THE FORGOTTEN

Breaking and Death

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings.

Authors note: Okay, Tolkien took two chapters, I'm taking one. And a short one. But you already know what is happening, I'm just giving you details that were forgotten involving Lothril. Quoting/paraphrasing book again in this chapter. Some things just can't be taken out.

The Fellowship was now at the crossroads, so to speak. Which way do they go now? East or west? Lothril was dreading what was coming, but said nothing. Everyone was sitting on the ground around a small fire. Aragorn asked Frodo which road to take and the hobbit was subsequently granted his hour to go think. Lothril looked at him pityingly as he walked away.

Once or twice on the river Aragorn had asked Lothril if she could or be willing to offer any opinion, as up until Gandalf fell, she had been planning on traveling to Gondor with him. Each time she had answered by telling him what Galadriel had – that the path was already laid at his feet and she would follow him wherever it led. She wasn't entirely convinced he believed her, but she couldn't blame him. If she were in his position, she would be even more doubtful and troubled than he was, or at least that he let on.

She looked over at Aragorn, he was completely absorbed in his own thoughts. She looked over at Legolas who looked ill at ease. He knew evil lurked somewhere beneath the shadows of the trees. Each member was troubled with their own thoughts. Merry and Pippin, perhaps the least, but troubled none the less. For the first time in a very long time she was actually bored. There was absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to go and she didn't even have the luxury of worry. She was stuck waiting for something horrible, and couldn't do anything about it. All the thoughts she usually set aside for such occasions would not make themselves available to her. She found herself constantly looking up to the sun for the time. Now that she had immortality, she allowed herself to think, "Oh! I just wish time would hurry up so I can get on with things!"

In an attempt to amuse herself she said to Aragorn, or whoever was listening, "I am heading down towards the river, should you want me," as she stood up and walked away. She went down to the river bank and stared at the water. She wished for two things at that moment, that the weather was warmer, and that she could go swimming. Swimming, yes, she would go swimming, well wading. She took of her boots, and cloak, and rolled her leggings up above her knees. She looked down at her horribly white feet and thought, "I hope I don't blind any fish!" and laughed quietly to herself. She waded into the cool water. How nice it felt! This was the first time she had been wading in, she didn't want to think how long! She waded in up to her knees and watched the water swirl about them. After a while she headed back to the shore and sat down on the edge and let the edge of the river run over her feet as she laid down on the cool rocks. The water was cold, but she didn't care. The cold did not affect her as it used to. She enjoyed the river edge as long as she dared and then stood up and grabbed her shoes and stockings and headed back to the others.

Upon reaching the top of the bank she saw that Boromir was leaving. She didn't say anything, but only looked to see if anyone else was looking. They were all still absorbed in their own thoughts. She sat beside the fire with her leggings still rolled up, which was something she had forgotten about. Legolas cleared his throat to remind her of that fact.

Soon after her return, they all sat in a circle and began debating about the road ahead. She had left the river too early. She quietly sat through the conversation, avoiding eye contact with everyone and musing about how no matter how much one plans, those plans can crumble to pieces in a matter of minutes. How many times had that proven true in her life?

The debate continued until they all noticed that Boromir was missing. Upon his reappearance, Aragorn questioned him. When everyone else ran off to find Frodo, Lothril remained behind. She decided that she would say farewell to Frodo and Sam, and bear definite news of their departure to Aragorn.

Soon enough, an invisible hobbit came through the trees. She felt his presence, she felt the Eye searching for him. She felt his gaze drawing close, not wanting Frodo to be discovered she called out, "Frodo, I know you are here, take it off before he sees you!"

Something in her voice made Frodo obey. She found him near a boat. "Frodo, come here. Do not worry, I will not try to take it," she gently said. He came over and she said, "Did you really think you would get away that easily?"

"I was hoping so, Lothril I do not want Sam or anyone else to come with me. It is..."

"I understand Frodo. I do not want to go with you, rather, I know I shouldn't go with you. I only want to say good-bye, then I will let you go on your way. I also want you to know that after you left Boromir, he was repentant of his actions against you. Do you forgive him?"

"Yes I do. Tell him I have no hard feelings. I understand that the thing has a strange sway over others," Frodo said.

