So that was that. Legolas found Sam by the Anduin, trying to catch Frodo, and so the Ringbearer's plan to sneak off and keep the Ring from tempting the rest of us failed. I could hardly blame him for trying. Aragorn removed the arrow, which had very fortunately stopped just short of crushing my arm bones, and bound up the wound. He used some plant to bathe it, a plant with a pure, refreshing smell that left me almost felt cheerful for a few minutes. Then it was time to decide where to go. As I already knew where I was going, I decided to work on my shield while they argued-- try and repair the holes that Uruk had put in it.
Sam wanted to go with Frodo, of course, and Merry and Pippin followed. Aragorn had already decided to go home with me. So Legolas and Gimli were the only ones who really had anything to decide. Legolas insisted on coming to Gondor, and Gimli just kept reiterating, "It would be faithless to swear and then abandon him now!" They did agree on one thing-- wherever one went, the other would follow.
Finally, Gimli reminded Legolas that the Ringbearer needed protection more than Aragorn and I, and the Elf resigned himself to Mordor. I would have laughed, if my arm wasn't so sore.
"Very well, Legolas and Gimli," Aragorn said solemnly, and I got the feeling he was about to enter Future King Of Gondor Mode again. "Upon you is laid the charge to protect the Ringbearer--" yep, there he went "--and if he should fall, one of you should bear the Ring, as agreed in Imladris. I shall give what counsel seems good to me, for I have some knowledge of the country about the Black Land." He went off to discuss good, better and best routes, and I shared one last meal with Merry and Pippin. Sam and Frodo, unsurprisingly, were unwilling to eat with me.
We gathered around the fire and dipped into Sam's pack. None of us said anything, we had all gotten the feeling we wouldn't see each other again. We ate in silence, and a few minutes later were joined by the others. Merry finally spoke.
"I'd like to thank you again, Boromir, for saving Pip and me." I smiled at him.
"What else am I here for?" Aragorn gave me a strange look when I said that, I still don't know why. He looked like he had something to say, but instead he just ate his food. We all finished, and still said nothing else. When Sam doused the fire and began refilling his vast pack, Gimli came over to me.
"Well, lad," he rumbled, "I hope you reach your homeland safely. We'll need something to come back to, you know." He almost winked at me, and I was reminded uncannily of Uncle Imrahil. I grinned and slapped his back-- lightly, dwarf mail is very hard-- and told him to watch out for the Orcs. He turned away, grim reality already replacing the grin. Legolas was next.
He stepped up to me silently. "Farewell, Boromir," he said sadly. "My heart misgives me, and I fear we shall not meet again." I couldn't think of anything to say, so I just bowed. He bowed in return and slipped off. No bravado from the Elf.
Frodo and Sam walked away to their own boat, and I realized I still had not apologized.
I brushed off Aragorn, who was trying to shoo the Fellowship away quickly and end the goodbyes, and walked down to the shore. It was easy enough to decide I needed to apologize to Frodo, but as I neared the boat, my nervousness and worry grew until I would rather have gotten an arrow through my other arm than face the Hobbit.
Frodo seemed to know what I was doing, even though he wasn't looking at me. Sam watched me through slitted eyes, fingers fidgeting near his sword, but Frodo laid a hand on his shoulder and he stilled. I got to within 5 feet of the boat and then just stood there, shifting uneasily.
"Boromir?" asked Frodo, still looking across the river. I stared at my boots. They really were interesting, you know; I wondered why the mud came up an inch higher on the right one than-- this was pointless. I took a deep breath, but when I spoke, the noble voice I had envisioned came out as a whisper.
"Forgive me, Frodo." I could find no words to express my sorrow, my regret, my shame. The Hobbit's head finally turned.
"I forgive you," he said quietly. "It calls to all of us. Not all of us can resist it." I nodded, my shame deepening. He turned back away, and I faced Sam.
"Can you forgive me, for threatening your master?" Sam looked blackly at me.
"I don't see as how I can do anything different, as Mr. Frodo thinks he can forgive you," Sam muttered. "I'll forgive you, but I'll not hide from you, I'm doubly glad it's Legolas and Gimli what are coming with us." I smiled wryly.
"You're absolutely right," I agreed miserably. "I'm glad I'm leaving too, before I... well, goodbye, Samwise. Take care of your master." Sam snorted, but he did reply. I didn't quite catch it, but it wasn't a curse, so that was something at least.
I felt a profound relief as I walked away from the Ringbearer. I also felt the Ring, but now it was like a pitiful voice crying for help, no longer the seductive power calling to every fiber in my being.
Legolas and Gimli split up their goods-- 4 Hobbits in a boat would have been an absolute disaster-- and called down Merry and Pippin. I dropped to one knee and looked at them carefully.
"Goodbye, you two," I said seriously, with a bit of a grin. "Take care of Frodo and don't let Sam get too worried. And watch after Legolas and Gimli too, they could use some more laughter." They grinned back, that peculiar Hobbit expression that told you they were going to be deliberately happy whatever the circumstances. On impulse, I hugged them at once.
"Goodbye, Boromir," Merry whispered. "We will never forget you saved us." Pippin just sniffed a little. Then Aragorn relented and gave them a better goodbye.
"Farewell, Shire-folk," he smiled down at them. "I have learned what strength there is in your kind, and you may succeed where the mighty would fail." I may have imagined the flicker of his eyes towards me, but I did not resent it, not yet. "Keep your loyalty to Frodo, and may the blessings of the Valar go with you and protect you in the Land of Shadow." Merry and Pippin bowed, and then it was time.
Aragorn stood watching the boats cut their way across the lake. I felt a profound sense of loss, watching the 6 people I had come to love and respect paddling away, into all-but-certain death. The simple act, crossing the river, held such poignancy for me in that moment-- I blinked hard, unwilling to let Aragorn see my tears. We stood there until they reached the far shore. I briefly considered blowing the Horn in farewell, but I recalled Elrond's admonition at the start of the Quest and decided not to announce their arrival.
As Legolas and then Gimli arrived at the far shore and began hiding the boats, Aragorn placed his hand over his heart and bowed slightly. "Namarië," he whispered, and turned away. I waited a moment longer, until their Lothlórien cloaks disappeared into the trees, then followed Aragorn.