Heya all. *Alida emerges from behind something large and solid, while knocking off various irises, roses and pansies from herself* Well I survived an attack of flowers to get this chapter to you, not that I will point the finger at my assailant, *cough*SpaceVixenX*cough* ^_^
I am a little unsure about this chapter. I had serious problems writing it and I am not sure I like where it has taken me but there is little I can do about it now, *shrug*.
Again, thanks for eLLe for editing this!
Welcome to my newest reviewer iverson! Also welcome back Rosie!
Also thanks to everyone who reviewed my most recent vignette. I am so pleased you all liked it and the attention it received shocked me!
Also, I have fanart! That's right! Sirithiliel drew me a Legolas picture for my story! So flattered. I wish I had a website to show it to you all but… alas I do not. Anyway, if any of you feel inspired to draw a picture based on my story go right a head and email me a copy of it because I would love to see them!! ^_^ If you click on sirithiliel's name in my reviews you can go to her website – she is a wonderful artist and her pictures are worth checking out!
The re-editing of earlier chapters is going well. eLLe did the first five chapters for me and 'evil spapple pie' was kind enough to do chapters 6 & 7 for me. So that is a progress report in how that is all going.
Chapter 27 ~ And The Road Goes Ever, Ever, On
Faramir could not quite seem to wrap his mind around what was going on around him. He felt disconnected from the faces which passed him, as they were all blurred into a single identity, and from the monotonous words of the dwarf as he spoke. In a sort of trance-like state, Faramir heard about the quest which the fellowship had undertook, and the realization hit him slowly.
His brother had died for a ring.
The thought almost made him laugh, but he found he could not quite muster up the voice to do so. It simply could not be real, yet it was. Denial over what he had seen warred against the normal stoic and practical nature of his character, leaving him feeling lost, his feet knocked out from beneath him. He wanted to cry, but that outlet too seemed withheld from him. So he sat, listening, but hardly hearing.
To have died for a ring. It seemed like such a small and trivial thing, hardly the way he would have imagined Boromir's passing to be. His brother, the warrior, slipping desperately into that final void with such resignation. It was too much to bare.
"Leave it be... It is over..."
The words played out again in his mind. The look in Boromir's eyes as they had glazed. He had wanted that escape, or so it had appeared, and Faramir could not understand or accept it. He had simply walked out into the swinging blade, and that had been it. It was over.
"Faramir?" the question was asked with a degree of nervous apprehension ringing in the tone, and it made the man wonder how long he had been absorbed in his own thoughts, and oblivious to the lapse in conversation.
"What do you plan to do now? Where will your company travel?" He surprised himself with how levelled his voice sounded, and that he had been able to deduce so much from a conversation he had not been listening to; to ask these questions which seemed relative enough, as they gave the dwarf a moment's pause before he answered.
"We do what we set out to do. We must take the ring deep into Mordor. Five of our number have now been lost to see this done. We dare not turn back now - for their memory alone," the dwarf said resolutely. "Your brother was a valiant man. I thought myself privileged to have known him, despite my harsh words."
Faramir was not ignorant of the subtle plea for forgiveness in the dwarf's words, as much as they were meant to comfort as well. He knew in his heart that the events which had occurred could not to be blamed singly on any one man, yet he still felt a strong inclination to hate the dwarf for what had happened. He wished for someone to hold responsible, but by his own logistical nature he knew he could be held as accountable as any of them. He should have insisted they kept moving. By allowing the argument to unfold, he had allowed Boromir to die.
Shaking his head clear of such thoughts, he tried to reassure himself that what had happened went beyond what any could have foreseen. Some accidents are merely unpredictable and cannot be avoided. Yet, doubt still clung to him. Somehow he knew this tragedy could, should have, been avoided.
"I loved my brother. All of Gondor will mourn his fall," Faramir said quietly in response, when he realized something would have to be said.
The dwarf nodded his head slowly, a small nondescript sound rumbling in his throat. Turning his squat head away from the human, he stared out to the cavern opening. "I failed him, lad, and for that I am sorry," he finally said, still not facing Faramir. "I knew what the ring was doing to him, and I should have found a better way to aid him."
Faramir said nothing to this for a moment, as he played out what he had heard one last time in his head. "What the ring did to him, but not you?" he finally questioned. He knew he treaded into an area of which the dwarf was obviously sensitive, but he had to know the full extent of what the ring was capable of. He had to understand how it could have corrupted his brother, and worn him down until he had simply embraced death when it was offered.
