A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter up, I've been very busy, and I wrote this all last night. And sorry this is so short (comparatively), next one will be longer, promise. Okay, on to the story! *AS*
Chapter 23: All Good Things Must Come To An End
Elwing sat on the riverbank, staring blankly towards Mordor. She had ceased crying, but stray tears still slid down her cheeks at random.
The others sat a ways from Elwing, not quite sure what to do or how to comfort her. She sat with her back to them, the setting sun revealing streaks of red in her gold hair. She ignored their calls, and the others fell silent, each with their own thoughts.
Aria sat pondering what their next move would be. She guessed they would follow Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, but her heart longed to go with Frodo and Sam. She was a comforter, not a warrior, and it was Frodo and Sam who would need comfort the most.
Since the others showed no signs of doing so, Galareal took charge. He made a small fire and cooked some food, forcing Aria and Erestor to eat. He occupied his time by keeping a watch out for orcs, and he did not let his thoughts wander.
Erestor ate his food mechanically, neither tasting it or thinking of it. His gaze was ever towards Elwing, his heart aching for her and wishing there was something he could do for her.
Erestor set down his plate and rose to his feet. The others glanced at him, but said nothing. Walking softly, Erestor went and stood by Elwing. She did not move.
"May I sit down?" Erestor asked quietly.
No answer.
Erestor sighed and sat down next to Elwing. He studied her face carefully and saw the empty look in her eyes that he dreaded.
"Elwing, please, say something."
"They killed my brother." Her voice was cold and thick with hate.
"You knew he would die, and you know there was nothing you could have done to change that." There was a note of pleading in Erestor's voice.
Elwing bowed her head. "I know," she whispered, "but I still hoped. To read his death is one thing, but to live it is another."
Erestor gently slipped his arm around her shoulders and she rested her head against his chest. After a moment, she began to sing softly:
Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows
The West Wind comes walking, and about the walls it goes.
'What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring to me tonight?
Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or by starlight?'
'I saw him ride over seven streams, over waters wide and grey;
I saw him walk in empty lands, until he passed away
Into the shadows of the North. I saw him then no more.
The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor.'
'O Boromir! From the high walls westward I looked afar,
But you came not from the empty lands where no men are.'
Then Erestor sang:
From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sandhills and the stones;
The wailing of the gulls it bears, and at the gate it moans.
'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring to me at eve?
Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve.'
'Ask not of me where he doth dwell - so many bones there lie
On the white shores and the dark shores under the stormy sky;
So many have passed down Anduin to find the flowing Sea.
Ask of the North Wind news of them the North Wind sends to me!'
'O Boromir! Beyond the gate the seaward road runs south,
But you came not with the wailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth.'
Then Elwing sang again:
From the Gate of Kings the North Wind rides, and past the roaring falls;
And clear and cold about the tower its loud horn calls.
'What news from the North, O mighty wind, do you bring to me today?
What news of Boromir the Bold? For he is long away.'
'Beneath Amon Hen I heard his cry. There many foes he fought.
His cloven shield, his broken sword, they to the water brought.
His head so proud, his face so fair, his limbs they laid to rest;
And Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, bore him upon its breast.'
'O Boromir! The Tower of Guard shall ever northward gaze
To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days.'
Silence followed their song, and Elwing sat with her head on Erestor's chest, noting pleasurably the gentle rise and fall of his chest. I may not have been able to stop Boromir's death, but I will avenge it. Those orcs will pay, I swear it. But what of my friends? Shall I risk their lives as well? No, I cannot bear the thought of them getting hurt. My life I gladly forfeit, but I will do all I can to protect the lives of my friends.
Elwing lifted her head and looked over Erestor's shoulder at Aria and Galareal. Aria lay with her head on her pack, but Elwing knew she only feigned sleep. Galareal sat by the fire, his back to them.
"Do you wish to rejoin civilization?" Erestor asked cheekily.
A corner of Elwing's mouth lifted slightly. "Sure, I guess there is no point in sitting here."
Erestor stood and helped her to her feet, then they walked back to the fire. Erestor sat next to Galareal, and Elwing went to the other side of the fire and sat by Aria, who was no longer faking sleep.
"Are you okay?" Aria asked.
Elwing smiled slightly at her friend's concern. "I'm fine." Elwing paused for a moment, then spoke again. "Aria, would you do me a favor, please?"
Aria turned to face her friend. "Of course. What is it?"
Elwing pulled out the dirk Boromir had given her, complete with scabbard. "I want you to take this. I know you don't like weapons," she continued quickly as Aria opened her mouth to protest, "but please, just take it. It will make me fell a lot better to know you have this, even if you never use it. And I don't need it now because I have my sword."
Aria looked at her friend and saw the worry in her eyes. Aria sighed and took the dagger. "You know I will never use it," Aria warned.
Elwing half-smiled. "You never know."
