*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
˚ ₊ ♡ ❰ BALLAD OF BROKEN SWORDS ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ AN ETERNAL GRAVE  ❫ ❞
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˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ACT TWO  ── audentes fortuna iuvat 🏹 ⁺⑅

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CHILDREN OF ARDA DUOLOGY  ⋆ ☄.
♯ ❝ I PROMISED ❞
CHAPTER THIRTY ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ the third age ─── year 3019
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━━ ˚ ₊ ♡ 🏹
❝ 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩
𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯
𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚 ❞

*✧ ─── GYDA WAKES WITH A WEARY HEART. IT BEATS CALMLY BENEATH HER SKIN, AND YET IT FEELS AS IF IT WILL burst any second. She cannot quite place the feeling nor its deposition as she stands on the shores of the water, staring at the woodland across the river. Well within the forest something stirs, something her eyes cannot see nor her ears hear.

Subconsciously she clutches her sword tighter, the skin of her knuckles turning white. "Gyda?"

She turns her head and finds Elgarain standing behind her. The High-Queen watches her with knowing eyes. "What is it?"

Gyda bites the inside of her cheek, "I do not know." Is the only answer she can give.

"Come join the others," Elgarain urges her, reaching out with a cold hand to pull her away.

Gyda follows without complaint, but still casts one last worried look over her shoulder at the shadowy forest behind her.

The Fellowship sits gathered, mulling by the small fire Sam had made that morning, basking in the little bit of warmth it offers. There is a certain gloom that is shrouded over their Company like a veil of shadows. It is as if the last light that had been draped over them in Lorién had vanished completely.

The rocks crunch beneath their feet as they join the others and Gyda only glances at Legolas as the Ellon comes to stand next to her. She juts out her chin as Aragorn moves, straightening his back to address the others. "We cross the lake at nightfall." He announces. "We approach Mordor from the North."

A shudder runs through her body and she clenches her hands into fists at her side, she can almost taste the smoke on her tongue, hear the screams of dying elves and men. But she inhales sharply, shakes away the painful memories with renewed vigor. This time it will be different she promises herself silently. This time no one shall die.

It's wishful thinking perhaps. But for now it lights a fire in her.

"Oh, yes?" She is brought back into the conversation as Gimli speaks, "Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil an impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks." His voice rises in volume, "And after that, it gets even better. Festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see."

Gyda flinches and tilts her head downwards. "We'll make it through." She affirms in a low voice that halts the dwarf.

Her head lifts again, and her eyes flash like the steel of her sword in the sunlight. "I know how to navigate those plains. I shall lead us through them."

"It is our road." Aragorn confirms gently and only as he says those words does Gyda notice the tension in her body.

A hand on her back breaks her free from the moment.

"I suggest we take some rest." Aragorn says softly, "and recover you strength, master dwarf." The last part is directed at Gimli.

"Recover my--!"

"Gimli." Elgarain cuts in and the dwarf reluctantly settles down.

Gyda watches solemnly as Legolas and Aragorn move back towards the water, before returning her own gaze at the young Hobbits sitting by the fire. With slow steps she moves towards the small group and crouches down. "Have you all still got your weapons close?" She asks softly. They nod and Pippin even brandishes his from his side to show her.

"Do you think we'll need them...in M-mordor I mean?" Merry wonders with a nervous lilt.

Gyda frowns at his words. "Mordor will be dangerous. Many dark and dangerous things live in the shadows." She pauses, "But I'll be there to look out for you all, alright?"

"When this is over, will we see you again?" Pippin asks unsurely.

Gyda holds back a smile, "Only time will tell Master hobbit." With those words spoken, she dusts off her knees and rises back to her full height and Merry moves to stand up too.

The Elleth watches nervously as Aragorn and Legolas continue their conversation, and she picks up the last few words. Something draws near.

It makes her heart race and her eyes flicker towards Elgarain who sits to the side, a little bit away from the fire.

With steady steps, Gyda walks towards her. Her own shadow falling over Elgarain's like a moon eclipsing the sun.

"What runs though you head?" She asks calmly, sitting down next to Elgarain.

She tries to smile but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Well Pippin certainly asks difficult questions." And even though she tries to hide it, her eyes still wander towards where Aragorn's standing. Her next words were spoken in a whisper, as if she wasn't even really aware she was saying them at all. "Will we see each other again when this is all over?"

Gyda draws her knees closer to her chest and rests her head, "I wish I had the answer Elgarain. I wish many great-a-thing for this Fellowship." She sighs. "I think our lives are intertwined now. People bound by fate..." Her eyes flicker towards Legolas. "they'll always find their way back together."

