Brothers in Arms These mist covered mountains
Through these fields of destruction
There's so many different worlds
Now the sun's gone to hell
Part I
I was so angry at him at the council of Elrond. This stupid
idiot from Gondor was going to screw it up for all of us. He had no
idea what this Ring was! He had no idea of its power. But he was
right, we had no idea what the lands around Mordor were like. We had
no idea how hard the men of Gondor had worked and how much they had
suffered to keep evil at bay. We would learn. Indeed, we would
learn.
While Frodo and the hobbits spent the autumn in Rivendell,
Boromir, myself and others ventured out for information. We were
bound for Mordor, the Nazgul were about, and none of us knew what to
expect. We needed all the intelligence we could get. Boromir was not
a pleasant companion. He was angry at who I was, the heir of Isildur.
His family had kept Gondor for a long time, and he felt they needed
no king, especially not one who had grown up among the elves. He
treated me with disdain and refused to call me anything but Ranger.
We were headed back for Rivendell. It was getting cold and
was raining, pouring actually. We found a cave to stay in, but we
didn't want to build a fire. It was so cold and we were wet. We ate
some of the food Elrond had sent with us. I was stubborn and stood
guard in the rain. I got wet to the skin and the night grew cold,
impossibly cold. Boromir came outside and pulled me into the cave. I
was so cold that I couldn't even speak as he led me over to our packs.
He undressed me like a child, then he took his own warm clothing off
and put it on me, even his cloak. He was dressed only in his ugly
woolen undergarments.
"Are you a fool, Ranger? It's too cold to stand in the rain.
We have to get some sleep. I'm so tired I can barely see and you've
been awake longer than me."
"Too cold to sleep." I finally managed to expel the words from
between my chattering teeth.
"We'll have to sleep together, keep each other warm."
He sat beside me, pulled me into his warm embrace and lay down
with me. He pulled several blankets over us. I was drowned in his
scent. He smelled of the forest, of smoke from his pipe, and another
smell that I came to know as his own scent. I was comforted and
finally warmed by this strange man, this man who perhaps deserved a
kingdom more than I did. I fell into a deep dreamless sleep and slept
as I hadn't since I was a child.
Morning dawned clear and cold. He was packing our gear when I
woke, never saying anything about my weakness. I gave him his
clothing back, mine having dried during the night. We set out for
Rivendell, to begin our quest. We spoke seldom during our journey.
We did sleep in each other's arms every night. And every night that
we were together and not on watch, for the rest of his life.
When we returned finally to Rivendell, all was ready for our
little band to set out. Elrond had provisioned us all, and our
Fellowship was set: Gandalf the Wizard led us. Boromir and myself
were the Men in the Fellowship. Then there was the dwarf, Gimli, the
elf, Legolas and the company of hobbits. We left Rivendell on foot,
while Sam led Bill with the bulk of our provisions. The country was
beautiful, though we noticed little of the scenery. Sam and Frodo
kept to themselves. Gandalf still led us all, while Boromir seemed
to make friends with Merry and Pippin. Legolas was always watchful
and always had an elf's cool detachment. Gimli trod along like an
outcast much of the time. As did I. The weather was growing cold as
we headed into the mountains. We all huddled together to stay warm
in the cold nights. Sam recited rhymes from the Shire, Legolas sang
now and again, Gimli talked of his Dwarf ancestors and the mighty
cities they built, and Boromir told the tales of Man. He told his
tales with such pride, that I felt like a betrayer for all the years I
had dwelt among the Elves. Only Boromir could make me feel so small.
One evening I walked away from camp. The night was bright and
we could see from our vantage point any who tried to approach. I
needed to be away from them all for a while, to think, to calm myself
before going on.
"It's going to snow soon." The voice startled me. Boromir
walked up beside me.
"I know. I don't know how we'll get through the Misty
Mountains before it snows. I wish... oh hell, Boromir, I wish I had
never been chosen for this."
He put a hand to my shoulder. I looked into those green eyes.
Not for the first time, I wondered how they would look in the throes
of passion. I looked away. I told myself that I was Arwen's
betrothed.
"Ranger, I feel sometimes that we are all doomed in this
quest. I can see it in the others' eyes. Even in yours sometimes."
"Boromir, like you, I don't know how it will end, but I know I
have to fulfill my pledge to Frodo." I looked at him. He was not as
big a man as he appeared, though not small by any standards. His broad
shoulders made him look larger than he was. His eyes were so
intense, it was hard not to flinch under his gaze. I had roamed all
Middle Earth, and no human had ever made me feel so bereft as he
could.
