Thanks for the reviews!
Woman of Letters - Totally understand, okay not completely, my stepson is at the stage where, if he were a Tolkien nerd, which he's not (sucks for him) he would be reading fics too, but the safe rated ones! :D I quite enjoyed adding the archery comp. Added a bit more relationship build up and another side to their characters it needed.
Wickedgreene13 - Its cool you are re reading this. I feel like I am making so many changes, especially with Legolas and insights into how he's ticking. Trying to add more backstory hints etc too in the chapters. just little things that you re-readers will probably pick up on. Enjoy this one, its had way more feels added to it but not too many.
On the eighth evening, they camped on the western river bank. Gimli, Legolas and Aerlaer were on watch duty. She felt tense. She had spent the last hour of daylight, pacing about on the land, absentmindedly fiddling with her hair that fell over her shoulder. They were now very far away from the safety of Lothlórien and although no one had seemed to notice, it felt like danger pursued them.
Aerlaer had first watch and, as the others settled down to sleep, she silently stood and kept her ears strained and eyes sharp, darting about for any movement that would signify danger. As the hours pressed on, she did not see or hear anything to alert her of anything amiss however, the feeling of unease remained.
Gimli came to take over her watch and Aerlaer insisted she would remain through his watch too. "Four eyes and four ears are better than two of each." She simply informed him when he looked at her curiously.
"Well, okay then lass, but don't feel obligated to." Gimli replied begrudgingly. She wondered if he would have been happier to take watch alone but, she did not feel any more at ease. It was as if the very air was thickening with foreboding. If only she knew what it was, what was coming? Neither she or Gimli spoke, more intent on the task at hand.
…
Legolas awoke with a start, his dreams dangerous. A blend of both truths and what his foolish mind hand conjured. He physically shook his head, shaking the lingering dream-memories of an ethereal dance away. He cast his eyes to the starlit sky, finding the moon. It would be close to time for his watch, the moon sitting at four hours until dawn.
Stretching lightly, he stood, shrugging on his quiver and picking up his bow. The others slept soundly and he supposed Gimli would appreciate an early reprieve. He paused. The area Aerlaer had prepared to sleep was untouched. A jolt of fear shot through him. Where was she? He looked about quickly but she was not within the small camp.
Heart beginning to pound nervously, he quickly made his way to where Gimli would be on watch, hoping the elleth too was there. When he saw the two barely distinguishable silhouettes in the dark ahead of him, through trees and foliage, he let out a breath of relief and quietly let the elleth and Dwarf hear he was approaching.
Gimli nodded his head to Legolas and started back towards camp. Aerlaer did not move from where she sat upon a fallen tree. Gimli paused, turning back to the elleth who was not following him.
"Aerlaer, come, let's go and rest now. Legolas's eyes and ears are fresh." Gimli coaxed.
"No, it is okay, Gimli, you go on. I do not need the rest like you do." Legolas was surprised by her answer. She intended to stay?
"Fine, suit yourself." The Dwarf muttered quietly, turning to trudge back to his bed.
"You don't mind, do you?" Aerlaer's voice was a soft whisper. She had not turned from her position, gazing across the bank, her bow held loosely in her right hand.
"No, not at all." He replied but truthfully, after his dream of a dance in the woods, he thought perhaps keeping a safe distance from the elleth would be wiser. He sat down next to her, intending to keep three feet between them but somehow ending up so their arms were mere inches from touching, at their sides. It made him nervous how unconsciously he had ended up closer to her. She did not seem bothered by it. He decided, this way, they could speak very quietly and hear one another perfectly without alerting anyone or anything of their presence. "Can you not sleep?" He questioned.
"No." She continued staring ahead of her. "It feels as if an evil presence is closing in on us although I do not know what. Can you feel it too?" Worry was evident in her quiet voice.
"Yes." He breathed. He knew of what she spoke. Perhaps she felt it more acutely, he did not know. He had been able to sleep, but she had not. "I believe we are safe tonight but I will be glad to be on the river again at dawn." He added, hoping to console her. She nodded slowly.
