TW: Thank you.
The next morning, the Fellowship set out in elegantly made rowing boats by the Elves. River rode in the first boat with Aragorn, Frodo and Sam, The Doctor in the second with Boromir, Merry and Pippin, while Amy and Rory took up the last one with Gimli and Legolas.
Before they had departed, they Elves had given them Elvish bread called Lembas, which could allegedly fill the stomach of a human man with one bit. They had also been given Elvish cloaks, a first for non-Elves. Celeborn had said these cloaks would help them avoid detection from enemies, and had also said something in private to Aragorn that put the ranger on edge.
As they rowed away from the Elves, the Fellowship each began thinking of the gift they had received from Lady Galadriel.
"To you, Amy Pond, I give this elixir."
Amy was handed a water skin like object. Amy had expected the brown wool to feel rough, but to her surprise it felt smooth against her fingers.
"The elixir was crafted by Elvish magic and healers. It will heal nearly any man made wound," Galadriel explained and Amy looked down at the elixr and nodded.
"Thank you," Amy said, although she wasn't sure how useful it would be.
"You may be surprised at how useful healing can be, something your betrothed will tell you," Galadriel said and Amy looked at her sharply. "You have a kind heart Amy Pond. It is not a crime to let others see it."
"To you, Rory Williams, I give this sword."
Rory was handed a sword in a sheath. Accepting it, Rory pulled the sword out, looking at it curiously. It was slightly longer than Frodo's sword with some elvish words on one side.
"In the Elvish tongue, those words mean 'the warrior never fights alone'," Galadriel said as Rory looked up from the sword. "I hope it will serve you well on your quest."
"Thank you, Lady Galadriel," Rory said with a respectful bow as he placed the sword back in its sheath.
"To you, River Song, I give this dagger."
River looked at the dagger curiously. Even in the future, she had never seen a weapon this finely made.
"It shall make no sound and will serve you well in the trials to come," Galadriel said and River nodded as she placed it in its sheath.
"Thank you. I'm sure I can find a use for it," River said with a smile that Galadriel returned.
"To you, dear Doctor, I give this ring."
The Doctor curiously took the ring from Galadriel as she handed it to him. It was a simple silver band with a small, green gemstone placed on it.
"This ring shall give you the power to heal the minds and hearts of men. Use it wisely Doctor," Galadriel said and The Doctor nodded as he placed it on his ring finger.
"I shall. Thank you, my lady," The Doctor said with a slight bow.
"I have taken my worse wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Haugh, henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me," Gimli said mournfully as they left the realm of the Elves.
"What was it?" Legolas asked curiously.
"I asked for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three," Gimli said softly and Legolas smiled.
"I think you're in love Gimli," Amy teased and Gimli merely laughed.
"Aye, perhaps Miss Pond," Gimli agreed.
After a day of rowing, the Fellowship took cover on a small island. Thankfully, it seemed largely uninhabited.
Most of the Hobbit seemed to have fallen asleep, save Frodo. The Doctor looked at him worriedly, hearing a conversation between Frodo and Sam. The Doctor then glanced over at River, who was seemingly asleep on the ground next to him, covered in a blanket.
River Song continued to be a mystery to him. She was very tight lipped about their past, yet seemed to know so much more about him. According to Octavian, she had killed a man, which River confirmed. Yet he apparently trusted her enough to tell her his name, something he could only do with…
The Doctor banished the thought. It would do him no good to dwell on who River Song might be to him in the future. For now, she was here and he needed to learn how to trust her if they were going to get out of this alive.
A few feet away, Rory laid by Amy's side, staring up at the stars as she slept beside him. It had been…a long time since he'd seen stars, almost two thousand years. You never knew how much you loved something until it was gone.
Seeing Boromir seeming to hide behind a large boulder, Rory frowned, making sure Amy was still asleep before getting to his feet. Walking up behind Boromir, Rory saw he was looking out at the lake. A log was drifting down the river with long hands gripping it. Behind the log, Rory could see large eyes eying them.
"What is that?" Rory wondered.
"Gollum," Aragorn said as he walked up behind the pair. "He's tracked us since Moria. I'd hoped we'd lose him on the river. But alas he's too clever a waterman."
"Who's Gollum?" Rory wondered.
"He had the One Ring before Bilbo," Aragorn explained.
"He was once a Hobbit, same as Frodo and the others. But the ring gave him a prolonged life," Boromir continued.
"The Ring twisted and warped his mind, driving him mad. He eventually lost the Ring to Bilbo and has since been longing for the Ring, trying to find it again," Aragorn finished.
