Chapter Ten: The Breaking of the Fellowship
A/N: *takes deep breath* I can't believe we're already at the end of Fellowship of the Ring. Holy crap. I never thought so many people would read this, so I'm grateful beyond words for the continued support and encouragement from everyone! It has arrived, ladies and gentlemen, and to quote Luke Skywalker, "This is not going to go the way you think!" ;) Enjoy!
For several days the Fellowship travelled along the river. Legolas, Gimli, and Eltariel were in one boat, with Aragorn, Sam, and Frodo in another. The final boat held Boromir, Merry, Pippin, and Talion. Not many words were spoken other than the occasional observation of their surroundings. "The lands are becoming barren," or, "The waters are beginning to run roughly," perhaps. Several nights had been fraught with unease, one in particular leading to a heated discussion between Boromir and Aragorn on where to go first, arguing that going to Minas Tirith would give them all a chance to regroup, and a strong point of attack and army of soldiers with which to strike Mordor. When Aragorn did not see his way, Boromir accused him of having no faith in his own people, of forsaking his duties as the heir of Isildur. Aragorn ended the conversation after that, saying he refused to let the Ring go anywhere near Minas Tirith, for the safety of all involved.
It was a few nights later, when the rest of the Fellowship was fast asleep after a rough and tiring day, fighting rapids and turning around to find alternate routes forward, that Talion and Boromir engaged in conversation. The Fellowship were scattered around a fire by the shore that burned brightly in the darkness of night, the gentle rushing of water soothing, quiet. Talion had been staring up at the stars for a little while, lying down with his arms tucked underneath his head, nostalgic. His gaze was drawn back downward at the sound of shuffling. Boromir, expression troubled, blinked a nightmare away, breathing uneven and eyes watering. He looked to Talion, surprised to see concern.
"Are you alright?" Talion asked him quietly. Boromir sighed, rubbing furiously at his eyes, sitting up and taking a deep breath.
"I am fine," he answered unconvincingly, voice distraught, averting his eyes.
"You had a nightmare," Talion observed as he sat up, and Boromir looked to him with an unreadable expression. "I've had enough of my own to be able to tell the signs. Something continues to trouble you." Boromir met Talion's eyes in the pale moonlight, searching for any ulterior motives or dark intentions. He saw none, instead greeted with the same gaze as when they'd first met in Rivendell: scarred, but trustworthy, filled with genuine concern. Why was Talion such a mystery to him? He had no reason to trust him and every reason not to, and yet… He did. His mind flashed back to Moria, when Talion had saved him in the midst of battle, and the nights where he and Frodo would confide in one another, speaking in hushed whispers when they thought everyone was asleep. He remembered Talion's words from the Council, his refusal to take the One Ring, Talion's concern and outrage at his words of taking the Ring to Gondor. He sighed again, relenting.
"I did," Boromir admitted after a few moments of hesitation. "You remember when I told you about my father wanting Isildur's Bane, sending me to the Council instead of my brother Faramir?" Talion nodded. "Faramir… He has visions, every so often. They have not once been wrong. Before I left Minas Tirith I spent much of the day in his company, and he seemed… Haunted. He refused to tell me what he saw, only pleading with me to promise I would return home alive." He paused as he heard Faramir's voice, as clear as if he were next to him right then and there.
Promise me, brother. Promise you will return safely, alive. I do not think I could bear it if you…
"I promised him I would, and yet his terror has continued to weigh on my mind all journey. As we travel further down the river, it becomes worse. I can't help but feel…" Talion nodded in understanding.
"You feel the peril approaching." Boromir nodded in confirmation.
"I know not what it is, only that it may lead to an unfortunate end."
"For who?" Boromir didn't answer for a moment. "Boromir?"
"For me. An unfortunate end for me." The two were silent as the words hung heavy in the air between them. "I cannot do that to him," Boromir whispered, voice shaking.
"You care greatly for him," Talion noticed.
"He means the world to me," Boromir told him, and Talion could hear how deeply true his words were, realizing something.
"Is that why you've been trying to get us to go to Minas Tirith?" He knew, of course, that Boromir's obsession with the One Ring was the main reason for the idea, but Talion couldn't help but feel that that wasn't the only one.
"Partly, yes. I made a promise that I intend to keep."
"And the One Ring?" Boromir stiffened at that. "Is that the other reason?" Boromir glared.
"And if it is?"
