Chapter 6 – Amon Hen
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The waters of the Anduin were some of the clearest that Glyndwr had ever seen. Forests thrived all along the side of the river and soon they had passed through a very large canyon as the night began to fall. The Welshman continued to paddle their boat before he noticed Aragorn begin to turn to the shore.
"We're stopping for a while…" The Elf noticed and Fili sighed in relief.
"Thank Mahal…" The fair-haired Dwarf said quietly. "This is beginning to get uncomfortable…"
"Seconded…" Kili groaned as they made it to shore before standing up and stretching his legs. "This is the best feeling ever…"
"Let's set up camp here…" Aragorn said to the Fellowship and they all set to work. Boromir and Glyn noticed movement in the water. "Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria. I had hoped we would lose him on the river. But he's too clever a waterman."
"Determined creature…" Glyn kept an eye on him.
"And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts, it will make the crossing even more dangerous." He heard Boromir say quietly.
"If he seeks the Ring, he will not alert the enemy for they would take it away from him." The Elf said as they continued to watch him. "Still…he could pose a threat if he should try to move on Frodo…"
"He will not…not with us nearby." Aragorn pointed out.
"Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know that. From there we can regroup. Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength." Boromir said and Aragorn shook his head ever so slightly.
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us." He protested.
"You were quick enough to trust the Elves. Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that." Boromir said and Glyn sighed softly.
"The history of Men and the Ring is complicated…"
"You judge us…" Boromir accused and Fili walked over.
"Do not take this for an insult to Men for I was one of you many years ago." Glyn started. "That said, it is because of the weakness of Men that the Ring still exists…" At this, Boromir went silent. Aragorn nodded solemnly in agreement before he went to walk off, only to be pulled back by Boromir.
"You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows. Scared of who you are, of what you are."
"I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city." The Ranger said softly before finally walking off as Fili spoke to the Captain of Gondor.
"We Dwarves are no stranger to corruption...our ancestors' love of gold brought calamity upon us."
"This is for my people…" Boromir protested weakly and the fair-haired prince merely shook his head slightly.
"Good intentions do not always lead to the best of outcomes. That Ring has a darker influence than a case of Dragon Sickness. It will lead to the ruin of your people…" Fili said quietly as he and Glyndwr decided to walk away.
"I'm concerned…" Glyn said quietly and Fili nodded.
"As am I…his constant insistence that we turn towards Minas Tirith is not giving me confidence…"
The following morning after a less than comfortable sleep, the Fellowship packed up their camp and headed back into the boats. Glyndwr kept pace with Aragorn's boat, Frodo seeming distracted, much to their concern. The Welshman gaped as he looked ahead and Aragorn managed to get the Hobbits' attention.
"Frodo…the Argonath!" He said and the Hobbit looked in amazement as well. "Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."
The statues were beautifully carved and taller than most buildings Glyn had ever seen in Cardiff. The expressions on their faces were stern and they seemed to hold out their hands in front of them as a warning. Fili and Kili looked up at them as they sailed between the two Kings of Gondor, their faces conveying nothing but awe and admiration.
"Feats worthy of the Dwarves mastery of stone…" Kili said softly.
"Is this the first you have seen of Gondor?" Glyn asked.
"It is…this is the furthest South we have ever travelled." Fili nodded.
"We will make camp soon at Parth Galen near the foot of Amon Hen." Aragorn said to them. "Come. We are almost there…"
Once more, they made it to the shore and began to set up a camp. With growing concern, Glyndwr had noticed that Boromir seemed to be fighting with himself, looking frustrated as he got out of his boat. The Gondorian smiled slightly at him and he returned it, but nevertheless the Welshman was very concerned.
"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Aragorn said to the group.
"Oh, yes? It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!" Gimli said with false enthusiasm and Pippin even looked a bit alarmed.
"You should see the region of Snowdonia in my old nation." Glyndwr smiled. "I climbed it before…far from an easy climb but it was doable. And I was mortal." At this, Fili snickered at Gimli's indignation.
"I'm not finished! Festering, stinking marshlands far as the eye can see."
"Well…you've got me there." Glyn conceded as he pulled on his quiver and bow. "The closest I have ever come to a swamp is the park after a particularly large amount of rain."
"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." Aragorn said, earning a scoff from the Dwarf. Glyn smiled in amusement for a moment, but he couldn't get rid of a feeling of dread in his mind. The last time he had felt like this, he had been facing a very ill Mirkwood.
"We should leave now." Legolas voiced his concerns.
"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness." Aragorn protested.
"It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near. I can feel it."
"I cannot explain what it is…but I have a similar feeling…" Glyn walked over.
"Where's Frodo?" Merry said all of a sudden and they noticed that their charge was no longer in the camp. For that matter, neither was Boromir, but he had said he was going to gather firewood.
"He cannot have gone too far…" Fili said, grabbing his swords.
"Regardless…given what he carries, it is of vital importance that someone is with him." Aragorn said to the group. "We must find him."
"Glyndwr, Kili and I will head into the forests." The fair-haired prince said as Glyn attached his quiver and swords to his back, carrying his new bow in his hands. "Between the three of us, we can track him down if he's left a trail."
