Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. So this is a chapter where about nearly 10 years have gone by since the last chapter. Shift from Aragorn's point of view to other people. This is Aragorn's point of view. So let's begin.
"Seize him!" Faramir shouted as he pointed to the man rushing away from the courtyard before the steward sunk down upon his knees close to Aragorn to draw the wounded man into his lap. "Hush, Aragorn. You will be fine."
The king's silver eyes peered back up into his own trustingly. "He missed, did he not?" The man drew in a shaky breath as he asked this. "Yes, he did. You were lucky you turned when he shot the arrow. I am afraid he did not miss your lung however. You are severely wounded and very lucky to be alive." Faramir had to fight his own tears.
"I think I am going to join Legolas now." Aragorn's voice was a hoarse whisper as Faramir said. "No, Aragorn. Do not give in. I will send word to your brothers. They are near in Eryn Lasgalen, they can be here tomorrow. Your son needs you. You cannot go to sleep now." The man gave him a last smile as he nodded. "I will try."
He watched through a darkening haze as Faramir nodded before shouting orders. He longed for nothing more then to close his eyes and give in to the weariness. He fought against the burning in his chest, feeling the arrow shift every time he did. "Father!" A voice called out and Aragorn smiled as he was pressed into another pair of arms and Eldarion appeared above him.
"Now I can really release my hold upon this world. If I can only say goodbye to Eldarion." The thought flickered across his mind as he looked back at Eldarion and softly said. "Ion nin, please be a good ruler. I do not think I can hold on much longer. I think I am going to join Legolas, for this pain is too much for me to bear. Call me back when I am healed."
Water splashed on his cheeks as Eldarion nodded and softly said in the elvish tongue. "I will do so, Ada. I know where to look for you. I trust in Legolas to keep your soul safe while we try to save your body. Rest now." With those blessed words Aragorn allowed his hold to slip away from the light and drowned into the darkness.
"Why did you allow him to go? He needs to stay awake for else all hope shall be lost!" Faramir demanded of the young prince. "For his wounds are too severe for him to remain awake. He will be safe. Send word to my uncle for every moment we delay will bring him closer to his death." The 12 year old boy took on a note of responsibility that Faramir had seldom heard.
The guards stopped in their tracks as the they heard the steward's startled answer. "Obey prince Eldarion and send word to Ithilien to lords Elladan and Elrohir. Go now!" Faramir looked back at Eldarion and asked. "Did you not think by him remaining awake he would have stood a far better change then when you allowed him to slip into this darkness?"
"He would have been unconscious soon enough, Faramir. Why would we not allow him to give in before he hurts too much? If his mind if comforted by the presence of Legolas then so be it. Who are we to stop him? Can you help me carry him inside?" Eldarion sounded wise beyond his years even as tears streamed down his face. Faramir nodded and together they slowly carried Aragorn inside.
Aragorn looked around at the unfamiliar lands he found himself in. He found he could no longer feel his body and breathed a sigh of relief. He looked around in search of a familiar face until a voice called. "Strider? What are you doing here?"
He turned to find himself looking upon Frodo's face. The hobbit had some colour in his cheeks as he smiled before running towards Aragorn. The man dropped to his knees to embrace Frodo. "I am glad to see you finally at peace, my friend." Aragorn pulled away smiling. "But you should not be here. Legolas has said you were still king of Gondor. What has happened?"
"There was an assignation attempt on me and an arrow pierced my lung. I can no longer feel my body and I am afraid my conscious has fled to the one I desired. I do not know how to get back, Frodo, or to go forward." The man bowed his head. The hobbit tugged on his hand and answered. "I think I should take you to the one you came to see then. If the Valar have brought you here then there should be a reason for it."
"Aragorn?" Another voice called out as Gandalf hurried towards them. The Maia was still dressed in white but his robes were much purer and whiter it seemed. The former wizard dropped to his knees in front of the man and asked in a hurried voice. "Why are you here, Elessar?"
"I do not know. There was…" Aragorn began as Gandalf cut him off. "Yes, an arrow pieced your lung. I know. But you should not be here. You should… To be honest I know not where you should be since your consciousness if obviously wandering. But it is well you are here now."
"Will you take me to see Legolas? I know not how long I have." Aragorn grasped Gandalf's hands as the wizard steadied him. The man swallowed thickly as he felt a burning taking over his body. "Yes, if it is your wish." Gandalf placed a hand against Aragorn's brow as sweat broke out over the man's body. "You do not have much time." The wizard murmured and helped Aragorn up.
Aragorn was tossing and turning on the bed as his fever only rose as the day advanced. Eldarion never left his side as Eowyn also sank down by the king's side, handling a soft cloth to try to keep Aragorn cool. "How could this have happened? Who would do such a thing? To try and murder the king of Gondor." She cried out softly.
"They caught him, Eowyn and there shall be a trail as soon as father is well again." Eldarion stated confidently as his voice began to falter. "Aragorn is very ill. I hope Elladan and Elrohir shall be here soon. They know more of healing then we do." Eowyn ran a hand through Aragorn's dark hair.
