Here I am again. I have to say that I've been overwhelmed by all the
wonderful reviews, though I'd like to make a general announcement before I
start the separate thank you's. The herbs Galadriel gave Rita won't be
mentioned again until the end of this fic. So for those who have been
asking me what they will do, I'm sorry you'll just have to wait.
Aurumlupi: Thanks for reviewing again, glad you liked
Dani: Sorry to disappoint you but the healing liquid won't be used for Boromir, as it is a liquid that heals infections and not fatal wounds to ones lungs.
HoshikoIzumi: Hope you finish reading soon and like next chapters.
Audrey: Thanks for saying this is not crap, I might start to believe you
Punkpunk: Waiting for your longer review ;) happy you enjoyed
Meggers: I'm so sorry for making you cry again, I didn't mean to I swear!!!! Can you forgive me?
Arwen-evenstar: I love writing my story (big imagination) so that makes it easy to update soon. Also it gives me something to think about during boring classes.
Roxanne Harvard: Thanks for your long review, I love those. Je Nederlands is goed! *lol* Also I want to thank you for offering your services as a Beta-reader but I think I have to decline. Don't get me wrong I am very honored you offered, but I have to do this on my own, catch my drift? I'm so happy you like my fic and hope you continue reading it, even if I offended you (which I hope I did not) I also started to realize that the Haldir flirtation thing is a little, well weak. But I promise I will explain that in one of the following chapters. Thanks for pointing out my mistakes, cause while typing I sometimes forget them. Me rivaling Tolkien???? Never been told that before and I seriously doubt it though I love the compliment. Look at this, it's such a long note to you, but then again you wrote me a long review.
Sugar-is-sweet: One of my best chapters, you really think so? Thanks for reviewing and your compliments. I try to let Rita's character grow throughout the fic and am very happy you noticed this.
THEwriter Lioncub: Thanks for your review Kelsie, I loved all the smiles!
Asarielle: This update soon enough?
Mysterious Jedi: You think what Elladan and Rita did was immoral? *raises eyebrow* I understand from your bio you're 13 and religious, and though I respect you belief, I am not planning to change any of it. You see in my eyes, the fact that Rita let Elladan make love to her states that she trusts him completely. Also it shows that her wall that is supposed to repel all pain, is crumbling and she is starting to let go of the pain inside her. Hope you continue reading this fic and you will respect my decision to keep this part in the same way I respect your beliefs.
Akima: New chapter up, was it fast enough?????
Spunky-hyper-girl: Jen, I wrote you that email you requested and said all I had to say. But I would've felt bad to leave you out in my notes so thank you again.
Cassie-bear01: Addicted huh? Never thought it would have that effect. She's still in love with Elladan so don't worry only with all the angst lately it is har to put in mushy thoughts.
DISCLAIMER: I think you get it now don't you? It gets annoying to repeat myself over and over again.
Rita had her eyes closed as she listened to the sound of the paddle in the water. Pippin was curled against her asleep and content. She had covered him with his cloak as good as she could.
She herself was leaning into Boromir as he was keeping the boat moving and she could feel his muscles tense every time he did so.
When Boromir prodded her in the side she opened her eyes lazily to see what he wanted, only to see him point upwards. She heard Aragorn's voice as he told Frodo.
"Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."
She shook Pippin awake and soon the entire Fellowship looked up in awe at the towering splendor of the Argonath. They were two majestic statues, carved right out of the rock, proudly stand on each side of the Anduin. Their left arms are held aloft, their palms facing outwards in gesture of warning.
Rita could see Boromir's eyes lit up as they past the two statues and saw the look of respect he shot at Aragorn. *Things have changed* she thought idly *He is no longer angry or jealous of Aragorn and has accepted him as his friend and leader.*
When the rapids became too strong to continue to paddle, they headed for the shore. Aragorn told them all to rest and Rita was very happy about that.
What concerned her was the inner turmoil of Boromir, it was so evident especially to her. In Lothlorien he had confessed to her in one of their conversations, that he could feel the power of the ring. It was trying to seduce him, sending him images that told him to use it to free his land from all evil.
Though he knew it was a trick, he found it harder to resist the ring and Rita felt helpless as she watched him battle against his unseen enemy.
