Chapter Seven
Motherly Love
AN: Okay, sorry about all the profanity, but I was kinda in a cussing kinda mood when I wrote this, and, if Wormtongue had showed up (like for the millionth time) and had your mother hostage, I think most people (except perhaps Kristin) would say a little worse than, "Oh, shoot.. Darn the luck." Also. this is NOT THE LAST CHAPTER! I REPEAT NOT THE LAST CHAPTER!!! THANK YOU.
"Now," Wormtongue said, "Here's your challenge. You come over-"
"Shut the hell up, you piece of filth," I said. "You listen to me. Let my mother go or I will beat the shit out of you."
He drew a dagger and put it to my mother's neck. "If you wish for me to kill her, by all means, continue your threatening."
I bit my lip, knowing I should have been more careful than to be so rash.
"No? Okay, then. You and one female member of your companionship come across. I will challenge you to a duel. If you win, all three of you go back across safely, and I will allow myself to be killed by whatever means you deem appropriate. If you lose, you must choose which one of the three of you will die. The other two will remain unharmed."
I looked at Frodo. He took a slow breath and hugged me. "I love you," he whispered so I could barely hear it.
"I have to," I said. "I have to try."
"I know. Be so careful."
"I will."
"Who will go with me?" I asked.
Rachel and Narquendiel raised their hands. Ivy, Andrea, and both Nikkis then followed suit.
"Jesus, you're helpful." I muttered.
"Let me go," Narquendiel said. "I do not fear death."
"I'll go." My daughter said.
"No," Frodo and I both said. Frodo blushed. "Not that I don't trust you, I just-"
"I know," I said.
"Please.I want to be there," Nikki said.
"Ah well, if I lost, I already know who would go," I said dejectedly, sighing. "Nikki, come on."
Narquendiel, Aragorn, and Gandalf proceeded to make the bridge visible again. Nikki and I walked across.
Wormtongue directed my mother by means of a shove over to one side, and I motioned fro Nikki to walk over and stand next to her. She nodded.
"Be careful, mom." She said. My mother's eyes widened and I laughed a bit.
I faced Wormtongue and bowed slightly. He made no movement. "What, no chivalry?" I asked. He drew his sword.
Drawing my sword, I stepped towards him. He swiped his sword, which I blocked easily. I returned this with a blow of my own, just barely missing his side. Of course he had the height advantage, but I was tall for a hobbit, which I was very thankful for. If I were as short as some of the inhabitants of hobbiton, he would have won easily. Jumping back to dodge a blow, I spun around, dealing a swipe he blocked just in time.
On we fought, and for about half an hour my companions watched in silence except for the occasional gasp or "ooh." Finally, something happened that changed the fight.
I dodged a blow and we both drew back our swords for a swipe. He let his go a split second before I did, and my sword hit his sword. It sent his sword flying, with my sword after it, down into the chasm. My hands had been sweaty from the fight, and now there was just me against him- neither of us had spare weapons.
"Blast you, halfling!" He cried.
"Hey, don't diss the halflings," I said. "Hobbits kick ass."
He charged at me, apparently making an attempt to knock me off the edge of the chasm. I dodged it, but was caught off guard when he came around for a second charge. He easily knocked me over and I slid down the slope caused by the rockslide earlier.
"LEAH!" echoed Frodo's cry. Everyone else was too stunned to speak.
"Now," said Wormtongue, "Which one of you do I kill? I did win the fight, after all."
"Wait!" Narquendiel said.
I struggled up the edge. I had caught hold of a crack, fifteen feet below the bottom of the rockslide. I was suddenly very ungrateful for my slight fear of heights, but very thankful for my rock climbing classes. Everyone watched with bated breath as I struggled up the side of the rock face. There were several large cracks, which I could get hold of, and I finally made my way up.
"Why don't you die?!" Wormtongue shouted. He charged me again but missed by a good two feet, barely managing to catch himself on the edge. I raced away from the edge and back a good twenty feet. He came back at me, this time stopping a few feet away. I was suddenly glad for a class again, but not for rock climbing. Luckily I had earned a green belt in Tae Kwon Do, which I could almost guarantee was better than what Wormtongue could do. I spun around and kicked, as hard as I could, putting my hands up in defensive position. I kicked higher and harder than I had ever before. He seemed a bit taken aback but not affected by the kick. He made a punch at my head and I felt it collide with my face, right between my nose and eye but in a way I was sure I'd have a bloody nose and a black eye from the same punch.