"The Ring is Frodo's and Frodo's alone to bear. It doesn't belong in the hands of a king hungry for power."
"You think I don't know that?" Boromir hissed quite loudly, and the two looked to Merry and Pippin, who slept not too far away, nervously. Pippin shifted in his sleep, but didn't wake. They both let out relieved breaths before Boromir continued. "I know why my father wants the Ring, and I know what will happen if I give it to him. I have seen the effects of a Ring, in you and in Frodo. Even… Even in myself…" Talion looked at him in surprise. "Even now, your Ring whispers to me in one ear while Frodo's whispers in the other. There are some days where I think I may go mad… But hiding the Ring in Gondor is much safer than trying to get the Ring to Mount Doom, in the heart of a cursed land."
"I agree that the journey to Gondor would be safer, but how long could you keep the Ring hidden, knowing you could take it at any time if you so desired?" He held up the hand that held Isildur's Ring, extending it towards Boromir. Boromir's eyes were drawn to it immediately, his own hand slowly closing around Talion's, grasping the Ring. "My lesser Ring ensnares you easily, and yet you believe you have the strength to take the One Ring to Gondor without falling prey to its will, to Sauron's will." Isildur's Ring glowed ominously in Boromir's hand, and his eyes went wide, falling on Talion's now transformed face. He snatched his hand away in alarm, arm smacking against the paddle laying beside him in his haste.
"I…"
"You can barely look at me in this form. Were you to take the One Ring, you would become even more unrecognizable, even to yourself, especially to yourself." They both grimaced at the ominous, warped echo to his voice, and Talion sighed. Boromir looked straight into his crimson eyes, seeing flashes of the other Nazgul Talion had fought in the past, seeing their pasts before they received Rings. Talion looked to him sadly as Boromir came back to awareness. "You are right not to trust me when any day I could lose myself completely, just as they did. I understand why you and Gimli wanted me to have no part in this journey. All I ask is that you don't make the same mistakes that I did. While I wouldn't take my choice back, and as noble as my intentions were… This Ring will be my undoing."
"I can't promise anything. My will is not like yours," Boromir told him, averting his eyes.
"Then think of Faramir," Talion told him. "Would Faramir want you to take the Ring, knowing the risks? Would he want to see you like this?" he asked, gesturing to himself. Boromir looked to Talion, conflicted, desperate for answers no one could give him.
"And who do you think of, when the darkness closes in?" Talion smiled softly.
"I remember my wife, my son, and when I feel as if the Ring might consume me… I think of him."
"Him?"
"The one I love. Celebrimbor." Talion hesitated, his hand freezing halfway towards his chest. Should he show Boromir, when two Rings of Power were already enough to affect him so? Boromir noticed the hand that was reaching up, and Talion's hesitation.
"The chain around your neck. Was it… His?" Talion let out a breath of relief, lowering his hand back down to his side.
"Yes. It's all I have left of him. It keeps us connected, in every sense of the word." He felt the Ring warm against his skin, a phantom pair of arms wrapping around him from behind, smiling softly and feeling the darkness slowly recede from him. Boromir watched his features slowly return to normal after that, and the next time he looked into Talion's eyes, they were their usual light blue. Talion still saw uneasiness in his gaze, and couldn't help the words that left him next. "Whatever fear it is that weighs on your mind will not come to pass, I swear to you." Boromir was speechless and, not knowing how to react to Talion's words, simply nodded.
"Thank you, Talion. Perhaps, when our journey is complete and we arrive in Minas Tirith, I can show you around the city. I'm sure much has changed in the time you've been away." Boromir noticed the way Talion's eyes lit up hopefully at that. Never in his wildest dreams did Talion ever think he would step foot in Gondor again, and the thought of seeing the city in all of its glory now… Boromir smiled slightly at that, and Talion smiled back.
"I'd like that."
XxX
The next day was cloaked in a strange feeling. While their journey by boat had been uneventful thus far, worry was ever present within the Fellowship. For a few brief moments, however, awe replaced it as their boats passed through the Gates of Argonath. Proud stone likenesses as tall as the eye could see of two great kings of old. On one side, there was Anarion, High King of Gondor. On the other, his brother, Isildur, High King of Arnor.