She could feel the power of the ring as well, but chose to ignore it to the best she could. There was nothing the ring could give her, especially not her sister as it had showed her.
You see, the ring had tried to make her believe that if she were to use the ring, she would be able to revive Carol from death and they would live happily ever after. She cursed the evil ring as it tried to seduce her.
As she walked back and forth for a little while to get rid of the cramp in her legs she could hear Legolas telling Aragorn that he felt they should leave. Aragorn told him that he knew danger was near but that they would have to wait for the cover of darkness.
She decided to leave those two and sat next to Pippin who was listening in horror as Gimli told him of the road that lay ahead of them.
"It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands far as the eye can see!"
Aragorn soon interrupted this by saying that the dwarf better recover his strength. Rita chuckled silently as Gimli started to protest, saying he did not have to recover his strength, he told Pippin to pay no head to the man's words.
Suddenly Merry made a comment that made all of their hearts skip a beat. "Where is Frodo?"
Rita's head snapped up and Sam, who had been dozing off, was awake immediately. She heard Aragorn take a sharp breath and she followed his gaze and saw Boromir's shield against his tree.
*Oh no* she thought *Please God anything but that. Let there be a good explanation for his disappearance, don't let him try to take the rind.*
Then everybody scattered, running of to search for the hobbit. Rita was too slow to catch up with the hobbits or Aragorn, so she stuck with Legolas and Gimli.
The three ran together in silence but all were worried about what would happen. Out of nowhere a group of orcs appeared only they seemed to be larger somehow.
Rita drew her sword as Gimli and Legolas got ready for battle as well. As she sliced any orc that came near her, her mind was empty. All she could think about was the battle and how Boromir was missing. Suddenly a thought popped into her head. *I hope the hobbits are safe*
She feared for them because they were so small and nowhere near ready to battle against these new orcs. They weren't only larger but also stronger than the orcs they had encountered before. Then they could hear a cry from Aragorn.
"ELENDIL!!!!"
This seemed to make Legolas fight even harder and the three warriors made their way to where the sound had come from.
Aragorn was outnumbered and though he was fighting courageously, Rita saw that there were too many, even for him.
The four now fought together, saving each other's lives many times. Once Rita heard a thump behind her and when she turned she saw the body of an orc that had an arrow sticking through his head. She mentally noted that she had to thank Legolas for that.
Fear gripped her heart when she heard the sound of a horn, the horn of Gondor to be specific. Boromir had told her that the horn would only be blown in times of peril or joy after a successful battle.
Since she doubted that he had finished his share of orcs it only left one option: he was in trouble. She started to run after Aragorn slashing any orc that came near the future king.
Rita cursed Aragorn. He wasn't paying that much attention to his surroundings and only focussed on getting to Boromir. This made him a easier target, though he was still very lethal for those orcs that stood between him and his goal.
She was slowed down when she was attacked by a group of nearly twenty orcs and was thankful for the fact that Gimli and Legolas were still at her side.
After they had disposed of the orcs they started to run again and searched for any sign of Aragorn or Boromir. Legolas turned his head to the right and started to run again. For Gimli and Rita their was no other choice than to follow him.
What she saw next made Rita gasp. Boromir was sitting against a tree while three arrows were sticking out of chest. She could see a line of blood running from his mouth and realized in horror that the arrow in his chest must have hit one of his lungs. He was speaking to Aragorn. Gimli and Legolas hung back but Rita neared the two men. She caught Boromir's words to Aragorn.
"I would have followed you my brother, my captain, my king!" then he noticed Rita and motioned for her to come closer. She had tears in her eyes as he caressed her cheek, his eyes dulled with pain and sorrow.
"I have to ask you something Rita. In my pack is a letter for Faramir, will you please hand it to him once you meet him?" She nodded because she didn't trust her voice.
"You will? I am glad. I want you to have something." Rita's eyes grew large as he placed the horn of Gondor in her hands and she wanted to protest but he silenced her with a look.
"Take it."
"No Boromir, I can't. It's yours and if you don't want to keep it you should give it to your brother."
"I choose to give it to you" he said "You are my sister both in bond and blood. You will carry the name I have chosen for you and live until the end of your time."
A tear slid down his face. "I am sorry I won't be there to see you grow old and even more beautiful than you are now. Always know that I will be watching over you, you will never be alone." His eyes turned glassy and Rita knew he was dead.
