Author's note ~ Ladies and gentlemen, loyal readers, this will be my last
chapter for a few weeks. (I think). I am taking a break from this and am
going to finish "Sun Star ~ Child of Light". It's just too difficult to
keep two stories going at once, especially if they are both "Lord of the
Rings".
A few of these lines are from the movie, they aren't mine, but they fit the story line very well. :)
But before I begin this last chapter, I have some special thanks to dish out. First, to God, for giving me the ability and love to write. To my mother, who has encouraged me every step of the way. My best friends, who critique my stories.
Zephyr, I get a real kick out of your reviews, and don't worry, I'll send all the flamers to you. :) :) :)
Anna Black, without your reviews, my story would have a lot more mistakes in it then it does right now. :) :)
Pannygirl, whether you sign in or not, thanks a lot for your reviews. :)
All those who have my story or my username on their favorites list, it is a great honor. Thanks.
To all my anonymous reviewers, who are too numerous to name, I appreciate all your support.
And to everyone else, I appreciate you all. Thank you so much. ( If I did not mention you by name, please do not feel slighted, at the moment my memory is not working the greatest. I still appreciate you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Now, just in case there is any confusion, THIS IS NOT THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not ending my story here by any means. I am just taking a tiny break. I intend to continue straight through to the end of "Return of the King", and I have a long ways to go. :) :) :)
Without further ado or ramblings by me (lol lol), I very proudly present,
"And the Fellowship of the Ring Shall Be Ten"
Chapter XV ~ "Amon Hen"
The very instant that the sun appeared in the east, Teneriel blinked, coming quickly out of her dream state. Aragorn's clothes, though big on her, had successfully blocked the cold air of the previous night.
Aragorn smiled at her from across the fire, stretching his arms wide. "Good morning, Eriel. Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I would have thought, actually," she said, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. "Considering I was not disturbed this morning, you must have had an uneventful watch."
"Yes, I did. Gimli startled me a few times with his snoring, but nothing was out of the ordinary." The Chief of the Dunedain smiled wickedly. "But even had I wanted to, I doubt that I could have disturbed your slumber."
Teneriel narrowed her eyes at him and straightened her shoulders. "Well, far be it from me to criticize, but I seem to recall a few nights when you fell asleep during your watch and could not be roused, save by having a bucket of water dumped on your head."
Aragorn bowed his head in mock-surrender. "True enough. Elladan and Elrohir took great pleasure in waking me, if we are remembering the same incident."
"Do you blame them?" Teneriel asked with a smile. "In your training days, watches were your only weakness. They watched like hawks for your eyelids to droop, even if only a little."
Boromir groaned, rolling over in his cloak. "I see it is impossible to sleep with the two of you talking," he growled, studying them.
"Well, the hobbits do not seem to be troubled by us," said Aragorn, a twinkle in his blue eyes.
"The hobbits would not be troubled if an army of Orcs ran through the camp," grumbled Gimli, sitting up.
"True enough," laughed Teneriel. "Should we wake them?"
Aragorn nodded, standing up and walking over to Sam and Frodo. He shook them gently and was rewarded with groans and bleary eyes. "Come now, Frodo and Sam. The sun has risen, and so must you," said Aragorn.
Teneriel was not having such an easy time with her two hobbits. Pippin only rolled over when shaken, but Merry struck out with his fists.
The Elf sat back and pursed her lips in thought. A moment later, a devious smile spread across her face. Teneriel reached forward and carefully tugged at a small bag that hung from Merry's neck.
The hobbit sat up with a yelp and grabbed for her hand. Merry glared at her and tucked his pouch of pipe-weed into his shirt. "That was very rude, Eriel. Messing with a hobbit's pipe-weed."
Teneriel smiled and ruffled his hair. "You would not wake up, Meriadoc. I had no other options."
Pippin had been roused by his cousin's yell and was now blinking tiredly at them all. "Did I miss something?" he asked, seeing the hidden smiles and small chuffs of laughter.
"No more than usual, Pip," said Frodo tiredly, rubbing his eyes.
After having a small breakfast, the Fellowship once again took to the boats, completely unaware of what was coming.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Around midday, the Fellowship was nearing the falls. Aragorn called for a halt, wanting his companions to rest before crossing the lake that night.
Legolas stepped out of the boat and instantly straightened, his Elven senses on full alert. Teneriel shivered slightly and stepped up to him, nodding.
Aragorn glanced at them and whispered, "What is it, Legolas? What do you feel?"
