Gondor's Bane

Part Seven: Lost and Found

Boromir woke many times, but not for long. He was not sure how long it had been since he was attacked. Hours? Perhaps even days. All he felt was the throbbing in his head. During one of his waking spells he had realized that his head had been smashed into a stone. With what little strength he had left, he had shoved the stone away. He now lay with his ear pressed to the ground, his eyes focused on his water skin, which he had dropped while trying to drink something to quench his thirst before. The ground beneath the skin was wet, but hopefully there was still something left inside it.

Boromir reached out slowly and grabbed it with his right hand. He managed to lift his head enough to get a drink, although not for long as this made everything begin to spin once more. Thankfully, there was water still, so the Man was able to take a drink. With an effort, he managed to close the skin before dropping his head back to the ground and slipping back into a deep and troubled sleep.

He awoke to the sound of rhythmic thumping. He could not be sure how many, but it sounded like the hooves of many horses. They were approaching rapidly, but began to slow as they drew near. Finally, when they were but a few yards away, Boromir guessed, they halted completely.

"He looks to be from Gondor," said a voice.

"I will go forth," said another.

Boromir hoped silently that they were friendly folk, whomever they be. He winced as he felt a foot nudge his ribs. Then he felt a hand on his right shoulder and someone strong rolled him to his back. Squinting up at the person, he saw that it was a man clad in the garb of Rohan. His helmet shone brightly in the sun, and his face showed an expression of concern.

"Boromir?" the man said, realizing who he was looking at.

Boromir opened his mouth and weakly said, "I am Boromir of Gondor."

The other man took off his helmet. "Boromir," he said, "it is I, Éomer."

"Éomer?" Boromir replied, recognizing the man then. "Éomer, you must help me. He took it from me! He called me a thief, but I am no thief! They must be told!"

Éomer inspected the wound on Boromir's head. "Well, Boromir of Gondor, be you a thief or not, you are badly injured. How long have you lain here?"

"I know not."

"What was taken from you? Who took it? Who must be told?"

Boromir moaned in pain and didn't answer the questions.

The man stood and walked back to the other men he had been traveling with. They spoke quietly, then he returned with two others and a horse. Together they lifted Boromir onto the horse, and Éomer mounted behind. The others returned to their steeds and they once more began their ride.

Boromir's head ached, and the jolting of the horse did not make his pain lessen. The other man's strong arms prevented him from slipping when his own strength was not enough to keep him upright.

"Where are you taking me?" Boromir said hoarsely.

"To Edoras," answered Éomer.

"Edoras," murmured Boromir. He felt relief sweep over his entire body. Perhaps they had word of his friends.

The men rode as quickly as they could and in some time they reached Edoras. Boromir was brought into one of the rooms of the king and placed on a soft bed after being bathed. Éowyn, Éomer's sister, sat by his bed trying to feed him and bathing his wound. Boromir slowly felt his strength returning. During this time Éomer questioned him further.

"Why did you travel alone? How came you to be injured so?" questioned the man.

Boromir, able to think more clearly now that he had been fed and his wound had been properly washed and bandaged, answered, "I did not travel alone at first. I set forth from Rivendell, home of Lord Elrond of the Elves, with eight companions. We traveled south, and lost one in the mines of Moria. From there we went to Lothlorien, home of the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn. They treated us well, and provided boats for us to journey on the Anduin. I left my Company on the banks of the Anduin to travel to Minas Tirith alone. They were attacked and I know not if they still live. If they do, they will probably be seeking me."

"Were you injured in the battle?"

"Nay. I was attacked from behind in the very spot you found me. Who my attacker was, I do not know. He stole a very important treasure from me, and I must get word to my company." Boromir began to rise at this point, but Éomer held up his hand.

"Rest, Boromir. Who were your traveling companions?"

"Aragorn son of Arathorn, a man; Gimli son of Gloin, a dwarf; an Elf prince of Mirkwood called Legolas, and four hobbits named Frodo, Samwise, Meriadoc and Peregrin were my companions. The one we lost was Gandalf, the Wizard."

"Gandalf has fallen?" Éomer asked, surprise showing on his face.

"I am afraid it is true."

"You say something important was stolen from you?"

"Yes."

"What treasure could be so important?"

"I have not the right to say. Please, allow me to leave at once. I must get word to the others of this event." Boromir again began to rise, but was once more stopped.

"You are injured, and cannot travel. Rest," said Éomer.

"I must--"

The man broke in. "Rest, Boromir. Your friends will be told of this." Éomer instructed Éowyn not to let Boromir leave and promised to return shortly. Then he left to gather his men and a few spare horses. His men and beasts were weary, he knew, but something troubled Boromir, and he would not rest until he knew what it was.

Together, after sending messengers to Denethor, letting him know of his son's whereabouts, the Third Marshall of the Riddermark and his men rode forth from Edoras in search of the Fellowship.