The Fellowship has been at Lothlorien for quite some time now but during that time they have gotten to know one another better. More than once the male members wonder about their sole female companion and where she hails from.
"Legolas?" Frodo asked quietly as if he didn't want to disturb the peace they made while eating.
"Yes?" The elven prince chimed to answer the question the young hobbit has on his mind.
"Have you known Aragorn and Elizabeth for a long time? You seem to know them well."
"I have known Aragorn since he was a child and La- Elizabeth... I met her a little more than a year ago." Legolas chuckled under his breath, "Never have I met a lady or rather a human, quite like her… in all my years." While yes it's true Legolas has known them the longest, he let the rest of the Fellowship know that even though Elizabeth is a woman she should be treated with respect not just because she's unique, or from another and has lived over 200 years but because she is usual right and has experienced the worst pain and came out stronger. She mostly saw war, she didn't ask for it but she is the best choice for she is the King of the Sea. Elizabeth is damaged but she can be healed with time and the right group of people.
"What stories are you telling them now?" The lady in question came from behind the hobbits with Aragorn. They just finished speaking to Haldir about the borders and which routes to take in case anything happens.
Legolas smiles at the beautiful lady, "Nothing but the truth, My Lady."
"Right…" Elizabeth just shook her head and gave a small smile as she took a seat next to the prince and messed around with her hair. Aragorn sat next to her and gave her a brush, for her hair has grown long since the start of their journey, it now passes her hips.
"You know it's funny… we've been traveling for four months but it feels…" Samwise called out, to no one in particular, just starting the fact.
"As if we've been on the road far longer. Believe me, I know that feeling all too well." She was twisting her hair and adding wire to keep it in place and out of her face while leaving the rest down. She grabbed her original cutlass to cut and sharpen it.
Pippin and Merry looked at one another and had to ask, "Abyss-"
"You can call me Elizabeth, Master Hobbit."
"Nah too long."
"As you wish…" She nodded her head for Pippin to continue.
"Abyss, is it true you're from another world?"
Elizabeth's hand stilted the wet stone and got lost for a second in the land of memories but snapped out of it when she saw silver hair. "…Yes, I am."
"Can you tell us about it?" Merry asked with child-like excitement.
"If it's not too much of your time." Sam reassures her by being polite.
Elizabeth thought it over and didn't see the harm in telling them a few stories, "Hm. Very well, my world is called Earth, not Middle-Earth, just Earth… and the country I lived in was England. I was ten when my father and I left, then moved to an island called Port Royal. I lived there for nine years, I think... but anyways, I found a new home called Shipwreck Cove. It was different from any island or land I sailed to. It felt like freedom. Everything I wanted… well almost everything. There was a war, the very first one I was a part of. For some details, I'm a pirate but we have codes and rules as well but sometimes the code can be called guidelines. Anyways, Pirates have their own court called the Brethren Court. Anyone can be a pirate but to be a Lord, well you have to be somewhat special or a different kind of brilliance and madness. Do you see this necklace? It was given to me by Captain Sao Fang. He made me Captain and a Lord."
"But you're a woman. How does that work?" Boromir asked, he doesn't mean to be rude, it's just the way he was raised but genuinely curious how she became someone in power.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at the man but answered, "It's a story for another time… But like I said, anyone can be a pirate. Men, women, children, it does not matter, just keep to the code. A long time ago there were only two women who were Pirate Lords, but before I left there are now five. You must understand Pirates don't give a shit if you're a man or woman, if you prove yourself to the Captain you raise up. But to the court you'll be a legend…" Elizabeth answers as many of the Hobbit's questions and some of the other men's but she didn't go into a lot of details about her life.
Both Aragorn and Legolas knew some important facts about her and Jack Sparrow and their adventures. They also knew the darker parts; The depression, the drinking, fighting till death, arguments so it feels someone cares, ending her life to be with her family, the emotions of suffering, lost, searching for a meaning in life because she feels like a failure. For failing her people, Will, Jack, Tia and her son and she's afraid of failing Aragorn, the one who slowly helped put her together... The sides Elizabeth sees as weakness but slowly coming into terms and getting better, very slowly. Boromir, while raised differently, can see the strength Elizabeth has, the one of a leader, of a ruler but still a seed of doubt still lives in his mind all because she's a woman. Gimli respects her as a warrior and a member of the Fellowship who will fight to keep them all safe. The hobbits met her as a ranger and heard the rumors about the genders but to see her in action says a lot for a hobbit.
