Chapter 14

The week was over before any of the fellowship would wish it. Samantha, Merry and Pippin had made great progress with their swordsmanship and Boromir had expressed to them how proud he was of them all. Aragorn agreed with him, but Samantha couldn't help but notice the faint glimmer of worry in his eyes. She knew the burden he bared without Gandalf there to lead them. She often would wonder if he truly wanted her along on the journey, and with that thought she would wonder if being with them was right. But, where would she go? She had no home and knew little to nothing of their world. The fellowship and the people in it were her home now, no matter how strange or hard things got at times.

Since the incident with the wine Samantha had noticed Boromir become more cold towards her. He drilled her harder during practice, and he would no longer smile at her as he once did. She wondered if she had did anything to upset him but she could think of nothing to make him behave in such a way. She may have woken up with a pounding headache and nearly threw up on Legolas during practice the next morning, but she remembered most everything that happened that night, just not in clear detail. If only she could get inside his head.

The fellowship made their way to the small harbor on the river. Three boats had been prepared and all they had to do was load their supplies and leave. As the hobbits and Samantha had been mainly left out of the preparations and had no clue as to what to do, they stood idly by and waited to be told what to do. Samantha stood and watched as Pippin snooped his way around some bags and pulled out a piece of bread that was wrapped in a leaf with some twine. His eyes lit up at his discovery and he grabbed several more before returning to Merry with his prize.

The two of them began to munch and Samantha gave them a quizzical look as Pippin offered her a piece. "Are you sure you should be eating that? Maybe we should save supplies."

Pippin shrugged and gave her a matter of fact glance as he scarfed down his second piece and moved onto the third, "As you know, we rushed this morning and have not had anything to eat. We don't want to starve now, do we?"

Samantha just gave him a slow nod and a blank stare, "Mhmm."

Legolas shortly after asked Samantha to help move some of the bags onto boats. When Legolas picked up the bag Pippin had stolen from and he took out a piece and unwrapped it. "Lembas." Legolas said to the three of them in wonder, "Elvish way bread." He took a small bite off of the corner and offered it to Samantha. She took a small bite as well and handed it back, surprised at how a simple peace of bread could taste so elegant yet simple. Legolas put the piece back, "One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man."

With that said Legolas put the bag in the boat and continued on. Samantha and Merry, who had only eaten one piece, turned to look at Pippin who had a guilty look plastered on his face.

"How many did you eat?" Merry asked him.

"Four." He said as he began to feel very uncomfortable. It would seem he did indeed eat too much.

Samantha laughed then and continued to help Legolas load the boats. After a time and all the boats were loaded, more elves had arrived. She saw Aragorn be pulled aside by Lord Celebrain and she wondered why the elf's face had grown to be so cold and serious. 'We just can't catch a break, can we?'

Galadriel arrived shortly thereafter and gathered the fellowship before her. They stood in line and were presented with elven cloaks. Each with a Lothlorien leaf pendent in the front. Celebrain stood before them, "Never had we clothed strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."

The fellowship admired the cloaks and elven broaches that came with them. The elegant and vibrant green leaf clasping the cloaks in place around them.

Galadriel stepped forward, her radiant smile falling upon each of them. She gestured for a servant to come forward, and they handed her a bow. Taking it she walked to Legolas. "My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."

Legolas took the bow gingerly, his eyes shinning in wonder and amazement at such a gift. As he inspected the bow given to him Galadriel smiled and walked to the next in the company.

Merry and Pippin looked to each other before looking up at Galadriel. No one told them they were receiving anything! They were uncertain of how to respond, especially when she handed them both a dagger and a belt to go with it. As the two unsheathed their new blades she spoke, "These are the baggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war." Pippin's face drained of color just the slightest bit at this mention, but as if she could sense his thoughts she continued, "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."

She offered him a warm reassuring nod before moving onto the next member. "And for you, Samwise Gamgee, I gift to you this," she handed him a small wooden box. Sam looked at the box quizzically and opened it... dirt. Galadriel chuckled, "My gift to you is a Mallorn seed. It will grow into a fine tree under your care, it will be one of the last of its kind in Middle Earth."

Sam had thought about asking for one of the daggers Merry and Pippin received, but upon hearing this he realized the honor she had bestowed upon him. He stiffened up and bowed, "Yes! A fine tree indeed! Thank you, My Lady."

Sam was left to think about his gift as Galadriel moved on to Gimli. "And what gift would a dwarf ask of the elves?"

Gimli looked down, averting his gaze, "Nothing." He then paused and looked up to meet her eyes, "Except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time. For she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth."

Galadriel laughed and Gimli looked around, unsure of what to do or say in his mild embarrassment. After a moment he got up the courage, "Actually, uh, there was one thing- No, no, no, no, no, I'm talking nonsense. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask."

