam on to find Faramir. It was now Faramir who was their last hope, for if he did not find his half-brother, or if someone else did, all would be lost.

Into the night after the battle at Helm's Deep, Legolas sat by his long-time friend. Aragorn had fallen into an uncomfortable sleep as soon as he found a relatively cool place to lie down, away from all the clamor as many of the women and children left the refuge in search of their homes, if any remained. Though not a healer or accustomed to dealing with Mortal health, Legolas knew that the important thing was to keep Aragorn drinking.

It was late in the night when a young woman, the king's niece, Legolas thought her to be, found them. "I was told that you did not ride out, so I came looking. I brought some supper," she said offering a bowl to Legolas.

The Elf paled slightly more than usual but smiled kindly. "Thank you, but I… Elves do not eat as often as Men do." He glanced again at Aragorn, wondering if that was what had taken his friend down.

"Perhaps I shall leave this, then, for when Lord Aragorn wakes?" she said hopefully.

Legolas kept his smile in place, though, and said, "actually, what he needs more than anything is fresh, clean water."

"He is unwell?" she asked in obvious alarm.

"I do not know," Legolas replied, though he definitely did know. "I think, for now, he just needs sleep and water." He hoped that much would placate the woman and calm her. It was apparent that this lady of the court of Rohan had developed some manner of affections for Aragorn, but Legolas knew his well enough to know that there was no way he could return those feelings. Still, he had no intention of saying anything that might be hurtful to this woman; her eyes betrayed that she had already been hurt much in her life.

When the company returned from Isengard the next day, Legolas's concern had grown greatly. Aragorn was clearly in discomfort, but the Elf could not get any real response out of him, mostly he only called for his son or father. When Gandalf had a look at him, he lifted up the Ranger into his arms at once. "Is there a competent healer in Edoras?" Gandalf asked Théoden.

"What do you mean by that?" enquired the proud king sharply. "Of course there is a competent healer in Edoras. In fact, I would stand him against any of Minas Tirith's healers!"

"Uncle," Éomer interceded, "that man was found dead several months ago."

Gandalf, in aggravation, took Aragorn up upon Shadowfax, charged off toward the Golden Hall, saying something about hoping that for once they had not decided to dally about and were ahead of schedule.

Fortune, for a change, decided to look with pity upon the race of Men, and it so happened that a pair of Elven twins were even then riding toward the Deep from Edoras, along with a host of Dúnedain, intent on catching up with their little brother en route. When the two riding parties met, Elladan took one look at Estel and jumped down from his horse, taking Estel from Gandalf's hold and laying him down under a tall tree.

"How long has he been like this?" Elladan asked urgently.

"Since early yesterday, I believe," Gandalf said. "Gimli told me that he did not look well, but after the last few days, it was scarcely surprising."

Elladan didn't even bother asking about the last few days. "I need boiling water, 'Ro," he said to his twin, already pulling off his riding gear and removing Aragorn's shirt. He really wished that wound on his little brother's shoulder had not healed over; it was only going to make this worse.

"Apparently, he has been more or less unresponsive," Gandalf said, offering a hand.

"Is that so?" Elladan said, kindling a small fire and unrolling a pouch that contained several tiny knives. He gently bathed the area around the wound before passing a little shining knife through the fire. "Well, I daresay I will be able to get a response. Anyone wish to take bets?" Tossing a various few crushed leaves into the boiling water and said, "let that steep, he's going to need it," before laying the knife's edge to his little brother's shoulder.

All bets were off when an agonized cry resounded against the White Mountains and over the plains of Rohan.

ooo

Le anta amin tu - Do you need help

I should say for the record that no one is safe - yet. The question is... if only one could survive, Aragorn or Boromir... which would it be?

linda: He's not dead yet :) I try to throw some surprises in, can't have anyone getting complacent. But i said pretty much nothing about the Ring Quest, so it sort of just sneaked up, i suppose.

Cataclysmic: Welcome! I am flattered that you spent an afternoon reading my stuff. I hope you did not go to sleep that night wishing you had not wasted that time!

Elenhin: I have heard that the mark of a good writer is to fit a lot of story into a small number of words. I do try to do that, to make each word count for more than it is worth. I agree with you, i believe that it will be very difficult for Boromir when he realizes what happened. I will probably get back to that next chapter. He may well need a hug.

AM: As i have said, i know some things i write aren't canon, and that is usually on purpose, but i just don't feel right changing the whole story around. I love it because it was done right the first time. I have kind of always wanted to to write something totally AU though, maybe one of these days.

steelelf: A triple vote, then? Does that mean that you are still afraid for Boromir's life? You are starting to make me feel wicked or something!