"We should leave now, Aragorn," he said shortly, gazing deep into the trees.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow and said softly, " No, Orcs patrol the east bank of Anduin. We must wait for nightfall."
Legolas watched him walk away and sighed. "It is not the east bank of Anduin that worries me, Aragorn. Something draws near, I can feel it."
Teneriel narrowed her eyes and focused on the shadow that she felt. "I agree, Legolas. But what it is, I know not."
"I never want to see a river like this again," moaned Pippin. "Can we go over land from now on? Please?"
Aragorn sighed, sitting on a rock. "Well, Pippin, that depends on where we go. We could travel through Emyn Muil en route to Mordor."
"And be cut to pieces on the rocks?" said Gimli incredulously. "Next option, please."
"Taking the Anduin to Mordor's borders is another possibility," offered Teneriel.
"Yes, but in doing that we would have to either ride the fords or find a way around them. That would waste precious time," mused Aragorn, deep in thought. "We will go through Emyn Muil. It is the quickest road, though it is dangerous. Rest now, for we will cross the lake tonight."
No one noticed the timely disappearance of a certain hobbit until Merry asked suddenly, "Where's Frodo? Where did he go?"
As they left to search for him, Teneriel whispered to Legolas, "I think the more pertinent question is, why did Boromir leave at the same time?"
~~~~~~~
Frodo fled, fear strangling his mind. Boromir had tried to take the Ring from him. Now he could trust no one! If the Ring could ensnare Boromir, then it could take control of any of the Fellowship!
The hobbit climbed to the top of the Seat of Seeing and crouched behind a small pillar of rock. He still wore the Ring and the images it showed him were frightening. For it seemed, that from where he sat, Frodo was flying up the sides of Barad-Dur, Sauron's fortress in Mordor. At the top, he saw a flaming eye, which spoke to him in Black Speech. The same eye that he had seen only a few times before, each time he had worn the Ring and once at the mirror of Galadriel.
This shocked him so much that Frodo fell from the Seat of Seeing and lay upon the ground, pulling the Ring from his finger.
Aragorn stepped over a stone and smiled in relief, seeing the hobbit laying upon the ground. "Frodo? Are you all right?"
Frodo jumped up and backed away, fear written plainly on his smudged face. "Stay away from me, Aragorn."
Aragorn walked slowly closer to him, hesitantly reaching out hand. "Frodo, tis I! What has happened to you that you fear me so?"
Frodo shook his head and backed away again. "You may have sworn to protect me, Aragorn, but you may not be able to save me from yourself. I must go on alone from here."
The Ranger knelt before Frodo, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I understand, Frodo. Be careful, and endure the burden." A sound behind him made Aragorn stand and push the hobbit away. "Now go!"
~~~~~~~~
Not far away, Teneriel stopped abruptly, her sharp ears picking up another sound above the many voices searching for Frodo. Legolas halted as well and pulled out his bow.
Gimli glanced at them, a frown creasing his face. "What is it? Do you hear something?"
Legolas turned and nodded. "Battle. Come!"
~~~~~~~~
Aragorn had walked under the table of stone to be met with a fearsome sight. The clearing just ahead was filled with Orcs. Or were they? These Orcs were tall and strong, almost like men!
The Chief of the Dunedain did not wait for the Uruk-hai to converge upon him. Anduril sang as it sliced through the air, more than once connecting with living flesh. Ere long, the ground was littered with corpses.
Only once was Aragorn even slightly worried that he was outnumbered. Uruk- hai had appeared from all sides and were closing in upon him. But at that very moment, an arrow screamed through the air, signaling the arrival of Legolas, Gimli and Teneriel.
Only a few minutes later, a horn blast broke through the melee. Aragorn heard it and turned, recognizing it immediately. "Boromir!" he said, shoving aside the Uruk-hai who dared arrest his progress to his companion.
Legolas, who was still on the hill of the Seeing Seat with Teneriel and Gimli, froze momentarily. "The horn of Gondor!" he gasped.
~~~~~~~~
Aragorn arrived nearly too late. A brief battle ensued between himself and Lurtz, but was ended with the timely decapitation of the Uruk-hai leader. Aragorn flew back to Boromir and fell to his knees beside the dying man.
Boromir's face contorted with pain for a moment, then he grasped Aragorn's hand. "I tried to take the Ring from Frodo. I could not see the hold it had on me, and I have paid for my ignorance. The Orcs took Merry and Pippin, I think they yet live."
He groaned and squeezed Aragorn's hand tighter. "My journey ends here, Aragorn. But I have one request to make of you ere I pass. Go to Minas Tirith, save my people if you can. Make Gondor strong again."