It's been a little less than a month since the Fellowship came to Lothlorien and it's time to continue the journey and destroy the ring.
An green, silver-veined elven leaf-brooch is clasped. Elves clasp elven cloaks around on the Fellowship, each with a leaf-brooch.
"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people." Celeborn addresses the Fellowship, "May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."
Celeborn leaves and Galadriel walks up to the Fellowship one by one to give them gifts.
"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim. Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Legolas lifts an elegant bow and tests its strength.
Galadriel smiles and walks to Merry and Pippin. Merry removes a dagger from its sheath and gazes upon it. "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war." Pippin looks upon his gift with the fear he may have to use it. He casts his eyes upon Galadriel. "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."
Galadriel hands Sam rope, "And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain."
Sam bows to her, accepting his gift. "Thank you, my lady." He looks at Merry and Pippin, and then back to Galadriel. Sam hesitantly, "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" Galadriel smiles, and Sam holds onto his rope, embarrassed.
She moves on to Gimli, who stares at the ground in her presence. "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?"
Gimli shakes his head quickly, "Nothing." He looks up at her. "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 laughs. Gimli scowls at his foolishness and turns away. He recovers and turns back to her. "Actually... There was one thing. No, no, I couldn't. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask." Gilmi gave her his request and she grated it.
Galadriel walks up to Elizabeth, "My dear, there is no weapon or gift I can give that will heal a single crack in your heart but hopefully this will at least put you on the right path." She gives Elizabeth a letter, "You will know when it's the right time to open and read it."
"Namárië." Elizabeth bows and helps the others with the boats.
Galadriel stands before Aragorn. "I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear." She touches the Evenstar Pendant Aragorn wears. "Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómiel ... pelitha."
Aragorn replied, "Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor."
"That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn." Aragorn straightens before her. "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. Silence follows ... branches shake ... a spider web's glimmering strands sway in the wind." Galadriel glances at the pendant, and smiles.
"Namárië." Aragorn bows to her and turns to leave.
Galadriel stops him, "Nadath nâ i moe cerich. Dan ... ú-'eveditham, Elessar."
Galadriel finally makes her way to Frodo, "Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star." Galadriel hands Frodo a crystal phial. "Namárië." She kisses his hair. "May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
The dawn light in the Silverlode River Bank at Lothlorien made everything look ethereal and beautiful.
Legolas and Elizabeth grab a couple of packs and put them in an Elven boat. Merry and Pippin look up as he pulls a small piece of bread from one of the packs. "Lembas." He hands Elizabeth a small piece. "Elvish waybread." He takes a bite. "One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown Man." He stuffs the remaining piece back in the pack and places it in the boats.
"Not bad." Elizabeth mumbled and turned to look for Aragon but overheard something.
"How many did you eat?"
"Four."
Merry nods and picks at his teeth. Pippin belches.
Elizabeth plauses and shakes her head and chuckles, "Hobbits."
The Fellowship continue to load the boats for their journey ... Legolas helps Gimli into a boat ... Sam crawls into another boat and quickly reveals he has no measure of sea legs.
"Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the western bank." Celeborn and Aragorn walk toward the river with Elizabeth close by, "Strange creatures bearing the White Hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do Orcs journey in the open under the sun, yet these have done so."
Celeborn looks at Elizabeth and tills his head for her to come closer and he holds two daggers out to Aragorn and Elizabeth. Aragorn takes the dagger and unsheathes it. It is a beautiful, yet deadly work of art.
Celeborn whispers to them, "Le aphadar aen." Aragorn replaces the dagger in its sheath. "By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros."
