As Merry readied himself for the summons to march, he remained on the watch for Boromir.  He was not certain Boromir would be able to meet with him again before they departed, but he hoped he would be able to manage it.  The Riders of Rohan were preparing to set out in search of the secret road the Wild Men had revealed to Théoden; it seemed it was now the only hope they had of reaching Minas Tirith unhindered by the enemy.  They had learned that the main road to the City was taken, and the enemy had cast trenches and stakes across the way to hinder anyone coming from the West.  But the hidden road would take them safely past all that; they just had to follow the lead of the Wild Men.

"Are you watching for your friend Boromir?" asked Dernhelm.  "I am certain he will do everything within his power to meet with you before we begin our march.  It is likely he will ride with the King, so this may be his last opportunity to spend time with you.  He knows you wish to keep your presence from becoming known to the King, at least for now, so he will only be able to come if he is unwatched or unaccompanied."

"Yes, I was thinking just that," Merry confirmed.  "Boromir will do his best, I'm sure!"  Merry shook his head.  "I do feel bad about keeping secrets from the King, but I don't want to upset him at this important time.  He has so many decisions to make now before that battle, and I don't want to distract him.  He'd be unhappy that I disobeyed him!  I know he thought he was protecting me by telling me to stay behind, but I just couldn't do it, even if it means disobeying and risking him being very angry with me when he finds out I'm not safe in Edoras!"

"Yes," agreed Dernhelm in a firm voice.  "It had to be done.  This is not a time for safety, all who are willing to serve are needed.  He will need us with him, I deem, before the end."

"I hope so," Merry sighed.  "That is what I want most, to be needed and to serve well."

"That is also my wish."

Merry shook his head again, still amazed at what he had heard and witnessed from outside the tent during the council between the headman Ghân-buri-Ghân, and Théoden and his advisors.  Ghân-buri-Ghân had known Boromir!  He had acknowledged him as a lord of the Stone-city and honored him as a great killer of Orcs.  It made sense that they would know of him, as they seemed to be a very observant people, and anyone who was an enemy of Orcs would be someone they would notice and honor.  Boromir had been as surprised as the others to hear of the hidden way through the forest, but once he knew of it, he understood immediately how well it would serve their need.  Knowing the history of how his own city had been built, he realized the road had been used to transport stone from quarries in the foothills to Minas Tirith.  That meant the road would be as direct a route and as level and hard-surfaced as possible -- an excellent path for horsemen wishing to travel swiftly.  Once the quarry stones were no longer needed for Minas Tirith, the road had been abandoned, the entrances overgrown and forgotten by all but the Wild Men of the Drúadan Forest.

Merry turned at a sound behind him, in time to see Boromir coming towards him out of the darkness.

"There you are, Boromir!" Merry said happily.  "Dernhelm and I were just wondering when you'd be able to come.  I'm glad you were able to manage it!"

"I cannot stay long, alas!  But I could not go forward without taking proper leave of you, Merry."  Boromir turned to Dernhelm.  "This is Dernhelm, of whom you have spoken so highly?"  He bowed low, hand upon his chest.  "My thanks, Dernhelm, for your kindness and care for my friend.  Because of your willingness to bear him, we have been able to meet again, where a meeting might not have otherwise been possible.  Seeing Merry whole and well-cared for has encouraged me mightily, more than you can know!"

Dernhelm ducked his head and turned away shyly.  "Nay, it is both duty and pleasure to serve you and Master Merry," he muttered in a gruff voice.

"Please continue to serve us both by watching over him, to keep him safe from harm -- as far as you are able!  I entrust him to your care, Dernhelm."

"I will guard him well, lord.  You may rely upon me."

Boromir nodded his thanks, then looked at Dernhelm thoughtfully.  "Have we met before, Dernhelm?" he asked suddenly.  "You have a familiar air about you..."

"It is possible, lord," Dernhelm replied, stammering slightly.  "You have traveled in our lands and to Edoras, you may have seen me there... going about my duties..."

"Indeed, that is a likely possibility," Boromir answered.  "Fare well, then, Dernhelm.  May we meet again in my City!"

Boromir turned to Merry and kneeling, held out his arms.  "Merry, I must go.  The King awaits.  Take great care of yourself, and do as Dernhelm advises.  May the Valar grant us more time together, when we can sit at peace and enjoy one another's company at our leisure!"

"I'll be waiting for that time, Boromir!"  Merry's voice was muffled as he buried his face in Boromir's shoulder.  "And may Pippin be there, too!  And all the others!"

"Indeed," said Boromir softly.  "Pippin must be there, as well, and all the others..."

He gently pulled himself away, and with a wave of his hand to Merry, walked away into the darkness.

"Take care of yourself, Boromir!" Merry called after him.  "Fare well!"

***

Aragorn stood on the deck of the great ship, looking out across the water where the Anduin met the harbor basin of the port city of Pelargir.  Legolas and Gimli were at his side.  The River was wide and deep, quiet in the dark hours before dawn. The noise of the harbor below them seemed strangely stilled and distant, and the sound of gulls keening strove with the sound of creaking masts, the thud of ships' keels against the docks, and the shout of men as they readied those ships for sailing. It had been a long day, full of fear and battle, death and victory, vows fulfilled and vows taken.  The brief quiet after a night of hard, desperate labor was welcome -- but they could not tarry long.  Aragorn would soon give the order to depart, for time was of the essence.  Dawn approached and with it, a new day of fear and battle.

Aragorn turned, beckoning to his companions.  "Come, it is time.  We are needed in Minas Tirith.  I fear the City will not stand long on her own, so we must go swiftly to her aid."

"'Tis a pity the Dead cannot help us now, when the real battle is about to begin," Gimli muttered.

"You surprise me, Gimli!" Legolas exclaimed.  "Before this, you wanted nothing but to see them gone!"

"Aye, it's true, I wanted nothing to do with them," Gimli confessed.  "But I cannot deny the effect they had on the fierce men of Umbar -- terrorized they were, we barely had to lift a finger to fight!  The battle here at the docks was over before it started!"

Aragorn smiled.  "The Dead did their part and fulfilled their vow.  They cannot help us now, nor do they need to.  But there are others here who are willing to join us, now that the Dead are gone.  And we need them, for the coming battle will not be over so quickly as this one was!"

"What news have you had then of the coming battle?" Legolas inquired.

"Before ever we reached Pelargir, I knew through the palantír that Minas Tirith was assailed," Aragorn replied, "Sauron has thrown open the gates of Mordor and his armies move against the White City.  Time grows short.  We must reach her on the morrow or all will be lost."

"And Boromir?"  Gimli asked, hope in his voice.  "Was there aught of Boromir to be seen in the Stone?"

"Alas, no new word of Boromir," Aragorn sighed.  "But he lives, and that continues to give me hope until I learn otherwise.  I am eager to see him again!"

"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Gimli grumbled.  "Give the order so we can be on our way. The sooner we get to Minas Tirith and deal with the Enemy's armies, the sooner we can see Boromir!"