*** Hey guys here's chapter 16. Thank you Saera, lulu bell, Aislin, Tara,
Dara Maeko, kurleyhawk2, and anime princess for your reviews I really
appreciate it a lot. Sadly I wish to keep the original story line as true
as possible therefore Boromir will meet his fate. Saera I know you want a
friend of Shealyn's in ME but I wouldn't know which one so I've decided
that her friends are staying on Earth for the time being. I appreciate your
advice though. Anyways on with the story hope you enjoy! ***
"Hey Boromir." I softly whispered sitting beside him as we made camp the second night.
He slowly looked up and gave me a sad smile. "How are you faring Shealyn?" He questioned looking at the ground once more.
"I am fine." I replied. "Though I believe you are not. You must fight it Boromir. It may be strong, but I believe you are much stronger." I added hoping to lift his spirits.
A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips as he continued to stare at the night sky. "You are wise beyond your years little one." He whispered
"That is what Logan would say." I whispered sadly.
"You miss them greatly I can tell." Boromir said after a moment.
I could only nod not trusting my voice at that moment. Boromir took hold of my hand and squeezed it gently. "You are not alone Shealyn." He whispered before getting to his feet and approaching Aragorn.
I stared after the man who seemed to now replace Remy, my Cajun friend back home.
*** Flashback ***
"There you are petite. Remy's been lookin' all over for ya." He said sitting down beside me on the roof.
"Remy I feel so lost." I whispered looking up into his red on black eyes.
"Ah petite don't think like that." Remy said resting his hand on my shoulder.
"I hate not knowing though." I replied.
Tears began their trek down my cheeks in a downpour. Without a word Remy took me into his arms and held me murmuring soothing words into my ear.
"You goin' some where?" I asked drying my eyes noticing that Remy had a rucksack with him.
"Remy was called back home to New Orleans petite. I must go and aid my friends." He whispered.
"Don't leave me Remy. Mr. Logan left last week with Jubilee and I'll be alone." I cried out.
"I'll be home before you know it petite. Remy must be goin'." He answered rising to his feet.
I stood and wrapped my arms around Remy's waist tightly. "Come home soon." I whispered as he returned the hug.
"I will try petite." He chuckled. "Goodbye."
"Bye Remy see ya when you get back." I said.
*** End of Flashback ***
"Shealyn, Shealyn are you well?" Pippin asked shaking me out of my memories.
"Yeah Pip I'm well. I was just thinkin' about home." I answered.
"Come join us." He said grabbing my hand.
Pippin pulled me over to where the other three hobbits were sitting telling stories of the Shire. Merry looked up long enough to pat the space beside him. I smiled and sat down.
"Shealyn would you tell us of some of your adventures back 'ome?" Merry asked.
Chuckling I closed my eyes as events in my life passed before my mind's eye. "Hmm... ah yes. Three months after my rescue I was outside with my new friends; Jubilee, Bobby, John, Marie, and Remy..."
"What were you doing?" Pippin asked thereafter receiving a whack on the head.
"Let her continue Pip." He hissed.
"Well Pip we were up to no good." I replied with a smile knowing that Merry and Pippin would appreciate this story.
"Do tell." Merry said leaning forward.
"Scott, the second in command of the X-Men thought it would be wise if everyone had more training sessions. So for three weeks we endured four solid hours every other day training with our gifts." I paused to see the hobbits reactions which were of shock. "As you can believe my friends and I were not in the least bit happy about these long training hours..."
"Of course not." Sam responded as the others silently agreed.
"So we one day we followed Scott and his love, Jean Grey to the lake that sits in the back of the mansion." The hobbits were grinning by now. "We hid in the bushes until Jean was called back inside and Scott remained. Even though I was the youngest the others had put me in charge so I signaled to Jubilee and Remy to do their part."
"What was their part?" Frodo asked curiously.
"Remy and Jubilee's part was to fake a fight to distract Scott. We heard a scream and watched Jubilee running towards the lake with a furious looking Remy hot on her tail." I giggled remembering that day. "They pulled Scott into the fray trying to blame each other for something or other. With Scott distracted the rest of us came out of our hiding spot and crept towards him..." I said letting my voice trail off.
"What did you do next Shealyn?" Pippin asked anxiously.
"We shoved him into the lake." I stated matter-of-factly.
With that the four hobbits burst out laughing. "Did.... did... you get in... trouble... Miss Shealyn?" Sam asked between breaths.
