Chapter 8
By Crystal
Author's Notes: This chapter is more of the movie than the book. It's hard to get this part from the book =\
*We all know who this belongs to ^^;;*
We were approaching Lothlórien when I heard Gimli speak aloud. I almost winced at the loud voice in the silent forest, "Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell." I hear Frodo suddenly gasp and I guessed that Galadriel spoke to him, "And are never seen again." Gimli ended.
Welcome to Lothlórien, Jessica Hanson of the other realm. I froze in my steps. I wasn't surprised she spoke to me, of course... But it felt weird, hearing someone speak in your head. "Jessica?" I heard Boromir ask me worriedly.
I could hear Gimli still talking in the background, "Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox." Suddenly, elves appeared from all around us, surrounding the whole Fellowship and I, pointing arrows at us. "oh..." I heard Gimli say, surprised.
"The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."
I heard Aragorn speak with that blond haired elf that was stood so tall and arrogantly that I wanted to sock him in the jaw a few times, but of course, being a woman... I could not do that. Not to mention we needed the help of Lady Galadriel. I sighed, the only Elvish I could understand from their conversation was Aragorn's "Haldir o Lórien." (Haldir of Lórien.)
"Aragorn! These woods are perilous. We should go back." I stopped the urge of rolling my eyes. The dwarf had simply too much saliva to waste on talking.
Haldir looked at him coldly, "You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back. Come. She is waiting." Ugh, I don't know why, but that Haldir guy's way of talking just got on my nerves terribly! Socking him in the jaw would do good. We argued, or more like I listened the them argue about binding the eyes and now, I was walking around, with my eyes bound. Finally, we stood in front of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel...
"Nine that there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him." Celeborn asked, looking around.
Galadriel looked at Aragorn, "He has fallen into Shadow... The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruins of all..." I saw her look at Boromir, who was sweating and I bit my lips. I resisted the urge to run to him and throw my arms around him to comfort him. "Yet hope remains while the Company is true." She turned to Sam, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace...
As we settled down, I heard Legolas start singing in a beautiful voice... Much better than any voice from any guy I've ever met. But then again, what did I expect? I mean, he is an elf. After he finished singing, he looked at me, "A lament for Gandalf."
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked, innocently.
"I have no the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near." Legolas responded.
I heard Aragorn speak to Boromir and I paid attention to what he was saying to him, "Take some rest. These borders are well protected."
Boromir shook his head, "I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, 'Even now there is hope left.' But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope." He continued after Aragorn sat down beside me, "My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing. And then our... our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right, and I, I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored. Have you ever seen it, Aragorn? The white tower of Ecthelion. Glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. Its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?
"I have seen the White City. Long ago."
I saw Boromir's shoulder sag down with stress, "One day, our paths will lead us there. And the tower guard shall take up the call: 'The Lords of Gondor have returned'." I smiled sadly, knowing that Boromir would not live until that day to see that... Unless I did something.
* * * * *
I sighed in comfort as the hot water came in contact with my skin and as my nose smelled the rose petals in the water. The bath was heavenly to me, since I haven't taken a shower in quite a few days. I scrubbed myself clean of filth and washed my hair. When I stepped out of the shower to find a green dress. Slowly, I slipped the dress on and dried my hair as much as I could, then left it down my back.
"Where were you?" I turned around, and looked around in fear until I spotted Legolas and hear him chuckle.
I frowned, "Next time, please refrain yourself from scaring the sh... I mean heck out of me and stop laughing at my expense you big fat lump of... er... something..." I thought for a word to describe him, but there wasn't one in my dictionary that was fitting... "Anyways, I was taking a bath. And I should go talk to Boromir right now, he wasn't doing very well last time I checked."
"He will be fine..." Legolas said and started chuckling once again. I looked up at him, frowning, "Don't worry, Jessica. I am not laughing at your expense... It is just that the first time I met you, you were wearing almost the same dress. This time, you're frowning at me and giving me a big lecture, last time, you were sitting under the tree, crying."
"Geez, thanks..." I replied and rolled my eyes, "I must really get to Boromir... I'll see you later tonight, Legolas." He nodded a farewell and I continued on to find Boromir. It was a little time before I could find him. He was staring at nothing and his eyes were unblinking, and he looked thoughtful. "Boromir...?"
"Jessica." He stated, looking at me.
Finding a wall, I sat down and mentioned him to come sit over, he did. "How are you doing?" I saw him shake his head, "Boromir... I... It's up to you... Your future is in your hands. If you are strong, you will survive, and if you are weak, then you will die." He looked at me with uncertainly, almost suspicious. "I know what is in the near future, Boromir... I know all that."
"Do you know what happens to me?" He asked, looking straight in my eyes.
I tore my eyes away from his glance. "Yes, yes I do." I replied, almost sadly.
