Through The Veil- A Different World

Over the Mountain, A Story Begins to be Told

Caradhras-Late The Next Day

It's official, everyone in the company was downright miserable. Harry had even cast the strongest warming charms he knew and they didn't help much. They had made it about halfway up the mountain at this point. There was enough snow on the ground to reach just below the Hobbits' waists, but thankfully there wasn't any new snow falling. They were about to reach the mountain pass that would take them across the range when Frodo slipped. He rolled about a hundred feet back down the mountain. Boromir had reached out to try and grab the poor lad but hadn't quite reached him. He came to a stop at the feet of Aragorn who reached down and hauled him to his feet and brushed him off.

"Are you alright?" Aragorn asked setting his hands gently on the young hobbit's shoulders. Frodo nodded, to tired and weary to say anything. He reached a hand up to feel for the ring on the chain around his neck only to find it gone. His eyes widened in panic and he turned around and looked back up the mountain he just fell down. The rest of the company was watching from their various positions up the side of the mountain. There in the snow is the ring gleaming in the snow about fifty feet back up the way he came. Boromir bent down and picked up the chain, he pulled it up to face level. The look in his eye became slightly crazed as he gazed at the seemingly innocent circle of gold. Aragorn gripped the hilt of his sword, he would draw on the gondorian if thought it necessary to get the ring away from him. "Boromir?"

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing," Boromir stared at the ring with a lust like gaze. He tapped it with the tip if his finger. Farther up the hill Harry narrowed his eyes at the scene before him, he drew his wand and prepared to stun the man if needed. Frodo was looking at the man with an unhidden fear that did not set well with the rest of the company. Boromir continued his thought almost absentmindedly, "...such a little thing."

"Boromir," Aragorn said quietly with a stern undertone that spoke of the king behind the ranger. "Give the ring to Frodo."

From his vantage point further up the mountain Harry could feel the power rolling off the ring, pulling the gondorian into its hold. Harry looked towards the older istari and saw that he too felt the malicious power. Harry snarled and let loose a concentrated blast of his own magic, the power retreated back to the ring like a shadow in sunlight. Legolas and the others around him looked at him in shock, not realizing what he did. Harry shook his head and continued to watch. Boromir seemed to snap out of the daze he was in, he looked shocked that he was holding the ring so close then disgusted at the thing in his hand and thrust it back toward the hobbit.

"As you wish. I care not," Boromir smiled at Frodo, ruffling his hair. Aragorn and Harry both relaxed their tense stances as the ring disappeared back around Frodo's neck. Harry snorted and turned back to the road in front of him as he sheathed his wand, Aragorn removed his hand from the hilt of his sword and gently started to prod the hobbit forward again.

As the company starts forward once more Harry sighed before slowing his walk to be beside Boromir. He silently studied the blond man beside him from the corner of his eye. He watched as Boromir did not even seem to notice his presence. The gondorian captain was watching only his feet and seemed to be deep in thought. Harry sighed once more before raising his voice.

"Gandalf!" The wizard in question turned back towards the sound of the younger wizards voice. Harry, seeing he had the wizard's attention, continued, "When we crest the top we need to stop for a little while to eat and try and warm up some. I also do believe now is a good time to tell some of my story."