The Power of Love (15-16)
Author: Adara

 

Sometimes Things Don't Turn Out the Way We Planned, Part II

(Parth Galen, February 26, shortly before noon)

Eledwhen saw Boromir walk into the woods, but thought nothing of it until she 
noticed that Frodo was not amongst the Company. And so it begins, she thought 
sadly. My vision of Boromir and the Hobbit is about to come to fruition. I 
failed my brother and he is dead. I shall not fail my husband. Determined to 
change the man's fate, the Princess of Rohan walked unseen and unheard into the 
woods in the direction Boromir had taken.

*  * * * * * * *

Eledwhen caught up with her husband and watched grimly as Boromir struggled with 
the diminutive Halfling for possession of the Ring. She was fully prepared to 
intervene in the event the man was successful, for she could see what Boromir 
could not -- that the Ring was wholly evil and would destroy him rather than 
allow itself to be used in Gondor's defense. She would do anything to prevent 
the man she loved from becoming the tenth ring wraith. Fortune, however, smiled 
upon the man of Gondor that fateful day and Frodo was able to slip the Ring upon 
a finger and disappear. Eledwhen almost was as surprised as was Boromir, though 
she already had witnessed this sequence of events in a vision; the reality of 
the hobbits disappearance was no less disturbing, however.

As Boromir continued to shout his paranoiac delusions concerning Frodo's 
imagined purpose, Eledwhen began walking toward him. She stopped when she 
realized that the man now lay sprawled upon his face and was sobbing. Unaware of 
Eledwhen's presence, Boromir raised his head and peered into the forest. "Frodo, 
come back. I am sorry. Some madness took me, but it has passed. Please, forgive 
me," he said between sobs. 

Tears sprang to Eledwhen's eyes as she witnessed the humiliation of her husband. 
Quietly she withdrew from the small clearing and began making her way back to 
Parth Galen.

* * * * * * * * *

Boromir was returning to Parth Galen when he heard the small voices of Hobbits 
shouting Frodo's name. He recognized Pippin's voice and began to run toward it. 
If something happens to either of those two innocent Halflings, I will never 
forgive myself, he thought bitterly. Suddenly, the memory of Eledwhen's vision 
hit him like a bolt of lightening and he halted. Could it be true that Prince 
Theodred is dead, just as my wife foresaw, and that I now run to my death? For a 
few moments Boromir stood uncertainly in the shadows cast by the trees, then he 
began to run rapidly toward the receding voices of Merry and Pippin. Only a 
coward puts his own life before the lives of the defenseless, he thought grimly. 
I have not lived as a coward, nor shall I die as one.

* * * * * * * * *

Eledwhen also heard the hobbits shouting Frodo's name. Instead of returning to 
the campsite, she turned and followed the sound of the voices. 

As the Princess of Rohan reached the spot where her husband had stood 
indecisively only a few minutes previously, she thought she saw Boromir darting 
between two trees. In the distance she could hear the high-pitched voices of the 
two youngest Hobbits. "No," she whispered, "I shall not lose you as well." With 
no thought for her own safety, Eledwhen ran swiftly after the man she loved.

* * * * * * * * *   

Aragorn had finally caught up with Sam, who was nearly out of his mind with 
worry over Frodo's well being. "Sam, you must return to Parth Galen. I will find 
the rest of the Fellowship and meet you by the shore." The Ranger looked at the 
gardener expectantly, but the Halfling refused to retreat. 

"Begging your pardon, Master Strider, but I shan't be going nowheres without Mr. 
Frodo. He needs me." Aragorn smiled kindly down at Sam, wondering how such a 
small creature could have such a huge reserve of courage.

"You are a brave and loyal friend, Samwise Gamgee. Frodo is very fortunate to 
have such a friend. However, you will be of no help to your master if you become 
lost in these woods. For all we know, Frodo may already have returned to the 
campsite."

