Title: For Gondor: A Fellowship Broken Author: Orlando_is_Legolas@yahoo.com Pairing(s): none (yet) Rating: PG13 for angst and plot manipulation Summary: Legolas summons Galadriel to save Boromir after the battle with Lurtz. Meanwhile, Aragorn and Gimli seek to save Merry and Pippin. Part 1 in the For Gondor series. Disclaimer: Not mine. What, you think I would’ve let Boromir die? Warning: manipulation of movie script! (well duh) Authors Note: alternate FotR ending / TTT beginning. Elvish translation provided at the end. ~Indicates thought~ *For Gondor: A Fellowship Broken* ~He intends to kill me. Coward! I want to scream, but my breath is leaving my body. He aims at deadly close range. He is no warrior. He is a murderer. I cannot fight, not with three arrows in me. An arrow in my heart. One more, I dare him. Give me one more arrow and I shall give up.~ With every second the life left Boromir’s body. But when Aragorn returned from his deadly fight with Lurtz, the other Man had disappeared. He looked toward the rushing water when he heard Legolas’ voice. “Hurry! Frodo and Sam had reached the eastern shore!” Aragorn approached the river to see Legolas carrying Boromir’s limp body in the wrong direction. “What are you doing? We must continue on to Mordor!” Legolas did not seem to hear him. “Gimli! What is he doing?” Gimli threw him an exasperated look. “The Elf’s got it in his head to return to Lorien. He thinks Galadriel can save Boromir.” Aragorn ran to Legolas’ side. When he was ignored, he planted himself in front of the determined Elf. “Are you mad? We have come too far!” Legolas stepped around him. “We cannot turn back!” Legolas leveled a glare at him. “Continue to Mordor if you choose. We have already lost Gandalf. I will not lose another member of the Fellowship.” “Legolas… he is already lost to us. Boromir is dead.” Legolas had started walking briskly once again. “Legolas, you must accept it! He is dead. There is nothing we can do.” “He is not dead. The life drains from him but there is still a chance.” He looked over his shoulder at Aragorn. “Perhaps you can do nothing, but Elves are not so helpless. Have you not learned that yet?” He shook his head. “We did not give up on Frodo. We saved him! As we can save Boromir. Caela estel.” Have hope. Aragorn tried to talk some sense into Legolas. “What of Merry and Pippin? They have been taken by the Uruk-hai.” Finally, Legolas slowed his step. One life was as important as two. He looked down at the Man in his arms, three arrows emerging from his chest and his breath nearly gone. ~I cannot give up on Boromir when there is still hope! I have not even been allowed to mourn Gandalf. But what is to be done when the Halflings are in danger?~ Aragorn’s words interrupted his thoughts. “I’ll go after them. It was I who put them in the position of defending Frodo." “And I would join him.” Gimli looked up at Legolas. Legolas studied his friends. ~The Fellowship has broken. Two Halflings row toward Mordor, the other two are captured by the Uruk-hai. I am left with the dying Man as my friends seek to track down the Uruks.~ For the first time, it seemed that the possibility of Frodo and Sam reaching the Eye of Sauron on their own was the most likely of all quests. Legolas nodded his consent with no little misgiving. Gimli stared at the Elf for several seconds. “I know I don’t say so, Elf, but had I known you as I do now, I never would have questioned your right to bear the Ring.” Legolas blinked. “That means a great deal to me, Master Dwarf. Take care on your journey. I wish you success.” Gimli looked away. Aragorn put his hand on Legolas’ shoulder. “We shall return to you with the Hobbits. Do not lose hope.” Legolas placed his hand over the one on his shoulder. “Never shall I lose hope, Estel. I will pray for the Fellowship with each rising and setting of the sun, and never shall I forget our quest.” “Tenna’ ento lye omenta, Legolas.” “Lye enomentuva mi sina coia.” He watched them walk away. An unusual pair, perhaps; the short, stocky Dwarf with axe in hand beside the tall and graceful warrior who would one day be king. To Legolas, they were hope. The hope of Middle Earth. ~Fear not, my friends. Together, we shall defeat this evil.