Halflings

Chapter Twenty Six

~ Chapter Twenty Six: She Made a Promise ~

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               Sam, who was half-dozing, rouses with a start. Esmeralda looks around franticly, feeling foolish for not keeping a better eye on Frodo. Aragorn looks over the camp, his gaze stops on Boromir's shield, lying with the baggage. His eyes widened, knowing that Boromir is also missing.

In the forest, Frodo wanders around. He stands by an immense stone head, lying with its side on the ground. Boromir, gathering wood, sees Frodo and approaches him. Frodo starts backing away, but Boromir continutes to follow him.

"None of us should wander alone." Boromir says. "You, least of all. So much depends on you. Frodo? I know why you seek solitude. You suffer, I see it day by day. You sure you do not suffer needlessly? There are other ways, Frodo. Other paths that we might take."

"I know what you would say. It would seem like wisdom but for the warning in my heart."

"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?"

"There is no other way!"

"I ask only for the strength to defend my people!" Boromir says in anger, throwing the wood to the ground. "If you would but lend me the Ring."

"No!" Frodo says, stepping away.

"Why do you recoil? I am no thief."

"You are not yourself."

"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!"

Frodo turns and begins to run from Boromir.

"You fool!" Boromir exclaims, running after him.

"It is not your save by unhappy chance! It could have been mine!"

He catches Frodo and tackles him to the ground.

"It should be mine! Give it to me!"

Frodo struggles to keep him away from the Ring, with a frightened look on his face.

"Give it to me!"

"No!"

"Give it to me!"

Suddenly, Frodo slips the Ring on and disappears. He kicks Boromir and runs away, leaving him to look around desperately.

"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 slips and falls to the ground. The madness of the Ring leaves him and he comes to his senses.

"Frodo? Frodo?" He says, realizing his folly. "What have I done? Please, Frodo. Frodo, I'm sorry!"

Frodo is in the other world, climbing onto the Seat of Seeing, atop Amon Hen. He looks over the stone seat and sees the Dark Tower from afar. The image rushes towards him and his vision rises to its pinnacle where the burning Eye of Sauron stares back menacingly, the Dark Lord speaking to him in black speech. Frodo, rushing to remove the Ring, falls off the Seat of Seeing and lands on his back beneath it. With a groan, he sits up, trying to catch his breath. Suddenly, Aragorn approaches.

"Frodo?"

Frodo jumps in surprise, then turns around to face him.

"It has taken Boromir." Frodo says pitifully.