Chapter Eleven
And down the Great River we paddled, until night fell. Then we dragged our boats ashore, and made camp.
In the bags of supplies included meats, dried fruits, blankets, and rope. I ate an apple, snagged a blanket, and curled up a ways off with the book Galadriel gave me. I puzzled over the maps, finally figuring out where Minas Tirith was. I traced the mountains with my finger, outlining the road it would take.
I sighed, wishing I could understand Elven. I fell on my side, watching the members of the fellowship whisper to one another, and one by one drop off into sleep. Legolas remained sitting up straight, face turned toward the moon, his lips moving wordlessly as though silently reciting a sonnet or poem.
Turning my gaze toward Aragorn and Boromir, both sleeping fitfully, and then to the Hobbits, all huddled together, in contented sleep, together.
I felt a lump rise in my throat. I wanted a friend. Galawe was the closest I had had so far, but now he was gone, and I would probably never see him again. I watched Gimli breath slowly, and roll on his side, his back to me.
I clutched the book tighter, deep in thought. I wasn't tired at all. I had had enough rest in Lorien to last me a good while. Gathering up courage, I sat up, and walked softly over to where Legolas was sitting.
"Hey." I whispered. Legolas's eyes narrowed, and he nodded in acknowledgment.
"I, um, Galadriel gave me this book," I stumbled over the words, trying desperately to say the right thing, "but the thing is, I can't read it." I showed him the book, and he took it from my hands, reading the cover slowly.
"It is written in your tongue. I could read it to you, and you would understand, but you cannot read it yourself." he said finally, flipping through the pages.
"Could you teach me to read it?" I asked cautiously. Legolas was silent for awhile; so long, in fact, that I wondered if he hadn't heard me. After a few moments, however, he answered, "Our writing is very different from yours, and more complicated. It could not take a single night."
"I didn't expect it to." I said hurriedly, "But could you at least teach me the basics?"
"I see you have made up your mind to learn this, whether I am obliging or not." Legolas replied sharply.
"Well if your going snap about it..." I began angrily, yanking the book from his hands. His grip tightened, and I didn't try further to wrench it from his hands. He looked at the cover a bit longer, and then asked, "Why do you concern yourself with legend?"
"It's not legend!" I snapped, forgetting the others were sleeping. Aragorn jerked, but didn't wake. Legolas shrugged, and exhaled, "I can teach you, but not tonight. Something approaches I feel will be difficult, and you require rest."
"How do you know?" I asked, distracted. The Elf's eyes adopted a faraway look.
"The wind, the earth, and the trees do not lie." he answered mysteriously. I gave up on him for the time being, he handed me back my book, and I returned to my blanket, falling into a shallow sleep.
.
In the morning, we continued on. The next few days were uneventful, except the third day, when we passed the Argonaths. They were truly a wonder in themselves, and nothing on Earth could ever be compared to them.
I was so mesmerized I forgot to paddle with my oar, resulting in a scoff from Boromir. When we passed through them, and into the lake pouring into Rauros Falls, we banked the boats for the night, even though it was early afternoon.
"We shall leave the boats and continue on foot." Aragorn declared, unpacking things from his boat.
"To where?" Gimli asked, drawing out his pipe.
"The Emyn Muil." the ranger replied. Knowing Gimli was going to go into his rant about the razor sharp rocks and such, I strayed aside, and approached Legolas, for more help deciphering my book.
The past two nights had been frustrating and tiresome, but I was finally beginning to understand the system, even if I couldn't remember the symbols. Roughly five minutes after Legolas began one of his lectures on the Elven tongue, I realized my mistake.
"Where's Frodo?" Merry asked casually. Sam jerked, and looked around wildly. My heart sank as I saw his abandoned pack, and Boromir's shield leaning against a tree, along with all his other things.
"Find the Ringbearer!" Aragorn cried, unsheathing his sword. The others were up in a second, weapons up, waiting for instruction.
Aragorn sent Merry, Pippin, and I to follow the bank, Gimli to head north, and Legolas to search east, saying that he himself would head for Amon Hen. I drew Celebril, and led Merry and Pippin along our designated path.