~ * * * * * The Uruk-hai were easy to track at first. They had little care for the forests through which they roamed and left trails of broken grass and sticks, not to mention their horrid smell. Soon, however, they emerged from the wood, and all visible trails had disappeared. Aragorn often held his ear to the ground, that he might follow their movements. “Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. Hurry!” Gimli, who had started to lag behind, attempted to catch up, wheezing and complaining. They came upon the leaf clasp of one of the Halfling’s robes, the one each had received as a gift from Galadriel at the conclusion of their visit to Lothlorien. “Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall.” ~They may yet be alive.~ Aragorn clutched the brooch in his hand. “Less than a day ahead of us. Come!” * * * * * Legolas lay by Boromir’s lifeless body. He had tried to stay awake, but he was haunted by a sea of doubts. He tried retreating into himself, as he often did in times of worry, but he had not slept since Lothlorien. The pressure of the last few weeks took their toll, and his meditation lulled him into a fitful sleep. “Cuiva, Legolas.” Galadriel called to him softly. “Im naa sinome ten’ lle.” “Aaye, Lady.” Legolas rose to his feet and bowed. “Boromir nae pelekte. Lle suyolluvaho?” He gazed at her with hope and respect. Galadriel knelt gracefully beside Boromir. Her champagne-golden hair hung like a silken curtain around her shoulders as she examined the arrows. “Harwaeaho naa tumbasai. Ho antuva lû.” Legolas nodded in understanding. He didn’t expect Boromir to be healed overnight. It was happy news indeed that he could be healed at all. Galadriel motioned for him to turn away. He looked wistfully at the trail where Aragorn and Gimli had departed. ~None of us shall fail in our tasks. I will see to that.~ “Ta naa tela.” Legolas turned to Galadriel. Amazingly, the arrows were gone from Boromir’s chest. He looked as though he were only resting. Legolas knelt before the ethereal Elf and clasped her hands. “Hannon le, Lady. Amin harmuva onalle en’ coia ten’oio.” “Naa ie’ sére, Legolas. Lle ume quel.” Legolas stayed with Boromir in the safety of the wood. He dared not build a fire. That night, he remained by Boromir’s recovering body, singing prayers of thanksgiving. * * * * * A group of riders approached. Aragorn, not wanting to provoke a fight, rested his hand on Anduril’s hilt but did not draw. He recognized the riders. “Riders of Rohan, what news from the Mark?” They were suddenly surrounded by riders. The leader addressed Aragorn. “What business do a Man and a Dwarf have in Riddermark? Speak quickly!” Aragorn stopped Gimli before he could speak to these riders as he had to Haldir when they had first met at Lorien. “I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and this is Gimli, son of Gloin. We are friends of Rohan and of Theoden, your king.” “Theoden no longer recognizes friend from foe.” Gimli and Aragorn learned that Theoden was mad, that a White Wizard roamed in the wood, and that these riders had slaughtered a group of Uruk-hai only the night before. Once the leader was convinced that Man and Dwarf were not spies of the Wizard, he gave them two riderless horses. “May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell. Look for your friends. But do not trust to hope, it has forsaken these lands. We ride north !" The riders galloped off. It was not long before they found the bodies. The slaughtered Uruk-hai had been burned in a sickening, smoldering pile. Gimli searched through the burning flesh and leather and found one of the Halfling’s belts. “We failed them.” ~They’re gone. They’re dead and it’s because of us. How can we tell Legolas? How can we go back to Frodo and Sam?