Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

A/N: Sorry about the wait. Lots of work and a bit of writer's block. Thanks for the reviews: strangertotheworld, calathiel of mirkwood, invisigoth3, Writing Destiny, Kal Key, Nosterineth, AtlantisGirl12, and loststolenandfound. I have never had 8 reviews for a chapter!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soo happy. Hope you enjoy this next one!

When Aragorn awoke, warm sunlight streamed through the slight opening in his tent flap. He groaned and rubbed his aching eyes with a single motion, before rolling over onto his back, staring up at the top of his tent seeing beyond the temporary structure into the possible future ahead. The thought of what could happen to his best friend threatened to shatter his heart into a million pieces…again. He could not bear the idea that Legolas was beyond aid. A few stray tears rolled down his cheeks at the thought of his best friend wasting away painfully into nothing, due to the irreparable damage caused by the reckless hate of the orcs. The world was so unfair and cruel sometimes to allow such a beautiful creature to lose his very soul, something that could never be replaced. Aragorn shook his head from side to side and refused to dwell any longer on the negative.

He slowly sat up, pushing up with his elbows, trying to ignore the dizziness that tried to overwhelm him. When he was finally in a sitting position, he closed his eyes tightly and blinked rapidly a few times trying to fight off the blurred vision and bright sunlight that assaulted his gray orbs. When he was accustomed to the light, he somewhat clumsily stood up and leaned against one of the poles within the tent that supported it. Aragorn felt terrible to say the least, and for a second he rethought his decision to leave, at least without assistance, wondering whether or not he would even be able to make it to Legolas in such a weakened state. He took a deep breath, and decided that since he had come that far, he might as well go the extra few feet to his best friend's bedside.

Aragorn walked gradually outside, feeling a bit of his strength returning with each movement. He was so focused on remaining upright and steady that he never noticed the dark-haired elf coming to his side.

"Estel? Estel, what are you doing out of bed? Alone?" Elladan questioned worriedly, taking his brother by the arm. Aragorn pulled away knowing he would be an obstacle in his plan, and that his overprotective brother would no doubt force him to return to his quarters. The movement left him winded, and pain pounded behind his eyes.

"Estel, you should be resting. Your fever has returned, I'm afraid." That simple diagnosis made a world of difference to the man. 'So that's why I feel so terrible. I thought maybe a heard of Oliphants had run me down… not that that would have been the first time,' He mused silently. The pulling on his arm alerted him to his brother's desire for him to return to his bed, but Aragorn would not let him.

"No," he croaked, just realizing how sore and dry his throat was. Crying himself to sleep did nothing to improve his condition. "I have to see Legolas….Please."

Tears glistened in his eyes, but he knew they would not fall. There were none left to shed. He cried his heart out already, and now, he felt empty inside where once a great weight laid heavily on his chest threatening to suffocate him. He did not know if he preferred it that way because at least then, he could feel something other than utter hopelessness. Elladan seemed to notice his brother's resolve. He nodded silently and put his arm around Aragorn's shoulders and led him to Legolas.

The journey was slow, but in moments, the two were standing outside the tent that would take them to their sick friend. Aragorn could do nothing but stare at the entrance before him as his heart pounded in his chest. The will to see his friend seemed to whither under the pressure of the crushing force of reality. One step further through that flap, and he would be faced with the true condition of his best friend and no amount of wishing, denying, or retelling could ever change what he would see. Aragorn had spent so much time imagining the pain his friend was in, but never did it become so real as in that moment.

Panic was slowly setting in and it did not go unnoticed by the elf he was leaning on for support. Elladan, trying to ease his brother's suffering, placed a gentle hand on the side of his brother's face and turned his gaze to his own two worried eyes.

"Estel, shhhh, it's okay," he whispered softly hoping to break through the man's panicked state. "You don't have to do this right now, gwador nin." It took a moment to compose himself, but Aragorn shook his head slowly, trying to not aggravate his growing headache. Though he felt no better about the situation, he knew he could not leave now.

