This is the first part of the final chapter in my "Dynasty Broken" trilogy. I began this opus on March 10, 2002. Many readers thought they would never live to see it finished. Neither did I. However, after much debate with my muse, I have finally decided on the ending.

Sometimes Things Don't Turn Out the Way We Planned, Part I

(Parth Galen, February 26, about 11 a.m.)

The Fellowship reached Parth Galen the morning of February 26. Each was in a somber mood; almost everyone was dreading the next leg of the journey. Aragorn sat apart, his head down, deep in thought. As the leader of the Company, it was his responsibility to decide whether to go on to Mordor or to accompany Boromir to Minas Tirith. Although he greatly desired to defend the land he one day would rule, he knew he could not allow Frodo and the others to journey East without him. He had agonized over this decision every minute since leaving Lothlorien.

What if I take Frodo and the Ring to Mount Doom, complete the quest successfully, then return to Gondor only to find my future Kingdom laid to waste and my would-be subjects slaughtered? Yet, if I go with Boromir to the White City and Frodo fails in his mission, Gondor and its people will fall anyway. The stress of the past nine days had made Aragorn's empty stomach burn and his head pound. If only Gandalf had not fallen in Moria. He would be the one to lead Frodo into Mordor and I would be free to follow my heart to Gondor. Alas that fate should be such a fickle mistress.

Frodo also sat by himself. Although he had no doubts about which course he must take, he was terrified of the journey ahead. He also knew in his heart that the other Hobbits should not go with him. Frodo watched dejectedly as they spread out their bedrolls. Aragorn had suggested that each use this time to take some rest. Perhaps if I went off on my own, I might be better able to decide how best to proceed, he thought. After a quick glance at the rest of the Company, Frodo slipped soundlessly into the woods of Amon Hen. No one but Boromir saw him leave.

* * * * * * * *

Frodo did not know how long he had been wandering through the woods. Although it seemed that he had left the others hours ago, he was certain it

could not have been more than half-an-hour. He felt much more depressed now that he was alone. Sighing loudly, Frodo jumped up upon the remains of a great stature and stretched out on his back. In a few moments he was asleep.

Something interrupted Frodo's slumber; he sat up quickly and searched the area for what had alarmed him in his sleep. A flash of blue and maroon caught his eye and he knew that the man of Gondor had found him. The Hobbit steeled himself for a confrontation as Boromir stepped into the small clearing.

"None of should wander alone, especially you. Why did you leave the Company, Frodo?" Boromir's gray eyes were filled with concern and pity, yet Frodo knew that this meeting was no accident. Feeling terribly vulnerable, the Hobbit jumped to the ground and began moving away from the man. "What is wrong, little one?" asked Boromir, the expression on his face one of genuine concern. "You look as though you face an enemy. I am not your foe, but your friend. Or, at least I hope you think of me as such."

Frodo shook his head. "I do not trust you." Boromir looked shocked as Frodo hurriedly spoke the words he'd held back since the day of Elrond's Council. "I know you are the Captain-General of Gondor's army and a noble man. Yet I also know that you desire the Ring because you cannot see how truly evil it is. Believe me when I say that if I gave it to you, it would be your ruin."

A cloud of anger immediately replaced the concern and shock on the man's fair face. "You talk like that fool of a wizard! He said it was altogether evil and was, therefore, afraid to wield it. But I am not an old man who fears the unknown. I am a warrior who has survived much that would still your heart were you to face it. I ask only for the means to save my people. Would you but lend it to me…"

Frodo's mouth fell open and he gaped disbelievingly at the tall man before him. I must find Aragorn, he thought fearfully. I am no match for this fierce warrior. "You are not yourself," the Hobbit said aloud, hoping that his voice sounded more confident than he felt. "I am going back to the others."

As Frodo walked across the clearing, Boromir unexpectedly lunged at him and caught him about the waist with his strong arms. As Frodo struggled to free himself, Boromir lost his balance and both Hobbit and man fell heavily onto the hard ground. Frodo was still trying to catch his breath when he felt Boromir's hands clutching at his throat in a frantic attempt to take the Ring. "No! It must be destroyed," Frodo cried.

Boromir's face was flushed dark red and his eyes looked wild. "Fool! Obstinate fool!! It is not yours save by unhappy chance. It might have been mine. It should be mine. Give it to me!!"

Frodo gripped the Ring tightly. He was terrified of the huge man but even more terrified of what might happen should he gain possession of the One. "Boromir, please. You are not yourself! Let me go!!" As the two continued to struggle for control of the Ring, Frodo felt a pulsing heat begin to burn his hands. With a sick feeling of dread, the Halfling realized that the One wanted to be taken by this half-crazed man; the realization gave him strength to place the Ring upon a finger.

