I'm in a good mood. We got to eat bagels in math class.

Izzy: That's what puts you in a good mood? BAGELS?

MN9: What else could possibly make me happy?

Izzy: Starting the stupid chapter.

Readers: Yay!

MN9: Oh sure, take her side (glares at readers). Maybe I'll just stop here.

Readers: No! Bagels are good! Continue!

Disclaimer: Yada, yada, yada, I don't own Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 30 Recap:

"Wait, one more thing," the wizard said, fingering the palantir. "There might be another…a woman that I want. If she is with them, knock her out and bring her as well. Do not allow her to be fully awake, or it will be the last thing you do."

"No woman with trick me," he rasped. "Does she have to be…unspoiled too?" Lurtz asked with a twisted smile.

"Yes," Saruman scolded quickly. "No one is to touch her, unless absolutely necessary. She must be whole."

"Fine," Lurtz grumbled. "As you wish, master Saruman."

Chapter 31:

The following day was another time of rowing and reflective silence. But the sky seemed clearer and the air crisper. Even Abigail felt a bit lighter.

Night came, and the sailed under the stars for a while before heading into shore.

Abigail, last out of her boat, paused for a moment and looked up at the sky.

"It's so bright, and yet dark at the same time," she mused.

"What was that?" Frodo asked, just behind her.

"Nothing," she smiled. "There were many nights like this in Lorien. You would find a gap in the trees, lay down in the cool grass and stare for hours."

She sighed, pulling her bag from the canoe. "A true moment of peace, even in the worst times. " She looked at Frodo. "The stars are always there if you look hard enough. Even the smoke of Mount Doom cannot kill the lights."

"Keep your head held high?" Frodo said.

"Heh, something like that," she laughed lightly. "Come on, let's not get too far behind the others."

Legolas was just up ahead, waiting for the two that fell behind. He had faintly heard Abigail's words, and it made him smile as well. He had a quick mental image of the yellow lights of Mirkwood, standing out against the dark green pines, mimicking a different colored night.

He caught Abigail's eye as she passed, and smirked slightly.

"What?" she asked.

"It's nice to have you back with us," he told her.

She nodded in understanding. "My mind had been wandering for a while."

"Yes, but it is not that unexpected. There is much to reflect on."

"Well, what an understanding bunch of men," she said, sarcasm in the back of her tongue.

He rolled his eyes, and walked just ahead of her to the camp.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Boromir was taking a night post, when he thought he saw something moving in the water. He got up to go tell someone, but Aragorn was already there.

"Gollum," the ranger said simply. "He has tracked us since Moria. I had hoped we would lose him on the river. But he's too clever a waterman."

"And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts, it will make the crossing even more dangerous," Boromir added.

Aragorn scratched his chin. "I am no longer sure if Gollum is still under the influence of Sauron. He could be following his own will."

"Which is still not much comfort," mumbled Boromir.

"Aragorn, why all the trouble to come in from the north? Minis Tirith is the safer road. You know this. We can gather our bearings and strike out from a place of strength," he reasoned.

"There is no strength in Gondor that can help us," Aragorn replied bitterly.

"You were quick enough to trust the Elves. Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that," Boromir continued.

Aragorn went to walk away, not wanting an argument, but Boromir grabbed him in the back.

"You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows. Scared of who you are, of what you are."

Aragorn spun around and met Boromir in the face.

"I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city."

He looked ready to hit Aragorn, but a voice stopped him.

"Boromir, your shift is over," Abigail said sternly.

He looked at her, surprised at the interruption.

Her face softened a little. "Go to sleep. There is no more conflict here."

Boromir considered ignoring her, but knew she was right. This was not the time or place to fight.

"Very well," he nodded and left the area briskly.

"One more day on the river, and then we go by foot," Aragorn said, plainly trying to change the subject.

"You knew that would bother him. What right do you have to insult his home?" she said, the harshness back in her voice.

"I spoke the truth. Otherwise he would see no other reason," he said bluntly. "You want me to treat him like a child?"

"Perhaps."