"Tell me of your childhood, Ranger. I have never met one such
as you, raised by elves."
I found myself smiling as I told of growing up in the forests
of Rivendell. I had run wild among the elves, spoiled and pampered,
and even thought myself one for several years, until my mother and
Elrond told me of my lineage.
"I'm not sure I've ever been so carefree. I grew up a
soldier, a warrior devoted to defending my home. We had little time
for fun." He didn't sound bitter, and I don't think he was. "Why
don't you get some rest, Ranger? I'll stand guard."
"I've gotten so used to your snoring that I'm not sure I can
sleep without it." I laughed and turned to go back to camp before he
saw the truth on my face.
"Wait..." I turned back to him. He reached a hand to my face,
barely touching me. He didn't say anything for a long moment. "Sleep
well. I'll be back when it's the elf's watch."
Several hours later, I woke from a fitful sleep as an arm came
over my waist. I felt his body close to my back. "Go back to sleep.
It's just me."
And I did.
We spent the last few days before the snow came in a beautiful
mountain meadow. Everyone needed a little time to rest and relax. I
watched Boromir practice sword fighting with Merry and Pippin, whom he
called "the Little Ones." I laughed as they tackled him. Could he do
more to endear himself to me? I was becoming so smitten with him. I
was careful not to show it. I didn't want him to think we were more
than friends. I was so scared he'd laugh at me.
Frodo and Sam huddled and talked together. Frodo's injury had
taken all the youth out of him. The Ring weighed heavy around his
neck. I would glance at him now and again and see him hold it in his
hand with a glazed look on his face. It spoke to him then I think.
It spoke to us all now and again. I wish I had known how much. Oh
God, I wish I had known.
It was there in the meadow that I found out that my brother
had affection for me, as well. That night is etched in my mind as only
a few others are. I was in my tent, checking the medicinal herbs
that I carried and putting my pack in order. We would not linger here
much longer. Darkness loomed so near. The mission was our last hope.
I was just so tired. All those years of riding alone had worn me
down.
"Can I come in?" He came in while he was asking. I couldn't
help but smile at his boldness. It never occurred to him I might say
no. This Man of Gondor had no lack of confidence.
I smiled at him and gestured for him to sit.
"Are we moving out soon? I think we should go through
Gondor. My father would welcome us. The Little Ones need rest,
Ranger. They are tired. So am I, for that matter." He reached a
hand out and touched my face with his palm against my cheek. "So are
you." His voice dropped to almost a whisper. He leaned toward me and
kissed my cheek.
Desire so hot I thought I'd burn up ran over me. I closed my
eyes and sat perfectly still, afraid that it was a dream. My body
responded immediately, getting painfully hard in seconds.
He kissed my lips, ever so slowly and gently, as if he were
afraid I'd run from him. I kissed him back, putting my hand on the
back of his head, pulling him closer. He slid his tongue into my
mouth, caressing and exploring. He pulled back just as abruptly. My
closed eyes shot open.
"What?—"
"I've gotta go."
"But—"
He put a finger on my lips and said, "You're tired, and I told
Gimli I'd be there to relieve him soon. I want to do this, but I want
to take all night. I want..."
I was speechless. He kissed me a quick kiss and was gone.
Part IV
It was so cold that the snow froze in our hair and in our
beards, and the snow was so deep that Boromir and I had to carry the
hobbits. That suited Merry and Pippin. They seemed to adore Boromir
anyway. They were the only ones who didn't seem to notice the dark
pull of the Ring. But Merry would go wherever Frodo went, and Pippin
would go wherever Merry went.
We found a cave for the night. It was large enough to even
afford some privacy, which was in short supply on this trip. We ate
cold food and sat around cold and shivering in the dark. Gandalf
finally made his staff give off enough glow that we could see each
other. We used staffs and sticks to section off a few "rooms" for us
all. All the hobbits piled into one small area. Merry and Pippin
always slept curled around each other like kittens. In the cold, Sam
and Frodo did the same. Legolas took watch, along with Gimli.
Gandalf sat alone, staring into the night. Boromir followed me to the
far corner of the cave. I hung my cloak up to give me a small area of
my own.
He seemed to take up all the space as he sat down. He rubbed
his cold hands together to warm them.
"It's funny how you forget how painful cold is from one season
to the next. My feet still have hardly any feeling in them, and my
hands are almost numb, too."
"I've never found but one way to get warm without a fire.
Perhaps we should share our heat. It keeps the hobbits warm. They
don't even wear shoes." I smiled at the thought of those big hobbit
feet treading through the snow, as if it were just a meadow with tall
green grass.