"Your brother felt he could use the ring for a cause. I have no such desires. The ring has not effected me, nor will it. I think we dwarves might have a natural sort of immunity to its evil. Boromir however did not have that protection, and he has been hit with the full for of it since leaving Rivendell. I fear, in the end, he might have imagined that he was in danger of losing it to competitors, though there were no such challenges to be held."
Something untrue rang in the dwarf's words for the first time, and Faramir was not fooled by it. The dwarf seemed to be completely unaware of his own desires, of the treachery the ring wrought in him. Faramir realized slowly that the ring was evil. He could suddenly see his brother falling victim to its subtly; his brother who liked things clear cut and lacked the ability to see the dangers which lurked in the shadows.
"I do not envy you your task," he said eventually, after a moment's pause.
"Nor would any, I would imagine. I would not have you think your brother died for naught."
"I do not think so. He died for something he believed in, that much is clear. I was merely shocked with the..." he trailed off as he struggled to give voice to his own thoughts, "the resignation that marked his passing. He seemed to welcome it. I do not know how I will bear such news to my father, who cherishes Boromir above all others. The news will undo him, I am afraid."
"He died a hero, sacrificing himself for all of the free peoples of Middle-Earth. Such a death will not be forgotten," Gimli muttered quietly, more to himself then to Faramir. The dwarf finally turned to face him once again, and tears streaked his round face. "I said such horrid things to him before he died. I will never be able to counter such claims now."
"My brother was never one to hold to a grudge. He forgave quickly, and preferred things to be voiced openly rather then kept buried. I think he would have understood," Faramir comforted hollowly. "I too would have said more had I known it would be the last time we would speak."
Suddenly the tears came. The desolation and the agony which infringed upon his heart at the realization that he had lost his brother sprung forth with vigour, and his face was soon damp with sorrow. He knew not for how long he sat with the dwarf, both crying for he who had died. Time lost its urgency, giving both wearied warriors the chance they needed to grieve. Silently, as the light dimmed through the transparent curtain of the waterfall, acceptance and farewells were spoken.
~*~
"Gimli?" Merry asked cautiously. The hobbit felt somewhat guilty for intruding into this moment between the man and the dwarf, but he had decided the quicker he talked to Gimli, the easier the conversation would go. The three hobbits had decided that Merry would stand the largest chance of success in convincing Gimli to go no further, and so the hobbit came now to see his task done.
Sniffing loudly and with a voice gruffer and scratchier then normal, Gimli spoke, "Yes, Merry. Don't worry," he said reassuringly as he sensed Merry's own hesitation. "Come and join us."
Merry nodded, accepting the invitation silently. He sat close to Gimli, observing the dwarf as subtly as possible from the corner of his eye. Gimli's face was puffy and red with his sorrow, his head bowed low. He looked slumped and defeated, and Merry well knew the emotions that plagued the dwarf, for he too was feeling the guilt and turmoil only the ring could inspire.
"Gimli," Merry began, somewhat clumsily as he tried to choose his words carefully, "I have been talking to Frodo and Sam. We... that is... well, we have been talking and have come to some conclusions about what is best for this quest business."
"Oh?" Gimli said sounding somewhat cautious as he lifted his head to look directly at the hobbit, who squirmed under the assessing gaze. That light in the dwarf's eye beaconed to Merry, and he could only imagine Gimli saw it in his own eyes as well.
Swallowing to strengthen his resolve, he spoke on. "Yes, and I have told Frodo I can go no further. It's the ring Gimli. It was not only effecting Boromir or..." he paused here wondering how hard he should push the issue, "or you." He pressed on quickly as he saw Gimli's eyes darken with anger and before he could be interrupted. "I hear its call almost constantly now and sometimes I feel like I am no longer in control of myself. I am losing myself and will only be a liability upon the company. I... I must turn back and I would like you to accompany me."
The request had been made but Merry knew the dwarf would require more persuasion if he were to accept. The hobbit looked briefly at Faramir, who was watching him with an intense scrutiny; a curious sort of expression upon his face, inadvertently serving to unnerve Merry all the more.
