I was hating how long the first one was getting so I split it. Not sure if I'll expand more than it already is but who knows hahaha might just leave the rest up to you to imagine

You leaned your head back on a tree as you gazed out to the river, your fingers fiddling with an amulet around your neck. It was made to keep your energy levels in check to perform your magic with ease but you were sure it did nothing. Now it was more or less a comfort item. The crunch of mixed gravel and sand made you turn to see Boromir approaching, something in his hands. You scooted over to share the tree. He handed you a steaming cup of tea before sitting down, his arm brushing yours, his leg laying on your cloak.

"You looked cold and I could not sleep," Boromir spoke into his cup before taking a sip.

You raised your glass in thanks. "I have found the cold tends to heal me faster."

Boromir lowered his cup and turned to you, his eyes shooting to your back. "Are you not healing well?"

You couldn't help but smirk. "I am healing just as I should be. But perhaps a bit faster now that I am chilled and being taken care of." You took a sip of the tea and paused. It was made just as you liked it.

The two of you sat in silence for a moment, the soft waves of the river soothing your mind. Boromir shifted next to you, his shoulder now gently pressed against yours. You glanced at him as you remembered something.

"As Aragorn was describing your journey, why did you have such a forlorn look about you?"

Boromir didn't look at you as he answered. "I have a differed view on The Ring and I am the only one that thinks as such. I was sent by my father in hopes of taking the ring to Gondor, to defeat the armies of Mordor. Alas they have devised to destroy it."

"And yet you accompany them willingly," you took another sip of your drink. " At least your intentions are admirable."

"They say it is far to dangerous to do anything but destroy it."

"Ah, so not admirable to save Middle Earth."

"Are you trying to make me hate you?"

"Is it working?" You bit back a smile.

Boromir chuckled. "A little."

"How can I make it up to you? I have already promised tricks and gifts for the Hobbits. Legolas has agreed to new arrows as long as he watched me make them. I imagine he is far more keen in making sure they were of good quality rather than wishing to see how skilled I am. Aragorn is satisfied with my eagerness to help and Gimli wants nothing more than to treat me as some sort of verbal target of all his groans and grumblings." You turned your head, gazing at him with what light the moon was reflecting off the water. "What of you? Surly there is something I can offer you."

Boromir turned his head too. Your breath caught as you saw how close you were to him. A few seconds passed before you were able to bring yourself to move away. Clearing your throat, you finished your tea, keeping your eyes on the water.

"Do not call yourself a monster again." His voice was soft.

You blinked, unsure if you heard him right. "Excuse me?"

Boromir turned his shoulders to you a bit more as he placed his cup on the ground. You tried to take another drink but found your cup never made it to your lips as he distracted you with his earnest gaze. He looked down, picking through the pebbled between you as he found the right words.

"You clearly do not wish to have the powers you have. You did not mean to follow us and attack us with any sort of malicious intent. You are scared and wish to seek answers that will hopefully lead to a solution."

Your arm dropped and your cup sat limply in your hands on your lap. You just watched as Boromir reached over and took your cup, placing it next to his. You let him gently take your hand in his, surprising yourself by not pulling away as he gazed at your skin under the light of the moon.

His fingers traced the purple lines across your skin as he spoke. "You called yourself a monster." His eye flickered to yours as you just watched him. "My wish from you is that you never see yourself as one. You can start by never calling yourself that again."

Warmth traveled from his touch up your arm and spread throughout your entire body. You could feel your ears get warm and your middle flutter. Boromir looked at you, his eyes percing and serious. But gentle and...

Blinking, you tugged your hand from his grasp, pulling yourself up to your legs shakily. Brushing your clothes, you bowed your head to him, not meeting his gaze.

"I shall consider it. Goodnight."

