Ok we should get a thing straight: if you don't like Boromir, I don't like you. Thank you for your time. Your regularly scheduled announcements include the fact that wE ARE BASICALLY AT THE BEGINNING OF ROTK! We're in the home stretch! Let's keep kicking ass!

Disclaimer: Tolkien owns Tolkien, you own you!

You join Gimli atop his small mound of orc corpses. It's probably unsanitary, but you reckon it looks awesome, so you get comfortable a little ways from the peak. Legolas is crouched at the base.

"I rest at a fine ninety-four," Gimli says proudly. "How far behind do you trail, Master Elf?"

"Not by much," Legolas replies with an almost straight face. "I finished at a mere hundred and nine."

You stomp an orc's face in frustration. "Ugh! I got eighty-seven! You guys are the worst!"

"You did well, Aniel, even if you did cheat," Legolas says kindly.

"I didn't cheat! Those orcs were fair game! You just didn't get to them fast enough."

"Even I cannot outrun an arrow."

You stick your tongue out at him.

"The wall held up well for a work of Men," Gimli comments. You follow his gaze to the great gouge that looks even worse in the daylight. "Is that why we blocked up the drain?"

"Yeah. If we hadn't, the wall would have been breached and we would have been driven back to the keep. So by all accounts, we got off easy."

"Good that we have a seer on our side!" he says heartily. "I'd say you'll save us a great many more troubles before this war is won!"

"That's the plan," you sigh, moving a sword so you can lean back comfortably to gaze at the clouds.

Legolas (who you privately think of as squad mother in the absence of Aragorn) soon made you and Gimli get up from basking on the weirdly cozy orc pile to go find Gandalf. Gandalf, along with Aragorn, Eomer, and Theoden, were up in the keep having a post-battle conference. The three of you quitely slipped into place.

"The losses would have been greater had they broken through," Theoden was saying. "Luck was on our side."

"Luck comes in many forms," Gandalf says, winking at you. You smile.

"We will return to Edoras as soon as possible. Despite Saruman's defeat, I would not leave it unguarded longer than necessary. Thank you all for your strength and service this past night."

Theoden continues to give instructions that disperses almost everyone. You consider finding a bite to eat and then dropping unconscious in the most vertical surface available.

"Lady Aniel, a moment?"

"Of course, my lord." You turn back to Theoden.

He looks hard at you. "We were victorious, just as you said," he begins.

You smile. "I take it you had your doubts."

"I did. Forgive me, but it has been long since we had any hope. But now I should like to have your council whenever you would give it."

"I'd be glad to! I'd love to be of help in any way I could."

"Well, currently, you've earned a rest. There are several rooms down that corridor you may have your pick of."

"Much obliged, my lord."

You can forego food for the present. Now that the action has wound down, your body is feeling every thrust, parry, twist, and knock of the past night tenfold. You're suddenly exhausted. You hope nothing important happens for at least the next twenty-four hours.

Your incredible fatigue grants you a deep, long, dreamless sleep. You awake an unknown amount of time later, fully refreshed and utterly famished. You emerge from your den in search of food. The distant scent of stew draws you in. The three old women manning the pot, who had been serving soldiers, offer you a big bowl. You thank them sincerely and devour a full stomach and plenty of energy, you don't know where to begin with the day. You decide on a leisurely walk on the ramparts that were now clear of the bodies that had fallen on them. You're intrigued by the difference day and a bit of cleanup can have on a place that only hours prior was a battleground.

You stop when you hear your name. Haldir is in front of you; the remnants of the Elvish army stand behind him. "Oh, Haldir!" You beam. "I'm so glad to see you!"

"Likewise, my lady. The fight was quite nasty."

"Better than what it could have been. Are you heading off?"

"We are returning to Rivendell, yes. Is there any word you would like me to carry to Lord Elrond?"

"My thanks, first and foremost. Tell him that Saruman is no longer a threat, but that Gondor is still in danger. He'll know what I mean."

Haldir inclines his head. "Then we shall depart. It was a pleasure seeing you again under more, ah, friendly circumstances."

"Yes, it was nice to see you, too! Stay safe on the road and thank you again for all your help!"