"So it would seem," Elgarain says, an amused smile tugging at her lips. "Care to share what happened back in Lothlórien between you two?"

"I have a feeling you might already know." Gyda replies quietly.

Elgarain shrugs. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't."

Gyda bites her lip, almost shyly looking up at her. "Meeting of the souls." It is spoken as a whisper, like a secret that was buried beneath the ground. "It's... it's a strange feeling, and yet, it is as if I hadn't lived until I met him."

This time, Elgarain's eyes spark with genuine happiness. "I couldn't be happier for you, nésa."

She hesitates for a moment, wringing her hands together before tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "He asked me to join him." She says vaguely.

"Join you where?" Elgarain asks with a raised brow.

"Mirkwood." She retorts, "but my place is at your side Elgarain," Gyda faces her with a serious expression. "I will always fulfill my vow to you first."

Elgarain frowned, her eyes flaring with sudden anger. Though before she could open her mouth, Merry's concerned voice cut through their little camp.

"Where's Frodo?"

Gyda's head snaps up and she's immediately on her feet, followed quickly by Elgarain. "Boromir is not here either." Her gaze connects with Aragorn, a silent understanding passing through them.

"Spread out, they can't have wandered far." Aragorn instructs and Gyda turns towards the worried Hobbits and Elgarain.

"Stay at the camp, watch the boats." She orders firmly.

"But—" Elgarain starts.

"Elgarain, stay at the camp, please."

"Okay."

"Alright let's go." She nods at Aragorn, the pair trudges up the wooden paths whilst Gimli and Legolas go the opposite way.

The leaves crunch beneath their feet as the march further into the greenery, a dread surrounding them. "We knew he was slipping." Gyda mutters under her breath. "What if he has hurt Frodo. The ring has tempted him before."

"It tempts us all." Aragorn replies steadily. "Boromir is a good man Gyda."

"I know he is. But he is a danger." Gyda takes a deep breath. "I shall not watch again as he endangers the others... endangers Elgarain."

"He will not harm Elgarain." He turns towards her swiftly. "I won't let him."

"Neither shall I." She just out her chin and grits her teeth. "But you love her, and it blinds you!"

He halts in his tracks, and regards her with a look she hadn't seen since he was a younger man. "Don't you dare—"

"I dare." Gyda shakes her head, jutting her finger against his chest. "You love her, and you've hurt her, more than I care to look passed."

His shoulders slouch at the words and he recoils as if she has struck him. "It is my greatest regret."

"Don't you get it Aragorn! It's all happening again, and you have fooled her. Given her hope."

"She knows we cannot be together."

Gyda takes a step back, tries to calm the fire in her stomach. "I get that, I get how you feel, I really do—"

"I'm trying to protect her." He whispers.

"Trust me. Elgarain can protect herself." Gyda assures him before she falters in her step. "Frodo?" She calls out.

The young Hobbit whirls around at the sound of her voice, a worried expression etched on his face.

"It has taken Boromir." He admits breathlessly.

Gyda's heart shatters in her chest, and her throat tightens with worry. "Frodo where is Boromir?"

"Where is the ring?" Aragorn calls out, taking a step forward only for Gyda to grab his tunic and tug him back.

"Stop it. You're frightening him." She hisses.

"Stay away!"

"Frodo please?!" Gyda calls after him as the Hobbit rushes off. "We mean no harm. I promise you."

"I swore to protect you." Aragorn cuts in as they enter the crumbled structure, leaning on a broken archway.

"Can you protect me from yourself?"

They watch as his fingers unfurl and the golden ring reveals itself in the palm of his hand.

Gyda swallows as it hisses sweet words shrouded with unfamiliar words.

"Would you destroy it?" Frodo asks.

Gyda remains rooted to the spot as Aragorn creeps forward, slowly lowering himself to the ground, his hands outstretched as he reaches for the ring.

Her own hand slowly unsheathes her sword, hands shaking slightly.

She let's go off a breath she's been holding as Aragorn carefully curls Frodo's fingers back and cradles his hands in his own with a gentleness she has rarely seen. "I would have gone with you to the end. Into the very fires of Mordor."

Gyda moves forward, stopping just behind Aragorn as she places a hand on his shoulder. "We all would have Frodo." She nods, smiling kindly at him as he looks up with watery eyes.

"Look after the others. Especially Sam. He will not understand." The Ringbearer asks and Gyda's fingers curl into the fabric of Aragorn's cloak.