"What is so funny master hobbit?" Gimli asked coming up behind us.
"Oh Gimli you just missed a tale that Shealyn told of a prank she and her friends played on their second-in-command." Frodo answered him wiping a tear from his eye.
I looked at the hobbit who up until now hadn't laughed. "It's good to hear you laugh Frodo." I stated.
"Indeed." Gimli added.
"Shealyn..." Merry paused looking for the right words. "If you had to compare each of us to your X-Men who would it be?" He asked after a moment.
"Hmm... well Merry you remind me of Bobby because you like to play practical jokes...." I started.
"What about me?" Pippin asked jumping up and down in excitement.
"Pip I believe you remind me of Jubilee who is a younger version of Bobby." I stated simply expecting an outburst.
I didn't have to wait long. "A girl..." Pippin cried. "You compare me to a girl."
"Yeah but that isn't so bad." I replied. "Ok Frodo you remind me of Rogue." I paused to look at him. "Both of you are young and burdened with the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Frodo nodded. "What of Sam?" He asked.
"Hmm..." I looked intently at the hobbit in question. "I'd say you remind me of Kurt. He tries to help Rogue with her burden, but will never know the full extent."
"Who would you say I remind you of?" Gimli asked afraid of the answer.
"There is a mutant that helps us from time to time. He is called Bishop. His temper could match your own and it takes him time to befriend others." I replied.
"That seems satisfactory." Gimli grunted. "Tell us.... what about the others." He asked gesturing towards the two men and elf.
"Legolas reminds me of Hank or better known as Beast. They are both good at their skills." I really didn't want to explain science to them. "He also is kind to those who are not enemies."
The five nodded digesting what I had told them. "Boromir reminds me of Remy. Whenever I needed to cry or tell someone about my problems I would go to Remy. We are the best of friends. Now I go to Boromir." I stated.
"Lastly there is Aragorn..." I started. "Aragorn strongly reminds me of Logan. This is so because if not Remy I'd go to Logan and besides I looked at him like a father figure."
They smiled thinking about the people I described them as.
"Get some rest you five." Boromir called to us.
"Alright already." I grunted climbing to my feet.
Lying down I amazed myself by falling asleep within the minute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What was Shealyn telling the hobbits and Gimli?" Boromir asked curiously remembering that the five were deep in discussion.
Legolas chuckled. "Shealyn was comparing us to certain X-Men members." He stated. "I supposedly am like a mutant called Beast. She said that we were both talented in what we do and we are both kind."
"Interesting." Boromir murmured. "What did she say about me?" He questioned.
"Well Boromir you are most like a man called Remy. Shealyn said she confided in him and befriended him as her relationship is with you." Legolas reported.
"That sounds about right." Aragorn jested.
"And you Aragorn reminds her greatly of the man called Logan. She said you and Logan are like her father figures." Legolas told them.
"Those comparisons are pretty good." Boromir stated as the others agreed with him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't know how long we had been on that confounded river, but I was about ready to burst.
"You are weary Shealyn rest." Boromir whispered taking another stroke with his paddle.
I had traded Merry spots so now I sat in the boat between Boromir and Pippin. I nodded as I lay back on the Gondorian's lap. Pippin then leaned against me and promptly drifted off to sleep. I must have nodded off too because the next thing I remember was Boromir gently shaking my shoulder. Sitting up I looked around. Up ahead Aragorn had started to speak to Frodo.
".... the Argonath long have I desired to look upon the kings of old, my kin." Aragorn told the hobbit.
I looked up at the two large statues of the kings of the past. Everyone was in awe as we gazed up at them. Glancing back at Boromir I saw his eyes light up as he looked up at them. My sensitive eyes could also pick up the fear and lack of hope that had dwelt in his eyes since Rivendell.
Soon we neared the falls where our three boats veered off towards the shore. I caught Boromir shudder as he braced the sides of the boat. "You ok Boromir?" I asked.
He looked at me and gave me a weak smile. "Yes little one I'm ok." He answered lifting himself out of the boat.
As we unpacked Aragorn was explaining our route. "We cross the lake at nightfall, hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." He said.
Helping with the packs I immediately tuned out Gimli who began to argue with the future king. "That is our road. I suggest you recover your strength master dwarf." Aragorn replied coolly closing the subject.
Shaking my head I glanced around the campsite to find something missing. Frodo and Boromir were nowhere in sight. As if reading my thoughts Merry urgently looked around for his missing cousin.
