Chapter 10 - Second Chances
Rei dodged the sword that swung at him, having only nearly enough time to spin around to chop the orcs head clean off before he stabbed another in the chest. Luckily Legolas and Gimli had joined himself and Aragorn.
"Aragorn!" Rei heard himself cry out as the human was pinned to the ground by one of the orcs, without much thought, Rei turned and grabbed the dagger that was on Legolas's waist belt and threw it. The blade embedded the orcs head and therefore forced the Orc off of Aragorn. Rei rushed to his fiancé's side breathing a sigh of relief as the man sat up and rested his forehead upon the neko-jinns
"I'm fine my love" he whispered gently before looking around, the area cleared of orcs. All was silent until there was an echo of a horn that reached them.
Legolas's eyes widened as he turned to Aragorn "The horn of Gondor!" He cried out
Aragon turned at where the sound came from "Boromir!"
Rei gently pushed him when more orcs headed their way "Go…we'll join you shortly!" Aragorn nodded and made a run for it down the hill leaving Legolas, Gimli and Rei to fight off the orcs.
Too many came too quickly and the three where once again swarmed by the vile beasts. One tackled Rei to the ground, snapping at the neko-jinns face as Rei held him back by pushing against the orcs throat. He gagged upon the smell , trying his best to push e Orc away but the orc was far too strong, he was slowly pushing down getting closer to Rei. Legolas's voice could be heard, crying out the neko-jinns name, the elf was too far away to get to Rei in time.
Suddenly a white tiger dived upon the orc, knocking him off Rei. Rei's eyes widened as he watched the white tiger rip the orcs head off and spat it off to the side. The large white tiger slowly walked to the neko-jinn and Rei smiled brightly "Drigger?" The tiger gave off what looked like a smile before running off to attack more orcs. Rei got up and picked up his sword and rejoined the fight.
Once the orcs where cleared out again Legolas knelt beside the tiger, running his hand through the white fur "That tiger…he saved your life, back at Moria" Rei smiled brightly
"This is my guardian…Drigger. I never knew he could come to this form" the white tiger purred as he was petted but soon disappeared in a green smoke. Ignoring Legolas and Gimli's looks of confusion Rei started to make his way down the hill "Come on the fight isn't over, the others will want out help"
The three ran through the forest killing any Orc they came across. By the time the three made it to Aragorn they seemed too late, Aragorn was leaning over Boromir's lifeless body. Legolas cried out and rushed over to the two men, collapsing beside Aragorn, he gripped upon Boromir's hand in a tight grip. Rei following behind just in time to hear Boromir's final words to Aragorn.
"I would of followed you, my brother, my captain…my King" he said before he looked at Rei, eyes full of regret. His eyes slowly landed on Legolas, a soft smile came over his lips "B-beautiful…I wish…I could make you happy." He said in his last breath causing Legolas to let out a sob
Rei's eyes where wide as he watched the two, this was unfair, Boromir didn't deserve this, he deserved a second chance, it wasn't his fault it-"A second chance…" Rei whispered as his eyes opened wide "Legolas move!" Legolas dashed out the way and watched as Rei started to pull the arrows that where out of the dead mans chest ignoring Aragorn's questionable eyes. Rei pulled out the crystal blue liquid that Lady Galadriel had gave him. He clenched his eyes shut "Please make this work" he whispered to himself it would be a waste if it did not
Rei quickly opened the vile and pushed it upon Boromir's lips, ensuring the whole liquid was drank upon. He then waited, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimi held their breaths as they all looked upon the body, waiting. When it seemed it had not worked Boromir had shot up causing Rei to cry out and fall on his back. Everything was at a stand still, waiting.
"What the fuck happened?!" Boromir cried out, his eyes widened as he started to check his chest, he had dried blood on his clothing but the wounds where gone.
