Hey everybody! I think I did ok on my exam!!!! And in a freaky way as well.
I had to learn like ten pages of translations (Latin) so I made a selection
and I went to sleep and suddenly I woke up at 02:30 with one thought in
mind: you have to learn chapter 33. So I got out of bed and studied hard
(never went back to sleep) and guess what text I had to translate. . . yep
chapter 33!!! I really have a guardian angel or something. Maybe it was all
the luck you guys sent me, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
Anyway, enough about my school-life, and on with the fic:
Aurumlupi: Yep poor Elrond, I have a plot all about this coming up, hope you'll like it.
Sailorverystupid: Glad you liked.
Arwen-evenstar: You really liked that quote? My teacher told us about that a few days I wrote the chapter and the story kind of made an impression on me.
Sugar-is-sweet: Yep, trouble coming up for our fav couple in the form of an overprotective dad.
Elvish princess: Glad you liked the chapter, hope this one will be ok as well.
Siren: I updated (on Wednesday but I didn't have the time yesterday) hope you'll enjoy.
Miste: I forgot to mail you, it was on my mental list but after the stress of yesterday (exam) I forgot, sorry! Hope you like my note to you though. Thanks for your compliments and after reading your review I realized I have been neglecting the Carol plot, so I'll make sure I'll write another this chapter or the next.
Musicgrl: School sucks!!!! You are so right ;)
Kiku: Boy still sick huh, I'm so sorry. In love with Gimli? Hmmmm, that's original, not my flavor though happy to see you like the development in my fic.
Cassie-bear01: *blushes* Not too much praise please, you are making me all giddy and embarrassed and happy and, well you get it, THANK YOU!!!!!
Meggers: Oooh, the Moria thing, you just gave me a major idea, this chapter is now dedicated to you. You just gave me the initiative for a plot-twist in this or one of the following chapters *grins evilly*
Sindamellowen: Happy you still like it, btw I'm getting better and better at writing your name it sure is long, what does it mean?
Cailen: New reader AND you like it? Thanks for the compliment, I never tire of hearing them, thanks for the suggestion also, might use it.
LanierShazar: Yeah, I know the thing between Elrond and Elladan is kinda sad but I don't want to make the lover's path too easy. Expect some twist in this fic ;)
Shinigami29: OMG I'm soooo sorry, I am going to mail you after I have updated ok, I intended to email you earlier but I forgot and . . . I'll grovel in my mail ok?
Legolaslover: Yeah I had to stop there, needed to think what to do next, hope you'll enjoy!
Blahblah: Sorry I updated Wednesday instead of yesterday, I needed to relax and think of nothing so I listened to music the entire day.
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, some are and the ones you recognize are Tolkien's the rest are mine, ugh have I ever told you how much I hate this?
All were getting ready as they got ready to dock, the sounds of battle reaching them from far. Aragorn was relieved that they were on time and was rallying the troops.
Rita was going through her own preparations, ones she was getting used to. First she put the gauntlets over her arms, strapping them on tightly but not to tight. After that she put on her helm and refastened her cloak a bit tighter.
She didn't notice Elladan was observing her when she drew her weapons and inspected if she were still sharp, which they thankfully still were.
Aragorn did see it and approached him. "She is a warrior now brother, a good one."
A sigh came from the elf. "I have seen the change in her eyes Aragorn but is there no way to convince her to stay out of this battle, she could get hurt or killed even."
"NO, no no no, I will not try to keep her out of this. She would not accept it anyway, you have not seen the anger in her eyes when the King Theoden ordered her to stay behind. We stated then that the members of the fellowship would stick together and I will not break that vow at this moment."
Elladan looked up at his younger brother and was amazed at the wisdom he saw in them, he knew Aragorn was wise but in these past few months he seemed to have grown as well as Rita had. All the members of the fellowship had changed, in a good way.
"You are right Estel, yet I cannot help for feeling this way."
Aragorn clasped his shoulder as a sign of compassion and then turned his attention back to more important matters.
During this conversation Rita had joined Legolas and Gimli, who were standing first in line to get of the ship. Gimli was very anxious to get of the ship and was jumping up and down.
Rita and Legolas exchanged an amused glance and chuckled slightly at the dwarf's behavior. Even Rita could see the battle now and it looked very fierce. She faced Legolas.
"Who's winning? I can't see that far."
Legolas stared in the distance for awhile before he gave his answer. "At the moment the battle is suffering equal losses yet the men are losing strength and faith. We have come at the correct time."
She gave a curt nod and shouldered her pack again and suddenly turned around. She searched for Aragorn and found him talking to Halbarad.
"Hate to interrupt but are the ships staying here or are they gonna sail away?"
