Disclaimer: You know. I know. They Know. She knows. He knows. Everybody knows... so let's just get to the story.
A/N Tinuviel Undomiel: Update fast enough for you, Lady Cantara? Lets see how angry you'll be with Boromir in this chapter. You are very clever by the way about Boromir, and you are right.
A/N Nerwen Aldarion: I did the scene where Aragorn is fighting Lurtz and let me tell you, you better like it because I think I strained my mental capabilities. It was HARD!
The Fellowship sailed the Anduin River for hours. The scenery never changed much, so they were stuck with nothing to do. Arwen could hear Legolas behind her slightly panting,
"You tire, my friend?"'
"I am fine," he replied.
"Let me row for awhile."
"No, Arwen," Legolas said, "I can handle this boat well enough."
"Just hand her the oar, lad," Gimli said, rolling his eyes. Reluctantly Legolas handed Arwen the oar, and settled back in the boat.
Aragorn watched Arwen as she rowed. She moved in perfect grace, dipping the oar into the water, and smoothly paddling the boat with the current. He smiled to himself, and continued to stare. Arwen looked up and caught his gaze, and smiled. "Does something amuse you?"
He grinned a little, "I just find it interesting how you wished to work the boat," mischief gleamed in his eyes, "Feel free at any time to take over for me."
Arwen smirked, and struck his boat with her oar, "I believe you can handle it yourself."
Aragorn shook his head a little, "Careful, my lady. It is unwise to strike the boat of a Dunedain Ranger."
Arwen hit his boat again, "I think I'll take my chances."
Aragorn gave her a look that clearly said 'you were warned'.He brought his own oar down, but not on the boat. Instead his oar struck the river, sending a splash of water into her face. Arwen squealed, and lashed her oar into the water as well. Within seconds, they had started a little game. They each tried desperately to splash on another. Frodo and Sam, in Aragorn's boat, joined in by cupping their hands full of water and flinging it at Legolas and Arwen.
"Will ye quit this insanity so that I don't fall overboard?" Gimli bellowed.
A voice rang out from behind them, "I thought we were supposed to be sailing the Anduin, not drowning in it." They looked and saw Boromir trying desperately to catch up. Arwen laughed.
"Give me that!" Legolas said, yanking the oar from Arwen's hands, "That is the last time I let you handle a boat." Arwen sank back into the boat, and pushed her wet hair out of her face. She continued to smile.
Aragorn also smiled, but stopped when he turned to look at Boromir. His face was grim, and his brow wrinkled into a frown. He knew Boromir wasn't happy about the little episode that had just happened. He wondered what else troubled the man.
After they had beached their boats on the western bank, the Fellowship began to set up camp. Arwen wandered off to find firewood, andMerry and Pippin joined her. The hobbitsstopped working, however,when they came upon a mushroom patch. Arwen decided to let them pick their favorite treat while she got the wood. After a half and hour of gathering, she had an armful and was thinking about heading back.
"Arwen," someone called. Arwen turned to see Boromir coming from behind her. He was supposed to be scavenging the area. What was he doing here? Had he followed her?
"Boromir," She greeted frowning slightly.
"Uh, where are, uh, Merry and Pippin?" Boromir tried to maintain a calm manner, but failed.
"They wanted to pick mushrooms for Sam to cook."
"Oh," Boromir said looking down. "I see."
"But that isn't what you wanted to know, is it?" Arwen asked.
"Uh, no, actually," Boromir said, obviously nervous. What did he have to be nervous about? "This is very hard to say."
"Please tell me," Arwen said.
"I have always thought you very beautiful, and, well... I care about you deeply."
Arwen wasn't totally shocked by this.
"I believe that, I... well," Boromir continued, trying to say the words, "I believe that I may be falling in love with you."
Arwen was stunned by this. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever expected him to say that. Say he cared for her, yes, but not love.
"Do you have feelings for me?" He asked.
Arwen wasn't sure what to do. She had never been in a situation like this. She shook her head a little. "I'm sorry Boromir," she said, "You're my friend and you always will be, but I don't love you."
Boromir looked at his feet, "Oh," was all he could say.
"I need to bring this to camp, "Arwen said, referring to the wood, "Aragorn expects it."
Boromir nodded a little and watched her leave.
Then the rage hit.
