b2mem | Cheating Death, pt 2, by cairistiona

B2MeM Challenge: G51, Injury & Other Illnesses, "Torture" (which I took in the figurative sense rather than literal, though Halbarad might argue otherwise)
Format: Ficlet/Vignette
Genre: Gen
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Characters: Aragorn, Halbarad, OCs
Pairings: None
Summary: After nearly losing his chieftain, Halbarad calms down and takes a deep breath. Inspired in large part by the comments left for part 1, which got me thinking that I needed to carry the scene a wee bit further. Thank you all!

Halbarad ran his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. Of course you were not stupid in saving her. I let my fear run my mouth, as usual. Forgive me.”

Aragorn smiled at him through a curtain of damp hair. He still jerked with an occasional shudder but the shivering had eased and he could feel his feet again. “There is nothing to forgive.” He lowered his voice so Maevor could not hear. “I confess that I probably should have waited for you to tie a rope around me, but I was unsure how deep that part of the pond was. Time was of the essence. If she’d gone down very far at all I would have been unable to see her. I barely could as it was. It was never a sure thing, and I am not ashamed to admit despair drove my actions.” He looked away and blinked rapidly. “I could not...”

Halbarad squeezed his shoulder. “I know, cousin. And I cannot fault you for that. The lash of my tongue was an unfair reward for taking the only course available.” He nodded toward Héniel, who had her thumb in her mouth and seemed sleepy but otherwise perfectly content in her father’s lap. “Hopefully she will never remember this.”

Aragorn nodded. He took a sip of hot tea and glanced back at Halbarad. “You must forget about it as well. Or at least let the worry fall away. I am made of sterner stuff than I think you give me credit for.”

Halbarad let out a noise that was part disgruntled growl and part disbelieving laugh, an impressive vocal feat, Aragorn thought, wondering how he managed it. “You torture me daily with your noble stunts, you do realize that, I hope?”

“But I did nothing noble at all yesterday! Indeed, I spent the day sorting my socks.”

“Hmm. After you started it hunting boar with Dirhael. Dirhael told me that beast nearly ran you over.”

Aragorn said nothing for a moment. “It was only a glancing blow. It would have killed Dirhael if I hadn’t pushed him out of the way. As it was, I was only bruised. No harm done.”

“Except to my peace of mind. And thus I rest my case.” Halbarad picked up his own mug of tea. “To nobility, and idiots who possess overmuch of it.”

“And to cheek, and captains who possess overmuch of it.” He swallowed a large mouthful and grinned. “And I would have it no other way.”

Halbarad smiled slowly. “I know.”