"They are going to remain docked, why do you ask?" Aragorn seemed a bit confused.
Rita gave him a smile and shrugged. "I wanted to know if I would be able to leave my pack on the deck cause it would be in the way on the battlefield, but I wouldn't leave it behind for any price."
Aragorn grinned. "I know Rita, you ran with it for hundreds of miles. Rest assured, your beloved pack will be perfectly safe." Suddenly he got serious again. "Be careful do you hear me, I want you to find you intact and unharmed."
To his amusement Rita saluted him with a chuckle. "Sir, yes sir. Return unharmed!" She stood normally again before turning serious as well. "Same goes for you ok? No point in dying now we're so close to fulfilling your destiny." After that se walked back to stand with Legolas and Gimli again.
She was almost there when she was pulled back and kissed before she had the chance to say a word. Rita could feel a tongue enter her mouth and recognized Elladan's sweet strawberry taste and kissed him back for a few seconds before she pulled back.
"You really need to work on letting me know you're there Elladan, cause this is getting old."
When she looked up she saw that he was looking down at her with a very concerned expression. He caressed her cheek and pulled her into a hug.
"Be careful, I don't know what I would do without you."
Rita sighed, no matter how much she loved him she was getting annoyed at his protectiveness over her. "I'll be fine Elladan, this won't be the first battle I'll fight, I can hold my own perfectly."
She saw Elrohir walk over to them and smiled at him. "You look after your brother you hear Elrohir, don't let him get hurt."
The elf chuckled at his brother's indignant expression. "No worry Rita, I will make sure Elladan stays out of trouble. Good luck to you." he put his hand on her shoulder and Rita returned the gesture before she gave Elladan a short kiss and went to stand beside Gimli.
Elrohir held his brother back to keep him from following her. "She left for her own safety Elladan as well for yours. In battle you need to be concentrated and if you focus on her this will be impossible. She has survived so many things already so trust in her skill that she will live through this battle as well."
After struggling a bit Elladan gave up. He knew his brother, both of them, was right. Rita would manage but he could still hear his father's words in his mind. "Most likely she will not survive the quest for I did not foresee her survival"
He glanced at Rita one last time and saw her step onto the shore, already drawing her sword and running beside Gimli and Legolas towards the battle. He sighed and forced himself to focus on the battle. *stay safe melamin* he thought before he too stepped on the solid ground.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rita felt good as she ran beside her friends, something she was so used to. She looked to her left and saw Legolas with his bow drawn and also looked at the right and saw Gimli with his ax, ready to chop off any orc-neck.
The first wave of orcs noticed them and soon the fight was in full force. She killed any orc that came near her while drawing her dagger as well, using both her weapons to fight off the ugly things.
She didn't notice she had become separated from the two others until an orc tried to attack her from behind. Then she saw that a group of five orcs surrounded her, all were growling in a beastly manner.
Rita almost grinned when she saw the looks of confusion on their faces when she didn't flinch and even did so when they were amazed when her weapons collided with their bodies. After killing four the fifth snapped out of his daze and tried to defend itself but failed miserably as Rita's sword pierced its heart.
She glanced around to see what was going on and smiled when she saw that it seemed they were winning. Their arrival had given the men of Gondor and Rohan new courage.
Killing any orc that came near her, she made her way closer to the center of the battle. Suddenly she heard Aragorn call out for Éomer and saw that the marshal was outnumbered in a horrible way. To her astonishment the same thing that happened at Amon Hen repeated itself.
Aragorn was running towards his friend without stopping to notice the orcs behind him or on his side. All he was doing was killing the orcs that were standing between and his goal: saving Éomer of Rohan.
She sighed when she sprinted towards Aragorn and she watched his back until he reached Éomer. While she was killing any orc that dared to attack the future king from behind she was cursing Aragorn in her mind. This was a sure way to get killed.
Éomer was rescued and Aragorn focussed on his surroundings again. He locked eyes with Rita and saw fury blazing in her eyes before she turned and attacked another band of orcs.
He wondered what made her so angry but he wasn't able to think about that for long as the battle was getting more fierce. He bowed his head when he was told of the news of Theoden's death. "We will avenge his death my friend." He said before the two jumped into battle again.
Meanwhile Rita was facing a band of orcs on her own and she felt very powerful. She found out that the adrenaline in her blood and her anger with Aragorn's ridiculous actions gave her more strength than she held possible.
She kept on fighting and eventually the events were starting to be a blur. She had no other thoughts than what she should do. *Duck, stab, jump, slice, run*
Suddenly she broke out of the trance when there were no more orcs around her. She looked around to see that they had won.