He stomped off n the opposite direction, not really looking where he was going. It wasn't fair! He had said he loved her, and she didn't feel the same. Maybe he didn't love her, but still he desired her. Those words - 'Aragorn expects it' -was like a knife to his ear. Aragorn had taken her. He had taken Arwen, when he, Boromir, deserved her. Boromir swore through clenched teeth. "He may have taken Arwen, but he will never take my kingdom!"
At night, while the rest of the Fellowship slept, Boromir stayed on watch on the bank. A log silently floated by, and Boromir almost didn't glance at it, but he could see two hands grip it.
Aragorn came up behind him. "Gollum," he said, "He's been tracking us since Moria. I had hoped we'd lose him on the river, but he's too clever a waterman."
"If he leads the enemy to our whereabouts," Boromir said, "It will make the crossing even more dangerous."
"We can do it," Aragorn said, "It is our only choice."
"It is not our only choice," Boromir said, "Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know it. From there we can regroup... strike out for Mordor from a place of strength."
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us."
"You were quick enough to trust the Elves," Boromir interjected, "Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that." Aragorn began to turn away, but Broormir grabbed his arm, "You are afraid! All your life you hid in the shadows scared of who you are of what you are!"
Surely a man who fears himself should have no maiden such as Arwen, Boromir wanted to say.
Aragorn turned back sharply. "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city!" he hissed. Then he turned back towards the camp.
Arwen sat by the crackling fire. When Argorn returned, he saw her face and knew she had heard the entire argument. He couldn't say anything; all he did was bow his head and climb into his bedroll. Boromir returned a few minutes later, uttering a string of curses at Aragorn. He didn't even notice Arwen sitting there. Within minutes, Arwen was sure they were asleep. So many thoughts ran through her mind. Galadriel's words drifted to her.
"You must decide what road to take."
She did feel things for Aragorn, but she couldn't fall in love with him. It was impossible...So then, why was she sad? And confused?
A little cry came from Frodo. The Hobbit bagan to toss and turn restlessly. Arwen gently nudged him awake whispering his name. "Were you dreaming?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, "I dreamed of Gandalf in Moria."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Frodo." She knew he suffered not only from dreams, but from something else. When she looked at him she could see the fear in his eyes. "Let me sing you something soothing, that should help your dreams,"She offered.
"Thank you, my lady," Frodo said, curling back into his bedroll. Arwen began to sing, in sweet Elvish tones, the Lay of Luthien.
The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinúviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering.
There Beren came from mountains cold,
And lost he wandered under leaves,
And where the Elven-river rolled
He walked alone and sorrowing.
He peered between the hemlock-leaves
And saw in wander flowers of gold
Upon her mantle and her sleeves,
And her hair like shadow following.
Enchantment healed his weary feet
That over hills were doomed to roam;
And forth he hastened, strong and fleet,
And grasped at moonbeams glistening.
Through woven woods in Elvenhome
She tightly fled on dancing feet,
And left him lonely still to roam
In the silent forest listening.
He heard there oft the flying sound
Of feet as light as linden-leaves,
Or music welling underground,
In hidden hollows quavering.
Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves,
And one by one with sighing sound
Whispering fell the beechen leaves
In the wintry woodland wavering.
He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.
When winter passed, she came again,
And her song released the sudden spring,
Like rising lark, and falling rain,
And melting water bubbling.
He saw the elven-flowers spring
About her feet, and healed again.
He longed by her to dance and sing
Upon the grass untroubling.
Again she fled, but swift he came.
Tinúviel! Tinúviel!
He called her by her elvish name;
And there she halted listening.
One moment stood she, and a spell
His voice laid on her: Beren came,
And doom fell on Tinúviel
That in his arms lay glistening.
As Beren looked into her eyes
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
Tinúviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering.
Long was the way that fate them bore,
O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of iron and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.
The Sundering Seas between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless.
Her voice hung in the air, as the song finished. Frodo had fallen a sleep in the middle of it, but Arwen had continued singing. The song had given her strength, and she knew that when the time came, she would make the right decision for her choice. She lay down on her bedroll, and drifted into dreams.
Arwen had no idea that Aragorn had been awake the whole time, and had heard her song. It gave him hope.
