cut
"Are you sure you should be out of bed?" Boromir tittered around Ruth who was pulling on a warm green cloak. A gift from the Lady of Lothlórien.
"It is just to outside of the Houses of Healing, Boromir," Ruth said exasperatedly and the rest of the Fellowship smiled.
The Gondorian proved to be a real mother-hen. He was strongly against anyone even mentioning Ruth doing anything but sleeping, eating and recovering.
"I need to stretch my legs a bit. My wounds are healed. All there is left for me to do is to recover my strength and that won't go any faster if I am locked inside of this room. I need to get some fresh air." Ruth shot Boromir an imploring glance and the Gondorian sighed tiredly
"Fine," Boromir agreed begrudgingly, "but any sign of weakness and I'm taking you back in and tying you to the bed."
Ruth sighed and shook his head, lips tilting into a smile full of fondness and care. "Very well," he said and stood up. Taking a deep breath, Ruth smiled at Frodo when the small Hobbit walked over to the Istar and took Ruth's hand only to place it on a small shoulder. "Thank you, iliathín." (youngling)
Frodo smiled at Ruth, eyes glimmering warmly, and Frodo placed his hand over Ruth's bigger one. "You don't need to thank me, Ruth. You've supported us for longer than I think anyone of us knows. It's time we served as your support for a while."
Ruth's heart warmed and his strangely colored eyes softened, and he took a deep breath before giving a grateful squeeze to Frodo's shoulder.
"Come on," Aragorn said. "The sun is not yet high in the sky. I dare say it is quite beautiful outside."
They made their way out and onto the patio and Ruth took a deep breath. He raised his head towards the sky and the sun-rays which broke through the boughs of White Trees of Caras Galadhon danced over Ruth's skin leaving the others quite apprehensive. Only now did they notice that there were a few silvery strands in Ruth's once raven black hair and the barely visible veins on his skin seemed to come to life under the gentle touch of the Sun.
"I have missed the breeze," Ruthímiel whispered as the wind played in his hair and caressed his face, and the Fellowship exchanged pleased smiles.
Ruth has been somewhat demure for the past days. Something they were not used to seeing. They understood partly, but that didn't mean that they liked it. All of them knew that Ruth was still blaming himself for Gandalf's death, although he no longer spoke of it. They were happy to see Ruth smiling again.
"I see that your friends have allowed you to leave your room."
Ruth opened his eyes and looked at the man he vaguely remembered standing several feet to Ruth's left, observing the Istar with an unreadable silvery gaze. "You are...?" Ruth blushed when the tall Elf approached him and offered one big hand to Ruth who accepted it only to blush furiously when the Elf bowed and kissed the pale knuckles of Ruth's hand, making a wave of warmth rush up Ruth's arm. The Istar found himself breathless quite suddenly, unable to figure out what had happened, and when the Elf straightened and their gazes met, Ruth cleared his throat and resisted the sudden urge to let go of the tall Elf's hand and run to the safety of his chambers.
Ruth couldn't remember the last time he had felt this taken aback, almost embarrassed, and something sparked in his chest when the Elf looked at Ruth from under perfect, thin eyebrows, pale lips tilting into a small smirk.
"I am Haldir," he spoke with another small bow. "It is a pleasure to see that your recovery is going well."
"Ah!" Ruth's eyes widened as his memory stirred. "You are the one that brought me to Caras Galadhon," he said remembering the name from Pippin and Merry's recounting of the events that happened during his sickness. "You have my gratitude, Lord Haldir." He bowed at the Elf, a tinge of something he couldn't name passing through him when Haldir let go of his hand. "I am sorry to have burdened you." The hand which held Haldir's mere moments ago fell to Ruth's side and he passed with his thumb over the other fingers, Haldir's warmth still lingering on Ruth's fingertips.
Haldir's lips tilted into a small smile and Ruth's heart skipped a beat. "You had been a very light burden then, Master Ruthímiel," Haldir spoke warmly, and Ruth's mouth went dry. "I wouldn't call you a burden at all, for no burden is light to bear."
At this Ruth blushed again, and the Fellowship all but grinned.
"Flattery, Lord Haldir," Ruth murmured, raising a hand to brush a strand of long raven hair behind a slightly pointed ear, "brings you to many places." He had hoped those words would at least throw the elf off a bit, but Haldir only smiled and clasped his hands behind his back.
