Tolkein owns LOTR - Meyer owns Twilight and I own a christmas shopping list that isn't even close to being done.
9 Broken. (Feb 26 – March 1)Several days passed in much the same way, a few times someone thought they may have seen Gollum, Sam was certain he saw a pair of large pale eyes shining out of a log that floated near Gimli's boat, but as soon as it was mentioned the log floated on by and continued down the river, they never did see if Gollum was hidden inside.
Concern mounted, worried that Gollum would reveal them to the enemy, they made haste down the river and were almost caught in an ambush as the reached the rapids of Sarn Gebir. It was Bella that spied the creature flying towards them from the south as arrows flew across their heads. Swiftly they turned their boats towards the bank, watchful of both the shore and the sky. As they reached the western shore, a loud screech could be heard overhead and Frodo clutched the old wound in his shoulder. Legolas and Bella raised their bows and shot a volley of arrows at the figure as the beast drew ever closer. Moments later it crashed on the other side of the river, sending the small group of orcs that had been firing on them scrambling away.
"We should make for Minas Tirith, with the aid of Gondor we have a better chance of getting into Mordor," Boromir suggested in frustration.
"Boromir, if the ring enters Minas Tirith, it will be the end of us all," Aragorn replied warily.
"You want to keep it for yourself, yet my people die constantly in the battles against Saurans forces!" Boromir ground out angrily. Turning back to Aragorn his pleaded, "Even now, my younger brother Faramir fights in Osgiliath, the ring could be the difference between his life and death!"
"This is bigger than all of us, we cannot wield the ring!" Aragorn replied in frustration. "We can go no further, the Falls of Rauros drop on the other side of the Argonath, we shall camp here tonight," Aragorn continued paddling to the shore.
Boromir turned from the company, jumping from his boat and storming up the beach.
"Let him go, the ring has troubled him from the start, he is divided, he knows that it must be destroyed, yet he is loyal to his father and only wished to help Gondor in the coming fight," Gimli offered grasping Aragorns arm lightly.
Aragorn nodded in agreement and pulled the boats in, and helped the hobbits to shore. Bella and Legolas both disappeared into the nearby forest, in order to scout around to ensure all was well. Aragorn stood on the shore gazing up at the Argonath, a pair of enormous statues of former kings of Gondor, Pippin and Merry stood beside him gazing up in awe.
"Bloody big statues, wonder how they got there," Merry said.
Aragon smiled to himself as he listened to the youngest hobbits.
"Bet they built them there, can't imagine trying to carry the rocks up here," Pippin replied.
"They're quite scary looking," Merry offered.
"Fear not!" Aragorn said, "Long have I desired to look upon the likenesses of Isildur and Anarion, my sires of old. Under their shadow Elessar, the Elfstone, son of Arathorn of the House of Valandil Isildurs son heir of Elendil, has naught to dread!" He finished gazing at the giants leaving the two hobbits speechless.
Sam chose to call everyone to the evening meal then, Legolas had caught a brace of rabbits and Sam had prepared a hearty stew to go with them, they ate well that night. Frodo remained quiet and unnerved, he had done since Boromir had started complaining and demanding they head to Gondor, he didn't know who to trust.
The next morning dawned misty and grey, the air felt charged and everyone was a little on edge as they packed up to leave.
"Has anyone seen Frodo and Boromir?" Aragorn asked.
"Not since breakfast," Bella responded from her place on a nearby rock, where she watched the far bank of the river.
The company headed into the forest to find them, calling out for them to say where they were. As Aragorn and Bella reached the lookout at Amon Hen they found Boromir knelt on the ground, crying out in distress.
"Where is Frodo?" Bella asked.
"I tried to take it from him, it calls to me and I am too weak to fight it, I have failed, he ran." Boromir lamented.
"Then we need to find him, and the others," Bella responded "The young ones are in here looking for him, find them and go back to the beach." she finished and pushed him away from her.
"Where would he go?" she questioned.
"Back to the camp, he would've sought help," Aragorn said turning to run down the hill to the camp.
As they stepped out of the forest and on to the beach, they found Sam and Frodo, preparing to take one of the boats.
"You cannot have it, stay back!" Frodo shouted, stepping back from Aragorn and Bella.
"Peace Frodo," Aragorn said dropping to his knees and pushing the hobbits hand closed to cover the ring. "We would've gone with you into the fires of hell," he continued.
"I know," Frodo replied looking towards the boat that Sam was holding still.
"Go Frodo, this is your path, we'll meet again if it is meant to be so," Bella stated kissing his forehead, "Be safe and believe in yourself, like we believe in you." Turning to Sam, she shared a knowing smile with the loyal hobbit, "Look after him Sam!"
"I will Miss Ránëwén, I promise!" he replied.
