Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Finding Tomorrows

We have left the horses at the ruined gate, as there was almost no room to ride them across the bodies on the plain. I lean closer to Boromir as the ghosts depart and whisper.

"He once tried to dismiss me as such."

"Did he?"

Boromir smiles.

A wail of anguish is heard from Eomer. I am surprised and then I recall his sister lies somewhere in all this death. The trek through the dead begins as we search for survivors in need of healing. We spend the rest of the day, and most of the night, seeking the living. The others take time to rest but as true night comes I am refreshed and remain to help the others.

I join them the following day in the Great Hall. Denethor is no longer among the living but it is not spoken aloud. There is much to discuss. Boromir wishes to recognize Aragorn as king immediately but Aragorn wishes to postpone. He wishes to finish the destruction of Mordor. Gandalf fears for Frodo and Sam. A plan is formed. We will march on the Black Gate to distract Sauron. All those who can will march with us.

We spend a day re-supplying before we leave the city. The march will take us three days. Faramir and Eowyn are not yet well enough to travel with us. Boromir has responsibilities to the soldiers of Gondor, as he is still their only official leader. I ride beside Gandalf. As we leave the city I wonder if I will ever return. Perhaps I am not meant to live here.

No one speaks much during the trek. There is not much hope for success; we go to give Frodo a chance. When I explored the Now that Boromir died within I only went so far as to see the salvation of his city. I do not know anything about what stands in front of us. I may die. Everyone may die. I do not know.

There is one thing I wish to know if such is to be our path.

"Gandalf, what am I? What have I become?"

Pippin is startled by my question. He still does not know how long I have been among them.

"I have a solid form. I bleed. I can withstand the sun. I live in the Now. I can no longer be Shadowkin, yet I still possess much that is unique to the Kin. I ghost, I control the Blood Rage, my weapons and armor come when I call, and I draw power from darkness and shadow. What am I?"

"You are the Shadowkin as I remember them from long ago."

"The last battle in which we allied ourselves with the other races."

"Yes. They were much like you. Sauron hurt your kin, in some ways worse then the other races. He twisted elves, men, and dwarves to make his evil creatures but he used the very essence of your people. He used an entire clan, ripping their very existence from them to create the Ring. That is how it turns men into wraiths. That clan is still trapped and endlessly tortured within the Ring. Your kin fought because of this abuse and many fell. They wished to put the lost clan to rest."

I felt numb. It is impossible to imagine what they must have endured all these years.

"When the war ended, the Shadowkin Clans found themselves betrayed by Isildor. They disappeared. I had thought they died out. I do not know for certain but it seems your Elders found a way to protect you from Sauron, should he rise again. The less you are connected to this world, the less you can be hurt. You became faded from the world and safe. Since you were unconnected you also gained the ability to move through time, so long as you observed only and did not become involved."

"The Clan Teachings were to keep us safe."

"Safe, but not living. You lost all that was life. As you began to make decisions you connected and returned to life."

"I made a decision. I decided I would save Boromir. My change began from that moment, not my first action but my first decision. That is what was different and why you could see me from the beginning of the Fellowship."

Gandalf nodded.

"When you took action, covering us from Saruman's spies, your path was set. The more action you took, the more you became as you were meant to be. You are as the Shadowkin should be."

I thank him and remain silent after this. To return to what I was meant to be is very different than changing into something new. I understand what the Elders sought, the desire to protect their kin, but I am not sure the price is worth it. To loose the ability to live to be safe seems hollow. What is being protected by doing so? We survive but only as shadows of what we could be. I am experiencing life. It is hard. To have friends and laughter and feelings seems so much more than just being safe. I am glad I cannot return to the Kin as they are. I am more; I will seek my tomorrows. I will live.

I stand in the saddle and look ahead. Boromir rides closer to Aragorn. Somewhere on my journey with him my admiration changed to something more. I can accept that knowing I have become what I am supposed to be and not a monster. Perhaps life will allow something to grow between us. I ponder over the many possibilities of the future.

I leave my contemplation behind as we arrive at the Black Gate. Aragorn orders the men to take up positions on a small hilltop. Everyone faces outward and trusts those behind them to protect their back. I face the Black Gate. When Sauron does not respond to our presence, Aragorn calls us to him and rides forward. I go with him and watch as he calls out his challenge. A creature that only seems to have a mouth meets us.

This thing taunts Gandalf and the hobbits with descriptions of Frodo's death. Boromir calls him a liar and he turns towards us.

