For those of you following When Hope is Lost, Chapter Four is now up!


Elbereth-Glad you like it!
Bunnybunny-Thank you! Your review made me smile
Shauna-sorry about this chapter! It's another one, but I assure you that I will more than make you for it.
Maddie-Wan--Thank you! I have been trying to include more of him in it. If you haven't read it already, you might enjoy my other LOTR fic.
Lilbee--Don't worry! Thank you!
DSRockStar--She sensed their need and went to find them.
Alilicia--Don't worry, I assure you Galadriel will remain unscathed. Thanks for the kind words.
Shirebound--You should like the next chappy. I am blushing to think that one of my favorite authors thought it a treat to read my work! THANKS!

Chapter Eight--A Glimmer of Hope

Legolas could sense that he was being carried. He briefly wondered who it was, but craning his head to look proved to be too much for him. Just as he slipped back into oblivion, he though he heard a voice calling him in elvish, "You have cried out in pain and I have heard. Do not despair." Then the elven prince drifted off into a painless sleep.

*LOTR*

Boromir slowed his horse. The forest was too silent and he briefly wondered if the Black Riders had stopped their pursuit. Aragorn groaned slightly and moved.

Boromir almost fainted in relief, "Aragorn! You are awake! How do you feel?" The man dismounted so he could get a better look at the Ranger.

Aragorn did not speak, but he seemed to be alert. At last he managed, "They're…gone…stop…rest."

"Yes, I believe you are right, they have gone. You possess a strength I cannot fathom, but we must not stop, not when we are so close to our goal."

"Just for a moment, please…I'm so weary," Aragorn pleaded in exhaustion and Boromir finally relented and slowly and gently helped him down.

Trying to lighten the situation, Boromir said, "I have never looked on the woods of Lothlorien, nor the fair face of Galadriel. For a while I never wished to, but now I have a great respect for her.

Aragorn managed a tiny smile. The sun began to shine from behind them and Boromir saw for the first time how gray and pale Aragorn was. Fear grew in his heart. He had seen that hollow look before. Suddenly he leapt up, "Aragorn, you must not submit to their will!"

The heir of Gondor looked up at him with his glazed and cloudy gray eyes. His speech seemed to clear as he said, "The Nazgul have gone. They now know I do not have what they seek. I am fading, Boromir. You and I both know that I will not make it to Lorien."

Boromir looked away, "Do not speak of such things. You will live! It is not your time!"

But Aragorn did not hear him. Boromir watched in horror as the Ranger's face became paler, if that was possible, and his eyes rolled back into his head. Boromir was close to hysterics when Aragorn let out a shriek that was not unlike the black riders.

Swallowing his fear, the man firmly held down his convulsing friend saying loudly, desperately wishing he had the power of the elves, "Aragorn! Hear my voice, stay with me!" But his words had no effect. Then the brave warrior from Gondor bowed his head and wept.

All at once, a bright light began to shine around them. Boromir turned and gasped as his eyes came to rest on two elves. Light seemed to glow all around a tall elven maiden who rode astride a white horse. Her golden hair flowed behind her and she gracefully dismounted.

Boromir knew immediately who he beheld--the Lady Galadriel. All at once the soft glow seemed to face from around the she-elf and she seemed almost human.

She tenderly bent over the ranger who lay still. For a moment, Galadriel feared that he was no longer drawing breath, but her keen eyes soon caught the faintest rising and falling of his chest. In a language Boromir could not understand but assumed to be elvish, she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from Aragorn's brow, "Estel, you who will be called Elessar, hear my voice and follow it back to the light."

Boromir looked on in awe as Aragorn began to stir.

Though his sight was fading, Aragorn knew who had called him back and suddenly his will to live was rekindled, in rather unexpectedly broken elvish, he murmured, "I once had no wish to be Elessar, but my time draws near. I cannot fail. Isildur failed, and if I do not live I will fail my people…just like him."

"Do not say that! I can make no promises, for you are gravely injured. Whatever the end may be, you will not be a failure."

Aragorn wasn't convinced, but when he tried to move and protest a strong wave of pain hit him full force and he surrendered to the beckoning blackness.

Galadriel turned and said to a shocked and worried Boromir, "Do not despair, he is asleep, it is best. I will take him to Lothlorien, but I suspect you will be needed elsewhere."

Boromir made no move to protest as Galadriel easily lifted Aragorn to her horse, for he knew that if Galadriel could not save him, no one could. His eyes followed the graceful form of the elf-queen until he could see no more.

A melodic voice startled him as it said quietly, "Come, we have a task set before us and we must not fail. I fear the Nazgul have gone back for the ring, which can only mean that the ring bearer is near death."

Once again, the thoughts and desire for the ring returned, but Boromir refused to let them take hold, though he wondered how much longer he could resist its call.

He turned and found himself looking into two deep eyes that were orbs of blue. The golden haired elf that stood before him was not unlike Legolas.

The elven warrior seemed to red his mind, for he said, offering a hand, "I am Haldir." It was a simple statement and yet very meaningful."

"I am Boromir." Usually he added his whole title, but this time felt that it was not the place.

Without further conversation, they mounted their horses and rode to aid the breaking fellowship.

**LOTR**

Lord Elrond could sense a shadow approaching. His worse fears were confirmed when a shrill scream pierced the air. The unconscious form of Frodo thrashed in Arwen's arms as a spasm of pain seemed to flow all through his body.

The she-elf was unprepared for his sudden movement and failed to catch him as he sailed of the horse's back. Sam, having seen his master's distress had thrown down the luggage he was carrying and had raced toward Frodo.

He was relieved that Frodo fell on top of him rather than on the hard ground.

Elrond and Gimli gently set Legolas on the ground. Elrond, leaving Gimli to watch over Legolas, raced to the fallen hobbits.

After gently pulling Frodo off Sam, he quickly asked, "Are you alright Master Samwise?"

"I am alright, but I fear Mr. Frodo is in pain something awful, Mr. Elrond, sir."

"Father," Arwen said urgently when her father paused and gazed into the surrounding forest, "We cannot tarry here! The riders will soon be upon us!"

"It is too late," came the reply, "They are already here."

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Sorry it's a cliffhanger, but I have something special in mind for the next chapter, though it may take a while (no more than a week) If this upsets you, know that I will be working on my other fic, listed at the beginning of this chapter as well.

The more you review, the faster I post! I am also looking for story challenge ideas.