Eyes of the Goddess

"We return to Helms Deep." Aragorn said then.

"Go back?" Gimli asked astounded they just left there!

Aragorn held up the bundled Palantír and Gimli understood...it could only safely be used from the tower at the keep.

Haldir and his men fell in with the Dúnn. \n. "Wait for our return, Haldir." Aragorn told the elf.

The fellowship plus the twins mounted and rode as fast as their horses could carry them back to Helms Deep. Once they arrived Aragorn asked his friends and the twins to follow him to the highest chamber. Inside was a table with a hole cut in the center to hold the Palantír. Aragorn unwrapped it and set it in place as the others gathered around.

"Whatever happens none of you touch me." Aragorn warned.

"Aragorn, do not do this it is folly!" Boromir exclaimed, he was horrified at what had hned ned to Pippin, it had almost killed the hobbit.

"It is alright dear one, this Palantír is an heirloom of my house, and I have the right to wield it. It will not harm me." Aragorn explained though it did little to comfort Boromir.

The others formed a circle around the table. Aragorn took a deep breath and stepped up to the Palantír. He placed his hands on the orb and closed his eyes. Upon his touch a dull red glow began to pulse inside the stone.

Boromir could not look at the stone instead he watched Aragorn's face. His face seemed to contort in pain and all in the chamber could sense a battle of wills take place. Aragorn's face grew grim and sweat dripped down from his brow as the Eye burned into his mind. As with Pippin it asked "Who are you?".

The air seemed to thicken and grow foul it was ripe with electricity as if a thunderstorm was brewing inside the chamber. Boromir reached out and took Legolas' hand in his. The elf looked at him but Boromir did not take his eyes from Aragorn, then he reached for Elladan on his other side. The elves seemed to read what the man was telling him. Legolas reached out and took Gimli's hand and all of the friends and Aragorn's brothers' linked hands around the room. They began to will thoughts of strength and love to their friend. Soon Boromir saw Aragorn's face smooth and he knew it was over. It was still several minuteforefore Aragorn released the stone and opened his eyes. What Boromir saw there nearly caused his heart to stop in his chest. Aragorn's eyes were pained and haunted, and his skin was wet with sweat and his face ashen in color.

"What did you see, Estel?" Elladan asked.

Aragorn looked at Boromir then. "The White City will fall in day we we do not go to her aid."

"How?" Boromir asked in alarm.

"A great fleet of the Corsairs of Umbar is to sail up the Anduin. They will cut off any aid that might come to Gondor from the south." Aragorn stated.

"What did he learn from you?" Boromir asked then.

"I let him see who I am and that Narsil has been re-forged. That came as a surprise since he was certain the line of kings were dead. He will sens wrs wraiths after me, but it may buy time for Pippin and for Sam and Frodo."

Boromir swore and shook his head then he noticed Aragorn wavering. Boromir rushed to him before even the friends closest to Aragorn could react. "Shh you need to rest, if there is more you wished to say you can sa lat later." Boromir said leading him to a chair.

"Someone cover that thing but do not touch it directly!" Boromir commanded. Legolas threw the cloth over the stone and the others made their way out of the chamber.

"We must leave now." Aragorn protested trying to rise out of the chair.

"Not just yet...take a few more minutes to regain your strength." Boromir advised.

After a few minutes Aragorn looked at Boromir. "I felt it you know...I felt you...I felt our friends...all of you willing your strength and love to me to keep Sauron from crushing my will."

Boromir simply smiled. "What did I tell you? You can always take strength in us." Aragorn returned his smile weakly but his color was starting to come back.

After a few more minutes Aragorn stood. "We must make haste, we return to Isen and collect the Dúnedain then our path leads us on to Gondor."

Boromir followed Aragorn to find the King. When they entered the main hall the King and Éomer were going over battle plans.

"Théoden King our path leads us a different road. We will ride to aid the White City, but my course is through Harrowdale, where I must tread the Paths of the Dead. We leave at once. Aragorn informed the King.

"If you take that road, I fear I will never see you again in life." Théoden said grimly.

"We will meet again. Farewell, good King." Aragorn bade as he strode for the door.

Boromir turned to Merry who had tears rushing down his face. "Take heart young Meriodac...we will see each other again...at home in my city. I promise you." Boromir said embracing the hobbit and kissing him on the forehead.

"Be careful, Boromir." Merry sobbed. Boromir smiled at him and turned to follow Aragorn.

Once outside Boromir mounted his horse beside Aragorn. Legolas looked at Boromir.

"We ride again?" Legolas asked.

"We ride for Isen and collect the Dunedin and Lorien elves then we ride for Harrowdale." Boromir told the elf and Gimli shook his head.

"You know I am getting quite dizzy with all this turning around." The dwarf complained and Boromir laughed.

"He knows what he is doing." Boromir defended Aragorn's actions.

"No doubt, just seems strange." Gimli said finally.

All of them rode back to Isen to collect the Dúnedain and Lorien archers before changing their path for Harrowdale and the Paths of the Dead. Boromir was not looking forward to that. He rode beside Aragorn and asked.