He looked at me hard for a minute. Finally, he said, "How much
heat would you share with me, Ranger?"
"How much heat do you want?" I was being coquettish and I
knew it, but I was scared. I wanted him, gods, I wanted him so much.
But I was not very experienced in such matters. I'd never had but
two relationships, and none with a human. I had to wonder about him.
Did he have a wife? Children? A lover? Had he been with many
lovers?
"All that you will give me, Ranger." He sat there, looking at
me, waiting for me to decide. I moved over to him, removing his
cloak. I carefully removed all his clothing, until he only wore his
gray woolen underwear, but his woolen shirt was missing.
"Where did your shirt go?" I was crouched behind him, where I
knelt to take off his clothing.
"The Little Ones were so cold, I gave the two I had to them,
to keep them warm."
I wouldn't have thought to do something like that for the
hobbits. I smiled and ran my hands over his smooth back. I kissed
his shoulder, then moved his hair so I could kiss the back of his
neck. I felt him shiver. I sat down behind him with my legs around
him and lay my head on his shoulder and my arms around him.
"What are you afraid of, Ranger?" He put his hands on mine,
bringing one, then the other, to his lips. "I would never hurt you,"
he said in a quiet voice.
I was afraid to tell him the truth: that I was afraid, afraid
he'd be disappointed in me. Or worse, that he'd turn away.
The silence lengthened. He turned so he could see my face.
I'm sure the need and desire shone through all the doubt and fear,
because he moved so we were facing each other again on our knees. I
began to remove my own clothing as we faced each other. When I was
naked from my waist up, I looked over at his smooth skin, then back
at my own, scarred from the fights I'd had and the battles I'd been
in. I ran a hand down from his shoulder to the trail of golden hair
that disappeared into his woolen pants. He sucked in a breath as I
slid my hand under them. He was hard, so hard. And hot. And silky
smooth.
"Yes," he whispered. His voice was low with arousal, almost a
growl.
Suddenly, pleasing him was all that mattered to me. I wanted
to hear him moan in pleasure, wanted to feel him tremble when he came.
"Tell me what to do." I finally whispered. He lay me down on
the blankets and finished removing my clothes, then his own. He lay
down beside me. He kissed me, sweet passionate kisses turning slowly
to hard hungry kisses. His hands touched me everywhere. I found
myself whimpering and writhing under his hands. He turned me over and
molded himself to my back.
"This will hurt..."
I remembered the sweet oil I carried in my pack and stretched
up to find it. I handed him the vial and moaned as he applied it to
my body, sliding a slick finger inside me. When I was ready, he slid
slowly and carefully inside me. When he was buried in me all the way,
he moaned and whispered, "Aragorn," as he slid his hand over my hips
and began to stroke me as he moved. He moved up so his head lay on my
shoulder from behind. I felt his hot breath as he moved, heard the
sounds he made as pleasure took us both, heard his quiet "I love you,"
as he drifted off to sleep with me still in his arms.
Part V
We headed up the mountain to the pass of Caradhras, everyone
was weary, but Frodo seemed to be the weariest of all. The Ring was
taking its toll on the once innocent hobbit. His blue eyes looked so
sad these days. I wanted to weep for him.
We were heading up a hill and he fell. Boromir was in the
lead and I was behind. Frodo took a tumble, falling all the way back
to land at my feet. Frodo got up, feeling for the Ring.
I saw Boromir bend and retrieve it from the snow. He held it
up by its chain. His face was cold, his eyes filled with lust. My
hand went to my sword.
"Boromir."
"It is a strange fate we should suffer so much fear and doubt
over so small a thing... such a little thing." His eyes never left the
Ring as it dangled from his fingers.
"Boromir! Give the Ring to Frodo." I gripped my sword so hard
my hand hurt.
"As you wish. I care not." He handed it to Frodo , who grabbed
it fiercely. Boromir tousled Frodo's hair and turned away. Frodo
glared after him. I let out my breath and loosened the grip on my
sword.
I was shaking. I would have killed him. I would die for him,
but I would have killed him for Frodo, for the quest. When we stopped
to camp, I couldn't look at him. I went about my business as if
the last few nights had never happened. When time for sleep came, I
was on watch. I volunteered. I didn't know if I could handle being
alone with Boromir right now. I needn't have bothered. He was
beside me before I knew it.
"If I apologize, will it matter?"
"I don't know. You were scary, like someone else."
He looked away, hurt.
"The Ring... It calls me, makes promises to me. Sometimes I'm
not convinced that we couldn't use it against Sauron."
"It will not be used against him. It uses us to get back to
him. And if it does... I don't think Middle Earth can survive that evil
again."
