A/N: Totally unexpected, this came out of the blue, but I just went with it. Events mostly follow the book version, though the "dialogue" is more what was seen in the movie version.

Moment of Reckoning

The stone pillars line the way, standing at rigid attention as I move tiredly down the length of the hall. They are equally as rigid as the man who awaits me, watching my approach with distaste. With not a word, he leads to a private chamber, and though I am given food and drink, he is concerned only with my report, not my health. I have dreaded this moment, but there was no avoiding it. We may be father and son, but I am also a captain of Gondor, and he the Steward over all – I must report…and answer for my actions.

Pippin and Gandalf share this meeting, and it is to the latter I find myself speaking, though Father listens with interest. My doing so will also be censured by my father, I know, but I believe Gandalf may do more with the information I impart that will be useful to us all.

My father is appalled at what I have said – release the Halfling? Send him into Mordor with the Ring? I did what I judged to be right, I tell him, with conviction, but he is not interested. Anger, and disappointment, flash in his eyes.

Boromir would have brought me this mighty gift, he answers, and all arguments to the contrary fall on deaf ears. In my heart, I know I did right. Boromir was the mightiest of men, and I both admired and loved my elder brother, but had he taken the Ring it would have destroyed him.

I am sent away, with sorrowing heart, and on the morrow I return to Osgiliath to meet my doom. I love my father, but I do not like him. If Frodo fails, we are all lost.

THE END

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