~ Meanwhile, Aragorn recognized Hobbit tracks. He spoke as if in a trance as followed the prints. “A Hobbit lay here, and the other. They crawled.” The Ranger traced their movements and looked up at the nearby forest. They had gone into Fangorn. Gimli’s renewed hope quickly faded. “Fangorn. What madness drove them in there?” They wandered Fangorn that night, seeking their Halfling friends. A great light approached. Aragorn leaned down to whisper to Gimli. “That must be the White Wizard of whom the Riders spoke.” Gimli nodded his agreement. The Wizard stood before them and spoke of their search, of the Hobbits they sought. “They passed this way the day before yesterday.” “Who are you? Show yourself!” The Wizard revealed himself to be Gandalf. Gimli and Aragorn stood frozen in surprise. Aragorn spoke first. “It cannot be. You fell.” Gandalf nodded as though he had been asked whether it was morning. “Through fire and water. Darkness took me, but it was not the end. I’ve been sent back until my task is done.” “And what is your task, Master Wizard?” Aragorn looked at him expectantly, joy in his face and trepidation in his eyes. “My task,” Gandalf said slowly, “is to see the quest to completion. You must return to Legolas and Boromir.” “Boromir – he is recovered?” Aragorn could not believe the news. But… “What of the Hobbits?” Gandalf smiled to himself. “They are in the safe hands of the Ents. They shall be fine.” His face became all seriousness. “One of you, at least, must ride to Legolas and Boromir. War has come to Rohan.” “I will ride for them,” Aragorn offered. “We will meet you in Rohan.” Gimli looked between Man and Wizard. “Where would I be most helpful?” “Come with me, Gimli. We must ride to Edoras with all speed.” Thus Gandalf summoned Shadowfax, and the Dwarf rode with Wizard to Edoras. Gandalf looked over his shoulder to call to Aragorn. “May the Valar speed you to Legolas and Boromir. Hurry, Aragorn! We need you in Rohan!” * * * * * ~Am I in the spirit world? I feel unharmed by the arrows that pierced me. Yet my back hurts, as though I have been sleeping in the wrong position. What is happening?~ Having slept soundly in the hours before Galadriel arrived to save Boromir, Legolas had no need for rest for several weeks at least. Neither was he hungry, but he went to the river for some water, keeping an eye out for Uruk-hai or other threats. It had been nearly a week since the others had departed, and still Boromir did not awake. Thus he was grateful to return to see the Man sitting up, looking around himself confusedly. “What is this madness? Did you die with me in the battle?” Legolas allowed himself to smile. “No, Boromir. You are alive and well.” “But how – what…” Boromir frowned, utterly and completely confused. “The Lady Galadriel came to your aid. You had not gone from us yet.” Boromir questioned Legolas insistently throughout the morning. Before he would answer, though, he made the recovered Man drink some water and take a bite of bread. To Boromir’s relief, Legolas finally answered his questions. Aragorn had let Frodo go to Mordor on his own, and Sam had followed. Merry and Pippin, who he had seen taken during the battle, were still missing, and Gimli and Aragorn were searching for them. Legolas had summoned Galadriel. ~The Ring is gone. Frodo has taken it to Mordor on his own. It no longer calls to me! But Merry and Pippin… what horrors they must be suffering. We must find them and save them. We cannot leave them to the Uruks.~ “Do you believe Aragorn and the Dwarf will be successful?” As much as he had once felt bitter toward Legolas, he knew the Elf would not lie to them. Legolas did not disappoint. “I do not know.” His eyes were downcast but his senses were alert. “Their chance is better – “ and he stopped speaking. “What? Better than what?” But Legolas did not reply. Boromir watched, dumbfounded, as Legolas nimbly scaled the tree against which he had been leaning. The Elf perched forward, his entire body tensed in concentration as he looked farther than any Man could see. Boromir had no idea what was going on, but he knew it had to be something good when he saw the smile break across Legolas’ usually impassive face. “Aragorn approaches!” Boromir shared Legolas’ excitement for a moment; he could not help it, a happy