Mo Ghile Mear

Difficult Decisions

*Sera POV*

We started off the next morning, rising early to get a head start. Athena and Aragorn were in the back, making sure that we wouldn't lose anybody.

"We must keep West," said Gandalf. "We'll pass through the Misty Mountains and continue North. Then, we make our way East, to Mordor."

Boromir was teaching me, Merry, Pippin, and Daisy some sword moves, which we would be able to use to defend ourselves. Frodo and Sam were watching, as well as Aragorn and Legolas. Athena, Gandalf, and Gimli were speaking, and Gimli was complaining about something.

"If anyone had taken my suggestion, which I noted you'd not, I say we should take a long way around," he complained. "Gandalf, we could pass through the mines of Moria. My cousin Balin, would give us a royal welcome."

"No, Gimli," said Gandalf firmly. "I would not pass through Moria unless I have no other choice."

Gimli grumbled.

I was distracted and accidentally got cut by Boromir's sword. I cried out, a hiss of pain escaping my lips.

"S-Sorry!" yelped Boromir.

"Take him down, Pippin!" Merry encouraged as Pippin grabbed Boromir by the waist. I pulled on his hair, hard. Daisy tried to twist his hand but to no avail. Boromir just laughed.

"What's that?" said Sam. We stopped our "playful" fighting before looking up. I was panting and let go of Boromir's hair.

"Nothing, just a wisp of cloud," Gimli calmly answered.

"But it's moving fast," Legolas muttered. "Against the wind." He paused. There was a sound of screeching in the distance and Athena's eyes widened.

"Crebain from Dunland!" she cried out. "Everyone -- hide!"

We scrambled around, getting everything we could, before flinging into hiding places. I crouched underneath a low shelf of rock with Athena, Aragorn, and Frodo, getting as far away as we could, trying to not make a sound.

We all came out of our hiding places once we were sure that the Enemy had passed.

"The passage South is being watched," Gandalf muttered, but we could all still hear him. Athena groaned behind him. "We must take the path of Caradhras!"

It was a snowy and difficult way up the mountains of Caradhras. It was even more difficult for us Hobbits. But I could tell that Frodo was struggling much worse than the rest of us. I could hear his panting before he gave a cry of shock.

"Frodo!" Athena yelled. I looked around and saw that Frodo was tumbling down the hill, but she had caught him around his middle, preventing him from going any further. She helped get him upright. I watched as Frodo searched for the One Ring, his eyes desperately looking around. I froze when I saw that Boromir had gotten a hold of it. "Boromir," said Athena firmly, but Boromir ignored her.

"It's so strange that we should all fear and doubt so small a thing. Such a little thing . . . .," he murmured.

"Boromir!" said Athena sharply. "Give the Ring to Frodo."

Boromir hesitantly gave Frodo the Ring, and Frodo snatched it from his grip.

"As you wish," he scoffed. "I care not."

I glared after Boromir. Sure, he was nice when his mind wasn't on the Ring, but still. He shouldn't have to be tormenting my friend about it.

"C'mon," I said softly, reaching my hand out to take Frodo's. He gave me a small, sad smile before reaching out to take my hand as well. I pulled him into a warm, comforting hug. I'm sure that Boromir didn't really mean what he said. He buried his face into my neck, breathing in a sigh of contempt and relief. I glanced up at Daisy and saw that she had the biggest grin on her face when she saw the two of us together.