Disclaimer: I do not own J.R.R. Tolkien's Legendarium, Buffyverse or anything else you may recognize

Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed this fic so far.

Thanks to Brainstorm Sorcerer for some suggestions at some parts.

And thank you very much to my friends for suggesting Galadriel's gifts to the five visitors.

Chapter 12- The Breaking of the Fellowship

Two days later, the Fellowship and the heroes finally had to leave Lothlorien. They were given three elegant rowing boats to leave. Aragorn, Dawn, Frodo and Sam were in the first rowing boat. Boromir, Faith, Merry and Pippin were in the second one. Willow, Tara, Angel, Legolas and Gimli travelled in the third, the Witches having used a little magic to make sure the boat could support all five. All of them had supplies distributed among themselves equally.

One of those supplies was the Elvish way-bread known as "Lembas." According to Legolas, one bite of it could fill a grown man's stomach.

"Even a Slayer?" Faith had asked jokingly before taking a bite and deciding it was true.

They had also each been provided with a grey cloak fastened with a green, silver-veined leaf brooch. Lord Celeborn had said these cloaks would help them remain unseen to unfriendly eyes. Celeborn had also told Aragorn and Angel privately about the Orcs that patrolled the eastern banks of the Anduin River.

And he also told them about the new breed of Orcs on the western banks called the 'Uruk-hai' who bore the white hand of Saruman. Angel realized these Uruk-hai would definitely pack a punch due to being a totally fresh breed and the two leaders agreed to complete the journey down the Anduin with speed.

As they paddled southwards, each of the Fellowship thought of the unique, individual gifts they had been given by the Lady of Light.

"To you, Angel, I give these knuckledusters."

Angel was handed 2 golden knuckledusters. He looked at them curiously and wore then on his hands as Lady Galadriel said, "These were forged with the finest Elven Steel. A warrior like you can make use of this with his strength as these can shatter bones."

"I thank you Lady Galadriel for the gift…and everything else", Angel said humbly and gratefully as he bowed to her out of respect and gratitude and she smiled at him.

"To you, Faith Lehane, I give this bow and quiver."

Faith was handed a fine, beautiful and smooth bow with Elvish inscriptions on it. Almost as good as the one Legolas had gotten. She held it up and examined its string closely while hanging the quiver on her shoulder as Lady Galadriel said, "This bow shall not break even with your strength, and you can find your aim with it."

"Thank you, Lady Galadriel." Faith said graciously with a bow.

"To you two, Willow Rosenberg and Tara Maclay, I give these crystals for your staffs."

Willow and Tara took the crystals and looked at them before fitting them on their staff tops as Lady Galadriel said, "These crystals shall focus your power, and can cure wounds and mend illnesses with just a touch."

"Thank you, Lady Galadriel, for these." Willow said gratefully. "And the advice last time, and…..everything really."

"Yes, thank you, for all of it, including what you did for me when I was here", Tara agreed, grateful for Lady Galadriel for providing her comfort during her grief.

Both bowed to her as Galadriel put her hands on their shoulders. "You two are amongst the most benevolent Witches in any Dimension. Remember it in there", she put her hands on their hearts, "and no one can match your power."

"To you, Dawn Summers, I give this magic ring."

Dawn took the ring and looked at the Elvish inscriptions on its band. She put it on her finger it as Lady Galadriel said, "It shall protect you from the oddities of the weather no matter how harsh it is, and you will be as unaffected by it as an Elf."

"Thank you so much, Lady Galadriel." Dawn said with a bow, and then, probably reading her mind, Galadriel gave her a loving embrace as if she was her mother, and kissed her affectionately on the forehead as Dawn hugged her back.

Galadriel assured her. "You are brave, my child, and all will know it."

The Fellowship rowed past Lady Galadriel, who had a white cloak over her head and shoulders and her right hand was upraised in farewell and blessing.

As Lothlorien was finally left behind, Gimli said, "I have taken my worse wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Haugh, henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me."

"What was it?" Legolas asked.

"I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three." Gimli revealed and Legolas smiled as he continued rowing.

"Well, I guess you love Elves now", Angel quipped as some snickers went around.

"So, still believe she is a witch?" Willow asked jokingly.

"Yes." Gimli said before turning to Tara and Willow, "And so are you two, so it is a good thing."

"Yeah, you got that right", Tara smiled, tapping his shoulder.

"And I also believe I am under her spell."