"Are you certain you don't want to get some rest?" He asked gently, hoping she would take rest. He was all too aware of her proximity. Once again, he had brought it upon himself.
"No, I'll stay if that is truly okay?"
He nodded to her. he couldn't possibly turn her away and a larger, foolish part of him was glad she would stay. "Company does make these watches more bearable." He spoke for the sake of it, giving himself a safe excuse to enjoy her company.
They remained comfortably silent for quite some time both watching and listening. Legolas's mind was not so silent. His dream had felt all too real, all too wonderful and it haunted him. Eventually he blurted quietly out; "Was I truly the better dancer?"
Aerlaer stiffened beside him a moment but her answer was instant and truthful. "Of course, you were."
"Good." He replied smugly and heard the quietest tinkle of laughter beside him.
"I think better, possibly, then Glorfindel." It was Legolas's turn to stiffen. "Glorfindel is a lovely dancer." Her voice had become wistful.
Legolas had forgotten about Glorfindel. About the affection, he had seen between the golden-haired Elf and Aerlaer. He swallowed a lump in his throat.
"You are close to Glorfindel, yes?" He had to know.
"Yes." She sighed and his foolish heart sank. Foolish indeed, it had no reason to have risen in any context of hope, of anything. "I have known Glorfindel for as long as I can remember. He has always been a mentor to me and a friend." She took a shallow breath and looked as if she would say more but held back. He wondered what she chose not to say.
"Glorfindel helped me hone my sword-skills." He noticed now a small smile tugging at her mouth. "You might have noticed I was at the Imladris training grounds often before leaving for the quest?" Legolas nodded. "Glorfindel's method of emotional distraction. Tried and tested." Her smile was a wry one.
Legolas was unsure what to say. He suddenly wanted to comfort her. It was easy to forget she was the last of her kind, that her entire family had been slain. He had not seen her in her horse form since before they had reached Lothlórien. It was hard to remember she was not just any other Elf, that she could shift as easily as the wind did in the trees.
"I seek the calm of the trees." He said instead. "Although training has always served as both outlet and distraction." She nodded beside him but said no more. He was glad she clasped onto her bow, between them, or he would have taken her right hand, if only to show her she was not alone.
Just over an hour before dawn was due to break, Legolas felt a warm pressure at his left side. He turned his head to look at Aerlaer. Her body had slumped slightly, resting against his shoulder. He peered closely at her face, starlight revealing she was asleep. Carefully he reached his right arm around her shoulders and let her settle into his side so she would not fall. Her head fell to rest in the crook of his shoulder, the top of her head just under his chin. He kept his eyes and ears focused on the darkness around them but his thoughts were on the elleth securely by his side.
Never had he held another to him like this. It felt, perfect. He could feel the steady beat of her heart and he felt the warmth stir in his own heart again and began to panic. He shouldn't be doing this, he should be waking her, sending her back to camp. Then Aerlaer stirred and he froze, unsure what she would do if she awoke like this. She only wriggled closer into his side and let out a nearly inaudible sigh of contentment and his wildly beating heart calmed.
The warmth within it remained and, smiling ruefully to himself as he held the elleth a little more securely to his side, he allowed the foreign feeling to be there. He felt unexplainable contentment, he felt peace. He considered picking her up and lowering her to the leafy ground but he didn't want to let her go. Not quite yet. Dawn was near and he decided to let the elleth sleep as she was, he did not wish to disturb her. It was the easier excuse he gave himself as he continued watching and listening for any danger.
…
Aerlaer slowly awoke as her ears registered the beginnings of bird song signalling the start of dawn. She needed to get up. She was comfortable though and warm, feeling safer than she had in many days. Slowly, she opened her eyes and began to move, becoming aware of her surroundings. Her head was resting comfortably on a pillow, no it was on clothing. Goodness! It was on Legolas!
