And here is the second part of y'all early Christmas gift. Next weekend(maybe Friday) I'll post the start of Part III, which I am flowing through quite quickly.
"I am not comfortable with you leaving on your own."
Annalynn finished rearranging her pack for her journey. They had reached their destination shortly before midday. The trip was sound, no trouble crossed their paths. However, Legolas' behavior caused her to be a bit on edge. He kept staring off into the woods with a haunting expression. Almost as if he saw death in it. "I'll be fine Legolas."
He was cut off by the sounds of Gimli complaining about the hazardous journey they were about to take. Aragorn had explained yesterday of their route, Annalynn wanted to object but knew it was not her place. She knew the dangers of Emyn Muil, many of Rohan did. They were thankful that the river gapped the lands of old Gondor and Rohan, for they knew that Orcs attempted to cross in order to invade Rohan. Some succeed, others did not. "Legolas, I grew up near these woods, in these lands. I know how to cut across them unseen." Slipping her pack on, her staff held fast by her side. "I will not let this evil chase me from my home."
"You're leaving?"
Annalynn turned to see Merry standing behind her with furrowed eyebrows. "I am."
"Why?" Pippin popped up from behind his friend.
"Because my little ones, there is someone who needs my help."
"The Prince." The both said to each other with an nod. Annalynn let out a small smile. During their time together, she had told them other stories, one in particular was a played up version of her and Eomer. Her being a princess and her being a prince. How they were separated from each other by forces beyond their control, that they had spent the remainder of their days searching for each other. They asked her how it ended, her response to them was that they still wandered the earth in search of their lost love.
Sam was actually the one to ask if the story was about her, that she told it with such care, it was like a memory. She explained to them that it was. Annalynn told them of her banishment, how she was forced to leave her betrothed forever. She was thankful that the others had not heard her story, even Aragorn did not know the truth. She suspected he had some idea, but if he did he never said anything to her.
"Not the Prince, but the King." Giving Legolas her staff, she opened her arms to them. "Give us a hug then. I know we will see each other again, but until then." Bending at her knees, she let the two wrap their arms around her. As she held them, she prayed for their protection. That during these times, they would be unharmed in all manner possible. Next was Sam, then Gimli. Boromir was nowhere to be seen, but she caught Frodo as he stood looking out into the forest. "Have strength Frodo Baggins of the Shire. You shall need it." She placed a kiss on his forehead as he gave her a light smile. Using the traditional farewell of the Elves, she bade her goodbyes to Aragorn. Legolas led her to the edge of their campsite, "Take care muinthel." Giving her one last embrace, Annalynn fought against her tears. She did not know when or if, no, no "if's". She would see them again, she had to.
Hiking her pack up, she walked away from them, a tear falling from her eye as she ventured further into the woods.
Boromir kicked at the ground. Why was this so difficult? Why was it so hard to keep control? He knew what his father wanted him to do, yet he knew in his heart it was wrong, but why shouldn't the ring be used against the enemy? Who better to have it as a weapon than the very lands that kept the forces of Mordor at arms length from the rest of the world? Why could the others not see it?
Picking up a few sticks and branches for their fire, Boromir could not help but feel conflicted and torn about his decision. After crossing Emyn Muil, he only had a small window of opportunity to retrieve the Ring and take it to his father. The others did not understand. They have not spent years watching their comrades die at the hands of those devils. They have not seen the tears mothers, fathers, wives and children of the soldiers who never made it home. They were not the ones digging countless graves to bury the dead.
They couldn't understand.
Not even Aragorn understood. He should have an understanding of what Boromir was feeling if no one else did. The peoples of Gondor were his people. Yet he stood by the decision to go to Mordor to destroy the Ring. What if they failed in that mission. What would happen if along the way the Hobbit decided to run off with the Ring, to betray them? How could he stand by and let that happen? More than just Gondor would fall, all of Middle Earth would. With dropped shoulders and a heavy sigh, Boromir sat down on a fallen down tree. Placing the branches back onto the ground, he held his head in his hands. What was he to do?
"Boromir?"
Looking up, Annalynn stood not to far from him. "I thought I might find you out here." She stepped closer to him until she was a mere two feet away. "I wanted to say goodbye."
"So you mean to go through with your plan?"
"Do you mean to go through with yours?"
With a arched brow, he stared into her green eyes. How…? "Your eyes betray you Captain Boromir." Sitting down next to him, she took his gloved hand into hers. "Legolas told me a bit about your argument at Imladris. Understand, the Ring corrupts all those around it. It can not do anything good, it only brings darkness and pain. If you let it deceive you, you condemn all of us to a fate worse than death."
Boromir did not say anything as she continued to hold his hand. He could feel the heat radiating from her, it brought a sense of calm around him. Almost clearing his muddled mind. "Tell me. If Sauron told you that he had the power to reunite you with all those you had loved and lost, would you accept it?"
She stared off into the forest for a moment, he could see it all swirling behind her eyes. "It would be something wonderful to see them again, but it would be a lie. Besides, how do you know that it is not a trick? If he promises that you would be with them again, how do you know that he does not mean it would be your death that reunites you? Not even Sauron can bring back the dead Boromir."