Erestor walked over and handed Elwing a plate of food. "I know Galareal's not the best cook, but it's edible," he said with a wink.
Elwing attempted to smile and failed. "I'm not hungry," she said, trying to give back the plate.
Erestor shook his head. "Too bad. Either eat on your own, or I'll force feed you."
This time Elwing's smile had no trouble finding its place. She ate a bite and found she was very hungry. She ate the plateful and then had seconds. Erestor watched her finish her second plate, a smile on his face.
"Now, will you go to sleep, or do I have to rock you first?" he asked cheekily.
Elwing smiled. "Don't tempt me."
Galareal doused the fire so they would not be easily seen, and the four friends fell fast asleep, their exhaustion and grief making their sleep deep.
Around midnight, Erestor found himself awake. At first he did not know why he had awoke, but then a movement to his right made him remember: someone was creeping around their camp, barely making any noise. When his eyes had adjusted to the light, or lack there-of, he realized it was Elwing. Pretending to still be asleep, Erestor watched through half-closed eyes as she picked up her pack began to softly slip out of camp. When she had disappeared over a hill, Erestor quickly and silently packed his bag, then, hefting it to his shoulder, took off after her.
It was not hard to catch up to her, for she was walking slowly, and Erestor caught her quickly. Grabbing her arm, Erestor spun her around.
"What are you doing?" he asked quietly but firmly.
Elwing frowned and tried to free her arm, but Erestor's grip tightened.
"What are you doing?" he repeated.
"I'm leaving, what does it look like?" she replied fiercely.
"Why? Where are you going?"
"Why? I thought that was obvious. I don't want you or Aria or Galareal getting hurt. I thought that if I left, you guys would find a safer path. My path goes with Isildur's Heir, for now, and my path is definitely fraught with danger. I do not want to endanger my friends by bringing them with me."
Erestor started at Elwing in amazement. She seemed to have changed; she looked the same, but her eyes were full of wisdom beyond her years, and she seemed to carry the weight of a great and noble destiny that he would never fully comprehend.
"If your path lies with the King, then so does mine. I have followed you this far, and I don't plan on turning back now. Frodo could not leave Sam behind, and you will find me equally impossible to be rid of." Erestor's face and eyes shone with determination and an acknowledgement of his fate, and Elwing smiled in spite of herself. "Alright Sam, let's go."
The two set off without another word, running as lightly as Elves across the plains towards Fangorn Forest.
End Chapter 23
Next chapter will focus more on Galareal and Aria. Please review!
Chapter 23: All Good Things Must Come To An End
Elwing sat on the riverbank, staring blankly towards Mordor. She had ceased crying, but stray tears still slid down her cheeks at random.
The others sat a ways from Elwing, not quite sure what to do or how to comfort her. She sat with her back to them, the setting sun revealing streaks of red in her gold hair. She ignored their calls, and the others fell silent, each with their own thoughts.
Aria sat pondering what their next move would be. She guessed they would follow Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, but her heart longed to go with Frodo and Sam. She was a comforter, not a warrior, and it was Frodo and Sam who would need comfort the most.
Since the others showed no signs of doing so, Galareal took charge. He made a small fire and cooked some food, forcing Aria and Erestor to eat. He occupied his time by keeping a watch out for orcs, and he did not let his thoughts wander.
Erestor ate his food mechanically, neither tasting it or thinking of it. His gaze was ever towards Elwing, his heart aching for her and wishing there was something he could do for her.
Erestor set down his plate and rose to his feet. The others glanced at him, but said nothing. Walking softly, Erestor went and stood by Elwing. She did not move.
"May I sit down?" Erestor asked quietly.
No answer.
Erestor sighed and sat down next to Elwing. He studied her face carefully and saw the empty look in her eyes that he dreaded.
"Elwing, please, say something."
"They killed my brother." Her voice was cold and thick with hate.
"You knew he would die, and you know there was nothing you could have done to change that." There was a note of pleading in Erestor's voice.
Elwing bowed her head. "I know," she whispered, "but I still hoped. To read his death is one thing, but to live it is another."
Erestor gently slipped his arm around her shoulders and she rested her head against his chest. After a moment, she began to sing softly:
Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows
The West Wind comes walking, and about the walls it goes.
'What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring to me tonight?
Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or by starlight?'
'I saw him ride over seven streams, over waters wide and grey;
I saw him walk in empty lands, until he passed away
Into the shadows of the North. I saw him then no more.
The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor.'
'O Boromir! From the high walls westward I looked afar,
But you came not from the empty lands where no men are.'
Then Erestor sang:
From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sandhills and the stones;
The wailing of the gulls it bears, and at the gate it moans.
'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring to me at eve?
Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve.'
'Ask not of me where he doth dwell - so many bones there lie
On the white shores and the dark shores under the stormy sky;
So many have passed down Anduin to find the flowing Sea.
