DISCLAIMER:  Of course.  The characters don’t belong to me, I just get to think about them day and night.

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THE ISLAND

Chapter 12 - A Mighty Gift

For the third time that morning, Frodo attempted to let go of the Ring and hand it to Boromir. Finally, he made a supreme effort and opened his hand... only to find that the Ring was not in it.

“It’s back in your pocket, Frodo,” Sam sighed. “Again.”

Frodo sighed, wiping perspiration from his brow. Sam, Gandalf, and Aragorn sat next to him, lending support, while Boromir sat across from him -- amazed at the hold the Enemy’s ring was exerting on Frodo as it determined to remain in his keeping.

“Gandalf,” Frodo finally asked in frustration, “How did Bilbo give it up? What did you say to him?”

“I reminded him that he could trust you to look after the Ring -- and that he could trust me to look after you.” Gandalf smiled at the memory. “He realized that the Ring had far too strong a hold on him, and wished to be released from its grip. Bilbo is a remarkable hobbit, Frodo, as are you. Remember that you are a Baggins, and trust in Bilbo’s belief in you. Trust my belief in you. And if you trust Boromir’s pledge, then you must believe in him, as well. Frodo...” The wizard gazed steadily into the troubled blue eyes. “You can do it.”

His eyes never leaving Gandalf’s, Frodo nodded. He reached into his pocket and drew out the Ring once again... and -- with a shaking hand -- dropped it into Boromir’s palm.

At Aragorn’s insistence, Merry had been persuaded to go as far from the uncovered palantir as could be managed. He sat with Gimli, some distance down the beach, happily winning his second game of chess from the puzzled Dwarf.

Taking a deep breath, Boromir gazed into the stone, at first seeing nothing but swirling mists. Slowly he felt as if he was lifting up, soaring high, then suddenly plunging deeply into the globe’s depths and toward the tower that Merry had described. A man, white-bearded and ancient of mien, stared at him, drawing him closer.

“Boromir,” Gandalf whispered nearly inaudibly, “don’t give him time to read your thoughts. Let him see it. Remember what you need to do.”

Boromir held up the Ring, allowing exultation to fill him. “It is mine,” he said fiercely. “Mine. We have beaten you, wizard. We leave these shores soon, taking with us the only prize you desire. This prize is... for Gondor. For Gondor!” There was no longer any pretense. Boromir spoke out with a triumphant knowledge that the enraged wizard could not help but perceive. “The Ring is mine!” he repeated.

At that moment, Gandalf cast a cloth over the stone. Boromir sat stunned, enveloped in the memory of Saruman’s piercing gaze.

“Boromir,” Aragorn said, shaking him. “Boromir, return to us.”

“It is mine!” Boromir cried. “It...” He suddenly slumped against Aragorn, drained. “What...”

“You did well,” Gandalf assured him. “I have no doubt that Saruman will now come for the Ring -- and soon.”

“Gandalf...” Frodo whispered from where he sat next to the wizard, “I... I want it back.”

“I know,” Gandalf said gently. “Boromir will return the Ring, Frodo, but not quite yet. Can you bear it a little longer?”

“Frodo,” Boromir said steadily. “I will return it to you. I have sworn it.”

Frodo was breathing heavily, his eyes on the ring in Boromir’s hand. “I know.”

“We may not have much time, and there are still a few preparations to make,” Aragorn said, getting to his feet and looking around. “Legolas and Pippin appear to be nearly finished with their task. Let us assist them.”

It was early afternoon. Gandalf, Gimli, Sam, and Merry sat under the shelter, talking quietly, while Boromir stood between the fire and the thick jungle, splitting wood with Gimli’s makeshift axe. Frodo, Pippin, Aragorn, and Legolas were nowhere to be seen.

“My son.”

Boromir looked up and gasped in amazement.

“My son,” Denethor repeated, “I have come.” He stepped out of the jungle’s depths and smiled, holding out his arms to Boromir.

Boromir’s eyes widened in amazement. It was Denethor. In looks, voice, manner... this could only be the Steward of Gondor, his father.

“Father, how do you come to be here?” Boromir asked. He took a faltering step backward. “Where are your ships?”

“Boromir,” Denethor said, coming forward, “why do you retreat from me? You will return to Gondor in honor, bearing a weapon mighty enough to strengthen our city beyond hope. Boromir, savior of the West!”

All at once, Boromir’s mind was filled with cheering crowds. Cheering him. Adulation... his city was renewed, with peace assured for a thousand years. It felt sweet.

