Kagome tossed and turned as her dream began to plague her. She should have known this would happen. She had believed she would be okay with the torture that Saruman had dealt her but she should have known nightmares would be a possibility. Her breaths came out in soft pants as she was remembering being dumped on the tower. Her breaths became heavier and she moaned in fear and pain as she began to toss and turn in the bed as her nightmare got to the scariest part.

A gasp tore from Kagome's throat as she sprang from the bed. She found herself in the corner and in a defensive stance as if her body hadn't realized she was not on that tower but instead safe in a city of elves. It took a few minutes but she was finally able to regain her bearings and realize it was all a dream and that she was safe. Just as she calmed down enough, a voice from outside her doorway caused her to jump.

"Lady Kagome is everything alright in there? Your powers flared for a moment and has many wondering if you are okay," a voice asked just outside her room.

"Its…..It's okay," she said with a tremble in her voice. She didn't recognize the voice but she did recognize his aura. He was the one who had been in her room earlier and had not spoken.

Aragorn sighed upon hearing her stutter. Just like that, he knew things were not truly alright but wondered if he could do anything to help her. He decided he could at least try to help her. He gave a soft knock on the door, "I'm going to come in, my lady."

He waited a moment and when he heard no objections, he opened the door. The sight that met his eyes was enough to know he made the right decision in stopping by her room to check on her. She was in the corner still in a semi-defensive form. He held out his hands in a placating manner as he made his way to the edge of her bed where he sat down. Something had obviously set her off so he wanted to appear as unthreatening as possible.

"Lady Kagome, it's alright. You are safe here. No one here will harm you," Aragorn said while trying to beacon the woman closer to him. He could see the tears sliding down her face and he was hoping he had read the situation correctly. No one was in this room so he could only assume she had a nightmare and from Gandalf had told him had happened to her, it was to be expected.

Kagome studied the male in front of her as she lowered her arms. She watched his actions carefully and tried to listen to his words. Her brain was finally becoming clear and she was starting to realize what the problem was. She had just had a horrible nightmare and while his beckoning arms looked comforting, she was hesitant to go to him. She had only gotten his name and that was it from him. He hadn't even questioned her earlier but when he finally opened his arms once more and beckoned to her, she couldn't stop herself. There was no one else who had come to calm her down and she had no one in this world so she would take comfort where she could.

Aragorn gave a sigh of relief when the woman finally launched herself at him. He was lucky he had braced himself; otherwise she would have knocked him over. He began to murmur words of comfort to her as he ran his hands through her hair. He didn't ask her any questions yet, as she was still crying softly. She was so tiny compared to him that she had curled up into his lap and put her head underneath his chin.

Kagome found that she was slowly relaxing into this man's embrace. For some reason, she didn't even feel embarrassed about her action. Perhaps she was just too overwhelmed with grief to worry about her embarrassment but she was glad that feeling hadn't come up. All she felt from him was comfort and safety. She enjoyed the fact that she was small enough to curl up in his lap. Her tears finally stopped and her breathing was back to normal. Her exhaustion was returning but she figured she did own him an explanation and perhaps admitting to her own fears would make her feel better.

She finally shifted to where she could glance up at him, though her head was still tilted down some, "Thank you," she whispered out and then watched his expression to try and judge why he had helped her.

A small smile lit Aragorn's face when he heard her words. He could also tell that she had calmed down considerably and even now her body was slumping in exhaustion. "You are welcome," he told her being completely sincere. He couldn't even begin to describe the feeling he had felt while seeing her in pain and turmoil. He just knew he did not want to see it again.

Kagome wanted to tell him about her nightmares but was unsure on how he would react but she knew no one else to reach out to, expect maybe Gandalf. For some reason though, that idea didn't feel right. While she knew he would listen, something inside of her, told her to trust this man in front of her. She decided to test the waters though and see his reaction, "Do you think having nightmares makes me weak?" she asked and watched his face closely.

Aragorn looked shocked at the question and then looked down at the woman who asked it curiously. "No. I do not think nightmares make anyone weak. I think that nightmares show how strong you truly are. Everyone can have nightmares but you should remember one thing," he made sure she was listening intently before finishing, "you survived everything he threw at you and you were the victorious one in the end." He could tell his words surprised her by the widening of her eyes.

Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing. Every time she had a nightmare in the past or woke up crying, then Inuyasha would tell her to quit being weak and to just get over it. She felt tears begin to slide down the side of her face and couldn't help but to throw her arms around the man and bury her face in his neck. She was even happier when his arms wrapped around her to return the hug. "Thank you," she mumbled the words several times into his neck. It also showed her that she could trust him and that he wouldn't throw this back in her face later.

Aragorn found himself stunned by her behavior. When she had started crying again, he was worried that he had said something wrong. His worries were washed away though when she threw herself into his embrace and proceeded to thank him repeatedly. He was happy that he was able to lift her spirits and hopefully help her with her nightmares. He also wondered why she had even asked that question and was surprised by his answer. He was tempted to ask if she had nightmares before and someone had called her weak but he knew now was not the time.

He pulled Kagome away from him enough to glance down at her. "I have also heard that talking about what is bothering you can help," he said while giving her an expectant look.

Kagome wanted to be sure he meant himself so just decided to ask, "You mean you would be willing to listen?"

Aragorn nodded his head and then gave her the verbal answer she seemed determined to hear, "I do not mind at all." He knew he had made the right choice when she seemed to sag with relief in his arms.

Kagome settled herself more in his lap and was happy when he tightened his grip on her. The comfort of his arms around her gave her the courage to tell him what had happened. Somehow she could feel that he wouldn't judge her or think less of her. She finally turned her head away from him and focused on one spot on the wall while she began to explain to him what happened to her on that tower. She left out no details. Tears ran silently down her cheeks the whole time. Saruman had first tried reasoning with her by explaining his logic. When that had not worked he had her beat. The worst part was the orcs that would threaten to use her for breeding if she didn't give in to their demands. When even that failed, Saruman had thrown spells at her and she had to endure all the pain. She admitted it was a relief when Gandalf came, as Saruman had lost some focus on her.

Aragorn listened carefully as Kagome began her tale. He knew Saruman had to have tortured her, but he was horrified at what had actually happened. He was amazed at her ability to recall everything in a detached voice though he could see the silent tears streaming down her face. It also showed how strong this woman was and not just in body but in mind as well. He'd known many who would have crumbled and broken under what had happened to her and yet here she was. She might have had nightmares but what he told her before was true. She had survived it and was the one who had won over Saruman.

Kagome finally felt her tears stop as she finished her tale with the eagles coming to save them. She let out a long, heavy sign and it seemed to take all the stress and fear from her. Aragorn was right. She was alive and here and Saruman had lost against her. He hadn't gotten what he wanted and she had even destroyed the jewel, thus putting it beyond anyone's reach ever again. Her head rested on Aragorn's chest as she felt a sense of peace overcome her.

"It's over," she whispered out in awe and not just the torture but the jewel as well.

Aragorn looked down at her when she whispered out that it was over. His arms tightened around her as he answered her, "It is."