Author's note: Thanks for all the wondeful reviews! No, I don't plan on doing anything to Legolas, but he more than likely will appear very little during the next few chapters. But we'll see what I can think up! He, Aragorn, and Gimli will take the same path they took in the books, and that was to find Merry and Pippin. I'll more than likely concentrate on Lilli and Boromir's journey. Sorry if this disappoints anyone!

Elenya by Shelly

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX


Lillisandra stirred slowly into wakefulness, feeling her cheek resting against soft leather with its distinctive scent wafting up into her nose and bringing back the events of the past few hours. It all seemed a dream that she had just awakened from, seeing Gandalf and Boromir once again when they had died fighting against an unspeakable evil that threatened to enslave all those in Middle-Earth.

But as soon as she felt a gentle hand stroking her hair and a soft kiss on her forehead, she knew then that it was no dream. Boromir, her beloved, was returned to her warm and alive again. Pushing herself into a sitting position, she gazed into his eyes for what seemed like forever, unable to believe that he was really here.

He couldn't help but chuckle as he saw the wonder in her eyes, knowing what she must be thinking. "Have a nice nap?" he asked as he brushed his thumb against her cheek.

Her breath caught in her throat as her heart beat furiously within her. "I thought it all a dream....That I would wake and you would still be dead...."

He laughed gently. "Thanks to you, I am not," he replied, his heart overflowing with love as he remembered the sacrifice she had made for him in order for him to be here. "Lilli, why would you want to give up your immortality just to be with me? After what I did to Frodo, I deserve to be dead."

Her gaze softened. "You should know the answer to that, Boromir," she said as she inched her way closer to him. "You once told me that you would find a way to be with me even in death. Well, I found a better way, a way that is better for the both of us. And I care not that it means I am mortal just like you are. After you died, I wished to die myself because I could not see myself living without you."

He swallowed deeply. "What stopped you?"

"The only thing keeping me alive was Elenya. I wanted to die so badly, but I knew that there was no one else except Frodo who could defeat Sauron. And if he failed, then it would be up to me to see him destroyed. If I can do such a thing," she added.

He moved his hand down to take her own in his. "That I do not wish you to have to face alone," he said. "I believe Frodo has the strength to do what he has to do, and I know you can do the same. But if you must fight then I caution you to be careful."

A smile lurked at the corners of her mouth. "Why? Because if I die then you will?"

He returned her smile. "You know better than that," he laughed. "It is because I love you so much that I do not wish to see you die," he replied as he kissed the back of her hand, a soft brushing of his lips across her soft skin that sent jolts of awareness throughout her body.

Her eyes shadowed with longing, she reached forth and grabbed his head with both her hands, capturing his lips in a heated kiss so passionate they both fell back into the boat, Boromir landing on top of her. They ended up kissing each other's faces and necks, whispering words of love to each other before simply lying there against each other with their bodies pressed close together.

And because their lives were linked together so closely, she found herself experiencing every emotion he had ever felt during his long journey from Minas Tirith, especially his despair after Gandalf's fall in Moria and his concern for those still in the city. Looking into his eyes, she touched his cheek with her hand. "I wish I could've been there with you to ease your pain, my love. I would give up all that I am to take away every bit of sorrow and grief you have ever felt just to see you happy again. And I promise I will do all I can to see that our home isn't destroyed."

He gazed into her eyes and kissed her softly. "You would call Minas Tirith home when Silmarion is where you were born?"

"Yes, Silmarion is my home, but I would call your city that as well for that is where we first loved each other and where we spent much of our time together. And because I know you love it just as much as you love me," she added with a smile.

He smiled. "There is nothing in this world that I could love as much as I love you," he replied, beginning another round of kisses that had them lost in each other's arms.



They seemed to have been running for days, the need to rescue Merry and Pippin fresh on their minds as they refused to lose the other two hobbits to the enemy. They were exhausted and their legs burned, but still they continued on the path the orcs had taken, which was not hard to find as evidenced by the swath of destruction left through the underbrush.

Legolas suddenly slowed to a stop as he felt a peculiar wrenching of his soul, and he knew immediately that it was Elenya's power stirring within him. As he had been close to the ring's power that time in Lorien, he must've become attuned to it as he wondered what could've happened to cause Lillisandra to have activated its power. His first thought was that she must be in danger and the odds were stacked against her. Maybe they were following the wrong trail and the orcs had gone after her instead but left a false trail for them to follow.

Worried, he almost changed direction and turned back the way they had come. But somehow he knew that it wasn't being used in battle as through his connection with the ring he felt her spirit at peace. Then he sensed her lifeforce change, something that saddened his heart even further as he knew what had happened.

His beloved Lilli had forsaken immortality to become mortal.

Aragorn saw the elf stop and turned to ask what was wrong, but after seeing the sadness in his eyes decided not to ask as it seemed to pain him terribly. Legolas sensed his questioning gaze and met it evenly after dampening his feelings. "She has chosen a mortal life," was all he would say.

The ranger's eyes widened. That could only mean one thing. "You don't think she..."

Legolas shook his head. "I'm not sure. But I do not want to waste anymore time thinking about it. We must find Merry and Pippin," he said, resuming their course through the forest before either of his friends saw the tears welling in his eyes.

Aragorn looked to Gimli, both of their glances questioning before following the elf's footsteps. Whatever had happened, they knew they would soon find out once they arrived in Minas Tirith, whenever that would be. Right now, their only concern was rescuing the two hobbits before any harm was done to them, and Aragorn sent up a quick prayer that she would be okay.



Soon they saw the first of the many Mouths of the Entwash on their right and the marshes of Nindalf on their left. When night fell, they continued on, her elven sight assisting them in spotting anything dangerous, and when daylight once again spread across the land they came to the last of the Mouths and passed into North Ithilien. During the second night they passed the fortified isle of Cair Andros, no one taking note of their passage as they drifted onward towards Minas Tirith, the sun soon rising on another day.

That night they passed by Osgiliath, the sight of the ruins bringing back memories of when they were here before and the bridge had to be destroyed in order for the enemy to keep from crossing a second time. She had assisted in the battle from afar against Boromir and Faramir's wishes, picking off the enemy one at a time with her arrows and arriving at the bank just in time to see the brothers come ashore, Boromir wounded from a cut to his side.

Shaking her head to clear her mind of memories, she saw something shimmer out of the corner of her eye and looked up to see the White Tower of Ecthelion shining in the moonlight, looking just as majestic as the first day she had seen it. The White City held many memories for her as most of the time she and Boromir had spent together had been here, and it had been the beginning of many things in her life. She had shared her first kiss with him on the embrasure that rested on the mighty keel-shaped rock formation that jutted out from the city and formed part of its formidable defense against enemies. It was also there she had confronted him about their betrothal to one another.

She had also shared her first night with the brave warrior after he had recovered from his injuries suffered at Osgiliath, a night that she had never forgotten and still held close to her heart.

Apparently he was thinking the same thing as he drew her close against him and kissed the side of her neck. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked.

She swallowed deeply as tears welled in her eyes. "Yes. We're home."

*****************

Oh, the memories! But wait, they still have to face his father, and if you've read "The Ring of Stars" then you know Denethor wasn't too happy that Boromir fell in love with Lilli. And her absence has had dire consequences for her people as well.

Thanks for reading! C-ya!