True Journeys: Book One The Fellowship

The Battle of Boromir: Part 1

We approached two extremely large statues made of rock. "The Argonath. Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin." Aragorn said, leading us between the statues and to the western shore.

Legolas and I were securing the boats. "We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Aragorn instructed us. "Oh yes. Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil. An impassible labyrinth of razor sharp rocks and, after that. It gets even better! Festering stinking marshlands far as the eye can see." Gimli commented, laying on his side with a pipe in hand.

"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength master dwarf." Aragorn replied, docking a boat to the shore. "Recover my--- You pay no heed to that young hobbit." He wagged his finger at Merry.

"Where's Frodo?" Pippin asked, and a good thing he did too. Everyone was sent into a state of panic. "Boromir." I whispered, noticing that he was not present with us.

"Aragorn!" I whispered to catch his attention. He glanced at me and walked over. "Yes Elenestel?" "Have you taken notice that Boromir is not here?" I whispered. "He went to gather wood. Your mind is in the right place, but your heart is not. I do not trust him with the ring either, but you cannot distrust his heart. He is a good man." He replied, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"We should leave now." Legolas told Aragorn. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of nightfall." He replied, setting down the wood in his hands. "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." Legolas looked at him with a hint a fear in his eyes.

A little while later, Aragorn stood up. "I'm going to look for Frodo." he said. I looked up at him with curiosity. I nodded. He went off into the forest. The little bird hopped from one of my legs, to the other.

"What?" I asked it curiously. I pursed my lips. "You shall be henceforth known as Mithrin. The grey bird." I smiled proudly at her.

I like it, a small high pitched, child like voice said in my head.

I was confused and looked around. No, down here, it replied. I looked at Mithrin with wonder, slight shock. "You can speak?" I whispered to her. Of course I can! I am a gift from Lady Galadriel. Pedin edhellen lino (I speak elvish as well) she tilted her head.

I smiled. "Can others hear you?" I asked her. Elves, men, dawrves and hobbits, but only if I want them to. Now Orcs? They cannot, she looked down at the ground with the corners of her beak turned up, almost in a smile. I picked her up. "No matter. I can hear you. That is what matters." I comforted her.

"Aah!" Aragorn's yell was heard from deep within the forest. We all grabbed out weapons and ran into the forest. Orcs were swarming all around us. Merry and Pippin split away. Gimli, Legolas and I went to help Aragorn and Frodo.

We fought mercilessly. "Go Frodo! Run! Run!" Aragorn instructed. Frodo nodded, then ran off, back to the encampment. "Merry! Pippin!" I called. "Mithrin. Go find them. Come back to me when you do. Be safe." She bobbed her head and flew off.

I stabbed several orcs and shot many more with my bow. I was starting to get worried when I heard that voice in my head again They are thirty paces east and seventeen south, she said, flying back to perch on my shoulder.

I killed everything in my pace following Mithrin's instructions. Sure enough, they were standing there, unprotected. No! Mithrin screamed, flying off my shoulder to attack an Orc behind the two. She clawed and pecked at its eyes. It struggled, stumbling backwards, trying to fend her off. I watched as it swung at her, grabbing her tiny frame.