Merry Christmas to you all!

And now, I present to you: the longest chapter yet in the story! YAY!

I really wanted to cram the entire Battle of Amon Hen and the Breaking of the Fellowship in this chapter, and it ended up being more than I expected. However, I am really happy with how this turned out, and I hope you are too.

Disclaimer: I only own Chase, Fern, Philip, Hope, and Hunter.

Chapter 26: Chase Away

Once the entirety of the Fellowship had awoken, the company journeyed to the banks of the Anduin, where Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn were waiting for them, along with a host of other Elves. Five elegantly crafted silver boats with broad paddles were docked on the shore, filled with many supplies and, to Legolas's delight, lembas, the legendary waybread of the Elves.

Also, each member of the company was presented with a light Elven cloak of fine make, perfectly fitted to whom it was given. It color seemed to shift with the light, first pale grey, then green, then dusky brown. Each was fastened around the neck with a emerald brooch shaped like a leaf and veined with silver.

"Never before have we clothed strangers in the garb of our own people," said Celeborn as the cloaks were presented. "May they serve you well."

Then, Lady Galadriel approached each member of the company individually, presenting each with a different gift. To Boromir, she gave a beautiful belt of gold, giving similar belts wrought of silver to Merry and Pippin. Aragorn received a curved Elvish knife engraved with runes, and Legolas received a bow of the Galadhrim, strung with Elf hair, and a quiver of arrows. Sam blushed gratefully upon receiving a small, simple box filled with earth from Galadriel's orchard and Elvish rope made of hithlain. Frodo was given the Phial of Galadriel, a crystal that captured the radiant light of Eärendil. Gimli stuttered and blushed profusely when Galadriel came to him, eventually requesting only a hair from the Lady of the Galadhrim's head. Galadriel, smiling, gave him three.

Hope was presented with a fine sword, the hilt shaped like that of an hawk spreading its wings. "This is Laegrist, the Keen Cleaver and sword of Eradan," said Galadriel. "May it continue to serve the line of Eradan and bring victory to its wielder."

With wonder, Hope drew the blade, the steel flashing in the sun. "Thank you, Lady Galadriel," she replied, bowing low.

Galadriel smiled and moved to Chase. "To you I give the bow of Erynion." She handed the ellon a finely crafted bow of light-colored wood, engraved with swirls of the wind and leaves. "It shall not easily miss its mark."

To Hunter, she bequeathed a honey-colored horn tipped with gold. "This is the horn of Fastred," Galadriel stated. "It has no special magic or power, but it is a sure herald for battle and war."

Philip grinned widely as he was given a broad circular shield. It fit snugly onto his arm, and though it was weighty, it did not burden the young Gondorian. "Use the shield of Captain Herion well," said Galadriel. "It has saved the life of the captain many times over, and I hope it shall protect you and others just as well."

"And for you," she said to Fern, "the blades of Feredir. I suspect that when the time comes, you will wield them well." The twin ivory knives were thin and light, and Fern swiftly buckled them around her waist, bowing and thanking the Lady.

Finally, it came time for the Fellowship to depart. The company quickly boarded the boats, their hearts filled with sorrow at leaving Lothlórien. The light of the wood soon faded into distant memory as they paddled down the swift river, each quietly admiring their gifts. It was after some time that Legolas suddenly straightened, nudging Chase and pointing to the shore.

"Do you see it?" he asked. "A group running along the bank?"

Chase squinted, studying the trees. "Yes," he said, nodding. Five shadows were racing through the forest on the bank. They seemed to disappear from view every few moments, before reappearing. "What are they? Orcs?"

Legolas shook his head. "No, they travel in daylight, and are much too swift and silent to be orcs." He shifted his grip on his oar, tipping his head towards Chase's. "Paddle faster; we should be able to lose them on the river."

