AN: Short chapter, but I figured something is better than nothing. Stay with me, guys. I promise I'll try to get these chapters out faster!!
Chapter 41
Aragorn pushed himself up the rest of the hill, catching signs of Frodo's earlier tracks. He glanced back, seeing the hobbit disappearing into the forest.
" Fare thee well, mellon-nin, and may Varda's stars shine not on thy errand." He whispered, before a cry turned his head.
*The other hobbits…
Merry and Pippin's cries were discernable, as well as darker, harsher tones. Aragorn stiffened.
" Orcs."
He unsheathed his sword, just as a great horn resonated through the trees.
"The horn of Boromir. He is in need."
Aragorn paused.
*He does not deserve any help.
Aragorn took off at a sprint.
*No one deserves anything. We are here by grace alone. Who am I to snub a call of help?
Aragorn pushed towards the sounds, the clangs and clinks of battle growing louder with every pace. He tightened his grip around his sword and crashed through the trees that separated him from the battle.
" Elendil! Elendil!"
~*~
Aragorn searched the field for Boromir, following the man's obvious steps. He finally found him about a mile from the battle. Aragorn's face fell at the state of his brother-in-arms.
" Boromir?"
Boromir sat with his back to a great tree, as if resting; but as Aragorn drew closer, he saw the arrows piercing Boromir's body. His sword was broken to the hilt, but it was still clenched in his hand; and his horn was cloven in two. Aragorn stepped over the orcs piled about Boromir and then knelt beside him.
*Eru, Boromir… These wounds are mortal…
Boromir's eyes opened to tiny black slits in a face covered by grime. He opened his mouth, breaths coming hard and labored.
" I…I tried to take the Ring from Frodo." He said. "I am sorry. I have paid." His eyes turned quickly to the enemies at his feet and then closed his eyes again slightly. "They have gone, the Halflings. The orcs have taken them. I do not think they are dead though." Boromir paused, struggling to breathe.
Aragorn put a hand on Boromir's shoulder gently, assessing the wounds.
" Do not try to speak."
Boromir clasped Aragorn's arm wearily.
" Farewell, my friend. I have failed. Perhaps when you go to Minas Tirith, you can save my people."
"No!" Aragorn took his hand and kissed Boromir's brow. "You have conquered. You have regained your honor. I will not let the White City fall nor our people fail."
Boromir smiled.
" Which way did they go?" Asked Aragorn.
But Boromir did not speak again.
*Alas, thus passes the heir of Denethor. This is a bitter end, a bitter taste left in my mouth. The Company is in ruin. We are scattered. Vain was gandalf's trust; for I have failed, not Boromir.
" The dead expects me to go to Minas Tirith, yet I still have an oath to Frodo. What to do?"
*Where are you, Ada? Where are you when I need your help in this decision?
And Aragorn wept for the dead.
~*~
The sun had burnt crimson red upon its rising in Imladris. Elrond crossed his arms, surveying the weather.
*It has happened. First Gandalf fell; now another has fallen.
The vision filled his mind again. A man defeated, arrows in him, yet there was something different this time.
*That is not Aragorn. He does not fight like the Edain. Wait…that is a horn at his side…Boromir…
Elrond breathed in deeply, slowly taking in the beauty of the Bruin Valley. He turned, slow steps to Arwen's room.
~*~
Legolas came to Aragorn's side, softly speaking to the bereaved man and glancing suspiciously at Aragorn's bloody hands. Aragorn turned his head, slowly rising.
" Boromir is dead." He announced gravely, feeling as if he was locked in a nightmare he could not escape from. "I am unscathed." He glanced at Legolas as he said this. "I was not here with him. I was up on the hill whilst he defended the hobbits."
*Frodo…
" We must tend to the fallen." Legolas gently reminded. "We cannot leave him lying like carrion among these foul orcs."
" But we must be swift." Gimli intoned gruffly. "He would not wish us to linger. We must follow those orcs."
"But we do not know if Frodo is with them or not. We must find him first." Aragorn began.
" We will do first what we must." Legolas cut in.
Aragorn nodded with a small sigh.
*They will look for his coming from the White Tower, but he will not return from Mountain or Sea.
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