"Where's Frodo?" He asked.
Sam opened his eyes and looked around for his master frantically as did Aragorn. "We must find him." He ordered.
Everyone stood and ran into the forest. Merry and Pippin in one direction, Legolas and Gimli in another, which left me, Sam and Aragorn. Separated we went in search for Frodo. I glanced back to find that Sam had lost us and now I was losing Aragorn.
Now on my own I ran hard desperate to find either Frodo or Boromir before anything happened. I looked out in front of me to find a hoard of very large orcs coming towards me.
"Oh shit." I hissed grabbing the hilt of my sword.
In a few short moments I was surrounded. Forced to deal with this evil alone I brought my sword up and gave a loud battle cry before beheading the closest orc. I ducked as a sword tried to strike me and whirled on my attacker plunging the sword into his gut. Another tried to slice off my legs but I merely jumped up caught the orc in the side bringing it down to its knees.
"Oh no you don't." I whispered hearing an orc come up behind me. I sliced into him before turning to another attacker.
I was on the last one when I heard a sound that made my blood freeze. The horn of Gondor. "Boromir!" I cried taking off towards the sound.
I ran through the forest praying that I would get their in time. I leapt over a fallen log and dodged a tree in my path. ~Must get to Boromir~ my mind screamed as I stabbed an orc in my way.
Approaching an area I noticed slain orcs lying in piles around me. "Shealyn..."
I turned to source to find Boromir lying against a tree arrows sticking out of his body. My heart sank as I went to him and knelt by his side. "Boromir..." I whispered sheathing my sword.
He weakly grabbed my tunic and pulled me close. "I will not last much longer...." He whispered weakly.
"Shh don't.... don't speak that way." I told him gently.
Aragorn joined us a moment later. "They took the little ones." Boromir cried struggling to get up.
"Lie still." Aragorn ordered.
"Frodo, where is Frodo?" Boromir questioned.
"I let Frodo go." Aragorn answered.
"Then you did what I could not." Boromir confessed. "I tried to take the ring from him."
"The ring is beyond our reach now." Aragorn said quietly.
"Forgive me I did not see. I have failed you all..."
"No Boromir you fought bravely." Aragorn whispered leaning forward to pull the arrows from Boromir's body.
"Leave it." Boromir demanded grasping Aragorn's wrist. "It is over. The world of men will fall. And all will come to darkness. My city to ruin."
"I do not know what strength I have left in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White city fall. I will not let our people fail." Aragorn promised.
"Our... people." Boromir repeated.
Then he glanced at me before struggling with the straps of his gauntlets. "Let me help you." I whispered sadly gently taking them off his arms.
"I.... I am giving these to you.... Shealyn." He said holding up his hand weakly to ward off my protest.
I only nodded looking down at them and then focused on Boromir's face again. "I ask you to do something for me..." He paused grimacing in pain. "When... when you come to Gondor tell... tell my brother, Faramir what happened to me." He pleaded weakly taking my hand.
"I... I promise." I choked out fighting back tears.
I could hear Legolas and Gimli approach but stop at a distance. Boromir's gaze shifted over to the hilt of his sword. Seeing that the man was having trouble reaching Aragorn placed it in his hands numbly.
"I would have followed you my brother... my captain... my king." With that Boromir took one last breath.
Closing my eyes I crossed myself before looking to Aragorn who touched his forehead then his lips before closing Boromir's lifeless eyes. "Be at peace Son of Gondor." He whispered kissing Boromir's forehead.
Aragorn stood after a moment and looked to the sky a tear running down his cheek. "Come let us give him a proper burial." He whispered taking my hand.
We carried his body back to the shore where we prepared it before placing it in one of the boats with is belongings.
"I will miss you Boromir." I whispered stepping back away from the boat.
Carefully strapping the gauntlets on my arms I sadly watched the boat drift away towards the falls where it plunged into the water. Aragorn stepped back sadly glancing at the opposite shore where Frodo and Sam pulled their boat on shore disappearing in the woods.
Anxiously Legolas began to push the remaining boat into the water. "Hurry Sam and Frodo have reached the eastern shore." Legolas paused noticing that we didn't follow.
He took one look at Aragorn and knew. "You mean not to follow them?" He questioned.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." Aragorn replied.
"Then it has all been in vain." Gimli sighed. "The fellowship has failed." He and Legolas approached us.
