Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. As you found out last chapter, Thiris was my idea but not entirely mine, considering she is Thorin's sister. Hmmmm, and what about Belrond and Mithnor? :)

A/N: I already know this chapter is way too short, so you don't have to tell me that.

Chapter Ten

"Gandalf!" Gimli exclaimed. He, Legolas, and Thiris had matching expressions of astonishment.

For, indeed, it was Gandalf, robed in white, a gentle smile on his face.

"Gandalf!" Radagast exclaimed, tears in his eyes. "Valar be praised! I knew you would not abandon us!"

"Never, Radagast," Gandalf said, embracing his cousin. Legolas and Gimli rushed up to join them. Thiris lingered by Galadriel and Celeborn, content to watch the reunion. Radagast had been granted his impossible wish. Perhaps there was yet hope for the rest of Middle-Earth.

Aragorn decided to take a short rest and let the river carry the boat a ways. He closed his eyes and let the wind blow through his hair. This was freedom.

Suddenly, he heard a hiss behind him. He turned, but there was no sign of the creature anywhere. 'He must be hiding behind the rocks,' Aragorn realized. Though there were few, they were big enough for such a small creature to take cover behind.

"Strider," Frodo said suddenly. "Do you think we should go to Gondor?"

Aragorn could tell Frodo hadn't asked the question easily. The Ringbearer was tiring, and not only physically from lack of sleep. This early separation and possible death of the others was beginning to take its toll.

What was it Boromir had said? "From there we can regroup, strike out for Mordor from a place of strength."? Aragorn was beginning to think he'd been right.

And Boromir wasn't with them now. It was mostly because of Boromir's wish to use the Ring to aid Gondor that Frodo had rejected the idea. The Hobbit would never say it aloud, but Aragorn knew it was true.

"Frodo," the Ranger said at last. "The final decision is up to you; your burden is the purpose of this Quest. But I think we should go to Gondor to rest."

Frodo nodded. "Very well."

"Up," the leader ordered roughly. Belrond offered Mithnor a hand. The man sighed. Belrond had suggested with his usual skill that they would be able to run faster if their hands weren't tied. Mithnor wasn't so sure he would be able to run at all, but he let the boy help him up. Better to die standing.

Boromir, whose vision had not cleared but whose legs and arms were feeling better thanks to some plants Belrond had found on the riverbank, forced himself to his feet. If Mithnor had to run, he would, too.

Sensing Boromir might need a little encouragement, Mithnor took the other man's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Hold on to hope," he said quietly. "Oft hope is born when all's forlorn."

Boromir knew that sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. He placed an arm around the other Gondorian's shoulder, steadying him. "They say courage takes many forms, Mithnor. But never has it seemed more obvious to me."

Mithnor forced a smile, even though he knew his companion couldn't see him. "Nor to me."

They knew what they had to do. They had to go as slowly as the Uruk-Hai would let them, delay their arrival at Isengard for as long as they could, give themselves more time to escape.

"Get moving," an Uruk ordered.

"Just keep running straight," Mithnor directed as they started. He needed to distract Boromir, keep him awake but unaware of the terrible pain they both were in. But he couldn't start a conversation that would give their captors any information, or give away that they weren't who Belrond had said they were. "So tell me about Rivendell," he said finally.

"I should never have gone there. I should have stayed in Gondor with my people. But it is a wonderful place. I can understand why Faramir wanted to go."

"You can't blame yourself for that."

"For what? The fact that our father doesn't trust him, that my brother has always had to hide in my shadow? I guess not, but it's hard not to."

"If he were here now, what would he say?"

"That he doesn't mind. But he does, Mithnor. He tries so hard. And now I've left him alone with a father who always expects too much of him."

"He'll be all right," Mithnor assured the other Gondorian.

And somehow, Boromir believed him. His brother was tougher than he ever let on about. He'd had to be, to put up with their father. He'd be all right until Boromir found a way to return.

SNAITF – Yes, Gandalf is back. Maybe not as dramatic as in the books, but still a good place to end a chapter. :) Yes, you've said it before, but it's worth repeating: Ian Malcolm is cool. :)

Iccle Fairy – Yes, poor Hobbits, and it's only going to get worse if they ever get to Isengard. :)

xwhit3staRx – That's okay, I'm even confusing some people who are big LOTR fans, so I'm not surprised you're a little lost. May clear up a little once we learn who everyone is. :)

DriggerWhiteTiger – Hi. :) Um . . . can't think of anything else to say. :) Um . . . next chapter will not be this short.