He looked at her, confused by what she meant.

"He always will be the son of the steward, so Gondor is a sensitive subject. He will defend it without thinking, almost like a brash child. You would react just as quickly if your homeland was insulted," she explained, looking him in the eye.

He turned his head so he wouldn't have to face her.

"I have no homeland to defend," Aragorn said.

"Then why are you doing this?" she asked.

The honesty of the question caught him off guard. For some reason, he felt as if he could not give the right answer, or at least one that would satisfy Abigail.

"Go back to bed, I will take this watch," he said quietly, still not facing her.

Abigail felt guilty; she had not meant to hurt his honor. He was a great leader; she was out of place questioning his morals.

Her hand reached out. She had the desire to stroke his face, to comfort him. But she caught sight of the Evenstar for a second and withdrew. Why did it pain her so much to look at that necklace?

Abigail was a standing bit behind him; so only out of the corner of his eye did he see her hand move. He was surprised to find himself thinking how comforting it would have been to feel her soft skin against his.

Instead, though, he saw her stop and turn away.

"Goodnight, then" she whispered.

Aragorn sighed and slumped against a tree.

'I can never say anything right around her, anymore,' he thought sadly.

Abigail crawled slowly back into her blanket and fingered her bracelet nervously, a bad habit she quickly picked up.

"I always screw it up when I'm around him," she thought.

In the beginning, they felt happy that they could be alone together, because it was peaceful. But when it was over someone was either hurt or sad. Often they were hurt, because of a form of mental or verbal abuse, even if they had not intended to do so. Often they were sad, because one had to leave and the other already had a commitment. Both had the fault of hiding their true feelings, so if any were to notice the connection between the two, they would realize that no confessions would happen for a long, long time.

(A/N-That whole last paragraph was basically for you readers who keep asking, "why aren't they hooked up yet?" Do you see where I'm going with this?")

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The next day, Aragorn and Boromir did a wonderful job of avoiding each other, and it seemed Aragorn was trying to ignore Abigail as well.

If any other fellowship members noticed this, they didn't say anything.

A highlight was when they passed the majestic statues of Argonath. Even if they were crumbling in places, the statues held their kingly look.

At mid-afternoon, Aragorn suddenly asked them to pull over and get out of the boats.

"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north," he instructed.

Abigail was suddenly very alert. If memory served her well, this was the day that the uruk-hai attacked.

'Okay, maybe if I try to make sure we all stick together, or convince him we leave now,' she thought, trying to come up with a plan.

She decided a good thing to do would be to talk to Boromior. He was leaning against a rock, cleaning his shield or something. She approached cautiously.

"Boromir? You alright today?" she asked.

He looked up. "Oh, I'm fine. Listen, Abby…thanks for stopping me yesterday. I think it could have been bad."

"Don't mention it," she said, plopping down beside him. "Aragorn, too, was out of place. But for the sake of everyone it would be a bad idea to fight."

"I know, it's just, you know how worried I truly am for Gondor. To hear that fear confirmed, even by an outsider…" he trailed off, hoping she go what he was saying.

"I understand," she nodded, "but you should not be so afraid. Gondor has noble and brave people. If it's any help, I do not believe they fight in vain. We will not see the kingdom fall."

He smiled weakly, but he was happy.

"Thank you, Abigail. You are a good friend. Better then I would have imagined when we started this."

She laughed lightly," I could say the same. So, as a friend, can I ask you to do something?'

"Sure, what?"

"Stay in camp today. Don't wander off alone or anything."

"Okay, but why?" he asked, not knowing why she was so worried.

"Just, trust me. I don't think it's safe."

"Fine, mother," he mocked her.

"Well, mother knows best," she countered.

"How do you always have a reply?"

"It's a gift," she shrugged. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I have some 'personal business' to take care of in the bushes over there."

"What business could you have with a bush?" Pippin asked, clearly confused.

Abigail laughed and walked away.

Merry came over and whispered something into Pippin's ear.

"Oh. Why can't she just say that?" the poor hobbit said.

"She has more fun this way," Boromir smiled.