Aragorn stood straight resting a hand on mine and Legolas' shoulder. "Not if we hold true to each other." He said.
Gimli clasped my arm and I returned it. "We will not leave Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be left behind. We travel light." He said sheathing a knife before putting it in his belt. "Lets hunt some orc."
With that he ran off into the woods. I grabbed my knives shoving them into my belt. I ran after Aragorn hearing Gimli cry out in eagerness to attack the orc.
We ran for the rest of the day Aragorn leading the way with Legolas at the rear. It was well after nightfall when Aragorn called a halt. "If we continue we might lose the trail." He stated sitting himself down.
I sat down beside him keeping my tears in check, but I knew I had to get the sadness out somehow. There my thoughts singled out lyrics to one of my favorite songs.
Slowly I began to sing the words as they passed through my mind.
"When I think back on these times
And the dreams we left behind
I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed
To get to have you in my life When I think back on these days
I'll look and see your face
You were right there for me In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you'll be
And everywhere I am there you'll be Well, you showed me how it feels
To have the sky within my reach
And I always will remember all the strength you gave to me
Your love made me make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you'll be Cause I always saw in you my life, my strength
And I want to thank you now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
Always In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you'll be
And everywhere I am there you'll be There you'll be" (A/N: There You'll Be belongs to Faith Hill and Co.)
Throughout the time that I sung I knew my voice faltered, but I held strong. Sadly I looked up at my companions who were also fighting tears.
"Aragorn I miss him so much." I cried no longer being able to hold in the tears.
Aragorn opened his arms to me where I collapsed against him sobbing for our lost friend. ~When the pain going to stop~ I thought as I clung to Aragorn's tunic.
"Shh little one go to sleep now. We have a long day ahead of us." He soothed stroking my head rocking me back and forth.
My eyelids drooped as my body finally gave into exhaustion. I lay there safely against Aragorn who continued to rock me until I fell to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas stared at the young girl who now lay sleeping in Aragorn's arms. The song she had sung was sad, but fitting. He had noticed that Shealyn had grown closer to Boromir since Lothlorien.
Coming out of his reverie Legolas realized that the ranger was gazing back at him. Smiling Aragorn shifted his bundle in his arms so that he could lie down. Legolas smiled back ~I pray Valar that you keep us safe~ I thought watching the dark horizon.
*** Hey here's where I stop the chapter. I hoped you liked it. I sort of need help after this considering I only saw TTTs once *looks sheepish* R&R! ***
"Hey Boromir." I softly whispered sitting beside him as we made camp the second night.
He slowly looked up and gave me a sad smile. "How are you faring Shealyn?" He questioned looking at the ground once more.
"I am fine." I replied. "Though I believe you are not. You must fight it Boromir. It may be strong, but I believe you are much stronger." I added hoping to lift his spirits.
A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips as he continued to stare at the night sky. "You are wise beyond your years little one." He whispered
"That is what Logan would say." I whispered sadly.
"You miss them greatly I can tell." Boromir said after a moment.
I could only nod not trusting my voice at that moment. Boromir took hold of my hand and squeezed it gently. "You are not alone Shealyn." He whispered before getting to his feet and approaching Aragorn.
I stared after the man who seemed to now replace Remy, my Cajun friend back home.
*** Flashback ***
"There you are petite. Remy's been lookin' all over for ya." He said sitting down beside me on the roof.
"Remy I feel so lost." I whispered looking up into his red on black eyes.
"Ah petite don't think like that." Remy said resting his hand on my shoulder.
"I hate not knowing though." I replied.
Tears began their trek down my cheeks in a downpour. Without a word Remy took me into his arms and held me murmuring soothing words into my ear.
"You goin' some where?" I asked drying my eyes noticing that Remy had a rucksack with him.
"Remy was called back home to New Orleans petite. I must go and aid my friends." He whispered.
"Don't leave me Remy. Mr. Logan left last week with Jubilee and I'll be alone." I cried out.
"I'll be home before you know it petite. Remy must be goin'." He answered rising to his feet.
I stood and wrapped my arms around Remy's waist tightly. "Come home soon." I whispered as he returned the hug.
"I will try petite." He chuckled. "Goodbye."
"Bye Remy see ya when you get back." I said.
*** End of Flashback ***
"Shealyn, Shealyn are you well?" Pippin asked shaking me out of my memories.
"Yeah Pip I'm well. I was just thinkin' about home." I answered.