She sat up straight in surprise and Legolas nervously removed his arm from around her shoulders. "Forgive me, I did not mean to fall asleep like that." She rushed out, jumping up from the fallen tree and facing him. She could not quite meet his eyes, feeling incredibly embarrassed. He was not one of the twins or Aerthor or even Thenid. This was Legolas. Legolas was not herd and he was not family. She felt terrible yet, he merely shrugged his shoulder as if it were of no trouble.
"There is nothing to forgive Aerlaer, I am gladdened you did get some sleep. No harm has been done although, if I had not been there to hold you up, you would have done harm on yourself when you toppled off the tree." He smiled wryly at her and, she felt a little better.
"Oh. Well I guess that's okay?" She asked hesitantly, briefly meeting his eyes. There was no discontent in their depths but they were dark, so curiously dark.
"It is fine." He assured her dismissively. "Now, let's head back to the others so we can get back onto the safety of the river." He stood up before she could say anything else on the matter and strode purposely ahead of her. Nodding to no one in particular, she followed slowly after him, not reassured he was not bothered. His dark eyes had shown something she could not place.
…
Very well sung Pippin, that is one I have not heard in the west" Boromir praised the young Hobbit. He had finished a song of the Shire-folk. The day had consisted of yet more tales and songs and they helped push away the desire of the ring which ever called to him, confusing whispers in his mind. Too many times, he had found himself directing the boat too close to the one Frodo sat in. One of those times, he had accidently bumped the other boat and had felt guilty, especially when the small Hobbit had gazed at him warily.
Evening was setting in and he wondered what Aragorn's plan was when the Ranger spoke.
"Now we must stop, eat and rest." The ranger instructed and the others gladly obliged and a river anchor was thrown from each boat, securing them in the middle of the river. "Another two nights on the water and we should reach the Falls of Rauros the next morning." Aragorn mused as they ate quickly. Boromir would be glad to leave the boats. He did not much like sleeping in their cramped space, no matter how many blankets and pillows the Elves had supplied.
He settled down to rest nonetheless, both Aragorn and Aerlaer remaining up to keep watch. Their quiet conversation floated across to him on the still air.
"I think we should continue before dawn." He heard the she-Elf murmur. "Being idle does not feel safe."
"We are on the water." Aragorn intoned.
"And although the night is starless, we could be seen."
"Aerlaer, we are in no danger." Aragorn replied, sounding tired.
"No, not at this moment but we should not linger too long."
"Very well." The Ranger replied with a quiet sigh.
The Elf and Ranger spoke quitter then, in the Elven tongue and the low, musical accents soon eased Boromir into a sleep.
…
The next day, Aerlaer felt the foreboding feeling only grow and wished they could travel faster. It was noon and glancing from the bank, she noticed Boromir did not look well. There was a glazed appearance to his eyes. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, but it was not a warm day.
"Boromir?" She asked cautiously and snapping out of his glazed stare, he shook his head and ran a hand through his dark blonde hair and looked at her.
"Sorry, I was quite away in my own thoughts." He apologised. "What is the matter?" Aragorn too, looked a moment at the Gondor Man. Aerlaer knew the ring bothered him, Aragorn had mentioned it quietly when they had spoken during the night.
"Oh nothing, I was wondering if perhaps you could tell us more about your homeland?" She asked gently and was glad to see his face lighten up. Surely distraction would aid him, perhaps ease his mind.
"Of course, what would you like to know, Aerlaer?"
"Well, how about the grand city of Minas Tirith?" she asked and he immediately plunged into a descriptive recount of how the great city came to be. She knew of most of the history but encouraged him nonetheless, he was a well enough story teller and it kept the Hobbits entertained for the remainder of the afternoon.
The sun was now sitting a couple hours' past noon and the company had lapsed back into song to pass the rest of the day and Merry and Pippin were trying to get Gimli to share a song.
"Ah, no you do not need to hear the rough words of the dwarfs when we have four hobbits and two elves in company." He said dismissively but Aerlaer sided with the Hobbits. She had heard Dwarf song before in Imladris, having been present when Thorin and company had stayed in the valley. She may or may not have aided in their journeying from the valley, much to both Elrond, Gandalf and her father's horror. The Dwarves had intrigued her immensely.
