Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings Imagines

Boromir ~ Shield 2

To say that it was just the hobbits that had underestimated this quest, would be an understatement. We all knew that there was great danger and long travels involved, but none of us really expected this.

Chased into the mountains by wolves and then having the mountain practically fall on top of us, and the down into the depths of Moria, a place which was rank with the stench of death.

I was tired and frustrated, my body feeling so heavy and yet I was on watch.

As a ranger, I was somewhat used to all this, but there was something else now that was of a greater distraction.

Boromir.

There were times when we were friends, laughing and sharing tales, we even shared a great care for Merry and Pippin, helping the hobbits learn how to fight and often being on the back end of their pranks.

But then there were other times, times where darker words would pass between us and often someone would have to intervene.

I hated nights like this, nights where I was alone on watch and forced to think. It drove me mad, and right now, was making me feel so much heavier.

Sighing, I returned to the deep darkness around us.

Panic set around us the next day as we were forced to flee, goblins surrounding us, trying to kill us, and so through the crumbling walls of Moria we fled.

Boromir rushed out onto a great stair well, only to meet an open gap, I had been following close behind and managed to grab him and pull him back where he landed on top of me.

"Are you alright?" I gasped, trying to catch my breath.

"That was too close." He gasped and scrambled up, grabbing my hand and pulling me up with him. "Thanks."

Drum beats and goblin calls echoed around us and I grimaced. "We are not out of this yet."

"Mika! Boromir! Let's go!" Aragorn called and we quickly followed.

Our next difficulty was quickly before us, the stairwell breaking away as something much worse than goblins chased us.

Legolas went first, followed quickly by Gandalf before we found ourselves being shot at.

Legolas and I covered Boromir as he jumped with Merry and Pippin, or arrows finding their marks. Sam was thrown next, followed by a very agitated Gimli who insisted on jumping the gap himself and was only barely caught by Legolas.

That only left Frodo, Aragorn and myself.

I was busy shooting at the surrounding goblins.

"Aramika!"

I looked over at Boromir, beckoning me over.

Aragorn was pushing behind me. "Go. Go!"

I ignored the size of the gap and focused on the other side, although silently praying that I could make it.

My body was so tired.

I shook it off and leapt.

I knew instantly that I was going to be short, and judging by the glimpse of Boromir's expression, he knew to.

I dropped.

And was jarringly brought to a halt.

Boromir had thrown himself forward, catching my arm, Gimli and Legolas having grabbed him.

Holding on as tight as I could, the three of them hauled me up.

Boromir did not let me go. "Are you alright?"

"I...I think so." I was shaken, there was no doubt about it, and we stared at each other.

Another shout got our attention and I watched on terror as Aragorn and Frodo tried to balance on what remained of the stairs.

They managed to get across and with nothing else for it, we were fleeing again.

We fled across the bridge.

Gandalf did not follow.

I stood transfixed with Aragorn, watching Gandalf fight the beast.

And we watched as he fell.

Both of us stared, disbelieving that the wizard had gone and that there was little we could do.

"Aragorn! Aramika!" Boromir's shout brought us both around, enough that we could flee the terrible remnants of Moria.

The daylight was little reprieve, all it meant was that the goblins could not follow for now.

Shock and grief were setting over all of us.

We kept together but each took our own space to grieve. I stood away, as far as I dared, still for a moment not believing what I had seen.

Then the grief set in, and for the first time in a long time, I began to weep.

They were silent tears, my body wracked as I tried to keep it in control, and I trembled violently, hugging myself tightly.

I knew there was little time for this, that we had to move, but I was so emotionally exhausted already, that this was the final straw.

I could feel my legs giving out when I didn't want to, but there was little stopping it.

A strong arm wrapped around my waist, keeping me up.

"Do not let it take you." Boromir whispered to me. "You need to hold onto it, if not for yous sake, then theirs."

But this just made me cry harder, a sob breaking free from my chest even as I tried to fight it.

Both of Boromir's arms wrapped around me and he rested his head against the back of mine.

"Please Aramika, do not break." He begged, and I could hear his own emotion threatening to take over.

Not really knowing what else to do, I turned in his arms and wrapped mine around his neck, burying myself against his chest as more emotion broke through. He wrapped his arms tighter around me, resting his head on mine.

"Boromir.  Legolas.  Get them up." Aragorn called.

I felt Boromir tense. "Give them a moment for pities sake."

But Aragorn was the only one thinking clearly. "By nightfall these lands will be swarming with orc! We need to reach the woods of Lothlorien."

I sigh, taking the moment to regain myself before pushing away from Boromir.

"He's right." My voice broke and I winced. "We need to move."

Boromir stared at me, his expression grim, but he nods.

The run to Lothlorien was much a blur for me, being in such a chaotic state of emotions, but once we were there, I could feel the elven magic working on my pain.

We were brought before the lady Galadriel, and allowed Aragorn to do the talking.

I felt her magic wash over me and her voice in my head. "It will all work out ranger. Do not let yourself be troubled here."

I really still wanted to cry or to let my emotions out somehow, but she gives me a warm smile and I knew it would all be okay.

We were given space to rest and with little words to each, we each settled down for some sleep, exhaustion taking all of us.

Despite our grief, we all knew we still had a long way to go.