She felt like somebody ripped her heart out and replaced it with a chunk of ice. She watched as Aragorn closed Boromir's eyes and kissed his brow.
Legolas saw that she was going into shock again and pulled her towards him, making her look into his eyes. He started when he saw the raw pain and agony in them and whispered a few words to her.
Rita noticed that she was slipping in a daze again and forced her body and mind to collect itself. She pulled out of his embrace and nodded at Legolas to let him know she was ok. Strangely the tears that had been gathering had disappeared and Rita only felt empty.
Another member of her family had passed away. This time her brother, her big brother who had taught her so much and tried to protect her against all things evil.
She watched as Aragorn and the others started to prepare his body for a funeral, though it would be no normal burial. He would be put in a boat and the boat would crash down the waterfall. It seemed very appropriate to Rita; she loved water and Boromir both and now that two would be forever linked.
When she saw his backpack she remembered her promise and started to go through his things, trying to find the letter he had spoken of. When she couldn't find it she just turned it upside down and all his stuff tumbled on the ground.
She found the letter he had spoken about and put it in her own bag, placing it at the bottom so it wouldn't crumple up. She then reached out and grabbed one of his shirts, remembering the times he had worn it and the fun they had during sword practice.
Stuffing his shirt in her bag as well, she started to place his things back and walked over to the others with it. She placed the bag next to his shield and kissed his forehead before she went to stand with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, who were singing a soft lament.
Standing close to Aragorn, she watched as the boat was floating on the water and eventually tipped over the edge of the waterfall.
Legolas tried to speed them up while pushing one of the boats in the water. "Hurry, Frodo and Sam have already reached the eastern shore." When he examined Aragorn's face he added "You mean not to follow them."
"Frodo's fate is not in our hands anymore. He now has his own path."
Gimli sighed and looked at the ground as he said what all four were thinking. "Then it has all been in vain! The Fellowship has failed."
Aragorn put his hands on their shoulders. "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let's hunt some orc!"
Rita's heart thumped as she suddenly remembered the fate of her friends. Aragorn was right, they would not leave them behind, she felt a smile starting to form on her face and saw that the others were smiling as well.
When Aragorn pointed out that traveling light meant that she would leave her pack behind she refused. "Aragorn I don't hold on to possessions but in this small pack is everything I hold dear. I cannot and will not leave these things behind." While she was saying this she was placing the horn of Gondor in her belt.
"It will burden you while we hunt."
"I'll deal." She stated and Aragorn gave up as he saw that she would not relent. He strapped a dagger on his side and started to run. The others were following closely behind.
Rita felt giddy as a thought ran through her head. *Watch out orcs, the four hunters are on the move*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They had been running until nightfall when an important decision was made. Aragorn decided that though it would give the orcs the chance to put more distance between the, he was unable to track in the dark.
Gimli just dropped to the ground and fell asleep almost instantly, he was one tired dwarf. Legolas sat against a rock and rested as well.
Rita watched Aragorn as he made a small fire and it was as if he had felt her gaze because he turned his head towards her. He held out his arms to her and she just let herself fall into them, not caring about shame or dignity.
They sat like that for awhile until Aragorn broke the silence. "Are you alright?" as if he knew how stupid that sounded he quickly added another question. "I mean, are you able to keep up with this pace? I know you haven't traveled much on foot."
"I'm tired but I'll live."
"Then why don't you rest while you can?" His heart nearly broke as she looked at him, eyes full of pain and fear.
"I'm afraid to. I don't want to have nightmares. Every time I close my eyes I see his body and I hear his words and I. . . " her voice broke and she was unable to continue.
"I have wondered about his words, will you tell me what he meant by you going by the name he had given you?"
Rita couldn't help but smile sadly at the fond memory. "He told me I was like a sister to him and he gave me a new name, free of my past. He called me Rita of Gondor, sister of Boromir."
She traced the scar on her left palm as she continued. "We sealed this vow by a blood oath." Then she broke down and started to sob silently into his chest.
"Why?" she asked him. "Why did he have to die, it isn't fair. First Gandalf and now Boromir, and what about the hobbits, what if they are dead too?"
