The Promise
Disclaimer: Shiva has Legolas tied up in her basement. That is, until she wakes up. I own NOTHING!! NOTHING, YA HEAR ME?!
Rating: PG-13 just to be safe.
Summary: During the trip on Anduin (The river just after they leave Lorien), Boromir reflects on a promise he made to Gandalf before his 'death', but will Boromir be able to overcome his inner demons and keep to his commitment? (AN: I don't know if this has been done before, but this is my first try at a LotR fic, so suggestive criticism would be helpful.)
Reviews: Pwetty pwease!! *puppy eyes*
Chapter I - Ripples on Still Waters
The grey water reflected the overcast sky. Anduin stretched seemingly endlessly into the distance, a dull yet shiny floor rimmed with a dark, tangled carpet of bushes and trees. Boromir sighed quietly. None of his companions uttered a sound; each was lost in his own thoughts. Even Meriadoc and Peregrin, the two usually boisterous and happy-go-lucky hobbits, were uncharacteristically silent.
The whole river was unnerving, the faint splashing of his oar on the water sending large ripples emanating from the edge of the boat. He flexed his arm and plunged his paddle in harder than he should have done, sending spray out of the water and into the boat, but whether he did it because of tension, boredom or in an attempt to break the atmosphere, he did not know. He still gained no response from the rest of the Fellowship.
Aragorn steadily pushed his boat along, staring straight-ahead, eyes cold and jaw set. Legolas was also looking forward, but his face was less troubled; indeed, Lothlorien had been a great lift to his Elven spirit. Gimli, the dwarf, sat hunched in Legolas' boat, gazing at the bottom of the craft. Boromir wondered if he was asleep. In Aragorn's boat, Samwise was peering at the banks, trying to discern some recognisable shapes from the ramble, but to no avail.
Frodo, on the other hand, appeared as if he had a great burden on him, both mentally and physically. Which, of course, he did. An image of the One Ring flashed into Boromir's mind. Power, total and utter power. With that ring he could… No, no, mustn't think of that. Must remember Gandalf's promise. A shadow came over Boromir's face, as he remembered that fateful night in Rivendell, after the council of Elrond.
*****Flashback*****
"Gandalf?" He had said, as he approached the wizard. The night had been dark, but not lifeless, hundreds of insects had chirped their twilight symphony. "You summoned me?"
Gandalf had drawn a long and thoughtful breath on his pipe, savouring the taste of the smoke on his tongue.
"Boromir son of Denethor. I need you to do a task for me. I want you to guard the ringbearer with your life. You know who else is travelling with the Fellowship. It will be a difficult task, but I want you to protect Frodo. I know that you desire to wield the ring, but that cannot happen. Do you agree to these terms?"
Boromir had contemplated this in silence for a while, Gandalf looking in the other direction. The man finally replied
"Yes. I agree."
"I need a solemn oath on your part, Boromir."
"I, Boromir son of Denethor, swear to protect Frodo, the ringbearer, with my life, and to not mention my desire to use the ring again."
Gandalf had fallen into silence after this statement. He simply nodded, and Boromir had walked slowly away.
*****End Flashback*****
EDIT: In light of previous reviews, I've edited this chapter and the next one to break up the paragraphs. I've not changed anything else. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, people!
Disclaimer: Shiva has Legolas tied up in her basement. That is, until she wakes up. I own NOTHING!! NOTHING, YA HEAR ME?!
Rating: PG-13 just to be safe.
Summary: During the trip on Anduin (The river just after they leave Lorien), Boromir reflects on a promise he made to Gandalf before his 'death', but will Boromir be able to overcome his inner demons and keep to his commitment? (AN: I don't know if this has been done before, but this is my first try at a LotR fic, so suggestive criticism would be helpful.)
Reviews: Pwetty pwease!! *puppy eyes*
Chapter I - Ripples on Still Waters
The grey water reflected the overcast sky. Anduin stretched seemingly endlessly into the distance, a dull yet shiny floor rimmed with a dark, tangled carpet of bushes and trees. Boromir sighed quietly. None of his companions uttered a sound; each was lost in his own thoughts. Even Meriadoc and Peregrin, the two usually boisterous and happy-go-lucky hobbits, were uncharacteristically silent.
The whole river was unnerving, the faint splashing of his oar on the water sending large ripples emanating from the edge of the boat. He flexed his arm and plunged his paddle in harder than he should have done, sending spray out of the water and into the boat, but whether he did it because of tension, boredom or in an attempt to break the atmosphere, he did not know. He still gained no response from the rest of the Fellowship.
Aragorn steadily pushed his boat along, staring straight-ahead, eyes cold and jaw set. Legolas was also looking forward, but his face was less troubled; indeed, Lothlorien had been a great lift to his Elven spirit. Gimli, the dwarf, sat hunched in Legolas' boat, gazing at the bottom of the craft. Boromir wondered if he was asleep. In Aragorn's boat, Samwise was peering at the banks, trying to discern some recognisable shapes from the ramble, but to no avail.
Frodo, on the other hand, appeared as if he had a great burden on him, both mentally and physically. Which, of course, he did. An image of the One Ring flashed into Boromir's mind. Power, total and utter power. With that ring he could… No, no, mustn't think of that. Must remember Gandalf's promise. A shadow came over Boromir's face, as he remembered that fateful night in Rivendell, after the council of Elrond.
*****Flashback*****
"Gandalf?" He had said, as he approached the wizard. The night had been dark, but not lifeless, hundreds of insects had chirped their twilight symphony. "You summoned me?"
Gandalf had drawn a long and thoughtful breath on his pipe, savouring the taste of the smoke on his tongue.
"Boromir son of Denethor. I need you to do a task for me. I want you to guard the ringbearer with your life. You know who else is travelling with the Fellowship. It will be a difficult task, but I want you to protect Frodo. I know that you desire to wield the ring, but that cannot happen. Do you agree to these terms?"
Boromir had contemplated this in silence for a while, Gandalf looking in the other direction. The man finally replied
"Yes. I agree."
"I need a solemn oath on your part, Boromir."
"I, Boromir son of Denethor, swear to protect Frodo, the ringbearer, with my life, and to not mention my desire to use the ring again."
Gandalf had fallen into silence after this statement. He simply nodded, and Boromir had walked slowly away.
*****End Flashback*****
EDIT: In light of previous reviews, I've edited this chapter and the next one to break up the paragraphs. I've not changed anything else. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, people!