Sure there was still fighting but the orcs were now severely outnumbered and the men had noticed this as well. They began to fight even harder and Rita smiled, she wanted to do something to encourage them even more.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw a huge boulder and she climbed it after killing the orc that was hiding behind it with a swift stroke of her dagger.
While standing above all the others she grabbed the horn of Gondor from her belt and put it at her mouth. She took a huge gulp of breath and blew it as hard as she could.
Aragorn's head snapped up when the Horn of Gondor echoed over the battlefield and frantically searched for Rita and saw that Legolas and Gimli did the same. All still remembered the last time the horn was blown.
The sound lasted a long time and it stopped for only a few seconds before it was sounded again. Then Aragorn saw her on top of the boulder and let out a breath. He started to smile when he noticed the horn was a sign of victory and not peril.
The men started to cheer as they heard the sound of the horn and after a while all orcs were either dead or running away from them.
Rita blew the horn five times and after that she secured it on her belt again and jumped of the boulder to mingle in battle again.
She suddenly found herself beside Gimli and Legolas again and they killed ten more orcs together. "Hey guys" she said "Where did you go before? You ok?"
"Ok, ok?!?! We are far from ok you silly lass, do you know what you did to us when you blew that horn, we thought you were in grave danger."
She sobered a bit but started to grin again. "I'm sorry I spooked you but you have to say, the men needed that boost. Did you notice how fast the orcs were defeated after I blew it?"
Legolas chuckled and after a few seconds Gimli did so as well. The three started to make their way to the gates of Minas Tirith, where they found Aragorn who pulled Rita into a huge hug.
"Do not scare me like that ever again, I thought you were in danger."
Rita laughed at this. "Gimli said the same thing but I'm all good, I thought it would be appropriate to blow it, we won right?"
"That we did Rita, that we did."
The Prince of Dol Amroth approached them and Rita zoned out on the conversation between Aragorn and the Prince, she was too busy looking at the city.
It was exactly like Boromir had described it to her, from every small street to the shining tower of Minas Tirith. There it stood, shining brightly as the sun reflected on it, in all its might and glory.
Suddenly Aragorn left only to return a few moments later with Elladan and Elrohir. She exchanged a glance with Elladan before he followed Aragorn into the city after the future had given the jewel on his head to Elrohir to keep it safe. Gimli and Legolas followed them quickly.
She looked at their retreating figures and shrugged. *I have to remember to stop zoning out in conversation, I miss all kinds of important details*
A soldier approached her and he spoke in a language unknown by Rita. "I am sorry" she said "I do not speak Gondorian."
"I apologize Milady, I forgot to speak in Common. I asked you how you came into the possession of the horn of Gondor. Long have we waited of any news of Boromir, the son of Denethor our steward. Word has it that his horn was heard only days ago. "
Rita flinched and she closed her eyes a second before she opened them again. She noticed that more men started to stand around her, right now she counted about thirty heads and more were coming.
"Boromir is. . . he. . . " she scraped her throat "He died on the day you heard the horn. Orcs ambushed our fellowship and we were all divided. Boromir fell while protecting two dear friends of us."
The men bowed their heads in sorrow, Boromir had been a very respected man. The men who addressed her earlier spoke again.
"That still does not answer the question of how you got the horn."
She gave a small smile. "No, I guess it did not." She took a breath before she continued. "He gave it to me. I loved him dearly, he was like a brother to me. He taught me how to wield the sword and protected me on our journey. I am sorry for your loss, I know he would have liked to return to you all in this time of need, he spoke of the White City very often."
A cry was heard and Rita turned her head to see a girl that looked no older than thirteen collapse while sobbing hysterically.
"No" she cried "It can't be true, he promised to return, he promised!"
Rita crouched beside the girl and made her look up. "What is your name?"
"Lillian, my name is Lillian." The girl said between sobs.
"I do not know what Boromir promised you, but I know he would have kept his word if he were able to do that."
Lillian took a few breaths before she answered. "He promised me to return. He was going to teach me how to ride a horse and wield a sword. Now he is gone just like Aunt Lilandra, it's not fair!"
Rita realized that she was talking about Boromir's Lilandra, his fiancé who had died in an orc-attack. She pulled the girl in a hug and started to rock back and forth, not noticing the stares she was given.
"It is alright Lillian, I miss him too. I am sorry about your aunt, he told me about her. He loved her very much didn't he?"
Lillian nodded because she was unable to answer, she was too busy crying.
Rita continued to calm the girl until she was only hiccuping every now and again and stood up while pulling the girl with her. Suddenly a though popped up in her head and she turned to the man who had first spoken to her.
"Can you take Lillian home Mr. . . I didn't catch your name."