Aragorn did not know what to say yet so he just held her close as he organized his thoughts. When her sobs began to quiet down he brushed the tears out of her face.
"I do not know what the Valar have planned for us but I do know everything happens with a good reason. We must keep faith and hope all will be well in the future."
Rita nodded and felt sleep taking over but tried to fight it. she gave up however when Aragorn brushed her hair with his hands and told her to rest.
"I will chase all bad dreams away." He promised and Rita knew he would.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nightmares didn't visit her that night and Rita felt a weight fall of her shoulders as they were running again. For the next three days on end they ran, surviving only on lembas and a few short stops during the night.
The orcs were fast but they were able to keep up. Legolas had become cheerier as they reached a grassy area. The air smelled fresh and the sent of herbs would prickle ones nose if one were to breath deep.
This gave Legolas the inspiration again to joke with Gimli and Rita had to giggle every time the two were bantering, comments being thrown back and forth.
What she didn't know was that they had noticed this and sometimes bantered just for the sole purpose to make her smile.
The four grew even closer than they already were and knew what the others were thinking by just looking at them
Aragorn had a hard time while he was leading and Rita noticed that he a very low self-esteem about his leading capabilities. What the future king didn't see was that he already was a leader and a good one at that.
Suddenly Legolas shouted, saying that riders were approaching. Aragorn told him it was ok as it probably were the riders of Rohan, coming back from a hunt and he also suggested that they might have had news.
Their cloaks hid them from the view of the riders and they rode past them until Aragorn shouted out loud. "What news do you have from the north Riders of Rohan?" Immediately the rides reacted by surrounding them while spears were pointed at them.
Rita had her hand on the hilt of her sword and made sure the horn of Gondor was out of sight when she noticed with slight dismay that Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli had placed themselves in a protecting circle around her.
She watched as Aragorn and the leader talked and grimaced when Gimli jumped forwards when the man demanded their names.
"Give me your name horse-master and I will give you mine and more besides."
The leader scoffed at this and commented that as the stranger he should tell his name first. Yet he told them his name was Éomer son of Éomund and Third Marshall of the Riddermark.
Rita softly groaned as Gimli provoked the man which lead to Legolas defending his friend, and that lead to the fact that the spears were pointed at them even closer.
*Of all the times Gimli has to act stupid, he chose today and this moment. Ugh, men are such idiots. Look at Legolas pointing his bow, does he really think he can take them all?*
Luckily Aragorn was able to calm the situation and Rita observed the men around her when Aragorn suddenly threw back his cloak and pronounced his title. She watched with amazement when he seemed to grow even taller as he did this, his royal bloodline now evident to all.
Éomer was shocked and accepted this and told them they could get horses without protest. He then turned and pointed at Rita and she could feel her stomach turning.
"What is this?" Éomer said "A woman chasing orcs. I will not let her continue with you. Women should be kept out of battle."
Rita grew red with anger but Aragorn answered before she was able to open her mouth.
"This is no mere woman" he said "She has been traveling with us for months and has proven herself to be a worthy warrior against every attack against us."
The marshal shook his head. "Nevertheless I cannot allow a woman to continue on an orc-hunt. Let her come with us to Edoras where she will be safe."
Legolas stepped forward. "She will remain with us, you will be taking her nowhere."
"Then I take back the offer of the horses. Let the woman come with us or keep walking towards your destination."
At this Rita leaped forwards while her eyes were burning with fury. "I will not go with you anywhere you chauvinistic pig. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I am weak or helpless. If you want me to go with you, you'll have to get me first." She grabbed her sword from her sheath and stood ready for any attack.
Éomer was baffled for a minute, no woman had ever spoken to him like that. Again Aragorn calmed the situation.
"She is right, she will not go anywhere with you. Yet I plead with you to grant us the horses you promised for time is short and darkness is covering the lands."
The marshal thought before giving in. "With great protest I shall do as you ask Lord Aragorn though I do not agree."
He then motioned to his riders and two horses were placed before them "These are Hafusel and Arod, I hope they will serve you well on your journey."
Legolas and Gimli mounted Arod as Aragorn helped her on Hafusel. She sat behind him as they rode of to the woods, the woods where the hobbits supposedly died.