"We have not heard a song from you Gimli, please would you sing us a song of the Dwarves." She coaxed sweetly.
The Dwarf looked a little uncomfortable at her request, his cheeks reddening a little but he finally nodded. "Very well then." He grumbled. Clearing his throat, he began nervously at first aware all were listening to him but as he fell into the rhythm of the song, he relaxed and his voice steadied.
"Far over the misty mountains cold.
To dungeons deep, and caverns old.
We must away,'ere break of day.
To find our long forgotten gold.
The pines were roaring on the height.
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread.
The trees like torches blazed with light."
…
Gimli's song had certainly been nicer than the dreadful caterwauling of the Dwarves of Thorin's company when they had accommodated the Elven Halls of his father. He noticed the Dwarf blink a tear from his eye and looked discreetly away.
"Legolas, your turn." Gimli declared gruffly and he stiffened and then let out a sigh, realising the others were waiting. Until now, it had been the Hobbits and Aerlaer who had done all the singing between one another and he had immensely enjoyed it. The Hobbits were ever jubilant in their song and Aerlaer simply perfect, her voice magical, both strong and beautiful.
He glanced to her, noticing she was not watching him. She watched the water they passed along, the afternoon sun accentuating every colour in her hair. How graceful she was, even when sitting perfectly still like she was at that moment. Thoughtlessly he began to sing the first song which came to mind in the Westron tongue.
"You look so wonderful in your dress
I love your hair like that
The way it falls on the side of your neck
Down your shoulders and back
You got the kind of look in your eyes
As if no one knows anything but us
Should this be the last thing I see
I want you to know it's enough for me
You look so beautiful in this light
Your silhouette next to me
The way it brings out the blue in your eyes
Is the Belegaer Sea
Should this be the last thing I see
I want you to know it's enough for me
'Cause all that you are is all that I'll ever need."
Yes, that was how he felt and he was not particularly happy about it.
"That was lovely." Sam said with a soft smile. Gimli nodded in agreement. Aragorn simply raised an eyebrow at him, his gaze quizzical and Legolas felt exposed, turning away to watch the other bank. These thoughts were senseless, utterly senseless. Why was he even thinking these things? He knew where he stood. They were friends, companions. Aerlaer had said so. She had denied anything more to Orophin that day. No matter, those facts did nothing to stay his heart of its silly infatuation.
Yes, she was pretty, no, she was beautiful and it was more than her perfect features. Well, he found them to be perfect. To him, everything about her was perfect. It was a dangerous thought. He needed to rid himself of these thoughts. There was nothing, it was nothing.
…
Aerlaer awoke just before dawn the next morning and looked intently into the trees along the western bank. She felt uneasy and had slept little. She could not see or hear anything but the feeling of ever closing in danger was stronger. She looked to the others and noted Legolas was also awake, keeping guard, looking alert. His dark eyes looked troubled as they caught hers. They roused the others, intent on moving along. They had tarried long enough overnight.
The sun eventually peaked over the horizon and light chased the darkness of night away. Aerlaer's unease only grew and Legolas too was unnaturally quiet when usually, he would speak quietly with Gimli. They both kept their eyes on the riverbanks and the trees beyond them. If the others noticed their increased watchfulness, they did not mention it. Eventually, two great towering statues rose before them, on either side of the river.
"Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old, my kin." Aragorn said reverently.
Each statue's left hand was held aloft, palm facing outward. In greeting or in warning? Aerlaer wondered as the boats passed under the statues and they entered the great expanse of lake that was Nen Hithoel.
They could all now hear the great splash of water from the other end of the great lake where it drained at the Falls of Rauros. Aragorn and Aerlaer paddled their boat to the sandy western shore of the lake, the others following. As they made camp on the grasses of Parth Gallen, Aerlaer' s unease grew tenfold. They needed to leave, every instinct told her to flee.
"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Aragorn told them calmly.
"Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!" Gimli scoffed. Aerlaer wondered if perhaps that is where danger lurked but, it felt closer though. So close. She cast about warily. "Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!" Gimli went on darkly in the background.