"He's like an addict. He knows it's bad for him but his body depends on it so much he craves it beyond reason," Rory noted, smiling slightly when Aragorn and Boromir looked at him confused. "Sorry, nurse. Hard to turn it off."
"Regardless, if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous," Boromir said before turning to face Aragorn. "Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know that. From there, we can regroup. Strike out from Mordor from a place of strength."
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us," Aragorn said firmly.
"You were quick enough to trust the Elves!" Boromir shouted, his voice rising slightly ad drawing The Doctor's attention. "And The Doctor and his companions! People who know nothing or this world or our struggles! Why do you have 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."
Aragorn moved to turn away when Boromir reached out, grabbing Aragorn by the arm.
"You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows, scared of who you are, of what you are!" Boromir shouted and Aragorn yanked his arm back.
"I will not lead the ring within a hundred leagues of your city!" Aragorn said coolly.
"All right, that's enough," Rory said as he got between the pair as The Doctor quickly approached. "We can't fight amongst ourselves."
"Rory is right. Boromir, we hear you, we do. But Gandalf entrusted leadership to Aragorn. We have to trust him," The Doctor said, trying to calm the man.
Boromir looked at the three before storming off, heading to find a place to sleep.
"He makes a good point though. I've seen the best and worst of humanity. They are capable of great evil…but also great good," The Doctor told Aragorn.
"I will not take the ring near Gondor," Aragorn said firmly before following after Boromir.
"You watch after Aragorn, I'll take Boromir?" Rory suggested and The Doctor nodded.
"Hopefully, we can keep them from killing each other," The Doctor said dryly.
The next day, tension hung over the group, all of them having heard the argument. Still, they continued on.
About mid-day, they came upon two large, towering statues in some surrounding cliffs.
"Blimey," The Doctor muttered as they all looked at the statues in awe.
"The architecture is incredible," River said in admiration.
"The Argonath. Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin," Aragorn muttered.
As they passed the statues, the visitors to Middle-Earth looked at them and thought they saw a hint of Aragorn in their faces. But they might just be a trick of the light.
Heading passed the statues; the group came upon a waterfall.
"We'll have to continue on foot," River told Aragorn, who nodded his agreement.
Paddling to shore, the group abandoned the boats, taking their supplies and heading out.
Seeing up a campfire, the group rested as Aragorn spoke.
"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North," Aragorn said.
"Oh yes?" Gimli said sarcastically, bringing everyone's attention to him. "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. Festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see."
"Lovely," Rory said dryly, all of them becoming alarmed by this new information.
"That is our road," Aragorn said in a tone that left no room for argument. "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."
"Recover my-" Gimli started indignantly.
"Save your strength Gimli. We'll need it," River pointed and Gimli grumbled but didn't argue.
"We should leave, now," Legolas said as he approached Aragorn and The Doctor.
"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore, we must wait for the cover of darkness," Aragorn revealed.
"It is not the eastern shore that worries me," Legolas said with an uneasy glance towards the forest. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near, I can feel it."
"I've learned to never doubt the instincts of a warrior. Perhaps Legolas has a point," The Doctor reasoned and Aragorn considered this as Merry returned with some firewood.
As Gimli grumbled, Merry placed the firewood down and looked around, noticing something.
"Where's Frodo?"
Merry's question caused the others to look around, realizing that the Hobbit was gone. But he was not the only one missing.
"Amy? Amy?" Rory called out, looking around for her but finding no sign of the redhead.
"Always wondering off," The Doctor grumbled as Aragorn's gaze fell on Boromir's shield but Boromir was nowhere to be found.
Amy was walking through the forest, looking for Boromir. She had seen him wondering off, looking for Frodo. The look in Boromir's eye had caused a pit of dread to form in her stomach and, seeing no one else had noticed, she had followed after him.
She heard the sounds of a fight and rushed toward it. To Amy's horror, Boromir was on top of Frodo, pinning him to the ground.
"Give it to me!" Boromir was shouting when Amy rushed over.
"Oi! Get off him! Boromir, stop it!" Amy shouted as she tried to push him off Frodo.
Boromir easily pushed her aside and Amy fell on her back. However, she saw a nearby piece of firewood and grabbed it. Getting up, she walked back over and struck Boromir in the side, the unexpected blow causing him to let go of Frodo and falling on his side.
"Run Frodo!" Amy shouted as Boromir got to his feet, drawing his sword.
"You fool! He will betray us all! He will give the Ring to Sauron!" Boromir ranted madly before rushing Amy.
