𝐈𝐋𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄̈ || A.

𝟎𝟏𝟑 ⸺ the breaking of the fellowship

A flock of birds circle high above, black against the pale sky. Aragorn watches them with concern.
By the time they arrived at the Anduin bank, midday has just passed. The three boats are safely stored on the bank out of the water.
Boromir hides behind a rock watching the river. A log floats down the river. A hand grasps the log en pulls itself onto it. Who or whatever it is, seems to be trying to still be concealed from the eyes of the Fellowship. Aragorn approaches from behind Boromir.
''Gollum,'' he speaks. "He has tracked us since Moria.'' Gollum watches Boromir and Aragorn stand behind the rock. The log runs into a rock on the opposite side of the river and stops.
''I had hoped we would lose him on the river,'' Aragorn whispers. "But he is too clever a waterman.'' Aragorn and Boromir continue to watch Gollum.
''And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts, it will make the crossing even more dangerous,'' Boromir says. Frodo listens to the exchange between Aragorn and Boromir.

''Have some food, Mr Frodo,'' Sam says.
''No, Sam,'' he replies.
''You have not eaten anything all day. You are not sleeping either. Do not think I have not noticed.'' Sam moves from the campfire to sit with Frodo. ''Mr Frodo-''
''I'm all alright,'' Frodo snaps.
''But you're not. I'm here to help you. I promised Gandalf that I would.'' Frodo looks at Sam, sadly, with the full weight of the knowledge of what he must do.
''You can't help me, Sam. Not this time. Get some sleep,'' Frodo says. Frodo turns away from Sam and returns to his own thoughts. Reluctantly, Sam concedes and leaves Frodo alone.

Boromir turns away from the rock to Aragorn.
''Minas Tirith is the safer road, you know that. From there we can regroup. Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength,'' Boromir argues.
''There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us,'' Aragorn denies.
''You were quick enough to trust the Elves,'' Boromir grunts, resentment lingering in his voice. Aragorn does not reply but listens impatiently. Iladya stands on the other side of the rock, listening to the conversation.
''Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty but there is courage also, and honour to be found in Men. But you will not see that!'' Boromir speaks, his tone filled with desperation. Aragorn turns away from Boromir, but he grabs Aragorn's tunic and turns Aragorn to him.
''You are afraid!'' he points out. "All your life, you have hidden in the shadows.'' Aragorn calmly listens to Boromir's ravings. Iladya sighs, considering whether to jump in. ''Scared of who you are, of what you are.'' Aragorn adjusts his tunic and turns away from Boromir, leaving the man speechless. Aragorn turns back to him.
''I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city,'' he grits through his teeth. Aragorn joins the rest of the group, leaving Iladya to stand on her side of the rock.
"You have grown weak!" Boromir shouts, not knowing what he is saying. "It is because of the Elf. You have grown attached to her. Don't think I haven't seen it." Iladya closes her eyes. Aragorn walks back to Boromir and grabs his tunic.
"You leave her out of it!" he hisses, "it is none of your business." Boromir smirks, "So you do. She said she liked me."
"You are a liar," he growls lowly. "You leave her alone."
"Or what?" Boromir challenges. "What will you do?"
"I will do nothing," Aragorn replies calmly. "It is her you need to fear, because she is perfectly capable of caring for herself." Iladya smiles at Aragorn's answer.
Boromir scoffs before Aragorn lets go of his tunic. He walks to the rest of the group.
''We cross the lake at nightfall, hide the boats and continue on foot, we approach Mordor from the north,'' he speaks.
''Oh, yes, just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyl Muil, an impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks. And after that, it gets even better, a festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see,'' Gimli answers gloomily.
''That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf,'' Iladya speaks.
''Recover my-'' Gimli answers indignantly. Legolas turns to Aragorn with urgency, "We should leave now.''
''No,'' Aragorn replies. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for the cover of darkness.''
''It is not the Eastern shore that worries my brother,'' Iladya comments, sensing the same as Legolas. Legolas casts a glance around into the Parth Galen forest.
''A shadow and a threat have been growing in my mind,'' he speaks. ''Something draws near, I can feel it,'' Iladya finishes his sentence. Aragorn looks at Legolas and Iladya, knowing full well what he means.