Chapter 17: Loss Along the Riverside

I sat in the boat as Legolas pushed off while Gimli sat to my side not liking the idea of being on the water. Turning the other direction I saw Sam and Frodo with Aragorn while Pippin and Merry were with Boromir since we were all short it was only smart none of us rowed. I looked at the view passing it was a lot nicer when I wasn't walking all day in it but knew we'd eventually have to begin walking again.

Once nightfall hit we brought the boats to shore starting a small fire watching Aragorn and Legolas leave to scout the area. Frodo had been quiet since we left the elves seeing him deep in thought staring down at the fire.

Eventually he got up saying he wanted to go for a walk despite Sam's protests as I said, "Let him be Sam."

"It could be dangerous to be alone." Sam said worried while I smiled saying, "You are a wonderful friend Sam but Frodo will be alright."

"I worry about him is all… he doesn't eat much and barely sleeps, he thinks I don't notice but I do." Sam said looking at the fire while I frowned saying, "He carries a heavy burden one that not many could even bare, just make sure if there ever comes a time when he loses faith in himself you will be there for he will need it."

Sam nodded as I hugged my cloak tighter around my body deciding the best thing to do was get some rest.

I awoke to the fire dying seeing Sam, Merry and Pippin were still sleeping but the others had woken up to plan for the journey ahead.

"I shall go gather more wood for the fire." Boromir said leaving as my eyes traveled to the empty spot beside Sam where Frodo should have been.

Sam woke up immediately noticing that Frodo was gone saying, "Where is Frodo?"

Aragorn looked towards the direction of Boromir's shield saying, "Stay here I'll find him."

We watched him disappear into the forest as I stood up walking towards Legolas saying, "I have a bad feeling…"

"There is something coming." He said looking towards Sam saying, "Stay by the boats if anyone but us comes out of these woods get onto the water."

"I'm coming, you'll need someone if the enemy gets to close." I said sternly while Legolas nodded knowing I was right.

"I'm coming with you both." Gimli insisted as I nodded giving Pippin one last glance before heading into the forest.


It didn't take long to hear the clash of sword on sword picking up our pace in the direction of the fighting as Legolas shot his arrow hearing a roar. Dozens of Uruk-hai swarmed around Aragorn as I quickly slashed one down with my daggers joining the fight with the others.

"Where are the others?" Aragorn yelled over the fighting as Legolas replied, "They are back at the boats."

"Marina make sure they are safe!" Aragorn said while I nodded stabbing an Uruk-hai in the neck before nodding as they gave me an opening to run through.

I made it to the river bank looking around as Sam appeared holding his frying pan looking around noticing the others were missing.

"Where is Merry and Pippin?" I asked frantically while he looked around nervous saying, "They went out to find you, I told them we were supposed to stay but they didn't listen."

I looked back into the forest worriedly turning back to Sam as he gave me a small smile saying, "Go, I'll be fine."

While running I saw a flash of brown hair stopping as I saw Frodo looking around hiding while I approached him saying, "Frodo, get to the boat it's not safe."

He looked towards me seeing the look in his eyes saying softly, "You're wanting to go alone…"

"I can't ask any of you to come with me, it's too dangerous." He said trying not to argue while I shook my head saying, "We are your friends Frodo, we want to protect you."

He put a hand on my shoulder saying, "And I'm trying to protect you from myself and this ring, please Marina…"

I bit my lip nodding sadly knowing nothing would change his mind as he said, "Please watch over them."

I brought him into an embrace feeling him hug back before pulling away leaving me alone until I heard a horn sound turning to its direction knowing something was wrong.

I started sprinting in the direction of the horn fighting along the way easily slipping around the enemies with my small stature as they tried to grab me. I eventually crossed paths with Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn as they looked at me surprised.

"Why aren't you with the others?" Aragorn asked while I replied, "Merry and Pippin ran off I'm trying to find them."

He nodded as the horn stopped producing sound seeing Boromir kneeling with arrows embedded into his body about to be executed until Aragorn stepped in attacking the large Uruk-hai. I began slashing at the stragglers that lingered easily taking them down until it was silent once more. I turned towards Boromir as he fought to breathe looking around not seeing Merry and Pippin anywhere.

"They took the little ones… I tried to stop them." He choked out as I felt my heart pound in my chest looking off in the direction they had gone in.

"Don't be foolish." Legolas said coming up beside me as I frowned saying, "I was supposed to keep them safe, I need to get to them."

"We will, but dying while doing it won't make it better." He said calmly while I gritted my teeth nodding sadly seeing Aragorn saying goodbye to Boromir before he perished of the wounds.

We carried Boromir's body back to the boats placing him into one as I looked across the lake seeing Frodo had made it but Sam had joined him making me smile lightly.

"We still have time to go after them." Legolas said grabbing the last boat but Aragorn made no attempt to move saying, "They are walking their own path now, we must follow another."

I looked towards the forest as Aragorn put a comforting hand on my shoulder saying, "We will find them."

I gave him a light nod saying, "I know we will, even if I have to kill every orc and Uruk-hai along the way I will protect them."