The Falcon's Nest

With many THANKS to the wonderful harrylee94 (fanfiction. Net /u / 2916221 /) for patient betaing, help and input on this chapter. You gave me so much time and inspiration, my friend. Thanks.

Chapter 12: The Price of the Ring

Leaving Lothlórien came as more of a relief than Boromir wished to show. The elves had allowed them to heal, to rest and to enjoy some safety, yet he had never felt save inside their enchanted borders. He knew that their stay inside the golden woods had also allowed them to wait out the worst weather, the Anduin valley was rarely cold long and what little snow there came in winter should be passed by now. Of course there had been discussions on how to continue their journey. It had quickly become clear that the others were set against going to Gondor, favoring a path across the wilds to enter Mordor from a less guarded side. There was little doubt on Boromir’s mind that this was a bad plan, but they had been adamant on that point.

With many THANKS to the wonderful harrylee94 (fanfiction. Net /u / 2916221 /) for patient betaing, help and input on this chapter. You gave me so much time and inspiration, my friend. Thanks.

Chapter 11: What follows in shadow

Boromir’s question startled Kili out of the dark thoughts and memories he had been drowning in. Looking at the Gondorian Captain he was glad to be pulled from the memories of the past. “I can and I will.” He rose to his feet and took his pack. “It is one and a half day to the other side and we will have to be careful.”

With many THANKS to the wonderful harrylee94 (http:// www.fanfiction. net/u/ 2916221/) for patient betaing, help and input on this chapter. You inspire me to write so much!

Chapter 10: A hunt in the dark

When the gates of Moria opened Boromir was not sure if he’d prefer the dark dank pool outside or the equally black gate into the mountain. He hardly heard Gimli speaking of the great kingdom of the dwarves, his eyes fixed on the blackness, trying to see anything except shadows and specks dancing in his vision. His foot caught hold of something hard and metallic, forcing him to look down. Bodies. There were bodies everywhere; rotting corpses, bones, full skeletons in plated armour strewn across the stairwell, each and every one of them smaller than a man.They were Dwarves, dead dwarves that had been massacred and left to rot in this accursed place. “This is no mine, it’s a tomb. We should never have come here.” 

With big THANKS to the wonderful harrylee94 (http:// www.fanfiction. net/u/ 2916221/) for patient betaing, help and input on this chapter. You rock!

Part II: Road into Darkness

Chapter 9: A measure of trust

With big THANKS to the wonderful harrylee94 (http:// www.fanfiction. net/u/ 2916221/) for betaing and input on this chapter. You rock!

Interlude: Where many paths and errands meet

Most guests of Elrond’s house only knew the very heart of the valley, the court and very core of the small elven city. Yet, Rivendell was indeed a kingdom unto itself and far bigger than was easily visible. On the side opposite of the mighty waterfalls right in the shadow of the mountains lay what was known as the trader’s court. No kingdom, no matter how small or large could be quite without trade. Rivendell in particular only permitted those proven trustworthy to go there for trade and most of them came from the other elven kingdoms. Around the trader’s court lay the artisan’s halls, the workshops of elven craftspeople and the forges. Having been invited to stay for at least a while, Kili had found his way there. His weapons and armor were in dire need of repairs and Aelin, the elven swordsmith was usually willing to allow a dwarf into his forge. As a matter of fact he proved not the least bit surprised by Kili’s appearance. “I heard your name earlier this very day and then the name of Bolg mentioned in the same sentence,” he observed, inviting Kili with a gesture to join him in the workshop.

Chapter 8:  The gift of a blade

Boromir’s sword was ripped from his hand by a forceful attack, the Orc axe hooking right behind the guard and flinging the blade across the field. He used his equally battered shield to knock back the enemy, he cast a glance around, any still serviceable orc saber would do.

Chapter 7: To make a stand

The wargs came swooping down at them; the loud war cries of their riders ripped the silence of the autumn day apart. Before they came close they showered a dozen arrows down on them. Boromir ducked, the black feathered arrows missing him. Kili’s blade whirled in a shining circle knocking several arrows out of their path. When the full attack began, it was Orcs on foot at first storming from the woods uphill at them. Three at once attacked Boromir. He moved aside, let one run into the wrong direction, attacking the other swiftly, while the third one landed a hit that was caught by Boromir’s chain mail. With a deadly grace Boromir evaded the next attack, turning fast and slashing the Goblin’s head from the bone-deformed shoulders. The quick turn had given what strength was needed to cut clear through the heavy armor. Hardly did he have the time to bring up his blade when the two next came at him; he blocked the first one’s attack. The other fell from a strike from side, Kili had gotten him. With a nod Boromir acknowledged the help. The human warrior fought like an angry lion, his blade dealing death and pain to those daring to come close. His attacks came down like a hailstorm on the Orcs, he did not count how many there were. Moving so fast the Goblins had a hard time keeping up with him, nearly any new strike of his sword found its target. He knew Kili had his back and that there were as many Orcs falling from the dwarf’s ever angry blade.

Chapter 6: What the day brings

“That was the single most stupid and brave thing I ever saw anyone do and survive.”

This is a work of non-profit fan fiction using characters from the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings  world, which is trademarked by J.R.R. Tolkien.Both Boromir and Kili are characters created and owned by Tolkien INC, and I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Middle Earth. The story I tell here about Boromir and Kili is my own invention, and it is not purported or  believed to be part of J.R.R. Tolkien's story canon. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line. I am grateful to J.R.R. Tolkien for his wonderful stories about Middle Earth, for without his books, my story would not exist.

Chapter 5: Under night’s wings

The third evening hence found Boromir and Kili still riding south, they had passed through Rhudaur, passed by the trollshaws and now approached the weatherhills from the east. Pressed for time they had only allowed for breaks such as their horses would need. Boromir was not quite sure what he should call his mount, it was taller than a normal pony but most certainly closely related to a cart horse but not quite as tall. Yet it had carried him speedily uphill and downhill across bad grounds and barely passable paths, what it lacked in looks it made up with its sturdy qualities. Kili’s horse was in the same vein, only that it was nearly too tall for him.

This is a work of non-profit fan fiction using characters from the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings  world, which is trademarked by J.R.R. Tolkien.Both Boromir and Kili are characters created and owned by Tolkien INC, and I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Middle Earth. The story I tell here about Boromir and Kili is my own invention, and it is not purported or  believed to be part of J.R.R. Tolkien's story canon. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line. I am grateful to J.R.R. Tolkien for his wonderful stories about Middle Earth, for without his books, my story would not exist.

Author’s note: The basic idea for the settlements began with the destroyed farm in the Hobbit movie and with Gandalf’s mention of villages in the same land during the council scene. I too never imagined all the lone lands to be totally uninhabited and thus went with the idea that there are still people living there, if they can manage to survive the dangers of that land.

Thanks to all who have reviewed so far! You rock!

Chapter 4: A friend’s help

With two strokes of his mighty axe Kili cut through the beams still supporting the roof collapsing the failing rooftop on the building. The only grave he could give Bran, the only grave pressing time would permit. Ashes flared up when the building collapsed, but Kili paid it no heed. He picked up his pack and set off west, where the path to Archet wound through the vale’s. He did not follow it but chose the shorter if harder route uphill.