Disclaimer: I own only Elli and Caitlin. All other characters are property
of JRR Tolkien.
A/N: Well here it is folks! This is probably the biggest, longest, and most important chapter that I've written yet! You probably guessed since the last chapter was them sailing down the Anduin. And boy was this difficult to write! I had such expectations for this chapter and this basically sets the scheme for the rest of the tale and events to come. Anyway. . .
Welcome to Amon Hen, where uruk-hai, mischief and big surprises are in store! This is the chapter where you find out where everyone's going, who's going to die (i.e. does Boromir live or die, hmm?) and where your wonderful author decides to stick in a little bit of romance. Although unfortunately, you're STILL not getting inside Legolas' head, sorry to my poor reviews who want that so badly. But this chapter is good enough that you can wait for such things!
So anyway, read on precious people, and engage in the most important chapter in "Dropped into Middle Earth."
ELLI'S POV
Amon Hen.
We'd been wondering the whole time what would happen when we got here. Now, finally, we pulled the boats further onto shore and looked around somewhat fearfully. What was going to happen now? Who was going where after the battle? Would there even be a battle? Was anyone really going to die?
I glanced at Boromir. Would he get to see his homeland again? Preferably alive and not sailing in an elven boat? I didn't know anymore. Something told me there would be a battle, probably bigger that the original if that's even possible, so I worried. I worried a lot.
Caitlin and I stood on the shore next to one another. I looked up at her, and then she cast her gaze down on me. We had come to an agreement about things, so the rest of the Anduin trip had been better. I agreed I'd leave her alone about her feelings for Legolas and she agreed that we wouldn't get separated. I didn't want to be apart from the only other female on the trip.
We started a fire and settled about, for Aragorn kept saying that we'd leave at nightfall. It was fairly early yet, so we had most of the day to lounge around on the shores. Sort of. Everyone was sitting around the fire, looking around as if waiting for something to happen. Aragorn gave Frodo a look, and then he nodded. Frodo nodded back, then stood up and walked into the woods.
Caitlin leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Where's Frodo going?" I glanced at her.
"To think. He has to choose in the book whether to continue to Gondor or to head to Mordor alone. That's what he's gone to do now. Aragorn knows, which is why they said nothing about it to the rest of us. But keep an eye on Boromir anyway. He still might think about following Frodo. Some things may have changed, but other things have not."
Caitlin nodded in agreement. We didn't say anything else. I sat on the sand, giving Caitlin the log of drift wood to sit upon. I picked up a small twig and made designs in the sand.
I glanced over to where Boromir sat. Caitlin noticed my cautious stares. "I'll keep an eye on him, if you'd like. You can go help get firewood. Help Pippin and Merry with their tasks."
I smiled at her thoughtfulness and said nothing more. I stood up and followed the two hobbit lads into the covering of trees. The three of us headed deep into the woods, until we could no longer hear the sounds of the group anymore. Then we searched the ground for whatever a halfling could carry. I grabbed twigs, and some bigger branches, which I slung over my shoulder like a flag. They bounced and swayed whenever I walked. This amused the hobbits as well as myself.
When we had bundles that we're big enough for us to carry without falling over, we headed back to the group. I lay my pile near the fire, and then looked up to check on Boromir.
He was gone.
I looked over at Caitlin, only to see her eyeing Legolas. I rolled my eyes, careful not to make a scene in front of the hobbit lads. So instead of storming up to her, I casually walked over, sat down next to her and yanked at her elven ear.
"Where art thou Boromir?" I hissed in her ear. "How can I not mention your love for Legolas when you're once again ogling him!"
"Ow. . . I'm not! Uhh, wait, what? Oh! Umm. . ." She tore her gaze from Legolas and looked over to where Boromir was supposed to be. That's when she finally noticed that he was gone. "Whoa, wait! Where'd he go?" she asked loudly.
"Caitlin. . ." I hissed again, forgetting to say it into her ear. I didn't let that pointy piece of flesh go though.
"Where is who, Caitlin?" Pippin asked.
"Boromir! He's gone!" Everyone else suddenly turned and noticed this dilemma too. Aragorn was the only one to glance at the way Frodo had taken into the wood. None of us jumped up in mild confusion or anything. Except me. I got up from where I sat next to Caitlin and ran off in the direction Aragorn had gazed in.
CAITLIN'S POV
I deserved the ear pull, I admit it. I wasn't doing the job Elli assigned and so she yanked my points off. Fine. But geez did she have to hurt me that much!