"Come join us." He said grabbing my hand.
Pippin pulled me over to where the other three hobbits were sitting telling stories of the Shire. Merry looked up long enough to pat the space beside him. I smiled and sat down.
"Shealyn would you tell us of some of your adventures back 'ome?" Merry asked.
Chuckling I closed my eyes as events in my life passed before my mind's eye. "Hmm... ah yes. Three months after my rescue I was outside with my new friends; Jubilee, Bobby, John, Marie, and Remy..."
"What were you doing?" Pippin asked thereafter receiving a whack on the head.
"Let her continue Pip." He hissed.
"Well Pip we were up to no good." I replied with a smile knowing that Merry and Pippin would appreciate this story.
"Do tell." Merry said leaning forward.
"Scott, the second in command of the X-Men thought it would be wise if everyone had more training sessions. So for three weeks we endured four solid hours every other day training with our gifts." I paused to see the hobbits reactions which were of shock. "As you can believe my friends and I were not in the least bit happy about these long training hours..."
"Of course not." Sam responded as the others silently agreed.
"So we one day we followed Scott and his love, Jean Grey to the lake that sits in the back of the mansion." The hobbits were grinning by now. "We hid in the bushes until Jean was called back inside and Scott remained. Even though I was the youngest the others had put me in charge so I signaled to Jubilee and Remy to do their part."
"What was their part?" Frodo asked curiously.
"Remy and Jubilee's part was to fake a fight to distract Scott. We heard a scream and watched Jubilee running towards the lake with a furious looking Remy hot on her tail." I giggled remembering that day. "They pulled Scott into the fray trying to blame each other for something or other. With Scott distracted the rest of us came out of our hiding spot and crept towards him..." I said letting my voice trail off.
"What did you do next Shealyn?" Pippin asked anxiously.
"We shoved him into the lake." I stated matter-of-factly.
With that the four hobbits burst out laughing. "Did.... did... you get in... trouble... Miss Shealyn?" Sam asked between breaths.
"What is so funny master hobbit?" Gimli asked coming up behind us.
"Oh Gimli you just missed a tale that Shealyn told of a prank she and her friends played on their second-in-command." Frodo answered him wiping a tear from his eye.
I looked at the hobbit who up until now hadn't laughed. "It's good to hear you laugh Frodo." I stated.
"Indeed." Gimli added.
"Shealyn..." Merry paused looking for the right words. "If you had to compare each of us to your X-Men who would it be?" He asked after a moment.
"Hmm... well Merry you remind me of Bobby because you like to play practical jokes...." I started.
"What about me?" Pippin asked jumping up and down in excitement.
"Pip I believe you remind me of Jubilee who is a younger version of Bobby." I stated simply expecting an outburst.
I didn't have to wait long. "A girl..." Pippin cried. "You compare me to a girl."
"Yeah but that isn't so bad." I replied. "Ok Frodo you remind me of Rogue." I paused to look at him. "Both of you are young and burdened with the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Frodo nodded. "What of Sam?" He asked.
"Hmm..." I looked intently at the hobbit in question. "I'd say you remind me of Kurt. He tries to help Rogue with her burden, but will never know the full extent."
"Who would you say I remind you of?" Gimli asked afraid of the answer.
"There is a mutant that helps us from time to time. He is called Bishop. His temper could match your own and it takes him time to befriend others." I replied.
"That seems satisfactory." Gimli grunted. "Tell us.... what about the others." He asked gesturing towards the two men and elf.
"Legolas reminds me of Hank or better known as Beast. They are both good at their skills." I really didn't want to explain science to them. "He also is kind to those who are not enemies."
The five nodded digesting what I had told them. "Boromir reminds me of Remy. Whenever I needed to cry or tell someone about my problems I would go to Remy. We are the best of friends. Now I go to Boromir." I stated.
"Lastly there is Aragorn..." I started. "Aragorn strongly reminds me of Logan. This is so because if not Remy I'd go to Logan and besides I looked at him like a father figure."
They smiled thinking about the people I described them as.
"Get some rest you five." Boromir called to us.
"Alright already." I grunted climbing to my feet.
Lying down I amazed myself by falling asleep within the minute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What was Shealyn telling the hobbits and Gimli?" Boromir asked curiously remembering that the five were deep in discussion.
Legolas chuckled. "Shealyn was comparing us to certain X-Men members." He stated. "I supposedly am like a mutant called Beast. She said that we were both talented in what we do and we are both kind."
