Carried swifter than horses, we ran through the night and into the day as we followed the river path the fellowship had taken, all the while I desperately laboured to keep myself focused on task and did not become distracted by the distant calling of voices both dark and malignant, attempting to waylay my course as forces unseen attempted to trouble my already weakened mind. Were it not for Haldir, I might have been overcome long ago by their whisperings. Since I had removed the necklace which Thranduil had given me, the light which they instilled within me weakened the protective foundations which kept at bay that which would do me harm, thus every step was a struggle until I became once more used to maintaining balance.
Often Haldir offered to take rest, even if it were just he and I alone whilst the others continued as not to be too late but I refused, determined to demonstrate my strength of mind and body. By the time we reached the falls of Rauros, the ambush had already been sprung and the fellowship was scattered. My kin splintered off according to Haldir's orders, hunting down the filth which had plagued our lands to herd them away from the banks and draw their eyes from where Frodo and Samwise would seek to escape. I wished them all the luck in the world and wished for the stars to guide their path, looking to the distant bank before seeing to the battle at hand.
I ran up the fallen trunk of a tree in order to elevate myself above their heads, drawing my bow and shooting the first three arrows upon a single string, taking as many of the Uruk-Hai down as they had sprung for Gimli. The dwarf bellowed with a trumpeting roar, swinging his axe with such a powerful force that even the Uruk-Hai thought twice before getting too close to his bone crushing swings. I passed him, knowing that my kin were present and he would be safe. My first instinct was to seek out my husband, spotting him some fair distance away near to Aragorn, fighting side by side as the harbingers of death and destruction continued to descend upon us. Soon enough I was separated from Haldir amongst the confusion as the Uruk-Hai spun to and fro, attempting to locate the new emergence of threat before being cut down by one of my kin, their surprise overcome by instinct to flee the danger. A horn sounded, blaring and bright against the otherwise quiet gloom of the trees which sparked the memory of my vision so, without hesitation, I ran towards it. I prayed as I ran, carrying myself swift and straight directly to the source but not swiftly enough, for Boromir was still struck.
My voice cried out in elven tongue, protesting his hurt and injury with the utmost despair as I drew back my bow, watching as the Uruk-Hai captain approached Boromir after his last arrow, a third black feathered shaft which had implanted itself into the Gondorian's belly. Seething with rage and cursing that I had been unable to keep Boromir safe, I slid to a halt halfway down the rise, lowering myself into a steady crouch and took aim as the Uruk-Hai drew back his bow, standing directly before Boromir. Before he could fully tauten the string, I released my own arrow made with owl feathers, my keen eye seeing every indent and strand as the sharpened head sliced through the bowstring and snapped it with a sharp twang of sound.
Breathless relief flooded through me as I hurriedly reached for another, drawing back the arrow this time to aim for the Uruk-Hai, but to my discontent the arrow was deflected and a roar thundered directly towards me. Were I inclined to behave like a beast, I would have roared back, but soon enough the Uruk-Hai became distracted when Aragorn slammed into him with no hesitation, taking the two of them cleanly off their feet as I rushed forwards. I meant to help Aragorn, but when a beastly snarl sounded and the pounding of feet took my ears by storm, I turned and had to shoot down another Uruk-Hai as it raised it's weapon, others soon following. "Eleni!"
"Estel!" Calling to one another with equal concern, I risked a glance over my shoulder as I exchanged my bow for my sword, swiftly dancing through the Uruk-Hai with constant turns of my body, ensuring that I did not stay still long enough for them to strike me. My gaze shot towards Aragorn, seeing him bleeding at the mouth. He deflected a dagger which had been flung at him and I recognised the intricacy of Elven craftsmanship as it caught the light before Aragorn staggered to his feet and, with a fury which became nothing short of pure visceral aggression, cut off the Uruk-Hai's arm as I delivered my last foe unto death.
The end came for the Uruk-Hai captain, pierced by Aragorn's sword before his head was removed from his shoulders in one clean sweep, whereby the decapitated head rolled down the hill to stop before me, white hand emblazoned upon the brow. Lips curling in disgust I kicked it away from me and rushed to Boromir instead, hearing his ragged breath and seeing that one arrow had pierced a lung. His desperation lay evident in his rolling eyes as his fingers grasped hold of Aragorn when he reached him, flitting between he and I as I began to offer him healing. "They took the little ones."
"Hold still." Attempting to hold him steady for me, I began to peel away at Boromir's clothing, using a knife to cut away what I could not remove from around the arrow shaft. He did not have much time, he needed healing immediately if he was to make it back to my people and endure. Behind me I sensed Haldir, so with a quick look I asked him to take our kin and track the Uruks who had got away with the Halflings. Nodding his head, Haldir complied with my request, allowing me to once more focus upon Boromir who continued to speak even as it sapped his strength.