The three chuckled, but also felt nice that Gimli respected and loved Lady Galadriel so much now. They were unaware of the significance of this action in the future when it would be considered a historic act of rapprochement between Elves and Dwarves.

Unbeknownst to the Company, the Uruk-hai led by Lurtz were running in their direction via foot, headed to the same destination as them. It would take them a lot of time to catch up, but they would eventually. Lurtz gave off a roar.

Legolas looked in the direction of the forest on the shores, having felt something due to his keen Elven senses.

Angel, Boromir and Faith heard the roar but due to the huge distance, it sounded more like a sound an animal produced so they chose to ignore it for now.

Angel couldn't sniff that far either while Saruman had done a spell to prevent Tara from sensing their aura unless they were face to face.

They stopped their journey at nightfall on a small island in the middle of the wider section of the Anduin. The only things on the island were boulders, stones and sand. The Company set camp for the night.

Dawn lay on a rock trying to sleep, and noticed Frodo and Sam conversing.

"I am here to help you, Mr. Frodo." Sam said desperately with concern in his voice, "I promised Gandalf I would."

"You can't help me, Sam." Frodo said in a resigned voice as he looked down, "Not this time. Get some sleep."

Sam walked away, feeling a bit dejected as Dawn realized there was something clearly different about his demeanour.

Even if he didn't want help, she would never leave him.

Boromir and Angel stood behind a large boulder and looked at a large log floating in the river. The two could clearly see thin, malnourished hands gripping the log as large round eyes peeked over it, blinking at them.

Angel had sniffed and spotted him back in Moria too, as Tara arrived alongside Willow to see it.

"Who is that?" Angel asked. Tara was about to respond but was beaten to it.

"It's Gollum."

The four turned around as Aragorn and Faith walked up to them.

"He's tracked us since Moria." Aragorn told them.

"Wasn't Gollum the creature Gandalf had said went mad due to the Ring?" Faith asked and Aragorn and Boromir nodded in confirmation, "Why does he still want it?"

"Because it corrupted his mind and told him what he wanted to hear", Willow said, having some sympathy for him. "It made him feel special as it came to him in his mind, and he chose it over everything else."

"Unlike certain other people" Tara added to Willow with a little smile, holding her hand as she knew Willow was also referring to her own magic abuse, but had at the end made the right choice.

"I'd hoped we'd lose him on the river. But alas he's too clever a waterman." Aragorn said.

"I would kill him, but he's too pathetic for even that", Angel sighed. Gollum was just that pitiful.

"And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous." Boromir told him

"How about an alternative route?" Tara suggested.

Boromir stood up and turned to Aragorn, "Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know that. From there, we can regroup. Strike out from Mordor from a place of strength."

The four visitors exchanged a look that said 'Here we go again'.

"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us." Aragorn said in a low voice.

"You were quick enough to trust the Elves!" Boromir said in a slightly raised voice, "Why do you have so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also. And honor to be found in Men."

Boromir gestured to the visitors. "A Man, three Woman and a girl who knew nothing of Middle-earth or its conflicts agreed to help the Quest to Erebor and then our own and yet you refuse to concede nobility in the Race of Men!"

Aragorn turned away, intending to end the one-sided argument, but Boromir grasped him by the shoulder and not caring if anyone else heard him or not said, "You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows, scared of who you are, of what you are!"

Aragorn coolly shook his arm from Boromir's grip and told him "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city!"

He then turned around and walked off.

"And what if it is the only way?" Angel asked. Aragorn stopped for a moment, considering, but then walked away without saying a word.

"That sucked", Faith sighed.

"Yeah, infighting in the group never ends well", Willow said darkly.

Next day, they all travelled in the boats again. Almost everyone had heard Aragorn's and Boromir's argument but no one had brought it up for good reason.

Boromir was in a foul mood and it was obvious why. He spoke to no one and kept his boat as far from Aragorn's as possible.

They paddled on for hours, until they came upon two gigantic statues, carved into the stone of the surrounding cliffs.

"Wow!" Willow said, "They look magnificent!"

And she was right. The other four found the two statues magnificent as well. Both the statues gave gestures with their left hands as if to warn travelers that the waterfall was very close and their expressions also seemed defiant.

"Frodo. Dawn." Aragorn said, attracting their attention towards the statues, "The Argonath. The statues of Isildur and Anarion, sons of Elendil, the first King of Gondor. Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."

'Maybe accept the responsibilities they had as well', Tara muttered in her head.