~o*o*o*o~

For days, they sailed down the river Anduin. Every member of the company was silent, constantly watching the riverbanks and surrounding foliage for danger. Something was in the forest, something large and probably very dangerous. Those who saw it moved their weapons into easier reach, and those who couldn't see it moved their weapons closer nevertheless. The tension and anxiety surrounding the Fellowship was near palpable, and the Ring was slowly taking its toll on all present.

Eventually, the Falls of Rauros came into sight, and before it was a great, bowl-shaped lake. Guarding the lake were too grim stone figures carved into the mountainside. They towered over the Fellowship, silent but threatening. The figures were ornately carved, and the power and might of older times was evident in their grey faces. Upon their heads rested the ancient helm of kings.

"The Argonath," Aragorn whispered, staring up at the figures with the faint traces of a smile on his face. "The Pillars of the Kings. Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old - my kin."

The boats swiftly passed under the shadow of the two stone sentinels, and the company docked on the western shore of the lake. The Fellowship quickly made camp among the boulders and ruins that littered the bank.

"We shall cross the lake at nightfall," said Aragorn, helping Philip pull the last boat from the water. "Then we shall hide the boats and continue on foot."

"Oh yes," said Gimli dryly. "And from there, it is only a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil, an impassible labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks, and then…" Here he laughed bitterly. "And then we must pass through festering, stinking marshlands as far as the eye can see!"

"That sounds wonderful, Gimli," said Philip sarcastically. "Please, do tell us more."

Gimli shook his head and turned away, grumbling about rotten bogs and insufferable young Gondorians. Philip just grinned, taking a seat beside Hunter on top of a boulder. Chase, Hope, and Fern, meanwhile, all sat near the fire, a horrible feeling of dread beginning to settle in their stomachs. Eventually, it became too much for Chase to bear, and he began to pace restlessly, much to the confusion of the hobbits.

"Is he alright?" Sam asked Fern quietly.

Fern shrugged. "I believe so. He is just worried, as are the rest of us. I suppose he just shows it differently."

Sam nodded, leaning back against a stone and surveying the camp. Within a few moments, though, he bolted upright. "Where's Frodo?" he asked urgently.

Everyone leapt to their feet, glancing frantically around the camp. Philip's eyes landed on Boromir's abandoned shield. "Boromir is gone too."

A sudden panic fell upon the company. Sam sped off in one direction, Chase in another. Hunter dashed into the woods after Merry and Pippin, and Fern sprinted off as well, following the sound of Sam's voice shouting, "Frodo! Frodo!" Legolas and Gimli darted into the trees. Philip began to run in some random direction, calling at the top of his lungs for his friends. Hope plunged into the wood beside Aragorn, searching desperately for Frodo.

Finally, they came upon him, lying in front of the summit of Amon Hen, a massive throne upon a ruined platform of stone and wrecked battlements. His blue eyes were panicked, and he scrambled away as he saw them approaching.

"Frodo!" Hope cried, stepping towards him.

The hobbit shook his head, clutching his hand to his chest. "Stay back!" he pleaded.

Aragorn's brow creased into a frown. "Frodo, we swore to protect you," he said. "You do not need to fear us."

"The Ring has taken Boromir," said Frodo. He cautiously stopped at the edge of a stair, slowly holding out his palm. "Would you destroy it?"

Hope stared at the simple golden band in Frodo's hand, and suddenly, she was seized with a desire to take it, to have all that strength and power. Her hand tentatively reached out towards the Ring…and then stopped. She steeled herself, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see Aragorn do the same. Together, they gently pushed the Ring away, closing Frodo's hand.

"We would have gone with you to the very end," said Aragorn softly. "Into the very fires of Mordor." Hope could only nod, and she could see tears forming in both Aragorn and Frodo's eyes.

"I know," said Frodo. "Please, look after the others."

"We will," promised Hope, blinking back her own tears. Suddenly, a rumbling shook the ground, and loud snarls and growls could be heard in the distance. Aragorn glanced at Frodo's belt, only to see Sting glowing blue in its sheath.

"Orcs!" he hissed, drawing his sword.

"Frodo, go!" Hope shouted, unsheathing Laegrist. "Hurry!"