Amy quickly jumped out and the way and Boromir crossed a nearby piece of firewood, tripping over it. He dropped his sword and landed face first on the ground. Amy got up, looking at him fearfully as he lifted. Whatever madness had possessed Boromir seemed to have left him, as he looked down with sword with horror before looking around, as if realizing where he was for the first time.
"Frodo…Frodo…FRODO I'M SORRY!" Boromir wailed in remorse before looking up at Amy, looking on the verge of tears. "Amy…I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
He looked so young then, reminding her of a younger Rory after his mum had left his dad. Amy couldn't help but pity him.
"It's alright, it wasn't you," Amy said gently as she walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's the Ring. It's making us all mad. Come on, let's get up. I think you have some groveling to do."
Boromir smiled weakly at Amy's kindness before getting up, grabbing his sword off the ground.
Aragorn and The Doctor walked through the forest, looking for any of their three companions that had gone missing. Hearing a thud, they walked forward, seeing a structure that reminded The Doctor of a holy sight. Near the base, Frodo laid on the ground.
"Frodo," Aragorn called out and Frodo lifted his head, looking terrified.
"It has taken Boromir," Frodo said and they needed no elaboration.
"Where is the Ring?" Aragorn demanded and Frodo immediately jumped to his feet.
"Stay away!" Frodo shouted as he began running, the two men running after him.
"Frodo, calm down!" The Doctor shouted as they pursued him.
"Frodo, I swore to protect you," Aragorn reminded him as they stopped, Frodo clearly ready to run.
"Can you protect me from yourself?" Frodo challenged, taking them aback.
Frodo opened his palm, revealing the One Ring before he looked back at the two of them. "Would either of you destroy it?"
Aragorn and The Doctor both stared at the Ring, tempted. The Doctor heard its voice in his head, telling him it would help him bring back his world, all the lives he couldn't save. It would give him back Donna, help him save River.
Slowly, The Doctor walked over to the Hobbit, who tensed as he reached. The Doctor reached out, as if to take the ring. Instead, he closed Frodo's hand around it.
"It appears this is where our paths must part, Frodo," The Doctor said with a sad smile, his eyes filled with wisdom far beyond his youthful appearance.
"I would have gone with you to the end. Into the very fires of Mordor," Aragorn said softly.
"I know," Frodo said softly, looking at the two men with relief. "Look after the others. Especially Sam. He will not understand."
"We'll make sure he will," The Doctor promised before an alarmed look crossed his face. "Frodo, run."
Aragorn drew his sword as Frodo looked down at his own, seeing it was glowing bright blue.
"Run! Run!" Aragorn ordered.
Frodo turned, running in the opposite direction as Aragorn and The Doctor turned, seeing a whole swarm of Orcs rush up behind them.
"Stay back, I will not be able to protect you," Aragorn warned The Doctor, who scoffed.
"I will not need your protection Aragorn. I'm a man of peace, this is true. But it is not because I cannot fight, but choose not to," The Doctor said, his eyes growing dark. "You shall now see why."
Aragorn nodded as the pair approached the Arcs. As one attempted to strike The Doctor, he delivered a sharp jab to the side of its neck and grabbed its sword as it gagged before, with a strike from its sword, beheading it.
"Venusian Aikido," The Doctor said to Aragorn before the pair rushed the Orcs.
The pair rushed the Orcs, beginning to trade blows with them. Aragorn began leading a few up a flight of stairs as The Doctor parried with the Orcs. They were stronger than the Goblins, he realized. But not very bright.
The Doctor easily disarmed a few Orcs before, with a spinning motion; he blocked the strike of another Orc. The Doctor then elbowed another Orc in the face before swinging his sword, putting air of the Orc he had bene parring before jumping out of the way as the Orcs he had disarmed tried to attack him from behind. They tackled the disarmed Orc instead and all fell to the ground in a tumble of Orcs.
"Find the Halfling! Find the Halfling!" the lead Orc shouted.
Aragorn and The Doctor realized who he was talking about a second before Aragorn jumped down with a battle cry, throwing some Orcs down and impaling one with his sword. Legolas and Gimli then entered the fight, Legolas shooting his arrow and Gimli swinging his axe. Rory and River jumped down from above, Rory whirling his new sword and taking out a few Orcs as River fired with her gun, taking out several Orcs.
"Aragorn, go!" Legolas shouted.
"We'll cover you!" Rory added as he beheaded an Orc.
Aragorn nodded, fleeing the battle as Legolas killed several more with his arrows while Rory ran one through with his sword and Gimli smashed one in the face with his axe. The Doctor continued battling more of the Orcs as River stood behind him, firing her gun.
