Not from Mountains nor from Sea
Disclaimer: Just as I cannot own mountains, seas, hills, or valleys, I cannot own the Lord of the Rings. I merely use it and the characters as one uses a river for canoeing, snow for sledding, and seas for bringing one home.
Chapter 1:Partings and Decisions.
"Be at peace, son of Gondor," Although I was still some distance away, I could hear the words Aragorn whispered to Boromir. Seconds later the Ranger's bent form amongst many fallen Uruks came into view. Before him, leaning against a tree trunk was Boromir's lifeless body. We were too late. Tears sprung to my eyes as I saw the man's spirit rising from his body.
The elves alone among the peoples of Middle Earth, save the Istar, have the ability to see the soul of a person after death. The soul lifts up from the body, assuming a form unique to that person. It shimmers, hovering in the air for a while, and then dissolves into space. I had only witnessed the raising of the soul of one close to me once before, when my mother died. So when Boromir's shining spirit rose from his body as a breath being exhaled, I was overwhelmed. The glittery form molded into the form of a horn, the same one Boromir had blown as we left Rivendell and, only a few minutes ago, as he was ensnared by the Uruk-hai. I looked beside the body and saw the physical horn laying cloven beside it. It took all my strength not to weep with guilt as I beheld the sight.
"Legolas!" my Dwarven companion yelled. "Come help us with the boat." I gathered Boromir's shield, but was hesitant to further approach the corpse. To stall for time, I strode to the boat to prepare it for my companion. Fortunately for me, Gimli and Aragorn transported the body, over which Boromir's soul still lingered. We placed the corpse in the boat of Lothlorien along with his possessions and sent the boat to the mercy of the Anduin. I was anxious to leave as the current swiftly escorted the small vessel toward the falls of Rauros, but Aragorn began to speak.
"They will look for him from the white tower, but he will not return from the mountains or the sea," with that, he began to sing a song in honor of our fallen comrade. I sang the second verse, but felt rather uncomfortable doing so, since I could still see the horn floating down the river with the boat. When Aragorn completed the tune, I was the first to be disenchanted.
"Hurry!" I hollered. "Frodo and Sam have reached the Eastern Shore." The soul of Boromir had now dissipated, but I was still quite uneasy about remaining here long. I shoed the last boat to the water's edge and glanced back at my two remaining companions. They both stood as still as stone, grief as obvious on their faces as it undoubtedly was on mine. Gimli looked ready for anything, but he awaited Aragorn's word. Our leader sighed and I knew my friend had made his decision.
"You mean not to follow them," I interpreted for Gimli. My voice betrayed my fear for the two Hobbits and I felt like an elfling. I knew, however, that my fear was well based. Frodo was the heart of the Fellowship and if he failed to destroy the ring, then the quest failed and Middle Earth would be doomed. Then Aragorn spoke his affirmation.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." My best friend had just spoken the words that I feared the most and condemned my heart to guilt if any ill were to befall Frodo or Sam. My eyes were downcast as Gimli complained about something I had not the heart to listen to. Then I felt Aragorn's hand placed firmly on my shoulder.
"But if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death, not while we have strength left." Aragorn grabbed a few things and rushed off, with Gimli close behind. I remained for a few moments, drawn by some force I could not understand. In that time I shed the tears I could not show the others.
"We will meet again," I whispered into the wind, uncertain to whom I was referring. Then I sprinted after the man and the dwarf to continue the greatest adventure of my life. As I ran, I thought I felt a hand on my shoulder, but when I turned I saw no one. That was odd, I thought as I caught up with Aragorn, very odd.