Epilogue
SHADOW OF THE RING
When I awakened, I was surprised to find myself still in one piece. A shadow passed and stood before me, my eyes groggily looked upwards to identify the figure. At first I thought it was the reaper himself, scythe readied to harvest my soul from the mortal world. But as my eyes adjusted and the fog cleared briefly, I could see Aragorn, tired and bruised, kneeling by my side. Despite the pain in my chest, and the air seeping out from my lungs, I urged the words from my mouth, "They took the little ones!" Examining my wounds Aragorn replied, "Stay still" but my mind was still on my encounter with the Ringbearer. "Frodo! Where is Frodo?" he glanced at my face, "I let Frodo go." my heart blackened, guilt seeping from every pore of my body. "Then you did what I could not...I tried to take the ring from him." I watch Striders face, which showed no sign of surprise.
Instead, "The Ring is beyond our reach now." The wounds were taking there toll, and I involuntarily shuddered. "Forgive me, I did not see. I have failed you all." Aragorn's eyes fell on mine, understanding "No Boromir. You fought bravely. You have kept your honour." His hand sweeped across my chest and rested on one of the arrows, but I grabbed onto his wrist, preventing him from pulling it out. "Leave it...it is over" What have I done? All is for nothing, because of me.
The Ring blinded me, drawing it into it's trap, nothing more then a Nazgul, a slave. I am weak! A fool! All hope is lost... "The world of men will fall into darkness, and my city in ruin.", Aragorn's head lowered for a moment, then I noticed something...felt it, a change of...spirit, his head raised and his eyes stared into mine, "I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you, I will not let the White City fall. Nor our people fail!" "Our people...our people", and then it dawned on me, we are both children of Gondor, tied by blood and heritage, for he is more then just a Ranger...but true Heir to the throne which is now threatened.
Suddenly, a sharp pain reached up my spine, pierced my heart and sent waves of agony throughout my body. My time is coming to an end. I reached out for my sword, from which I was raised, and from which I will die. Just out of reach, Aragorn placed the sword in my palm, and I lay it on my chest. "I would have followed you my brother...my captain...my King." The last words I would ever utter, as my body began to grow cold , I could feel life begin to retreat from my mortal remains. Like a whisper among the trees, I could hear a comforting voice, "Be at peace, son of Gondor", before slipping into the shadows.
SHADOW OF THE RING
When I awakened, I was surprised to find myself still in one piece. A shadow passed and stood before me, my eyes groggily looked upwards to identify the figure. At first I thought it was the reaper himself, scythe readied to harvest my soul from the mortal world. But as my eyes adjusted and the fog cleared briefly, I could see Aragorn, tired and bruised, kneeling by my side. Despite the pain in my chest, and the air seeping out from my lungs, I urged the words from my mouth, "They took the little ones!" Examining my wounds Aragorn replied, "Stay still" but my mind was still on my encounter with the Ringbearer. "Frodo! Where is Frodo?" he glanced at my face, "I let Frodo go." my heart blackened, guilt seeping from every pore of my body. "Then you did what I could not...I tried to take the ring from him." I watch Striders face, which showed no sign of surprise.
Instead, "The Ring is beyond our reach now." The wounds were taking there toll, and I involuntarily shuddered. "Forgive me, I did not see. I have failed you all." Aragorn's eyes fell on mine, understanding "No Boromir. You fought bravely. You have kept your honour." His hand sweeped across my chest and rested on one of the arrows, but I grabbed onto his wrist, preventing him from pulling it out. "Leave it...it is over" What have I done? All is for nothing, because of me.
The Ring blinded me, drawing it into it's trap, nothing more then a Nazgul, a slave. I am weak! A fool! All hope is lost... "The world of men will fall into darkness, and my city in ruin.", Aragorn's head lowered for a moment, then I noticed something...felt it, a change of...spirit, his head raised and his eyes stared into mine, "I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you, I will not let the White City fall. Nor our people fail!" "Our people...our people", and then it dawned on me, we are both children of Gondor, tied by blood and heritage, for he is more then just a Ranger...but true Heir to the throne which is now threatened.
Suddenly, a sharp pain reached up my spine, pierced my heart and sent waves of agony throughout my body. My time is coming to an end. I reached out for my sword, from which I was raised, and from which I will die. Just out of reach, Aragorn placed the sword in my palm, and I lay it on my chest. "I would have followed you my brother...my captain...my King." The last words I would ever utter, as my body began to grow cold , I could feel life begin to retreat from my mortal remains. Like a whisper among the trees, I could hear a comforting voice, "Be at peace, son of Gondor", before slipping into the shadows.