Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a month and a half, but I started
school, and wasn't expecting to be swamped w/homework. Well, here's the
next chapter of One Ring.
Now then, on with the story.
Chapter Ten *******
Usagi stirred from her position in front of Legolas. Wondering what had disturbed her sleep, she looked upward. Two huge pillars of stone carved in the shape of men loomed before her. Letting out a frightened squeak, Usagi nearly toppled out of the boat. Thankfully, Legolas caught her and pulled her close to him.
"Fear not." He whispered softly. "These are the guardians of Gondor. They are the Argonath. The one on the left is Isildur and on the right is his brother, Anarion. They guard the northern borders against any unwelcome foes. We are now in the land of Gondor."
Usagi nodded in understanding. 'So these are Aragorn's ancestors?'
As they slid by the feet of the statues, Usagi felt a warmth enter her heart. Little did she know, that in the boat ahead of her, Boromir was having the same thoughts.
*******
As the boats slid to a stop on the bank of the river, Legolas looked worriedly at Boromir. He was clutching the sides of his boat. Turning, he exchanged a look with Aragorn. Much to his surprise, when he turned around once more, Usagi was helping Boromir to stand. Murmuring quietly, Boromir nodded.
Standing on his own, he turned to grab his pack and shield. Looking to Aragorn and Legolas, he smiled wanly.
"We have now reached the point where our boats will be useless. Will you come with me to my city, or will you go over Emyn Muil? We must make haste and choose quickly. For I fear that time grows thin." Boromir sat down.
"I will follow Frodo wherever he chooses to go. If he chooses to go to the white city, then so be it." Aragorn stated resolutely.
"We'll go with Frodo, too!" Merry, Pippin, and Sam cried as one.
"It doesn't matter to me." Gimli grumbled, turning away. "Just pick a way."
"I think that we should go over Emyn Muil." Legolas spoke softly. "The Dark Lord would never expect us to go that way, and although it's a harder journey, it's safer from prying eyes."
All eyes turned to Usagi. Sighing, she stood. "My head tells me to go to Minas Tirith, yet, my heart tells me to follow Frodo. I shall go wherever he wishes to go, even if it is without some members of the Fellowship."
At this, Boromir looked slightly put out. "Frodo? What will you decide?"
Frodo sighed, "Give me an hour to think."
Aragorn nodded in understanding. "Just don't travel out of shouting distance."
********
Frodo sighed and continued his wanderings. Suddenly, a twig snapped. Whirling around, he felt little relief that Boromir was standing behind him. Turning to go, he was stopped by a hand on his arm.
"Frodo.why must we destroy this power?" Boromir spoke softly. "Why can't we learn to control its evils? Come with me to my city! My father is a very wise man who will know how to harness the powers of the ring!"
Frodo glared at Boromir. "And why would you want to use it? Elrond told me to never let you see it unless it was absolutely necessary. Why would I go against him?"
"Just give me the ring!" Boromir seethed. "I wish only for the power to protect my people!"
"The ring cannot give you that!" Frodo cried. "Now leave me! I-"
"FOOL!!!" Boromir tackled Frodo to the ground.
********
Usagi sat up with a cry. Looking frantically around, she noticed that Boromir and Frodo were gone. 'Boromir! You must calm your heart!'
"Usagi! Usagi!" Legolas was shaking her shoulders. "What is wrong?"
"B.Boromir-chan wa doko?" She asked weakly, slipping back into Japanese.
"Where is he?" Legolas muttered to himself. "And where's Frodo?"
"Boromir is with Frodo." Usagi stated distantly. "And he will be killed for his crimes."
"What?!" Legolas reeled back. "What do you mean? What crimes? Answer me, Usagi!"
"He's trying to take the ring. I can feel it. Something has taken his mind." Usagi whispered, tears beginning to fall. "He will be killed before the sun sets."
"We must find them both! Quickly!" Aragorn snapped. "Merry, Pippin, no! We need to protect you! This isn't working! We must stay together! Legolas, take Usagi. Sam, come with me. Gimli, go after Merry and Pippin!"
********
Boromir had tried to take the ring, and he'd failed. Frodo sat upon the seat of seeing, breathing quickly. 'Why? Why now? I wish the ring had never come to me.' Looking to the east, Frodo felt as though he was glued in place. A great shadow loomed up, and came towards him. Crying out, he hid in a corner of the seat. Realizing that he had the barest moment, he wrenched the ring off of his finger. The shadow just barely passed him by.
Steeling himself, he made his decision. 'I must go to Mordor alone. Not even Sam can come.' Turning, he sprinted down the path, placing the ring on his finger.
