**A/N: Sorry everybody for the slow update and the very small chapter! I have had writers block with this story at the moment and it makes me very sad, I hope it will pass soon! In the mean time I decided to put up what I do have written to hopefully hold you guys over until I get more ideas once again. This chapter mainly helps develop the relationships between Aria and Aragorn, also Aria and Legolas so I suppose it will be kind of fillerish but here's to you raining-skye23 since you did ask for more development of the characters(: anyhoo I went and saw The Hobbit! It was AWESOME of course! I also heard they are making a trilogy out of it as well! Please review and tell me what you think of this chapter and the movie (if you've seen it) also maybe some ideas on the story, especially the heart condition! Love you all, thanks for following me this far, happy reading!(:**
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I woke with a small groan, but I didn't open my eyes yet. I wasn't sure what happened and I began to think hard to try and remember what happened. Suddenly memories of the small battle in Moria, the balrog, and Gandalf falling flashed to the forefront of my mind. I gasped as my eyes shot open and I tried to sit up quickly.
"Gandalf!" I tried to cry out but it only came out as a croak. I felt a searing pain in my side as I gasped loudly and my hand flew to my side.
"Calm down Aria, it's okay!" I heard someone say quickly but quietly. I stopped my movement as the pain began to subside and I looked to the side where the voice came from. I smiled softly as I saw Aragorn who smiled back at me.
"I'm sorry if I scared you, may I have some water?" I asked in a whisper, the soft smile still on my face. Aragorn only nodded and once he turned away, my face scrunched up slightly in pain.
I did not want to worry Aragorn more than he probably already was, considering Gandalf was now gone. I looked down at my hands in my lap as I remembered what happened to Gandalf, I felt my eyes tear up and I tried not to let them fall. I felt a hand on my back and I looked up to see Aragorn with a glass in his hand. I smiled gratefully and took a drink from it.
"Where is my brother? I'm surprised he is not here." I said and took another drink of water.
"He is resting, or at least trying to. He carried you all the way and refused to let even me carry you. I managed to make him agree that we would take shifts watching over you while you rest since I did not want to leave your side either." I smiled more widely and place my hand on his cheek. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. I leaned over to him as best as I could and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.
"What happened? After we got out of Moria I mean." I asked and Aragorn sighed again but this time it was much heavier.
"After we got out of Moria you passed out and after a few moments we figured out you were injured on your side. We first wrapped up your injury and then left immediately after that; we headed to the woods of Lothlorien. You weren't doing very well; you had a bad fever and barely moved in Legolas' arms. We were finally stopped by Haldir, the march warden, and luckily he knew who you and Legolas were. He sent you off with some of his companions while we had to stay behind because of the Ring. Eventually Haldir let us pass; we had to speak with Galadriel but afterwards Legolas and I immediately went looking for you. An elleth found us and led us to the healing room where they told us that you had a severe infection that they were able to treat once you got there and here we are." He finished and I nodded slowly, taking all the information in.
"How long have we been here?" I asked slowly.
"Three days, we'll stay here until you are at least fully healed; we may stay longer." He said and I smiled slightly.
"You won't leave me behind?" I asked and Aragorn shook his head.
"I promised you I wouldn't let them leave you behind and I don't intend to either." I smiled more widely and I grabbed his hand.
"Thank you Aragorn," I said and leaned over to kiss him. The kiss was light and sweet at first but it grew deeper as Aragorn put his hand in my hair, pulling my face closer to his. I brought my hands up to his face and just as he licked my bottom lip, there was a knock on the door. We quickly pulled away, I could my feel how hot my face was getting as I looked up at the door. Legolas stood there with a knowing smile on his face.
"I see you are feeling better; thank you Aragorn for watching over her while I rested." Legolas said and Aragorn nodded as he stood. He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it lightly. He smiled softly at me before leaving the room. Legolas walked quickly towards me and hugged me tightly once he reached me. I could tell he was trying to avoid my wound as well.
"I'm so glad you are okay sister. You had me so worried." He whispered in my hair and kissed my forehead as he pulled away to sit on the edge of my bed.
"I'm glad I'm okay as well brother. Aragorn told me everything," I paused for a moment, glancing at his facial expressions more closely. "I imagine you do not wish for me to continue you on with the group?" I asked slowly and Legolas sighed.
"You are correct Aria and Aragorn spoke with me about this, he managed to convince me to let you go with us. I just want you to please remember that you are my little sister Aria, whether it's by blood or not, I will always see you as my little sister. Though I think you are very strong, stronger than most of the race of men, I cannot help but remember you are not an elleth and that scares me. The race of men are naturally weaker than elves, even Aragorn's race is, and I cannot let that thought escape my mind." He said and I could tell he was worried I would be upset with him. I sighed softly and hugged him again to the best of my ability.
"It is okay brother; I am not upset with you that you are stating simple facts. You have a right to be worried as my brother just like I have the right to be worried for you as your sister, which I always am of course. I only wish that you do not let your fear and worry for me to force you to hold me back from doing what I truly wish to do and desire. I am no longer a little girl, I can protect myself well and we both know it. It is a bit obvious that I may be a bit rusty from traveling peacefully for so long, but I can always practice with you or Aragorn. Aragorn loves me and I love him as I'm sure you have known long before even we knew, but he has learned to hold back his fear for me and let me do as I wish, just like you have to learn now." Legolas smiled softly at me and brushed my cheek with his finger.