Elf is contagious. He quickly shook himself of the feeling when he remembered that he was supposed to hate Aragorn, who would one day usurp his kingdom. Legolas did not notice the dramatic change in his companion’s countenance. He waited until Aragorn drew nearer – on a borrowed horse – and shouted to his friend. “Aaye, Estel!” The Man drew his sword and raised Anduril in greeting, shouting “Túrë!” as he rode. Legolas’ smile widened into a grin. “Does Aragorn approach alone? What news of the Dwarf and Halflings?” “Aragorn rides alone, but he brings news of success.” Legolas waited until Aragorn was in Boromir’s sight, then leapt out of the tree and ran swiftly to his friend. “What news of the Halflings?” Aragorn hopped from his mount and embraced Legolas. “Good news, mellon nîn. The Hobbits – “ He saw Boromir. Alive. Standing. “Boromir. Galadriel has recovered you.” He approached the Man, in awe of the Elven Lady’s powers. She had brought a Man from death. By whatever miracle, he was grateful. First Gandalf was restored to them, and now Boromir! But when he tried to embrace Boromir, the Man pulled away harshly. “No thanks to you, Ranger. Had you your way, I would be rotting in the ground!” Aragorn stared at Boromir as though he’d been struck. “What madness has taken you, Boromir? Why would I wish your death?” “Legolas told me how your only concern was for the Halflings. You wished to chase the Uruks to Elbereth knows where and leave me for dead!” “I thought you were already dead!” Boromir was risen from death and he sought a quarrel? “Three arrows were stuck in you, Man! There was no breath in your body! We all thought you dead – even Gimli thought Legolas had gone mad believing he could save you!” “You have always wished me dead.” Boromir muttered the words, hoping Aragorn wouldn’t hear them. He heard, but chose to ignore them, and turned instead to Legolas. “The Hobbits are safe. The Ents have them.” Legolas smiled. The Ents were as old as he; their time had coincided with the Elves of the wood. “And Gimli?” “Gimli rides with Gandalf.” Aragorn was amused by the look on Legolas’ face. ~What does this mean? Has Gimli been killed and joined Gandalf in the spirit world? Or is Gandalf returned to us?~ “Fear not, Legolas. After we left him, Gandalf defeated the Balrog. Gimli and I came upon him in Fangorn after tracking the Hobbits there.” Legolas listened attentively. “After three days of searching we found one of the Hobbits’ Lorien brooches when the Riders of Rohan surrounded us.” Aragorn grinned. “They thought us spies of the White Wizard, who turns out to be our Gandalf. They granted us two horses, whose riders were lost in a battle with several Uruk-hai. Gimli and I feared their remains to include Merry and Pippin, but their tracks led us to Fangorn and Gandalf, who gave us the news of their safety.” Now Aragorn sat on the ground and took some bread from Legolas’ pack. Legolas sat on his heels facing Aragorn, wrapping his arms around his knees. He anxiously awaited the rest of the Ranger’s news, which he feared would not be so joyful. “Theoden of Rohan has fallen into the power of Saruman. His country prepares for war. We are to meet Gandalf and Gimli at Edoras, that we may help return the King’s sanity and help him to defend Rohan.” Legolas nodded grimly. More battles were upon them. And he could no longer call for Galadriel’s help. ~to be continued~ Elvish Translations: (please email me with corrections; orlando_is_legolas@yahoo.com) Caela estel = Have hope Tenna’ ento lye omenta = Until next we meet Lye enomentuva mi sina coia = We shall meet again in this life Cuiva = Awake Im naa sinome ten’ lle = I am here for you Aaye = Hail Boromir nae pelekte = Boromir was (has been) struck Lle suyolluvaho? = Will you revive him? Harwaeaho naa tumbasai = His wounds are deep Ho antuva lû = He will need time Ta naa tela = It is finished (done) Hannon le = Thank you Amin harmuva onalle en’ coia ten’oio = I will treasure your gift of life forever Naa ie’ sére = Be at peace Lle ume quel = You did (have done) good Túrë = Victory Mellon nîn = My friend