********
The cries of Orcs grew increasingly louder. Legolas dragged Usagi towards where the fighting was the most intense. Seeing an Orc sneaking up on Aragorn, he released her arm to fire and arrow. Looking up, Aragorn gave a quick nod of thanks before he was accosted once more.
"Usagi! You must try to find Frodo! We'll hold the Orcs off for as long as we can!" He cried, firing arrow after arrow. "Usagi?"
Turning, he noticed that Usagi had already begun to sprint away.
********
'I have to find him. It's my duty to protect him. Frodo, where are you?' She wondered, leaping over a large log. Unfortunately, she didn't notice the fifty Orcs running at her until it was almost too late. Shrieking, she dodged the vile blade, and drew her own.
"SOMEBODY HELP!!!!" Her cry went unanswered for nearly three minutes.
During this time, Usagi continued to dodge and block the blows as well as she could. Grunting in pain, she fell to her knee. A shadow loomed before her. Looking up, she saw the grinning face of one of the many Orcs. Lifting its sword, it began to swing the killing blow. Closing her eyes, Usagi waited for death to come. It never did.
Opening her eyes, she was relieved to see Boromir slaying one Orc after another. Growling, he advanced on the remaining Orcs. "No one, no one will ever touch her!!!"
The battle wasn't worth watching. Within twenty seconds, all of the remaining Orcs had either fled or been killed. Breathing heavily, Boromir turned to face her.
"Usa, are you all right?"
"Yes." Usagi nodded. "We need to find Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Sam quickly. Can you help me?"
Boromir nodded. "You're not leaving my sight unless I'm lying dead on the ground. Let's go."
********
They'd found Merry and Pippin. They'd also found about 200 Orcs. Blowing the horn of Gondor once more, Boromir continued to slay any Orcs that came too close. Suddenly, an arrow flew into his lower chest. Crying out, he fell to his knees. Usagi screamed and rushed towards him. Merry and Pippin held her back.
Looking at them, he gained the strength to turn and continue fighting the Orcs. Another arrow struck him, in his upper left chest. Hearing Usagi scream his name, he turned to smile sadly at her. A final arrow struck him, in his right chest. Falling to his knees, he allowed his head to fall forward in shame.
"I.I've failed." He whispered, looking up as Lurtz approached him.
Drawing his arrow, he prepared to fire. Suddenly, Usagi leapt between the arrow and Boromir. Standing protectively in front of him, Usagi glared through her tears.
"You will not kill him unless you kill me first." Her voice held a deadly calm.
Lurtz scowled, and backhanded her. As she fell to the ground, another Orc picked her up. Screaming, she struggled to break the Orc's hold. Before she could, the world went black.
********
Aragorn, having heard the scream, sprinted faster. Seeing Lurtz drawing his bow once more, he dove, and knocked the bow away. For several minutes, they engaged in mortal combat. With a great heave, Aragorn chopped Lurtz's arm off, and stabbed him in the stomach. Pulling his sword back, he chopped Lurtz's head off.
"Oh, no!" He murmured, seeing Boromir's dying form.
"They took the little ones." Boromir whispered, clutching Aragorn's shirt. "And they have Usagi. Frodo. Where is Frodo?"
"I let him go to Mordor." Aragorn whispered.
"Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the ring." Boromir stated, his face filling with shame.
"It is beyond our reach now." Aragorn stated, his hand moving to take one of the arrows out of Boromir's body.
"Leave it." Boromir's simple request stopped him. Nodding, he looked to Boromir. "I have failed."
"No, you have regained your honor. You fought bravely." Aragorn consoled him.
Boromir smiled. "Look after Usagi. I would have gone with you to the end, my brother, my captain.my king."
Boromir's eyes closed for the last time. Allowing his hidden tears to fall, Aragorn gently kissed his forehead. "Be at peace, son of Gondor."
At that moment, Legolas and Gimli ran up to him.
********
A funeral boat had been made ready, and the weapons of all that he'd slain were around him. Looking to the river, Aragorn and Legolas took turns singing to the wind in lament for Boromir.
Taking the boat into the middle of the river, they let it go. "May the river keep him safe."
Legolas nodded sadly. "What shall we do now?"
"It has all been in vain." Gimli muttered. "The quest, the fellowship."
Aragorn clasped his arm. "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Pippin, Merry, and Usagi to torment and death. We'll travel light. Let's hunt some Orc."
Gimli roared approvingly. Legolas smiled slightly. Getting ready to run, Legolas paused long enough to pick up Usagi's pack from Lady Galadriel.
********
Nearly five miles away, a now conscious Usagi was sobbing quietly. 'Why did he have to die? I didn't get to tell him.'
******** END!!!!
Sorry it took me so long to get out, but, school was killing me for a couple months. See you all later!!!
