You cannot escape suffering. It is part of life, given to you in varying doses. What mattered is how you choose to deal with it. with my shield on my back and a sword on my hip, I am a warrior because I shall always choose to fight for what is right. Whether I belong now to Clyro or not, it does not change that fact, yet a part of me has been lost this day, as I listened to my sisters ride off without me.

"what was it you were doing over there?"

My footsteps were followed by Boromir, who joined me for the western gate leaving Rivendell where a secret passage lay. Not as obvious as the main entrance if we were to try and remain low key during our travels.

He hoisted his bag that had slipped over his shoulder and I patted mine reminded to ensure I had with me, which thankfully I did, brimming with the necessary provisions. Though Nothing to make a comfortable bed with, for the foreseeable future and I began regretting not savouring the one I had offered to me back in my room, since neither if the two nights spent here, did I use it.

Solemnly, I confessed, "…I passed on my duties to another. I am no longer leader of the shieldmaidens."

Admitting it out loud was like taking a dagger to the gut and for a moment I reverted back to the girl who had dreamt of the title and worked so hard to earn it. The disappointment was palpable, like what was the point of pushing myself to such lengths to come out on top when now I shall slowly disappear from history, only to hear tales from a distance and live vicariously through them. It took all my will and might not to call Merith back and admit it was a mistake, but I managed to wrangle back some decency and self-control, to trap that young girl and her egotism away again.

shamefully I smiled, with every breathe centring me again having allowed myself just that fleeting moment of weakness. I was only human after all, and I credited myself for coming back out of that selfish spell.

Boromir's shock, however, was hard to miss. Once given power, it was incomprehensible why you would then give it away, I understood that while he reached for my arm, "Sonya, what made you do such a thing?!"

I could see he thought I acted rashly, it was the same expression Merith and Erin had worn. Yet my last lesson learnt while the cloak was still mine, was that a leader should be able to relinquish their authority when they no longer served a purpose and when I joined the fellowship of the ring, I had to sever Clyro being my sole focus since I could not in good faith dedicate myself to the two, when they both deserved undivided attention in order to be better served.

A warmth radiated from his fingers and I drew reassurance from it, gladdened by his legitimate care, as I would not actively seek compassion, yet he could sense that I needed it.

"I Just needed to know that my people would be safe in my absence."

Slowly, we continued in our walk, but his arm never dropped from my elbow. A safety net I suppose, in case the magnitude of change hit, causing need for Boromir to catch me before I fell in a panic. It was an amusing thought from someone who has never had to rely on men, only I did not discourage him or shake him away… I liked that he wanted to continue comforting me.

Boromir sighed deeply, "…if only I could accept the deed as you have. Without me there, I suppose my duties have gone to my brother. He has not had it easy in life, our father who should be his strongest supporter makes it his mission to make things difficult, which means whatever he does, Faramir will forever be filled with doubt and scolded for the sake of it. I worry for him; guilty that he must defend Gondor alone while I am here."

From the short time I have spent with Boromir, he found it hard to be in the now. more often than not, he seemed to transport himself to Gondor, or was lost in a never-ending sea of 'what if.' It took him seconds to do it, so even as I stood by his side, I knew that at this moment, he could not see or hear me and would have trouble in hearing my voice.

So, I encouraged him back.

With my spare hand, I raised it to cup his bearded cheek, the bristles scratching my palm as the close contact, which was rather intimate I admit, startled him enough to uncloud his vision and quieten his mind.

When I knew I had his full attention, I returned his care and comfort, "if he carries as much love for his city as you do. I know he will do whatever it takes, to keep her safe until you can return. who knows, it may be the making of him."

His lips quirked into a grin, "thank you Sonya."

"goodness! I do hope we are not interrupting," A strong accent announced.

Behind us, two figures, no more than waist height, stood beaming mischievously. One with golden curls and thumbs hooked into his waist coat pockets, while the other leaner if the two, waved as he finished off his sentence.

"sorry but we were relying on you both to lead us where we needed to be. My sense of direction is rather terrible and his isn't much better."

Hobbits…I rolled my eyes and ushered them forwards, "indeed, why don't you come along. You will need to stick by us for much further than this, in any case."

"delightful! I'm Peregrin Took by the way and this is Meriadoc Brandybuck. Cousins on my father's side and his mother's, as she is my aunt and he is his uncle, both of us hailing from the shire, which is located…"

I let the chatty one march on, still blethering away, anticipating that we would be listening to this information when it meant nothing to us, which meriadoc knew for when he passed Boromir and I, he did manage to mouth an apology, followed by "all you need to remember is that I'm merry and he's pippin. Nice to meet you."

It was unlike any introduction I have ever had and I actually could not stop myself from laughing and once I started, it triggered Boromir as well, with our sides hurting when merry was obviously embarrassed by our amusement and continued to scold his friend.

"pippin will you shut up! We are meant to be dignified members of the fellowship!"

As our laughter calmed, I was glad Boromir could manage an explanation for our rudeness when I could not.

"forgive us, it's just to meet two individuals such as yourselves who are in such high spirits, it's refreshing…"

This seemed to please the chatty one, pippin, for he nudged merry with his elbow and stuck his nose up into the air, "well, it's a pleasure to be such an inspiration for you both."