"It is not flattery if it is true, Master Ruthímiel," Haldir said and Ruth cleared his throat, determined not to look away from Haldir's mercury gaze.
"Ruth," he said. "Please, call me Ruth."
Haldir smiled, head tilting forward. "Very well, Ruth." The way he spoke made Ruth suppress a shiver and the glimmer which passed over Haldir's eyes made Ruth aware of the fact that Haldir somehow knew of the effect he had on Ruthímiel. "Then you may call me Haldir." Ruth nodded and the Elf shifted his weight a bit, clearing his throat. "I shall see you later, Ruth."
"Until then," Ruth said and Haldir left, and the Istar found it hard to resist the need to watch Haldir leave, still confused by his own thoughts and feelings dancing in his chest.
"Ah! Love at first sight I say," Merry spoke in a romantic tone to Pippin, and Ruth bristled while others laughed.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck!" Ruth snapped and Merry tensed up trying to swallow a booming laugh. "Why, I never..."
"Admit it, Ruth," Aragorn said, an eyebrow raised at the Istar. "You are somewhat attracted to Haldir."
Ruth blushed to the roots of his hair, even the tips of his ears turning rosy. "No!" he insisted and glared at Boromir when the Gondorian laughed and threw an arm over Ruth's shoulders.
"Yes," Boromir drawled, gray eyes shining with amusement, "and you're cheeks are red because you have spent too much time in the sun."
"I am not in love with him," Ruth bit out, glaring at Boromir, only to turn that glare at Gimli after the Dwarf has spoken.
"Ah, but you're not denying that you like him."
"I didn't say that either," Ruth pressed out through his teeth and the Dwarf harrumphed, dismissing Ruth's denial.
"I think that actions speak louder than words," Legolas teased, and Ruth gaped at the Elf, the hurt of betrayal coloring the Istar's eyes.
"You as well, Legolas!" Ruth cried out, hardly suppressing the whine which threatened to burst out of him.
"Don't be like that, Ruth," Frodo said, and the Istar groaned. "You must admit that Lord Haldir is very good looking, and he appears to be strong and well standing. I dare say he would take good care of you."
Ruth's eyebrows met the line of his hair and he raised his head a bit. "And who ever said I need to be taken care of?" he drawled and everyone, even Legolas, rolled their eyes at him.
"Please, Ruthímiel!" Boromir moaned. "You get so distracted with taking care of others that you forget about taking care of yourself and don't even try to deny it."
"I…" Ruth shut his mouth and looked at the ground in thought. "Really?" he muttered and looked at the members of the Fellowship from under messy bangs. Seeing their confirming looks, Ruth's eyebrows narrowed, hands clasped in front of his stomach, and full, lush lips jutted out a bit in a small pout.
"You're too good, Master Ruth," Sam said. "You need someone who will be able to take care of you and stand by your side. Someone who will be able to keep up with you. Now, I can't say if it's Master Haldir, but that much I can say."
"Wiser words have rarer been spoken, young Hobbit." All of them turned to look at Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, and everyone bowed at them as they approached with Lady Galadriel smiling at them kindly although her gaze was focused on Ruth. "I am glad to see that you are feeling better, yathár," (child) she spoke, and Ruth had been ready to thank her for saving his life when he had realized what she had said.
"Yathár?" he whispered, eyes filling with hope, and Galadriel gifted Ruth with a small, knowing smile.
"Luth cam nuth dího thum nith pres Xúre cer sýirtha di poéat Ekhárte, Ruthímiel."(You are not the only one who still listens and speaks to our Mother, Ruthímiel.)
Ruthímiel breathed out, lips tilting into a beautiful smile, eyes all but glowing as he gazed upon the Lady of Lothlórien. "I am glad," he whispered and Galadriel nodded before she looked at the Fellowship.
"Seeing as Ruthímiel feels somewhat better, I wish to speak with all of you. Times are dire and the tides are changing swiftly. You must decide on your next course of action," she spoke wisely
"Maybe we should take this to the Council chamber," Celeborn suggested and the Lady of Light nodded.
"Yes. We have much to discuss," she agreed.
"Lead the way," Aragorn said with the rest of the Fellowship standing behind him.
Galadriel smiled and they followed her and Celeborn towards the Council chamber that strongly reminded them of the one in Rivendell.
Galadriel was the first to speak once they took seats around the table. "You all know that you are followed by more than just Orcs. Saruman's spies have been seen and The Great Eye has been more watchful than ever. Our warriors have taken care of the Orc groups that have reached our borders, but more are coming. You must leave before it is too late and all roads are blocked."