"You want to allow Frodo and Sam to go on by themselves?" Gimli asked the question very slowly, as if by taking the time to pronounce every syllable Merry would have the time to see the ridiculousness of the question.
Merry simply nodded his head, trying desperately to make himself look convinced that it was the correct thing to do.
The dwarf blinked as if he was completely unprepared for such a question to have been asked in earnest. He was now looking at Merry as if the hobbit had some impairment that was preventing him from thinking clearly. "Into Mordor? Alone?" the dwarf clarified as if that had not been obvious.
"Yes," Merry replied, again looking at Faramir and finding himself somewhat surprised when the human nodded and smiled encouragingly at him. The hobbit welcomed the silent ally.
"You think the ring has claimed me as Boromir accused?" the dwarf asked stiffly, his pride obviously stinging at the insinuation.
"I think it is touching all of us. I know it has touched me... and.... and, yes, I have seen it in your eyes as well. Do you deny that it whispers things to you?" Merry asked his voice growing in confidence as he spoke.
Gimli paused here. The word whispers struck a cord with him. A degree of doubt infringed upon him, making him suddenly second-guess himself. He knew, deep down, that something had been whispering to him. Was that what the ring did? The revelation left him feeling exposed and confused.
Merry acted upon the hesitation, seeing his chance at convincing Gimli emerge. "Come to Gondor with me. Let us return Boromir to his city. It is the least we can see done and then help me find Pippin and Aragorn and help them, should they still live. Please, Gimli. I am not sure I can do it without you."
Gimli felt torn, his mind swirling with the options he was faced with, his desires and sense warring within tearing him in different directions. Confusion, doubt, desire, duty; such things seemed to be conflicting and for someone who was usually solid and secure in his actions this left Gimli in something of a bind.
As his thoughts darkened a voice seemed to penetrate his confusion, not the dark and sinister voice that had troubled him as of late, but a soft and gentle caress of a memory he had almost forgotten. I see a hard choice you will be faced with, and that will divide your spirit. The Lady Galadriel had spoken of this. Had warned him so many days earlier that he would be faced with a choice. When a path is chosen, do not look back to the cross roads and wonder. Have faith in your heart, and trust to hope. Do not falter on your journey, but also know when you can go no further, she had counselled.
When you can go no further.
Had that time come? The dwarf would have sworn that nothing could sway him from this path, for too much had been sacrificed to get them this far, yet he could trust himself no longer. He was tainted. The admission was made grudgingly, yet he recognized the truth of it.
"Master Dwarf," Faramir spoke up suddenly, "I would welcome your company when I return to the White City."
Merry offered a small smile in thanks to the human before turning his attention back to Gimli, sympathizing with the uncertainty he saw clouding the dwarf's face. He reached out and hesitantly laid a hand upon the dwarf's shoulder, clasping it tightly in compassion. "Give it up, Gimli. It... it is finished and done. We can do no more."
"I know," Gimli said softly, and Merry released a breath he had not realized he had been holding. "I... I will go with you as you both ask."
~*~
The parting came more quickly then any would have liked. In the first tentative rays of sunlight Frodo and Sam headed out, collecting Gollum who had been lingering in the area and continuing with the quest; the pairs path would become something of a legend.
Merry and Gimli watched with sad eyes as they left, silently praying that they did the correct thing in allowing the two hobbits to go on alone, and trying to ignore the ring's foul pleas for them to follow.
Then, as one quest ended, they turned their sights towards Gondor, and another quest began.
Sigh. Yep, that is right. Frodo and Sam's journey is now a matter of cannon. So I have at least admitted that the ring would be destroyed – the question now is: how many characters will I kill off before that happens. *evil grin*
DUN, DUN, DUN! Next chapter is the much anticipated Helm's Deep battle!
