In the Ruins//Legolas

Chapter 25; Boromir, Alone

Boromir, eldest son of the Steward of Gondor, Captain and Warden of the White Tower, was panicking. The moment the... the shadowy figure of doom appeared in front of the foolishly brave elf, the rune Durion drawn over him took effect and he stopped being able to move. The figure simply backhanded his barely conscious friend and lifted him into its arms like the Grim Reaper that human women scared their children into behaving with. Boromir wanted to scream, to fight, to protect the elf that saved his miserable little life. But the rune didn't let him. It hadn't let him go in hours. So Boromir laid stuck there, on the forest floor just a couple feet away from the remains of the ambush that took Merry and Pippin. This has to be the punishment for his weak mind, even death would be more merciful than this inability to do anything to help. The figure turned on its heel and from its mouth came a sharp, chilling whistle. A big, monstrous snake headed bat swept down from the sky and allowed the figure onto its back. As they flew away, Boromir was helpless to do anything but watch.

***

Hours.

It took hours for the rune to lose its effect. But the moment Boromir felt its power shiver, he pushed against it. He struggled, he fought, he screamed. And then he was free. As the force of the rune suddenly disappeared, he was thrown back with the power of his own struggles. The pain from his wounds was still there, but it was nothing compared to the sudden surge of drive and determination that now fueled him. He got to his now steady feet and picked up Durion's dropped sword. Holly, if Boromir remembered correctly. The bow, Azkâr, laid just a couple feet away, on the ground where Durion rested. Even if he was no good with a bow, he slung it over his shoulder along with the almost empty quiver and fastened it with one of his belts so that he wouldn't lose it. Now, with Durion's possession secured, the hardest decision was now before him. Where should he go?

Due to his locked position on the ground, he did not see which direction the bat-like beast flew. And even if he did, it would be foolish to go after them alone. The best would be if he caught up to Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas. The elven prince would definitely know where to begin their search. That is if he didn't kill Boromir first. But they already had more than half a day head start, and in Boromir's current condition, he had no chance in catching up to them.

He needed help. And he knew just where to get it.

***

"The world is changing."

Durion felt nothing. Pain was but a concept to him, but he knew he felt it before. Just not now.

"Who now has the strength to stand against the armies of Isengard and Mordor? To stand against the might of Sauron and Saruman, and the union of the two towers?"

The voice that was speaking near him was familiar, but he couldn't remember.

"Together, my lord Sauron, we shall rule this Middle-Earth. The old world will burn in the fires of Industry, the forests will fall."

What had happened?

"A new order will rise. We will drive the machine of war with the sword, and the spear, and the iron fist of the orc."

Where was he?

***

Boromir walks with close to no rest for 7 days. And he feels like it. But finally he can see it, he can see Edoras in the distance. It shouldn't take longer than two days to reach it. He just needs to push forth. He will push forth. He isn't able to pinpoint one part of his body that doesn't hurt. But his pain doesn't matter. Not right now. That night Boromir stares at Edoras in confusion, for he sees no glow of fires. Why does the capital of Rohan look fucking deserted?