Fo.A 2, July 24th

"We should be back in Hobbiton by nightfall," Boromir said. He rode at the front of the group, Anglachel strapped to his back. It had not attempted to speak when he had recovered it, for which Boromir was grateful; he had enough on his mind without adding that.

"I could use a mug of good ale," Sam said wearily. "A proper crime that the Green Dragon was burned down, it is."

"A loss to all hobbits, to be sure," Frodo agreed. "But we shall go back to Bag End, I'm sure Uncle Bilbo hid most of the better wines somewhere where the Sackville-Bagginses couldn't find them or I don't know him at all!"

They all laughed, for it did sound like something the old rascal would do, and they were more than willing to help Frodo in the search.

The weather proved to be fair, warming their spirits and renewing a sense of hope for the future. Urged on by the golden rays, they made better time than Boromir had hoped, for it was nearly supper time when they rode into Hobbiton. The devastation hit them afresh in the bright light of the sun; the grass was brown, the ground blackened, and many homes destroyed. Pippin bit his tongue to keep from crying out and wept silently behind Sam.

As they rode through the town, the hobbits came to look at them, gawking. By the looks on their faces, Boromir concluded that they hadn't expected to ever see them again. All eyes turned to Frodo atop his pony and Arabella behind him. The gathered hobbits cheered and rushed forward, pulling Frodo and Arabella from the animal's back and hoisted them up on their shoulders.

More and more hobbits were coming to see what all the fuss was about, and as soon as they saw who it was, they rushed off in groups of two or three. Boromir was wondering at the strange behavior until he saw them returning a short time later bearing tables, chairs, linens, cutlery, baskets of food, and rolling large kegs of ale. Before long, all were sitting down to a feast and celebrating.

Boromir, much to large to sit at one of the tables, seated himself in the grass as a young hobbit girl brought him a plate and a mug. "Thank you, little one," he said, smiling. The young girl smiled back and ran away giggling to a group of other hobbit children. Boromir laughed, feeling a sense of peace and happiness he had not known in a very long time. He thought that he better understood why Gandalf had talked so fondly of Hobbits and the Shire.

Sam left the table where Frodo sat and wandered over, sitting down next to Boromir. He was quiet, and Boromir wasn't quite sure what to expect.

"You're not the same man you were four years ago," Sam said softly. He looked at Boromir with his good eye. "You were willing to die again to stop that crazy elf. Why?"

Sam's question and statement took Boromir by surprise. He considered it for a moment. "I made a promise, Master Gamgee, that day in Rivendell. One that I broke. I was given a second chance to make good on that promise, and I intended to keep it."

Sam nodded, looking at the friends who had gathered there. "You're a good man, Mr. Boromir, and a good leader. The Shire will rest easier knowin' that you're here, I reckon." Sam stood, facing Boromir with an outstretched hand. "Friends?"

Boromir swallowed the past the emotional lump that had suddenly formed in his throat, then smiled as he took Sam's hand. "Friends."

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After the impromptu celebration and everyone had made their way back to their homes, Boromir sat outside Bag End smoking his pipe, an idea forming in his mind. If the city of Annúminas were rebuilt, it would give Gondor a fortress in the north, as well as a way to watch over the Shire; and when the worst happened, as he had seen it would, there would be a place of safety for all. Aragorn would have to approve it of course and choose people to lead in this massive undertaking, but Boromir was confident that he could be persuaded.

"May I sit with you?"

Boromir jumped and looked to see Arabella standing with a pink cotton shawl wrapped around her shoulders. "I didn't mean to startle you," she said. Boromir chuckled at his own reaction and motioned for her to sit. "All is forgiven."

Arabella sat down and looked up at the stars that were shining brightly on the clear summer night. "I never thought I would see the stars again," she murmured.

Boromir followed her gaze upwards, remaining silent; she must have come for a reason. But as the seconds turned into minutes, Boromir was starting to question it.

"What was it like? To die, I mean," she asked abruptly. "How did it feel?"

That wasn't what he'd been expecting. "It- uh," -he hesitated - "it hurt at first... until it didn't anymore. Everything just faded away until it was just darkness, then I remembered no more."

Arabella nodded, eyes glistening. "Then I really did die."

Boromir looked at her questioningly. "What do you mean?"

She looked down at her hands, twiddling her thumbs as if she didn't know what to do with them. "Back in that city, when Amarth cut my throat...I lied to him...I lied to Frodo. What I said about being forced to watch him almost kill himself, I made it up. I died in his arms before that."

