Run It Back Again (Part 2)

Chapter 28

"Era!" I raced through the woods, following the strangely familiar scent. Suddenly, I ran right into Boromir, who was weeping. I froze and stared at him for a moment.

"Boromir?" He collapsed onto his knees.

"It's Frodo... I've betrayed him." I knelt down beside him and shook my head.

"What are you talking about?" He looked at me through red eyes.

"I tried to take the ring from him. I lost it... I just... I..." He burst into fresh sobs. "I don't know what came over me." He leaned forward and sobbed into my shoulder. I swallowed hard and tucked my chin onto the top of his head.

"It's okay, Boromir... It's going to be okay." He sniffed and looked up at me.

"No, it's not. I've done way too much. I tried to kill you... I tried to take the ring... I'm useless!" I shook my head.

"No... You're a warrior. You do what you feel is best for those around you, no matter who it was. You thought I was a threat, and you were going to protect your fellow humans. You thought you could control the ring and use it against Sauron. Your intentions are pure, even if your mind was clouded past reasoning." He looked me in the eye, his tears still streaming down his face.

"But, I've done terrible things..." I shook my head.

"You tried to, but you were stopped. Even warriors need someone to help them from time to time..." I stopped as I thought about Mother and Father. He nodded and wiped his face as he pulled me close to him.

"Thank you, Era..." He kissed my forehead, making me look up at him. "Do you think, when this is over, I can speak with your father about having your hand?" My breath caught as my stomach leaped. Trembling, I nodded.

"Yes..." I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. "Yes!" He chuckled as he stumbled back and landed back on his back. I laughed as I collapsed beside him, feeling like I could fly.

Before I knew it, I had shifted into a bird and was flying high into the sky, spinning and spiraling through the branches of the trees. I flew towards the waterfall and soared along beside it, feeling even more energy surge into me. I flew back up into the trees and landed, shifting back into a human.

Boromir had asked me for permission to speak with Father about having me... I sat down on the branch, trying to catch my breath. It felt like a dream... My head jerked up when I heard the sound of a horn.

Wait a second... That was Boromir's horn! He was in trouble! I shifted into a falcon and flew through the woods, searching for Boromir. I found him in a small clearing, fighting off several Orcs. Looking closely, I saw 2 arrows embedded in his chest and felt my stomach drop as I watched an Orc notch another arrow and fire. Boromir let out a soft grunt as the arrow hit him and collapsed on his knees, fighting for breath. I hovered in place, unable to force myself to move in. Before long, I was on a branch, staring down at him.

No... Not this! As the Orcs cleared out, the Orc who had shot him approached him, growling. As he towered over Boromir, I regained my control and nose dived.

I tackled the Orc, shifting in midair right above him. I shouted as I rolled to my feet and faced the Orc, who was already on his feet and coming at me. I withdrew my double sword staff and swung, blocking the Orc's attacks. Running him through, I glared at him as he snarled at me. Pulling back my blade, I beheaded him and watched him collapse onto the ground at my feet. I turned and rushed back to Boromir.

"No..." I helped him lay back against the tree and shook my head as I brushed my hair back. "No... I'm so sorry, Boromir. I should have been here and not frolicking around through the woods!" He smiled and shook his head at me.

"But, if you had, you would have been killed or taken." He coughed a bit. "They took the hobbits... I failed once again!" I shook my head as I examined the wounds.

"No, you didn't. You did everything you could... You were only outnumbered." I took a deep shaky breath. "I think I can heal you." He shook his head.

"No... Not if it'll drain you of energy. You'll need it." I shook my head, fighting my tears.

"I also need you, Boromir." He looked up at me for a few minutes before nodding.

"Very well..." Through my tears, I began removing the arrows.

As soon as the arrows were out, I closed my eyes and focused on my energy levels. Slowly draining my energy into him through the wounds, I felt my energy merge with his as his wounds slowly mended themselves. However, as I did, I could feel his pain. The pain from his chest... The sorrow he felt... Before I knew it, I was crying.

When all his wounds had mended, I pulled away, separating my energy from his. Opening my eyes, I looked down and saw that his eyes were closed, and he was not breathing. I burst into fresh tears as I buried my face into his shoulder, knowing he was gone. I cried until I felt a hand on my shoulder. Growling, I looked up and saw a figure that closely resembled Aragorn. I looked back down, wiping my eyes.

"He's gone..." Aragorn knelt down beside me and nodded.

"I know..." I shed fresh tears as he pulled me close to him. "It's not your fault, Era. If you had been here, you would have been taken..." Legolas stepped forward.

"We should give him a proper burial." I swallowed hard as I stood.

"You go ahead... I can't bear to watch." Picking up my sword and detaching it, I glanced to the woods. "I'm going after the Orcs, and I'm going to save the hobbits." Before anyone could say anything, I shifted into my dwarf form and took off into the woods.