Chapter 15
The Breaking of the Fellowship
With a yell, I charged into battle at Aragorn’s side, slicing and stabbing any Uruk that came near me.
These creatures were harder to kill. They were muscular, enduring, heavily armoured and wielded broad weapons. I jabbed an Uruk in the neck, as I noticed a gap in the armour.
“Rana!” I turned as Aragorn called me. He was running up the steps at the side of the watchtower. I finished the Uruk and followed him, knocking the pursuing creatures off the steps as I ran after him. The army seemed to be endless as they surged after us. One by one we knocked them back, but more came. I ducked to avoid a blade that was swung at my head, and then decapitated the offending Uruk. Aragorn caught my eye, then looked down at the sea of metal and Uruk-Hai. He was going to jump.
He leapt off the platform with a yell, landing heavily on several of our enemies. I took a deep breath and followed him, landing feet-first on the head of an Uruk. I winced at the sickening sound of its neck breaking before fighting my way over to Aragorn. I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw Legolas and Gimli appear and join the frenzy. I struck out at and Uruk, but my sword became wedged in his armour. I frantically tried to pull it out as I heard one approach me from behind. I turned, seeing it raise it’s blade above my head, and at the last moment, ducked to the side so it brought the weapon down heavily on its comrade. In anger, it turned back to me as I attempted to free my sword, it was stuck. I drew my hunting knife and pointed it at the Uruk. It laughed. I flinched away as it raised the bloodied blade again. I couldn’t block the attack so I closed my eyes, anticipating the blow.
Something whipped past my face and I opened my eyes to see the Uruk still standing before me, but it had no head.
Aragorn appeared at my side and I smiled weakly, releasing my sword from the corpse with a sharp jerk. There were few Uruk-Hai left, most seemed to be running down the hill.
I looked in the direction as I heard an unmistakable sound. The Horn of Gondor.
“Boromir!” I cried, looking back at Aragorn.
“Go! He needs help!” He said softly. I nodded and dashed in the direction of the sound. Three blasts sounded as I cut down stray Uruks that wandered into my path. Then the horn fell silent.
“Boromir!” I yelled, noticing a clearing in the trees ahead. It was full of Uruks, but they were leaving. As I got closer, I saw that one remained. It stood over a figure that was slumped on his knees, with arrows protruding from his body. The Uruk held a crossbow, and it drew back the bowstring, preparing for a close-range shot.
“Don’t you touch him!” I screamed, flinging myself at the Uruk and tackling him to the ground. He growled in anger and struck me on the head with his metal-covered fist. I groaned and rolled off him, before scrambling to my feet and spitting out blood. The Uruk had dropped his bow, but he drew his blade and swung it at me. I parried, barely, and was once again thrown to the ground. I looked up fearfully at the creature that loomed over me, preparing to kill me, and for the second time in a few minutes, I prepared to be struck down. I didn’t close my eyes this time though. I was going to face death as bravely as I could. The only thing I regretted was not being able to say goodbye to Aragorn…
The Uruk raised his blade and roared. His roar was met with an answering cry of rage, as something jumped over my body and clashed blades with the creature.
It was Aragorn.
I could have cried with relief, but I began crying for a different reason, as I saw Boromir drag himself towards a tree trunk. I hauled myself off the ground and ran to him, sheathing my sword as I crouched before him.
“Boromir?” I whispered, unable to stop the tears streaming down my cheeks.
“I have failed, they took the little ones!” He gasped with effort.
“You have not failed.” I insisted. “You’re going to live!” I moved to remove one of the arrows, but he stopped me.
“I tried to take the Ring. I deserve death.” He choked, his face growing pale.
“Your bravery more than makes up for that.” I sniffed.
“I have failed Gondor. Who can protect the city now?”
I looked down at his face, it was contorted in pain.
“I will.” I whispered. “I promise you, that I will protect Gondor and the world of men to the very end, or I will dye trying. I swear on all that I hold dear.”
Boromir lifted his gloved hand to my face and gently stroked away a tear.
“Thank you.” He murmured, before he grew weak and his hand slipped away. “You must pursue Merry and Pippin, do not waste precious time with a dying man.”
“I will not leave you here to die alone!” I sobbed.
“I will not be alone.” He smiled weakly, and I looked over my shoulder as Aragorn struggled with the Uruk. I turned back to Boromir with fresh tears in my eyes.
“I will keep my promise.” I whispered, leaning forward to kiss his forehead softly. “You fought with honour. Be at peace.”
I then stood and cast a final look over my shoulder as Aragorn beheaded the Uruk. His face was covered in blood, and I almost ran to him, but I had to uphold Boromir’s final wish. I wiped the tears from my eyes and then ran off into the forest as Aragorn approached Boromir and knelt at his side. I ran a few steps then looked back, catching his eye.
‘Please understand.’ I whispered in my mind, hoping that somehow, he would hear me. It tortured me to leave him again as I dashed off into the forest, following the clear tracks of the Uruk-Hai that had taken Merry and Pippin.
I could only hope that Frodo and Sam were safe.
After I had run on for a few minutes, my heart suddenly felt heavier, and somehow I knew. Boromir was gone.
I had failed to save him, just like I had failed to save Gandalf. All I could do now was do my best to save Merry and Pippin.
