Chapter 15
The Departure of Boromir
I rushed to Boromir. Father was already by his side.
"They took the little ones!" He said.
"Be still."
"Frodo! Where is Frodo?" Boromir questioned.
"I let Frodo go." father whispered.
"The you did what I could not?"
I knelt down slowly by his side.
"I tried to take the ring from him. I am so sorry Gilraen. I broke my promise to you."
I shook my head and tears fell. I placed my hand on the side of his face.
"No mellon nin. It is I who failed you. I should have ran with Merry and Pippin. Perhaps I could have prevented your death had I been there." I said.
He shook his head and then looked at father.
"Forgive me. I did not see it. I have failed you all."
"No Boromir you fought bravely. You have kept your honor."
He attempted to removed an arrow but Boromir stopped him.
"Leave it! It is over. The world of men will fall. Bring my city to ruin." He said.
He was fading fast.
"I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall." father said.
"Nor our people fail!" I added.
He looked between us and nodded.
"Our people…our people…"
I placed his sword in his hand.
"I would have followed you to the end my brother…my captain…my king."
He looked at me and smiled.
"My brother….he…..Faramir…"
He never finished. I saw the life leave his eyes and I rested my forehead on his chest and cried. Legolas lifted me up and took me away. I pushed him off and began to kick and hit everything within reach. I fell to my knees and sobbed banging my fists on the ground.
"I could have saved him!" I cried.
Faeron landed next to me and nuzzled my cheek. Legolas knelt down and I looked up at him. He cupped my face and wiped my tears with his thumb.
"You did your very best. I know that you would have saved him. Yet this was his fate. I am relieved I did not lose you as well." He whispered.
I buried my face in his chest and he held onto me tightly. We bore Boromir's body back to the river bank. I removed the arrows from his body and lay them beside him. We placed his horn, sword and shield in a boat and then I stood up.
Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass growsThe 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 Denathor'O Boromir! From the high walls westward I looked afar, But you came not from the empty lands where no men are.'
Now Legolas sang beside me.
From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sandhills 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 roads runs south, But you came not with the wailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth'.
My father stepped forward and finished,
From the Gate of the 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 to 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 Guard shall ever northward gaze, To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days.
We let the river bear him over the falls and I closed my eyes.
"Namarie." I whispered.
My father put his hands on my shoulders.
"I have never been more proud. You were right. I should never have told your mother what I did. I love you Gilraen my daughter. You are an honorable warrior, companion and daughter. Never forget who you are." father said.
"Le melon ada!"
I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes. Legolas began to push a boat towards the water.
"Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore."
I saw Sam and Frodo disappear into the woods. I looked to my father but he did not respond.
"You mean not to follow them."
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands."
Legolas and Gimli walked closer.
"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed." Gimli lamented.
Father looked at the three of us.
"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."
He turned away.
"Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light."
He sheathed his dagger and then turned to look upon us.
"Let us hunt some orc!" He said.
Legolas and Gimli looked at each other. Gimli actually smiled.
"YES!"
He ran off after father and I looked at Legolas. He took my hand.
"Together?"
I smiled and nodded.
"Together."
He kissed me and then we took off after Gimli and father.