Just past the Argonath was a giant waterfall, split in two by a tall, wide rock. The Falls of Rauros. The boats would be of no more use after this. They set up a temporary camp, and settled down for a quick rest.

Gimli, Pippin and Faith tended to a small campfire.

"We cross the lake at nightfall." Aragorn told everyone, "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North."

"Oh, yes?" Gimli asked sarcastically as he smoked his pipe, drawing Aragorn's attention, "Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil... ...an impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks. And after that, it gets even better."

Everyone looked at him in alarm as he said, "Festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see."

Pippin stopped chewing the piece of Lembas bread he had in his mouth.

"Well, looks like you killed some people's appetite." Faith said dryly.

"That is our road." Aragorn told Gimli calmly but firmly, "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."

"Recover my—?" Gimli puffed up and grumbled, as if a Dwarf was always at anything other than full strength!

"Maybe enhance it." Faith joked dryly.

That was when Legolas approached Aragorn and Angel.

"We should leave now." He told them.

"No." Aragorn said.

"Lord Celeborn told the two of us that Orcs patrol the eastern shore." Angel told him.

"We must wait for cover of darkness." Aragorn said.

Legolas looked towards the forest with a worried look, "It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind."

He looked into the eyes of the two leaders directly and said, "Something draws near. I can feel it."

"Can you tell us what is it?" Angel asked, aware of the Elves' senses that were keener than a Vampire's.

Merry had gone to collect some firewood and returned at the moment. As he put down his bundle, he heard Gimli saying to Pippin and Faith, "Recover strength? Pay no heed to that, Lady Faith, young Hobbit."

As he looked around, he noticed someone important was absent, "Where is Frodo?"

Aragorn, Legolas and Angel stopped their discussion and looked around, realizing those two were missing. Sam, Dawn, Willow and Tara woke up at that very moment too as Gimli, Pippin and Faith looked around.

Tara's gaze suddenly fell on Boromir's shield. But Boromir was not around, "He is not the only one missing."

A while later, they'd split up. Tara and Faith were walking together, the former trying to use her aura sensing powers as Faith asked. "Getting anything?"

"That way", she pointed at the path. "Come on."

They walked together as Faith asked. "You think Boromir would hurt Frodo?"

"He wouldn't", Tara said firmly. "But he does feel stressed about what his country is going through, it has an effect on his mind."

"And the Ring is playing on that", Faith noted. "Yeah, it keeps telling me how I can bring those I killed back to make up for my mistakes, and I almost buy it until I remember it made you think horrible stuff."

"Yes, it still tries to get to me at times, though I resist mostly", Tara confessed as they shared a look.

"You know, you're stronger than anyone gives you credit for, other than Red", Faith told Tara admiringly, grasping her shoulder. "I mean that, T."

"Thanks Fay", Tara smiled back gratefully.

That was when they heard the sounds of two people struggling and Tara sensed who they were. Following the directions, they saw Boromir had pinned Frodo to the ground. He was yelling repeatedly, "Give it to me! Give it to me! Give it to me!"

Faith rushed in their direction and pouncing on Boromir, tried to push him away, managed to pull him away using her superior strength, then pushed him off into a corner.

As he tried to charge again, Tara held out her staff and stopped him telekinetically.

Frodo during this time had put on the Ring and disappeared.

"CURSE YOU ALL!" Boromir screamed first. "The Ring should be mine! I-"

Tara shook her staff a little and Boromir fell down, hitting his head, which managed to bring him to his senses.

He lifted his head a little, Tara now sensing his earlier corruption and anger being replaced by shame and sadness.

"What have I done?" He whispered, staring at his own hands in horror as his eyes seemed frightened, "What have I done? FRODO, I'M SORRY!"

He then looked to Tara and Faith, "Tara, Faith, I'm sorry for what I said. What have I done?"

"Boromir." Tara said softly as she knelt next to him.

"Please….forgive me….I'm sorry…I didn't mean to….." Boromir sobbed incoherently.

"Look at me." She said in the kindest tone she could.

"I didn't mean to. It made me do it. I wanted it so much….." Boromir sobbed.

"Look at me." She said more firmly this time.

Boromir shook his head.

"Boromir, it tempted me too." Tara told him, "I forgive you. We all do."

This time, Boromir lifted his head to meet the Wicca's eyes. There was no anger or blame in those blue eyes, only compassion and understanding.

Faith knelt next to him as well, patting his shoulder. "We all make mistakes. I've done a lot worse, even gone bad. We won't judge, don't worry. It could have been any of us."