BTW, THANK YOU SO MUCH LI AND AZRA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now then, on with the story.
Chapter Ten *******
Usagi stirred from her position in front of Legolas. Wondering what had disturbed her sleep, she looked upward. Two huge pillars of stone carved in the shape of men loomed before her. Letting out a frightened squeak, Usagi nearly toppled out of the boat. Thankfully, Legolas caught her and pulled her close to him.
"Fear not." He whispered softly. "These are the guardians of Gondor. They are the Argonath. The one on the left is Isildur and on the right is his brother, Anarion. They guard the northern borders against any unwelcome foes. We are now in the land of Gondor."
Usagi nodded in understanding. 'So these are Aragorn's ancestors?'
As they slid by the feet of the statues, Usagi felt a warmth enter her heart. Little did she know, that in the boat ahead of her, Boromir was having the same thoughts.
*******
As the boats slid to a stop on the bank of the river, Legolas looked worriedly at Boromir. He was clutching the sides of his boat. Turning, he exchanged a look with Aragorn. Much to his surprise, when he turned around once more, Usagi was helping Boromir to stand. Murmuring quietly, Boromir nodded.
Standing on his own, he turned to grab his pack and shield. Looking to Aragorn and Legolas, he smiled wanly.
"We have now reached the point where our boats will be useless. Will you come with me to my city, or will you go over Emyn Muil? We must make haste and choose quickly. For I fear that time grows thin." Boromir sat down.
"I will follow Frodo wherever he chooses to go. If he chooses to go to the white city, then so be it." Aragorn stated resolutely.
"We'll go with Frodo, too!" Merry, Pippin, and Sam cried as one.
"It doesn't matter to me." Gimli grumbled, turning away. "Just pick a way."
"I think that we should go over Emyn Muil." Legolas spoke softly. "The Dark Lord would never expect us to go that way, and although it's a harder journey, it's safer from prying eyes."
All eyes turned to Usagi. Sighing, she stood. "My head tells me to go to Minas Tirith, yet, my heart tells me to follow Frodo. I shall go wherever he wishes to go, even if it is without some members of the Fellowship."
At this, Boromir looked slightly put out. "Frodo? What will you decide?"
Frodo sighed, "Give me an hour to think."
Aragorn nodded in understanding. "Just don't travel out of shouting distance."
********
Frodo sighed and continued his wanderings. Suddenly, a twig snapped. Whirling around, he felt little relief that Boromir was standing behind him. Turning to go, he was stopped by a hand on his arm.
"Frodo.why must we destroy this power?" Boromir spoke softly. "Why can't we learn to control its evils? Come with me to my city! My father is a very wise man who will know how to harness the powers of the ring!"
Frodo glared at Boromir. "And why would you want to use it? Elrond told me to never let you see it unless it was absolutely necessary. Why would I go against him?"
"Just give me the ring!" Boromir seethed. "I wish only for the power to protect my people!"
"The ring cannot give you that!" Frodo cried. "Now leave me! I-"
"FOOL!!!" Boromir tackled Frodo to the ground.
********
Usagi sat up with a cry. Looking frantically around, she noticed that Boromir and Frodo were gone. 'Boromir! You must calm your heart!'
"Usagi! Usagi!" Legolas was shaking her shoulders. "What is wrong?"
"B.Boromir-chan wa doko?" She asked weakly, slipping back into Japanese.
"Where is he?" Legolas muttered to himself. "And where's Frodo?"
"Boromir is with Frodo." Usagi stated distantly. "And he will be killed for his crimes."
"What?!" Legolas reeled back. "What do you mean? What crimes? Answer me, Usagi!"
"He's trying to take the ring. I can feel it. Something has taken his mind." Usagi whispered, tears beginning to fall. "He will be killed before the sun sets."
"We must find them both! Quickly!" Aragorn snapped. "Merry, Pippin, no! We need to protect you! This isn't working! We must stay together! Legolas, take Usagi. Sam, come with me. Gimli, go after Merry and Pippin!"
********
Boromir had tried to take the ring, and he'd failed. Frodo sat upon the seat of seeing, breathing quickly. 'Why? Why now? I wish the ring had never come to me.' Looking to the east, Frodo felt as though he was glued in place. A great shadow loomed up, and came towards him. Crying out, he hid in a corner of the seat. Realizing that he had the barest moment, he wrenched the ring off of his finger. The shadow just barely passed him by.
Steeling himself, he made his decision. 'I must go to Mordor alone. Not even Sam can come.' Turning, he sprinted down the path, placing the ring on his finger.
********
The cries of Orcs grew increasingly louder. Legolas dragged Usagi towards where the fighting was the most intense. Seeing an Orc sneaking up on Aragorn, he released her arm to fire and arrow. Looking up, Aragorn gave a quick nod of thanks before he was accosted once more.