"So you know how it will end... There is no point then."
I glanced at him sharply, "yes, there's a point. I am here now, I have changed the course of the future by coming here. And if I have changed it, then I cannot see how you cannot change it either! If you are willing to fight the ring harder, then you will be happier! Look at Aragorn. He's fighting it too, so is Frodo... We are all fighting it... I don't see why you have to be the one that stops..."
"I am not as strong as Aragorn."
I glared now, "And I am not as strong as anyone in the group. But I still try, don't I? You think I'm not scared? Do you know it was the first time I've ever seen orcs? Do you know it is the first time I have stained my hands with blood... Along with the hobbits? But we've all killed. Even though I killed orcs and they're ugly excuses for living things, they're still alive. I still killed... Do you know how I want to escape right now to go back to whence I came? But I can't, cause if I do, then something else will happen... Please, Boromir... Try your best, that is all I ask..."
He looked hesitant, then gave a nod, "I'll try... I'll try my best if that's all you ask for."
I smiled, "That's all I ask for... That's all I ask for."
* * * * *
My head was on the floor and I was drifting off to sleep when I felt a hand on my shoulder, shaking me very lightly. "Jessica... Jessica..." I opened my eyes to see the face of Frodo. I frowned, "Lady Galadriel want to see you..." He gave me the instructions and I followed them, soon, I reached a clearing with a round table and a round tray.
Galadriel filled the jug up with water and looked at me expectantly. With slight doubt, I walked towards the mirror... "Will you look into the mirror?" I looked hesitant, I did not want to know more than I already did, I have enough stress as it is, but there was always the curiosity... "You know what you will see... things that were, things that are, and some things, that have not yet come to pass..."
Finally, I nodded and she emptied the water into the mirror. I looked down at it as it became blurry...
I saw Iris, Carrie, Irene... Then there was Alan, our hands held together while we walked happily chatting. I saw him kiss me on the forehead and I saw him smile... Then I saw the Fellowship and I wave goodbye in Rivendell... Then there was the Mines of Moria... And I saw Boromir fight the orcs with determination... Aragorn in some sort of really old constructions that had grey brick walls and that were huge... And then there was the last one, where I lay in Haldir arms, muttering something even I could not hear... And reaching out for Legolas, who was frantically killing orcs, trying to get to me... And in his eyes, I saw fear... Then behind him stood Boromir and Aragorn, even farther behind stood Gimli, and the four for them were cutting through orcs and running towards me... That was when I saw darkness...
I gasped, "But... I cannot... Boromir..."
She looked at me as if she knew what I had seen, then smiled, "You know not what you can and cannot do... Not even the wisest can tell what your role in this quest is..."
I shook my head... Sure, I always thought I could really save Boromir... But it would change the whole thing... And putting that aside, how was I suppose to save Boromir? "But, I don't see how-"
"Follow your heart, Jessica. Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." Galadriel said, then signalled that it was the end of the conversation.
As I walked back to my sleeping place where the Fellowship lay, I could not help but think that it was what Gandalf had told me in the Mines of Moria...
Everything happens for a reason... Remember that, and follow your heart.
And Galadriel was right about the smallest person changing the course of the future... But is it for the better or for the worst...?
* * * * *
Cassie-bear01 – Thanks! Well, I just looooove tormenting my chars, lol. Don't ask why =\ Anyways, you're on my mailing list now ^^ Woohoo!
Katie – Thanks!
Youko Demon – Well, practice makes perfect, right? Anyways, thanks a lot!
Cute-Kitty – LoL, you're not the only one to wish that ^^
O.B.I.M – Thanks!
Telboriel – Thanks a lot! I'll keep posting whenever I have time ^^
Flyaway – LoL, Well, as for the whole Alan/Legolas/Boromir love triangle... To be truthful, I don't know if I'm going to make Boromir like Jessica at all... I might get him to marry to Éowyn... A nice twist =\ Alan...? Well, I'm not going to do any spoilers... So you'll just have to see, lol. And about killing Boromir... You'll see in the next 3-4 chapters! Thanks!
MaverickGirl – Thanks a lot!
Urebriviel – Thanks a lot! I'll be writing another chapter reaaaaal soon ^^
Black Angel – Thanks. I'll add you on my mailing list! Later!
pandapearl – Well, I hope it's realistic... I'm trying my best for it to not sound like a cartoon character, lol. Anyways, it's hard separating a love from a crush in a short time... So Jessica'll still have a few lil conflicts with herself here and there ^^ Anyways, thanks!
Albinofrog88 – LoL! Alan should die? Well, I wouldn't disagree... But eh, you'll be fine with Alan later... Hopefully =\
Author's Notes: Thank you for all those lovely reviews! And it's SPRING BREAK! *cheers* Anyways, I'm soooo happy. Lol... Spring Break! *chants* Anyways, later!