Frodo nodded, dashing down the stone steps as Aragorn and Hope turned to face a horde of a hundred Uruk-Hai clad in crude plate armor emblazoned with the White Hand of Saruman. The two Rangers gripped the hilts of their swords, their blades flashing in the sun.

And then, with two loud cries, they charged.

~o*o*o*o~

Chase sprinted through the trees, notching an arrow on his bow as he ran. "Boromir!" he called, looking frantically around. "Boromir!"

He finally did find the man leaning against a crumbling stone head. Tears dripped down his nose, and his breathing was uneven. He looked up sharply at the sound of Chases' arrival, but just as quickly looked down.

"Chase, I'm…I'm sorry," he choked out. "I have done something horrible…something unforgivable."

"Boromir," said Chase, stepping closer to the Gondorian, "nothing is unforgivable."

Boromir shook his head. "You don't understand Chase…I tried to take the Ring from Frodo. My father and I…we thought that it could be used to help Gondor, to push back Sauron's forces. But now I see…the Ring cannot be used by anyone other than the Dark Lord himself, even those with good intentions." His body shook with more sobs. "I cannot look any of you in the face again. I have betrayed the quest, and they would be right to send me away."

Chase laid his free hand on Boromir's shoulder. "Boromir, listen to me," he said. "The others will forgive you, as have I, and they certainly will not send you away. You are not the only one who has been tempted by the Ring, and you will not be the last one to fall to its temptation."

Boromir opened his mouth to retort, but he was cut off as a high, clear horn call echoed through the forest. "Hunter!" he cried, drawing his sword. "Come, Chase!"

The ellon did not hesitate to follow.

~o*o*o*o~

Hunter raised her horn to her lips again, blowing as hard as she could. Merry and Pippin were right behind her, running as fast as their little hobbit-legs could. The guttural snarls and stomps of the Uruk-Hai were not too far off, and it was clear that they were following.

"What were you guys thinking!" she hollered, helping the two hobbits over a log. "One moment, I'm following you two, the next, you are racing towards me screaming, 'Run!' with a horde of monstrous orcs right behind you!"

"Just creating a distraction for Frodo!" Merry shouted back as they continued running. Suddenly, a black mass crested the hill in front of them. The trio made to turn around, but the Uruks had surrounded them on all sides.

"Well," muttered Hunter, "your distraction worked." Quickly, she drew her short sword, and Merry and Pippin did the same. But just as the wave of Uruk-Hai was about to crash down upon them, an Elvish arrow flew from somewhere in the trees, embedding itself in the skull of the leader.

Boromir and Chase dashed out of the woods, charging at the Uruk-Hai. Boromir's broadsword hewed at the Uruks, and Chase's bow was singing. As the ellon came closer enough to Hunter, he asked, "Are you alright?"

Hunter nodded, brandishing her blade. "Yes. Yourself?"

"Just fine," Chase replied, loosing another arrow. He took a quick glance around the clearing. "Where are the others?"

~o*o*o*o~

Sam leaned up against a tree, trying to catch his breath. Fern and Philip were beside him, glancing around the trees and calling for Frodo (both did actually know where Frodo was, but in the tension and stress of the moment, both had forgotten).

"Think, Samwise," Sam muttered to himself. "He's probably gone off East by himself, but he's got no gear for the journey. So he has to go back to the boats!" The hobbit sprang up, gesturing to Fern and Philip. "Back to the boats, hurry!"

The three raced as fast as they could back to camp. There were cries and shouts in the woods surrounding them, but none of them paid any heed. Numerous times did one of them almost trip over the gnarled roots of some giant tree. Finally, they reached the camp, where they saw Frodo standing on the riverbank, staring silently at the eastern shore.

"Mister Frodo, wait!" Sam cried, rushing forward. Philip followed him, as did Fern.

Frodo whirled around, shaking his head. "No, you three!" he said. "Stay with the others! I'm going to Mordor alone!"