I watched with amazement as Elli ran after Frodo. She was brave, that little thing. I was beginning to think she had plans for the way this story would turn out. There she was running after Boromir, trying to save Frodo's butt. Maybe she wanted Boromir to live, so she tried to save him from harming Frodo. Did she think that would keep him from dying?
Aragorn was about to get up and go after her, when Legolas bounded over to him silent and as quick as ever.
"Something evil draws near to us. Go quickly Aragorn, fetch Elli and Frodo. Caitlin," he said, turning to look at me. "Come with me to find Boromir. I do not think he went after Frodo. Hurry!" And with that he turned and ran into the forest. I jumped up from the ground and followed after him as quick as I could, not going nearly as fast though. I scurried past tress, trying to keep up with him, dodging branches and bushes and tree trunks. I nearly ran over a squirrel but it whizzed past my feet before I could step on his bushy tail.
He started to slow down and then he stopped. I paused as well, standing next to him and surveying the area. It was greener here, but less dense with trees. Sunlight was everywhere, spotlights of it dotting the areas and falling from the canopy above. I heard foot falls way off to our left and the cries of Aragorn to Gimli and the other hobbits. I heard heavy marching off to our right, along with grunts and growls. I looked over at Legolas, puzzled. And then I remembered the ending of the movie.
"Legolas? What s that?" I asked him. He was erect, poised, his face etched with fear and concentration on the noises. He didn't look at me when he spoke, although my gaze was glued to him. His eyes remained steady as he listened to the noises and answered me.
"A battle is about to begin."
ELLI'S POV
"Frodo! Frodo! Boromir!" I called out. I ran blindly into the woods, looking for a hobbit and a warrior and having no clue in what way they went. "Why in the world did I bolt into the woods without thinking?" I asked myself.
I scolded myself further once I'd stopped running to catch my breath and get my bearings. I placed my hands on my knees and took in deep breaths. I heard running all around me, and then lots and lots of yelling.
"Oh damn! I had hoped it wouldn't be this bad." I stared running again, forgetting for a few fleeting moments that I was winded. I ran to where I heard battles, worrying that this would be worse than how it was supposed to be turning out. 'Oh please, oh please, oh please don't let all of us come out dead!' I silently prayed.
I ran up a small hill that to a normal person wouldn't have been any trouble. I paused when I reached the top and looked down into a valley below filled with spruce trees and battle scenes. Aragorn's sword was slicing through an uruk-hai head, and Gimli's axe was doing the same to one of the beast's arms. I didn't see any hobbits or Boromir, but suddenly from my right Legolas came running, with Caitlin not far behind. Legolas was firing arrows in the blink of an eye while Caitlin pulled a small sword from her belt and ran to beat the crud out of these dudes.
"Caitlin!" I yelled. She paused a moment after slicing through an uruk- hai and then looked up to where I was. "I'm going to look for the hobbits and Boromir! Keep these creeps at bay!"
She nodded with understanding and then returned to fighting. I stayed and watched a moment longer and then I turned and ran. Back down the slope I ran and headed to where I thought the shoreline was. I heard more yells and uruk-hai grunts to my right. These guys were everywhere! How many could there possibly be? I didn't stop to turn around and find out. I had to make sure Merry and Pippin weren't going to get kidnapped. I had to make sure Frodo got back to the elven boats and that Sam followed him. I had to make sure Boromir lived.
I suddenly saw a battle up ahead. A rock whizzed passed my head, and I ducked just in time for the next one. I knew then that Merry and Pippin were nearby. I ran has fast as I could now, hopeful that Boromir didn't have arrows sticking out of his chest yet. I knew I couldn't guarantee Merry and Pippin's safety, and if anything I knew I'd probably get kidnapped with them. I wanted Boromir to live though. And I wanted Sam and Frodo to make it safely out of Amon Hen and into Emyn Muil.
A flying stone hit me in the shoulder. "Stop throwing rocks a moment, will you!" I yelled out.
"Sorry Elli!" Pippin called. "We didn't know you were here. Quick! Pick up a rock and hurl it that way!" I looked up to see where he was pointing and nodded. Leaning down to grab some stones, I saw Boromir out of the corner of my eye. I paused, looking at him and realizing he was fine for right now. His horn still hung from his belt, and I waited for the moment when he'd blow it.
Picking up some stones, I hurled them in the direction Pippin had pointed in. I saw that the uruk-hai wore far too much armor for my liking, and that there was nowhere good to hit them in. The head would only slow them down a bit and maybe hurl their footsteps back a moment. This was useless.