Thankfully Boromir said nothing, letting you go. You went to your bed roll and fell into a fitful sleep.

~~~~~

One more day passed until Aragorn felt it was best to start moving. Legolas was anxious to go and you slowly found yourself agreeing with him. You could feel that soon this party was not going to be alone on this embankment.

You had arrived back at camp from collecting a skirt full of berries with Merry and Pippin, the two hobbits eager to eat them on the Lambas bread they kept speaking of. Smiling at them as they helped you place them in large leaf, their voices excited, you couldn't help but feel that something was a bit off. Sam was putting away the pots and pans as Gimli saw to the bedding. The ranger and elf spoke in low tones a ways off.

Merry stood, wiping his hands and sighing with satisfaction at their berry collection. But when he looked around, his face fell. "Where's Frodo?"

Everyone paused and looked around themselves, but the ring bearer was nowhere to be seen. Sam sat up quickly and Aragorn's face hardened. You were about to express your concerns as to Boromir's whereabouts as well until everyone's eyes landed on his shield and bedding left alone by the tree the two of you were talking under the night previous. Instantly, your eyes flickered to the woods, scanning every rock, tree, and branch.

Aragorn turned to everyone, his eyes hard. "Split up. Search for them. They shouldn't be too far off."

Merry and Pippin scurried off in one direction, Gimli and Legolas in another. Aragorn nodded to you before heading away from the others, leaving you with Sam. You approached the gardener, handing him the last pot to be put away.

"Would you like a friend to help you?" A part of you feared the answer.

Sam looked at you a moment before taking the pot and stowing it. Standing he nodded to the woods, his chin held high. "You can use your magic to find him can't you?"

You couldn't help but smile. "I can do my best."

The two of you decided to stay closer to camp, looking in any sort of crevice and crack that could hold a hobbit who wished to hide from the world. However he was nowhere to be seen. Boromir either. You two were out looking long where you started to hear something off in the distance. Your enhanced hearing alerted you to the sounds of war.

Turning to Sam, you found the Hobbit a ways off, calling out Frodo's name. You were about to call out to him when the sound of a trumpet filled the air. You froze, your eyes widening as you recognized the sound. A horn of Gondor.

Sam raced up to you, his bright eyes filled with concern. "That must be Boromir right?"

You looked between the hobbit and the hills up to where Boromir was sounding his horn. "Yes. Thought I am not sure if-"

Before you could finish your sentence, the rustling of leaves and the soft panting of a running Hobbit drew your attention. Far off in the direction of camp, you could see Frodo's slight form as he fled the forest. You turned to Sam, wondering if he noticed his friend.

"You saw him didn't you?" Sam looked past you before looking at the forest where the horn sounded once more. "Go. I will follow Frodo. He needs someone with him."

You smiled sadly, clapping Sam on his shoulder. "Protect him, Sam. Should the time come you feel discouraged and that all Hope had been extinguished, remember your strength and how far you have come."

"Thank you, Miss Wizard. I hope you find what you need too." And with that the Hobbit was gone, racing after his friend. Sam's shoulder glowed slightly where your hand once was, your discreet spell of strength going with him as the only parting gift you could give.

Without a moment to waste, you raced into the forest, the horn having not sounded for far too long. You came over the crest of a hill and was welcomed by a swarm of black creatures, Uruk Hai growling and stomping through the trees. You paused a moment to get your barrings when you spied three forms.

Merry, Pippin, and Boromir.

The Gondorian sounded his horn once more before being attacked. The Hobbits fled, their lives depending on Boromir's strength to keep off the horde. But he was not alone.

You opened your arms and hardened your gaze as you dug your magic deep into the earth. There were far too many Uruk Hai for you to take on your own, but that didn't stop you from trying. The ground bubbled, trees swayed, and vines snaked the forest floor as you drew on the energy of the earth to hinder the creatures, killing them in the process. You slowly walked forward, leaves swirling about you, your cloak whipping in the wind of your power.

The Uruk Hai were tarting to notice you, a good chunk of them breaking off from the rest to attack you. having no close range weapons on hand, you grabbed a fallen branch, transforming it into a temporary quarterstaff. You could feel your energy weaning with each spell you cast but you were not about to let these beasts divide this party more than it already has.

You were only a stones throw away from the Hobbits and Boromir when the sound of an arrow flew through the air. You were too late to stop it, but not late enough to watch it embed itself in Boromir's chest.

Your insides went cold and your eyes widened as your breath stopped.

"Boromir!"