"Of course you're going to Mordor," said Sam, "but not alone. I'm going with you!" Frodo opened his mouth to protest, but Sam cut him off. "I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. 'Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee!' And I don't mean to!"

"Neither do I, Frodo," said Fern. "I will not be able to rest until I know you are safe, and I cannot do that unless I am with you."

Philip nodded firmly. "Frodo, I swore to protect you and your company," he said. "I will not abandon you now."

Frodo studied their faces for a moment. None of them had ever given any indication of wanting to take the Ring, and they had all proved themselves trustworthy and loyal to the company. At last, Frodo sighed. "Of all the confounded nuisances, you three are the worst!" he said, but a smile was on his face. "Hurry now, before the others come."

And so the four quickly scrambled into a boat, sailing across the wide lake and continuing the journey to Mordor.

~o*o*o*o~

Meanwhile, Hope struggled with a particular Uruk that had grabbed her and was persistently trying to drag her away. With a furious grunt, Hope threw all her weight towards a stone column, effectively cracking the Uruk-Hai's skull against it. Swiftly, she ducked out of its loose grip, stabbing it through with her sword.

"Saruman must not have given up on capturing the Elenmír," she muttered, swinging her sword around to strike an Uruk approaching Gimli. Aragorn and Legolas were not far away, both holding their ground well as they fought against the onslaught of Uruk-Hai.

Suddenly a long, deep horn resonated through the air. "The Horn of Gondor!" cried Legolas, turning towards the direction of the sound.

Aragorn immediately began to race down the hill. "Boromir!"

~o*o*o*o~

Chase loosed another arrow as Boromir blew his horn again. His call was shortly followed by one from Hunter's horn, a softer, higher note than that of the Horn of Gondor. He had no doubt that the others would be coming soon; he just hoped that they would come in time. Again he reached for an arrow…

…only to find that his quiver was empty.

Muttering an Elvish curse under his breath, Chase drew his sword, motioning for the hobbits and Hunter to run. "Go!" he cried as an Uruk lunged at him. "Hurry!"

Hunter herded the hobbits into a relatively safe spot in the trees. Her blade flashed as she fended off any Uruk that came too close. Meanwhile, Merry and Pippin had begun to throw rather large rocks at the Uruk-Hai, and most did not miss their mark. Chase and Boromir fought back-to-back, hewing at the mass of Uruk-Hai slowly closing in.

That was when Chase saw it. The Uruk captain, a white handprint stamped upon its horrid face, with a cruel black bow in its hand. A great black arrow was upon its string, and the Uruk was aiming it right at Boromir's chest.

Chase froze. What should he do? Should he just stand by and not interfere with destiny's choice, or should he save his friend and companion? Could he live with the guilt of knowing that he let his comrade die, or could he stand knowing that he may have changed the entire fate of Middle-Earth?

The Uruk captain pulled back and released, and in that split second, Chase made his decision.

I'm sorry Hope, he thought sadly, but I'm breaking our promise.

"Boromir, move!"

~o*o*o*o~

Hunter froze as she saw the arrow pierce Chase's shoulder as he pushed Boromir away. Her thoughts rushed back to the day she looked into the Mirror of Galadriel, when she had seen a dark-haired figure with arrows through his chest. She hardly noticed Boromir striking his head upon a rock as he fell to the ground, nor did she notice Merry and Pippin's anguished cries as they charged at the Uruk-Hai.

Suddenly, she felt something seize her roughly around her waist. An outraged cry left her lips as an Uruk hauled her onto its shoulder, dragging her away from the battle. She struggled and fought, but her short blade slipped from her grasp, and then something collided violently with her head.

The last thing she heard was Chase's cry as another arrow pierced his stomach.

~o*o*o*o~

Chase fell to his knees, watching helplessly as the Uruk-Hai retreated, carrying away Merry, Pippin, and an unconscious Hunter. Pain burned through his chest as he moved, his breathing shallow and uneven. A shadow fell on him, and he saw the Uruk captain standing above him, one final arrow draw.