Ask of the North Wind news of them the North Wind sends to me!'
'O Boromir! Beyond the gate the seaward road runs south,
But you came not with the wailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth.'
Then Elwing sang again:
From the Gate of Kings the North Wind rides, and past the roaring falls;
And clear and cold about the tower its loud horn calls.
'What news from the North, O mighty wind, do you bring to me today?
What news of Boromir the Bold? For he is long away.'
'Beneath Amon Hen I heard his cry. There many foes he fought.
His cloven shield, his broken sword, they to the water brought.
His head so proud, his face so fair, his limbs they laid to rest;
And Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, bore him upon its breast.'
'O Boromir! The Tower of Guard shall ever northward gaze
To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days.'
Silence followed their song, and Elwing sat with her head on Erestor's chest, noting pleasurably the gentle rise and fall of his chest. I may not have been able to stop Boromir's death, but I will avenge it. Those orcs will pay, I swear it. But what of my friends? Shall I risk their lives as well? No, I cannot bear the thought of them getting hurt. My life I gladly forfeit, but I will do all I can to protect the lives of my friends.
Elwing lifted her head and looked over Erestor's shoulder at Aria and Galareal. Aria lay with her head on her pack, but Elwing knew she only feigned sleep. Galareal sat by the fire, his back to them.
"Do you wish to rejoin civilization?" Erestor asked cheekily.
A corner of Elwing's mouth lifted slightly. "Sure, I guess there is no point in sitting here."
Erestor stood and helped her to her feet, then they walked back to the fire. Erestor sat next to Galareal, and Elwing went to the other side of the fire and sat by Aria, who was no longer faking sleep.
"Are you okay?" Aria asked.
Elwing smiled slightly at her friend's concern. "I'm fine." Elwing paused for a moment, then spoke again. "Aria, would you do me a favor, please?"
Aria turned to face her friend. "Of course. What is it?"
Elwing pulled out the dirk Boromir had given her, complete with scabbard. "I want you to take this. I know you don't like weapons," she continued quickly as Aria opened her mouth to protest, "but please, just take it. It will make me fell a lot better to know you have this, even if you never use it. And I don't need it now because I have my sword."
Aria looked at her friend and saw the worry in her eyes. Aria sighed and took the dagger. "You know I will never use it," Aria warned.
Elwing half-smiled. "You never know."
Erestor walked over and handed Elwing a plate of food. "I know Galareal's not the best cook, but it's edible," he said with a wink.
Elwing attempted to smile and failed. "I'm not hungry," she said, trying to give back the plate.
Erestor shook his head. "Too bad. Either eat on your own, or I'll force feed you."
This time Elwing's smile had no trouble finding its place. She ate a bite and found she was very hungry. She ate the plateful and then had seconds. Erestor watched her finish her second plate, a smile on his face.
"Now, will you go to sleep, or do I have to rock you first?" he asked cheekily.
Elwing smiled. "Don't tempt me."
Galareal doused the fire so they would not be easily seen, and the four friends fell fast asleep, their exhaustion and grief making their sleep deep.
Around midnight, Erestor found himself awake. At first he did not know why he had awoke, but then a movement to his right made him remember: someone was creeping around their camp, barely making any noise. When his eyes had adjusted to the light, or lack there-of, he realized it was Elwing. Pretending to still be asleep, Erestor watched through half-closed eyes as she picked up her pack began to softly slip out of camp. When she had disappeared over a hill, Erestor quickly and silently packed his bag, then, hefting it to his shoulder, took off after her.
It was not hard to catch up to her, for she was walking slowly, and Erestor caught her quickly. Grabbing her arm, Erestor spun her around.
"What are you doing?" he asked quietly but firmly.
Elwing frowned and tried to free her arm, but Erestor's grip tightened.
"What are you doing?" he repeated.
"I'm leaving, what does it look like?" she replied fiercely.
"Why? Where are you going?"
"Why? I thought that was obvious. I don't want you or Aria or Galareal getting hurt. I thought that if I left, you guys would find a safer path. My path goes with Isildur's Heir, for now, and my path is definitely fraught with danger. I do not want to endanger my friends by bringing them with me."
Erestor started at Elwing in amazement. She seemed to have changed; she looked the same, but her eyes were full of wisdom beyond her years, and she seemed to carry the weight of a great and noble destiny that he would never fully comprehend.
"If your path lies with the King, then so does mine. I have followed you this far, and I don't plan on turning back now. Frodo could not leave Sam behind, and you will find me equally impossible to be rid of." Erestor's face and eyes shone with determination and an acknowledgement of his fate, and Elwing smiled in spite of herself. "Alright Sam, let's go."
The two set off without another word, running as lightly as Elves across the plains towards Fangorn Forest.
End Chapter 23
Next chapter will focus more on Galareal and Aria. Please review!