"Eminor, Milady."
"Oh thanks. Would you be able to return Lillian home Mr. Eminor? I have to go and fetch something, I will return in a moment."
Eminor nodded and guided the girl through the street and Rita turned and started to run towards the ships.
She didn't know where she gathered the strength but she ran all the way to the ships and back to the gates, her pack now on her back.
When she got in the city again, the men had spread out. She walked on the street, gazing at the houses and other buildings before she stopped a man who was passing her.
"Excuse me, do you know where I can find the house of a girl called Lillian?"
The man nodded. "I will take you there Milady, follow me."
She walked behind the man as he led her through long and narrow streets until he halted before a fairly large house. "Here we are Milady, this is the girl's house."
Rita smiled at the man. "Thank you, for taking the time to guide me here." The man gave a small bow and left her behind.
Looking at the door she took a breath before she gave a small knock on the door. A little boy opened it and he gazed at her with large eyes.
She smiled at him and opened her mouth to ask him if his sister had arrived when a woman appeared. Rita greeted her. "Good day Milady, I sent your daughter home earlier. Did she arrive, she was very upset at the news of Boromir's demise."
A tear traveled down the woman's cheek before she answered. "Yes, she was brought home and she also told us the news. It was not totally unexpected though it still hurts. Please come in."
While taking her helm of her head Rita entered the house and immediately spotted Lillian on a chair. She was hugging her knees and rocking herself while she was crying soundlessly.
Rita kneeled down beside the girl and wiped her tears away. "Lillian, do you remember me? We spoke earlier."
Lillian nodded and Rita continued. "I have something I want you to have." At this Rita took of her pack and started to rummage through it. Lillian and her mother and brother looked confused as she did this.
Finally Rita found what she was looking for, the shirt of Boromir that she had grabbed on an impulse at Amon Hen. She pulled it out of her pack and handed it to Lillian.
"Before I placed his pack with his body I grabbed this shirt, I don't know why but I did. I want you to have it, I know it is not much but it is all I can offer you. this and some memories I will share if you wish to listen."
Lillian looked at the shirt and sat motionless for a while until she hugged the shirt to her chest and buried her face into the material.
Her mother laid her hand on her daughter's shoulder and answered in her place. "I think I speak for all three of us when I say we would appreciate to hear you speak of Boromir. For years he and my sister Lilandra courted each other and he became a member of our family."
Lily, the name of the woman, offered her a seat and something to drink and Rita started to tell them all about Boromir after she had finished her glass of water.
She told them about the way he taught her how to use her sword and the jokes he made. About his courageous acts in Moria and the way how they grew as close as siblings in Lothlorien.
Finally Rita started to tell them about the events that took place in Amon Hen and about his burial. Rita suddenly remembered the song Aragorn and Legolas sang and started to sing it in a soft voice.
Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows The West Wind comes walking, and about the wall it goes. 'What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring me tonight? Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or starlight?' 'I saw him ride over seven streams, over water wide and grey; I saw him walk in empty lands, until he passed away Into the shadow of the North, I saw him no more. The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor.' 'O Boromir! From the high walls westwards I looked afar, But you came not from the empty lands where no men are.'
From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sandhills and the stones; The wailing of the gull it bears, and at the gate it moans. 'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring me at eve? Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve.' 'Ask me not where he doth dwell --- so many bones there lie On the white shores and the dark shores under the stormy sky; So many have passed down the Anduin to find the flowing Sea. Ask of the North Wind news of them the North Wind sends to me!' 'O Boromir! Beyond the gate of the seaward road runs south, But you came not with the wailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth.'
From the Gate of Kings the North Wind rides, and past the roaring falls; And clear and cold about the tower its loud horn calls. 'What news frm the North, O mighty wind, do you bring me today? What news of Boromir the Bold? For he is long away.' His cloven shield, his broken sword, they to the water brought. His head so proud, his face so fair, his limbs they laid to rest; And Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, bore him upon its breast.' 'O Boromir! The Tower of Guard shall ever northwards gaze To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days!'
When Rita finished the song a lone tear sprang from her eye but she brushed it away quickly and looked at the others.
They were all crying softly and she stood up. "I will leave you now, so you may grieve in peace, perhaps I will return later." She walked out the door and glanced once more at the rthree figures that were now huddled together.
She walked down the street again and bumped into Legolas, who was looking very angry (well for him). "Where have you been Rita, we were very worried when we were not able to find you. Aragorn and Elladan are going insane and Pippin looks like he can start any time now."
Rita looked up. "Pippin, he's here?"
"Yes he is but we must go the others now, we have been searching for hours." With this he pushed Rita in the direction of a huge building and for Rita there was no other choice than to follow.