"My Lady, I am not yet well," Ruth admitted, although gravely, surprising the members of the Fellowship. "Not only is my body still weak, but I cannot yet access my Magic. I can feel it at my fingertips, but it remains out of my reach. I fear that if we leave now I would only be a hindrance."
"That is why we have decided that you would stay here, in Lothlórien," Celeborn answered, making everyone freeze up.
"What?" Ruth breathed out with wide eyes and pale cheeks.
"Are you saying that we should leave Ruth behind?" Merry asked.
"We can't! He is a member of our Fellowship!" Pippin cried out, already panicking.
"We know that very well, young Hobbits," Galadriel assured sadly, "but Ruthímiel knows that he is not yet ready to set out on a journey, and I have no doubt that once he is well enough, he will be able to catch up with you quickly enough."
Silence settled over the group as each sunk into thought. They have already lost Gandalf, and the weight of his absence still rested heavily on their hearts. Leaving Ruth behind felt like they would be betraying him in a way, since it was Ruthímiel who had sacrificed his well-being for them many times. Asking of them to leave him and go on felt like they were leaving him behind after he had fulfilled his purpose, as though they no longer needed him.
"Then I shall stay with him," Boromir spoke up and everyone looked at him in shock.
"Boromir, no..." The Gondorian shot Ruth through a warning glare and the Istar shut his mouth instantly.
"I trust the Elves, but I do not trust you to take it easy," Boromir continued, and one could almost witness realization appearing in the eyes of the Fellowship. "Yes, you need to train and practice your magic, but knowing you, you will overdo it."
Ruth blushed while others nodded their heads in agreement and Celeborn and Galadriel smiled at them.
"Then it is decided," Galadriel said and the Fellowship looked at her. "Boromir and Ruthímiel shall stay here. Rest while we prepare supplies. Tomorrow you shall start your journey again." Everyone nodded in agreement and Galadriel and Celeborn stood up with the Fellowship following their example and bowing at the Lord and Lady as they left the Council Chamber.
"You should return to your room, Ruth," Aragorn suggested and Ruth sighed gravely, offering a tired smile.
"I didn't think our ways would part so soon," he spoke sadly.
"Worry not, melon," (my friend) Legolas said. "You shall recover quickly and join us in our quest."
"And besides, maybe we'll be lucky and be done with this before you recover and then we can all go home together!" Pippin grinned and Ruth looked at him with loving eyes.
"We can only hope it will be that easy, my dear Pippin," Ruth said and they made their way towards the Houses of Healing.
"It doesn't matter," Gimli gruffed. "You will recover quickly and I have no doubt that you will find us and join us the moment you'll be able to."
"I hope it will be so," Ruth agreed with a chuckle.
"You shouldn't rush things though," Frodo warned and Boromir scoffed.
"Don't worry, Master Baggins," he assured, standing to his full, quite impressive height. "I'm staying behind to make sure Ruth doesn't overdo it."
Ruth resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Boromir and settled for a glare. They entered the Houses of Healing and made their way towards Ruth's room, and Ruth smiled brightly when Radagast waved at them from in front of Ruth's room, a small hedgehog running towards Ruth who kneeled to pick it up and cradle it to his chest.
"Hello, Sebastian, I hadn't seen you in a long time," Ruth greeted the small creature and the hedgehog wiggled in Ruth's careful hold.
"He had missed you and has been very worried about you, Ruth," Radagast spoke when they approached him. "He almost couldn't perform his scouting duties."
"I am sorry for worrying you, Sebastian," Ruth laughed quietly and the hedgehog huffed and puffed, nuzzling the small nose in Ruth's chest.
"Is everything alright?" Radagast asked, noticing that the air among the members of the Fellowship felt somehow heavy. "I've met Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn on my way here and they have told me you would be moving out tomorrow."
They entered the room and Ruth took a seat on the bed with Sebastian jumping out of his arms and settling on Ruth's pillow to sleep. Frodo and Sam walked over and took a seat to Ruth's right while Merry and Pippin took seats to Ruth's left.
"Yes, although Ruth and I are staying in Lothlórien," Boromir said and Radagast looked at Ruth in confusion.
"You agreed?" he asked and Ruth raised an eyebrow at the Brown Istar.
"You thought I wouldn't? I know my limits, Master Radagast."
