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Chapter 28: Parting Once More
Dallin squealed as Boromir made a face and tickled at his stomach. Ellethwen laughed as well. Her son was nearly two weeks old and since Gandalf left many people have been on edge, but most people were finding some peace. As Boromir chuckled and cradled Dallin in his arms the doors to the hall busted open and Aragorn came running in. "The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid," Aragorn said as he ran before the king. Ellethwen felt her heart move to her throat and Boromir stood, still cradling Dallin. All eyes in the hall moved to the king, he paused and met Aragorn's gaze before he straightened his posture.
"And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim!" Theoden shouted. Éomer bowed his head and comforted his sister before he left the hall. Boromir sighed and looked at Aragorn who nodded his head before he looked to Boromir and walked over to him. Ellethwen stood from her seat and quickly moved next to Boromir's side.
"Are you ready to return to your city?" Aragorn asked Boromir quietly and Boromir looked at Ellethwen before he looked down at his son. He took a deep breath before he looked back up at Aragorn and nodded.
"I am, with you and my friends at my side," Boromir said. Aragorn smiled and put his hand on Boromir's shoulder before he looked to Ellethwen. Aragorn looked at her worry filled expression and lowered his hand from Boromir's shoulder. He bowed his head to her before he stepped away. She sighed and looked up at Boromir as he turned to face her directly. "Follow me, Ellethwen," he said quickly and he left the hall down the corridor towards their chamber. She followed him and when they entered their chamber Boromir turned to her and handed her their son. He moved away from them and gathered his armor, sword, and cloak.
Ellethwen stood back and watched him prepare himself for the ride and for the pending battle. He adjusted his chain mail and put his over tunic on. Dallin started to fuss, but she shushed him and rocked him gently. She watched him strap on his sword and she shook her head.
"Are you going to say nothing to me?" she asked quietly and Boromir looked at her as he tightened his buckle. "Are you just going to leave me with your son and with only the images of you preparing for battle in my mind?" she asked. After all the times she had seen him prepare for battle, for some reason this scene unnerved her more than anything. If she understood correctly, the armies they faced were the armies of Mordor and the men of the Haradrim from the North. This battle she knew would take many more lives than the ones he fought defending the cities, and more lives than the one they fought just weeks before. Dallin fussed a little louder and Ellethwen turned away from Boromir and rocked their son. "Shh, my son," she whispered gently. "It's alright." His hands were suddenly on her shoulders in a firm but tender grip, and she closed her eyes.
"I did not wish to speak my parting words before I was ready to part," he whispered into her hair. She could feel the heat of his form against her back and she knew it would be many days before she would feel it again. He lowered his hands from her shoulders and ran them down her back before they settled on her hips and he pulled her closer. He leaned down and buried his face in her neck. Her eyes snapped open and she gasped quietly when she felt his lips kiss her softly.
"I have not broken any vow I have made to you Ellethwen," he said his warm breath dancing across her neck and she fought back a shiver. "Now, I have two to keep that vow to, and I will come back. You will see me again, just as I will look upon your beautiful smile and our son once more." Ellethwen smiled and nodded as he raised his head from her neck and he turned her around in his arms. He looked down at their son who had settled and was laying peacefully in Ellethwen's arms. Boromir raised his hand from Ellethwen's hip and let his hand over Dallin's head. "After all, I would like at least two more of these," he said with a smile as he looked back at Ellethwen.
"We shall see, my love," she whispered with a smile. Boromir chuckled and leaned into, being careful of their child, and kissed her soundly on the lips. Ellethwen closed her eyes tightly, taking to memory his kiss. It would be many days before word was sent to Edoras and she knew each passing day would seem like a year for her. Boromir pulled away too soon for her liking, but she knew he had to go. By the sounds of the horses outside, she knew the men were practically ready to go. She opened her eyes and looked up at him sadly. "The second you are able, send word to me." He nodded and held her face in his hand.