"But it was me first…." Boromir trailed off.

"It wanted you not because you were weak, but because you were too strong, it wanted you at its side so it came at you harder", Tara assured him.

"Yeah, and it was for a bit, now you're back", Faith added.

"Thank you." He said gratefully to them at last for a lack of better words, looking between them. "Now….."

"Well, still need to find Frodo", Faith sighed.

While Tara and Faith had been talking down Boromir, Frodo had put on the One Ring, even though it was a foolish move. He climbed upon a broken bone structure, which was actually the ruins of the Seat of Seeing.

He then heard a sinister voice speaking to him in a language he didn't recognize as he was granted a vision of the Eye of Sauron on the top of Barad-dur. He stumbled back in terror and fell off the structure, pulling the Ring off. He landed with a thud on the soft turf.

"Frodo?"

He turned around to see Aragorn and Angel standing there.

"It has taken Boromir." He informed the two of them, "Tara and Faith did stop him though."

He clenched the Ring tightly, ready to run if these two Men proved to be as dangerous as Boromir.

"Where is the Ring?" Aragorn demanded, more forcefully than he had intended to.

Frodo darted behind the structure, "Stay away!"

Aragorn and Angel were both confounded, realizing the Hobbit doubted the two of them too. They both raised their hands as Aragorn said, "Frodo! I swore to protect you."

"Can you protect me from yourself?" Frodo asked as he unclenched his fist to reveal the Ring. Looking back at the two, he asked, "Would you two destroy it?"

Aragorn's gaze was fixed on the Ring as he slowly walked towards Frodo. He could hear it calling to him. Angel could as well. It told him it would give him the Shanshu he so desired ever since he had heard of it and would give him the peaceful life with Cordelia and Connor he knew he couldn't have. But Angel wasn't tempted. After seeing what the Dragon's Sickness had done to Thorin, he knew not to trust such things. And his stubbornness and strong will managed to defeat the Ring's allure for now.

He clenched his fist, ready to knock Aragorn out if he tried to take the Ring from Frodo. Sure Aragorn had beaten him in a sword fight, but he couldn't block what he couldn't see.

To his relief, Aragorn knelt down in front of the Hobbit and put his hand on his, closing it over the Ring.

"I would have gone with you to the end." He said with a soft expression, "Into the very fires of Mordor."

Frodo nodded with relief on his features, "I know."

He took a deep breath, making a decision, "Look after the others. Especially Sam. He will not understand."

Angel nodded in understanding, "We will."

He knew stopping Frodo was in vain because the Hobbit was as stubborn and brave as Cordelia and Gunn.

Aragorn suddenly stood up and unsheathed his sword, "Go, Frodo!"

Frodo looked confused until Angel pointed at his scabbard. There was a bluish glow coming out of it.

Frodo unsheathed Sting and saw it was glowing blue. And that could only mean Orcs were nearby. Some kind of them at least.

"Run." Aragorn urged the Hobbit, "Run!"

"Get out of here!" Angel said too. Frodo looked at them one last time and turned to bolt in the other direction.

Aragorn and Angel marched towards the Orcs that swarmed up the hill to fight them. Unlike the ones they had encountered back during the Quest to Erebor from Gundabad or the ones in Moria or the Misty Mountains, these ones were at least 2 inches taller than Angel.

'So these are the Uruk-hai.' Angel said to himself.

Aragorn seemed pretty calm as he raised his sword to his face, marching towards them. Angel raised his sword as well while having his knuckledusters on, knowing now was the time to test how good of an enhancement these were to his already high strength.

One of the Uruks swung at Aragorn but he narrowly avoided before slicing it down and hit another one the head, putting it down too. He then rapidly sliced two more down before blocking another's strike and cutting it down as well.

Angel put his sword in the way to block a Uruk's sword and a 'clang' sounded as Angel then bashed its face with his knuckledusters using all his strength. It fell on the ground, dead.

"Pretty good." Angel said as he kicked another Uruk away in a rotatory motion. While they were stronger than most Orcs and Goblins (other than the Big Guns like Azog and Bolg), they were at best at a Vampire's level, and Angel was amongst the strongest and most skilled Vampires in history. He chopped off one more Uruk's head in a spin motion, then blocked another one's blow, both struggling before Angel pushed him off.

He then bashed that one's face twice with the knuckledusters, making it spit out blood before Angel chopped off his head as well.

Sam and Dawn were looking for Frodo together as Sam called out to him, "Mr. Frodo!"