Moments later, he noticed Frodo wander away from camp, when no one else did.

He thought about what Abigail said, but he knew this was his chance.

'I won't go far. And technically I'm not alone,' Boromir thought. He got up and silently slipped away from camp.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Abigail was walking up and down the shore, but not too far away from the camp. She was looking for signs of orcs, or trying to sense them. The eastern show looked and felt pretty safe.

'Perhaps I can convince Aragorn to let us go now,' she thought.

Suddenly, and alarm went of in her head.

'The ring is in use. But why would Frodo?"

Realization hit. Boromir hadn't listened to her.

"Argh, I should have stayed with him myself!" she yelled, and ran back to camp as fast as she could.

When she arrived, everyone was already gone, with their weapons missing too.

"This is not good!"

She quickly picked up her daggers and bow. However, she had only run about 50 feet, when she ran into something solid.

"Frodo!" she cried, "Are you hurt?"

"No, but the orcs are here…there's so many, he told me to go," he tried to explain.

"Aragorn?"

He nodded.

"Still, you are not one to run away from a fight by yourself. You leaving, aren't you?" she asked.

"Yes," he didn't try to deny it. "And don't stop me."

"No, I knew this day would come."

"Galadriel said this was my own task, that no one else could do it. I only now realize how literal that is."

"Frodo, before you go, please know that I hold to my oath. I would have risked anything to help you," she pleaded. "And remember you are never alone. Stay alert, the enemy will still hunt every step, but you are never without friends either. We will still fight for you, for the freedom and good of Middle Earth."

She knelt down and gave him a hug.

"I leave you now, but you are always in my thoughts."

"Thank you, Abby. I really can't thank you enough for helping and believing in me."

She stood up, and ruffled his hair one last time.

"This is not failure. The fellowship holds true. We may yet see each other in the end."

The roars of the orcs were coming close now.

"Go now! Good luck!" she shouted, as she ran towards the fight.

"Goodbye," he said, though it was impossible for her to hear him.

Then he went and ran as well, unaware that the faithful Samwise was following close behind.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

'I must find Boromir!'

This was her only thought. She couldn't stop Frodo from leaving, but she hoped she still had a chance to save her friend.

Out of nowhere, a group of 10 uruk-hai came from behind the trees.

"I don't have time for you!" she yelled. She pulled out her bow, and fired five arrows in a row, killing 5 orcs.

'Take that, Legolas,' she thought proudly.

She put her bow away, and pulled out her long daggers.

Her smaller figure moved gracefully between the uruk's.

(A/N-I'm not really sure of the plural form of uruk-hai, so for now I'll just say uruk's)

She took careful aim for the neck, because of their armor. With her being so close, it wasn't that hard and soon they were dead.

She straightened up to run again just in time to see Boromir…as he was hit with a second black arrow.

His body seemed to convulse in slow motion. He was trying so hard to stay standing.

"Boromir!" she screamed, the tears already streaming down her face.

Merry and Pippin were distracted by her voice, and the enemy took this time to grab the two hobbits.

"Abigail!" they cried for help. The uruk's turned, and stated to run away.

"No! Put them down!" she yelled.

They paid no attention to her.

"I said stop!" she screamed.

She dropped her daggers and thrust her hands out.

About 7 or 8 orcs were pulled back by her power.

They looked confused, but nonetheless they charged at her.

Without blinking she levitated them in the air, one by one and threw them into any rocks or trees she could see.

OoOoOoOo

"What's going on back there?" Merry asked Pippin.

"I dunno, I can't look back far enough to see."

OoOoOoOo

'Merry, Pippin where are you?' the sane part of her brain thought. She was scanning the dead bodies, but could not find her friends.

She was distracted by another group of orcs, and didn't see Lurtz coming up behind her.

He whacked her on the back of the head with the blunt end of his sword, and she crumbled to the ground unconscious.

"Take the wench to Saruman as well!" he ordered.

One came up and did as he said, and ran away with Abigail slung over his shoulder.

"Let me finish the mortal scum!" Lurtz said to himself.