"You suck," I said, with the air of having made a brilliant observation.
"Way to show 'em, Leah!" yelled Ivy.
"Yeah! Come on, you can beat that asshole!" yelled Andrea.
Nikki and Rachel began to catcall, and I couldn't help but grin.
"So, when you die, which one of them do you want to join you in Mandos?" asked Wormtongue, not missing a beat.
"Neither one, because you're gonna die, you bastard!"
I stood horseback stance, with my legs spread far apart as though I was riding a horse, and rocked back, delivering a kick to his chest. He stumbled back and fell on his back. My friends started clapping and catcalling, but it came too soon. He sprang to his feet as I was going over to my mom and daughter and ran over to me, seizing me and throwing me down near the edge of the chasm. I caught hold of a crack, near enough that I could scramble up easily, but my feet were dangling. He raised his foot and placed it down on my hand, digging down. I shouted in pain and fear. I wouldn't die here- I simply couldn't. I saw Nikki come up hesitantly behind him. She stopped ten feet away, mentally talking to me.
"Should I push him? Or would that throw you over the edge too?"
"Push him."
"But what about you?"
"Oh, me. You know what? I don't give a damn about me. I'm gonna die sooner or later, might as well be saving the people I love."
"I love you, mom."
"I love you, too. Now hurry and push him over the edge."
"Okay."
She crept silently up behind me, but Wormtongue heard her. He turned around as she pushed him, grabbing her arm as he fell.
She twisted in midair, screaming as she fell. He made no sound. I grabbed hold of her arm, but he was hanging onto her arm.
"Quick!" I screamed, "Someone come over! I need help with this!"
Aragorn, Gandalf, and Narquendiel joined hands, making the bridge visible. Legolas, Frodo, Rachel, and Haldir hurried over. Legolas bit his lip.
"How're we gonna do this?" Legolas asked. "She can't very well let go of the ledge."
"Nikki," I told her mentally, "See if you can shake him off."
I felt a bit of movement down below.
"No, I cant."
"Okay, kick his head, nice and hard. That should knock him out cold."
I heard a 'thunk!' down below, and it appeared that Wormtongue had been knocked out cold. Nikki sufficiently knocked him loose and he fell, down, down, down into the black abyss.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish," I said. "Now, Nikki, be careful."
"Nooooo.." Nikki said sarcastically. "I'm just going to let go, okay?"
"Shut up. Now, what do you guys think is the best idea? Should one of you guys try to grab the neck of my shirt and pull us up, or should I try to swing Nikki up so she can grab onto something with her other hand?"
"We'll pull you up," Frodo said. "Stay where you are."
"No, I think I'll go take a walk, alright?"
"You're as bad as your daughter."
"Hey!"
"Okay, Legolas and Haldir, you guys grab onto the back of her shirt and her arm, okay? Then Rachel and I can grab hold and brace you, for extra strength." Frodo ordered. Haldir and Legolas then walked over. Legolas grabbed the back of my shirt, and Haldir gripped my arm up halfway between my elbow and my shoulder, which was as far as he could reach safely. Frodo wrapped his arms around Legolas' waist, and Rachel wrapped hers around Haldir's waist, rather nervously.
"One.Two.Three.Pull!" Frodo said. As they began pulling, I felt my grip on Nikki slip a bit. I closed my eyes, silently praying that it wouldn't slip further.
When I got nearly up, I felt it slip further and further, until my hand separated from hers completely. Time separated into still frames as I saw my daughter slip, saw Legolas' hand reach down; catch her by her shirt collar. Saw him heave her over and put her back on solid ground, hugging her fiercely.
Finally everything got too intense for me. I broke down crying, hugging Frodo like there was no tomorrow.
"Come on! Let's get our asses outta here!" Ivy called.
I catcalled. "Here, here!" Frodo called halfheartedly. I knew why it was halfheartedly; I knew he'd seen my death in the mirror. I hoped he'd be able to manage; he'd told me multiple times he didn't know what he'd do without me. I also hoped I'd be able to manage; I'd gotten so used to waking up with him next to me, going to bed with him next to me, getting through life with him next to me. Without him, life would have no meaning. No purpose. No fun. There would be nothing to keep me living, nothing to stop me from going insane.
