**Chapter XVIII**

Me: Hey all! This is the last chapter of The Outsider..

Pippin: WOOOOOOO! YEA! THE TORTURE ENDS!!

Me: x.X Sorry I haven't updated sooner. Friday was the last day of school and the weekend I was busy.

Pippin: You call staying up till three in the morning busy?

Me: Uh.. Yea! All Things Rock is very important...

Everyone: -.-U

Nina: Look ay my new weapon. *whips out my hermit crab*

Spike: Oh! I'm soo scared! I'm shaking in my boots!!

Nina: His name isn't boots! It's Joel!

Everyone: x.X

Nina: Attack 'em Joel!.

Joel: *Taps cage*

Everyone: *Runs away*

Nina: Mwhah! Ph33r JOEL!

Everyone: o.O

A/N: This is the last chapter of this story.. I can't believe all the feedback I got from this.. Sometimes I would get good reviews and sometimes I would get bad reviews.. A lot of people are repeating what I already know.. For example, one reviewer said my character was a Mary-Sue.. I KNEW that already, in the first chapter of my story I warned you reviewers about it.. You don't HAVE to read this but you CHOOSE to..

Anywayz on with chapter 18.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@ ::Chapter XVIII Breaking of the Fellowship ::

Frodo sat up, huddled in his blankets, and fought off his sleep. Minutes or hours passed slowly, and nothing happened. Frodo was just yielding to the temptation to lie down again when a dark shape, hardly visible, floated close to one of the moored boats. A long whitish hand could be dimly seen as it shot out and grabbed the gunwale; two pale lamp like eyes shone coldly as they peered inside, and then they lifted and gazed up at Frodo.

At that moment, a twang of bowstrings was heard. Several arrows whistled over them, and some fell among them. One smote Frodo between the shoulders and he lurched forward with a cry, letting go his paddle: but the arrow fell back. Foiled by his hidden coat of mail. Another passed through Aragorn's hood; and a third stood fast in the gunwale of the second boat, close by Merry's hand.

Alatariel squinted her eyes. She caught a glimpse of the black figures running to and fro. The figures were upon the shingle-banks, which lay under the eastern shore. The creatures seemed close. They sent a chill down Alatariel's spine.

"Yrch!" Cried Alatariel. ::Orcs!::

"Orcs!" Repeated Gimli.

"Gollum's doing, I'll be bound, and a nice place to choose, too. The river seems set on taking us right into their arms!" Whispered Sam to Frodo.

Legolas laid down his paddle and took up the bow that he had brought from Lórien. He sprang up.

Alatariel pulled on the bottom of Legolas' tunic," Ias bedich?" ::Where are you going?::

"Elbereth Gilthoniel!" Sighed Legolas as he looked up.

As he did so, a dark shape, like a cloud, and yet not a cloud, for it moved far more swiftly, came out of the blackness in the South. It sped towards the Company, blotting out all light as it approached.

Soon it appeared as a great winged creature, blacker than the pits in the night. Fierce voices rose up to greet it from across the water.

Alatariel glanced at Frodo, he had turned deadly pale, and he was clutching his heart. Frodo crouched down as if he was trying to hide from the creature. Suddenly the great bow of Lórien sang. Shrill went the arrow from the elven-string. Frodo looked up. Almost above him the winged shape swerved.

Now they were speeding along with little hope of stopping or turning, whatever they might meet ahead. Over them was a lane of pale-blue sky, around them the dark over-shadowed River, and before them black, shutting out the sun, the hills of Emyn Muil, in which no opening could be seen.

Frodo peering forward saw in the distance two great rocks approaching: like great pinnacles or pillars of stone they seemed. Tall and sheer and ominous they stood upon either side of the stream. A narrow gap appeared between them, and the River swept the boats towards it.

"Behold the Argonath, the Pillars of the Kings! We shall pass them soon. Keep the boats in line and as far apart as you can! Hold the middle of the stream!" Cried Aragorn.

As Frodo was borne towards them, the great pillars rose like towers to meet him. Giants they seemed to him, vast grey figures silent but threatening. Then he saw that they were indeed shaped and fashioned: the craft and power of old had wrought upon them, and still they preserved through the suns and rains of forgotten years the mighty likeness in which they had been hewn. Upon great pedestals founded in the deep waters stood two great kings of stone: still with blurred eyes and crannied brows they frowned upon the North. The left hand of each was raised palm outwards in gesture or warning; in each right hand there was an axe; upon each head there was a crumbling helm and crown. Great power and majesty they still wore, the silent wardens of a long-vanished kingdom.

Aragorn led them to the right arm of the River. Here upon its western side under the shadow of Tol Brandir a green lawn ran down to the water from the feet of Amon Hen. Behind it rose the first gentle slopes of the hill clad with trees, and trees marched away westward along the curving shores of the lake. A little spring fell tumbling down and fed the grass.

"Here we will rest tonight. This is the lawn of Parth Galen: a fair place in the summer days of old. Let us hope that no evil has yet come here." Said Aragorn. "Oh yes? Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil, a impassible labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks, and after that, it gets even better." Replied Gimli.