Most of the people in the room cleared their throats, while the Hobbits looked at Ruth with raised eyebrows.
"Since when?" Pippin asked innocently and Ruth shot him a glare.
"Ber lam thráe plüe mana di haláe am hrúste thum do luth,"(Since I need a lot of energy to keep myself from hitting one of you.) Ruth growled and Pippin grinned uncomfortably.
"Why do I have a feeling that doesn't mean anything good?" Pippin said in a false whisper to Merry.
"The growling could be an indication," Merry said lightly and the two had to duck when Ruth took a swipe at them.
"We're only joking!" Pippin cried out and leaned away from Ruth who glared at them.
"Fine," he muttered and the rest of the Fellowship either laughed or shook their heads at the pouting Istar. For someone of Ruth's age, he could act quite childishly, although it appeared almost cute in Ruth's case because he appeared not to be aware of his actions at those times.
"We should leave you to rest, Ruth. I hope you will feel well enough to join us for dinner," Aragorn said and Ruth sighed, nodding with a small smile tilting his lips.
"I will be," Ruth promised.
"If he won't be feeling well enough, we'll just bring dinner here," Gimli said and Aragorn smiled.
"Let's go," the Numenórean said and one by one the Hobbits stood up, hugged Ruth and left the room.
"Rest," Boromir said before he followed after them and Ruth nodded, waving as everyone left.
Soon enough Ruth and Radagast were alone in the room and the old Istar smiled at Ruth in understanding. "You've grown close to them," Radagast commented and Ruth took a deep breath before he lied down, careful of Sebastian sleeping on the pillow and looked with eyes full of sadness at the wooden ceiling.
Radagast couldn't help but smile at the beauty of that simple scene. Raven hair spread around Ruth like a halo, pastel green clothes accenting the soft, velvety beauty of the pale skin and those ethereal eyes focused on something only Ruth could see.
"I have come to love them, Master Radagast," Ruth admitted with a heavy heart.
"I can see that," Radagast said and took a seat beside Ruth on the bed. Ruth smiled and looked at him when the older Istar gently took Ruth's right hand between his callused, bigger ones.
"Radagast..."
"I was so worried," Radagast spoke softly and Ruth looked at him with a small confused frown. "When Sebastian ran to me and told me that the Fellowship had entered Lothlórien and that you were not only injured but also poisoned, I was so worried. When I had seen you I thought..." he whimpered and Ruth remembered Radagast as he had been when they had first met.
To this day Radagast has kept his childlike innocence. He looked a bit different since he had cleaned up a bit and Radagast truly tried not to be so fidgety, but at times he still regressed to that, especially in situations such as they one they had been in.
Ruth squeezed Radagast's hands lightly and smiled when Radagast looked at him. "I am alive and well, Radagast."
"If only I'd discovered Saruman's treason sooner," Radagast whispered and bowed his head. His eyes widened when Ruth sat up and wrapped his arms around the Brown Istar in a comforting embrace.
"We have all been played by Saruman, my dear Radagast," Ruth murmured. For a few moments they simply sat there in comfortable silence. When Radagast took a deep breath, Ruth let go of him and smiled when, after they parted, Radagast placed a loving left hand on Ruth's cheek, caressing it with a callused thumb.
"You are a good lad, Ruth," Radagast said. "You have no idea how happy I am that you are with us."
"I don't think that I will ever be able to express how happy I am that Mother had brought me to Middle-Earth," Ruth spoke quietly, eyes glowing with something indescribable. "Even though the times are dark and the darkness is only glowing, I can honestly say that the shadows which plagued my mind for so long are slowly disappearing."
Radagast nodded, and smiled, patting Ruth's cheek again, before he stood up and took Sebastian into his hands, gifting Ruthímiel with a loving smile. "I'll leave you to rest. I hope you will join us tonight." Ruth nodded and Radagast left the room.
Ruth lied down again with a sigh and turned on his side with his back facing the door before he curled in on himself, eyes sliding shut as a shiver wrecked his body.
Yes, the darkness was disappearing and so was the loneliness, but the fear was ever growing; the fear that he would lose his newfound family because he wasn't there to protect them.
Ruth snorted and closed his eyes. "They are right," he muttered and nuzzled into the pillow. "I do worry a lot."
cut
Ruth smiled at a story Pippin and Merry were telling during dinner. He was seated between Aragorn and Boromir, with Legolas to Aragorn's left, beside Galadriel.