"Usagi! You must try to find Frodo! We'll hold the Orcs off for as long as we can!" He cried, firing arrow after arrow. "Usagi?"
Turning, he noticed that Usagi had already begun to sprint away.
********
'I have to find him. It's my duty to protect him. Frodo, where are you?' She wondered, leaping over a large log. Unfortunately, she didn't notice the fifty Orcs running at her until it was almost too late. Shrieking, she dodged the vile blade, and drew her own.
"SOMEBODY HELP!!!!" Her cry went unanswered for nearly three minutes.
During this time, Usagi continued to dodge and block the blows as well as she could. Grunting in pain, she fell to her knee. A shadow loomed before her. Looking up, she saw the grinning face of one of the many Orcs. Lifting its sword, it began to swing the killing blow. Closing her eyes, Usagi waited for death to come. It never did.
Opening her eyes, she was relieved to see Boromir slaying one Orc after another. Growling, he advanced on the remaining Orcs. "No one, no one will ever touch her!!!"
The battle wasn't worth watching. Within twenty seconds, all of the remaining Orcs had either fled or been killed. Breathing heavily, Boromir turned to face her.
"Usa, are you all right?"
"Yes." Usagi nodded. "We need to find Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Sam quickly. Can you help me?"
Boromir nodded. "You're not leaving my sight unless I'm lying dead on the ground. Let's go."
********
They'd found Merry and Pippin. They'd also found about 200 Orcs. Blowing the horn of Gondor once more, Boromir continued to slay any Orcs that came too close. Suddenly, an arrow flew into his lower chest. Crying out, he fell to his knees. Usagi screamed and rushed towards him. Merry and Pippin held her back.
Looking at them, he gained the strength to turn and continue fighting the Orcs. Another arrow struck him, in his upper left chest. Hearing Usagi scream his name, he turned to smile sadly at her. A final arrow struck him, in his right chest. Falling to his knees, he allowed his head to fall forward in shame.
"I.I've failed." He whispered, looking up as Lurtz approached him.
Drawing his arrow, he prepared to fire. Suddenly, Usagi leapt between the arrow and Boromir. Standing protectively in front of him, Usagi glared through her tears.
"You will not kill him unless you kill me first." Her voice held a deadly calm.
Lurtz scowled, and backhanded her. As she fell to the ground, another Orc picked her up. Screaming, she struggled to break the Orc's hold. Before she could, the world went black.
********
Aragorn, having heard the scream, sprinted faster. Seeing Lurtz drawing his bow once more, he dove, and knocked the bow away. For several minutes, they engaged in mortal combat. With a great heave, Aragorn chopped Lurtz's arm off, and stabbed him in the stomach. Pulling his sword back, he chopped Lurtz's head off.
"Oh, no!" He murmured, seeing Boromir's dying form.
"They took the little ones." Boromir whispered, clutching Aragorn's shirt. "And they have Usagi. Frodo. Where is Frodo?"
"I let him go to Mordor." Aragorn whispered.
"Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the ring." Boromir stated, his face filling with shame.
"It is beyond our reach now." Aragorn stated, his hand moving to take one of the arrows out of Boromir's body.
"Leave it." Boromir's simple request stopped him. Nodding, he looked to Boromir. "I have failed."
"No, you have regained your honor. You fought bravely." Aragorn consoled him.
Boromir smiled. "Look after Usagi. I would have gone with you to the end, my brother, my captain.my king."
Boromir's eyes closed for the last time. Allowing his hidden tears to fall, Aragorn gently kissed his forehead. "Be at peace, son of Gondor."
At that moment, Legolas and Gimli ran up to him.
********
A funeral boat had been made ready, and the weapons of all that he'd slain were around him. Looking to the river, Aragorn and Legolas took turns singing to the wind in lament for Boromir.
Taking the boat into the middle of the river, they let it go. "May the river keep him safe."
Legolas nodded sadly. "What shall we do now?"
"It has all been in vain." Gimli muttered. "The quest, the fellowship."
Aragorn clasped his arm. "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Pippin, Merry, and Usagi to torment and death. We'll travel light. Let's hunt some Orc."
Gimli roared approvingly. Legolas smiled slightly. Getting ready to run, Legolas paused long enough to pick up Usagi's pack from Lady Galadriel.
********
Nearly five miles away, a now conscious Usagi was sobbing quietly. 'Why did he have to die? I didn't get to tell him.'
******** END!!!!
Sorry it took me so long to get out, but, school was killing me for a couple months. See you all later!!!
BTW, THANK YOU SO MUCH LI AND AZRA!!!!!!!!!!!!