"No, Elladan, I have to do this or I may never have the strength again."

Elladan nodded, understanding his brother's need and tenderly urged the man forward, pulling him toward the entrance. He lifted the flap and offered his brother passage first. Aragorn swayed a bit and staggered into the tent to be faced with a scene that threatened to tear his heart from his chest.

Elrond sat hunched over the side of the young elf's bed, exhausted and desolate. Never before had Aragorn seen his father nearing his breaking point, his world-weariness apparent. He could not focus on the elf lord when his eyes drifted to the body beneath him.

Legolas lay still, barely breathing upon a soft bed of midnight blue blankets. His golden hair fanned out around his head like a halo, as he slept still as death. The blankets that only came so far up his chest, did not fully cover the ugly, black bruises that coated his battered body. The skin that was untouched was paler than Aragorn had ever seen it, as a slight tinge of gray seemed to color the surface. There were cuts and contusions on his once beautiful face, and his eyes…those blue crystal eyes were closed as the elf escaped the atrocities of the world to a place of peace.

Aragorn let out a sob as his body lost all fight and his legs refused to hold him upright. He fell to his knees, breathing faster and more erratic with each passing second. His vision blurred for a second and he could not tell who was kneeling in front of him trying to get his attention. He shook his head again, causing it to throb mercilessly. After a few minutes- to Aragorn they were agonizing hours- his tired body ceased its attack, and he slumped forward into the arms of the awaiting elf. By the smell of the herbs on the valore robes, he knew it was his father.

"Estel, you shouldn't be out of bed," Elrond whispered softly with no trace of reprimand in his voice. Only pity seemed to break through his son's hazy world.

"I…h-had…to see…L-Leg-las," Aragorn gasped as his breathing slowly returned to normal. He was hiccupping and coughing violently, his lungs seeming to constrict in his chest.

"Shhhh, Estel, breathe," Elrond ordered soothingly. Finally, the exhausted man returned to normal, mumbling, inaudibly into his father's robes. The elf lord gently pushed his son up and away from his shoulder so as to better understand him.

"I can't do this. I can't," the man kept repeating, his head hanging forward.

"What can't you do, ion nin?"

"This…seeing him broken. I cannot live with myself should I lose my best friend," His voice broke, and he squeezed his eyes shut tightly. Fear flared in Elrond's heart.

"No, listen to me, Estel. You can do this. You can live for Legolas. You can be there for him when he wakes up. If anyone on Arda is strong enough to survive this…it is you," Elrond urged, his eyes glistening with tears at his son's hopelessness.

Aragorn seemed to find strength in those words, and he nodded silently at his father. Putting his arms on the strong ones clutching his shoulders, he attempted to stand. Elrond seemed to understand and he helped him rise, careful not to move too quickly.

"Let me see my friend," Aragorn said leaving no room for argument. Elrond nodded and walked him over to Legolas' bedside. The man sat down in the seat that was previously occupied by his father and leaned forward on his knee toward his friend's face.

"I-I don't know if you can hear me, Legolas, but I wanted to tell you that I am sorry. I never meant for this to happen to you," Aragorn apologized as he smoothed his friend's blonde hair away from his face with his hand as he spoke. "You deserve more than what has been done to you, and I do not know if I can be there for you after so much has happened. I…I am lost, mellon nin. I can't live this empty life without you. Please don't leave me here alone."

Aragorn closed his eyes and let a few stray tears fall as he leaned forward and kissed his best friend's brow. Elrond too was crying, but he quickly straightened up and leaned forward to whisper in his son's ear.

"Come, ion nin, it is time you rested. You do deserve that." The man nodded emotionlessly. It seemed he could no longer feel anything anymore as he allowed the elf to lead him away from Legolas' bedside. His tired feet dragged beneath him. Elladan quietly entered the tent and moved to take the man from his father's arms. They spoke softly to each other a moment when another voice, hoarse and weary, filtered through the room.

"E-Estel…"

Please Review ;)