Their story ended and all that were around the table laughed.
"Master Ruthímiel?" Said Istar looked at Celeborn and the royal, proud Elf smiled at him knowingly. "We have heard rumors that you have a beautiful voice."
"I am afraid that my voice cannot compare with the voices of your kin," Ruth said and the Hobbits rolled their eyes at him.
"I beg to differ," Legolas murmured and Ruth shot his friend a strict look.
"We have heard stories of mischief and Master Gimli has been kind enough to share stories he knows about Bilbo Baggins' adventures with his kin," Galadriel said and Ruth looked at her. "Why don't you sing something for us, yathár?"
Taking a look around Ruth could see the hopeful expressions on the faces of his friends and he couldn't find it in his heart to deny them. Even though Ruth refused to linger on such thoughts, this could be the last time that he would see any of them, and that weighed heavily upon him. Ruth was certain that if any of them actually asked him to ignore the wishes of Lady Galadriel and embark on their journey again, Ruth would agree without a second thought.
So how could he deny them such a simple wish?
"Very well," he whispered and looked at his cup of wine, remaining silent for a few moments. When he started to sing the song was at first sad and insecure, but as the verses continued it became stronger in feeling.
"Hith sufít ul ti qáya,
Hith bris eclo di imáp.
Hith bris thálit di pátha fea
Hith bris thálit di pátha nóma.
Cer bris hith nóma eclo gálna cer gálna
Rith hit karuém pue.
Bémeam
Sit luth náruth
Ner thráe di sýrth yanám.
Fui mist dólas hith kástith
Sic nuth lis hats aroe gásto parma la.
Uthúth bi xai cet brith di nosco
Lath' renam Ti luth litúth di me káuro.
Séath lux to gáro pathásma
Cer ximáthe virt.
Bémeuth
Sit hats rúmath
Ner thráe di sýrth yanám.
Bémeuth
Sit hats rúmath
Ner thráe di sýrth yanám.
Sim póere xar di áistar
Hits fui qáya cer néthum nóscum
Them fui mist rus canúth nathánuth
Sic nuth lis hith luth tun di obóirth.
Oth látham fáscam eclo fráso cer fráso
Rith rúsam wai luth péam.
Bémeuth
Sit rus nárus
Ner thráe di sýrth yanám.
Bémeuth
Sit rus nárus
Ner thráe di sýrth yanám." (1)
Galadriel's lips have been tilted in a calm smile all though the song, the steady flow of words and Ruth's enchanting voice washing over her in steady waves and creating images in her mind. Since she has been the only one who could understand the song, Galadriel wondered if it has been directed at the Fellowship or at Ruth, for she had seen his heart and she knew the darkness plaguing the young Istar.
"I am afraid you were wrong, Master Ruthímiel," Haldir spoke first after a few long minutes of silence and Ruth looked at him. "Your voice puts many Elven voices to shame."
Ruth cleared his throat and shifted in his seat while the others nodded in agreement, daring a glance in Haldir's direction and finding the proud Elf smiling at him kindly.
"I believe it is time we went to rest," Galadriel announced. "Come morning the Fellowship must depart."
Slowly everyone started to stand up and Ruth's gaze caught Galadriel's and she bowed her head a little. Ruth returned in kind and they departed from the Dining hall.
"You will come to see us off, won't you, Ruth?" Pippin asked as they stopped by the Houses of Healing, and Ruth smiled at him lovingly before he pulled the small Hobbit into his arms.
"Nothing would stop me, Peregrine," Ruth whispered and the small Hobbit hugged the Istar tightly around his waist. "Go now and rest. A long journey is in front of you." Ruth kissed the top of Pippin's head, let go of the Hobbit and smiled lovingly at the rest of the Fellowship. "Blessed night and may your dreams be light." A wave of warmth passed over the Fellowship and somehow they breathed lighter.
"Blessed night, Ruth," Frodo said. Everyone either nodded or waved at Ruthímiel as they left while Ruth stood in front of his room until he could no longer see them. His heart was heavy and his thoughts wary and he entered his room with a sigh.
There would be no rest for him tonight.
cut
Frodo woke up from sleep when a warm caress touched his brow, sitting up and taking a look around. The others were asleep. He was about to lie down again when he caught sight of Lady Galadriel before she disappeared down a stairway.
Frodo frowned in confusion and hurried after her, following her to what looked a small shrine with a stone basin in the middle, finding the Lady standing beside a spring with a silver pitcher in her hands.