The next day, they were once again sailing the Anduin. Legolas still refused to give Arwen the oar. It made her smile to think of the little water game she had played with Aragorn yesterday. She saw Boromir glance over at Aragorn's boat; she silently wondered if he still burned from the argument, or if he was staring at the Ringbearer. Aragorn looked up, and smiled a little at what he saw.
Frodo sat in front of him, his mind elsewhere. Aragorn tapped him on the shoulder. "Frodo, look," Aragorn said, capturing the hobbit's attention, "The Argonath. Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."
Two men stood before them, both were crowned with helmets; one of them had a long beard. They held out their left arms in a gesture of warning. Arwen was amazed at the sight of the incredible statues. She chanted the words her grandmother had said to her once: "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta." She didn't know why those words sprang to mind, but they did.
Aragorn turned to her. "Why did you say that?"
"I don't know. My grandmother has said it before." She was worried a little, "Did it offend you in any way?"
Aragorn looked down. "The heirs of Isildur say that stanza at their coronation, or whenever their child is born. My father said that on the day of my birth."
Arwen blinked in astonishment. Perhaps her grandmother had said those words on the day Aragorn was born as well.
They disembarked on a gravel beach. The sound of the Rauros Falls sang in Arwen's ears. The others quickly went to their duties: Merry and Boromir went to gather firewood,Aragorn began to take their supplies out of the boat, and Arwen helped him. Once everything was cleared, Aragorn went over their plan.
"We cross the lake at nighfall, hide the boats, and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Aragorn made it sound so easy that Gimli decided to dampen the plan.
"Oh, yes! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!"
Pippin looked at him, alarmed.
"Festering, stinking marsh lands as far as the eye can see."
Aragorn was annoyed by this, "That is our road. I suggest you get some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."
"Recover my...!" Gimli protested, and began muttering to himself.
Aragorn turned to Arwen and Legolas, who had been disscussing something. Legolas' eyes flickered to the wall of trees that surrounded them. "We should leave now," the Elf said.
"No," Araogrn replied, "Mordor Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for the cover of darkness."
"It is not the eastern shore that worries me." Legolas said, urgently. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind.Something draws near... I can feel it."
Arwen spoke up, "I feel it also." The three scoped the trees, trying to see what danger could possibly be coming.
Gimli continued to grumble to himself when Merry returned with fire wood. "Where's Frodo?" The hobbit asked.
They all realized that Frodo must have stolen himself away. Sam looked especially worried. Aragorn set his eyes on Boromir's shield, and other things. He turned and saw Arwen staring at them as well.
"I'll go look for him," Aragorn said buckling on his sword.
"I'll go with you," Arwen said walking towards him.
"No," Aragorn said, "You stay here with them, and watch over the camp. If Boromir returns, tell him I'm looking for Frodo." He then left, and waked into the greenery of the woods.
Everybody talked amongst themselves, wondering why Frodo left. Arwen didn't join them. Instead she remained posted by a tree, leaning against the trunk. The minutes crawled by, and still Aragorn didn't return. She knew something was out there. Something terrible was going to happen, she could feel it.
"I can't take it anymore," Sam said leaping to his feet, "I'm going after him."
"No, Sam!" Arwen said, running after him. Sam didn't listen. Arwen could feel the shadow coming closer; she knew what it was now. She turned to the others. "Legolas, Gimli, grab your weapons. The enemy is here!"
Aragorn wondered if Boroimir had found Frodo. He didn't have to have Elvish sense to know that the man desired the Ring. Perhaps this was innocent though; maybe Boromir was only gathering wood, and could be on a walk. Still, he knew that Frodo shouldn't be alone. Aragorn turned when he heard the sound of panting. He climbed a set of broken stone steps, and found Frodo laying on the ground. "Frodo?" he asked.
"It has taken Boromir," was all Frodo said.
"Where is the Ring?" Araogrn sounded harsher than he really meant. He wasn't angry at the Hobbit, but at Boromir for not being strong enough. He also worried that Boromir had taken the Ring.
Frodo took it the wrong way. "Stay away!" He called running from Aragorn.
"Frodo!" Aragorn yelled running after him, "I swore to protect you."
"Can you protect me from yourself?" He asked.
Aragorn paused. No, Frodo, don't ask it of me...
"Would you destroy it?" Frodo said, holding the Ring in the palm of his hand.