"You are very wise sister, father has taught you well." Legolas said and I smiled as well, shaking my head softly.
"No brother, you have taught me well; as much as I love father, I have always seen you as my teacher." Legolas laughed slightly and then his smile grew into a smirk.
"So, you love Aragorn?" He asked and I began to blush.
"I thought you knew," I whispered and he chuckled slightly.
"Of course I knew, I was just waiting for you to know yourself." I smiled at him.
"You seem very…comfortable about all this."
"Aragorn is an old friend of both of us, I could not think of anyone better. When you both were younger I remember father musing the idea that you two would be together one day. It makes sense to me seeing you two have similar backgrounds. Ever since that first day you met him you were always eager to go back to Rivendell and play with him." I smiled to myself, remembering all the small but important memories of Aragorn and I playing in Rivendell when were little.
"Father thought we would be together?" I asked slowly and Legolas nodded.
"Yes, before even I did, father respects Aragorn for his royal background, despites the fact that he still ignores his history." I smiled at him as he stood up again and kissed my forehead softly once more. "Now it's time for you to get more rest. After all you need to practice your fighting skills and Galadriel will want to see you after you are up and walking again." With one more smile he left my room and I laid back against the pillows with a sigh before falling asleep once again.
It was three more days before I finally felt strong enough to get out of my bed. My wound was healing well and it no longer hurt my side to move. I was very eager to get out of my bed as I slowly stood up, Aragorn stood by my side just in case I fell. I smiled at him widely, satisfied that I could get out of bed on my own.
"Are you well?" Aragorn asked as I stood there for a few minutes. I bent my knees and leaned my weight from one leg to the other to wake up my legs once again.
"Yes, after I dress more appropriately I would like to take a walk around the area; I haven't been in Lothlorien in a long time. Would you like to join me?" I asked with a soft smile. I knew he would go with me even if I didn't ask him if he wanted to. Aragorn and Legolas had been a bit nervous ever since the elleth taking care of me said I could get out of my bed as soon as I thought it was best. I gave myself another day of rest just to be sure and now I had no doubt that I was well enough to rejoin the rest of Middle Earth.
"Of course," Aragorn said immediately after I asked the question. I chuckled as there was a knock at the door. We both looked up to see an elleth standing there; she had a bundle of clothes in her hands.
"Excuse me for interrupting my lord, my lady," she said nervously but had a pleasant smile on her face none the less.
"It is alright, you were not interrupting anything important, what brings you here?" I asked giving her a pleasant smile as well, her shoulders seem to relax and her smile widened a bit more as she saw my smile.
"Lady Galadriel asked me to bring these clothes to you, she said she had a feeling you would need them." I gave Aragorn a knowing smile as I walked towards the elleth. I gently grabbed the bundle from her and nodded towards her.
"Thank you for bringing them here and tell Lady Galadriel thank you for giving these to me." A small spark of amusement showed in the elleth's eyes and I guessed that Lady Galadriel told her something else as well.
"Lady Galadriel said you can tell her yourself this afternoon and that you know where." With one last smile and small nod the elleth left the room.
"The lady is eager to see you." Aragorn said and I shrugged slightly.
"When I was a child besides visiting Rivendell often I also visited Lothlorien. I see Galadriel like a mother since Legolas' mother had sadly passed before I was found. I would spend all my days with her while I was here; I was quite fond of Celeborn as well. Now let me change so we can walk, yes?" I asked with a smile and Aragorn nodded quickly, he walked up to me and gave me a kiss on the forehead.
"I will be right outside the door." He said quietly and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. I hurriedly got dress with a smile on my face and made my way to the door. I flung open the door and Aragorn turned to me with a chuckle.
"I see you are happy to leave." Aragorn had a wide smile on his face and I couldn't help but place a chaste kiss on his furry cheek. He offered the crook of his arms and I gladly took it as we began walking out onto the grounds in a slow place.
"Where would you like to my lady?" Aragorn asked in a teasing manner and I narrowed my eyes slightly at him before they brightened.
"Can we go see the rest of the fellowship? An odd group we may be but I will admit I have missed them." I said with hope and Aragorn laughed while shaking his head slightly.
"Of course we can, they've been anxious to see you actually." I nodded and began to quicken my pace, excited to be with my companions again.
We reached a small open area in the woods near where the elves lived. The lightening was beautiful as it hit the trees, causing a glow around the whole area. There was a small place where there was water to drink from and everyone's blankets were placed about the area. I smiled softly as I saw the four hobbits huddled in a corner speaking to one another, Gimli snoring softly, hiding under a rock to make it a bit less sunny, and finally Boromir sitting by himself, observing the area around him.
Boromir was the first to notice Aragorn and me, a grin growing on his face. I smiled softly at him as Aragorn led me farther into the little area. I stifled my giggle as I watched Aragorn walk over to Gimli and kick him hard on the legs. The hobbits heard the noise and looked up; a large grin appeared on Frodo's face.
"Aria!" Frodo cried up, all four of the hobbits jumping up.