However, it was Merry's suggestion that we stray into the forest, which I agreed to, knowing already we were looking in the wrong place.
We came across ruins of some ancient settlement, and called vainly for Frodo.
"Wha' is tha'?" Pippin demanded worriedly. We were silent, and then I heard it. Pounding feet, and the sound of a cracking whip.
"Hide!" I hissed, directing them down a hill, and among the roots of a fallen tree. I myself ran up to the top of one of the crumbled towers, and looked around, trying to find from where the Uruk Hai were coming. I wasn't high enough to see anything but leaves and branches, though, so I returned to the leaf-covered ground, wondering where to go.
My heart began beating harder as I heard Merry and Pippin whispering not-so-quietly, "Hide with us! Come on!"
I ran as fast as I could downhill, just in time to see Pippin dart from under the tree, and call to a score of orcs not fifty feet away. Merry joined him, and both yelled and hollered.
Catching up to them, I grabbed each one's wrist, and pulled them as fast as I could downhill.
Merry twisted his arm from my grasp, and ran faster than I did down to the bottom, where spanned a bridge over a shallow trench.
Pippin and I stopped, gasping for breath on the bridge, and I looked back up the hill. Orcs were pouring down it like ants. Turning to look around, I saw more Uruks running from the opposite direction.
"Ready to fight?" I asked, trying to hide my pure terror. Merry and Pippin nodded, wielding their short blades.
"We must get off the bridge." Pippin advised. We did so, and rushed out into the clearing, back to back, swords raised.
The orcs were on us like a wave. I whirled my sword around clumsily, yet effectively, wounding a few. I plunged Celebril into one orc, and yanked it out, slicing through the stomach of another.
Energy I didn't know I had was issuing from me like a fountain, and my blade flashed faster than I thought humanly possible. A particularly large orc was charging at me, but was suddenly headless. He sank to the ground, and behind him stood Boromir, looking satisfied.
And as we fought there, Merry, Pippin, Boromir, and I, I felt that no matter how this ended, I had gained their trust. It was here I was reminded we were fighting the same enemy, for the same cause.
Of course, I didn't have time to think deeper than that. Not when orcs were still spilling from everywhere, bent on killing us.
I swung my sword wildly, wounding two more. In front of me was Merry and Pippin, working together to bring down one orc at a time.
"Hold them at bay!" Boromir shouted abrubtly. I moved near him, and fought of the orcs aiming for Boromir, and the latter gave a few strong blasts from his horn.
The orcs stopped in their tracks, looking almost fearfully at Boromir, who blew into it one more time before raising his sword again. I waited for Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli to come to our aid, but they didn't. When the Uruks realized this, they laughed in grating tones, and charged again.
I moved closer to Merry and Pippin, seeing that they looked exhausted. I realized I was too, and the sword felt heavy in my hands.
And then Lurtz made his entrance. I saw him raise his crossbow. I abandoned my post by the hobbits, and hastened to Boromir's side, in order to warn him.
I heard the zinging of an arrow, and a pain of which I had never known seered through my body. The arrow's penetration knocked me off my feet, and I clutched at the thick shaft embedded into my right shoulder.
Merry and Pippin stopped their fighting, and looked in terror at me. Tears stinging my eyes and half-blinding me, I glanced up at Boromir, who's eyes were cast down at me in shock.
Merry and Pippin attacked more ferociously than before, and Boromir yelled an undistiguishable war-cry, and swung his sword harder and faster.
Then another arrow came. It found its mark this time in Boromir's chest. Rage coursed through me almost as fiercly as the pain, and I fought to stand up again. I tried to lift my sword, but the effort strained the muscles in my pierced shoulder, and I fell on my knees in agony.
The last arrow again landed in Boromir. He fought limply, and finally buckled to the ground. I watched Merry and Pippin hurl themselves at the orcs, but they were soon overcome, and were grasped by the orcs.
I felt as though I'd failed them as I watched them being carried off to unimaginable fear, torment, and pain. It was as if I was being drained of all things I needed; I could only watch, and feel the blood flow steadily from my wound. The orcs ignored us, and ran on, except Lurtz. There he stood, the coward, five feet from where Boromir knelt, and strung his crossbow.