The bridge once more formed, and we all came across. As I was about to cross the bridge, I looked back and saw my mother, hanging a few paces back, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh- sorry!" I said, and walked over to her. I unbound her and guided her across the bridge. She didn't say a word until we got across.
"Um. hi?" she asked. I laughed. "It's okay, mom." I said, patting her on the shoulder.
"Where am I?"
"In Middle Earth."
"Middle-Earth? Like in that movie, Lord of the Rings?"
"Yeah, like in Lord of the Rings."
"I must be dreaming."
"You're not dreaming."
She pinched herself. "Ah well. did someone say she-" she pointed at Nikki, "Was your.Daughter?"
"Yeah. In this world, I'm much older."
"Oh."
I laughed. "Having a little trouble absorbing all of this?" I winked at Frodo, remembering our secret.
"Yeah."
"Well, so did I, at first."
"Yeah." And she passed out. I barely managed to catch her before handing her to Aragorn, who easily lifted her.
"We should take her to Lothlorien. It would be easier to explain everything there, and maybe Galadriel could help explain it to her."
"Good thinking," Aragorn said.
"If we make it to Lothlorien," Frodo muttered.
"What?" asked Rachel.
"Nothing." he said.
"Well," Aragorn said, "Let's go!"
So we walked out into the sunlight and stood adjusting and blinking for a second. I saw in the distance many black dots, and they were moving towards us at alarming speed.
"Uruk-Hai!" Legolas said. "We must hurry to Lorien!"
So we began to run. We made it halfway before we could clearly see Uruk- Hai, coming quickly towards us.
"Shit!" I said. "We're not going to make it! Nikki, give me your sword to fight with, and you and Sam, go to Lorien. Send more elves for help. Hurry!" They nodded and set off. I stared after them for a moment, before snapping back into action- now was no time for sentiment. What I saw could change.
"Gandalf," I said, turning to the wizard, "Is there a way you can take my mother back to her world?"
He nodded. "I will do so. Aragorn?" he turned to Aragorn, taking my mother gently into his arms and promptly disappearing.
"Well," I said, "Now there's nothing to do but try and make it as far as we can and be prepared."
We set off at a run, but the Uruk-Hai were catching up to us quickly. Orcs were also pouring out of Moria. When we were about a quarter of a mile from Lothlorien, we stopped. We were not going to make it to the woods in time.
"Stand back to back!" I ordered. Everyone obliged.
When the Uruk-Hai came within range, the elves began firing arrows rapidly, killing most of the monsters. The few that managed to get through were killed off quickly, thanks mostly to Aragorn, Rachel, and Frodo.
Soon, the scene I'd seen in the mirror was upon me. I gulped as I found myself looking westward. I watched helplessly as I began making my way to the woods, where I met Frodo. Of course, that wouldn't be the same as in the mirror, would it?
I hugged him. "I love you so much," I said.
"Listen," he said. "Don't do it. Don't jump. Let me go, not you."
"No. I love you."
"And I love you, which is why I want you to keep on living."
"I can't live without you."
"And I can't live without you."
"Well, you're going to have to. Now, come on!"
And the scene from there played out as it had in the mirror. I saw the orc, the arrow.
I ran as fast as I could. "FRODO! GET DOWN!" I yelled. He spun around. I felt my legs tense as I sprang ahead, leaping, throwing myself at Frodo, twisting in midair until I felt the arrow collide with my chest, right on top of my heart.
"Nooooooooooooo!" Frodo yelled. "Bastard!" He picked me up and sprinted for Lorien.
I stayed alive and conscious until we got there, and he laid me on a natural bed of ferns on the outskirts.
"I love you," I whispered. "It's just my time to go."
"No, not yet." He replied. "Please Leah, not yet."
"Yes. Look after Sam and Nikki. Tell all my friends I love them. Live your life, don't mourn for me. I want you to live your life, living each day to the fullest. Promise me you will. Swear it."
"Okay," he said weakly, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I swear it on my life."
"Good. Now, two more things." I grinned.
"What?"
"One, don't cry for me, please. Two, look after Nikki and Legolas for me. Make sure they don't get in too much trouble."
He smiled a bit. "Okay." And wiped his tears. He hugged me as best he could around the arrow.
"I love you," I whispered, using the last of my breath.
"And I you," he said, looking at my face one last time. "Always and forever."
