As Boromir continued to relish in his victory, the rest looked on with puzzled expressions, for the change in Boromir had been a surprise, even to Gandalf, though he had been the one to command the evil out. But now they saw that the power driving Boromir was strong indeed, and after a moment, Gandalf shook off some of his exhaustion and said to Aragorn.
"I know what evil it is that commands Boromir. I do not know how or why, but it is Saruman."
"Saruman!" echoed Gimli. "But I thought after all that happened since the great war, he'd become less powerful."
The wizard nodded. "As it should be, but this…I fear that only Saruman and Boromir have the answers, and it will be difficult to get any information out of either of them."
"Correct!" the crazed Boromir laughed.
"I beg you," Thranduil spoke up suddenly, "just tell me how to save my son!"
"I have already said there is no cure."
"There must be something!"
There was no reply.
At this, Ioreth entered the room hurriedly, but she did no speak, for a sudden shudder ran through Boromir and he made a sound as if he had been punched in the gut. Faster and faster he shook, but for the onlookers, there was nothing that any of them could do. He rose off the floor by several inches. They stared, wide-eyed at the man, before he became a mere blur of motion, always sounding pained.
After a few moments, he once again slowed until he stopped. Falling to the floor, he pushed himself up on hands and knees, his head bent to the floor. When at last he looked up, the hatred was once again gone and he resembled their friend. He shook his head, trying to get his bearings, but he did not attempt to stand.
"What…where?" he began, as he regained control of himself, for far away north in the Shire, Saruman the White was struck down by Grima Wormtongue.
Gandalf smiled. "Welcome back, Boromir of Gondor. The evil is gone and the shadow dissipated."
Boromir nodded his thanks, but then turned to Aragorn. "I have done terrible things. Saruman…he called me as I spiraled into the darkness of death. The Ring still had hold on me, and I could not resist his call. He brought me back to life, but he stole from me my will and turned it to his own. He wanted….he thought he could use Legolas as a foothold to taking over the whole of Middle Earth, first by using him as bait and then toppling the kingdom of Mirkwood, from which he'd taken the other elves and finally all of Middle Earth." He stopped, looking ashamed for having been used in such a plot. "All I wanted was what was best for my people. It was my one wish as I died, and for that, Saruman ensnared me."
Aragorn did not right away respond, for he needed a moment to process all he'd heard. It was during the silence that followed that Ioreth spoke up, suddenly remembering her errand.
"Forgive me my lord," she said, and immediately Aragorn's head snapped up and his attention focused on her.
"Has there been a change?"
"Yes my lord. Rafa and I were looking after him like you said. And Rafa, she was fixing the blankets on him and the pillow when she says to me 'Ioreth, he's feeling a bit warm.' 'Warm?' I says and felt his forehead with my own hand and wouldn't you believe it – he was. So I came running in according to your instructions, but then I saw everything that happened and I got a bit distracted. Wasn't that the strangest thing you've seen though?"
Gandalf spoke up. "You are saying that Legolas' temperature has risen?"
"Yes sir, but it's not what it seems. Master Legolas is riddled with fever."
Aragorn rose from his seat. "Thank you Ioreth. I appreciate all you have done. Gandalf, if you might examine his condition once again."
"Of course, my friend."
Thranduil had paled slightly at the newest development, but said nothing. Instead, all rose and followed the king and wizard back down the hallways to Legolas' room. Here waited in the halls as Gandalf entered the room alone..
Legolas lay in fevered sleep, a few thin blankets covering his body, glistening with sweat. After ten minutes or so, Gandalf appeared at the door and stood in the threshold. There was a look of slight relief on his face.
"His body is finally responding to my spells. It's purging itself of the poison, though I still would like a close watch kept over him," he said.
"I will watch," offered Gimli.
"Nay, I shall be the one to watch," Thranduil replied abruptly.
Since the time that Aragorn and Gimli had arrived in Gondor with Legolas, the elven king had either gone out of his way to not interact with Gimli, or as in now, he'd been against the dwarf having anything to do with his son.
But Boromir peeked into the room now and Gandalf let him in. Faramir and Aragorn followed him closely. Once inside the room, Boromir took one look at the fragile looking figure laying on the bed and fell to his knees, weeping openly.
"What have I done?" he moaned in agony. "What have I done? Aragorn, you needn't pass judgment on me. I willingly accept whatever punishments await me under the laws of the city, for I have betrayed a sacred trust, that which binds friendship and goodness."
Aragorn studied the man's face for a moment before speaking. "No. You wanted what was best for your people, that was your only fault. It was a noble fault, but one that Saruman used to manipulate you. I cannot pass judgment on the evil that took hold of you, only that which you willingly committed."
"But I wanted to live. Surely that is a fault?"
"But why? Why did you want to live?"
"Because I wanted to ensure Gondor's survival."
"A noble purpose, for which I can find no blame. No, Boromir, if any decrees must be made, then it is this. I hereby reinstate your position as Steward of the city, along with your brother Faramir."
"Stewards? Surely you mean the son of the Steward? What of my father?"
"I will let Faramir explain all that you wish to know, for I feel that I may be needed here with Legolas."
With this, Boromir and Faramir took leave of the king, the latter guiding the former out to another room down the hall, unsure of how he could explain the events that had led up to Denethor's death.
