Loving Allegra
Chapter Nine: The Breaking of the Fellowship
Down below the blue-lit trees, pillows and blankets had already been laid out for them. A tented pavilion had been set up as well, though there was only enough room for two or three under it. Allegra's nose had since stuffed up, and she felt a sore throat coming on.
"Oh, this is just grand," she said, her voice sounding a little nasally.
"What's the matter?" asked Merry.
"I'm getting sick," sighed Allegra.
"Well don't breathe on me. I don't want to be sick," said Merry.
"You're so very compassionate," said Allegra sarcastically.
"If you're sick, you should sleep," said Pippin.
"Yes, and that's what I plan to do," she said, laying down on two pillows and throwing a blanket over her. She fell into a restless slumber, full of odd dreams, as one often gets when under the weather. She woke up several times during the night, finding that her sore throat had worsened. To make matters worse, she had developed a hacking cough that seemed to rip through her sensitive throat. She tried her best to get back to sleep each time she woke up, but managed to get only five hours of sleep at the very most.
When she got up the next morning, she felt groggy, and there was a nasty taste in her mouth. She could barely get up before Pippin made her lay back down.
"Lay down! You look horrible," he said.
"Thanks, Pippin," Allegra grumbled, feeling slightly offended.
"I'll try to find something to make you feel better. Wait here," he said. Pippin felt that this was a good time to try to do something nice for her without messing things up. He knew he was already off to a bad start. Allegra watched him rush off in search of whatever it was he thought he was searching for. Everyone knew there was no cure for the common cold. Merry had woken up by that time, and grinned as he watched Pippin hurry away.
"What's the matter with you?" croaked Allegra, her voice horse.
"How long have you known?" he asked.
"What are you talking about?" asked Allegra, trying to play stupid.
"You know what I'm talking about," said Merry. "How long have you known how he feels about you?"
"I was afraid you'd ask me that," sighed Allegra. "I've known for sure since Rivendell, but I had an inkling when he started coming into the forge and visiting me," said Allegra then something stuck her. "Hey, how did you know?"
"Pippin's been absolutely head over heels for you since the day he figured out what love was, and I ought to know, we're practically brothers," said Merry in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
"And why didn't I know about this?" asked Allegra.
"Because you're blind in one eye and you can't see out of the other. It was pretty hard not to notice," said Merry. "I think probably everyone knew but you."
"What do you mean by everyone?" asked Allegra, a knot forming in her stomach.
"Me, Sam, Frodo, all of our parents, some of our relatives," said Merry, counting off on his fingers.
"This is a conspiracy! Why anyone tell me?" asked Allegra in total shock.
"Because," said Merry in a soft, sincere voice, "Pippin said he wanted to tell you himself."
"I can't believe that you, Meriadoc Brandybuck, could keep a secret for that long," said Allegra. "I can't believe that everyone in the Shire could either..."
"I expect everyone thought you knew. But anyway, Pippin's my friend. I'd do the same for you, you know," said Merry.
"Well, thanks," said Allegra. "I'm really glad nothing has changed between the three of us."
"So am I. To tell you the truth, I almost hoped he wouldn't tell you in fear of our friendship crumbling," said Merry with a sheepish smile. There was a pause that had just begun to get uncomfortable when Merry broke the silence. "So when are you two gettin' married?" Allegra laughed, though her laughter was distorted by her illness.
"Merry, I'm twenty-seven. I don't even know if they'll let you get married until you come of age," Allegra said.
"So how many kids are you going to have? Huh? Where are you going to live?" asked Merry. "A nice, cozy hole with a white picket fence?"
"Alright, shut up. I may be sick, but I could still punch you on the nose from here," she said. Merry grinned and put up is hands in submission. Pippin came running back just then.
"Here, chew on this!" he cried, quite out of breath.
"Chew on it? What is it?" asked Allegra taking the thick, green leaf from his hands.
"The Elves," he panted, putting his hands on his knees for support while he tried to catch his breath. "The Elves," he began again, but could not finish. Pippin had attracted a few stares, including Gimli's.
