III

The hobbits were led to the back caves. Faramir followed. I was close behind, for I feared he might do something terrible.

The hobbits ate slowly. "Where did you begin your journey?" asked Faramir.

"Rivendell, or Imladris as you might call it," said Frodo. Here, Faramir grew intent. "Seven companions, Sam and I had: One, we lost in Moria. The others we left at Parth Galen above the Falls ofRauros: two of my kin; a Dwarf there was also, and an Elf, and two Men. They were Aragorn; and Boromir, who said that he came out of Minas Tirith, a city in the South."

"Boromir!" I gasped.

"Boromir son of Lord Denethor?" said Faramir. He suddenly looked stern. "You were with him?"

"Aye." The two hobbits nodded. Samwise's cheeks bulged with a waybread that they had brought with them. It smelt good from where I was.

"You were his friend?" Faramir asked. He placed one elbow on a knee and leaned forward. Frodo was silent for a long time. Finally, he said, "Aye. For my part. He was a valiant part of our Company."

"Then you would grieve to learn that he is dead," Faramir said softly. I turned and looked in pure surprise.

"I would grieve," Frodo said. He looked at Faramir for a long time and then, his green eyes widened. "Dead? He has perished? Are you trying to trap me in words, playing with me? Or are you now trying to snare me with lies?"

"I would not even lie to an orc." Faramir gave a wry chuckle. "Boromir was my friend, and protector, and brother."

Frodo gave a great gasp. The cave was so quiet my ears rang. Faramir stood up. I could see the Ring... Faramir, no! No words came out of my mouth. My words were stillborn. "A chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his true quality. Here I am, in the wilderness, with two hobbits and a host of men at my call." Faramir smirked. He sighed. "I will leave you now and see you in the morning.

I was awakened by Faramir in the middle of the night. "What it is, my captain?" I asked sleepily.

"Come Eorl. We have found the third one," said he as I rubbed my eyes with my knuckles.

"The skulking one?" asked I.

"Aye. Don't tarry. Go wake Frodo."

Frodo was not sleeping. His back was turned to mine. I could feel evil in that place. I shook his shoulders. He scrambled and shoved his hand into his shirt. "Frodo," I whispered. "They found the third one." Frodo got up. I led him to where Henneth Annun cascaded down into the Forbidden Pool.

The Forbidden Pool was black and slick, like a black glass. A slimy white creature jumped out of the water, his bony body shiny with water.I heard Faramir say to the hobbit, "To enter the Forbidden Pool bears the penalty of death."

"Don't shoot," Frodo replied. "He only seeks fish! Look!"

True enough, the creature was slapping a fish on the rocks. He was muttering under his breath. "Stupid master to leave uss. I told you he was tricksy! No! Gollum. Master is our friend. Nassty men tooks them. Gollum, gollum." I shuddered, despite the cloak around me. "Our only wish, to catch a fish, so juicy sweet!" The last word rose and shivered down the rocks. He seemed to be singing.

"Let me go down," Frodo said, "and let me convince him to come up to me. Smeag0l is a good creature, if you do not hurt him."

Faramir gave his consent. When Frodo had disappeared down the bend, he snapped his fingers. Kennith, and five others followed Faramir down.

I watched Frodo. "Come to master, Smeagol. I have lots of fish waiting for you!" Frodo beckoned to Smeagol. Come to master. Yes, master has fish waiting for you! Come on Smeagol. Good Smeagol!" I could see Faramir and the other six waiting.

"Is Master taking uss to fishes?" Smeagol asked.

"Yes Smeagol. Hurry up or I'll eat the fishes myself." Smeagol followed Frodo. And then Faramir sprang the trap. They pulled a sack over Smeagol's head and bound his hands.

"Faramir! Do not do that!" Frodo cried but the captain paid no heed to his words. I wrinkled my nose and thought, Frodo should be grateful we did not shoot that vile thing on the spot. They came up the dirt path with Smeagol over Kennith's shoulders.

"Eorl," said Faramir. "Go wake Samwise. The sun is rising."