Theoden comes to personally thank Haldir and see him off. The people of Rohan cheer as the Elves depart. You watch them go with a smile, feeling quite proud that you could watch Haldir go.

"We were meaning to depart as well," Theoden tells you. "You must have been quite tired, my lady."

"Oh no, how long did I sleep?"

"Two full days."

"Did I miss anything important? Someone should have woken me!"

"Not at all. These past few days have been ones of well-earned rest. Now that our strength has returned, we will be able to go home."

You elect to go straight back to Edoras with Aragorn instead of going with Gandalf to pick up Merry and Pippin. The journey back is quite pleasant; it almost reminds you of the days' walks with the company.

You hear the croak of a bird just before a large raven lands right on your shoulder. You jump slightly at the sudden feathery mass right beside your head. The raven simply offers you its right foot, on which a letter is tied.

"Oh!" you exclaim in realization. You untie the letter and stroke the raven's night feathers. "Thank you! I think I have a bit of bread left over from lunch..."

Satisfied with its payment, the raven takes off again.

"How did it know where to find you?" Aragorn inquires as you eagerly tear into the letter.

"My hairpiece." You toss your head to make it shine in the light. "Thorin made it for me with a piece of the Arkenstone. He said it would be impossible to miss from above, and he's been right so far."

Aragorn's lips quirk upwards. "For as much as you speak of Thorin, I should like to meet him one day."

"That would be so much fun! I bet he'd like you. When all this is over, we should arrange something."

Thorin's small, neat script is especially welcome after the grind of a few nights ago. You run your fingers over the dried ink with a twinge of longing.

Love,

I should like a thorough schedule of the rest of your little adventure.

You laugh at this. You can almost hear him saying it in a curt, irritable tone.

Write back the second you get this. I doubt I will sleep until I know you are safe, assured victory or no.

Fili and Balin were in Edoras on business, so at least I know your whereabouts. They told me they wanted to stay and fight but you refused - not that I'm surprised. They've arrived home safely.

Yes, Tauriel is pregnant and is doing well. Better than Kili, to be honest. He's a nervous wreck, always trailing after her and and worrying around. It's rather amusing, but I don't tease him - I'd do the same if it were you. Oin expects the child to be perfectly healthy. Admittedly, I'm a bit excited. It should be interesting at least to have a child around.

I see Tauriel much more often now, as Dis has taken to her in your absence. I imagine the three of you will be a force to be reckoned with when you return home. It's hard to be around her sometimes; she reminds me so much of you. I think she knows, for she's particularly kind when she speaks to me. She must pity me. To be fair, I'm quite pathetic.

I miss you more with each passing day. Please come home soon.

With all my soul,

Thorin

You're unexpectedly emotional about his last two lines. They're short and simple, but they convey everything he feels but didn't say. You sigh deeply and tuck the letter in your vest.

"You will be reunited soon," Aragorn says gently, seeing your sudden glumness.

"Yeah, I know, but..."

"But?"

"But I want to see him now," you finish softly, childishly.

Aragorn smiles. "I know. It is not easy being parted from the one you love, but love does not know distance."

"Yeah. I guess you do know."

He raises an eyebrow at you.

"Did you think I talked to the walls all the times I was in Rivendell?" You grin at him. "Arwen was very pleased to have another lady around, and I was thrilled to just be in her presence. But you don't need to worry about it either. You get a happy ending."

Aragorn's expression turns distant. "Arwen is sailing to the Undying Lands. Did you not know?"

"What must it be like for all you short-sighted people?" you scoff. "Do you really think the Evenstar has no will of her own? I will tell you now that you and Arwen will be married, and I won't even say I told you so when I catch the bouquet. Estel means hope, and it's about time you had some."

"It is long since I had much hope."

"Can you not believe in me at least? I've got better things to do than lie to you."

He smiles dimly. "It is not in my nature to believe things I cannot see or know for myself. But your conviction is reassuring. I suppose only time will prove me wrong."

You laugh, then sober as a thought that should have occurred to you sooner crosses your mind. "You know what I just realized," you murmur, "Boromir never came back with soldiers."

Aragorn frowns. "I noticed. I was wondering if he met an ill fate. But do you not know?"