A/N: I'm keeping the story fast now and I hope you like it. I realized that the story would be very long if I quoted all parts I think are important. Besides this is fanfiction right? That means it is my view of the story, anyway review please, it makes me feel all good inside.
Aurumlupi: Thanks for reviewing again, glad you liked
Dani: Sorry to disappoint you but the healing liquid won't be used for Boromir, as it is a liquid that heals infections and not fatal wounds to ones lungs.
HoshikoIzumi: Hope you finish reading soon and like next chapters.
Audrey: Thanks for saying this is not crap, I might start to believe you
Punkpunk: Waiting for your longer review ;) happy you enjoyed
Meggers: I'm so sorry for making you cry again, I didn't mean to I swear!!!! Can you forgive me?
Arwen-evenstar: I love writing my story (big imagination) so that makes it easy to update soon. Also it gives me something to think about during boring classes.
Roxanne Harvard: Thanks for your long review, I love those. Je Nederlands is goed! *lol* Also I want to thank you for offering your services as a Beta-reader but I think I have to decline. Don't get me wrong I am very honored you offered, but I have to do this on my own, catch my drift? I'm so happy you like my fic and hope you continue reading it, even if I offended you (which I hope I did not) I also started to realize that the Haldir flirtation thing is a little, well weak. But I promise I will explain that in one of the following chapters. Thanks for pointing out my mistakes, cause while typing I sometimes forget them. Me rivaling Tolkien???? Never been told that before and I seriously doubt it though I love the compliment. Look at this, it's such a long note to you, but then again you wrote me a long review.
Sugar-is-sweet: One of my best chapters, you really think so? Thanks for reviewing and your compliments. I try to let Rita's character grow throughout the fic and am very happy you noticed this.
THEwriter Lioncub: Thanks for your review Kelsie, I loved all the smiles!
Asarielle: This update soon enough?
Mysterious Jedi: You think what Elladan and Rita did was immoral? *raises eyebrow* I understand from your bio you're 13 and religious, and though I respect you belief, I am not planning to change any of it. You see in my eyes, the fact that Rita let Elladan make love to her states that she trusts him completely. Also it shows that her wall that is supposed to repel all pain, is crumbling and she is starting to let go of the pain inside her. Hope you continue reading this fic and you will respect my decision to keep this part in the same way I respect your beliefs.
Akima: New chapter up, was it fast enough?????
Spunky-hyper-girl: Jen, I wrote you that email you requested and said all I had to say. But I would've felt bad to leave you out in my notes so thank you again.
Cassie-bear01: Addicted huh? Never thought it would have that effect. She's still in love with Elladan so don't worry only with all the angst lately it is har to put in mushy thoughts.
DISCLAIMER: I think you get it now don't you? It gets annoying to repeat myself over and over again.
Rita had her eyes closed as she listened to the sound of the paddle in the water. Pippin was curled against her asleep and content. She had covered him with his cloak as good as she could.
She herself was leaning into Boromir as he was keeping the boat moving and she could feel his muscles tense every time he did so.
When Boromir prodded her in the side she opened her eyes lazily to see what he wanted, only to see him point upwards. She heard Aragorn's voice as he told Frodo.
"Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."
She shook Pippin awake and soon the entire Fellowship looked up in awe at the towering splendor of the Argonath. They were two majestic statues, carved right out of the rock, proudly stand on each side of the Anduin. Their left arms are held aloft, their palms facing outwards in gesture of warning.
Rita could see Boromir's eyes lit up as they past the two statues and saw the look of respect he shot at Aragorn. *Things have changed* she thought idly *He is no longer angry or jealous of Aragorn and has accepted him as his friend and leader.*
When the rapids became too strong to continue to paddle, they headed for the shore. Aragorn told them all to rest and Rita was very happy about that.
What concerned her was the inner turmoil of Boromir, it was so evident especially to her. In Lothlorien he had confessed to her in one of their conversations, that he could feel the power of the ring. It was trying to seduce him, sending him images that told him to use it to free his land from all evil.
Though he knew it was a trick, he found it harder to resist the ring and Rita felt helpless as she watched him battle against his unseen enemy.
She could feel the power of the ring as well, but chose to ignore it to the best she could. There was nothing the ring could give her, especially not her sister as it had showed her.