Boromir stared at the bare ground where he knew Frodo had to be, but he could not see the Hobbit. Although Elrond and Mithrandir had warned against the power of the Ring, the man had seen no signs of that power. Stunned beyond speech, he was able only to stare downward as though transfixed. Frodo took advantage of the moment and kicked his adversary in the shin, the blow causing the man to fall backward.

The man of Gondor was furious over what he considered the Hobbit's treachery. His desire for the Ring was surging through every fiber of his being. He must have this weapon to save his homeland! "Miserable trickster!" he shouted. "You are a traitor! I see your purpose. You will take the Ring to Sauron and sell us all!! Come back you miserable little… " Boromir's words were cut off as he tripped over a large rock and fell prone onto the ground.

Stunned, Denethor's heir looked about for signs of Frodo. The fall had broken the Ring's hold over him and he began to weep in shame. "What have I done? Frodo, come back! A madness came over me, but it is gone. Please, come back. I am so sorry." But Frodo did not hear the man's pleas and self-recriminations; he already was out of earshot.

* * * * * * * * *

Frodo ran recklessly through the woods, stopping only when he found himself alone on the summit of Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight. His small breast was heaving as he gasped for breath and his stomach was churning violently. For the first time in his life, Frodo was thankful he had not eaten second breakfast.

The Hobbit's breathing gradually returned to normal and he was able to take stock of his surroundings. Before him was a wide flat circle, paved with mighty flags and surrounded by a crumbling battlement. In the middle, set upon four carven pillars, was a high seat reached by a long stairway. Without really being aware of his actions, Frodo ascended those steep steps and seated himself upon the throne.

Because he still wore the Ring, Frodo saw the world about him through a black mist. Images began to swirl though his tormented mind and, for a moment only, he thought he had gone mad. He was sitting upon the Seat of Seeing on Amon Hen, the Hill of the Eye of the Men of Numenor. Then the mist parted and he gazed unhampered to the East, then to the West, then to the North and, finally, to the South. Below his feet the Great River plunged over the Falls of Rauros into a foaming pit. Far away he could see Minas Tirith and he realized, with a start, that the great city was under siege by an army greater and much stronger than its own. Tears of despair sprang to his eyes and would have fallen except that, suddenly, he felt the Eye.

In the back of his mind, Frodo heard a voice saying, "There is an Eye in the Dark Tower that does not sleep." Now he felt the Eye upon him and he was terrified, for it seemed that a fierce, eager will was searching greedily for him. Take it off! Take it off before he sees you!! Frodo did not know from whence the warning voice came, but he heeded it just the same. With only a few seconds to spare, he tore the Ring from his finger and fell off the throne onto the hard flagstones. Many minutes passed before the Halfling realized he was sobbing wildly.

As Frodo lay before the throne of mountain kings, he made up his mind about the quest. He would take the road to Mordor and he would take it alone. He would not risk anyone else falling prey to the Ring's siren call. Nor would he subject his friends to the horrible fate that most certainly awaited him. No, he would immediately set out alone for the Dark Land.

Having screwed up his courage, Frodo quickly descended the steps of Amon Hen and raced back to Parth Galen.

* * * * * * * * *

Aragorn was startled out of his reverie by a cry from Sam. "What is it now, Sam?" he asked curtly.

"Where's Master Frodo?" Sam asked, a hint of desperation in his voice. "He was right here a little while ago and now he's not!"

Merry and Pippin jumped up from their bedrolls and began running toward the woods. "Wait, do not go off alone," shouted Aragorn. Either the young Hobbits did not hear him or else they chose to ignore his words. The Ranger turned around to speak to Sam and saw that he, too, was headed for the woods. "Legolas, Gimli go after Pippin and Merry and guard them. I will search for Sam."

The Elf and dwarf ran into the woods in the direction the younger Hobbits had taken. Aragorn started to leave, but stopped when he saw Boromir's shield. He had forgotten all about the man of Gondor. And where was Eledwhen? How could three members of the Company leave the area without him knowing? I fear this day will end badly, he thought grimly.

* * * * * * * * *

This ends the first part of the last chapter. I decided to split it because it has taken me so long just to get to this point. I am having trouble writing the ending. Some of the words in this chapter are taken verbatim from "The Fellowship of the Ring" or are paraphrased. Some of the words are closer to what was said in the movie. I should have the ending to this tale in no more than two weeks. Please stay tuned.