Rating: PG-13 to R (Angst... proceed with caution)

Summary: When Legolas is forced to make a decision that could very
well determine the fate of all Middle Earth, what will he do? And
what consequences will his choice have?

// = elvish translations
# = flashbacks
* = thought

Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: As in Chapter 1

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Chapter 24 - Shattered Hopes

Aragorn’s eyes went wide as he watched the vial flip through the air. Diving after the small bottle trying to catch it, his fingertip brushed the smooth surface of the glass but the action only pushed the object further towards destruction. The ranger watched in horror as the vial impacted with the stone wall and shattered into a million pieces. His heart and hope shattered along with it. Aragorn crashed down onto the flood. Shreds of glass and liquid rained down towards the ground a few feet in front of where he had landed.

"NOOOO!!!" his screams intermixed with the sound of a crashing thunder pierced through the night. Shards and fragments of rock and dust tumbled down from above as the cave shook under the assault of the thunderstorm.

Delund laughed. He did not get what he wanted but it was all right. He had managed to destroy the lives of those who had caused him his exile and pain.

A bolt of lightning struck the cave bringing more debris down on the trio. Aragorn watched in shock as he saw a piece of rock fall and hit his father on the back. The elf lord had all his attention focused on Delund that he did not see the rock tumbling towards him. He stumbled and fell but before he could regain his footing, another piece of large rock slid down along the cave wall and landed on his right leg, pinning it tightly onto the ground. The older elf cried out in surprise and pain.

Delund took a step back as a large piece of the cave wall came loose, almost crushing him, his movement brought him within striking distance from the ranger. Aragorn let out an anguish cry and lunged for Delund before the dark elf could regain his balance. Both man and elf crumbled to the ground with Aragorn landing on top of Delund, knocking the air out of him momentarily, the impact causing his long knife to fly out of his hand and landed a few feet away. Ceasing this opportunity, the ranger wrapped his hands tightly around Delund’s neck and held him in a death grip trying to squeeze the life out of the hated creature. Delund gasped, his right hand reached for his neck and pried at the human’s fingers while his left hand searched his surrounding for something that he could use as a weapon.

Elrond shouted a warning as Delund’s hand found a large stone but Aragorn was too enraged that he did not hear his father’s cries. The stone came down hard on his head causing bright spots to dance before his eyes. The human fell backwards onto his haunches, releasing his grip on Delund. Blood poured down the side of his face, stinging his eyes. Delund pushed himself up groggily, gasping for air. Stone still in hand and whizzing slightly, he advanced towards the injured ranger with the intention of getting rid of him once and for all.

Aragorn scooted away from the crazed elf on hands and feet but his escape was brought to an abrupt stop when his back collided with the stone wall of the cave. He watched in fear as Delund marched towards him unsteadily with a lopsided grin plastered on his face. He could hear his father shouting but could not make out what he was saying. His head pounded ferociously and his heart was about to hammer its way out of his chest. Just when he thought all things were coming to an end, another rumble shook the walls. He yelped as a large piece of rock fell and smashed into Delund, sending the elf crashing to the ground.

Delund screamed as the rock hit him in the chest, shattering his ribs. He roared in rage and pain. His plans were ruined. It was not fair. He never got what he wanted and he would never get what he wanted now that he lay dying in his own lair. He did not want to die. Not here, not now. He would plead for his life but he was too proud to do so. Instead, he stared up at the ceiling of the cave and watched as more rocks rained down upon him.

The stunned young ranger sat leaning against the wall. He blinked hard trying to clear his blurred vision and willed the world to stop spinning. Someone was shouting and it took him a while to realise that the voice belonged to his father. Wiping the blood away from his eyes with his sleeves, he rose unsteadily, stumbled towards his father and knelt down beside him. Elrond’s face was pale and lined with pain even though he was trying hard not to show it. Aragorn grabbed the edge of the offensive stone and hefted it with all his strength, wincing as his head throbbed painfully under the strain. The elf lord bit down hard on his lower lip trying to stop his cry as the rock was lifted away. Helping his father onto his feet, the two made their way out of the cave. They stood and watched in awe as the entrance of the cave collapsed entirely under the assault of the thunderstorm, burying the horrific memories inside forever.

Rain poured down in torrents from the sky and quickly soaking the father and son to the bones. Aragorn shivered slightly and pulled his cloak a little tighter around himself.

"Into the woods," Elrond tilted his head towards his left. "The trees may give us some protection." The elf lord took a step forward and winced. He quickly shifted his weight off his injured leg but his action did not go unnoticed.

"Are you all right, Ada?" Aragorn asked as he blinked the rainwater out of his eyes. His headache had grown to match the storm around them and he began to feel a little light-headed, but his concern for his father outweighed his own well being.

"I am well. It’s just a sprain," Elrond said as the two of them made their way hastily towards the woods. "In fact I’m more worried about you, my son. You took quite a blow on that head of yours."

"I’m fine," Aragorn lied, but right after he had spoken, a stab of pain shot through his temples. The sudden pain caused the ranger to stumble and drove him to his knees. A soft moan escaped his lips.

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To Be Continued...