"Never seen you pick a sword before sweetie!" River shouted as she continued firing.
"Must have never needed to, River!" The Doctor shouted.
Frodo fell, running from Orcs before Aragorn rushed in, drawing their attention. As Aragorn ran one through with his sword, Frodo took cover behind a tree. As more Orcs passed him, completely unaware of his presence, Frodo was spotted by Merry and Pippin, who were hiding in some logs. They gestured for him to come inside with them but he refused.
"What's he doing?" Pippin inquired confused as Merry realized Frodo's intentions.
"He's leaving," Merry said as Frodo shook his head regretfully.
Pippin looked at Frodo startled as his cousin looked at him agonized.
"No!"
Pippin jumped out then when they heard a roar. Merry jumped out after him, trying to get him back when they saw the approaching Uruks.
"Run Frodo, go on!" Merry shouted at him before he began to wave wildly at the Uruks. "Hey you! Over here!"
"Over here!" Pippin joined him in trying to draw their attention.
"This way!" Merry shouted once the Uruks spotted them.
The Hobbits began running, hoping to give Frodo the time to get away.
Aragorn was soon joined by Legolas, Gimli and Rory, who began fighting off the Orcs as best they could.
"How much of a charge does that gun of yours still have Dr. Song?" The Doctor asked as he and River came upon the sight of their friends in battle.
"Not enough," River said as she checked the battery. "I have enough for a few more shots."
"Then let's make them count," The Doctor said, drawing his stolen sword before rushing in to help his friends.
Merry and Pippin found themselves surrounded by the Uruks when Boromir rushed in, Amy trailing behind him. Just before one of the Uruks could strike Merry with its axe, Boromir stopped it, kneeing it between the legs before stabbing it with his sword. Encouraged by his presence, Merry and Pippin began fighting back as Boromir threw a dagger, impaling another Uruk.
Aragorn was pinned to a tree by an Uruk when River fired, getting it in the head. It released Aragorn, falling to the ground as Legolas fired six arrows, making his mark each time and killing the Uruks. All the fighting stopped then as they heard a loud sound, like a horn being blown.
"The horn of Gondor," Legolas said.
"Boromir," Aragorn realized.
No more words were spoken as they group of six began running through the forest. A group of Uruks intercepted them and they began to try and fight their way through them as best they could.
Boromir threw an Uruk off him as Amy began leading Merry and Pippin away before Boromir blew the horn again.
Hearing the sound, Aragorn and Rory fought off as many Uruks as they could before as River fired her gun twice more, killing a few Uruks before the battery on her gun ran out. Tossing her gun aside, River drew her dagger and began fighting off hand to hand.
Boromir cut off the hand of an Uruk before killing it as Merry and Pippin tackled another to the ground, stabbing it with the daggers they had received from Galadriel.
"Run! Run!" Boromir shouted at the Hobbits as Amy pulled them back.
Amy led them away as Boromir continued fighting off the Uruks as best he could. Merry and Pippin picked up some rocks and began throwing them at the Uruks, wanting to help Boromir. Seeing it was working at least by surprising the Uruks, Amy began joining in.
It was at that point that their leader arrived. Smirking, he raised an arrow as Boromir continued fighting the Uruks off. The leader fired just as Boromir defeated his opponent. The arrow went into Boromir's chest as Amy and the Hobbits watched horrified.
"Boromir!" Amy cried out in horror as Boromir started to fall.
But he willed himself back up, continuing to fight off the Uruks. The leader approached, aiming another arrow. Boromir turned as he fired, this arrow going into Boromir's shoulder. This time, he staggered back, falling down to his knees in front of Amy and the Hobbits.
Seeing he needed help, Amy grabbed the water skin but Boromir jumped to his feet, continuing to try and fight off the Uruks. He knocked one down and stabbed them with his sword before raising it, beginning to parry with another before knocking it down.
A third arrow then flew into Boromir's chest, this one sending him staggering back before he fell to his knees.
"Boromir!" Amy cried out, moving towards him only to be grabbed by an Uruk.
Merry and Pippin cried out, rushing to help her only for other Uruks to grab them. In her struggle to free herself, Amy dropped the water skin to the ground before the three of them were carried off.
The Uruks all left Boromir as he breathed heavily, but one stayed behind. Boromir looked up weakly, seeing the leader standing over him. The leader smirked before raising his bow and notching an arrow. But, before he could fire, Rory suddenly tackled him to the ground and the arrow went sailing into the air aimlessly.
