-2 weeks later-
Frodo's shoulder wound had finally healed aswell as Ana's to some extent. Ana would gallop around the paddock and leap towards the sky. The hobbits often came to see her and just watch her as she did what fillies would usually do. One day however when they came to visit, they were dressed ready for a journey. Slowly they stepped into Ana's paddock with slightly sad looks on their faces.
"Well Beauty looks like it's time to say goodbye." Merry said patting Ana on the neck.
'What? Goodbye? What do you mean?' Ana thought confused.
"We'll miss you Beauty." Frodo then said giving Ana a pat and leaving with Sam, Merry and Pippin.
'Wait! Don't go! Why are you leaving! Where are you going?' Ana neighed after them trotting back and forth along the fence.
Ana saw as the Frodo's friends, or the Fellowship as Aragorn had called them, gathered at the gate out of Rivendell. Ana silenced herself staring at Frodo in his eyes. She saw sorrow in them and exhaustion, the burden he now had to continue to bear was weighing on his shoulders. They all started walking towards the gate. Ana reared and let out a loud cry gaining the fellowships attention. Ana stomped her front hooves onto the ground and neighed with all the might she could muster. Frodo narrowed his eyes at her and in response Ana bowed to him.
Frodo gave one last smile as Ana rose to her full height.
'Never lose hope little one. I will see you all again' Ana thought as she watched the fellowship leave her sight.
Ana lowered her head and walked around to the other side of the paddock. There she laid down feeling very lonely already. For the next few days Ana remained in her own worlds eating and drinking when the elves came to give her food and water. Arwen no longer visited her either but watched from her balcony as her people left for the Grey Heaven. Each day Ana listened to the wind and trees, listening to what they had to say and what rumours they brought.
One day however Ana grew nervous and wasn't eating. She heard disturbing news from the trees. Rumours of Gandalf's death. Ana thought long and hard about what she should do. Finally she trotted to the farthest corner of her paddock and turned to face the opposite side. Rearing she bolted running as fast as she could and leaping over the fence before her. Landing on her hooves again Ana ran past the gate and out of Rivendell. Listening to the wind she galloped across plains and through forests running in the direction of where the Fellowship had gone. By night she reached the walls of Moria and from the distance could see that the entrance was collapsed shut.
'Moria. They must have had to go in or then circle around to the other side.' Ana thought and galloped to go over the mountain.
The cold air burned at Ana's lungs as she made her way through the snow. She didn't care about that at all. She had to find the fellowship no matter what. For several days she travelled in the snow. Her hunger was growing but she pushed the feeling aside as she was now descending the mountain. She eventually came to a plain and stopped to eat and drink. After having her fill she came to the other entrance of the Mines of Moria. There was no sign of any life but the smell of Orcs and goblins lingered.
'From here where would they go?' Ana thought as she walked away from the mines.
Trotting at a steady pace she came to see a forest before her. The forest of Lothlorien. She quietly entered the forest using her skills to her advantage. As she passed into the forests deeper parts the scent of elves became clearer. Hearing an arrow being notched onto a bow Ana stopped her head high and ears perked. Ana listened to her surroundings carefully. She heard the silent whispering of the elves above her in the trees; however, she was unable to make any sense of it. Ana took a step forward and heard the notching of another arrow. She took another and again the same sound.
'You are a strange creature entering our forest.' Sounded a voice in her mind.
'I am only passing through please let me pass.' Ana thought wondering if the voice could hear her thoughts.
'You are no mere horse are you? Very well we shall let you pass. Though it seems you are seeking a fellowship that came by not long ago. If you wish to find them they have gone down the river to the falls of Räuros' The voice said and along with it came the sound of arrows being lowered.
'Thank you kind voice.' Ana thanked and started to canter through the woods.
As Ana made her way through the forest she passed the kingdom of elves stopping only for a moment to glance at it before continuing. Getting to the river she galloped downstream. Leaping over anything that came in her path, Ana galloped through the night until the break of dawn. The fellowship wasn't far and she could feel it. The trees told her that she was getting closer and to hurry as she passed the two great statues of Gondorian kings.
Stopping for a brief rest and drink, Ana replenished her strength. Once Ana had caught her breath she continued on in a light canter. A sound caught her attention and made her stop.
'What is that sound? Doesn't sound like any animal I know' She wondered but as it sounded again, 'A horn? Who would have a horn.....? The man! He had one when they left Rivendell!' Ana thought galloping one towards the sound.
The horn blow stopped and Ana galloped faster. She came to the sight of the man kneeling in front of a taller orc who was holding a notched bow in his hands the arrow aimed at the man's heart. Giving a neigh she caught the attention of the Uruk-hai and stampeded through it. Ana made a quick turn around and went for the uruk-hai again trampling over it once more.
The uruk-hai rose to its knees slowly as Ana came for another trample. The uruk raised the fallen arrow and swung it in front of him causing Ana to rear up in front of it. The uruk was about to plunge the arrow into Ana when the man's sword cut the arrow. Before the uruk could realize it Ana had already turned around and kicked the uruk in the head. On his back the uruk growled as Ana stood above him rearing up slightly and trusting her front hooves into the uruk's head. The man looked at Ana tiredly. Ana took in his appearance and noted the three arrows in his chest. Walking up behind the man she stood there giving the man her front legs to lean on.
Hearing a twig snap Ana turned her face to the right and saw Aragorn along with Legolas and the dwarf who had come to Rivendell. She turned back to the man before her and lowered her head to the man.
"You saved my life. Not that, there was much to save." The man said lifting a hand to Ana's muzzle.
Aragorn was soon in front of the other man.
"They took the little ones." The man said gasping for a breath.
"Lay still Boromir." Aragorn told him.
"Where is Frodo?" Boromir then asked.
"I let him go." Aragorn answered having paused for a few seconds.
"Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the ring from him." Boromir confessed.
Aragorn attempted to remove the arrows from Boromir's chest but he stopped Aragorn from doing so.
"Promise me you will not let the white city fall?" Boromir begged.
"I do not know what weakness lies in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the white city fall. I will bring our people to glory." Aragorn promised as he handed Boromir his sword which he tried to reach for.
"I would have followed you to the end, my brother, my captain... my king." Boromir said with a smile on his face.
"Be at peace son of Gondor. Your forefathers will look to your coming." Aragorn said as he watched Boromir close his eyes and let out his last breath.
Ana let out knickers as Aragorn supported Boromir's back so that he could be laid on the ground. Legolas stood in the distance muttering an elvish prayer for his fallen companion. Gimli stood on his own and Ana guessed he was probably grieving in his own way. Ana watched the peaceful face of Boromir while Aragorn removed the arrows from his body.
"We should send him to Gondor." Aragorn said turning to look at Ana.
She understood what Aragorn wanted and lowered herself to her front knees. Aragorn lifted Boromir's body onto her back. Getting up Ana carried Boromir as Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, as she had learnt the dwarf was named, to the river where their boats were.