"I will send word to you," he whispered and she nodded. "When I do send word, I will ensure that the men will be prepared to bring you and Dallin to Minas Tirith." She blinked back her tears and nodded. He leaned down and kissed Dallin's forehead before he once again leaned in and kissed Ellethwen's lips tenderly. "I love you," he whispered as he pulled back.
"I love you," she said just as quietly. He smiled at her one final time before he pulled away completely and stepped from the room and closed the door behind him. Ellethwen sat on her bed and let out a quiet sob as she looked down at Dallin who had fallen asleep once more. Her husband was gone again and as every time before she could not follow.
Boromir quickly mounted his horse and was surprised to see Lady Éowyn mounting her steed. He trotted his horse over to her and looked at her questioningly. "Why do you ride with us?" he asked quickly and she looked at him.
"Only to the encampment, it is tradition," she said and Boromir looked to the hall and then looked back at her.
"Who remains?" he asked and Éowyn understood his concern just by the tone of his voice.
"Ellethwen will not be alone, my lord," she told him. "Gelsey and the other women she has befriended over the years shall not let her tarry too long on thoughts of what is going on outside the city's fences." Boromir nodded and with one last look at the hall, he trotted his horse next to Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Theoden. They rode from Edoras to Dunharrow, where the riders of Rohan would meet and then charge into battle to aid Gondor and to protect the free people of Middle Earth.
Three days. That was how long it had been since the men rode off and Ellethwen stood in the healing hall while Gelsey fussed over Dallin. Gelsey wanted to check him over and he fussed a bit when the chill of the air struck him, but she made him smile at the noises she was making. Ellethwen smiled as he held onto her left forefinger. "He is very healthy, Ellethwen," Gelsey said and Ellethwen looked to her friend. "He's gaining weight and seems to be doing just fine."
"Good," Ellethwen said as she looked back at her son. "I am glad one of us is doing fine," she said softly and Gelsey looked at her.
"You don't have to worry, Ellethwen," Gelsey said. "He's a good soldier."
"That I know, but I cannot help but worry. My father was a good soldier and he perished in battle when I was but a child. I barely remember him anymore, and if Boromir were to fall, Dallin would never remember him, he is too small." Gelsey sighed and put her hand on Ellethwen's shoulder.
"You must stay strong, Ellethwen, if you don't you shall become ill, and then Dallin will not get the nourishment he needs. You must stay strong, if not for yourself then for your son." Ellethwen nodded as Gelsey lowered her hand and bundled Dallin back up. She picked up the baby and handed him to his mother. "Think of him, my dear," she whispered as Ellethwen looked down at Dallin. Ellethwen nodded and looked at Gelsey with a small smile and a nod before she left healing hall and walked through the corridors.
Gelsey was right and Ellethwen knew it, but part of her still worried for Boromir, and she knew that part would never diminish until she was in his arms again.
Night had fallen and Boromir has spotted Aragorn entering the king's tent and then only seconds later, he saw the king exit. Boromir furrowed his brow as he looked to the tent when Legolas stepped up next to him. "Lord Elrond is here," Legolas said gently and Boromir looked to him. "He brings the sword that was broken, and Aragorn shall take a different path. Will you ride with him?" Legolas asked suddenly and Boromir nodded.
"Aye, I will and you?" Boromir asked and Legolas smiled with a nod.
"Aye, let us ready our horses." Boromir returned his smile and the man and elf moved quickly to ready their horses and to find the dwarf who was probably sleeping somewhere.
Boromir and Legolas had their horses ready and stood off to the side while they watched Aragorn slowly make his way towards the path that would lead them under the mountain. They were hidden so he did not see them when he passed by, but Gimli stopped him.
"Just where do you think you're off to?" Gimli asked stopping Aragorn and Brego in their path. Aragorn looked to Gimli and shook his head.
"Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli," Aragorn said and the dwarf huffed as he stood. Legolas and Boromir then brought their horses forward, Legolas stopped next to Brego while Boromir stopped next to him.
"Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" Legolas asked with a small smile and Aragorn turned and looked at them.
"You might as well accept it. We're going with you," Boromir said and Aragorn sighed before he nodded. Boromir mounted his horse, Aragorn mounted Brego and Legolas and Gimli mounted their horse and the four began their ride to the rode.
"What's happening?" one rider shouted, but the four riders kept their eyes on the rode ahead.
"Where's he going?" another asked.
"I don't understand. Lord Aragorn!" the first rider shouted, but they kept riding and went into the mountain pass. Boromir took a deep breath as they rode. He knew what Aragorn was about to do. There was no doubt in his mind, and he just hoped that what he had planned would work.
The dawn had come and Boromir looked around the great cavern in slight wonder. "What kind of an army would linger in such a place?" Gimli asked from his spot behind Legolas and Boromir looked to him.
"One that is cursed. Long ago the men of the mountain swore an oath to the last King of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight," Legolas said. "But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge." Boromir looked to Aragorn who wore a determined look on his face, one he had yet to see the other man wear. It seemed to him that he was slowly turning into the King he was meant to be, and allowing his thoughts to waiver, Boromir looked ahead once more and thought of Ellethwen and he wondered what she was doing that very moment.
Ellethwen laughed as she changed Dallin and he cooed happily. A knock on her door startled her but she continued her task. "Enter!" she called and the door opened. Ellethwen looked to the door and smiled at Rowen, one of the young women in the village. "Rowen, come in," she said and Rowen smiled at her and entered the chamber. "What brings you by today?" she asked as she picked up Dallin and rocked him in her arms. Rowen sighed and looked at her with sad eyes.
"Forgive me, my lady, I know you are busy with your child, but my sister suggested that I talk to you," Rowen said. Ellethwen frowned, the young woman looked troubled. Her sister was Bryn, a cook of the hall and if Bryn did not have the answers Rowen needed, she wondered if she could help her.
"There is nothing to forgive, and please Rowen; we have known each other for many years. I'm no better than you. Ellethwen shall do when you address me," Ellethwen said and Rowen nodded. "Come, sit and talk with me." Rowen did as Ellethwen said and sat down near the fire. Ellethwen sat across from her with Dallin safely in her arms. "Now, what is troubling you?"
"My husband," Rowen started and Ellethwen frowned.
"You're married?" she asked surprised evoking a laugh from Rowen who nodded.
"Aye, I was wed in the fall."
"How come I did not know of this?" Ellethwen asked and Rowen smiled with a shrug.
"It was a small affair, we were wed before he rode with Prince Theodred to the Westfold." Ellethwen nodded and waited for her to continue. "My husband rode with yours and the King to Dunharrow and to battle. I'm worried that I will lose him, when I have barely had time with him. Bryn told me your experience has much been the same with your husband." Ellethwen gave her a small smile and nodded.
"Yes, that is very true,' Ellethwen said quietly and looked down at Dallin who was playing with a lock of her dark hair. She looked back to the golden haired woman and smiled. "You're husband may be as luck as mine," she said and Rowen looked to her from the fire. "Boromir fought many a battle in Minas Tirith and survived. He fought at Helms Deep, as your husband did I am assuming," she said and at Rowen's nod she continued. "Fate is a funny thing Rowen, but hope and love are much stronger. Hope and love surpass the power of fate. As long as you have both, something tells me your husband shall return to you, just as mine shall return to me."
Rowen smiled and Ellethwen returned it onto Dallin yanked hard and pulled her hair. She let out a small cry and Rowen laughed softly. Ellethwen looked at her sharply and the woman sobered up, but fought the smile that threatened her face. However, when Ellethwen laughed Rowen laughed once again and the two women spent the rest of the day chatting and enjoying the company to keep their minds away from what laid in wait for their husbands.