Frodo nodded and turned back to the boat and he and Sam pushed off from the shore and started paddling across the river to the other side. Away from the company, to make their own way to Mordor.
Gimli and Legolas appeared then from the forest and watched as the two hobbits paddled across the river.
"Where are the others, we need to catch up!" Legolas asked.
"Their path is not ours, now we must go on to Gondor..." Aragorn started.
"You mean to let them go?" Gimli asked.
"I do," Aragorn said.
"Then the fellowship is broken," Gimli stated.
"No, as long as our path remains true in our hearts, the fellowship will continue, just on separate paths." Bella offered.
A scream interrupted their discussion and the company looked into the forest, and ran to find Pippin and Merry. As they ran further in, they could hear the unmistakeable sound of swords clashing and shouting. The horn of Gondor sounded moments later. They could see Boromir besieged by Uruk-hai wearing the mark of Saruman on their faces.
With a rousing battle-cry they parted and ran for the encroaching army, swords raised, bows knocked and battle axes swung, as they took on the fell beasts of Isengard.
"Lookout!" Bella shouted as she twisted over the back of one beast as another came behind Aragorn. He spun, slicing through it as he turned and lopped off its head, before moving to the next. Legolas sprang from tree to rock, loosing arrows at all that moved, Gimli charging in like a bull in a china shop, swinging his axe with wild abandon.
Boromir had found the two remaining hobbits and was trying to protect them from the hoard. A large Uruk approached from further up the hill and loosed a series of arrows at the young Gondorian, he spun as they hit, sending him crashing to the ground. The two hobbits yelled as they charged at the Uruks that swarmed around him. "Take the Half-lings alive!" one was heard to say as Boromir staggered to his feet once more and swung his sword uncontrollably about him, while lifting the horn of Gondor to his lips and blowing. The two hobbits were soon overpowered and grabbed by the Uruk, who bound their hands and tossed them over their shoulders as they made their escape from the battle. Finally the Uruk with the bow fired one last arrow at Boromir and he fell to his knees.
Meanwhile up at the lookout, Aragorn and Bella fought back to back, cutting and slashing, stabbing and slicing their way through the Uruk until they were either dead or had run. They panted as the sounds of battle died, hoping beyond all hope that Frodo and Sam had gotten away unscathed.
"Are tye ehtele?" Aragorn asked, looking her over (Are you well)
"Yes, just a few bruises, you?" Bella replied as Gimli and Legolas appeared looking a little bedraggled.
"Brother! Gimli!" Bella yelled as she hugged them both and checked them for injuries.
"Boromir, the hobbits?" Legolas asked.
"They were in the forest," Aragorn replied turning to return to where they saw Boromir last.
It didn't take them long to find him, he lay propped against a tree, with no less than three large black arrows in him. He was still alive, albeit barely, Bella ran to his side, to attempt to heal him, but he steadied her hand and shook his head.
"They took the young ones, there were too many," he gasped as Bella held his hand.
"Rest now friend, be at peace," Bella soothed, brushing his hair back from his sweat and dirt covered face.
"Frodo?" he asked.
"We let him go," Aragorn responded.
"Then you did what I could not, I have failed Gondor!" he wept.
"No, you protected the young ones, take heart, you realised what you had done and you have atoned!" Aragorn said.
"I would've followed you into the gates of Mordor, my Captain, My king!" Boromir gasped.
"And it would've been my honour to have you with me! I would've been proud to ride at your side as the horns of the citadel announced the return of the lords of Gondor, be at peace brother, I shall not let Gondor fall, our city will survive this pestilence." Aragorn replied.
"Our city?" Boromir gasped, "Yes, our city shall thrive and woe be those who dare to underestimate the strength of men." Grasping Boromir's sword Aragorn placed it in his hands and sat with him while he breathed his last breaths before kissing his forehead and promising to go to Minas Tirith to protect his people.
"We cannot leave him here, I will not let him lay as carrion amongst this filth." Aragorn said and the four of them lifted the body and carried it down to the shore, where they placed it inside one of the boats. His sword, shield and the broken horn of Gondor laid with him. They pushed the boat out into the river and sang a lament as it fell over the Falls of Rauros.
Standing at the shore, the four companions prepared their weapons, assembled light bags and made ready to leave. They looked to the other shore and could see Sam and Frodo climbing the bank, they sent prayers of hope for their journey.
"Our young friends are still out there, let us get them back!" Aragorn said sheathing his sword.
"Yeeeees!" Gimli replied waving his axe.
"Yes!" Bella and Legolas responded grasping hands to sooth each other.
"Let us hunt some Orc!" Aragorn crowed as he ran for the forest and the trail of the Uruk-hai. The other three looked to each other, eyes wide and ravenous grins upon their faces, they nodded to each other before kicking into a run and following Aragorn into the forest.