"Frodo. Where is Frodo?" Appeasing him with a gentle hand to his face, Aragorn informed him that he had let Frodo go to continue the next part of this journey alone. "Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the Ring from him." Sensing the lingering shadow now diminishing, I began to chant in the language of my people, calling upon the blessings and strength of the Valar to heal this mortal of his wounds, to steady his heart and calm his mind from all darkness which had before seized it almost entirely. Aragorn and Boromir continued to speak, the latter's breathing becoming a little steadier as I alleviated some of his pain and gradually cut out the arrowheads which had burrowed deep into his flesh, sending him into a trance like state as he began to lament the doom of all upon this earth. "It is over. The world of Men will fall and all will come to darkness, and my city to ruin." Opening my eyes a little, Boromir turned to see a resonant light within them, endless stars gleaming as I shone with a brightness which began to consume him, drawing away such thoughts and replacing them with ones of gentler disposition. My lips continued to murmur in chant but my hand rested upon his brow, smoothing back his hair to offer him all the comfort I was able whilst Aragorn spoke, vowing to keep both the White City and their people from falling into ruin. Such promises and the light which now shone within Boromir seemed to bring a peace to his heart which he had not felt in a great number of years, smiling gently to us both as he exhaled. "I would have followed you, my brother. My captain. My king."
"You may follow him yet, do not give in yet, son of Gondor." I promised him as I ceased my chanting and took a moment to recover myself, hands still pressed over his most mortal wound whilst Aragorn secured the others. "The eternal call of home will bring you back from the gates of netherworld, for the longing of that which is dearest to you will stay the hand of death before it can claim you. Spires gleaming like pearl and silver with banners unfurled, did you not describe it this way? A beautiful place, one worthy to continue fighting for." Brushing his lids closed, I listened to the now steadied rhythm of his heart and reassured myself that for the moment, his life was not ready to diminish. "Take rest, son of Gondor, sleep upon the dreams of hope and peace, may it nourish your heart and soul into healing."
As I whispered my final enchantment to send Boromir into a deep, restorative sleep, Aragorn's hand curled around my neck and rubbed it lightly as my head dropped. Behind me I sensed Legolas, lingering with Gimli as not to disturb us until it was safe to do so, and once Aragorn drew back Legolas immediately took his place, taking my shoulders to draw me against him so that I too could rest. "You must have run through the night in order to reach us so soon. Did you envision this, Eleni?" He asked me softly but I could give no reply save a nod of my head.
"Will he live lassie? He fought too bravely to die in this manner. Cut down by orc filth." Gimli questioned but Aragorn hushed him gently, informing the dwarf that I needed a moment to recover my strength. Once I was able to stand, together we returned to the shoreline where the camp had been settled in order to lay Boromir down properly and so that I could use some of the medicinal supplies that Aragorn had on hand to further treat his wounds, bandaging his chest and torso after stripping him of his bracers, hauberk and shirt. At that moment my kin returned, bringing news that they had lost the Uruk-Hai beyond the treeline and dared not follow any further and could linger no longer away from their own borders. "What is to be done?" Legolas reasoned that Frodo and Sam would have reached the eastern shore by now and that if they meant to follow them, then they had to go now, but quickly he recognised in Aragorn's bearing that he meant not to follow and said as much.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands."
"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed." Gimli despaired as I continued to see to Boromir's wounds, one of the other elves coming to assist me as he had extensive knowledge for healing and I greatly welcomed his help, thanking him quietly. Aragorn stood before Legolas and Gimli and took both of them by the shoulders, his arms now adorned with Boromir's bracers to carry them in his stead, knowing that he would no longer be able to continue with them.
"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." My head lifted and I rose to my feet, leaving Boromir in the care of the other healer so that I could face what remained of the fellowship.
"You will be hunting some days and nights in pursuit of the Halflings. Take this with you." Upon my belt I pulled a waterskin filled with water from Galadriel's pool, infused with great restorative properties which I handed over to Aragorn to carry. "These waters will renew your strength with a single sip. Use it sparingly, for it is little to be shared between three. It is all I have with me."
"It is more than enough, beloved." Legolas assured me, kissing my brow to ease the tight knit which had begun to knot itself there. "Hanon le."
"Do not linger, you must go." I ushered them all, resting my hand over my heart and bowing my head in farewell. "You may leave your companion to my care, I vow I shall not let death take him until it is truly his time to depart. He will be well cared for among our kin." Haldir inclined his head slowly, seconding my words without uttering a sound. Gimli huffed deeply but did not argue, merely stipulated that if Boromir was in some ways lucky to be able to return to the presence of the lady Galadriel so soon after departure.
"Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light." Gathering his sword, knife and all that he needed, which was very little, Aragorn prepared himself for the long journey which he was about to face. My visions had allowed me to dip into the future of the one I had known and helped raise from a young boy, and not many moments were good and bright, but I hoped that he would find his courage along the road to become what I knew he was meant to be. A true king. A great king. A king to be remembered for all the ages to come. "Let's hunt some Orc." My kin and I stepped aside to allow Aragorn son of Arathorn, Legolas son of Thranduil and Gimli son of Gloin passage, pursuing their little friends into the unknown beyond. I watched them go, seeing Legolas pause on the rise and look back to me where our eyes met. My lips suddenly tingled in remembrance of the last kiss he had given me and my heart yearned to fly to him but I remained rooted to the ground, knowing that it was imperative that I let him go. He smiled to me almost knowingly, as if he could read the yearnings of my mind and wished that he could remain to hold me in his embrace until the coming of the next age.
Legolas bowed his head reverently, respecting me as his wife and so I returned the gesture, sending him away with a smile for him to remember until he was gone from sight and sound. Behind me my kin had already moved Boromir into one of the boats and had prepared the other in which Haldir had me sit, wanting me to rest further and between him and one of his subordinates, began to tame the waters in order to take us back to our home.