Aragorn nodded firmly, tears slipping from his eyes. "I swear to you, Boromir, I will not let the White City fall."
Boromir pulled his sword to his heart and smiled. "Farewell, Aragorn, my king." Then Boromir, son of Denethor, brave warrior of Gondor, died.
Aragorn leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Boromir's brow. "Farewell, my friend," he whispered.
Gimli, Legolas and Teneriel arrived only at that moment. They grasped the situation instantly and held back, waiting for Aragorn to rise.
~~~~~~
They placed Boromir's body in one of the two remaining boats and gave him to the river. "Anduin will care for him," said Aragorn. "Be at peace, man of Gondor."
A moment of silence passed, then Aragorn turned to his three companions. "Do not entertain thoughts that the Fellowship has failed. Frodo and Sam are taking the Ring to Mordor, and we will not follow."
Teneriel eyes widened again and she took Aragorn's arm. "Brother, where are Merry and Pippin? What has become of them?" she asked, fearing that she already knew the answer.
He sighed and placed a hand over hers. "The Uruk-hai have them. I know not if they live now or not, but whatever the case, we cannot abandon them. Take only what you need, we will travel light." He picked up his fallen dagger and slid it back into it's sheath. "Let's go hunt some Orc."
A feral grin spread over Teneriel's face and she sprang after him. Gimli smiled wickedly and gave a low growl, exchanging a look with Legolas. The four hunters thus began the search for their two kidnapped companions. Whither that search will take them is a mystery. For now.
Here ends the Fellowship of the Ring.
All right!!!!!! I finished it!!!! YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!
Onward to "The Two Towers" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again, Anna, for your comments. You'll notice that I changed a few things and kept others. The names of the Seat of Seeing and Barad-Dur are for my reader's benefit. I know that Frodo would not know what they are. I cannot believe that I didn't catch my slip at the end with Teneriel and Boromir. (Shakes head in exasperation) Duh. :) :) :) Thanks for keeping me on my toes!
Sorry about the battle scenes, but this story is rated "G", so I can't really go into detail. I'll get more practice in, though. After all, Helm's Deep is coming up. :) :) :) (wicked smile).
Also, one last thing. When I do continue this in "The Two Towers", it will be under this same story. I'm not going to create a whole new one just because I'm in another book. So look for updates here, as usual! Thanks!
You all already know this, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A few of these lines are from the movie, they aren't mine, but they fit the story line very well. :)
But before I begin this last chapter, I have some special thanks to dish out. First, to God, for giving me the ability and love to write. To my mother, who has encouraged me every step of the way. My best friends, who critique my stories.
Zephyr, I get a real kick out of your reviews, and don't worry, I'll send all the flamers to you. :) :) :)
Anna Black, without your reviews, my story would have a lot more mistakes in it then it does right now. :) :)
Pannygirl, whether you sign in or not, thanks a lot for your reviews. :)
All those who have my story or my username on their favorites list, it is a great honor. Thanks.
To all my anonymous reviewers, who are too numerous to name, I appreciate all your support.
And to everyone else, I appreciate you all. Thank you so much. ( If I did not mention you by name, please do not feel slighted, at the moment my memory is not working the greatest. I still appreciate you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Now, just in case there is any confusion, THIS IS NOT THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not ending my story here by any means. I am just taking a tiny break. I intend to continue straight through to the end of "Return of the King", and I have a long ways to go. :) :) :)
Without further ado or ramblings by me (lol lol), I very proudly present,
"And the Fellowship of the Ring Shall Be Ten"
Chapter XV ~ "Amon Hen"
The very instant that the sun appeared in the east, Teneriel blinked, coming quickly out of her dream state. Aragorn's clothes, though big on her, had successfully blocked the cold air of the previous night.
Aragorn smiled at her from across the fire, stretching his arms wide. "Good morning, Eriel. Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I would have thought, actually," she said, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. "Considering I was not disturbed this morning, you must have had an uneventful watch."
"Yes, I did. Gimli startled me a few times with his snoring, but nothing was out of the ordinary." The Chief of the Dunedain smiled wickedly. "But even had I wanted to, I doubt that I could have disturbed your slumber."
Teneriel narrowed her eyes at him and straightened her shoulders. "Well, far be it from me to criticize, but I seem to recall a few nights when you fell asleep during your watch and could not be roused, save by having a bucket of water dumped on your head."
Aragorn bowed his head in mock-surrender. "True enough. Elladan and Elrohir took great pleasure in waking me, if we are remembering the same incident."
