"The Black Gate Is Closed"

So Boromir says: "I have seen it – 'tis impassable."

"How to enter then?"

"There's another way..."

Through battle between the two towers' servants he cuts a path. An arrow pierces his arm, though, as they flee southeast.

"Let me!" Frodo exclaims, when Boromir cuts the shaft free himself.

Boromir, white-faced, winding bandages, says tersely: "Best I keep my hands occupied!"

~0~

That night, fever dreams lay him bare: I've repented! Leave me be! he pleads. Then, hard-voiced: For Gondor, Boromir...!

"I'm well," he insists come morning. "We must go."

"Lead on," Frodo says, but the Ring weighs on its chain…


For the Tolkien Weekly "Cut" challenge: prompts: to cut a path/to cut yourself.

"The Black Gate Is Closed" - title of same chapter in TTT.