CHAPTER 12

A N: my gosh, I have over 1000 views! I never expected my story to go THIS far! I'm sorry I didn't update last week. I had a camping trip. Anyways, on with the story! This is a short chapter, but it seemed like a good place to wrap up. We're done part one!

The boats were boring, and I kept getting elbowed in the gut by Aragorn, as I was sitting on the same bench as him. At least I got to row sometimes, though. That was fun.

We passed two amazing statues on the way. They were so big! I wonder how they were carved. Maybe with magic, because I couldn't think of a better answer.

Once we rest, then I pull myself out of the boat, drag myself over to a tree, crawl up the trunk, and collapse in its branches, sleeping soundly.

A little while later, I'm shaken awake by my brother, who looks grave. "Frodo and Boromir are both missing," he tells me. "We need to go find them."

I nod, swing out of the tree, and set off, with Gimli and Legolas beside me. We look around for any signs – any at all – of Frodo or Boromir. I suddenly remember how Boromir's eyes had gleamed when he looked at the ring. He hadn't… had he?

I hear a sound – we all do. I stand stock-still, my eyes closed, trying to pinpoint it. When I open my eyes again, then Legolas and Gimli are gone. They must have gone in the direction of the noise, expecting me to follow.

I'm normally perfectly comfortable in the woods, surrounded by trees, but I feel unnerved. I want someone with me, because something doesn't feel right. Something feels horribly wrong, and I'm scared something might have happened to someone in the fellowship. They've all become my friends, and I'd hate to lose someone else.

I take a path at random, trying to find where that noise came from. I'm running now, with two of my knives out. I'm incredibly worried, though I have no reason to be.

I stumble on a clearing, and take several things in. 1; there are weapons all over the place. 2; there are bodies of what look like orcs, but bigger and scarier. 3; there is a figure lying under the shade of a tree, and someone kneeling beside it. Are they – no, they can't be Boromir and Aragorn.

But as I get closer, I realize I'm right. Boromir's eyes are closed, like he's unconscious. I can tell he's in trouble. But if he is, why isn't he doing anything? Unless… but Boromir is a warrior. He wouldn't have been killed easily.

There are arrows piercing him. The situation is serious. "Aragorn!" I shout, sliding on my knees beside him. He starts. "Why aren't you doing anything? This could be fatal! You have to hurry!"

He looks at me, with sad, sad eyes. I know before he tells me, just like months ago when Legolas told me he would be joining the Fellowship.

"No, don't say it…" I plead. As if that could stop it from coming, this horrible news I do not want to be true.

"He's gone, Elani. He's gone."

"Liar…" I say, like I said that day months ago. "Boromir is not dead!"

Aragorn motions towards Boromir's wrist, telling me to take his pulse. Telling me to see for myself.

I pick up his hand and press my fingers to his wrist. Nothing – none of that steady beat that means someone is alive. I search on other places on his wrist, attempting to find his pulse. Nothing.

Shock hits me. This is Boromir, who sat next to me only a few days ago while I sobbed. Boromir, who I was friends with from the beginning. Boromir, who was more than a friend to me – he was my brother.

And now my honorary brother is dead.

We put him in a boat, and send him out into the river. I think of his brother, who he was absolutely devoted to. His brother, Faramir, who will never be able to see his sibling again.

I have a lump in my throat, the kind that doesn't go away, that stops you from speaking. I see Boromir being swept off to somewhere I will not go. The sea.

Legolas holds his arm out to me, and I collapse into it. He hugs me, bending down to be at my level. Stroking my back in that awkward way he has.

They are talking now, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. I will join them in a few seconds. But not now, as I pack my bag, scatter the ashes from our fire so that it will not relight.

I walk over to them, but they seem to be wrapping up.

"We will not abandon Merry and Pippin…" Aragorn is saying.

A fresh shock wave hits me. Pippin, Merry, who are now surrounded by orcs to be taken to who-knows-where. And Frodo and Sam, who are all alone, to take the ring to Mordor. Sweet Sam, who could cheer me up just with a small sentence in his odd way of speaking. Frodo, who I would come to be mad, as he'd do nothing more than listen to me rant, then laugh with me about how silly I sounded. Merry and Pippin, who could always pick me up with their wit and antics.

They are running in the direction of the orcs now. They turn back to me. "Coming, lass?" Gimli asks. I run over to them.

"Let's hunt some orc!" Aragorn shouts.

"Yes!" Gimli says, laughing slightly. Legolas smiles.

Me, I run as fast as I can. To justice, and adventure, and saving the world.