"Do you blame them?" Teneriel asked with a smile. "In your training days, watches were your only weakness. They watched like hawks for your eyelids to droop, even if only a little."
Boromir groaned, rolling over in his cloak. "I see it is impossible to sleep with the two of you talking," he growled, studying them.
"Well, the hobbits do not seem to be troubled by us," said Aragorn, a twinkle in his blue eyes.
"The hobbits would not be troubled if an army of Orcs ran through the camp," grumbled Gimli, sitting up.
"True enough," laughed Teneriel. "Should we wake them?"
Aragorn nodded, standing up and walking over to Sam and Frodo. He shook them gently and was rewarded with groans and bleary eyes. "Come now, Frodo and Sam. The sun has risen, and so must you," said Aragorn.
Teneriel was not having such an easy time with her two hobbits. Pippin only rolled over when shaken, but Merry struck out with his fists.
The Elf sat back and pursed her lips in thought. A moment later, a devious smile spread across her face. Teneriel reached forward and carefully tugged at a small bag that hung from Merry's neck.
The hobbit sat up with a yelp and grabbed for her hand. Merry glared at her and tucked his pouch of pipe-weed into his shirt. "That was very rude, Eriel. Messing with a hobbit's pipe-weed."
Teneriel smiled and ruffled his hair. "You would not wake up, Meriadoc. I had no other options."
Pippin had been roused by his cousin's yell and was now blinking tiredly at them all. "Did I miss something?" he asked, seeing the hidden smiles and small chuffs of laughter.
"No more than usual, Pip," said Frodo tiredly, rubbing his eyes.
After having a small breakfast, the Fellowship once again took to the boats, completely unaware of what was coming.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Around midday, the Fellowship was nearing the falls. Aragorn called for a halt, wanting his companions to rest before crossing the lake that night.
Legolas stepped out of the boat and instantly straightened, his Elven senses on full alert. Teneriel shivered slightly and stepped up to him, nodding.
Aragorn glanced at them and whispered, "What is it, Legolas? What do you feel?"
"We should leave now, Aragorn," he said shortly, gazing deep into the trees.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow and said softly, " No, Orcs patrol the east bank of Anduin. We must wait for nightfall."
Legolas watched him walk away and sighed. "It is not the east bank of Anduin that worries me, Aragorn. Something draws near, I can feel it."
Teneriel narrowed her eyes and focused on the shadow that she felt. "I agree, Legolas. But what it is, I know not."
"I never want to see a river like this again," moaned Pippin. "Can we go over land from now on? Please?"
Aragorn sighed, sitting on a rock. "Well, Pippin, that depends on where we go. We could travel through Emyn Muil en route to Mordor."
"And be cut to pieces on the rocks?" said Gimli incredulously. "Next option, please."
"Taking the Anduin to Mordor's borders is another possibility," offered Teneriel.
"Yes, but in doing that we would have to either ride the fords or find a way around them. That would waste precious time," mused Aragorn, deep in thought. "We will go through Emyn Muil. It is the quickest road, though it is dangerous. Rest now, for we will cross the lake tonight."
No one noticed the timely disappearance of a certain hobbit until Merry asked suddenly, "Where's Frodo? Where did he go?"
As they left to search for him, Teneriel whispered to Legolas, "I think the more pertinent question is, why did Boromir leave at the same time?"
~~~~~~~
Frodo fled, fear strangling his mind. Boromir had tried to take the Ring from him. Now he could trust no one! If the Ring could ensnare Boromir, then it could take control of any of the Fellowship!
The hobbit climbed to the top of the Seat of Seeing and crouched behind a small pillar of rock. He still wore the Ring and the images it showed him were frightening. For it seemed, that from where he sat, Frodo was flying up the sides of Barad-Dur, Sauron's fortress in Mordor. At the top, he saw a flaming eye, which spoke to him in Black Speech. The same eye that he had seen only a few times before, each time he had worn the Ring and once at the mirror of Galadriel.
This shocked him so much that Frodo fell from the Seat of Seeing and lay upon the ground, pulling the Ring from his finger.
Aragorn stepped over a stone and smiled in relief, seeing the hobbit laying upon the ground. "Frodo? Are you all right?"
Frodo jumped up and backed away, fear written plainly on his smudged face. "Stay away from me, Aragorn."
Aragorn walked slowly closer to him, hesitantly reaching out hand. "Frodo, tis I! What has happened to you that you fear me so?"