Sam nodded slowly, touched the tall man's hand as though to say "thank you," 
then turned and ran in the direction of the Great River. "May you find what you 
seek, good Hobbit," the Ranger said softly. Aragorn focused his keen senses on 
locating some sign of Frodo as he moved silently through the woods. He picked up 
the Hobbit's tracks, but frowned when he noticed that they led upward and not 
downward toward Parth Galen. Where are you going, Frodo? And what, or who, has 
made you run? The man glanced about briefly, checking for signs of the others, 
before following the tracks left by the Ring-bearer.  

* * * * * * * * *

Legolas and Gimli were standing in the small clearing where Boromir had 
confronted Frodo less than half-an-hour before. The wood Elf looked skyward and 
noted that the sun was approaching the noon hour. "Perhaps our young charges 
will remember that they have not eaten since before dawn and return to the 
camp," Legolas mused aloud.

"And I suppose you also believe in flying horses," Gimli retorted. Legolas 
favored his companion with a mysterious smile that quickly vanished as he heard 
the unmistakable sounds of orcs. "What is it?" the dwarf hissed. "What do you 
hear?"

"Yrch!" Legolas replied as he began running deeper into the woods. I knew we 
should not have waited for nightfall to cross to the eastern shore. Now we are 
trapped between orcs and the Anduin. What shall become of us only the Valar 
know.

* * * * * * * * *

(Parth Galen, February 26, noon)

Pippin and Merry were running blindly through the woods surrounding Amon Hen. 
Their frantic cries of "Frodo, Frodo where are you?" echoed loudly through the 
still forest. Suddenly, in the distance, they thought they heard an answering 
cry. 

"Wait, Pippin. I think I hear something." Merry stopped so abruptly that the 
younger hobbit slammed into his backside, causing both to tumble gracelessly to 
the hard ground. "Watch where you are going, why don't you?" shouted Merry. 
"Gandalf was right! You are a fool of a Took!" Having said his piece, Merry 
pushed himself into a sitting position and made a "shushing" sound as Pippin 
began to sputter in outrage. "Quiet! I think I hear Frodo."

Pippin looked exasperated. "I don't hear anything..." His voice trailed off as 
he, too, suddenly heard shouts. "Call me late for supper if that isn't a 
familiar sound. I fear we may have run into more orcs." Pippin was white and 
shaking, and the last thing Merry expected him to do was jump up and run in the 
direction of the shouts.

"Pip, have you gone mad? You're supposed to run away from orcs. Come back. 
You'll get yourself killed! Pippin!!" As his friend disappeared into the forest, 
Merry contemplated his choices. He could either go back to the riverbank 
(wherever that was) or he could follow his friend into danger. "I always knew 
you'd get me killed someday," Merry muttered glumly as he began running in the 
direction Pippin had taken.

* * * * * * * * *

Merry and Pippin continued to run in the direction of the orc voices, heedless 
of their own safety. They had to find Frodo, even should it mean their own 
deaths. Both stopped abruptly when they saw a flash of green. "Frodo," Pippin 
shouted, before Merry could stop him. 

"Lower your voice," Merry hissed. "Do you want them to find us?" Pippin looked 
fearfully ahead and saw many orcs fanned out among the trees and all coming 
their way. Quickly they turned and began running in the direction they'd last 
seen Frodo.  

* * * * * * * * *

Boromir was running through the woods, cursing himself for his weakness. Never 
would Faramir have allowed himself to fall prey to the Ring. This was his quest. 
I should not have taken it from him. Although I convinced myself that I should 
be the one to undertake the journey to save him from a lonely death, I was 
merely fooling myself. My blind ambition and pride goaded me into stealing my 
brother's quest and I have paid the price. How can I face the others, for surely 
they will be able to read my shame? At least, I know that Aragorn and that Elf 
will be able to.

