Chapter Ten: The River
Iliana sat in the canoe with Boromir and Merry and Pippin, an oar in her hands as they rowed. Next to them on the right paddled Gimli and Legolas. On their left paddled Aragorn, Sam and Frodo sitting in the front. She was thinking of the gifts Galadriel and Celeborn had passed onto her: a mirror that gleamed silvery white, and a large knife. She had thanked them both, promising to return as soon as she could. She caught a glimpse of Haldir as she sat in the boat. His dark eyes were sad as he whispered, "No galu govad gen."
They traveled down river, hardly having to steer. They only used the oars to increase their speed, their boats slicing through the water. As they rode, Legolas and Iliana began to sing.
"May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh how far you are from home
Mornie utulie
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie
A promise lives within you now
May it be the shadow's call
Will fly away
May it be you journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun
Mornie utulie
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now"
Their voices intertwined perfectly, creating a beautiful harmony
Iliana glanced behind her, smiling at Boromir. Between the two, Merry and Pippin had fallen asleep.
"Your singing could make a Man die happy," Boromir said, giving her a grin that melted her insides.
She smiled and began singing softly.
"U i vethed na i onnad…
Si boe a-dhanna
Ae u-esteli, estelio veleth
Estelio hen, estelio han, estelio
Estelio han, estelio veleth"
Legolas's voice joined hers on the next verse.
"U i vethed na ionned…
Na boe ui
Esteliach nod, estelio han"
Legolas broke off in mid-verse, looking towards the forest.
"What do you see?" Aragorn asked in Elvish.
The blond Elf was silent for a moment, his eyes searching. "Nothing," he said after a length. "T'was nothing."
Despite his words, Aragorn, Iliana, and Boromir continuously glanced toward the trees. The Half-Elf didn't sing anymore; she was worried the sound would carry to nearby enemies.
They traveled in silence, only speaking when necessary. Sam passed a worried look to Iliana, but she only smiled bravely at him, not wanting to upset the gentle Hobbit. The expression seemed to calm him, and he sat back in the boat and relaxed as much as he could.
After many hours of rowing, Iliana felt dizzy. She adjusted her pack and leaned against it, pulling the hood of her new cloak down over her eyes to block out the sun. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but soon she was lost in a world of nightmarish things.
The echo of a mighty horn, the distant clash of steel, voices entwined in song, the roar of a rushing water, the sorrowful scream 'No', the stampede of thunderous footfalls. Colors blurred, never settling on a specific moment for more than a split second, just long enough to confuse and disorient her.
She awoke to Pippin's hand gently shaking her. Without warning, she sat up rapidly, drawing her new knife. She startled Pippin, who thumped backwards away to avoid the blade. The boat rocked beneath them.
"Iliana?" Boromir asked, watching her.
She shook her head, sheathing the knife. "I apologize, Pippin," she said, giving the Hobbit a weak smile. "I was just startled."
"The Argonath," Aragorn breathed from the boat next to them, and Iliana turned to see the massive stone guardians. "Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."
The group stared in wonder as they drifted pass, most of them bowing their heads respectfully. The Hobbits gazed up into the faces of the stone giants, whose hands were outstretched as if to ward off any ill-intentions from entering their lands. Iliana glanced back and saw Boromir's face lit up in a true smile, his stormy eyes sparkling brightly.
They set the boats on the western shore of the river, right before the waterfall. Iliana was glad to be on land again. The rocking of the boat was making her queasy. She helped the Hobbits from their boats, putting a hand out to steady Sam, who looked about as good as she felt.
"Hobbits belong on land," he groaned, moving to sit on a rock. "Not the water."
Iliana smiled as she helped unload the boats. She cast a curious look to Boromir, who still hadn't stood. He looked confused and uncertain and wouldn't meet her eye when she asked what was wrong.
"Nothing," he said, brushing her off and exiting the boat, hefting his shield and sword. He walked past her and set them down against one of the boulders.
As confused as she was by his actions, she knew there were more important things than his behavior. Soon, everything was unloaded, and Merry had a small fire going. Iliana leaned against a tree, her long legs stretched in front of her.