"Ah, the Steward of Gondor. My master was saddened by thou puppet father's death. He was so willing to believe what he was shown. Know that when thou art pulled down we will kill thy brother, destroy thy city, and enjoy every agony we can inflict upon thy shadow companion."

I struggle to not allow the words he speaks to affect me. He turns.

"And who is this? Isildor's heir?"

Aragorn does not permit any further taunts. He cuts the head from the body of the creature and declares that he does not believe what has been said. Beyond the massive gate orcs move towards us. We retreat towards the hill.

"There was no mention of Sam. He only knew of one hobbit."

Gandalf nods and Boromir looks at me.

"There is still hope, as you always say."

I do not know if what the mouth said was true. It could be that Frodo was killed and Sam continues on alone. I do not believe that Sauron has the Ring.

As we approach, the men shift nervously. They know there is almost no hope of our survival. They are full of fear. Aragorn quickly revives their courage. We send our horses away and I call my armor. In moments we are surrounded on all sides with more orcs marching behind those we front. It seems our Now is swiftly coming to an end.

Boromir is to my left and he shifts slightly to speak to me.

"I said we would speak again, though that seems long ago. This is all the time left to us. I wish you to know, Tinúviel, Defender from the Shadows, to fight along side you has been my greatest honor. Had we life before us, I would offer you my heart."

I cannot speak. A beating within me begins. It takes a second for me to realize what it is.

"I have returned to life following your Now, Boromir. Never doubt that I learned to love by loving you. And do not despair, even now, there is hope."

He smiles. Aragorn charges forward and the battle begins.

There are orcs and vile creatures everywhere. Slashing, stabbing, hacking, and slicing becomes my entire world. I loose track of the others. The eagles join us but I have not even a second to spare them. We are being overrun.

I have lost sight of all I call friend. I am alone and surrounded in a flood of orcs. There is steel and orc and blood, most of it orc but much of it mine. There is screaming and fear. If I am to die, the last of the true Shadowkin, my price will be high.

A horrible screech literally stops me mid-swing. The orc before me twists to face the Black Gate. All other sound is drowned out; I can hear nothing but that horrible sound. A few of the orcs begin to flee.

The great tower of Mordor is falling. The Eye of Sauron explodes and the dark land falls apart. More of the enemy flees, trying to outrun the very ground as it swallows them. Cheers for Frodo turn to cries as many realize he will probably die in the aftermath. I search for Boromir. He bleeds from his shoulder and arm but wraps me in an embrace.

The Eagles take Gandalf to search for Frodo and Sam. The rest of us prepare to return to Minas Tirith. The wounded that cannot ride are placed in the wagons that followed behind us by some days. The dead are given one last journey home as well. The Eagles pass over us and one brings news that they have Frodo and Sam, alive but severely injured.

Our return to Minas Tirith is slow. Aragorn offers me a home in his city. I accept. Boromir is busy with his men, particularly the injured but he spends time with me each day. When we arrive at the city, plans for Aragorn's coronation are immediately begun. He is firm that it will not take place until after Frodo is well.

Frodo does awaken, although many days later. The preparations are almost entirely ready by the time he is able to join us. The coronation is very grand. Arwen also joins us and a wedding is celebrated. The festivities are on every level of the city. I am welcomed to the King's celebration. I do not understand the titles but I do understand that Aragorn has placed much trust in me. Boromir and Faramir are given great honor and new titles to support them. There is no more need for Stewards in Gondor.

Boromir asks me aside during the evening's celebration.

"Now that we have moment, and I know that I have something to offer, I would speak to you."

"You had something to offer before, Boromir. Titles mean nothing to me for I do not understand them."

He laughs.

"Still, now I have lands and the means to support a family. I love you."

"You do not ask if we can marry?"

Boromir blushes.

"I asked Gandalf since he knew of your Kin. He said it would be no different from the union of elves and humans. Will you marry me?"

"I watched you die too many times. I wish to see you live."

Boromir pulls me close to him.

"I love you, Boromir, and I accept. I will marry you."

He presses his lips to mine. It is a wonderful thing.

We are married a few weeks later along with Faramir and Eowyn. Now she is my kin as well. I no longer must flit in shadows or walk the many paths of Now. I fight the remaining orcs for my King and country. I offer hope and encouragement when it is needed. I seek out the Shadowkin and show them what they can be. Perhaps someday we will rejoin the world as a people. I love Boromir and our children.

I am Tinúviel Beria uin Morchaint, Shadowkin, Defender of Gondor, beloved of Boromir. I follow my own path through the Now. To have a heart that beats is a wonderful thing.