A/N: I know, stupid place to stop but I have to stop, have to think of what will happen next so forgive me. Let me know what you think, sorry if you hated the lament to Boromir but I actually cried when I read that and I just had to put it in.
Anyway, enough about my school-life, and on with the fic:
Aurumlupi: Yep poor Elrond, I have a plot all about this coming up, hope you'll like it.
Sailorverystupid: Glad you liked.
Arwen-evenstar: You really liked that quote? My teacher told us about that a few days I wrote the chapter and the story kind of made an impression on me.
Sugar-is-sweet: Yep, trouble coming up for our fav couple in the form of an overprotective dad.
Elvish princess: Glad you liked the chapter, hope this one will be ok as well.
Siren: I updated (on Wednesday but I didn't have the time yesterday) hope you'll enjoy.
Miste: I forgot to mail you, it was on my mental list but after the stress of yesterday (exam) I forgot, sorry! Hope you like my note to you though. Thanks for your compliments and after reading your review I realized I have been neglecting the Carol plot, so I'll make sure I'll write another this chapter or the next.
Musicgrl: School sucks!!!! You are so right ;)
Kiku: Boy still sick huh, I'm so sorry. In love with Gimli? Hmmmm, that's original, not my flavor though happy to see you like the development in my fic.
Cassie-bear01: *blushes* Not too much praise please, you are making me all giddy and embarrassed and happy and, well you get it, THANK YOU!!!!!
Meggers: Oooh, the Moria thing, you just gave me a major idea, this chapter is now dedicated to you. You just gave me the initiative for a plot-twist in this or one of the following chapters *grins evilly*
Sindamellowen: Happy you still like it, btw I'm getting better and better at writing your name it sure is long, what does it mean?
Cailen: New reader AND you like it? Thanks for the compliment, I never tire of hearing them, thanks for the suggestion also, might use it.
LanierShazar: Yeah, I know the thing between Elrond and Elladan is kinda sad but I don't want to make the lover's path too easy. Expect some twist in this fic ;)
Shinigami29: OMG I'm soooo sorry, I am going to mail you after I have updated ok, I intended to email you earlier but I forgot and . . . I'll grovel in my mail ok?
Legolaslover: Yeah I had to stop there, needed to think what to do next, hope you'll enjoy!
Blahblah: Sorry I updated Wednesday instead of yesterday, I needed to relax and think of nothing so I listened to music the entire day.
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, some are and the ones you recognize are Tolkien's the rest are mine, ugh have I ever told you how much I hate this?
All were getting ready as they got ready to dock, the sounds of battle reaching them from far. Aragorn was relieved that they were on time and was rallying the troops.
Rita was going through her own preparations, ones she was getting used to. First she put the gauntlets over her arms, strapping them on tightly but not to tight. After that she put on her helm and refastened her cloak a bit tighter.
She didn't notice Elladan was observing her when she drew her weapons and inspected if she were still sharp, which they thankfully still were.
Aragorn did see it and approached him. "She is a warrior now brother, a good one."
A sigh came from the elf. "I have seen the change in her eyes Aragorn but is there no way to convince her to stay out of this battle, she could get hurt or killed even."
"NO, no no no, I will not try to keep her out of this. She would not accept it anyway, you have not seen the anger in her eyes when the King Theoden ordered her to stay behind. We stated then that the members of the fellowship would stick together and I will not break that vow at this moment."
Elladan looked up at his younger brother and was amazed at the wisdom he saw in them, he knew Aragorn was wise but in these past few months he seemed to have grown as well as Rita had. All the members of the fellowship had changed, in a good way.
"You are right Estel, yet I cannot help for feeling this way."
Aragorn clasped his shoulder as a sign of compassion and then turned his attention back to more important matters.
During this conversation Rita had joined Legolas and Gimli, who were standing first in line to get of the ship. Gimli was very anxious to get of the ship and was jumping up and down.
Rita and Legolas exchanged an amused glance and chuckled slightly at the dwarf's behavior. Even Rita could see the battle now and it looked very fierce. She faced Legolas.
"Who's winning? I can't see that far."
Legolas stared in the distance for awhile before he gave his answer. "At the moment the battle is suffering equal losses yet the men are losing strength and faith. We have come at the correct time."
She gave a curt nod and shouldered her pack again and suddenly turned around. She searched for Aragorn and found him talking to Halbarad.
"Hate to interrupt but are the ships staying here or are they gonna sail away?"
"They are going to remain docked, why do you ask?" Aragorn seemed a bit confused.
Rita gave him a smile and shrugged. "I wanted to know if I would be able to leave my pack on the deck cause it would be in the way on the battlefield, but I wouldn't leave it behind for any price."