Feeling one last burst of strength, I lunged to my feet, and heaved my sword up on high. Pain screamed through my arm, but in my anger I ignored it. I ran at Lurtz, and drove Celebril into his side.
He staggered, and I pulled the sword from him, falling back down for a third time. With one hand clutching his side, and the other pulling out a dagger, he ran at me. I tumbled back, waiting for the blow, but it didn't come. Boromir had, with his last strength, I assume, swung his sword, and decapitated Lurtz.
I supressed a cry, and dragged myself over to Boromir, where he lay on his back, breathing heavily.
"Will you-" I began, gasping for breath, and Boromir choked, and turned his head to look at me.
"Forgive me, Eleanor," he began shakily, "I have not given you the respect you deserve."
"Don't say things like that!" I said sharply. Boromir forced a smile, his eyes were glazing over, and I knew I was losing him.
"If ever I could have-" he paused, inhaling raggedly, "-have married any woman, Eleanor, it would have been you."
My heart nearly stopped there, and if it hadn't broke at the sight of Merry and Pippin being taken, my heart would have surely shattered now.
I wished I had something meaningful to say, but remained silent. Footsteps approached, and Aragorn dropped down beside me. Boromir turned his head to him, and whispered, "Treat Eleanor with respect, for she has taken and arrow meant for me, and proven her quality many times."
Aragorn looked startled at me, but returned his gaze to Boromir. They exchanged words which were heart-wrenching and sad, and still I cannot utter them. I grasped Boromir's hand tightly, and kissed it. He smiled, drawing in a shuddering breath, and raised his dying eyes to the pale blue sky.
He was gone. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
.
Laurelin: Merry IS a cutie. However, I think I would pick Pippin over him solely for the accent. Don't you love it when he sings in the Rotk? It makes m want to go hug him. :sigh: but, no, we can't have nice things, can we? You call him a needle cushion? Ha, I call him the human porcupine. To each his/her own.
.
devonshire tea: Heh. Nifty name. Sorry I didn't answer you on ch 10, but I just updated before I looked at my reviews. Ah well, I hope this chapter came soon enough.
And down the Great River we paddled, until night fell. Then we dragged our boats ashore, and made camp.
In the bags of supplies included meats, dried fruits, blankets, and rope. I ate an apple, snagged a blanket, and curled up a ways off with the book Galadriel gave me. I puzzled over the maps, finally figuring out where Minas Tirith was. I traced the mountains with my finger, outlining the road it would take.
I sighed, wishing I could understand Elven. I fell on my side, watching the members of the fellowship whisper to one another, and one by one drop off into sleep. Legolas remained sitting up straight, face turned toward the moon, his lips moving wordlessly as though silently reciting a sonnet or poem.
Turning my gaze toward Aragorn and Boromir, both sleeping fitfully, and then to the Hobbits, all huddled together, in contented sleep, together.
I felt a lump rise in my throat. I wanted a friend. Galawe was the closest I had had so far, but now he was gone, and I would probably never see him again. I watched Gimli breath slowly, and roll on his side, his back to me.
I clutched the book tighter, deep in thought. I wasn't tired at all. I had had enough rest in Lorien to last me a good while. Gathering up courage, I sat up, and walked softly over to where Legolas was sitting.
"Hey." I whispered. Legolas's eyes narrowed, and he nodded in acknowledgment.
"I, um, Galadriel gave me this book," I stumbled over the words, trying desperately to say the right thing, "but the thing is, I can't read it." I showed him the book, and he took it from my hands, reading the cover slowly.
"It is written in your tongue. I could read it to you, and you would understand, but you cannot read it yourself." he said finally, flipping through the pages.
"Could you teach me to read it?" I asked cautiously. Legolas was silent for awhile; so long, in fact, that I wondered if he hadn't heard me. After a few moments, however, he answered, "Our writing is very different from yours, and more complicated. It could not take a single night."
"I didn't expect it to." I said hurriedly, "But could you at least teach me the basics?"
"I see you have made up your mind to learn this, whether I am obliging or not." Legolas replied sharply.
