Boromir, Thou Shall Live
By Priscilla Stafford
Author's Note: Wow, this is a REALLY long chapter! The reason is (as you will read), the story is in three parts. Originally it was supposed to be only the last two parts then after rereading the Lord of the Rings books, I knew that I had to include this first part. I hope you enjoy it!
Personal thank-you's at the bottom of the chapter.
Chapter Six: 'The Wheels of Time Turn'
It was late at night when a mysterious someone, wearing a grey cloak, walked through the halls of Caras Galadhon. Through the folds of the robe, flashes of white could be seen. The sound of his staff hitting the ground echoed in the stillness of the night.
He stopped at a door. He paused, as if contemplating whether to enter or not. Minutes passed before the door was finally opened by the hand of the stranger.
The room was well furnished, simply and elegantly. Towards the back of the room was a large and ornate bed. Lying underneath the sheets of white lay Boromir.
The man of Gondor was asleep, for the past days had taken their toll on his body, mind, and spirit. In the murky glow, his face appeared pale and troubled, for his brows were furrowed as if in deep concentration.
The stranger pulled back his hood and revealed the face of an old man, yet his eyes were full of youth. He quietly called out.
"Boromir."
The sleeping man stirred but did not awake.
Once more the old man called out, his tone more urgent.
Boromir's eyes finally opened. Their weariness betrayed the fact that he had been asleep. He sat himself up and tried to peer through the darkness to look into the face of his awakener. "Who is it?"
"Someone I'm sure you would never have guessed to meet again."
Boromir's eyes widened, and his voice trembled for he had recognized the stranger's voice. "Gandalf?"
The older man chuckled. "I'm surprised you guessed right the first time."
"But how..."
"I'm sorry, Boromir, but I really do not have the time to answer all your questions." Gandalf sighed as he looked away, lost in thought.
Boromir spoke quietly. "One question I must have an answer for, Gandalf. Do you know how I came to be here?"
"Yes."
Boromir looked down and Gandalf could see he was clenching his jaw in an irritated way. Gandalf gently rested his hand on the other's shoulder in a reassuring way. Still Boromir did not look up.
"Forget not this mistake you have made Boromir, for from mistakes can we mature. But forget not also, Boromir, that you fell into temptation, but in the end you escaped. That is indeed a most valiant thing."
Seeing that the man stayed silent, Gandalf continued. "Boromir, many men consider those who avoid and do not fall into any pits a most honorable man. Strong of heart, courageous, too. They forget those who do fall. Many fall to the bottom where it is so deep none can escape. But then again, there are some who cling to the walls of the pit. How easy it would be to let go and continue to the bottom. Some do.
"But the miraculous few do actually make it out of the pit. For they overcame their fear and shame. They strove to come out and breathe the fresh air. So inch by inch, with their last remaining strength, they reach the edge of the pit."
Gandalf was pleased to see that Boromir seemed to be listening. He continued. "Here are my last words of wisdom I give to you before I leave. Do not stop at the edge of the pit, Boromir, son of Gondor. Reach out to take the hands your friends have reached out to you."
Gandalf stood up to leave but was stopped by the soft words spoken from the bed. "It is so hard, Gandalf."
The wizard smiled. "It always is. But you will make it."
Boromir disagreed, shaking his head. "I do not deserve..."
"Who decides what is deserved for each and every person? Do not try to decide for yourself something which you should not." There was silence before Gandalf spoke again. "I must be off now to seek out the remains of the Fellowship. Farewell now, till we meet again."
"Gandalf?"
The Wizard once more stopped before the door. Boromir spoke in a nervous tone. "If you see the rest of the Fellowship, please do not tell them of my fate."
"If that is what you want."
A pause. "Yes."
"Then that is the way it should be." Gandalf gave Boromir a kind smile. "Farewell."
"Farewell. And thank you."
The wizard left the room and stopped for a moment. He murmured softly, "He is a changed man."
Out of the darkness the words floated through the air to reach Gandalf's ears. "He has a long road ahead of him."
Gandalf smiled. "I believe you are right, Galadriel, I believe you are right."
Faramir loved the stables. Even at a very young age, he remembered always getting his older brother to bring him to the stables. Then, after his mother had died, even more time he had spent in the dark stalls among the horses, much to his father's disapproval.
The man of Gondor sighed and absently picked up a stalk of hay. Indeed, all he seemed to do was kindle his father's disapproval. Oh, how he wished his brother were here.
Which reminded Faramir of the strange vision he had seen the night before last. He could still see everything perfectly, as if he had experienced the events first hand.
First he had seen the dead body of his brother lying inside a boat of Elvish design. Peaceful were his features though his pallor was of one of the dead. In his vision Faramir had wept, holding the broken pieces of the horn of Gondor.