"The sons of Elendil," Talion murmured in awe, the rest of the Fellowship equally amazed at the sight. Boromir and Aragorn couldn't help but smile as they gazed upon them, and it seemed as if the Fellowship had just taken its first worry free breath since leaving Lothlorien. Later, into the early afternoon, they stopped at the shore of Amon Hen as Aragorn told them they were resting for the day, and would leave out again at nightfall, under the safety and cover of darkness, approaching Mordor from the north. Gimli didn't take too kindly to that idea, not particularly keen on having to navigate Emyn Muil, or miles upon miles of marshland. Aragorn wouldn't budge on his decision, and Gimli was left quietly fuming as Aragorn turned his attention to a concerned looking Legolas.
"We should leave now," he told Aragorn in a hushed voice.
"No," Aragorn replied. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."
"Orcs are not the concern," Eltariel told him, she and Talion joining their sides.
"There is something coming, something dark and dangerous, and it is fast approaching," Talion warned him.
"A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near. I can feel it," Legolas insisted. Aragorn sighed, but remained steadfast in his decision.
"I understand, but we cannot move now without engaging in battle, and there is too much risk in daylight. We await nightfall." They all wore defeated expressions at the tone of finality in Aragorn's voice, but dropped the issue. The rest of the day remained tense, uneasiness growing in everyone. Talion found Frodo hidden a little ways away from the group, just out of sight, worrying the One Ring between his fingers. He looked up as he heard Talion approach, expression flashing briefly to panic before calming again.
"May I?" Talion asked, gesturing across from Frodo.
"Of course," Frodo told him, and Talion sat, sighing.
"So, you've decided you want to go alone?" Frodo looked to him wide-eyed at that.
"How did you—
"Aragorn told me. Are you sure that's what you want? You know that we're all willing to see this through to the very end."
"I know…" Frodo whispered sadly, "And that's why I have to do this alone. I could never forgive myself if something happened to anyone else. We've already lost Gandalf. The world can't afford to lose you, or Aragorn, or the rest of the Fellowship." Talion smiled slightly at that.
"You have a kind and pure heart, Frodo. I can think of no one better to do this task than you… But think about this more, please. This doesn't have to be where we part ways. Let us help you. Let us be there for you." Frodo's heartbroken expression only confirmed to Talion that he wasn't changing his mind, and Talion bowed his head in defeat.
"I'll think about it," Frodo told him, getting to his feet. "I just… Need time to myself."
"Of course," Talion told him. "Don't stray too far." Frodo nodded, disappearing further into the trees. Talion briefly entered the wraith world, seeing a trail of bright footsteps as Frodo continued on. Talion shook his head, dismayed at Frodo's answer, rejoining the rest of the Fellowship, not noticing Boromir slip away after Frodo. He sat next to Eltariel, who was sharpening one of her swords, looking a bit less put together than usual, as had been the normal since Lothlorien.
"How is he?" she asked.
"Determined to go alone," Talion answered. "He does not want another life lost."
"We all knew there were life and death risks on this journey."
"He would not hear it. He headed further in, wanted more time to think about it, he said." Eltariel hummed worriedly, putting her sword down and looking to Talion.
"Will he be alright?" Talion shook his head.
"I don't know."
Meanwhile, Frodo paced restlessly, surrounded by trees and standing in front of stairs of stone that overlooked the area. He knew what he needed to do, but when would he leave? Should he wait until night drew nearer? How would he leave without anyone seeing? He was startled out of his thoughts by Boromir, who he hadn't heard nor seen follow him.
"None of us should wander alone, least of all you, Frodo." Frodo looked to him warily, but Boromir approached calmly, peacefully, expression worried. "I know why you seek solitude. You suffer. I see it, day by day. Are you sure it isn't needlessly?" Frodo's gaze turned piercing, defensive.
"I know what you might say. It would seem like wisdom were it not for the warning in my heart." Boromir looked to him in genuine confusion.
"A warning? Against what?" Frodo walked around him, trying to put some space in between them should the worst happen.
"I know that you desire the Ring. I know you wish to take it to Minas Tirith, but there is no other way! It must be destroyed!" Boromir's expression changed suddenly, and he looked as if torn between rushing at Frodo and falling to his knees in despair.
"I ask only for the strength to defend my people!" Boromir told him desperately, taking a step forward. "If you could but lend me the Ring—" Frodo stumbled back a few more steps as Boromir approached, and Boromir stopped at his reaction. "Why do you recoil?"
"Because you are not yourself!" Frodo told him, starting to feel panic bubble within him.