She was about to tell him to look for Frodo discreetly but they heard the sounds of swords clashing and knew a fight had begun.

"We need to find Frodo and keep him safe from this." Dawn told Sam and he nodded as the two of them continued looking for him.

Aragorn and Angel ran up the stairs of the Seat of Seeing. Aragorn blocked another Uruk's strike before kicking its knee, sending it down. He then clashed swords with another one before hitting its head with his sword, sending it down too. He blocked three strikes from another one before striking it down while Angel punched one so hard with his knuckledusters he flew into two others and all three crashed to the ground, breaking the line of the Uruks. Now only a few of them were on the top as the two continued battling them.

"Find the Halflings, the Vampire, the Slayer, the Witches and the girl!" Lurtz roared at full volume.

Aragorn and Angel shared a look as they realized who Lurtz was talking about.

Frodo was running as some Uruks ran after him.

Angel leapt down with his feet pointed at a Uruk and kicked its face so hard it was thrown off by a few feet. He landed and avoiding another Uruk's strike, stabbed it through the throat in time.

"Elendil!" Aragorn yelled as he leapt down too onto some Uruks, throwing them down before turning around and holding his sword upright, allowing a Uruk to fall into it.

That was when one of the Uruks was hit by an arrow and one by a throwing axe before a blast of magic threw many of them away, turning them into bloody splatters. Legolas, Gimli and Willow had arrived.

As Aragorn pushed the dead Uruk off himself, Legolas yelled, "Aragorn, Angel, go!"

He fired an arrow that went into a Uruk and protrude from behind him. Another Uruk ran into it and ended up ramming its head into the arrow.

Willow formed a flame on top of her staff and aiming, fired at a file of Uruks, burning them all effortlessly.

Legolas stabbed another Uruk with his arrow before retracting it and shooting another down with it.

Frodo was running when he tripped and fell on the ground. As the Uruks advanced upon him, Aragorn suddenly arrived and sliced one's feet, tripping it while Angel leapt and bashed another on the head with his knuckledusters thrice, killing it.

Frodo hid behind a tree as Aragorn stabbed a Uruk with his knife and punched it out while Angel stabbed another on the throat, killing it.

Frodo was still hiding from some Uruks that ran past the tree when Merry and Pippin emerged from a bush adjacent to him, "Frodo! Hide here. Quick!"

"Come on!" Pippin said.

Frodo simply shook his head with determination written on his face.

"What's he doing?" Pippin asked.

Merry, while as mischievous as his cousin, was wiser. He realized what Frodo was doing.

"He's leaving." He told him.

"No!" Pippin yelled as he ran out of the bush.

"Pippin!" Merry called out to him as he ran after him.

They heard the roars of the advancing Uruks and Merry said to Frodo, "Run, Frodo. Go on!"

He then waved his hands at the advancing Uruks and said, "Hey! Hey, you! Over here!"

"Over here!" Pippin said too as he started waving.

"This way!" Merry said and the Uruks then ran at the two of them. They ran off as the Uruks continued chasing them.

Frodo wanted to help them but he knew they had done this to allow him to escape and he was not going to let their efforts be in vain so he continued running.

"It's working!" Pippin said as the Uruks chased them.

"I know it's working! Run!" An agitated Merry said.

Legolas ducked to avoid a Uruk's strike before slicing its throat with his dual knives. In a rotatory motion, he then stabbed another Uruk as Gimli blocked a Uruk that was attacking Aragorn and pushing it back, hit its stomach.

Aragorn stabbed another Uruk with his knife and grabbing it by the back of the head, slammed it on the ruins. Gimli disarmed another Uruk and struck it down as Aragorn stabbed a Uruk behind him without even looking back and retracting his sword, turned around and punched it down.

Willow saw a Uruk rushing her and did a slice motion with the tail end of her staff as the Uruk's throat was sliced in spite of the distance, and it fell down, choking to death.

As some more arrived, she slammed her staff on the ground and the Uruks fell down, screeching painfully, their internal organs shattered as they died on the spot.

Angel punched a Uruk in the abdomen, making it kneel before upper-cutting it out. He then kicked another on the throat, slamming it into the ruins, before killing it with a sword stab to the heart.

Merry and Pippin were running around when they noticed more Uruks running up to them in the front. They froze in horror. As one of them tried to bring its sword down on them, Boromir arrived and blocked it, before kneeing it in its region. He then stabbed it with his sword as another tried to attack but was hit by an arrow from Faith in the throat, killing it too, and Tara twirled her staff before striking three in quick succession, the magic breaking their bones and ripping apart their internal organs as they died on the spot.

