Daughter of the Shapeshifter (A Lord of The Rings Fanfiction)

Chapter 32

"Era..."  I was running through some woods, heading towards a clearing, following Mother's voice.  "Era, where are you?"  I whirled around, trying to see her.

"I'm here!  Where are you?"  Her gentle laugh filled the air.

"Mordor..."  With that, the sky erupted  in red light, and I found myself face to with the eye of Sauron.  Somewhere in the fire, I saw Mother, frozen and slowly burning away...

I jerked awake and looked around, gasping for air.  Clearly, I hadn't woken anyone, since no one moved.  I swallowed hard and laid back down, clutching Mother's necklace.  Father appeared as I focused in on him.

"I don't understand it...  Why would I see the eye of Sauron?  Why was Mother calling out to me?  Why...?  How...?"  Father brushed some hair from my face.

"It was just a dream, Era.  When you're dreaming, nothing can harm you."  I nodded in agreement as I calmed down.

"You're right...  Something just doesn't feel right, though.  I shouldn't sense this much danger at this moment.  Gandalf said we should rest easy tonight..."  I froze as I sensed motion.  "What was that?"  With that, I snapped myself back to reality.  Pippin was up and crawling towards a tiny bundle Gandalf had salvaged from the wreakage.  I frowned and quietly sat up.

"Pippin...  Don't!"  Whatever was in the bundle, it should be left alone.  As if he didn't hear me, he reached out and...

I screamed as the whole room went bright red as I saw the eye of Sauron once again.  All around me, I heard shouting, but all I could see was the eye.  Finally, a bright, white light erupted and made the red disappear.  Legolas and Aragorn were leaning over me while Gandalf was shouting something at Pippin, who cowered.  Aragorn tapped my cheek.

"Era!  Era, please..."  I sat up as fast asd possible, wondering how I had laid back down again.  I gasped for air as I trembled, trying to get the horrid image out of my head.

"I saw...  I thought I saw..."  Gandalf froze and looked over at me.

"What did you see, Era?"  I shook my head.

"I...  I saw...  I saw the eye..."  Curses!  Why couldn't I speak?  "The eye of Sauron!"  All around me, everyone tensed.  I took a deep, shaky breath.  "I saw it twice...  Mother..."  Gandalf placed a hand on my shoulder, and I felt something wash over me.

"Take a breath, Era..."  I did.  "Now, start from the beginning."  I told them everything from my dream to the vision I'd seen when Pippin touched the bundle.  Pippin trembled, looking very pale himself.

"I'm sorry, Era...  I don't know what I came over me.  I just...  I..."  Gandalf turned to face him.

"Did you see a vision as well?"  He nodded.

"I was in a strange land, filled with humans, and this huge, white tower was burning as Orcs destroyed everything and everyone in their paths."  Gandalf's eyes widened.

"You saw Minas Tirith...  Capital of Gondor.  That's where our enemy plans to strike next!"  I swallowed hard as my mind raced.  Gondor...  That's where Boromir was from.  I straightened myself out, feeling anger burn inside me once again.

"We have to warn them, Gandalf.  If we don't...  They could be in grave danger."  Aragorn looked between Gimili and Legolas.

"We will ride back to Rohan and ask for them to help Gondor.  You guys can ride for Gondor and warn the lord of the oncoming danger.  However...  I would suggest that we don't mention what happened to Boromir."  I nodded.

"Agreed..."  Gandalf sighed and nodded.

"Very well...  We leave at dawn."  I nodded and watched as everyone settled back down.  As my eyes drifted shut, I heard a voice.

"Era...  I don't think you should go to Gondor."  I opened my eyes and saw Aragorn looking right at me.  Frowing, I responded.

"Why?"  He glanced around nevously.

"Boromir was lord Denethor's favorite son...  If you arrive in Gondor and are discovered to have been betrothed to Boromir, there is no telling what will happen.  I'd suggest you come back to Rohan with us."  I shook my head.

"Lord Denethor deserves to know the truth about what all had happened to his son.  Perhaps, I may be of some comfort to him."  Aragorn shook his head.

"He may try to give you to Faramir, Boromir's brother.  He may blame you for Boromir's fate.  He may..."  He sighed.  "Anything could happen, Era.  And you could be in danger yourself in some time."  I smiled a little at his concern.

"I have to do this, Aragorn.  I owe it to Gondor."  He shook his head.

"You owe nothing to Gondor or anyone in Middle Earth..."  He looked down a little as he sighed.  "If anything, we all owe you for everything you have done..."  I felt something snap inside me.

"What have I done?  Helped defend a few hobbits, maybe, but what is that to getting someone killed by distracting them in a fight?  What is that to not being able to fight to protect anyone while it seems as though everyone is dying because of you?  What is that to watching the people you care most about die and not being able to do anything?"  I shook my head.  "You have mistaken me for my mother.  She is the brave warrior who stops at nothing to defend those who need her most."  I looked at myself.  "Me?  I'm nothing more than the tagalong daughter everyone swore to protect in order to repay her for her kindness...  In comparison to my mother, I am nothing."  He sighed and shook his head at me.

"The you fail to see it..."  He tilted my chin up to look at him.  "We fight to protect you not because we promised but because we care.  Who got the hobbits to Bree in one piece?  Who's been so loyal that she demands that she avenge those she's lost?  Who defended the one, whom, just about 100 years ago, everyone feared and hated, from the humans, even if she was outnumbered?  Who leaped, though injuried, to save Frodo from th giant squid?  Who constantly shifted in order to protect those around her, even if it only weakened her?  Who warned Boromir that the hobbits were in danger and fought by his side to protect them?  Who, Era...?  Who has done these things and so much more?"  I hung my head.

"I did..."  He nodded.

"You are brave, loyal, and, above all, selfless."  He sighed and shook his head.  "I want you to think about that the next time you consider saying you are useless."  I nodded.

"Very well, then..."