"Frodo..."

"I have to do this Gyda." He states decisively.

She takes in a deep breath. "Then I shall wish you luck, and pray you'll find only gentle shores ahead mellon nin."

"Thank you."

She steps back, only for her eyes to widen at the blue light slithering through the sheath at Frodo's side.

"Frodo go!" Aragorn demands, unsheathing his sword as did Gyda.

"Run Frodo!" Gyda slightly pushes him backwards. "Run!"

Ferocious snarls could be heard from within the woods as Aragorn and Gyda descend down the hill, swords tightly clutched.

Gyda turns her eyes towards the sound and her stomach turns over; standing, taller and more gruesome-looking than she had ever seen before, a group of Orcs raises their weapons.

With an ear-piercing scream they attack, slashing with ferocious growls and before Gyda could think she stands amids the heart of the battle. Her sword slashes through the throat of the first Orc that dares come close to her, her blade whistling through the noise as blood splatters on her tunic.

War cries echo over the hills, and Gyda launches another attack, the blade of her sword sings as it meets the steel of a large warhammer. A shockwave shoots up her arm, and makes the limb tremble and she hisses in pain. She stumbles back, parrying another attack with careful precision.

Somewhere behind her, Aragorn moves with years of experience. His blade striking down enemies around them, but for every foul-creature that is slain, three more plunge through the trees, bare feet thundering.

Breath rasping and blood thumps like fire in her veins. Gyda has lost sight of Aragorn amid the chaos, and Gyda wonders in fear where the others are. The putrid smell of the orcs and the blood that coats her sword make her shudder, and suddenly, somewhere to her left she can hear him shout for her.

Gyda lungs through the thickening, dropping to her knees and sliding through the grass as a sword is swung at her head. She rolls over the ground, pushes herself up and throws a dagger at the assailant.

For a moment the orc stands still, blinks it's dark, oil-coloured like eyes before swaying from side to side, blood dribbling down its neck from where her knife had struck his jugular.

Then it drops like a stone.

Gyda stands back up and resumes fighting. Her sword slashes, strikes and parries attacks left and right as she tries to get to Aragorn.

She grunts, as a sword strikes her shoulder, and Gyda slips and falls face first on the ground. Her sword lays scattered next to her and all she can do is roll aside as the Orc slams its sword down.

Gyda scrambles up, breathing harshly as she dodges another swing of its sword. She ducks, slicing her last remaining dagger through the thick flesh of its thigh.

She reaches for her sword but just as her fingers brush the hilt of her sword something slams against her. Gyda barely manages to stay upright and she twirls around with her dagger raised.

Gyda feels a shadow fall across her face, and she stares up at the cruel eyes of the orc. She tightens her grip on her weapon before leaping without fear.

The orc has no time to react as she buries it within the skin of his throat. It gurgles for a moment before dropping to the ground. The dagger squelches as she retrieves it before she quickly snatches her sword from the ground.

She slides her right hand further up the hilt of her sword, making room for her left. This was no time for fancy sword-play; it would be hack and stand, two-handed, no mercy and no time to waste.

"Gyda!" A voice calls out before the humming noise of an arrow brushes past her ear.

She watches as an arrow imbeds itself in the foul creature that was approaching her with its axe raised, before snapping her head up to spot Legolas standing among the ruins of the building Frodo had hopefully fled safely.

Gyda tears through the last couple of orcs standing between them and she rushes to his side. "Elgarain?" She asks worriedly, coming to stand shoulder to shoulder.

"With the hobbits." Is all he says.

Gyda jerks backwards as an black-tipped arrow sails towards them and claims a spot in the rock behind her. Wide worried eyes flash up towards the attacker and she blinks as its head falls from its shoulder. Like a phantom, Aragorn appears behind it, a look of fear in his eyes, for the people he cares for.

He rushes up to them, and the group of three advances back into the cover of the woods.

An orc swings his weapon at her but she ducks below it and jumps forward, driving her sword up with both her hands, right through its abdomen. Blood splatters everywhere, painting her hands red. She shoves the corpse away, staggers against the tree to gather her breath and strength.

With a pounding heart, she looks up startled as a horn sounds clearly across the trees. The blood starts to roar in her ears, and terror settles in her stomach like a deadly virus.

"The horn of Gondor!" Legolas shouts.

"Boromir."

The words make her snap out of her frozen state and Gyda darts forward, sidestepping the axe of an orc and slamming into it with her shoulder. It stumbles back, surprised by her actions and Gyda buries her sword in its side.

