Well, here it is. The next to last chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 26
The night passed slowly and a fog rolled in. The next morning, Aragorn and Legolas left to find a path which they could carry their boats and baggage down beyond the Falls of Rauros on.
"Peril lies ahead on every southern road," said Aragorn. "Wait for us one day. If we do not return in that time, you will know that evil was indeed befallen us. Then you must take a new leader and follow him as best you can.
It was with heavy hearts that they watched Aragorn and Legolas climb the steep bank, but their fears were for naught. Aragorn and Legolas returned in two or three hours, having found an old portage-way back upstream. They had missed it in the dark the night before. So, they left the River and walked along the bank to the portage-way, the boats carried by Aragorn and Boromir, and the baggage carried by the others. They scrambled through sprawling briars and fallen stones, but they soon made their way down the path, making the journey twice because of their baggage, to the bottom of the Falls. Already the short afternoon was past, and a cloudy dusk was closing in. The Fellowship sat beside the water listening to the gurgled rush and roar of the Rapids hidden in the mist. They were tired and sleepy, and their hearts were as gloomy as the dying day.
"Well, here we are, and here we must pass another night," said Boromir. "We need sleep, and even of Aragorn had a mind to pass the Gates of Argonath by night, we are all too tired-except no doubt, our sturdy dwarf."
Gimli made no reply: he was nodding as he sat. Aurora was already dozing against Boromir's shoulder.
"Let us rest as much as we can now," Aragorn said. "Tomorrow we must journey by day again. But tonight two must watch together in turns: three hours off and one on guard."
Nothing happened that night worse than a brief drizzle of rain an hour before dawn. When it was fully light they started once more. By mid-morning, however, the clouds closed in and it began to rain heavily. They drew the skin-covers over their boats to prevent flooding and drifted on. Little could be seen around them through the grey falling curtains. Luckily, the rain did not last long. The sky above grew lighter, and the clouds broke, trailing away northward. The fog and mist were gone as well. The traveler found themselves in a wide ravine which narrowed to the Gates of Argonath. On either side of the Gates was a great pillars. Tall and sheer and ominous they stood. Giants they appeared to Aurora, vast grey figures which were silent but threatening. Upon enormous pedestals founded deep under water stood two great kings of stone; still with blurred eyes and crannied brows they frowned upon the North. Their left hands were raised in a gesture of warning; their right hands held swords, and upon each head was a crumbling helm and crown. The River swept the boats toward the narrow gap between the statues. All were in awe of them; even Boromir bowed his head as the boats floated by, seeming as frail and fleeting as leaves under the shadow of the silent, enduring sentinels of the long-lost kingdom of Numenor. Thus, they passed into the dark chasm of the Gates.
The chasm was long and dark, filled with the noise of wind, rushing water, and echoing stone. It bent somewhat westward so all was dark ahead for a while. Soon, however, Aurora saw a gap of light ahead, ever growing. Swiftly it drew near, and suddenly the boats shot out into a wide clear light.
The sun, shining brightly in a windy sky, had already fallen far from noon. The waters spread out before them into a long oval lake called Nen Hithoel. It was surrounded by steep grey hills, the sides of which were covered in trees, but the heads were bare. At the far southern end rose up three peaks. On the left was Amon Lhaw and on the right was Amon Hen, the Hills of Hearing and Sight. The middle peak, Tol Brandir, stood somewhat in front of the other two and was separated from them by the water, an island in the lake.
The Fellowship rested now for a while and ate, letting the boats drift southward on the current. Then they took up their paddles once more. The western hills fell into shadow as the sun grew round and red. Rauros roared loudly behind them as the three peaks loomed over them, dark in the twilight. Here and there a faint star twinkled. Night had already fallen when the traveler came at last under the shadow of the hills.
The tenth day of their journey was over. They could go no further without choosing which way to go: east or west. The last stage of the Quest now lay before them.
Chapter 27
Aragorn led them to the right arm of the River. Here, on the west side of Tol Brandir, was a green lawn that ran down to the water. A little spring fell down the hillside and fed the grass.
"Here we will rest tonight," said Aragorn. "This is the lawn of Parth Galen: a fair place in the summer days of old. Let us hope that no evil has yet come here."
They drew the boats up onto the bank and made camp beside them. They saw no sign of enemies and Gollum remained as elusive as ever. Still, they set a watch to guard through the night.
Boromir watched Aurora wrap up in her cloak and settle down for the night. She lay on her side, facing the fire. She pillowed her head on one arm and her other hand rested on her bow and quiver. Boromir brushed a strand of hair out of her face as the flickering light of the fire played across her pale, tired face. He could tell that she was not used to journeys such as this one; dark circles had begun to appear under her eyes days ago. Still, he had not heard her utter one word of complaint during the whole voyage. As he watched her slumber, the same warmth stole over him that came every time he looked at her over the last few days. He wondered at it, and had come to realize what it was.
He loved her. Not like a friend or brother. He truly loved her. He sincerely hoped his affection was returned.