Suddenly, the image was replaced by another. It was one of Boromir, alive. Yet he was weeping. And in his arms, Faramir saw himself lying still, his face pale and his eyes closed. Flames reached out to encircle the two brothers.
Faramir's heart raced as he remembered every detail. Was his vision of the future? He did not know.
The son of the Steward stood up. He had his duties to perform. He gently patted the horse from whose stall he had hidden in. "Thank you for the use of your stall, Mairondil."
Faramir strode out from the stables while dusting from himself the dust and hay he had most likely picked up.
He saw Mablung waiting for him, trying to hide his nervousness. "Your father will not approve of our leaving Minas Tirith at such an hour, Captain."
The Captain grimaced slightly but hid it well. "It is of no matter now. Are you ready?"
"More than ever, my lord."
"Then let us be off to Ithilien." And to whatever future awaited for Faramir, Captain of the Ithilien Rangers.
Legolas tried to peer through the dense forest of Fangorn, but there was not much to see. To where had the Hobbits disappeared?
The Elf watched as Aragorn hunted for fresh signs of the Hobbits. It was now dawn of the fourth day since leaving Amon Hen, where the Fellowship had broken. And it was only yesterday when Aragorn, Gimli, and he had met Eomer, sister-son of King Theoden, who had sent them to the outskirts of Fangorn forest.
Eomer had said, "Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands."
"Was Eomer right, was this a hopeless task?" Legolas shuddered at the thought.
Thankfully, though Eomer had been right that he and his army had destroyed every Uruk-Hai and Orc, they had missed the traces left behind two Hobbits leading into Fangorn. Thank the Valar for Aragorn and his tracking abilities!
Now the three of them were deep in Fangorn, but no trace of Hobbits could they find. "Had they run into trouble?" Legolas thought.
For a while now, no signs of any Hobbits were found. But still they continued their search, till Legolas heard a shout of triumph from Aragorn.
" At least one Hobbit stood here for a while and looked back, and then he turned away into the forest," said Aragorn.
Gimli hefted his axe more comfortably on his shoulder. "Then we must go in, too," he said. "But I do not like the look of this Fangorn. We were warned against it. I wish the chase had led anywhere else!"
Legolas closed his eyes and let the silence of the place drown out all sounds from his companions. He stood still under the eaves of the forest. He gave a small sigh and opened his eyes. The Elf shared his insight with Aragorn and Gimli. "I do not think the wood feels evil, whatever tales may say. No, it is not evil for I only catch the faintest echoes of dark places where the hearts of the trees are black. There is no malice near us but there is watchfulness… and much anger."
"Well, it has no cause to be angry with me," Gimli said huffily. "I have done it no harm."
Legolas smiled. "That is certainly just as well." He continued to listen to the trees. "But nonetheless it has suffered harm. There is something happening inside, or going to happen. Do you not feel the tenseness? It takes my breath."
Almost to himself, Legolas continued. "It is old, very old. So old that almost I feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children. It is old and full of memory. I could have been happy here, if I had come in days of peace."
Gimli rolled his eyes. "I dare say you could," he snorted. "You are a Wood-Elf, anyway, though Elves of any kind are strange folk. Yet you comfort me. Where you go, I will go. But keep your bow ready at hand, and I will keep my axe ready. Not for use on trees," he added hastily, looking up at the tree under which they stood. "I do not wish to meet that old man at unawares without an argument ready to hand, that is all. Let us go!"
"Ah yes, the old man," Legolas murmured. "Most probably it is Saruman up to his foul deeds." The Elf and Dwarf followed Aragorn, for during their conversation the ranger had gone off a ways, intent on his tracking.
Suddenly the three stopped, for they heard creaking, then a series of noises that sounded much like moaning and groaning. "The trees are speaking to each other," Legolas whispered.
"Gimli!" At Aragorn's voice, Legolas turned to look at Gimli, who had automatically raised his axe in defense.
"Lower your axe." Almost sheepishly, Gimli obliged.
At that moment, Legolas saw a flash of white. He deliberately turned his back on it and whispered to his companions. "The White Wizard approaches." He gestured slightly to let the others know that the figure was behind them.
Aragorn spoke. "Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us."
Legolas noted that Aragorn was gripping the handle of his sword while Gimli gripped his axe tightly.
The Elf fingered the feathers of the arrow already notched and fitted in his bow. Aragorn whispered a last warning. "We must be quick."
In one fluid motion, Legolas turned with the others and shouted in surprise. For the mysterious person stood on a high rock and was bathed in a bright, white light. The light was so bright that the features of his face could not be seen.
The Elf prince saw Gimli's axe hurling toward the figure, but to his astonishment, the figure blocked it with what he assumed was a staff.