He seemed to be thinking about that. Then he turned to me.
"Promise me something, Ranger. Promise that you will not let
me get the Ring. Kill me if you must, but don't let me destroy your
chances to rid the Earth of this thing."
"I don't know if I could do that." I looked into those eyes.
"I love you."
"But you will do what needs to be done, love." He kissed my
cheek and caressed it lightly and returned to the camp. He had known
all along that I would fulfill my pledge to Frodo, no matter the cost.
Part VI
The snow was deeper and the cold more bitter as we climbed
into the high altitudes. Boromir and I still had to carry the
hobbits. One of us could have carried Gimli too, but dwarves are
proud and tough. The hobbits and Boromir seemed amused by Legolas,
who could walk on top of the snow. I smiled as my old friend,
Legolas, —walked beside us, keeping watch while the rest of us
slogged along in the frozen mess.
We were walking along a narrow ledge covered in snow when
Legolas stopped dead in his tracks. "There is a fell voice in the
air." All of us knew who the fell voice belonged to. Saruman the
White, Sauron's newest ally. The whole top of the mountain seemed to
tear away, and snow cascaded down at us.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain. Gandalf, we must
turn back!" I shouted.
Gandalf began to conjure a spell to counter Saruman's spell.
Soon, a bolt of lightning hit the mountain and a second avalanche
buried us in snow. It was tense for a few minutes, but then heads
began sticking up through the snow. We were all there and all safe.
We could not pass through Caradhras. Boromir thought we
should go through the Gap of Rohan and through Gondor. But I knew it
was too close to Isengard. I sometimes wish I had kept my mouth shut.
Perhaps I would have known the pleasure of his company all these
many, many years instead of... well, let's not talk of that now. I
digress. Gimli offered the mines of Moria, and Frodo chose them... so
that's the road we took. It took several days to get back down the
mountain.
Boromir and I behaved awkwardly toward each other after the
incident with the Ring. I had kept myself aloof from him. I could
see the hurt in his eyes when he thought I wasn't looking. I hated
myself for being cold to him, but I wouldn't show him any weakness
either. I always had my pride.
He didn't care at all about my pride. He came stomping into
my tent, taking up all the space and all the air as usual. He was so
magnificent with his green eyes glittering with anger. My heart always
beat faster at the sight of him.
"What do you want?" I asked, trying to appear calm while my
heart clanged violently against my ribs.
"A minute of your time, Ranger," he sneered. He could be
nasty, sarcastic bastard when he wanted to. It just made me want him
more.
"What now?" I said in much the same tone. I could be nasty
too.
He pulled me roughly into his arms, holding me tight. He
kissed me. A brutal, punishing kiss that didn't stay that way. I
sagged against him, letting him hold my weight up. I put my forehead
against his, looking into his eyes. I saw my own heart in those eyes.
I wished I could be as self assured as he was. I wished I knew more
of being a Man than I did, having lived among elves most of my life.
He had but one goal, the welfare of Gondor. There were many days when
I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. I felt ill equipped for the
future.
Tonight, I just wanted to be warm, wanted to feel something,
anything, again.
We lay in the dark, holding each other tightly. The sweat was
drying on our bodies, and if we didn't hold each other close, we
shivered. He had tried to be gentle tonight, but had failed. I
loved him even more for it. To see him vulnerable, needy beyond his
control, was a great gift for me. I knew that few had ever seen him
this way: trembling with need, begging, taking what he wanted, and
remorseful at any pain he caused. I assured him that I loved him, and
all was well.
I remember thinking how I would be glad to have him as an
advisor if we got through this, and I became king. I remember
thinking how I'd love to have him show me Gondor. I even remember
just lying there, watching him sleep.
Part VIII
We finally got down off the mountain. We headed for the mines
of Moria. It took hours for us to get in once we were there. Gandalf
was being stubborn and showing off, which all wizards are wont to do
at times. Merry and Pippin were getting bored... always a dangerous
thing, and I had to help poor Sam let Bill go. Sometimes I thought
Sam wasn't suited for this mission. But he loved Frodo more than life
itself. Perhaps that is all that made any of us fit for it... Love.
Boromir and I sat and talked quietly. I would have loved to
show how I felt about him in front of the others, but he felt it would
cause problems. He was probably right. I had to be content to touch
his shoulder or his hand while we talked. I had a sense of
foreboding about this place. We all did. Finally, Frodo figured out
the riddle of the door. Hobbits love puzzles. That's how we got into
this in the first place, I think.