Boromir threw his knife at another Uruk, killing it, while Faith shot at another and it was killed as well.

Aragorn was pinned to a tree by a Uruk. He kept punching it but it didn't let go as Legolas fired rapidly at 6 Uruks who were running in the other direction, killing them all. Angel grabbed the Uruk that was struggling with Aragorn. It struggled with him before Legolas fired at it, killing it as well.

That was when they heard a horn being blown and turned to its direction.

"The horn of Gondor." Legolas said.

"I think only one of us carries a horn." Angel said.

"Boromir." Aragorn said as he rushed in the direction with Angel and Legolas following. Willow and Gimli had gone off in another direction to fight off some more Uruks.

Boromir ducked to avoid a Uruk leaping at him and it fell down as Faith stabbed it through the throat.

He blew the horn of Gondor again.

Aragorn leapt out of a bush and punched a Uruk away before stabbing a second. He retracted his sword and clashed with a third before slicing its side, putting it down. He then sliced its throat just as Angel sliced down one, killing it.

Boromir cut off a Uruk's hand before cutting it down while Merry and Pippin leapt at a Uruk, managing to pin it down before stabbing it in various areas. Faith clashed against a Uruk before kicking it, making it stagger back. She then stabbed it through the throat, killing it.

Tara held up a defensive shield for a bit as some Uruks rammed into it and fell down, then she slammed her staff on the ground and the shockwave sent all of the Uruks flying off and falling here and there.

"Run! Run!" Boromir yelled at Merry and Pippin and they ran away a little bit. Boromir and Tara continued dueling with and killing Uruks as Merry and Pippin picked up rocks and threw them at the Uruks, staggering some of them back, giving the two opportunities to kill them.

Tara twirled her staff, blowing a minor wind which sent more Uruks flying off before firing a magic ball which exploded in the midst of five of them, taking them out too.

That was when Lurtz arrived and looked down at the scene. Seeing how well they all were doing against the rest, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Making sure he was unseen, he took out a phial and tipped the contents on two arrows. This was similar to the shaft that had been shot at Faith by Bolg, but modified by Saruman. It wouldn't kill or even show hallucinations now, but it would weaken greatly to the point Tara wouldn't be able to use her magic for a while and Faith wouldn't be able to use her strength either.

Nocking an arrow on his bow, he aimed at Tara just as she took down 3 more Uruks with a blast of fire.

She turned slightly to fight another and then Lurtz fired. As Tara shattered its bones, the arrow hit her shoulder and she let out a cry of pain, dropping her staff while falling down, feeling weakened.

"T!" Faith cried out in concern and taking the opportunity, Lurtz fired his other one which hit Faith on the back, making her gasp as she felt weakened too.

Boromir saw them both hit by arrows and angrily sliced down another Uruk before clashing one and stabbing it, trying his best to protect them both.

He blocked another Uruk and pushed it off, only for one arrow from Lurtz to hit him near the chest, staggering him back.

Merry and Pippin watched in horror as Boromir fell to his knees.

Tara had passed out by now but Faith was resisting. Gritting her teeth, she picked up her bow and nocking an arrow, fired at Lurtz.

Though due to being weakened, her aim was awry so she couldn't hit him. But the arrow went through his bow and managed to cut the string, making Lurtz screech in anger as he threw his bow down.

Having used up her remaining strength, Faith passed out in that moment as Boromir leapt up with a roar and killed one more Uruk, then clashed with another Uruk before slicing its feet and stabbing it on the back.

As he tried to get up, one Uruk punched him hard, turning his face the other way as he spat out blood and fell to the ground. He tried to get up but the Uruk stomped on his hand, making him drop his sword on the ground.

Seeing Boromir, Faith and Tara were all down, Merry and Pippin let out battle cries and taking out their weapons, charged at the Uruks. But they didn't even break stride as they disarmed the two and slinging them over their shoulders, carried them away.

Boromir tried to pick himself up as to his horror, two larger Uruk-hai slung Tara and Faith over their shoulders too, and then carried them away as well while throwing Faith's quiver down.

Boromir tried to reach his sword in vain but found a boot on it, and looked up to see Lurtz, who now had picked up Faith's bow, and had an arrow nocked to shoot him.