Her grandmother's outfitters had made an entire new set of traveling clothes. Her breeches were the light green-gray of the tree bark in Lothlorien. Her knee-high boots were a slightly darker shade of green, and were designed to not make a sound, no matter where she stepped. Her chemise was a dark, slate gray, and it clung to her like a second layer of skin. Her tunic was moss green, with billowing long sleeves and a deep V-neck that Iliana kept laced shut. She wore her chainmail over the tunic, the metal sleeves stopping at her elbows. The metal was designed to fit her tightly, yet not hinder her movements at all. Her deep brown leather vest and bracers finished her armor, and the cloak was pinner around her with a beautiful emerald and silver Lorien leaf broach.
Her sword hung from its scabbard at her belt, her twin long knives latched to her calves. The knife her grandfather gave her was sheathed on her right, and her bow and quiver were strapped to her back.
Merry went off to get more firewood, and Iliana closed her eyes, listening to Aragorn speak.
"We cross the lake at nightfall," he was saying, tossing a cloak to Pippin, who was roasting a squirrel. "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North."
The wind shifted, blowing the scent of the cooking meat towards her, and Iliana stood and sprinted a few yards away from the others, the Lambas bread she'd nibbled on earlier coming up in a rush. She waved aside Merry, who had stopped on his way back to check on her.
After a moment, her stomach calmed, and she walked back towards the fire, rinsing her mouth with water. She heard Gimli muttering about "recover my strength-". Legolas approached Aragorn quickly, his strides fluid-like.
"We should leave now," the Elf prince said, his eyes boring into the Man.
"No," Aragorn said simply. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."
Legolas scanned the trees, his eyes bright as they searched. "It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat have been growing in my mind," he said, looking back to Aragorn and grasping his arm. "Something draws near. I can feel it."
His words and look in his eye sent shivers down Iliana's spine as she replaced her water bag.
Merry came back into the clearing, dropping the firewood he'd gathered. "Where is Frodo?" he asked after scanning the group.
His words caused everyone to straighten up, especially Sam, who had been dozing against a rock. Aragorn's green-gray eyes swept the area, resting on Boromir's shield, which was leaning against a tree. His eyes narrowed.
Iliana felt cold. "No," she whispered, taking off through the trees. She heard the others behind her, following and going off in different directions. She heard them calling Frodo's name, Sam's cry all the more desperate.
"Boromir!" she cried out, hoping the Gondorian could hear her. To her left, she saw Legolas sprinting, Gimli beside him. He nodded to her when she caught his eye. They raced off, and she skidded to a halt, panicking. "Boromir!"
Her voice echoed in the air, and she felt her hope begin to slip. Suddenly, she remembered the mirror her grandmother had given her. She raced back to camp and began tearing through her knapsack. Once she finally had it in her hands, she saw Boromir. He was wandering through the trees, dead leaves clinging to his cloak and hair. He looked like he was yelling, but she couldn't hear what he was saying.
Tucking the mirror in her pocket, she ran as fast as her legs would take her, hoping that she was going in the right direction. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her cloak and braid flying behind her as she ran.
Finally, she heard Boromir's voice. "Frodo, please forgive me?!" he yelled.
"Boromir!" Iliana called, sliding to a stop in the dead leaves. He had one hand supporting him against a tree; it looked like he was straightening up from being doubled over. His eyes were wide, and an almost manic gleam brightened them. They stumbled toward each other, and she caught his arms as he sank to his knees. She knelt with him, his hands slipping to her waist. "What happened?" she asked when she felt him trembling beneath her hands.
"I…I…" he took a deep breath, closing his eyes and opening them rapidly. "I tr-tried to take the Ring."
Iliana felt the blood drain from her face. "What?" she breathed, her chest aching.
He gripped her waist tightly. "I tried to take the Ring from Frodo!" he told her, his arms trembling more.
She stood up, pulling away. "Why?" she asked, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. "Why would you do that? Are you really that selfish?!" She stormed back and forth in front of him, running her fingers through her hair, mussing it in her braid. "Gah! Garich idhol goll o Orch!"