"Not myself? It may seem that way to you, but my words are entirely my own. What chance do you think you have? They will find you! They will take the Ring, and you will beg for death before the end!" Frodo couldn't hold his gaze any longer, turning on his heel and walking away. Something in Boromir seemed to break then, his emotions almost palpable, and Frodo couldn't help the way his chest seized at Boromir's voice. "I'm only trying to protect you, Frodo!" Frodo looked back as he heard hurried footsteps, tripping over his feet as he tried to run, only for Boromir to tackle him to the ground, eyes no longer friendly, but terrifying, full of desire for the Ring.
"Let go!"
"Just give it to me!" The two struggled for a few moments before one of Boromir's hands managed to hold Frodo's arms at bay, the other closing around the One Ring. At long last, it was about to be his. He faltered as he began to tug it from around Frodo's neck, Frodo's terrified breath drawing his gaze. The heartbreak and betrayal in his eyes combined with Talion's words from their conversation was enough to snap Boromir out of it. What had he said? What had he done? Was he really about to…? "Frodo, I…" Frodo saw the remorse and the horror in Boromir's gaze, knowing in his heart that Boromir had not been himself, but needing to get away. Heart racing, he saw his chance to escape. He kicked Boromir in the gut, sending him tumbling away, sliding the Ring on his finger and disappearing from sight, running as fast as he could up the stone stairs and away from the area. Boromir staggered to his feet, looking around in a panic, guilt and despair eating him alive. "What have I done?" he whispered brokenly, feeling his knees about to give way underneath him. "Frodo, I'm sorry! Frodo!"
XxX
"Frodo!"
Boromir's cry echoed through the air, and everyone was instantly on high alert. Talion entered the wraith world again as he leapt to his feet, Eltariel following close behind as he sprinted through the trees, following the trail of footsteps. Aragorn had everyone split off into pairs to search the area, he himself following in the direction Talion had gone, Sam trying to keep up with him. Merry and Pippin went one direction while Legolas and Gimli went another. Talion, leaving the wraith world, and Eltariel stopped as they saw a distraught Boromir kneeling in the brush, staring down at his hands in horror.
"Boromir!" Talion exclaimed, crouching down beside him. "What happened? Where's Frodo?"
"Gone. H-He's gone." Boromir's voice shook, eyes full of remorse, staring off unfocusedly.
"Gone? What do you mean gone?" Eltariel questioned.
"I tried to take the Ring," Boromir answered, looking to her. "I tried to take it and he ran."
"Did you hurt him?" Talion asked lowly, eyes dangerous. Boromir shook his head shakily.
"No. I… I stopped before I could, but…" He got to his feet again, trying to take a deep breath. "I don't know where he went."
"We need to find him. There's no telling what dangers he might run into by himself," Eltariel insisted. Talion nodded, entering the wraith world again and searching the area, eyes landing on a set of bright footsteps leading away from the area.
"This way," Talion told them, and Boromir and Eltariel followed closely behind him.
Ahead of them, Frodo, still cloaked by the One Ring, continued running, pausing only when flashes of Mordor filled his vision. A red, flaming eye appeared, its hissed whispers making his skin crawl, and it wasn't until an overwhelming sense of terror and panic filled him that he took the Ring off, tumbling off a stone structure and landing in the brush below.
"Frodo?" Frodo looked up to see a concerned Aragorn approaching, stopping a few feet away.
"It has taken Boromir," Frodo told him in a rush, and Aragorn was immediately on high alert.
"Where is the Ring?"
"Stay back!" Frodo shouted, scrambling away as Aragorn attempted to go closer. He skirted around the stone structure he'd tumbled off of, Aragorn, who was not far behind him, freezing with his hands held up, confused and concerned.
"Frodo! I swore to protect you."
"Can you protect me from yourself?" He opened his clenched hand, the One Ring, sans chain, laying in his palm. "Would you destroy it?" Aragorn's eyes were immediately drawn to it, and just like Isildur's Ring it pulled him in. He heard dark ominous whispers emanate from it, and desire consumed him even more so this time for a brief moment. His hand hovered shakily over it, and Frodo looked to him fearfully, terrified that Aragorn might take it. Aragorn dropped to one knee, gently closing Frodo's hand over the One Ring and squeezing it reassuringly, placing it against his chest.
"I would have gone with you to the end… Into the great fires of Mordor." Frodo met his sad eyes gratefully, a lump in his throat.