"These Paths of the Dead...I don't know much about this road, but it does not sound particularly festive." Boromir mused.

Aragorn chuckled. "Festive? No dear one there is a prophecy out of the North that Isildur's Heir may travel the Paths of the Dead when great need drives him. The road is barred to all others and will lead them to nothing but certain death."

"Wonderful." Boromir interjected. "Care to elaborate a bit more or should I start writing our eulogies now?"

Aragorn grinned. "You are particularly full of mirth today. The Dead swore an oath of loyalty to Isildur, but then recanted. They had worshipped Sauron during the Black Years. Isildur cursed them that they would find no peace until they were summoned to fulfill their oaths. Even though death claimed them, they would not be released. As Isildur's Heir, I am given the right to call them to my aid. I believe the time is now to do this. We must be careful." Aragorn explained.

"Ah is that all?" Boromir asked grimacing. No he was not looking forward to this at all.

They rode well after nightfall and soon the Company came and halted before the black walls that housed the dark doors. A pall of despair seemed to lie over the valley like a damp fog covering all it touched. Boromir felt a cold chill slide up his spine but he repressed allowing the shiver. Elrohir rode up beside them and gave Aragorn a silver horn. The time was now, Aragorn thought.

"We will rest the horses ere we step on this dark road." Aragorn said dismounting.

Boromir joined him. "What is it?" Boromir asked.

"Are you sure you wish to follow me down this path?" Aragorn asked.

"Yes. Perhaps I have taken leave of myses ses but yes, I will follow you on this path and any other." Boromir stated firmly.

Aragorn looked around, most of the men and elves were milling around speaking in hushed worried tones. He leaned toward Boromir and pulled him into his arms. "Thank you."

Aragorn led his horse toward the dark door then blew the silver horn. The sound of answering horns was heard. Ghostly figures formed from the gloom, drifting like wisps of dark clouds to gather all around. The air itself seemed thick with the scent of the death, and Boromir felt an uneasy feeling wash over hAragAragorn had a gleam in his eye that Boromir had only ever seen a few times before...it was when he looked the most like a king.

"Oath breakers, why have you come?" Aragorn asked the Dead.

The answer made Boromir shift beside Aragorn. "To fulfill our oath and thus find peace." The eerie voice responded.

"The hour has come. I am Elessar, Isildur's heir!" Aragorn proclaimed.

Aragorn turned to Boromir. "ill ill take two days to pass this road."

"Wonderful." Boromir muttered following Aragorn through the dark door. He looked over at Legolas and Gimli and attempted a smile though he wasn't sure he had succeeded.

The elves seemed immune to the ghosts but Boromir and some of the Rangers had to use every ounce of strength they possessed to keep from being driven mad. Sometime on the second day one of the Rangers fell from his horse in exhaustion. The dead seemed to encircle him to claim the man as one of their own. Boromir dismounted and ran to the man alongside Aragorn. They helped the man up and the dead seemed to tug at both Boromir and the fallen Ranger. Aragorn stepped toward both men and placed his hands on them. The apparitions recoiled in a hiss. The Ranger looked to Aragorn thankfully and Boromir shook his head.

"Wish orcs were that easy for you to dispatch, this war would end before it began." Boromir mused.

Aragorn smiled. It was a good sign that Boromir was keeping his sense of humor throughout this ordeal.

When they returned to their horses Aragorn noted that the dead were circling and coming closer to the exhausted company. Aragorn cried out as he unsheathed Narsil, "Back! You shall abide by my command!"

The Dead hissed collectively and shrunk back behind the Rangers. When they finally emerged from the other side of the mountain path Boromouldould feel a collective change in himself and the men around them. Aragorn seemed withdrawn however and that worried Boromir.

"Are you alright?" Boromir asked riding beside Aragorce ace again.

"Yes...just worried about our other friends." Aragorn sighed.

They reached the Stone of Erech at midnight. Aragorn summoned the Dead to cleanse the land of the servants of Sauron and fulfill their oaths. They rode hard from there on, against time itself, as they had to beat the Corsairs to their ships.

The Dead fought mercilessly for their freedom from their curse and Boromir could not believe the speed at which they progressed across the land dispatching orcs with an ease that was frightful.

"Gods Aragorn I am glad they are on our side." Boromir muttered as they recounted the day's battles.

"Aye, my thoughts exactly young master!" Gimli agreed. Aragorn laughed, as did Legolas.

They continued onward to their destination. Then darkness fell across the land from Mordor the Sun could no longer be seen. Day was night, and still they drove on.

As they entered the villages near the city Boromir cried out, "The Captain of the White Tower calls you to arms! Gondor calls you to arms!" He thought this would be easier had those damnable orcs not stolen his horn.

All who could join the march to Minas Tirith did. Boromir could not be more proud of his countrymen. When they arrived at Pelargir Aragorn called the Dead to drive the enemies of Gondor from their ships. Aragorn appointed one Dúnedain in commanded of each vessel and Boromir found men who knew the river to navigate each ship. The sun was setting when he boarded the largest ship with Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, and the twins.