Legolas let out a strangled cry that sounded like a laugh before he dived into the humans arms, crying softly with a smile upon his face as he kissed around the humans face before kissing his lips deeply. Aragorn helped Rei to stand up and held him close, looking at him questionably
"Lady Galadriel gave me it…saying it was only to be used once and that second chances should be welcomed…so you better not die on me Aragorn!" Aragorn only smiled as he kissed the neko-jinn ignoring Gimli who gruffed out a cough
"I hate to break up the reunion. But what are we to do?" The dwarf asked and everyone looked at Aragorn
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands" Aragorn stated firmly, after a few moments of silence, causing the dwarf to look heart broken
"Then it has all been in vain…the fellowship has failed"
Rei smiled at the dwarf before looking at Boromir who was still looking in shock but he nodded firmly at the neko-jinn who looked at Aragorn who gave him a brighter smile
"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" Aragorn stated causing Boromir to frown deeply, he was determined to get his friends back, Aragorn continued "We travel light. Let's hunt some Orc!"
"Yes!" Gimli called as they all went back to grab their things, Boromir had yet to question again what happened to him, he was determined to right his wrong, he could no longer feel the darkness inside him, poisoning his mind.
Rei rest his hand upon Boromir's bicep, causing the man to freeze. He looked at Rei with guilt but before he could speak Rei stopped him "Shh, Boromir this…that was not you. I will not forgive you because there is nothing to forgive. I see that your eyes don't linger on me" Rei said with a slight grin
Boromir coughed to hide his embarrassment but the colour on his cheeks made it obvious "I always did prefer blondes" he said causing Rei to laugh, they both glanced at Legolas who was oblivious to their conversation
"How…when did that happen?" Rei asked using his hands to point at Boromir and the elf
"In Moria…we talked a lot. In fact we spoke mainly about you and Aragorn. I couldn't seem to understand how you both could love so quickly. And hearing him speak about love so passionately." Boromir smiled "I couldn't help it but feel moved. Then of course I had to make him laugh, such a beautiful sound. In Lothlórien we noticed the both of you sneak off and we just talked, all night. He kissed me but I fled. My father would not approve of this" Boromir frowned deeply
"Because you are both men?" Rei asked as they finished up packing
"Because he is an elf, there is no wrong bedding another male. But dying…that changes things. You only get to live once, and I am lucky to be given a second chance. I will live it how I wish" Boromir did not remove his eyes from the elf, who turned to look at him, a bashful smile came upon Legolas before turning and continuing the packing "I am sorry Rei…for what I did. Even though you do not blame me, I still feel like I must"
Before Rei could talk Aragorn finally stated they where to quickly move. And that they did the five of them quickly walked which soon started to be a jog. They where determined to get their friends back to them safely.
They travelled far within three days, no food nor rest. It was something Rei was not used to but the other three men seemed to be dealing with it okay. He was catching his breath as Legolas and Aragorn where tracking the orcs
"Rei are you okay?" Boromir asked as he saw the nekojinn lean over and rest his hands on his knees as he tried to gain his breath "If you need rest then w-"
"No!" Rei snapped. His eyes glared up at the other male, they where formed into slits, dark circles where forming under his eyes showing how tired he really was "This is for Merry and Pippin…I can not rest knowing they could be tortured a second longer because I needed a nap!" He said determined as he stood up straight. He took a few steps before his knees caved in, Boromir and Gimli quickly grabbed him
"Rei you will collapse soon enough!" Gimli stated, he was worried for the youngin he did not look well, his tanned skin seemed to be turning milky shade "There is nothing wrong with a little rest"
"No" Rei breathed out as tears formed in his eyes. "I can…can't" he mumbled before his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he collapsed in the dwarfs arms
"Rei?!" Gimli cried out causing Aragorn and Legolas turn to the three of them. Aragorn quickly ran to Rei, who now laid on the floor
"Rei?" He asked in panic. He cursed as he took in the nekojinn appearance "He does not look so good"
"I'll look after him" Boromir said as he locked eyes with Aragorn who was about to protest "No Aragorn you know you are best at leading, only you and I know these lands best and I can not lead this group. He needs rest but you three can go on. I will meet you in Rohan." Aragorn looked like he was fighting an inner battle
"Aragorn, Boromir is right. Rei will never forgive himself if we all stopped now, not when we are so close." Legolas stated as he looked at Boromir, he was fighting the same urges as Aragorn, but he knew Boromir and Rei could look after themselves.
After what seemed hours, when really was only a few moments, Aragorn nodded and leant down and kissed his loves lips "Rest my love. I will see you within days" reluctantly he stood. Legolas and Boromir shared a sweet kiss before they parted. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli started to run as fast as they could, the quicker they where the quicker Aragorn could reunite with Rei.