"Merry! Pippin! Head south! Some of the others are fighting that way, you'll have more protection!"
"But what about you?" Merry asked.
"I'm going to follow you as soon as I can get Boromir's attention. Go now!"
I turned back to Boromir, watching him slice through orc after orc. Their black blood stained the ground, and his broad sword was sticky with it as well. I saw rocks keep whizzing past my head, but when I turned around I saw Merry and Pippin running away finally.
"You again!" I heard something grunt. "You sleazy little halfling you! If I wasn't under orders I'd ring your filthy neck! Come here!"
I flung my head back around to where Boromir was fighting only to see a huge uruk-hai barreling towards me. I shrieked and backed up as quickly as I could. I fell to the ground just in time, for the big lug walked right over my hunched up little body. It was one of the ones that had kidnapped me before Moria.
"Boromir!" I screamed. "Head south now! Everyone else is there and they can use your help! Hurry!" I jumped up from the ground and started running, with Boromir hot on my heels. As I looked ahead, I noticed that Merry and Pippin hadn't gotten too far. They were walking nonchalantly, without a care in the world.
They must have heard Boromir and me running up behind them, for they stopped and turned around. Their eyes were wide and frightened.
"Keep running! Don't stop! You have to stay away from the uruk-hai!" I screamed. I passed right by them and then they turned and fled with me. Boromir passed all three of us by. I tired to grab onto his tunic so I could get a lift to the clearing, but I instead fell and landed on my face. Merry and Pippin stopped to help me up, and it was then that I realized our mistake.
"You no good descendant of rats! This'll teach you to run away from me!" I looked up from my perch on the forest floor to see the big ugly uruk-hai who had kidnapped me the first time. He was wielding one of his bent swords above his head, ready to bring it down on the three of us.
Before I could say anything, Merry and Pippin had jumped up and captured the guy's ankles, knocking him to the ground. But with the fall of one creep, four more came running to grab us. The three of us all got up to run, but we had forgotten which way south was. Before I could decide I felt grimy hands take hold of arms. My feet left the ground, and I was lurched over an uruk-hai's arm. Merry and Pippin were in the same predicament, and without a sound from any one of us, the uruk-hai dragged us off west and away from our friends.
I tried to scream out to where I thought the others might be fighting, but the minute I made a squeak, the creep holding me clunked me on the head, and I fell into a complete darkness.
CAITLIN'S POV
I drew my sword into his stomach were the armor wasn't protecting and kicked him down to the ground. His black blood gushed out, and I forgot his dying corpse as another smelly monster came hurling at me for the same treatment. Without any words I started killing these guys off, though not as fast as Aragorn or Legolas. Aragorn killed four uruk's with just one sweep of his sword.
I hurled my sword backwards and right into the stomach of an uruk. I tisked tisked him for trying to sneak up on an elf when he had such big feet and heavy armor. I saw another uruk running towards me, and in just one sweep I'd jumped to the side and rammed my blade into him. He fell to the ground and remained motionless. There numbers were greatly decreased now, with most of them littering the ground. Everything was speckled with black uruk-hai blood. Their corpses were everywhere. There were fewer and fewer of these guys left, but as I paused to get my bearings, I noticed a lot of them making grunts and gestures and running off further into the forest.
"Legolas!" I called to my left. "Where are they going? They're beginning to run away!"
He turned at the sound of my voice and saw what I was talking about. Without a word he started firing at them. He brought three of them down, and quickly ran over to his quarry. Leaning down, he grabbed one by the neck and spoke to it for a moment. He pulled out the arrow from his leg, and after they had finished speaking, he stuck it straight through his forehead, killing him. He picked up the rest of his arrows and then started firing again at the other uruk's.
There were fewer of them now, and of the uruk-hai left, they were already wounded. We killed the rest of them off easily enough, and then looked around at who was left.
"Where's Boromir?" I asked. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli looked at me. We listened to the forest, hearing few sounds around us. Running feet could be heard in the far off distance, and an occasional scream or a grunt could be heard far off. Without a word, we ran off in a western direction, hopeful for our friends' lives and more uruk-hai to kill.
Gimli started to fall behind, but Legolas and I kept running at full speed. Aragorn seemed to understand that these two elves weren't going to be winded as easily himself and the dwarf, and he fell back a bit, trying to match Gimli's slow strides. Further and further west we went, the grunts and noises getting louder. It was then that I realized a smaller battle was taking place. But who? Who was the uruk-hai's battling?