He slowly stood, his own eyes on fire. "Selfish?" he demanded, glaring at her. His movements were jerky, his lanky hair falling into his face. "I am acting to protect all of Gondor, my people! I am the Captain of Gondor! They look to me to save them!"
"This is not the way!" Iliana yelled at him, stepping closer and grabbing the front of his tunic. "Don't you see? The Ring with drive you mad with power, then it will kill you!"
He gripped her hands and jerked them from his clothes. "I could use it against the enemy," he growled low in his throat, glaring at her. "If you'd only just trust me-"
"I do trust you!" she said, tears falling angrily down her cheeks. "I just don't want to see you dead!" She snatched her hands away from him and began running, tears nearly blinding her. Trees whipped past her, their limbs tugging at her braid, loosening the ties that bound her hair.
She ran so far and so fast, not paying attention, and ran right into Legolas, sending them both flying backwards. When they hit the ground, they rolled for a moment, Legolas rolling onto the bottom.
"Oh!" she gasped, her face heating as she quickly stood, offering a hand to him. "I am so sorry, Legolas. I just…I was…"
Without saying a word, Legolas wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. She broke down, sobbing quietly, her tears seeping through his vest. He rubbed her shoulder with one hand, the other brushing back her hair. When she finally stopped sobbing, she pulled back, and he smiled at her.
"Better?' he asked, brushing away the last few evidences of her tears. She nodded.
"Ahem," cleared a voice behind them, gruffly. They turned and saw Gimli leaning against his axe. "Am I interrupting?"
Iliana blushed and stepped away. She was about to tell them that she found Boromir when both she and Legolas turned, catching the sound of swords. They looked at each other and said in unison, "Aragorn!" They took off running, Gimli trailing behind.
As they ran, Legolas drew his bow and readied an arrow. Following his example, Iliana drew her sword. As they got closer, they heard Aragorn yelling and the unmistakable sounds of Orcs. Legolas and Iliana shared a look as they entered the clearing, Legolas's bow twanging with each loosed arrow.
Iliana swung, taking off the head of a massive Orc. She attacked another. It was stronger than most of the other Orcs she had faced. "What are these things?!" she demanded, hacking at the creature.
"Uruk-hai!" Legolas called, taking two down at once. "Orc and Goblin crossbreeds!"
"Blarggh!" Gimli roared, chopping through their ranks.
One of the Uruks caught her unawares, and it sliced a long but shallow gash down the back of her leg. Yelling out, she attacked with renewed vigor, her leg going numb. Still swinging her sword, she drew the knife her grandfather gave her. Using both hands now, she became a vicious warrior, an Elven princess dancing with death. She didn't feel it when a blade sliced into her skin, so absorbed was she in her dance of death.
Suddenly, there weren't any more Uruks. Legolas shot the one choking Aragorn. Iliana took a moment to breath, her entire body on fire.
A long, echoing blast that seemed very familiar to her thundered through the trees. She looked to the others, confused.
"The Horn of Gondor!" Legolas said, dirt smudged on his brow.
Her blood ran cold. "Boromir!" she exclaimed, racing towards the blasts, Aragorn following closely. Her leg almost gave out under her weight, but she pushed on, gritting her teeth against the pain. Another Uruk lunged at her, but she stopped short, and it flew past her, smacking into a tree. She continued her race towards Boromir as he sounded the horn again.
She crested the top of the hill, spotting Boromir in the bowl of it, surrounded by dead Uruk-hai. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him fighting. Merry and Pippin were behind him, their little blades fending off an Uruk together.
The sudden twang of a bow made her heart stop as an arrow protruded from Boromir's chest, directly above his heart.
"No!" she wailed, the world around her shattering as she ran. Around her, nature began to morph, tree limbs swinging and knocking back Uruks, roots pinning them to the earth. She saw red as she hurried.