"Will you look into the mirror?" she asked and Frodo tensed up.
"What will I see?" he questioned and Galadriel's eyes saddened as she walked over to the stone basin pouring the clear water into it as she spoke.
"The Mirror shows many things," her voice was deeper than usual and her gaze was distant. "Things that were, things that are and things that may have yet not come to pass." She took a step back and put the pitcher back beside the spring.
Frodo looked at the basin and slowly approached it under Galadriel's watchful gaze.
As he looked into the basin Galadriel closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as the images flittering through Frodo's mind washed over her thoughts. The sight of the Eye and the words of threats, the despair and pain made her shiver and her eyes snapped open when Frodo pushed himself away from the Mirror with a frightened cry, falling on the ground with a loud thud.
He looked at her and their eyes met, his filled with fear and hers filled with sorrow.
'I know what it is you saw for it is in my mind as well,' she whispered in Frodo's mind. 'It is what will come to pass if you should fail. The Fellowship could break. You have your doubts. He could try to take the Ring; you know of whom I speak. One by one, it will destroy them all.'
Frodo frowned and looked at the Ring that hung on a chain around his neck. He took it off and looked at Galadriel, approaching her slowly and offering her the Ring resting on the palm of his hand.
"If you ask it of me, I will give you the One Ring," he whispered, and Galadriel's eyes widened as she raised a trembling hand.
"You offer it to me freely?" her voice wavered. "I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this."
Frodo frowned when the Lady took a small step back. All of a sudden thunder roared and the Earth shook. A strong wind started to blow around them and Galadriel changed. She looked like the very thunder in the sky, like light and darkness all rolled into one.
"In the place of a Dark Lord you would have a Queen!" Galadriel spoke in a thundering voice, the power of the Lady of Lórien shaking something deep within Frodo's heart. "Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the Morn! Treacherous as the Seas! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and despair!"
Frodo's heart was beating loudly in his ears as Galadriel's power shook the world. All of a sudden it stopped and Galadriel pulled back into herself. Her eyes were wide with terror and she was shivering like a leaf in the wind, trembling hands coming to rest over her heart as the beautiful head bowed and long, golden strands fell around the powerful Lady like a veil to hide her from the world.
"I have passed the test," she whispered and a relieved smile graced her beautiful face. "I will diminish and go into the West, and remain Galadriel," she said and the reality of the situation finally settled in Frodo's mind.
"I cannot do this alone," he whispered brokenly and Galadriel looked at him with knowing eyes.
"You are a Ring-bearer, Frodo," she spoke wisely, although there was a not of regret in her voice. "To bear a Ring of Power is to be alone."
Frodo held his breath as the White Lady offered her left hand to him, revealing a beautiful white ring glowing with the light of the sun and the stars.
"This is Nenya, the Ring of Adament, and I am its keeper," she said and let her hand fall to her side. "This task was appointed to you, young Frodo, and if you do not find a way no one will."
Frodo bowed his head and looked at the Ring. His heart was heavy, but all of a sudden he knew. He knew his destiny.
And he knew what he would have to do for the sake of those he came to cherish.
"I know what I must do," he said and Galadriel's lips tilted into a smile full of heartfelt sadness. "It's just that - I'm afraid to do it," he admitted.
Galadriel walked over to Frodo and kneeled in front of him, cupping the Hobbit's pale face within warm, gentle hands, and smiling at him lovingly.
"Even the smallest person can change the course of destiny," she whispered. "And you will never be truly alone, Frodo."
Frodo's eyes filled with hope again and she leaned closer to kiss his forehead.
"You will never be truly alone."
cut
Ruth's heart was breaking and he had to try hard as not to let tears fall.
Galadriel had gifted the Fellowship with precious gifts and now it was time for them to depart.
Boromir stood beside Ruthímiel offering quiet support, and to Ruth's surprise Haldir was there as well, his tall, proud form a silent presence beside Radagast.
"You now depart from Lórien, but you shall forever carry a part of it with you and you shall forever be in our thoughts and prayers," Galadriel said and moved back to stand beside Celeborn.
"Nai tiruvan tel arvaryuvantel i Valar tielyanna nu vilya," (May the Valar protect you on your path under the sky.) Celeborn spoke.
Ruth took a deep breath and gifted Boromir with a sad smile when the man squeezed Ruth's hand in comfort.