The Fellowship are in three small elven boats. Elves quietly watch them depart. Boromir rows one of the boats with Merry and Pippin but they ride expressionless in their boat. Gimli rides silently before Legolas and Elizabeth. He closes his eyes, allowing the memory to flood into his head. Aragorn, remembering as well. Frodo sits in one of the boats they have been given, together with Sam and Aragorn.
Galadriel raises her hand in farewell as the Fellowship canoes down the river. They reach the great river. The Uruk-Hai are seen marching along through the forest as the three boats carrying the Fellowship float along the Anduin. The boats pass through a canyon.
Aragorn lifts his head, half-smiles and taps Frodo on the shoulder. "Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin." The Fellowship looks up in awe at the towering splendor of the Argonath. Two majestic statues, carved out of the mountain, proudly stand on each side of the Anduin. Their left arms are held aloft, their palms facing outwards in a gesture of warning. Stern are their faces.
The Fellowship reaches the foot of Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight. As they reach the beach of Parth Galen, Boromir looks troubled and appears to be fighting a conflict within him. The Fellowship starts to make camp.
"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Aragorn said.
"Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!" Gilmi shouts, scaring the young hobbits for Pippin looks up, alarmed. "Festering, stinking marshlands far as the eye can see!"
"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength Master Dwarf." Elizabeth teased the dwarf.
"Recover my…?! Grrrrrr."
Legolas looks into the forest around them, then turns to Aragorn, "We should leave now."
Aragorn shook his head in disagreement, "No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."
"It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near… I can feel it!"
"No dwarf needs to recover strength!" Gimli turns to Pippin, "Pay no heed to that, young hobbit."
Merry, returning with some wood for the campfire, looks around, alarmed, "Where's Frodo?"
Sam, who was half-dozing, rouses with a start. Aragorn looks over the camp.
Elizabeth sees it before does, "Boromir." His gaze stops on Boromir's shield, lying with the baggage and he understands that Boromir is also gone.
Elizabeth starts running because she found Frodo's trail.
"Elizabeth!" Aragorn runs after her knowing well a fight will happen.
Elizabeth runs until something stops her; she takes slow steps in a half circle and walks towards the Seat of Seeing atop Amon Hen. She looks over the stone seat and sees Frodo, rushing to remove the Ring, falls off the Seat of Seeing and lands on his back beneath it. He sits up, trying to catch his breath.
Elizabeth approaches, "Frodo?"
Frodo starts and turns around, "It has taken Boromir."
Elizabeth looks into his eyes and sees pain and fear. She doesn't move any closer, keeping her hands where the hobbit can see them. "Are you alright?"
"I do not want this curse thing but I have to." Frodo cries out while holding the Ring.
"Oh child, look at me. There are many paths we can take that cause pain and cause hope. Yours is both but then again you are not alone in that path. But we must separate."
"Eliza-"
"Frodo? Elizabeth?" Aragorn takes a step towards Frodo, "Where is the Ring?"
"Stay away!" Frodo scrambles up and retreats from Aragorn, and is under the Seat of Seeing.
"You idiot." Elizabeth hits Aragorn on the head and they chase after Frodo. "Frodo!"
Frodo stops and turns to them. The two people he absolutely trusts but he has to know.
"We swore to protect you!"
"Can you protect me from yourself?!" Aragorn suddenly understands why Frodo reacted like he did. Frodo shows the Ring on his palm. "Would you destroy it?"
Aragorn, looking at Elizabeth, who nods and takes watch, and goes back to the Ring, slowly approaches Frodo. The Ring begins to whisper, "Aragorn… Aragorn… Elessar…"
"Not all treasure is silver and gold." Elizabeth remembers the words Capt. Jack told her and Will a long time ago and the whispering stops flowing in her ear. She kneels by them and reaches out of her hands as Aragorn reaches out, with both hands, they close Frodo's hand over the Ring and push it to the hobbit's chest, "I would have gone with you to the end, into the very fires of Mordor."
"I know. Look after the others, especially Sam. He will not understand."
Aragorn nods with tears in his eyes, but then sees Sting glowing blue. He stands suddenly, "Go Frodo." They draw out their swords. "Run." Frodo hesitates but Elizabeth gives him a push and finally... "Run!"