Inside the door... oh gods, what an awful sight. Dead dwarves
all over. Boromir called it a tomb, and he was right. The smell of
rotting flesh lingered even though the bodies had decayed almost to
dust. When we turned to leave, the creature from the water grabbed
Frodo with its tentacles. We all started shooting and cutting, but
Boromir saved him. He cut the tentacle that held Frodo and caught him
when he fell. Then the opening to the mines caved in as we ran back
in! We had no choice but to go on.
I hated those mines. They were cold and dark and full of
death. We pulled our swords and set out. Gimli found Balin's tomb...
We all tried to stop him going into the room, but he had to. Those
few hours were the ones that changed our lives again. Everything
happened so fast. When Gandalf went into the fire... I was lost. I
couldn't leave him. I couldn't think. But Boromir grabbed Frodo and
me, and ran like the very devil himself was after us. The devil WAS
after us and he took Gandalf.
I would have stayed if Boromir hadn't pulled me away. He
grabbed me, and we ran. The whole mine started to cave in. Boromir
grabbed his Little Ones and ran. He and Legolas helped us to get out.
I didn't think Frodo and I would make it... I remember thinking how I
wanted to tell Boromir one more time how much I loved him.
We got out. Out into a cold gray world that had taken one of
our Fellows. It was not done with us yet. Not by a long shot.
Part VII
I drove everyone hard when we came out of Moria. I knew we
had no time to spare. Frodo seemed dazed with grief. The Little Ones
cried openly. Legolas looked as though his heart was breaking. Even
Gimli seemed inconsolable, for he had lost more than just Gandalf.
Boromir was angry with me for pushing, but didn't argue. I knew we
had to find Lothlórien.
On the way, I laughed at all the things Gimli said about the
elf-witch. When Haldir finally caught us and took us to Galadriel and
Cereborn, Gimli was completely and utterly smitten with her, as were
we all. Except Boromir, I saw him shake as she spoke to us all, and
wondered why.
"Stray but a little and it will fail...." I heard his gasp as
she spoke.
Legolas made my heart ache when he listened to the Elves
lament for Gandalf. To see the grief, fresh and raw on his face, was
very painful to me, almost as painful as losing Gandalf. Someday
perhaps I shall tell you a tale of Legolas, but not today.
Boromir was restless, too. He wouldn't sit still, and I could feel
his fear.
"Take some rest, love. These borders are well protected."
He looked at me, his fear showing in those green eyes.
"I will find no rest here. I heard a voice inside my head.
She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me that
even now there is hope left. But I cannot see it. It is long since
we had any hope."
"My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing. And now
our... our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right. And
I would. I would see the glory of Gondor restored." He sighed. Such
sadness broke my heart. What comfort could I offer him?
"Have you ever seen it, Aragorn? The White Tower of
Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. Its banners
caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by
the clear ringing of silver trumpets?" I could see it in my mind, as
he turned to look at me.
"I have seen the White City. Long ago."
"One day, our paths will lead us there. And the tower guards
shall take up the call: The Lords of Gondor have returned!"
I smiled and took him into my arms. I wanted to comfort him,
to let him know everything would be all right, but I didn't know how.
I had no idea what would happen. So I kissed him and led him to our
shelter. I gave him all the love I knew how to give. I held him when
he cried and loved him with all my being.
Our days in Lothlórien were not long. Boromir and I had one
last night in that place. After dinner, he and I made excuses and
disappeared into the forest. We walked the silver paths, until we
were out of hearing of everyone. I turned to him and kissed him.
"Let's not waste this night. We'll have little chance to be
alone after this."
He smiled and pulled me tight into his embrace. "I think
despair would overwhelm me, if you were not here to smile your shy
smile, Ranger."
He led me to a little clearing in the strange Lothlórien
light. He lay his cloak on the ground. He stood in front of me and
removed my clothing one piece at a time, my black velvet shirt, my
leggings, until I stood naked in front of him. I was always a little
embarrassed by my scarred, roughened skin, until he leaned down to my
chest and traced each scar with his tongue. I trembled with arousal
and emotion. He began to remove his own clothing, but I pushed his
hands away. I removed them for him, till he too stood naked. His
skin was smooth with few scars. His muscles pleased me as I ran my
hands over broad shoulders and down strong arms.
He pulled me into his embrace then, our hot bodies touching.
I groaned as his hard cock rubbed my own. Could anything feel this
exquisite? My tongue met his as he kissed me, again and again.
Standing became harder, and we gradually sank down onto his cape on
the ground. I looked up into glittering green eyes, as he stretched
his heavy body out on top of mine. We were touching from out feet to
our lips. I was on fire again. He drove me so mad with desire that I
was blind to all but him. He moved off of me and began to kiss my
body, slowly down to my aching cock.