To her shock, Boromir stood and continued fighting, killing another two Uruks. Just as he turned, another arrow embedded itself, this time in his stomach. She shrieked again, and vines looped down and hung and Uruk that made a swing at her. Boromir fell to his knees, staring at Merry and Pippin. She could see he was struggling to breathe. "Stay down!" she pleaded in her mind, and just as she did, he stood.
He slashed through three more, yelling in rage, his hair drenched in sweat. He waited for another Uruk to approach, and instead was rewarded with another arrow, right in the center of his chest. He staggered, then fell to his knees, breathing heavily.
Iliana slashed through the Uruk-hai that stood in her way, her blade slicing through them easily. She heard Marry and Pippin yell, anger in their voices. When she turned and looked, they were being carried off, and the Uruk with a massive and ugly bow stood in front of Boromir, drawing back an arrow.
With no one else in her way, she hurled herself down the slope, knocking the Uruk aside and making him miss. It was like slamming into a boulder, the wind rushing from her lungs as she tried to stand, her leg buckling. She raised her sword just as it was dealing a blow with his own cruel weapon, the jolt reverberating up her arms. He kicked her back, his massive foot planting in her chest. Just as he was about to swing at her, Aragorn slid behind him, planting his knife into the Uruk's thigh. It roared, punching him in the face. Aragorn rolled away, blood dripping from his mouth. The Uruk threw the blade, and Aragorn batted it aside with his sword.
Iliana stood, limping on her leg, and attacked viciously. Her sword grew heavy in her hands as she parried and dodged. Suddenly, she saw an opening. Her blade cleaved off the creature's right arm. Instead of hindering it, it only made the beast angrier. Glaring at it, she plunged her blade into its stomach, just as Aragorn decapitated it. As the beast fell, its body tugged Iliana's blade from her hands. She didn't care, for she was stumbling backwards, crawling towards Boromir.
When she found him, his face was pale, and blood trickled from the corner of his lip. Sweat soaked his brow as he struggled to breathe. Tears sprung to her eyes as she grasped his right hand in hers. "Boromir, I-"
"You were right," he choked, smiling through the pain for a moment. "I was being selfish."
Iliana shook her head, tears dripping down to her chin. "It doesn't matter," she said, brushing back his hair. Despite the sweat, his skin was cold and clammy. "You were so brave."
He chuckled, then winced. "Brave? Thought I was an ignorant, moronic Man?" He was trying to tease her, even as he was dying.
Aragorn knelt on the other side of Boromir, and the Gondorian let his humor fade. "They took the little ones," he told Aragorn, choking on his own words.
Aragorn looked over the wounds, his face a mask as he told Boromir, "Hold still."
"Frodo," Boromir said, drawing a breath. "Where's Frodo?"
Aragorn sighed, looking back into his fellow Man's eyes. "I let Frodo go."
Boromir's grip tightened on Iliana's hand, and he smiled. "Then you did what I could not," he said, relief in his voice. "I tried to take the Ring from him."
Aragorn shook his head. "The Ring is beyond our reach now," he whispered, gripping Boromir's other hand.
"Forgive me," the Gondorian pleaded. "I did not see it. I have failed you all." His eyes darted to Iliana, who shook her head.
"No, Boromir," she said, smoothing back his hair again. "You fought bravely. You have kept your honor."
While she spoke, Aragorn moved to pull out the arrow shafts. "Leave it!" Boromir said, his voice strong for just the minute. "It is over. The world of Men will fall. And all will come to darkness and my city to ruin."
Aragorn shook his head, looking him in the eye. "I do not know what strength is in my blood," he said, "but I swear to you that I will not let the White City fall, nor out people fail."
"Our people," Boromir choked. "Our people." He reached out for his sword, which Aragorn placed in his grasp. He pulled the hilt to his chest. "I would have followed you, my brother, my captain…" he swore, "my king."
"Be at peace, Son of Gondor," Aragorn said, kissing his brow and standing, giving Iliana and Boromir privacy.
He held her hand tightly, his entire body trembling. A tear fell from his eye as he looked at her. "I don't want to let you go," he whispered, smiling weakly.