Exhaustion was slithering through her body, and the pain was starting to creep up her side, the dull throb of her healing arm was more intense then before, growing with every second and every swing of her sword.

Gyda runs, faster than she has ever had, cutting through her enemies without a moment to waste. She flies down the hill, ducking, sidestepping and twisting around the trees. The horn sounds twice more and fear runs through her.

Her heart stops at the sight, a creature so tall and vicious-looking stares down at Boromir, a bow raised and an arrow nocked.

No.... not again she thinks. Please not again she begs.

Gyda doesn't hesitate as she jumps down the cliff, sword raising mid air and swings with all her might only with her lionhearted courage to aid her now.

The creature notices just in time and moves away. Gyda lands harshly on the ground, her sword buried in the dirt between Boromir and the creature. Its yellow eyes staring darkly at the pair.

Gyda screams as she frees her sword and lungs forward and it drops it bow in favor for its sword.

It stumbles back, armored body clanking against a tree. Gyda's sword flashes in the light as she swipes it at its head. But the creature moves aside and she only hits the bark of the tree. Wood splinters fly around, nicking her skin and drawing blood.

She kicks his knee and the creature buckles and snarls. Her heart hammers as she raises her sword again. a battle cry escapes her raw throat, a fire so bright and consuming lits in her heart.

Gyda moves as quick as lightning, setting off against the forest ground and leaps.

But the creature rams his shield against her side and she is flung through the air, her sword clattering on the ground, the sound a haunting echo that rings through the sky. The impact makes her breathless, and rattles her bones. She heaves in a desperate breath of air, but she cannot gather her senses. the world spins and bile rises in her throat.

Pain shoot through her and she cannot move.

The foul beast moves toward her with dark obsidian eyes and the scene is all to familiar to her. The phantom flames of Mordor lick at her heels and the bright sky above her flashes orange for a startling second.

But this time Gyda raises her head deviantly, no ounce of fear can be detected on her face. She grits her teeth as the creature raises is sword to strike her down.

Gyda only clenches her fist in the dirt. "You shall never win." She speaks strongly.

The creature laughs. It's unhumane and dark but Gyda only smirks up at him.

In one fluid swipe, she throws the dirt gathered in the palm of her hand at the foul beast.

It howls in pain as it squints its eyes close, and Gyda scrambles to her feet, ignores the pain and runs toward her fallen sword.

The creature sets to follow her but before it can advance toward her, Aragorn jumps down, slamming into it and they both tumble down a small hill. But Gyda knows Aragorn is skilled, knows he will come out victorious.

Her body trembles with the pain and so Gyda turns her focus to Boromir.

Dashing towards him she falls to her knees beside him, "It's okay, it's gonna be okay." She grasps his blood soaked hands in her own. Watches the arrows stuck in his body with a sorrow filled heart. For her moment as she watches his eyes, she sees her father as he laid dying in her arms on the plains of Mordor.

She takes in a shuddering breath as tears well up in her eyes. "Keep you eyes open Boromir." She encourages him, reaching to cup his face in her hands to tilt his head up. "Just look at me mellon nin."

His breathing grows labored and a pool of dark blood gathers around his body, staining his clothes and the forest floor.

"Come one Boromir." Her hands keep shaking as she tries to think of a solution.  "E-elgarain can help. She can heal y-you." She reaches for his hands as he tries to raise them.

"W-what is it?" Her voice cracks as she notes his frantic eyes and the way he tries to free his hands.

She follows his line of sight.

Further and further and...

Gyda feels something break inside her.

The hold on boromir's hand loosens, and everything slows down, as she stands

Walks and walks until she stops and falls to her knees.

There, on the ground the white glaive of Elgarain lays, there is a crack in the wood that makes it splinter and she cradles it with an ache in her heart. "No." She murmurs.

"No. No, No. No." It slips from her fingers, clatters on the ground and then there is a ringing in her ears. "No. No no no."

Gyda scrambles back and pushes herself up on unsteady feet. The world spins around her, and something claws at her heart. "Please no. Elgarain... Elgarain!" Her voice grows and wavers as she pleads whilst her frantic eyes search for her. "Elgarain?!"

Gyda crashes into someone. "Let me go!" She sobs and she tries to free herself from the embrace, but it is futile.

"Gyda."

"Elgarain!" She wails, still trying to free herself.

"Gyda please." Legolas' voice is gentle. "She's gone."

"No!" She pushes herself free, pointing an accusing finger at him. "She's not.. she's not. I-I." She struggles the breath as her throat tightens

"Gyda."