"Hold your hands above your head, lad," said Gimli. "It helps when you're out of breath." Pippin held his arms up and breathed deeply. "There you go."
"Thuh, thuh," panted Pippin. "Thanks."
"Now," said Allegra, "The Elves what?"
"The Elves gave that to me. They said it would make you better," said Pippin. "You have to chew on it for one minute. They said it might taste a little bitter." Allegra sighed and stuck the leaf in her mouth and chewed. Eye watering sourness exploded on her tongue. "You can't spit it out, or it won't work!" Pippin warned. Allegra whipped the tears that were pouring down her face. Her mouth and throat felt like they were burning. She counted the seconds until she got to sixty. She spit the mutilated leaf into her hands and flung it away.
"That was the most foul thing I think I've ever put in my mouth!" cried Allegra angrily. Pippin looked startled. She then realized that her sore through, cough, headache, and tiredness were completely gone. "But I feel as good as new," she said in amazement. She looked up at Pippin. "Amazing. Thank you." Pippin smiled triumphantly.
"So I was just asking Allegra before you came along when the wedding's going to be," Merry said in a nonchalant voice.
"Merry!" cried Pippin. Merry laughed and dodged Pippin's fist that was going to connect with his shoulder. "How about I tell everyone who you're in love with? How would that be?"
"No, don't!" cried Merry, turning pale.
"The door swings both ways, Merry," said Pippin evilly.
"Please, Pippin, don't!" said Merry.
"Oh, come on, Merry, we're all friends here," said Allegra. "Who's the lucky girl?"
"I'll tell you later," mumbled Merry. Allegra eyed him suspiciously. The Fellowship lingered in Lorien for only three days. During that time, they caught up on their sleep and tried their best to mend their broken hearts before leaving again. Gandalf never left Allegra's troubled dreams, and she found herself fighting constant urges to cry. She knew that Gandalf would never approve of her wasting tears over him. As the time neared when they would have to leave Lorien, Allegra could always hear his voice, and she always expected to see him come round a corner. Much to her disappointment, this never did happen.
The day was February the sixteenth. The Fellowship would be departing from Lorien in the afternoon. They restocked their bags with food and water, and were told that the Lady Galadriel desired their audience before they left. They were escorted to a sweeping green lawn that overlooked the Great River. Galadriel stood there, tall and beautiful with several handmaidens at her side. The Fellowship formed a line in front of her.
"Before you part," said the Lady, "I wish to give you all gifts that might help you on your journey, as is the custom of our people when parting with friends." One of the handmaidens came forward and held out a dagger in a sheath. "This is for you, Aragorn, son of Arathorn. The blade will never grow dull, even in defeat." He took the knife with a bow. "And this, for you, Legolas of Mirkwood," she said handing him a beautiful bow and quiver.
"I thank you, Lady Galadriel," he said with a bow. Galadriel smiled warmly at him. She then presented two identical small knives, each in their own sheaths, to Merry and Pippin.
"May these help you on your journey," she told them. Pippin looked at his nervously. "Worry not, young Peregrin. You have much growing up yet to do, and a hand to lend in the fate of the world." Pippin smiled weakly. Allegra was next and wondered what Galadriel could possibly give her. A sword, not a long knife, was handed to Galadriel by one of the handmaidens. "This I give to you, Allegra of the Shire. The blade is made of our strongest metal." Galadriel gave Allegra the sword. She unsheathed it and her jaw dropped. Never had she seen a more beautiful sword. The blade was silver with an inscription in ancient Elvish Allegra could not read. The blade was thin and slightly curved near the top. The blade sank right into a mahogany handle, which was meant to be held by one hand. It was decorated in gold vines and leaves. The whole sword was longer than her old Elven knife by a good half a foot, and much lighter. She could tell she would be able to wield it easily. Allegra was speechless.
"Lady Galadriel, I cannot except such a gift! I would be far too reluctant to stain it!" cried Allegra.