"Be safe..." Aragorn said and they nodded before heading out, hoods drawn up to better blend with the forest.
Their search was proving nothing short of fruitless. They had been unable to pick up a trail for either Frodo or Boromir and they were beginning to get worried as they continued their quiet walk through the woods. Glyndwr had drawn Dur Glas to act as a detector for any nearby threats but so far it had yet to pick up any danger.
"Of all the places to wander off…" Fili whispered as he kept his eyes to the ground.
"He carries a heavy burden…one that has potential to try and call out to us…it stands to reason that he would want to be alone with his thoughts…" Glyn said, glancing around now and then. He could see far and wide but he could not see any sign of the Hobbit.
"I know…I just wish he had told us…"
"Almost as secretive as Bilbo…" Kili said softly and Glyn put a hand on Fili's shoulder. The prince had turned to see him bring a finger to his lips.
"What is it?..."
"I can hear two voices…they're not close enough to see but I can hear them…"
"I know what you would say. It would seem like wisdom but for the warning in my heart." He could make out Frodo's cautious tone easily.
"Warning? Against what? We're all afraid, Frodo. But to let that fear drive us, to destroy what hope we have, don't you see that is madness?" Boromir's voice was even and friendly, but still, if he was with Frodo and alone, it did not bode well.
"There is no other way." The Hobbit's voice was louder this time.
"I ask only for the strength to defend my people!" The Gondorian said in anger and Glyn's eyes had widened.
"What is it?"
"Boromir is trying to persuade Frodo to lend him the Ring…" He ran off in the direction of the voices, followed closely by the princes.
"How far away?!" Kili asked.
"Hopefully not too far!" Glyn called back as they made their way over the landscape easily.
"I swear if he harms him…" Fili practically growled.
"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!" He heard Boromir shout and he moved quicker.
"Faster, gentlemen!"
"You fool!" They all heard him then. "It is not yours save by unhappy chance! It could have been mine! It should be mine! Give it to me!" He was sounding almost like a child. "Give it to me!"
"No!" They heard Frodo's protest.
They were greeted by silence and eventually found Boromir. An unseen force seemed to knock him to the ground and Glyndwr had his bow drawn.
"I see your mind. You will take the Ring to Sauron! You will betray us! You go to your death, and to the death of us all! Curse you! Curse you and all the Halflings!" Boromir said as he tried to give chase only to fall. As the brothers advanced, Glyn held out his hand when he saw Boromir looking nothing short of remorseful.
"The madness of the Ring has left him…" Glyndwr said softly, shouldering his bow and approaching the devastated Gondorian. "Boromir…" He called out gently and the Captain turned to him.
"I didn't…I do not know what came over me…" He started to panic.
"Calm yourself…breathe…" Glyn said as he grasped his hand and pulled him to his feet. "Do you see now why no one should have the Ring?"
"It was never meant for us…it was never meant to even exist…" Fili sheathed his swords. "It brings nothing but pain."
"We know you meant no harm…we know you worry for your people." Kili said. "The hearts of Men should remain uncorrupted by such power and they should be able to fight without resorting to an evil object."
"In time, Frodo will forgive you…take some time…we will continue to search for him…" Glyn said and the Gondorian nodded shakily.
"He is using the Ring as we speak…" Boromir advised.
"Then we best hope it doesn't draw out our foes…" Fili said as they headed in the general direction that they saw footsteps from Frodo's flight.
Continuing their search, they soon came upon ruins that had lain here for many years, judging by how weathered they looked. All was silent for but a moment before the sound of fighting could be heard and Glyn drew his sword, finding it to be glowing bright blue. They followed the sound of the fighting and met up with Legolas and Gimli.
"The buggers have found us!" Glyn said.
"It was only a matter of time!" Legolas said as they headed uphill. "Aragorn needs our help if he's to keep these Orcs away from Frodo."
"We'll follow you!" Fili said as the five began to make their way to the top of the hill.
The came upon Aragorn on the ground as a large Orc, different to any they had seen before, slowly slid down the length of the blade in its stomach. Gimli lobbed his throwing axe into one of them as Legolas quickly killed three in quick succession. Fili took out one of his knives and landed a hit right in between the eyes of an Orc that was about to strike Aragorn whilst Glyn parried a blow with one of his swords and drove his glowing blade deep into the gut of his attacker.
"Aragorn, go!" Legolas urged as he managed to kill two with one arrow. Kili had taken up a higher position and was picking them off one by one.
"We'll keep them busy!" Glyn said, impaling a downed enemy with both blades. "Then we'll follow you down!"
Whilst Aragorn gave chase, the five that were near the Seat made short work of their attackers and began to follow the Ranger down the hill where there seemed to be a never ending amount. Once more they are all stopped and forced to fight them.
As Aragorn recovers from a hit, Gimli blocked an iron sword meant for their friend before smacking it away and slashing the armoured for across the face. Fili and Glyn were caught back to back then by them and the Welshman slashed one in the stomach as he parried another. Kili came up behind the one Glyn was holding and drove his blade through the back of the creature, felling it in one go and opening up an escape.
