Boromir looked straight ahead as the Fellowship headed close to the Misty Mountains. He sighed thinking how Solatiri would've loved seeing the sights of Middle-Earth. He hoped she was alright.

"We must hold to this course, west of the Misty Mountains, for 40 days", Gandalf said as he let everyone stop to rest. "If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east to Mordor."

The group set down their stuff as Sam started a fire. He pulled out his pans from his bag to start cooking. Boromir looked at Merry and Pippin. The two Hobbits looked so innocent and clueless when it came to battle.

"If you two are here to protect the Ring-bearer", he started. "You two should learn how to use a sword."

"Will you teach us?" Merry asked.

"Of course."

Aragorn sat at a distance, smoking a pipe as he watched the Hobbits practice. Frodo and Sam served their plates and watched as well. Boromor swung his sword as he helped Merry and Pippin.

"Two, one, five", he said as he spared against Pippin who blocked his attacks. "Good! Very good."

"Move your feet", Aragorn said as he watched.

"You look good, Pippin", Merry said as he stepped forward.

"Faster!" Boromir said as he spared against Merry.

Off into the distance, everyone could hear Gimli and Gandalf hold a conversation about the journey ahead.

"If anyone was to ask for my opinion", Gimli said, "Which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way around! Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."

"No, Gimli", Gandalf said looking disturbed. "I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."

Legolas stood as he watched a mass of darkness fly across the sky. Boromir, Aragorn and the Hobbits paid no mind as they continued with their practice. Pippin dropped his sword and yelled as if he were cut.

"Sorry!" Boromir said stepping closer to check his hand.

Pippin kicked his leg while Merry hit his other leg. Aragorn laughed as the two little Hobbits tackled Boromir to the ground.

"For the Shire! Hold him down, Merry!"

Boromir laughed as he wrapped his arms around them. It was almost like a father playing with his young sons. Boromir wondered if he and Solatiri would ever have children someday.

"Gentlemen, that's enough!" Aragorn said trying to break up the fun.

Merry and Pippin turned and brought Aragorn down to the ground. Sam stood and noticed the dark mass in the sky.

"What is that?" he asked.

"Nothing", Gimli answered. "Just a wisp of cloud."

"It's moving fast", Boromir said taking notice. "Against the wind."

Legolas used his keen eyesight to notice it was not a cloud.

"Crebain from Dunland!"

"Hide!" Aragorn yelled.

Everyone grabbed their things and hid under rocks and bushes. They watched as the hundreds of birds flew over them, toward the South.

"Spies of Saruman", Gandalf said as everyone came out of hiding. "The passage south is being watched."

He looked at the snowy mountains ahead of them.

"We must take the Pass of Caradhras."

Boromir looked at the birds and prayed for Solatiri's safety. This world was becoming more dangerous every day.

Solatiri looked at her map trying to figure out which way the Fellowship could've gone to Mordor. There was the Gap of Rohan, the Mines of Moria and the Pass of Caradhras. Which way were they going?

Up ahead Solatiri spotted smoke from a campfire.

"That must be them!" Solatiri said. "Let's go, Alandu!"

The horse neighed as it took a few steps back. Something was obviously spooking her.

"What is it, girl?" Solatiri asked.

She looked up as she heard the loud calls of birds. She watched a large group of birds fly over the area where the smoke was rising. It was now gone.

"Oh no!" Solatiri said to herself. "Boromir could be in danger!"

The birds now headed in her direction. Frightened, Solatiri urged her horse to run toward the area where the smoke was rising. The birds dove lower as they came toward her.

"Alandu, run!" Solatiri yelled as she held on tight.