The Lord of the Rings, #1
The Fellowship of the Ring
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
CHAPTER 10: THE BREAKING OF THE FELLOWSHIP
Overview
At Parth Galen, the Fellowship confronts their long-delayed choice. Boromir succumbs to the Ring and tries to take it, driving Frodo to flee, witness Sauron’s Eye from Amon Hen, and decide to go alone. Sam deduces Frodo’s plan, nearly drowns, and insists on joining. The Fellowship breaks as Frodo and Sam depart east.
Summary
Aragorn brings the Company to Parth Galen beneath Amon Hen, where Sting’s faint glow hints at nearby orcs. In the morning Aragorn declares the time for choice: Minas Tirith or Mordor, together or apart. He defers to Frodo, who asks for an hour alone to decide.
Frodo wanders up Amon Hen and is found by Boromir. Boromir first counsels a detour to Minas Tirith, then argues they should use the Ring. When Frodo refuses to show or lend it, Boromir’s desire breaks loose; he lunges. Frodo slips on the Ring and escapes, and Boromir collapses in remorse.
On the Seat of Seeing, invisible, Frodo beholds signs of war across Middle-earth and at last feels the Eye of Sauron searching for him. A counter-command urges him to remove the Ring. Regaining himself, Frodo decides the Ring’s evil already endangers the Company and resolves to go alone to Mordor.
Meanwhile, the Fellowship debates Frodo’s delay. Boromir returns, grim, admitting he urged Minas Tirith and that Frodo vanished. Panic scatters the Company in search. Aragorn pursues Sam toward Amon Hen, but Sam stops, reasons Frodo will seek the boats, and races back.
Sam reaches the shore as Frodo departs. He leaps, misses, and nearly drowns before Frodo hauls him aboard. Sam refuses to be left, and Frodo relents, accepting that they are meant to go together. They paddle across below Tol Brandir to Amon Lhaw, hide the boat, shoulder their packs, and set off into the Emyn Muil toward the Land of Shadow.
Who Appears
- Frodo BagginsRing-bearer; assaulted by Boromir’s temptation, sees Sauron’s Eye on Amon Hen, resolves to go to Mordor.
- Samwise GamgeeRealizes Frodo’s intent, races to the boats, nearly drowns, then insists on accompanying Frodo to Mordor.
- BoromirUrges using the Ring, attempts to seize it in a moment of madness, then repents, grim and ashamed.
- AragornLeads at Parth Galen, defers the choice to Frodo, organizes the search, pursues Sam toward Amon Hen.
- Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry)Refuses to abandon Frodo; rushes into the woods searching when panic strikes the Company.
- Peregrin Took (Pippin)Insists they must not let Frodo go alone; joins the frantic search.
- LegolasDebates choices with the Company; runs to search for Frodo in the woods.
- GimliPledges to follow Frodo if he goes east; joins the search during the confusion.