The End of the Fellowship

 

After Boromir failed to convince Frodo to let Boromir or another ally use the Ruling Ring as a weapon of war, Boromir attacked Frodo.

Frodo wore the ring, vanished, and fled the scene. He climbed to a spot where he could see the surrounding lands.

Still wearing the ring, Frodo saw the destruction Sauron planned to bring to the free people of Middle Earth if the Dark Lord successfully carried out his plans.  

Frodo felt the ring’s desire to return to Sauron, but Frodo took it off before Sauron could use its power to find him.

Frodo then decided he had to immediately travel to Mount Doom in Mordor, alone, to destroy the ring.

 

Frodo rose to his feet. A great weariness was on him, but his will was firm and his heart lighter. He spoke aloud to himself. 'I will do now what I must,' he said. 'This at least is plain: the evil of the Ring is already at work even in the Company, and the Ring must leave them before it does more harm. I will go alone.

‘Some I cannot trust, and those I can trust are too dear to me: poor old Sam, and Merry and Pippin. Strider, too: his heart yearns for Minas Tirith, and he will be needed there, now Boromir has fallen into evil. I will go alone. At once.' (Book Two, Chapter 10)

 

Frodo didn’t want to leave his friends without explaining his decision or saying goodbye.

But he knew they wouldn’t agree to let him continue his dangerous journey alone.

 

I hate leaving them, and like this without any explanation. But surely they will understand. Sam will. And what else can I do?' (Book Two, Chapter 10)

 

Meanwhile, the other members of the Fellowship debated what they should do, and they considered where Frodo would decide to go next.

Boromir returned and explained he had tried to convince Frodo to come with him to Minas Tirith, the capital of Boromir’s home, the human kingdom of Gondor.

Boromir said he had become angry with Frodo, and that Frodo put on the ring and disappeared.

Boromir did not disclose that he had attacked Frodo and attempted to take the ring.

Sam told the group he believed Frodo was likely planning to leave for Mordor alone. The Fellowship then scattered in a frenzied search to find their friend and companion.

Sam stopped for a moment, before realizing Frodo would need to use one of their boats to leave.

He returned to their campsite in time to see one of their boats leaving the shore. Sam jumped after it, and he fell into deep water.

Frodo saw Sam become submerged in the river, and Frodo pulled him into the boat.

 

 

'Of all the confounded nuisances you are the worst, Sam!' he said.

'Oh, Mr. Frodo, that's hard!' said Sam shivering. 'That's hard, trying to go without me and all. If I hadn't a guessed right, where would you be now?'

'Safely on my way.'

'Safely!' said Sam. 'All alone and without me to help you? I couldn't have a borne it, it'd have been the death of me.'

'It would be the death of you to come with me, Sam,' said Frodo. ‘And I could not have borne that.'

'Not as certain as being left behind,' said Sam.

'But I am going to Mordor.'

'I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.'

'Now, Sam,' said Frodo, 'don't hinder me! The others will be coming back at any minute. If they catch me here, I shall have to argue and explain, and I shall never have the heart or the chance to get off. But I must go at once. It's the only way.'

'Of course it is,' answered Sam. 'But not alone. I'm coming too, or neither of us isn't going. I'll knock holes in all the boats first.'

Frodo actually laughed. A sudden warmth and gladness touched his heart. 'Leave one!' he said. 'We'll need it. (Book Two, Chapter 10)

 

 

Sam grabbed a few provisions and supplies. And then Frodo and Sam set off for Mordor together.

 

'So all my plan is spoilt!' said Frodo. 'It is no good trying to escape you. But I'm glad, Sam. I cannot tell you how glad. Come along! It is plain that we were meant to go together. We will go, and may the others find a safe road! Strider will look after them. I don't suppose we shall see them again.'

'Yet we may, Mr. Frodo. We may,' said Sam. (Book Two, Chapter 10)

 

With their departure, the Fellowship of the Ring separated, and that part of their journey drew to a close.

This is where the volume The Fellowship of the Ring reaches its end.

 

 

Boromir’s death

The events at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring were immediately followed by events described in the first chapter of its sequel, The Two Towers.

Like its predecessor, The Two Towers contains two books, described as Book Three and Book Four.