Realizing that his path had taken him back toward the campsite, Gondor's heir 
decided to return in hopes of gaining reinforcements. He was surprised to find 
the area deserted. Where are the others? Surely they have not gone in search of 
me. Loud shouts and cries from the direction in which he had returned told the 
story. We have been discovered! Those are orc voices or I am a fool. I must find 
Merry and Pippin and trust that Aragorn will protect the Ring-bearer.

Boromir stopped only long enough to scoop up his great shield before plunging 
back into the forest.

* * * * * * * * *   

Eledwhen saw Boromir grab his shield and run back into the forest. She called to 
him but either he did not hear her, or he chose not to answer. In the distance, 
she could hear shouting. No! He must not! Frantic over her husband's safety, the 
Princess hiked up her skirts and ran after Boromir.

* * * * * * * * *

Aragorn was following Frodo's footprints when he heard the sound of Gondor's 
horn. He faced the direction from which the sound of the deep-throated calls for 
help emanated. Legolas and Gimli appeared almost immediately from the woods to 
his right. "Boromir," Aragorn hissed. "He is in trouble." The three companions 
raced swiftly toward the now desperate cries for help.

* * * * * * * * *

Boromir had found Merry and Pippin facing a horde of orcs and large Uruks. As 
Boromir drew his weapon, the sound of steel grating against steel rang loudly, 
announcing his presence. The two young Halflings turned toward the sound and 
shouted the man's name in unison. Both fear and relief flooded their taut faces 
as the vile creatures bore down upon them. Boromir shouted "Gondor!" before 
running to stand between the hobbits and their attackers.

* * * * * * * * *

Eledwhen heard Boromir shout at almost the same time she heard the yells of the 
Uruks and orcs. She froze, unable to move, as memories of her own capture and 
subsequent attack bombarded her senses. A soft whimper escaped her lips and she 
began to retreat. She stopped, however, as the sounds of clashing weapons 
reached her position. Caught between her terror and her love for Boromir, 
Eledwhen remained frozen until the clear, ringing sounds of the Horn of Gondor 
reminded her of her vision. 

"No!" she screamed. No longer hesitant or afraid, Eledwhen raced toward the 
sounds of battle.

* * * * * * * * *

Pippin and Merry cowered behind Boromir's back and watched helplessly as he slew 
Uruk after Uruk. And still they came, swarming like maddened ants protecting 
their hive. The Uruks had pushed Boromir's position back some 20 feet and he 
knew they would all meet their end shortly unless the rest of the Company joined 
in the fray. Blast it, where is Aragorn? What good will he be to Gondor if he 
cannot be counted upon in battle?

Although he already had slain more than two-dozen Uruks and orcs, there appeared 
to be no end to their numbers. This is hopeless, Boromir thought grimly. Without 
taking his eyes off the enemy, the man shouted to the hobbits behind him. 
"Merry, Pippin, run! Make your way back to the river. Find Aragorn and the 
others! Go, quickly!!"

The Halflings remained unmoving, not certain what they should do. Both wanted to 
run away, but neither wished to leave their friend to face the horde alone. 
Merry finally spoke. "No! If one of dies, we all die! We shall not desert you." 
Picking up large rocks from the ground, they began throwing them at the Uruks, 
who ignored them as though they were no more than annoying flies.

Boromir did not have time to again entreat the Halflings to flee. He was too 
busy trying to keep them alive. As he thrust aside an orc scmichter, his 
peripheral vision caught a glimpse of movement. He realized, almost too late, 
that an Uruk archer was unleashing an arrow from his bow. The man thrust his 
sword into the Uruk in front of him while raising his shield to deflect the now 
oncoming arrow. Although the arrow bounced harmlessly off the shield, many more 
arrows flew toward him. Boromir took stock of this new strategy as he saw the 
Uruk swordsmen step out of his reach to allow the archers to do what they could 
not.

* * * * * * * * *

Realizing that the situation was hopeless, Boromir once more placed the horn of 
Gondor to his lips and blew several frantic notes. Why do they not come? Is this 
the future king's way of dealing with the competition? Boromir had no more time 
for grim speculation as the barrage of arrows became thicker and he realized 
that soon he would be overwhelmed. His shield could not stop all the arrows.