Frodo turns around and leaves. Aragorn and Elizabeth walk out from beneath the Seat of Seeing and find a troop of Uruk-Hai advancing towards them. She looks at him with a raised eyebrow and a small smirk. He gives a half-smile, holding his sword up to his face as an acceptance to the challenge. They attack. He cuts several down, and she beheads a few more but the Uruk-Hai force them up the stairs of the Seat.
Further down in the forest, everyone is around looking for Frodo.
Sam searches frantically, "Mr. Frodo!" Suddenly, he hears the clash of sword on sword. His eyes widened.
Lurtz shouts to his troops, "Find the Halfling! Find the Halfling!"
Aragorn jumps from the top of the Seat of Seeing and onto the Uruk-Hai, "Elendil!"
Legolas and Gimli run forward from behind the Seat. Legolas shoots three Uruk-Hai; Gimli lands blow after blow with his axe.
"Aragorn! Go!" Legolas kills another that was advancing behind Elizabeth.
Frodo runs and hides behind a tree. Some of the Uruk-Hai run past, not seeing him. Across the way, Merry and Pippin hide in a space under some fallen tree trunks and bushes. They spot Frodo and wave him over but Frodo looks at them, anguished, then shakes his head. They don't get what he means at first but Merry suddenly understands what's going on. Pippin doesn't want to go so he runs out from the hiding place, towards Frodo. Merry comes after him, and they are out in the open. Several Uruk-Hai are coming down the hill, towards where they stand. They stare at them, then Merry turns to Frodo. Telling him to run, Merry cups his hands and calls out to the Uruk-Hai. Pippin and Frodo look at him in surprise, then Pippin understands the deal waving his arms hysterically. Both hobbits run away from Frodo. The Uruk-Hai troop follows them. Frodo stares after them, unsure of what to do, then he makes a decision and runs in the opposite direction. Merry and Pippin run across an old stone bridge. At its far end, they stop and see Uruk-hai running towards them from another direction. The Uruks are closing in, both in front and behind. An Uruk runs up to them, raising his axe. But Boromir comes charging in, knocks the Uruk back, and kills him with his sword. He throws a knife at another.
Back at the Seat of Seeing, Legolas, Elizabeth, Aragorn, and Gimli continue to fight the Uruk-Hai. In one smooth move, Legolas stabs one Uruk with an arrow then shoots it out at another. Elizabeth stabs one behind her back. Legolas shoots first three Uruks in a row, then one who has closed in on Aragorn. Three loud ox-horn blasts are heard.
Legolas yells to his companions, "The Horn of Gondor!"
Aragorn runs forward, "Boromir!"
They run down the hills of Amon Hen towards the sound, but Uruks are between them and Boromir. A visual sweep shows some running towards Boromir, down the stone steps; the others attack Aragorn, Elizabeth, Legolas, and Gimli as they struggle to follow.
Boromir sounds the horn of Gondor again and shouts to the hobbits, "Run! Run!"
The Uruks attack Boromir. He kills two more. Lurtz walks slowly into view, lifts his bow, aims a big black arrow, and shoots it into Boromir's left shoulder. He gasps for breath and the hobbits look at him in shock. Boromir drops to his knees, begins to breathe hard, and looks at the hobbits. Uruks come closer, but he gives a battle cry, rises, and swings his sword at one, who falls. Lurtz growls, lifts his bow, and shoots again. A black arrow flies into Boromir's stomach. He drops to his knees again, gasping. But he swings his sword at another Uruk and gets back up. Lurtz shoots him one more time, in the chest. Boromir falls on his knees and stays there, swaying a little and blinking.
Merry and Pippin look at him in shock. With all the courage they can find, they take up their swords and attack the Uruk-Hai with a cry, "Shire!" They never have the chance to strike. The Uruk-Hai lift them up and carry them off. Merry and Pippin wave their arms frantically. The Uruk-Hai troop walks past Boromir. Boromir stares after the hobbits, helpless.
Lurtz, now left alone, stops ten feet from Boromir and takes aim with his bow again. Boromir swallows and stares back at him. Just as Lurtz is about to let go of the arrow, Aragorn crashes into him, and the arrow flies off harmlessly.