She sniffled and kissed his hand. "You never will," she said. "You'll have a hold on my heart for the rest of my life, you stubborn Man."
He smiled and raised a hand to brush back her hair. "Sing to me?" he asked.
She nodded and began to sing, her voice strong and beautiful.
"When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
But in dreams
I can hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
When the seas and mountains fall
And we come to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there
I will go there
And back again"
Boromir smiled at her. "I love the sound of your voice," he said, squeezing her hand. "'And in dreams, we will meet again'," he quoted. She closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheek as she kissed his hand. "Le melon, Iliana." His grip went slack, and she opened her eyes. His face was calm, all traces of pain and regret gone.
"Boromir?" she asked. No answer. She gripped his hand tighter. "Boromir?!" Her throat tightened, and she rested her head on his still chest. "Le melon, Boromir. No ro go hul, bado go Eru."
After they removed the arrows and cleaned him, Aragorn, Legolas, and Iliana placed Boromir's body in one of the boats. They used his cloak as a pillow, his splintered shield resting above his head. They crossed his arms on his chest, laying his sword along the length of his body. His horn, which had been broke in two, sat by his left side. Grasped in his fist was a thick coil of braided hair, which Iliana had cut from her own head.
"He loved my hair," she said, cutting it over just above her shoulders and coiling the long braid around his fist.
"They will look for his coming from the White Tower," Aragorn said as they watched Boromir go over the falls. "But he will not return."
Iliana closed her eyes, sending a silent prayer with the boat
Legolas began pushing their last boat into the water. "Hurry!" he said. "Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore."
Aragorn looked up from tightening Boromir's bracers on his wrists, the White Tree still gleaming on them.
"You mean not to follow them," Legolas said, shocked.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands," Aragorn said, sighing.
Iliana looked up, the wind blowing her now short hair in her face. Her chest felt hollow as she gazed at the river.
"Then it has all been in vain," Gimli said. "The Fellowship has failed."
They all gathered around Aragorn, looking dejected. He stood there for a moment, then placed a hand on both Legolas's and Gimli's shoulders. "Not if we all hold true to each other," he said. He let go of Legolas and clasped Iliana's hand. "we will not abandon Merry and pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left." He pushed past them, sliding his knife in its sheath. "Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light." He gave them an encouraging grin. "Let's hunt some Orc."
Gimli and Legolas exchanged looks, the Dwarf roaring, 'Yes!" while hefting his axe. He followed Aragorn into the woods.
Legolas paused, looking at Iliana. "We'll avenge our fallen comrade," he said, clasping her hand and leading her after the other two.
Iliana ran, following her dearest friends as they raced to rescue the rest of their stolen Fellowship. Her heart heavy, she vowed that she would not be satisfied until their quest was complete.
End of the Fellowship of the Ring
Author's Note:
Happy Friday to you all!
"No galu govad gen" means "May blessings go with you"
"Mornie utulie" means "Darkness has come"
"Mornie alantie" means "Darkness has fallen"
"U i vethed na i onnad…Si boe a-dhanna Ae u-esteli, estelio veleth Estelio hen, estelio han, estelio Estelio han, estelio veleth U i vethed na ionned…Na boe ui Esteliach nod, estelio han" means "This is not the end...It is the beginning You cannot falter now If you don't trust, trust nothing else Trust this, trust this, trust Trust this, trust love This is not the end...it is the beginning You should not do this If you trust anything, trust this"
"Garich i dhol goll o Orch" means "You have the hollow head of an Orc"
"Le melon, Iliana" means "I love you, Iliania"
"Le melon, Boromir. No ro go hul, bado go Eru" means "I love you, Boromir. Run with the wind, go with God."
mycarnation: I appreciate the feedback!
Passerby (Guest): I apologize that you dislike my story so much, but I'm sure I put this under movie and not books. I am sorry that I use the quotes from the movie, but no one forced you to read.
Leave me a review please! And enjoy! Being as this is the end of "The Fellowship", I will be taking a month off before I begin posting "The Two Towers". Thank you all for your continued support!