We ran past the thick grove of trees and the noises were suddenly much louder. Behind another growth of trees there stood Boromir with about thirty uruks fighting him. In the blink of an eye Legolas was already firing. I looked back to see Aragorn and Gimli approaching, and then I ran in with blade in hand. I killed the first one I ran at by slicing off his head.
Most of the uruk-hai were able to run off west, following the rest of their fellow creeps into the woodlands. Nearly twenty of them covered the earth beneath our feet right now.
I looked over to Boromir and for the first time realized he carried no wounds. He was unharmed, alive, breathing, and fighting. I gazed at him in wonder, curiosity filling my brain. How could he be alive?
"Did you lust for it?" I asked without thinking. I didn't even realize I had been thinking that question in my head until it came flying out of my mouth.
He stared at me, as did everyone else.
"The ring? No I did not lust for it," he answered.
"Not even a little bit? So you didn't go after Frodo?"
"I made an oath to protect him. The ring was his task, and he was to destroy it."
I had nothing else to say. I was dumbfounded. It didn't seem possible or remotely likely. But I let that fact slide for now. It was then that another thought occurred to me.
"Elli? The hobbits! Where are they!"
Boromir bowed his head as if in shame. "They were taken by the orcs. That's why I was fighting against them here. Elli ran up to Merry, Pippin and myself and told us to head south where the rest of the Fellowship was in arms together. I ran right passed them. I left them. When I realized they were taken, I followed them, but I could not way lay them. They were kidnapped. I have failed them."
"No Boromir. It was meant to happen. Merry and Pippin were kidnapped in the book. Elli was taken as well because she was trying to stop it."
"How do you this?" Aragorn asked. "Do you know this tale also, as does Elli? I thought only she knew what was to happen?"
"I know most of it. She know nearly all of it though. My knowledge on this whole thing is minimal. But I do know that you, Boromir, were supposed to die defending the hobbits."
He looked up at me, somewhat fearful and amazed. "I was to die?"
"Yes. Because you lusted for the ring from Frodo. A lot of things changed though, thanks in partly because of Elli and me."
No one spoke for a moment, trying to sort out all that had happened and all that I had just said. I said nothing more, but started walking towards were we had hid the boats. They followed me, without word.
Climbing over uruk blood and dead bodies, I slowly lead the saddened parade. We were quiet during the slow walk. There was nothing more to say on the matter. Things were gloomy and bleak right now, and the original truth of the way the tale was supposed to have gone was revealed. Now that they knew the way things should have gone, there was no telling anymore the way this would all end.
When he finally reached the shores, I thought nothing of it when I saw three elven boats. I had forgotten that we had been given four of them from the White creepy Lady. But Legolas noticed immediately.
"Where is the fourth boat? There are but three left."
I glanced back at the boats, and then looked across the water. A smile crept into the corners or my mouth, and I closed my eyes as I said a prayer for their safety.
"Frodo and Sam's part in the story won't change. If it does then all is doomed."
"They have gone to Mordor alone?" Aragorn asked.
"Indeed. That was meant to happen as well. I'm glad that part won't be altered."
I looked down at the ground, and thought of all that had happened. Late afternoon had settled upon us now. The sun still lit up the blue cloudless sky.
"I promised Elli . . ."I whispered.
"You promised her what?" Legolas asked, sitting on the sand beside me.
"I promised her I wouldn't abandon her. We're the only girls on this trip, and I promised that we wouldn't get separated. We have to follow her!"
Softly I began to cry, and Legolas held me as I did. The other three men stayed were they were, perched on the logs of drift wood. My sobs were quiet and soft. I felt horrible, leaving her like this. Sure, she had Merry and Pippin, but they were men, even if they were hobbits like herself. She wouldn't forget the promise that easily, I was sure. She'd hold it against me if I ever saw her alive again.
Finally, Aragorn stood up and spoke. "We cannot abandon the hobbits to be tormented by the White Hand of Saruman. We will follow the three of them." He stood tall and defiant.
"I shall go with you," said Boromir, standing up as well. "I won't go home and leave my task of protecting the hobbits incomplete. I am to go with the four of you. Five is enough to beat down uruk-hai army of Saruman."
"If we can catch them," I mumbled.
"We will catch them," remarked Aragorn. "If we hurry now. Come! They have not gotten that far vet!"
I dried my eyes and jumped to my feet with Legolas' help. Following these four stout men, we were prepared to chase down the uruk-hai and recapture our friends.
(A/N: You have answers! Boromir has survived Amon Hen, Elli has been kidnapped with Merry and Pippin, and Frodo and Sam have gone alone on their adventure. Now review, and tell me how well I have done in pleasing you all.)