"Pippin, Merry, I entreat you to leave. There is no reason for you to die as 
well." The two hobbits looked at one another as it finally hit home that Boromir 
was about to sacrifice his life for theirs. The point was driven home even 
further when an arrow slipped past Boromir's defenses and impacted loudly as it 
drove the chain mail protecting his arm into his flesh.

The two hobbits stared at one another, shock registering on their faces. Then, 
as another arrow bounced harmlessly off the man's mail shirt, Pippin and Merry 
shouted a challenge to the swarming Uruks and orcs. "The Shire!" they cried in 
unison, just before hurling themselves against two foes about to unleash arrows 
from their bows.

Distracted by the hobbits' actions, Boromir turned toward them, leaving himself 
open. An unusually large Uruk grinned wickedly as he saw the man's defenses 
drop. Slowly he pulled back on the bow and prepared to loose the poison-tipped 
arrow.

* * * * * * * * *

Eledwhen was out of breath when she finally came upon the battle scene. She bit 
back a scream as she saw an arrow imbed itself into Boromir's arm. She watched 
in horror as the hobbits raced toward the attackers and Boromir became 
distracted long enough for an Uruk to find a fatal target on the man's body. As 
she watched the bow reach its release point, Eledwhen sprang forward and slammed 
her body against Boromir's, knocking him off-balance and causing him to hit the 
ground.

At this point, two major events occurred. The first was the arrival of Aragorn, 
Legolas and Gimli. The second was the loosening of the Uruk bow, which sent the 
poison-tipped arrow flying toward Boromir. Events seemed to move in slow motion 
as everyone followed the flight of the arrow. As the missile passed the space 
where Boromir had been mere seconds before, Eledwhen's body crossed into its 
path and the arrow struck her in the chest.   

* * * * * * * * *

Aragorn had heard battle sounds well before he and the other two members of the 
rapidly disintegrating Fellowship reached the site. The Ranger was dismayed to 
see Merry and Pippin charging enemies three times their size, while Boromir 
vainly tried to stop them. Because of Legolas' advantage point, he was the first 
to realize the imminent danger to the Gondorian's life. The Elf cried out a 
warning just as Eledwhen threw herself against Boromir, knocking him to the 
ground. Legolas had no conscious thought of how his bow became nocked and drawn, 
but he released his arrow a split second after the Uruk's arrow embedded itself 
into the girl's chest. Legolas continued firing arrows as Aragorn and Gimli 
threw themselves into battle with a mad intensity spawned by the sight of an 
Uruk arrow striking Rohan's Princess.

* * * * * * * * *   

Boromir grunted as the wind was knocked out of his body from the impact of the 
fall. Surprised and confused, he looked up just as the arrow found its mark. 
"NO!!" he shouted, scrambling to his feet in time to catch Eledwhen as she began 
falling to the earth. "No," he whispered as he gently set her against a large 
poplar tree.

Despite his deep concern for his wife's condition, Boromir's warrior instincts 
forced him to return to the battle. He fought fiercely and killed mercilessly, 
desiring to punish those responsible for what he was certain would be Eledwhen's 
death. 



Aftermath


(Parth Galen, February 26, sometime in the afternoon)

Saruman's forces finally withdrew. Gimli, Legolas, Aragorn and Boromir had 
fought with the strength and intensity of 40. Even the huge Uruks eventually 
became afraid of the grim quartet, and their fear made them flee. Many believed 
the girl to be some sort of witch who had cast a spell that made the four 
warriors undefeatable. In the end, it was the orcs' superstitious nature that 
saved the lives of those who remained in the Company.

* * * * * * * * *

Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn watched as the orcs and Uruks withdrew. The battle 
won, Boromir rushed to where Eledwhen lay. Pippin and Merry were standing over 
her pale form, short swords drawn.