"Please come back, father. I cannot rule yet, I am not ready." Eldarion once more unwrapped Aragorn's bandage to dress it again but within minutes blood soaked through.
Aragorn leaned heavily upon Gandalf as he asked. "Please help me. Give me the strength to continue. All I wish is to see Legolas, nothing more." Gandalf stopped as he looked at Aragorn. "It may come at a heavy price, Aragorn. But very well I shall do so." Gandalf spoke words in a languish Aragorn did not understand and the man felt his strength returning.
It seemed to take hours until they came upon a clearing near the ocean. Aragorn rushed forward until he once more felt the burning sensation in his chest and he stumbled. He blinked to rid his eyes of the dark spots and prayed. "Please, just allow me more time. I just wish to see and to hold him, nothing more."
"Then just look up, my beloved, if you still have the strength." The voice he had longed to hear for ears reached his eyes and Aragorn wept. Not for the growing pain in his chest but for the feeling like his heart was ready to burst. He crawled up on his hands and knees and crawled to the person standing a few meters away.
Legolas caught him about halfway and drew him close. Inhaling the wood elf's unique scent Aragorn placed an arm around his beloved's shoulders. Aragorn felt the world darkening again and he held on tighter. "Soon it will be time for me to return. I can feel the pain beginning to come again. I wish I could stay…."
"It would be wishing for death, Estel." Legolas softly said. "But it means I can be with you." Aragorn softly cried his voice suddenly hoarse. "It is not decided, Aragorn. You may enter the void, like all men are likely to do." Legolas appeared sad as the elf pressed a soft kiss to Aragorn's lips.
Fire seemed to spread across his body as Legolas seemed to diminish and he could hear the elf saying. "Time to return. But you know where I dwell now so find me there. I love you." The next moment Aragorn could only whisper. "Goodbye, Legolas. My love goes with you."
He felt like he was drowning. But his body was alight with fire. It seemed to consume him and all he could do was scream….
Eldarion startled badly when Aragorn cried out. He rose and rushed to his father's bedside as the king tossed and turned, throwing the blankets off himself. But his uncles beat him to it. "Drench this blanket in cold water. Hurry for he is burning up." Elrohir trust the blanket into Faramir's hands before turning back towards Aragorn.
Elladan was already trying to keep the man's body temperature down and to try and stop the bleeding. Aragorn's eyes fluttered open and Eldarion gave a relieved cry. "Father!" It was short lived when the king's eyes fearfully shot to his two brothers as he choked out. "I …cannot… breathe…"
His breathing came in short gasps as Elrohir grasped his hand while Elladan helped Aragorn in a sitting position as the man started to cough. "Eldarion, get me a bowl." Blood streamed down Aragorn's chin as the man coughed desperately, trying to clear his lungs of the unwanted liquid.
Aragorn kept his eyes fixed on the sheets that were swiftly turning red as Elrohir slipped behind him, pressing against his back. "Do not stop, Estel. I know it hurts but it has to come out or else you will not be able to breath." Elladan encouraged as Faramir and Eldarion both returned at the same time with the items.
Eldarion gasped as he saw the blood flow freely from both the chest wound as his father's lips. "Will he be alright?" The boy asked softly as neither of the elves answered. Elladan held Aragorn upright as Elrohir whispered soft words in the man's ear while pressing against his back to ensure Aragorn did not fall backwards.
"Father..?" Eldarion asked, taking the blanket from Faramir to rush forward and sit beside the wounded man. Aragorn's eyes fixed upon the young boy's face as Eldarion took his hand. "Please fight, Ada. You have concurred Sauron, you can win this. You cannot go to Legolas just yet; please I cannot allow you to go. I need you so and you will have eternity with him. Please fight."
The boy fought back tears as his father's chest heaved with the strain. "Listen to your son, Estel, he is right." Elladan worked hard to bind the wound again as blood still dripped from Aragorn's chin but it has lessened much. Aragorn gave a few more coughs as Elrohir tugged the wet blanket around himself and Aragorn.
The man leaned back exhausted as the blood flow slowly stopped. He took some ragged breaths to fill his lungs again. "A long road to recovery lies ahead but I do not believe you will die." Elladan said as he took a clean edge of the sheets to wipe the man's mouth. Elrohir's arms encircled the man's waist to come and rest upon his chest.
"Rest. You have done well." Eldarion was still in tears as he released Aragorn's hand. The man merely brought it up to rest upon the boy's unruly hair. "Safe." Aragorn murmured sleepy as he ruffled the boy's hair slightly. "Thank you, father, for not yet giving in." His son softly answered.
Aragorn merely smiled a red toothed smile at Eldarion. "I shall go and tell the people you are not yet quite dead." Faramir announced, wishing to give the family some privacy. "Not yet quite?" Aragorn inquired, whispering the sentence. Faramir blushed before closing the door.
"Rest!" Elrohir ordered as Aragorn dropped his head back. The man gave a last tired smile before closing his eyes and falling into a deep slumber. His family keeping watch over him.
Hope you liked it. Please review and send me some ideas.
