Disclaimer: See chapter 1

A/N: Thank you so much for all the reviews. You have all made me so happy. I'm going to take a moment again to respond to you all and just say thanks. I might not do this every time, but I will see. Enjoy! I'm putting this one up a bit sooner for all of you too, so please be nice back and review.

Irukapooka: It is good to hear from you again. I'm so glad you are excited. I am too. It's great to be posting another story on here. Thanks for the review.

Deana: I'm glad you think the chapter is sweet, though, you know me. The fun can't last forever. Lol. I'm so glad you are back reading more. Here's another chapter for you.

Astievia: I'm glad you liked the conversation with Legolas and Aragorn. I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks so much for your review. It is good to hear from you again too.

Lady of Rivendell78: I'm so happy you are back reading. Thanks for the review. Yes, right now it is happy, but happiness doesn't last forever. /gives innocent look/ Like I would ever be mean to the friends. Heh. Thanks so much.

MusicDreamer: Well, I am so glad you are back and enjoying the sequel. Yes, it will deal with the effects of torture and even some memories long ago in the past, which I never even wrote about. Thanks so much for your kind review. Here's the next chapter for you.

DreaminofLorien: I'm glad you like it. Thanks so much. I really appreciate all your comments and help, mellon nin. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Elven Kitten: Thanks for coming back to read and thanks for the review. I will do my best to keep you and the others happy. Thanks again.

Kitsune Kida: Good to see you back. Yes, poor Leggy. Lol. What's next? Oh plenty, I assure you. Legolas and Aragorn could not even begin to imagine the trouble that is in store for them. Lol. Thanks so much for the review.

Lindahoyland: I'm glad you liked the start. Yes, I believe it would take Legolas and Linriel a while to recover. Legolas went through a lot. Linriel did as well, which you will see in later chapters. Thanks so much for coming back and for the review.

Aranna Undomiel: I'm glad you liked the beginning. Yes, I like the part with the wishes and the nosy stubborn human too. Thanks so much for the review and for coming back to read. It really encourages me that people who read my previous story are back for more. Thanks again. Here's another chapter for you.

SaphireCat: I'm so happy you have been waiting for this and even more happy that you are now reading it. Thanks so much. Here's another chapter for you, mellon nin.

God's-girl2004: Good to hear from you again. Lucky you didn't have to wait very long for the sequel. Lol. Thanks so much for reviewing.

Ella-elbereth: I'm glad you like the sweet way I began. You don't think it will last very long? /gives innocent look/ What could possibly go wrong for them? Lol Guess you'll have to read to see. Not much in this chapter, but the next one... well that's a different story. Lol. And yes, I do like Evanescence, but I have used many other songs for this story as well. Thanks so much for reviewing and thanks for the web site. Here is another chapter for you. Hope you enjoy.

And lastly, thank you Alia G. L for taking time to beta read this chapter for me. I know how busy you have been, but you were able to fit this in some where. Thanks so much. I miss you and I can't wait until you get back. Enjoy your vacation and have a great time.

Chapter 2

Memories of the Past

'Sometimes I remember

The darkness of my past

Bringing back these memories

I wish I didn't have.'

Linkin Park "Easier to Run"

Legolas smiled at his friend. The hour was late, sometime after midnight. He had spent most of the night with Aragorn, who had put his heart at ease, if only for a short time.

Aragorn shifted slightly, as a breeze blew his hair across his face. He yawned silently and blinked his eyes. He looked at Legolas, deciding he might retire for the night.

Suddenly they both jerked their heads to the left as they heard a muffled scream. Legolas stood. Before Aragorn had even stood up, Legolas burst into his tent.

His sister was sitting, fear written on her face. Her body trembled and her face was pale. She was breathing hard, trying not to sob.

Legolas rushed to her side and drew her into an embrace. Linriel tensed slightly.

"Ssh, it's okay. You are safe!" He comforted as he rocked her in his arms.

Linriel drew close to him, burying her head in his chest. His protective arms around her made her feel safe. Her body was no longer tense, but calmer.

Legolas looked up and saw Elrohir and Aragorn peeking into the tent, worry and concern written on their faces. Legolas shushed them away with his hand. Elrohir hesitated, wanting desperately to help his love, but Aragorn understood that Legolas and Linriel needed to be alone. He backed away and pulled Elrohir with him.

Once they had left, Legolas looked at his sister. Gently, he lifted her head to meet his eyes. Carefully, he wiped away her tears, with a small smile.

She smiled slightly at him. "Will they ever go away?" She asked referring to the nightmares.

"Time is a great healer. They will fade, eventually." Legolas tried to comfort, though he was asking the same question himself.

She nodded and swallowed hard. "Thank you." She said as she pulled away from his embrace.