"Interesting." Boromir murmured. "What did she say about me?" He questioned.
"Well Boromir you are most like a man called Remy. Shealyn said she confided in him and befriended him as her relationship is with you." Legolas reported.
"That sounds about right." Aragorn jested.
"And you Aragorn reminds her greatly of the man called Logan. She said you and Logan are like her father figures." Legolas told them.
"Those comparisons are pretty good." Boromir stated as the others agreed with him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't know how long we had been on that confounded river, but I was about ready to burst.
"You are weary Shealyn rest." Boromir whispered taking another stroke with his paddle.
I had traded Merry spots so now I sat in the boat between Boromir and Pippin. I nodded as I lay back on the Gondorian's lap. Pippin then leaned against me and promptly drifted off to sleep. I must have nodded off too because the next thing I remember was Boromir gently shaking my shoulder. Sitting up I looked around. Up ahead Aragorn had started to speak to Frodo.
".... the Argonath long have I desired to look upon the kings of old, my kin." Aragorn told the hobbit.
I looked up at the two large statues of the kings of the past. Everyone was in awe as we gazed up at them. Glancing back at Boromir I saw his eyes light up as he looked up at them. My sensitive eyes could also pick up the fear and lack of hope that had dwelt in his eyes since Rivendell.
Soon we neared the falls where our three boats veered off towards the shore. I caught Boromir shudder as he braced the sides of the boat. "You ok Boromir?" I asked.
He looked at me and gave me a weak smile. "Yes little one I'm ok." He answered lifting himself out of the boat.
As we unpacked Aragorn was explaining our route. "We cross the lake at nightfall, hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." He said.
Helping with the packs I immediately tuned out Gimli who began to argue with the future king. "That is our road. I suggest you recover your strength master dwarf." Aragorn replied coolly closing the subject.
Shaking my head I glanced around the campsite to find something missing. Frodo and Boromir were nowhere in sight. As if reading my thoughts Merry urgently looked around for his missing cousin.
"Where's Frodo?" He asked.
Sam opened his eyes and looked around for his master frantically as did Aragorn. "We must find him." He ordered.
Everyone stood and ran into the forest. Merry and Pippin in one direction, Legolas and Gimli in another, which left me, Sam and Aragorn. Separated we went in search for Frodo. I glanced back to find that Sam had lost us and now I was losing Aragorn.
Now on my own I ran hard desperate to find either Frodo or Boromir before anything happened. I looked out in front of me to find a hoard of very large orcs coming towards me.
"Oh shit." I hissed grabbing the hilt of my sword.
In a few short moments I was surrounded. Forced to deal with this evil alone I brought my sword up and gave a loud battle cry before beheading the closest orc. I ducked as a sword tried to strike me and whirled on my attacker plunging the sword into his gut. Another tried to slice off my legs but I merely jumped up caught the orc in the side bringing it down to its knees.
"Oh no you don't." I whispered hearing an orc come up behind me. I sliced into him before turning to another attacker.
I was on the last one when I heard a sound that made my blood freeze. The horn of Gondor. "Boromir!" I cried taking off towards the sound.
I ran through the forest praying that I would get their in time. I leapt over a fallen log and dodged a tree in my path. ~Must get to Boromir~ my mind screamed as I stabbed an orc in my way.
Approaching an area I noticed slain orcs lying in piles around me. "Shealyn..."
I turned to source to find Boromir lying against a tree arrows sticking out of his body. My heart sank as I went to him and knelt by his side. "Boromir..." I whispered sheathing my sword.
He weakly grabbed my tunic and pulled me close. "I will not last much longer...." He whispered weakly.
"Shh don't.... don't speak that way." I told him gently.
Aragorn joined us a moment later. "They took the little ones." Boromir cried struggling to get up.
"Lie still." Aragorn ordered.
"Frodo, where is Frodo?" Boromir questioned.
"I let Frodo go." Aragorn answered.
"Then you did what I could not." Boromir confessed. "I tried to take the ring from him."
"The ring is beyond our reach now." Aragorn said quietly.
"Forgive me I did not see. I have failed you all..."
"No Boromir you fought bravely." Aragorn whispered leaning forward to pull the arrows from Boromir's body.
"Leave it." Boromir demanded grasping Aragorn's wrist. "It is over. The world of men will fall. And all will come to darkness. My city to ruin."