"We will escort you to the boats," Boromir said and they moved together for the river where the Fellowship would climb their boats and travel down Anduin to the Falls of Rauros from where they would continue on foot.
Before they entered their boats the Fellowship stopped and turned to look at Ruth and Boromir.
Pippin was the first to take action. He all but ran into Ruth and hugged him tightly. Ruth was at first shocked and then great sadness darkened his gaze. He pushed Pippin back a little only to kneel and hug the small Hobbit tightly to his chest.
"I shall miss you, Peregrine Took," Ruth whispered as tears he so wanted to hide from the Fellowship started to slowly trail down pale cheeks.
"I'll miss you too," Pippin said and moved over to Boromir.
The Gondorian smiled and hugged the Hobbit as well. "Be careful, young Pippin. I wish to see you in good health when we meet again."
Merry approached them next and Sam followed, the two sniffing quietly as the shared heartbreaking hugs with Boromir and Ruth, neither holding back from giving the small Hobbits kisses of soulful blessings to the crowns of their heads.
Gimli walked over, received a hug from Ruth, before moving over to Boromir and shaking the Gondorian's hand. "You take good care of him, Gondorian," Gimli threatened in a tight voice and Boromir nodded solemnly.
"I swear on my honor and life. I will," Boromir promised and Gimli harrumphed before walking away.
Legolas came next and bowed at the both of them. "Stay safe, my friends. Until our next meeting." Ruth and Boromir bowed at the Prince of Mirkwood, knowing that hugging the Elf would cause only pain to the proud Prince, for as an Elf he felt things deeper than even the most sensitive of Human kind.
When it was his turn Aragorn looked at Ruth with a small smile and hugged him tightly. "Be careful, brother," said the Dúnedain, and Ruth's eyes widened for a second.
Ruth let go of a wavering breath and for a moment buried his face in Aragorn's neck. "You as well, talór. Take good care of yourself and the others." (brother)
They parted and Aragorn faced Boromir.
"We shall enter Gondor together one day," Boromir said and offered his hand to Aragorn. "On that day we shall bring back the glory of the White City." As Aragorn accepted his hand Boromir pulled the Heir of Isildur into a one armed hug and Aragorn's eyes widened for a moment. "Fight to survive, my brother," Boromir whispered and Aragorn smiled and nodded, embracing Boromir in a brotherly hug.
"We shall meet again and Gondor shall see the return to glory." Aragorn returned to the Fellowship and Ruth and Boromir looked at Frodo.
The small Hobbit walked over to them and his eyes widened when the two kneeled as one and pulled him into a hug.
"You are always in our hearts, little one," Boromir whispered kissing Frodo's brow.
"You are never alone. Remember that," Ruth added and kissed the crown of Frodo's head before he and Boromir pulled back and Ruth gifted Frodo with a loving smile full of unspoken promises, "until we meet again."
Frodo nodded and returned to the Fellowship.
Merry, Pippin and Gimli went into a boat with Legolas, while Sam and Frodo joined Aragorn. Ruth and Boromir walked to the very edge of the pier watching their friends with unreadable gazes.
Aragorn and Legolas pushed the boats away from the pier and the tide pulled them along.
As they drifted away down the river Ruth took a deep breath, closed his eyes, bowed his head and slightly raised his hands palms up. "Rim ófra hlída du di geeruth rim úrthun gastun imár qi luth xar. Rim Yas zinas cóltho zátho luth qliph cer rith poe geere tháro rim Ekhárthe eame luth da fie bim," he whispered and Boromir looked at the Istar, something clenching in his chest as a single tear trailed down one pale cheek and Ruth's hands fell to his sides as he looked at the cloudy sky.
"What did you say?" Boromir asked as they watched their friends flow down Anduin.
"May the road rise up to meet you," Ruth spoke and another tear trailed down his cheek. "May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and until we meet again, may our Mother hold you in her hand," he finished and Boromir smiled.
"It was beautiful. You will have to teach me."
Ruth smiled and nodded. "It is an old blessing Mother taught me." he spoke and sighed. "Let's go back." He turned to walk away.
Boromir nodded and cast one last glance down the River.
"We shall meet again."
cut
(1) I didn't put the translation of the song here because I was already slapped on my fingers for putting whole songs on Fanfiction. The song is 'The Call' and it belongs to Regina Spektor, I claim no rights to it. Listen to it. I may one day put my own version of the song on YouTube; you never know.