A/N: Well here it is folks! This is probably the biggest, longest, and most important chapter that I've written yet! You probably guessed since the last chapter was them sailing down the Anduin. And boy was this difficult to write! I had such expectations for this chapter and this basically sets the scheme for the rest of the tale and events to come. Anyway. . .
Welcome to Amon Hen, where uruk-hai, mischief and big surprises are in store! This is the chapter where you find out where everyone's going, who's going to die (i.e. does Boromir live or die, hmm?) and where your wonderful author decides to stick in a little bit of romance. Although unfortunately, you're STILL not getting inside Legolas' head, sorry to my poor reviews who want that so badly. But this chapter is good enough that you can wait for such things!
So anyway, read on precious people, and engage in the most important chapter in "Dropped into Middle Earth."
ELLI'S POV
Amon Hen.
We'd been wondering the whole time what would happen when we got here. Now, finally, we pulled the boats further onto shore and looked around somewhat fearfully. What was going to happen now? Who was going where after the battle? Would there even be a battle? Was anyone really going to die?
I glanced at Boromir. Would he get to see his homeland again? Preferably alive and not sailing in an elven boat? I didn't know anymore. Something told me there would be a battle, probably bigger that the original if that's even possible, so I worried. I worried a lot.
Caitlin and I stood on the shore next to one another. I looked up at her, and then she cast her gaze down on me. We had come to an agreement about things, so the rest of the Anduin trip had been better. I agreed I'd leave her alone about her feelings for Legolas and she agreed that we wouldn't get separated. I didn't want to be apart from the only other female on the trip.
We started a fire and settled about, for Aragorn kept saying that we'd leave at nightfall. It was fairly early yet, so we had most of the day to lounge around on the shores. Sort of. Everyone was sitting around the fire, looking around as if waiting for something to happen. Aragorn gave Frodo a look, and then he nodded. Frodo nodded back, then stood up and walked into the woods.
Caitlin leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Where's Frodo going?" I glanced at her.
"To think. He has to choose in the book whether to continue to Gondor or to head to Mordor alone. That's what he's gone to do now. Aragorn knows, which is why they said nothing about it to the rest of us. But keep an eye on Boromir anyway. He still might think about following Frodo. Some things may have changed, but other things have not."
Caitlin nodded in agreement. We didn't say anything else. I sat on the sand, giving Caitlin the log of drift wood to sit upon. I picked up a small twig and made designs in the sand.
I glanced over to where Boromir sat. Caitlin noticed my cautious stares. "I'll keep an eye on him, if you'd like. You can go help get firewood. Help Pippin and Merry with their tasks."
I smiled at her thoughtfulness and said nothing more. I stood up and followed the two hobbit lads into the covering of trees. The three of us headed deep into the woods, until we could no longer hear the sounds of the group anymore. Then we searched the ground for whatever a halfling could carry. I grabbed twigs, and some bigger branches, which I slung over my shoulder like a flag. They bounced and swayed whenever I walked. This amused the hobbits as well as myself.
When we had bundles that we're big enough for us to carry without falling over, we headed back to the group. I lay my pile near the fire, and then looked up to check on Boromir.
He was gone.
I looked over at Caitlin, only to see her eyeing Legolas. I rolled my eyes, careful not to make a scene in front of the hobbit lads. So instead of storming up to her, I casually walked over, sat down next to her and yanked at her elven ear.
"Where art thou Boromir?" I hissed in her ear. "How can I not mention your love for Legolas when you're once again ogling him!"
"Ow. . . I'm not! Uhh, wait, what? Oh! Umm. . ." She tore her gaze from Legolas and looked over to where Boromir was supposed to be. That's when she finally noticed that he was gone. "Whoa, wait! Where'd he go?" she asked loudly.
"Caitlin. . ." I hissed again, forgetting to say it into her ear. I didn't let that pointy piece of flesh go though.
"Where is who, Caitlin?" Pippin asked.
"Boromir! He's gone!" Everyone else suddenly turned and noticed this dilemma too. Aragorn was the only one to glance at the way Frodo had taken into the wood. None of us jumped up in mild confusion or anything. Except me. I got up from where I sat next to Caitlin and ran off in the direction Aragorn had gazed in.
CAITLIN'S POV
I deserved the ear pull, I admit it. I wasn't doing the job Elli assigned and so she yanked my points off. Fine. But geez did she have to hurt me that much!