"Tell me." She said with an amused smile.

Gimli bowed and asked for a single hair from her golden head, her smile grew from such a simple request. Galadriel reached up, and plucked three hairs from her scalp, before handing them to the dwarf. "Thank you, My Lady." He said in disbelief. He would treasure them for all time.

She chuckled and moved on to Boromir. The man looked upon her with unease. Galadriel gave him a sympathetic look, "For you, Boromir, I gift this belt, crafted with gold. I hope it may be a sign of good tidings to come for you and your people."

Boromir took the belt and admired the intricate metal work put into each golden leaf. He appreciated the gift, but the vague message with it, he held with suspicion. He did not like how all elves spoke in riddles. She knew more than what she led on, and he wished to know more.

Galadriel moved on to Aragorn. "I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear." She looked upon the jewel Aragorn wore, "For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will Diminish."

"I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor." He told her truthfully.

Galadriel nodded, "That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn. To rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil. Or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin." There was a long pause between them, "Farewell. There is much you have left to do." She gave him a sad smile, "We shall not meet again, Elessar."

She walked next to Samantha. Samantha had watched Galadriel give all of her gifts and was quite entertained and intrigued buy the whole event. Most everyone's gift made so much sense, but she could not think of what the Lady of Light could possibly gift to her.

Galadriel smiled and held out a locket on a thin silver chain. The locket was round and on the front it was decorated with a intricate tree that resembled the trees of Lorien. Samantha took the gift in awe, cradling it gently in her hands. She felt the clasp on the side, and opened it. Samantha let our an audible gasp as tears welled in her eyes, she couldn't speak as she looked at the pictures and then back to Galadriel.

Her family.

One side of the locket had her mother and father, while the other had her three brothers, just as she remembered them. Samantha couldn't fathom how Galadriel could have made such a thing, how did she even know what they looked like?

"I see many things through my mirror. I saw them, and thought you much needed to see them as well." Galadriel's eyes held much sympathy for the young woman.

Samantha couldn't stop the tears from falling as she spoke, wiping the tears away as fast as she could. "Th-Thank you so much." She looked down, trying to compose herself.

Galadriel reached out a hand to tilt her chin up so their eyes could meet. "They would not want you to suffer, young Samantha. Even in these dark times, there can be light. You just have to look for it, and give it the opportunity to shine."

She gave Samantha a warm smile and moved on to Frodo. "Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Erendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out." She placed a soft kiss upon the ringbearers head before leaving them to resume their preparations. She smiled a bittersweet smile. They had a long journey ahead of them, and it would test each and every one of them.

There were little words exchanged as the Fellowship boarded their boats and left on the river. Aragorn rode with Sam and Frodo. Boromir took Merry and Pippin. In the last of the three boats was Legolas, Samantha and Gimli.

Samantha rode between the two men, her back to Legolas who guided the boat. She felt his eyes upon her many times but she did not pay him any mind. Samantha could only look down at the locket, thankful to have a small piece of home.

They drifted in silence for a time before Gimli decided to speak as he looked out ahead of them, "I have taken my worst wound at this parting. Having looked my last upon that which is fairest." He gave a great sigh, "Henceforth, I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me."

Legolas looked at the dwarf, "What was her gift?" He asked in genuine curiosity.

"I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three."

Legolas smiled at this. Gimli was a fine dwarf and shined light upon many misconceptions his kin had with the dwarves. Lady Galadriel must have shared the same sentiment, her gift is a high honor. Legolas turned his eyes toward the woman in front of him, "And what was your gift?"

Samantha turned her head toward him and showed him the locket. He watched as she opened it and revealed the two pictures. "She gave me this, its a picture of my mother and father, and the other is my brothers." A smile broke across her face as she turned the locket toward her, "Its so nice to see them, even if I can't speak to them."

The elf felt a swelling in his chest as he smiled at her. He was thankful to Galadriel, she had done Samantha a great deed. One that was sure to help her through her loss. "It is a good gift." He told her and she nodded, holding the locket to her chest.

Legolas was about to say more when Gimli huffed, "Well, lets see the family, shall we?" Samantha laughed and leaned forward, showing the locket and telling Gimli who was who. "Ah, you bear a strong resemblance to your mother, and your fathers eyes."

She laughed, "Yeah, some people said that was the only thing my brothers and I had in common, our eyes." She paused, "Just another reason to be alienated and called a redheaded dwelf."

The two shared a laugh but stifled it when Aragorn turned and waved his hand to be quiet. They had to stay unnoticed as they traveled down the river. The fellowship continued on quietly, closely watching the shoreline and the trees for any movement.