Legolas nodded. "I love you."

"I know. I love you too." She said as she fixed her hair. "I think I'm going to get some fresh air."

"Would you like me to come with you?" Legolas asked.

Linriel shook her head. "I would prefer to be alone."

Legolas nodded. "Call me if you need something then."

Linriel nodded. "Get some rest." She said as she exited the tent.

Elrohir was outside, sitting impatiently on a log. As she came out, he stood and walked towards her. "You okay?" He questioned, gently.

She nodded with a forced smile. "I am fine. It was just a nightmare."

Elrohir nodded. "Would you like to talk about it?"

Linriel shook her head. "I actually really want to be alone to think."

Elrohir nodded with a sigh. "I understand." He kissed her gently on the forehead and left.

Linriel sighed and sat down on a log. For a long time, she stared at the stars, deep in thought. The sun was near rising when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned as Aragorn approached and looked at him questionably.

Aragorn smiled and bowed his head to her. She nodded to him; silently hoping he would leave her alone. Though he was like a brother to Elrohir and a best friend to Legolas, he made Linriel feel uncomfortable. All of her experience with humans had been unpleasant and she was not about to trust one.

Aragorn silently sat down on the other end of the log. Linriel sighed and stood up, deciding to leave.

"Lady Linriel?" Aragorn questioned as he too stood.

Linriel reluctantly turned.

"Why do you avoid me? I only wish to be a friend to you." Aragorn said gently.

Linriel bit at her lip as she searched for an answer without fully explaining her reasons. "You seem to be a very respectful man and very kind. However, I have not had good experiences with humans. I avoid contact if at all possible."

Aragorn nodded in understanding. "I understand; however, do not judge one man because of your experience with others. Not all men are alike. I do not wish to harm you, my lady."

"Then maybe you should mind your own business." Linriel said. It came out more bitterly then she had wanted, but she said nothing more. She walked away towards Elrohir who was returning to the camp.

"Good morning, Linriel." He called.

She smiled, slightly. "Morning." She muttered as she placed a kiss on his lips.

Elrohir smiled at her and placed an arm around her. He looked up at Aragorn. "You are up early, Estel." He called.

Aragorn shrugged. "I couldn't sleep."

"Seems like no one could last night." Legolas said as he emerged from his tent.

Elrohir smiled. "Everyone, but my brother. He slept like a baby."

Aragorn grinned. "Then perhaps we should wake him."

Elrohir saw the all too familiar gleam in Aragorn's eyes and his mischievous smile. He knew it all too well. "What did you have in mind?" He asked with the same smile.

Aragorn chuckled. "We could splash him with water."

"Too simple." Legolas mused. "We need something more."

"We could collapse his tent on him." Linriel said with a smile.

"And then we could splash him with two buckets of water." Legolas finished.

Everyone nodded with evil smiles. They quickly decided that Legolas and Elrohir would pull the tent pegs up as Linriel and Aragorn splashed Elladan.

Aragorn quickly retrieved two buckets full of ice cold stream water. Everyone found their places and nodded. Legolas and Elrohir yanked the tent pegs. The tent fell onto Elladan's body. He began to stir and mutter.

"What's going on?" He said sleepily. "Where's my ducky?"

Aragorn almost burst out laughing at his incoherent mumbling. He heard Linriel snicker beside him.

Elladan sat up in his tent and began flailing to get the cloth off him.

"What in the world? How did this happen?" He asked to himself, now more awake.

Finally, he managed to get the cloth from his head, but just as he did, Aragorn and Linriel dumped the water over his head. He gasped as the cold water hit him.

"Good morning, brother." Aragorn said cheerfully.

Legolas began laughing so hard that he had to hold his stomach. "You should see the look on your face." He said between laughs.

"It was priceless." Linriel finished with a laugh.

Elladan glared at them all. "You all are so dead."

His tone made Elrohir laugh harder.

Elladan stood, his clothes and hair dripping. "I'm starting with you, Estel, for I assume this was your idea." He said through clenched teeth.

Aragorn held up his hands and backed away a bit. "It was also Linriel's idea." He defended, placing himself conveniently behind her.

Elladan glared at her. "Fine. Ladies first." He charged at her. Linriel backed away with an amused squeal. With a laugh, she ran from him and into the woods. Elladan glared at Aragorn.

"Bye." Aragorn said with a wave as he took off after Linriel.

Elladan set chase. "Wait 'til I get my hands on you, Estel."

Legolas and Elrohir were almost rolling on the ground in laughter. "Run, Estel!" Legolas called.

Aragorn ran into the woods, not caring where he was going, as long as it was away from Elladan.

"Estel here, quickly." Linriel called.