Aragorn grinned. "I know Rita, you ran with it for hundreds of miles. Rest assured, your beloved pack will be perfectly safe." Suddenly he got serious again. "Be careful do you hear me, I want you to find you intact and unharmed."
To his amusement Rita saluted him with a chuckle. "Sir, yes sir. Return unharmed!" She stood normally again before turning serious as well. "Same goes for you ok? No point in dying now we're so close to fulfilling your destiny." After that se walked back to stand with Legolas and Gimli again.
She was almost there when she was pulled back and kissed before she had the chance to say a word. Rita could feel a tongue enter her mouth and recognized Elladan's sweet strawberry taste and kissed him back for a few seconds before she pulled back.
"You really need to work on letting me know you're there Elladan, cause this is getting old."
When she looked up she saw that he was looking down at her with a very concerned expression. He caressed her cheek and pulled her into a hug.
"Be careful, I don't know what I would do without you."
Rita sighed, no matter how much she loved him she was getting annoyed at his protectiveness over her. "I'll be fine Elladan, this won't be the first battle I'll fight, I can hold my own perfectly."
She saw Elrohir walk over to them and smiled at him. "You look after your brother you hear Elrohir, don't let him get hurt."
The elf chuckled at his brother's indignant expression. "No worry Rita, I will make sure Elladan stays out of trouble. Good luck to you." he put his hand on her shoulder and Rita returned the gesture before she gave Elladan a short kiss and went to stand beside Gimli.
Elrohir held his brother back to keep him from following her. "She left for her own safety Elladan as well for yours. In battle you need to be concentrated and if you focus on her this will be impossible. She has survived so many things already so trust in her skill that she will live through this battle as well."
After struggling a bit Elladan gave up. He knew his brother, both of them, was right. Rita would manage but he could still hear his father's words in his mind. "Most likely she will not survive the quest for I did not foresee her survival"
He glanced at Rita one last time and saw her step onto the shore, already drawing her sword and running beside Gimli and Legolas towards the battle. He sighed and forced himself to focus on the battle. *stay safe melamin* he thought before he too stepped on the solid ground.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rita felt good as she ran beside her friends, something she was so used to. She looked to her left and saw Legolas with his bow drawn and also looked at the right and saw Gimli with his ax, ready to chop off any orc-neck.
The first wave of orcs noticed them and soon the fight was in full force. She killed any orc that came near her while drawing her dagger as well, using both her weapons to fight off the ugly things.
She didn't notice she had become separated from the two others until an orc tried to attack her from behind. Then she saw that a group of five orcs surrounded her, all were growling in a beastly manner.
Rita almost grinned when she saw the looks of confusion on their faces when she didn't flinch and even did so when they were amazed when her weapons collided with their bodies. After killing four the fifth snapped out of his daze and tried to defend itself but failed miserably as Rita's sword pierced its heart.
She glanced around to see what was going on and smiled when she saw that it seemed they were winning. Their arrival had given the men of Gondor and Rohan new courage.
Killing any orc that came near her, she made her way closer to the center of the battle. Suddenly she heard Aragorn call out for Éomer and saw that the marshal was outnumbered in a horrible way. To her astonishment the same thing that happened at Amon Hen repeated itself.
Aragorn was running towards his friend without stopping to notice the orcs behind him or on his side. All he was doing was killing the orcs that were standing between and his goal: saving Éomer of Rohan.
She sighed when she sprinted towards Aragorn and she watched his back until he reached Éomer. While she was killing any orc that dared to attack the future king from behind she was cursing Aragorn in her mind. This was a sure way to get killed.
Éomer was rescued and Aragorn focussed on his surroundings again. He locked eyes with Rita and saw fury blazing in her eyes before she turned and attacked another band of orcs.
He wondered what made her so angry but he wasn't able to think about that for long as the battle was getting more fierce. He bowed his head when he was told of the news of Theoden's death. "We will avenge his death my friend." He said before the two jumped into battle again.
Meanwhile Rita was facing a band of orcs on her own and she felt very powerful. She found out that the adrenaline in her blood and her anger with Aragorn's ridiculous actions gave her more strength than she held possible.
She kept on fighting and eventually the events were starting to be a blur. She had no other thoughts than what she should do. *Duck, stab, jump, slice, run*
Suddenly she broke out of the trance when there were no more orcs around her. She looked around to see that they had won.
Sure there was still fighting but the orcs were now severely outnumbered and the men had noticed this as well. They began to fight even harder and Rita smiled, she wanted to do something to encourage them even more.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw a huge boulder and she climbed it after killing the orc that was hiding behind it with a swift stroke of her dagger.