"Do not worry. The blade will never stain, and never grow dull. This I promise," she said with laughing eyes.
"Thank you very much!" cried Allegra, stooping into a low bow. She put the sword bank in the sheath.
"To you, Samwise Gamgee, little gardener and lover of trees, I give you this," said Galadriel, holding out to Sam a plain box of ash colored wood. "Inside is soil from my orchard. It may not help you on your journey, or sustain you during difficult times, but keep it until you are home. If you sprinkle but a little over the ground, your garden will be the most beautiful in the Shire," she said. Sam took the box and opened it.
"Thank you, Lady," he said, bowing.
"And for you, Boromir of Gondor, I give you this. A belt, made of the finest leather in Lorien," she said, presenting Boromir a beautiful belt of gold leather.
"Many thanks, Lady Galadriel," he said, bowing his head.
"Gimli, son of Gloin. I would not want you to be the only one who leaves with no gift. What is it that you desire?" she asked Gimli.
"Nothing, my Lady. I need no gift," said Gimli in his gruff voice.
"Surely there is something?" Galadriel persisted.
"Well...maybe, something. I er...well I just," Gimli mumbled for a while before he actually said what he wanted. "Lady, I would like nothing more than I hair from your golden head, so that I might remember your kindness and your fair face." The Elves murmured to each other, surprised at the Dwarf's request. Galadriel plucked out three of her golden hairs and laid them in Gimli's outstretched had. He bowed low.
"Let none say again that the Dwarves are grasping and ungracious!" she announced to her people. "It is said that the skill of the Dwarves is in their hands and not their tongues, yet that is not true of Gimli. For none have ever made a request so bold and yet so courteous." Gimli smiled, happy that he was on Lady Galadriel's good side. "And now for you, Frodo Baggins," she said holding out a clear phial. It glittered in the sun, and Allegra could not be sure whether the light was reflecting off the glass, or coming from within. "In this phial is caught the light of Earendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out." Frodo bowed. Before they left, they were each given a hooded cloak. Each was clasped with a leaf shaped brooch that was a brilliant green with silver veins. None of them could really tell what the color the cloaks were. As times they looked gray, and others they looked green. Sometimes they even looked like the leaves that littered the ground. Galadriel bade them a final farewell, and they loaded the Hobbits into the boats that Galadriel had provided for them with the bags and food. Merry and Pippin would be in one boat with Boromir, Frodo and Sam were with Aragorn, and Allegra was with Legolas and Gimli. Allegra was still marveling over the beauty of the sword.
"Now that's a gift!" cried Merry. "Are you going to name it? Most Elven swords have names."
"Maybe I'll name it Namárie," said Allegra with a smirk.
"What's that mean?" asked Pippin.
"Farewell," said Allegra.
"That's clever," said Merry.
"Then that's what I'll call it," said Allegra. With this sword I shall avenge the death of Gandalf, she thought to herself in a determined way, though it made her sad still to even think of Gandalf. When all the luggage was loaded into the boat, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli and Legolas took their seats in the boats. Allegra's boat was a little cramped, but she figured that it would be more so if Gimli were the same size as Legolas. Legolas took up the ore, whose paddle was shaped like a leaf, and pushed off from the bank of the Great River. Galadriel and Celeborn followed them for a short distance in a magnificent boat in the shape of a swan. They waved their final good-byes before the water began to pick up a small amount of speed. The three boats traveled on for nine days, stopping for regular meals and usually before it got dark to set up camp. Allegra was finally getting used to the hardness of sleeping on the ground, though she could never get used to the disturbances from such intruders as spiders and other insects, equally loathsome, that found their way under her blanket every night. During that time, a few things happened. The first was thing they noticed was Gollum; the creature that had been following them since Moria. He was seen a few times clinging to a log as he drifted down river after them. The other was a magnificent sight to behold on the ninth day. Two massive sculptures of kings that rose hundreds of feet into the air supported the sides of two cliffs that loomed above them. They held their great hands out as if to tell them to turn around and go back. Allegra, though awed by the great statues, felt that this was rather ominous. She decided not to dwell on such dark thoughts. The statues marked the entrance of the territory of Parth Galen. The river widened into a lake where the current was not as strong. Ahead was a great waterfall, which was separated in half by a massive rock in the middle of the base of it. The Fellowship rowed to shore and brought the boats onto the riverbank a little so the light current would not sweep them away. They made a fire and settled into the campsite, awaiting their next order of business from Aragorn.
