DISCLAIMER: LOTR not mine.
FOOL OF A TOOK
Chapter Ten: Traces of Pippin
Even Boromir was forced to admit that the Elves had been quite hospitable, despite their arrogance, and he felt ashamed of how he had spoken to Haldir and the others.
He even felt somewhat responsible for Pippin taking the Ring. If he hadn't been so keen on getting the Ring in the first place, Pippin would not have feared for his friend's life and taken action.
But at the same time, Boromir felt a burst of anger and resentment deeper inside of him. It seemed that Fate was working against him. Just when he almost had the Ring, something always happened that forced it from his grasp.
He thought of his people, his city, struggling to defend themselves and the rest of Middle Earth from the growing evil on their doorstep. His countenance grew hard.
He must get at that Ring. Otherwise all that he loved would perish.
Aragorn had noticed the expression on Boromir's face, as had Legolas. They had exchanged glances, but said nothing. Now was not the time to start an argument. They had work to do.
Now, Legolas and Gimli had reached the shore, where there were a few large boulders, and Legolas was hopping nimbly from the canoe to inspect the site. Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam were right behind them, and Aragorn told them to wait in the boat. Amidst loud protests, he jumped out and joined Legolas at the rocks.
"Ah," said Legolas triumphantly, "our little friend has been here!" The Elf held up the dagger that Pippin had taken off earlier, and had left behind. "This is a Lorien dagger."
Aragorn examined it also. "It is that. It must be the mate to the one Merry was given, for they are identical."
Legolas' face turned serious. "If this is the weapon that Master Took brought with him to use on his journey, and if he camped here and removed it…say, to better relax…"
"Then, he is weaponless, wherever he is now," finished Aragorn, making a dash for the canoes.
They paddled madly, until they caught up with Boromir and Merry again. Legolas and Aragorn shared a glance, and wordlessly agreed they should not tell Merry that Pippin was without protection in the wilderness. It would not help their situation a bit; Merry was already on an emotional high.
Farther down the shore, Aragorn signaled to the others and they made camp for the night. The Men pulled the boats as far up onto the shore as they could, and the Hobbits set up the camp and supper. The Elf and Dwarf went to look for firewood and to scout out the area for any signs of Pippin or enemies.
After they had eaten and were beginning to settle in for the night, Boromir caught a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye. He looked into the river and saw a single log, floating towards the eastern shore. He almost dismissed it, until it got a little farther downstream, and he saw a hand reach up over the log.
Boromir could not get to Aragorn fast enough. "The creature Gollum is still following us!"
Aragorn looked out towards the water, and spied the floating log. He sighed, "Gollum has moved on. He senses that we do not have the Ring, and he will find the one who carries it."
Boromir looked surprised. "Why does this Gollum want the Ring so badly?"
"He was the keeper of the Ring before Frodo's uncle, Bilbo, came to possess it, and it still holds him. His life-force has also become one with the Ring, and he will most likely follow it all the way into Mordor. To Mount Doom, I imagine, if he is not killed first."
Boromir looked worried. "What will he do? With the Ring, I mean, if he gets it."
Aragorn shrugged. "He will probably attempt to take it back into the mountains, and hide away with it. But the Enemy has many servants and most likely he will be killed." He emptied his pipe and made ready to lay down. "Either way, Middle Earth will be doomed."
Boromir laughed without mirth. "Middle Earth is already doomed, for we are taking the Ring back to the one who made it."
Aragorn sat back up. "Boromir, surely you have some sense. We cannot take the Ring into your city. It is too dangerous."
"Why? Why would it be dangerous to use the Ring against Sauron? Why must we wander aimlessly through the wilds to the Black Gates and surrender ourselves freely to him? We have no need to follow the river any further. Let us travel southward and westward, and take the road to Minas Tirith."
Aragorn lay down as if the subject were closed. "I will hear no more of this. We are not going to the Black Gates, at any rate, until we find Pippin."
Boromir was silent, but did not sleep for a long time.
The next morning, as they continued their journey downriver, there was a strained silence between the two Men. Everyone else noticed, and were careful to talk amongst each other so as not anger them.
Then, as if matters weren't already bleak enough, Legolas heard something rushing through the trees, not very far from shore. He looked around at the others, startled.
The others were paddling worriedly, scanning the shores for signs of their friend. Even Aragorn showed no signs of having heard anything amiss. Legolas turns to peer into the trees, and catches sight of a band of the freshly-bred Uruk-Hai tromping through the woods, almost even with their course.
"Aragorn!" Legolas called softly, and the Ranger turned and drew his boat nearer to the Elf's. "There is great danger ahead. There is a band of Orcs traveling South on the shore."
Aragorn looked to the shore in alarm. "I do not see them yet. You have?"
Legolas nodded. "There are many of them. I think we must find some way to warn Boromir, but we cannot let the young Master Brandybuck hear it, or he will be beside himself."
Aragorn sighed. "We must travel as fast as we can, and no resting. I would be afraid to stop, knowing Pippin travels without a weapon."
Gimli looked back at Aragorn. "I don't believe our young friend could face an entire band of Orcs by himself, armed or not."
Aragorn threw Gimli a "be quiet" look and rowed ahead to speak to Boromir.