The pair got to their feet before they began trading blows. Rory was pushed back towards a tree when the leader threw his shield at Rory. Rory ducked, avoiding the shield as it hit the tree. Rory rushed forward, dodging a strike from the leader before attempting to throw him to the ground. But the leader was stronger than him and instead threw Rory to the ground. As the leader raised his weapon, Rory saw a weak spot in their armor and raised his sword, stabbing it in the side. The leader roared before kicking Rory in the side with enough strength to send him rolling away.
Yanking Rory's sword out of its side, it licked its own blood off, to Rory's disgust, and then attempted to stab Rory. But it didn't get far when a dagger struck it in the chest. This sent it staggering back and Rory picked a sword up off the ground before rushing forward, using it to behead the leader.
Rory breathed heavily, looking back as River appeared, nodding at him. It had been her who threw the dagger.
Rory then rushed forward, over to Boromir, who had fallen back, pale and shivering.
"Boromir, Boromir," Rory called out as River came up behind him.
"They took the little ones, and Amy," Boromir said weakly as father and daughter paled. "I could not stop them."
"You did your best," Aragorn said as he walked over, seeing Amy's water skin on the ground.
"Frodo. Where is Frodo?" Boromir asked weakly.
"I let Frodo go," Aragorn informed him.
"Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the Ring from him," Boromir confessed his shame.
"The Ring is beyond our reach now," Aragorn assured him.
"Forgive me. I did not see. I have failed you all," Boromir said ashamed.
"No, you didn't," Rory said before Aragorn could speak. "None of us are perfect, but we're not judged by our worst mistakes. You still have your honor Boromir."
Rory moved to remove the arrow in Boromir's chest but Boromir stopped him.
"Leave it! It is over. The world of Men will fall. And all will come to darkness, and my city to ruin," Boromir said tormented.
"Not if we have anything to say about it. And I took an oath to help everyone, not just those who deserve it," Rory said before glancing over at Aragorn and River. "River, get that water skin. Aragorn, help me get these things out of him."
The pair nodded, River grabbing the water skin as, one by one, Aragorn and Rory removed the arrows. Boromir let out an agonized scream as The Doctor, Legolas and Gimli arrived. Rory then held his hand out for the water skin, which River gave to her father. Rory then poured some into Boromir's mouth.
"Come on, swallow," Rory almost pleaded.
Weakly, Boromir gulped it down. To the amazement of everyone, they watched as his sounds seemed to heal and color returned to his cheeks.
"Elvish healing elixir. Incredible," The Doctor said as Aragorn and Rory helped Boromir to his feet.
"No time for basking, Doctor. They took Amy, along with Merry and Pippin," River informed him and The Doctor shot her an alarmed look.
"I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall. Nor our people fail," Aragorn told Boromir, who looked at him emotionally.
"Our people," Boromir repeated. "I will follow you, my Brother. My Captain. My King."
Shortly after, the group watched as Frodo and Sam rode away in a boat. Legolas then pushed a boat into the river.
"Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the Eastern shore," he shouted.
When no one made a move to follow, Legolas looked up at them with realization.
"You mean not to follow them."
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands," Aragorn said calmly.
"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed," Gimli said glumly.
"I wouldn't say that. Nothing is ever in vain," The Doctor said with a slight smile.
"The Doctor is right, The Fellowship will not fail if we hold true to each other," Aragorn said, placing his hands on both Gimli and Legolas's shoulders before looking around at all of them. "We will not abandon Merry, Pippin and Amy to torment and death."
In that moment truly united for perhaps the first time, the group looked to the man who would one day become the king of Gondor.
"My thoughts exactly," Rory said grimly as he glanced down at the water skin, clutched tightly in his hands.
"Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let us hunt some Orc," Aragorn said as he sheathed his dagger.
"Sounds like my kind of adventure," River said before they all took off.
"Yes!" Gimli roared, he and Legolas exchanging a grin before following after Aragorn and River.
Boromir took off after them as The Doctor and Rory exchanged a glance, not needing to say a word to understand each other. They nodded before racing after the others.
It was time to go get Amy.
And that ends the first movie/book.
Thank you to my friend Aragorn II Elessar for his suggestions about the gifts The Doctor and Ponds would get from Galadriel.
I know it's kind of a tradition in this kind of story for one character from another fandom to go with Frodo and Sam when the Fellowship splits up, but I didn't see that happening here. The Doctor and Ponds are as tightly bound as any group can be and Amy is kind of the heart of their group, she's the glue that ties them all together. None of them would be willing to go off with Sam and Frodo as long as she is in danger.