You watched as Boromir retaliated from the shock of being shot by lashing out at the onslaught of Uruk Hai. The dark creatures had little interest in you now, racing after the Hobbits that stood in both shock and terror at the Gondorian fighting with an arrow in his chest.

With no more Uruk Hai attacking you, you took that moment to find the archer that loosed the arrow. The sound of a second one being released helped you pinpoint the shooter. You closed your eyes to the pain you heard in Boromir's grunt and the second one found it's target. When you opened your eyes again, you felt fire ignite on your fingers.

Taking care not to use up all your energy, you started pelting every Uruk Hai that came in your path of destruction to the large ugly archer. He had pulled back another arrow but you weren't about to let another one pass by you. The smell of burning rotted flesh fueled your anger and desire to rid the world of these soulless animals.

But a strike of pain burned your right side as one of them slipped passed you, cutting you across your ribs. You pressed your arm to your side and swallowed the pain as you tried to keep your eye on the archer. But you were useless against close combat and there were far too many between it and you. Your vision blurred from both pain and exhaustion as you stumbled forward. But you were too late.

The third arrow hit Boromir as he swung at one of them, his arms up high and his face placid no doubt from all the pain. And yet he kept on fighting, his cries filling the air as he defended the hobbits with his life.

"BOROMIR! NO!" You cried.

Turning you raced toward him and the Hobbits your skin burning with power as you felt yourself lift off the ground a shock wave of electricity clearing your path to them. Boromir fell to the ground onto his knees, his head hanging, his sward falling from his grasp. You lowered to the ground and stood in front of all three of them. Your wound forgotten, you raised both arms and felt the air pick up around you. With your hair whipping around and your cloak snapping behind you, you created a sort of circle of wind pushing back all attacks. And future arrows.

But you were growing weak.

Looking behind you you found a group of Uruk Hai had come around the back, sneaking up behind the Hobbits.

"Merry! Pippin!"

You could feel your power faltering. But you could not let them be taken. Just a little while longer. Aragorn and the others will be here soon. A hand on your calf made you turn. Boromir looked up at you, his hair falling into his face.

"Save the little ones." You could hardly hear him over your wind.

Shaking your head you willed the wall to stand as you turned to him. "No, I will not leave you. I can protect you all." You grasped his arm, brushing hair from his face.

You waved for Merry and Pippin to come closer but they did not move. Merry looked between you and Boromir then back at the approaching Uruk Hai that were pushing through your weakening wall of wind. Looking to Pippin once more, Merry shook his head and lifted his small elvish sword.

"Stay with him. We will be alright. Just don't forget to come find us." He smiled crookedly

Your eyes widened and your jaw went slack as you watched both hobbits turn and rush the Uruk Hai, their small cries of courage turning into fear as they were easily plucked up and tossed over the shoulders of two of the Uruk Hai. You reached out but could not bring yourself to cast a spell, you needed what energy you had to save Boromir from his wounds.

The beasts had them, taking off at an alarming speed.

Suddenly the weight of Boromir collapsed against you drawing your attention to him. His breathing was haggard but he was not yet gone. You pulled him to you and held him as the remaining Uruk Hai rushed by, having no use to continue fighting with their bounty caught. Boromir's hand reached up and came to rest on your arm, his grip weak.

"Go, you can still catch up to them."

You didn't say anything as the form of the archer came to a stop not half a meter away. You could smell his stinking odor as you slowly glared up at him. The archer knocked an arrow and lowered it at Boromir's head. Gently, you moved forward and placed yourself between the arrow. You sat up on your knees, stretched out your arms, and pressed your forehead against the arrow tip.

You could think of doing nothing else. If you were to die then there would be no use for your magic. if you were to use what magic power you had left to fend him off you would lose Boromir. You could feel him lean his head against your back.

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli had to be close. You need only wait a moment more. Boromir's hand came up and pressed weakly against your side as if pushing you away. But you only reached back and held him to you. This was a gamble you were willing to take.

"Shoot."

The archer creature growled and pulled back only to have his bow sliced in half. You blinked as Aragorn appeared, effectively capturing the Uruk Hai's attention. Taking advantage of the distraction, you turned to Boromir and assessed his wounds. 

You blinked back tears as you looked at each one of the three arrows. You reached up to grasp the first one near his heart but his hand stopped you. He pressed it to his chest, his grip surprisingly strong. 

"Go," he gasped, his eyes pleading, blood trailing down his mouth, "go after the little ones. I am lost."