Pippin looks up at Gimli.

"Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see." Finishes Gimli.

"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest, and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." Responded Aragorn.

"Recover my... Grrr..."

"Elessar, we should take another path." Whispered Alatariel.

"We cannot. The orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for the darkness as a cover." Replied Aragorn.

"It's not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat have been growing in my mind. Something draws near - I can feel it." Said Legolas.

Boromir got up and walked about impatiently.

"So you go on. Gandalf, Elrond - all these folk have taught you to say so. For themselves they may be right. These elves and half-elves and wizards, they would come to grief perhaps. Yet often I doubt if they are wise and not merely timid, but each to his own kind. True-hearted Men, they will not be corrupted. We of Minas Tirith have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of wizard-lords, only strength to defend ourselves, strength in a just cause. And behold! in our need chance brings to light the Ring of Power. It is a gift, I say; a gift to the foes of Mordor. It is mad not to use it, to use the power of the Enemy against him. The fearless, the ruthless, these alone will achieve victory. What could not a warrior do in this hour, a great leader? What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The Ring would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!" Cried Boromir.

Boromir strode up and down, speaking ever more loudly. Almost he seemed to have forgotten Frodo, while his talk dwelt on walls and weapons, and the mustering of men; and he drew plans for great alliances and glorious victories to be; and he cast down Mordor, and became himself a mighty king, benevolent and wise.

"It is by our own folly that the Enemy will defeat us. How it angers me! Fool! Obstinate fool! Running willfully to death and ruining our cause. If any mortals have claim to the Ring, it is the men of Númenor, and not Halflings. It is not yours save by unhappy chance. It might have been mine. It should be mine. Give it to me!" Screams Boromir. Soon he came out alone on the summit of Amon Hen, and halted, gasping for breath. He saw, as through a mist a wide flat circle, paved with mighty flags, and surrounded with a crumbling battlement; and in the middle, set upon four carven pillars, was a high seat, reached by a stair of many steps. Up he went and sat upon the ancient chair, feeling like a lost child that had clambered upon the throne of mountain-kings.

Southward he looked, and below his very feet the Great River curled like a toppling wave and plunged over the falls of Rauros into a foaming pit; a glimmering rainbow played upon the fume.

It looked upon Gorgoroth, the valley of terror in the Land of Mordor. Darkness lay there under the Sun. Fire glowed amid the smoke. Mount Doom was burning and a great reek rising.

Then at last his gaze was held: wall upon wall, battlement upon battlement, black, immeasurably strong, mountain of iron, gate of steel, tower of adamant, he saw it: Barad-dûr, Fortress of Sauron. All hope left him.

Suddenly he felt the Eye. There was an eye in the Dark Tower that did not sleep. He knew that it had become aware of his gaze. A fierce eager will was there. It leaped towards him; almost like a finger he felt it, searching for him. Very soon it would nail him down, know just exactly where he was.

"None of us should wander alone, you least of all. So much depends on you. Frodo? I know why you seek solitude. You suffer. I see it day by day. Are you sure you do not suffer needlessly? There are other ways, Frodo, other paths that we might take." Said Boromir.

"I know what you would say and it would seem like wisdom, but for the warning in my heart." Replied Frodo.

Warning! Against what? We are all afraid Frodo, but to let that fear drive us to destroy what hope we have... Don't you see? That is madness..." Screams Boromir.

"There is no other way." Responded Frodo

"I ask only for the strength to defend my people!" Cries Boromir as he throws down the firewood.

"If you would but lend me the ring..."

"No!" Yells Frodo.

"Why do you recoil? I am no thief..." Said Boromir.

"You are not yourself." Reasons Frodo.

"What chance do you think you have? They will find you. They will take the ring. You will beg for death before the end! It is not yours save by unhappy chance.

It could have been mine. It should have been mine! Give it to me!" Boromir yelled.

"No!" Screams Frodo.

"Give it to me!"

Frodo slips on the ring, and disappears.

"I see your mind. You will take the ring to Sauron.

You will betray us. You go to your death, and the death of us all!

Curse you! Curse you! And all the halflings" Boromir shouted.

Boromir falls down and gets a mouthful of dry leaves and realizes what he has done," Frodo? Frodo? What have I done? Please, Frodo. Frodo..."

He hears Boromir calling as he climbs to the very top of Amon Hen and sees Barad-Dûr and the Eye and hears the voice of Sauron. Then he takes off the Ring and falls to the ground. Aragorn comes on him and startles him.

"Frodo!" Cried Aragorn.

"It has taken Boromir." Replied Frodo.

"Where is the Ring?" Questions Aragorn.

" Stay away!" Frodo screams.

"Frodo, I swore to protect you." Responded Aragorn.

"Can you protect me from yourself?" Frodo asks.

There was a silence. Aragorn was pondering what he was to do.

"Would you destroy it?" Questioned Frodo.

"Aragorn... Elessar..." Called the ring.

"I would have gone with you to the end. Into the very fires of Mordor." Answered Aragorn.

"I know. Look after the others, especially Sam. He will not understand."