Legolas then loosed his bow and watched in dismay as the figure blocked the arrow also. It was now up to Aragorn.
But to his amazement, Legolas saw Aragorn looking at his sword in shock. The sword glowed as if red hot, and Aragorn dropped the sword as if his hand was burning.
"Well met indeed, my friends," the figure spoke.
"Who are you? Give us your name!" Aragorn said in a loud voice, his hand held up to ward off the light.
"My name! Have you not guessed it already? You have heard it before, I think. Yes, you have heard it before."
Legolas shifted his feet, becoming more and more uncomfortable. His voice, yes, his voice was familiar.
The figure continued to speak. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits. Well, they climbed up here the day before yesterday, and they met someone that they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"
The Elf remained silent, as did Gimli, and the two let Aragorn speak. "Show yourself!"
Slowly, the light began to subside. His eyes sharp, Legolas immediately recognized the face.
"Mithrandir! Mithrandir!" he shouted.
For indeed it was Gandalf, who was last seen at the bridge of Khazad-dum. But to Legolas' eyes it did not seem to be the same Gandalf. The person standing before them had hair as white as snow in the sunshine. Gleaming white was his robe; the eyes under his deep brows were bright, piercing as the rays of the sun.
"It cannot be," Aragorn said in disbelief. "You fell!"
"Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside.
"Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."
Gandalf smiled slightly. "Gandalf the Grey they used to call me. I am Gandalf the White now. Yet Black is mightier still. But tell me of your adventures since I have last left you."
Aragorn sighed. "Frodo and Sam are on their own to continue the quest."
"That is good news indeed. There is still hope for Middle-earth."
Legolas decided to speak. "Of Boromir, we know naught."
The wizard suddenly became very interested. "What of Boromir?"
"He had disappeared," Gimli said. "We do not know what has happened to him."
"But we found this." Legolas drew out the broken halves of the horn of Gondor. "I do not believe he would have left this behind purposefully, wherever he may be."
"Aragorn, tell me what you think," Gandalf queried.
Legolas saw Aragorn bow his head in sadness. "I do not believe the Uruk-Hai left Boromir alive. For Legolas is right, Boromir would not leave his horn. But no body did we find. Dare we hope that he is yet alive?"
Gandalf remained silent. Legolas searched his face and found he looked troubled. But for some reason, Legolas felt that Gandalf did not seem as if he was worried whether or not Boromir still lived. He was troubled about something else...
The wizard shook away his thoughtfulness and faced Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. "You must tell me more about the events that have happened since Moria, but not now. There is much to do. Come, we have been given a new road. We go to Edoras."
Author's Note: So, did you like it? For some reason I feel this chapter is a bit different from my others, I hope it's good... I used both the Lord of the Rings books and the movies to write the chapter, plus included my own stuff.
Special thanks to:
Melodist I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Yes, Boromir and Haldir's relationship is going to be interesting but I have great faith it's going to work out great! (to tell the truth, I had to search through the books to find out more about Haldir since I don't remember too much his part in the books... smile!). Will Boromir set out on his own adventure? That's a secret I'm going to 'keep secret, keep safe.' wink!
iwantboromir Sean Bean as your future husband? Hmm... I think a lot of girls are going to disagree with you about that! Hee hee! Anyway, I'm glad you like the 'image' I've created for Boromir. Oh, I don't see Boromir falling in love with an Elf-maiden either! Haldir deserve to the get the 'girl', Isilme. But don't worry, I still have 'something' in mind for Boromir. wink!
Diadora Oh, TWO reviews from you! (hugs!) (thoughts stray to Boromir capturing some lovely maiden's heart...) ahem, my mind went off track. I like Gollum, too! Andy Serkis did a great job both 'acting' and doing the voice for Gollum! Oh, don't worry about Boromir falling in love with an Elf! I'm keeping Isilme all for Haldir. I have other plans for Boromir. cackles evily Any-hooo, I'm off track again. Do you like Darma Druid's fan fics? I think her "Irulan" stories are simply fantastic! I have to read "Glass Sandal" though... Thanks for the TWO reviews again, I hope you like this chapter!
Spry Sprite I hope you like my Faramir in this chapter, though it was a VERY short part. I plan on putting more of him in the fic. And it's perfectly all right to admit that David Wenham IS handsome! Here's a great picture of him, albeit small:
obsessedgigglingelf I'm glad you like all the chapters I've written! I'm perfectly honored that you say that my Boromir is quite like the one in the books! blushes Glad you like my friendship between Boromir and Haldir! Hope you like this new chapter.
Maria (rolls eyes) You weren't exactly the 'lovely maiden' I was imagining for Boromir... hee hee! Glad you like the chapter, hope you like this new chapter which includes the 'BoroFar's'. tee hee hee!