As days passed there was little trouble along the river. Samantha caught herself thinking about how good everything was going and got a bad feeling. Usually when things were going good it meant that bad things were sure to come. She hoped that it was just a silly feeling and nothing more. One thing that was bugging her increasingly was Boromir. Boromir seemed to only ignore her and never spoke to her. Not only that, his whole demeanor had shifted. She noticed he would almost constantly stare in Frodo's direction at every opportunity. Samantha couldn't shake the bundle of nerves building in her gut. Things might be going smoothly, but she had a feeling that something was building. She prayed that it had more to do with being on the boats all day than anything else.

Eventually they reached large statues that seemed to guard the river in a way. Samantha couldn't help but think of the Statue of Liberty. She leaned back toward Legolas, "Who are they supposed to be?"

Legolas looked up at the statues, "The Argonath. Long ago this used to be the northern border of Gondor and the Argonath watched over it. They are kings from a time long past. Aragorn's kin."

Samantha was surprised, "I thought we were still far away from Gondor?"

The elf nodded, "Yes. Over the years Gondor has lost strength without it's king. Gondor's borders once reached much farther than they do now." He spoke in a hushed tone, he thought it best Boromir not hear him say that.

Later that day while it was still early afternoon they had finally reached their destination and Samantha was thankful to be on land again. She hated the constant swaying of the boat. While it didn't make her nauseated, it did tend to keep her on edge for fear the boat would tip. After several days you would think her worry would be gone.

They unloaded the boats and as normal everyone went to set up camp for the time being. In the hustle and bustle of the unloading she noticed Boromir walk off into the woods. She assumed to get firewood as usual. She looked over to Gimli, "I'll be back, I'm going to gather more wood." The dwarf nodded as he helped bring life to the newly born flames.

Samantha thought this would be a good opportunity to talk to him. If something was bugging him she wanted nothing more than to help him. He was her friend and she didn't like how he seemed to be shutting everything out.

She walked in the direction Boromir had gone and after a time she realized that it may not have been the best idea to venture out on her own. She felt like she was close enough to the others in case anything happened, but even so, she didn't know what could possibly be out here.

"Boromir!" She called out as he came into view.

Boromir looked up at her as he lifted another dead log into his arms, "What is it?" He said bluntly, wishing to be left alone. He turned from her and began walking away.

Samantha faltered, she didn't expect that tone of voice to come from him. She almost felt like he had struck her. "Oh," She stammered, "I- I just wanted to ask if you were alright."

The fighter forced a smile as he stopped to turn toward her, "Now, why would I not be alright?"

She felt a frown crease her lips, "You haven't been yourself lately, it's a little worrisome. Not to mention I see the way you look at Frodo..." Her words tapered off, not sure if she should continue down that line of thought.

Boromir watched her for several long moments, emotions whirling inside of him. Before he could stop himself he spoke, "Well, perhaps I do not like the way you speak to the Elf."

Samantha felt herself flinch at the venom in his voice but also couldn't understand where he was going. "Legolas? He is my friend, like you are, why wouldn't I talk to him?" She could see his eyes darkening in frustration and the spark of fear was ignited into a flame within her. "Boromir, I think the ring might be-"

"What do you know of it?" He snapped causing her to step back away from him. Boromir looked into her eyes as he continued, taking slow steps toward her, "I must lead the ring to Gondor. Only there will it be safe, I will use it's power to save my people! Put an end to this madness!"

Boromir had Samantha up against a tree, she had tried to keep her distance but eventually he was only a foot away from her. In that moment it was all to obvious how much smaller than him she was. His arm rested on the tree above her head and he leaned over her, "How can I be so sure that your intentions are just when you conspire with the elf. It is Men Sauron aims to destroy, and yet you conspire with an elf who would surly throw you to the wolves!"

In an instant Samantha raised her hand, a powerful wave of anger surging through her. She moved to slap him but his hand caught hers, though the look in his eyes never faltered. She tried to pull her hand away from him but his grip was too strong. Samantha gave him a fierce glare, "Legolas would never do that, and neither would you or anyone in the Fellowship." Finally his grip loosened and she ripped her hand from his. "I suggest you think about everything you just said." She told him as she moved away from him, a pace between a walk and a run. Frustration built within her and she felt tears sting her vision, 'No. I will not cry. He isn't himself.'

Samantha put plenty of distance between herself and Boromir, moving further away from him until she was eventually alone. That creeping feeling settled in again as she realized, where was the shore? They had stopped not far away from a waterfall. She followed the noise but the environment around her had tricked her into going the wrong direction. She should have reached the others by now. "Hello?" she called out hoping someone would answer her back, not no one returned her call.

She wandered for a short period of time before seeing some movement a head of her. She froze in fear before realizing who it was, "Merry! Pippin!" She moved closer to the two and pulled them into a firm hug. She let them go, "I thought I was lost!"