She just smiled and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the head. "Namarië Frodo. I shall do all I can to watch over you from afar. Know that everyone's thoughts shall ever be with you, no matter what. You are not alone Frodo. Remember that!" she said.

The words comforted him. Just then Sam came crashing through the trees. "Mr. Frodo! Mr. Frodo! You weren't gonna leave without me were you?" Sam cried.

"Take him!" Lothril whispered.

Frodo gave a grim smile. He knew that he couldn't leave Sam, he knew Sam would follow him no matter what, so he yielded.

Lothril helped them into a boat and sent them on their way, waving good-bye as they rowed across the river. Her elven ears heard Frodo say the words. "I don't suppose we shall see them again."

Then she heard Sam's encouraging, "Yet we may, Mr. Frodo. We may."

"You will," she whispered. "You will." She could barely think about what they would endure before the end and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. Suddenly she heard the horn of Boromir ringing through the trees. She was never sure why, but she ran as fast as she could towards it, grabbing her bow and arrows as she went by. She reached the place Boromir was about the moment the third arrow pierced Boromir. Without hesitation she knocked an arrow and killed the Uruk-hai. She saw the other Uruk-hai had gone and ran over towards Boromir who was lying upon the ground.

"Lothril, I..." Boromir began to say.

"Save your breath Boromir. Frodo forgives you for your actions against him," she said. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes. She pulled Boromir so he was leaning against a tree.

Just then Aragorn came crashing through the trees. He saw Boromir siting against a tree and Lothril kneeling beside him, wiping away the orc blood that marred his noble face. Aragorn nelt beside him. The two spoke and she quietly observed. Boromir smiled and happened to gaze over at Lothril. At that moment she seemed to him a very great lady indeed, glowing white. He was on the brink of death and was seeing her as she appeared in Valinor. It caused him to wonder. He never heard Aragorn's last question.

Aragorn and Lothril wept. She was nearly over with her cry when Legolas and Gimli came running up. She listened as Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli spoke about what happened to the hobbits. After a minute she told Aragorn what became of Frodo and Sam and the general direction the Uruk-hai would be taking Merry and Pippin.

"What then shall we do? Do we follow Frodo and Sam or rescue Merry and Pippin? Or do we split up?" Gimli asked.

"Frodo and Sam have gone beyond our reach," Aragorn said. "We cannot abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death."

"I agree," Lothril said, garnering three rather surprised looks.

"Well, I believe that settles it," Aragorn said.

With that they made the funeral preparations for Boromir. When it was ready, Lothril helped carry the rough bier down to the river. Aragorn waited by the river's edge with Lothril as Legolas and Gimli hiked back to retrieve the boats.

After the funeral of Boromir they returned to shore and hauled the boat up to the trees. They sorted through their baggage and that of Merry and Pippin's. Lothril took Merry and Pippin's pipes, along with their pipeweed along with one or two other things she thought she could fit in her pack and they might want later. Once they had sorted and either repacked or stowed everything under the boats, they then discussed which way to head.

"Well, Lothril? As you seem to have answers today, which way ought we to head?" Aragorn asked.

She frowned and answered, "Unfortunately, I only know the general direction. For the exact path – your guess is better than mine. I am no tracker."

"In this instance, I think even you should have no problem finding the path," he replied.

Lothril looked about and saw all the slashed foliage. "In this case, I believe you are right," she said. Curse the folk of Mordor! The conversation continued on while she looked to see how far into the wood she could see the path.

"Yes, we shall need the endurance of dwarves. Do you think you are up to this Lothril?" Aragorn asked, pulling her from her thoughts. She gave a nod. "We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Forth the Four Hunters!" Aragorn cried. He ran off through the trees at a surprising rate. Legolas and Gimli sprang forth. Lothril watched them run off for only a moment. Legolas turned his head back as if to ask, 'are you coming?' she smiled and ran off after them, soon overtaking them.

It was remarkable to her. It still amazed her how much more clearly she saw things, how much faster she comprehended and could compensate for things, and how long and fast she could run. How marvelous it was to her! Before, she would have been done after a hundred yard dash. Now? She felt like she could run until the mountains fell into the Sea. They ran on until dusk came passing into a grey and stony land.