"It is alright, little ones," Boromir said gently. "The danger has passed, for 
now. I thank you both for looking after my wife." Merry and Pippin sheathed 
their weapons as Boromir slowly fell to his knees beside Eledwhen. "Why did you 
do such a foolish thing?" he murmured softly.   

As Boromir began to gather Eledwhen into his arms, Aragorn approached. "It may 
not be too late to save her. I ask that you allow me to examine your wife, for I 
have some skill as a healer." Boromir looked at the Ranger doubtfully.

"He helped save Frodo's life after he was stabbed by the Morgul blade. Don't you 
remember?" Pippin asked. "I know he can save your wife."

Boromir looked from Pippin to Aragorn. "I have no other choice but to place her 
life into your hands. I pray that your skills are up to the task."

Aragorn looked down at the Princess of Rohan; she looked more dead than alive. 
"So do I," he said grimly.

* * * * * * * * *

Aragorn insisted that the Company return to their camp, where it was discovered 
that one of the boats was missing. 

"It looks as though two hobbits returned here," said Legolas, peering closely at 
the tracks by the water's edge. "Since Pippin and Merry are here, I must assume 
that Frodo and Sam took the boat. Think you, Aragorn, that they plan to enter 
Mordor alone?"

The Ranger moved to stand beside his friend. He was silent for several moments, 
his keen eyes scanning the eastern shore of the Anduin. Finally, he spoke. "Yes, 
I do believe that both have taken the quest upon their own small shoulders. We 
can do no more for them. We must now see to Boromir's wife. Beyond that, I 
cannot see our path."

Boromir's voice cut into their conversation. "Eledwhen is cold and I do not 
think she will live much longer. If you are going to help her, you had best get 
to it," he said hotly. 

Man and Elf exchanged a brief glance before Aragorn moved to kneel at the girl's 
side. "Legolas, I will need your help. Take Gimli and search the area for 
athelas. It is doubtful you will find any, but we must look. And be cautious! 
The orcs may decide to return."

Legolas nodded, then looked questioningly at the dwarf. Gimli met the Elf's 
eyes. "Let us go. There is nothing we can do here."

* * * * * * * * *   

Aragorn removed the arrow from Eledwhen's body and cleansed the wound as best he 
could with boiled water. He then packed mud from the river into the wound and 
bound it. "Is there nothing else you can do for her?" Boromir asked hoarsely.

"Not without athelas or some other healing herb. However, Anduin's mud is known 
for its natural cleansing effect on the body. It will help draw out the poison. 
We must hope Eledwhen is strong enough to hold onto life long enough for her 
blood to be purged of the orcs' poison. The wound itself is not mortal."

Boromir frowned. "When I was near death from a knife wound, she was able to save 
my life. Surely whatever power she possesses will save her life as well."

The Ranger looked at Eledwhen speculatively. "The Lady Galadriel told me of the 
incident. However, it is her belief that while her granddaughter can heal the 
hurts of others, she does not have the power to heal herself."

Boromir nodded slowly. "So that is why she was dead set against Eledwhen joining 
our quest. I have been incredibly selfish! I should have insisted she remain in 
Lorien, where she would now be safe. Should she die, the guilt will lie upon my 
shoulders."

Aragorn placed a hand upon the younger man's arm and leaned forward until their 
faces were close together. "You must not blame yourself for what could not be 
helped. Eledwhen came upon this journey to make certain that you return home 
safely. She told me as much the night before we left the Golden Wood. If she 
dies, you must return to the White City and continue the war against our Enemy. 
It is what she would want."

Boromir was now weeping openly. When he finally was able to speak, his words 
were bitter. "What good is a soldier who cannot save even the life of his own 
wife? It is I who should have protected her! If not for my weakness, none of 
this would have happened. Frodo and Sam would not be alone and helpless in 
Mordor and my wife would be looking forward to a reunion with her father. I have 
brought shame upon myself." Aragorn looked at him curiously, for he did not know 
of the altercation between Boromir and the Ring-bearer. 