"I know… Look after the others, especially Sam. He will not understand." Aragorn looked like he wanted to say something else, but his gaze was drawn to the eerie blue glow at Frodo's hip. He drew his sword as he backed away to his feet. Frodo drew Sting to see it glowing fiercely, the panic within him renewed.
"Run!" Aragorn told him, and Frodo did as he was asked, sprinting as fast as he could in the opposite direction as Aragorn turned around, greeted by the sight of a small army of Uruk-hai. He took a deep breath, holding his sword confidently as they rushed him.
The sounds of battle drew the ears of the rest of the Fellowship, all of them immediately changing direction as a dark, furious shout of, "Find the halflings!" echoed through the trees. Legolas and Gimli were the first to reach Aragorn, arrows piercing several enemies at once and an axe slicing cleanly through whoever got in its way.
"Aragorn, go!" Legolas shouted, an arrow slaying three approaching Uruk-hai with ease. Legolas and Gimli held their group at bay as Aragorn rushed after Frodo, slaying any who dared try and lay their hands on him. Frodo stumbled behind a large tree, hidden from the sight of passing Uruk-hai. Merry and Pippin, who had been heading that direction, called to Frodo from across the way, hiding behind fallen trees and tall vegetation.
"Frodo! Hide here, quick!" Pippin whisper shouted as Merry gestured furiously their way. Frodo looked to them, heartbroken, knowing he wasn't staying and couldn't do what they asked. Pippin didn't understand why he wasn't moving, but Merry put the pieces together.
"He's leaving," Merry realized, and Pippin's eyes went wide before he burst out of his hiding spot, refusing to let Frodo go on without them. Merry tried to pull him back out of sight, but it was too late as more Uruk-hai swarmed the area. Merry met Frodo's terrified gaze sorrowfully before determination filled them. "Run, Frodo!" he told him as he and Pippin turned their attention to the enemy, shouting and getting their attention, running in the opposite direction to lead them away. Frodo looked after them until they disappeared from sight, closing his eyes to hold back tears before setting out at a run again.
Aragorn had reunited with Legolas and Gimli, the three surrounded but still holding their own fairly well. Merry and Pippin had led the Uruk-hai a fair distance away before their ranks cut off any chance of escape. The two found themselves trapped, back to back, frozen in fear, and just as all hope seemed lost Boromir appeared, halting the enemy's mace and piercing its gut with his blade with a battle cry. Eltariel and Talion weren't far behind, swords drawn, welcoming a fight. Merry and Pippin drew their own blades, keeping close to Boromir as they put their training to use. Even with the added numbers, however, the five were very outnumbered, and so Boromir raised the Horn of Gondor to his lips and blew as loud as he could the first opportunity he had.
Across the forest Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas froze, having slain the last of the Uruk-hai in that area. Legolas and Aragorn's eyes went wide with recognition. "The Horn of Gondor," Legolas whispered.
"Boromir!" Aragorn exclaimed, and the three rushed off in the direction of the sound, hoping they would reach him in time. The three fought with desperation and renewed vigor in their haste.
The strains of battle had started to weigh on everyone. Boromir swung viciously, felling many, a million thoughts rushing through his head. The most prominent one was to keep the halflings safe.
"Go!" Boromir shouted to them, and the two retreated a safe distance, throwing stones at the still incoming flood of enemies. Talion and Eltariel took turns picking Uruk-hai off and defending the other, beams of light and spectral arrows from a newly returned Azkar and their sharp blades cutting down what would have been too much for Boromir to handle on his own. Even so, the numbers didn't seem to dwindle, and no one could have predicted what would happen next. Eltariel whirled around in a furry, blades slicing through anyone that got near them, and as Talion's eyes scanned the battlefield they fell on an Uruk-hai war chief who was aiming a bow. He was aiming the bow directly at—
It happened in the blink of an eye. Boromir stumbled back at Talion shadow struck his way in front of him, and arrow piercing a weak spot in his armor, right next to his heart. Talion took the hit with a pained cry, feet unsteady as he tried to remain standing. Eltariel looked around in alarm at the sound, eyes landing on a wounded Talion in horror. Boromir stood stunned for a moment as Talion continued to swing, ignoring the injury as best he could before another arrow pierced him. Talion groaned, falling to one knee briefly, and Boromir snapped out of his trance, slaying any Uruk-hai that approach, defending Talion. Eltariel tried to move towards them, but found herself surrounded, struggling to fight her way through the wall of enemies between them without serious harm. Talion continued fighting, even as his vision swam and he felt his blood start to run cold. He flung Boromir aside as yet another arrow flew their way, this time alarmingly close to his neck, and he choked as he fell, pinning an exhausted Boromir between himself and a sturdy tree trunk.