Aurora wrapped herself firmly her Elvin cloak, and laid down to sleep with her bow and quiver within reach. A strange yet not unpleasant feeling blossomed in her chest as she watched Boromir until her eyes grew too heavy to keep open. She had begun to feel this every time she looked at or thought of him for the past several days. Was it love? She could not be sure yet, having never been in love before, but "love" was the only word she could put to it right now. She decided to say nothing though, not really trusting her own young heart. It might only be a passing crush that she would soon forget. She was only eighteen after all, and had never had anyone "like" her before, much less been on a date. This whole thing was new to her. Besides, he might not have any such feelings for her. She fell asleep hoping that he did feel something for her deep down.
Chapter 28
In the morning, a council was held to determine the way that the Fellowship would go.
"The day has come at last," Aragorn said: "the day of choice which we have long delayed. What shall now become of our Company that has travelled so far in fellowship? She we turn west with Boromir and go to the wars of Gondor; or turn east to the Fear and Shandow; or shall we break our fellowship and go this way and that as each may choose? Whatever we do must be done soon. We cannot long halt here. The enemy is on the eastern shore, we know; but I fear that the Orcs may already be on this side of the water."
"Frodo," he continued. "I fear that burden is laid upon you. You are the Bearer appointed by the Council. Your own way you alone can choose."
Frodo did not answer at once. Then he spoke slowly. "I know that haste is needed, yet I cannot choose. The burden is heavy. Give me an hour longer, and I will speak. Let me be alone!"
Aragorn looked at him with kindly pity. "Very well, Frodo. You will have an hour, and you shall be alone. We will stay here for a while. Do not stray far or out of call."
As Frodo wandered up the hill, Aurora noticed a strange look in Boromir's eyes as he watched Frodo go. She had never seen that look before, and it did not bode well in her. After a while Boromir got up and followed Frodo's path up the hillside. For some reason, this worried Aurora. They had told her about the Ring Frodo bore, and how, if one were not careful, it could gain dominance over a person. Was Boromir feeling the corrupting call of the Ring? After a moments indecision, she rose and went after Boromir, concern welling up in her heart.
Chapter 29
Frodo wandered up the side of Amon Hen, and sat on a stone half way up the hillside. He rested his chin in his hands and looked out, though his eyes actually saw little of what was around him. As he sat there, lost in thought, he felt as if unfriendly eyes were watching him. He turned around to find Boromir coming towards him.
"None of us should wander these woods alone, you least of all." said Boromir. He stopped and looked at Frodo, pity in his eyes. "I know you suffer, Frodo. I see it day by day. It need not be that way though. There are other ways, other paths that we might take." he said.
"I think I know what council you would give, Boromir," said Frodo. "And it would seem like wisdom but for the warning in my heart."
"Warning? Against what?" Boromir asked coming closer. There was a strange gleam in his eye now. Frodo backed away. "Why do you recoil? I am no thief." said Boromir.
"You are not yourself." Frodo replied, continuing to back away.
"If you would but lend me the Ring." Boromir said. "I ask only for the strength to defend my people!" Frodo turned to leave. "Fool!" cried Boromir, a fire in his eyes. "It could have been mine; it should have been mine! Give it to me!" He sprang after Frodo and knocked him to the ground. Just the,n Aurora arrived, her shorter strides making the climb longer for her.
Aurora grabbed Boromir's arm and tried to pull him off Frodo. "No, Boromir!" she cried out to him. "Stop! Let him go!" He roughly pushed her aside, but she was back in an instant. She knelt beside him and cupped his face in her hands, turning his face so that he had to look at her.
"Listen to me!" she wept. "You must stop this madness!" He tried to push her away again, but the momentary distraction gave Frodo time to slip the Ring on and disappear.
"I see your mind!" Boromir yelled. "You will take the Ring to Sauron! You will betray us! Curse you, and all the Halflings!"
"Look at me!" Aurora cried. "Stop this! The Ring is corrupting you. It has tempted you, and you're falling for it." Seeing him like this was like a stab in the heart for Aurora. "Please!" she begged, tears running down her face. "Please listen to me, Boromir!"
At the sound of his name, Boromir stopped and looked at her as if he had come out of a trance. He rose and passed his hand over his eyes, dashing away the tears. "What did I say?" he cried. "What did I do? Frodo, Frodo!" he called. "Come back! A madness took me, but it has passed. Come back!" There was no answer. He sank to knees by Aurora who immediately threw her arms around his neck.
"I'm sorry!" he moaned. "Please forgive me!"
"It's alright, it's alright now." She assured, trying to comfort him. Boromir held her to his chest, tears still falling down his face. "Let it go;" she murmured. "Just let it go."
"I shudder to think about what I would have done, were it not for you." Boromir said. He pulled back and looked Aurora in the eye. "There is something I want to tell you."
"What is it?" she asked.
"I love you." He murmured.
Aurora was stunned; she could not believe it. "What?" she breathed.
"I love you." He replied. "I love you so much." he said, pulling her close again. Tears of joy were now rolling down Aurora's face.
"I love you too." She whispered. Boromir looked down at her in wonder.
"You love me?"
"Yes, I love you." she answered.
Suddenly, the clash of metal on metal rang through the woods.
I hope everyone's enjoying this, because the next chapter in going to be the last. Then it's on to the sequel! Keep an eye out for Journey to the Towers!