AN: Okay, sorry about all the profanity, but I was kinda in a cussing kinda mood when I wrote this, and, if Wormtongue had showed up (like for the millionth time) and had your mother hostage, I think most people (except perhaps Kristin) would say a little worse than, "Oh, shoot.. Darn the luck." Also. this is NOT THE LAST CHAPTER! I REPEAT NOT THE LAST CHAPTER!!! THANK YOU.
"Now," Wormtongue said, "Here's your challenge. You come over-"
"Shut the hell up, you piece of filth," I said. "You listen to me. Let my mother go or I will beat the shit out of you."
He drew a dagger and put it to my mother's neck. "If you wish for me to kill her, by all means, continue your threatening."
I bit my lip, knowing I should have been more careful than to be so rash.
"No? Okay, then. You and one female member of your companionship come across. I will challenge you to a duel. If you win, all three of you go back across safely, and I will allow myself to be killed by whatever means you deem appropriate. If you lose, you must choose which one of the three of you will die. The other two will remain unharmed."
I looked at Frodo. He took a slow breath and hugged me. "I love you," he whispered so I could barely hear it.
"I have to," I said. "I have to try."
"I know. Be so careful."
"I will."
"Who will go with me?" I asked.
Rachel and Narquendiel raised their hands. Ivy, Andrea, and both Nikkis then followed suit.
"Jesus, you're helpful." I muttered.
"Let me go," Narquendiel said. "I do not fear death."
"I'll go." My daughter said.
"No," Frodo and I both said. Frodo blushed. "Not that I don't trust you, I just-"
"I know," I said.
"Please.I want to be there," Nikki said.
"Ah well, if I lost, I already know who would go," I said dejectedly, sighing. "Nikki, come on."
Narquendiel, Aragorn, and Gandalf proceeded to make the bridge visible again. Nikki and I walked across.
Wormtongue directed my mother by means of a shove over to one side, and I motioned fro Nikki to walk over and stand next to her. She nodded.
"Be careful, mom." She said. My mother's eyes widened and I laughed a bit.
I faced Wormtongue and bowed slightly. He made no movement. "What, no chivalry?" I asked. He drew his sword.
Drawing my sword, I stepped towards him. He swiped his sword, which I blocked easily. I returned this with a blow of my own, just barely missing his side. Of course he had the height advantage, but I was tall for a hobbit, which I was very thankful for. If I were as short as some of the inhabitants of hobbiton, he would have won easily. Jumping back to dodge a blow, I spun around, dealing a swipe he blocked just in time.
On we fought, and for about half an hour my companions watched in silence except for the occasional gasp or "ooh." Finally, something happened that changed the fight.
I dodged a blow and we both drew back our swords for a swipe. He let his go a split second before I did, and my sword hit his sword. It sent his sword flying, with my sword after it, down into the chasm. My hands had been sweaty from the fight, and now there was just me against him- neither of us had spare weapons.
"Blast you, halfling!" He cried.
"Hey, don't diss the halflings," I said. "Hobbits kick ass."
He charged at me, apparently making an attempt to knock me off the edge of the chasm. I dodged it, but was caught off guard when he came around for a second charge. He easily knocked me over and I slid down the slope caused by the rockslide earlier.
"LEAH!" echoed Frodo's cry. Everyone else was too stunned to speak.
"Now," said Wormtongue, "Which one of you do I kill? I did win the fight, after all."
"Wait!" Narquendiel said.
I struggled up the edge. I had caught hold of a crack, fifteen feet below the bottom of the rockslide. I was suddenly very ungrateful for my slight fear of heights, but very thankful for my rock climbing classes. Everyone watched with bated breath as I struggled up the side of the rock face. There were several large cracks, which I could get hold of, and I finally made my way up.
"Why don't you die?!" Wormtongue shouted. He charged me again but missed by a good two feet, barely managing to catch himself on the edge. I raced away from the edge and back a good twenty feet. He came back at me, this time stopping a few feet away. I was suddenly glad for a class again, but not for rock climbing. Luckily I had earned a green belt in Tae Kwon Do, which I could almost guarantee was better than what Wormtongue could do. I spun around and kicked, as hard as I could, putting my hands up in defensive position. I kicked higher and harder than I had ever before. He seemed a bit taken aback but not affected by the kick. He made a punch at my head and I felt it collide with my face, right between my nose and eye but in a way I was sure I'd have a bloody nose and a black eye from the same punch.
