Aragorn stood looking at the spot where he had last seen Gandalf, where he had last seen the wizard as he fell into darkness. Part of him refused to believe what his eyes had just beheld while yet another part of him told him to carry out the last wish of his mentor by fleeing the darkness of Moria. However he could not seem to make his legs work until he heard the sound of Boromir's voice calling out to him.

"ARAGORN!"

Taking one last look at the crumbling bridge, Aragorn turned to flee up the stairs after Boromir, his heart urging him to turn back to look for Gandalf even as his mind scream of the futility of that act.

Gandalf was gone, lost to them forever, take by both Shadow and Flame...

As he reached the outside of the Mines, Aragorn stopped only to allow his eyes to adjust to the light of day. He wasn't surprised to see the hobbits on the ground; all of them weeping as the grief sank in. Merry and Pippin clung to each other even as Sam sat by himself, his face in his hands as he cried for their loss. For the moment it didn't seem strange to him that Frodo was nowhere nearby.
 
Aragorn only wanted to do as the remaining members of the Fellowship did around him. He only wanted to sit on the ground and mourn the loss of his mentor and friend. But he also heard the last words Gandalf had spoken to him echoing in his mind.

"You must lead them on, Aragorn!"

Taking a deep breath, Aragorn buried his grief for Gandalf deep into his heart. He would have to allow himself to feel the sorrow of his loss later but for now he had honor the trust the wizard had placed in him and get the others to the safety of Lothlòrien.

"Legolas, get them up," he said.

Boromir shot him a glare, "Give them a moment, for pity's sake!"

Aragorn gestured with his sword as he spoke, "By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlórien...Come Boromir, Legolas, Gimli: Get them up."

He pulled Sam to his feet, gently saying, "On your feet, Sam." He looked for Frodo but did not see him nearby. Turning, Aragorn called out, "Frodo? Frodo!"

Frodo was away from the others, he back to them. At hearing Aragorn's voice he turned back, tears streaming down the hobbit's face as he finally moved to rejoin the others. Aragorn approached him and said, "I'm sorry, Frodo, I know you need to rest and grieve. We all do, but we must move now."

Frodo nodded, "All right."

As the others began to move, Aragorn took the lead, setting a quick pace towards the Golden Woods of the Elves. As they walked in silence towards the safety of Lothlòrien, Aragorn took advantage of the quiet to say goodbye to the friend he had lost this day, vowing always to remember the one he had lost to the darkness of Moria...

FIN