The Man of Gondor sat up on his knees, looking into the Uruk's eyes defiantly. He was a failure of a person, having failed his country, his father, his brother, Frodo, Tara, Faith, Merry, Pippin and everyone.

But this Uruk would never see it.

Just before Lurtz could release the arrow, Angel rammed into him, sending him falling down as the arrow flew off in a random direction.

Lurtz got up angrily and raised his falchion, clashing with Angel, who then used his fist to punch him, the knuckledusters making Lurtz bleed, but he ignored it and head-butted Angel, who was actually dazed and staggered back towards a tree.

Seeing Angel was where he wanted him to be, Lurtz threw his shield, the fangs at the end sticking it to the tree and trapping Angel's neck there.

He rushed Angel with his falchion raised but now Aragorn leapt into him, throwing them both down. As they clashed, Angel pulled the shield out and rushing Lurtz, kicked him away.

Lurtz staggered back, then raised his falchion to block Angel's swing before kicking his feet, sending him down. Then he raised his falchion and brought it down on Angel who rolled away and then kicked him, staggering him back.

Lurtz turned in time as Aragorn tried to strike and blocked many blows. But Aragorn used his skill and speed, overwhelming Lurtz and finding an opening, chopped off his arm and then stabbed him.

But Lurtz wasn't going to give up. In a last-ditched effort to kill Aragorn, he grabbed the sword with his remaining hand and started pulling it further in, pulling Aragorn with it to bite his head. But Aragorn managed to pull the sword out and chopped of his head. It dropped at the same time as his body.

Aragorn paused a moment, panting. He then noticed Boromir. Boromir, pale and bloodied, was now lying on his back, his head close to a tree.

"No." He ran up and knelt near Boromir, Angel close behind.

"They took the little ones, Tara and Faith", Boromir confessed with bloodied teeth as Angel looked back at Tara's dropped staff as well as Faith's bow and quiver, then turned to Boromir again.

Aragorn assured him. "Hold still."

"Frodo", Boromir then rasped. "Where is Frodo?"

Aragorn responded. "I let Frodo go."

"Yeah, we did", Angel sighed, feeling bad for Boromir as he noted the guilt in the Man. His next words proved it.

"Then you two did what I could not", Boromir revealed guiltily. "I tried to take the Ring from him. Tara and Faith stopped me."

Aragorn advised him. "The Ring is beyond our reach now."

Boromir pleaded now. "Forgive me. I did not see it. I have failed you all."

Angel was about to reply but Aragorn did it first. "No, Boromir. You fought bravely. You have kept your honor." He reached out to pull the arrow from Boromir, but Boromir grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Leave it! It is over. The world of Men will fall. And all will come to darkness, and my city to ruin."

"I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall!" Aragorn began. "Nor our people fail!"

"Our people?" Aragorn confirmed his epiphany with a nod. "Our people."

He reached for his sword, but couldn't get it. Aragorn placed the hilt in his hand, and Boromir clasped it to his chest.

Legolas finally came running up, but stopped and watches from a distance as Boromir made an epiphany of his own now.

"I will follow you, my Brother. My Captain. My King."

Willow and Gimli arrived behind Legolas, and seeing Boromir, Willow bolted past all, kneeling near him next to Aragorn, and touched the arrow with her staff's crystal, disintegrating it, before touching his wounds with it, chanting in a sing-song voice.

"Na heal. Na heal. Na heal."

The blood from Boromir's wounds seeped back in, his wounds closing as he felt his strength return while the wounds all closed, with him now fully healed at last.

"Willow." She turned to Angel who gestured at the dropped staff, bow and quiver nearby. "They took Tara."

Willow felt numb all over as Angel added. "And Faith, Merry and Pippin too. I'm sorry."

The redheaded Witch ran to Tara's staff, falling to her knees near it, touching it as she felt tears roll down her cheeks, Angel hugging her from behind, trying to ignore his own pain, while Gimli put a hand on her shoulder.

Boromir watched guiltily and looked down as Aragorn and Legolas shared a look.

Frodo stood in front of the water. Remembering Gandalf's words, he put the Ring in his pocket and wiping off his tears, walked towards a boat with determination in his eyes and started rowing away.

"Frodo, no!" Sam yelled as he arrived at the shore with Dawn behind him, "Frodo! Mr. Frodo!"

"Sam wait!" Dawn said.

"No, Sam." Frodo whispered before saying, "Go back, both of you! I'm going to Mordor alone."

"Of course you are. And we're coming with you!" Sam said as he ran into the water.