I watched with amazement as Elli ran after Frodo. She was brave, that little thing. I was beginning to think she had plans for the way this story would turn out. There she was running after Boromir, trying to save Frodo's butt. Maybe she wanted Boromir to live, so she tried to save him from harming Frodo. Did she think that would keep him from dying?
Aragorn was about to get up and go after her, when Legolas bounded over to him silent and as quick as ever.
"Something evil draws near to us. Go quickly Aragorn, fetch Elli and Frodo. Caitlin," he said, turning to look at me. "Come with me to find Boromir. I do not think he went after Frodo. Hurry!" And with that he turned and ran into the forest. I jumped up from the ground and followed after him as quick as I could, not going nearly as fast though. I scurried past tress, trying to keep up with him, dodging branches and bushes and tree trunks. I nearly ran over a squirrel but it whizzed past my feet before I could step on his bushy tail.
He started to slow down and then he stopped. I paused as well, standing next to him and surveying the area. It was greener here, but less dense with trees. Sunlight was everywhere, spotlights of it dotting the areas and falling from the canopy above. I heard foot falls way off to our left and the cries of Aragorn to Gimli and the other hobbits. I heard heavy marching off to our right, along with grunts and growls. I looked over at Legolas, puzzled. And then I remembered the ending of the movie.
"Legolas? What s that?" I asked him. He was erect, poised, his face etched with fear and concentration on the noises. He didn't look at me when he spoke, although my gaze was glued to him. His eyes remained steady as he listened to the noises and answered me.
"A battle is about to begin."
ELLI'S POV
"Frodo! Frodo! Boromir!" I called out. I ran blindly into the woods, looking for a hobbit and a warrior and having no clue in what way they went. "Why in the world did I bolt into the woods without thinking?" I asked myself.
I scolded myself further once I'd stopped running to catch my breath and get my bearings. I placed my hands on my knees and took in deep breaths. I heard running all around me, and then lots and lots of yelling.
"Oh damn! I had hoped it wouldn't be this bad." I stared running again, forgetting for a few fleeting moments that I was winded. I ran to where I heard battles, worrying that this would be worse than how it was supposed to be turning out. 'Oh please, oh please, oh please don't let all of us come out dead!' I silently prayed.
I ran up a small hill that to a normal person wouldn't have been any trouble. I paused when I reached the top and looked down into a valley below filled with spruce trees and battle scenes. Aragorn's sword was slicing through an uruk-hai head, and Gimli's axe was doing the same to one of the beast's arms. I didn't see any hobbits or Boromir, but suddenly from my right Legolas came running, with Caitlin not far behind. Legolas was firing arrows in the blink of an eye while Caitlin pulled a small sword from her belt and ran to beat the crud out of these dudes.
"Caitlin!" I yelled. She paused a moment after slicing through an uruk- hai and then looked up to where I was. "I'm going to look for the hobbits and Boromir! Keep these creeps at bay!"
She nodded with understanding and then returned to fighting. I stayed and watched a moment longer and then I turned and ran. Back down the slope I ran and headed to where I thought the shoreline was. I heard more yells and uruk-hai grunts to my right. These guys were everywhere! How many could there possibly be? I didn't stop to turn around and find out. I had to make sure Merry and Pippin weren't going to get kidnapped. I had to make sure Frodo got back to the elven boats and that Sam followed him. I had to make sure Boromir lived.
I suddenly saw a battle up ahead. A rock whizzed passed my head, and I ducked just in time for the next one. I knew then that Merry and Pippin were nearby. I ran has fast as I could now, hopeful that Boromir didn't have arrows sticking out of his chest yet. I knew I couldn't guarantee Merry and Pippin's safety, and if anything I knew I'd probably get kidnapped with them. I wanted Boromir to live though. And I wanted Sam and Frodo to make it safely out of Amon Hen and into Emyn Muil.
A flying stone hit me in the shoulder. "Stop throwing rocks a moment, will you!" I yelled out.
"Sorry Elli!" Pippin called. "We didn't know you were here. Quick! Pick up a rock and hurl it that way!" I looked up to see where he was pointing and nodded. Leaning down to grab some stones, I saw Boromir out of the corner of my eye. I paused, looking at him and realizing he was fine for right now. His horn still hung from his belt, and I waited for the moment when he'd blow it.
Picking up some stones, I hurled them in the direction Pippin had pointed in. I saw that the uruk-hai wore far too much armor for my liking, and that there was nowhere good to hit them in. The head would only slow them down a bit and maybe hurl their footsteps back a moment. This was useless.
"Merry! Pippin! Head south! Some of the others are fighting that way, you'll have more protection!"