"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." Aragorn intoned flatly. Aerlaer knew he was weary but they couldn't possibly stay here. Presently Legolas returned from a cluster of trees to stand to her left.
"It is not safe here." He murmured.
"Try convincing Aragorn of that." She ground out, annoyed the Ranger wouldn't listen to her. She'd told him three times that afternoon that something was amiss and they should remain on the water.
Legolas turned to Aragorn with a frown. "We should leave now."
"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness." Aragorn replied.
"It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near." He gestured to her although he looked again to the trees. "Aerlaer feels it too."
"We must rest." Aragorn insisted. Nowhere is safe." He strode away, towards the three boats on the shallow shore.
"Where's Frodo?" Aerlaer turned to where the Hobbit sat among the packs before casting about. They were all casting about, but Frodo was not in sight.
"Boromir too is not present." Legolas murmured and she locked eyes with Aragorn, as too did Legolas.
"Mister Frodo?" Sam called out in poorly hidden distress.
"Boromir's shield is still here, he can't have gone far." Aerlaer noted but her stomach twisted, something was wrong.
"Watch the others." Aragorn instructed, as he ran off in search of Frodo. Aerlaer paced nervously back and forth looking to the trees Aragorn had run off into and then casting about, as the others still did, hoping the small Hobbit would appear. She strained to hear any noise hinting at the Hobbit's whereabouts but heard nothing, not even the sound of birdsong. It seemed even the breeze in the trees had ceased as if it were a baited breath, waiting.
A coldness came over her for it was unnatural, this silence. "Legolas?" She whispered to the Elf beside her. "It's too quiet." He imperceptibly tensed beside her. he noticed it now too.
"If you stay here, I'll see if I can find them." Legolas whispered back. She nodded, feeling dread as if it were in her very blood. Danger, she felt danger everywhere. She grasped his arm.
"Be safe." She urged and a look of surprise passed across his face before he nodded and dashed away. He had been gone no more than a few minutes when she heard the dull ring of weapons and the viscous cries of the enemy.
"Orcs!" She hissed to the others. "Stay hidden and together!" Ripping an arrow from her quiver, she raced swiftly towards the sound of a battle beginning.
…
Legolas leapt into the fray of Urak-hai, his bowstring singing as he sent arrow after arrow flying. Soon he realised Aerlaer was nearby, shooting down the enemy too. He heard Gimli's battle cry as the Dwarf deftly fought and slayed every Urak that crossed his path. Aragorn was ahead of him, wrestling with another; Legolas shot an arrow into its back, freeing up the Ranger.
"Aragorn! Go!" He called out as he shot down another two Uraks. They were of the same build as the Uraks who he'd saved Aerlaer from near Imladris except these once distinctly bore a painted white hand upon their faces or helms, if they wore them. He shot two more as Aragorn raced passed him, towards the high-pitched sounds of the Hobbits yelling.
More Urak-hai appeared from within the trees and Legolas became separated from both Aerlaer and Gimli. The Dwarf swung his axe about him like a whirlwind of deadly steel and Aerlaer was engaged in combat with two ferocious Uraks. Legolas, seeing an advantage in being higher, leapt up fallen ruins to a crumbling platform of stone. There he shot down swiftly at the Uraks bellow; picking off any of the enemy his comrades could not.
He did not see the Urak behind him until it was nearly too late, he ducked and stepped sideways, narrowly missing its cruel blade but it was not enough. The foul creature plunged towards him, knocking him from the high ledge he stood. There was nowhere to roll, no time to twist into a safer position and he hit the broken ruins below, hard, his head slamming against cold stone.
Legolas tried to rise but his head spun, his vision unsteady, hazy. His bow had been knocked from his hand and he couldn't see where it had fallen. Ahead of him he vaguely saw an Urak-hai archer pull its crossbow-string back and aim. With a sickening feeling, he realised the arrow was aimed at his heart. He tried to get up, to roll away but another wave of dizziness overwhelmed him and he slumped, unable to move.