Review Notes:
Elfling ~ Glad you liked Eowyn taking on the men in the last one. She is relentless in many respects – one of the reasons I like her character so much. LOL – I guess the matter of plot bunnies versus muse ferrets will not be solved anytime soon. You and merrylyn are both putting your bets on opposite sides of the table and I am still feeling torn. Ah well – it will be one of those unsolved mysteries. I am glad you approved of Pippin's portrayal. I love writing that hobbit and I have such fun doing it. I am glad I can do it creditably. LOL. I will try to keep my postings to one a week but eLLe and I are working on another story now at the same time so we are both feeling slightly pressed for time, lol. Still I think you will all forgive me if I fall behind a bit once we start posting the other one – but I am keeping quiet on it because I do not want to ruin the surprise. I am glad you like my portrayal of Legolas. At the beginning I was worried about how I was going to portray him (and if I was doing it accurately) but as the story has progressed I have become more and more confident in writing him. I am flattered that you have gone back to read my story. You could give me no bigger a compliment. Okay, on a side note I have to include this as you have told me you live in California. I am Canadian – but I am working for a US telemarketing company (yep, they employ foreign labor) and I phone people from California! So next time you talk to a telemarketer – be nice! It might just be a student from another country that hates phoning you as much as you hate being phoned, lol. ^_^
sirithiliel ~ That's okay about not reviewing every chapter. I think it is important that you work on your story. I hope you email it to me soon! ^_^ Again, thanks so much for your picture!
White Wolf ~ Yeah. I have to admit I had fun writing Eowyn making thing go her way in the last chapter. See I figure now that Theoden is out of the picture, Eowyn would be more forceful with her brother about her desires. I have no doubt Pippin will do everything he can to prove himself in the battle in the next chapter. LOL. Yes, the next chapter will be fun to write. I already have a good idea of what is going to happen and as to the elf angst question, lol… well I don't think I will disappoint you! ^_^
Gwyn ~ LOL. Well we no longer have to worry about Boromir. No big loss. Anyway, I am an elf-girl myself and eLLe gave me a wonderful plot bunny to begin the next chapter off with so I don't think you will be disappointed by it. Lots of Legolas coming up! As for Eowyn's safety… well I cannot promise anything!
Roper ~ I just reviewed you latest chapter and I have to say your story is progressing nicely! Helm's Deep is the next chapter – I will not make you wait any longer. *grin*
iverson ~ *blush* I am so glad you thought this was amazing. That means so much to me! I understand about being a lurking reader, *grin* I am often guilty of it to. I only ever review people who review me. Thanks so much for leaving your comments though – they mean a lot to me. I am glad you are finding both sort of halves of the story engaging. I admit that I am having troubled writing the rest of the fellowship, which is why I thought it best to let Sam and Frodo go on their way unimpeded by me any longer. I hope they are not missed by to many people. I love writing Eowyn. Mainly because she is the only real female character is all LOTR's. I mean there is Galadriel too but her part is small and she does not really do anything. Eowyn is the only woman who acts – which is why I appreciate her so much. Helm's Deep will be next – I will make you all wait no longer – and I only hope it can live up to all your expectations! ^_^
Niori ~ I love Eowyn too. She is such a strong character. It is too bad she was not given more freedom – but in the end it did not matter did it? She fought anyway. I have no doubt either that she will play a large part in the upcoming battle – which will be unleashed in the next chapter. Legolas would go on a major guilt trip if anything were to happen to her, wouldn't he? *evil grin* But I will say no more about that.
Rosie ~ LOL. I am glad you came back! A lot has happened hasn't it? LOL – don't say your fics are slow-moving. I think the story I read by you was wonderful – I still remember it and I hope you update again soon, *hint, hint* Still I am glad you love this and thanks so much for adding me to your favorite author's list. That means so much to me. ^_^
Lady Lenna ~ Mwhahahah! I see you think like I do. I have to admit that I enjoy elf angst! As for what will happen to Eowyn – you will have to wait until the next chapter because I don't want to ruin the surprise. Helm's Deep will come next week!
SpaceVixenX ~ LOL. The worst part is I have not even gotten to Helm's Deep yet… but I promise it will all be revealed in the next chapter. I will make you wait no longer. *offers you a pillow to go with your grave campsite* Maybe that small item of luxury will help make the week pass quicker. *grin*
MoroTheWolfGod ~ LOL. Would I hurt Legolas now? *long silence were reviewers look skeptically at Alida* Well… that it… I mean… well I won't hurt him too badly. I can promise no more then that!
wellduh… ~ Yeah – I am sort of scared too. I mean I could kill off everyone and anyone I want to. The power of it all is going to my head, lol. We will have to see if anyone will survive my writing with the next chapter. I don't plan to make the ending the same though I am slowly making things fall back into their normal places. I would like to try and wrap up the story in another ten chapters or so – because this is already a lot longer then I thought it would be and I am scared about running out of steam on it. Anyway, I am working on another story which eLLe and I are co-authoring. It will be good! Anyway – Helm's Deep death and mayhem coming up next week!