Eltariel called out to them, distracted, falling victim to a hard blow to the gut, the wind knocked out of her before a strong mace strike sent her flying back a few feet. Her head collided with a tree with a heavy thud! and she lay unmoving in the brush, swords slipping from her grasp. The remaining Uruk-hai swept up Merry and Pippin, who shouted and struggled to no avail as they were captured, the horde moving on now that they'd gotten what they were looking for. One remained, slowly approaching a trapped Boromir and barely conscious Talion. Talion looked up at the war chief, and though his eyes were beginning to fail him he recognized his foe.
"Lurtz," Talion growled, coughing up blood as he glared up defiantly at his adversary.
"Gravewalker," Lurtz greeted back with a sick smile, aiming his bow directly between his eyes. "I will enjoy watching you suffer."
"I have… Faced death before. I… Am not afraid." Talion just needed a little more time. With what was left of his strength he summoned a wraith version of himself that slowly stalked towards Lurtz, a spectral Acharn raised, awaiting the signal for a killing blow. He felt his stomach tie itself in knots as Lurtz's smile widened, eyes shining brightly with evil intent as he raised the bow, now pointed at a defenseless Boromir.
"Who said anything about killing you? When there is a target even more satisfying…" Boromir met the Uruk-hai's gaze without fear, teeth bared.
"You'll never kill me," Boromir assured him, grinning tiredly, yet victoriously as a spectral dagger pierced Lurtz's throat before slicing his neck clean from his shoulders, his body collapsing right in front of them. Talion grinned, pushing himself off of Boromir as much as he could before he felt his limbs go numb, his strength failing. Boromir scrambled up, turning Talion over onto his back, hands hovering precariously over the arrows sticking out of his armor. He had to think of something fast. He could at least remove the arrows and cover the wounds. Then, if he could just find Aragorn and Legolas, perhaps they could make salves from the herbs they could find around there. And after that they could—
"Boromir," Talion whispered with a soft laugh, sensing Boromir's train of thought. "Don't bother. There's nothing you can do." Boromir shook his head in denial, distraught, pulling Talion into his arms.
"No. No, you saved my life. Again. Those arrows were meant for me."
"And I swore that the peril you sensed, your death here, wouldn't come to pass. I am a man of my word." Talion grimaced, coughing again, and Boromir shook his head once more.
"We can't do this without you. You can't die here! Not for me! Not for someone who jeopardized this quest, the fate of this world!"
"You are… A good man, Boromir," Talion told him, smiling softly. "The Fellowship needs you more than it needs me. And… Your brother… Awaits your return." Boromir felt himself choke up.
"And what of defeating Sauron, destroying the One Ring, freeing Middle-Earth from darkness?"
"My journey will not end here, my friend… But you'll never catch up to Frodo… If you stay here with me."
"I won't leave you here," Boromir protested. "You're coming with me," he insisted. "We'll return to Minas Tirith together, just like we talked about!"
"The Fellowship needs you. The halflings need you. Not me." Boromir looked to him in despair, and Talion grabbed his wrist weakly. "Promise me something, Boromir. Promise me that you… Will not lose hope. If you do… Then Sauron has already won."
"I…" Boromir looked into Talion's eyes, finding himself grounded, a little bit of hope breaking through the dark haze that had been settling over him. He nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. "I promise," he told him. Talion smiled at him, and Boromir held his gaze until the light faded from his eyes, skin cold and pale, body limp and heavy. Boromir felt a sob escape him, head falling on Talion's chest. He only lifted it when he heard footsteps approaching, sword brandished menacingly as he growled.
"Boromir!" Aragorn exclaimed, and Boromir lowered his sword in relief. "Where's…?" His eye fell on Talion's unmoving form, falling to his knees next to them in disbelief. "No. Talion…" He bowed his head , taking one of Talion's hands as Legolas and Gimli joined them, Legolas with an arm around a disoriented Eltariel. Gimli leaned on his axe in sorrow while Legolas bowed his head at the sight.
"Talion…" Eltariel whispered, a raw emptiness briefly overtaking her senses. She met Aragorn's gaze as he looked towards her, an understanding passing between them. He nodded as her gaze flickered between Boromir, Talion, and him. He took Urfael gently in his grasp, laying it in Talion's hand, closing it around the handle. He and Boromir placed it against his chest, closing his eyes.