 

 

Aragorn heard the cries of orcs and the sound of Boromir’s horn. Aragorn raced to help Boromir fight the attacking orcs.

Unfortunately, by the time Aragorn arrived to aid Boromir, the attack was over and Boromir was gravely injured.

Aragorn raced down the last slope, but before he could reach the hill's foot, the sounds died away; and as he turned to the left and ran towards them they retreated, until at last he could hear them no more. Drawing his bright sword and crying Elendil! Elendil! he crashed through the trees.

A mile, maybe, from Parth Galen in a little glade not far from the lake he found Boromir. He was sitting with his back to a great tree, as if he was resting. 

But Aragorn saw that he was pierced with many black-feathered arrows; his sword was still in his hand, but it was broken near the hilt; his horn cloven in two was at his side. Many Orcs lay slain, piled all about him and at his feet. (Book Three, Chapter 1)

 

Boromir, mortally wounded, shared his last words with Aragorn. Boromir finally admitted that he attempted to take the ring from Frodo.

Aragorn knelt beside him. Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak.

At last slow words came. 'I tried to take the Ring from Frodo,' he said. 'I am sorry. I have paid.' His glance strayed to his fallen enemies; twenty at least lay there.

'They have gone: the Halflings: the Orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them.' He paused and his eyes closed wearily. After a moment he spoke again.

'Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed.'

'No!' said Aragorn, taking his hand and kissing his brow. 'You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fall!'

Boromir smiled.

'Which way did they go? Was Frodo there?' said Aragorn.

But Boromir did not speak again. (Book Three, Chapter 1)

 

 

Boromir expressed regret for trying to take the ring from Frodo and said he had paid for doing so. Boromir implied he paid for his misdeed with his death.

Boromir asked Aragorn to go to Minas Tirith to aid Gondor in the war against Sauron. Boromir lamented that he had failed his people.

Aragorn, seeking to comfort the warrior, told Boromir instead that he had conquered and achieved an important victory. Aragorn also told him that Minas Tirith would not fall.

Aragorn chose his words carefully to comfort Boromir in his final moments. Aragorn understood Boromir’s deepest commitments and values and used that knowledge to provide Boromir with a measure of peace in his dying moments.

This exchange also demonstrates Boromir’s dedication to the military defense and protection of his homeland, a noble goal that had played a role in his plan to use the Ruling Ring.

This set in motion Boromir’s final moral failure, his attempt to take the ring from Frodo, which Boromir said had cost him his life.

Boromir’s death, almost immediately after attacking Frodo, provides Boromir with a redemption arc. He regretted his decision, was mortally wounded trying to protect Merry and Pippin, admitted his misdeed, and died for a valiant cause.

 

Gimli and Legolas soon joined Aragorn and observed that Boromir had died.

To prevent Boromir’s remains from being mutilated by orcs, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli provided Boromir a burial at sea. They placed Boromir’s body in one of their boats and sent it off down the river.

Following a short ceremony to honor and remember Boromir, Aragon determined Frodo and Sam had left together in one of the boats.

 

'Our choice then,' said Gimli, 'is either to take the remaining boat and follow Frodo, or else to follow the Orcs on foot. There is little hope either way. We have already lost precious hours.'

'Let me think!' said Aragorn. 'And now may I make a right choice and change the evil fate of this unhappy day!' He stood silent for a moment. 'I will follow the Orcs,' he said at last. 'I would have guided Frodo to Mordor and gone with him to the end; but if I seek him now in the wilderness, I must abandon the captives to torment and death.

‘My heart speaks clearly at last: the fate of the Bearer is in my hands no longer. The Company has played its part. Yet we that remain cannot forsake our companions while we have strength left. Come! We will go now. Leave all that can be spared behind! We will press on by day and dark!' (Book Three, Chapter 1)

 

 

Aragorn decided he, Legolas, and Gimli should follow the orcs to rescue Merry and Pippin, who had been taken captive. The three departed in swift pursuit, leaving Frodo and Sam to journey to Mount Doom alone, as Frodo had chosen.

 

In my next analysis, I will examine the portrayal of female characters in The Fellowship of the Ring, with an emphasis on the minor characters of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, Goldberry, and Arwen.