All for the Ones I Love

Chapter 13: Must It End Here?

“And that is what has happened.” finished Legolas. “The rest you know.”

The two elves sat on a hill near the edge of the forest overlooking the camp below.

Glorfindel sat on a nearby rock thinking over all he had heard. His heart clenched tight in his chest at how his once young charge came to be in the condition he was now in. His eyes clouding over with tears at the pain the dunedain must have surely been feeling. Looking over at Legolas, who was looking aver at the camp, more importantly the tent his best friend was currently located. Though the Mirkwood elf was trying hard to stay angry at the twins and Elrond he just couldn’t stay that way, not with Aragorn in such a state.

Glorfindel walked to the young elf’s side the two once again standing in silence only unvoiced words of comfort and strength passing between them. Legolas sniffed and wiped the tears that were pooling rapidly beneath his sky blue eyes. Glorfindel squeezed his shoulder in a silent form of comfort. Legolas felt as if he was choking on the large lump that had formed at the back of his throat.

His best friend was down the hill they were standing on and he could not make his feet move to go anywhere near the tent. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out why his limbs below his waist were refusing to obey him. So lost in his thoughts and grief he did not see the elf lord, Elrond, ascending the hill.

Glorfindel looked at his friend and lord. He looked tired and worn. His hair was no longer held in the traditional elven braids, but hastily pulled back off his neck. His eyes were blood shot and filled with tears he could no longer cry. His face was grim and the look of defeat and guilt was wearing on it‘s once perfect features. He appeared older then he should, he was unkempt, tired, for he had had no sleep that Glorfindel new of, all in all Elrond looked terrible.

Looking the elf lord over Legolas began to feel a little bad for the Peredhil family.

Not wishing to disturb anything, but he needed to say what was on his mind Elrond spoke. “Legolas, I know you are probably angry at me, but please go to him. Perhaps you could rouse him from his sleep before it’s his death.”

Legolas nodded and left the two elves to confine in one another.

Glorfindel noted how Elrond had not looked up the whole time the ground beneath his feet had captured his attention. Glorfindel was surprised at the tone that Elrond had used. It was sad and quiet as if perhaps the elf would never feel again if Estel did in fact pass this night.

Glorfindel looked to his friend for a long time before speaking. “Mellon nin, do you wish to speak?”

Elrond swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat as he reluctantly nodded. “I fear I may have killed him Glor.”

Glorfindel frowned, “You do not believe he will survive.” it was a statement not a question.

Elrond shook his head, “Unless there is a miracle then no. The wound is too great. Not even one of the eldar could survive such injuries. I will be surprised if he wakes up." Fresh tears fell from the elf lords eyes. He quickly wiped them away, not wishing to appear week. However, ever time he wiped them away more took their place.

Legolas arrived at the tent that held his friend. He opened the flap to revel the twins setting on the ground in each others arms near their brother, fast asleep. By the looks on their twin faces he surmised they had cried themselves to sleep. They weren’t all peaceful looking either, even in their sleep they frowned and tears stained their faces, Elrohir was even crying in his sleep he felt so depressed. As much as Legolas wanted to he could not stay angry with them, not right now at least. He had other things to worry about.

“They weep for you mellon nin.” he stroked the rangers cold hands feeling the blood veins under the thin cool skin. “Even their dreams trouble them. Elrond is the same, he is out pouring his heart to Glorfindel as I did not long ago.” He looked at his friend’s pale face, “I should have gone with you. The rangers would have found their own way, that is how they are am I right? Your people are strong my friend and you are the strongest of them all. That is why you can not leave just yet. You need to prove to them still that you are their leader.” Legolas wanted to cry, but his tears had run dry. “I should have been there to protect and defend you from your own family. But then again who could have guessed they would react this way? Certainly not I and apparently it surprised you as well.” Legolas sniffed and his voice cracked with his next words, “Arwen loves you Aragorn. Though your family said otherwise, she waits for you. To once again see your smiling face, to hear your voice, to be with you. Do not abandon her. If you live for no other reason then live for her.” Tears once again found their way into his eyes and down his face. “Please mellon nin, don’t leave. You will shatter many hearts if you forsake the light.”

He passed his hand absently over the rangers face. As his hand passed the man’s nose and lips they paused. Something was missing. Legolas eyes grew twice their size at this find.

There was no breath, no air passed through his lips and out his nose. Looking down in fear of what he would find he made a startling discovery. Aragorn wasn’t breathing.

“NO!”

The sudden yell woke the twin Peredhil.

“What happened?”

“What’s going on?”

Came a simultaneous talk.

Legolas looked up with fear in his eyes, “Get your father now, he’s not breathing.”

“Where is he?” asked Elrohir standing up ready to leave as soon as he got the answer he wanted.

“On top of the large hill overlooking camp. GO NOW!” Elrohir didn’t need to be told twice he heard what he needed then left before Legolas had finished. He knew where his friend was talking about.

Elladan, still in the tent with his friend and brother, reached a fearful trembling hand to Aragorn’s face. There he made an even startling discovery. His younger brother’s face was quickly cooling. ’That’s not good.’ screamed his mind. Moving two fingers to the man’s throat he found his heart beat, but it was slowing and getting slower by the second.

Elladan pulled away fear in his eyes. His brother had given up on life and was dying before his eyes. Pulling his knees up to his chest the older twin cried bitter tears.

A/N: Here is where I stop. Is this how it ends? Wait till the next chapter. (HEHE)

Runs into hiding where no one can find me.