"No. Boromir wasn't orginally supposed to survive this far. I'll never know his future from now on."

"All we can do is wait, I suppose. If he does not return before Gandalf and the others, perhaps we should send word to his father."

You wrinkle your nose. That'd be the las* thing you want to do, especially since you'd managed to save Boromir once. You'd hoped him surviving might put Denethor in a better mood for when Pippin and Gandalf go to Gondor, but if he'd perished anyway...

You push it out of your mind. You'd just scolded Aragorn for being without hope; you refuse to think anything other than that Boromir will return until it's proven that he won't.

And the very night you return to Edoras, he does.

You're writing your return letter in the main hall when the doors burst open. In Boromir strides with a purpose. You jump up to greet him, but stall as you process his flaming expression.

Boromir kneels in front of a very surprised Theoden. "My lord Theoden."

"My lord Boromir?"

"I return from Gondor begging your pardon. I left to gather forces to aid you at Helm's Deep. I am late and I am empty-handed, and I am ashamed."

"On you feet, son of Gondor. All is well. We received unforseen aid from the Elves and Eomer's men and emerged victorious."

"And for that I am thankful, but I am still in your debt." Boromir rises and begins pacing. "I vowed to return with at least a hundred men, and that was my intention, but my father would give me no soldiers. I urged him, begged him, even shouted, but he did not relent. He said none could be spared. But I believe he has acted dishonorably. This is not the day to forsake the old alliances. I offer you my service, Theoden-king, in repayment."

Theoden is visibly affected by the news, but he merely says, "I receive your service gratefully, lord Boromir, and thank you for your noble quest, fulfilled or not. Be at peace, and take rest here - you must be weary from your ride."

Boromir nods in thanks and heads for the rooms. You quickly fold your letter and tuck it in your vest and hurry to catch up with him. "Boromir, wait a second!"

Boromir pauses in the parlor. "Aniel. It is good to see your face again."

"Denethor wouldn't send men? Why not?"

"I cannot be sure of his reasoning. Our forces are spread thin, it is true, but it has been such for a while. Regardless, it should not have prevented him from coming to the aid of King Theoden." He plops down on a couch, looking dejected. "I wish you would have told me my quest would be in vain."

"I didn't know it would be! When you didn't return, I got worried."

Boromir looks up at you. "You did not know? I thought you know everything that is to come!"

"I...no, not in this case." You sit beside him. "I'll never know your future, Boromir, because you were not meant to have one past the breaking of the fellowship."

Boromir blinks, eyes wide. "The arrow would have killed me?"

"It would have taken way more than one, but yes. But I refused to let that happen. I wanted you to live. You deserved to live."

Boromir stares at you for a moment before smiling very slightly. "You are a true friend and gift, Aniel," he says in a voice quiet with emotion. "I should tell you that my second chance was not in vain. I was able to apologize to Frodo."

"What?!" you gasp. "Apologize to - wait, you saw Frodo?!"

"When my father said that we hadn't the numbers, I rode to help with the battle at Osgiliath. My brother Faramir was called in as well. I was shocked to find that he had Frodo and Sam in tow. There was a third fellow, a sickly, miserable creature, that seemed to be traveling with the hobbits. Once Faramir understood the situation, he let them go. I was able to ask Frodo's forgiveness, and he give it willingly." His smile turns to one of true peace. "I am absolved."

"Oh Boromir, I'm so happy for you. I'm so glad you could set things right with Frodo. And I'm sorry about your father."

The smile fades. "He is not the man who sent me to Imladris. I fear the war is wearing on him, making him cold. I fear for the future of Gondor."

"Gondor does not fall, Boromir. That much is certain."

"But does she stand because of my father, or in spite of him?"

You bit your lip and say delicately, "You should be prepared to make some, er, difficult decisions regarding your father. I'd like to think that he'll be more agreeable with you around, but I can't be sure.

"Regardless." Boromir takes your hand briefly. "I owe you my life more than I ever understood, and I swear to you that I will make the most of this second chance."

"And this is exactly why you deserved it."

alright let's make a thing clear: if you don't like boromir, i don't like you. thank you for your time.