Out of the corner of his eye, Denethor saw Gandalf suddenly get to his feet and start toward them.

“Show me the Ring,” Denethor whispered forcefully. “Quickly! Show me the mighty gift that my son brings back to his city.”

Boromir slowly pulled the Ring from his pocket and saw his father’s eyes glitter with avarice. Denethor advanced another step, and held out his hand.

“Let me touch it, my son. Let me share this glorious moment with the Ring-bearer.”

Ring-bearer. The image of Frodo, lying lifeless on the sand after taking a spear meant for him, suddenly crowded all other visions from Boromir’s mind. Such selfless courage... Ring-bearer...

Boromir abruptly threw himself to one side and shouted, “Now!”

Thick vines that Legolas had gathered from the quicksand clearing, and hidden under the sand, suddenly grew taut as Aragorn and Legolas -- hidden in the foliage -- pulled with all their strength. The piece of fuselage hidden by sand and brush, which covered the pit in which the boar had been roasted, was pulled away from beneath Denethor’s feet... and he fell with a cry.

From the edge of the deep pit, Boromir looked down at the prisoner. “You are not my father,” he said coldly. “There are no ships, no men... there is no possible way he could be here. You ensnared me once,” he continued. “Never again.”

And Saruman looked up, eyes narrowed with malice and rage.

** TBC **

AlabrithGaiamoon:  Glad you’re enjoying this rather unusual story!  It’s such fun to write.  (And I think Pippin got punished enough by swallowing all that quicksand!)

Anonymous:  Regretfully, this story doesn’t bring in any Elf-angst.  (If you’re interested, the stories of mine with Legolas as one of the major characters are “Avalanche”, “The Breaking Point”, and “Unlikely Comfort”.)

Dayna:  This is rather a fresh look at the Fellowship, isn’t it?  That’s probably why it’s such fun to write.  Thank you so much for your enthusiasm.

Elven Kitten:  No matter where Frodo goes, or what happens to him, he always has his friends to support and help him.  I love that theme in LOTR, and it’s a pleasure to carry it over to this story.

Fallenangel26:  All your questions (almost) will be answered in this chapter and the next!

Galidea:  I was so sorry to hear about your sad loss.  (sending you hugs)

grlwivblkboots:  High praise from such a mighty “Lost” fan.  Thank you!

good_one_pip:  Thank you for your reviews!  And fear not, I could never hang a hobbit (or anyone else); that was quite a disturbing image, and I wouldn’t want to bring it into one of my stories.  I love the characters too much for that!  And you really “got” the theme of this story: “What would have happened had the fellowship formed under other circumstances?”  Indeed!  I love wondering “what if”.

Hobbit luvr:  One thing you always know with my stories is that by the end, everyone will be okay!  I love happy (or at least hopeful) endings.

InuEnki:  I do find myself writing nearly as much Pippin as Frodo these days, which is fun.  They’re both such wonderful characters to explore... although I suspect I remain “a Frodo girl” at heart.

lindahoyland:  Thank you!  Even the most perilous plans can work out, if everyone plays their part.

lovethosehobbits:  I really enjoy writing about Frodo- and Boromir-shared experiences.

mirthor:  It’s important to me to write Frodo with “maturity”, and a mind of his own.  Thank you so much for highlighting that part.

Mysterious Jedi:  It was fun adding something unexpected to the story!

Pearl Took:  Thanks, Pearl!  (And I decided to put my new wallpaper on my home computer.  I utterly adore it.)

Pip4:  Thanks, Pip.  I don’t like everything to be totally predictable.

PlatinumRoseLady:  Wow, thank you for the applause and especially for the Cadbury eggs!  Yum.

Raven Aorla:  I’m loving giving Boromir some real nobility and a chance to “show his quality”.

Roger Gamgee:  What a relief that Frodo’s logic in choosing Boromir seemed sound.  I wanted to do something unexpected, but not implausible!  (Writing “Lost” fanfics is such an interesting idea -- I truly never imagined writing anything that wasn’t LOTR based.)

Rogue200315:  Thank you!  I’m so happy you’re enjoying the story.

Scifirogue Kane (and lil sis):  It isn’t easy to come up with unpredictable plot twists, but I’m glad to have managed one more!  Yes, that Saruman is in over his head (literally).

smalldiver:  Thank you for trying so hard to review Chapter 11; ff.net can be quite unpredictable, even after all these years.