Aragorn stared at the successer of Islildur... a ring. "Aragorn, Aragorn..." The Ring beckoned, and Araogrn stepped forward, "Elesser." His hand hovered over Frodo's for a second.
In his mind he saw Islidur surrounded by the fires of Mount Doom. He watched as his ancestor kept the Ring, Yes, Aragorn said, about to take it, but then another image entered his thoughts. He saw Arwen standing with Gandalf, "Aragorn is not like Isildur," she said, "He's strong... kind and brave." No, he wasn't going to take it. He wasn't like his fathers; he was strong.
He covered Frodo's palm with both of his hands.
"I would have gone with you till the end," Aragorn pushed the hand that held the Ring to Frodo's chest, "Into the very fires of Mordor."
Frodo looked at him with deep understanding, "I know."
Aragorn knew that Frodo would have to leave; that it was his task.
"Look after the others," Frodo continued, "Especially Sam, he won't understand."
Aragorn nodded sadly, then he looked down and saw that Sting, tied to Frodo's side,was glowing blue. "Go, Frodo," he whispered taking out his own sword. "Run, run!"And Frodo obeyed, running into the woods.
Aragorn walked out of the ruins, and he saw the Uruk-Hai coming towards him. They glared at him, and Aragorn touched the blade of his sword to his forehead. He accepted their challenge to battle. The Uruks surrounded him, but Aragorn swung his sword gracefully. He stuck one in the chest, ending its life. His blade clanged against another, and after parrying a few blows, he was able to bring it down. He continued to fight them, but they were so many, that he drew back to the ruins.
Aragorn climbed on top of the ruins without being seen. The Uruk-Hai began to look around, wondering where their prey went.
"Elendil!" Argorn yelled, as he jumped in front of one.
The stray Uruk had not seen him coming, so he was quickly slaughtered.
"Aragorn!"
He could have sworn he heard Arwen call his name, but she surely must have been at the camp. An arrow zoomed by, and an Uruk-Hai dropped. Arwen came running up beside him, with Legolas and Gimli behind her. Legolas fired more arrows, while Gimli hacked away Uruks with his axe. "Aragorn, go!" Legolas cried, as they continued to fight them.
Arwen saw a cluster of Uruks, making their way deeper into the woods. You are not going to get away from me, she thought as she seperated herself from the others. They stooped when they had her scent, and grinned when she was in sight. Hadhafang clashed with the iron blade of an Uruk. He growled at her, and she whipped out her dagger, plunging it into his neck. Another Uruk charged at her, but he thrust her sword at him, making him fall by his companion.
Two more died quickly as well, but the third one was much stronger. Arwen whirled around to dodge his sword. He stared at her, sword ready.
"My orders are to find the Halflings," He told her, "But you're so pretty, it's hard to resist."
Their blades continued to dance, but with a quick chop of her sword, the Uruk's sword hand was severed. He howled in pain. Arwen thrust her sord into its torso.
"Death has no temptation." She said, pulling her sword free.
Now that they all lay dead, she ran back to find the others.
"Arwen," Aragorn said as he ran to her.
"They are after the Hobbits," Arwen said.
"Frodo is gone/ Do you know where the others are?"
"Sam ran after Frodo, and Merry and Pippin were seperated from us."
"Let us hope they are alright," Aragorn said as two Uruk-Hai came chargng after them.
Fight them was all they could do. The numbers of the Uruks were so greatthey were like bees swarming, but the Fellowship prevailed. Soon most Uruks were dead, others were fleeing. Nobody spoke, to intent on their burden to kill and not be killed. Then they all heard a familiar sound.
"The horn of Gondor." Legolas said.
"Boromir." Aragorn took off, following the sound of the kingdom he could rule. Arwen and the others followed him as they fought the remaining Uruks.
Aragorn was able to break free from the Uruks; he left Arwen, Legolas and Gimli to fight off the rest. He needed to speak to Boromir, whether to scold him or to save him he did not know. But when he got there his heart sank. The tallest Uruk stood before the mortally wounded Gondorian, an arrow cocked, ready to be fired to deliver the killing blow.
Aragorn jumped him and the arrow was shot harmlessly away. He and the Uruk began to fight, his sword against the broad, very sharp sword the Uruk-Hai carried. He is good, Aragorn thought, then his sword was knocked out of his hand, and he fell to the ground. When he stood up the Uruk thrust his shield at Aragorn, and the ranger was pinned by his neck to a tree. He struggled to get out of this mess, and was able to slip under the sheild just as the Uruk was going to sever his head.