"You suck," I said, with the air of having made a brilliant observation.
"Way to show 'em, Leah!" yelled Ivy.
"Yeah! Come on, you can beat that asshole!" yelled Andrea.
Nikki and Rachel began to catcall, and I couldn't help but grin.
"So, when you die, which one of them do you want to join you in Mandos?" asked Wormtongue, not missing a beat.
"Neither one, because you're gonna die, you bastard!"
I stood horseback stance, with my legs spread far apart as though I was riding a horse, and rocked back, delivering a kick to his chest. He stumbled back and fell on his back. My friends started clapping and catcalling, but it came too soon. He sprang to his feet as I was going over to my mom and daughter and ran over to me, seizing me and throwing me down near the edge of the chasm. I caught hold of a crack, near enough that I could scramble up easily, but my feet were dangling. He raised his foot and placed it down on my hand, digging down. I shouted in pain and fear. I wouldn't die here- I simply couldn't. I saw Nikki come up hesitantly behind him. She stopped ten feet away, mentally talking to me.
"Should I push him? Or would that throw you over the edge too?"
"Push him."
"But what about you?"
"Oh, me. You know what? I don't give a damn about me. I'm gonna die sooner or later, might as well be saving the people I love."
"I love you, mom."
"I love you, too. Now hurry and push him over the edge."
"Okay."
She crept silently up behind me, but Wormtongue heard her. He turned around as she pushed him, grabbing her arm as he fell.
She twisted in midair, screaming as she fell. He made no sound. I grabbed hold of her arm, but he was hanging onto her arm.
"Quick!" I screamed, "Someone come over! I need help with this!"
Aragorn, Gandalf, and Narquendiel joined hands, making the bridge visible. Legolas, Frodo, Rachel, and Haldir hurried over. Legolas bit his lip.
"How're we gonna do this?" Legolas asked. "She can't very well let go of the ledge."
"Nikki," I told her mentally, "See if you can shake him off."
I felt a bit of movement down below.
"No, I cant."
"Okay, kick his head, nice and hard. That should knock him out cold."
I heard a 'thunk!' down below, and it appeared that Wormtongue had been knocked out cold. Nikki sufficiently knocked him loose and he fell, down, down, down into the black abyss.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish," I said. "Now, Nikki, be careful."
"Nooooo.." Nikki said sarcastically. "I'm just going to let go, okay?"
"Shut up. Now, what do you guys think is the best idea? Should one of you guys try to grab the neck of my shirt and pull us up, or should I try to swing Nikki up so she can grab onto something with her other hand?"
"We'll pull you up," Frodo said. "Stay where you are."
"No, I think I'll go take a walk, alright?"
"You're as bad as your daughter."
"Hey!"
"Okay, Legolas and Haldir, you guys grab onto the back of her shirt and her arm, okay? Then Rachel and I can grab hold and brace you, for extra strength." Frodo ordered. Haldir and Legolas then walked over. Legolas grabbed the back of my shirt, and Haldir gripped my arm up halfway between my elbow and my shoulder, which was as far as he could reach safely. Frodo wrapped his arms around Legolas' waist, and Rachel wrapped hers around Haldir's waist, rather nervously.
"One.Two.Three.Pull!" Frodo said. As they began pulling, I felt my grip on Nikki slip a bit. I closed my eyes, silently praying that it wouldn't slip further.
When I got nearly up, I felt it slip further and further, until my hand separated from hers completely. Time separated into still frames as I saw my daughter slip, saw Legolas' hand reach down; catch her by her shirt collar. Saw him heave her over and put her back on solid ground, hugging her fiercely.
Finally everything got too intense for me. I broke down crying, hugging Frodo like there was no tomorrow.
"Come on! Let's get our asses outta here!" Ivy called.
I catcalled. "Here, here!" Frodo called halfheartedly. I knew why it was halfheartedly; I knew he'd seen my death in the mirror. I hoped he'd be able to manage; he'd told me multiple times he didn't know what he'd do without me. I also hoped I'd be able to manage; I'd gotten so used to waking up with him next to me, going to bed with him next to me, getting through life with him next to me. Without him, life would have no meaning. No purpose. No fun. There would be nothing to keep me living, nothing to stop me from going insane.