"Of what shame do you speak? Have you played some part in Frodo's departure? 
Speak now before the others return." Boromir's eyes narrowed as he studied the 
man before him. 

"I like not your tone, Ranger. You are no king yet and so have not the right to 
demand anything of me." Aragorn tensed and his mouth drew into a thin line of 
annoyance. 

"I am the leader of this Company. This alone gives me the right to ask any 
question I deem necessary to ensure the success of our mission."

Boromir smiled grimly. "Our part of the mission is over, I deem, and you have 
pledged your sword in Gondor's defense. Do not think that my father, the 
Steward, will welcome you as a king when we reach my city." Aragorn sighed 
deeply and turned to study the sleeping girl.

"What will be will be. I cannot see the future. For now, let us set aside our 
petty differences for Eledwhen's sake. Our quarreling will not help her."

 * * * * * * * * *

As the sun began to set, Boromir was relieved to see that the Princess of Rohan 
appeared no worse, despite the fact that Legolas and Gimli had not found the 
precious athelas. "This is a good sign, no?" he asked Aragorn. 

The Ranger shook his head. "That she appears to be no better worries me. We need 
to get her help or she will certainly die."

Boromir looked toward the river, where the remaining two boats were docked. "Can 
we not take her back to Lorien? Surely the Lord and Lady can save her, if anyone 
can." Aragorn stared intently at the deathly pallor that had settled upon 
Eledwhen's face and came to a decision.

"Legolas, you will take one of the boats and return to Lothlorien with the 
Princess, Merry and Pippin."

The two hobbits jumped up from where they had been sitting and began protesting. 
"You will need our help, Strider!" declared Merry. 

"What if the orcs come back?" Pippin chimed in. "You will need our swords." 

Legolas had been standing silently beside the water's edge. Now he, too, spoke 
against leaving the Company. "Now that the Enemy knows where we are, his minions 
will continue to hunt us. You shall need my skills, Estel."

Aragorn shook his head, his face grim. "If the Halflings could handle the boat, 
I would send only them with the Princess. But they cannot and so I will not. 
Boromir, it is to the White City that the Company travels. What say you?"

Boromir looked thoughtful as he weighed the options in his mind. Finally, he 
produced a loud sigh. "We cannot carry Eledwhen to Minas Tirith. The journey is 
too long and too dangerous. I fear she would be a burden to us should we be 
attacked. I would take her back to her grandparents except that you will need me 
to stand against my father once you reach the White City. The Lord Steward will 
not be overly joyous to meet his future King and Lord." 

Gimli finally added his thoughts to the conversation. Speaking abruptly he said, 
"Well, I certainly cannot take her back! I am no boatsman. Yet she must be taken 
to Lorien, and soon. We have wasted enough time. It is as plain as day that the 
Elf must be the one to return Eledwhen to the care of the Lord and Lady of the 
Golden Wood."

Legolas quirked one eyebrow imperiously and asked archly, "And why, pray tell, 
is that?"   

Aragorn did not miss that the Elf and the dwarf were about to enter a prolonged 
confrontation. This, more than anything else, made the Ranger come to a final 
decision. "Boromir, Eledwhen is your wife. Therefore, the responsibility of 
saving her life falls upon you. Take her now with all haste. I have done all I 
can for her. Her fate is now in your hands."

* * * * * * * * *

It seems that nobody likes my Boromir. But you faithful readers seem to love 
Eledwhen. So the next story will be about Eledwhen's life-and-death struggle and 
a little about "that prick" Boromir. Or I could make him change and be a nicer 
guy. That's the great thing about writing an AU story. I will accept any ideas 
for the next story. You, the reader, can determine what happens next. I am going 
on vacation until Oct. 3, 2003, so send those suggestions before I start 
writing.--Adara