Anger filled you as you looked up in the direction the Uruk Hai left. But you looked down at him again, shaking our head as you brushed his hair from his face. Your hand cupped his cheek.

"Come, we must get you propped up against something. Laying you down will drown you in your own blood."

You painfully ignored his attempts to stop you as you dragged him to a pile of flat boulders. Leaning him back and pleased with his elevation, you looked back at Aragorn and his fight. He had just sliced the head off the archer, making you smile. Turning your attention back to Boromir, you closed your eyes and placed your hands on his chest to see how he was fairing internally.

As you searched him, you felt a hand on yours. You didn't open your eyes, only smiling slightly. "I'm not going anywhere, Boromir."

He chuckled painfully as his hand tightened around yours. "Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

"Why do you have to be heroic?" Your voice was filled with more emotion that you had anticipated. "Don't speak too much."

His hand moved from  your hand to your cheek, making you open your eyes. You were done checking his wounds anyway, you just didn't want to see him in pain. You had slowed the bleeding, clotting it with simple spells to keep him stable, but you would need to do more. The corner of his mouth lifted in a weak smile as his thumb stroked your cheek to wipe a stray tear. 

"I had already failed one Hobbit, I did not plan to fail the others."

"And you did not fail them," Aragorn approached, his expression a mixture of concern and pride. "You protected them with your life. That will never be forgotten." The ranger came to kneel next to you. 

Boromir lifted his hand from your face to take Aragorn's grasp. "What of Frodo? Where is Frodo?"

"I let him go."

"You did what I could not. I nearly-"

Aragorn shook his head. "Do not dwell over it any longer, brother. He is gone to complete the task."

"Good, good."

 The two men had a moment of brotherly understanding before Aragorn turned to you. 

"Will he live? Can you heal him?"

You nodded without hesitation. "I have no doubt I can, however," you were interrupted by Boromir's coughing, blood spilling out of his mouth, "there is always the downside. It will take quite some time to do so."

Aragorn nodded, looking to Boromir. "When you are healed, go to Gondor. Should that be after all this war has ended so be it. Stay in hiding. And listen to her," he nodded to you, a small smile creasing his eyes, "no more heroics."

Boromir, having grown tired, merely nodded. Your bows pinched at his quickly fading energy. Turning to Aragorn, you nodded int he direction of where the Hobbits were taken. 

"If you leave now, you should be able to over take them in a few day's time. They are fast, but you are lighter on food and have a far smaller party." You reached over and placed a hand on his arm. "I would go with you. I apologize i cannot aid you further."

Aragorn shook his head. "You have earned my respect tenfold. However," he nodded to Boromir who's hand had found yours again, "do not let him fade. I have faith in your abilities not only in healing him but yourself."

You only nodded, emotion stuck in your throat. You got up to approach Legolas and Gimli who had arrived earlier but stayed back. You gave them small smiles.

"He will live. If I can help it."

Legolas nodded. "What is it that you will need?"

Your eyes widened slightly, surprised at his preemptive question. "Aid in helping him back to camp. And only what supplies you can spare. I will keep camp there until he is well enough to travel. Then we will find a village or town to take refuge."

Gimli grunted. "Ironic you have already healed an arrow wound while with us."

You smiled. "A blessing in disguise perhaps."

Aragorn called for you to return, all three of you joining Boromir and Aragorn. 

You came to Boromir's side, his eyes starting to close. "Stay awake, Gondorian. I can only heal you, not bring you back to life."

"If you are going to continue to pester me this way the entire time perhaps I shall reconsider my will to live."

You let out a small laugh, the others smiling at his good humor. You took that as a good sign to Boromir's strength to push through. 

"Let us help you return to camp," Aragorn stated, nodding to the others. 

Carefully all four of you had successfully returned to camp, Boromir slipping in and out of consciousness. You spared a bit of magic to help him be lighter, to make better time. 

Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas stood a way off, talking as they prepared to leave. You sat with Boromir, cleaning his face and checking his state. Satisfied that he will last a moment without you, you approached the three fellowship members. 

Aragorn finished buckling on Boromir's arm guards as he nodded to you. "Minis Tirith will keep you safe. Boromir's father is steward there for the time being. He also has a brother who will be more than help to you. Go there."

You nodded. "Good luck finding Merry and Pippin. When you do, send them my apologies."

"Don't get me started Lassie, you are already staying be hind, don't get all teary-eyed over the inevitable."

A tight grin pulled at your lips. "I shall keep that in mind, Master Dwarf."

Aragorn nodded to Boromir. "Are you settled?"

You nodded. "As best as we can be."

"Good." He turned to his friends. "Let us hunt some orc."

And they were gone. 