You see, the ring had tried to make her believe that if she were to use the ring, she would be able to revive Carol from death and they would live happily ever after. She cursed the evil ring as it tried to seduce her.
As she walked back and forth for a little while to get rid of the cramp in her legs she could hear Legolas telling Aragorn that he felt they should leave. Aragorn told him that he knew danger was near but that they would have to wait for the cover of darkness.
She decided to leave those two and sat next to Pippin who was listening in horror as Gimli told him of the road that lay ahead of them.
"It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands far as the eye can see!"
Aragorn soon interrupted this by saying that the dwarf better recover his strength. Rita chuckled silently as Gimli started to protest, saying he did not have to recover his strength, he told Pippin to pay no head to the man's words.
Suddenly Merry made a comment that made all of their hearts skip a beat. "Where is Frodo?"
Rita's head snapped up and Sam, who had been dozing off, was awake immediately. She heard Aragorn take a sharp breath and she followed his gaze and saw Boromir's shield against his tree.
*Oh no* she thought *Please God anything but that. Let there be a good explanation for his disappearance, don't let him try to take the rind.*
Then everybody scattered, running of to search for the hobbit. Rita was too slow to catch up with the hobbits or Aragorn, so she stuck with Legolas and Gimli.
The three ran together in silence but all were worried about what would happen. Out of nowhere a group of orcs appeared only they seemed to be larger somehow.
Rita drew her sword as Gimli and Legolas got ready for battle as well. As she sliced any orc that came near her, her mind was empty. All she could think about was the battle and how Boromir was missing. Suddenly a thought popped into her head. *I hope the hobbits are safe*
She feared for them because they were so small and nowhere near ready to battle against these new orcs. They weren't only larger but also stronger than the orcs they had encountered before. Then they could hear a cry from Aragorn.
"ELENDIL!!!!"
This seemed to make Legolas fight even harder and the three warriors made their way to where the sound had come from.
Aragorn was outnumbered and though he was fighting courageously, Rita saw that there were too many, even for him.
The four now fought together, saving each other's lives many times. Once Rita heard a thump behind her and when she turned she saw the body of an orc that had an arrow sticking through his head. She mentally noted that she had to thank Legolas for that.
Fear gripped her heart when she heard the sound of a horn, the horn of Gondor to be specific. Boromir had told her that the horn would only be blown in times of peril or joy after a successful battle.
Since she doubted that he had finished his share of orcs it only left one option: he was in trouble. She started to run after Aragorn slashing any orc that came near the future king.
Rita cursed Aragorn. He wasn't paying that much attention to his surroundings and only focussed on getting to Boromir. This made him a easier target, though he was still very lethal for those orcs that stood between him and his goal.
She was slowed down when she was attacked by a group of nearly twenty orcs and was thankful for the fact that Gimli and Legolas were still at her side.
After they had disposed of the orcs they started to run again and searched for any sign of Aragorn or Boromir. Legolas turned his head to the right and started to run again. For Gimli and Rita their was no other choice than to follow him.
What she saw next made Rita gasp. Boromir was sitting against a tree while three arrows were sticking out of chest. She could see a line of blood running from his mouth and realized in horror that the arrow in his chest must have hit one of his lungs. He was speaking to Aragorn. Gimli and Legolas hung back but Rita neared the two men. She caught Boromir's words to Aragorn.
"I would have followed you my brother, my captain, my king!" then he noticed Rita and motioned for her to come closer. She had tears in her eyes as he caressed her cheek, his eyes dulled with pain and sorrow.
"I have to ask you something Rita. In my pack is a letter for Faramir, will you please hand it to him once you meet him?" She nodded because she didn't trust her voice.
"You will? I am glad. I want you to have something." Rita's eyes grew large as he placed the horn of Gondor in her hands and she wanted to protest but he silenced her with a look.
"Take it."
"No Boromir, I can't. It's yours and if you don't want to keep it you should give it to your brother."
"I choose to give it to you" he said "You are my sister both in bond and blood. You will carry the name I have chosen for you and live until the end of your time."
A tear slid down his face. "I am sorry I won't be there to see you grow old and even more beautiful than you are now. Always know that I will be watching over you, you will never be alone." His eyes turned glassy and Rita knew he was dead.