Aragorn sees that Sting is blue," Go, Frodo! Run... Run!"

Aragorn turns to face the Urûk-hai, and the fight begins.

Some of whom force him backwards up the steps to the top of the ruin, where he fights them off, then jumps back down onto another group.

Legolas, Alatariel, and Gimli appear.

"I knew he would be here!" Said Gimli.

Alatariel smiled," Yes, Gimli. Next time we will not doubt you."

"Aragorn! Go." Called Legolas.

Meanwhile, Frodo has been running down the hill. He stops for a moment to hide behind a tree and sees that Merry and Pippin are across from him, also hiding.

"Frodo!" Cries Merry.

"Hide here, quick. Come on!" Shouted Pippin.

Frodo shakes his head.

"What's he doing?" Asks Pippin.

"He's leaving..." Replies Merry.

"No!" Pippin said as he jumped out of his hiding spot.

" Pippin!" Cries Merry as follows Pippin's suit.

"Run Frodo. Go!" Pippin yelled.

Merry looks at the orcs," Hey you, over here!"

Frodo runs away.

"It's working!" Said Pippin.

"I know it's working - run!"

The two run, but they are cornered. Thinking the worst will happen. Boromir comes to the rescue. Slashing orcs along the way.

Boromir blows on his horn.

The four hear the horn.

"The Horn of Gondor!" Cried Legolas.

"Boromir!" Cried Aragorn as he goes in search of him.

Lurtz shoots Boromir with his bow. Boromir is hit, but gets up and fights some more. Lusts hits him with another arrow. Boromir still gets back up. Lurtz hits him a third time and he does not get back up. Merry and Pippin charge into the fray; the Urûk-hai carry them away.

*

A mile, maybe, from Parth Galen in a little glade not far from the lake he found Boromir. He was sitting with his back to a great tree, as if he was resting, but Aragorn saw that he was pierced with many black-feathered arrows; his sword was still in his hand, but it was broken near the hilts; his horn cloven in two was at his side. Many Orcs lay slain, piled all about him and at his feet.

Aragorn knelt beside him. Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak. At last slow words came.

"I tried to take the Ring from Frodo. I am sorry. I have paid." Said Boromir.

His glance strayed to his fallen enemies; twenty at least lay there.

"They have gone: the Halflings: the Orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them." He paused and his eyes closed wearily. After a moment he spoke again.

"Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed. Cried Boromir.

"No!" Said Aragorn, taking his hand and kissing his brow. "You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fall!"

Boromir smiled.

"Which way did they go? Was Frodo there?" Questions Aragorn.

But Boromir did not speak again.

"Alas! Thus passes the heir of Denethor, Lord of the Tower of Guard! This is a bitter end. Now the Company is all in ruin. It is I that have failed. Vain was Gandalf's trust in me. What shall I do now? Boromir has laid it on me to go to Minas Tirith, and my heart desires it; but where are the Ring and the Bearer? How shall I find them and save the Quest from desaster?" Said Aragorn.

He knelt for a while, bent with weeping, still clasping Boromir's hand. So it was that Legolas, Alatariel and Gimli found him.

They came from the western slopes of the hill, silently, creeping through the trees as if they were hunting. Gimli had his axe in his hand, and Legolas his long knife: all his arrows were spent. Alatariel's bow in her hands.

When they came into the glade they halted in amazement; and then they stood a moment with heads bowed in grief, for it seemed to them plain what had happened.

"Alas!" said Legolas, coming to Aragorn's side. "We have hunted and slain many Orcs in the woods, but we should have been of more use here. We came when we heard the horn - but too late, it seems. I fear you have taken deadly hurt."

"Farwell Boromir. You have fought well. You shall always be remembered. " Said Alatariel.

Now they laid Boromir in the middle of the boat that was to bear him away. The grey hood and elven-cloak they folded and placed beneath his head. They combed his long dark hair and arrayed it upon his shoulders. The golden belt of Lórien gleamed about his waist. His helm they laid beside him, and across his lap they laid the cloven horn and the hilts and shards of his sword; beneath his feet they put the swords of his enemies. Then fastening the prow to the stern of the other boat, they drew him out into the water.

Sorrowfully they cast loose the funeral boat: there Boromir lay, restful, peaceful, gliding upon the bosom of the flowing water. The stream took him while they held their own boat back with their paddles. He floated by them, and slowly his boat departed, waning to a dark spot against the golden light; and then suddenly it vanished. Rauros roared on unchanging.

*~The End??~* @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@ Pippin: Why are there two question marks?

Me: Because....

Pippin: Because why?

Nina: I know! I know!! Pick me!!

Everyone: o.O

Nina: There is gonna be a sequel!

Pippin: I knew that!

Me: No you didn't..

Pippin: Yea-huh!

Me: *Says really fast* People that didn't know about the sequel say what.

Everyone: What?

Me: -.-U R/R!! This is the LAST chappie!

A/N: There is gonna be a sequel, but I'm gonna start it a little later. I have update 'Just Friends?' and 'In Middle- Earth'! Read them they are good!! ^-^