Merry looked up at her, "Well, its good that we found you! We're looking for Frodo too, no one knows where he went."

She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll help you, lead the way."

The trio carried on in search of the hobbit with little luck. After a time they stopped and looked at one another. There was a noise, like the rumbling of thunder. It didn't take long before they were scrambling for a hiding spot.

Footsteps, and a lot of them.

They hurried toward a downed tree and some bushes that acted as a perfect hiding spot for them. They watched as orcs ran by but noticed these were no ordinary orcs. They were larger, stronger.

"It's Frodo!" Pippin said in a low whisper. Their fellow hobbit ran down the hill and lunged behind a tree as seceral more orcs ran by. There was a break in the line of orcs and the three of them moved to get his attention.

"Frodo!" Merry called out in a hushed tone.

The three of them gestured to him to move quickly to their hiding spot, "Hide here, quick!" Pippin urged.

"Come on!" Samantha joined in, but she stopped. Something didn't feel right. Frodo wasn't moving toward them, even though there was ample time, and on top of that, the look in his eyes was unsettling.

Samantha and Merry both picked up on Frodo's vibe. He was leaving. There was even more confirmation to their theory when Frodo shook his head. Pippin grew confused, "What is he doing?"

"He's leaving." Merry told him simply, not wanting to believe it himself.

Pippin's heart sank and he was determined not to let that happen, "No!" He said as he lunged out of their hiding spot, determined to pull Frodo back in with them.

"Pippin!" Samantha called as herself and Merry reached out to try and stop him. Now they were all out in the open and their gaze was drawn to the numerous orcs on the mountain side.

The three of them stopped in their tracks and turned to Frodo who had not been seen yet. "Run Frodo, go!" Merry urged before turning to the Orcs, "Hey! Hey you! Over here!"

"Fuck." Samantha said under her breath as she grabbed the two hobbits by their cloaks and ran the opposite direction of Frodo, allowing him to escape. They ran, trying to dodge as much of the terrain as they could, the adrenaline helping to hasten their retreat.

They looked back and Pippin spoke up, "It's working!"

Samantha didn't want to look at the orcs coming their way, "Yeah, not so sure that's a good thing for us, Pip!" Samantha yelled back to him. They kept running until they came to the bottom of the hill, they were in the open, only a few trees and boulders around them. No shrubs to hide in this time. They had to stop in their tracks when they saw more Orcs in the direction they were running to. They were rushing them, weapons ready so the three did the only thing they could and grabbed their weapons. Merry and Pippin with their daggers and Samantha with her sword, they stared down the orcs in overwhelming terror as they knew this would not end well. The numbers were too great.

Just as one Orc came up on them with it's axe raised, a figure came from behind them and fended the orc off before moving on to the next and the next. Samantha looked at Boromir and felt a sickening sense of relief, someone came for them. Now they had a fighting chance. Samantha, Merry and Pippin along with Boromir fought the orcs off, Boromir taking down the most. Samantha felt a small sense of pride that she hadn't been killed yet when a sudden burst of dejavu seemed to sweep over her. She pulled her sword out from the orc and panted from exertion.

Her world seemed to move in slow motion as the vision in Galadriel's mirror played over in her mind.

'...No.'

Samantha scanned the orcs in the distance and there she saw him, raising a bow with a sickeningly black arrow, pointed at Boromir.

She didn't hear herself scream, or feel herself move.

Adrenaline took over and Samantha had dropped her weapon, sprinting to Boromir at full speed.

Boromir's head wiped over to Samantha when he heard her scream, no sooner was he hit full force with her body. The wind knocked out of him as the two of them fell back, an arrow narrowly missing Samantha by a hair and ripping her cloak that trailed behind her.

A sickening crack could be heard as Boromir's head collided with a boulder, his body went limp and as his own world grew dark.

Samantha landed in a heap on top of Boromir and immediately got on all fours above him. "Boromir!" She said frantically. "Boromir!"

The blood drained from her face as the gravity of what she had done sank in. She gripped at his clothes to try and shake him awake but it was no use, he was out cold. In an attempt to save him from his fate she had doomed him to another.

Samantha screamed for him to wake up, even as she felt large hands grab her and hoist her up. Kicking and screaming she fought with everything she had to get back to Boromir as he lay helpless on the ground. The orc was too strong and she was hoisted over the shoulder of the beast as he carried her off. She continued to fight, even as she watched the orc with the bow make his way to Boromir. He was going to die, and there was nothing she could do, nothing.

Before she lost sight of them, an Orc hit her over the head, causing her own world to fall into darkness.

There would be no rest for her. Her dreams were plagued by the visions in Galadriel's mirror.

She had been taken.

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Posted: 1-15-21