"Well if your going snap about it..." I began angrily, yanking the book from his hands. His grip tightened, and I didn't try further to wrench it from his hands. He looked at the cover a bit longer, and then asked, "Why do you concern yourself with legend?"
"It's not legend!" I snapped, forgetting the others were sleeping. Aragorn jerked, but didn't wake. Legolas shrugged, and exhaled, "I can teach you, but not tonight. Something approaches I feel will be difficult, and you require rest."
"How do you know?" I asked, distracted. The Elf's eyes adopted a faraway look.
"The wind, the earth, and the trees do not lie." he answered mysteriously. I gave up on him for the time being, he handed me back my book, and I returned to my blanket, falling into a shallow sleep.
.
In the morning, we continued on. The next few days were uneventful, except the third day, when we passed the Argonaths. They were truly a wonder in themselves, and nothing on Earth could ever be compared to them.
I was so mesmerized I forgot to paddle with my oar, resulting in a scoff from Boromir. When we passed through them, and into the lake pouring into Rauros Falls, we banked the boats for the night, even though it was early afternoon.
"We shall leave the boats and continue on foot." Aragorn declared, unpacking things from his boat.
"To where?" Gimli asked, drawing out his pipe.
"The Emyn Muil." the ranger replied. Knowing Gimli was going to go into his rant about the razor sharp rocks and such, I strayed aside, and approached Legolas, for more help deciphering my book.
The past two nights had been frustrating and tiresome, but I was finally beginning to understand the system, even if I couldn't remember the symbols. Roughly five minutes after Legolas began one of his lectures on the Elven tongue, I realized my mistake.
"Where's Frodo?" Merry asked casually. Sam jerked, and looked around wildly. My heart sank as I saw his abandoned pack, and Boromir's shield leaning against a tree, along with all his other things.
"Find the Ringbearer!" Aragorn cried, unsheathing his sword. The others were up in a second, weapons up, waiting for instruction.
Aragorn sent Merry, Pippin, and I to follow the bank, Gimli to head north, and Legolas to search east, saying that he himself would head for Amon Hen. I drew Celebril, and led Merry and Pippin along our designated path.
However, it was Merry's suggestion that we stray into the forest, which I agreed to, knowing already we were looking in the wrong place.
We came across ruins of some ancient settlement, and called vainly for Frodo.
"Wha' is tha'?" Pippin demanded worriedly. We were silent, and then I heard it. Pounding feet, and the sound of a cracking whip.
"Hide!" I hissed, directing them down a hill, and among the roots of a fallen tree. I myself ran up to the top of one of the crumbled towers, and looked around, trying to find from where the Uruk Hai were coming. I wasn't high enough to see anything but leaves and branches, though, so I returned to the leaf-covered ground, wondering where to go.
My heart began beating harder as I heard Merry and Pippin whispering not-so-quietly, "Hide with us! Come on!"
I ran as fast as I could downhill, just in time to see Pippin dart from under the tree, and call to a score of orcs not fifty feet away. Merry joined him, and both yelled and hollered.
Catching up to them, I grabbed each one's wrist, and pulled them as fast as I could downhill.
Merry twisted his arm from my grasp, and ran faster than I did down to the bottom, where spanned a bridge over a shallow trench.
Pippin and I stopped, gasping for breath on the bridge, and I looked back up the hill. Orcs were pouring down it like ants. Turning to look around, I saw more Uruks running from the opposite direction.
"Ready to fight?" I asked, trying to hide my pure terror. Merry and Pippin nodded, wielding their short blades.
"We must get off the bridge." Pippin advised. We did so, and rushed out into the clearing, back to back, swords raised.
The orcs were on us like a wave. I whirled my sword around clumsily, yet effectively, wounding a few. I plunged Celebril into one orc, and yanked it out, slicing through the stomach of another.
Energy I didn't know I had was issuing from me like a fountain, and my blade flashed faster than I thought humanly possible. A particularly large orc was charging at me, but was suddenly headless. He sank to the ground, and behind him stood Boromir, looking satisfied.
And as we fought there, Merry, Pippin, Boromir, and I, I felt that no matter how this ended, I had gained their trust. It was here I was reminded we were fighting the same enemy, for the same cause.
