This story is considerably revised since its initial posting under the title, 'Against Refusal,' which baffled some readers.

Story inspiration:

'It was with a heavy heart that Frodo saw Aragorn and Legolas climb the steep bank and vanish into the mists' but his fears proved groundless ... it was barely mid-day, when the shadowy shapes of the explorers appeared again.'
JRRT, FOTR, The Great River
This fic is somewhat AU in that it introduces a brief meal before the company's labor with the boats.

Inspiration for the initial title (used for an earlier version of this fic) and in part for the story itself came from Frodo’s words at Parth Galen:

‘[Warning] against delay. Against the way that seem easier. Against refusal of the burden that is laid on me.’ JRRT,FOTR,The Breaking of the Fellowship

Thank you to Larner, Stormyday, Aratlithiel, JoDancingTree, Northland, and Flourish for insightful beta review and comments.