Silverhelm: A Tale of Two Enemies

My Brother... My Captain... My King

I woke the company early the next morning, with much grumbling from their part. With a quick breakfast of dried fruit and meat (we were saving the lembas for later), we got into the boats, going in the same arrangements as before. This time, Gimli called rowing. I sat in the prow, watching my reflection in the glassy water. Turning around, I saw Legolas braiding his hair, using the water as a mirror. That gave me an idea. For the first time since Rivendell, I let my hair loose and picked the twigs and leaves out. There was a stiff breeze, and it blew my hair back.

Before long, the sun had burned away the morning mists. Soon, my eyes made out the shapes of pillars, carved in the shapes of two men, each with one hand outstretched in warning, the other holding an ax.

"These are the pillars of Argonath," Aragorn said. Looking over, I saw that he had cast back his cloak. He was sitting tall and proud, his stern grey-green eyes shining. I had seen these pillars before, but the art of the Numenorians of old never failed to amaze me. As we passed, I saw the true enormity of the statues. Even Aragorn, a very tall man, would not reach the top of the great statues' feet.

Soon, I heard the sound of rushing water. The Falls of Rauros. This was where we would make our decision. Though the sun had not yet begun to set, we pulled the boats ashore, because we could go no further today. Glancing over at the other members of the Fellowship, I could see Boromir fighting with himself and Frodo looking at him with worry. Oh no. Please don't let Boromir being thinking about taking the Ring.

"We cross the lake at nightfall," Aragorn told us as we began to make camp. "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Even in the late afternoon sun, I shivered when Aragorn uttered the name of the domain of Sauron.

"Oh, yes?!" Gimli exclaimed. "It's 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!" Pippin looked up, startled. There was an alarmed expression in his eyes. "Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!"

"That is our road," Aragorn told him sternly. "I suggest you take your rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."

"Recover my...?!" Gimli said indignantly, then growled.

"We should leave now," I said. I was worried that we would be attacked, easily seen. Not just that, but I was worried about Frodo, and Boromir's attraction to the Ring like a moth to an open flame.

"No," Aragorn said, coming up behind me. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We wait for the cover of darkness."

"It is not the eastern shore that worries me," I replied, my gaze venturing to the dark pine woods, ominously looming over the river. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near... I can feel it."

"Where is Frodo?" Merry interrupted our conversation, returning with wood for the fire. I froze. Sam woke from his half-sleep with a start. Aragorn's gaze went to Boromir's shield and pack sitting by the campfire. The Gondorian himself was nowhere to be seen.

Merry, Pippin, and Sam ran off in search of the hobbit. I sighed. "I have a feeling those two are going to get in some sort of trouble," I said to Legolas, referring to Merry and Pippin. Aragorn had gone after them.

"Why does that no surprise me-" He froze. I knew why, for I too had heard the clash of swords emanate from the woods. Aragorn. Legolas grabbed my hand and looked me in the eye.

"Come on!" I said, shaking myself loose. Legolas took his bow from the ground and ran towards the sound, closely followed by Gimli, who took his ax from where it lay on the log and followed. Unsheathing Nahtar, I sprinted after them.