While standing above all the others she grabbed the horn of Gondor from her belt and put it at her mouth. She took a huge gulp of breath and blew it as hard as she could.
Aragorn's head snapped up when the Horn of Gondor echoed over the battlefield and frantically searched for Rita and saw that Legolas and Gimli did the same. All still remembered the last time the horn was blown.
The sound lasted a long time and it stopped for only a few seconds before it was sounded again. Then Aragorn saw her on top of the boulder and let out a breath. He started to smile when he noticed the horn was a sign of victory and not peril.
The men started to cheer as they heard the sound of the horn and after a while all orcs were either dead or running away from them.
Rita blew the horn five times and after that she secured it on her belt again and jumped of the boulder to mingle in battle again.
She suddenly found herself beside Gimli and Legolas again and they killed ten more orcs together. "Hey guys" she said "Where did you go before? You ok?"
"Ok, ok?!?! We are far from ok you silly lass, do you know what you did to us when you blew that horn, we thought you were in grave danger."
She sobered a bit but started to grin again. "I'm sorry I spooked you but you have to say, the men needed that boost. Did you notice how fast the orcs were defeated after I blew it?"
Legolas chuckled and after a few seconds Gimli did so as well. The three started to make their way to the gates of Minas Tirith, where they found Aragorn who pulled Rita into a huge hug.
"Do not scare me like that ever again, I thought you were in danger."
Rita laughed at this. "Gimli said the same thing but I'm all good, I thought it would be appropriate to blow it, we won right?"
"That we did Rita, that we did."
The Prince of Dol Amroth approached them and Rita zoned out on the conversation between Aragorn and the Prince, she was too busy looking at the city.
It was exactly like Boromir had described it to her, from every small street to the shining tower of Minas Tirith. There it stood, shining brightly as the sun reflected on it, in all its might and glory.
Suddenly Aragorn left only to return a few moments later with Elladan and Elrohir. She exchanged a glance with Elladan before he followed Aragorn into the city after the future had given the jewel on his head to Elrohir to keep it safe. Gimli and Legolas followed them quickly.
She looked at their retreating figures and shrugged. *I have to remember to stop zoning out in conversation, I miss all kinds of important details*
A soldier approached her and he spoke in a language unknown by Rita. "I am sorry" she said "I do not speak Gondorian."
"I apologize Milady, I forgot to speak in Common. I asked you how you came into the possession of the horn of Gondor. Long have we waited of any news of Boromir, the son of Denethor our steward. Word has it that his horn was heard only days ago. "
Rita flinched and she closed her eyes a second before she opened them again. She noticed that more men started to stand around her, right now she counted about thirty heads and more were coming.
"Boromir is. . . he. . . " she scraped her throat "He died on the day you heard the horn. Orcs ambushed our fellowship and we were all divided. Boromir fell while protecting two dear friends of us."
The men bowed their heads in sorrow, Boromir had been a very respected man. The men who addressed her earlier spoke again.
"That still does not answer the question of how you got the horn."
She gave a small smile. "No, I guess it did not." She took a breath before she continued. "He gave it to me. I loved him dearly, he was like a brother to me. He taught me how to wield the sword and protected me on our journey. I am sorry for your loss, I know he would have liked to return to you all in this time of need, he spoke of the White City very often."
A cry was heard and Rita turned her head to see a girl that looked no older than thirteen collapse while sobbing hysterically.
"No" she cried "It can't be true, he promised to return, he promised!"
Rita crouched beside the girl and made her look up. "What is your name?"
"Lillian, my name is Lillian." The girl said between sobs.
"I do not know what Boromir promised you, but I know he would have kept his word if he were able to do that."
Lillian took a few breaths before she answered. "He promised me to return. He was going to teach me how to ride a horse and wield a sword. Now he is gone just like Aunt Lilandra, it's not fair!"
Rita realized that she was talking about Boromir's Lilandra, his fiancé who had died in an orc-attack. She pulled the girl in a hug and started to rock back and forth, not noticing the stares she was given.
"It is alright Lillian, I miss him too. I am sorry about your aunt, he told me about her. He loved her very much didn't he?"
Lillian nodded because she was unable to answer, she was too busy crying.
Rita continued to calm the girl until she was only hiccuping every now and again and stood up while pulling the girl with her. Suddenly a though popped up in her head and she turned to the man who had first spoken to her.
"Can you take Lillian home Mr. . . I didn't catch your name."
"Eminor, Milady."
"Oh thanks. Would you be able to return Lillian home Mr. Eminor? I have to go and fetch something, I will return in a moment."
Eminor nodded and guided the girl through the street and Rita turned and started to run towards the ships.