"But what about you?" Merry asked.
"I'm going to follow you as soon as I can get Boromir's attention. Go now!"
I turned back to Boromir, watching him slice through orc after orc. Their black blood stained the ground, and his broad sword was sticky with it as well. I saw rocks keep whizzing past my head, but when I turned around I saw Merry and Pippin running away finally.
"You again!" I heard something grunt. "You sleazy little halfling you! If I wasn't under orders I'd ring your filthy neck! Come here!"
I flung my head back around to where Boromir was fighting only to see a huge uruk-hai barreling towards me. I shrieked and backed up as quickly as I could. I fell to the ground just in time, for the big lug walked right over my hunched up little body. It was one of the ones that had kidnapped me before Moria.
"Boromir!" I screamed. "Head south now! Everyone else is there and they can use your help! Hurry!" I jumped up from the ground and started running, with Boromir hot on my heels. As I looked ahead, I noticed that Merry and Pippin hadn't gotten too far. They were walking nonchalantly, without a care in the world.
They must have heard Boromir and me running up behind them, for they stopped and turned around. Their eyes were wide and frightened.
"Keep running! Don't stop! You have to stay away from the uruk-hai!" I screamed. I passed right by them and then they turned and fled with me. Boromir passed all three of us by. I tired to grab onto his tunic so I could get a lift to the clearing, but I instead fell and landed on my face. Merry and Pippin stopped to help me up, and it was then that I realized our mistake.
"You no good descendant of rats! This'll teach you to run away from me!" I looked up from my perch on the forest floor to see the big ugly uruk-hai who had kidnapped me the first time. He was wielding one of his bent swords above his head, ready to bring it down on the three of us.
Before I could say anything, Merry and Pippin had jumped up and captured the guy's ankles, knocking him to the ground. But with the fall of one creep, four more came running to grab us. The three of us all got up to run, but we had forgotten which way south was. Before I could decide I felt grimy hands take hold of arms. My feet left the ground, and I was lurched over an uruk-hai's arm. Merry and Pippin were in the same predicament, and without a sound from any one of us, the uruk-hai dragged us off west and away from our friends.
I tried to scream out to where I thought the others might be fighting, but the minute I made a squeak, the creep holding me clunked me on the head, and I fell into a complete darkness.
CAITLIN'S POV
I drew my sword into his stomach were the armor wasn't protecting and kicked him down to the ground. His black blood gushed out, and I forgot his dying corpse as another smelly monster came hurling at me for the same treatment. Without any words I started killing these guys off, though not as fast as Aragorn or Legolas. Aragorn killed four uruk's with just one sweep of his sword.
I hurled my sword backwards and right into the stomach of an uruk. I tisked tisked him for trying to sneak up on an elf when he had such big feet and heavy armor. I saw another uruk running towards me, and in just one sweep I'd jumped to the side and rammed my blade into him. He fell to the ground and remained motionless. There numbers were greatly decreased now, with most of them littering the ground. Everything was speckled with black uruk-hai blood. Their corpses were everywhere. There were fewer and fewer of these guys left, but as I paused to get my bearings, I noticed a lot of them making grunts and gestures and running off further into the forest.
"Legolas!" I called to my left. "Where are they going? They're beginning to run away!"
He turned at the sound of my voice and saw what I was talking about. Without a word he started firing at them. He brought three of them down, and quickly ran over to his quarry. Leaning down, he grabbed one by the neck and spoke to it for a moment. He pulled out the arrow from his leg, and after they had finished speaking, he stuck it straight through his forehead, killing him. He picked up the rest of his arrows and then started firing again at the other uruk's.
There were fewer of them now, and of the uruk-hai left, they were already wounded. We killed the rest of them off easily enough, and then looked around at who was left.
"Where's Boromir?" I asked. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli looked at me. We listened to the forest, hearing few sounds around us. Running feet could be heard in the far off distance, and an occasional scream or a grunt could be heard far off. Without a word, we ran off in a western direction, hopeful for our friends' lives and more uruk-hai to kill.
Gimli started to fall behind, but Legolas and I kept running at full speed. Aragorn seemed to understand that these two elves weren't going to be winded as easily himself and the dwarf, and he fell back a bit, trying to match Gimli's slow strides. Further and further west we went, the grunts and noises getting louder. It was then that I realized a smaller battle was taking place. But who? Who was the uruk-hai's battling?