They start a fight. Aragorn loses his sword and is thrown to the ground. When he gets up, Lurtz throws his shield at Aragorn and pins him by the neck against a tree. Lurtz raises his sword and strikes, but Aragorn slips beneath the shield and dodges. Aragorn pulls out a knife and stabs Lurtz in the leg. Lurtz roars and knocks Aragorn to the ground, making him roll a few feet away. Lurtz then pulls the knife out of his leg and throws it at Aragorn, who has found his sword and uses it to bat the knife away. Aragorn closes in on Lurtz and in a flurry of swordplay, slices his arm off and then stabs him in the chest. Lurtz grabs Aragorn's sword and pulls himself up onto it, closer to Aragorn, snarling. Aragorn grimaces, struggling to pull his sword out of Lurtz. Luckily Elizabeth shows up, swings her sword wide, and hacks off the Uruk's head. The rest of Lurtz's body falls to the ground. Aragorn pauses a moment, panting. He then notices Boromir. Boromir, pale and bloodied, is now lying on his back, his head close to a tree.
"No!" He runs up and kneels near Boromir.
"Boromir…" Elizabeth kneels by his head slowly and moves his hair out of the way.
"They took the little ones."
"Be still."
Boromir wants answers, "Frodo, where is Frodo?"
Aragorn sighed, "I let Frodo go."
"Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the Ring from him."
"The Ring is beyond our reach now."
"Forgive me, I did not see it. I have failed you all. My lady, I am truly sorry for not seeing your worth, you are, no you will be far victories then all of us combine. I have failed to see it."
"Do not speak of such things and you did not fail. You have won the war in your heart and mind and kept true to who you really are." Elizabeth said passionately to the man.
"She is right, Boromir, you fought bravely! You have kept your honor." Aragorn reaches out to pull the arrows from Boromir.
Boromir grabs his arm to stop him, "Leave it! It is over. The world of Men will fall, and all will come to darkness… And my city to ruin."
"I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail!" Aragorn reassured the dying man.
"Our people? Our people." Boromir reaches for his sword, but can't get it. Elizabeth places the hilt in his hand, and Boromir clasps it to his chest. "I would have followed you my brother, my captain, my king!" Boromir passes away.
Aragorn touches his hand to his forehead, then to his lips in respect, "Be at peace, son of Gondor." He bends and kisses Boromir on the brow. Legolas and Gimli arrive at the scene. Legolas looks sadly at Aragorn and Boromir, seeing what is going on. Gimli bows his head and turns away. Aragorn stands up with Elizabeth, looking into the forest with a tear running down his face.
Boromir is laid to rest in one of the other boats. His sword rests with him, his shield is above his head and his cloven horn at his side. The boat slips over the falls of Rauros and then drops into the mists below. Gimli watches the boat disappear. Aragorn wears Boromir's vambraces in his honor.
Legolas shoves the third boat into the water, "Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore."
Aragorn stands still, looking towards the shore on the other side, seeing the two Hobbits running into the forest. He says nothing but sighs.
Legolas stares at him, suddenly understanding, "You mean not to follow them."
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." Elizabeth stated as pulled her hair into a high ponytail and being mindful of the sharp wires.
Gimli grumbled, "Then it has all been in vain! The Fellowship has failed."
Elizabeth, Legolas and Gimli walk up to Aragorn, who puts his hands on their shoulders.
"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. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light." Aragorn turns and picks up a dagger from the ground.
"Let's hunt some orc, gentlemen!" Elizabeth turns and runs off into the forest with Aragorn beside her.
Legolas and Gimli look at each other, grinning.
"Yes! Haha!"
They run after Aragorn and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: Namárië.
Farewell
Galadriel: Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómiel ... pelitha.
For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar ... will diminish.
Aragorn: Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor.
I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor.
Aragorn: Namárië.
Farewell
Galadriel: Nadath nâ i moe cerich. Dan ... ú-'eveditham, Elessar.
There is much you have yet to do. We shall not meet again, Elessar.
Galadriel: Namárië.
Farewell
Celeborn: Le aphadar aen.
You are being tracked