I traveled through the night, keeping out of sight in the shadows the few times I came across another person. I only saw ruffians with narrow eyes and full of hate- none of the gentle folk my friends had told me tales of. Some evil had evaded our gaze and sought foothold where it knew there would be no opposition. It could not be Orcs or Goblins...the Hobbits would have said as much- also, the scent of blood would be heavy in the air with the stench of those foul creatures. That left few options...a small group of Easterlings or other race of men that swore fealty to the Dark Lord.
"That poison should have killed you, girl."
I spun on my heel, and swung out a foot to knock the man off his feet. When I was about face, I realised he was tucked away in the shadows. "Show yourself!" I spat, and opened one of my water flasks.
"Not only do you live, but you still possess your power...I did not realise I had utterly failed.
"Saruman," I growled in realisation.
"Did Gandalf the fool really think I would be cast away so easily?" the fallen wizard mocked as he approached me. His eyes glittered with amused malice as he smirked.
"Leave this land- your master has fallen, never to return!" I ordered.
"I don't take orders from whelps," he dismissed coldly, "Our little talk is over. Wormtongue!"
"Wha-"
CRACK!
"Quite capable," Saruman boasted, "and more than a little. You made me laugh, you hobbit-lordlings, riding along with all those great people- so secure and so pleased with your little selves. You thought you had done very well out of it all, and could now just amble back and have a nice, quiet time in the country. Saruman's home would be all wrecked, and he could be turned out, but no one could touch yours. Oh no! Gandalf would look after your affairs. Lord Boromir, might we speak as your father and I once did?"
"I will not," Boromir rumbled darkly.
"Are you sure?" Saruman mocked, "I have something that belongs to you...a maiden who strayed too far from her homeland."
The foul cloth covering my eyes was jerked away, and the light of the sun temporarily blinded me. I was shoved to the ground before Saruman's feet, awkwardly catching myself with my bound hands.
Boromir's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, but he asked softly, "Terumi, are you all right?"
"I am fine."
"Naneth!" Yue cried happily, and surged towards me. Luckily, Sam caught her and drew her close to him.
"Stay there, Yue," I instructed when she made to fight Sam.
"I thought this would be another lesson to you. One ill turn deserved two," Saruman laughed.
"Wrong," I murmured.
Saruman kicked my side, causing me to tumble away from him. "What was that, girl?"
My fingers dug into the ground, and then I felt it. The trough of water was foul, but water nonetheless. With a flick of my wrist, I cut my bonds and smoothly rose to my feet. My hair hung haphazardly in my face, but I never saw clearer. I slashed a line at the ground before Saruman and his crone, Wormtongue, and an array of ice spikes followed after.
"I said you are wrong, Saruman," I said tersely, "And you will leave this place- never to return."
"And what would you do if I cursed the little girl, hm? If I leave this land- she will wither and die with it!"
I knew the probing presence of the power before it came slamming into me. I dropped low to the ground, my entire body rigid, and I felt Saruman's will fall away and be replaced with my own. His heart pulsed inside my head, and he shuddered audibly when I made him stagger away from us.
"What...are... to…me?" he snarled brokenly from behind clenched teeth, eyes wide as they look upon me.
"You will not harm her, or anyone else, Saruman," I rumbled, "I will end you, here and now." I clenched one hand into a fist, and reveled in the sight of him clawing for breath.
A small, pale hand wrapped around my wrist and my eyes snapped to regard them. It was Frodo. His eyes looked sad and tired. "Terumi, stop. This is not you," he spoke softly, "It useless to meet revenge with revenge- it will heal nothing. Do not let the darkness find foothold in your heart, my friend. He was great once, of a noble kind that we should not dare raise our hands against. He is fallen, and his cure is beyond us- but I would still spare him, in hope that he may find it."
I released my strange hold over the foul wizard; he fell to his knees, sputtering and coughing. I staggered backwards, my mind reeling, and I crashed into Boromir. His arm wrapped around my waist, and my fingers dug into his chainmail.
A strange light took hold in Saruman's eyes as he regarded Frodo...a mixture of awe, respect, and loathing. "You have grown, Halfling," he rasped as he rose to his feet, "Yes, you have grown very much. You are wise- and cruel. You have robbed my revenge of sweetness, and now I must go hence in bitterness- in debt to your mercy. I hate it and you! I will go and I will trouble you no more. But do not expect me to wish you health and long life. You will have neither...but that is not my doing, I merely foretell."
"Yue, come to me," I said feebly.
"No!" she cried fearfully, and stumbled away from me. "Stay away from me!" she wailed, and thrust her hands out in emphasis. She then turned and ran as though orcs were upon her.
My face blanched and grew cold as I realised that the visions I had seen in the Mirror had come to fruition. Yue feared me, and my heart broke. A warm, calloused hand cupped the side of my face while its mate pulled me to my feet. "Boromir," I began tremulously.