"No—she can't. Elgarain can't no—I-I promised." Her knees buckle.

Legolas catches her just before she hits the ground. "No...no."

"I promised." She says guiltily in a cracked whisper and her trembling grew worse.

Tears stream freely down her face and over legolas' shoulder she watches as Aragorn sits before Boromir and another spurt of guilt shoots through her like poison and with the help of Legolas she stumbles to the fallen warrior.

She moves next to him, brushes his blood coated and sweat riddled hair away from his eyes and the man struggles to speak. "They took the little o-ones. And and... Elga—Elgarain." He heaves out, eyes meeting her own.

"Stay still." Aragorn whispers.

"Frodo? Where is Frodo?" He wheezes worriedly.

"We let Frodo go." She whispers solemnly.

"Then you did what I could not." He says breathlessly, "I tried to take the ring from him."

"The ring is beyond our reach now." Aragorn assures tearfully.

"Forgive me." He faces Aragorn with a look of clarity in his eyes. "I did not see it. I have failed you all."

A sob escapes her throat.

"No. Boromir." Aragorn shakes his head. "You fought bravely. You kept your honor."

He reaches for the arrow sticking from his chest, but Boromir grasps his hand. "No leave it." He splutters. "It is over."

Gyda's lip trembles as she reaches for his hand, clutching it tightly.

"The world of men will fall and all will come to darkness and my city to ruin." He voice wavers with emotion.

"I do not know what strength is in my blood but I swear to you. I will not let the White City fall." Aragorn promise vehemently. "Nor our people."

"Our people." Boromir echoes with a hint of a smile on his face. "Our people..."

His panting grows stronger, and with his right hand he reaches for his sword.

Gyda watches tearfully with an aching heart as Aragorn hands it to him and together they bring it closer to his chest.

"I would have followed you my brother. My captain. My King."

Gyda watches as the light leaves his eyes, as the shaking slowly fades to stillness and death grants him peace.

"Ghilani ma'aravas. Ir elgar. Ma din'an na halam. Ma vallasdareth na uth. Ghilani atisha la dareth." The elvish prayer leaves her parted lips like a whisper that is carried away on the wind.

"Be at peace. Son of Gondor." Aragorn speaks his own words and kisses his forehead as Legolas and Gimli gather silently behind them.

Everything after that moves quickly, together the four of them gentle lift Boromir's body back up and bring him to the shore where their boats lay rocking in the water—one is missing and Gyda can only hope it is Frodo and Sam, who has been missing too, have taken it to escape.

The funeral rite happens in a blur, and Gyda watches from where she sits on the ground as his boat is carried away on the water. Her tears have dried by this point, mixing with her sweat and blood.

Her own gaze now rest on the damaged glaive. The white now smeared with blood an splintered. She rubs her fingers of the delicate orchid design at the top. The lapping of water in her ears, the rustling if trees and the odd click and twitter of a bird singing in the distance.

There is only two things on her mind.

She failed again.

She broke her vow.

She swallows thickly as a shadow falls over her. She knows who it is, but for some reason she cannot face him. Not now.

She should have known better she bitterly thinks. There should have been no time for...for something like love. Not when Elgarain was by her side, not when all she had ever wanted in life was to prove herself worthy of the title of Captain of the Queens-guard. A worthy Elleth to her family's legacy.

"Gyda?"

She clenches her jaw, tightens her grip on the broken glaive, and turns her head away. "Leave me alone, Legolas."

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ELVISH TRANSLATIONS

elven prayer for the death
Ghilani ma'aravas. Ir elgar. Ma din'an na halam.
Ma vallasdareth na uth. Ghilani atisha la dareth
direct translation:
Guide my journey. I am spirit. My death is the end.
My grave is eternal. Guide me to peace and safety.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
sooooo. writting this made me so sad for so many reasons. Gyda can't catch a break and when she was finally making some process with healing everything goes up in smoke. (one step forward and two steps back anyone?) this really broke something inside of her and until elgarain reunites with her, Gyda is gonna be a mess. I already miss boromir and ughhhh.

on another note, as you might have picked up on with the last couple of chapters, ever since Elgarain healed her with the Ring Vilya... some strange things have happened. Something that is gonna be more in depth in the next act. Me and Nel are very excited to share this little subplot with you guys!

So this was Act Two. Onto Act three! Thank you all so much for the love and support! And let me know what you would love to see in the next act!! Be it interactions with certain people or more explained about the past or anything really! I love to hear it!

Until soon Mellon Nin!