"I do not know what strength I have left in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White city fall. I will not let our people fail." Aragorn promised.
"Our... people." Boromir repeated.
Then he glanced at me before struggling with the straps of his gauntlets. "Let me help you." I whispered sadly gently taking them off his arms.
"I.... I am giving these to you.... Shealyn." He said holding up his hand weakly to ward off my protest.
I only nodded looking down at them and then focused on Boromir's face again. "I ask you to do something for me..." He paused grimacing in pain. "When... when you come to Gondor tell... tell my brother, Faramir what happened to me." He pleaded weakly taking my hand.
"I... I promise." I choked out fighting back tears.
I could hear Legolas and Gimli approach but stop at a distance. Boromir's gaze shifted over to the hilt of his sword. Seeing that the man was having trouble reaching Aragorn placed it in his hands numbly.
"I would have followed you my brother... my captain... my king." With that Boromir took one last breath.
Closing my eyes I crossed myself before looking to Aragorn who touched his forehead then his lips before closing Boromir's lifeless eyes. "Be at peace Son of Gondor." He whispered kissing Boromir's forehead.
Aragorn stood after a moment and looked to the sky a tear running down his cheek. "Come let us give him a proper burial." He whispered taking my hand.
We carried his body back to the shore where we prepared it before placing it in one of the boats with is belongings.
"I will miss you Boromir." I whispered stepping back away from the boat.
Carefully strapping the gauntlets on my arms I sadly watched the boat drift away towards the falls where it plunged into the water. Aragorn stepped back sadly glancing at the opposite shore where Frodo and Sam pulled their boat on shore disappearing in the woods.
Anxiously Legolas began to push the remaining boat into the water. "Hurry Sam and Frodo have reached the eastern shore." Legolas paused noticing that we didn't follow.
He took one look at Aragorn and knew. "You mean not to follow them?" He questioned.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." Aragorn replied.
"Then it has all been in vain." Gimli sighed. "The fellowship has failed." He and Legolas approached us.
Aragorn stood straight resting a hand on mine and Legolas' shoulder. "Not if we hold true to each other." He said.
Gimli clasped my arm and I returned it. "We will not leave Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be left behind. We travel light." He said sheathing a knife before putting it in his belt. "Lets hunt some orc."
With that he ran off into the woods. I grabbed my knives shoving them into my belt. I ran after Aragorn hearing Gimli cry out in eagerness to attack the orc.
We ran for the rest of the day Aragorn leading the way with Legolas at the rear. It was well after nightfall when Aragorn called a halt. "If we continue we might lose the trail." He stated sitting himself down.
I sat down beside him keeping my tears in check, but I knew I had to get the sadness out somehow. There my thoughts singled out lyrics to one of my favorite songs.
Slowly I began to sing the words as they passed through my mind.
"When I think back on these times
And the dreams we left behind
I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed
To get to have you in my life When I think back on these days
I'll look and see your face
You were right there for me In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you'll be
And everywhere I am there you'll be Well, you showed me how it feels
To have the sky within my reach
And I always will remember all the strength you gave to me
Your love made me make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you'll be Cause I always saw in you my life, my strength
And I want to thank you now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
Always In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you'll be
And everywhere I am there you'll be There you'll be" (A/N: There You'll Be belongs to Faith Hill and Co.)
Throughout the time that I sung I knew my voice faltered, but I held strong. Sadly I looked up at my companions who were also fighting tears.
"Aragorn I miss him so much." I cried no longer being able to hold in the tears.
Aragorn opened his arms to me where I collapsed against him sobbing for our lost friend. ~When the pain going to stop~ I thought as I clung to Aragorn's tunic.
"Shh little one go to sleep now. We have a long day ahead of us." He soothed stroking my head rocking me back and forth.
My eyelids drooped as my body finally gave into exhaustion. I lay there safely against Aragorn who continued to rock me until I fell to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas stared at the young girl who now lay sleeping in Aragorn's arms. The song she had sung was sad, but fitting. He had noticed that Shealyn had grown closer to Boromir since Lothlorien.
Coming out of his reverie Legolas realized that the ranger was gazing back at him. Smiling Aragorn shifted his bundle in his arms so that he could lie down. Legolas smiled back ~I pray Valar that you keep us safe~ I thought watching the dark horizon.
*** Hey here's where I stop the chapter. I hoped you liked it. I sort of need help after this considering I only saw TTTs once *looks sheepish* R&R! ***