She felt like somebody ripped her heart out and replaced it with a chunk of ice. She watched as Aragorn closed Boromir's eyes and kissed his brow.
Legolas saw that she was going into shock again and pulled her towards him, making her look into his eyes. He started when he saw the raw pain and agony in them and whispered a few words to her.
Rita noticed that she was slipping in a daze again and forced her body and mind to collect itself. She pulled out of his embrace and nodded at Legolas to let him know she was ok. Strangely the tears that had been gathering had disappeared and Rita only felt empty.
Another member of her family had passed away. This time her brother, her big brother who had taught her so much and tried to protect her against all things evil.
She watched as Aragorn and the others started to prepare his body for a funeral, though it would be no normal burial. He would be put in a boat and the boat would crash down the waterfall. It seemed very appropriate to Rita; she loved water and Boromir both and now that two would be forever linked.
When she saw his backpack she remembered her promise and started to go through his things, trying to find the letter he had spoken of. When she couldn't find it she just turned it upside down and all his stuff tumbled on the ground.
She found the letter he had spoken about and put it in her own bag, placing it at the bottom so it wouldn't crumple up. She then reached out and grabbed one of his shirts, remembering the times he had worn it and the fun they had during sword practice.
Stuffing his shirt in her bag as well, she started to place his things back and walked over to the others with it. She placed the bag next to his shield and kissed his forehead before she went to stand with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, who were singing a soft lament.
Standing close to Aragorn, she watched as the boat was floating on the water and eventually tipped over the edge of the waterfall.
Legolas tried to speed them up while pushing one of the boats in the water. "Hurry, Frodo and Sam have already reached the eastern shore." When he examined Aragorn's face he added "You mean not to follow them."
"Frodo's fate is not in our hands anymore. He now has his own path."
Gimli sighed and looked at the ground as he said what all four were thinking. "Then it has all been in vain! The Fellowship has failed."
Aragorn put his hands on their shoulders. "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let's hunt some orc!"
Rita's heart thumped as she suddenly remembered the fate of her friends. Aragorn was right, they would not leave them behind, she felt a smile starting to form on her face and saw that the others were smiling as well.
When Aragorn pointed out that traveling light meant that she would leave her pack behind she refused. "Aragorn I don't hold on to possessions but in this small pack is everything I hold dear. I cannot and will not leave these things behind." While she was saying this she was placing the horn of Gondor in her belt.
"It will burden you while we hunt."
"I'll deal." She stated and Aragorn gave up as he saw that she would not relent. He strapped a dagger on his side and started to run. The others were following closely behind.
Rita felt giddy as a thought ran through her head. *Watch out orcs, the four hunters are on the move*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They had been running until nightfall when an important decision was made. Aragorn decided that though it would give the orcs the chance to put more distance between the, he was unable to track in the dark.
Gimli just dropped to the ground and fell asleep almost instantly, he was one tired dwarf. Legolas sat against a rock and rested as well.
Rita watched Aragorn as he made a small fire and it was as if he had felt her gaze because he turned his head towards her. He held out his arms to her and she just let herself fall into them, not caring about shame or dignity.
They sat like that for awhile until Aragorn broke the silence. "Are you alright?" as if he knew how stupid that sounded he quickly added another question. "I mean, are you able to keep up with this pace? I know you haven't traveled much on foot."
"I'm tired but I'll live."
"Then why don't you rest while you can?" His heart nearly broke as she looked at him, eyes full of pain and fear.
"I'm afraid to. I don't want to have nightmares. Every time I close my eyes I see his body and I hear his words and I. . . " her voice broke and she was unable to continue.
"I have wondered about his words, will you tell me what he meant by you going by the name he had given you?"
Rita couldn't help but smile sadly at the fond memory. "He told me I was like a sister to him and he gave me a new name, free of my past. He called me Rita of Gondor, sister of Boromir."
She traced the scar on her left palm as she continued. "We sealed this vow by a blood oath." Then she broke down and started to sob silently into his chest.
"Why?" she asked him. "Why did he have to die, it isn't fair. First Gandalf and now Boromir, and what about the hobbits, what if they are dead too?"
Aragorn did not know what to say yet so he just held her close as he organized his thoughts. When her sobs began to quiet down he brushed the tears out of her face.