As the arrow was released and came hurtling toward him, he realised he was about to die. He felt movement suddenly and a blur of blue-grey and a flash of auburn hair. The arrow vanished, mere feet before him.
…
Aerlaer tightly rolled and spun, crouched on her heel, bow in hand and, flipping the Urak-hai's arrow she had just snatched out of the air, set it onto her own bow and sent the arrow arcing back towards the enemy archer. He let out a cry which cut off midway as he fell to the ground, dead.
She now realised her heart was thundering erratically behind her ribs, as if it would break free. She'd reached him in time. Turning, she peered anxiously to the slumped wood-Elf.
"Are you okay?" She asked anxiously, kneeling by his side and lightly touching a mark on the woodland elf's forehead.
"Yes. I hit the back of my head. I think it is better now." He went to rise by himself and slumped back down, his face paling and eyes fluttering closed. Carefully she eased him up a little to see the injury to his head. Miraculously he had not cut the skin but there was a lump and she imaged it hurt more than he was letting on. "That was close... just now." He said absentmindedly.
"Shh, rest a moment to clear your head." Aerlaer soothed, placing the palm of her hand gently over the injury and summoning the forces needed to heal him completely.
"I did not know you could heal?" He murmured as she took her hand away,
She laughed softly, glad he really was okay. "I like to keep a few tricks up my sleeve."
"You'll have to teach me the trick where you catch arrows mid-air." He said reverently as she stood up and held a hand out to help him up.
"One life owed." She said as he grasped her hand and she pulled him to his feet. Once she was certain he was steady, she let go of his hand and turned to go but felt a gentle hand grasp her arm. Aerlaer turned to look back up at him.
"Thank you." He said simply but, she saw the deep gratitude reflecting in his eyes and, was there something else there? She did not have time to work out what for suddenly from the direction Gimli had run they heard a horn blow.
"The horn of Gondor?" Legolas asked confused, breaking eye contact and looking around.
"It's Boromir." Aerlaer replied, picking up Legolas's bow and handing it to him. "You'll need this." Turning they ran towards where the horn blast had sounded.
…
Legolas leapt down a ruined flight of stairs to the ground below, following Aerlaer. She'd saved and healed him. If it were not for her, he would be dead. As they ran, the aimed and shot down any Urak-hai they sighted but most were now fleeing. Something was not right, the Uraks still easily outnumbered them, why did they flee? Dread washed over him, what had they found to leave? They came upon many slayed bodies and beside one, Aragorn knelt. Legolas slid to a halt, seeing full well the condition the man, his friend, was in.
"No." Aerlaer whispered in anguished shock. Legolas cast about but the Hobbits were nowhere to be seen. Aerlaer started forward to close the small distance between them and Boromir and Legolas leapt forward, grasping her arm, pulling her back. It was too late.
"Let me help him." She demanded, yet her voice wavered. "I can help him!" She tried twisting from his grip but Legolas wrapped both arms around her and pulled her close to him, effectively holding on to her.
"Leave them be. There is nothing that can be done for him, not even by a healer." He murmured softly against her hair, trying to calm her. "Let him pass proudly, in battle and with his sword in his hand" He felt her body slump slightly as she stopped resisting his hold. He let go of her but she remained standing before him and he felt fingers tentivley reach for his. Gently he wrapped his own hand around hers, drawing comfort from her as she surely did from him.
Gimli arrived by their side, a quiet, broken sigh escaping him as Boromir took his final, difficult breaths. There had always been the possibility another one of them would fall and, Legolas was unused to the death of humans. He had never befriended a human, other than Aragorn and some of the Dunedain. They had longer lifespans, especially Aragorn.
Where did human souls go? He watched silently as Aragorn placed a kiss upon Boromir's forehead and murmured words Legolas could not hear as he closed the man's eyes. He felt a lump in his throat and heard Gimli sniff and then let out a quiet sob beside him. Aerlaer remained silent although her fingers tightened slightly in his.
"The enemy has taken Merry and Pippin." Aragorn spoke slowly as he stood.