I almost came, when I felt his wet tongue touch me. I arched
my back, gasping for breath. His hands teased me here and there,
touching a nipple, running the length of a ticklish rib. I groaned
his name, as his mouth closed over me, tangling one hand in his cloak
and one hand in his long hair. I couldn't think, as his tongue
slithered all over me. The only word that I could make come out was
`yes'. I moaned it over and over, as he made love to me with his
mouth. Finally, my endurance was at an end, and I managed to gasp his
name, as I filled his mouth. When I felt him swallow again and again,
I actually thought that I might die of the pleasure. When I was
spent, he smiled up at me.
He moved up on his knees beside me. I put my hand around him
and stroked him gently, then I moved so I could taste the drop of
fluid that was about to drip from him. I caught it with my tongue.
Then followed it to its source. He groaned as I did to him what he
had done to me. He moved so he was thrusting himself into my throat.
I held him, one hand behind, caressing his ass and the other
stroking him as he moved in and out of my mouth. He growled and
filled my mouth with his tangy essence, and I swallowed it all,
licking him clean when he'd finished.
We loved each other till the night became day. We fell asleep
as morning made the silver forest gold with sunlight. It was the last
night we would love each other. If I had known, I don't think I'd
have ever slept at all.
Part IX
We left Lothlórien with gifts from Galadriel and Cereborn,
including Elf-made cloaks that would hide us from others and three
boats. Legolas and Gimli took one boat since the two of them seemed
to be friendlier now than ever before. I have heard that Gimli had a
lock of Galadriel's hair. It would not surprise me. Boromir, of
course, shared his boat with his Little Ones. I rowed Frodo and Sam
in my boat. The river was beautiful with huge expanses of forests and
mountains. I'm afraid we all noticed very little.
The sight of the Argonath almost took my breath away, however.
The statues were so beautiful and fierce, standing on either side of
the Anduin, guarding the land and warning those who would enter. I
pointed them out to Frodo as we came in sight of them.
Finally, we reached Amon Hen. As we got out of our boats, I
saw Boromir tremble and shake his head. I knew that the Ring was
calling him again. We were getting closer to its Master, and it would
use any means to get to Sauron. I didn't say anything.
We settled down to rest. Legolas got that look in his eye.
"We should leave now," he said very quietly to me.
I turned to him. "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."
Would I have done anything different if I had known the
outcome? I don't know. Probably not. We'll never know.
"Where's Frodo?" Merry piped up. He was gone.
So was Boromir. There lay his shield, but he was gone. My
heart slammed hard into my ribs. I set out in a hurry to find Frodo,
praying that he was okay, that Boromir hadn't found him yet.
Frodo stood at beside Seat of Seeing. I called to him. He
seemed startled and said, "It has taken Boromir." Everything in me
screamed `NO.'
"Where is the ring?" I asked him, trying not to scream at him.
"Stay away." He ran from me, scared of me.
"Frodo!" He paused, looked at me with fear still showing. "I
swore to protect you."
"Can you protect me from yourself?" He showed me the Ring,
holding it out to me on the palm of his hand. It called my name. I
stood there, looking at it. I knelt down on my knees as I closed his
hand. He knew it called to me, to Boromir. He was leaving, I could
see it in his eyes, those sad blue eyes. My heart ached at what had
been done to him, how his hobbit innocence had been taken.
"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."
His sword began to glow blue. I bid him run and went out to
face the orcs. Frodo ran and I fought. Legolas and Gimli joined me.
They were not hard to kill, but their numbers were huge. They
seemed to be looking for something, the hobbits perhaps.
Legolas yelled, "The Horn of Gondor!"
"Boromir!" I ran down the hill towards him, but the Uruk-Hai
cut me off. I heard the Horn again. I killed them, relentlessly, as
I tried to make my way to him. I got there just a huge Uruk-Hai was
about to shoot another arrow into Boromir, who was on his knees with
three arrows sticking out from his bleeding body. I flew at the
Uruk-Hai, all the fear and rage making me fast and strong. He was
stronger, but I couldn't give up. I had to save Boromir. Cutting
his arm off just aggravated the Uruk-Hai. He laughed at me. I
finally drove my sword through him. He smiled a malevolent smile and
pulled it deeper. I jerked it back out and with all my strength came
around with a long swing that cut his head off. It fell. He was
dead.
Boromir lay near a tree. Bloody orc arrows stuck out of his
body. He was pale and barely breathing. I had to do something, to save
him. I lay down, my body almost covering his.
"They took the Little Ones." His eyes were so sad.