"We cross the lake at nightfall," said Aragorn. "We will hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north."
"Oh yes?" returned Gimli. "Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil, an impassible labyrinth of razor sharp rocks. And after that, it gets even better!" said Gimli in his sarcastic way. Pippin looked up at him with a half-surprised half-frightened look upon his face. Allegra could not help but laugh at their misfortune, though she herself did not understand why. "Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!" Gimli finished.
"That is our road," said Aragorn. "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."
"Recover my...uggh!" grumbled Gimli, who seemed offended that Aragorn would suggest such a thing.
"We should leave now," said Legolas, obviously feeling uneasy about lingering in one place for too long.
"No. Orcs patrol the Eastern Shore. We must wait for the cover of darkness," said Aragorn.
"It is not the Eastern Shore that worries me," said Legolas. "A shadow and a threat have been growing in my mind. Something draws near. I can feel it." Gimli was still grumbling about Aragorn's remark when Merry looked up.
"Where's Frodo?" he asked. Everyone looked around, but Frodo was gone. So was Boromir.
"Stay here. I will go and look for him. Legolas, be watchful. I fear something has gone terribly awry," said Aragorn, getting up from his seat and walking at a quick pace into the forest. A knot was beginning to form in Allegra's stomach. She felt exposed and unsafe. Aragorn was right. Something was not well. She wanted to draw her sword, but felt that it would be out of place to do so. Pippin caught her eye and they exchanged worried glances. Not five minutes afterwards, Legolas turned towards the forest.
"Urûk Hai! Come, the others may need help!" he cried, dashing off into the forest. The others followed him, Gimli and Allegra closest to the front. As they neared the ruins of some ancient structure, they saw Aragorn fighting off a large number of Urûk Hai by himself. Allegra drew Namárie and charged at the huge Orcs. She slew many, and like Galadriel said, the blade did not stain with the Orc's black blood. Legolas was a master with his new bow. His marksmanship was impeccable; he never missed a shot. Gimli fought with a little less grace, hacking off limbs and hewing heads when he got the chance. Allegra got the chance to look around for Merry, Pippin, and Sam, but they were nowhere to be seen. Allegra became very scared. This was one of the first times in her life when she had absolutely no idea of where they might be. Back home, she knew all the places where each of them could be. From there to Bree they were always with her. From Bree to Rivendell, she knew where they were. Now she couldn't even stop to look for them. If she turned her back, she would be killed. During the time that she hesitated to look around for her friends, an Orc took advantage of her carelessness and swung at her with his scimitar. Allegra was able to see him and dodge mostly out of the way, but she was no quick enough. The blade broke the skin on her shoulder, sending blood down her arm and sleeve. He swung at her again, and she dodged completely. She charged him angrily, piercing his stomach through his armor, killing him instantly. There was a break in which a new wave of Urûk Hai had not charged them yet. A horn blast could be heard over the pounding of Orc feet on the earth.
"The horn of Gondor!" cried Legolas. Boromir, thought Allegra, the knot in her stomach tightening painfully.
"Boromir!" cried Aragorn, speaking Allegra's thoughts. He ran off, following the Horn of Gondor. The fresh Orcs had come to them now, not nearly as large in number as the last. Legolas, Gimli, and Allegra fought them off, but did not get a chance to follow Aragorn's path. The cut on Allegra's arm burned horribly, but she fought them down to the last Orc. More came, but not before Allegra could follow in Aragorn's direction. She was afraid for Boromir and the rest of her friends. She dashed down into the more densely wooded area, where she found the ground littered with the bodies of Urûk Hai. Allegra looked around for Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, but she still could not see them. She found Aragorn, sitting on the ground with Boromir. Allegra was shocked to see three thick arrows protruding from his chest. Tears welled up in her eyes. She ran to him.