He pulled out the curved knife Celeborn gave him and thrust it deep into the Uruk-Hai's thigh. The creature roared in pain and kicked Aragorn away. The Uruk then pulled the knife out of his thigh -without even flinching -licked the blade, then flung it at Aragorn. Aragorn blocked it with his sword, and began to fight the creature again, sword to sword. Finally Aragorn saw an advantage and took it. He sliced the creature's arm off and thrust his sword into the Uruk's belly. The creature grabbed the blade and pulled it deeper into his abdomen, mocking Aragorn's killing blow. Aragorn withdrew his sword, andin one sweep he took off the Uruk's head.
Aragorn panted desperately from the fight. The salty sweet taste of his own blood was in his mouth. His wounds were minor though, and meant nothing compared to the agony Boromir was going through.
"No!" Aragorn cried and raced to his friend.
Boromir's face was pale and scratched. He gulped air hungrily, as his life poured away. "They took the little ones," He said grabbing Aragorn's shoulder.
"Be still," Aragorn whispered.
"Frodo?" Boromir asked, "Where is Frodo?" If the Hobbit had died, Boromir would never forgive himself.
"I let Frodo go."
"Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the Ring from him."
"The Ring is beyond our reach now."
"Forgive me," Boromir begged, "I did not see... I have failed you all."
"No, Boromir," Aragorn said, "You fought bravely. You have kept your honor."
Aragorn reached to pull the arrows from Boromir, but Boromir stopped him. "Leave it! It is over. The world of Men will fall, and all will come to darkness... and my city to ruin." Boromir was beginning to choke on his blood.
"I do not know what strngth is in my blood," Aragorn said, "but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall... nor our people fail!"
Boromir looked at him now, almost smiling, "Our people... our people."
Boromir realized it then... Aragorn deserved Arwen. He knew the truth then as well, that he himself didn't love her. Her beauty and kind spirit had forced him to desire her, but Aragorn loved her with all his heart and soul.
Aragorn placed Boromir's sword in his hands, and he clutched it to his chest, "I would have followed you my brother... my captain... my King!" he said proudly. He drew in his last breath, and then departed from the world.
Arwen came running across the field. She stopped when she saw Aragorn and... "Boromir!" She cried out stifling a sob.
She stood over Aragorn as he bent down to his dead friend, "Be at peace, son of Gondor."
Legolas and Gimli came then, their faces grieving at the sight. Aragorn kissed Boromir's forehead, as a King blesses a newborn babe. He then stood up, tears falling down his cheeks. "They will look for his coming from the White Tower, but he will not return."
Arwen clutched Aragorn's shoulder, and he turned to embrace her. The four of them stood there weeping for their lost friend.
Aragorn and Legolas carried Boromir's body to a boat at the camp. Arwen placed his shield over his head. The Horn of Gondor had been split in two, but she placed it beside him. Aragorn placed his sword over his chest. He then took Boromir's vambraces that bore the symbol of Gondor, a White tree. It was a tradition of a Ranger to take one his fallen comrade's possessions in rememberance of him. They watched as Boromir's funeral boat sailed away to the Falls of Rauros.
Legolas quickly grabbed a second boat and began to put it in the water. "Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore." No one followed him. Legolas then understood what was happening, "You mean not to follow them."
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands," Aragorn explained.
Arwen walked closer to him, as if in agreement.
"Then it has all been in vain!" Gimli grunted sadly, "The Fellowship has failed."
Arwen shook her head 'no' at the statement. Aragorn placed a hand on both Legolas and Gimli's shoulders.
"Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we still have strength left."
Arwen smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. He smiled back at her, then turned. "Leave all that can be spared behind," He instructed, "We travel light. Let's hunt some Orc!"
Legolas smiled and Gimli yelled, "Yes!"
Arwen's laughter rang out, making all of them smile. The Fellowship wasn't broken, but only seperated. They were still together; they were still 10 companions.
Lady Cantara, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive Boromir, since he realized the truth. Wait till we get to Eowyn, the you will really start to cringe, Hehehehehe
Review and chapter will appear magically before your eyes.