~~~~~

In the light of the setting sun, you stood up to your shins in the river, cleaning out bloodied bandages and ripped fabric. You were able to remove the arrows but he was bleeding far too much. Using your powers to slow his internal bleeding made for cleaning his wounds some what easier. But you were starting to grow too tired to stand. A bot of food simmered over burning embers, hoping food will do the both of you good. You were wringing out the bandages when you heard Boromir stir behind you. 

"Perhaps this was not my idea when i thought myself waking up shirtless."

You rushed to him as he attempted to sit up. "Move and I will-"

"You will what, (Y/n)? Kill me? I am already dying." He grunted and you held him up. "As my last plea; let a man find comfort where he can."

He was trying to be funny but you could see right through him. He was also in a immense amount of pain. Carefully you helped him sit up slightly, handing him a cup of cold water. 

"You are not going to die." You started folding the clean bandages.

"Ever? That is a terribly long time."

"Perhaps I should just let you bleed out since you are not taking any of this seriously. You have three large gaping holes in your chest and I am too weak to heal you faster than you are bleeding. So yes you will die, but not if I can help it."

You didn't mean to snap. You didn't mean for a lot of things. But here you were, reaping the consequences of thing both in and out of your control. The two of you were quiet for a moment. You moved to get the pot of food and poured it into bowls, grabbing two spoons. You placed Boromir's bowl by him, then sat close, at the read to help if need be. 

The silence stretched on until the two of you were done eating. The sun was nearly gone, the area slowly being swallowed up in cool blue hues. You wanted to get a fire going before it grew too dark. Collecting the dirty dishes, glad to see he had eaten everything, you got up to tend to the fire but a hand stopped you. 

Looking back you saw Boromir looking up at you with an expression you could not place. Quickly you sat back down, placing the bowls to the side to feel his face.

"Is something the matter? How are you feeling?" He didn't seem to have a fever and his pulse was doing alright given his state.

But Boromir just looked at you, his hand still on your arm. You waited thinking he needed a moment to assess his body but instead he shook his head and let go. 

"I am sorry."

You blinked. "What ever for?"

He didn't answer but you weren't about to press him. Gently you leaned forward and brushed his hair out of his face and tugged at his blanket in hopes of helping him feel more comfortable. He let you go to take care of the dishes and stoke the fire a bit more. By the time you were done it was dusk and the light of the fire projected shadows against the rock wall the two of you sat against.

 Having changed his bandaged again and made sure he was drinking, you felt comfortable letting him finally sleep. That would give you time to sleep as well and be in a better position to finish healing him up. Bit by bit. 

You sat the farthest from the fire, Boromir's large frame blocking most of the light and heat from reaching you. A dull ache furrowed your brows. Your own arrow wound not yet completely healed, but no matter. You were lost in your mind, using the cool air to quicken your revival process. Simultaneously, you funneled a bit of that energy to Boromir throughout the slight leg contact you were making. 

After a while you felt a weight on your shoulder. Opening our eyes, you found Boromir leaning down, his brows pinched in pain, his brow damp with sweat. You reached up and lifted him slightly so you could get a better look at his state. He was pale as a sheet.

"Boromir," you whispered, "do you feel ill at all?"

