CHAPTER 1: THE DEPARTURE OF BOROMIR

Aragorn tracks hobbit prints up Amon Hen, glimpses a circling great bird, and then hears Orc-cries and Boromir’s horn. Racing toward the sounds, he arrives too late and finds Boromir seated against a tree, pierced by arrows amid many slain Orcs. Boromir confesses he tried to take the Ring from Frodo, reports the halflings were taken alive, and dies.

Legolas and Gimli arrive, grieving. The three debate choices but first resolve to honor Boromir. While gathering trophies for a burial, Aragorn finds the hobbits’ Westernesse knives among the Orc-plunder, and all note unusual Orc gear bearing a white hand and S-rune. Aragorn concludes these are Saruman’s servants, confirming Isengard’s treachery.

They build a bier, fetch boats, and lay Boromir with his shattered horn and sword, setting enemy blades at his feet. They send him down Anduin over Rauros in an elven-boat and sing a lament, acknowledging he will not return to Minas Tirith.

Back at Parth Galen, Aragorn reads the ground: no Orcs at the camp, two packs missing, and hobbit prints in the shallows. He infers Frodo departed by boat and Sam followed. Though torn between seeking the Ring-bearer and rescuing the captives, Aragorn decides the captives’ need is urgent and no longer his charge to guide Frodo.

Resolute at last, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli cache spare gear, pick up the heavy Orc trail near Boromir’s fall, and set off in relentless pursuit into dusk, naming themselves the Three Hunters.