Well, I guess it's poetic justice that I waited until the 20th anniversary of the Fellowship of the Ring's film release for this chapter. Merry Christmas everyone!

Eventually the Fellowship arrived at Amon Hen. It was here that they made camp, and Aladdin felt in his heart that this was going to be a difficult time. Kay had plans to return to Minas Tirith, and his original plan was to accompany him to help with the defenses. But now that Merlin was gone, he couldn't just leave Mickey. But then he realized something, Mickey was nowhere in sight!

"Where is Mickey?" demanded Aladdin.

"He said he needed some alone time, we've been talking about how the Fellowship will be splitting up, and he just wanted to think about his decision on the path he should take. Don't know why, he has to go to Mordor," answered Robin Hood who added another stick to the fire.

"Where is Kay?" asked Aladdin who realized in that instant while looking around that Mickey wasn't the only one in their party to be missing.

Mickey was pacing by a distant ruin; he knew that as the Ringbearer a lot of weight was on his shoulder. Should he have the party go straight to Mordor from where they were, or go with Kay to Minas Tirith. Kay was always going to go back to his city. He felt that Piglet, Gopher and maybe even Donald would be safer there, but he knew his friends wouldn't ever abandon him.

"Hey Mickey!" a voice called to him. He turned around in panic only to realize it was simply Kay.

"Oh, it's only you," said Mickey in between breaths.

"None of us should really be wandering by ourselves, you least of all," said Kay in a warning tone. He then sat beside Mickey.

"Oh, well you're probably right, but I have a feeling that's not the only reason you're here," said Mickey.

"Well, you got me, I just thought I'd offer some advice. It might be wise to take the Ring to Minas Tirith. From there we might be able to use it against the Horned King. I suggested it at the Council, and I'd like to offer that suggestion again," explained Kay.

"Kay, anything done with the One Ring leads to evil, Merlin, Rafiki, Belle and the Sultan all refused to even touch the Ring because-"

"Yes, yes, I'm aware. But for themselves they may be right. But I am not seeking power, just the strength to defend my home, where is the evil in that? Give me the Ring! Release yourself of the burden!" said Kay.

"No Kay, no," said Mickey, his eyes furrowing down as he backed away from his friend.

"Fool! It was only yours by chance! It could've been mine just as easily!" exclaimed Kay angrily. Mickey quickly put the Ring on and disappeared. Kay suddenly found himself put off balance and bonked his head on a rock. His senses returned to him.

"What have I done? Mickey come back! A madness took me but it has passed! Come back!" shouted Kay. Mickey didn't dare turn back he just kept running but looking into the sky, he saw a great red eye, and out of fear, he forced the Ring off his finger, he didn't want to risk the possibility of the Horned King finding out his true identity.

"Mickey!" called someone from behind him. Afraid, Mickey unsheathed Sting and turned around, ready to defend himself against Kay, but it was Aladdin (Abu on his shoulder)!

"Mickey! I swore to protect you!" exclaimed Aladdin.

"But can you protect me from yourself?" asked Mickey. Aladdin got down on one knee, looking his friend in the eye.

"Where is the Ring?" he asked. Mickey felt unsure if this would be wise, but he unfolded his hand that held the Ring. Aladdin looked at it, but he just closed Mickey's fingers back around the item he knew to be dangerous.

"I would have followed you all the way to Mordor, Mickey," said Aladdin. Abu was now on the verge of tears. That's when they noticed that Sting glowed a bright blue. Aladdin quickly unsheathed his sword and told Mickey to run. Mickey obeyed without a moment's hesitation. Aladdin saw a group of large goblins coming at him. Abu took out his new dagger with his tail, they charged their adversaries head-on.

Meanwhile, Piglet and Gopher were trying to find Mickey themselves when they encountered a group of goblins themselves. They were naturally terrified, but the goblins didn't seem to be anxious to fight them. Even when they drew their blades and Gopher actually got a few stabs and slashes at them. Then Kay rushed down and drew his own sword and began to fight alongside the two of them. Kay's presence caused the goblins to fight back. Kay took two arrows right to the chest, he staggered back, still trying to fight to defend his smaller companions, then he took another arrow in the gut. He picked up his horn and blew with all his might, dying though he knew he was.

Robin Hood and Grumpy had just taken on a cluster of goblins when they heard the call of Gondor's horn and ran to the sound, fearing that Kay was in need of aide. Aladdin heard it too and began to run towards the call himself. Mickey ran past the camp, trying desperately to get to the boat's unseen. His plan was in vain. Donald and Archimedes had stayed at the camp in case he returned and saw him. They rushed after him, Archimedes on Donald's shoulder. Mickey was busy pushing the boat off when the two birds rushed out of the bushes!

"Mickey! Wait!" called Donald.

"Go back, I am going to Mordor alone!"

"And we are coming with you!" exclaimed Archimedes as he and Donald rushed up beside their friend, it was clear that they intended to do exactly what they said. Mickey smiled.

"Well, my plan is ruined, but I am glad to have you both along for the ride," he said. Donald insisted that they get their backpacks for necessary supplies, and Mickey realized Donald was right, he couldn't march to Mordor without provisions or the right gear. Then the three of them continued on their way.

Meanwhile, Aladdin and Abu came across Kay who was now lying beside a tree with at least five arrows in his body. Dead goblins surrounded the area. Aladdin knelt down beside his companion.

"I tried to take the Ring from Mickey, I am sorry, is he alright? Tell him I paid for my action," said Kay weakly.

"I let Mickey go," replied Aladdin.

"You did what I couldn't. The goblins took Piglet and Gopher, I have failed the Company. Go to Minas Tirith, save my people," begged Kay.

"You fought bravely my friend. You did not fail. I will go to Minas Tirith, and do what I can to help your people," said Aladdin. Kay smiled as he breathed his last. It was right about then that Grumpy and Robin Hood arrived. They saw the scene and didn't need to ask what happened.

Aladdin informed them that Piglet and Gopher had been kidnapped, but he kept what Kay said about trying to take the Ring to himself. Going to camp, they found Donald and Archimedes missing along with one of the boats and Mickey and Donald's packs. They placed Kay in one of the boats along with his sword, shield and horn and sent him down the river, a brief little funeral. They sang their farewells, then came to a difficult decision.

"Either we take the last boat across and follow Mickey, Donald and Archimedes to Mordor or we go by foot to get Piglet and Gopher," pointed out Grumpy.

"They could easily be dead by now," pointed out Robin Hood.

"But we can't just abandon them," said Aladdin.

"Wait, here's an idea, Aladdin, why don't you go after the group going to Mordor, make sure they're safe. Grumpy and I can follow the goblins, rescue Piglet and Gopher under the eaves of darkness," suggested Robin Hood.

"And where will you go after that?" asked Aladdin.

"I guess we'll return home, and tell them how the Fellowship has become broken," said Robin Hood sadly.

"Not if we remain true to each other. The fate of the Ringbearer is no longer in my hands. We follow the goblins, but to catch up to them, we must travel light, leave what we can spare to," said Aladdin. His friends agreed, they got small provisions in their packs and ran following the very easy path the goblins had left.

Meanwhile, away from the river, Donald and Mickey with Archimedes on his shoulder were climbing a mountain towards Mordor.

"Let us hope the others find a safer route, Aladdin can look after them. But I fear we may never see them again," said Mickey.

"But we might Mickey, we might," said Donald, trying to be positive.