"I do not know what the Valar have planned for us but I do know everything happens with a good reason. We must keep faith and hope all will be well in the future."
Rita nodded and felt sleep taking over but tried to fight it. she gave up however when Aragorn brushed her hair with his hands and told her to rest.
"I will chase all bad dreams away." He promised and Rita knew he would.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nightmares didn't visit her that night and Rita felt a weight fall of her shoulders as they were running again. For the next three days on end they ran, surviving only on lembas and a few short stops during the night.
The orcs were fast but they were able to keep up. Legolas had become cheerier as they reached a grassy area. The air smelled fresh and the sent of herbs would prickle ones nose if one were to breath deep.
This gave Legolas the inspiration again to joke with Gimli and Rita had to giggle every time the two were bantering, comments being thrown back and forth.
What she didn't know was that they had noticed this and sometimes bantered just for the sole purpose to make her smile.
The four grew even closer than they already were and knew what the others were thinking by just looking at them
Aragorn had a hard time while he was leading and Rita noticed that he a very low self-esteem about his leading capabilities. What the future king didn't see was that he already was a leader and a good one at that.
Suddenly Legolas shouted, saying that riders were approaching. Aragorn told him it was ok as it probably were the riders of Rohan, coming back from a hunt and he also suggested that they might have had news.
Their cloaks hid them from the view of the riders and they rode past them until Aragorn shouted out loud. "What news do you have from the north Riders of Rohan?" Immediately the rides reacted by surrounding them while spears were pointed at them.
Rita had her hand on the hilt of her sword and made sure the horn of Gondor was out of sight when she noticed with slight dismay that Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli had placed themselves in a protecting circle around her.
She watched as Aragorn and the leader talked and grimaced when Gimli jumped forwards when the man demanded their names.
"Give me your name horse-master and I will give you mine and more besides."
The leader scoffed at this and commented that as the stranger he should tell his name first. Yet he told them his name was Éomer son of Éomund and Third Marshall of the Riddermark.
Rita softly groaned as Gimli provoked the man which lead to Legolas defending his friend, and that lead to the fact that the spears were pointed at them even closer.
*Of all the times Gimli has to act stupid, he chose today and this moment. Ugh, men are such idiots. Look at Legolas pointing his bow, does he really think he can take them all?*
Luckily Aragorn was able to calm the situation and Rita observed the men around her when Aragorn suddenly threw back his cloak and pronounced his title. She watched with amazement when he seemed to grow even taller as he did this, his royal bloodline now evident to all.
Éomer was shocked and accepted this and told them they could get horses without protest. He then turned and pointed at Rita and she could feel her stomach turning.
"What is this?" Éomer said "A woman chasing orcs. I will not let her continue with you. Women should be kept out of battle."
Rita grew red with anger but Aragorn answered before she was able to open her mouth.
"This is no mere woman" he said "She has been traveling with us for months and has proven herself to be a worthy warrior against every attack against us."
The marshal shook his head. "Nevertheless I cannot allow a woman to continue on an orc-hunt. Let her come with us to Edoras where she will be safe."
Legolas stepped forward. "She will remain with us, you will be taking her nowhere."
"Then I take back the offer of the horses. Let the woman come with us or keep walking towards your destination."
At this Rita leaped forwards while her eyes were burning with fury. "I will not go with you anywhere you chauvinistic pig. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I am weak or helpless. If you want me to go with you, you'll have to get me first." She grabbed her sword from her sheath and stood ready for any attack.
Éomer was baffled for a minute, no woman had ever spoken to him like that. Again Aragorn calmed the situation.
"She is right, she will not go anywhere with you. Yet I plead with you to grant us the horses you promised for time is short and darkness is covering the lands."
The marshal thought before giving in. "With great protest I shall do as you ask Lord Aragorn though I do not agree."
He then motioned to his riders and two horses were placed before them "These are Hafusel and Arod, I hope they will serve you well on your journey."
Legolas and Gimli mounted Arod as Aragorn helped her on Hafusel. She sat behind him as they rode of to the woods, the woods where the hobbits supposedly died.
A/N: I'm keeping the story fast now and I hope you like it. I realized that the story would be very long if I quoted all parts I think are important. Besides this is fanfiction right? That means it is my view of the story, anyway review please, it makes me feel all good inside.