She was hiding in a carved out base of a large oak tree.

"I thought elves usually climb trees." He said as he squeezed in with her.

Linriel smiled. "It's good to use variety."

Aragorn chuckled, but fell silent as he heard Elladan approaching. His steps were hard against the ground, making it easy for Aragorn to hear.

"Get out here, Estel, and I won't kill you." He said as he looked up into the trees. "Linriel, if you help me find Estel, I will spare you." Elladan tried to convince.

Linriel tried to stifle a chuckle. Aragorn put a finger to his lips, knowing Elladan's keen sense of hearing would hear her. Elladan didn't however, and took off running in a different direction.

Linriel began to stand, but Aragorn caught her arm. "Wait, my brother likes to be tricky sometimes."

Aragorn stood, slowly, keeping his hand on her arm. He was so busy looking for Elladan that he did not feel Linriel tense beneath his grip.

Linriel tensed as she felt Aragorn's strong hand grip on her arm. Memories flooded back into her mind and her body betrayed her. Her breathing hitched.

Aragorn looked at her and noticed the fear in her eyes. He quickly released her arm, remembering that she had had unpleasant experiences with humans before.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you." He apologized.

Linriel smiled slightly and drew in a deep breath. "It's okay. I am fine." With that she turned and walked away.

Aragorn smacked himself on the head. He had not wished to bring back memories to Linriel that she didn't want to face. Silently, he walked back to camp. Legolas met him on the way.

"Did you loose him?" He said with a grin.

Aragorn nodded, though he was distracted.

Legolas did not notice.

"Now that I think about it, that might not have been the smartest idea to do to my brother." Elrohir said, smiling. "We all know he likes to hold grudges."

Legolas nodded. "Aye, that much is obvious."

Aragorn couldn't help, but laugh. "I suppose you know from experience?"

Legolas rolled his eyes. "Long story."

Elrohir put a hand over his mouth to try to stifle his laughter. Legolas glared at him. "Oh, stop it!" He said playfully.

Aragorn smiled. "Elladan is young, my friends. He will get over his anger... until we pull another joke on him."

Legolas laughed.

"Where did Linriel go?" Elrohir asked suddenly.

Aragorn looked around. "She was with me in the woods, but then she walked off."

Legolas bit at his lip. "I should have seen that coming." He muttered to himself.

"I'm sorry Legolas. I think I frightened her." Aragorn said apologetically. "She helped me find a place to hide in the base of a tree. After Elladan passed by, she stood, but I grabbed her arm. I thought Elladan might be playing a trick on us. I forgot how sensitive she is to humans."

Elrohir sighed and closed his eyes. He opened them and placed a hand on his brother. "It was not your fault, Estel. Come let us find her. She probably didn't go far."

Aragorn nodded and followed his brother. Legolas followed as well, slightly behind them. Aragorn noticed and slowed his steps.

"I am sorry, Legolas. I did not wish to frighten her."

Legolas looked up and nodded. "I know you didn't. Please just be careful while you are around her. She has already given you more lenience that any other human before."

Aragorn nodded, deciding to keep that in mind.

Suddenly, someone screamed. Legolas and Elrohir looked at each other and without a word, took off running. Aragorn followed behind, but his speed was much less than that of two worried elves.

Legolas raced towards where he had heard the scream. It sounded like his sister was in danger and his heart beat rapidly against his chest. He only had his bow for his daggers were still back at camp. He notched an arrow to his bow as he ran.

Elrohir and Legolas charged into the clearing only a few seconds after Linriel had screamed. Quickly, they took in the scene. Linriel was breathing heavy, but she did not look wounded. Elladan had a hand on her shoulder and one on her arm. A wolf lay dead, a few feet from Linriel. An elven dagger pierced through his side.

"Linriel, are you okay?" Legolas asked.

Linriel nodded. "I am fine. The wolf merely caught me off guard."

Elladan looked at his brother. "All is well. Do not worry."

Elrohir nodded. "It is a good thing you remembered your dagger, gwador nin." (my brother)

Elladan nodded. "I've learned to keep a weapon on me at all times."

"Is everyone okay?" Aragorn asked suddenly.

Everyone turned as he ran up, trying to catch his breath.

Legolas smiled at the human. "You're a bit late."

Aragorn glared at him. "I don't think I've ever run that fast in my whole life."

The elves laughed.

"Sorry we left you, Estel." Elrohir said.

Aragorn smiled. "It's alright. I know you wanted to see if Linriel was okay. Why don't we head back to camp? It has already been an interesting morning and we haven't even had breakfast."

Elladan laughed. "Yes, it has been an interesting morning." He said as he smiled at his brother.

Everyone chuckled at they walked happily back towards the camp.