She didn't know where she gathered the strength but she ran all the way to the ships and back to the gates, her pack now on her back.
When she got in the city again, the men had spread out. She walked on the street, gazing at the houses and other buildings before she stopped a man who was passing her.
"Excuse me, do you know where I can find the house of a girl called Lillian?"
The man nodded. "I will take you there Milady, follow me."
She walked behind the man as he led her through long and narrow streets until he halted before a fairly large house. "Here we are Milady, this is the girl's house."
Rita smiled at the man. "Thank you, for taking the time to guide me here." The man gave a small bow and left her behind.
Looking at the door she took a breath before she gave a small knock on the door. A little boy opened it and he gazed at her with large eyes.
She smiled at him and opened her mouth to ask him if his sister had arrived when a woman appeared. Rita greeted her. "Good day Milady, I sent your daughter home earlier. Did she arrive, she was very upset at the news of Boromir's demise."
A tear traveled down the woman's cheek before she answered. "Yes, she was brought home and she also told us the news. It was not totally unexpected though it still hurts. Please come in."
While taking her helm of her head Rita entered the house and immediately spotted Lillian on a chair. She was hugging her knees and rocking herself while she was crying soundlessly.
Rita kneeled down beside the girl and wiped her tears away. "Lillian, do you remember me? We spoke earlier."
Lillian nodded and Rita continued. "I have something I want you to have." At this Rita took of her pack and started to rummage through it. Lillian and her mother and brother looked confused as she did this.
Finally Rita found what she was looking for, the shirt of Boromir that she had grabbed on an impulse at Amon Hen. She pulled it out of her pack and handed it to Lillian.
"Before I placed his pack with his body I grabbed this shirt, I don't know why but I did. I want you to have it, I know it is not much but it is all I can offer you. this and some memories I will share if you wish to listen."
Lillian looked at the shirt and sat motionless for a while until she hugged the shirt to her chest and buried her face into the material.
Her mother laid her hand on her daughter's shoulder and answered in her place. "I think I speak for all three of us when I say we would appreciate to hear you speak of Boromir. For years he and my sister Lilandra courted each other and he became a member of our family."
Lily, the name of the woman, offered her a seat and something to drink and Rita started to tell them all about Boromir after she had finished her glass of water.
She told them about the way he taught her how to use her sword and the jokes he made. About his courageous acts in Moria and the way how they grew as close as siblings in Lothlorien.
Finally Rita started to tell them about the events that took place in Amon Hen and about his burial. Rita suddenly remembered the song Aragorn and Legolas sang and started to sing it in a soft voice.
Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows The West Wind comes walking, and about the wall it goes. 'What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring me tonight? Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or starlight?' 'I saw him ride over seven streams, over water wide and grey; I saw him walk in empty lands, until he passed away Into the shadow of the North, I saw him no more. The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor.' 'O Boromir! From the high walls westwards I looked afar, But you came not from the empty lands where no men are.'
From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sandhills and the stones; The wailing of the gull it bears, and at the gate it moans. 'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring me at eve? Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve.' 'Ask me not where he doth dwell --- so many bones there lie On the white shores and the dark shores under the stormy sky; So many have passed down the Anduin to find the flowing Sea. Ask of the North Wind news of them the North Wind sends to me!' 'O Boromir! Beyond the gate of the seaward road runs south, But you came not with the wailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth.'
From the Gate of Kings the North Wind rides, and past the roaring falls; And clear and cold about the tower its loud horn calls. 'What news frm the North, O mighty wind, do you bring me today? What news of Boromir the Bold? For he is long away.' His cloven shield, his broken sword, they to the water brought. His head so proud, his face so fair, his limbs they laid to rest; And Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, bore him upon its breast.' 'O Boromir! The Tower of Guard shall ever northwards gaze To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days!'
When Rita finished the song a lone tear sprang from her eye but she brushed it away quickly and looked at the others.
They were all crying softly and she stood up. "I will leave you now, so you may grieve in peace, perhaps I will return later." She walked out the door and glanced once more at the rthree figures that were now huddled together.
She walked down the street again and bumped into Legolas, who was looking very angry (well for him). "Where have you been Rita, we were very worried when we were not able to find you. Aragorn and Elladan are going insane and Pippin looks like he can start any time now."
Rita looked up. "Pippin, he's here?"
"Yes he is but we must go the others now, we have been searching for hours." With this he pushed Rita in the direction of a huge building and for Rita there was no other choice than to follow.
A/N: I know, stupid place to stop but I have to stop, have to think of what will happen next so forgive me. Let me know what you think, sorry if you hated the lament to Boromir but I actually cried when I read that and I just had to put it in.