The bridge once more formed, and we all came across. As I was about to cross the bridge, I looked back and saw my mother, hanging a few paces back, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh- sorry!" I said, and walked over to her. I unbound her and guided her across the bridge. She didn't say a word until we got across.
"Um. hi?" she asked. I laughed. "It's okay, mom." I said, patting her on the shoulder.
"Where am I?"
"In Middle Earth."
"Middle-Earth? Like in that movie, Lord of the Rings?"
"Yeah, like in Lord of the Rings."
"I must be dreaming."
"You're not dreaming."
She pinched herself. "Ah well. did someone say she-" she pointed at Nikki, "Was your.Daughter?"
"Yeah. In this world, I'm much older."
"Oh."
I laughed. "Having a little trouble absorbing all of this?" I winked at Frodo, remembering our secret.
"Yeah."
"Well, so did I, at first."
"Yeah." And she passed out. I barely managed to catch her before handing her to Aragorn, who easily lifted her.
"We should take her to Lothlorien. It would be easier to explain everything there, and maybe Galadriel could help explain it to her."
"Good thinking," Aragorn said.
"If we make it to Lothlorien," Frodo muttered.
"What?" asked Rachel.
"Nothing." he said.
"Well," Aragorn said, "Let's go!"
So we walked out into the sunlight and stood adjusting and blinking for a second. I saw in the distance many black dots, and they were moving towards us at alarming speed.
"Uruk-Hai!" Legolas said. "We must hurry to Lorien!"
So we began to run. We made it halfway before we could clearly see Uruk- Hai, coming quickly towards us.
"Shit!" I said. "We're not going to make it! Nikki, give me your sword to fight with, and you and Sam, go to Lorien. Send more elves for help. Hurry!" They nodded and set off. I stared after them for a moment, before snapping back into action- now was no time for sentiment. What I saw could change.
"Gandalf," I said, turning to the wizard, "Is there a way you can take my mother back to her world?"
He nodded. "I will do so. Aragorn?" he turned to Aragorn, taking my mother gently into his arms and promptly disappearing.
"Well," I said, "Now there's nothing to do but try and make it as far as we can and be prepared."
We set off at a run, but the Uruk-Hai were catching up to us quickly. Orcs were also pouring out of Moria. When we were about a quarter of a mile from Lothlorien, we stopped. We were not going to make it to the woods in time.
"Stand back to back!" I ordered. Everyone obliged.
When the Uruk-Hai came within range, the elves began firing arrows rapidly, killing most of the monsters. The few that managed to get through were killed off quickly, thanks mostly to Aragorn, Rachel, and Frodo.
Soon, the scene I'd seen in the mirror was upon me. I gulped as I found myself looking westward. I watched helplessly as I began making my way to the woods, where I met Frodo. Of course, that wouldn't be the same as in the mirror, would it?
I hugged him. "I love you so much," I said.
"Listen," he said. "Don't do it. Don't jump. Let me go, not you."
"No. I love you."
"And I love you, which is why I want you to keep on living."
"I can't live without you."
"And I can't live without you."
"Well, you're going to have to. Now, come on!"
And the scene from there played out as it had in the mirror. I saw the orc, the arrow.
I ran as fast as I could. "FRODO! GET DOWN!" I yelled. He spun around. I felt my legs tense as I sprang ahead, leaping, throwing myself at Frodo, twisting in midair until I felt the arrow collide with my chest, right on top of my heart.
"Nooooooooooooo!" Frodo yelled. "Bastard!" He picked me up and sprinted for Lorien.
I stayed alive and conscious until we got there, and he laid me on a natural bed of ferns on the outskirts.
"I love you," I whispered. "It's just my time to go."
"No, not yet." He replied. "Please Leah, not yet."
"Yes. Look after Sam and Nikki. Tell all my friends I love them. Live your life, don't mourn for me. I want you to live your life, living each day to the fullest. Promise me you will. Swear it."
"Okay," he said weakly, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I swear it on my life."
"Good. Now, two more things." I grinned.
"What?"
"One, don't cry for me, please. Two, look after Nikki and Legolas for me. Make sure they don't get in too much trouble."
He smiled a bit. "Okay." And wiped his tears. He hugged me as best he could around the arrow.
"I love you," I whispered, using the last of my breath.
"And I you," he said, looking at my face one last time. "Always and forever."