Boromir was face down on the ground, and didn't have the strength to turn himself over.

Lurtz could see he was still breathing, though, so he knocked the third arrow in his bow.

'Too easy,' he thought.

Suddenly, and arrow pierced the uruk in the arm, causing him to miss Boromir's head by inches.

Aragorn came rushing in, swing his sword wildly.

Lurtz didn't have time to react before his head was cut off in one swipe.

Aragorn knelt down to the ground, and turned Boromir over carefully. Legolas and Gimli were soon by his side as well.

There was one arrow in his shoulder, the other in his stomach. Both were deep wounds and bleeding heavily.

All three knew he was beyond saving.

"No," Aragorn whispered.

"Mer-y, Pip-they took them," Boromir said, spitting on a few drops of blood. "Frodo…"

"Frodo is beyond us, I let him go," Aragorn said gently.

"Forgive me, I c-couldn't see. I f-failed."

"Nay. You fought bravely, your honor is in place."

"The world of men will fail, I can see the city falling," he cried.

"By whatever power is given to me, I swear I will not let the city or our people fail," Aragorn assured, placing a hand on his friends shoulder.

Boromir grasped his arm. "Our people," he smiled faintly. His expression changed.

"Tell Abigail, I'm s-sorry. I heard her cry, but I can not see her."

"All will be done. I give you my word," Aragorn said, though he too could not find Abigail.

Boromir reached for his sword, and Aragorn gave it to him.

"I would have followed you, my brother. My captain. My king," said Boromir with his last breath.

Then his chest stopped moving, and his head rolled to the side.

Aragorn gingerly kissed his fallen comrades brow.

"Be at peace, Son of Gondor."

Legolas and Gimli bowed their heads in respect.

OoOoOoOoOo

Aragorn and Gimli watched with silent sadness as the boat holding Boromir's corpse fell over the falls of Rauros.

Legolas returned to the beach.

"Did you find anything?" Gimli asked, with hope and dread.

"Only these," replied the elf, and held out two elven daggers. "No sign of her, though. Alive or dead."

"If she were dead she would have been next to the daggers, because alive she would not have dropped them willingly," Aragorn said.

"Could the uruk-hai have taken Abigail with them as well?" Legolas said, his face full of worry and confusion.

"But why? They would not mistake her for keeping the ring. What other motive do they have?" Gimli wondered.

"I only have a few guesses, each more horrid and unlikely then the next," Aragorn said after a pause. "It is obvious that Saruman has a reason, which is no better. No matter what, though, we know he has Merry and Pippin and we will not leave them to torment and death. No while we have strength."

He stood tall and tightened his armbands and sheathed Abigail's daggers on his person.

"Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light."

A determined gleam came into the rangers pale eyes.

"Let us hunt some Orc."

And now we have reached the turning point (in a sense). Though this story isn't really in two parts, this is about the half way mark. And it's already been 31 chapters. Whoa.

Thanks to super-duper reviewers:

Narnian Sprite: Yay for positive thoughts! Thanks!

Samantha-Girl Scout: Your mob sounds more vicious each time. But no worries, I always try to update. ASAP. Thanks you!

KillerRubberDuckiesR-J: The joy of having a laptop is that your mother can't kick you off it (somehow mine still manages to, though). Many thanks!

writin4fun15: Ah, very perceptive (I was waiting for someone to ask me this). I'm still debating a little bit on whether to with movie or book versions in many places. I do have a plan for helms deep, though, but I'm not going to tell you (sorry). Thanks!

ArwenEvenstar83: EWWWWWWWW! There is not way that I would ever let Abigail be raped by Grima! Gah, I couldn't write that, too weird for my taste. No way, I promise you, is that going to happen. Still, thanks for another good review!

LadyEruaphadriel-orderofthe...: I'm glad you liked it. I never think my chapters are that great, because I've read so many other amazing stories that are much better. But is wonderful to hear you give me some credit. Thank you!

As usual, another chapter should be coming out this weekend.

Live life to the fullest (and keep reviewing now and then!).

-MysticNight9