"What on Middle-Earth are these things?..." Glyn muttered as he drew his bow and fired an arrow at one about to strike Fili from behind.
"Uruk-hai…" Legolas responded, having heard him.
"We can discuss that after! Kill them!" Gimli said as he knocked one to the ground and brought his axe down on its stomach.
An Uruk went to slash down on Glyn but he moved out of the way with ease and brought his foot down on its weapon, forcing it out of the creatures' hand. He slashed a hand as it reached for him and then rushed forward, knocking it down before he drove his swords into the creatures' chest, causing it to roar in pain before letting out a gargled noise as he forced the blades deeper.
"Duck!" Fili shouted and he did so as another of his Elven throwing knives embedded deep in the neck of an Uruk that had attempted to attack him from behind.
"They're a never ending tide…" Kili said before turning to grin at them. "Care to wager?"
"What's the challenge?" Fili grunted out as he cut the leg off of a large Uruk, forcing it to the floor where he used his other sword to slash its neck.
"Most kills wins…I'm willing to bet a sizeable chunk of gold." Kili said and Glyn had to grin at the challenge that was laid down.
"I'll take that action."
"Count me in…starting after this skirmish."
Aragorn was stuck grappling with one of the Uruks whilst Legolas provided covering fire, felling many of them with ease. The Ranger had managed to manoeuvre his would-be assailant so that the Elf prince could shoot it in the back. The area seemed to be all clear for the moment when they heard three blasts of a horn.
"The horn of Gondor!"
"Boromir!" Aragorn moved to aid the Gondorian and began fighting his way downhill through the ruins.
The remaining five members moved to join Aragorn and began to fight as well but the amount of Uruks seemed to be increasing. They were cut off from the Ranger and decided to fight them off, if only to keep them away from their companion whilst he fought towards Boromir. Finding a high point within a ruined tower, Glyn drew his bow and began to pick them off one by one, focusing on any who tried to attack Fellowship members from behind.
One of the Uruks came up behind him and swung its sword. He ducked quickly and the iron blade became embedded in the wall. Taking the moment of distraction, Glyn drew Dur Glas and with a great deal of provision, slipped the blade through the eye hole of its helmet. It didn't even let out a sound before it crumpled to the ground, dead.
"Room for another?" Kili asked as he joined the Elf on the tower.
"Be my guest." He smiled as they both drew arrows and loosed them, taking down two Uruks that were near Gimli and Fili.
"Saruman has been nothing short of busy it would seem…" Glyn mused as he loosed another arrow.
"We will undo his work…" Kili said, nocking another arrow and finding a target before letting it fly and bringing down the Uruk.
Another three blasts of the horn could be heard and they began to fight harder now, desperate to get down there so that they may be able to help Boromir. Soon they were able to finish of the Uruks with no small amount of effort and they regrouped before they began running down the hill. Even as they ran, the encountered stragglers before putting them down with quick ease but it still slowed them down somewhat.
The horn by now had not been heard for some time now and they were concerned before they had made it to the clearing. They all looked shocked to see Aragorn crouched over Boromir, who'd been pierced with three large black arrows. The Gondorian reached for his sword but could not grasp it. Aragorn grabbed the sword and put it in Boromir's hand where the Captain brought it to his chest as the other five looked on sadly.
"I would have followed you, my brother. My captain. My king…" Boromir said weakly, and it seemed quiet before Aragorn leant down and gently kissed his brow.
"Be at peace…son of Gondor…" The Ranger said quietly as Glyn bowed his head with the others. "They will look for his coming from the White Tower. But he will not return." He said when he looked up at the forest.
Ever so carefully, they removed the arrows from Boromir and solemnly they took his body back to the boat and carefully laid him to rest with his weapon and shield. Gently, they pushed it onto the river where it followed the current over the falls, all of them watching sadly. Aragorn tightened up the vambraces he had chosen to wear in Boromir's honour.
"Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the Eastern shore." Legolas said as he moved the third boat out onto the river. Aragorn merely stayed silent and Glyn understood what that meant.
"You don't intend to follow them…" He stated, rather than asked.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands…" Aragorn said solemnly.
"Then it has all been in vain…the Fellowship has failed…" Gimli said with a grim tone as all of them walked up to Aragorn, who put his hand on Legolas and Gimli's shoulders with a small smile.
"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. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let's hunt some Orc." He said before running off into the forest. The other five looked at one another with a grin.
"Yes!" Gimli shouted as he and Legolas followed him into the forest.
"Shall we, gentlemen?" Glyn asked them both.
"You didn't even need to ask…" Kili grinned.
"Let's get our Hobbits back!" Fili said, running ahead of them before his brother and the Welshman followed behind him.
'We must have faith in Frodo and Sam to finish this journey…they carry the fates of us all just as we did six decades ago.'
And so we come to a close on the first film. When it comes to battle scenes, I'm better at writing sieges than I am at fighting just skirmishes so I apologise if it lacks quality. I just want to say I'm really grateful for you guys for sticking with this for so long and I look forward to reading your feedback!