Author's note: Wow, 64 reviews! Thanks guys! And for one reviewer, yes this was a bit of a Legolas romance at one time, but now it's a Boromir romance, which is why it's also listed in a Boromir romance! Bwahahaha!!!

Sorry. I guess the One Ring's influence came over me. *_* Anyway, hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings, I just wish I did.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE


Lillisandra couldn't believe what was happening. Was this really Boromir lying before her, warm and alive when he was supposed to be dead? "Gandalf, what is this? I mean, he's dead! I was there when he died! I said goodbye to him!"

He put his arm around her shoulder to help calm her. "Lilli, if you would calm yourself and listen to me, I can explain everything. Think you can do that for me?"

She sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes as she nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

"Do you recall seeing anything strange happen with your ring after Boromir died?" She shook her head. "If I'm correct, I believe that Elenya kept his soul from departing after he died. If you wish, you can bring him back by using the power of the ring. The only drawback is that it will require a sacrifice on your behalf if you want him to live."

She glanced once more at her beloved, indecision written on her face. "What kind of sacrifice?" she asked.

"It will require some of your lifeforce, Lilli, to make it happen. You will have to give up your immortal life if you want him back, but how long you both will live depends on what happens to you both. Both of your lives will depend on the other's. If you die then he will die, and vice versa. If nothing happens to either of you, then you both will enjoy a long life together, comparable to the spans of years the men of Numenor used to live before their blood thinned to what it is now."

His words echoed throughout her mind, replaying themselves over and over as she imagined what kind of life she could have with her love once again by her side. To see his smile once again and see his eyes alight with love and happiness as they spent the rest of their lives together. But she couldn't help but think of what the down side would be, to die before her time if he were to die in battle and leave Middle-Earth's second best hope without an heir if she were to die and Sauron regained possession of the One Ring.

But, oh, to have him back with her...at her side. It would be worth giving up her life just to touch him again and feel his arms around her.

She glanced up at the wizard. "I would choose to bring him back," she said. "But isn't it dangerous to use the ring when the enemy is near?"

He nodded his head slowly as he hoped that her decision would yield much happiness instead of death for them both as opposed to just him. "I'll take care of that," he replied. "You just do what feels right, my child. I only hope that you are certain that this is what you wish to do."

She smiled. "Of course I am, Gandalf. I would willingly sacrifice my life for his if it means he'll be alive once more."

He returned her smile and closed his eyes, beginning to recite the words that would protect them from the prying eyes of the enemy. Soon he told her to proceed, and she removed Elenya from its chain to slip it onto her finger, feeling the rush of power that took hold of her. Taking hold of both of Boromir's hands in her own, she struggled to channel the ring's power towards him and into him to give him the stength to come back to her. It was difficult as the power was akin to a raging river that was hard to tame, but she succeeded as she saw Boromir stir weakly against the tree trunk, his movements becoming more sure as his strength increased.

Then his eyes opened and looked into hers, filled with the same confusion and shock that hers had reflected moments ago. He sat up and released her hands, and she barely remembered to remove her ring as it appeared he had gotten all he needed to make a complete recovery. But as soon as she did, she collapsed against him as an all-consuming weakness overcame her, and she knew now what kind of price she had paid as she felt for the first time in her life what it was like to have time pressing down on her. But it was worth it as she felt his arms come around her and pull her into his lap to hold her, and she could barely summon the strength to lift her hand to his face to touch his cheek. "I love you," she whispered before she gave in to exhaustion and fell deep into sleep.



Boromir couldn't help but wonder what was going on as he found himself face to face with Gandalf, who he had seen fall to his death at the hands of the foul Balrog he had fought. But what was even more strange was the fact that he himself was alive and well when he was supposed to be dead. He became a little disconcerted as it seemed to be a recurring trend that was disturbing in itself.

However, his more immediate concern was for the weak elf lying in his arms, an elf whom he loved very much and was very happy to be holding once more. "Gandalf, what is going on?" he asked. "Why is she so weak?"

The wizard patiently explained everything to him that had happened, and when Boromir learned that she had sacrificed some of her life for his, he was moved to tears as he realized how much she loved him. And he knew without a doubt that he would've done the same had the situations been reversed. Indeed he felt incredibly lucky to have been given a second chance after what he had done, and he voiced this to Gandalf. "I don't feel I deserve this," he said.

"Think of this as a way to atone for your mistakes," he said. "You will be entrusted with her life, and yours as well, for if she dies then so will you. And that won't be an easy task given the danger that draws near, especially in Minas Tirith. If you both return there, you will have a hard time of it as your father would have you fight against the enemy, and I know that Lilli would go with you to help defend your city. But I urge you beyond all things to be careful as if she dies then goes our last hope for defeating Sauron. If Frodo fails, then it will be up to her to fight him."

Boromir's jaw dropped in disbelief. "You would have her fight against Sauron himself?"

"By no means will she be fighting him alone," Gandalf explained. "All of those of good heart will be behind her fighting for her and the freedom of Middle-Earth. But the power of Elenya should not be taken lightly for it is comparable in power to the One Ring, and their meeting has the potential to change things as they are, which is why it is so important for Frodo to succeed in his mission."

The warrior sighed. "I suppose that the time for wishing for what we want is past, and it is time for us to do what we must to ensure the safety of the realm." He looked into Gandalf's eyes, thinking of all the times in the past when he had put little faith in the wizard, as his father had done also. Now he realized that if it hadn't been for Gandalf, then things would have turned out worse than they already were, and he also knew that all the people of the realm had their own part to play just as much as the people of Gondor did. While theirs might not have seemed as significant when compared to Gondor's contributions, they were nonetheless just as important.

Gandalf saw the sudden understanding in Boromir's eyes, and he knew that he would try his best to see it through. "Now you have to get her away from this place. It is dangerous for her to stay here any longer as the orcs are not far from here. Your gear is still in the boat, and I suggest you make for Minas Tirith as fast as you can. Try not to stop if you can avoid it and head straight for the city as fast as you can. Every second is precious as time is running out. I hope to see you both there soon."

Boromir nodded and rose to his feet slowly as he still supported the sleeping elf in his arms, watching as Gandalf disappeared into the forest. She was sleeping so deeply she didn't stir, not even when he set her inside the boat to allow himself to retrieve his weapons. Once that was done, he climbed back inside the boat and pushed off from the bank and back into the river's current to head back home, happy to be bringing his betrothed back with him as well.

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Aw, they're back together! And I suspect I'm going to get some flames for this, but I've got my logs and my marshmallows ready, so bring it on! Roasted marshmallows...yum!

However happy their reunion may be, it does come with a price. Lilli is no longer immortal, and if one of them dies then so does the other. Aren't I cruel? But there had to be a price paid somewhere.

Thanks for reading!