"Be still." I knew he shouldn't be trying to talk. I had to
save him. I had to!
"Frodo, where is Frodo?"
I told him the truth. "I let Frodo go."
"Then you did what I could not." No. NO.
"The Ring is beyond our reach now."
"Forgive me, I did not see it. I have failed you all." I
could barely breath. He had not failed. He had never been braver.
"No, Boromir, you fought bravely. You kept your honor." I
tried to pull one of the arrows out. They had to come out.
"Leave it. It is over. The world of men will fail, and all
will come to darkness... and my city to ruin." NO! This could not
happen. NO!
"I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to
you, I will let not the White City fall, nor our people fail!"
"Our people?" He asked, searching my face. A small smile. "Our
people." He reached for his sword. I grabbed it and put it in his
hand. He held it to his chest. Blood ran out the side of his mouth.
"I would have followed you, my brother, my captain, my king."
I looked into his eyes as he left me. I kissed his forehead,
touching his face. When I raised up, tears ran down my face.
"Be at peace, son of Gondor."
I became aware of Legoals and Gimli. Legolas watched, pain in
his blue eyes. Gimli looked away.
They gathered water for me to bathe the blood from his body. I
pulled the arrows out and dressed him in his best, wrapping the gray
elf cloak about him. We placed him in the boat he had shared with his
Little Ones, and we buried him there in the falls. I remember
holding one of his cloaks to my face as I stood and watched his boat
slide over the edge. I wished with all my heart it had been me in
that boat.
Part X
The rest of our tale has been told many times by many people.
I need not tell it again. I have lived a very long life. I married
Arwen. She has loved me well for many years and I, her. But I miss
him, I miss him every single day. Every night when I sleep, I long
for his arms to protect me as he always did. I long for the comfort
he gave me.
I am old. My time is short now. I'm always cold, and I sit in
the sun every day and watch our great grandchildren play. Arwen begs
me to stay with her, but I am so tired these days. Sometimes when I
watch the children, they fade and in their stead stands a warrior, a
warrior of Gondor. He smiles his sad smile and beckons me to join
him. My heart longs for this. Soon, I shall get out of my chair and
walk with him. I miss him so.
From this day to the ending of the world,
—William Shakespeare, Henry V, 1599
Epilogue
1.
I speak the final chapters. Estel has gone beyond. He will
speak no more in this world. I miss him. Sitting here in his chair,
I can almost feel him here. The Men were the best of us, and Aragorn
and Boromir were the best of Men.
I have known Estel since he was a tot, escaping to Rivendell
for refuge as a small child with his mother. He thought he was an elf
for years. I smile to think of the tiny human cavorting about the
palace and the wood, never even realizing he was the only child
around.
We visited Rivendell often. He grew more each time I saw him
until one day, he was no longer a child. He was a man, lean and
angry. And so beautiful that he took my breath away. I wanted to
know him, to be his friend.
"Legolas, it's been a long time. What brings you here? I was
about to leave the forest."
"Why?" As an elf, I never could see why anyone would leave
the forest. It gave us strength and provided us with all we needed.
He laughed a bitter laugh. "I'm not an elf. I cannot stay
here! My place is out there." He gestured with his arm.
"Where will you go?"
"I have heard of men called Rangers who wander Middle Earth
without homes or ties to bind them. I will join them."
I knew he was well trained in combat , but what of the ways of
the world? He'd be eaten alive. The world outside Rivendell was a
very different place than he had ever known.
"So come to Mirkwood first, then go on to the human world. I
would enjoy your company, now that you are no longer a pup. Maybe we
could teach you some lessons, before you take on the world."
He argued with me that he didn't need any lessons, but he
agreed readily to come home with me. He spent many months in
Mirkwood. He learned archery from me and my brothers. He was already
good with a sword. Elrond had taught him that. I stood back and
watched him sometimes, amazed at his grace and power. He also
learned tracking in Mirkwood from me and my brothers. Even though he
didn't have the senses of an elf, he was intelligent and observant,
and soon could track me all over Mirkwood. He even managed to sneak
up on me now and again.
One night, we were sitting beside our fire in the woods. The
sky was dark with no moon, just the stars sparkling in the inky night.
He smoked his pipe, a habit he must have picked up from Gandalf,
because elves were not fond of pipes as men, hobbits and one wizard
seemed to be.
"Legolas, can I ask you a question?" He seemed nervous.
"Have you ever been in love?"
Had I? I never was sure about the answer to that. I had
companions, male and females that I shared friendship with, or sex,
and sometimes both. But love? The closest I had ever come was now,
with this leggy man-colt. He made forget what I wanted to say and do.