Frodo shook his head and backed away again. "You may have sworn to protect me, Aragorn, but you may not be able to save me from yourself. I must go on alone from here."
The Ranger knelt before Frodo, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I understand, Frodo. Be careful, and endure the burden." A sound behind him made Aragorn stand and push the hobbit away. "Now go!"
~~~~~~~~
Not far away, Teneriel stopped abruptly, her sharp ears picking up another sound above the many voices searching for Frodo. Legolas halted as well and pulled out his bow.
Gimli glanced at them, a frown creasing his face. "What is it? Do you hear something?"
Legolas turned and nodded. "Battle. Come!"
~~~~~~~~
Aragorn had walked under the table of stone to be met with a fearsome sight. The clearing just ahead was filled with Orcs. Or were they? These Orcs were tall and strong, almost like men!
The Chief of the Dunedain did not wait for the Uruk-hai to converge upon him. Anduril sang as it sliced through the air, more than once connecting with living flesh. Ere long, the ground was littered with corpses.
Only once was Aragorn even slightly worried that he was outnumbered. Uruk- hai had appeared from all sides and were closing in upon him. But at that very moment, an arrow screamed through the air, signaling the arrival of Legolas, Gimli and Teneriel.
Only a few minutes later, a horn blast broke through the melee. Aragorn heard it and turned, recognizing it immediately. "Boromir!" he said, shoving aside the Uruk-hai who dared arrest his progress to his companion.
Legolas, who was still on the hill of the Seeing Seat with Teneriel and Gimli, froze momentarily. "The horn of Gondor!" he gasped.
~~~~~~~~
Aragorn arrived nearly too late. A brief battle ensued between himself and Lurtz, but was ended with the timely decapitation of the Uruk-hai leader. Aragorn flew back to Boromir and fell to his knees beside the dying man.
Boromir's face contorted with pain for a moment, then he grasped Aragorn's hand. "I tried to take the Ring from Frodo. I could not see the hold it had on me, and I have paid for my ignorance. The Orcs took Merry and Pippin, I think they yet live."
He groaned and squeezed Aragorn's hand tighter. "My journey ends here, Aragorn. But I have one request to make of you ere I pass. Go to Minas Tirith, save my people if you can. Make Gondor strong again."
Aragorn nodded firmly, tears slipping from his eyes. "I swear to you, Boromir, I will not let the White City fall."
Boromir pulled his sword to his heart and smiled. "Farewell, Aragorn, my king." Then Boromir, son of Denethor, brave warrior of Gondor, died.
Aragorn leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Boromir's brow. "Farewell, my friend," he whispered.
Gimli, Legolas and Teneriel arrived only at that moment. They grasped the situation instantly and held back, waiting for Aragorn to rise.
~~~~~~
They placed Boromir's body in one of the two remaining boats and gave him to the river. "Anduin will care for him," said Aragorn. "Be at peace, man of Gondor."
A moment of silence passed, then Aragorn turned to his three companions. "Do not entertain thoughts that the Fellowship has failed. Frodo and Sam are taking the Ring to Mordor, and we will not follow."
Teneriel eyes widened again and she took Aragorn's arm. "Brother, where are Merry and Pippin? What has become of them?" she asked, fearing that she already knew the answer.
He sighed and placed a hand over hers. "The Uruk-hai have them. I know not if they live now or not, but whatever the case, we cannot abandon them. Take only what you need, we will travel light." He picked up his fallen dagger and slid it back into it's sheath. "Let's go hunt some Orc."
A feral grin spread over Teneriel's face and she sprang after him. Gimli smiled wickedly and gave a low growl, exchanging a look with Legolas. The four hunters thus began the search for their two kidnapped companions. Whither that search will take them is a mystery. For now.
Here ends the Fellowship of the Ring.
All right!!!!!! I finished it!!!! YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!
Onward to "The Two Towers" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again, Anna, for your comments. You'll notice that I changed a few things and kept others. The names of the Seat of Seeing and Barad-Dur are for my reader's benefit. I know that Frodo would not know what they are. I cannot believe that I didn't catch my slip at the end with Teneriel and Boromir. (Shakes head in exasperation) Duh. :) :) :) Thanks for keeping me on my toes!
Sorry about the battle scenes, but this story is rated "G", so I can't really go into detail. I'll get more practice in, though. After all, Helm's Deep is coming up. :) :) :) (wicked smile).
Also, one last thing. When I do continue this in "The Two Towers", it will be under this same story. I'm not going to create a whole new one just because I'm in another book. So look for updates here, as usual! Thanks!
You all already know this, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!