"You can't swim!" Frodo yelled as Sam tried to swim after him but sank.

"Sam! Sam!" Frodo yelled in horror. Dawn dived into the water and grabbing Sam, swam up. Frodo held out his hand and the two of them helped Sam onto the boat before she climbed up as well.

"You idiot!" She said to Sam, "Do not go into the water if you can't swim!"

"Sorry." Sam whispered before looking at Frodo.

"I made a promise, Mr. Frodo." He said emotionally, "A promise: "Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee." And I don't mean to. I don't mean to."

"I'm not leaving you either to do this alone. I couldn't leave your uncle, I can't leave you. We are in this together to the end, and I will always be there for you." Dawn smiled at him encouragingly, having some tears of her own.

"Oh Sam! Dawn!" Frodo looked like he was on the verge of tears and hugged both of them. They were off to Mordor now.

Aragorn, Gimli, Boromir, Willow and Angel stood on the shore as Legolas pushed a boat into the water, "Hurry! Frodo, Sam and Dawn have reached the eastern shore."

He then looked up and saw that they made no move to join them.

Willow, who held her staff and carried Tara's on her back, looked torn apart and conflicted. Follow her daughter in all but name and blood, or save her soulmate, her friend and the two Hobbits.

"You mean not to follow them." Legolas realized.

"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." Aragorn said as he looked up.

"Then it has all been in vain." Gimli said, "The Fellowship has failed."

"Do not talk like that, Gimli." Angel told him, trying to find some hope. "They are still on their way to Mordor. That was our goal."

"The Fellowship will not fail if we hold true to each other." Aragorn repeated Galadriel's words as he put his hands on both Legolas' and Gimli's shoulders. Gimli grasped his hand back firmly.

He then turned to the other three and to them all, Aragorn looked like a King in this moment, as tall as the pair in the Argonath.

"We will not abandon Merry, Pippin, Tara and Faith to torment and death." Aragorn said, "Not while we have strength left."

He then sheathed his dagger and said, "Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let us hunt some Orc."

"Can't wait to do that." Angel said as he slung Faith's bow and quiver over his shoulder. He then looked at Willow, grasping her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I know this is hard for you."

Willow wiped some tears, then said. "Dawnie would want me to save Tarebear instead of trying to baby her again all the way to Mordor."

Angel gave a slight chuckle and Willow too let out a watery one.

"We'll save her, Faith, Merry and Pippin, all of them", Angel assured Willow, giving her a hug which she returned.

There was a time when Willow only knew Angel as 'Buffy's broody Vampire boyfriend who goes evil on being perfectly happy so she has to re-ensoul him so he doesn't kill her goldfishes or favorite teacher' and Angel only knew her as 'Buffy's sweet and nerdy friend who learnt magic and re-ensouled him'.

But now, they were both good friends and comrades to each other with a level of intimate trust.

Aragorn rushed into the woods, followed by Boromir, a very determined look in his eyes. Legolas and Gimli gave each other a mock glare.

"Want to fight again?" Angel asked dryly, "At this time? Or hunt some Orcs like Aragorn said?"

Legolas and Gimli burst into smiles before the latter proclaimed, "Yes!"

The four then charged into the woods behind Aragorn and Boromir. This was the moment when the Six Hunters were born.

Frodo, Sam and Dawn stopped on a hilly area and looked into the distance.

"Mordor." Frodo said ominously, "I hope the others find a safer road."

"Strider will look after them." Sam said.

"Willow, Tara and Angel will as well." Dawn said, "I know they will."

"I don't suppose we'll ever see them again." Frodo said.

"Don't talk like that Frodo. There is always hope." Dawn said. "I am sure it won't be the end."

"Yes. We may yet, Mr. Frodo. We may." Sam assured him too.

"Sam...Dawn..." Frodo smiled as he turned around and touched both of their shoulders.

"I'm glad you two are with me." He said genuinely before they continued on their path.

And this is the end of movie 1. Boromir was always gonna survive here, its always awesome when he does. And unlike last time when I'd him captured, this time he's part of the running group.

Tara and Faith are taken now, didn't wanna split up Tillow but works best for the plot that way. Willow, Angel and Boromir join the Three Hunters while Dawn joins Frodo and Sam, which was obvious.

The Uruk-Hai are Vamp level for here, and Lurtz is stronger than the usual ones hence why he gave Angel trouble.

Next chapter will cover some of the Northern plotline again before we start 'The Two Towers'.

Hope all enjoyed and see you all next time with another chapter.