"They took the little ones!" cried Boromir, obviously in serious pain. He tried to get up, but Aragorn gently kept him down.
"Stay still," Aragorn warned him.
"Frodo...where is Frodo?" demanded Boromir, worried that Frodo was taken as well.
"I let Frodo go," replied Aragorn. Allegra looked at Aragorn with fearful eyes, which were glossy with tears.
"Then you did what I could not," said Boromir." I tried to take the Ring from him."
"The Ring is beyond our reach now," said Aragorn.
"Forgive me," said Boromir. "I did not see. I have failed you all."
"No, Boromir, don't say that!" cried Allegra, the tears now spilling down her cheeks. Boromir smiled and lifted a hand to touch her cheek affectionately.
"Allegra...you have become a great swordsman in an amount of time that no one I have known could have. You must save Merry and Pippin," he said. "Save them, for I could not. I have failed you most of all." He said to her. Allegra shook her head and held his hand against her cheek.
"No, Boromir. You fought bravely. You have kept your honor," said Aragorn. He reached for one of the arrows in Boromir's chest.
"Leave it," said Boromir. "It is over. The world of men will fall and all will come to darkness, and my city to ruin."
"I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you, I will not let the white city fall. Nor our people fail," promised Aragorn.
"Our people," said Boromir, happily. "Our people." Aragorn handed Boromir his sword. He took it and pressed it against his breast with a faint, shaky smile. "I would have followed you my brother...my captain," he said. "My King." Allegra shook with sadness, tears flowing freely down her face as Boromir's hand that had been at her cheek went slack, the muscles dead. Allegra took his hand and guided it to the forest floor. Her tears fell onto his palm, which Aragorn placed on top of his other hand that held his sword.
"Be at peace, son of Gondor," said Aragorn. He kissed Boromir's forehead before Legolas and Gimli approached the scene. Legolas came over to help Aragorn carry Boromir to the boats. They carefully removed the arrows and placed him with his shield and belongings into the boat. Allegra found a white flower growing by the riverbank. She plucked it and set it on his chest above his hands that gripped his sword valiantly even in death. She wiped the tears away and watched as Legolas and Aragorn pushed the funeral boat out into the water. Gimli patted Allegra on the shoulder for comfort as they watched Boromir approach the edge of the waterfall. A fresh wave of tears doused Allegra's cheeks as the boat fell out of sight. Legolas began to push one of the boats out into the water.
"Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the Eastern Shore!" said Legolas. Allegra looked up and saw the last of Frodo and Sam hurrying up the opposite bank. She wanted to call out to them, but she knew that Frodo would not come back, even for her. He wanted to face this journey alone from the beginning. It was a bother to him that Sam, one of his most loyal friends, was appointed to accompany him. Allegra was not as surprised as she thought that she should be that he was escaping to Mordor with Sam and no one else. Aragorn did not move from his spot. Legolas looked back at him.
"You mean not to follow them...," he said.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands," said Aragorn.
"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed," said Gimli.
"Not if we still hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we still have strength left," said Aragorn.
"I would rather die than to see my two very best friends be ripped to pieces by Orcs!" said Allegra angrily. Aragorn smiled at her determinedness.
"Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light," he said. Allegra took her lambas bread and her canteen of water and shoved them into her pockets and belt. She tied her blanket to her back and left the pack that Merry had given her on the ground.
"Let us hunt some Orc!" said Aragorn. Gimli's face lit up.
"Yes!" he cried as if that was what he really wanted to hear that whole time. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Allegra ran off in pursuit of the Urûk Hai that had stolen Merry and Pippin from them. I will travel to the ends of Middle Earth if I must. I promise I'll find you, Merry and Pippin, Allegra thought as a new strength exploded inside her, supplying her with speed and endurance. She could not lose her two best friends since birth to Orcs. She would not let that happen. Ever.