"What! No!" Gimli cried out in anguish as Aerlaer took a shuddering breath in. Legolas nodded, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Sam and Frodo?" He asked quietly.
"Have crossed the river unseen, to safety." The ring was safe. That was one small hope among so much desolation. "We must return Boromir to Gondor." He added, motioning to Legolas and he nodded, letting go of Aerlaer's hand to help the Ranger carry their dead friend.
…
They laid Boromir's body in an Elven boat with his sword resting in his hands, his shield above his head, like a pillow, and his broken horn by his side. Together they stood upon the edge of the bank and watched as the current slowly took the fallen man towards the falls. Aerlaer blinked back tears as Aragorn began to quietly sing.
"Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows
The West Wind comes walking, and about the walls it goes.
'What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring to me tonight?
Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or by starlight?
'I saw him ride over seven streams, over waters wide and grey;
I saw him walk in empty lands, until he passed away
Into the shadows of the North. I saw him then no more.
The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor.
'O Boromir! From the high walls westward I looked afar,
But you came not from the empty lands where no men are."
The ranger's voice trailed off and Legolas continued, his voice soft with sorrow.
"From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sand hills and the stones;
The wailing of the gulls it bears, and at the gate it moans.
'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring to me at eve?
Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve.
'Ask not of me 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 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 the seaward road runs south,
But you came not with the ailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth.'
He finished sadly as they watched the boat finally slip over the falls and Aerlaer slowly found words forming and sung as Aragorn had, pouring out her sorrow as he had.
"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 from the North, O mighty wind, do you bring to me today?
What news of Boromir the Bold? For he is long away.
'Beneath Amon Hen I heard his cry. There many foes he fought.
His cloven shield, his broken sword, they do 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 northward gaze
To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days."
They remained silent a moment, heads bowed. Aerlaer hoped someone would find the man and take news of his death to his father. Eventually Aragorn signalled to move on and Legolas hurried towards the last boat, forcefully pushing it into the river shallows.
"Let us hurry now! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore." Aerlaer glanced from him to Aragorn as too did Gimli. There was a look of weary finality on Aragorn's face. He does not intend us to go after Frodo. She realised.
"You mean not to follow them? Legolas asked, coming to the same conclusion. Aragorn gazed steadily at him.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." He replied sadly. "He must now on his own with Sam for the sake of keeping the ring safe. For the sake of passing undetected."
"Then it has all been in vain! The Fellowship has failed." Gimli uttered, defeated.
"We got them this far." Aerlaer murmured. "That is no failure." Legolas walked back to stand beside her.
"Wherever those Urak-hai came from, I daresay they think they have the Ringbearer. Frodo's way is clear for a time." The wood-Elf added.
"And it is Merry and Pippin we must not abandon to torment and death." Aragorn conceded. He glanced at each of them a moment. "The Fellowship is not broken, not while we hold true to each other, not while we have strength left." Aerlaer felt a fierce stirring in her heart.
"Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light." At that, they each gathered what they needed which was very little. The remaining food, she noticed had been in the boat Frodo and Sam had taken and she was glad for it. They would need it more than any of them did.
Aerlaer stood by Aragorn, as did Legolas and Gimli. They were ready to leave, to find Merry and Pippen, wherever that unknown path led. A wry smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. "Let's hunt some Orc!" He declared and bounded away. With a grin to both Legolas and Gimli, Aerlaer shifted and leapt after the Ranger, eager to track down the enemy.
Legolas turned to follow still grinning, bow in hand and Aerlaer shaking her head and rearing, plunged after them into the forest.
The Anduin fight in this chapter is the chapter which started this whole Fanfic. The part where Aerlaer slays the Urak-hai archer about to run Legolas through with his arrow. Wow has it grown from those few early phone notepad paragraphs! Slowly ploughing my way through this re-write! Thanks all for sticking with me.
A. x
Legolas sung a lovely rendition of Ed Sheeran's Tenerife Sea.
Which of you lucky fairies has seen Ed live in concert? I'm hoping to do so this year!