Thoughts I: Boromir

A/N: Just some random Boromir stuff I thought up when I watched the Two Towers and reading the Fellowship.

Summary: What was Boromir thinking as he was dying? The first part in my new Thoughts series.

I put my horn to my lips and blew as loud as I could. Pain was spreading from my wounds. Perhaps they could hear me in Minas Tirith: it is not far and the horn is loud. The sound, clear and true, echoed through the trees. Where is Aragorn? More orcs came. Arrows. It felt like an Uruk had set my chest on fire.

"Boromir!" someone cried.

I turned and saw Merry and Pippin being hoisted over several orcs' shoulders. They screamed and cried for help. I advanced toward them but a sharp pain plunged into my body. No, not now. I clenched my teeth. I had to save Merry and Pippin. It was the least I could do for this Fellowship which I had let down. Where was Aragorn and Legolas and Gimli? I blew my horn again. Perhaps they were dead. There were many orcs, and they came by the hundreds.

I heard someone cry: Elendil! Elendil! and crashed through the trees. Aragorn!

Aragorn! Fare thee well, heir of Isildur. Fare thee well my lord; my captain; my king. May you rule well.

More arrows. Pain. Thousands of arrows.

I caught an orc in the neck; and he flew back, knocking another over. I stabbed another through the belly. There was another explosion of pain in my side. I dropped my sword.

Finally, the orcs left. I slumped underneath a tree and pulled arrow after arrow from my body. I gasped with pain at each one; but I shall not be buried with the weapons of the enemies within me.

I am sorry Frodo. I have let you down. I succumbed to the temptation; and I have paid the price.

I closed my eyes but I felt a presence beside me. I opened them and saw Aragorn, kneeling. I tried to speak but it was too great an effort. I felt my life slipping from me. Finally, I summed up what energy and life I had left in me: Aragorn must know what happened.

"I tried to take the Ring from Frodo," I whispered in pain. "I am sorry. I have paid." I looked to my fallen enemies; twenty lay there. I was reminded of Merry and Pippin. "They have gone: the Halflings: the orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them." I was tired; I wanted to sleep. I closed my eyes. No! I cannot die! Not yet! I opened them again and spoke slowly.

"Farewell Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed."

Go save Faramir: I have failed him. Go to my father: I have failed him, too.

"No!" Aragorn said, taking my hand and kissing my brow. "You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fail!"

Goodbye Sam. Goodbye Pippin and Merry: may the grace of the Valar be with you. Farewell Gimli: may your ax smite the heads of many enemies. Farewell Legolas: may your arrows slay many orcs and Uruk-hais.

I smiled at Aragorn. His eyes narrowed with concern. And then I remembered the most important person. Aragorn spoke again:

"Which way"--goodbye Faramir--"did they go?"--Be a good brother. May you live under the leadership of Aragorn in the brighter days, if the battle goes not ill--"Was Frodo"--I felt my life leaving me--"there?"

Goodbye...

There was a brief darkness. Then: the grey rain-curtain was turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and I beheld white shores and beyond them a far country under a swift sunrise.

And then I knew I was truly dead.