"Be at peace… Son of Gondor…" Boromir whispered. He let out a harsh breath.
"Are you injured, Boromir?"
"Nothing but a few scrapes and bruises. Why?"
"We have to keep moving. Frodo will have left by now, and we must find Merry and Pippin, before the trail goes cold."
"They took the halflings," Boromir told him defeatedly. "Merry and Pippin. They're…"
"Then we must find them," Legolas told him. Boromir looked to him and then back to Talion before slowly shaking his head, drawing shocked looks from everyone else.
"I'm not going," Boromir told them quietly.
"What do you mean you're not going?!" Gimli demanded to know. "You're not staying here!"
"I am taking his body to Gondor," Boromir told them vehemently. "He… He wanted to see the city again. The least I can do now is make sure he is laid to rest in his homeland."
"Boromir, he—
"Talion's not—
"I must also apologize to Frodo… For what I did. If I take the eastern shore, I can find my way to Osgiliath. Though the area is treacherous, it will lead me home… My mind will not be swayed," Boromir insisted, ignoring Eltariel and Aragorn's attempts to explain the situation. Boromir tightened his grip on Talion, hoisting him up as he got to his feet. "I am going."
"Boromir…" Aragorn tried once more before Eltariel interrupted him.
"Let him go," she told him, all of the shocked looks now directed her way. "Talion would have wanted it this way." Aragorn met her gaze again in confusion. Later, her eyes said. He held her gaze, trying to understand, and after a few moments he sighed in resignation.
"I am hopeful our paths will cross again. Know that if they don't, with whatever strength is in my blood, I will not let the white city fall, nor our people fail." Boromir's heart warmed at that.
"Our people…" he repeated, smiling slightly. "I would have followed you, my brother. My captain… My king…" He bowed his head in respect to Aragorn, who smiled at him sadly, nodding.
"Be safe, Boromir."
"And you. All of you," he replied. He received nods from the others, and headed back towards the shore as the others remained behind. Eltariel, Legolas, and Gimli looked to Aragorn.
"Can you walk, Eltariel?" he asked. She pulled away from Legolas' grasp, taking a few shaky steps for good measure.
"Well enough. Will we follow them?"
"Frodo may have already reached the eastern shore by the time we get back," Legolas told them worriedly.
"And Sam, no doubt, will have gone with him. He followed me further into the trees, but he didn't go near the fighting. He must have gone back to the shore to join Frodo," Aragorn stated. He sighed again, and Legolas caught his expression, face falling.
"You mean not to follow them," Legolas realized.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands."
"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed," Gimli responded forlornly. Aragorn matched his expression, before a fiery determination took hold of him, and he clasped Legolas and Gimli's arms, meeting Eltariel's gaze as well.
"Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death, not while we have strength left." Legolas, Gimli, and Eltariel looked to him and then to one another, suddenly filled with resolve. He sheathed his sword, standing to lead the way back. "Leave all that can be spared behind when we return to the shore. We travel light… Let us hunt some orc." Gimli, Legolas, and Eltariel all shared a smile, Gimli letting out an excited cry as he ran after Aragorn, Eltariel and Legolas grinning as they followed swiftly behind.
The Fellowship was no more, broken into several pieces, each traveling their own path, until they could all reunite again when the time came. At shore, Boromir gently placed Talion's body on one side of a boat, struggling to climb in as he pushed it into the waters. He managed to right himself before he could fall, one half of the Horn of Gondor not so fortunate as it fell into the river without a sound. He secured his pack, rowing them across to the eastern shore, Frodo and Sam's boat already abandoned.
Frodo and Sam stood atop a rocky cliff, mountain ranges and the fiery shadow of Mordor in the distance. Frodo worried over the others, hoping they were safe, wondering if they would ever all see each other again. Sam reassured him, a bright presence in the darkness that threatened to send Frodo into a hopeless despair.
"I'm glad you're with me, Sam," he told him with a grateful, genuine smile, and Sam smiled back, staying by Frodo's side as they continued forward.
Closing A/N: Not grammar checked at all and certainly not perfect, but just about how I wanted it. Fellowship of the Ring is done! I still can't believe I got this far. Last update for a little while, I'm afraid, but hopefully this cliffhanger is worth the wait. Again, thank you so much for coming this far with me, and I'll see you guys next chapter! :)