"I should be going." When she let go of his hand, Boromir almost wanted to take it back. With her around him, he couldn't feel the darkness creeping in around him. "It's a long journey to Edoras." She brushed off the dirt from her cloak and readjusted her pack. "Trust in Frodo, Boromir. I do believe that he has the will and strength to carry out this mission, but he will still need others to guide him." Just as she had done with Frodo, Annalynn placed a light kiss on top of his head. "I know you wish to defend your people Boromir, but there are other ways." She whispered as she departed.
Boromir watched as she walked further into the woods, he remained there until she was out of sight. Carefully going over her words, dissecting it piece by piece. He wanted to believe her. He wanted to believe that the Halfling could do it. That he could destroy the Ring, but the ever present sight of fallen soldiers and broken families stayed in his mind. He could do it. He could take the Ring back to Gondor, he could save his people.
Hefting himself back to his feet, he picked up the branches once more. Just as Annalynn felt the need to protect her people, he would protect his.
As he made his way back to camp, he saw him. Alone. "None of us should wander alone. You especially." He good see it in the Halflings eyes, he was scared of him. Reaching down he picked up another branch, adding it to the others he already carried. "I know that you suffer Frodo, I see it each passing day. Why do you do so needlessly? There are other ways, you needn't be burdened with this."
"If not for the warning in my heart, your words would seem like wisdom, but there is no other way."
Anger flowed through him. How could he not see it. How could he pretend that he would succeed. "I only ask to defend my people." He threw down the branches, stalking over to him. "If you would but lend me the Ring." Frodo took a step back from Boromir's outstretched hand, confusion and more anger flowed through him. "Why are you scared? I am no thief."
"This is not you Boromir."
"The Ring corrupts all those around it."
Her words echoed throughout his mind. He was not weak willed or weak minded. He had the strength to overpower it. He would not fall to the malicious whispers of Sauron. "They will find you. They will take back the Ring, and you will beg for death!" Frodo turned and walked away from him. "Fool!
Taking off after Frodo, the Hobbit began running away. "It should be mine! I will be mine!" He tackled him to the ground, trying to pry the Ring from his neck. Suddenly, he vanished. Boromir was flung to the ground, knowing that he put the Ring on to run away. "You will betray us! You will take the Ring to Sauron and be the death of us all!" He went to stand, but lost his footing. Falling face first into the dirt, he heard her words again. "I know you wish you defend your people Boromir, but there are other ways." Guilt swept through him, has his allegiance to his city blinded him to all. "Frodo?" His voice a meek whisper, but the Hobbit was long gone.
"What have I done?"
Annalynn stared at the trees around her. Being in her home country brought back all the good memories that she once held so near to her heart. She thought of her mother and father, of her sister. Perhaps Boromir was right about one thing, even if she denied it to herself. Maybe she wasn't as strong as she believed herself to be. Would she have given into temptation and let Sauron have back his ring, just to see her sister again? Or Uncle? Maybe even her grandfather. She always wished that she could have meet Bard. The stories her family told her of the bargeman turned King made her believe that her grandfather was a kind and noble man. She was often told that she was like him, but would he have given in?
The obvious answer was no, but the true hearts of men could never really be perceived.
Leaping over a fallen log, she heard something off in the distance. Where was it coming from? Turning her head in all directions, she listened harder. It was coming from behind.
She heard it again.
A horn?
She heard it again.
"Boromir."
Leaping back over the log, she raced back to them. She knew that he would never sound the Horn of Gondor unless it was in dire need. The trees vanished behind her as she continued running. The closer she got, the more she heard.
The rumbling of feet, the clashing of swords, the roars of devils. She came to a light clearing and felt her heart almost stop. Boromir, Merry and Pippin were fighting off the oncoming Uruk-hai. Dropping her pack, she raced forward, her staff at the ready. However, time stood still as she saw a arrow pierce through Boromir's shoulder. He stumbled to his knees, but with a surge of strength he continued on. As she ran towards them, her staff now in two, another arrow plunged into Boromir's stomach.
No, it wasn't going to happen like this. She slid her blade across the Uruks neck, letting him fall to the ground. She forced her way closer to them. She need to get to them. She had to get to them. Annalynn felt something sliced through her shirt, crying out, she dug her blade into its chest. When she finally became up behind Merry and Pippin, another arrow was shot into Boromir's middle.
She watched as he fell to his knees in front of them. He looked at the little ones, then his eyes reached her. Pain swam through them. Pain, regret and guilt. With anger boiling in her veins, she charged. "Annie!"
She could hear them, but she did not listen. She continued her way through the Uruk's, cutting and slashing her way, trying to reach the archer, but a voice shouted above all the noise. "Annie!" She turned around to see the Uruk's picking up Merry and Pippin, carrying them off, away from the battle. "No!" She tried to go after them, but something caught her arm. "Take the woman!" Before she had a chance to retaliate, she too was picked up. Struggling against her captor, they raced on. Slung over the Uruk, its shoulder dug into her stomach, knocking the air from her. She stared back, and saw the archer raising its arrow at Boromir's knelt figure.
"BOROMIR!"