We ran past the thick grove of trees and the noises were suddenly much louder. Behind another growth of trees there stood Boromir with about thirty uruks fighting him. In the blink of an eye Legolas was already firing. I looked back to see Aragorn and Gimli approaching, and then I ran in with blade in hand. I killed the first one I ran at by slicing off his head.
Most of the uruk-hai were able to run off west, following the rest of their fellow creeps into the woodlands. Nearly twenty of them covered the earth beneath our feet right now.
I looked over to Boromir and for the first time realized he carried no wounds. He was unharmed, alive, breathing, and fighting. I gazed at him in wonder, curiosity filling my brain. How could he be alive?
"Did you lust for it?" I asked without thinking. I didn't even realize I had been thinking that question in my head until it came flying out of my mouth.
He stared at me, as did everyone else.
"The ring? No I did not lust for it," he answered.
"Not even a little bit? So you didn't go after Frodo?"
"I made an oath to protect him. The ring was his task, and he was to destroy it."
I had nothing else to say. I was dumbfounded. It didn't seem possible or remotely likely. But I let that fact slide for now. It was then that another thought occurred to me.
"Elli? The hobbits! Where are they!"
Boromir bowed his head as if in shame. "They were taken by the orcs. That's why I was fighting against them here. Elli ran up to Merry, Pippin and myself and told us to head south where the rest of the Fellowship was in arms together. I ran right passed them. I left them. When I realized they were taken, I followed them, but I could not way lay them. They were kidnapped. I have failed them."
"No Boromir. It was meant to happen. Merry and Pippin were kidnapped in the book. Elli was taken as well because she was trying to stop it."
"How do you this?" Aragorn asked. "Do you know this tale also, as does Elli? I thought only she knew what was to happen?"
"I know most of it. She know nearly all of it though. My knowledge on this whole thing is minimal. But I do know that you, Boromir, were supposed to die defending the hobbits."
He looked up at me, somewhat fearful and amazed. "I was to die?"
"Yes. Because you lusted for the ring from Frodo. A lot of things changed though, thanks in partly because of Elli and me."
No one spoke for a moment, trying to sort out all that had happened and all that I had just said. I said nothing more, but started walking towards were we had hid the boats. They followed me, without word.
Climbing over uruk blood and dead bodies, I slowly lead the saddened parade. We were quiet during the slow walk. There was nothing more to say on the matter. Things were gloomy and bleak right now, and the original truth of the way the tale was supposed to have gone was revealed. Now that they knew the way things should have gone, there was no telling anymore the way this would all end.
When he finally reached the shores, I thought nothing of it when I saw three elven boats. I had forgotten that we had been given four of them from the White creepy Lady. But Legolas noticed immediately.
"Where is the fourth boat? There are but three left."
I glanced back at the boats, and then looked across the water. A smile crept into the corners or my mouth, and I closed my eyes as I said a prayer for their safety.
"Frodo and Sam's part in the story won't change. If it does then all is doomed."
"They have gone to Mordor alone?" Aragorn asked.
"Indeed. That was meant to happen as well. I'm glad that part won't be altered."
I looked down at the ground, and thought of all that had happened. Late afternoon had settled upon us now. The sun still lit up the blue cloudless sky.
"I promised Elli . . ."I whispered.
"You promised her what?" Legolas asked, sitting on the sand beside me.
"I promised her I wouldn't abandon her. We're the only girls on this trip, and I promised that we wouldn't get separated. We have to follow her!"
Softly I began to cry, and Legolas held me as I did. The other three men stayed were they were, perched on the logs of drift wood. My sobs were quiet and soft. I felt horrible, leaving her like this. Sure, she had Merry and Pippin, but they were men, even if they were hobbits like herself. She wouldn't forget the promise that easily, I was sure. She'd hold it against me if I ever saw her alive again.
Finally, Aragorn stood up and spoke. "We cannot abandon the hobbits to be tormented by the White Hand of Saruman. We will follow the three of them." He stood tall and defiant.
"I shall go with you," said Boromir, standing up as well. "I won't go home and leave my task of protecting the hobbits incomplete. I am to go with the four of you. Five is enough to beat down uruk-hai army of Saruman."
"If we can catch them," I mumbled.
"We will catch them," remarked Aragorn. "If we hurry now. Come! They have not gotten that far vet!"
I dried my eyes and jumped to my feet with Legolas' help. Following these four stout men, we were prepared to chase down the uruk-hai and recapture our friends.
(A/N: You have answers! Boromir has survived Amon Hen, Elli has been kidnapped with Merry and Pippin, and Frodo and Sam have gone alone on their adventure. Now review, and tell me how well I have done in pleasing you all.)