The Gondorian didn't say anything. Instead, he answered your question by turning away from you and vomiting blood. You pat his back as he emptied the contents of this stomach, the amount of blood bothering you slightly. You moved to lean your back against the tree, holding back his hair, stroking his damp brow. Once he was finished, you pulled him back to you, your hands resting lightly over his bandaged wounds. 

"Relax, I am sure you feel much better now."

Boromir let out a sigh, clearing his throat a few times whilst slowly letting himself lean against you. You pressed his chest gently until finally he gave in. 

"What are we going to do in this state?" The weight of his words were nearly as heavy as he was. 

You couldn't help but smile at the irritation in his voice rather than doubt. Irritation you could handle but bolstering a stubborn man's spirited soldier was something you would rather leave for a later date.

"I think I can stop the blood flow long enough to possibly cauterize it. We need to move."

Boromir's head lulled to the side coming to rest at the nape of your neck, under your chin. He didn't answer for a few breaths. He then took a deep breath but you moved your hand from his chest to his mouth, covering it lightly. 

"If you even utter a word about me leaving you I swear I will never leave you alone. I will follow you for the rest of your life making it an utter and complete living hell."

Boromir laughed, reaching up to gently grasp yours, pulling it from his face. But he didn't let it go.

"And you don't think you are already doing that?"

You softly bonked the top of his head with your chin. "Then what a treat that would be. You said you would help me get to Minas Tirith. So let me help you keep your word."

The Gondorian nodded, his hand still over yours. "Yes ma'am."

You gently smiled at that. Moving your hands slightly, you pressed them over his wounds making him flinch slightly. It took a bit longer than planned to stop his bleeding but with a heated tip of a dagger,  you were able to cauterize his wounds. You were pleased with the results enough to let him get up and try walking around. 

Satisfied with his progress, you and Boromir agreed to set off, carrying only what you needed. You looked at the path you were planning to take, your arms crossed tightly across your body. It was going to be a long and slow trek but Boromir needed proper help. And you needed sanctuary. 

You weren't paying attention to your surroundings until a hand reached across to unfold our arms. Taking a hand in his, you turned to Boromir, question in your eyes as he looked at you, nodding to the trail. 

"Looking at it won't make it any shorter."

You looked back at the path and sighed heavily, not meaning to let the sliver of doubt you had take over your body. "I have my misgivings of how plausible this will be." You turned back to Boromir to see he was looking at you with that gaze from earlier, the one you could not quite place. 

Taking a step closer, holding your hand a bit tighter, Boromir demeanor changed to that of a Gondorian Captain. 

"Is that hesitation I hear?"

"Mere speculation."

"Ah, of the negative variety. Looks as though I will have to be the bearer of positivity."

You rolled your eyes, tugging your hand out of his grasp but he only held a bit tighter. You looked down at your hands then back to him, a brow raised. 

His expression softened. Your stomach suddenly fluttered. Slowly he brought your fingers to his lips and kissed them before you could even register what happened. He smirked, shaking your clasped hands. 

"That is 'thank you' for your help. I don't think I properly said how grateful I am of your sacrifice."

You looked between your hand in his and his face before scoffing, slipping your hand free to clutch the side of your cloak. 

"You can thank me properly once we get to the White City." You picked up your skirt and started up the path.

You could hear Boromir laugh lightly under his breath as he followed you. "And what is a proper than you according to your lofty standards?"

You smirked. "Food."

"Really?" He sounded genuinely surprised. 

Turning to him, the both of you stopping at the top of a ridge, the expanse of the forest before you, the air thick with anticipation of the coming journey. You could feel his eyes on you as you gazed out. You nodded.

"Yes." You turned to him, hopeful he saw the resolution in your expression, "That and of course sanctuary. Safety," you turned from him, starting out once more, "a home." 

Boromir watched you go, his lips pulling in a small smile as you slowly picked your way through the forest floor. Taking a deep breath, he followed, calling out to you, moaning and groaning to wait for him, the wounded and afflicted. His smile grew as you nagged in reply. he could perhaps think of a few ways to properly thank you once they made it safely home. 

that really dumb moment when you thought you had already published this chapter...woof my bad