Chase gazed up at the captain, his face emotionless. No matter what happened, he wouldn't regret his decision to save Boromir. Boromir deserved a second chance more than anyone else in the whole wide world, and Chase was glad to give it to him. He knew that Boromir would strive to make things right, and he knew that only good could come from that.

Suddenly, a dark blur charged out of the forest, tackling the captain to the ground. Hope scrambled to her feet, the silver of her blade meeting with the black iron of the Uruk's with a loud clang. Raw fury was etched onto her face as she fought, striking fiercely at the Uruk. The fight only lasted a few moments, but for Hope, it seemed like a lifetime. Finally, she swung her blade high, hewing off the Uruk's head.

The Uruk fell to the ground with a thump, unmoving. Hope gazed down at the corpse for a brief moment, her sword sagging wearily in her hand and her breath shaking. Then, her face clouding with disbelief and concern, she raced over to where Chase lay. Boromir was already beside him, a large bruise on the Gondorian's forehead. He was hurriedly talking to Chase, tears gleaming in his blue-grey eyes.

"…I will, Chase. I swear on my life I will," he said, causing the fallen ellon to smile faintly. Hope did not take time to wonder about his words, though, immediately dropping to her knees beside Chase.

"Oh, please, no," she whispered, wincing as she saw the wounds. Two ghastly black arrows, thicker than any she had seen before, were lodged deep into his stomach and shoulder. Gingerly, she moved her hand to the base of one of the arrows, preparing to wrench it out, but a pained cough stopped her.

"Leave it," Chase gasped out, jerkily swatting her hand away. "They're barbed…shan't come out easily…" Hope bowed her head, unable to speak as tears begin to well in her eyes.

Chase looked up to see Aragorn standing behind the two others, grief clear on his face. "Aragorn...you have to go," Chase said with as much urgency as he could muster. "They took Merry, Pippin…and Hunter…You have to find them…Hurry!"

Hope bit her lip. "Chase, surely there is something we can do for you."

"No, Hope." Chase shook his head. "Just leave me…You must go…before they get too far!"

Boromir sighed and nodded his head. "Thank you, Chase," he whispered, rising to his feet and leaving the clearing. Gimli, whom Chase had not seen standing with Legolas at the edge of the clearing, soon followed, his head bowed.

Aragorn crouched down, clasping Chase's uninjured shoulder. "It has been an honor," he said.

Legolas nodded. "You would have made Erynion proud."

A smile lit up Chase's face at those words.

Hope was the last to leave Chase. Her mouth opened and closed as a million thoughts whirled through her mind, and yet, she couldn't bring herself to say any of them. "I…I shall miss you, Chase," she finally said.

"I'll miss you too," Chase replied softly. He glanced downward. "I'm sorry, Hope."

"There is nothing to be sorry for," said Hope. "I…I suppose I understand." Slowly, she stood and walked away, drying her face on her sleeve.

"Goodbye, Chase."

~o*o*o*o~

At the riverbank, Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli gazed at the western shore, where four figures were scrambling through the woods. "Frodo, Sam, Fern, and Philip have gone on," said Legolas.

"We have brought them as far as we could," said Aragorn. "And now, our path lies elsewhere. Chase asked me to hunt down the orcs, and hunt them I will." He turned to Boromir, who was staring silently at the ground. "And what of you, Boromir? Shall you turn from Gondor from here?"

Boromir glanced briefly over at Hope as she emerged from the woods and shook his head. "No, Aragorn, my path lies with yours."

"As does mine," said Legolas, stepping towards his friend.

Hope looked up at Aragorn. "Mine as well."

"Aye," said Gimli, gripping his axe.

A fierce smile spread across Aragorn's face. "Then let us hunt some orc."

Okay, so maybe not the best Christmas present for you Chase-fans out there. But you Boromir-fans should be pleased, right?

Please don't kill me.

If you kill me, you won't be able to see how things get better in the story. Trust me, things WILL get better. You just have to wait.

Trust me. :)