The Lord of the Rings, #1
The Fellowship of the Ring
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
CHAPTER 9: THE GREAT RIVER
Overview
The Fellowship drift south on Anduin through barren lands, discovering Gollum is trailing them. Near Sarn Gebir they face orc archers and a terrifying winged creature that Legolas fells, forcing a fog-shrouded portage.
Despite Boromir urging Minas Tirith, Aragorn leads them past the Argonath to Nen Hithoel and Rauros, where a decisive choice looms.
Summary
The Company travels south on Anduin, conserving strength while Aragorn urges long days. The eastern Brown Lands and reed-choked western banks feel empty and unsafe. Black swans pass overhead. Boromir grows restless and watches Frodo, while Sam, weary of boats, glimpses a “log with eyes.”
That night Sam reports the sighting; Frodo recalls earlier eerie eyes near Lórien and names Gollum. During Sam’s watch-switch, Gollum approaches the moored boats; Frodo draws Sting and the creature flees. Aragorn admits Gollum has tracked them since Moria and presses the Company to accelerate and travel by night to evade him.
As they near Sarn Gebir in darkness, Sam warns of rocks and rapids. Orc arrows suddenly hiss from the eastern bank; Frodo is struck but saved by his hidden mail. Legolas lands to return fire, but a great winged shadow sweeps from the south; his Lórien bow fells it, and the orcs fall silent. The Company withdraws to a hidden bay to await dawn, unsettled by the encounter and by strange reckonings of time after Lórien.
In morning fog, Boromir argues to abandon boats and head for Minas Tirith via the Entwash; Aragorn refuses, proposing to portage past Sarn Gebir and reach the ancient seats at Amon Hen before deciding. Aragorn and Legolas find the western portage-way. With strenuous effort the Company hauls boats and gear over rough limestone to a southern landing and camps in gloom and drizzle.
With clearing weather they resume by day. The river narrows into a gorge and they pass between the Argonath, the carved Pillars of the Kings. Awe grips all; Aragorn reveals kingly bearing, naming his lineage. They emerge upon lake Nen Hithoel beneath Tol Brandir, with Amon Lhaw and Amon Hen flanking. As night falls and Rauros thunders ahead, Wilderland lies behind; a final choice of east or west awaits.
Who Appears
- AragornGuides the boats, recognizes Gollum’s pursuit, organizes faster travel, finds the portage, rejects Minas Tirith for now, and reveals kingly bearing at the Argonath.
- Frodo BagginsSenses the desolation, confirms Gollum’s presence, survives an orc arrow due to mithril, and witnesses Aragorn’s transformation at the Argonath.
- Samwise GamgeeSpots the ‘log with eyes,’ keeps watch, hears Gollum, puzzles over Lórien’s time, and helps paddle under orc fire.
- LegolasScouts the skies, returns fire on orcs, and shoots down a great winged creature with his Lórien bow.
- BoromirGrows restless, argues to turn for Minas Tirith, yields to Aragorn’s plan, and helps haul boats over the portage.
- GimliKeeps the first fire, toils over the portage, and recalls the Balrog when the winged shadow appears.
- Meriadoc BrandybuckUneasy in Boromir’s boat, narrowly missed by an orc arrow, helps carry gear during the portage.
- Peregrin TookNotices Boromir’s strange gaze toward Frodo, rides mid-boat, and assists during the portage.
- GollumSecretly trails the Fellowship on a log, attempts to approach their boats at night, then slips away.
- Orc archersAmbush the boats near Sarn Gebir from the eastern bank, wounding none due to mail and missed shots.
- Winged creatureA terrifying, cold-shadowed flyer from the south; routed by Legolas’s arrow, silencing the orcs.