Of course, I didn't have time to think deeper than that. Not when orcs were still spilling from everywhere, bent on killing us.
I swung my sword wildly, wounding two more. In front of me was Merry and Pippin, working together to bring down one orc at a time.
"Hold them at bay!" Boromir shouted abrubtly. I moved near him, and fought of the orcs aiming for Boromir, and the latter gave a few strong blasts from his horn.
The orcs stopped in their tracks, looking almost fearfully at Boromir, who blew into it one more time before raising his sword again. I waited for Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli to come to our aid, but they didn't. When the Uruks realized this, they laughed in grating tones, and charged again.
I moved closer to Merry and Pippin, seeing that they looked exhausted. I realized I was too, and the sword felt heavy in my hands.
And then Lurtz made his entrance. I saw him raise his crossbow. I abandoned my post by the hobbits, and hastened to Boromir's side, in order to warn him.
I heard the zinging of an arrow, and a pain of which I had never known seered through my body. The arrow's penetration knocked me off my feet, and I clutched at the thick shaft embedded into my right shoulder.
Merry and Pippin stopped their fighting, and looked in terror at me. Tears stinging my eyes and half-blinding me, I glanced up at Boromir, who's eyes were cast down at me in shock.
Merry and Pippin attacked more ferociously than before, and Boromir yelled an undistiguishable war-cry, and swung his sword harder and faster.
Then another arrow came. It found its mark this time in Boromir's chest. Rage coursed through me almost as fiercly as the pain, and I fought to stand up again. I tried to lift my sword, but the effort strained the muscles in my pierced shoulder, and I fell on my knees in agony.
The last arrow again landed in Boromir. He fought limply, and finally buckled to the ground. I watched Merry and Pippin hurl themselves at the orcs, but they were soon overcome, and were grasped by the orcs.
I felt as though I'd failed them as I watched them being carried off to unimaginable fear, torment, and pain. It was as if I was being drained of all things I needed; I could only watch, and feel the blood flow steadily from my wound. The orcs ignored us, and ran on, except Lurtz. There he stood, the coward, five feet from where Boromir knelt, and strung his crossbow.
Feeling one last burst of strength, I lunged to my feet, and heaved my sword up on high. Pain screamed through my arm, but in my anger I ignored it. I ran at Lurtz, and drove Celebril into his side.
He staggered, and I pulled the sword from him, falling back down for a third time. With one hand clutching his side, and the other pulling out a dagger, he ran at me. I tumbled back, waiting for the blow, but it didn't come. Boromir had, with his last strength, I assume, swung his sword, and decapitated Lurtz.
I supressed a cry, and dragged myself over to Boromir, where he lay on his back, breathing heavily.
"Will you-" I began, gasping for breath, and Boromir choked, and turned his head to look at me.
"Forgive me, Eleanor," he began shakily, "I have not given you the respect you deserve."
"Don't say things like that!" I said sharply. Boromir forced a smile, his eyes were glazing over, and I knew I was losing him.
"If ever I could have-" he paused, inhaling raggedly, "-have married any woman, Eleanor, it would have been you."
My heart nearly stopped there, and if it hadn't broke at the sight of Merry and Pippin being taken, my heart would have surely shattered now.
I wished I had something meaningful to say, but remained silent. Footsteps approached, and Aragorn dropped down beside me. Boromir turned his head to him, and whispered, "Treat Eleanor with respect, for she has taken and arrow meant for me, and proven her quality many times."
Aragorn looked startled at me, but returned his gaze to Boromir. They exchanged words which were heart-wrenching and sad, and still I cannot utter them. I grasped Boromir's hand tightly, and kissed it. He smiled, drawing in a shuddering breath, and raised his dying eyes to the pale blue sky.
He was gone. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
.
Laurelin: Merry IS a cutie. However, I think I would pick Pippin over him solely for the accent. Don't you love it when he sings in the Rotk? It makes m want to go hug him. :sigh: but, no, we can't have nice things, can we? You call him a needle cushion? Ha, I call him the human porcupine. To each his/her own.
.
devonshire tea: Heh. Nifty name. Sorry I didn't answer you on ch 10, but I just updated before I looked at my reviews. Ah well, I hope this chapter came soon enough.