evil spapple pie ~ Nah! You don't talk to much… I talk to much! I mean it takes me and hour and a half to write my author notes alone! Oh! Haunted houses. The doors in my house will slam shut without cause from time to time. My mom swears she saw a ghost once but I, as of yet, have yet to see one. Yep – though I emailed you and said this too – do keep at writing. You do have talent. The huge mystery of Helm's Deep. Everyone is trying to figure out how that one is going to conclude – and you will all find out next chapter. I will not ruin the surprise by dropping hints. Hehehehe – everyone is so worried about Eowyn – and with reason I suppose – but again, you are simply going to have to wait and see. I like Eowyn as a character too. She has such strength and passion. Glad you find Pippin funny. I like trying to include humor in here and to know I am succeeding is always nice to know. Again thanks for pointing out mistakes in the last chapter and earlier chapters, lol and for editing for me in general! I appreciate the help. Anyway – it is afternoon here – so that means it is morning tomorrow for you – so good morning – I sent you a long email to greet you! ^_^
Artemisa ~ Yep – I keep mentioning them for you and you always catch the hints. Very soon! I am glad you liked my vignette and I do plan on writing future pieces involving the Sons of Elrond. I liked the part where Pippin called Legolas childish too… I was chuckling as I wrote that. I am glad I am pulling off Eowyn and Legolas's relationship well because it is hard to make a male/female relationship appear only on a friendship level. Glad I am pulling it off at any rate. LOL – sorry my cliffhangers are so painful! ^_^
saki ~ I throw in a lot of different movie parts. I loved the films and so I often weave in dialogue parts or scenes in so that my readers can picture the story better – and as a tribute to PJ for bringing such an epic to the big screen. LOL – I remember english vocabulary still too, lol.
Lisette ~ Oui, j'ai commenće à parler à 8 ans. J'ai habite dans La Gaspesie, Canada. But my spelling and writing of the language sucks, lol. You were not the only one having to think about verb endings! I understand and speak it better then I can write it. I live in a french province – Quebec, Canada. So french is actually the first and only language here. I did grow up in an english family though and went to english school, but I have not lived at home since I was 16 so I have had 3 years (almost four) to forget it all. I am home at the moment and I am amazed at how much I have lost – which is sad but there it is. I am also glad there was lots of Legolas in the last chapter and that that pleased you! So to answer your question I am not really native french and unfortunately I am losing the ability to call myself bilingual – I am just sort of familiar with it. Glad you liked the feminist part of me emerging, lol. I figured Eowyn would press the issue of her fighting more with her brother then she did with her uncle. Poor Eomer didn't stand a chance. Thanks for your kind words and thanks again for editing my vignette – I got a lot of positive feedback for that one so part of that praise goes to you and eLLe.
merrylyn ~ LOL. That is the thing about plot bunnies – they just multiply too quickly to control – silly things. Maybe I will spare Sam from that last one though, lol. No… none of the guys stood a chance again Eowyn. She was a woman on he war path in the last one and I had fun making the guys squirm. It was a lot of fun to write. LOL… I loved the line "poor kitten"… that just broke me up. Glad you liked Legolas's lines in the last one. As I grow more confident with my portrayal of him I find writing his speech and thoughts much more easy. It just sort of flows now. Yeah – I loved the corned badger line too… as soon as I started writing it and I could not stop. I am having fun with Legolas and Pippin interaction as well – actually when I am with that group I just love writing. The fellowship group is a little harder but I am hoping that as they all start colliding once again it will be easier – and now that I do not have to worry about Sam and Frodo I think that is just less for me to have to worry about. I am pleased everyone seems to like my portrayal of Pippin. The more I write him the more I like him as a character. Yeah – Eowyn's eagerness for battle might be somewhat dampened after having experienced it – we will have to see after the next chapter. Actually the next one is going to provide me with so many different opportunities for angst that I am practically jumping for joy. LOL – hope you recover quickly from the wrath of the plot bunny! Oh – and as to the bird nest which is now my head after you rubbed it into a knot… *raises eyebrow and taps foot imperiously* LOL hope whatever you like about my writing rubbed off on you and that you comforted Legolas to… um… both your satisfaction! *grin*