Arabella let the gathered tears fall silently. Boromir was unsure how to comfort her at this moment. He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "I don't think you feel bad for lying," he said slowly, "I think you feel guilty for living." He looked at her with gentle eyes. "Perhaps you wonder why it was you that survived and not someone else." He said this as more of a statement than a question.

Her bottom lip quivered. "Yes," she whispered.

Boromir looked down at his feet and took a deep breath as he collected himself. "May I share something with you that I have not shared with anyone else?"

Arabella didn't respond, so Boromir continued. "Back before I left with Údar to travel, I had to enter a cave. He had told me that I would find out why I had been brought back here, but I put it off for a long time because I felt there were such high expectations." He paused.

She was facing him now; he had her attention. "Finally, I gave in and entered the cave. I was given a vision in that place, one that terrified me."

"What was it?" Arabella asked, eyes wide.

"I led a vast army of Men, such as this world never has seen in all of its Ages. I wielded the black sword, driving deep into the enemy with every swing, and then the vision faded. I was then that I heard the Voice calling me by a new name: Iuithion Togrion. It means 'to use and lead.'

Arabella stared at him. "Who said this to you?"

There was something in her voice that told Boromir that she already knew, or thought she knew.

Who do you say that I am?

The hairs raised up on Boromir's neck; the moment of choice had finally come. Did he, or did he not believe? All of the training, traveling, and mentoring he'd gone through had brought him to this point, to be sitting here with Arabella, and down to the question itself. Údar had always said there was no such thing as coincidence if you believe in a higher power, and now Boromir believed it, too.

He smiled, looking at Arabella. "His name is Ilúvatar."

Arabella closed her eyes, a smile of her own tugging at her lips. "Ah," she breathed, "so that is his name." She opened her eyes and met Boromir's steady gaze. "He also gave me a name: Nesta. I do not know what it means, though."

"It means 'to heal,'" Boromir replied.

Arabella was silent for a moment. "What do we do with these names?" she asked. "I can barely cook, let alone heal people!"

Boromir laughed. "Once I led armies of devoted men with confidence, but now, I find myself unsure of my own ability to do so. Perhaps that is how he can use us, hmm?"

Arabella thought on his words, then nodded. "I shall trust you in this matter."

At those words, Boromir felt as if the first step had been taken down a path that was already set before him, and there was now no stopping it.

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The next day dawn clear and bright, which helped lift the melancholy mood that seeped into the land, and a swift western wind brought a salty tang from the sea. Boromir deemed it a fine day to begin restoring the area, and he found Sam who expressed his support of the idea.

With his help, Boromir got a handful of eager hobbits who were ready to work, and more than willing to put this nasty business behind them.

Work began in the Party Field first with the removal of the burned husk of the mallorn tree, so that Sam would not have to bear the reminder of his loss. After Boromir had taken care of the tree, he noticed Frodo and Arabella moving among the crowds of hobbits that had swarmed to see them. He saw how they looked at him with a mixture of awe, wonder, and even a little reverence. Not that Frodo seemed to notice, nor did Arabella seem to catch the glances her way.

Boromir knew that they had been brought together by Údar's schemes, yes, but they had gone through the fire and come out the other side having been reforged into something different, something new. They were one, as a man and a woman are one in marriage; and it was a beautiful thing.

The couple finally made it to where Boromir stood, hobbits close behind. "Good morning, Frodo."

"A good morning it is," Frodo replied. "I see you are off to a good start."

Boromir nodded, looking around. "Sam has been most helpful in getting this underway. He's currently working with the builders to expand and rebuild the village." He cast a quick glance at the throng of hobbits behind Frodo and Arabella. "I remember overhearing him say he needed more workers to rebuild the Green Dragon, too, and adding space for more ale."

At the mention of this, over half of the gather hobbits took off towards the charred ruins of their beloved tavern, falling over themselves in a comical display. Boromir and the other laughed merrily at the sight of it.

After the laughter had died down, the remaining hobbits returned to their work with a renewed vigor, inspired by Frodo and Arabella. Boromir could feel the heat beginning to rise as the day went on, but still, they toiled on as they removed dead trees, burned grass, and charred wood. They did not stop until nightfall, and it was too dark to see.

As they rested, weary and dirty, Boromir could not help but be amazed at the work they had accomplished one just the first day; hobbits really are amazing creatures.

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Woohoooo! I finally got it up! lol Sorry for the delay in getting this posted.

Hopefully, I shan't be cursed for writing happier things this time XD I CAN DO HAPPY SOMETIMES!

Anyhoo, I would love to hear what you guys thought about this next chapter, so comment below and let me know!

If you're enjoying the story, drop a vote on your way out ;)

On a side note, if you have any conspiracy theories that you would like to share about what you think is going to happen, I love reading them! :D