"I don't think so."
He seemed to debate his next question for a bit. "What about,
uh, well, sex?" His voice almost squeaked on the last word. I
smiled.
"What about it, Estel?" I was enjoying his discomfort.
"What is it like?"
"I'm not sure what to tell you. Its..." My silver tongue
failed me. He had that effect on me.
"Show me?" he asked in a voice so quiet that I would not have
heard him had I been human. I slowly looked across the fire at him.
His eyes glowed with light from the golden fire and from an inner
light.
It was my turn to be uncomfortable. My leggings got were too
tight suddenly. I didn't know what to say or do. He watched me,
expectantly, hopefully.
I stood up and walked around the small fire. I held my hand
out to him. He took it, his big hand in my smaller one. I pulled him
into my arms. He shook. I touched his lips with mine, just the
slightest of touches. His lips were soft, his breathing shallow. As I
kissed him, he leaned into me. His body was lean and hard, his
arousal very obvious as he unconsciously ground it into me. I slid my
tongue over his upper lip, teasing him until he opened for me. When
I finally slid my tongue into his mouth, he groaned and thrust himself
against me hard.
I pushed him back away from. He made a sound of protest.
"Shhh," I answered as I worked the fastenings on his pants.
He sprang free from them and into my hands.
"Legolas..." he moaned.
"Shhh," I stilled my hands, hoping to calm him a little.
"Please, do something, anything. Please."
I let go of him and drew him down into the soft grass. I
unbuttoned his shirt and ran my hands over his chest, feeling his
muscles, his hair. I would always love his hairy chest, so different
from the smooth skin of an elf. I kissed his mouth, until I was as
aroused and breathless as he was.
My hands were clumsy as I stripped my own clothes off, with
Estel's help. We finally lay naked in the grass. I kissed his
face, the hollow of his neck, his collar bone. He made sounds as I
licked his hard, flat nipples. I liked the feel of the hair on his
chest as my tongue ran over it on my way down his belly. He sucked
his breath in as I slid my tongue into the indention of his navel. He
tried to push my head down, but I took his hands in mine and held
them. I worked my way down, skipping his trembling erection, even
though I wanted nothing more than to lick the tiny drop of liquid that
glistened in the firelight. I instead nipped at his thighs with my
teeth. He fought my hold on his hands, writhing and growling. I
moved to suck gently on his testicles, one then the other.
"Legolas," he ground out. I had tortured him long enough. I
licked his shaft from base to the drop on its tip, capturing it with
my tongue. I licked him until he was wet enough to take into my mouth
in one easy movement, the slid my mouth down over him. He arched up,
grabbing my shoulder with a hand that I had freed so I could stroke
him. I didn't let up until he was crying out my name over and over,
and I tasted him in my mouth. I swallowed it all, loving the odd
tangy taste, loving that it was from him.
I raised up and looked at him. He pleasured me more that night
than anyone ever had with his eager hands and mouth. When we lay
spent in the grass beside the fire, he smiled at me. I was lost in
that smile.
2.
I knew he loved Boromir before he did, I think. I wanted to
be jealous, but I couldn't. They were well suited, the king and his
steward, but it was not to be. When I saw them lying there covered
in Boromir's blood, my own heart constricted. Gimli and I gathered
water for him to bathe Boromir's body, but I think Aragorn bathed him
in his own tears.
I held him when we dared rest after that. I offered more
intimate comfort when he needed it too. But it was always so sad for
us both. He missed Boromir more then, and I was in anguish for us
both every time he cried out 'Boromir' in passion.
The quest ended, but our friendship did not. I visited him as
often as I could. I loved no other after him. There was no one who
could ever take his place. He is gone now. Lady Arwen is distraught
and wills herself to be gone with him.
It is said that an elf can only be killed by a mortal wound
or a broken heart. Both are true. Amon Hen broke my heart, a mortal
wound that has pained me these many, many years.
He told me once that sitting here in the sun, sometimes
Boromir spoke to him, beckoned him, and that one day, he planned to
join him. Perhaps if I sit long enough, they will come for me too.
The end
by
Alex Cat
Brothers in Arms
—Dire Straits
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you'll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you'll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms
Baptism of fire
I've watched all your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms
fell in love with him the first time I saw him in Rivendell.
I didn't know it for some time, though, and he didn't know for even
longer. I remember he was so stiff and proud as he touched the Broken
Sword. His blood ran red. He saw me and pretended it was of no
matter. I had no idea what he would mean to me as I watched him walk
away.
Part II
Part III
But we in it shall be remembered—
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
